T H E C O V E N A N T E R
the Scottish Infantry Depot at Glencorse. in the commercial world that I became
This helped me to learn about dress and acquainted with the ubiquitous business
customs of other Scottish Regiments, to card. Had I had such a thing in those days
add what I already knew about The Scottish I am sure that I would have made good
Rifles. I know there is a recognised form of use of it. 2nd Lieutenant Bin Said was my
civilian dress to be worn with the kilt, but next-door neighbour on the top floor of
at no time during my service was a recruit the Officers’ Mess in Elizabeth Barracks and
or soldier allowed to walk out in a blazer I could have done worse than by slipping
and tartan trews;- known as mixed-dress. him a card for his use at a later time.
I doubt if any of them would have wanted Unfortunately another member of Intake
to anyway? After the battle-dress tunic was 29, who was also in Marne Company with
withdrawn, if they wished to walk out in Philip Grant, pipped us both to the post.
uniform in the UK, they would wear No 2 Consequently, neither of us owns a grouse
dress. moor.
This is why I now find it difficult to The time-honoured way for subalterns to
agree with the practice which has recently keep out of trouble and score Charlie George
cropped up of ex-servicemen wearing blazers points was to be seen frequently by those in
and tartan trews. authority jogging around the barracks in
I attended a funeral of an Ex-Royal Scots tracksuit carrying a millboard. I can confirm
Fusilier in 2003, and except for the piper Philip Grant’s assertion, however, that 2nd
in his kilt, all the RSF and RHF wore suits Lieutenant Bin Said perfected the art by
or blazers and slacks with regimental ties. managing to be in no-one’s company so no
There was no unnecessary marching about company commander had responsibility
or flag waving. for him. Philip Grant maintains that he was
That is my other point; - Colours! Being in B Company. But I was in B Company and
a Rifle Regiment, The Cameronians Scottish was certain that he was in A Company. I
Rifles did not carry Colours. It was against feel sure that enquiries of others present at
tradition to have a Colour Party. the time would show that the D Company
Never in any parade that I took part in, officers knew that he was in HQ Company,
ranging from Selerang Barracks, to Redford while HQ Company only saw him to issue
Barracks, to Douglas did we carry Colours. him with his socks, grey, officers for the use
This permits me to state that Ex- of, and were convinced that he was actually
Cameronians are completely wrong in in D Company.
carrying Colours. Especially at funerals! But I do remember seeing him in Minden,
I am sorry to upset some people, but I am so I suppose that he must have been there
determined to say what I think. - !
By way of postscript, I visited Oman from
Yours etc, Dubai several years ago. This was shortly
T Anderson after the death in Oman of Bob Brown.
Philip Grant and I arrived in Elizabeth
Sir, Barracks on the day before Bob departed
I enjoyed the nostalgic trip provided to take up his post as a Desert Intelligence
by Philip Grant in the last edition, ‘The Officer in Oman. I only saw him again
Regiment’s Links with Oman’. once: on Disbandment Day in 1968. I
I remember well all that he describes of spoke to the Anglican priest in Oman who
those days at Lanark and in Minden. had wanted to find someone to represent
During our last term at Sandhurst I went Bob’s family at his interment. However, as
into breakfast one morning to find that Bob’s local friends were determined that he
some of our junior division, for whom I should be buried as a Muslim, his burial had
was responsible, had considerately decided to be held immediately after his death and
to bring me up-to-date with the latest world there had not been time to contact anyone
news. There, writ large across the front page to attend. Bob had lived for some time in a
of some nameless tabloid was the Regiment’s grace and favour residence provided for him
name and the cap badge! I was comforted, by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said.
however, by the sure knowledge that I was
the right size to qualify as a Poison Dwarf, yours etc,
although I did have some concern on Philip MD Sixsmith (Major)
Grant’s behalf in that regard!
It was not until I left the army and started Sir,

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