THE COVENANTER
a. to retain as many traditional units affection, not only for their qualities but in
as possible; or the crowning of their association with the
b. to recommend a voluntary amalgamation Pipes in the open streets. And in the telling
within the Brigade; or of this day by the ordinary words of
c. to form a large Regiment, wherein ordinary families bearing the strains of
Regimental Titles would cease to exist tension magnificently, I have seen tears of
In effect the Lowland Brigade
gratitude and of pride.
recommended course a, though we
They are second to none, and I am as
naturally hoped that we would be spared
proud of having had these men under my
and if we were not we had no idea as to
command as they have reason to be of their
which Regiments would go. I, and many of
record and reputation so well and firmly
my advisers, though not all, agreed with
earned in Aden, and in the Hills of Southern
this recommendation.
Arabia.
Amalgamation is at least, a painful
Yours very sincerely,
process and means the loss of two old
Major General Sir John Willoughby KBE CB
Regiments to make a new one. We of all
General Officer Commanding Middle East
people, unlike any other Regiment in
Land Forces, Headquarters, Middle East
Scotland or the British Army, with our
Command.
differences in history, customs, dress and
We can take comfort in the words of the Rev
drill, seemed most unsuitable for
Donald McDonald (former chaplain for many
amalgamation.
years to each of our Regular Battalions in turn)
Our forbears in the Cameronians and the
at the disbandment parade in May 1968.
90th and then in The Cameronians
‘You now move out of the Army List
(Scottish Rifles) have written a fine chapter
because of changes of emphasis in our
in the History of Scotland, of the British
Defence Systems coupled with economic
Empire and of the British Army. We all have
duress and political expediency BUT be not
an immense amount to be proud of.’
disheartened the Army List is a document of
That disbandment should fall to us, not
temporary significance, liable to
least in the context of a similar situation
amendments or excision according to the
unfolding in relation to at least one other
whim and swing of governments.
Scottish Regiment should be seen in the context
So put pride in your step Cameronians!
of the following letter (published with the page
As you march out of the Army List you are
43/44 revision to the 2003 Covenanter) from
marching into History and from your proud
Major General Sir John Willoughby KBE CB
place there, no man can remove your name
sent to the CGS Lieutenant General Sir James
and no man can snatch a rose from the
Cassels GCB KBE DSO.
chaplet of your honour. Be of good courage
therefore! The Lord your God is with you
17th Feb 67
wherever you go and to his gracious mercy
My dear General
and protection I now commit you.’
Yesterday, Leslie Dow, Commanding 1st
Major General FCC Graham CB DSO DL
Battalion the Cameronians, left on the
(Colonel Commandant of the Scotttish Division
completion of his Battalions' tour of duty
in his reply to the Colonel of The Regiment at
here in Aden. I would like therefore to now
the disbandment parade said ‘we pledge
put on record how this Regiment has
ourselves to do all in our power to keep
completed its difficult and exacting duties.
your memory alive. To this end we propose
The men arrived in the heat of the
that the 14th May annually shall be held as
summer with all the appearances and
'Cameronian Day' throughout the ranks of
bearing of troops seasoned in this kind of
the Scottish Infantry. On that day your Flag
half-war we wage here.
will fly on the ramparts of Edinburgh
They went straight on patrols and
Castle. On that day also a short history of
escorts; and from the day of their first
your Regiment will appear in Daily Orders
appearance they looked like business. They
of each Scottish Battalion and your duty
have never looked otherwise.
Pipe Calls will be sounded in their Barracks.’
And in many ways a much less easy
reputation to earn under these trying
conditions, they have won a name for
exceptional courtesy.
They will ever be remembered by the
families of servicemen and of civilians with
56
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