THE COVENANTER
Whilst on basic training, lan was given within NATO The athletics track, when
permission to play for the Galashiels cricket it was built shortly before the war, was of
team at Glasgow; he had already played Olympic standard. At week-ends we allowed
for South of Scotland. He was immediately local athletic competitions to be held there,
spotted by a colonel at Scottish Command and I was actually invited to run the 400
who, two days later, phoned the Depot CO. metres for the Buxtehude club; my name
His posting to Kenya was cancelled, and he appeared as Kamerun in the Hamburger
forthwith became a regular all-rounder for Abendblatt! I wonder what colour readers
the Scottish Combined Services team. He thought I was.
was eventually made provost corporal, but The sports at which we excelled at the
seems to have been away rather a lot on time were boxing, hockey, football and
sporting activities! That sort of thing used basketball. As PRI corporal, I remember we
to happen in those far-off days. He is still gave a small allowance to ensure that our
grateful for encouragement received from boxers had nice fat juicy steaks for a week
(then) Lt Dudley Lucas and Sgt Eddy Clark, before one competition. Hockey played on
his training sergeant. Many years later he the MT square was a fast game. Capt Leslie
was President of the Scottish Cricket Union. Dow and certain members of the military
He lives in Galashiels, but suffers from knee band were superb players. At least one had
injuries resulting from many years of sport. represented Scotland. As far as I can recall,
In town the other day a regimental tie the basketball team knocked out a Canadian
identified Tom Cameron, who served in ‘B’ team on the way to the Army final; that sort
Company in Malaya. of thing was not meant to happen.
My wife and I enjoyed the informal officers’ One of our finest all-round sportsmen was
luncheon at Duns arranged by Major David Sgt Arthur Thurlow, the oompah player in
and Sue Nisbet. The only down side was that the Military Band. He had the figure of a
I could not help feeling my age, as, whenever Japanese sumo wrestler, but was incredibly
I enquired about names which cropped up, light on his feet and could pack quite a
I was told in a kindly sort of way, “Oh, that punch. I recall how, as one of the few sober
would be after your time in the Regiment”. bystanders when our wooden gymnasium
Good Gracious! It’s been disbanded for nigh caught fire after an all ranks’ dance, I had
on forty years . Major Bill and Sheana Roger to restrain Arthur, by persuasion rather
restored my self confidence; we were able to than physically, from entering the blazing
recall the halcyon days at Buxtehude - and building to rescue the double bass which
they do not look old! he had taken with him half way round the
May I be allowed to digress about Buxtehude? world. Later he became General Sir Horatio
I felt that it did not fare well in the regimental Murray’s butler at Land Forces Northern
photograph album which was published a Europe.
few years ago. Perhaps that was because it The Battalion had its fair share of potential
was not active service; but I rather think that trouble makers; but there was a certain
it was because of the lack of photographers. brand of truculent soldier who, if properly
That keen camera man, then Captain DEN motivated and if feeling gainfully employed,
Cameron, was at the Depot throughout could be an absolute tower of strength. Such
those twenty five months. I submit three was Tarn Norton, a middle-weight boxer of
of my own photos to our revered Editor some note even before he was called up.
in case he has space to spare. After all, for When I was a section commander in ‘A’
several hundred Cameronians, Buxtehude Company he was my 21C; it was a sheer
was the only foreign station they ever knew pleasure for him to dig trenches for himself
- and very comfortable and well appointed and me on the Luneburger Heath. Sergeant
Spey Barracks were. Apparently when the Major Johnny Hannah MM knew what he
occupation forces named them thus it did was doing when he put the unlikely pair
not occur to them that the local populace of us together, because we exerted positive
thought that it was the Graf Spee which was influences on each other. Ours was a
being honoured! In 1982, when I was British remarkably happy platoon.
Liaison Officer, I was invited there by the Our football team also did remarkably well,
German 3rd Panzer Divisional Commander winning the 7th Armoured Division Cup
to speak about the Soviet Exchange Mission. among other exploits. Our team manager
The barracks had changed very little. When and top grade referee was WOII (later Lt Col
we left in September 1956 we handed over OM) George Soper.
to the new German army being re-formed I am tempted to sign off there; however
21
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