T H E C O V E N A N T E R
At the Annual General Meeting in
The Real Tartan Army
February, 2002, Mr. Jack Gibson resigned as
Readers may have seen on BBC2 Television
Chairman. His resignation was reluctantly
in May and June of 2002, entitled ‘The Real
accepted by the Association and the Rev.
Tartan Army’. This dealt with six famous
James Strachan, L. Th., Dip. Th., was
Scottish Regiments. It was an excellent
elected in his place. Mr Gibson continued
series, with (in the writer’s opinion) only
as Treasurer but finally resigned from the
one flaw: The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
post in September. The Association would
were relegated to a one-line mention in the
like to record its thanks to Jack for his
passing in the HLI broadcast!
stewardship of its funds since its inception
A letter to the Producer was duly fired
and to wish him well in the years ahead.
off. How could makers of the series possibly
There is currently a vacancy for a Treasurer
ignore Scotland’s only Rifle Regiment?
for the Association, although the duties
How could they pass over the history
are being overseen by the Chairman,
and traditions of an unique body of men
Vice-Chairman, Minute Secretary, with
a complete reorganisation of the system
whose story was so closely entwined, not
being undertaken by the Secretary, Jim
only with that of the Scottish Nation, but
Ballantine.
also with that of the Scottish Church?
Jim is to be congratulated for the
How could they ignore the bravery of men
amount of work he so painstakingly
like Henry May and John Erskine? And
does. This year, in addition to his normal
who could possibly pass over the story of
duties, he also arranged for Cameronian
Rifleman Khan?
contingents to march with the King’s Own
Meetings followed. Thereafter, authorities
Scottish Borderers, who currently hold the
on the Regiment were contacted, including
Recruiting Area of the County of Lanark
Colonel Hugh Mackay; Lieutenant-Colonel
in trust for The Cameroniains (Scottish
Sir John Baynes, Bart., Major Leishman; the
Rifles). He also arranged for a substantial
Rev. Jim Strachan, et al. Interviews were
Cameronian contingent to be present
recorded; material was researched; scenes
at the Memorial Service held in South
were shot on location. The result will be
Queensferry for R.S.M. Ronnie Andrews, the
seen in early Spring of 2003.
last R.S.M. of the 1st Battalion. Meanwhile,
Look out for a fitting and worthwhile
a contingent from the Association joined
tribute to the finest Rifle Regiment in the
the Rev. James Strachan when he conducted
Scottish Division!
the funeral of Sgt.Wilson at Calne.
The Association has had diaries made
up. These give details of the current Office-
bearers of the Association. They bear the
Quotable Quotes
Regimental Badge in gold on a rifle green
background, with gold corner mounts on
From an RHF man at the RHF RHQ, 518,
the front cover, and are excellent value at
Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow:
£2.50 each. They are available from the
‘D’ye ken why the Cameronians were
Secretary.
disbanded? They were too intelligent for
The Association is also holding a Burns
the British Government, that’s why!’
Supper in the Olde Club, Tannochside, on
Sunday, February 2, 2002 at 6 for 6.30 p.m.
From Sergeant Johnston at the Cameronians
There are still a few tickets left at the time
(SR) and Family Members Association, after
of writing and these are available from the
an address by Major Leishman:
Secretary.
‘This is terrible. It’s a disgrace to the
It is a great tribute to the spirit of the
Regiment! When a Cameronian Officer
Regiment that so many Cameronians
speaks, you don’t applaud: you jump - it’s
and Family Members have joined the
just a question of how high!’
Association and are working to keep the
name, the memory and the achievements
From a KOSB Sergeant at Hamilton:
of the Regiment alive. If YOU have not yet
‘We don’t usually march at this pace. We’re
joined, please do so. Membership costs only only doing this for the sake of the old
£5 a year and the ‘crack’ at meetings when Cameronians.’
old comrades meet up is always enjoyable And the reply:
and worth hearing. ‘Don’t you worry about the Cams. We’ve
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