ESTABLISHED IN 1863 Volume 146, No. 1 September2009 Calendar The Scottish Regiments Series: The London 09/21 Scottish Society Monthly Meeting –Members Dinner In 2004 I took the family on a trip to Britain and Ireland. During our time in London we had the opportunity to visit the home of the London Scottish on Horseferry Road. Bob 10/19 Harman, then Regimental Secretary of the London Scottish hosted us on a tour of the Society Monthly Meeting armory and museum. We kept up correspondence until his retirement three years ago. –Making Haggis, It is a great facility and I recommend a visit if time permits. The London Scottish: Most Londoners know the famous London Scottish, the 7th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, one of the regiments raised in July, 1859, at the time of the ʺInvasion scareʺ of that year. They were first raised among the ʺScottish residents in London and its neighborhoodʺ, and are still mainly recruited from the original source. The commanding officer of the regiment was Colonel Eustace Balfour, a brother of the First Lord of the Treasury, and the corps muster between nine hundred and a thousand of all ranks, men of physique, bearing and soldierly qualities that are the admiration of all who have been brought into con‐ tact with them. Their uniform is grey with blue facings. The Highland Armed Association of London and The Loyal North Britons had been raised in 1793 and 1803 as part of the countryʹs Volunteer Forces ready to re‐ pel Napoleonʹs threatened invasion of England. These formations were later dis‐ banded and it was not until after the Crimean War that the countryʹs security Inside this Issue seemed again to be in danger. So, in 1859, sponsored by The Highland Society of Feature ...................... 1 London and The Caledonian Society of London, a group of individual Scots raised The London Scottish Rifle Volunteers under the command of Lt.Colonel Lord El‐ Message from our cho, later The Earl of Wemyss and March. He decided to clothe the President ............ 2 Regiment in Hodden Grey, the homespun cloth known throughout Upcoming events ...... 3 Scotland. From Gene ................. 8 Left: Lord Elcho, Earl of Wemyss and March Mtg. Agenda ........... 13 (Continued on page 5) September 2009 www.saintandrewssociety‐sf.org Page 1 A Message from Our President The Saint Andrew's Members and Friends: Society of San Francisco 1088 Green Street San Francisco, CA Welcome back from Summer Break. 94133‐3604 Things started off very sadly, however, (415) 885‐6644 with the passing of past‐president Gerry Editor: William Jaggers Sample’s wife and soul‐mate Shirley. Email: [email protected] Clifton Brooks, 86, a long‐time member, who had moved back to Oklahoma also Membership Meetings: left us. I was sad to read that my first Meetings are held the bagpiping instructor, Jimmy Yardley, a member of the Caledonian Club, had also 3rd Monday of the month, at passed away this summer. Our thoughts 7:30 PM. Light refreshments and prayers go out to the families. served after the meeting. We had the Third Annual Joint Officers of the Society Ceilidh at the Encinal Yacht Club on Saturday, 8 August. This event included Fred Rutledge, President members from the St. Andrew’s Society of San Francisco, the Saint Andrew’s Gene McCracken, First VP John Allison, Second VP Society of Oakland, The Caledonian Club of San Francisco and the Pleasanton‐ Russ Wallace, Treasurer Blairgowrie‐Fergus Sister Cities Organization. The numbers were down a bit, Tom Kasinger, Secretary but it was still a great deal of fun. Roger Weed, Librarian Charles Syers DDS, Physician The Labor Day weekend saw the return of the Caledonian Club Games in James Beatty, Chaplain Pleasanton. Our collective thanks need to go out to James Beatty and Elly Sturm Bruce McCubbrey, Bard for setting up, staffing, and taking down the Society tent at Pleasanton, and at Ozzie Reid, Piper the Dunsmuir house Games in Oakland in June. A few new members may come Trustees— out of their efforts! I encourage our members to play an active role in all these Bruce McMillan, Chairman events. Get your society name‐tag now and wear it with pride to events. I had Tom McLaughlin, an opportunity to bring two Scots Guards band members to the tent for a visit. John McCorkindale James was actively recruiting them for membership in no time. Bruce Reeves James M. Robertson, AIA‐E The Calies asked me to be the military liaison for the Pipes and Drums of Board of Relief, the Scots Guards. It was a great honor and a true pleasure to spend four full James Beatty days with these folks. Board of Student Assistance— Some photos from the Games weekend have been provided our newsletter Robert Logan, editor. William Cummings, Sr. William Cummings,Jr. Speaking of the newsletter; I would like to remind members that you too Loren Obley can provide articles for publication. I am working on a William Keith piece and one on the Balclutha, but would be happy to let another member do some writ‐ ing. Muir, MacLeran, the Blairs of Piedmont and stories on other local Scots are welcome. Also pieces on culture, music art and other topics. Please step up to the computer and draft an article! Our next meeting is a Members’ Dinner on Monday, 21 September. Our 2nd VP John Allison promises a delightful meal. His menu includes Scottish Smoked Salmon with capers and sweet onions, BBQ Pork Loin, Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus Spears, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Apple Pie and Fresh Cream, an Assorted Cheese St. Andrew’s Society Board Selection of Biscuits and Coffee. For planning purposes please contact of San Francisco September 2009 www.saintandrewssociety‐sf.org Page 2 Upcomming Events Saint Andrew’s Society Banquet and Ball, Saturday, 28 Novem‐ St. Andrew’s Society of ber, at the Marines’ Memorial Club and Hotel, San Francisco. SF & Related Calendar of Point of Contact: Gene McCracken. Events for 2009 Robert Burns Supper, Saturday, 23 January, at the Family, San SEPTEMBER Francisco. Society Monthly Meeting Point of Contact: John Allison. – 21 SEP – Members Dinner (smoked trout!) Nominating Committee appointed for 2010 slate of officers) OCTOBER SAT, 3 OCT, Loch Lo‐ mand Celtic Society Games, Ben Lomand Society Monthly Meeting – 19 OCT. Program: Making Haggis, presenter Alex Hen‐ derson (Aye, we shall have some to try!) Nominating Committee reports findings Theme: Samhain (Scottish New Year & Halloween) NOVEMBER SUN, 8 NOV, Remem‐ brance Day Service at Grace Cathedral, SF SAT, 28 NOV St. An‐ drew’s Day, Banquet and Ball, Marine’s Memorial, SF MON, 30 November, St. Andrew’s Day Society Monthly Meeting – 16 NOV. Program: the Brit‐ ish Consulate in San September 2009 www.saintandrewssociety‐sf.org Page 3 A Message from Our President continued: (Continued from page 2) St. Andrews Society of John if bringing a guest at (707) 226‐9019, or email him at all‐ San Francisco Certificate [email protected] . The numbers will need to be capped at some point, so of Membership please RSVP soon. Please wear your kilt, kilted skirt or trews! I will have on the Hodden Grey kilt as a reference to my newsletter article It is said that late is better on the London Scottish. than never, to which I will cling To keep costs down we suggest you bring your favorite wine to share at the humbly, as I announce that dinner table. We will have a quick business meeting before the meal and a wee those extraordinarily patient bit of entertainment during by Elli Sturm and James Beatty. We shall have a members who ordered (and piper to lead us to dinner too. paid for) the beautiful Certifi‐ During September the Nominating Committee is organized for the develop‐ cate of Membership will finally ment of individuals running for office next year. Gene McCracken and Russ be presented with their indi‐ Wallace took on their positions for one year and are now looking for suitable vidually inscribed‐‐in calligra‐ replacements. Members in good standing are encouraged to step up. phy‐‐Certificate at the Membersʹ I am looking for persons interested in volunteering for the Firehouse Com‐ Dinner Meeting on Monday, mittee. Among the committee’s tasking will be ways to better utilize the facility September 21. (i.e. a monthly open house, our own Pub Night, the parking, et al). More details will be shared at the October meeting where I will ask for folks to come forward I donʹt recall exactly how and serve for this duty as well. much time has elapsed since you enthusiastically gave me Resolutions. Under our bi‐laws, we are able to select individuals for your name and fee, but it be‐ “Honorary Membership” based on their support of the society. There are two individuals I believe to be good candidates for this category of membership: hooves me, as well as you re‐ Consul‐General Julian Evans and Kristian Mullins. Mr. Evans’ honorary mem‐ cipients, to reiterate the names bership would be indefinite as he is Welsh and cannot join us. Mr. Mullins hon‐ on the list (and on the Certifi‐ orary membership would be in effect until he becomes of age and can join us cates): Jack Baxter and Ms. outright. The resolutions then are to approve Honorary Membership for Julian Bradley Baxter; Gordon and Evans and Kristian Mullins. Vote at the September meeting! Jane Mathew; Stanley Carlton The St. Andrews Banquet and Ball is almost upon us! It will be held at the Prichard; Dr. Charles Syers; and Marines’ Memorial Club on Saturday, 28 November. Please support this event William Cash Jaggers Sr.