T H E C O V E N A N T E R
His ambition to join the Army was fruits etc. He particularly enjoyed ‘cracks’
achieved in the summer of 1964 when he over a pint with the locals and was quickly
went to Sandhurst. Here he enjoyed the accepted into the community.
mix of military life and sport and in his John faced many years dealing with
final terms achieved promotion to Junior unexploded devices. Like most people in
Under Officer. In the summer of 1964 he the forces, I have known fear from time to
was commissioned in The Cameronians time, but thankfully in short measure and
(Scottish Rifles) then serving in Edinburgh well interspersed. John in his job faced
on public duties. these fears and pressures day-in, day-out,
I first knew John when I joined the especially during the tours in Northern
Cameronians in late 1964. He was 4 Ireland. This showed real dedication and
months ahead of me at Sandhurst and I am full of admiration for the fortitude
therefore well placed to give advice to a and courage he showed during that
newcomer still wet behind the ears. He lengthy period. It took its toll on his
took me under his wing and gave sage health and throughout this period he was
advice for which I will always be grateful. fully supported by Anne. I will miss the
This was the start of a friendship of 35 years subaltern I knew in the Cameronians and
and was cemented when we both attended the friend of many years and offer deepest
the Platoon Commander’s Course. I got to sympathies to Anne, Sarah and Esther on
know John as a quiet but determined man their very premature loss.
who would always stand by his convictions F.M.
and his friends.
It was shortly after returning from Aden
that we learned that the Battalion was to be
disbanded in May 1968. Meanwhile John
had met Anne prior to leaving for Aden
and in the autumn of 1967 they married in
Edinburgh.
We had become good friends during our
time in the Battalion, but sadly our ways
parted on disbandment. John decided
to join the RAOC while I went flying
helicopters wearing an RCT capbadge.
John, after his initial Ordnance course,
served a tour in the Ordnance Company
in Plymouth. He then volunteered for the
15 month Ammunition Technical Course,
passing with an ‘A’ grade, and starting out
Editors Note - My thanks for the obituary
on a career in guided weapons, explosive
for WO11 Ian McNight published in The
ordnance and bomb disposal. On one of
Covenanter 2001 which was taken from the
several tours of Northern Ireland he was
Regimental Journal of The Royal Highland
awarded a very well deserved Mention-in-
Fusiliers with the approval of Regimental
Despatches for his prolonged work over
Headquarters The Royal Highland Fusiliers.
a very difficult period. Staff jobs followed
until progressive deafness caused him to be
invalided from the Army in July 1986.
Useful Numbers
He then secured the civilian position
Commonwealth War Graves
of Safety Officer at the Eskmeal ranges
Commission Telephone 01628 507 200
on the west coast of Cumbria - almost a
e-mail address:
casualty.enq@cwgc.org
military job in civilian clothes and one he
Royal british Legion Remembrance
thoroughly enjoyed. He also acted as a case
Travel Telephone 01622 716 182
officer for The Royal British Legion and
british Legion (Scotland) Legion
had particular success in acquiring deafness
Affairs Department Telephone 0131
benefits for many individuals. Living in
557 2782
the small community of Gosforth, he was
MOD Records Telephone 01815 733 831 X
able to fully develop the country pursuits
334
that had always been his joy - fishing, both
Army War Medals Office Telephone
sea and river, shooting and new hobbies,
01905 772 323
bird watching, ‘gathering fungi’, Autumn
70
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