AUGUST 2017 WWW.LONDONSCOTTISHREGT.ORG Map showing allied forces advances in the Ypres area, 1917. THE LONDON SCOTTISH REGIMENTAL FAMILY Contents AUGUST 2017 Honorary Regimental Colonel Sir Christopher Geidt KCB KCVO OBE 48 Colonel’s Notes 49 OC’s Notes Regimental Colonel Brigadier Alastair Bruce 54 1 Platoon Notes of Crionaich OBE ADC DL The Toronto Scottish The London 59 Mortar Platoon notes Gordons Regiment G Company 1/51 Highland 60 Serving Company Training Offi cer Commanding The Gordons merge Volunteers becomes “A” (London Scottish) Coy with the Queens Own A Company, in 1992 Highlanders to form as part of the newly 64 Pipes and Drums Major Rob Pitt The Highlanders under formed London the SDR of 1994. Regiment. The Highlanders 72 In the News The Highlanders become 74 Association Notes Company Sergeant Major the 4th Bn Royal Regiment “A” (London Scottish) Coy of Scotland (4 Scots) and CSM Ian Dawson wear the new cap badge 75 Regimental Golf Society worn by all the Scottish The Highlanders Regiments. (4 Scots) 76 London Scottish Lodge AFFILIATIONS 77 Glasgow Association Lunch Front Cover: The cover image is a Ordnance Survey map (Sheet Clerk to the Trustees No.14:17:I) described as “showing progress in the Ypres Area 1st Major Alistair Wood LVO MBE August 17th November 1917” (National Archives FO 925/24005). 78 Regimental History This was offi cially designated the 3rd Battle of Ypres or better Scots Guards known as Passchendaele. A high water table combined with record rainfall and unprecedented shelling churned up the ground 98 Regimental Noticeboard The opinions expressed in the articles of the London and left a sea of mud in its place. The battle cost the British Editor/Production for the Gazette and Commonwealth armies 310 000 casualties. In broad terms, Scottish Regimental Gazette are those of the authors and Rob Blackledge the British V army assaulted through August; the Australian and do not necessarily refl ect the policy and views, offi cial or 99 London Scottish Cadets New Zealand Corps in September and the Canadians fi nally took other wise, of the Regiment or MOD. Editor/Researcher for the Gazette what was left of Passchendaele on 6th November. The human cost can be seen in the nearby Tyne Cot Cemetery where 11 961 The Gazette contains offi cial information which should be Ana Fonseca soldiers are buried or commemorated. treated with discretion by the reader. 101 Letters to the Editor Submissions to the Gazette via email: Published at Headquarters The 1st Bn London Scottish were involved in a limited role. [email protected] The 56th Division was brought from ARRAS and the 168 Brigade 95 Horseferry Road 101 Obituaries was in reserve as 167 and 169 Brigades assaulted LANGEMARK. London SW1P 2DX Despite being in reserve, the London Scottish suffered 55 Member of the Association Tel: 020 7630 1639 casualties of which 26 were killed or died of wounds. of Service Newspapers. Fax: 020 7233 7909 © Crown copyright. 46 London Scottish Regimental Gazette August 2017 August 2017 London Scottish Regimental Gazette 47 REGIMENTAL COLONEL’S NOTES The monumental and quite breathtaking horror of the 3rd Battle of Ypres began 100 years ago on the day I write this. The nation has selected Passchendale as the iconic battle to remember in 1917 and its profile of choking mud adds to the cacophony of other horrors coughed into the memory of our regiment and all the combatant elements of that war. Of course, in 1917 our compatriots were scattered in theatres of battle across the globe and at Hallowe’en this year, our thoughts will both reflect upon 1914 but also hold Beersheba and Jerusalem in remembrance. It has been particularly impressive to see how similarly scattered across the globe have been the deployments of A Company. Many went with the London Regiment group on exercise to Australia, which is about as far distant as any can serve. And recently, Maj Visiting Mortar Platoon based in Catford Pitt took a number to the Pyrenees on Exercise Highland Escape. Both appear to have offered challenges which feature in the photographs I have seen. OC’S NOTES It has been a shocking blow to learn of Colour Sergeant Gurung’s sudden Being in A Company means we are absolute wilderness, living on soldierly skill reservists that aren’t afraid to innovate and death. We seem to have had more than constantly reminded of the inspiring alone, and as happy as any band of brothers explore how we can do things better. So our fair share of unexpected news like ahead. The Company will continue ballot gave the evening an added calm stories that are the history of e I’ve ever seen. If I could distil my hopes for I thought rather than take you through a this recently but, as a community, the to enjoy the financial support of the and tension. It was a pleasure to invite London Scottish. My team and I try very our leadership and mentoring programme, vanilla chronology of the last half year, a London Scottish has proved its strength Trustees and a home at 95 Horseferry the Duchess of Argyll to take the salute hard to aspire to that example and place Project MACPHERSON when I started it few stories in this regard might showcase in uniting, supporting and lifting Road. after the Pipes and Drums had played, opportunity before our soldiers that with Captain Bobby Stewart in January, just how focussed A (London Scottish) memories into inspiration. We hold his Hallowe’en approaches and the as it was her wedding anniversary and a echoes such endeavour, daring and style. this would be the picture in my mind. I Company is in supporting the Army 2020 family in our thoughts. Church Parade will give us inspiring former Duke was one of the regiment’s And that is why I am in the mountains. hope Colonel Sir Tommy would have Re ne intent for the Reserve and grow a The London Scottish was honoured opportunities to gather. In addition, colonels. As I write this, I am over 2300 metres approved of our sense of adventure. combat ready company. to stand beside the Gordon Highlanders and following on from the successful Have an excellent holiday and hold in above sea level in the stunning surrounds anks to Mike Davidson, a veteran Whilst we remain comparatively small, of the French Pyrenees, leading a recreation PARA of the Escape Line Memorial we are emphatically in ‘build’ mode, Association at their final muster in London Scottish community meeting mind the Passchendale anniversaries. of the WW2 Escape Trail, the Chermain De Society who presented to us, there is a parading on average between 20-30 a week. in January, we intend to hold another At the end of August I shall represent Buckie this month. Our regimental La Liberte on Ex HIGHLAND ESCAPE. real emotional link for the team which Our people have never had such incredible alliance with the Gordon’s and then soon. Details of this date is in this the Regiment on the battlefield, to A huge Lamagia Vulture is swooping combines with the physical endeavour. As opportunity placed before them, such as their evolution into The Highlanders gazette. Also, we have changed the remember the dead but also to celebrate overhead. I can’t help but think I’d be less such, every step forward is its own tribute, the recent 3 week deployment to Australia, is remembered warmly by many of the way the cocktail party is managed this the hard won achievements of the happy to see her if I were being pursued by paid for in skin and salt, each made in Ex HIGHLAND ESCAPE, monthly Association who served during this year, in order to increase our influence British Army. Indeed, in the 100th Nazi and Vichy agents hell bent on making memory of the daring and courageous Project MACPHERSON OC’s training alliance and so it was excellent that our among a new constituency of support. anniversaries of the First World War me her next meal. helpers, Allied agents and service nights, an upcoming joint Catford- Pipes and Drums could play their part. There is much changing and we must too little credit is given to the successes I hope you’d all be proud of what I can personnel who made the same journey. Westminster development weekend in The Regiment thrives in its support of build new friendships to give the wide in the midst of stalemate: reading the see in the Pyrenees today. I am perched Expect a fulsome report in the next issue. Scotland and steadily growing platoons the London Regiment’s role providing range of ongoing projects the best details of the military achievements are above the serpentine of rapidly ascending But how is A Company? Churchill, with committed leaders. London Jocks (and guests from 77 Brigade, famous for his command of the language, Innovations such as Ex GREY THREAT the Guards Reserve Battalion. This is chance of success. The experiment an inspiration to our generation. 21 SAS, 144 PARA and the London Irish), said ‘I like things to happen. And if they and other infanteer-focused initiatives went well, partly because the date was our principle task and we look forward as they pick their way through the rocky don’t happen, I like to make them happen.’ have formed a hard core of regular to see the improving numbers increase the one chosen for the snap General outcrops to summit the Col de la Coeur. In that regard I am blessed with a sta of paraders who increasingly impress when still further, in the weeks and months Election.