THE COVENANTER
say I found the Silent Toast as penetrative on these standards – and share them with
as our own tradition. However I never felt those around me both in social and business
quite so comfortable with “A Farmer’s Boy” life. The Cameronian tradition lives on and
as I still do with “Bonnie Mary”. not simply through memories – believe me,
Adrian Terris
I last used my Grandfather’s Cameronian
cane, a few years back, as Company
Memories of National Service
Commander 3PWRR D Company during
a Remembrance Sunday, wreath laying
Half way through the course at Eaton Hall,
ceremony, in Portsmouth. My 2IC, being
we needed to arrange our regiments after we
Capt Gordy Welsh also ex- 4Coy - in pure
were commissioned. In conversation with
Cameronian spirit we ran the standards
one of my fellow cadets, Ronnie Gardiner,
straight through the Battalion – there was
who was in the Cameronians (Scottish
no match.
Rifles), I hoped that they would accept me,
and they were in an interesting part of the
As the wall came tumbling down, I asked
world. They were in the Persian Gulf, with
my CO for leave for adventure in Russia,
two rifle companies in Bahrain, two rifle
there was no specific Army policy at the
companies in Sharjah in what is now the
time and he simply told me to ‘use my
United Arab Emirates, and a company in
initiative’. Russian military personnel were
Kenya, where the battalion was going to be
too afraid of any contact in the early days
reunited. The HQ and Company units were
– however as perestroika rolled over they
divided up everywhere.
presented bear hug after bear hug and just
as many vodka shots and toasts. For reasons
I wrote to the Cameronians, and was
better known to others rather than myself
accepted. So after we passed out, I hung up
I was humbled on quite a few occasions in
my Black Watch uniform. Sadly, I never saw
their appreciation of my small interests and
Ronnie Gardiner again. I do not know what
activities. Perhaps the most notable being a
happened to his military career thereafter.
medal from Russia’s Nuclear Artillery Corps
After his military days, he became a very
awarded by Maj Gen N Svertelov - a long
distinguished solicitor in Edinburgh, but
way from my days at NBCD school. As the
I have never spoken to him since those
medal was presented, it was whispered in
days. Eventually, the course ended, and we
my ear, ‘this is your get out of jail free card-
paraded for the last time. I still have the
you can use it - but only once’. Although
group photograph framed and hanging on
somewhat startled by such advice, it was
my library wall. Then home for leave, before
kindly meant and I can say it has yet to be
reporting in a new uniform to Lanark. I recall
used and trustfully never will.
the trepidation as I put on the uniform for
I run an active Scottish Club in Saint
the first time. Had I got it right? All the little
Petersburg with a notable Saint Andrew’s
bits and pieces were important.
Ball, each year the Astoria’s Winter Garden
resounds to the Black Bear.
The subaltern - 455369 Second Lieutenant
Cain, C.A.
My civilian work now finds me commuting
On 25th January 1958,I was formally
heavily between Ukraine and Russia. When
commissioned, and the world read it in the
I left Wishaw, the Craig was closing down its
London
furnaces, now the great steel mills of Ukraine
Gazette on 25th March 1958. I was the
are doing likewise. Russia is threatening to
lowest form of commissioned life, a Second
cut the gas supplies and hit on Crimea, future
Lieutenant, joining a new regiment. After
unpredictability causing good concern for
a week’s leave at home in the Isle of Man,
the local folk. Also back then, it was Russia
I travelled across the Irish Sea, and then
in Afghanistan, ironically as I returned my
by train from Liverpool, to report to the
‘Annual Reporting Letter’ I understood there
depot of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
is more chance of visiting Afghanistan now
at Lanark. I had barely a couple of weeks
than there was 20 odd years ago.
to learn all about my new regiment before
starting my journey to join the lst Battalion
I am no sentimentalist but can say the
of the regiment, with the companies based in
memories that I have of my connection
Bahrain. I had to try to learn the regimental
with the Cameronians are an integral part
history, learn rifle regimental drill, learn
of my life and therefore I do my best to act
how the uniform was worn, as well as to get
88
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