Legion Scotland Today, Autumn 2017

The official magazine of The Royal British Legion Scotland Issue 15 Autumn 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk

RANCE REMEMB SPECIAL

RESEARCH& REMEMBER

Driven to succeed Jennie Evans on 22 years in the Army

PLUS

BEHIND THE NAMES ON THE INVERKIP WAR MEMORIAL

BRANCH NEWS, MEMBERSHIP UPDATES, VOICES OF VETERANS, POPPYSCOTLAND NEWS, REMEMBRANCE EVENTS, WICK’S LOCAL HERO, CHRISTMAS PLANNING

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WELCOME

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 Charlie Brown National Vice Chairman Martyn Hawthorn National Treasurer John Whitelaw Chief Executive Officer Kevin Gray MM EDITOR Christie McMonagle MANAGING EDITOR Fiona McKinlay EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jonathan McIntosh DESIGNER Andrew Bell SUB-EDITOR Andrew Littlefield ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Helen Cassidy helen.cassidy@thinkpublishing.co.uk STORIES TO SHARE? Please contact magazine@legionscotland.org.uk or call 0131 550 1586.

Submissions received by 14 November 2017 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.

Published on behalf of Legion Scotland by Think Publishing Ltd Red Tree Business Suites, 33 Dalmarnock Road, Glasgow G40 4LA 0141 375 0504

Remembrance is a time for unity

O

VER THE past few months, we have been even busier than usual with some very significant military anniversaries being marked By supporting at events across Scotland and further afield. one another our With Remembrance Sunday not far away, the members are stories I’ve heard from and about men and women who served in conflicts including the strengthening Battle of Passchendaele and the Falklands War, Scotland’s or were deployed on operations in Northern veterans Ireland, will be much on my mind.

In this issue, we wanted to look at the community importance of perpetuating Remembrance.

Many members and non-members have been inspired to research the names on their local war memorial, bringing memories to life that may have been lost or forgotten. Hilary Cameron decided last year that she wanted to investigate those named on the Inverkip War Memorial, and has done some remarkable work. She shares her findings on page 16 and offers advice for anyone looking to do their own research.

Elsewhere in the magazine, Kenny McPherson and Dougie Skene from the Arbroath branch share their passion for bowling, and Kevin Lane from the Fort William branch offers advice on holding a Christmas event, following a very successful one last year.

It’s great to see so many of Legion Scotland’s branches excelling, with members working together to support one another and in doing so strengthening Scotland’s veterans community.

We are always pleased to hear what’s going on with your branch – whether you’ve got a good news story to share or are looking for support from head office. Please never hesitate to get in touch.

Many thanks for your support.

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AUTUMN 2017

07

16

CONTENTS

06

LEGION NEWS The latest from Legion Scotland and beyond, including the Best Kept War Memorial results

11

BRANCH NEWS Stories from Legion Scotland branches across the country

16

NOT JUST NAMES Hilary Cameron researches the names on her local war memorial in Inverkip

22

DECK THE HALLS Kevin Lane from the Fort William branch offers advice on throwing a Christmas party

SIMON MURPHY, MARK OWENS, WILL CLARK - JOHN O’GROAT JOURNAL, STAN MACKIE

15

24 24

ON THE COVER Anne Devlin, sister-in-law of WWII seaman Roderick Devlin, holds a poppy.

See page 16 for more PHOTOGRAPH: Simon Murphy

SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/ LegionScotland twitter.com/ LegionScotland

WHY WE BOWL Arbroath branch’s Kenny McPherson and Dougie Skene talk about their passion for the sport

26

VOICES OF VETERANS: JENNIE EVANS Jennie reflects on her time in the Army, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan

30

LAST POST Fond memorial notices from branches across Scotland

32 34

COME AND SEE US Branch and club directory RECRUITMENT ROAR A WWI poster hunts ‘young lions’

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 5

LEGION NEWS

Keeping you up to date with Legion Scotland’s latest

Former Scots Guard Wullie Urban and Cadet Sargent Laird at the 1 July event

COMMEMORATION

CROWDS FLOCK TO COMMEMORATION EVENTS The Falklands War and the Battle of Passchendaele are remembered ON 1 JULY at Edinburgh’s Canongate Kirk, Legion Scotland held a service to mark the 35th anniversary of the end of the Falklands conflict and the 10th anniversary of the end of operations in Northern Ireland.

The service was jointly led by Rev Karen Campbell and the minister of Canongate Kirk, Rev Neil Gardener.

Attendees included Lord Provosts, the national chairman Charlie Brown and Major General Adrian Freer OBE, formerly of the Parachute Regiment and a veteran of both conflicts.

6 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

Wullie Urban, the former Scots Guard who featured in the spring edition of Legion Scotland Today, laid the Northern Ireland wreath while Kenny Duffy, exRoyal Navy and currently working at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, laid the wreath for those who fell in the Falklands conflict.

The War Widows Association was also represented and a poem, ‘In Memoriam’, which was written by one of the widows’ husbands, was read.

Legion Scotland members and other veterans from across the country

attended, and the reception afterwards saw memories shared with old and new friends.

On 30 July, Legion Scotland supported the national 100th commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele that took place in the Perthshire town of Crieff.

A parade through the town involved soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, veterans and young people from the Cadet Forces.

As the parade entered Market Park it was met by the crowds who gathered to witness the Drumhead Service that was

MEMORIALS

‘BEST KEPT’ ACCOLADE FOR HAMILTON BRANCH Uddingston War Memorial wins out Passchendaele commemorations in Crieff

conducted by our national chaplain and in which our national president Sir Alistair Irwin played a prominent part.

During the service an extract from a 100-year-old letter was read, which connected those present with the author, and with those who served on the front. The wreath-laying ceremony included one from soldiers of the Black Watch who had returned to the town the previous day, having cycled more than 600 miles from Passchendaele.

Throughout the day, fundraising took place on behalf of Poppyscotland, which further Sandy Henderson lays a wreath at Tyne Cot, Ypres

cemented our commitment for our sister charity in providing life-changing support to the Armed Forces community.

The local Crieff branch provided basket suppers at the end of the day.

FURTHER AFIELD

Scottish veterans, including Legion Scotland members, travelled to Ypres for events being held there in August to commemorate the Battle of Passchendaele.

Those making the trip included a group of King’s Own Scottish Borderers veterans with family and friends, Legion Scotland CEO Kevin Gray MM and Legion Scotland president Sir Alistair Irwin.

Sandy Henderson, chairman of the Livingston branch, also travelled there with his wife, Janice. He says: “It was a pleasure and an honour to be there. My great-uncle John McLellan DCM served with 8th Argylls through WWI and beyond – including at Passchendaele.

“As part of the commemorations Pipe Major Nicholas Colwell of the Royal Irish Regiment played ‘The Bloody Fields of Flanders’ – which was composed by my great-uncle – on the ramparts of the Menin Gate. There were tears.”

LEGION SCOTLAND’S annual Best Kept War Memorial campaign has crowned the Hamilton branch its Champion of Champions. The campaign recognises great work in maintaining local memorials – in this case the memorial in Uddingston.

Branches which came out top in other categories were Carnoustie (double winners), Jedburgh, Galashiels and Peebles. Golspie branch won the New Entry category for their efforts on the Golspie memorial.

Uddingston War Memorial

ONLINE

DIGITAL REVOLUTION Web and email changes LEGION SCOTLAND’S website has been redesigned and relaunched, with a new look and layout intended to make it easier for you to find the information you need, including news and events.

A new email address has also been set up for Legion Scotland Today. Please send any future submissions, feedback or obituaries to magazine@legionscotland.org.uk

Follow the latest news on the Legion Scotland website

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 7

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LEGION SCOTLAND NEWS

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

RENEWALS

We’re now close to the renewal date for the 2017/2018 membership year. To help your branch with their administration please renew as soon as possible from 1 November. If you can, also complete your membership form with any changes to personal information and return it to your branch to help keep our mailing list up to date.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

Please be aware that the capitation rate for 2017/2018 increases from £13 to £14. Not all branches pass on this increase – check with your branch before November to ensure you know how much the annual renewal will be.

DIRECT DEBIT

We currently have 466 active direct debits, with a further 93 coming in since the addition of the direct debit leaflet in the last magazine. There is still plenty of time to sign up for direct debit for your 2017/2018 membership year and we would encourage you to consider this.

You only need to fill in the form once and then your renewal is taken care of.

NEW MEMBERS MATTER

We’re always on the lookout for new members who are interested in supporting our aims and objectives.

Why not take a friend or family member along to the next branch meeting? You might also consider passing on this magazine when you are finished with it, so others can read about our good work and activities.

For more information, see www.legionscotland.org.uk/join, talk to your local branch or call the membership department at head office on 0131 550 1586

REMEMBRANCE

DIARY DATES Keep an eye on the website for more announcements.

Check local press for Remembrance events near you MONDAY 30 OCTOBER

EDINBURGH Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony for the opening of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance. The garden includes a Poppyscotland Field of Remembrance on the western side of the Scott Monument. A service of Remembrance will take place at 11am. Legion Scotland padre Rev Karen Campbell will conduct the service, and wreaths will be laid in memory of those who have fallen in conflict.

TUESDAY 31 OCTOBER

GLASGOW Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony for the opening of the Glasgow Garden of Remembrance. A service of Remembrance, conducted by Legion Scotland padre Rev Karen Campbell, will take place at 11am and is free.

Wreaths will be laid in memory of those who have fallen in conflict.

THURSDAY 2 NOVEMBER

INVERNESS Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony for the opening of the Inverness Garden of Remembrance. A short service of Remembrance will take place at 11am and is free. Wreaths will be laid in memory of those who have fallen in conflict.

SUNDAY 12 NOVEMBER

EDINBURGH (NATIONAL EVENT) The Remembrance Sunday event in Edinburgh will start at 11am and is open to the public. 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, Edinburgh.

Local events will be taking place across the country and Legion Scotland is proud that its branches will be running or participating in many of them.

Keep an eye on local press and social media for details.

LEGION SCOTLAND NEEDS YOU! MEMBERS ARE the lifeblood of Legion Scotland and this year marks the first national campaign aimed at boosting numbers, specifically ex-service members. Look out for an online campaign in the coming weeks encouraging veterans who aren’t already involved to sign up.

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 9

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BRANCH NEWS DUMFRIES AND MAXWELLTOWN

BUITTLE EFFORTS PRAISED Branch donations and individual effort pay off A NEW war memorial at Buittle Cemetery was unveiled in April this year. Much of the work was made possible by one branch member – Jim Brydson.

“Access to the original memorial plaque in old Buittle church grew difficult once the sale of the building to the Church of Scotland fell through. Jim, whose relatives are named on the memorial, sought to establish a new monument for the public and relatives of the fallen,” Francis Roy from the Dumfries and Maxwelltown branch tells us.

“Both Jim and his son worked tirelessly to ensure the memorial was erected, obtaining land within Buittle Cemetery from the council and the services of Kirkcudbright-based monument sculptor Douglas Swan.”

The new Buittle War Memorial was dedicated on 8 April, with more than 100 people attending the service.

The Union flag used to cover the memorial prior to its unveiling was embroidered with the dedication day details and gifted to Jim Brydson for all his hard work in making the new Buittle War Memorial a reality.

Jim Brydson with the memorial

New Legion FC manager Johnny Miller with Dave Oswald and a new team shirt

MONTROSE

GOING FOR GOALS The Montrose branch has a football team once more AFTER A six-decade break, the Montrose Legion Scotland branch has welcomed back the beautiful game with the arrival of its new football team. The branch will be represented in the Montrose and District Welfare League and the new team will compete every Sunday morning.

Dave Oswald, honorary president and life member of the Montrose branch, is the only surviving member of the original Montrose Legion

football team, which played in the Angus and Mearns junior league in the 1940s and 1950s. Dave was part of the managerial team for several years before the league folded.

“It’s a great honour to meet Dave and to represent the local Legion branch,” says new Legion FC manager Johnny Miller. “We’re keen to get going this season and hope that Legion members come along and support us.”

ELLON

ARRAS REMEMBERED MEMBERS OF the Ellon branch gathered at the Ellon War Memorial on 12 April to lay a wreath commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Arras and all who served in the conflict.

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 11

BRANCH NEWS

ARRAN

VENUE FOUND FOR BRANCH Arran members enjoy monthly get-togethers

A museum volunteer chats to a visitor

INVERNESS

HISTORY HUNTERS

RIDERS

SPP PHOTOGRAPHER

Veterans uncover secrets of the past at Fort George VETERANS AT the Isobel Fraser Residential Home spent a day at the 18th-century Fort George, which was built following the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The group, which included exservice personnel from the Royal Marines, Pay Corps, Royal Navy, Lovat Scouts and the Auxiliary Territorial Service, enjoyed learning the history of the fortress before tucking in to some tea and cakes.

The day was organised and funded by the Inverness branch, while the Merkinch Community Centre provided a minibus. Plans have now been set in motion for a garden project at the care home, which the Inverness branch hopes to support in the future.

12 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

THE NEWLY reformed Arran branch secured Brodick Golf Club as its regular meeting spot in April, and has been holding meetings on the first Wednesday of every month.

Branch members have also enjoyed a number of days out, including a visit to Dumfries Aircraft Museum.

The branch is in the process of organising a Christmas lunch and a breakfast club, and encourages members old and new to get involved.

FRIENDLY FACE Veteran cheered up by care home visits

Val Sutherland (front right) of the Inverness branch with the group

EX-ARMY MAN and former Poppyscotland volunteer Murdo Grant was given a welcome boost when Riders branch member Steve Laughton paid two visits to the care home in which he lives.

For the first visit, Murdo even dressed in his uniform and medals.

Audrey Cuthbertson from Armed Services Advice Project, who helped arrange the visits, said: “Murdo’s wife Isabel and his two sons were overjoyed to see Murdo so happy and would like to express their thanks to Steve for these visits.”

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The Bonnybridge ceremony

KNIGHTSWOOD

REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE MEMBERS ARE invited to meet at the Knightswood branch before marching to the local church for the Remembrance Day service at 11am.

Refreshments will be served in the main hall afterwards.

A ROYAL OCCASION FRANK GILLAN and Lorna Follan from the Knightswood branch attended the Queen’s Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 4 July.

Both members were honoured to be involved in such a prestigious event.

MONTROSE

HOTEL DISCOUNT FOR MEMBERS THE MONTROSE branch has partnered with the Park Hotel in the town to offer discounted room rates to Legion Scotland members. Please contact the hotel directly on 01674 663400 to book, and take your membership card with you.

WICK, CANISBAY AND LATHERON

MEY GAMES SUCCESS THE PRINCE of Wales enjoyed the Mey Highland Games on 5 August. Organised by the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch, this year’s games continued a tradition established by the Queen Mother.

Send your branch news stories to magazine@ legionscotland.org.uk

14 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

GRANGEMOUTH

BUSY SUMMER AT GRANGEMOUTH Branch members parade through Bonnybridge and more A PARADE and dedication ceremony in Bonnybridge to remember the fallen at sea was held in the summer, organised by the Grangemouth branch and councillor Billy Buchanan.

Members also attended a parade on 7 June to remember Sam Frickleton, from Slamannan, who was awarded the Victoria Cross

for his service with the Royal New Zealand Brigade.

The branch also opened a memorial garden in June – a feat made possible thanks to the dedication of the branch garden committee – and launched a weekly veterans breakfast club, following in the footsteps of other branches around the country.

TURRIFF AND DISTRICT

WELL DONE, GEORDIE! Long-serving Legion Scotland member honoured SIR ALISTAIR Irwin KCB CBE MA presented George Cruickshank MBE with a meritorious certificate and life membership to Legion Scotland at a special ceremony at the Turriff and District branch on June 3, in recognition of all his hard work.

George – better known as Geordie – joined the Nairn branch in 1964, followed by Turriff branch in 1970, where he has been club chairman, president and secretary. Geordie was responsible for resurrecting Turriff ’s Festival of Remembrance,

the installation of the branch’s Garden of Remembrance and organising the cleaning of local war memorials.

In 2004 Geordie was awarded an MBE for his work with Legion Scotland. He is one of the hardestworking members the branch has ever had.

Geordie with Sir Alistair Irwin

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

LOCAL HERO

A TALL ORDER

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

The moment we stop being relevant to the local community, we cease to have a reason to be

Led by the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch, the restoration of a tower memorial has helped unite the community

T

WILL CLARK – JOHN O’GROAT JOURNAL

HE SOLDIERS’ Tower stands atop Wick’s North Head, and was built in 1909 to commemorate all the individuals from Caithness who served on land and sea in such conflicts as the French Revolutionary Wars in 1797 and the Boer War in 1902. When the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch learned that the tower’s future was in doubt they rallied round.

“After learning the tower was under threat of being demolished there was overwhelming feedback from the community to preserve it,” says branch chairman Richard Otley. “Following a meeting with the Highland Council, the branch went on to buy the tower’s title deeds for £1, subsequently becoming trustees of the monument.”

When the memorial was raised in 1909, Sgt Miller, who had served in South Africa in the Boer War, laid a casket containing the names of more than 400 servicemen who gave their lives in conflicts including the Battle of Trafalgar

Representatives from the military, Wick branch and BBM solicitors outside the Soldiers’ Tower

The Soldiers’ Tower

and Waterloo. The intention was to have a room of Remembrance on the ground floor, and to erect a middle floor that would have served as a small museum, but these plans never came to fruition.

Working alongside the War Memorials Trust and the local community, who collectively raised £75,000 to restore the monument to its former glory, the branch had the Soldiers’ Tower listed as a Grade C monument. In parallel with the restoration, pupils from Wick High

School also began research into the Soldiers’ Tower to uncover more of its history.

“Throughout the restoration process 150 first-year pupils from the local high school researched these servicemen, and their findings will be placed online in early 2018,” says Richard. “Not only will this research equip the community with a deeper understanding of the monument’s significance, this restoration project has cemented the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch’s relationship with the local high school and overcome the generation gap between younger residents and the veteran community.

“By binding everyone together in a single cause, the branch has become ever more relevant to the community.

The moment we stop being relevant to the local community, we cease to have a reason to be.”

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 15

REMEMBRANCE

WORDS: AILEEN SCOULAR PHOTOGRAPHY: SIMON MURPHY

NOT JUST NAMES By researching the lives honoured on a local war memorial, Hilary Cameron has helped her community to remember

H

ILARY CAMERON shivers at the thought of a 16-year-old boy signing his own will before heading off to war; her own son is exactly the same age now. But the tragic tale of young soldier Michael Anderson is just one of the fascinating stories she has uncovered in her quest to research the Inverkip War Memorial.

Inverkip is a small town on Scotland’s west coast, close to Greenock and Wemyss Bay, and its granite memorial takes the brunt of the coastal weather, gazing out over Inverkip Bay and beyond to the Firth of Clyde. Since 1920, the memorial has honoured the local lives lost in the First and Second World Wars, and is visited annually by the town’s residents on Remembrance Sunday. So, what made Hilary Cameron decide, last summer, to take a closer look at the lives behind the names?

Unusually, Hilary has no personal connection to any of the men on the list, although she has lived in Inverkip for more than 18 years. “In the run-up to the anniversary of the Somme in 2016 I heard about the number of men that were killed on the first day and the enormity of those numbers really struck

16 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

me,” says Hilary. “Whole villages lost a generation, and it got me thinking about the servicemen listed on our monument.”

Initially, Hilary simply wanted to find out whether any of these men had died at the Somme, but the project quickly snowballed and, a year on, she has a treasure trove of stories and photographs. “I had no idea I would get this far,” she admits. “I discovered that four servicemen lost their lives at the Somme. But then I felt that I couldn’t ignore the other 25 because their stories were just as important. I started with my local church and, it’s fair to say, the project soon took over my life.

At one point my husband and kids asked me if I could, please, just talk about something else!”

As Hilary researched the list, her emotional connection to Inverkip’s history deepened. “I discovered that some of the men lived at addresses I walk past every day, so I could imagine them being waved off to war, or sitting on the church pew.

The stories I’ve uncovered have made me consider aspects of war you don’t always hear about…

Hilary Cameron is determined to honour those named on the Inverkip War Memorial AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 17

the grieving families, the fatherless children, the young boy soldiers.

You start to view military history from a totally different perspective.”

At Inverkip, the men are listed alphabetically in categories – ‘On the Western Front’, ‘On the Home Service’ and ‘Lost at Sea’ – so Hilary simply started with the first name on the first panel, 17-year-old Michael Anderson, who died at the Somme. But she soon realised that some men would be easier to research than others. So far, Hilary has uncovered the stories of 27 men out of 29 – an incredible achievement in a single year, especially as she has no formal research experience, and she’s also a full-time working parent of two teenage children. “Not all of the names and dates are correct, which makes research difficult,” she explains. “You can spend hours researching a false lead, which can be frustrating. Two men – Duncan Scott and Daniel Shaw – are proving elusive but I won’t give up.”

Social media has been invaluable for sourcing and sharing information, and Hilary quickly became a familiar face at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, and a regular user of the Scotland’s People website. As news of her project spread friends and neighbours asked for regular updates, so in July 2016 she set up a Facebook page dedicated to the Inverkip War Memorial, and last year she published a booklet about her discoveries, the proceeds of which will be donated to a military charity.

The stories make fascinating reading, not least because many of the men came from beyond the Inverclyde area. “Only eight out of the 29 were actually born in Inverkip,” says Hilary. “I suspect they were included on our memorial because they worked at the nearby Ardgowan Estate, but I don’t know for sure. Private Ernest Tibble was from Hampshire, for example, and was working on the estate when he signed up, and Michael Anderson’s father was a woodcutter at Ardgowan – Michael was in the Gordon Highlanders when he died in a London hospital from a gunshot wound to the chest. His Hilary has found journey the research to back from be very rewarding 18 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

the battlefield must have been hideous. There were also two brothers from Ireland called Peter and John Culligan who were working as farm labourers in the area; they joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.”

Another set of brothers, Robert and George Murdoch, are also remembered on the memorial. “I have a photograph of their parents after the brothers passed away and their mother

Two men – Duncan Scott and Daniel Shaw – are proving elusive but I won’t give up looks so sad,” says Hilary. “I’ve also seen a photo of the survivors who returned to Inverkip and, even in the photo, they look haunted by what they’ve seen. They’re described as the lucky ones, but they still bore the mental and physical scars.”

Hilary found the stories of the men lost at sea particularly horrifying.

“Gabriel Ritchie was a stoker in the Royal Navy who died during WWII.

I discovered that some of the men lived at addresses I walk past every day

The Inverkip War Memorial overlooks Inverkip Bay

The memorial bears the names of 29 men who served in WWI or WWII

He was on HMS Barham and there were 841 men on that ship when it went down on 25 November 1941. I’ve seen a video of the ship being torpedoed and it sinks so quickly. Another seaman was chief engineer Henry ‘Harry’ Harrower, a father of three, who died on the SS Ravensbourne on 31 January 1917.”

A memorial in Inverkip Parish Church

Only one relative of the 29 men remains in Inverkip today. Anne Devlin is the sister-in-law of WWII seaman Roderick Devlin, whose torpedoed ship took just six minutes to sink on 21 June 1943. “I knew Mrs Devlin already because we’re both members of the local church and she was very happy to talk to me about Roderick. She gave me a wonderful photograph of him, and showed me a scroll thanking him for his service.

Personal memories like that will never appear in any war records.”

Hilary has been in contact with other relatives too, including the great nephew of John Blaikie, and a relative of WWI soldier John Muir who served in the 1st/5th Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland

Highlanders and was killed at Gallipoli: “She showed me her grandmother’s bracelet, which has a charm with John’s name engraved on it, so that was lovely to see.”

Hilary also included the local Inverkip minister in her research, a gentleman who is still remembered by some elderly parishioners today. “The Rev William Crawford was the minister here for 51 years and he served as a war chaplain with the 8th Seaforth Highlanders between 1915 and 1918,” explains Hilary.

“He was awarded the Military Cross and eventually died in 1966. Together with the session clerk at the time, John Campbell, Rev Crawford was a driving force behind the installation of the war memorial in 1920, so I couldn’t possibly have left him out.”

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 19

Hilary’s work hasn’t just been about the past. One of her proudest achievements was persuading the current local council to correct a misspelt name.

“Peter Culligan’s name was originally written as Colligan and it had been like that for 96 years. His family saw an article about me in the Greenock Telegraph and told me about Peter’s sad story,” remembers Hilary.

“He was killed in front of his brother John, who pulled Peter’s body back out of the line of fire and then had to continue fighting himself.”

John survived and saw the spelling mistake when the memorial was mounted, but the local council told him it could not be changed.

Almost 100 years later, Hilary lobbied the current council and was thrilled when it was changed in time for Remembrance Sunday last year.

“I was in tears when I read the letter of thanks from the brothers’ relatives. It meant so much to the family that Peter Culligan can now be remembered properly.”

Hilary went one step further too, persuading the council to refurbish the memorial and repaint the weathered black lettering.

Anne Devlin’s brotherin-law Roderick is one of those named on the memorial

WWII seaman Roderick Devlin

A year on, Hilary has no intention of ending her research. “This project is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, and I’m surprised by how emotionally involved I’ve become,” she admits. “It’s incredibly important to remember how so many men paid the ultimate sacrifice in WWI and WWII – particularly when you consider how poorly equipped and poorly trained those soldiers were.

READ, RECORD AND RESEARCH Hilary shares her research tips and sources of information TOP TIPS Be prepared. Leads that go nowhere can be disappointing but it’s important to stay positive and be persistent.

1 2

Talk to experts. Speak to the social history curator at your

local museum or library, and search your local newspaper archives.

Organise yourself. You’ll be more successful if you’re methodical in your approach.

3

Use social media. If you create a Facebook page, keep the content fresh because people enjoy regular updates. I’ve had interactions from as far away as Australia and South Africa.

4

Involve community groups. Our Scout leader discovered that John Blaikie was a local Scout, and the parish church records were very useful.

5

“Although we value our modern-day service personnel there’s still a lot more we can do for the men and women who come home from war. And it’s vital that the next generation continue to feel that way too.”

Read more about Hilary’s research at bit.ly/InverkipWMP. You can also email Hilary to share information or buy a copy of her booklet (£6 plus p&p): inverkipwarmemorial@outlook.com

RECOMMENDED SOURCES National Archives of Scotland www.nas.gov.uk National Records of Scotland www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk Mitchell Library www.glasgowlife.org.uk Genealogy resource www.ancestry.co.uk Commonwealth War Graves Commission www.cwgc.org Inverclyde’s Great War www.inverclydeww1.org Royal British Legion www.everyoneremembered.org Forces War Records www.forces-war-records.co.uk Imperial War Museum www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org

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AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 21

BRANCH SOCIAL

DECK THE HALLS

Kevin Lane, chairman of the Fort William and District Legion Scotland branch, offers advice on running a successful Christmas event

EVENT CHECKLIST

1

Plan ahead The earlier you start planning, the easier it is to pin down venues and dates that suit all branch members.

This additional time allows you to sit down with the venue manager and discuss exactly what your event requires in terms of food, drink and entertainment, which is handy for working out costs per head.

If friends and family are welcomed make sure to set a separate ticket Partygoers looking price for them. fab in Fort William

22 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

2

Get promoting The Fort William branch has its own Facebook page, website and e-newsletter, which we send out to members regularly. It’s a great way of staying in touch with branch members and an even better way to raise awareness of our events with your friends, family and local community. Use social media, fliers, posters, emails and phone calls to keep your members in the loop about upcoming events.

3

Work as a team Working alongside your branch committee and members is vital.

Make sure to delegate tasks evenly and be sure to consider everyone’s ideas – the wider the variety of ideas, the more successful your event will be. Try to farm out tasks evenly among branch members to ensure that similar tasks don’t continually fall to the same individuals. Giving people responsibility for organising specific aspects of events keeps things fresh and ensures new ideas are constantly being brought to the table. Always be encouraging and remember that it’s a team effort.

PROFILE: KEVIN LANE the fun,” says Kevin. “The event went down a storm, so much so that a lot of branch members asked if we could do it all over again this year. Now I’m in the process of getting everything organised for 16 December.”

Given that the Fort William branch doesn’t have its own premises, Kevin “People often ask me if I miss the was charged with ensuring the event Army and for the most part I ran like clockwork. don’t. I used to miss the “In the pre-planning banter, but I think the stages of organising an friends that I’ve made at event I’ll sit down and the Fort William branch think of everything that the over the years have helped event requires to create a fill this gap,” says Kevin. checklist that I can work Kevin Lane “We’ve all had similar through. For me, organisation experiences in the military so is key,” adds Kevin. “I really it’s a camaraderie that’s hard enjoy organising these events. It to put into words.” takes a lot of hard work but the branch A former Lieutenant Colonel and members are brilliant. Everybody SO1 Training Support Officer at the worked so hard to support the branch Royal School of Artillery in Wiltshire, throughout the year, so the Christmas Kevin Lane has a penchant for events party was a brilliant way to thank them – a skill which he put to use while all for their efforts.” organising the branch’s inaugural Christmas party at the Ben Nevis Hotel in Fort William.

“After we had to cancel our annual summer lunch last year we turned It takes a lot of hard our attention to organising a branch work but the branch Christmas party so that members and members are brilliant their family and friends could join in

Having been involved with the Fort William and District Legion Scotland branch since 2009, Kevin Lane has relished working alongside like-minded people over the years.

4

5

Fundraise Enjoy yourself If you’re worried Now that all of your about the potential costs plans are in place and the of organising an event try event is in full swing, make running some fundraising sure to manage the final details activities on the day, such as such as seating plans and letting bingo or a raffle. Don’t be people know the day’s programme scared to get in contact of events. But most importantly, with your local high don’t forget to enjoy yourself. street for prizes, you’ll be surprised at the generosity of people.

At last year’s Christmas party the money raised by our raffle and the admission tickets covered additional costs, meaning we Doing the dab at last finished in profit. year’s Christmas party

6

Listen to feedback Your event has been a rip-roaring success so give yourself a pat on the back.

Don’t rest on your laurels for too long, however. Use social media, emails and branch meetings to ask attendees for their feedback to ensure that your next event is even better.

Make your event a real Christmas cracker

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 23

SPORT

From left to right: Jake Napier, Dave Strachan, Kenny McPherson (in blue shirt), Dougie Skene and John White

WHY WE BOWL STAN MACKIE

Arbroath branch members Kenny McPherson and Dougie Skene share their passion for the pursuit

24 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

A close call: the group at Arbroath Bowling Club Socialising is an important part of the game

A

REA SPORTS convenor Kenny McPherson saw his Arbroath branch bowling comrades take the green by storm in last year’s Legion Scotland national sports finals.

This year they may not have made it to the finals – a team from Blairgowrie beat them in the qualifiers – but their enthusiasm for the sport has not waned.

“There’s a large group from the branch that bowl,” Kenny explains. “There’s four bowling clubs in Arbroath and we’ve got members from each one who are all part of Legion Scotland. We’ve got a strong branch team and we play friendlies with every club.”

Kenny plays for Newgate Bowling Club in Arbroath and enjoys the good spirit on the green, as well as the social aspect afterwards – sticking around at the club to have a drink together.

His family’s military past is what originally led him to Legion Scotland around 20 years ago, and he ended up on the committee not long after. “My Uncle Walter, he was in the RAF – he was a rear gunner in the war. My father was in the artillery – that was his national service,” Kenny recalls.

Dougie Skene has a similar story.

His father was in the RAF, and it was

The spirit is good and it’s great meeting people from other clubs too

through him that Dougie joined the branch. Darts was his first choice of sporting activity back then, though.

“I’m 71 years of age now and I’ve been bowling for 20 years. I played darts for the branch as well, but I changed to bowling because all my pals were doing it. So I thought I’d have a go,” he says.

“We’ve played in the nationals quite a few times. I’ve been a winner and runner-up in the outdoor bowling and the carpet bowling.”

In the town, Kenny and Dougie play for rival clubs, with Dougie’s loyalties lying at Arbroath Bowling Club. It was with three teammates from there that Dougie helped take the branch to victory in the national sports finals last year.

“We bowl three or four times a week. It’s very competitive, but friendly. Saturday is a fun day, but any other time you play it’s competition,” Dougie explains.

The most important technique, he says, is hand-eye coordination. “You do have to have a bit of luck on your side too,” he says. “If you’re playing last there’s a heap of bowls under you, in your road, so you need a bit of luck to hit one and come off it.”

There’s something more important than winning, though. “The friendship and the camaraderie,” Dougie says.

“The spirit is good and it’s great meeting people from other clubs too.”

FANCY A GO? Get in touch with your branch committee to find out whether there’s a bowling team at your branch. It can be a great way to socialise and enjoy a bit of healthy competition.

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 25

‘YOU LEARN HOW TO PUSH YOURSELF’ Having recently started working at Legion Scotland, Jennie Evans reflects on her diverse Army past

T

HE FIRST of her family to join the military, Jennie Evans, from Bridgend, South Wales, has enjoyed a long and varied 22-year career since joining the Army in August 1995.

After completing her training at Pirbright, Jennie served as a technical storeman with 6 Battalion REME, where she was deployed on her first tour of Bosnia. Next she was posted to 3rd Royal Horse Artillery in Hohne, Germany, from where she completed her second tour of Bosnia. She then toured Kosovo with the 4 Battalion REME, before heading to Kuwait and Iraq in February 2003 to serve in Operation Telic 1 attached to 7 Armoured Brigade 2 Battalion REME. “Having toured Kosovo and Iraq in such quick succession I knew I needed a change, so I transferred to the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corp as a healthcare assistant in 2003,” says Jennie. “This involved a drop in rank from corporal to lance corporal, which took a bit of getting used to, but this new role signalled an exciting new chapter in my military career.”

26 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

After her change in role, Jennie was posted to Frimley Park Hospital and served as a healthcare assistant on Operation Telic 5, Iraq, between November 2004 and April 2005. Following this she was posted to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine working in the Trauma Orthopaedic Ward, before posting to 4 Medical Regiment Battalion as a troop sergeant in 2010.

Her next posting took her to RAF Wittering in 2011, from where she was deployed to Afghanistan on Herrick 17 Alpha, working in the hospital of Camp Bastion caring for and treating injured servicemen. After completing her tour of Afghanistan Jennie returned to the Royal College of Defence Medicine as an operations and commitments SNCO before being posted to Northern Ireland in 2015 as a

Jennie recites her poem at a service in July

Having toured Kosovo and Iraq is such quick succession I knew I needed a change senior healthcare assistant at the Station Medical Centre at RAF Aldergrove.

“In the military you’re constantly taking on different responsibilities,” says Jennie, “so it’s about adapting to your new roles and working alongside people from lots of different backgrounds to the best of your abilities. You really learn how to push yourself.”

Having retired from the military in June of this year Jennie, now living in South Lanarkshire, has found adjusting to civilian life much more challenging than she initially expected.

“After 22 years I’ve left behind the comradeship and structure that I had become so accustomed to. It felt like my support network had vanished and I was so unsure of my next move ,” says Jennie.

“Although CTP workshops prepare you for job hunting, they don’t give enough support on how to adjust to civilian life.”

Now working in events support as part of Legion Scotland’s Wellbeing and Events team, Jennie is using her own experience to inform others about life after the military.

As well as helping to organise Legion Scotland’s comradeship events Jennie recited a poem she wrote at Legion Scotland’s Falklands & Op Banner Commemoration Service in Edinburgh in July.

“I wrote ‘The Sadness It Brings’ in 2007 when I was working as a healthcare assistant on the wards of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, where I helped care for the injured servicemen arriving from Iraq,” says Jennie.

“When it comes to processing personal experiences in the military everyone is different. Some people prefer to keep things to themselves, but at that time writing was the best way for me to express my feelings.”

THE SADNESS IT BRINGS

by Jennie Evans The sadness it brings, for loved ones so hard The tears, the pain, the heartache, A life so treasured, a life so short, So young and proud, a serviceman is he, A family torn by their son’s bravery.

Brothers in arms are what keep them together, The shoulder they touch, the hand that they hold, The friendship so strong, their feelings so bold, In the last breaths of life, they have one another, Through their eyes they can see the hurt they endure.

Our troops deploy with courage and pride, As they walk into battle, the fears I must hide.

By orders they leave, their head held up high, To fight for their country as their families sigh.

Families torn and distraught by their loss, The son so brave, a loved one is lost, For the country he served, he stood tall and proud, And the touch of his hand now lost in the crowd.

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 27

POPPYSCOTLAND NEWS FUNDRAISING

POPPY APPEAL 2017: TIME FOR ACTION

Poppyscotland head of fundraising Gordon Michie on this autumn’s appeal AS I write this, we are beginning to ramp up the logistics for our 2017 Poppy Appeal in readiness for the National Delivery. This is a special date in our calendar: it’s the name we give to the third Thursday in September when we begin dispatching millions of poppies across Scotland.

As I reflect on my first year in post, it has been a delight to meet so many

supporters around the country and to attend and speak at the National Convention. This year the convention was held in Perth, and Sir Alistair Irwin, president of Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, talked about the opportunities that 2018 will afford both organisations.

In 2017, we are continuing to work in partnership for the benefit of the Armed Forces community and together we A themed window display in a Fort William wedding dress shop

POPPY APPEAL 2016 UPDATE In addition to the fundraising totals listed last issue, Tayside and Dunoon branches of Legion Scotland raised

28 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

£964 and £6,986, respectively.

The Lochalsh branch total was listed incorrectly and is actually £4,486.

These bring the total raised for the

will grow the income raised for the Scottish Poppy Appeal through Legion Scotland branches across the country.

How can we do this? The Legion Scotland branch in Fort William is a shining example. Last year they made some changes to their appeal with dramatic results. Among these changes was a focus on supermarkets, which have a high footfall of people.

They had collectors in Morrisons for two weeks, reaching up to 2,000 people each day and collecting a total of £6,379.

The small Tesco Local had collectors in for just a few days and still raised nearly £1,000. In Lidl, they took £1,659 with only two collectors. All this hard work resulted in a total collection of £12,597 – more than double their 2015 total.

The local community was also motivated to join in. A wedding dress shop created a buzz with an impressive poppy wedding dress display. Images of it were shared around the world on social media. Hopefully their story can inspire other branches to raise even more money for our Poppy Appeal.

The key to a successful appeal is to keep the momentum going and keep innovating. “Don’t always do what you have always done and give ownership to others” – wise words from a small branch whose motto is: ‘the little branch that can.’

The other takeaway from conference for me was in respect of how we can grow our merchandise ranges and jointly brand certain lines. Further news on this will be coming out to you from your CEO in the months ahead.

2016 Scottish Poppy Appeal to £907,040. Poppyscotland would like to thank all Legion Scotland members for their hard work and dedication.

See the Cairngorms with the new Break Away service

WELFARE

BREAK AWAY SERVICE FOR OLDER VETERANS New welfare service from Poppyscotland offers relaxing escapes for those aged 65 and over POPPYSCOTLAND HAS launched an exciting project providing older veterans with the chance to enjoy a much-needed escape.

Breaks are available for veterans aged 65 and over and are aimed at those who would benefit from a holiday, whether it’s recovering from illness or bereavement, or for those who just need to get away from the stresses of everyday life.

For some, the break might be a six-day escape to the Highlands, taking in the ‘Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’, the mountaintops of the Cairngorms and the beautiful valleys of the rivers Spey

and Dee. Others might prefer a trip to South Devon’s glorious coast for a relaxing stay in Torquay. Here they can enjoy sandy beaches, a lively waterfront and the chance to take an excursion on the famous Flying Scotsman.

These are just a couple of the options available. Each break will be tailored to meet the individual’s circumstances, with many packages providing wheelchair-accessible coaches, hotels and activities.

Sharon Higgins, deputy head of welfare services at Poppyscotland, said: “We are delighted to be leading the Unforgotten Forces consortium, a partnership of organisations in Scotland that received Aged Veterans funding (funded by the chancellor using LIBOR funds) to provide a range of services for older veterans. This has allowed Poppyscotland to offer these vital breaks, and has helped our partners to provide a range of other services for older veterans.”

For more information, please contact GetHelp@poppyscotland.org.uk or call 0131 550 1557

WELFARE

RESERVISTS – DID YOU KNOW…?

NOT EVERYONE knows that Poppyscotland supports those who are serving, or have served, in the Reserve Forces and their dependants.

So over the coming weeks and months, Poppyscotland is looking to improve awareness within the Reserve Forces about the support it can provide. If you know of anybody who has served in the Reserve Forces that may be in need of support, then please contact Poppyscotland’s Welfare Services on 0131 550 1557 or email GetHelp@poppyscotland.org.uk

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 29

IN MEMORIAM

LAST POST Tributes to recently departed Legion Scotland members from across the country ARRAN

EYEMOUTH

TONY WALL Tony was born in 1929 and spent his National Service with the RASC. He was based at Feltham, attached to the War Office, where he had an admin role dealing with the shipping of supplies and personnel to Malaysia. Tony retired to the Isle of Arran in 1992.

He was a committed member of the Arran branch, involved in all fundraising and social activities. He also took an active part in many other organisations, such as the Arran Hospital Supporters League. Our thoughts are with his wife, Rose, and family at this sad time.

JOSEPH ROSIE Joe, born in 1932, spent all of his life in Eyemouth apart from the two years when he served his National Service.

He had planned to be a fisherman but his mother secured an apprenticeship for him in the local boatyard. He never lost his love of the sea and introduced his children and grandchildren to the thrill and skill of fishing for shellfish.

He joined the local branch and served on the committee for many years before becoming president. His presence at committee meetings will be sorely missed. Thoughts are with his wife, Cath, and the family.

DALKEITH

DOROTHY MCARTHUR Dorothy sadly passed away on 17 April at the Western Hospital. She was a loyal member of the Dalkeith branch and will be missed by many members, including her husband, Thomas.

EASDALE

ANNA PUTNAM BEVIS Born in London in 1931, at a year old Anna was taken out to India as her father was a serving officer with the 42nd Pathans. He was killed in action in 1942 in North East Africa. Her mother then joined the women’s Indian Army, rising to the rank of colonel. In 1949, a couple of years after returning to the UK, Anna joined the WRENs, serving for two years. Anna met her husband Graham in 1958 and they would both later become active members of the branch in Easdale, where they set up home. Anna served as branch chairman from 2008 to 2012. She was a wonderful character who is very much missed at the branch.

30 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

FORRES

HELEN SIMPSON Helen passed away on 30 April, aged 88 years. She was an active member of the Forres branch for many years and served as a committee member from 1980-95. She was an enthusiastic supporter of the club, always eager to help in any way she could. Helen was also a dedicated volunteer with Poppyscotland for 25 years until her health began to deteriorate. She was a popular and loyal Legion Scotland member and a true friend to many. She is sadly missed by her family and friends.

GLASGOW

CHARLIE BRYAN Charlie was born in Glasgow on 27 May 1927. He was called up for National Service in 1947 with 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry.

He arrived in Gaza, Palestine, on 8 January 1948 and was taken by lorry to Support Company, which was based at Mount Scopus on the outskirts of Jerusalem, where he was

posted. He was then on active service inside the Old City of Jerusalem. He served in Palestine and Egypt from 1947-49. Charlie passed away just five days after his 90th birthday. He took a great interest and pride in his family and will be much missed.

LOSSIEMOUTH

MARY LAWSON (NEE SMITH) Mary died in April aged 90 years. She was a life member of the branch and a member of the Ladies Section. In her earlier years, she worked diligently with the branch committee organising the club’s kitchen and providing many varieties of food at all branch and club functions. Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

MELROSE

LT COL DAVID YOUNGER David Younger was president of the Melrose branch from 1993 to 2005.

David joined The Queen’s Own Hussars in 1958, following in the footsteps of his distinguished father, Maj Gen Ralph Younger, CB CBE DSO MC JP DL, who commanded the Carabiniers in Burma during the Second World War. During his Army service, David did two tours in Aden, including service in tanks in 1960 and the withdrawal in 1967, when he was regimental signals officer. He also served in Northern Ireland in 1973 and 1979. David was GSO 2 at the Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill, in 1980 and camp commandant at the Royal Armoured Corps Range, Castlemartin, in 1984. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

ROSLIN

DAVID ALLAN David passed away on 8 May 2017 aged 86 years. He was a long-standing member of Roslin branch, and on the committee for some years. He served in the Royal Air Force regiment stationed in Germany for some time.

He was well respected and will be sorely missed.

ROSLIN

MADGE BRADLEY Madge, a long-time member of Roslin branch women’s section, passed away

in March 2017 aged 93 years. She served in the WAAF during World War Two, when she met and later married her late husband, flying officer George Bradley, who was also a long-time member of the branch. Both are greatly missed.

ROSLIN

RAYMOND RITCHFORD Raymond served in the Parachute Regiment from 1961 to 1967 and saw service in Cyprus, Aden and Bahrain. In civilian life he was with the Royal Mail, postman for Roslin and district. A longstanding member of Roslin branch, he will be sadly missed and thoughts are with his wife, Hazel, and family.

ROSLIN

CHARLES GRIFFIN Charlie passed away in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in April 2017. He served in the Royal Air Force stationed in Gibraltar for some time. He spent his working life as an engineer with the National Coal Board. He was a popular man and a long time member of Roslin branch. Thoughts are with his wife, Jean, and family.

husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all.

THORNHILL

IAN COOK

Ian, born on 25 November 1935, was called up for National Service in 1954.

After basic training he was posted to the RMC, and trained as a radiographer. He married Nancy and they had a daughter. After demob, Ian trained as a quantity surveyor. His hobbies were part of his job, drawing and detailing architecture. He became a member of the RBLS after he was demobbed and was active in helping around the village of Penpont. He died on 11 May 2017 and is survived by his wife and daughter.

TAIN

REAY D G CLARKE Reay was born on 8 July 1923. He assisted his mother in running the home farm at Edderton and joined the Home Guard to keep watch on the Firth at nights. In 1942 he joined the Navy and after training served on HMS Farndale. In September 1942 he and his comrades were ordered to Loch Ewe to join the Arctic Convoys. They were attacked by submarines and aircraft and had to return to Scapa Flow. While there, Reay was ordered to report to Portsmouth where he trained as a mechanic, after which he joined a torpedo boat and went to Bombay. Reay passed away on 17 May 2017. He will be sadly missed.

SHUTTERSTOCK

TAYPORT

GRAEME BUCHAN Graeme was born on 14 November 1955 and died on 23 June 2017. He was a proud and stalwart associate member of the Tayport branch for many years. He was a loving

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: 13 November 2017 (winter), 12 February 2018 (spring), 14 May 2018 (summer). Submissions will be reviewed and edited so as to give as fitting a tribute to each and every one as we can. We recommend a length of around 100 words, but appreciate that it may be easier for you to send a longer or shorter piece. If you are able to attach a photo, we will make every effort to include this as well.

Legion Scotland key contacts Main Switchboard 0131 550 1586 Membership and Branch Support Alastair Duff / Claire Armstrong 0131 550 1586 info@legionscotland.org.uk Disablement Pensions Service James Johnston 0131 550 1566 j.johnston @legionscotland.org.uk Veterans Community Support Stephen Baird 0131 550 1560 s.baird @legionscotland.org.uk Events and Remembrance Stephen Elliot 0131 550 1562 s.elliot @legionscotland.org.uk Legion Scotland Today Magazine 0131 550 1586 magazine @legionscotland.org.uk

Royal British Legion Scotland: at the heart of Scotland’s veteran community

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 31

COME AND SEE US FIND YOUR NEAREST LEGION SCOTLAND BRANCH

ABERDEEN, BANFF & KINCARDINE 01224 707768 Aberdeen Aboyne Alford Ballater & District Banchory 01330 822347 Buckie & District 01542 832636 Bucksburn Dufftown 01340 820711 Ellon 01358 720512 Fraserburgh 01346 518964 Fyvie 01651 891292 Inverurie 01467 620567 Keith & District 01542 882320 Kincardine O’Neil Longside Lumphanan Methlick New Deer 01771 644701 New Pitsligo 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 & District (sub-branch Perth) 01250 873882 Braco & Greenloaning 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

32 www.legionscotland.org.uk AUTUMN 2017

ABERDEEN, BANFF & KINCARDINE

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS

ANGUS, PERTHSHIRE & FIFE

GLASGOW, AYRSHIRE, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

Dunbar 01368 863275 Duns Edinburgh Central 0131 557 8164 Edinburgh HQ Eyemouth Galashiels 01896 752457 Hawick Jedburgh 01835 863201 Kelso 01573 224506 Liddesdale

Linburn Livingston Longniddry 01875 853241 Melrose Newbattle & Gorebridge Peebles Penicuik 01968 672095 Portobello 0131 669 5418 Prestonpans 01875 811446 Roslin 0131 440 2174

EDINBURGH, LOTHIANS & BORDERS

Selkirk & Ettrick Forest St Boswells GLASGOW, AYRSHIRE, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY 01324 872146/ 07979 006536 Annan Arran Biggar & District Bridge of Weir 01505 613530

Cambuslang Campbeltown Castle Douglas 01556 504499 Clackmannanshire & District Cumbernauld 01236 735263 Dalbeattie Dumfries & Maxwelltown Dunoon Easdale East Kilbride 01355 233545

Forth 01555 811317 Gatehouse & District Glasgow HQ Grangemouth 01324 483040 Hamilton Helensburgh 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 Oban Paisley Comrades 0141 889 9281 Saltcoats, Ardrossan & Stevenston Sanquhar Stranraer Thornhill Troon HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS 01463 233743 Assynt Aviemore & Rothiemurchus 01479 810892

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 in BLUE also have a Legion Scotland social club affiliated to them. Clubs that offer accommodation are marked with a .

Badenoch Beauly Black Isle Creich & Kincardine Dingwall (subbranch Strathpeffer) 01349 863278 Dornoch Forres 01309 672131 Fort Augustus 01320 366247 Fort William & District Glenurquhart Golspie Helmsdale Invergordon Inverness 01463 234378 Kirkwall 01856 873297 Lerwick 01595 692314 Lewis Lochalsh Lochbroom Lossiemouth Nairn 01667 453201 North Skye Sanday Scalloway 01595 880355 Strathspey 01479 872212 Stromness 01856 850731 Tain Thurso 01847 893417 Uist Wick, Canisbay and Latheron

RIDERS BRANCH 07884 004890 Across the country

Visit your local club Legion Scotland clubs are a great place for ex-service people to get together.

Clubs across the country may offer some or all of the following:

• • • • • • •

Bingo Dancing Snooker Darts Lunch and dinner TV lounge Function rooms

Call your local club to find out about their facilities and forthcoming events

FURTHER AFIELD 0032 (0) 57 365 152 Passchendaele, Belgium HEADQUARTERS BRANCH 0131 550 1586 Ideal for those abroad, or with no branch nearby WOMEN’S SECTION 07826 104879 Arbroath Ayr & Prestwick Bridge of Weir Coldstream Crail Dingwall Dunbar Earlston Ellon Forfar Galashiels Glenrothes Inverness Inverurie Larkhall Loanhead Lossiemouth Methilhill Montrose Oldmachar Oldmeldrum Paisley Stonehaven Turriff

Planning a trip?

Legion Scotland clubs are delighted to welcome visiting veterans from across the country.

Meals and activities may be available for booked groups.

Get in touch with a club in your planned destination to find out what they can offer. For contact details see opposite or visit our website

Royal British Legion Scotland: at the heart of Scotland’s veteran community

AUTUMN 2017 www.legionscotland.org.uk 33

THE RED TUNIC

LEGION SCOTLAND has more than 150 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

Honour the ones who didn’t come home.

Help Erskine care for the ones who did Erskine has been proud to care for our country’s veterans since 1916.

Providing residential, nursing, respite and dementia care in four homes in Scotland for over 800 UK veterans and their spouses every year. Erskine uniquely offers a very special blend of dedicated care and compassion in the companionship of like-minded people.

Erskine depend heavily on the generosity of people like you to continue their valuable work.

Text ERSKINE to 70660 to donate £5 Thank you for caring for our country’s veterans Texts cost £5 plus standard network charge Erskine receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payer’s permission.

Customer Care 0141 814 4706. Erskine is a registered Scottish Charity No: SC006609