T H E C O V E N A N T E R
Major AT Quinn
Of Major Quinn's personal life I knew
very little during the time I knew him as
Having heard only recently of the death of
our commanding officer. It was not until
Alex Quinn I thought a few words on my
many year later, when I called upon him
personal experiences with him might be of
that we were able to chat less formally.
interest to your readers.
As I close this short obituary I have
Plans were afoot to carry the war to the
thought, had it not been for the War I
enemy forces in Europe, to this end, many
would not have had the privilege of meeting
troops were to undergo training of an
this exceptional man and it saddens me
intensive nature, included in that number
that, Military formality forbade greater
was the 9th battalion of The Cameronians
understanding between him and those who
(Scottish Rifles) part of the 46 (Highland
served under him.
Brigade), within the 15th Scottish Division,
May He Rest In Peace
at that time commanded by Lt. Col Villiers
yours etc,
(later to be become Brigadier Villiers DSO
Nat Gormlay
In company with several other very raw
recruits I joined Charlie company having
been greeted (do C.S.M’s, greet raw recruits?)
at the railway station by ‘Trigger’ Muir
I cannot now remember actually meeting
Major Quinn (then a humble Lieutenant)
at Alnmouth, in fact I think it was not
until we travelled down to Keighley, West
Yorkshire that I remember him as our
Platoon Commander
First impressions - Here was a soldier by
his very appearance, that was obvious. A
picture of soldiery sartorial elegance, to be
emulated at every opportunity, (well we
tried!)
Now it was time for serious training, with
the enthusiastic assistance of Sgts. Finnagin
and Page, Cpl. Garlick and C.Q.M.S. ‘Sammy
Newall’, to name but a few. Under the
watchful eye of Major Quinn we moved
from raw recruits to able soldiers as events
later proved
When time permitted, Major Quinn
showed a lighter side of his personality.
His favourite subject being of his time in
India’s sunny climes, the wicked habits of
the inhabitants of the North West frontier
scared the Hell out of us 18 year olds. I was
later to meet those very people.

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