Cameron
Jack McCall passed away on 28 December 2018.

Seaforth
Ronnie died at Christmas 2018.

After completing his training, he was posted to 1 Seaforth’s who at the end of WW2 was stationed in Malaya.  Ronnie was a National Service Officer stationed in Gillman Barracks, Singapore.  He as a Platoon Commander conducted counter terrorist Patrols in the Malayan jungle.  In May 1948 2^nd Seaforth were amalgamated with 1^st Seaforth and Ronnie found himself surplus to requirements and was seconded to the Royal Military Police initially in Singapore and latterly Ceylon.  He completed his National Service in 1949 and returned to Edinburgh to become an Estate Agent.

Seaforth & QO Hldrs
Ian Gibb was born on 7 July 1926 and died in December 2018 aged 92.

He was commissioned into the Seaforth Highlanders on 19 August 1945.  He served with 1 Seaforth in Java FARELF from 1946-50.

He was awarded the MC for gallantry and exceptional leadership in 1950 having commanded a Rifle Platoon in ‘A’ Company since June 1948 fighting bandits in Malaya.

In 1951 he was posted to the Highland Bde Training Centre at Fort George and in 1952 back to 1 Seaforth in Germany.  He then spent 2 years, 53-55 as an Instructor at Eaton Hall OCS UK.  In 1955 he again joined 1 Seaforth as a Company Commander on Operations in the Western Aden Protectorate, Egypt, Aden and then in 1956 in Gibraltar.

He attended the Staff College, Camberley in 1957 before taking up a post as GSO3 HQ 51(H) Div (TA) and Highland District, Perth, 58-59.  During the early 60’s he was again a Company Commander with 1 Seaforth in Germany before transferring to 1 Queen’s Own Highlanders (Edinburgh) on 7 February 1961 on amalgamation.

He remained a Company Commander with 1 QO Hldrs in Singapore 61-62 before taking up a Staff appointment as GSO2 HQ FARELF Singapore 62-64.  He became Training Officer of The Liverpool Scottish (TA) from 64-66 before his final posting as DAA G (2) Manning MOD (Army) UK.  He retired voluntarily in December 1967 after a distinguished military career.

QO Hldrs
Michael died on 24 November 2018 aged 68.

Cameron
William Anderson was born on 25 May 1931 and died on 20 November 2018 aged 87. 

Cameron
Dougie MacLachlan passed away in November 2018.

Mr Dougie MacLachlan died in November 2018 in Lochaber aged 85.  He enlisted for National Service in 1952 (No 22628767) and was posted to 1^st Bn Black Watch during the Korean War.  He later joined the 4^th/5^th Camerons TA and was CSM of B (Lochaber) Company from 1965 until the reorganisation of the TA in 1967.  An outstanding shinty player, he represented Kilmallie for many years.

Seaforth
Jock was born in 1921 and died in 2018.  He served as a Seaforth throughout the Second World War and was demobbed soon after.

QO Hldrs
Eddie passed away quite unexpectedly in his sleep on 5 October 2018 aged 67.

Eddie Chorley passed out of the Scottish Infantry Depot, Glencorse in October 1970 as a member of Burma Squad.  Before signing on he came from Johnstone where he was a time-served joiner.

Eddie served with the Queen’s Own Highlanders in Edinburgh, BAOR and Northern Ireland, mostly with the Bonny B.  It was whilst serving with the Battalion that he passed his HGV test.

When he was demobbed, he quickly found work as a joiner with the local Council and after successfully re-sitting his HGV exam which had by that time ran out, subsequently found work as a driver.

Although he lived on the west coast of Scotland, he was a regular attender at the Edinburgh Branch where he enjoyed meeting up with old comrades at social functions and marching on Armed Forces Day.

He was an extremely well-liked and respected member of the Regimental Association and will be very much missed by all who knew him. 

QO Hldrs
Jim died on 22 August 2018.

He joined the Battalion in 1964 passing out with Mareth Squad as Best Recruit and Best SLR Shot.  A member of a very fine Battalion Shooting Team and a fine all-around sportsman, he was one of the smartest men in the Queen’s Own Highlanders.

QO Hldrs
Wife of John Donlevy announce the passing of Anne Donlevy on 9 August 2018.

Seaforth & QO Hldrs
Robert passed away on 5 August 2018 peacefully in France. 

Bob enlisted straight from school, joining The 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders in Münster and going on to serve in the Queen’s Own Highlanders through the 60s and 70s and finally leaving the battalion when stationed in Tidworth in 1983.  He finished his service on the Long Service List with positions at the Regular Commissions Board, Westbury as RQMS and then the Recruit Selection Centre Edinburgh before he was finally discharged in 1988. Bob had a special fondness for his time as a young man serving in the Far East and BAOR.

Seaforth
Thomas passed away on 30 June 2018.

Tom was conscripted in 1948.  Within months of completing his National Service, he was recalled serving a further two years in Korea.  After a few months in civvy street, he re-enlisted finally completing his reserve commitment in 1960.

QO Hldrs
Wife of Dougie Murray passed away on 20 May 2018. 

Dougie Murray was in the Military Band in Singapore, but many will remember him in his civilian occupation as a driver at the Depot Glencorse and of course as the man who took all the Passing Out Parade squad photos over a 27-year period at the Depot.

QO Hldrs
Robert (Bobby) passed away on 26 April 2018. 

Robert served in the battalion from 1962-1971 in the QM department as a sign writer.

Cameron & QO Hldrs
John passed away on 21 April 2018.

A fine soldier who originally served in the Cameron Highlanders and later with the Queen’s Own Highlanders. Mav passed away on 21^st April

QO Hldrs
Hoss Maclean was born on 20 November 1945 and died on 10 April 2018 aged 72 years.

Hoss served in the QO HLDRSS from 25 September 1971 until 24 October 1983.  He was a fine man, very helpful, quietly spoken, but strong in stature.  He is remembered as a mainstay of the Macdelta Company Quartermaster Sergeants team.  He served in N Ireland during the Battalions early tours and in the Falklands.  His period of service also took in tours in Belize, Hong Kong and New Zealand.  He was awarded the GSM NI and Falkland’s Medals.

A large Regimental Contingent (General to Jock) paraded in Lossiemouth on a fine sunny day to say farewell.  A first-class service conducted by Lay Preacher Campbell Murray paid a fine tribute to Hoss as we remember him.  A Guard of Honour lined the route from the Steven Thomson & Son Funeral Home to the hearse coming to attention as the coffin passed.  At the Lossiemouth Churchyard Rod Sutherland, Robert CW, Donnie Petrie and Chalky Whyte provided the bearer party to his final resting place.  The RAF also did him proud with a well-deserved impromptu fly past at this stage.

REME
Jack passed away in 2018.   

Jack was the LAD WO1 when we were 432s in Osnabruck in the early 70s. The OC LAD may have been Peter Gange.

Jack’s obituary is worthy of inclusion on our Cabarfeidh site.  You will remember as well as I do the valiant work done by these LAD Trojans to keep our 432s on the road night and day while we were on exercise.  How did they do it?  Late evening a 432 would go off the road requiring an engine change and the Comd would be screaming for it to be back on the road by dawn. Job done.  That’ll be 2 crates of beer please, Sir. Their contribution to the regiment was immense.

QO Hldrs
Ronnie passed away on 7 March 2018.

A fine soldier whose brothers also served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders.  He was Harbourmaster at Portree at his time of joining the 2nd Battalion.

Seaforth
Sandy passed away peacefully on 25 February 2018 at the Kintyre House aged Care Home in Invergordon.

He was a proud ex Seaforth Highlander and member of the Association Pipes and Drums.

Cameron & QO Hldrs
Tam passed away on 13 February 2018 in Liberton Hospital, Edinburgh.

Sidney Thomas Doughty, better known as “Tam”, was born in Glasgow, and once old enough, joined the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.  After amalgamation he rebadged to become a Queen’s Own Highlander.

Tam went on to complete twenty-two years’ service, spending time in Rifle Company’s and the Mortar Platoon, where he was a Mortar Fire Controller.  He served in Singapore, Brunei, BAOR, Belize, and Northern Ireland and was always renowned for his immaculate turnout.  His final posting was as a Colour Sergeant at the Infantry Trials and Development Unit in Warminster. 

On demob he found employment as the resident handyman for the British Legion/Poppy Factory in Edinburgh and on final retirement, settled down in Musselburgh with his wife, Betty, son, Brian, and daughter, Sharon

In 2016 he had a stroke, which affected his mobility and he sadly passed away on the 13 February 2018.  His coffin was piped into the Chapel of Rest at Seafield Crematorium on the 26 February 2018 to the tune of “The March of the Cameron Men”.  He was surrounded by friends, family, and members of the Regimental Association. 

Gordon
James (Jim) was born on 12 July 1936 and died on 10 February 2018 aged 81.

He enlisted into The Gordon Highlanders in January 1957 where he progressed rapidly. Jim was a Sergeant Instructor at Bridge of Don (Gordon’s Depot) 1959-60 before returning to the Battalion as a Platoon Sgt in Celle and Kenya 1961-63.  Promoted to CSgt in 1963 he became an Instructor at the RMA Sandhurst until 1966.

Jim was promoted to WO2 in 1967 and appointed CSM D Coy 1 Gordons in Minden, Germany.  In 1969 he was appointed SPSI ‘D’ (Gordon) Company 2/51 Highland Volunteers in Aberdeen but was swiftly redeployed to 1 Gordons in Minden as RQMS 1969-1971.

He was to return to 2/51 Highland Volunteers in Elgin as WO1 (RSM) in 1971 for 18 months before returning to 1 Gordons in Fort George and Singapore in 1972-74.

Jim was commissioned in June 1974 and appointed MTO 1 Gordons.  Promoted to Captain in June 1976 he continued as MTO in Belfast before becoming Technical QM in 1978 in Chester.

Jim retired from the Army in July 1979 and went to work for the Police (Northern Constabulary) in Inverness.  On retiring from the Police, he worked at RHQ the Highlanders in Cameron Bks.

Gordon
Robert (Bob) was born on 8 September 1930 and died on 2 January 2018 aged 87.

Bob was the son of CSM Doug Strachan 5^th/7^th Gordons and his two brothers Alex and Tiger both served with the Regiment.

Bob who hailed from Banchory joined the ACF in 1944 where he became the Drum Major of the ACF Pipe Band.  In 1949 he joined the Gordons TA moving to the Regular Army as a Gordon Highlander in 1950.  He completed his training at Fort George, Inverness and joined the 1^st Battalion in Germany.  He was soon promoted to LCpl and was Batman to Lt Col WDH Duke MC.

Bob went on to serve with A Coy in Malaya 1951-1954 and was promoted to Sgt in June 1952.

In 1954 the Battalion returned to Redford Barracks, Edinburgh where Bob was promoted to CSgt and was posted as an Instructor to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for 18 months.  He returned to B Coy 1 Gordons for the Cyprus Tour in 1956 and on return moved with the Battalion to Dover in 1957 before moving North again to Aberdeen with the Recruiting Team.  In 1958 Bob was posted to the Gordon Depot, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen as an Instructor where he would remain until it closed in 1960.

In 1961 he returned to D Coy 1 Gordons in Celle, Germany (BAOR) where he was promoted to WO2.  On promotion, he moved with the Battalion to Kenya 1962-1964 before serving as CSM of A Coy in Borneo in 1965-1966.

On returning from Borneo the Battalion undertook the Royal Guard at Balmoral where Bob was both the Battalions ‘Drill Sergeant’ and Guard CSM.

In 1967 Bob was posted back to the Depot, Bridge of Don as the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS).

In 1968 he was promoted to WO1 and returned to 1 Gordons in Minden, Germany (BAOR) as Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) until 1970.

Bob was commissioned in 1970 and went on to complete appointments as Assistant Adjutant, Motor Transport Officer (MTO) and OC PRI through to 1973.

During the period 1973-1975 Bob was the Unit Families Officer in Fort George, Inverness and in Singapore for which he received his MBE

In 1975 he took over as Technical Quartermaster (QM Tech) in Singapore and continued in post when the Battalion returned to Fort George in 1976 and then in Palace Barracks, Belfast through to 1978.

In 1978 he was promoted to Major and took up the appointment of Quartermaster for the move to Chester where he remained until 1980.

Bob was posted to the Scottish Infantry Depot, Bridge of Don in 1980 and would remain there until 1985.  He was promoted to Lt Col (Quartermaster) in 1983 and retired from the Regular Army in 1985.

Bob was a member of the Volunteer Staff at Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire and an active member of Murcar Golf Club.  He assumed the appointment of Secretary to The Gordon Highlanders Regimental Association working out of the Doocot at St Luke’s, Viewfield Road (Museum) from 1992 to 1 September 2000.  He and his wife of 63 years ‘Mollie’ remained very active Volunteer and linchpins of the Gordon Highlanders Museum, where they worked closely with their old friends Lt Gen Sir Peter and Alison Graham.

Rory Grant was born on 22 April 1942 and died on 19 October aged 77 years.

Rory joined the Army on 4 Nov 1961 and was commissioned into The Cameronians.
He transferred to 1 QO Hldrs on 15 May 1968 as OC Recce Platoon in Edinburgh and Sharjah until 1969.

He was promoted to Captain in April 69 and soon after went off to Singapore as ADC to CinC FARELF until late 1970 when he returned to 1 QO Hldrs in Edinburgh.

He remained with the Battalion for a year and was then posted to the Scottish Infantry
Depot – Bridge of Don, 1971 – 73. He retired from the Army at the end of this Tour in early 1974.

Seaforth & QO Hldrs
George passed away at his home in Wick on 8 October 2019.

A former Seaforth and Queen’s Own Highlander, he was a Stalwart of the Caithness Branch for many years, most of them in post as Secretary and Treasurer.

QO Hldrs
Iain Henderson was born on 22 May 1945 and died at home in Spain in early October 2019 aged 74 years.

He went to Belmont Abbey and Sedbergh before joining the Army and attending RMA Sandhurst in 1967.

On commissioning 25 October 1969, he joined D Company 1 QO Hldrs in Edinburgh and then moved with the Battalion to Osnabruck, West Germany.

He was posted to the Scottish Divisional Depot, Glencorse in 1972 and retired from the Army in 1974.

Seaforth
Benjamin (Ben) passed away late September 2018 aged 86.

Ben originally came from Thurso and was called up for service in the Seaforth in the early 1950’s serving in Egypt, Aden and Gibraltar.

A painter to trade he moved to Nairn and worked at his trade until taking over a Boarding House in the town which he and his wife ran for many years.

Always a very keen supporter of the Seaforth Association he was an active member of the Nairn Branch committee until his health started to fail. However, even when he was unable to attend meetings, he still took a keen interest of the Branch.

Ben Murray was a staunch Seaforth, a “weel kent” face in the Association and in his adopted town. A cheerful, well liked and respected character, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

QO Hldrs
Bob (Tex) passed away on 16 September 2019.

QO Hldr

Dutch was born on 10 February 1959 and passed away on 16 September 2019.

Dutch, the son of Seaforth and Queen’s Own Highlander Bill Holland, worked as a miner before joining the Queen’s Own Highlanders.  He passed out of Glencorse as a member of Corunna Squad on the 20^th April 1979 joining the 1st Battalion stationed in Ritchie Camp, Kirknewton.   Dutch served as a member of B Company in Hong Kong, Tidworth and the Falklands, before transferring to the Motor Transport Platoon.  He also saw service as a driver at the Scottish Infantry Depot at Glencorse. 

Discharged in 1990 Dutch was with his first partner Donna for 26 years and was with partner Charlotte for 9 years prior to his death.  He took employment in a variety of jobs in civvy street, a delivery driver, kitchen porter, a company which cleaned buildings after fires were amongst the jobs he did.  He then attended university to study nursing and worked in Edinburgh as a clinical nurse for years.  He then moved south and he was working as a Care Assistant at Oakhill House Care Home in Horsham at his time of death.  The Care Home was well represented at his funeral, testament to the respect and feeling they all had for Dutch.  His funeral service was held at Surrey and Sussex Crematorium on Friday 25 October 2019. 

Seaforth
Robert passed away in September 2019.

Seaforth

John Fairfield was born in Liverpool on 18 May 1924 and died on 14 September 2019 aged 95.  He joined the 1^st Bn Seaforth Highlanders in 1955 on a 3-year engagement having completed his basic training at the Seaforth Depot, Fort George.

John served with the Battalion in Gibraltar.  After de-mob he returned to Liverpool, but he travelled to Dingwall each year to attend Reunion Dinners where he would normally play the “Last Post” on his cherished Bugle.

Gordon, Cameron, Seaforth & QO Hldrs
Gerry Kidd died on 2 September 2019 whilst walking his dog. 

Gerry enlisted into the Army in 1950 and was cap-badged as a Gordon Highlander.  He did a tour as an Instructor at the Depot in 1953/4, but as a Corporal decided to transfer to the Cameron Highlanders.

In 1955 he went with them to Korea where he was a Machine Gun Sergeant.  Gerry would remain with the Battalion on a tour to Aden and then to Dover in 1959.  In 1960 the Battalion moved to Edinburgh to prepare for the Amalgamation with the Seaforth Highlanders.  Gerry duly became Medium Machine Gun Sergeant in 1 Queen’s Own Highlanders.  Gerry went briefly with the Battalion to Singapore before being posted as Signal’s SPSI to the Liverpool Scottish where he would remain until 1964.  He returned to the Battalion in Osnabruck as a CSgt and then to Berlin where he was promoted to CSM of D Company.  Gerry was promoted to WO1 (RSM) in 1970 and went on to fulfil that role with 2/51 Highland Volunteers.  He retired in January 1973.

Gerry was an outstanding athlete winning many 100yd, 200yd and Hurdler titles in his earlier career.

On leaving the Army he worked for the Diplomatic Office as a Social Worker in Glasgow and finally as the boss of the Fedex Delivery Company in NW England based in Carlisle.

Liverpool Scottish & Cameron
Reginald (Reg) was born 12 November 1920 and died 1 September 2019 aged 99.

Reg joined the Liverpool Scottish on 17 January 1940 and served with B Company 1LS until he was transferred to 2 Cameron on 24 November 1943.  He sailed to Egypt to be part of 11^th (Indian) Inf Bde in 4^th (Indian) Division.  In February 1944 2 Camerons moved to Italy where they fought at Monte Cassino, losing 250 casualties in a month of bitter fighting to break through the Gustav Line. 

Cameron
Duncan was born in Glasgow in 1925 and died peacefully on 6 August 2019 aged 94.

Duncan moved with his family to Perth where his father became the Station Master.  Duncan joined the Railway Home Guard, but eventually enlisted into The Territorial Army to become a Queen’s Own Cameron Highlander.  After basic training he was sent to the South of England to prepare for the D-Day landing in June 1944.  He landed in Normandy aged 19, with 5 Cameron’s on the day after D-Day, going on to see active service from St Honorine in Normandy to Eindhoven in Holland and on to the Rhine crossing and subsequent advance across Germany, finishing at Cuxhaven and a Victory parade at Bremerhaven.

Duncan was shot and wounded by a passing German aircraft but went on to serve in the British Army of the Rhine from 1945-47.

On leaving the Army Duncan trained and had a very successful career as an Optician in Ireland (Donegal) and later as a locum in Scotland where he had re-located to in 1989.Duncan was awarded the Legion d Honneur on 2^nd May 2018 by the French Consul General in Edinburgh, Monsieur Emmanuel Cocher for his part in helping to liberate France from the Nazi’s.

Seaforth & QO Hldrs
Jim Whotton as he was known was born on 24 September 1934 and died 15 July 2019 aged 85 years.

Jim completed his Basic Training at Fort George in 1953 and was then posted to A Coy 1 Seaforth in Minden (West Germany).  He would remain with A Coy for 2 years and was promoted to LCpl.  In 1956 he moved with the Battalion to Folkestone, Kent, but on promotion to Cpl in 1957 he went back to the Seaforth Depot at Fort George where as a Training Cpl he would remain for 2 years.

Jim returned to 1 Seaforth by now in Cyprus in 1959 to be a Platoon Sergeant in B Coy.  The Battalion moved back to Edinburgh in early 1961 to amalgamate with 1 Camerons to become 1^st Battalion The Queen’s Own Highlanders (Seaforth & Camerons).  Jim remained in the newly formed Battalion as a Pl Sgt in B Coy until 1962 when he was again promoted and posted to 2.51 Highland Volunteers as an SPSI in Wick. 

Jim would remain in Wick choosing to leave the Army in 1965 where he met his wife Christine.

Cameron, Seaforth & QO Hldrs
Alex was born in Aberdeenshire on 4 May 1941 and died on 31 August 2019 aged 78.

Alex was born into a Military family and as soon as he was old enough, he enlisted into The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.  Shortly after his enlistment the Camerons amalgamated with the Seaforth Highlanders so Alex became a Queen’s Own Highlander.

Alex served in Osnabruck where he met his wife Elsie who was the NAAFI Manager.  Alex spent a large proportion of his 22 years’ service in the MT Platoon and was demobbed in 1982 going on to run a successful Driving School business in Glenrothes.

QO Hldrs
Archie passed away on 13 July 2019.

QO Hldrs
Brian passed away in July 2019.

Cameron
John Donald Morrison Hardie was born on 27 September 1928 in Kisumu, Kenya.  Educated at Beckenham Grammar School in Kent and later at the University of St. Andrews, where he was president of the Students’ Representative Council.  Donald was called up for National Service and commissioned into the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders on 27th June 1953.  He commanded 3 Platoon, A Company of 1st Camerons based at Luneburg West Germany.  By May 1954 Donald had become the Assistant Motor Transport Officer and remained in this post until his retirement from the 1st Battalion, whereupon he joined the 4/5^th Queens Own Cameron Highlanders (Territorial Army) on the 1^st May 1955.  During his service in 4/5^th Camerons, Donald carried out various duties before being promoted to Captain in November 1957 and then taking on the role of Company Second-In-Command of C Company (Islands).  He remained in C Company for the remainder of his military career and when he was promoted to Major in May 1963, he was later appointed its Officer Commanding.  Donald retired from the Territorial Army in October 1966, but it was during his time in the Territorial Army that he founded a woollen exports company, Hardie Wood Ltd.  In 1987 Donald was awarded the OBE for his work for business in Scotland.  After leaving the Territorial Army, Donald also became involved in politics and on two occasions ran as a Conservative candidate for Parliament, losing one election by only 57 votes.  In 1979 he became the executive director of the Institute of Directors in Scotland and held that post for 18 years.  In February 1993 Donald was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for East Lothian.  He also worked tirelessly to help create the National Museum of Scotland in 2006, as well as the 50th anniversary addition in 1994 to the World War Two memorial in the Netherlands to the 51st Highland Division.  He was also session clerk at Humbie Kirk, a post he held for 55 years. Donald passed away on 5 July 2019.  Donald’s wife Sally Pat, whom he married in 1952, predeceased him and he is survived by their three children, David, Robin and Katharine.

QO Hldrs
Jimmy passed away on 3 July 2019 aged 67.

Jimmy Ryan joined the Liverpool Scottish Army Cadets in 1964 when he was 13 – encouraged no doubt by his father, who served in the Territorial Army with the 1^st Battalion the Liverpool Scottish. 

In 1967 when Jim was fifteen, he decided to join the army and passed the tests to become an Infantry Junior Leader at Oswestry.

Jim was one of nine children.  When he was asked about why he wanted to join the army he joked that he had only signed up to get himself a bed!  Little did he know that that bed would be in a barrack room with ten other smelly sixteen-year olds!

Surprisingly, when Jim first joined up, he was badged as a Kingsman, having been persuaded by one of Recruiting Sergeants in the Army Careers Office to join the local regiment ie The Kings (Manchester and Liverpool) Regiment. 

However, as fate would have it, the Commanding Officer of the Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion (IJLB) at the time was Lieutenant Colonel ID Cameron – of the Queen’s Own Highlanders. 

When Colonel Cameron had his initial chat with the new recruits he picked up on Jimmy’s scouse accent – and when he found out that Jim was a former army cadet in the Liverpool Scottish, he told Jim that many years ago when he was a Captain, he was posted to the Liverpool Scottish as their Adjutant, and that he knew a Regimental Policemen by the name of Ryan!  Jim confirmed that would have been his dad! 

The CO immediately turned around to the RSM, and said “there’s been a mistake here RSM, this lad should be in the Queen’s Own Highlanders – sort it out”.  A few days later Jimmy was changing the buttons on his number two dress from the Kings Regiment to that of the Queen’s Own Highlanders!

Jimmy passed out of Junior Leaders in 1969 and joined Delta Company of the 1^st Battalion the Queen’s Own Highlanders in Edinburgh, where he was soon identified as a good shot, joining the pool of young talent training for the NISHAN shooting competition.  He very quickly became a Gravel Belly!  Many years later Jim put these marksmanship skills to good use when coaching the young cadets of Merseyside ACF

After Edinburgh, the Battalion was posted to Osnabruck in Germany and Jim was soon promoted to Lance Corporal, where he had a busy life, converting to the battalion’s new role as Mechanised Infantry. 

Whilst in Germany Jim completed three tours of Northern Ireland.  The Battalion’s first tour was to Ballymacarrett in East Belfast in 1971, and was somewhat of a baptism of fire, with the sound of shots being fired and bombs going off in the city centre nearly every other week.  Thankfully there were no fatalities on that first tour whilst the battalion were learning the skills of how to deal with the terrorist threat. 

During this tour Jim’s section was deployed after a bus was set alight – a favourite pastime of the local hoods at the time. 

Jimmy was standing next to Joe McMenemy, his section commander, when shots were fired through the flames of the bus, passing between Jim and Joe, and narrowly missing them both.  One of the shots, however did hit one of a group of women who were standing directly behind them, gleefully jeering and shouting abuse at the troops whilst watching the bus burn.  Whilst a follow-up was going on to try to catch the shooter, Jim and Joe gave instant first aid to the woman – undoubtedly helping to save her life.   

Jim left the army after his six-year contract was up – to return to Liverpool, to marry Sue (the sister of Wally Tyrer), and to settle down in a job as a policeman.   

He became a regular visitor to V (Liverpool Scottish) Company of 1/51 Highland Volunteers dropping in whenever he could to have a chat and cup of tea with the PSI’s.

During his spare time, he became an Adult Instructor with the Army Cadet Force – something he was to continue for the rest of life until he had to resign shortly before his death.  He rose to the rank of Major, having been a detachment commander, a Company Commander, and Battalion Shooting Officer.  During this time, he had a profound influence on many young cadets and adult instructors, as was witnessed by the numerous members of Merseyside ACF who turned up to show their respects at his funeral.

Jim was a long-time member of the Edinburgh Branch of the Queen’s Own Highlanders Regimental Association – he and his wife Sue regularly came up to Scotland to attend Regimental Association dinners and functions and he marched on Armed Forces Day in Edinburgh whenever he could.  He was also a regular attender at the Liverpool Scottish annual reunion dinners.

Jim Ryan sadly passed away in his sixty seventh year surrounded by his family on 3 July 2019.  He died from complications arising from a cancerous tumour in his brain.  He is survived by his wife Sue, and their children Stuart and Vicki. 

Cameron
Sandy passed away on 18 June 2019.