T H E C O V E N A N T E R
Lilburn Tower, Motor Company.
Alnwick, Back at the depot and with my first stripe
Northumberland - Both Ian Collinson and I were (invited?)
By Major A.C.A. Mackinnon - the C.O. To
My dear General become Role models for a new handbook
Yesterday, Leslie Dow, Commanding 1st on The Cameronians
Battalion the Cameronians, left on the What took place then was about two
completion of his Battalions tour of duty weeks of set piece photographs showing
here in Aden. I would like therefore to any interested young man what he could
now put on record how this Regiment has expect if he joined our regiment.
completed its difficult and exacting duties. Creative licence must have been taken
The men arrived in the heat of the with our shots - and I wonder what present
summer with all the appearances and day trading standards would have said.
bearing of troops seasoned in this kind of The service in the N.A.A.F.I. for instance
half-war we wage here. with Jock (Me), Sandy (Ian Collinson)
They went straight on patrols and escorts; relaxing with a cup of tea and a cake. Major
and from the day of their first appearance Mackinnon had ordered the cakes but as
they looked like business. They have never soon as the camera clicked - the cake was
looked otherwise. taken back! We kept and drank the tea,
And in many ways a much less easy however!
reputation to earn under these trying I finished my service as provost corporal
conditions, they have won a name for - but Ian went onto much greater things
exceptional courtesy. in his regular career. Certainly I now feel
They will ever be remembered by the myself more of a Cameronian than ever and
families of servicemen and of civilians with although I have enjoyed many other events
affection, not only for their qualities but in my life, Director of Scotlands largest Ford
in the crowning of their association with main dealer, President of Rotary, Members
the Pipes in the open streets. And in the
of trades house - Glasgow and now President
telling of this day by the ordinary words
of the Brigton Burns Club the biggest burns
of ordinary families bearing the strains of
club in the world - I can never forget my
tension magnificently, I have seen tears of
Cameronian life or forty four years ago.
gratitude and of pride.
Next January 25th Burns night - I will be
They are second to none, and I am as
presiding over a dinner with 700 men - I
proud of having had these men under my
could be tempted to ask the piper to play in
command as they have reason to be of
my top table of 16 to the ‘Gathering of the
their record and reputation so well and
Grahams’ I could have the fastest arriving
firmly earned in Aden, and in the Hills of
top table in history!
Southern Austria.
I can only hope that the enclosed might
form a story for ‘The Covenanter’
Yours very sincerely
Bill Thomson
Major General Sir John Willoughby KBE CB
General Office Commanding Middle East
(Taken from the ‘Handbook Of The
Land Forces, Headquarters, Middle East
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)’
Command, BFPO 69
Enquiring Minds
Sir,
I was a national servicemen with The Two young men, Sandy and Jock, call at the
Cameronians (23343098) from October ‘56 Depot for information as to the prospects of
to 58. My draft was sent on embarkation advancement in the Army. The Recruiting
in mid December 56’ - destination Bahrain Sergeant has little difficulty in interesting
but a few days into my leave I received a young men who are really anxious to
letter from Major Dunbar asking if instead
improve their position in life.
of proceeding abroad with the draft -
Jock looks very serious about it all. No
would I like to remain at the depot and
doubt the Recruiting Sergeant has told him
join training wing. Having got married
about his own personal Army experience,
only 5 days previously I jumped at the
and the prospects offered him when he
opportunity. Little did I know that that in
enlisted, and how he advanced through
later civilian life I would be visiting Bahrain
Army life to his present position.
twice wih my globetrotting with the Ford
Apart from seeing that the Recruit is kept

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