T H E C O V E N A N T E R
here, in the heart of the country of the old and I always look forward to my copy of the
Scottish Covenanters who followed Richard minutes of the quarterly meetings. Also, I
Cameron, in the famous Regiment which am in regular contact with Chairman Andy
his inspiration founded. If our Lowland Berry and Jim Ballantyne who keep me up
Scottish regiments are to preserve their to date. I must congratulate the members
old-time character and renown they must who regularly appear on parade at various
be recruited here in the Lowlands among functions of remembrance. I am informed
men of our own kin. We are too proud of that their bearing and turnout are a great
the traditions of our regiments to let them credit to the regiment they once served.
rest in other hands than ours. It is for us As I write this feature, I can hardly believe
and for our own children to keep bright the we are into the beginning of November. I
honour and glory of the Lowland regiments was reminded of this when my security pass
of Scotland in which our comrades died. for Westminster Abbey arrived a few days
ago, with a letter confirming the opening of
Letter from London
the Field of Remembrance as 10 November.
The service and the opening ceremony will
I was saddened early in the new year to
be carried out by Her Majesty the Queen,
learn of the death of Lieut. Col. Sir John
accompanied by H.R.H. Prince Philip. I’m
Baynes. My abiding memory of Sir John was
sure the regiment will be represented on
when he was Adjutant at the Regimental
the day, if not by me, then someone well
Depot Lanark during the nineteen fifties. I
qualified.
was a Squad Sgt Instructor at the time, and
The 10 November has now arrived, and
Sir John used to take the inter-squad drill
I entered the Field of Remembrance. Thirty
competitions. He demanded a high standard
minutes early. As you will no doubt gather, a
of turnout and performance, and we did our
massive security operation was in place, and
very best to achieve these objectives. As a
the police carried out the whole operation
result of Sir John’s policy, a high standard
brilliantly. After the service, carried out
of recruit was produced. I last spoke to Sir
by a senior member of the clergy and Her
John at Alan Campbell’s memorial service
Majesty the Queen, a two minute silence
in Covent Garden last year. We had a nice
was observed. Once again, we had a massive
chat, especially recalling those halcyon
turnout, with the weather overcast, dry and
Lanark days.
a mild, pleasant breeze coaxing the leaves
One of my birthday presents this year was
from the trees where we stood. As usual, Her
a remarkable book entitled Following the
Majesty looked stunning; as she passed our
Drum by Annabel Venning. I recommend
plot I received a lovely smile. Prince Philip,
this book to anyone who has ever lived
following behind Her Majesty, stopped in
in army married quarters. It is a fantastic
front of me, enquiring which regiment I
history of the origins of married quarters,
was representing. On giving him the name
from army wives and children following
of our regiment, he remarked, and I quote,
their menfolk into battle in the Crimea
“There was a lot of history there”. He then
and other campaigns, to the present day.
asked how long I had served in the army.
Annabel Venning spent most of her young
When I told him, he said, “Well done,”
life in married quarters throughout the
and moved on. With H.R.H. using the past
world.
tense of our regiment, I got the feeling he
During the summer I had a lovely visit
did know something of our history, and
from an Old Cameronian, Ex WOII Glen
possibly our demise.
Cowie and his wife Nan. Over a very nice
I was delighted by the appearance of our
Indian lunch we had a great chin wag about
plot. It looked beautiful; I got the impression
old times dating back to our Gibraltar days.
the Royal British Legion had in effect
Glen and Nan, who have lived in Spain for
updated their layouts to a higher standard
many years, came over to the UK and were
all round.
based in Wiltshire at the home of one of
Word has just reached me that Major R.
their daughters, from where they carried out
B. Parkes has passed away. My association
a “whistle-stop tour”, visiting relatives and
with Major Parkes dates back to the 2nd Bn.
friends up and down the country. So Glen
in Gibraltar. He was known affectionately
and Nan, I hope your trip to the UK was a
by the Jocks as “Larry Parkes” after the film
very happy one.
actor who took the part of AI Jolson in the
I am delighted to see that the good work
film “The Jolson Story”. My memories of
of the Association is still being carried out
Major Parkes are fond.

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