T H E C O V E N A N T E R
journey from the hub of the activities in down memory lane united with the infantry
London. platoon weapons etc. There was also Field
With our reserved admission tickets Marshall Montgomery’s limousine, the one
Cameronian Don Farrell and I, with our he had emerged from in Germany after the
wives Lily and Dorothy, attended the Armistice in 1945 to inspect 46 Brigade
Commemorative Event in Horse Guards telling us ‘we have won the war now we
Parade. We were well groomed - the men must win the peace.’
dressed in lounge suits with decorations On entering the Veterans’ Hospitality
and the women in afternoon dresses and tent we were given a voucher to purchase a
hats. The officers wore dress uniforms with cup of (char and wads) tea and buns from
no swords. the NAAF tent for 10p. In 1943 it was 1p a
As we passed through the strict security cup, half a new pence in today’s money.
checks into St James’ Park, the flowers were To sum up, the whole week had been
a mass of colour and the ducks were at peace a great tribute to 1939-45. 60 years have
in their ponds. About 2 o clock (1400hours) passed!
we were shown to our seats. Horse Guards Tom Gore 80 years old.
Parade had been turned into a massive
stadium with steel scaffolding, seats and
Thoughts on War Memorials
a large stage. The Royal Box and VIP seats
stood out at the rear. Everything was so
(letter to the Times)
well organised and everyone was noticeably
polite. On each seat was a bag with a
Sir,
souvenir programme, a badge, a bottle of
In todays issue Morgan Falconer comments
water and a pac a mac. The sun was beating
on the memorial in Kelvingrove, Glasgow,
down so the water was appreciated.
to the more than 7,000 members of the 27
A fanfare of trumpets announced the
battalions of The Cameronians (Scottish
arrival of Her Majesty the Queen and the
Rifles) killed in World War I (Debt to the
Royals in full military uniform with plenty
Many Redeemed in Precious Bronze). He
of gold braid. The Prime minister together
describes it as a ‘depiction of a soldier … in
with the VIPs and the large audience stood,
vengeful fury’.
facing the Royal Box. The Horse Guard escort
It is no such thing. It is an outstanding
with their gleaming breast plates and highly
group which captures the fighting spirit and
turned out horses added to the occasion,
comradeship for which the regiment (1689-
altogether a great display of British heritage.
1968) was so rightly famous. Aggression and
The British Legion Standard Bearers marched
determination are vital in the combatants
in with representatives from other countries
proud to be part of a good fighting unit, be
as well. Mass bands and choirs took their
it an infantry battalion or a Battle of Britain
place on each side of the massive stage. A
squadron. Vengeance has no place there
narrator took us through the 1939-45 years
and is purely in the writer’s mind.
starting off with the air raid warning with
Yours sincerely,
well known stars impersonating the likes
Philip R Grant
of Gracie Fields (Sing As You Go) Flanagan
Major (Retired)
and Allen (HomeTown). Vera Lynn the
1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish
sweetheart of the Forces put in a personal
Rifles)
appearance singing’ We’ll Meet Again’.
(1962-1967)
HMS Belfast blasted from the river to
start the two minute silence.I am sure there
were many reflections and memories good
and bad passing through the minds of
the Veterans as we stood in silence. It was
followed by the Last Post another nostalgic
reflection of absent comrades.
The 1939-45 museum off the Mall covered
a large area and dealt with all aspects of
the war; the Home Front, Rationing, Air
Raid shelters, Land Army, Home Guard
etc The Far East, Burma, Japan etc, Central
Mediterranean forces Egypt, Italy etc. Europe
BLA (British Liberation Army) a real walk
Earl Haig salutes the memorial (see also
page 68)
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