T H E C O V E N A N T E R
A standard bearer for the Royal British 3248650 Cpl 12th Battalion Cameronians
Legion and one for the Combined Cadet (SR)
Force honoured Jimmy,
while wreaths were laid and cards were put P.S.
out. I enjoyed attending 12th Battalion re-union
Residents, who had been invited to bring for quite a few reunions in Lanarkshire - great
their pets to the ceremony,
gatherings - usual regimental standards.
sang All Things Bright and Beautiful, and
curate of St Mary’s Church, in Eastfield
Sir,
Road, Bob Bates, gave a sermon eulogising
I have been given your name as the
donkeys by remembering the story of the
regimental magazine for the Cameronians
prophet Balaar and how his donkey saved
(Scottish Rifles) and wonder how I can
his life.
obtain a copy?
Yvonne Lowndes, who campaigned to
I am trying to get information regarding
refurbish Jimmy’s grave when the park was
the regiment and my father’s service from
renovated, laid one of the wreaths.
1936 until just after WW2. His name was
She said: ‘This is part of the history of
Richard Ward and he has the army no.
the city. Jimmy’s is a lovely story - so many
of 3245275 and enlisted in Hamilton
people came because they love animals.’
30.1.1936. I am his only son.
Any help you can give will be gratefully
Sir,
received.
I am most pleased to have received the
2002 Edition of The Covenanter, regimental
yours etc,
journal of The Cameronians, Scottish
Tony Ward
Rifles.
P.S. Are there any websites available to
I enlisted in the regiment and joined the
research?
regiment at R.H.Q. on 30th October 1939.
Sir,
Having a strong wish to join the regiment
This is to confirm our telephone conversation
of which I had some knowledge pre war.
with reference to Mr Charles Gundrill, who
Being a very active man I enjoyed army
served with the Cameronians. (My great
life from the beginning. I am now 86 years
uncle) Charlie was born on 28th May 1871
of age and remain very fit - I suppose I am
in a little village in Hertfordshire called
lucky?
Weston. He joined the Army on 7/2/1888
I still train - marathon and cross-country
in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He served
on the local fells in the dales.
with them, at home and in India, until the
My loyalty and interest in The
20/3/1895. On this date he was transferred
Cameronians (SR) remains.
to the Army Reserves, into the Second
The journal provides a special source
Scottish Rifles as a Bandsman.
of news and information of happenings As far as we know, the next big step was
within the enthusiasm of those providing to be recalled and sent with the Scottish
material for valued articles. Both from Rifles to South Africa to fight in the war.
long past events, and interesting up to The date given for the start of his service in
date reminding reports of proof that The South Africa in the 23/10/1899.
Cameronians (SR) do not lose heart. I managed to find in the National Archives
I also take the annual journal - mind, at Kew a catalogue reference (P/N 71/2978)
body and spirit - of the army physical which turned out to be the whole medical
training corps - to whom I was posted discharge papers from 1900 up to the time
from the ‘Scottish Rifles’ and joined the of his death on 8/7/1942. I also found his
airborne forces, but didn’t so many require medal citation for the South Africa war
to change? which quotes “2nd Battalion Scottish Rifles
The 12th Battalion my ‘First Posting’ No. 2629 Lance Corporal C. Gundrill with
developed into a good holding unit.
Bars for the medal of Tugela, Heights and
‘Once a Cameronian always a
The Relief of Ladysmith, with a note ‘Time
Cameronian.’
expired’.
Thank you for the copy - ‘A Short History’
It is interesting that his number quoted
- pleased me very much
is his Bedfordshire Regiment number, and
not the number 4151 which he was given
yours etc,
by the Scottish Rifles.
Tom Weatherhead
In the Records at Kew that I note he

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