THE COVENANTER
as Donald Cameron, Sgts Galloway and his arm....maps or masterpieces...who
Sneddon come to mind. The athletics team knows? I thought to myself what are we
also did well with the sprint team to the fore doing with a grand piano!”
(Worthington-Wilmer, Wilberforce, All good things must end and alas 18 Oct
On 1 Dec 1948, the Bn embarked on HMT 1949 saw my return to UK for release from
Empire Test (?) for Trieste on posting to National Service and seeing before me a
British Element Trieste Force (BETFOR). The term of chemistry at University, I reckoned
voyage was merely along the Med, turn left I would soon be making/selling soap for
up the side of Italy to our destination but Lever Bros! I therefore asked the Regiment
the ancient troopship took many days to get if they would have me back. I was lucky to
there. Activities on board included boxing be accepted and via RCB I rejoined in Trieste
(OIC was CSM Godfrey himself an ex ABA in time to embark on HMT Lancashire “The
champion). All young officers were ordered slow boat to China”, taking many weeks to
to box and most of us were entered in the make the passage to Hong Kong. We called
novice class where I was pitted against my at Singapore en route where a dockside
batman (Rfn Neave) who knocked me out parade took place to mark the amalgamation
with three blows in the first round! CSM of the Regiment with 7th Gurkha Rifles. Lt
Godfrey gave “wee Neavey” a one to one Col Bill Henning was now in command and
interview later when it was discovered two guards of honour faced each other for
that he had been a pro sparring partner the occasion when trophies were exchanged
in a Glasgow gym! The Bn boxing team (see photo). Then on to Hong Kong where
won the inter unit trophy in Trieste under we were to join the garrison and be brigaded
the direction of CSM Godfrey with Leslie with Kings Own Scottish Borderers and Argyll
Dow, Donald Cameron and Jake Sneddon and Sutherland Highlanders...indeed a very
leading the way. BETFOR consisted of 5000 North British mixture! Some very serious
British and 5000 American Troops, a post inter unit rivalry ensued and it took the
war arrangement to cope with the Balkans confining to camps of all three Bns followed
problems. We were to share a barracks with by a “fixed” tri-unit highland games to sort
1st Bn The Kings Own Regiment where out the differences. Each Bn won an event
all ranks made many good friends, Scots/ and honour was satisfied! KOSB and A&SH
English cooperation flourished! The visit of were both destined to go to war in Korea
the Bn WOs/Sgts to the mess for Christmas while we were to join 26Gurkha Inf Bde on
drinks comes to mind, I was detailed to look anti terrorist operations in Malaya.
after Sgt Burns my platoon Sgt and the Pipe Staging through Singapore was necessary
Major (John Matheson). When I asked the in order to acclimatize for a few weeks and
Pipe Major what he would like to drink, he be lectured on the importance of personal
replied, “I’ll have a whisky sir” I then asked hygiene in the tropics; we were also warned
him if he would prefer water or soda
...to of the evils of the flesh spots and red light
which he swiftly replied “I’ll have a whisky areas of Singapore! The Union Jack other
sir “! ranks club was a popular watering hole
Instruction in highland dancing for officers however the private clubs throughout the
was compulsory, I had already learned the colony were a closed shop. Messrs Rodger
steps at home and I much enjoyed watching and Baynes settled themselves at a table
in particular Messrs Smith, Bryson and Scott in the smart members only Singapore
on a cold Trieste morning kicking themselves Swimming Club and ordered drinks. A
to death trying to master the various steps. very haughty and excitable manager was
The Pipes and Drums had some splendid unnecessarily rude when ordering them to
characters in their ranks, I recall having a few leave. The manager was to regret his actions
drams with the pipe corporal whose name which prompted Messrs R&B to lift him off
escapes me (Cpl Porteous?) although I know his feet and deposit him in the pool! The
he wore lots of campaign medals. He told grapevine subsequently signalled to us that
me a tale about “When we were in the war it would not be politic for others to apply
in Germany and doing a bit of “collecting” for membership of the SSC!
odds and ends from empty estates. I had a After a few months training, the Bn moved
few of the band struggling to load a grand to Malaya to have two very successful
piano into a three tonner, when I noticed a years anti terrorist operations, which have
small figure about the size of a jockey and been well documented in the Regimental
wearing a regimental bonnet disappearing history. Commanding a platoon on jungle
round the corner with a roll of maps under operations was a great experience...one
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