T H E C O V E N A N T E R
his time with the 9th Battalion he was in severe exasperation order us to bed. We
Mentioned in Despatches. would go happy and content knowing that our
confidence in each other and that our common
Until his retirement, in 1979 Alec held
views remained and were strong and sure.
a variety of posts not least in Pakistan
Thinking back on those many years I now
in 1949. He was with the Regiment in
realise that Donald had many, many long, good
Gibraltar, Germany, The Persian Gulf and
and happy relationships with others, indeed all
East Africa. In all he served Queen and
of your who are here today were Donald’s best
friends. How come? Well, I think it was because
of his wonderful, generous and mature nature.
He was essentially a giver who enjoyed good
company. He was happiest with people and in
particular, with his children and grandchildren
who would refer to their Grandpa as ‘grumpus’
or ‘grubby’. One even asked on one occasion
‘where on earth did we get Grandpa from?’
He was a fine and brave soldier, a wonderful
games player and a super farmer Following
a career, which has been his bedrock and
his given him so much enjoyment. He was a
patient giver of himself and someone who cared
far more about those whom he was responsible
for than the awful ostentation and minutiae
of life. I remember him with his wonderful
modesty being elected Chairman of 11 Platoon
Football Committee, for him only to realise
that the post was confined to buying the beer
for the Committee. But he so enjoyed telling
Country for all 50 years and will be greatly
this story against himself.
missed. He is survived by his daughters Jean
We are all going to miss him so much but we
and Leanna and his son John, to whom we
can find good comfort in the knowledge that he
extend our deepest sympathy.
is back again with his dear Jean. How much
Mr John Moncur Ramsay at Perth Royal
they will have to bring each other up to date
Infirmary 20 Dec 2003. A proud Cameronian
and share life again. He is safe, at peace and we
who served with the 1st Bn. in Malaya.
have the sure knowledge that his record is one
which will make this so. Even now I think I can
Donald Matheson Sinclair St. John’s
hear that call ‘Oh for goodness sake, Donald,
Episcopal Church, Perth, 25th August
come up to bed!’
Before I speak about Donald on behalf of
That was of course Hugh, one of Donald’s
the family, I want to read something to
Cameronian friends and one of the many
you. There was one person whom we all
friends with whom he sat up late with a
thought would have been right to have
glass of whisky to put the world to rights!
given a tribute today. Unfortunately, Hugh
The Cameronian Regiment owes its
Mackay flew off to Canada on the day of
existence to a period of profound religious
Donald’s death. I know that Hugh and Jeps
fervour in Scotland’s history. Apparently a
are upset that they cannot be here to share
Cameronian soldier was expected to be of
in this day. There are others too, who are
‘upright life and sober conversation!’ Well,
not able to be here (Douglas Sinclair, Rina),
I am not sure about the sober conversation!
but we know that they are thinking of this
I remember sitting up late with Donald
gathering now. By the wonder of e-mail,
on many occasions and once in particular
Hugh has sent a message and I want to read
we watched a crackly old black and white
it for you now.
film on his video machine. There were
‘Donald was my first and easily my best
endless shots of ranks of soldiers standing
friend; a friendship which lasted over 55 years
in line, marching at an astonishing rate
and one which survived many knocks and
and lowering flags. It was a recording of
bumps which only served to strengthen and
the ceremony to disband the regiment that
reinforce our trust and confidence in each other.
took place in the mid-1960’s. (Isn’t there
Gaps of a year or so only meant that we had all
a former Cameronian whose nickname
the more to say to each other or indeed to laugh
is Healeyaxtus, a reference to the then
about together and in the very small hours of
Defence Secretary, Dennis Healy?) (Editors
the morning we would hear Jean or Jennifer
Note: nome de plume of the late Lt

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