T H E C O V E N A N T E R
Stormonth Darling to GHQ Italy to handle energies and leadership skills Stormonth
detailed planning. Resulting drops north of Darling had employed in wartime were
Rome obtained information about German
brought to bear on restoring the fortunes of
troop movements, with small-scale raids
the land.
in the Dalmatian Islands, and a raid into
His Army contact continued, serving as
northern Yugoslavia to destroy two spans of
colonel of the 4th/5th Bn Black Watch TA
a large railway bridge. Stormonth Darling’s
for three years until 1961. In 1960 he led
reputation for meticulous planning shone
his men on a 30 mile overnight march in
through.
rain from Cortachy Castle, the Ogilvie
Never content driving a desk, Stormonth
property near Lednathie, to the Queen
Darling persuaded Lloyd Owen to let him
lead another mission, and in October 1944
Mother’s residence of Birkhall on Deeside.
he and two patrols were parachuted into
He gave generously of his time and
the Florina area of Greece with orders to
talents as a county councillor with Angus
harass retreating Germans. In one instance,
County Council, and was appointed a
charges in road culverts were detonated as
deputy lieutenant of the county in 1961.
an enemy convoy passed over, resulting
In 1970 he recorded a coat-of-arms at the
in the leading three vehicles creating a
Court of the Lord Lyon, the stars on one
massive road block. Stormonth Darling and
quarter symbolising the navigational skills
his men, hidden up the hillside, opened up
he put to direct use during the war.
with every weapon they had, then called in
Moir Stormonth Darling married Beth
the RAF to finish the job. Lucking (nee Evans) in 1941. She died three
Moir Stormonth Darling, brother of Sir years ago, and he is survived by his son,
Jamie, was born in Edinburgh, son of Robert James, daughter, Kate, and step-daughter,
Stormonth Darling, Writer to the Signet in
Sally.
Kelso. After Winchester and reading law
for a year, he was commissioned into the
Mr Roy Wilfrid Downie 18/10/1920 -
2nd Bn the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
3/1/2003.
in 1935, spending three years in Palestine
before returning to the regimental depot
Born in Edinburgh in 1920, Roy was
at Hamilton as adjutant. In 1942, he left
educated at George Heriots School. SHortly
with his regiment to India, Iraq, and
after leaving school he was called up and
Persia. His recruitment to the LRDG came
commissioned into the 7th Battalion The
after replying to an advertisment for a ski Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). He trained
instructor in Lebanon. in the Farroe Islands and Iceland before
After hostilities, he was posted as a heading for Normandy. A few weeks into
general staff officer to HQ British Troops in
the campaign he received a serious leg
Austria before returning to staff college in
wound, which ended his War.
the UK in 1947. A spell at the War Office
Following treatment for his wound, Roy
preceeded his transfer in 1950 to West
went to Edinburgh University where he
Africa to serve first with the Gold Coast
studied Medicine, qualifying in 1950. He
Regiment and latterly in Sierra Leone.
practiced as a GP both at home and abroad,
On his return to the UK, he was posted to
spending some years in Africa before
Northern Command as deputy assistant
returning to finish his career in London. He
adjutant general and to HQ Lowland
District in the same appointment.
and his wife Wyn retired to The Sanctuary,
His final appointments were in 1954
London.
with his regiment to BOAR, and then
His death came quietly at home on 3rd
to take command of the Queen’s Own
January, 2003. He is survived by Wyn,
Nigeria Regiment. It was a matter of some
his wife of forty years, a daughter, step
disappointment to his friends that at the
daughter and two sons.
conclusion of his distinguished military
career in 1958, Stormonth Darling had
Major John Williams 1943-2002 on 14
received only a single mention in despatches.
November at home in Gosforth.
The previous year he inherited the
John Williams was born in Plymouth in
estate of Lednathie from a bachelor uncle.
November 1943. He gained a scholarship
The property in Glen Prosen, north of
to Plymouth College where he was good
Kirriemuir, was run down. The same
academically but excelled at sport - in
particular long distant running and rugby.
69
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