T H E C O V E N A N T E R
spent more than fifty continuous years Colonel Norman Gourlay Jardine
of service in army uniform from 1916 ICD,OBE, TD Norman Gourlay Jardine
to 1969. Starting as a fourteen-year-old was born at Barrack Hall, Dumbreck
bandboy in the Seaforth Highlanders, he on January 15, 1921; the son of Robert
eventually became the bandmaster of the Gourlay Jardine (1875-1971), stockbroker,
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and director and Annie Logan Stevenson Downie (1885
of music of the Royal Engineers (Aldershot). - 1979).
In his retirement, he accepted a similar post He was educated at Craigholme School
with the Bermuda Regiment. His military and Glasgow Academy where in 1936 he
past, too, was recognised at the service by got his first taste of the army in the Junior
the presence of Colonel Dudley Lucas, Lt- Officers Training Corps. This began a life-
Col Dick Walton, Sgt Bill Coughlan and long commitment to military service which,
WO11 Johnny McEwan, formerly of the when taking a commission as 2nd Lieut. In
Cameronians, Lt-Col. George Evans, Lt-Col the 7th Bn. The Cameronians (Scottish
Geoffrey Kingston, the past and present Rifles), he was ‘Saved from a career in the
directors of music at Kneller Hall and Royal Bank of Scotland’ by the onset of the
Student-Bandmaster Dwight Robinson of Second World War. He was sent to France
the Bermuda Regiment. with his unit in June 1940 and evacuated in
Just after his 100th Birthday Laurie the same month back to UK with the British
gave an interview to Band International Expeditionary Forces at Dunkirk.
in which he explained why he decided This followed a period of deployments
to become a Cameronian in 1929. He throughout Scotland with the 7th Battalion
said: “Out of my class there were only as part of the Highland Mountain Division
five of us at the end who were considered and attachment to the 52nd Division Battle
qualified to be bandmasters. When it came School as an instructor. The highlights
to me, the Commandant, Colonel Lancelot of this period being guard duty while the
Gregson, explained to me that there were King, Queen and Royal Princesses were in
two vacancies for bandmasters and that I’d residence at Balmoral Castle in October
have to make a choice.” He said: “First of 1942.
all there’s the Manchester Regiment, who Norman’s unpublished memoirs recorded
I know nothing about. And then there are his absolute fascination and respect for the
the Cameronians, the Scottish Rifles, and I
Royal Family, Princess Elizabeth’s incredible
know this regiment - they lay next to us in
knowledge of military history and Princess
France, in the trenches, and they’re a very
Margaret who never missed a chance to test
fine regiment. Unfortunately, from your
the officers’ resolve and stamina during
point of view, they’re due to go overseas,
but can be very nice.” “He was all for the
Cameronians, so I took them.”
Laurie, a fine clarinettist, had a deep
appreciation of serious music. He loved
orchestral music, opera and chamber music
and introduced such works to his bands.
His favourite composer was Gustav Mahler.
The occasion was a fitting tribute to the
memory of Laurie Dunn. He was liked and
respected by his musicians, who in turn
became loyal to him. His love of his own
family extended to his concern for the
welfare of his bandsmen and all others who
knew him.
Bill Coughlan

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