RBLS Legion Scotland Today Summer 2020 by Think Publishing

www.legionscotland.org.uk

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Log on and stay connected Top 10 websites for veterans

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WE SALUTE YOU WORLD WAR TWO WREN EDNA WELLS FINALLY RECEIVES HER MEDAL

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DESERT RAT JIMMY SINCLAIR REMEMBERED, HOW WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE PROTECTING THE MOST VULNERABLE, VIRTUAL VE DAY COMMEMORATIONS, BRANCH NEWS, LAST POST, POPPYSCOTLAND NEWS

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The official magazine of The Royal British Legion Scotland Issue 26Summer 2020

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LEAVE A LEGACY IN YOUR WILL Leaving the Armed Services can feel like leaving your family and your purpose behind. Many miss the camaraderie and the support that comes from being part of a serving family. The Royal British Legion Scotland makes a difference every day to the lives of veterans in Scotland and their dependants. We are a support service charity providing comradeship, volunteering opportunities, Remembrance activities and frontline Veterans Community Support. All of these services require the dedication of volunteers and members, but we also need to be able to financially support the services so we can continue to be there for veterans and their families.

continue supporting those that have sacrificed their time, life and energy in service to others. For those that have given so much we can all give a little to make a huge difference. If you would like to leave something to The Royal British Legion Scotland and need guidance on how to go about it, please contact us on 0131 322 1076 for more information.

You too can help. By leaving a gift in your Will, your Legacy will help us to 2 www.legionscotland.org.uk WINTER 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2018

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LEGION SCOTLAND New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HQ Patron Her Majesty The Queen President Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE MA National Chairman Martyn Hawthorn

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National Vice Chairman David Paton National Treasurer Jamie Bryant Chief Executive Officer Claire Armstrong

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EDITOR FOR LEGION SCOTLAND Claire Armstrong MANAGING EDITORS Fiona McKinlay, Angela McManus DESIGNER Amanda Richardson SUB-EDITORS Sian Campbell, Andrew Littlefield

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ACCOUNT DIRECTOR John Innes john.innes@thinkpublishing.co.uk STORIES TO SHARE? Please contact magazine@legionscotland.org.uk or call 0131 322 1076. Submissions received by 24 August 2020 will be considered for inclusion in the next issue, but we appreciate your stories at any time and may be able to share them through other avenues such as social media. Articles are likely to be edited and inclusion is not guaranteed. Sending high-resolution images as email attachments will increase the chances of us being able to use your story. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

CHEUNG/POPPYSCOTLAND; WATTIE MIKE WILKINSON

Published on behalf of Legion Scotland by Think Publishing Ltd Red Tree Business Suites, 33 Dalmarnock Road, Glasgow G40 4LA 0141 375 0504 ADVERTISING Alison Fraser alison.fraser@thinkpublishing.co.uk 0141 946 8708

Finding new ways to stay in touch

E HAD to react quickly when the coronavirus pandemic forced the country into lockdown. Clubs closed and the vital face-to-face We say a sad contact we have with veterans was swapped farewell to Jimmy for regular phone calls, while shopping and Sinclair, the last prescriptions were picked up for the most vulnerable who were shielding. WWII Desert Rat Our network of Veterans Community Support Coordinators and their teams of local volunteers are a lifeline to those who need help the most, and you can read about their work on page 21. We say a sad farewell to Jimmy Sinclair on page 26, the last Second World War Desert Rat, just weeks after his service was celebrated in the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Jimmy received commendations for fighting Rommel in North Africa and with the Allied Control Commission in Berlin. Our events to mark VE Day moved online when gatherings were cancelled. Instead of the planned parade and concert in Edinburgh we held virtual events, including a Service of Remembrance. Members from around the country shared their pictures of their involvement in the Scotland’s Service People Salute on social media (page 24). It was a particularly memorable day for Edna Wells, who appears on this issue’s cover. The 94-year-old, who served with the Women’s Royal Navy Service, finally received her veteran’s medal thanks to assistance from Legion Scotland. Read on page 11 about how the Regional Navy Commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, and television star Joanna Lumley, surprised Edna on the big day. We understand that recent months have been particularly difficult for veterans and their families. If anyone needs help, please contact us on 0131 550 1560 or email support@ legionscotland.org.uk

Dr Claire Armstrong CEO Legion Scotland SUMMER 2020 www.legionscotland.org.uk 3

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Welcome, 1

WELCOME

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CONTENTS 09 06

The official magazine of The Royal British Legion Scotland Issue 26Summer 2020

www.legionscotland.org.uk

CLIENT Log on and stay connected

Top 10 websites for veterans

14 WE SALUTE YOU WORLD WAR TWO WREN EDNA WELLS FINALLY RECEIVES HER MEDAL

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DESERT RAT JIMMY SINCLAIR REMEMBERED, HOW WE’RE PROTECTING THE MOST VULNERABLE, VIRTUAL VE DAY COMMEMORATIONS, BRANCH NEWS, LAST POST, POPPYSCOTLAND NEWS

ON THE COVER World War Two Wren Edna Wells received her veteran’s medal on the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Read more on page 11.

SOCIAL MEDIA

facebook.com/ LegionScotland twitter.com/ LegionScotland

26 34

LEGION NEWS The latest from Legion Scotland including the results of our new democratic voting system BRANCH NEWS Stories from Legion Scotland branches across the country COVID-19 NEWS Branch updates on funding and big-hearted fundraising LOG ON AND GET BUSY Online resources to make life easier in lockdown WE’RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER A message from National Chairman Martyn Hawthorn and the work of Veterans Community Support Coordinators THE MEMORIES WILL LIVE ON How we came together virtually for activities to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day VOICES OF VETERANS A tribute to Jimmy Sinclair, the last Desert Rat of World War II LAST POST Appreciation of recently departed members of Legion Scotland MARCHING TOWARDS VJ DAY Remembering the Scots who fought in the Far East

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SUMMER 2020

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LEGION NEWS

Keeping you up to date with Legion Scotland’s latest

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Legion sweetheart Amy Hawthorn – one of the musical guests for the service

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REMEMBRANCE

A VIRTUAL SERVICE MARKS ANZAC DAY Historic event broadcast live on the internet and shared across the world ON THE dawn of 25 April, Royal British Legion Scotland broadcast our first ever virtual ANZAC Day service. With ongoing restrictions on movement and the lockdown in place, National Padre Dr Karen Campbell had suggested we should look to do something online. The service that we broadcast has now had thousands of views and been shared all across the world. Wreaths were laid at Comley Bank Cemetery, where the National Padre recorded her moving message. Readings were given on behalf of the Australian, New Zealand and Turkish consulates, as well as contributions from the Air Officer Scotland and Lord Provost of

Edinburgh, Frank Ross, our National service reached the Act of Remembrance. President Lieutenant General Sir Alistair It was very moving to see familiar faces Irwin KCB CBE MA and National from all across Scotland participating Chairman Martyn Hawthorn. from their own front gardens. Musical support was provided by The service was a truly collaborative our Legion sweetheart Amy Hawthorn, effort, with many recording their own Marchmont St Giles’ Choir, the Band of footage to send in for editing. Huge thanks the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the must go to Mark Owens (Out There Scots Guards Regimental Support Team. Photography) for helping to produce and For the first time edit such a poignant ANZAC we had standard Day service. bearers across the If you haven’t managed to country record watch it yet, you can find themselves the service on our Facebook lowering standards page at www.facebook.com/ so we could create LegionScotland a montage as the Amy Hawthorn at virtual celebration

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Legion News, 1

PROPOSALS

2020 VOTE RESULTS A successful first year for new democratic system THE RESULTS are in from the votes on the proposals submitted before our AGM. For the first time this year, our democratic voting system allowed all members to vote on the proposals. A total of 988 members registered to vote and of these, 512 cast their vote for each proposal before 22 May. PROPOSAL ONE Clause 10.5 of the constitution shall be amended to allow an area council member on NBT to serve for one final additional year after their two three-year terms, in exceptional circumstances, where it has not been possible by the end of the second three-year term to find a successor. In the event that a successor is found prior to the end of the final additional year, the area council member will automatically demit office on the election of their replacement. For: 408 Against: 89 Abstain: 14 Spoilt: 1 Proposal one was carried successfully. PROPOSAL TWO To recognise that as the Accounts Evaluation and Compliance Team (AECT) no longer exists, the definition

One member, one vote

of AECT shall be deleted from the constitution and consequential changes made to clauses 27.4 to 27.6 of the constitution to reflect the transfer of AECT’s work to Royal British Legion Scotland’s accounts department. For: 463 Against: 18 Abstain: 31 Spoilt : 0 Proposal two was carried successfully. PROPOSAL THREE The definition of area council in the constitution shall be amended to reflect that at least one area council is now a part of the Royal British Legion Scotland SCIO and is not a charity in its own right. For: 433 Against: 34 Abstain: 45 Spoilt: 0 Proposal three was carried successfully.

PROPOSAL FOUR A branch club shall be permitted to expel a branch club member, but that such expulsion will not lead to automatic expulsion of the branch club member as a member of the branch or of Royal British Legion Scotland. A branch club which expels a branch club member must advise the relevant branch committee of the expulsion and the reasons for it, and the branch committee will then consider the member’s position separately. For: 437 Against: 50 Abstain: 25 Spoilt: 0 Proposal four was carried successfully. PROPOSAL FIVE Unused capitation fee receipts shall in future be returned to Royal British Legion Scotland by 31 July each year instead of 31 October. For: 431 Against: 42 Abstain: 39 Spoilt: 0 Proposal five was carried successfully. See www.legionscotland.org.uk/generaladmin for full details of the vote. All members can register again for the vote in 2021. Instructions on how to register will be provided with membership renewal paperwork.

PANDEMIC

FROM OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE MA applauds the response to Covid-19 SINCE THE outbreak of Covid-19, there has been much uplifting evidence of people pulling together in the common good. I have rarely taken so much pride in an organisation to which I belong as I have done in Royal British Legion Scotland at this time. To quote from a letter sent to its members by one

branch: “I am well aware of the toll this lockdown is taking on everyone with limited manoeuvrability and being confined to quarters, especially the elderly and vulnerable. I am asking that if you know of anybody that needs help, please let me or the secretary know as soon as possible so that we can deal with the matter.”

Deal with the matter: that is exactly what so many of you are doing so admirably. I applaud you all and I applaud the wonderful work done by office bearers and headquarters staff in doing their best to safeguard the future of our clubs. And finally, a big well done to everyone involved in the splendid online events

commemorating ANZAC Day and VE Day. There is life in us yet and long may there be so! I hope that you all have a safe passage through the turbulent Covid-19 waters and that we can all soon get together again in that spirit of comradeship that has come so strongly to the fore these last few weeks.

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS By keeping up your membership of Legion Scotland you help the charity to support veterans

Your virtual planner

LIVE IN YOUR LIVING ROOM Catch up with events online

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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

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Lockdown – and the closure of all our clubs – has stopped many members from being able to pop in and renew their membership for the 2019/2020 year. If you still have to renew and want to make a payment, you can get in touch with Head Office and we will try and facilitate this as best we can.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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DIRECT DEBIT

If you would like to set up a direct debit for your 2019/2020 membership payment, you can do this at any time. Once the form has been received and processed, the money is uplifted on the next collection date, either on the 1st or 15th of each month. If you have already paid for this year but would like to consider direct debit as your means of payment from November 2020, you can also do this now.

MEMBERSHIP CARDS

If you have been waiting on a new membership card and it has not arrived, please bear with us. The company which produces these for us is closed due to Covid-19. As soon as the company can reopen it will resume processing orders. If you need any further information on membership matters please see www.legionscotland.org.uk/join, talk to your local branch, or call the membership department at Head Office on 0131 550 1586

Online events help us to grow our social media community

ANZAC SERVICE, VE DAY 75TH AND SCOTTISH AMERICAN MEMORIAL SERVICE During this period of lockdown, it has not been possible to continue with our normal schedule of events in a face-toface format. However, we have adapted and with the support of our membership and partners we have now delivered our ANZAC Day service, the VE Day 75th commemoration and the Scottish American Memorial service all through social media. If you haven’t yet seen the footage you can still watch it at: www.facebook. com/LegionScotland These events have now been viewed thousands of times

Prince Charles marks St Valery 80th

and shared worldwide. It’s been a wonderful way for us to engage audience with a wider audience and increase our following online. ST VALERY 80TH Pipers from all over the world signed up to pay tribute to the thousands of Scots who were killed or captured during “the forgotten Dunkirk” 80 years ago, now remembered on 12 June. In 16 countries, across five continents, the pipers all together played the haunting pipers march, ‘Heroes of St Valery’. Among them were Willie Armstrong, one of the founding members of Celtic rock band The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and

Lewis-born Pipe Major Lewis-born Donald MacLean, who enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders in 1940 when Nazi Germany invaded France.

COMING SOON 15 AUGUST

VJ DAY Our next big virtual event will be the VJ Day commemoration. We are planning to mark this in a fitting manner, and depending on how lockdown measures ease we may be able to have a small gathering in August, provided we follow government guidelines at the time.

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In the spring issue we provided every member with a membership survey. If you’ve been unable to return that survey due to current lockdown conditions, don’t worry, you can still complete it and send it in when restrictions are lifted. You can also email your responses to us at info@legionscotland.org.uk

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BRANCH NEWS VERSION

At home on the range

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FORT WILLIAM & DISTRICT

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SHOOTING FOR SUCCESS Guest speaker Suzanne Fernando MBE (pictured third from left) at Poppyscotland

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EQUALITY IN THE ARMED FORCES Motivational speech advocates more female recruitment

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TO SUPPORT International Women’s Day, Poppyscotland organised and held a special event at Ayrshire Welfare Centre in Kilmarnock. Guest speaker Suzanne Fernando MBE was presented with a Highland cow brooch, a gift from the East Ayrshire Provost Jim Todd. Having originally served in the Royal Military Police, Suzanne has been a long-standing volunteer in the local community, and recently joined a new subcommittee within Legion Scotland,

focusing on branch dynamics, new members and bringing operations into the 21st century. Speaking at the event she said: “Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. We need a higher female recruitment level in the Armed Forces. Gender equality is essential for our forces, economies and communities to thrive.”

RIDERS

BRANCH BIKERS MAKE TRACKS Members raise funds while having fun at national bike show IN MARCH, the Riders branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland attended the Carole Nash MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show, held at Ingliston in Edinburgh. They raised £2,890.71 for Voices For Veterans. The Riders branch had two gazebos selling raffle tickets and refreshments, with 10 motorcycles and trikes on show. All revved up at the bike show

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Branch member Jamie Harrison’s motorbike took home the Best Modern 2020 prize for his Yamaha FX 1EDX, and fellow member Charlie Russell won Best Classic 2020 for his custom trike, a Suzuki VX 800. Riders adopted a Hawaiian theme and decorated their stall with palm trees while dressed in Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts.

EARLIER THIS year Fort William & District branch took part for the first time in the Highlands and Islands Area Small-Bore Shooting Competition at the Spean Bridge & District Rifle & Pistol Club Range. James Porter, Stuart Gallacher, Fraser Mackay and Iain Gregor entered, with Stuart winning the competition. Thanks to James Porter who supplied the range stew, baguettes and tea, and to Spean Bridge & District Rifle & Pistol Club for allowing use of their venue. There was no charge, it was only asked that a donation of £20 be made to Erskine Hospital instead. FORT WILLIAM & DISTRICT

HELPING HANDS ON 8 MARCH branch members gathered in Inverness to support fellow member Martin Glenesk during his attempt to complete the Inverness 5K Challenge in his wheelchair. Maria Devey, Jeanette Lane, Shona Macinnes, Susan Macinnes and Gaynor Weldon all helped to push Martin round the course, with the final lap earning him lots of well-deserved applause. Also competing in the wheelchair class was Stuart Gallacher, who propelled himself in a time of just over 19 minutes, plus 74-year-old Bruce James, who ran the 5k course. The event Challenge accepted raised £180.

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Solicitors for Older People

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COVID-19 NEWS VERSION

WW2 MEDAL FOR EDNA Former Wren receives her veteran’s medal after 75 years

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EDNA WELLS, who was with the Women’s Royal Navy Service in the Second World War, finally received her veteran’s medal on the anniversary of VE Day. The 94-year-old from Dumfries also received a surprise Zoom video call from actress and television presenter Joanna Lumley. Edna was due to take part in commemoration events in Edinburgh to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. After the events were cancelled because of coronavirus, it was decided she shouldn’t have to wait any longer to receive her medal. The former Wren opened her front door to find Captain Chris Smith, Regional Navy Commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, waiting outside with a drummer and piper. Captain Smith then presented Edna with her medal and a veteran’s badge –

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but had to place them on her window sill due to social distancing rules. Edna said: “It was a complete surprise, I hadn’t a clue, but it was the best day of my life.” Neighbours watched and applauded from the surrounding balconies and several filmed the presentation. “Outside my house and in the car park, the drummer from the Royal Marines had a bugle and played that while the piper played,” said Edna. She added: “I was a steward in the Navy, which took in domestic work, and was serving in Newcastle then all over Scotland before finishing in Inverness.” Edna joined up at the age of 18 in 1943 after being refused two years earlier. She worked as a dressmaker before the war broke out and in 1946 she returned to her job unaware that she qualified for a medal.

THE NEW CAPTAIN TOM

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Marjorie Lamb raises money for PPE during her centenary year

A WAR veteran who turned father, an Army veteran 100 years old during from the First World War, lockdown helped to raise encouraged her to sign up vital money for carers’ PPE for the Wrens; her mother by walking around a garden. was also supportive. Marjorie Lamb, who Marjorie trained at the served in the Wrens during Royal Naval College in Giant steps the Second World War, has Greenwich and, after her raised nearly £20,000. Her posting to Invergordon, original target was just £1,000. worked as a cypher officer in Liverpool Marjorie lives in Eaglesham and has before being posted to Alexandria, been living with her son in Waterfoot Egypt. She later set up a cypher office during the pandemic. She pledged to in Athens at the liberation of Greece. walk around his garden 100 times to Marjorie won the Defence Medal raise funds. “It is all about supporting and the War Medal during the war and your own country, isn’t it?” she said has written a book about her life in the Unusually for the time, Marjorie’s Wrens, The Making of Me.

We hope normal service will resume as soon as possible

FUNDING SUCCESS DURING LOCKDOWN we have kept in touch with Area Secretaries to ensure as much guidance and information as possible is shared with clubs. At the time of going to print, 57 of our 60 clubs have received the Scottish Government’s Small Business Grant, with payments totalling £855,000. Guidance documents have been produced for branches and clubs and are on our website at www.legionscotland.org.uk/ general-admin The latest document to be released is a guide for all branches and clubs to help them navigate the easing of lockdown.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES THROUGH IN THESE strange and unpredictable times, Legion branches across the country have been looking after each other and their local communities in innovative ways. Livingston branch has been having regular committee meetings and catch-ups on Zoom. And Grangemouth branch has been busy delivering emergency food parcels from the local Morrisons supermarket, along with prescription deliveries to families in need, with the help of Kersiebank Community Project and Kerse Cabs. Dunfermline branch held a watch party online and Nairn branch has been using social media to stay connected with members. Meanwhile, a number of Legion clubs are now in receipt of furlough payments to help them get through the coronavirus crisis, so staff are still being paid. SUMMER 2020 www.legionscotland.org.uk 11

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Local Hero, 1 VERSION

Looking at the excellent work carried out by our branches and members

Send your inspirational stories to magazine@legionscotland.org.uk

LOCAL HERO

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From online quizzes to food deliveries, Fort William & District branch moved quickly to look after members when Covid-19 hit

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HEN THE country went into lockdown the only certainty was that daily life would be changing for the foreseeable future. That meant not getting together with family and, for many who live on their own, losing the chance to meet up with old pals. As branches across Scotland jumped into action to make sure members were being looked after, Fort William & District led the way with some innovative and inspiring ideas. Under the direction of chairman Hugh MacInnes, the important work of identifying possibly vulnerable members and setting up regular contact with them was carried out. This was followed by branch secretary Jeanette Lane helping to maintain morale by keeping everyone entertained, and welfare member David Brady coordinating Scran in a Van, a project that delivers vital food packages to veterans who are in need or self-isolating. “We started with a virtual Grand National on Facebook and it took off from there,” Jeanette explains. “Since then we’ve done a branch quiz on Zoom, we’ve played bingo, and one of our local companies sponsored prizes, which was very kind of them. “We’ve sent out quizzes for members to do at home and we try to do a quiz online every week. The local scout and cub leaders challenged the branch team to a quiz on Zoom, and now the branch committee meets online.”

We started with a virtual Grand National on Facebook and it took off from there

Food donations

Belford Hospital salute

Scran in a Van deliveries

The 75th anniversary of VE Day was celebrated with an interactive party via the web and members got dressed up and printed bunting to hang at home. Before Covid-19 hit the country, Hugh and David had been thinking about setting up a breakfast club after a local community centre offered to share donations it received from supermarkets. After lockdown, the project quickly changed to the delivery of food parcels to vulnerable members. More than 10 deliveries are made every week, while David and his small team have also been helping to pick up prescriptions. “Part of the problem living in the West Highlands of Scotland is that it’s geographically challenging. For a lot of people, getting into the Fort William area when they live 20 miles out isn’t easy,” says David. “Now our more elderly and vulnerable members don’t need to go out.”

Fort William branch standard

Out of about 90 branch members, only 10 don’t have access to the internet but they haven’t been left out, as details are posted to them or they get a phone call with news from the branch, keeping up that important contact. Though the branch couldn’t march to mark VE Day, standard bearer James Porter and committee member Stuart Gallacher were proud to pay their respects in memory of NHS workers who have died since the start of the pandemic, when they paraded outside Belford Hospital in Fort William to mark the one minute silence held across the nation. “We’re only a small branch and don’t have any premises but we don’t allow that to stop us playing a full and active part in supporting our members and veterans within Lochaber,” adds Jeanette. “Our branch rose to the challenge, with our committee showing the dedication and selflessness that epitomises what the Legion stands for.”

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There’s a whole new world of support, information and entertainment online WORDS: ANGELA MCMANUS

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IFE IN LOCKDOWN isn’t easy. For anyone already dealing with stress or anxiety, the situation has been particularly difficult. For those self-isolating or trying to help with home schooling, their days have been completely turned upside down. Help is at hand online in the shape of information, support and resources that are helping to link friends and communities, offer a virtual view of our new world and even keep us entertained.

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A virtual view of the world

10 Websites for Veterans, 1

RESEARCH www.cwgc.org The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has online archives showing details of those who died in the two world wars and the processes involved in providing appropriate commemoration. The archive contains records of the burial and commemoration of war casualties and the sites and memorials the organisation maintains. There’s helpful information on how to search the archives, which have been split into two sections – the Commission Archive and the Casualty Archive – for easier accessibility.

www.iwm.org.uk History buffs have access to huge amounts of online research at the Imperial War Museums website. Search thousands of photographs and objects documenting conflict since 1914. And log in to discover the Film Favourites series where you can watch curators talk about their highlights from the museum’s vast film collection. There are art and design collections, books, exhibits and even a sound archive to access. Look out for podcasts, changing weekly online projects and an impressive selection of learning activities and resources.

learning.poppyscotland.org.uk There’s plenty of inspiration at Poppyscotland for parents looking for home-schooling projects. From lesson plans and learning packs to a well-stocked film and image archive, the free material has been produced in partnership with Education Scotland. Select the education level and curriculum area and search the site. Resources have been designed to stimulate a wealth of skills and abilities, and bring to life the stories of veterans and the importance of Remembrance in a way young people can relate to and understand.

If you’re researching family history and places in Scotland, the National Records of Scotland website can help you access government records going back hundreds of years. There are helpful guides to steer you through the information available online and links to other sites for more help. Look at the features section to read more about everything from Scottish soldiers at Waterloo to the First World War, and click on the image library to find a wonderful collection of military photographs.

VIRTUAL EVENTS www.combatstress.org.uk/virtual-events Take part in a host of virtual events without having to leave your home or local area. There are fitness challenges and everything you need to host an online quiz. The fitness challenges include Ride to Victory, which gives you the opportunity to cycle 75 miles to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day. Attempt a personal best by cycling your fastest 75 miles ever, complete a virtual 75-mile relay with family and friends, or do 15 x 5-mile challenges to reach your 75-mile target.

SHUTTERSTOCK, CROWN COPYRIGHT, NATIONAL RECORDS OF SCOTLAND (GD45/31/1)

www.nrscotland.gov.uk

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RESOURCES VERSION

SUPPORT www.veteransscotland.co.uk

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Veterans Scotland is a great central information hub for veterans and their families. Register and log in to the members’ area to find out where to get help on everything from health and wellbeing to housing, comradeship and remembrance, to support and employment. There’s a link to download a handy booklet on the home page with contact details for Armed Forced and veterans’ champions across Scotland and plenty of guidance on dealing with Covid-19.

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A Scotland-wide support network, Veterans First Point offers free advice and support for veterans of all three services and their families. The team of peer support workers are all ex-servicemen and women who understand military life and the pressures on those who served, as well as on their family and friends. The team can provide access to specialists in health and psychological disorders. Some services have been changed during the coronavirus pandemic, swapping face-to-face meetings for appointments over the phone.

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www.rcet.org.uk

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The Royal Caledonian Education Trust is Scotland’s Armed Forces children’s charity, offering help and support where it’s needed. That could be a grant to help pay for school uniforms or to support young people through college or university. The Trust also providing resources, advice and training for teachers to use in schools. There’s specific help available to families hit by coronavirus with a Crisis Intervention Fund that can pay for food, emergency top-ups of utility bills and children’s clothing.

www.helpforheroes.org.uk There’s physical, psychological, financial and welfare support here for men and women who have had to leave their career in the Armed Forces after being wounded. A new section offers tips and tools on how to manage your wellbeing during the coronavirus outbreak as well as how to get support. Watch videos or download workbooks to find out the different ways our bodies react to stress, why emotional wellbeing is important for good mental health and how to take control and calm an over-anxious mind.

www.veteransgateway.org.uk

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This is a good first point of contact for veterans and their families looking for signposting to help with anything from healthcare and housing to employability and finance. There are self-help guides online and a new app helps veterans find support organisations in their area. An easy-to-use directory groups NHS facilities across the country, and more than 2,000 charitable organisations, with a map tool to help you find them. You can also contact the team by phone, email or chat from the home screen.

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During the coronavirus crisis, looking for inspiration on what to read, drivers have been working with try these recommendations: partner organisations to get veterans There’s plenty of support available to medical appointments, deliver on the end of a phone or by post prescriptions and food. Referrals are usually from partners COMBAT STRESS but at the moment anyone who needs Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, help can self-refer. The charity will the charity’s 24-hour helpline remains make an assessment and signpost open on 0800 138 1619 to provide to other services, if needed. confidential advice and support to Call 07708 299399 to find out more. Tomorrow Will The Spy and the veterans and their families. be a Good Day by Traitor by Get in touch to find out more ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION Captain Tom Moore Ben MacIntyre about treatment services that are As part of the Covid-19 response from personalised for each veteran’s this charity that supports the RAF individual needs. family, there’s a telephone outreach service for anyone feeling isolated or FARES4FREE in need of food deliveries. The charity asks taxi drivers and Call 0800 018 2361 to find out more. companies to give free fares to help veterans and their families LOCAL BOOKSHOPS access essential services and Some bookshops are taking orders Battle Scars by First Man In by combat social isolation. over the phone and delivering. If you’re Jason Fox Ant Middleton

NOT ONLINE?

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STRENGTH IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

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Branches across the country rose to the challenge after the outbreak of Covid-19, says National Chairman Martyn Hawthorn

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T IS a year since I had the honour to be elected National Chairman of the Royal British Legion Scotland. I knew it would be a hard task to follow Charlie Brown MBE as he did such an excellent job. One of the first things that I established was a regular meeting with the CEO, Dr Claire Armstrong, and the National Vice Chairman, David Paton. These regular meetings have proven to be very productive and I am delighted to say that we are all singing from the same hymn sheet. We have in-depth discussions about day-to-day Legion business as well as addressing the bigger picture for our veterans in Scotland, but we all have the same objectives: moving Legion Scotland forward and supporting all Legionnaires. As your National Chairman I also have the privilege of being part of the Council and Executive Committee as a Trustee of the Royal Commonwealth ExServices League (RCEL). Over the past 12 months I have attended meetings in London and in February this year I was able to participate in the Founders Conference in Cape Town. It is such an interesting experience to be with the other founder members’ country representatives and hear the challenges that each organisation is faced with. It is a positive that

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Legion Scotland is ‘on the top table’ with the other founder members. The work that the RCEL performs for all Commonwealth veterans is amazing and we hope to have them with us at Conference in 2021 to tell our members more about their vital work. I was equally delighted to attend the Ladies Section Conference in Ayr in June 2019 and to say a few words. It was an exceptionally good conference and very well organised. It was also an honour to represent Legion Scotland at the Remembrance Week events in London in November 2019. Standard bearer and wreath carrier Margaret Brown was a great help and support, as she had attended these events so many times. It was a busy four days including an RCEL meeting, the War Widows’ Remembrance Service, the Royal British Legion concert at the Royal Albert Hall on the Saturday evening and the Service of Remembrance on the Sunday. As National Chairman I am committed to being able to visit as many of our branches and clubs as possible throughout the year. It was my pleasure to attend the excellent Burns Night organised by the Fort William and District branch at the end of January, during which I met many members from this very proactive branch. You can find

Royal British Legion Scotland National Chairman Martyn Hawthorn

out more about Fort William’s recent activities on page 12 of this issue. We have now recruited a full ‘ship’s company’ at Head Office and I am regularly impressed by the excellent staff who are all dedicated to serving and supporting our organisation. Nothing is too much trouble for them and there can be no greater demonstration of this than the way, in recent months, that they all adapted to the Covid-19 crisis and continued to support our organisation and our veterans. The past few months have been particularly challenging. We had to act very quickly to ensure we could still support our beneficiaries and membership while on lockdown, and also to ensure that we continued as the custodians of Remembrance in Scotland, delivering fitting commemorations on virtual platforms. Our ANZAC Day virtual service has now been viewed by more than 25,000 people across the world, and this was followed soon after by our VE Day 75th Remembrance Service and Tribute Concert. My heartfelt thanks goes to all those who made this possible. During these difficult months I have heard so many stories of the work being carried out by Legionnaires within their branches and clubs to help the community. We are particularly good at helping but terribly slow to say what we have been doing. You have assisted and supported many Legionnaires and members of the community who are on their own and self-isolating. I am one of them and know how difficult this time has been. I do however believe there are a lot of positives to be gained from the past few months. I am utterly convinced that Legion Scotland will come out of this period stronger and more focused. I look forward to my remaining period as your National Chairman, to working with you all, and to moving ‘HMS Legion Scotland’ into the next phase of our history as we get ever closer to 2021, our 100th centenary year. SUMMER 2020 www.legionscotland.org.uk 19

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I am utterly convinced that Legion Scotland will come out of this period stronger

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Making sure our most vulnerable veterans are cared for will always be a top priority

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HEN THE country heard the Prime Minister tell us that the Covid-19 pandemic was so bad we’d have to stay at home for the foreseeable future, our support teams all over Scotland quickly went into action. A network of Veterans Community Support Coordinators (VCSC) and volunteers hit the phones to tell elderly and vulnerable veterans that help was at hand. Regular home visits were swapped for phone calls and arrangements were made to drop off shopping and prescriptions. “Our first priority was to let people know what was happening but also tell them they wouldn’t be abandoned,” Veterans Community Support Manager Tommy Douglas explains. “I live in a veterans’ community and there are some I consider vulnerable, so I now regularly visit around 30 houses just to make sure those who are living alone have what they need. “We have also had VCSC and volunteers working with Fares 4 Free as part of the Unforgotten Forces consortium, delivering much-needed essential supplies.” The incredible work being done by VCSC and support volunteers across the country in response to the pandemic is focused and committed, but some areas have different needs. “The Covid-19 outbreak is going on but life doesn’t stop – home appliances still break down,” says Emily Clark, Coordinator for Aberdeen, Banff & Kincardine. Emily has been imaginative in her interaction with veterans, some of whom are former Gordon Highlanders. She contacted the regiment’s archivist and sent copies of old photographs going back to the 1940s and 1950s

VCSC Elliot Thomson

Administrator Sally Orr Ewing

Volunteers Paul Jones and Mark Seymour

to veterans. Now one veteran, Ronnie Glennie, has helped the archivist identify faces and fill in some of the history behind pictures and cuttings. “One positive thing to come out of the lockdown has been the development of even stronger links with the branch network, allowing us to reach out to Legion members we might not previously had contact with,” says Emily. “I can see us doubling or tripling our network of people we support during this period. I really appreciate and value the hard work being done by our volunteers, all out of true altruism.” Tony Hooman, Coordinator for Edinburgh, Lothians & Borders, has

come up with a simple but effective way to stay in touch with older people with dementia, who have trouble matching the voice on the phone with the face who used to visit. Tony’s wife, Nancy, made 45 Easter cards and he sent them out with a letter and a photo of himself. Now he sends a card and photo once a week to keep in touch. He adds: “The volunteers have been immense. Kate Tubb is in her seventies and has been making soup and baking for the veterans she looks after. She leaves it on the fence and the family pick it up.” Despite the hardship imposed by lockdown, Elliot Thomson, Coordinator for Glasgow, Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway, believes there will be some positive benefits too. “It will bring people closer together. A lot of people have been saying that it’s wonderful because they know their neighbours now, they drop off shopping and sometimes even cook for them. Hopefully that will continue,” he says.

The Covid-19 outbreak is going on but life doesn’t stop – home appliances still break down

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Coordinator for Aberdeen, Banff & Kincardine Emily Clark enlisted veterans including Ronnie Glennie to help identify images of the Gordon Highlanders, such as these pictures of A Company in Cyprus in 1955 and a D Company football team

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Elliot has experienced first hand the restrictions imposed on funerals during lockdown, when he couldn’t pay his own respects to a veteran who died recently. “He was 99, had been in the Second World War and was captured in the takeover of Singapore,” remembers Elliot. “I was close to the family but couldn’t attend the funeral. The family would have liked a standard bearer and a piper to be there, but we’ll have a memorial service afterwards.” Peter Kerr, Coordinator for Angus, Perthshire & Fife, is indebted to volunteers such as Paul Jones, Mark Seymour and Robert Holland who are making weekly phone calls to clients who are veterans themselves supporting Unforgotten Forces. “Everyone is focusing on NHS 111 but we really should have our own VCS 365 – because VCSC support veterans 24/7,” says Peter. He has been involved in organising food deliveries to a man with mobility issues who was in the middle of a house move when lockdown hit, and also a complicated case with a client and his wife, both in separate care homes, whose nearest relative, some distance away, was desperately seeking updates on their health and welfare.

USEFUL CONTACTS FOR VETERANS Armed Services Advice Project 0808 800 1007/ASAP@cas.org.uk

Meanwhile, geographic challenges have been the biggest hurdle for Roy Harrison, Coordinator for the Highlands & Islands, and his volunteers. The simple job of picking up shopping for someone can mean a 60-mile round trip. “I’m based in Beauly and I have someone just outside of Skye, so if I have issues there it’s a long way to go,” Roy says. Administrator Sally Orr Ewing has been involved helping VCSC and volunteers adapt to find new ways to support veterans. She says when normal life returns, home visits will be fundamental, but that a lot has been learned from simply taking the time to phone round. “I think a lot of our VCSC have got to know more about the veterans because they’ve chatted on the phone. Some can spend 40 minutes or up to an hour just chatting. Because you’re not on a time frame, you have the luxury of more time to talk,” she says.

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association 0800 731 4880/ ssafa.org.uk/get-help/forcesline Action on Hearing Loss West of Scotland: 0141 341 5352, 07776 596323 North of Scotland: 01738 440723/7464 828452 East of Scotland: 07823 791 529 Age Scotland 0131 668 8012/Doug.Anthoney@ agescotland.org.uk PoppyScotland 07458 015362/g.macdonald@ poppyscotland.org.uk Scottish War Blinded 0800 035 6409/Enquiries@ scottishwarblinded.org Defence Medical Welfare Service 07721127780/rreid@dmws.org.uk

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THE MEMORIES WILL LIVE ON Everyone could get involved in a day of activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day

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Creich & Kincardine branchpiper Gillian Sutherland

The Banchory branch remembers

Arbroath branch chairman David Findlay

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Taking part in Newton Mearns

VE Day veteran Myles Shanley

Saltcoats, Ardrossan & Stevenston branch members catch up online

Pipe Major Ian Hughes of the RAF Central Scotland Band

ROM A SERVICE of Remembrance on social media to an online concert featuring performers playing 1940s music in their own homes, the 2020 virtual VE Day held across the country marked, in fine style, the 75th anniversary of the historic moment that saw an end to six years of war in Europe. It truly is a great honour for VE Day veterans and all those who lost their lives to be remembered on 8 May.

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Ruiridh Geddes playing in a virtual tribute concert

The Lowland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

Though we sadly had to make changes to our planned programme of events after the outbreak of Covid-19, the date was still commemorated and celebrated. The day started at 8am with members getting involved in Scotland’s Service People Salute and sharing their pictures and footage on social media. A Service of Remembrance was hosted on Facebook by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, conducted by National Padre Dr Karen Campbell and

featuring a reading of Binyon’s ‘For the Fallen’ by Legion Scotland National President Sir Alistair Irwin. Those tuning in then saw the laying of a single wreath at the Stone of Remembrance in Edinburgh and Martyn Hawthorn, the National Chairman of Legion Scotland, reciting the Kohima Epitaph. A highlight was Legion Scotland’s own Amy Hawthorn singing a hymn with the Choir of Marchmont at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh.

Virtual VE Day, 1

Then veterans watched a virtual concert featuring Elaine C Smith and narrated by Mark McKenzie from British Forces Broadcasting Service, before enjoying a virtual VE Day party at home and linking up with friends and family online. Thanks to resources available online, from games and dance playlists to fashion tips and bunting, everyone could get involved. There was a rousing rendition of a national singalong to ‘We’ll Meet Again’ in the evening, broadcast on television. “Even in lockdown we were able to create an alternative way to mark this special occasion and pay our respects,” says Dr Claire Armstrong, the CEO at Legion Scotland. “As the custodians of Remembrance in Scotland, our involvement in services of commemoration like these is so important. They allow our communities to join together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, or who returned from battles in foreign lands with life-changing injuries. We will remember them and, even during this unprecedented pandemic, our enduring message of comradeship comes very much to the fore.” More than 100 Second World War veterans were set to take centre stage as the nation paused to remember the generation that sacrificed so much. With the planned parade in Edinburgh cancelled, World War Two veterans watched the virtual service and concert online. A series of stunning portraits of Second World War veterans by Glasgow photographer Wattie Cheung was another part of the commemorations. Using a Graflex Super D large format film camera made in the US in the 1940s, Wattie photographed the veterans over the past two years and these images can be seen alongside pictures of the men and women during their years of service. Originally planned as an exhibition to tell the stories of 15 men and women, the photographs are now on show online at www.facebook.com/LegionScotland and www.facebook.com/Poppyscotland. “It has been a pleasure and honour to photograph these amazing people. I always think photography is like a time machine – it captures a moment forever that you can go back to, to relive and observe another time,” says Wattie. “The veterans are a link to the past and they won’t be around forever to tell their

Veteran Bill Glen, photographed by Wattie Cheung

stories. Listening to their recollections of the war has been enlightening, humorous and educational. They are a special breed of people that I doubt we will ever see again, and I hope the portraits do them justice.” One of those photographed by Wattie was Bill Glen, 98, who fought and was wounded after landing in Normandy two days after D-Day. Bill, who was born in Glasgow’s Dennistoun and now lives in Carntyne,

Even during the pandemic our enduring message of comradeship comes to the fore

says: “I’ve had a good life and I now live in sheltered housing. We’re not allowed out of our flats, but, at 11am on VE Day, I went to the door and stood there for the two minute silence. I will never forget the pals that I lost.” All generations were involved in the commemorations, thanks to new digital learning resources and activities created by Poppyscotland for younger people to learn about the importance and significance of VE Day. It is, however, worth remembering that although the war in Europe ended in May 1945, this didn’t mark the end of the Second World War. VE Day was only a brief period of rejoicing, as there were those still at war in the Far East, with victory over the Japanese still some months away. SUMMER 2020 www.legionscotland.org.uk 25

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‘WE DIDN’T TREAT THE GERMANS AS ENEMIES’

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Remembering Jimmy Sinclair, the last Desert Rat WORDS: JENNIFER CONSTABLE

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ust weeks after his bravery was celebrated during the 75th anniversary of VE Day, tributes poured in to mark the death of Jimmy Sinclair, the last of the Desert Rats, who died at the age of 107. Jimmy served as a gunner with the elite Chestnut Troop, 1st Regiment Horse Artillery of the 7th Armoured Division. He was hailed by many for his commitment to helping his country, including Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. She said: “So sad to hear this news. Jimmy was one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting – I was proud to call him a friend.” A widowed father of two and grandfather of three, Jimmy was born in 1912 in Giffordown, near Ladybank. After leaving school to become a slater he signed up to the Territorial Army, and served with the Newburgh platoon of the Black Watch from 1931 to 1935. When the Second World War broke out, Jimmy joined up with the Royal Artillery in Perth, having not long been married to Elizabeth. He was sent to the south of England to train with the Royal Horse Artillery.

CHEUNG/POPPYSCOTLAND; WATTIE DC THOMSON

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A young Jimmy Sinclair wearing a traditional desert headdress

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Jimmy’s was one of the most important voices heard as the country celebrated VE Day this year

Voices of Veterans, 1 Jimmy celebrating his 105th birthday in Kirkcaldy

Jimmy spent four years in the desert, “It’s a pity it all happened. We didn’t starting out as one of 3,000 troops treat the Germans as enemies; they aboard the requisitioned ocean liner were combatants in battle. Most of Britannic on an arduous six-week them didn’t want to be there either.” voyage from Liverpool to Cairo via After the desert, Jimmy was reSierra Leone and Cape Town. deployed at Monte Cassino, where The voyage was nothing compared to he was badly burned and spent eight the battle for Tobruk that awaited the weeks in an Italian hospital. He found troops in North Africa, where they were himself becoming the driver for Hugo menaced not only by the enemy but also Baring of Barings Bank fame. by the desert’s hostile environment. Jimmy was awarded medals for his “One day while living in a sandbank role in the siege of Tobruk, dug-out, I put a piece of the battle of El Alamein and chocolate in the palm of for taking part in assaults my hand and showed it to on the heavily guarded my mate,” Jimmy recalled. and casualty-strewn “I said: ‘Come and see Monte Cassino. this’. And then a rat came He received regular out between the sandbags letters and photographs and took the chocolate from Camilla, Duchess of and went back in. There Rothesay, whose father was a real desert rat on the was a Desert Rat, and over palm of my hand. Then, on the years Jimmy spoke Portrait by another occasion, I woke up vividly about the horror Wattie Cheung to find a rat chewing my ear.” and sacrifice on both The battle was to last 241 sides during the battle days, and major losses were for Tobruk. suffered on both sides. Jimmy’s compassion and admirable “My mate from Falkland got killed. sense of forgiveness led to him forming We were under fire from German a close friendship with the family of 88s,” Jimmy said. “We were firing the German general Erwin Rommel 25-pounders – and it lasted a long time. following the war. We continually came under heavy fire A lifelong fan of written verse, Jimmy from Stukas. They came over every day regularly wrote poetry. at dinner time, but they got shot down Legion Scotland CEO Dr Claire because of our heavy artillery barrage Armstrong and Mark Bibbey, that we sent up to greet them. Chief Executive of Poppyscotland, said:

“It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Jimmy Sinclair, who fought against Rommel in the North African desert. “We are blessed that so many were able to hear Jimmy’s incredible story over the years and it was no surprise that he received numerous commendations for his service during the Second World War and with the Allied Control Commission in Berlin. “His was one of the most important voices heard as the country celebrated VE Day this year. “We wish to send our sincere condolences to Jimmy’s family, along with his legion of friends and followers. There is no better way to sum up this wonderful man than highlighting that he refused to wear his medals out of solidarity for those he served with that were lost.”

SHARE YOUR STORY Voices of Veterans is a Legion Scotland campaign that pays tribute to veterans of all ages by sharing their stories. If you have a tale to tell, whether you left service yesterday or 50 years ago, or know someone with a story and would like to nominate them, let us know. Please call 0131 322 1076 or email magazine@legionscotland.org.uk

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The Welfare Services team continues to offer assistance during lockdown

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THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC has meant most of us couldn’t leave our homes for many weeks except to buy food or to exercise. Added to this we were unable to see friends or family, and many of us are having to work from home, or were furloughed. Lockdown has rewritten almost every aspect of our lives, but Poppyscotland wants the Armed Forces community to know it is here for them. Poppyscotland’s Welfare Services team is not daunted by the challenge and is tailoring services to fit the new circumstances. Welfare Centres are closed but the team continue to support the client group remotely. Face-to-face visits by the Welfare Support Service have stopped, but remote support is being provided. The team in Edinburgh, as with colleagues across Scotland, is working from home providing lifechanging support through grants and employment programmes. There are many examples of the differences that Poppyscotland services make and here are a few of them to highlight how – despite the difficulties – welfare assistance is still being delivered. Since Poppyscotland entered lockdown the Welfare team have made more than 1,200 calls to those it supports, ensuring that they are well and coping with the current situation. These calls have been well received, enabling individuals to stay connected to services as well as allowing Poppyscotland to ensure that nobody is suffering from loneliness and isolation. One veteran who had moved to Scotland for a new job was left with no income when the opportunity was withdrawn due to Covid-19. Poppyscotland provided funds to ensure he could retain his tenancy and meet his basic needs while he awaited the outcome of benefit applications.

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Poppyscotland gave Fife veteran Alex Watson a helping hand 50 years after his service

Support was also given to a young Royal Logistics Corps veteran who was struggling with council tax and utility arrears. Poppyscotland helped him secure Universal Credit and paid some of the utility arrears so that he was able to comply with the Covid-19 restrictions and stay in his flat. Poppyscotland also assisted a veteran who had served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. He was sofa surfing and even sleeping in a tent when he had nowhere else to go. After registering homeless with the local council, he was

Despite the difficulties, welfare assistance is still being delivered

offered a tenancy. Poppyscotland paid two weeks’ rent to secure the tenancy and provided funding for essential household goods. The veteran now has a place to call his own that he can share with his daughter. So while we’re all trying to make sense of these unprecedented times, many individuals have demonstrated a strength and resilience that has helped them through. It is heartening to see that, with light-touch support, they are getting through this one day at a time. On the other side of lockdown, Poppyscotland anticipates that the needs of those it supports may change and the Welfare Services team stands ready to adapt and respond accordingly. If you do need support, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Welfare Services team. Call 0131 550 1557 or email GetHelp@poppyscotland.org.uk

FUNDRAISING

FIGURES FOR 2019 POPPY APPEAL REVEALED THANKS TO the continued hard work, dedication and support of many Legion Scotland branches and members, the following totals were collected for last year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal. Overall, you collected £759,700.40 for the Appeal. Poppyscotland continues to appreciate your ongoing support, which helps to make a real difference to the lives of Scotland’s Armed Forces community. Thank you. Aberdeen & District ........................ £57,710.55 Aboyne.................................................. £2,634.02 Alford .................................................... £2,209.73 Alyth ...................................................... £1,071.26 Anstruther ............................................... £957.20 Arbroath............................................ £10,940.50 Assynt ...................................................... £353.84 Aviemore .............................................. £4,893.56 Banchory & District .......................... £10,083.12 Bathgate ........................................... £10,541.34 Beauly ................................................... £2,228.38 Biggar ................................................... £3,161.94 Black Isle ............................................. £4,684.11 Blairgowrie, Rattray & District ................. £6,888.67 Braco & Greenloaning ........................... £643.19 Brechin ................................................. £1,864.28 Buckie ................................................... £6,369.83 Campbelltown .................................... £3,310.20 Carnoustie........................................... £5,604.10 Castle Douglas ................................... £5,405.59 Clackmannanshire & District................ £12,349.51 Cockenzie & Port Seton .................. £1,932.00 Coldstream ......................................... £1,442.83 Crail Women’s Section..................... £1,050.00 Creich & Kincardine.......................... £1,055.81 Crieff ..................................................... £4,428.13 Crossgates ............................................. £700.00 Cumbernauld...................................... £8,707.16 Cupar .................................................... £4,794.42 Dalbeatie ............................................ £2,902.33 Dingwall ............................................... £8,372.47 Dufftown ................................................. £866.70 Dumfries ............................................ £18,037.02 Dunbar ................................................. £2,642.12 Dunfermline ..................................... £42,149.85 Duns...................................................... £3,074.69 Earlston Women’s Section ............. £2,250.33 Easdale ................................................ £1,825.56 East Kilbride ................................... £17,938.26 Ellon Women’s Section ................. £11,199.72 Eyemouth ............................................ £2,391.35 Forfar .................................................... £8,133.76 Forfar Women’s Section .................... £150.00 Forres ................................................... £7,785.51 Fort William ..................................... £10,932.76 Fraserburgh ..................................... £11,189.46

Fyvie ......................................................... £937.21 Galashiels Women’s Section ................ £8,482.61 Glenrothes........................................ £15,927.04 Glenurquhart .................................... £1,694.94 Golspie................................................. £1,904.37 Grangemouth ................................. £20,633.99 Hamilton .......................................... £41,705.30 Hawick ................................................. £6,289.04 Inverary .................................................. £780.83 Invergordon ....................................... £5,187.70 Inverness ......................................... £49,553.13 Inverurie .............................................. £4,519.02 Irvine .................................................... £9,079.96 Jedburgh ............................................ £1,567.17 Keith & District ................................. £3,886.74 Kelso .................................................... £3,629.36 Kennoway .............................................. £642.39 Killin ........................................................ £600.96 Kilwinning ........................................ £11,022.87 Kincardine O’Neil .............................. £1,103.56 Kingussie .............................................. £761.21 Kirkwall .............................................. £10,057.03 Larkhall Women’s Section ............. £7,429.85 Lerwick ................................................ £4,908.95 Leven ................................................... £3,846.21 Lewis .................................................... £6,417.22 Liddesdale .......................................... £1,371.19 Livingston ....................................... £19,739.78 Loanhead Women’s Section ......... £1,637.59 Loch Broom ....................................... £1,339.95 Lochalsh ............................................. £2,134.60 Longside ............................................. £1,871.65 Lossiemouth ..................................... £1,775.95 Lumphanan .......................................... £602.56 Maybole............................................... £1,314.00 Melrose ............................................... £2,313.59 Methilhill Women’s Section ............... £2,356.08 Methlick ................................................. £346.10 Millport ................................................... £952.20 Moffat .................................................. £3,753.20 Montrose ......................................... £12,618.85 Nairn ................................................ £10,486.43 New Deer ............................................ £2,772.25

New Pisligo............................................. £701.10 Newbattle & Gorebridge.................. £1,618.87 Newton Stewart ................................. £3,711.00 Newtonmore ......................................... £610.98 North Skye........................................... £5,216.76 Oldmeldrum ....................................... £3,003.71 Peebles ................................................ £7,849.01 Penicuik ............................................... £4,009.00 Peterhead & District ........................ £9,324.84 Pitlochry & Blair Atholl .................... £3,473.27 Portobello ......................................... £14,099.02 Prestonpans ....................................... £8,425.00 Reston ..................................................... £156.00 Roslin .................................................... £1,155.82 Rothesay.............................................. £2,983.77 Saltcoats .......................................... £15,702.39 Sanday .................................................... £351.27 Sanquhar ............................................. £1,650.68 Scalloway............................................. £1,200.00 Selkirk .................................................... £3457.16 Stonehaven Women’s Section ...... £6,832.42 Strachur.................................................. £216.84 Stranraer ............................................. £6,353.46 Strathspey* .......................................................... Strichen ........................................................ £480 Stromness .......................................... £2,759.26 Tain ........................................................ £4,696.80 Tarves ...................................................... £602.01 Tayport ................................................. £1,760.11 Thurso .................................................. £7,424.46 Tomintoul & Glenlivet .......................... £543.07 Troon ..................................................... £5,543.98 Turriff & District................................. £7,312.55 Uist ........................................................ £1,317.61 Upper Donside ...................................... £468.88 Wick, Cannisbay & Latherton ........ £4,877.51 * Branch total not received in time If your total does not appear here or is incorrect, please contact Poppyscotland on 0131 550 1553

Fundraising in the days before social isolation

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Tributes to recently departed Legion Scotland members from across the country DUNDEE

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REV DAVID TAYLOR It is with regret that we mark the passing of Rev David Taylor, the former Official Padre who led the service at Dundee Festival of Remembrance for many years. David was born in Hilltown, Dundee, on 8 March 1938. He married his school sweetheart, Chrissy, who he met at Rockwell High, on 26 October 1957, and would go on to father four children, Sandra, Margaret Ann, David and James. He had seven grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. David served with 4/5th Bn Black Watch TA, joining in the 1950s as a

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ERNEST (ERNIE) MACDONALD Ernie passed away peacefully at home on 1 February. He was born in Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, and enlisted into the Seaforth Highlanders in 1944. When he finished his training he went to France and Germany, experiencing heavy fighting. Ernie joined Creich & Kincardine branch in the 1950s, and married Sheila in 1962. They set up home in the Dundee area, where they first joined the Carnoustie branch and then the City of Dundee branch. Sheila passed away in 2007 and Ernie continued to give very valued support to Royal British Legion Scotland. He helped out with the annual Poppy Appeal and regularly attended the Festival of Remembrance held at Caird Hall in Dundee. In 2016, Ernie was made a guest of honour, taking the salute at the Festival of Heroes in Arbroath. GLENURQUHART

GEORGE CRUICKSHANK A local Conservative councillor, George passed away on 5 April at his home in Lewiston, Drumnadrochit. George was a community man and in May 2017 was elected as councillor to

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piper and Highland dancer. He danced at Edinburgh Tattoo and performed a solo for Her Majesty the Queen. David was a strong supporter of Royal British Legion Scotland. He joined the Dundee branch in 1994, and became the Official Padre in 1995. In 2009, he was elected vice chairman of the branch, and in 2015 became chairman, a position he held until his death. The Angus, Perthshire & Fife area chaplain for 12 years, David was elected in 2008 as Official Padre to the annual Festival of Remembrance at Caird Hall, Dundee. He was a member of Dundee Community

represent the Aird and Loch Ness ward. He was also a committee member of the Glenurquhart branch of Royal British Legion Scotland. Born in Newcastle, George moved to Fort Augustus in 1961. He worked at the Lobban sawmill and with Scottish Hydro. George joined the RAF in 1966, serving in Lincoln and abroad. He was based at Goose Bay in Canada. George will be greatly missed by his wife Christine, daughter Lynn and his many friends. KNIGHTSWOOD

ALDO ARCARI Aldo sadly passed away in April, aged 84. He served in the Royal Engineers from 1953 to 1955 and was a boxer. Aldo was a regular branch attendee until his later ill health curtailed his visits. KNIGHTSWOOD

ALEX LAMBIE Born in 1926, Alex joined the Home Guard when he was 16 and enlisted at Elgin in 1944, serving in the Royal Army Service Corp till his demob in 1946. An accomplished singer and a virtuoso on the ‘moothie’, Alex was always ready to entertain. Even though he was severely

Ex-Services Association, and was padre for the Submariners’ memorial service and local Black Watch services. David had a fulfilling and varied life, from working for British Rail to serving as a special constable. In 1988, he entered the ministry and, after training, joined Dundee Congregational Church. In 1972 he became a member of the Masonic Lodge and rose to high positions within the Masonic family. David will be very sadly missed not only by his family, to whom he showed great dedication, but also by everyone he had contact with, who will fondly remember him as a loving family man and true gentleman.

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handicapped with poor eyesight, Alex served the branch as assistant secretary and standard bearer. He will be missed by all who knew him. KNIGHTSWOOD

ANDREW (ANDY) MCCOLL Andy passed away in March, aged 90. He served in the Highland Light Infantry from 1950 to 1952 and joined the Knightswood branch in 1971, serving as chairman and as a management committee member. Andy was a keen sportsman and at his peak played for Bully Wee Clyde. He spent his later years in Erskine Hospital. MELROSE

DENNIS FINFER Born 18 February 1926, Dennis was a schoolboy in London at the outbreak of WW2. When his elder brother, an RAF pilot, was killed in action, Dennis volunteered. Initially rejected on account of his age, Dennis underwent Army officer training in 1946 and served with the Royal Regiment of Artillery in Egypt and Palestine. He was repatriated after being wounded, and while in hospital was cared for by Anne, whom he later married.

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After a career as an accountant in the City, Dennis retired to Melrose, where he served both the local church and the Legion branch. He was well known in golfing circles, and for many years was part of an annual fourball competition comprising three generations of Finfers. Predeceased by Anne, he is survived by two sons and a daughter. PRESTONPANS

ALISTAIR MARSHALL A loyal member of the Prestonpans branch management committee, Alistair passed away in March at the age of 80. A standard bearer for many years, Alistair was a member of the Royal Engineers and will be sadly missed by everyone at the club. He was a strong supporter and fundraiser of Poppyscotland and the Royal British Legion. He is survived by his wife Sybil. PRESTONPANS

EDWARD [EDDIE] Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;CONNOR Prestonpans branch and club chairman Eddie passed away in April, aged 78. He served in the RAF at home and in the Far East at RAF Changi before going back to civvy street in the pits for the National Coal Board, and latterly in the construction industry. The Legion was a major part of Eddieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social life. At Prestonpans he was the sports chair for more than 40 years; he was also vice chair of the branch club for 10 years. In the Edinburgh, Lothians & Borders area, Eddie was sports chair for 25 years and was vice chair of the area for 18 years. He was still chair of the area when the regions amalgamated, and became the first area chair of the newly formed Edinburgh, Lothians & Borders area. Eddie was also a member of the National Board of Trustees for a numbers of years and a life member of Royal British Legion Scotland. He is survived by his daughter Sharon and will be greatly missed by his extended family and friends. ROSLIN

ADRIAN BERRY Born in Holywell, Wales, on 5 April 1937, Adrian served for four years in the RAF. After meeting his wife

Mary in Oswestry, they moved to Scotland in 1967 and Roslin was their home from 1971. Adrian worked as a technician at the Princess Margaret Rose Orthopaedic Hospital in Edinburgh until his retirement, and was an avid Manchester United supporter. He will be greatly missed by all at Roslin branch, where he served on the committee for several years. Our thoughts are with his wife Mary, son John, daughter Susan and grandchildren Lisa and Sean. TAIN

HAMISH TURNBULL Hamish sadly passed away on 10 May, having reached the age of 98. He served in the RAF, and after the war had his own business as a baker. Due to the coronavirus, respect for Hamish was shown by the large number of people who lined the street as his funeral cortege passed. Our thoughts are with his daughter Moira and sons Neil and Hamish.

Legion Scotland key contacts Main Switchboard 0131 322 1076 Membership and Branch Support Alastair Duff 0131 550 1586 a.duff@legionscotland.org.uk Disablement Pensions Service James Johnston 0131 550 1566 j.johnston @legionscotland.org.uk Veterans Community Support Tommy Douglas 0131 550 1560 t.douglas @legionscotland.org.uk Events and Remembrance Brian Ward 0131 550 1562 b.ward @legionscotland.org.uk

Submitting a Last Post Please submit dedications to recently departed Legion Scotland members to magazine@legionscotland.org. uk. We will endeavour to include these in the next issue, based on the following deadlines in 2020: 20 August (autumn), 5 November (winter). Submissions will be edited so as to give as fitting a tribute as we can to each and every person. We recommend a word count of around 100 words. If you are able to attach a photo, we will make every effort to include this as well.

Legion Scotland Today Magazine 0131 322 1076 magazine @legionscotland.org.uk Accounts Lorna Kane 0131 550 1548 l.kane@legionscotland.org.uk

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COME AND SEE US FIND YOUR NEAREST LEGION SCOTLAND BRANCH

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ABERDEEN, BANFF & KINCARDINE 01224 707768 Aberdeen Aboyne Alford Ballater & District Banchory 01330 822347 Buckie & District 01542 832636 Bucksburn Dufftown 01340 820711 Ellon & District 01358 720512 Fraserburgh 01346 518964 Fyvie 01651 891292 Inverurie 01467 620567 Keith & District 01542 882320 Kincardine Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neil Longside Lumphanan Methlick New Deer 01771 644701 New Pitsligo 01771 653766 Oldmachar 01224 704717 Oldmeldrum 01651 872527 Peterhead Stonehaven 01569 763655 Strichen 01771 637792 Tarves & District Turriff & District 01888 563231 Upper Donside ANGUS, PERTHSHIRE & FIFE 07530 380545 Alyth Arbroath 01241 873964

Blairgowrie & Rattray (sub-branch Perth)

01250 873882 Brechin 01356 622562 Callander Carnoustie 01241 854940 Ceres & District City of Dundee Crail Crieff 01764 652937 Crossgates 01383 511478 Cupar Dunblane Dunfermline 01383 723921 Dunkeld & Birnam 01350 727773 Forfar 01307 463204 Glenrothes Kennoway 01333 350332 Kirkcaldy Leven 01333 426058 Montrose 01674 672406 Newburgh Pitlochry & Blair Atholl St Andrews Stirling Tayport EDINBURGH, LOTHIANS & BORDERS 0131 550 1590 Bathgate 01506 631989 Cockenzie & Port Seton 01875 810103 Coldstream 01890 882109 Dalkeith 0131 663 3235 Dunbar 01368 863275 Duns

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ABERDEEN, BANFF & KINCARDINE

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS

& 0 C &

0 D D E

ANGUS, PERTHSHIRE & FIFE

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GLASGOW, AYRSHIRE, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

EDINBURGH, LOTHIANS & BORDERS

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0 L M Edinburgh Central 0131 557 8164 Edinburgh HQ Eyemouth Galashiels 01896 752457 Haddington Hawick Jedburgh 01835 863201 Kelso 01573 224506 Liddesdale

Linburn Livingston Longniddry 01875 853241 Melrose Newbattle & Gorebridge Penicuik 01968 672095 Portobello 0131 669 5418 Prestonpans 01875 811446

Roslin 0131 440 2174 Selkirk & Ettrick Forest GLASGOW, AYRSHIRE, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY 07825 633187 Annan Biggar & District Bridge of Weir 01505 613530 Cambuslang

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Directory, 1

LEGION SCOTLAND has more than 145 branches across Scotland, from Kirkwall to Dumfries, and the Isle of Bute to Edinburgh. Every branch is run by volunteers and every one is different. What they all have in common is their desire to work towards improving the circumstances of ex-service people across Scotland. When you join your local branch

Campbeltown Castle Douglas & District 01556 504499 Clackmannanshire & District Cumbernauld 01236 735263 Dalbeattie Dumfries & Maxwelltown Easdale East Kilbride 01355 233545 Forth 01555 811317 Glasgow HQ Grangemouth 01324 483040 Hamilton Inveraray Irvine 01294 313164 Isle of Bute Kilmarnock Kilwinning Knightswood 0141 959 2721 Largs Maybole Millport 01475 530052 Moffat Monkton & Prestwick including Ayr Newton Mearns Newton Stewart Paisley Comrades 0141 889 9281 Saltcoats, Ardrossan & Stevenston Sanquhar Stranraer Troon

of Legion Scotland your membership also entitles you to use any other branch across Scotland. A separate fee may apply for using a branch with a club. Branches are listed under five areas, in alphabetical order. Those marked also have a Legion Scotland social club affiliated to them. Clubs that offer accommodation are marked with a .

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS 0756 807 3190 Assynt Aviemore & Rothiemurchus 01479 810892 Badenoch Beauly Black Isle Creich & Kincardine Dingwall (sub-branch Strathpeffer)

01349 863278 Forres 01309 672131 Fort Augustus 01320 366247 Fort William & District Glenurquhart Golspie Helmsdale Invergordon Inverness 01463 234378 Kirkwall 01856 873297 Lerwick 01595 692325 Lewis Lochalsh Lochbroom Lossiemouth Nairn 01667 453201 North Skye Sanday Scalloway 01595 880355 Strathspey 01479 873690 Stromness 01856 850731

Tain Thurso 01847 893417 Uist Wick, Canisbay and Latheron

Do you need help? Our support visits offer reliable relationships through our Veterans Community Support Volunteers to anyone who is socially isolated. It all starts with a cuppa and a chat and, before you know it, you could be enjoying new activities you never knew about in your local community.

RIDERS BRANCH 07884 004890 Across the country HEADQUARTERS BRANCH 0131 550 1586 Ideal for those abroad, or with no branch nearby WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SECTION 07826 104879 Arbroath Ayr & Prestwick Coldstream Crail Dingwall Earlston Ellon Forfar Galashiels Inverness Inverurie Larkhall Loanhead Lossiemouth Methilhill Montrose Oldmachar Oldmeldrum Stonehaven Turriff

The service links into all other services Legion Scotland provides, such as comradeship events, remembrance and membership. If you require a visit from your local Veterans Community Support Volunteer, find a referral form at www.legionscotland.org.uk/befriending and send it to support@legionscotland.org.uk If you would like to become a Community Support Volunteer, contact Tommy Douglas on 0131 550 1560.

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MARCHING TOWARDS VJ DAY

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Celebrating the Scots soldiers who served in the Far East

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The British Army in Burma, 1944 ART PRODUCTION CLIENT SE 521 IWM

HERE WAS JOY and celebration around the world on 15 August 1945 when that date was declared Victory over Japan (VJ) Day. Scottish troops had been heavily involved in fighting in the Far East and at last they

could come home. Among them were the men of D Company of the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers who served in Burma. Pictured above, the men are led by Piper John McLean, marching alongside a railway to celebrate both St Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Day and the ending of the Japanese occupation of Pinwe in North Burma on 30 November 1944. For these men VJ Day was still many months away.

After serving in Africa, the battalion took part in the Burma Campaign. The men saw action through North Arakan, Mandalay and on the Rangoon Road.

For these men VJ Day was still many months away

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