THE COVENANTER
The Regiment was always very much a family Cameronians and apparently held the
Regiment. For example my grandfather record time for the fastest promotion
served with them in the Crimean War and the from Rfn to SNCO within the British
relief of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny. Army – perhaps still the case. Days after
My father also served for 24 years, it was he enlistment, on board ship, bound for India,
that took the photographs which started all Rfn JB Terris had the audacity to query his
this off and I too served. Other families of pay amount. After a severe blast from the
note were represented at the gathering The RSM for such impertinence, the Paymaster
Graham family whose grandfather Major halted proceedings and gracefully received a
lesson on the Rupee and Sterling exchange
rate mechanisms; all on board ship had
been under paid – including the RSM. My
Grandfather left the ship as RQSM. The story
only bore relevance to me over time.
After a perfect stint as a Rifleman under the
steady stare of WO2 Robb and grateful care
of the local Burma Star Association, although
conscious that I was mere by-product of a
unique regiment disbanded some twenty
years past, there was no doubting the same
unique values and standards were being
instilled into the Soldiers and Officers of
‘Gathering of the Grahams and Wilmers’ 4 Coy, 2/52Lowland. We knew we were
Robert Graham, ggs, Sue Harvie, daughter, Becky Harvie, unique, we knew we were special and
ggd, Chris Harvie, s-in-l, Juliet Worthington-Wilmer, Hugh
we knew it was our job to continue the
Worthington-Wilmer , Phillippa Worthington Wilmer,
traditions. The evidence was in our results,
Charles Graham, son, Andy Graham ggs, James Harvie,
whether the flouncing of the RAF Regt at
Philip Worthington Wilmer, kneeling.
Cameron Barracks, our ability to repeatedly
out match the ‘Regs’ at ASSAM, far less mere
General Douglas Graham CB CBE DSO MC inter Battalion rivalry with the Royal Scots.
Colonel of the Regiment from 1954-1958 If there remained any doubt, the Regimental
and Major Mungo Graham their father. We silverware bore the truth – and we dare not
were fortunate on the day to have with us touch it.
Wing Commander Tony Harper and his wife
from the British High Commission, Michael I was shot off to RMAS, blissfully unaware
Callender who served with the Regiment in that a pair of puttees could jeopardize eight
Kenya, in relatively recent times and Major months of Officer Cadet Training at Redford.
Malcolm MacNeil.” It was a close call between Cameronian
Hugh Worthington- Wilmer tradition or a Queen’s Commission.
“Cameronian Tradition Sir!”
In Grandfathers Footsteps
I successfully returned back to Hamilton,
reporting to OC Fred Tait, with the not so
It was only after recruit training at Penicuik,
proud accolade; ‘Record Number of Show
returning to the Drill Hall, as Rifleman
Parades’, a record that cannot be beaten– as
Terris, with the odd distinction of “The Most
it lasted every day of the course, however
Improved Recruit”, that my father
the puttees stayed put. Platoon Sergeant Joe
mentioned there was a Cameronian
King was suitably impressed and took me
connection in the family. (Prior to that
under his wing.
point, my only vague memory of such
matters was via a small Queen Victoria
The search of civilian employment took me
Coronation tin, containing an issued Bible
south, as a Captain on the Anglo Scottish List,
and jam packed, full of medals which we
attached to the England’s Senior Regiment of
used to pin to ourselves and play ‘soldgees’
Foot. On my first Queen’s Mess night I felt
in the local woods as wee boys did in these
deeply insulted as I partook in the “Silent
days – especially whilst armed with a Johnny
Toast”, the antithesis of our own Loyal
7 machine gun.
Toast tradition. As I learned of the traitors
who were found out over the centuries and
My Grandfather had enlisted into the
summarily hung drawn and quartered, I can
87
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