Obituaries 2024

QO Hldr

Roy joined the Junior Infantry Training Depot, Glencorse, in 1980 aged just 16. Whilst there he played hockey and boxed. He was a very able External Leadership leader. He became the hockey team’s best player and he Captained the Scottish Division Junior Hockey team that went on to win the Army Cup. He also took his first parachute jump, an activity that he certainly did not wish to repeat!  After passing out he served in Hong Kong and the Falkland Islands. On the trip to the South Atlantic in the MV Norland he participated as a member of a backing group at the Battalion concert. In 1983 he was posted to the Joint Services Parachute Centre in Netheravon and whilst there and training in Cyprus he had a serious motor bike accident. After being stabilised, he was transferred to Woolwich where he remained for 6 months before going to Chessington for physical rehabilitation.

In 1984 he Joined the Golden Lions as one of the four (out of 12) successful Scot Div infantry parachutists. He then moved around the world doing displays and competitions. He continued doing this for a couple of years when he then started work to become a parachute rigger and he became one of the very few Military Advanced Parachute Riggers belonging to the British Parachute Association. In 1992 he attended the World Parachuting Championships in China representing the UK. In 1995 he attended the World Championships again in Australia.

In the mid 90’s he transferred to the KOSB and from 1998 to 2001 he was stationed in Dhekelia Garrison in Cyprus where trained military and entitled civilians. He also achieved his Accelerated Free Fall rating which enabled him to be selected to assist on military parachuting expeditions abroad which included California.

Roy retired in 2004 after completing 24 years and 222 days of service. He retrained as an electrical engineer and based himself in Glasgow working for Comet and finally in 2009, he joined Excel Healthcare.

Roy tragically died in a car accident on 8 March 2024 and is survived by his wife Shirley, two daughters and a stepson.

QO Hldr

Charlie, as he was known, served for 9 years with the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 23 January 2024.

Charlie conducted his basic training with Doiran squad and passed out on 19 October 1968 where he was presented with the prize for Best at PT. On joining the battalion he was posted to 7 Pl, B Coy, before his move to the Officers Mess.  For the NI tour in 1974 he was part of the Bn Orderly Room and from there he moved to the Signals Platoon where he gained his B vehicle licence and completed his Standard 1 Cadre. He remained in the Signals Platoon until his discharge in 1978.  During his 9 years with the Battalion Charlie served in Germany, NI, Kirknewton and Belize. He was also part of the battalion sports team. On his discharge Charlie moved to Kilmarnock.

QO Hldr

Colin was born near Kildonan in 1944 and died on 19 May aged 80 years.

He enlisted in 1972 at the tender aged of 28, having previously been a Gamekeeper. He joined Lucknow Platoon at the Scottish Infantry Depot Glencorse and as a mature recruit he had no difficulty passing the course securing Best Recruit for his efforts.

On passing out he was posted to 1 Platoon, A Company, 1 Queen’s Own Highlanders where he was nick named the Gamekeeper. He quickly established himself within the Company, especially as a ‘gravel belly’ winning the Best Young Soldier on the Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) at the Battalion Skill at Arms Meeting (SAAM) in 1973. He would go on to become an indispensable member of the Battalion Shooting Team as mentioned later.

In 1974 he was temporarily attached to the Recce Platoon where his skills as a photographer were much in demand and highly regarded before returning to A Company where he immediately won the B Class Sub Machine Gun (SMG) Competition in the Battalion SAAM. In 1975 he was promoted to LCpl and posted to the Regimental Police where he would remain until 1978, on held strength some would say as he spent most of these years shooting!

In 1976 the ‘Duke’ as he was now known secured an outstanding 8^th place in the SMG 45 Competition at Bisley during the Regular Army Skill at Arms Meeting and was 2^nd in the Sutherland Cup. In 1977 he was promoted to Provo Cpl and served in Belize where he put his former skills as a Gamekeeper in to practise, keeping his comrades well fed on local game. In 1978 he was part of the triumphant HQ Company Team which won the Army in Scotland SAAM held at Barry Budden and because of his efforts he was selected to represent the Scottish Division at the National Rifle Association Meeting at Bisley where he won a medal.

In 1979 the ‘Duke’ opted to do some ‘education’ to help him gain further promotion, so moved into the Weapon Training Wing where naturally he would attend Bisley again, securing a place in the Army 100. In 1980 he helped the Battalion Shooting Team achieve further success at Bisley. Colin himself secured 20^th position in the overall competition and was 5^th in the Sniper Match, which is fired over long distances. No mean feat which secured him a place in the Scottish Division Rifle Team to compete in the Methven Cup. In early 1981 Colin was promoted to Sgt and moved to the EL Wing at the Scottish Infantry Depot, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen where, as an instructor, he taught young soldiers how to operate and function in the great outdoors. He also spent time in 1982 at Fort George, Inverness where he assisted with the Youth Adventure Training Scheme.

In 1983 Colin returned to the Battalion and acted as Admin Sgt to the Battalion Shooting Team where his knowledge and calm approach was highly regarded. After Bisley he was promoted to CSgt and posted as a Permanent Staff Instructor (PSI) to Orkney and 2/51^st Highland Volunteers, where he could rekindle his love of ‘hunting, shooting and fishing’.

In late 1984 the ‘Duke’ was discharged as QPSI in Kirkwall to take up the vacant Non-Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS) post in Battalion HQ 2/51^st Highland in Elgin where he would remain until he retired in 1996.

Seaforth

Detmar who served in the Seaforth Highlanders died on 24 April 2024.

Detmar Albert Hackman was born at Tientsin, China on 3 November 1934, second son of Albert Julius Hackman, a merchant, and his wife Helen Margaret Isabella Paterson, only daughter of William Paterson, a merchant from Dumfries.  They were married in Shanghai in 1932.  Soon afterwards the family returned to Suffolk via a short spell in Finland.  Detmar was educated at Gordonstoun School after which he travelled to Greece to be a student teacher.  Whilst there, he reputedly lost his girlfriend to a member of the Greek Royal Family!  On return from Greece, he was called up in 1954 for National Service initially with the Suffolk Regiment and selected for officer training at Eaton Hall.  Detmar was commissioned into the Seaforth Highlanders on 20th November 1954 and joined B Company in time to compete in the Battalion Athletics Competition, in which he came 2^nd in the 100-yard sprint and 3^rd in the discus.  He commanded 5 Platoon in the Canal Zone, Egypt, and the Western Aden Protectorate until he left the Battalion in August 1955 joining the Reserve and returning to civilian life.

On retirement he went up to Oxford University and gained a degree in Geography.  His first job was in an advertising agency, but after a time felt he could achieve more on his own.  He soon became aware through a very good friend, the Viscount Jaques Gachassin-Lafite, that a number of people in South Africa were wearing copper bracelets believing that they contained therapeutic and magical properties.  They were selling very well, so Detmar made an offer to the Viscount to buy the business.  This was the start of the Sabona copper bracelets business, ‘Sabona’ meaning “good day” in Zulu.  Well-known wearers of these bracelets included the cricketer Sir Gary Sobers, snooker world champion Ray Reardon, footballer Ian Wright and golfers Seve Ballesteros and John Daly.  This was prime free marketing, and his bracelets became the best known the world over.

Detmar settled in his beloved Suffolk where the Aldeburgh Golf Club played a big part of his life. He was a generous supporter of the Wardens Charity Trust at Sizewell, the Riverside Centre and sponsorship of promising young sports men and women.  He died on 24 April 2024 and is survived by his wife Eunhee (née Kim) and a daughter.

QO Hldr

Paul who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 7 November 2023

QO Hldr

William who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 12 April 2024.

QO Hldr

Donnie who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 20 May 2024.

QO Hldr

George who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 4 November 2023.

QO Hldr

George who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 25 January 2024.

Seaforth

Norman who served in the Seaforth Highlanders passed away on 31 December 2023.

Cameron

Jimmy Sherry was born and brought up in Kinross and was called up for National Service in 1958.  He completed his basic training in Cameron Barracks, Inverness before being posted to the 1^st Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders who were stationed in Dover.  On demobilisation, Jimmy returned to Kinross to get married and take up employment in the building industry as a joiner.

Jimmy was a very proud Cameron Highlander and a staunch supporter of their Regimental Association.  He attended many annual reunions in Inverness with his old friend Charlie Millar and became active in Kinross Ex-Servicemen’s Club, becoming their Vice-Chair.

Jimmy sadly passed away on 20 October 2023 just short of his eighty-sixth birthday.

QO Hldr

James joined the Queen’s Own Highlanders from the Cameronians in 1968 and posted to A Company. On promotion to LCpl, he moved to B Company in 1972 and stayed there through a N Ireland tour during which he was promoted to Cpl. In 1979 he was in the Medical Centre as the Sgt when at Bessbrook Mill. He remained there for the battalion’s tour in the Falkland Islands, and he retired after 22 years’ service in 1985.

QO Hldr

Euan who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 16 February 2024.

QO Hldr

James who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 19 March 2024.

Seaforth

Robert John Gordon Whitelaw was born in Colombo, Ceylon on 2 July 1935 to Eric Watson Whitelaw OBE, a rubber planter and his wife, Aileen (nee Mundell) whose family farmed in Ross-shire and Sutherland.  Eric had been granted an emergency commission in the Seaforth Highlanders in 1916 and was wounded during the Battle of the Somme.  After his marriage, the family lived on a rubber estate called Pantiya, where Eric remained throughout the Second World War.  John’s s elder sister was already at school in Sussex, when, because of the anticipated Japanese invasion of Ceylon, John and his mother were evacuated by ship to South Africa, narrowly missing being intercepted by the Japanese fleet.  After a couple of years in South Africa, John’s mother decided to return to Britain and to her mother in Strathpeffer, so, at the height of the U-boat war, and with a battleship escort, she and John set sail for Britain, again avoiding enemy attack.  John was sent to prep school at Wellesley House, which had by then been evacuated from Broadstairs, Kent to several shooting lodges around Loch Rannoch where the boys revelled in the outdoor life, before returning to Broadstairs at the end of the war.  From there John went on to Glenalmond College in Perthshire.

John was offered a place at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, to be taken up on completion of National Service, but with his father’s death in 1953 and discovering a natural military aptitude, he instead underwent officer training at Eaton Hall, reaching Junior Under Officer rank and on 14 May 1954, was granted a National Service commission in his father’s regiment, the Seaforth Highlanders, converting to a regular commission in 1956.  By then he had served with 1 Seaforth in Elgin, Tel-el-Kebir and Aden.  He was appointed to the staff of Gibraltar’s Fortress Commander from May 1956 to April 1957, followed by a posting back to 1 Seaforth as a platoon commander in C Company based in Munster, Germany and then to the Mortar Platoon in January 1959.

Just prior to his regiment’s amalgamation with the Camerons, John became a Temporary Captain and was posted in October 1960 to Germany as ADC to General Sir James Cassels, COMNORTHAG, Rheindahlen.  Here John enjoyed travelling luxuriously in the private train at the disposal of the General, as C-in-C BAOR, but an air accident at this time resulted in him, the General and the Military Assistant ignominiously crash landing in a cabbage field, fortunate to escape with their lives.  It was this that led to John’s long-term back problems.

After the amalgamation in 1961 of the Seaforth Highlanders with The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders becoming the Queen’s Own Highlanders, in July 1963 John was posted to Dingwall as Adjutant, 11^th Seaforth (TA).  In December 1965, John volunteered for secondment to the headquarters of the Trucial Oman Scouts in Sharjah, where the task was to liaise with local sheikhs and to prevent gun smuggling and slave trading.  He learned Arabic and took to the desert way of life, keeping falcons and a saluki, riding Arab ponies, and making friends with the Arab and British officers of the Scouts.  He was first briefly OC HQ Squadron and then the GSO3 (Ops & Trg).  He was promoted to Acting Major on 15 December 1967 and reached the rank of substantive major a year later on 31 December 1968.  In November 1968, he was appointed to command A Squadron of the Trucial Oman Scouts and served there until April 1970 when, after a very happy and enjoyable career, he had to retire from the Army on 23 June 1970 on account of disability.

On leaving the Army, John worked for Union Oil of California, living in Ras-al-Khaimah, before returning to Britain as a consultant with Peat Marwick (now KPMG), specialising in the Middle East.  Later he set up his own export business and continued to travel widely, but always enjoyed returning home to Ross-shire and the stalking, shooting and fishing of the Highlands, frequently in the company of Army friends.  John married Lesley De Jean on 23 June 1990 in St. Andrews, who with the support of family and friends cared for John as he faced with fortitude and determination increasing disability and ill health in his final years.  He died peacefully at home on 26 February 2024. 

 Cameron

Peter who served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders passed away on 11 April 2020.

QO Hldr

Jake Anderson was born in the Borders and attended Selkirk High School, where he learnt to play the Cornet and was a member of the Boys Brigade band.  It was therefore only natural for him to aspire to become a musician, and therefore when he was old enough, he enlisted as an army musician and spent the next twenty-four years serving, both in the Queen’s Own Highlanders Military Band, and then the Highland Band, playing the Cornet and French Horn. 

Jake served in the UK, Northern Ireland, BAOR, the USA, Kenya, Kosovo, and the Gulf before retiring in the rank of Sergeant.  It was the Military Bands proud boast that during the first Gulf War they were in the theatre of operations well before any other Queen’s Own Highlander had even set foot in the desert – there carrying out their roles as medics with a Field Ambulance unit!

When Jake retired from the army, he initially found a job driving for Debenhams, but then was successful on obtaining a post as a Manager for the Premier Inn group.  He married Maree in 2016 and they moved to live in Broxburn before finally retiring in 2023.

Jake suffered from a massive stroke in June 2024 and was gathered on 4 July 2024.  He was just short of his sixtieth birthday.

He is survived by Maree and other family members.

QO Hldr

Ewen Alasdair Dairmaid (hence ‘Ed’) Campbell was educated at Clifton College and went to Sandhurst joining the Queen’s Own Highlanders on a Permanent Regular Commission in 1965. He joined A Company as a Platoon Commander and went to Southampton University in 1967 to read English Literature.

He returned to the Battalion in 1968 and was posted to 2 Platoon in Sharjah, He was promoted to Captain in 1970 and became the Signals Officer, later he was acting Company Commander of Command Company and retired in early 1973.

He served in Berlin, Edinburgh, Sharjah/Trucial Oman States, Osnabruck, and N Ireland. In Sharjah, he was briefly seconded to the affiliated 7th Gurkha Rifles in Singapore/Brunei on an exchange. 

On leaving the Regiment he joined the English Department of Sedbergh School, then in Yorkshire as a Schoolmaster.  His wife Maz also taught English and Drama at Sedbergh and became a very successful Head of Department. He flourished at Sedbergh, taking on the roles of Housemaster of Powell House from 1978-93, and latterly Evans House from 1998-2004. In between these appointments he was appointed Second Master from 1993-98, where he played a crucial role in the transition period from one Headmaster to another, at one point as acting Headmaster. Ed’s great joy- and skills- were in forging happy, positive, and vibrant collegiate House communities within Sedbergh’s renowned boarding house system. Culture, the arts, in particular drama, and sports all flourished, and a number of notable individuals benefited from his wise tutelage, guidance and inspiration. Notably the Oscar winning Simon Beaufoy of Slumdog Millionaire fame, who attributes Ed & Maz’s inspirational influence as a key factor in sustaining his subsequent career path. 

While at Sedbergh, Ed produced many theatre productions and revues and brought dramatic performances to feature at the Edinburgh Festival. He also established a holiday venture centre at Kinrara through his friendship with Major Robin McLaren, of B Company Queen’s Own Highlanders. Staying in basic but adequate accommodation, memorable expeditions and activities in the Cairngorms and surrounding areas were organised during summer weeks for groups of boys and staff.  

Ed took great pride in his grandfather’s service with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in the South African wars, as a member of the Camerons Territorial (Kingussie) Company. and that of his father, a surgeon, who served as Medical Officer to the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. Ed valued a long family connection with the Newtonmore and Kingussie area. 

In retirement, the Campbells moved to Guernsey, Maz’s home turf, and both continued to teach English, Ed at the Ladies College, and Maz at Elizabeth College for Boys! They retained a flat in Edinburgh and regularly visited, participating enthusiastically in the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe events each year, as well as the Wexford Opera Festival. 

Ed passed away on 12 June 2024 and is survived by his wife Maz, and his two sons Edward and Ben.

Seaforth

Ron who served in the Seaforth Highlanders died on 29 June 2024 in Germany.  He finished his career as WO2 PSI in Wick and then moved to Germany where he worked at several Army bases.

Cameron

Kenneth who served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders died on 26 June 2024.

Seaforth

Colin Lionel Angus Fraser-Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh on 9 July 1937 to Richard and Elizabeth (née Maclean) Fraser-Mackenzie.  He had very strong Regimental connections, including his father, who was wounded in 1917 serving in the Seaforth Highlanders.  Re-joined the Army and commissioned into the Royal Artillery (TA) for the Second World War.  Unfortunately, he was killed serving as Artillery Lieutenant Colonel with 51^st Highland Division during the Battle of El Alamein.  Consequently, Colin had little memory of him and so he was raised by his mother at their home in Muir of Ord.  Being keen on outdoor pursuits, he walked from the east to the west coast of Scotland, just to see if he could.  Colin was educated at Rugby School after which he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps tried to join the Army at 18 but failed the medical due to potential heart murmur.  Instead, he went out to Southern Rhodesia to work on a farm run by a member of the family.

After 2 happy years in Africa, Colin returned to the UK and took up a place at Cirencester Agricultural College, but still yearned to be in the Army.  After passing the medical this time, Colin attended Mons Officer Cadet School.  He passed out on 2 April 1960 and was granted a short-service commission in the Seaforth Highlanders.  He joined the 1^st Battalion stationed in Munster in May and was appointed OC 7 Platoon in “C” Company commanded by Major JCOR Hopkinson.  He moved with the Battalion to Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, and amalgamation with the QO Cameron Highlanders to become a Queen’s Own Highlander on 7 February 1961.  He was promoted to Lieutenant on 11 January 1962.  Colin wanted to make the Army his career, but as the Queen’s Own Highlanders’ quota for regular commissions in his age-group was full, he was first attached to 1^st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and then in 1962 he was granted a regular commission in that Regiment.

During this time Colin continued his interest in outdoor pursuits and became an Army Climbing Instructor.  While in Snowdonia he lost his footing and fell 60ft, but his life was saved by a small climbing nut he had pushed into a crevice to make a makeshift anchor.  Colin was also lucky enough to be on the Royal Guard at Balmoral on two occasions.  He and the two other subalterns, on and off parade, took on all that was offered.  This included shooting alongside Lord Mountbatten, having his leg “humped” by one of Her Majesty’s corgis during dinner with The Queen, and eating cucumber sandwiches whilst playing racing demon with HM The Queen Mother, who always won!  Colin was promoted to Captain on 11 January 1966, but sadly Colin had developed an underlying knee issue that was aggravated by carrying heavy packs and marching for long distances.  As a result, he retired from the Army on 20 September 1966 on account of disability.

Colin then joined W.D. & H.O. Wills Tobacco, which eventually became part of Imperial Tobacco. He was responsible for buying tobacco for blends like Golden Virginia and spent many years traveling to the USA, Canada, Malawi, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, and Thailand.  Unfortunately, his knees were still causing problems and so the company doctor sent him to have his kneecaps surgically removed.  As a result of the operation, he caught septicaemia and almost died but thanks to a new experimental type of antibiotic from the USA, he survived and managed to walk again.  However, he never regained full use of his knees, even after extensive physiotherapy at RAF Headley Court.  Colin had learned to fly while in the Army and relished the thrills of piloting small aircraft since injuring his legs. 

Colin was very much a family man and keen gardener.  He eventually retired from Imperial Tobacco and became the Treasurer of a failing charity Mendip Vale Workshops, a printing and light manufacturing company that provided supportive employment for people suffering with mental health issues.  He managed to turn the company around and helped save the charity.  He then also did the same for the local Citizens Advice Bureau in Shepton Mallet becoming the Treasurer and Trustee.  In 2006, at the age of 68, Colin slipped on ice and broke one of his already weakened knees.  A routine blood test revealed he also had leukaemia and was only a year or so to live.  Luckily a new experimental drug was available, and Colin lived on happily for another 18 years until he died on 7 May 2024.

Colin married Verona (née Young) in 1976.  He is survived by her and their two children, Richard, Peter and granddaughter Isla.

QO Hldr

Duncan was born in Edinburgh in 1951 and passed out of basic training on 12 January 1973. He was posted to the 1^st Battalion, the Queen’s Own Highlanders, who were stationed in Osnabruck.

Duncan was initially posted to a Rifle Platoon before going on to serve for twenty-two years with the regiment in many guises – Company Clerk, Mortarman, CQMS, Mess Manager, and PRI Sergeant.

In 1973 he became the Company Clerk for A Company before eventually being selected for a move to the Battalion Orderly Room.  It was shortly after this period as a clerk that Duncan found his real niche in life as a member of the Battalion’s Mortar Platoon, going on to become an accomplished Mortar Fire Controller and Command Post Operator.  This expertise with the 81 mm mortar led to him to be selected in 1981 for a tour of duty with V (the Liverpool Scottish) Company, 1/51 Highland Volunteers, as one of their Permanent Staff Instructors (PSI). 

Unfortunately for Duncan, and shortly after his posting had been confirmed, 1/51 Highland had to undergo a re-organisation after the battalion were issued with a new anti-tank weapons system called MILAN.

The Liverpool Jocks Support Platoon were consequently chosen to lose their mortars and to become the battalion’s new Ant-Tank Platoon!  Duncan therefore soon found himself heading down to the Support Weapons Wing in the south of England to learn the intricacies of the MILAN wire-guided anti-tank weapon system!  After an initial bit of grumbling Duncan soon got on with the job in hand and went on to spend a happy two years with the Liverpool Jocks.

Shortly after his posting with the Liverpool Jocks, he was selected for a tour of duty in the Middle East as a Loan Service SNCO, teaching the complexities of the 81 mm Mortar to the Sultan of Oman’s Land Forces.  Not without its challenges, Duncan sometimes struggled with the language, but at least had an assistant instructor who could translate for him when required.

Duncan returned to the Battalion in 1985 and was in turn a CQMS, Second-in-Command of the Mortar Platoon, QMs Accommodation Colour Sergeant, Officers Mess Manager, and PRI Sergeant.

During the first Gulf War he became part of the QM’s Echelon, servicing the needs of the newly formed Armoured Delivery Group.

He was demobbed in 1994 after twenty-two years in the army, having seen service in the UK, Germany, Northern Ireland, the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Belize, Kenya, Muscat and Oman, and the Gulf.  He was a recipient of the GSM 62, the Gulf War Medal, and the Sultan of Oman’s Peace Medal.

Duncan was a loyal and popular Mess member and a well-known individual around the Battalion.  He possessed a fantastic, almost photographic memory, and was always the person to seek advice from when anyone had to learn a poem for a Sergeant’s Mess Burns Suppers

After retiring from the army Duncan went to work as a Guide in Edinburgh Castle, eventually becoming the Senior Castle Guide, responsible for conducting VIP tours for many Heads of State, First Ministers, and various celebrities.  He completed a further twenty years at the Castle before finally retiring.

He was a regular attender at the Edinburgh Branch of the Regimental Association, and when he was not working, marched on Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Sunday

Duncan was a very private person and after a long illness he sadly passed away on 25 July 2024.  He was seventy-three years old.

Seaforth

Elizabeth Anne “Liz” Fraser (née Wall) died peacefully in Forres on 22 July 2024.  She was the widow of Lieutenant Colonel Ian M Fraser, who served in the Seaforth Highlanders and Queen’s Own Highlanders from 1954 to 1984.  Liz was mother of Hugh and James, and grandmother of Angus, Flora, and Kate.  She and Ian first met in Aden where she was working for the Foreign Office.  When Ian commanded the 2/51st Highland in Elgin, they lived in Craigellachie, eventually retiring to Dallas.  Liz worked at The Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George for many years.

QO Hldr

Eric was born in Midmar, Aberdeenshire on 15 January 1949.  At the age of 22 he decided to pursue a career in the Army and successfully passed out of the Scottish Infantry Depot Glencorse on 14 May 1971 as a member of Pakchon Platoon. He joined 6 Platoon B Company in Osnabruck and was quickly on the streets of East Belfast.  Eric moved to the MT Platoon and his hard work and expertise saw him rise through the ranks finishing his time in the Battalion as MTWO.  He saw service in Germany, Kirknewton, Hong Kong, Tidworth, Northern Ireland, Belize, Cyprus, Kenya, and Canada.  His final posting was with the Army Careers Information Office in Inverness.  On leaving the Army Eric was a stalwart of Forres Legion, filling many roles including that of Branch Chairman. 

 Married to Ann, who predeceased him, he died on 29 July 2024 and is survived by daughters Shirley and Sharon. 

QO Hldr Padre

 Jim was born in 1937.

From 1961 – 63, Jim was Assistant Minister at St Columba’s, Pont Street, London followed by a Ministry post in Parkdale Presbyterian Church in Toronto.  He returned to Pont Street in 1965.

During his time at Pont Street, Jim became a TA Chaplain as Padre to 1^st Bn London Scottish.

In 1966, he was granted a commission as a Regular Army Chaplain and posted to 1 Gordons in Minden. This was followed in 1971 with a posting to 1 RHF, with whom Jim and family moved to Singapore.  A severe RTA resulted in Jim being medivacked to UK.  After a prolonged recovery Jim was based in Aldershot for four years before his final posting to Edinburgh in1978 as SCF LOWLANDS and attached to 1^st Bn Queens Own Highlanders.

Jim retired from RAChD in October 1982.  From 1986 until 1998, he was Minister at Prestonkirk, Stenton & Whittingham Parish Church (Now named – The Parish of Traprain). His final charge was at the Parish of South Uist.

From 1987-91 Jim was Presbytery Convener of the Committee of Social Responsibility and served as Presbytery Moderator for Lothian from 1993 – 94.  He died on 26 September 2024.

QO Hldr

Ian Carmichael joined the army in 1982 and completed his training at Glencorse.  He was a member of Minden Platoon who passed out on 01 July 1983.  On joining the Queen’s Own Highlanders, he was posted to 6 Platoon B Company where he served until his discharge.  During his time with B Company, he took part in Exercise Lion Sun 5 in Cyprus in 1984 and he was also a member of the Honour Guard for the Moderator for the General Assembly. 

Ian served a total of 4 years in the Army and was discharged from the Regiment in 1986. He passed away on 16 August 2024.

QO Hldr

Andy Aitken was from Port Glasgow.  He passed out from the Highland Brigade Deport with Marne Platoon on 29 April 1967.  On joining the Queen’s Own Highlanders, he joined 7 Platoon B Company whilst they were in Berlin.  During the 1968 Cabarfeidh Rifle Meeting he was the winner of the first day clay pigeon shooting.  Whilst with 7 Platoon he deployed with them to Sharjah and was part of the successful B Company Christmas concert.  Following the deployment to Sharjah he returned to Redford Barracks and was deployed with B Company to East Belfast.  When he returned to Redford Barracks and in preparation for the move to Osnabruck, he attended a 432 drivers’ course at Borden. It was whilst he was stationed in Osnabruck that Andy was discharged in 1972 having served 5 years with the battalion.  He passed away on 27 December 2023.

QO Hldr

William (Billy) MacDonald or “Click 66” as he was also known was from Munlochy and was a motor mechanic before joining the Queen’s Own Highlanders.  He completed his recruit training at the Scottish Division Depot passing out with Akarit Platoon on 18 May 1973.  He joined the Battalion in Osnabruck and was posted to 14 Platoon Delta Company. He was part of 14 Platoon that deployed to Northern Ireland as part of Op Motorman. 

On return to Osnabruck, he continued with life in 14 Platoon becoming a 432 driver until 1975 when he was promoted to LCpl and moved to 13 Platoon.  The following year Billy was part of the victorious D Company football team that beat A Company 3-1 in the CO’s Cup. He remained with 13 Platoon until his discharge in 1976.

Billy passed away on 09 November 2024 aged 74.