Legion Scotland Today, Autumn 2014

LEGION The magazine of Legion Scotland Issue 3 Autumn 2014

www.legionscotland.org.uk

SCOTLAND TODAY

Who we remember

HONOURING FALLEN COMRADES ON REMEMBRANCE DAY

MARINE MACHINE CHRIS SHERRINGTON TALKS GOLD MEDALS AND GETTING BACK TO THE FRONT LINE

PLUS

BRANCH NEWS, REMEMBRANCE EVENTS, POPPY FACTORY VETERANS SHARE THEIR STORIES & BEST KEPT WAR MEMORIAL REVEALED

At the heart of the Scottish veterans community

Royal British Legion Scotland At the heart of the Scottish veterans community

Let’s make Scotland a place where we all love later life.

w: www.agescotland.org.uk e: fundraising@agescotland.org.uk p: 0845 833 0200

As we grow older we all want to keep doing the things we love, remain independent and have a fulfilling life.

However, as we age we may face new challenges perhaps even loneliness, isolation, discrimination or poverty.

That’s why Age Scotland is here. We are dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We support local groups where older people can come together and be part of a community. We improve the quality of life for thousands of older people every year by providing life-changing information and advice.

Where we find disadvantage and unfairness we stand up and speak for those who need us.

With your help, we can make Scotland a place where we all love later life. When you visit your solicitor, and you have taken care of your loved ones, please remember Age Scotland in your will - even a small gift can make a massive difference.

Age Scotland Department SLN Causewayside House 160 Causewayside Edinburgh EH9 1PR Charity No: SC010100 Age Scotland, part of the Age Network, is an independent charity dedicated to improving the later lives of everyone on the ageing journey, within a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered

WELCOME

At the heart of the Scottish veterans community

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 Robert Allan Vice Chairman Jan Harvey National Treasurer Colin Neil Chief Executive Officer Kevin Gray MM EDITOR Christie McMonagle MANAGING EDITOR Fiona McKinlay DESIGNERS Mark Davies, Alistair McGown, Katherine Pentney SUB-EDITORS Sian Campbell, Andrew Littlefield GROUP ACCOUNT MANAGER John Innes john.innes@thinkpublishing.co.uk STORIES TO SHARE? Please contact Christie McMonagle at c.mcmonagle@legionscotland.org.uk or by calling 0131 550 1549.

Submissions received by 20 November 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.

Remembering the fallen AUTUMN PROVIDES A TIME FOR REFLECTION AND FOR US TO THINK OF ALL THOSE BRAVE SOULS WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST IN SERVICE. It would be understandable to think I might be too focused on the organisation and management of remembrance parades and services, but those we are remembering are far too important to forget.

I am particularly aware of the sacrifices of men and women in recent conflicts, whether they were killed in action or as a result of action, or sustained life-changing injuries that impact not only my friends but their families too. I cannot help but be affected when I look down at the thousands of crosses in the Field of Remembrance, and recognise photos and names of far too many friends and colleagues.

We have been collecting your stories about who you will be remembering this Remembrance Day, whether they served in World War One or in more recent conflicts, and share these on pages 16-21.

Elsewhere, veteran staff from the Lady Haig Poppy Factory tell us about their time in military service and the challenges they faced in readjusting to civilian life. We also speak to sporting hero Chris Sherrington about how judo helped him after his experiences serving as a Marine in Iraq, and about his planned return to service.

We hope to see you all at services and parades on Remembrance Sunday, and would be delighted to hear about what you and your branches are doing to honour fallen comrades.

It’s at times like these that I feel most privileged to be Chief Executive of Legion Scotland. This is much more than just a job to me. The opportunity to make a difference to the lives of members and the wider Scottish veterans community is one we don’t all get, and so I grab it with both hands and an eager heart.

The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Published on behalf of Legion Scotland by Think Publishing Ltd Red Tree Business Suites, 33 Dalmarnock Road, Glasgow G40 4LA 0141 375 0504 ADVERTISING Sophie Conway sophie.conway@thinkpublishing.co.uk 020 3181 0943

Kevin Gray MM CEO Legion Scotland

Copyright © Legion Scotland 2014.

All rights reserved. Legion Scotland is a trading name of the Royal British Legion Scotland, Scottish Charity No.SC003323

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 3

www.veterans-assist.org

We will remember them Tens of thousands of merchant seafarers sacrificed their lives during times of conflict.

Wherever and whenever you served, you can get information, advice and guidance from our website. Whether you’re a veteran or are helping a veteran, Veterans Assist can provide you with information on Housing, Employment, Health, Support and Comradeship activities happening in your area:

Sailors’ Society has supported seafarers through 200 years of war and peace.

We continue to care for them today.

To help support our ongoing mission visit: www.sailors-society.org

(1939-1945 Star)

(Korea 1950-1953) (GSM 1962-Present) (South Atlantic1982) (Iraq 2003)

Providing a single point of contact for veterans whenever and whatever they need.

www.veterans-assist.org

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Veterans Scotland New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh, EH7 4HR, Tel: 0131 550 1569. Veterans Scotland is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in Scotland, SC239808. Registered as a Charity in Scotland, Scottish Charity Number SC033880

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Bellrock Close, Glasgow 51 new flats for let to Armed Forces veterans

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AUTUMN 2014

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At the heart of the Scottish veterans community

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LEGION The magazine of Legion Scotland Issue 3 Autumn 2014

www.legionscotland.org.uk

SCOTLAND TODAY

Who we remember

HONOURING FALLEN COMRADES ON REMEMBRANCE DAY

MARINE MACHINE CHRIS SHERRINGTON TALKS GOLD MEDALS AND GETTING BACK TO THE FRONT LINE

CONTENTS 06

LEGION NEWS The latest from Legion Scotland and beyond, including commemoration events and comradeship

24

THROWING FOR GOLD Chris Sherrington shows off his gold medal and tells us how judo helped him deal with his experiences in Iraq

16

WHO WE REMEMBER Legion members and friends tell us who they will be thinking of this Remembrance Day

26

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES Revealing the winners of this year’s Best Kept War Memorial competition

22

VOICES OF VETERANS: MEET THE MAKERS We take a trip to the Poppy Factory and meet Neil and Jim

28

COME AND SEE US A guide to Legion Scotland’s branches and clubs

PLUS

BRANCH NEWS, REMEMBRANCE EVENTS, POPPY FACTORY VETERANS SHARE THEIR STORIES & BEST KEPT WAR MEMORIAL REVEALED

At the heart of the Scottish veterans community

Royal British Legion Scotland At the heart of the Scottish veterans community

ON THE COVER Royal Marine Commando and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Chris Sherrington meets Neil Warrington (right) and Jim Pattie (left) at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory PHOTO: Mark Owens

facebook.com/LegionScotland twitter.com/LegionScotland

PICTURE THIS Announcing this year’s Primary Schools competition, with a photographic theme

21

‘A SHIP AT WAR YARD ’B SEE PAG OOK E6

31

FORCES UPDATE The latest from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force

33

LAST POST Fond notes of remembrance from branches across the country

34

SCOTLAND THE BRAVE Remembering the Highland Regiments, a key force on the Western Front

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 5

LEGION NEWS EVENT

Keeping you up to date with the Legion’s latest

PARADE

COMMONWEALTH COMMEMORATION Stilt walkers join the team at the Scottish Air Show

FLYING HIGH

Service veterans taking part in the Glasgow march past

LEGION SCOTLAND’S brand new gazebo

proudly showed off its propeller-shaped logo at the National Museum of Flight in July, as 13,500 excited visitors attended the Scottish Air Show.

Members from West Linton, Prestonpans, Livingston and Edinburgh HQ, Severine Drever and the Dunbar Sea Cadets all lent a hand at the event, enjoying spectacular aerial displays from the Red Arrows, Breitling wing walkers and the RAF’s latest fighter, the Typhoon.

If you fancy volunteering at any of our events or if you have an idea for an event contact us at www.legionscotland.org.uk

WWI remembered at Glasgow event VETERANS FROM across the Commonwealth nations took part in a commemoration parade in Glasgow city centre on 4 August, following a special ceremony at Glasgow Cathedral.

Many of our members watched the ceremony via TV link from the Millennium Hotel on Glasgow’s George Square, before joining the march past and taking of the salute from HRH Prince Charles.

The Royal Highland Fusiliers, Highland Light Infantry, Scots

Guards, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the Parachute Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps were all represented, alongside the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and veterans from as far afield as the West Indies and South Africa, who all turned up to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War One. The Veterans’ Welfare Service were also well represented.

Despite 11 days of cheering on athletes, Glasgow still had plenty in the tank and applauded the veterans on their short march.

COMPETITION

Win a copy of A Shipyard at War ONE LUCKY reader will get their hands on A

Shipyard at War, a new photographic chronicle of the lives of those who worked at John Brown & Sons on the Clyde during WWI. Two hundred pictures have been scanned to the highest standard, offering, as never before, an insight into what the conditions were like working on the shipyards during the First World War. To enter, send your name, address and

6 AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk

telephone number to Shipyard Competition, Legion Scotland, New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HQ, or email c.mcmonagle@legionscotland.org.uk with Shipyard Competition in the subject line.

Closing date 14 December 2014. See www.legionscotland.org.uk/news-events for terms and conditions

COMRADESHIP

COMRADESHIP, CLAY AND KARTING INTRODUCING Legion Scotland is delighted to welcome new padre Rev Dr Karen Campbell. She succeeds Roderick Campbell who served for nine years.

Karen will be making her first official appearance at the Garden of Remembrance service on 9 November. She is the Minister of Marchmont St Giles’ Parish Church and Chaplain of the Personnel Recovery Centre in Edinburgh.

APPOINTMENTS

Helping hands LEGION SCOTLAND has appointed two volunteer Regional Wellbeing Co-ordinators to help run our wellbeing service.

Former Regimental Sergeant Major in the REME, Peter Kerr (pictured top right) will be responsible for areas in the north. Ex-policeman William Watters (pictured right) will be covering the south.

Both men will visit people who may require assistance, support or a listening ear. They will help direct veterans in need to related services and organisations.

COMMEMORATION

CAPITAL LOOKS BACK ON 10 AUGUST, various events in Edinburgh commemorated 100 years since the start of WWI. Organised by the Scottish Commemorative Panel, the programme was designed to reflect how the First World War affected all sections of society.

A ‘March As To War’ led down to Holyrood Park, where those marching joined members of the public at a ‘living memorial’ marked by more than 1,600 headstones.

Thousands turned out despite the rain, and the mood was summed up by a young piper from the Cockenzie and Port Seton Legion Scotland Pipe Band who, when told they could pack up early because of the weather, replied: “They never had the option in the trenches, so if you don’t mind, we will carry on playing.”

CEO Kevin Gray with winners at the clay pigeon shooting event

ON A blustery but bright day in July, almost 40 people converged on the clay pigeon shooting range at Army Headquarters Scotland, near Edinburgh.

There were serving Army personnel, recent service leavers, representatives from other charities, business owners and even bankers.

Legion Scotland brought all of these people together to foster and develop relationships in order to enable those leaving the service to get the help and advice they so richly deserve.

Next up, our Xtreme Karting event took place at Newbridge, near Edinburgh. Twenty wannabe Lewis Hamiltons turned up, including several from Kart Force, a charity that uses go karting to help tackle the challenges facing recent service leavers who have physical and mental health issues.

Keep an eye on www.legionscotland.org.uk for details of forthcoming comradeship events. We hope you can join us for one soon

AWARENESS

Spreading the word HAVE YOU spotted one of our new ads on a bus in your area?

They have been making their way around routes in Rosyth, Inverness, Edinburgh, Penicuik, Arbroath, Leuchars and Lossiemouth.

We are eager to connect with veterans across Scotland and make them a part of our community. It is hoped that our advertising campaign will let more people know about all the services and grants that we offer, and get many more people of all ages involved in Legion Scotland.

Our advertisements are appearing in military and related magazines, and being driven around town on buses and a trailer van. Branches are encouraged to get out and about to help us spread the word as well.

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 7

LEGION NEWS

DIARY DATES

Legion Scotland, its branches and members will be taking part in hundreds of commemorative events across Scotland, on and around Remembrance Sunday.

Please contact your branch or area secretary for information on events nearby.

Here, we pick out a few from across the country SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER ANGUS & PERTHSHIRE Festival of Remembrance Caird Hall, Dundee Featuring the Central Band of Legion Scotland, Arbroath Pipe Band, community singing led by Billy Naismith and an Act of Remembrance.

Doors 6.30pm, Parade of Standards with Muster 7.15pm.

Tickets £8 from Caird Hall Booking Office, City Square, Dundee (01382 434 940).

MONDAY 3 NOVEMBER EDINBURGH Opening of the Garden of Remembrance Scott Monument, Edinburgh A ceremony will take place at 11am. The garden includes a Poppyscotland Field of Remembrance on the western side of the Scott Monument.

A Service of Remembrance will be conducted by the Legion Scotland Padre, Rev Dr Karen Campbell.

TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER GLASGOW Opening of both the Garden and Field of Remembrance George Square, Glasgow FRIDAY 7 NOVEMBER LIVINGSTON Festival of Remembrance Deans Community High School, Livingston A varied programme of entertainment relevant to the occasion. 7-10pm, £7.50 from Karen: kelliot@paywizard.com THORNHILL Trench Supper Moniavie Village Masonic Hall, Moniavie With entertainment and a raffle.

Doors 7pm, £5 from Joyce: joycebeattie0412@btinternet.com SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER UK The London Festival of Remembrance Royal Albert Hall, London Televised nationwide, 24

Honouring those who served our country

War Memorial afterwards with the laying of poppy wreaths.

Refreshments at the club follow.

LIVINGSTON Remembrance Sunday Service West Lothian Civic Centre, Livingston 10.30am, all welcome.

MONKTON & PRESTWICK Service of Remembrance Monkton War Memorial A short service at 11am, followed by participation in the Prestwick Community Council Memorial Service at 12.30pm at Prestwick Cross War Memorial.

members of Legion Scotland are invited to the festival each year.

SUNDAY 9 NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY AVIEMORE & ROTHIEMURCHUS Remembrance Parades Aviemore, then Glenmore Parade at Aviemore War Memorial, situated on Grampian Road, followed by a church service in the nearby St Andrews Church.

A second parade and service will take place at the Norwegian Memorial Stone at Glenmore.

BADENOCH Remembrance Day Services Various locations Services will take place as usual at: Laggan War Memorial (9.45am); Kincraig War Memorial (10.45am); St Columbas Church, Kingussie (10.50am); Newtonmore War Memorial (12.30pm); and Dalwhinnie (3pm).

BANCHORY Remembrance Parade Gordon Highlander Memorial, Banchory Coffee from 8.30am at Ravenswood, then bus will take attendees down to the Memorial for a parade and wreath laying, followed by a church service.

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BLAIRGOWRIE Remembrance Parade Legion club, Blairgowrie 12.20pm parade to Wellmeadow, with service and wreath laying.

DUNBLANE Parade with Colours Dunblane Cathedral, Dunblane 10.30am parade followed by service and silence. Leighhills Park War Memorial service and wreath laying at 12.30pm with lunch after.

EDINBURGH Remembrance Parade Stone of Remembrance, Edinburgh Legion Scotland’s Annual Remembrance Parade and Service will commence at 11am.

Senior representatives from the Scottish Government, Edinburgh City and the military, along with associations and organisations, have been invited to lay wreaths at the Stone of Remembrance and attend the morning service in St Giles’ Cathedral.

FRASERBURGH Remembrance Parade Legion club, Fraserburgh Leaving from the club at 10.15am and marching to church. Another short service takes place at the

PASSCHENDAELE British Torch of Remembrance Pilgrimage Roeselare, Belgium Annual pilgrimage to Belgium for Armistice. A ceremony will be held in the town cemetery military plot, which contains the graves of Commonwealth, Belgian and French soldiers who died in Roeselare as prisoners of war.

Later that day there will be a ceremony under the Menin Gate.

TROON Annual Remembrance Day Parade Troon Primary School, Troon March from 10.30am to Troon War Memorial through the town, followed by a Service of Remembrance with guests.

There will then be a salute in front of the town buildings and a service at Troon Old Parish Church at 11.15am.

TUESDAY 11 NOVEMBER ARMISTICE DAY MONKTON & PRESTWICK Act of Remembrance Service Prestwick Cross War Memorial, Prestwick The Service of Remembrance begins at 11am, with children from local primary schools and members of the public welcome to attend.

A service will also take place at the Biggart Hospital for patients and their families.

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

LOCAL HERO

Send your inspirational stories to c.mcmonagle@legionscotland.org.uk

Smiles all round at Aviemore and Rothiemurchus’ new memorial garden

FROM THE GROUNDS UP A fresh start for revitalised branch

F

revitalised club is keen to open its doors to all visitors.

Local school children helped by planting a boundary hedge with trees and shrubs kindly donated by the Woodland Trust. Lots of other little touches have improved the premises, including replacing the old gas ovens.

The members also hope to develop the memorial garden so that there is space to commemorate other former members.

A launch event for the revamped grounds took place in the summer, and a silent auction raised £1,600, which was split between the club and a veterans’ charity. Membership is already on the rise, too.

ORMER SOLDIERS and members of Aviemore and Rothiemurchus branch have won a couple of battles – they have saved their club from folding and have transformed their grounds.

At the beginning of the year, the branch found itself down to fewer than 40 members. A generous anonymous donation helped them freshen up their premises and restore a sense of hope.

The club grounds had been in a mess for some time, after contractors had failed to complete work on schedule.

The lawn was eventually turfed and the memorial garden to one of BEFORE their previous chairmen resituated.

Committee member Ricky Stewart was instrumental in driving the project forward.

The area will be made available for events such as weddings, barbecues and other family functions, and the

President Colin Gair said: “Now we are really starting a push to reinvigorate interest in the branch, to increase our membership so that we can go on to bigger and better things. We seem to be attracting a younger element, and all visitors shall be made very welcome.”

Kevin Gray and Stephen Baird from Head Office visited in August as part of a comradeship archery event in Rothiemurchus and were very impressed with what they saw.

AFTER

The transformed grounds at the club will make a great outdoor space for events

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 9

BRANCH NEWS

GETTY

VICTORIA CROSS

COMMEMORATION

CARNOUSTIE WWI HERO THE UK’S bravest WWI servicemen are being honoured with special Victoria Cross flagstones, laid in their hometowns.

The first one – for Lance Corporal Charles Jarvis – has been unveiled in Carnoustie.

Jarvis, a WWI Royal Engineer who blew up a bridge at Jemappes while under heavy fire, was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) in 1915.

The flagstone will serve as a reminder of his and others’ courageous contributions, and is the first of 628 to be laid across the UK over the next four years, for each VC recipient of WWI. Carnoustie will receive a second flagstone: George Samson’s efforts during the landing of SS River Clyde at Gallipoli also earned him the medal. He helped comrades repair a bridge, while attending to the wounded under heavy fire – being wounded himself in 19 places.

The Victoria Cross is the most prestigious award for bravery that can be awarded to British Forces.

A piped procession Pipe band make trip to Normandy for D-Day commemoration THE JEDBURGH Legion Scotland Pipe Band headed to Normandy to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.

The band marched through the town of Benouville, before heading to the Pegasus Bridge Museum to take part in the Remembrance Ceremony. This was marked with a number of flypasts by historic WWII planes, including a

Spitfire and a Lancaster Bomber.

The following day saw the band perform on the Pegasus Bridge and at Café Gondrée, which was the first house liberated during D-Day. Homage was then paid to Bill Millin, the D-Day Piper, at his statue’s location at Sword Beach. Millin’s son John was present along with several D-Day veterans and the town mayor.

REPRINT

Ross-shire Honour Roll FOUR BRANCHES of Legion Scotland have contributed towards the reprint and relaunch of the Ross-shire Roll of Honour.

This book, originally published in 1915, gives the name, rank, number, address and occupation of those from Ross-shire who served at the start of World War One, painting a vivid picture of the community’s role and those individuals who fought.

The project has been driven by Bob Shanks, chairman of the Seaforth

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Tain, Dingwall, Invergordon and Black Isle branches donated towards the reprint

Highlanders Regimental Association Ross-shire branch. All primary and secondary schools in Rossshire have been sent a complimentary copy so

that their pupils can use it for their studies. Copies are available to purchase from Dingwall Museum or the Highlanders’ Museum at Fort George for £10.

SCHOOLS

IN BRIEF

Sharing wartime stories New Pitsligo branch Chairman brings WWI to life for schools challenge FYVIE AND New Pitsligo branches have taken part in Aberdeenshire Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge.

The programme, designed to encourage children from pre-school age through to S2 to read more, was launched at Aden Country Park in Mintlaw, with a section on World War One. Tom Rooney, Chairman of the New Pitsligo Branch, led the charge on WWI, giving a presentation to P5 children from across North Aberdeenshire.

Using various artefacts, posters, a WWI uniform

Tom Rooney with pupils at the launch event

BRANCH MEMBERS from Annan attended the opening ceremony of the Devils Porridge museum, built in recognition of the World War One munitions factory.

BANCHORY AND DISTRICT Pipes and Drums launched their new website www.banchorypipe band.co.uk

KINCARDINE O’NEILL branch members raised £135 selling poppy seeds and plants at an open day in the gardens of Kincardine Castle. and a Lee Enfield rifle borrowed from Fyvie branch, Tom dressed as a WWI soldier and gave an interactive talk.

The presentation ended with the children forming a memorial garden of poppy crosses donated

by PoppyScotland.

PEGGY THOMSON and Margaret Anderson received 50 years service badges for long service with Turriff Women’s Section.

COMMEMORATION

For the fallen WHILE COMMEMORATIONS are always a big part of the Legion Scotland calendar, there have been more than normal this year, as we remember the start of WWI 100 years ago.

Braco and Greenloaning branch held a service on 4 August and welcomed members of the Riders branch.

Over 200 people attended Livingston commemorations, with Provost Tom Kerr reading “No Poppies Here to Grow”, a poem written by local primary school pupil Cameron McBeth. A service in Helensburgh at the Hermitage Park Cenotaph was also well attended, while a service in Troon raised almost £400 for Poppyscotland.

Arbroath marked the 32nd anniversary of the end of the Falklands conflict, with an act of Remembrance which included Marines placing white lilies on the plaques of those who lost their lives during the battle for Two Sisters, in June 1982.

Above: Braco and Greenloaning members welcome the Riders branch for the service Left: Falklands commemoration in Arbroath AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 11

POPPYSCOTLAND NEWS

Fundraisers wanted

APPEAL

EVERY YEAR Legion Scotland branches and members raise vital funds for Poppyscotland to help support veterans across the country. In 2013, Legion members raised a fantastic £927,603, which equates to over one third of the total for the Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Poppyscotland would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part for their hard work and dedication to the Armed Forces community. But they still need your help.

The annual Scottish Poppy Appeal is one of the largest fundraising events in Scotland, and its success is all down to the volunteers across the country who help to make it happen. Without this dedicated army of collectors, Poppyscotland would struggle to support Scotland’s veterans and their families in the many ways it does.

That is why this November, Poppyscotland is appealing for as many volunteers as possible to assist with the 2014 Scottish Poppy Appeal. Whether you can only give a couple of hours or a little longer, you can be assured that every pound you raise will stay here in Scotland to help support the country’s veterans. Please help raise even more money this year so we – and you – can do even more to help those in need.

For more information on how to volunteer please contact Stuart on 0141 338 6585 or email volunteer@poppyscotland.org.uk

Poppyscotland needs collectors for 2014

REMEMBRANCE

Fields of Remembrance FROM THE beginning of November Legion Scotland members – along with members of the public and our corporate partners – will once again be able to pay their respects to fallen servicemen at one of the country’s Fields of Remembrance. Located in Edinburgh and Inverness, the fields are filled with thousands of wooden remembrance crosses which not only commemorate those who lost their lives, but also convey support for those still serving.

In 2013, over 10,000 crosses were laid in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens, and several thousand more were planted at Cavell Gardens in Inverness. Veterans wishing to plant their own remembrance cross will be able to do so at either of the sites for a small donation.

Colin Flinn, Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland, said, “Our Edinburgh

Volunteers planting remembrance crosses in Inverness

Field of Remembrance has proved hugely popular with the public and we were pleased to be able to introduce a field in Inverness in partnership with the Inverness branch last year.

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“The fields enable the public to take part in a moving, visual tribute, while at the same time raising funds to support the Armed Forces community in Scotland.”

SUPPORT

RESPITE

Take a Winter Poppy Break POPPYSCOTLAND RECOGNISES that a short break can play a significant role in reducing stress and improving health and general wellbeing for those needing respite, or who cannot afford a holiday.

That’s why Poppy Breaks are available all year round, providing you with time away when it is needed most. With holiday places on offer across the UK, serving personnel, veterans and their families can apply for a place now if they need to brighten up their winter.

To see if you might be eligible for a Poppy Break, please call 0131 550 1557

EMPLOYMENT

Support grants for training FINDING WORK can be difficult after leaving the services, and that is why Poppyscotland is committed to supporting veterans to acquire the qualifications they need.

This year, 41 veterans aged between 20 and 55 have received an Employment Support Grant, with 23 of them now in work following their vocational training over a hugely diverse range of courses.

For employment advice and funding information please contact Dot on 0131 550 1568 or email d.pringle@ poppyscotland.org.uk

Poppyscotland is here to help the Armed Forces community

Tailored support and funding LARGE OR SMALL, the type of support Poppyscotland provides has changed over time to reflect the needs of the Armed Forces community. Poppyscotland prides itself on providing the practical support veterans and their families need most, whether it’s a new suit for a job interview or money for repairs to an electric wheelchair.

George Farmer is one of the many veterans who has benefited from Poppyscotland’s tailored support. George, who served in the Royal Navy, was injured in a road accident a few years ago.

As a result of his injuries he and his wife moved into a property more suited to George’s various health needs.

However, the new property had a 20-year-old boiler and was not eligible for the Government’s boiler replacement scheme.

After enduring a winter with very limited hot water, George and his wife were referred to

Poppyscotland and had their boiler replaced immediately thanks to funding.

Speaking about the support from Poppyscotland, George said: “Finding out that Poppyscotland was going to step in made my day.

We were at our wits’ end because you don’t realise how much you need something until it goes wrong. I never thought about Poppyscotland being able to help me in this way.

“Of course, I knew that they raised money through the Poppy Appeal and, being a member of my local Legion Scotland branch, I had been involved in the poppy collections myself in the past.

It was such a relief and I offer them great thanks.”

To find out more about Poppyscotland’s tailored support and funding call Kirsty on 0131 550 1557 or email k.gibson@poppyscotland.org.uk

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 13

We support Scottish veterans.

With your help we can do so much more.

Legion Scotland exists to support ex-services men and women of all ages by providing comradeship and practical help. As the largest veterans’ membership organisation in Scotland, we are stronger working together.

But we could do so much more for veterans and their families. Regardless of whether you are ex-forces or not, join us or donate. Help us do more for Scottish veterans.

www.legionscotland.org.uk Facebook.com/LegionScotland

@LegionScotland

Legion Scotland is a trading name of The Royal British Legion Scotland, Scottish Charity No. SC003323.

Royal British Legion Scotland: at the heart of the Scottish veterans community

VETERANS NEWS APPOINTMENTS

AWARDS

NAVY OFFICER Eric Fraser has been appointed Scotland’s first Veterans Commissioner.

He will work with charities, local authorities and health boards, as well as help to shape future policy decisions on behalf of the 400,000 former servicemen and women in Scotland.

Eric began his 37-year Navy career in 1976 after graduating from Edinburgh University. He served in the Falklands conflict and the Balkans War, and has patrolled the Caribbean to combat drug smuggling.

New Chairman of Gardening Leave LUKE BORWICK has been appointed the new Chairman of Gardening Leave, the horticultural therapy charity for veterans with mental health issues.

Luke served in the Royal Scots Greys and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards from 1966 to 1976, before going on to work in sales and management.

Luke said, “Gardening Leave plays a vital part in assisting veterans with mental health issues and I look forward to helping raise the public awareness of our work.”

MOD/CROWN COPYRIGHT 2014

Navy hero appointed as Veterans Commissioner

Commandos wading ashore on Normandy beach, June 1944

A LEGION OF HONOURS IN RECOGNITION of the acts of heroism and determination displayed in the Normandy landings, the Government of France has informed the UK Ministry of Defence of its wish to award surviving veterans the Légion d’honneur, the country’s highest honour.

For more information and an application form, visit www.tinyurl. com/legiondh or call 020 7218 3029.

The Ministry of Defence will process applications and forward them to the French authorities, who will make final decisions on the awards.

HOUSING

£20 million for veterans’ accommodation THIS JULY, eight UK organisations were granted £20 million between them to improve accommodation for Armed Forces veterans.

Much of this will be put towards providing support accommodation for wounded or injured personnel.

Groups receiving the grants include Haig Housing Trust, RAF Benevolent Fund and Erskine Care Homes.

RETURN TO WORK

Considering self-employment?

VETERANS INTO New Enterprise (ViNE), a free programme for ex-servicemen and their families pursuing self-employment, was launched earlier this year.

The project has so far met with over 30 veterans interested in starting their own business. Members can also benefit from further aid from the Chamber of Commerce.

By invitation of the Prime Minister, ViNE staff attended a reception at 10 Downing Street in July as thanks for their work with reservists and veterans.

Secretary of State Alistair Carmichael and Minister for Veterans Keith Brown have also given their support.

For more information, visit www.forthvalleychamber.com/vine

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 15

REMEMBRANCE

WHO WE REMEMBER Legion Scotland invited members and friends via social media to submit stories about who you will be remembering this Remembrance Day. These notes barely scratch the surface of the brave work and incredible sacrifices made by the individuals described. There are so many thousands more, too, with stories untold.

Our thoughts will be with these and all other fallen comrades on 11 November.

Barbara Kay and her boys

Remembered by Dianne Kay

M

Y NANA, Barbara Kay, was a trainee nurse in the Wrens, later a Leading Wren, working in Royal Naval Sick Bay at HMS Fortitude, Ardrossan, when at 16:40 on 27 March 1943, aircraft carrier HMS Dasher exploded and sank off the shores of Ardrossan. Of a crew of 528 men, 379 died. Barbara tended to the wounded or dying men who were brought ashore with great compassion and tenderness.

She promised one such young man, WA MacDonald, Air Mechanic, age 20, who survived for 13 days, that she would never forget him or the other brave men who died. She never did forget him, or the other men whom she would fondly call ‘my boys’.

Every year without fail, Barbara visited the shores of Ardrossan on the anniversary of the sinking and placed a single red rose in the sea in memory and honour of those who died, and those who survived.

The HMS Dasher (1943) Association gathers every March for its annual remembrance weekend, with members travelling from all over the country, to remember all of the ship’s company.

Barbara loved the reunion weekends and looked forward to them immensely.

It gave her the opportunity to meet with other survivors, some of whom she nursed personally, and with the Association’s members who work so hard to keep the memory of her boys alive. She never missed a reunion, until she passed away in February 2011.

Dianne at the memorial to her nana

This year, the HMS Dasher Association and North Ayrshire Council purchased, engraved and erected a plaque in my nana’s memory.

Located across from the Church of Saint Peter in Chains in Ardrossan, and positioned in the garden directly facing the main HMS Dasher Memorial Stone, Barbara is now always looking over her boys.

The plaque bears a single rose with the inscription: “Wren Barbara McLean (Kay), Trainee nurse tended the injured and dying from HMS Dasher. Placing a red rose in the sea on the anniversaries.

She never forgot her boys. In memory of L. Wrn Barbara Kay”.

The whole family remembers Barbara fondly, and thinks too of her boys.

16 AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk

Leading Wren Barbara Kay

REMEMBRANCE

Thomas Blane

Remembered by David H Blane

I

WILL be remembering my father, 2756557 Lance Sergeant Thomas W Blane, 6th Battalion Black Watch, who was killed at Moreconi, Italy on 8 June 1944. His name is inscribed on the War Memorial at Muirkirk, East Ayrshire, where he grew up. I myself am a veteran, having served in the Royal Scots and Royal Engineers from 1959 until 1981.

Thomas Blane of the Black Watch with a young David John Bloomfield Gough (centre)

John Bloomfield Gough Remembered by Priscilla Atkinson

J

OHN BLOOMFIELD Gough, my uncle, was born in 1886. He was the eldest son of May and Bloomfield and grew up in Leitholm. The Goughs have a remarkable military record. In four generations, there was a Field Marshal, seven Generals and three Victoria Crosses.

Before the war, John was commissioned in the Horse Artillery. He married Marion Phipps-Hornby only three weeks before leaving for France.

John was killed in action, aged 28, during the Battle of Marne, when the German advance was finally halted on 8 September 1914.

John McIntosh, William Lang and James McIntosh Remembered by John Sutherland

I

SHALL be remembering three men: my two great uncles, Private John McIntosh, 11th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died 31 July 1917, remembered on the Menin Gate, and Private James McIntosh, 5th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, died 1 August 1918, buried in Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontoire, France, and their brother-in-law, Lance Corporal William Lang, 9th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, died 8 August 1917, buried Ypres Town Cemetery Extension.

In the space of a year and a day my grandmother lost two brothers and a brother-in-law. John left one child and Willie Lang left seven.

Left to right: Privates William McIntosh (survived), John McIntosh and James McIntosh

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 17

REMEMBRANCE

Richard Motley, Edward Porter and Walter Gardner

Edward Porter

Remembered by Tony Motley

I

RECENTLY became a member of the new Passchendaele and District branch, previously being a member of the branches in Ypres, Somme, and my hometown of Billericay in Essex.

My reasons for joining overseas branches was as an act of Remembrance for both of my grandfathers and my wife’s maternal grandfather, who all served in France and Belgium in WWI. My paternal grandfather, Richard Motley, served with the Essex Regiment and was gassed at Langemark in the battle of Passchendaele in 1917, but survived. My maternal grandfather, Edward Porter, served with E Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, and was in action with them when, on 22 August 1914, they fired the first British artillery shot of WWI. My wife’s grandfather Walter Gardner served as a signaller with the Royal Field Artillery, and he too was gassed, though I do not know in which action.

I was privileged to serve with the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, originally in the same barracks as Edward Porter.

In 2009, my wife and daughter bought me a trip to visit the battlefields as a birthday present, and I have returned each year since. When I was preparing for my first trip, I said to my wife that I would take three poppy crosses out, and place them in a suitable place because, although all three men had returned, they are no longer with us and must be remembered. I have repeated this act of dedication each year since.

In 2012, I returned to Hill 62, just off the Menin Road near Ypres, and found the three crosses that I had placed in 2009 still there, with our grandfathers’ names still legible, tucked behind the barbed wire still coiled around the shell-ripped trees.

Richard Motley

Walter Gardner

Jim Loughney, Bob Vanden and Shane Scott Remembered by Neil Warrington

I

SERVED with Jim Loughney, Bob Vanden, and Shane Scott, all in the late 70s. Jim and Bob died together, on a night parachute jump.

They got entangled and their chutes didn’t deploy. Shane died while testing a new parachute. He was the first man to

jump out and as he got out it jerked him like a yoyo, he rolled up and just went straight down. We never jumped with that parachute again.

After one of the funerals, about 30 of us went to a restaurant. Halfway through the night, one of the waiters

18 AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk

came over and asked, “Who’s getting married?” We said: “We’re not here for a wedding, we just buried two of our friends.”

The waiter couldn’t understand all the celebration, but it was to the memory of those guys.

REMEMBRANCE Jan Harvey

James (Jerry) Di≠er and Andrew Robertson Remembered by Jan Harvey, National Vice Chairman Jan’s father, James Differ, who served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

I

WILL be thinking of my life as an only child during WWII, living with my grandmother and grandfather while my mother was working for the war effort.

My grandfather, Andrew Robertson, was a warm and loving Shetlander, and a Petty Officer on HMS Carmania during WWI at the time of the sinking of SMS Cap Trafalgar.

I will be thinking, too, of my three uncles who served during WWII. Most of all, I will be remembering my father, James Differ. He served with the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, eventually reaching the rank of Sergeant Major. He was at the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940. In 1941, the year I was born, he served in the Western Desert, and 1942 took him to El Alamein and North Africa. In 1943 he was at the invasion of Sicily where he was taken prisoner and released later that year when Italy capitulated.

He was also a D-Day veteran. Soon after the invasion, my mother received a telegram saying that he was missing presumed dead. I was only three years old, but can still hear my mother crying. Thankfully my father was later found in a hospital in Malta, having been badly wounded in the head at Caen. He lived until he was 86.

It was he who introduced me to the Legion, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the D-Day veterans associations, all organisations that he loved.

I feel proud of my father and will never forget him. In a year when we commemorate 70 years since the D-Day landings, it is particularly poignant for me, my brothers and sisters to remember him.

All of my close relatives survived their wars, but I will also be thinking of those of you who had loved ones who did not come home.

I will be feeling sad for those who have lost loved ones during recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, too.

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 19

Leave a legacy Legion Scotland helps the Scottish ex-services community by offering comradeship, wellbeing, Remembrance and more. You can help us to continue this work by remembering Legion Scotland in your will.

There are many ways to leave a legacy to a charity in your will that your solicitor will be able to explain. You could leave a cash gift or a share of your estate, and you can make specific requests on how your gift can be used.

The needs of veterans are subject to change, though, and gifts without conditions allow us to channel money to priority projects at a particular time.

LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR GIFT If you wish to leave Legion Scotland a gift in your will, we would love to hear from you so we can say thank you.

Title Name Address

Postcode Email

The following wording may be helpful when you visit your legal advisor:

I intend leaving a bequest to Legion Scotland in my will but wish to keep the details private

“I give all (or a _% share) of the residue of my estate to Legion Scotland (Royal British Legion Scotland, Scottish Charity No. SC003323), New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh, EH7 4HQ for its general charitable purposes and I direct that the receipt of the treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a valid and appropriate form of discharge.”

I intend leaving a residual bequest of £ to Legion Scotland

Should you have any questions about leaving Legion Scotland a gift in your will please either speak to your solicitors or to Sheena Stone, Head of Marketing & Fundraising, at s.stone@legionscotland.org.uk or 0131 550 1554

At the heart of the Scottish veterans community

I intend leaving a (cash gift) bequest of £ My gift is for general purposes My gift is specifically for

We would like to say thank you by sending you a copy of our quarterly magazine about the work of Legion Scotland Would you like to receive regular updates about the work of Legion Scotland?

Yes

No

Are you a member of Legion Scotland?

Yes

No

Please be assured that we will treat any information that you give us in the strictest of confidence.

Please return this completed form to: Sheena Stone, Head of Marketing & Fundraising, Legion Scotland, New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HQ, or email to s.stone@legionscotland.org.uk Legion Scotland is a trading name of the Royal British Legion Scotland, Scottish Charity No.SC003323.

The information that you provide will be held to help in the processing of your donation.

We will not disclose your information to any other organisation outwith the Legion Scotland group.

Your information may be stored on a database.

SCHOOLS COMPETITION

Pupils invited to investigate the effects of World War One on families in their area

PICTURE THIS

L

EGION SCOTLAND is asking school children to take photographs that commemorate World War One on the 100th anniversary of its commencement.

Sponsored by Co-operative Funeralcare and part funded by the Scottish Veterans Fund, the competition encourages pupils to chat to veterans and descendents of those who fought in the war, to investigate what effects the conflict had on children.

Primary school classes can work as a class or split into groups, with 10 children from the winning school receiving a VIP experience at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August 2015. Included is a gala dinner in Edinburgh Castle, and afterwards the winners will be escorted through the Tattoo stage in military fashion, before being awarded their trophies. A select number of other schools will also have their work highlighted in a travelling exhibition around Scotland.

Pupils should gather evidence from their local area, including a 500-word story, along with three imaginative and creative pictures to do with the war’s effect on families – they could be of the person who told the story, an enactment of how people lived, a look at the children of veterans, or anything creative.

Royal Marine Commando and Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014 gold medal winning judoka Chris Sherrington has given the competition his full backing: “The Legion Scotland Primary Schools competition is a great opportunity for children to learn about sacrifices made by brave veterans. It’s important never to Sponsored by

WWI life through a lens

Pupils should gather evidence from their local area, including a 500-word story and three imaginative and creative pictures to do with the war’s effect on families forget those who lay down their lives for us.

“I am proud to support the competition and to have a chance to help get younger people interested and engaged with the Armed Forces and with their history in a positive way.”

Each group is encouraged to work closely with its local Legion Scotland branch, and must submit a registration form, which can be found on our website www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 21

MEET THE

MAKERS

We hear the stories of two ex-servicemen working at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, where poppies, wreaths and remembrance crosses are handmade for the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal run by Poppyscotland

I

N HIS 25 years in the Parachute Regiment, Neil Warrington saw service in Rwanda, Germany, Cyprus, America, Belgium, Denmark and Canada, as well as on six tours of Northern Ireland.

Neil tells us, “Although my Army career was etched when the Falklands War was on, our battalion was the only one that didn’t go. I was so frustrated, but now that I’m sitting here, I’m kind of glad I didn’t go.”

He adds, “I haven’t got that in my head.

Having met some of the guys that are damaged, they’re never wounded but in their heads, you know… they’re never the same.”

One of his strongest memories comes from his time in Rwanda. There to police under the UN, Neil recalls, “We used to get ration packs when we went out. I can remember a day we’d given everything away, and this boy was flagging down the vehicle.

We stopped and he was calling for food. I said that we had nothing. In the centre console of the Land Rover there was a bottle of Tabasco sauce, just the little one that comes in the ration packs, and I went, ‘all I’ve got is that’, just to show him. He grabbed it and drank it. He didn’t even bat an eyelid.

“It was a feeling of achievement, what we were doing in Rwanda. We were putting infrastructure back in, there were engineers to put electricity back, water back, that sort of thing.”

I mentioned that I was in the Parachute Regiment.

It turns out I’d smashed my spine up doing that 22 AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk

When he left the forces, Neil worked as a crane driver for five years before going to the doctor with a suspected trapped nerve in his neck.

“Within four days I was in agony. I was sent to hospital and found out I had crushed two discs in my neck. I’d compressed five discs in my lower spine, and the doctor couldn’t decide whether I must’ve been in a car crash or fallen off a building. They were totally flummoxed.

“During the conversation I mentioned that I was in the Parachute Regiment. It turns out I’d smashed my spine up doing that, but the muscles in my back had held it in place. When I got out, it took five years for those muscles to deteriorate enough for it to give way.”

Signed off work with only statutory sick pay, Neil struggled to make ends meet. He and his wife decided to move up to Edinburgh and Haig Homes found them somewhere to live.

He had been out of work for eight months when someone suggested the Poppy Factory.

He was hesitant at first, but once Neil started, he “never looked back”.

Making wreaths, Neil found himself using the computer to improve artwork sent in by customers. “I went on a couple of day courses in Photoshop. Now I’m doing a diploma in IT with the Open University and, although the factory’s not paying for it, they are supporting me.”

The Poppy Factory, which is owned

by Poppyscotland, is responsible for manufacturing all items for the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal, including 5 million poppies. It also manufactures wreaths thoughout the year.

The factory exists to employ veterans with disability and has more than 40 staff.

Jim Pattie was a telegraphist in the Royal Air Force – something of a break from the

Neil (pictured) and Jim (top right) work in Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory

family tradition of Army service. When he signed up, his stepfather, a Company Sergeant Major in the Seaforth Highlanders, didn’t talk to him for 18 months.

Jim’s role allowed him to keep quite a low profile. “I was telecommunications, so I just spent most of my time with headphones on.

I was mostly monitoring for Search and Rescue where I was based in Pitreavie, over in Dunfermline.”

On leaving, Jim says, the biggest challenge was “trying to think for myself”. With “no actual inclination” to look for work, encouragement from his family sent him to London where he got a job working with computers. He now spends a lot of his free time on visual effects for films: “I’ve not had anything snapped up yet, but it’s a hobby.”

He started at the Poppy Factory in 2008 as a maintenance man. “My main job, which takes five months of the year, is getting the Gardens of Remembrance and Fields of Remembrance ready for Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.”

The Disability Employment Advisor at the council originally referred him for the role, and has more recently helped him to enroll in a BSc in Computing and IT – which he hopes will give his hobby a bit of a boost.

“I’m going to keep working in the factory, but I’ll be able to do stuff from home. A lot of people won’t even entertain you unless you’ve got a certificate. While I’m a student, I can use the software for free. I’m trying to learn as much as I can before the licences run out!”

Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory is a supported business. To find out more about what they do, visit www.ladyhaigspoppyfactory.org.uk

MIKE WILKINSON

SHARE YOUR STORY

Voices of Veterans is a Legion Scotland campaign paying tribute to brave veterans of all ages who have served in past and present conflicts by sharing their stories.

If you have a story to share, whether you left service yesterday or 50 years ago, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Christie McMonagle on 0131 550 1549 or at c.mcmonagle@legionscotland.org.uk

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 23

INTERVIEW

Throwing for

GOLD

After Games glory in Glasgow, judoka Chris Sherrington is eager to get back to the front line

R

MARK OWENS, ALAMY

OYAL MARINE Commando Chris Sherrington moved to Scotland nine years ago on a full time sports draft to take advantage of the top judo training here.

He has since risen rapidly to the top of the ranks in Britain and won medals all over the world, proudly representing the Royal Navy every step of the way.

Now, after bagging a gold medal for Team Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 30-year-old is determined to get back to active duty.

Chris joined the Marines at 17, and says it’s all he ever wanted to do: “My parents wanted me to go to college, but I wanted to be a soldier and to be the best soldier I could be. I knew I wanted to be a Commando.”

Despite all the training, he reckons nothing could have prepared him for what he faced in Iraq. “I will never forget the day I arrived at the front line. Artillery was firing and the ground was shaking.”

As part of the invading force in 2003, his unit, Commando Logistics, took supplies to the front line and repaired vehicles. They often faced extreme danger and didn’t always have the kit they needed for the terrain.

Chris said, “We were on edge a lot of the time. It’s hard not to crack when you are put in situations that you know you shouldn’t be in without the right kit. I came home from Iraq a very angry man. I went off the rails a bit.”

It was judo that helped him deal with stress after coming home from the six-month tour.

“Nothing else gave me that release. I could just totally switch off with judo.”

Within a year he was number three in Britain.

Chris believes that the focus of judo helped steer him onto the right path. He had started drinking heavily and soon realised it was getting out of control. He needed to set himself a challenge.

“I had tried judo as a kid and hated it. As a Marine, I think you gravitate towards what you know will be the hardest thing to do.”

While he is now at the top of his game, Chris has no hesitation about hanging up his medals and getting back to duty.

“Being in the Marines has made me the man I am and I would never have been a champion fighter without that.

But I would rather be a bootneck than train for another judo fight. I have always wanted to do Mountain Leaders.

It’s like Special Forces. There is an age limit of 31 so I need to do it before it’s too late. I don’t know if my body will hold up, but I hope so.”

Before he goes back, Chris is working with Legion Scotland to promote comradeship activities and hopes to help the charity connect with younger veterans who served in Iraq, or left the forces recently.

“I am a positive person and I want to do what I can to help others. I could run on that feeling all day. If I can help make people aware of what the Marines is about and better understand, then I will do it.

“I think a lot of people leave with anger or hate in them.

You don’t leave hell’s back garden and come home the same person. You can get help and work through it in your own time. Talking to people who have been there and done it can really lift the burden.”

I am a positive person and I want to do what I can to help others.

I could run on that feeling all day.

If I can help make people aware of what the Marines is about and better understand, then I will do it 24 AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk

TASTY MOVES Chris struck gold at the Commonwealth Games in the judo +100kg class – and used his own signature move, the ‘Tasty Shoulder Throw’ to defeat opponents along the way. He faced 21-year-old South African Ruan Snyman in the final.

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 25

WAR MEMORIALS

Champion of Champions: Uddingston War Memorial

Keeping up appearances Legion announces winning branches in best-maintained War Memorial competition

T

ALAMY

HE WINNERS of the 2013-14 Best Kept War Memorial have been announced, with Uddingston War Memorial scooping this year’s top honour.

As well as crowning the Champion of Champions, six other category winners were announced. Certificates will be issued

to all of these, and a list of others who received commendations.

Congratulations to all winning branches, and thanks to those dedicated members who have done such a great job of keeping these and all other War Memorials in good condition – a fitting tribute to those they honour.

CATEGORY

BRANCH

WINNING WAR MEMORIAL

Champion of Champions

Hamilton

Uddingston

Large Community With Gardens

Inverness

Inverness

Small Community With Gardens

Methlick

Methlick

War Memorial Without Gardens

Fyvie

Fyvie

Satellite War Memorial With Gardens

Carnoustie

Greystone Carmyllie

Satellite War Memorial Without Gardens

Eyemouth

Cockburnspath

New Entry

Oldmachar

Oldmachar

26 AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk

Large Community With Gardens winner: Inverness

Help Erskine care for the ones who did.

Please support our country’s veterans.

To donate, please fill in the coupon below or call free on

0300 123 1203.

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COME AND SEE US FIND YOUR NEAREST LEGION SCOTLAND BRANCH

LEGION SCOTLAND has nearly 170 branches across Scotland in locations from Kirkwall to Dumfries, and the Isle of Bute to Edinburgh.

Every branch is run by volunteers and every one of them 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 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).

To make it easier to find the branch closest to you, we’ve split Scotland into nine areas and have listed the branches in each area in alphabetical order.

Those branches listed in BLUE also have a legion club affiliated to them.

ABERDEEN BANFF & KINCARDINE 01224 707 768 Aberdeen Aboyne Alford Ballater & District Banchory Buckie & District Bucksburn Dufftown Ellon Fraserburgh Fyvie Inverurie Keith & District Kincardine O’Neil Longside Lumphanan Methlick New Deer New Pitsligo Oldmachar Oldmeldrum Peterhead Stonehaven Strichen Tarves & District Turriff & District Upper Donside

AYRSHIRE 01294 552 013 Ayr Cumnock & District Garnock Valley Irvine Isle of Bute Kilmarnock Kilwinning Largs Maybole Monkton & Prestwick Muirkirk Saltcoats, Ardrossan & Stevenston Troon

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS

REASONS TO JOIN • We support veterans of all ages • Our branches and clubs offer a programme of sporting and entertainment events • We offer advice for veterans on a range of topics to help with the transition back to civilian life • We provide a range of grants for ex-service personnel • We campaign for better conditions for veterans

ANGUS & PERTHSHIRE 01241 873 964 Alyth Arbroath Blairgowrie, Rattray & District Braco & Greenloaning Brechin Callander & District Carnoustie City Of Dundee Crieff Dunblane Dunkeld & Birnam Forfar Montrose Pitlochry & Blair Atholl

ABERDEEN BANFF & KINCARDINE

ANGUS & PERTHSHIRE

For more information, or to request a membership form, call 0131 550 1583, visit www.legionscotland. org.uk, email info@ legionscotland.org.uk, or write to Legion Scotland, New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HQ

28 AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk

FIFE

GLASGOW & WESTERN COUNTIES

EDINBURGH & THE LOTHIANS BORDERS

AYRSHIRE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

BORDERS 01361 883 696 Coldstream Duns Eyemouth Galashiels Hawick Jedburgh Kelso Liddesdale Melrose Peebles Selkirk & Ettrick Forest St Boswells DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY 01683 221 295 Annan Castle Douglas Dalbeattie Dumfries & Maxwelltown Gatehouse & District Kirkcudbright Langholm Lockerbie Moffat Newton Stewart Sanquhar Stranraer Thornhill EDINBURGH & THE LOTHIANS 0131 550 1590 Bathgate Bonnyrigg Cockenzie & Port Seton Dalkeith Dunbar Edinburgh Central Edinburgh HQ Linburn Livingston Longniddry Newbattle & Gorebridge North Berwick Penicuik Portobello Prestonpans Roslin

Bridge of Weir branch recently hosted an afternoon of entertainment for veterans from Erskine Hospital, and presented them with two paintings amd two iPads

FIFE 01592 568 601 Anstruther Ceres & District Crail Crossgates Cupar Dunfermline Glenrothes Kennoway Kirkcaldy Leven Markinch Newburgh St Andrews Tayport GLASGOW & WESTERN COUNTIES 0141 276 9755/ 07979 006 536 Biggar & District Bridge of Weir Campbeltown Clackmannanshire & District Cumbernauld Dunoon Easdale East Kilbride Forth Glasgow HQ Grangemouth Hamilton Helensburgh Inverary Knightswood Millport Milngavie & Bearsden Newton Mearns Oban Paisley Comrades Stirling

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS 01463 233 743 Assynt Aviemore & Rothiemurchus Badenoch Beauly Black Isle Canisbay & District Creich & Kincardine Dingwall Dornoch Forres Fort Augustus Fort William Glenurquhart Golspie Helmsdale Invergordon Inverness Kirkwall Latheron Lerwick Lewis Lochalsh Lochbroom Lossiemouth Nairn North Skye Rogart & Lairg Sanday Scalloway Strathpeffer Strathspey Stromness Tain Thurso Uist Wick FURTHER AFIELD 0032 (0) 57 365 152 Passchendaele, Belgium

HEADQUARTERS BRANCH 0131 550 1583 Ideal for those abroad, or with no branch nearby RIDERS BRANCH 07884 004890 WOMEN’S SECTION 07826 104879 Arbroath Ayr & Prestwick Banchory Blairgowrie & Rattray Bridge of Weir Cockenzie & Port Seton Coldstream Crail Dingwall Dunbar Dundee Earlston Ellon Forfar Fyvie Galashiels Glenrothes Inverness Inverurie Jedburgh Larkhall Loanhead Lossiemouth Maybole Methilhill Montrose Oldmachar Oldmeldrum Paisley Peterhead Stonehaven Turriff

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 29

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FORCES UPDATE Latest news from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force

ROYAL NAVY

£348m for warships on the Clyde

RUTH ARMSTRONG

LA(PHOT) AL MACLEOD/CROWN COPYRIGHT

A NEW £348 million Ministry of Defence contract has secured more than 800 Scottish jobs on the Clyde. The contract will see workers build three new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Navy.

BAE Systems’ shipyards will handle the construction of these OPVs, which will be used by the Navy to undertake tasks in support of UK interests at home and abroad.

The new OPVs feature a redesigned flight deck suited to the latest Merlin helicopters, along with increased storage and accommodation facilities. They seek to build on the success of the Navy’s current River Class vessels.

ARMY

DREGHORN BARRACKS HAND OVER TO 3 RIFLES AN OFFICIAL flag changing

ROYAL NAVY

Royal Marines Corps of Drums on board the Royal Yacht Britannia

Record breaking drum roll THE WORLD record for longest individual drum roll has been claimed by Sergeant Bugler Graham ‘Steveo’ Stephenson – a Royal Marines drummer.

He broke the previous record of 12 hours and three seconds by playing a continuous drum roll for 18 hours, only stopping for five minutes every hour as per Guinness World Record rules.

Stationed in the Port of Leith, Steveo achieved the feat on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. This makes him a two-time record holder, as he also belongs to the Royal Marines Corps of Drums, which broke the group drum roll record earlier this year.

ceremony was held at Dreghorn Barracks to mark the handing over of the barracks, from 1 SCOTS to 3 Rifles.

Pipes accompanied both the lowering of the 1 SCOTS battalion flag and the raising of the 3 Rifles flag in its place.

The Commanding Officer of 1 SCOTS, Lieutenant Colonel Matt Munro, said: “11 August marks the end of an era for the Royal Scots Borderers in Dreghorn Barracks and also in Edinburgh. [We] depart Edinburgh with very fond memories of the last eight years.”

A small team of soldiers from 1 SCOTS will stay in the city to help recruit the next generation of Royal Scots Borderers, while the rest of the battalion take up their new residency in Northern Ireland.

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 31

FORCES UPDATE ROYAL AIR FORCE

A SERIES of six flypasts were given by the Royal Air Force during the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo this year.

Fast jet combat aircraft – Typhoon and Tornado GR4s from RAF Leuchars in Fife and RAF Lossiemouth in Moray – flew at 1,000ft over the military procession, east to west along the Royal Mile and over the castle esplanade.

On 9 August, the Red Arrows, one of the world’s premier aerobatic

display teams, made a special appearance.

Air Officer Scotland and Station Commander RAF Leuchars, Air Commodore Gerry Mayhew, said: “The Royal Air Force is delighted and honoured to be able to participate in this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Tattoo never fails to attract an international audience and we welcome the opportunity to show the United Kingdom’s impressive air power capability.”

ROYAL AIR FORCE

MR GORDON ELIAS/CROWN COPYRIGHT

Military Tattoo treat

ROYAL AIR FORCE

Flying high: Red Arrows

Richard Dudley’s prize-winning ‘New Tech’

AIR MARSHAL Barry North, Deputy Commander Capability and Air Member for Personnel and Capability, spent time at RAF Lossiemouth in August, assessing developments and ongoing improvements to the station.

He began his visit speaking to young adults at the Air Cadet Highland Wing headquarters as part of the Air Cadet Summer Camps. He then visited the station’s Tornado and Typhoon squadrons, and talked about current training procedures for those stationed there.

He also took part in an open forum with military and civilian station personnel about the RAF’s ‘Whole Force’ concept, before visiting 2622 (Highland) Squadron.

Rounding off his visit, the Air Marshal met with the Search and Rescue personnel of D Flight 202 Squadron.

32 AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk

RAF/MOD CROWN COPYRIGHT 2014

Air Marshal visits RAF Lossiemouth

STUNNING SNAPS

WINNERS OF the 2014 RAF Photographic Competition have been revealed, and include some fine pictures from servicemen and women in Scotland.

Senior Aircraftman Richard Dudley, who is based at RAF Leuchars, came first in the Technical/Engineering category with his picture ‘New Tech’.

He just pipped fellow Senior Aircraftman Tracey Dobson, from RAF Lossiemouth, to the post.

Corporal Richard Denton, from RAF Lossiemouth, was a runnerup in the Current RAF Equipment category with ‘Night Fighter’.

Above: ‘Night Fighter’

by Richard Denton Left: ‘New Weld’ by Tracey Dobson

IN MEMORIAM

LAST POST

Paying tribute to recently departed Legion Scotland members from across the country

ARBROATH

Robert (Bob) Thain

Originally from Banff, Bob was born on 1 January 1931.

His father died when he was a very young lad, and his elder brother took on the role of helping to bring him up. He was called up for National Service in 1950, served in the REME and saw active service in Korea. He and his partner Isobel were together for 35 years.

Bob was a Legion man and would always visit local branches when he was on holiday in this country.

He was on the general committee from 1982 until 2004 and was awarded the Legion’s Gold Badge for his services in 2002.

DUNS

David (Davy) Walker

Davy was a Duns man all his life, born in the town in 1924, and living there until WWII when he joined the Royal Navy. He served in minesweepers, gaining the rate of Petty Officer by 1946.

He returned to Duns and ran a dairy business, amongst other ventures, with his wife Jenny.

He was a committee member, and club treasurer for over 30 years. He also played golf, bowls, dominoes and cribbage. Davy was a great Legion member, willing to devote time and effort to

seeing that things were done properly. He will be sadly missed.

FRASERBURGH

Farquhar McKenzie

Farquhar served with the Gordon Highlanders and was an active member of the Fraserburgh Legion branch, serving on the committee for over 25 years. He fulfilled many positions and at the time of his passing, on 9 June, was Vice President.

Many will remember Farquhar and his late wife Rosella from conferences past. Our thoughts are with their children, Heather and Scott, and their families.

LOSSIEMOUTH

Alastair Ian Forbes

Born in 1921, Alastair joined the Scottish Horse Regiment at Dunkeld aged 17.

Such was his love of horses that, when war broke out in 1939 and the Scottish regiment was disbanded, he joined the Royal Horse Artillery. For the next six years he saw plenty of action, albeit in tanks, as one of the original ‘Desert Rats’ in Tobruk.

Alastair was an engineer by trade and up until his retirement worked for the BBC. He was also a longstanding member of the Lossiemouth branch. He died at home on 19 March 2014.

TROON

Jim Pepworth

Originally hailing from Bristol, Jim served in the Royal Marines during WWII. He eventually landed up in Dundonald Camp, Troon.

This was to be no short stay in Ayrshire, for Jim met his wife and set up home there.

After military service, Jim became a crane operator in Troon Shipyard, and was later employed in the railway wagon works at Barassie.

The sympathy of all in the Troon branch goes to his family on their loss.

TROON

William (Bill) Hugh Stevenson

A Troon man, Bill trained as a joiner, worked in Troon Shipyard and later joined a private building firm.

He then became an estate agent. His military links came with National Service, spending time in the Royal Army Service Corps.

Bill was very much a family man. He also helped out in the community, providing transport for those with relatives in the Ayrshire Hospice. The sympathy of the branch goes out to his widow and family.

UIST

John Holtham

Born on 15 October 1944, John joined the RAF in January 1962 and served for 12 years. He later joined IBM as a computer engineer and stayed with them for 28 years until he retired.

John met Pat when they were both stationed at RAF Kinloss. Years later in 2006, they visited South Uist for a holiday and bought their island dream home.

John was an enthusiastic fisherman and keen photographer, who loved talking about aircraft with Legion friends.

Three years ago, he was diagnosed with cancer and broke his back in a fall later that year. His health deteriorated over time, and he died peacefully in the local hospital on 27 May. UPPER DONSIDE

Charles (Charlie) George Anderson

Charlie was born at Boathouse, Strathdon on 13 December 1924, the youngest of four children. On leaving Strathdon School, he started work as a trainee gardener at Candacraig Gardens. When WWII broke out, he joined the Royal Navy. After basic training, he signed up for a Destroyer and saw service in South Africa, Ceylon, Burma, India and the Far East.

After discharge, he worked in forestry, then at Culter Paper Mills. He returned to Strathdon and worked in the gardens at House of Newe until he retired.

Charlie died on 16 May. Our sympathies go to his wife Sheena and family.

AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk 33

REMEMBERING THE HIGHLAND REGIMENTS

SCOTLAND THE BRAVE During the centenary year of World War One we remember the bravery of the Highland Regiments, a key force in many battles on the Western Front

B

Y THE END OF WWI, more than 100,000 Scots had died – so many that few families did not feel the loss of a relative, friend or neighbour. Scottish soldiers were part of the Highland Regiments and they faced some of the bloodiest battles on the Western Front, including the Battle of Loos, the Somme and Ypres. These kilted soldiers were reportedly described as the ‘devils in skirts’ owing to their ferocity and courage in battle.

One man recognised for this Scottish brand of bravery was William Angus, a former Celtic player who fought at

34 AUTUMN 2014 www.legionscotland.org.uk

Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée, France, in 1915. Lance Corporal Angus voluntarily left his trench under heavy bomb and rifle fire to rescue a fellow wounded soldier who was lying just yards from German trenches. William suffered over 40 injuries, including the loss of his left eye, but survived the ordeal. He was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V before returning to his hometown of Carluke.

See page 8 or contact your local branch for information on remembrance events in your area

ERNEST BROOKS > (357) C.908 - HIGHLAND REGIMENT

Soldiers from a Highland Regiment on the march

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