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The Regimental Office will be closed from 1pm Friday 20th December and reopen at 9am 6th January 2020.
The Regimental Museum will be closed from Monday 23rd December – Friday 27th December and also Monday 30th December – Thursday 2nd January 2020, all dates inclusive.
We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year
The 2nd March 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of 1RS in Belfast, from Osnabruck, on the first of 13 tours in the Province. This totalled some 7 ½ years of deployment over the next 32 years. To mark this historic event the Regiment is holding a reunion, open to all who were awarded the GSM with Northern Ireland bar while serving with the 1st Battalion, including attached personnel. The reunion will be:
Space is limited with a maximum attendance of 140. The cost, subsidised by a major grant from The Regimental Trust, will be £10 to include a two course, two choice buffet supper and a 50-page illustrated booklet covering all the tours.
Further details will follow immediately after the New Year but please get this date into your diary now.
Warning order.
Good morning troops. It’s safe to say that this year has not been exactly a happy one with to many of our old comrades/friends leaving us for the big parade ground in the sky a good few gone well before their time.
As it’s always great to meet old friends it isn’t that great having to keep meeting under such horrible circumstances to that end , I’m along with a few other old Royal Scots have decided to have an end of year gathering of old and bold to drink to our fellow Royal Scots no longer with us and to celebrate the coming year together amongst fellow veterans.
What better place to start it off is at our Regimental Memorial that is the Royal Scots club I’ve spoken with Adrian at the club and it’ll be ok to meet in the bar for a few hours before heading to meet the main body.
He requires numbers so , I’m assuming, for bar staff purposes therefore the gathering will take place on Saturday the 21st of December 17:30 till 19:30 hrs in the Royal Scots Club then to the Standing Order to meet the rest of the lads/lassies.
Can you please let me know if you’ll be attending at the club so I can keep Adrian up to date with numbers the dress is smart casual although some of us like an excuse to dress up.
Hope to see as many royals there as we can possibly muster. Try and make an effort guys. they’re always great events.
UTR.
Pinkie St Peter’s Primary School
The Primary 5 classes are looking for veterans to attend the school on the 13th December 2019 meeting at 11 am, the children would like to see uniforms, badges and hats etc!
They will also show their work about WW2 and can have conversations with the guests, they will also provide drinks and snack. All branches of the armed forces are welcome to attend please meet at the main entrance.
Pinkie St Peter’s Primary School,
44 Pinkie Road,
Musselburgh,
East Lothian EH21 7HA
Has any member of the regimental family got a spare pair of trews for sale waist 38 inside leg 29 does not matter if bigger in waist or leg will get them altered your regimental brother james valentine thanks money waiting
Hi Jimmy,I have a spare pair of trews immaculate condition
38 waist-31 leg.
Make me an offer
Alex Moore -Southern Branch
Contact no. 01530 416424
East of Scotland Branch Meeting
Saturday 23rd November
RBL Prestonpans
19:30hrs
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SCOTLAND
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
CANONGATE KIRK
Good morning all,
I thought I would keep you all informed as to what we have planned for Xmas. We are holding a Christmas Carol Service at Canongate Kirk on 15 December for 16.00hrs. This service will last approximately 1 hour and all are welcome to attend. There is no tickets being allocated for entry, and it is also free. Where else would you get something free these days?
If you are interested in attending, can you indicate to myself by 6th December so that we can look at putting on enough hot drinks and a wee mince pie for all. Mind, bring your best singing voices along as we have lots of favourite Christmas Carols to sing!
I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Kind regards,
Liz Kyle
Event Support
The Royal British Legion Scotland
New Haig House Logie Green Road Edinburgh EH7 4HQ
Direct Dial: 0131 550 1583
Hello, my great grandad Christopher Allen was in the Royal Scots during WW2, we’re not quite sure which battalion he was in but we know at some point towards the end he stayed with a Belgium family. On some of his paperwork it said he also was a Lance corporal and his no was.. 3059418 He also wrote on a postcard that they was the 1st Tommy’s to liberate and step on the soil of Middleburg, Stadhuis.
I’m just wondering if anyone has any more info of the batallion ect.. As I would love to know more ❤️ I have photos of him and who he was alongside too..
Leona, 7th/9th Royal Scots captured Middleburg. Have you seen the Royal Scots video ‘Scottish Soldiers – World War 2 Memories’ embedded below? ‘Walcheren 1944’ by Richard Brooks is recommended. https://neillgilhooley.com/
Neill neillgilhooley@gmail.com
Former Royal Scots and their families attended Remembrance events throughout the UK and beyond and the message sent out remains “We will remember them”
If you have any photographs of the event(s) you attended please send them to
thistle.editor@theroyalscots.co.uk
Sadly I have to report that John Reid (Jack) Cockburn died on Tuesday 5 Nov aged 96.
Jack served in the Royal Scots from the beginning of WW2 until 1967.
His funeral will take place at Mortohall Crematorium on Friday 15th November at 11 am.
Our thoughts are with his wife Violet and her family at this time.
The Edinburgh Branch is holding a Xmas party on 7th Dec at 1900hrs till midnight in the Ex Service Mens Club in Smith Place Leith the cost is £15pp, Buffet / Entertainment / Raffle, lots of prizes with a smart TV as star prize, so come along meet up with old friends we also have members of the KOSB Association attending this event, contact Mick/Shirley McCann for tickets.
Good morning troops.
Only 25 days till our annual St Andrews night Celebrations. Again, for the second year running, we’ve doubled up with the East Lothian veterans breakfast club. I’d obviously like to see as many Royal Scots and their families there so if you’d like a night of great entertainment with a buffet and the usual raffle then contact myself or Jamie Colquhoun for ticket/s. Tickets are priced at £15 each. The night will be held on Saturday the 30th of November in the Ravelston house hotel in Musselburgh.
Great night spent with good friends. Come and join in the fun and celebrate our patron saint with fellow Royal Scot veterans. The more the merrier.
all the best.
George.
UTR.
From Tommy Douglas and Tom Gordon.
Free Remembrance Sunday Taxi Service
Gents,
Please note Fares4Free are offering veterans the chance to book a cab to get them to and from their local Remembrance Day Services on Sunday in the Edinburgh & Lothians Area, the service is free of charge and I have booked a couple of old Royals already. I would be happy for you to put the word out there as out of 30 available cabs only 3 have been booked so far.
David Gibson can be contacted on 07708 299399 or david.gibson@fares4free.org
Click the link for more details https://www.fares4free.org/
I have a scarf given to me by Cpl Gus Birrel one cold night in Munster I was WO1 RSM Mylchreest RSM of BMH Munster if you want it I can send it to you my email is johnmylch8@outlook.com let me know by e mail if you want it
Regards
L.Mylchrest now 80 years old
There will be a memeroial service for Ricky Cummings at Harvieston Cemetery just outside Birkinside on the A7. The service will start at 12.00 hours on the 23rd of Novemeber 2019.
Drinks and a small buffet will be held in Dalkeith British Legion afterwards.
This will be 25 years since the tragic accident where both Ricky and Dinger Bell both lost their lives on the A9.
All are very welcome to come and show their respects to a former Royal Scot whether you knew him or not.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Stevie, Do you have a e mail address I could contact you on.
Regards Kev Carlin
hi Kev you can get me on sjlham@hotmail.co.uk
Get me on 07796 844 701
Whitburn Remembrance Parade & Service:
This year’s Remembrance Parade & Service will take place on Sunday 10th November 2019. Any persons or Organisations (young or older) wishing to attend the Annual Remembrance Parade please feel free to do so. Due to on going works behind the Burgh Halls, The Parade will now muster on the opposite side of the road around 10.15am in the car park to the rear of Taste Cafe. The parade will then leave at 10.30am prompt and march up to the War Memorial where there will be a short service and the laying of Wreaths. A service will then commence in the Whitburn South Parish Church led by the Rev Gordon Jamieson. Following the Church Service, the parade will return back to the Car Park starting point. There will be hot snacks & refreshments provided in the Masonic Hall following event. A mini bus is provided to take part in the parade for any person with walking difficulties. For any further information please contact Kevin Heggie (Parade Coordinator) on 07947146455.
Sadly we have to report the death of Peter Boyes former LCpl 1RS. Pete served in A Coy from 1964 to 1970 (Tidworth & Osnabruck).
His funeral will take place at Mortonhall Crematorium at 2 pm on Monday 21st October.
Jimmy
sorry to hear of the passing of Pete Boyes, I remember him when I was in A coy and the fun we all had on ex Snow Queen , …R.I.P. ….Pete
I have just read of the passing of Peter Boyes. I remember Peter very well. Always a jovial Ex Royal who went on to be a Labour Councillor for Midlothian. My condolences to all of Peters family and friends. RIP Peter. UTT
EAST OF SCOTLAND BRANCH
St ANDREWS NIGHT
Tickets are on sale now for our St Andrews Night, Saturday 30th November. Cost £15.
Location Ravelstone House Hotel, 182 North St, Musselburgh
Contact Jamie Colquhoun or George Higgins for tickets.
East of Scotland Branch
There will be NO meeting this month, due to other commitments.
The next Branch meeting will take place on Saturday 23rd November, 1930hrs at RBL Prestonpans.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Peter Boys and David Zavaroni served with both Peter in A Coy and David in the Recce thoughts are with there families
Remembrance Events 2019
Remembrance Week 2019 is going to be busy with many events covered by our Regimental Family. This gives us our opportunity to pay our respects and Remember the events and loss of life in numerous conflicts. Many will be attending Services in their local town/area and it is hoped that the Regiment can be as widely represented as possible in our Regimental Area. There are a number of events that the Regimental Family will be involved in, some of these are organised externally and others are purely Royal Scots events; see below for details of RS events.
Co-ordination: The Regimental lead on all Remembrance issues is the Regimental Administrator, Captain Jimmy Springthorpe who can be contacted during office hours on 0131 557 0405 or email jimmy.springthorpe@theroyalscots.co,uk. London based events are coordinated by Major Christopher Delacombe cdelacombe@crdelacombe.com
Wreaths: Representatives/Branches laying wreaths on behalf of the Regiment are responsible for ordering their wreaths from the Regimental Office and arranging collection from the Office prior to the event. Please don’t leave until the last minute. Wreaths for the events at the Garden of Remembrance and Edinburgh City Chambers have been pre-ordered and will be delivered to those locations.
Dress: while in no way mandatory, it is hoped that those attending will wear, if in possession, Blazer, Trews/Flannels, RS Tie, Glengarry with RS Cap Badge, Medals and of course, a Poppy.
Please continue to watch the Regimental Website for information regarding Remembrance Events : http://www.theroyalscots.co.uk/
Photographs: The next issue of the Thistle will contain a selection of photographs from Remembrance Services so please send any you have of your Service to thistle.editor@theroyalscoys.co.uk. Add names of those in the photographs.
J Springthorpe
Captain
Regimental Administrator
A list of events can be found here
Caretaker / Chauffeur / Handyman
Mature and responsible person required for estate in the Scottish Borders within 25 miles of Edinburgh. To be responsible for the security of the mansion house and to assist in the running of the house and grounds, maintaining them to a high standard. The role will include driving duties as required. This is a live-in appointment offering competitive salary and well-appointed accommodation within the main house. Relevant experience is beneficial but not essential. A full UK driving licence is required. Please send applications including CV and covering letter and contact details of references to:- mike.thompson@galbraithgroup.com.
Jimmy
Just to remind the members of Central Branch that the next meeting will be on Sunday 3rd November at 1400 hrs in Whitburn, and this will be our A. G. M. For this Branch. Hope to see all there
The Events calendar has been updated with known events up to May 2020, if Branches have any other events to add please email jim.anderson@theroyalscots.co.uk
Very sorry to hear of the death of Davey Zavaroni. He was a friendly, likeable guy and a loyal Royal. Our thoughts are with Helen and the family at this sad time. RIP Davey.
Sadly I have to report the death on Monday 30th Sept of David Zavaroni. Davey died in Raigmore Hospital Inverness. Davey spent over 20 years in The Royal Scots and ended his service as a Colour Sergeant.
A funeral service will take place at Inverness Crematorium, Kilvean Rd, Inverness IV3 8JN at 9 am on Monday 7th October. Our thoughts are with Helen and her family at this sad time.
Jimmy
Thoughts with Helen and the Zavaroni family at such a sad time for all.
From
Dave & Janet
Dickson
Heartfelt condolences to Helen and family at this sad time.
Jim and Gill McConnell
I remember Davey Zavaroni very well from an operational tour with the Recce Pl. An excellent rifle shot, I remember him as a LCpl with his L4 sniper rifle remaining awake, watching and listening, throughout the hours of darkness even though not on stag. I remember him later as Offrs Mess CSgt where he deployed his joinery skills to make improvements around the Mess, as well as dealing firmly, but with invariable good humour, with the more boisterous of the subalterns who learned much from his wise counsel. Rather more recently, on an occasion while attending the Blood Transfusion Centre in Raigmore Hospital, an unseen but familiar voice challenged me, “You! Yes, you! Where do you think you’re going?” Davey was working in the hospital at the time. We will miss him. I will be unable to attend on Monday.
Sincere condolences to Davy Zavaroni’s family at this sad time . we had good times in the recce together whilst in Tidworth . I got a call from Wullie Hoy on Tuesday morning informing me of Davy’s passing . Sad times indeed .
Dave Fraser
Thoughts with Helen and the family, good memories ”Lena” as he was known in the Mortars. Rip Mucker.
GLADDY MURRAY TROPHY 2019
The above Annual Golf Competition took place on Sunday the 22 September 2019 at Shaw Park GC, Alloa.
We had 20 golfers on the day, but only two branches we able to field enough players to form a teams. Below is the results from all competitions held on the day:
Trophy Winners – Central Branch
Best Gross Score – Joe Harper
Best Nett Score – David Milne
NP in 1 – Andy Kyle
NP in 2 – Rab Fraser
Longest Drive low H/C – Paul McAllister
Longest Drive High H/C – Derrick Cumming
Most Golf – W Munro
Thank you to all golfers who took the time over the year to play in all competitions and we look forward to all meeting up again next year. First competition of the year being the Fallen Comrades Trophy. This will be held about April time, exact date to be confirmed. If you are a member of a Golf Club that could host one of these society events then please get in touch with either David Milne or Brian McGeachie.
There will be a Memorial gathering on Saturday 23rd of November at Mortonhall crematorium at 12.00hrs to remember the sad loss of Corporal William Bell, this marks the 25th year anniversary of the tragic deaths of Willie and Ricky on the A9 heading North from Otterburn, Stevie Murphy has also organised a similar event to visit the grave of Ricky Cummings that day,
Billy Lamb has organised a piper to play at the graveside and there will be a laying of a 1RS Wreath and any flowers people want to bring on the day,
Kenny Pirie has organised a buffet and drinks at Tanners Bar Lanark Road afterwards, all are welcome to attend both or one of the events to show there respects,
We have tries all avenues to get in touch with Willies immediate family but so far have been unable to, if anybody has any information that would be gratefully welcomed
I will repeat the details on my Facebook page with the aim to get these events out to the wider RS Family,
I’ll be attending at mortonhall. Can’t believe It’s been 25years already. LEST WE FORGET.
Just a quick reminder to all central branch members that we have a meeting on Sunday 6th 1400hrs see you all there thanks,,,,,,
Looking for a piper to play at a Burns Supper in East Yorkshire. Accommodation, meals and cash fee. Venue is the Ferguson Fawsitt Arms, Walkington. Saturday 25th January 2020.
Yours Aye, Dickie Donovan
Very soon paid up members of the Association will be receiving a free copy of a book of Essays covering the Regiment in the 20th and 21st Centuries via their Branch Secretaries.
However there are two amendments to note.
On page 135 the caption for the left hand photograph should read ‘General Daser being led away by Maor Knox RA, Brigade Major 155 Inf Bde, after surrendering to A Coy 7/9RS’
On page 152 The Kohima Epitaph Line 2 should read: Tell them of us and say, The words ‘and say’ have been missed out.
The website has been updated
ROYAL SCOTS REGIMENTAL BAND REUNION 26 OCTOBER
Just a reminder that I need payment and confirmation of those attending our reunion by next Tuesday! There is around 40 going to attend so please action soonest!
Our 40-minute film “Scottish Soldiers – World War 2 Memories” captures the experiences of four of our Royal Scots veterans; the oldest is 101 and fought at Le Paradis, two recount their experiences in Italy and Burma and the youngest, 93, fought in Europe.
Comments has been made that: “through their honesty, humanity, and humour these old Royals offer younger generations an insight into the experience of war that is vivid, sharp and unique” and “a beautifully sensitive film with no glorification of war”..