Obituaries 2024
The Regimental Association is here to promote the welfare of all veterans of the Regiment. We help to arrange assistance where necessary, to veterans of the Regiment, or to their spouses, widows, widowers, civil partners or children, giving particular consideration to members of the Association, or their dependents.
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Donald Angus MacLean
2/51 Highland/QO Hldr
24172596 Donald Angus MacLean, also known as Dan Goggan, died on 22 December 2023 in Blar Buidhe Care Home in Stornoway. He served as a cook with 2/51 HIGHLAND in Stornoway and supported 2/51 on Exercises including Germany and Cyprus. He volunteered to support 1 Queens Own Highlanders on their Exercise in Kenya in 1986 where he became a favourite of the local children. Originally from Tong on the Isle of Lewis, he was a weaver of Harris Tweed and worked in the Construction Industry while also supporting his local Youth Club. He had a talent for singing, was a member of his local Gaelic Choir and serenaded the local association on their dinner nights.
He is survived by his wife Mary MacLean and stepson Davey.
Joe Murdoch
QO Hldr
It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Joseph Murdoch, known as Joe, who left us on Christmas Day, Monday 25 December 2023, at the age of 61. Taken far too soon, his departure leaves a family void that can never be filled, and he will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.
He served with distinction for 14 years in the Queen’s Own Highlanders from December 1978 – April 1992. Joe served in Bridge of Don, Kirknewton, Hong Kong, Tidworth, Falklands, N Ireland, Fort George, and Munster.
Born in April 1962 in Glasgow, he spent his early years in Kelvinbridge and Drumchapel, where he developed an adventurous spirit and love of sport that stayed with him throughout his life.
Joe attended St. Sixtus Primary School and later, St. Columba’s Secondary School in Maryhill. At the age of 16, he made a significant choice to join the Army, forgoing a potential football career with Motherwell Football Club.
Following his honourable discharge in April 1992, Joe transitioned to civilian life, working as an HGV driver, and later joining the 6 Scots in Maryhill as a Reservist.
Joe had a few hobbies and interests over the years. He liked his golf, fly fishing and especially his football and used to play for Celtic Boys Club. As mentioned earlier he was about to be signed by Motherwell Football Club but made the decision at 16 to join the Army. When he lived in Inverness, he played amateur football and won the Hugh Mackie Cup when playing for Thistle Inn. An SFA referee he also helped coach various junior teams.
In 2000, Joe married Margaret finally settling in Saltcoats in 2013.
A man of character, Joe was known for his straightforwardness, genuine nature, and a sense of humour that brightened the lives of those around him. His commitment to family was unwavering, and he found immense joy in their happiness. Joe leaves behind a legacy of generosity, kindness, and an enduring love for life. There were no airs or graces with Joe, what you saw was what you got. He was a genuine guy who called a spade a spade when required.
Joe was a keen member of the RBL in Saltcoats where he never missed a meeting, and he was held in high regard by the other members especially doing collections for the Poppy Appeals.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, children Scott, Jocelyn, and Cameron, and grandchildren Ben, Alexander, and Alba, along with a wide circle of family and friends who will forever cherish the memories of a remarkable man.
Tam Stephen
Cameron
Tam Stephen passed away peacefully on 1 January 2024. He was ninety years old.
Tam was born in Elgin in 1933 and lived in a simple two bedroomed house with his mother, father and eight siblings. When he left school, he went to work with his father as a Plasterer but was eventually called up to do his National Service with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, who were stationed in Austria at the time. After a brief spell in civvy street he signed up as a regular soldier and went on to complete a total of twenty-four years with the Colours, first with the Cameron Highlanders and subsequently with the Queen’s Own Highlanders.
Tam’s postings ranged from Austria, Dover, Singapore, Osnabruck, Berlin, Scotland, Sharjah, and Northern Ireland. His time in the Battalion was spent between stints in the MT Platoon and the Assault Pioneers, and it was whilst with the Assault Pioneers on the Battalion’s first tour of duty in Northern Ireland that a bomb exploded in a house that the platoon were searching. Mercifully, there were no fatalities or serious injuries.
Tam retired from the army in 1974 and found work with the Gas Board and in Security. He was married to Tilly and they went on to have three children and become great, great, grandparents.
Tam was laid to rest in West Lothian Crematorium. He was piped into the service to the tune “March of the Cameron Men”, attended by his family, friends, and members of the Edinburgh Branch of the Regimental Association
William Parr
Cameron
William known as Bill who served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders passed away on 17 February 2024 aged 90.
Eric Forrest
Cameron
Eric who served in The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders passed away on 21 December 2023.
Allan Black
QO Hldr
Allan joined the Queen’s Own Highlanders aged 19 in 1972 following on from his father who served from 1932 – 1945 in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.
He passed out from Glencorse Barracks in Atbara platoon in 1973. Alan served until 1979 with tours in Kirknewton, Northern Ireland, Belize and 2nd tour Northern Ireland.
After leaving the regiment Allan travelled to Africa and took the opportunity to join the Rhodesian regiment of the Selous Scouts which was a special forces unit of the Rhodesian Army.
On returning to the UK, he settled initially in Greenock where he met his wife Ann and in 1986, she gave birth to his son Philip.
The last twenty years of his life was spent working as the ship’s Cook and Medic with North Star Shipping, resupplying the Oil Rigs in the North Sea. That meant he basically spent six months at sea and six at home with his family.
Allan had two passions in his life, fishing (no 1) and any whisky that had “single malt” on the label like Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenmorangie etc.
Sadly, Allan developed a brain tumour that had spread from a skin cancer he had several years previously.
Allan passed away on 19 January 2024 and is survived by his wife of 39 years, Ann, and his son Phillip.
Allan Black
QO Hldr
Allan joined the Queen’s Own Highlanders aged 19 in 1972 following on from his father who served from 1932 – 1945 in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.
He passed out from Glencorse Barracks in Atbara platoon in 1973. Alan served until 1979 with tours in Kirknewton, Northern Ireland, Belize and 2nd tour Northern Ireland.
After leaving the regiment Allan travelled to Africa and took the opportunity to join the Rhodesian regiment of the Selous Scouts which was a special forces unit of the Rhodesian Army.
On returning to the UK, he settled initially in Greenock where he met his wife Ann and in 1986, she gave birth to his son Philip.
The last twenty years of his life was spent working as the ship’s Cook and Medic with North Star Shipping, resupplying the Oil Rigs in the North Sea. That meant he basically spent six months at sea and six at home with his family.
Allan had two passions in his life, fishing (no 1) and any whisky that had “single malt” on the label like Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenmorangie etc.
Sadly, Allan developed a brain tumour that had spread from a skin cancer he had several years previously.
Allan passed away on 19 January 2024 and is survived by his wife of 39 years, Ann, and his son Phillip.
Jimmy Gray
QO Hldr
Jimmy Gray was born on 2 June 1948 and passed away on 16 February 2024.
He was raised in Kelty in the Kingdom of Fife. After leaving school he worked in various jobs, including a textile factory and down a coal mine. He married Rosemary in 1968 and the pair went on to have two sons (Steven and Robin). In the early seventies Jimmy decided to join the Army to find a better life for his young family and joined the Queen’s Own Highlanders – going on to complete a full career of twenty-two years with the regiment, serving in the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Belize, and Northern Ireland.
ing the 1st Battalion Jimmy soon gravitated towards the clerking world, eventually becoming the Families Office Colour Sergeant, where he also became the resident DJ and Bingo Caller at many of the Wives Club functions.
After he retired from the army Jimmy went to work for a food technology firm as a Storeman in Broxburn and ran it with military precision until his final retirement.
In 2018 Jimmy had a fall on some ice and his right leg was very badly broken and became infected. Over the next two years both his legs were amputated due to infections. This did not deter Jimmy from getting on with life using his mobility scooter and eventually an adapted car with hand controls, to travel around the local area from his home in Kelty.
Steed Wilson
QO Hldr
Steed was born on 6 August 1957 in Elgin. He developed a skill and passion for football at a young age and played in the Elgin and District Boys League for several years becoming a member of their select team. His skill and ability at football continued into his adult years. Steed had been a member of the Army Cadets, and this laid the foundation for him joining the Army. He started his career at 15 in August 1972. He trained at The Junior Infantry Depot Bridge of Don and after passing out joined the 1st Bn the Queen’s Own Highlanders in November 1974 based in Osnabruck. His time in the Army was wide and varied, serving in Germany, Belize, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Brunei, Canada, the Falklands, and a number of tours in Northern Ireland.
As a section commander in Dungannon in 1978 his patrol was hit by an IED sadly resulting in the death of young Mark Carnie. Steed was awarded a GOC’s Commendation for his actions that day. Steed never forgot Mark and some years later he arranged for a service to be held at Marks grave in Brechin which was attended by a good number from the Regiment along with members of Marks family.
Steed passed his Senior Brecon course with distinction and was selected to be an instructor there. He was also posted to V Company Liverpool Scottish as SPSI demonstrating his professionalism.
He held posts in the Bn as 2IC Recce, CSM HQ Company and as Bn TQMS. Eventually being selected for promotion to WO1. In 1994 he was posted to 2/51 Highland in Elgin as RSM and finishing his career at Brecon in 1998 as RSM Cambrian Patrol Team.
After his time in the Army Steed remained in uniform becoming an Admin Warrant Officer NRPS working out of Maindy Barracks in Cardiff. He spent the next 18 years ensuring TA/ Reserve units were properly supported in their training efforts, especially in preparation for the many OP Herrick phases prior to their deployment to Afghanistan.
As well as being a very good soldier many will remember Steed for his footballing skills. Strong and skilful, with a commanding presence on the field, he quickly established himself as a key member of the Bn and Infantry teams. He captained both teams through their most successful periods winning all the leagues and championship games they entered gaining huge respect and much silverware. He also played at Army level and for several Combined Forces teams. He also coached and played for the Brecon Corries.
Steed was the epitome of what a Scottish soldier should be and some 44 years in uniform and service to the Crown is an outstanding achievement.
Steed Wilson sadly passed away in hospital at Merthyr Tydfil on 19 January 2024 surrounded by family and friends. Steed’s passing came after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy {MSA}.
Friends from across United Kingdom attended his funeral in Brecon.
Steed is survived in Brecon by his wife Ann, stepdaughters, grandchildren, and other close family members in Elgin.
Joe Bellingham
QO Hldr
Joe was born in Glasgow on 11 October 1963, the youngest of four brothers. When Joe was sixteen, he chose to follow his brother Johnny into the Queen’s Own Highlanders and signed on to train as a Junior Drummer at Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh. After passing out of basic training Joe joined A Company in Hong Kong and then went on to become a drummer in the Pipe Band.
Joe’s career gravitated towards the Recce Platoon, which soon became the Battalion’s Close Observation Platoon when the Battalion was stationed in Northern Ireland. Joe served in Hong Kong, Tidworth, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, Fort George, Munster, and as an instructor at the Depot, Glencorse.
Joe received an excellent grade on his Skill at Arms Course and a recommendation to return to Warminster as an instructor. In 1991 he eventually made the decision to transfer to the Small Arms School Corp (SASC), where he served as an instructor and advisor on courses in Junior Division, Senior Division, the AFV Gunnery School in Lulworth, and at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He rapidly rose through the ranks and was commissioned. Joe served on several postings with the SASC and whilst serving in the former Bosnia/Kosovo he was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service. He eventually retired from the army in 2006 with the rank of Captain.
Not wishing to sit idle, he took a job as a Health and Safety Advisor and became Head of Environmental Safety to a large company building wind turbines. In 2017 he became ill. His condition gradually deteriorated, and in 2021 he was admitted to a care home in Edinburgh, where he passed away on 2 March 2024. He is survived by his children Christopher and Sophie and his partner Anne.
Bernard Curran
QO Hldr
Bernard who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders died on 30 November 2023 aged 64.
David A Reid
Cameron
David Alexander “Sandy” Reid, who died on 22 February 2024, was born on 30 June 1938, the younger son of Lt Col and Mrs Roscoe Reid. His father and his older brother served in the Buffs, but Sandy followed his grandfather Lt Col DP Haig into The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. Educated at Wellington College, he carried out his recruit training at the Depot Camerons before going to the RMA Sandhurst. He was granted a Regular Commission in the Cameron Highlanders on 2 August 1958 and joined the 1st Camerons in Dover. In 1959, when the 1st Camerons trooped the Regimental Colour for the Colonel of the Regiment Maj Gen Douglas Wimberley at Dover Castle, 2Lt Reid was the Ensign carrying the Colour. In 1960 he was posted to the Depot Camerons as a training subaltern, returning to the 1st Camerons in Edinburgh when the Depot closed. On the amalgamation with the Seaforth Highlanders in 1961 he was posted to 1st Bn Queen’s Own Highlanders. When 1 QO HLDRS moved to the Far East in 1961, he and Lt Michael Stewart took part in the overland expedition which drove four Land Rovers from Edinburgh to Singapore. In 1964 he left the Regular Army and subsequently served in 4th/5th Camerons TA until the reorganisation of the Reserve Forces in 1967.
He became a successful factor, working at Dochfour and then with the Eagle Star lands on the Black Isle. He later moved south to the Borders.
He is survived by his widow Clova (née Lyle) and their two daughters and families.
John Dunn
Cameron
John known as Jake who served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders passed away on 23 March 2024.
Kenneth MacGregor
QO Hldr
Kenneth served for a number of years in the Queen’s Own Highlanders and afterwards worked for ISS Security (Capgemini). He died on 25 February 2024 in Raigmore Hospital and is survived by his wife Helen, children, and grandchildren.
Donald J, Campbell
Donald known as Cammy passed away on 19 April 2024.
He passed out at the Junior Soldier Depot, Bridge of Don as part of Findlater Platoon.
During his service with 1 QO Hldrs he was a renowned footballer with ‘A’ Coy, then a part of the Anti-Tank Pl during the Gulf War and on leaving the regiment in November 1991 worked in Baghdad doing private security for three years. He joined 7 SCOTS and was CSM ‘C’ Coy.
Cammy is survived by his wife Rachel and two daughters.
Tony Glover
QO Hldr
Tony who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 3 May 2024 at the age of 71.
He enlisted in August 1968 into the Junior Infantryman’s Battalion (JIB) at Shorncliffe and after two years of training he joined the 1st Battalion in Edinburgh. Tony was initially posted to ‘A’ Company and subsequently to the Battalion’s Intelligence Section.
During his first few years in the Battalion Tony became one of several soldiers who were specially selected for their shooting abilities to represent the UK at the Central Treaty Organisation’s NISHAN Shooting competition.
In 1971 the team went on to win NISHAN VIII against very strong opposition from the USA, Turkey, and Iran. This team was the only British team ever to have won this prestigious competition.
Tony served in Edinburgh, Osnabruck and completed three Operational tours in Northern Ireland before being demobbed in April 1974.
He married Lydia in 1972, just one day after Tony’s nineteenth birthday and they went on to have two children Luke and Andrea. Once Tony left the army he decided to settle in the south of England and initially went on to run a Bar in Folkestone before starting his own painting and decorating business.
He is survived by his wife Lydia and their two children Luke and Andrea.
James Mitchell
Cameron
James joined the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in the late 1950’s and became a member of HQ Company on amalgamation. He moved to the Intelligence Section and on a Battalion Air Portability Exercise on arrival found the jungle on fire. Two of the party were injured and it was left to Mitchell and the IO /RSO Lt Crombie to do all the intelligence work.
In 1963 he was the Bn Postman and moved to the MT Platoon. He was a keen hockey player and a good shot. In 1967 he moved to the QM’s and in 1968 left the Bn to go to Wick as a PSI and after a year moved to 51 Hld Volunteers and his final tour of duty was with the Bn in Osnabrück. He retired as CSgt in 1974.
James passed away in November 2019. He is survived by his wife Eileen and their 3 children.
John M Allan
QO Hldr
Major John MacKenzie Allan MBE died peacefully at Castlehill Care Home Culloden on 29 March 2024.
Born on 1 September 1935 at Drumchardine near Kirkhill north of Inverness, John was the only son of John Cumming Allan and Mary Ann MacKenzie.
As a youngster John developed a passion for Scottish Country Dance Music and Piping, becoming proficient on both the Accordion and the Pipes.
John left school at 15 and started work as a Plumbers Apprentice. He continued with his music and was very active with the Inverness British Legion Pipe Band. His National Service was deferred until he completed his apprenticeship, but he was eventually called up in 1956, joining the Scots Guards, moving to the 2nd Battalion The Scots Guards in 1957 after completing his initial training.
John attended the Pipe Majors Course at the Army School of Piping, Edinburgh Castle in 1960.
In 1962 after only a short period in Kenya with the Scots Guards, John was transferred to the newly formed 1st Battalion the Queen’s Own Highlanders as Pipe Major. During his time with the 1st Battalion in the Far East he saw active service in Brunei and Borneo.
During 1969 and after a short stay in Edinburgh, John left the Battalion and moved to the Scottish Infantry Training Depot, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen as a Piping Instructor where he taught all junior soldier recruit pipers destined for the Scottish Division.
John was posted, in 1972, to the REME Apprentice College at Arborfield, Reading, where piping was one of the recreational activities offered to the young REME recruits. After his stint at Arborfield John was promoted to WO1 and posted to the Army School of Piping Edinburgh Castle as the senior Pipe Major Instructor under Captain John MacLellan (QO Hldrs) where John became the Chief Instructor and senior Pipe Major of the British Army.
John was commissioned in 1979 and during his first commissioned appointment he did an operational tour with the Battalion in Northern Ireland followed by a stint as 2IC Band Company back at Dreghorn Camp at the Divisional Training Depot.
In 1981 John took over the post of Director of Army Bagpipe Music holding this appointment until his retirement in 1990. During his time as Director, he greatly expanded the number of courses on offer leading up to the full Pipe Majors Course.
A top-class player in his own right John mentored hundreds of Army pipers through the Class 1 Piper’s Course, Piobaireachd Course, and the renowned Army Pipe Major’s Course. His unique manner: guiding, mentoring, and advising has left its mark on all who had the privilege to have been tutored by him.
He was awarded an MBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1989 and in 1990 he was responsible for directing the Beating Retreat by The Massed Bands of the Scottish Division on Horse Guards Parade in front of Her Majesty. This was to be his final parade before retiring.
During John’s career, he was involved with no less than 24 Edinburgh Military Tattoos as either performer, Pipe Major, or Director of the Pipes & Drums. On retirement from the Army John took up the position as the Piping Teacher at George Heriots School Edinburgh holding this position until his retirement in 2005.
He is survived by his wife Jean and their two children John and Gary.
Joe Mahady
Joe was gathered on 21 February 2024. After basic training Joe joined the Seaforth Highlanders and was promoted to Sergeant and welcomed into the Sergeants Mess in 1960. In 1961 he moved to ‘A’ Company and following this he was appointed a PSI in 1965 with the Liverpool Scottish. After further promotions, he was the RSM for the Freedom of Moray parade in 1978. He retired after 24 years’ service in 1979.
John Duncan
Cameron
John who served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders passed away on 20 March 2024.
James Clelland
Cameron
James who served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders passed away on 27 January 2024.
Roddy Balfour
2/51 Highland
Roddy who served in 2/51 Highland died on 11 January 2024.
John Dunion
QO Hldr
John joined the Queen’s Own Highlanders in 1962 and was posted to 7Pl, B Coy. John very quickly established himself within B Coy representing them in basketball and football. Three years later John moved to the Recce Pl and 2 years after the move was promoted to LCpl. John continued to demonstrate his sporting prowess and became a regular member of the battalion football team and part of the Infantry Cup winning team of 1968. He was also a very proficient water-skier. John was also an entertainer and took part in various company concerts. In 1971 moved to D Coy and then Command Company, Regimental Police, where he remained until his discharge in 1971. During his 9 years’ service John saw service in Singapore and Brunei and remained in Singapore for a 2nd tour with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (64 – 66) who were undermanned at that time. John passed away at his home on his 80th birthday on 2 October 2024.
Michael Roehling
QO Hldr
Michael joined the Queen’s Own Highlanders in 1972 having completed his basic training at the Scottish Infantry Depot. On joining the battalion, he was posted to D Company. A year later he was a clerk in the Battalion Orderly Room before becoming company clerk for Support Company, he also completed his B3 Clerks course. Mick returned to the battalion Orderly Room to assist with the move to Belfast in 1974. Following that he became company clerk for Admin Company. Mick was promoted to LCpl in 1975 and following his promotion returned to the Orderly Room taking up the position as Documents Clerk. Mick’s final move before his discharge in 1978 was to return to where it all began, with D Coy. Mick served 6 years with the battalion and passed away on 16 October 2024 following a short illness.
Brian Cameron
QO Hldr
Brian Cameron, or 38, as he was known, was from Cromarty in Ross-shire. He conducted his basic training with Assaye Platoon at Glencorse where he passed out on 15 April 1977. On joining the Queen’s Own Highlanders, he was posted to B Company where he remained for the remainder of his service.
When the battalion moved to Hong Kong and whilst still with 7 Platoon B Company, he was attached to the Queen’s Gurkha Engineer Boat Troop as a coxswain where he patrolled the Hong Kong / Sino Sea border picking up Chines immigrants. It was during his tour with the Boat Troop that he was injured in an accident in Sha Tau Kok. 38 was with the battalion when they returned to the UK and posted to Tidworth.
In 1982, Brian retired from the army having served for 6 years in Kirknewton, Hong Kong, and Tidworth. He passed away on 17 September 2024 aged 64.
Ewan Cameron
QO Hldr
Ewan Cameron was from Kildary in Easter Ross and went to school at Invergordon Academy. He completed his training at the Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion Shorncliffe. Whilst there he was a regular player in the Battalion Basketball team where he earned his sports colours. He joined the Queen’s Own Highlanders whilst they were in Osnabruck in 1973 and was posted to ‘A’ Company, 3 Platoon. Whilst serving in ‘A’ Company he won the Battalion prize and Shooting Committee prize for the GPMG Young Soldier Pairs at the Cabarfeidh Rifle Meeting in 1975. He remained with the Battalion on the move to Kirknewton. During this tour he was promoted to LCpl and transferred to 1 Platoon as Section Commander. In 1977 Ewan left the Battalion having served 4 years.
Ewan passed away on 15 July 2024 whilst living in Mobile, Alabama
Neil Forde
QO Hldr
Neil (Fodge) Forde was a “Moray Loon” who started his training in 1969 at the Infantry Junior Leader Battalion in Oswestry. Whilst there, he received an “A” in Signals and represented the Battalion at football.
He joined the Queen’s Own Highlanders in Osnabruck in 1972 and was posted to ‘B’ Company, then deploying to West Belfast with them. In 1974 he was posted to the Recce Platoon. He was a gifted football player, playing at both company and battalion level. As a regular member of the battalion football team, he would often be seen in tracksuit, a perk of the job, until his discharge in 1975.
Fodge passed away in hospital on 07 November 2024.
Jimmy Sherry
Cameron
Jimmy Sherry was born and brought up in Kinross and was called up for National Service in 1958. He enlisted into the Cameron Highlanders on 23 January of that year at Cowdenbeath. On completion of his basic training at Cameron Barracks as part of No1 Recruit Platoon he joined the 1st Bn Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders whilst they were stationed in Dover. Whilst in the Signals Platoon in 1959 he was part of the very successful Platoon football team that had clean sweep of all their matches. Jimmy was also part of the Trooping of the Colour commemorating the 166th anniversary of the Regiment. Despite the best efforts of the then Signals Officer to retain Jimmy, he was discharged in 1960.
Jimmy was a very proud Cameron Highlander and a staunch supporter of the Regimental Association. He attended annual reunions in Inverness with his old friends. He also became an active member of Kinross Ex-Servicemen’s Club before becoming Vice Chair. Jimmy sadly passed away on 20 October 2023.
James K, Nairne
Seaforth
James Kemp Nairne was born in Belfast on 7 December 1923, the third son of Lt Col Charles S Nairne and his wife, Edith (née Kemp) who at the time were based there with the 1st Bn. Seaforth Highlanders. He was educated at Hordle House, Milford-on-Sea and then at Dauntsey’s School near Devizes. In 1942, James left school and in June enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders, where his older brother Patrick was already serving. He completed basic training at Fort George and in November he was posted to 1st Bn The Highland Regiment, a young soldiers’ unit in Bury St. Edmunds. After a year there, he was posted to the 9th Seaforth stationed in Overstrand, Norfolk then commanded by Lt Col J S H Douglas. A few months later he was posted to No. 11 Infantry Training Centre in Elgin.
In May 1944, James was posted to 2nd Seaforth commanded by Lt Col G L W Andrews and having embarked at Tilbury Docks on 3rd June for Op OVERLORD, he landed four days later on Gold Beach in Normandy on D-Day+1 as a rifleman in ‘B’ Company, commanded by Major R G Hammond-Chambers. The same day he was transferred into the Battalion’s Intelligence Section and worked there for 6 months fighting with the Battalion across NW Europe. Promoted to LCpl in January 1945 and appointed a section commander, James attended the Divisional Platoon Commander’s course in Belgium and as a Corporal crossed the Rhine with 2nd Seaforth near Rees in March 1945 then under command of Lt Col G W Dunn BW. In April, he was posted back to No. 11 (Seaforth and Cameron) Holding Bn. located at Strathpeffer commanded by Lt Col R D M C Miers (Camerons). By this time James had decided to try to stay in the Army and in July 1945 he was sent to 161 (RMC) OCTU in Aldershot as a cadet. He was successful and was commissioned in November and posted to No.11 ITC in Elgin and later in Edinburgh.
Then in May 1946, Lt Nairne was posted to 5th Seaforth, under command of Lt Col J M Sym, based in Hanover and Antwerp and he served with that battalion until the 51st Highland Division was demobilised, when he was posted to 2nd Seaforth, under command of Lt Col R D Horne, in Warminster and Bicester as the Motor Transport Officer. However, having been off sick, James was put on the staff of 112 German POW Camp in Ayr for 3 months. The 1st and 2nd Seaforth amalgamated in 1948 and in May James was posted as a training subaltern in No.1 Highland District Travelling Wing, based in Perth and Dundee. He remained there until June, when he was posted to Gibraltar as the Personal Assistant to Brig Ebsworth, Officer Commanding Troops and Deputy Fortress Commander. He remained there until June 1950 when he was promoted to Captain and posted to 1st Seaforth in Malaya and appointed second-in-command of ‘B’ Company, commanded by Maj J Davie, based at Kuala Krau and then Kuantan in Pahang State. In Kuala Krau, James did much to keep the railway running and assisted the station master to manage traffic at the various platforms!
On the Battalion’s return to the UK, James was appointed Adjutant of 11th (T.A.) Bn. Seaforth Highlanders based at Dingwall and held that appointment until January 1954, after which for a time he was Training Major of St. Andrews University UOTC. As a temporary major, James took over command of ‘C’ Company, 1st Seaforth commanded by Lt Col I A Robertson in Egypt in June 1955 and served with the Bn. in Aden and Gibraltar until August 1956, when he took up a War Office staff captain’s appointment in AG2 based in Stanmore, Middlesex. On 4th June 1958 James was promoted to the substantive rank of Major and returned in December to the 1st Bn. now in Munster, Germany to command ‘HQ’ Company. He held this appointment until retiring voluntarily in November 1959 with a disability under a premature retirement scheme.
James’ first civilian job was at ‘The Scotsman’ Newspaper in Edinburgh where he worked for 5 years in its advertising department. He left this job in February 1965 to become a Queen’s Messenger, a role he held for nearly 24 years. In this time, he had 890 journeys abroad, only ever missing one short journey due to sickness, and delivered 16,306 diplomatic bags! He retired at the end of 1988 to live in Winchester.
James did not marry, and travel allowed him to pursue two of his special talents: watercolour painting and tapestry. Once retired, other interests also filled his time: calligrapher to the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor, archivist for the artist, Derek Hill, and also for the papers of General Sir Richard O’Connor, and at Winchester Cathedral, serving as a Sidesman for 8 years and as a member of the Council of the Friends for more than 10. James cared about fellow soldiers, colleagues, friends, and family. He joined the Cuidich’n Righ, Duke of Albany’s Club in 1950 and served as its Honorary Secretary for 20 years from 1990 – 2010. He celebrated his 100th Birthday at home where he was presented with The King’s Birthday Card and attended by representatives from the Regiment and the Club, a piper played ‘Caber Feidh’ and ‘Happy Birthday’. He died at home in Winchester on 13th October 2024 aged 100 years, 10 months and 6 days.
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Roy Bannerman
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.
Charlie Beckett
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.
Colin J Farrell
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 8th place in the SMG 45 Competition at Bisley during the Regular Army Skill at Arms Meeting and was 2nd 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 20th position in the overall competition and was 5th 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 2/51st 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 2/51st Highland in Elgin where he would remain until he retired in 1996.
Detmar Hackman
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 2nd in the 100-yard sprint and 3rd 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.
Paul Henderson
QO Hldr
Paul who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 7 November 2023
William MacDonald
QO Hldr
William who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 12 April 2024.
Donnie MacLeod
QO Hldr
Donnie who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 20 May 2024.
George McDonald
QO Hldr
George who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 4 November 2023.
Billy Page
QO Hldr
George who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 25 January 2024.
Norman Ross
Seaforth
Norman who served in the Seaforth Highlanders passed away on 31 December 2023.
Jimmy Sherry
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 1st 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.
James C, Smith
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.
Euan Sutherland
QO Hldr
Euan who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 16 February 2024.
James Thompson
QO Hldr
James who served in the Queen’s Own Highlanders passed away on 19 March 2024.
John Whitelaw
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, 11th 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.
Peter, DG Ware
Cameron
Peter who served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders passed away on 11 April 2020.
John Anderson
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.
Ewen Campbell
QO Hldr
Ewen Alasdair Dairmaid (hence “Ed”) Campbell was educated at Clifton College and then at RMA Sandhurst before joining the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own Highlanders in 1965 on a regular commission. He was appointed a platoon commander in ‘A’ Company and in 1967 went to Southampton University to read English Literature. He then returned to the Battalion in 1968 to command 2 Platoon in Sharjah. Ed was promoted to Captain in 1970 and became the Regimental Signals Officer. Later he was Command Company’s acting commander and then retired from the Army in early 1973 having served in Berlin, Edinburgh, Sharjah/Trucial Oman States, Osnabruck, and Northern Ireland. While in Sharjah, he was seconded briefly on an exchange to our affiliated regiment, 7th Gurkha Rifles in Singapore and Brunei.
On leaving the Army he became a schoolmaster joining the English Department of Sedbergh School, then in Yorkshire. His wife, Maz also taught English and Drama at the school and became a successful head of department. Ed flourished at Sedbergh School, taking on the roles of Housemaster of Powell House from 1978-93 and latterly of Evans House from 1998-2004. In between these appointments he was appointed ‘Second Master’ from 1993-98, in which he played a crucial role in the transition between one headmaster to another, at one point as the acting Headmaster. Ed’s 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 award-wining screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ fame, who attributed Ed & Maz’s inspirational influence as a key factor in sustaining his subsequent career.
While at Sedbergh, Ed produced many theatre productions and revues and brought dramatic performances to feature at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He also established a holiday venture centre at the Kinrara Estate through his friendship with Major Robin McLaren, 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 was immensely proud of his regimental connections. His grandfather served in The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in the South African Wars being a member of the regiment’s Territorial (Kingussie) Company. His father, a surgeon, served as Regimental Medical Officer with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. Ed also valued his long family connection with the Newtonmore and Kingussie area.
In retirement, the Campbells moved to Guernsey, where Maz came from, and both continued to teach English: Ed at the Ladies College and Maz at the Elizabeth College for Boys. They retained a flat in Edinburgh and regularly visited, participating enthusiastically in the Edinburgh International 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.
Ron Chawner
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.
Kenneth MacLennan
Cameron
Kenneth who served in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders died on 26 June 2024.
Colin LA, Fraser-Mackenzie
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 51st 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 1st 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 1st 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.
Duncan MaCallum
QO Hldr
Duncan was born in Edinburgh in 1951 and passed out of basic training on 12 January 1973. He was posted to the 1st 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.
Elizabeth Fraser
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.
Eric Duguid
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.
James Lawson
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 1st 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 1st 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.
Ian Carmichael
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.
Andy Aitken
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.
William MacDoanld
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.