Scottish Rifles - Disbandment Program

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14 MAY 1689 TO 14 MAY 1968

I St Battalion

The

Cameronians

(Scottish Rifles)

The uniform, arms snd erfuipment which Sentinel John Thompson wore and carried at Dunkeld in 16B9

"Jm.^m&(%nwm^n)

AN ACROSTIK UPON HIS NAME

W ell, all must stoop lo death, none dare gainsay.

I f it command, of force we must obey:

L ife, Honour, Riches, Glory of our State

L yes at the disposing Will of Fate:

I ft were not so, why then by sad loud thunder

A nd sulph'rous crashes, which rends the skies asunder

M usl a brave Clcland by a sad destiny

C uUed out a Victimc for his country die.

L o, here's a divine hand, we find in all,

E ternal Wisdom has decreed his fal!.

L et all lament it, while loud fame reports,

A nd sounds his praise in Country, Cities, Courts,

N old forgetful Age shall end his story,

D eath cuts his days but could not stain his Glory.

Written to the first Commanding Officer by an unknown author, 1 698,
and included in a collection of Lieutenant-Colonel Cleland's poetry.

James, Earl of Angus, who raised the 2Gth Cameronian
Regiment in 1689 and was killed at the battie of
Steinltirl< in 1692

0\ this day, May 14th 1968, at Douglas, the men
of the ist Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish
Rifles} will parade for the last time. Their final
act will be to take part in a Conventicle. The
ser\'ice will not start until the conducting minister has
been told by the Picquet Officer that 'There is no
enemy in sight'. As you look around^ you will see at each
point of the compass sentries on patrol. As the men of
the Battalion bow their heads in prayer they will be
firmly holding their weapons.

The Covenanters

This simple ceremony will symbolist nearly three
centuries of devoted service by Cameronians to their
country. When the Regiment was first raised on this
day two hundred and seventy nine years ago^ religious
toleration was unknown. There existed in Scotland at this
time a large number of Covenanters. These were men
and women who stood for the principles laid down in the
National Covenant of 1638 and the Solemn League and
Covenant of 1643. Those who signed the Covenants were
pledged to maintain the principles of the Protestant
Reformation and the presbyterJan faith and discipline.

Presbyterian ism did not find favour with the Stewart
kings, and the crisis came when Charies II was estab-
lished on the throne in 1660. Charles II had repeatedly
signed the Covenants and sworn to be faithful to them
but he set himself at once to make them null and void.
He forced the Scottish Parliament to impose the episcopal
form of Church government upon the Scottish people
and the Covenants were declared to be unlawful.

Because of oppression the Covenanters were forced to
worship in the open air in gatherings known as Conven-
ticles. Due to the danger of attack by Royalist soldiers
they began to carry arms and to post picquets in order to
ensure their protection during such meetings.

In 1679 dissention became open rebellion. But after an
initial victory over Graham of Claverhouse at Drumclog
the Covenanters were routed at Bothwell Brig.

Richard Cameron

One of the most ardent and active Covenanters was
Richard Cameron who was born in Falkland in Fifeshire
about 164S. In Holland during the brief rebellion, he
returned to Scotland in 1680. In that year at Sanquhar
in Dumfriesshire he made the 'Declaration of Sanquhar'.
Through this Cameron, on behalf of himself and all that
might adhere to him, solemnly disowned Charles Stewart
and declared wai against him. This was, of course, treason
and with a price of 5,000 marks on his head he was
shortly trapped by RoyaHst forces and siain in the
ensuing skirmish.

The Cameronians

The followers of Richard Cameron were naturally known
as 'CameronTans\ They were, generally speaking,
covenanters of the strictest and most thorough-going
type. Eight years after Cameron's death the 'Bloodless
Revolution' exiled the Stewarts and placed William of
Orange on the throne. Wilham pursued a tolerant policy
and appointed a commission which fixed presbyterianism
as the national form of Church government in Scotland.

The Cameronian Regiment

When Graham of Claverhouse raised the standard of the
exiled Stewarts in the Highlands, the Cameronians were
divided in opinion as to whether they should take up
arms under WilHam. The majority are said to have been
against enlistment but a strong party was in favour, and
it was out of this party that the Cameronian Regiment
was formed on 14th May 1689, at Douglas Dale, in
Lanarkshire.

The Regiment's first Colonel was the Earl of Angus
who was then only iS years old. The appointment of
Lieu tenant- Colonel was held bv William Cleland who was
a remarkable character and a man of many parts. He was
a scholar and a poet but had also played a decisive part
in the Covenanters' victory at Drumclog.

John Blackader. a lieutenent when the 26th was raided
in 1689. later commanded the regiment.
Fromthepaintrng in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.

26th

Initially the Regiment was organised on the model of a
presbjterian congrcgalion tather than on normal military
lines. The men were puritans in faith and life. They
insisted that the most rigourous discipline should be
maintained among them, and that their Officers should
be men whom in conscience 'they could submit to'.

The Highland Army under Claverhouse, whose attire
was described by Clcland in a mock poem on the High-
land Host thus;

'Their head, their necks, their legs, their thighs.

Are influenced by the skies,

Without a clout to interrupt them.

They need not strip them when ihev whip them.

Nor loose their doublet when theyVe hanged.',
defeated a royaUst army at Killiecrankie and marched
southwards. The newly formed Regiment was sent to
Dunkcid to bar the Highlanders' progress. On August
2ist 1689 the Highlanders attacked with about 5,000 men,
Rnnn much of the town was burning and the opponents
were locked in hand-to-h;ind fighting. The Camcronians'
powder ran low and men had to be employed in making
bullets from the lead roof of the Marquis of Atholl's
house. Cleland was killed at an early stage and also the
Second -in -Command Major Henderson.

Suddenly the Highlanders' attack slackened and soon
their whole army was in full retreat northwards. On
realising what was happening *The defenders of Dunkeld
had raised a great shout and thrown their caps in the air,
and then all joined in offering up praise to God". Tliis, the
Cameronians' first battle, had been a magnificent feat of
arms. As I.nrd Macaulay wrote *The Cameronians had
every reason to be joyful and thankful, for they had
finished the war.'

In 1691 the Regiment, known as Angus's, after the
name of its Colonel as was the custom in those days, left
Scotland for Flanders. There, fighling in the I-ow
Countries, they are recorded as *displaving a stern valour\
At Steinkirk in 1692 the Karl of Angus fell at the head of
his Regiment.

A description of the Cameronians in the early days
said *The Cameronians are strictly religious and ever act
upon that principle, making the war part of their religion
and converting state poUey into points of conscience. They
fight as they pray, and pray as they fight, making every
battle a new exercise of their faith, and believe that, in
such a case, they are, as it were, under the banner of
Christ. If they fall in battle thev die in their calling, as
martyrs to the good cause and believe that in thus shed-
ding their blood they finish the work of their salvation.
From such maxims and articles of faith, the Cameronians
mav he slain, never contjuered. Great numbers of them
have lost their lives, but few or none of them ever
yielded'.

The Regiment had been raised initially from among
deeply religious men for a specific reason. That task
having been successfully completed and given the
continual need of any Regiment for recruits it would be
surprising liad the religious nature of the regiment not
been diluted by time. John Blackader, who fought at
Dunkeld as a Lieutenant and who later commanded the
Regiment^ thought little of the morals and religious faith
of Marlborough *s armv, and presumablv his own men

are Co be includtd in his general description. His diary
for 30th April 1704 had the entry 'Marching all day, and
alas, involved in sin by company, and by idle discourse.
A sad place to be in an army on Sabbath, where nothing
is to be heard but oaths and profane language'.

From this we can gather that since the days of
Marlborough to the present time the men of the
Cameronians were first and foremost soldiers. Since their
historic defence of Dunkeld, the Cameronians have had
their full share of war. They took part in all of
Marlborough's campaigns in the low countries and in the
march to the Danube. They won special renown at Blen-
heim. In 1727 the Regiment was engaged in one of the
successful defences of Gibrahar, In the American War of
Independence, the Cameronians were called upon to
face much hardship and privation, and added to their
already great reputation. In 1809 the Cameronians were
with Sir John Moore in his masterly retreat to Corunna.
In 1840 they took part in the campaign in China- During
the next 70 years until the outbreak of the First World
War the Regiment spent a total of 33 years in the British
Isles and 24 years In India, Gibraltar, Canada and
Bermuda. Malta and South Africa also saw the Camer-
onians dufing this period.

In 1881 Cardweirs reforms of the British Army hnked
the 26th Regiment with the 90th of Foot, The Perthshire
Light Infantry.

At the start of the First World War the ist Battalion
of what was now known as The Cameronians (Scottish
Rifles) was in Scotland. The battle honours shown w'ith
the Order of Service give some idea of the fighting in
which this and other Cameronian Battalions were involved
during this struggle.

Between the two world wars the ist Battalion served in
Ireland, China^ and India. The whole of the Second
World War was spent in Burma and India and the
Battalion played a prominent part in the Chindit cam-
paign. After the war in 1947 this Battalion was placed in
suspended animation but the second battalion was
renumbered the ist to carry on the traditions of both
Battalions,

Since that date the Cameronians have seen action in
Hong Kong; the Malayan Emergency; in Muscat and
Oman and latterly in Aden where they served until
Febfuary 1967. Contemporary accounts surely witness
that the recent generations who have brought the
Regiment^s history to its sad conclusion have continued
and upheld the reputation first won at Dunkeld.

.Ntlt*

The pipe-banner presented to the Regiment by its
Colonel-in-Chief. His Majesty Gustav Vt, Adolf, King
of Sweden, in 1961

Top left: Nineteenth century sifver goblets from two sets presented individuallv

by various officers of the Regiment.

Top right: Late nineteenth century uniforms from the contemporary watercolour

by O. Norie.

Below: One of the pair of 'St Vincent bovt/fs' presented to the 90th by the

Legislature of St Vincent 'to this Regiment as a Token of their Esteem and Regard. 1613'

The bowls were made in that year by the fashionable London silversmith Paul Storr.

the 26th

Staff List of the Officers and Sergeants in 16R9

and a map showing where the Regiment has been i^tationeti.

Regimenlfll Colonel:
My Lord AngneSr CoMonell

Regimental Lieutenant*

Cotanel:

William Cldand

Ragiment^l Majority;
JarriEs HanrySDn (Henderjiorh)

Chaplain:
ALexDnder Shivldt

1»t Com p Any
Caotain James Cranston
Ensjgn John Pfmgla
Surgeon Gideon Elliot
Serges n I Thomas Ly&n
Sargednt David Mc?rfg[

2nd Company
Ueutenanl John SlQwarl
Ensign Allan Ijichart
Sergeant John Motr
Sergeanr AleKandef Finmeton

3rd Company
Lieulenanl Henry Slevirflrl
EnHgn John Bayd
Sergeant Robert Slobo
Sergeant John B9II

4th Company
Caplflin John Ballanlin
Ueutenanl Robert Tait
Ensign Robert Gordon
Sergsant Robert Dun
Sor^uanc Patrick Qougtas

Gth Company
Captdtn William Bonhwiek
Lieutenant Nfllhamel Johnston
Enugn WilNam CAmpboll
Sergeant John Oalrymple
Sergeant James Richmond

6th Company
Captam JamM Caldwell
Liititenant Rob^ri Siewarl
£nsign John Huie
Sergeani Wjlham Qrr
Sergeant George Keess

7th Company

Caplam John CBmpbell, The

Elder
Lieutenant Wiiham Caihcan
Enfrign Thomas McCure
Sergeant James Andersone
Ssrgaani Jamn Ross

&th Company

Captain John Campbell at Moy

Lieutenant Hutchesone

En&ign Campbell

Sergaanr HuHihasone

Sergeant Campbell

9th Ca m pa ny
Captain James Gillchryst
Lreutenanl Ad^m Herkness
Ensign Francis Hulop
Sergeant Robert Dalyell
Sergaant Jo Dreden

10th Company
Capiain Wriliam Griev?
Lieutenant Thomas Fairbafrne
Ensign George Young
Sergeant John ArmesEronge
Sergey nT Rob;r| pringle

11th Company

Caplam John HadoM
Lieutenant Jannes BaKantrn
Ensign Andrew Denmslourt
Sergeant Thomas rji^^on
SergEan: James Boy'e

1Zth Company
Captain William Hay

Lieulenani John Forrester
Ensign William Hamilton
Sergeant Alexander HamJItone
Sergeant Robert Robertsone

13th Company
Capr<iJn WijJiam Herrles
LieuEen^ni John Slackader
En^gn John Wilson
Sergeant Thorn AS Stewart
Sergeant James Corsan

14lh Company
CapTam Robert Home
Lieu Eg nan! Thomas TaJ^eor
Ensign John Lang
Serge;] nt John Adam
Sergeant John McGrieor

15lh Complny

Caplam Daniel Ker of Kersland
Lieutenan: Nmian Ofiphant
Erwgn Hew Fergusort
Serg^^nr John Oouglas
Sergean: Abraham Oliphanl

I6th Company
Captain James Lmduy
Lieutenant ThDfn« Hadow
Ensign John Kirkland

Sergeant William Spence
Sereaan[ James K^e

17th Company
Captain John Mathison
UtultnanT John Haetson
Enilgn Robert Creightoun
Sergeant Wilham Leilimur
Sergeanljohn Hoetfion

1Blh Company
Captain George Monroe
Lieutenant Chai^ies Dalzell
Enijgn James Campbell
Sergeant Francis Bairtie
Sargeani Nmian Andersons

I9th Company
Captain ^m^an Steel
Lieutenant William Clerk
Ensign Archibald Wilson
SergejinE J^mes Hunter
Sergeant Andrew For/est

20th Compinv

Captain John Steve nscna
Ueulenant James Arkman
Eniign Ale:iander Marshall
Sergeant James Dick
Serges nt Patrick Dreden

'•V,

iea9-tG91 DunkslcT/ScDiland

TBOl -1303 Scotland

1876-1878 Scotland

1691-1702 Low CountriflK

ie051B06 Germflnv

1878-1800 England

1702-1713 Low Couninaa/

iBOe Spam

leeO-IBQI Malta

Danuba

1809 WflfchB^an

1881 England

1713-1715 Iraland

1910 Jarsev

bocomes J si Bit
Ths CameroiiiBiiS
{Scar/tsfi RH!es)

1716-1717 Preswn/lngland

lBl1-iai2Spain

1717 Scotland

1812-1822 GJbralEar

1718-1726 freland

1822-1827 Ireland

1727-T738GJbrfl|«f

1828-1840 IndJa

1 881 -1886 England/Scotland

173B-1749 Minorca

1840 1B43 China

1836-1BS1 Irerand

1749-17BB Ireland

18431846 Scotland

1831-1894 England

1756-1757 Scollflnd

1845 1S50rreland

1B9S-1309 India

1757-1708 Ireland

1850-1853 GLbraJtar

1903-1912Soiilh Africa

1768-1772 N.AmflriM

1863 1854 Canada

1912-1914ScaMand

1772-1780 Cflnndfl

1B64-1S59 SBFmuda

1914-1918 France

17S0'1783 England

1859-1 861 Ireland

1919-1922 Ireland

1703-1787 Scotland

1851-1855 England

1922-1927 England

1787-1800 Canada

l86S-l875lndia

1927 China

1801 Egypt

1875-1876 England

1927-1930 England

1930-1931 EgvPl
1931-1939 India
1939-1945 India/Burma
1945-1946 Malaya/Singaporo

'Stis/isndira Aitimsfion' 1947
2nii 6n bscomes lat Sn
The Caiigroninns
[Scottish Riths)

1846-1948 Trfaata
IftSO Hong Kong

19B0-1963 Malaya
1953-1964 England
1954-1 956 Garmany
1957-1958 Ba^irBin/Miitcet

■nit Oman
19G8-1959 Konya/ Jordan
1 960 Scotland

1960-1964 Germany
1864 1966 Scotland
1966-1957 Aden
1957-196S Edinburgh

Staff List of Officers and Sergeants, 13 May 179+
and a map showing where the Regimenl has been starioned.

the 90th

Cotot>tl Commandant:
Thomii Grdham of Bslgowan

Ll4ut«n«nl CDlDn4Jt:
G«org« Moncfwfffl
Rowland Hill

Msjon:

Hugti Houilon

C*pUinftt
Pe«r Heron
Htryty Murrev

Jo'in Woodcock
Walter FirquhAf

Uautonvr^U:
Gaofge Vignsaux
Gaorgv P^rhih

ForltflcuA
Roben C^di^oirdelv
Hon MiftL Napt«r
EdwiFd HDdgtft
John McNair
John Grjhvn

Grini

EnalgfTi:

Fra^c^fi Eddins (Adjutani)
ArexandeT Drurnmoncl
James McDanald
William CartwFlght
William Austin
Them 91 Webfiter
Jam« Murray

Qu Arterm astsr :

David Hophins

Surg son:
W^iam Husscll

Surgeon^sMate:

James Andersen

Chapf Bin :
Reve^&nd CaihCAn

&«rg«antA:
ThcHlMAk

ThoiTias Amson
Abram Br^to-n
Andrew AJItson
James Bradsfiaw
J»spti BracJshaw

John Calder
GHTQe Ddvtl
James Dryidel*
rUdhum Fuller
Alexender Gun
Williem H^nderion
Jemei Jaffary
Thomas Kewley
Alexender Kid
WiJJiam h;ewlev
Thomai Lloyd
Ale:<and4r Leuii4
Willi ftm MclnlOfh
Smith McLean
Jc3hn Mcriro
Jouph McL4ith
Wilharh Moor
Chrieiopher Mcwfwid
Hugh MiPlflf
Charles McOuuggen
Thamai N#wton
James Orrok
WA\ Palmer
Thomas Pate run
Gwge PiCkBfm
Quail
M»ji Rcbt/l»n

John Haihley
William Shuiilawonh
John Srevaris
Hugh Scol
Hanrv Smilh
John Thorn
Chariat Whuhead

W94 1 797 Scolland/England

1869-1872 Scotland

1924 19291 ndiB

rtfti/mbBred to became

1797-1 BO 1 Gibraltir

1 872-1 H75 England

1929 1933 Scotland

111 B" Tf7p Ctitioroniant

1«01 £gvpi

1975-1877 IreJand

1933 1936 England

{Scotttsti fi'llas}

iaOt'1S07 Mali*

1878-1B79 S Africa

1938 Palnirnfl

1HO2-1805 ScoTtand

1879-1881 India

193G 1939 Enfiland

1305 18M W Indra
ISI4 1815 Canada

tacomBS 2nd Bn

1939 1940 Fronc*
1940O942 England/ScDilAnd/

iai5-1Bie France
^a^S TB21 England

{Scott/sfi fiifies)

1942-1943 Middle Ebii/

^&2^ 1830 iQnidn lilanda

1881-1895 India

Mad^a^car/

1830-1632 Scorl and

1B95 TB99 England

india/PflralD

1332 183S irorand

1899 Scailand

1943 Sicilv

ie3& 1346 Csylcn

ia9S-1904 £ Alrrca

1943-TS44 Italy

1849-1848 5 AfncB

1904-1906 S^rland

1944-4G Franco/ Gflrmany

ie4S 1857 EnglEnd

190e-191T EnBland

194B Englfind

1B&2 18^4 Ireland

1911'19l4Malla

1946-194SGibrall«i

18^4 18&G Crimea

10l4O918France

18B6-1367 England

1919 1923 India

1SB7 laeSlnd'tf

1923-1924 Iraq

Below: Thomas Graham of Bafgowan who raised the
90th Porthshrre Volunteers in 1794. Detail of the painting
by Sir Thomas Lawrence in the Wellington Museum.

Right: Field-Marshal Lord Hfll from a contemporary
engraving.

BeJow right: Gainsborough's portrait of the Hon.
Mrs Graham in the National Gallery of Scotland.

THROUGHOUT its history, in keeping with
Napoleon^s remark that the British are 'a nation
of shopkeepers*, our country has never been keen
to maintain a large standing army. Large-scale
reductions, such as those which sound the death knell of
our Regiment today, have been common in periods of
peace. In 1881 reforms introduced by Cardwell joined
together the 26th and 90th Regiments of Foot to form
*The Scotch Rifles Cameronians'. The two regiments so
joined, whose new name was soon altered to *The
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)' could hardly have been
more dissimilar in historical origins or in character.
Because of this, with each regiment having its own tradi-
tions, the new name was the only aspect of the marriage
which produced harmony. It is only to be expected that,
when two such individualistic, proud and proven fighting
corps were united, only time would produce the perfect
bond which was duly efl^ected.

The 90th, The Perthshire Light Infantry, had been
raised in 1794 in circumstances as interesting as those of
the formation of the other Battalion in 1689, It was in
fact raised on behalf of a beautiful lady-

In 1792 Mary Graham died off Hyeres in the
Mediterranean. One of the most beautiful women of her
time, four times painted by Gainsborough, she was
married to Thomas Graham of Balgowan. Whilst being
escorted by Graham through revolutionary France the
coffin was desecrated by an unruly mob of *half-drunk
rascals*. This incident filled Graham with an unrelenting
hatred of France. In 1794 he sought permission to raise
his own regiment, having proved to his own satisfaction
the previous year at Toulon that he was fitted to become
a soldier, Graham himself coming from Perthshire, it
was natural that his new regiment should be designated
the Terthshire Volunteers'.

Colonel Graham initially tried to train his troops in
in the role of Light Infantry but it was not until 1815
that the Regiment ofhcially became a Light Infantry
Corps. Two items of the original uniform are of
interest. The head-dress was a black leather helmet of

a.u>jti<

K-ttr

dragoon pattern and the trousers of a light grey cloth
which gave rise to the well kno%vn nickname of 'The
Perthshire G rey b r ee k s ' .

In 1795 the Regiment's first tour of active service took
them to France and later they went to Gibraltar and
Minorca. However it was not until iSoi that the first of
manv famous battle honours was won. At Mandora in
Egypt the 90th formed the advanced guard of the right
column of Abercromby's force. The French Cavalry,
mistaking the 90th, because of their Dragoon Helmets,
for dismounted cavalry, expected an easy victory. The
90th held their fire until the last moment and then let
loose a volley with devastating effect. This 'compelled
them to retreat with great precipitation, the discipline
and steadiness of the 90th Regiment was most honourabJe
and praiseworthy'.

The 90th then moved to Malta where a rumour
became current that the regiment was to be disbanded.
But fortunatclv this was not the case. The remainder of
the Napoleonic Wars saw the regiment in Scotland, the
West Indies and Canada. On return from the latter
country it was heard that the 90th was to be formed
officially into a Light Infantry Corps.

During the Crimean War, Private Alexander became
the first man in the Regiment Co win the Victoria Cross,
just recently introduced. He was unfortunately killed
during the Indian Mutiny where the regiment next saw
action. Here also it was that another interesting event
occurred. The 90th were part of Outram's force sent to
relieve the garrison of Lucknow. But although they broke
through into the town they were only able to reinforce
the garrison hut not able to relieve it. However on the
voyage to India one ship with three companies had
run aground and arrived late. These companies In conse-
quence joined the main army moving towards Lucknow.
W^hen the siege was eventually lifted it was Woiseley of
the 90th who entered the town first. On first meeting the
besieged garrison he found 'to the astonishment of us all,
it was Captain Tinling of my own regiment with his
company behind him, thus the first greetings between
besieged and besieger were between two companies of
my battalion, a circumstance all the regiment was proud
of*. During the Mutiny the 90th won sis Victoria
Crosses.

The Regiment further distinguished itself in 1879
during the Zulu War. At the conclusion of this war it
returned to India and whilst there, became the 2nd
Battalion of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Queen
Victoria specially selected the 90th for conversion to a
Rifle Regiment by reason of its distinguished service as
light infantry. It was from this date that the old red coat
and the grey brceks were dispensed with. From now on-
wards both battalions were to wear the dark green
doublets with black buttons and tartan trews, which have
helped to make Scotland's only rifle regiment so distinctive.

During the Boer War the 2nd Scottish Rifles, as the
2nd Battalion was always known, put up another impress-
ive performance. At Spion Kop the correspondent of the
Standard described the part they played: 'The Scottish
Rifles, who ultimately saved the position, came into
action about 4 p.m. They came none too soon. The
incessant fighting under such conditions would have tried

the morale of any troops but the Scottish Rifles/

A notable feature of the goth Regiment has been the
number of distinguished and highly decorated officers
who have served in its ranks. Sir Evelyn Wood was one
of onlv three field-marshals in the history of the British
Army to have been recipients of the Victoria Cross. Sir
Evelyn Wood, Lord Wolseley and Lord Hill, give the
90th the unique distinction of having produced three
Commanders-in-Chief of the Army. In 1872 the regiment
was presented with new colours. At the ceremony laving
up the old colours in the East Church of Perth, three
officers on parade — Major Wood and Captains Rogers
and Rennie — wore the Victoria Cross. This was to be the
last set of new colours of the Rej;iment due to its
becoming the 2nd Battalion of a Rifle Regiment through
amalgamation with the 26th in 1881. Rifle Regimi.-nts do
not carry colours.

The whole period of the First World War was spent
by the 2nd Scottish Rifles in France. It was on roth
March 1915 that thev took part in the battle which was
to become the Regiment's proudest battle honour. This
was the battle of Neuve Chapelle.

They had to assault a portion of the enemy line where
the wire and other defences had been untouched by the
preliminary bombardment,

'In the first gallant rush nearly every officer, including
the Commanding Officer, was killed or wounded, and
more than half the battalion fell. But there was no
pause, the rest went on . . , and when relieved three
days later, there remained one oflicer, 2 Lieutenant
Sommervail, a youngster of two months standing, with
Sergeant Major Chalmers and no more than 150 of the
yoo other ranks who had gone into action,*
During the war an event of regimental interest occurred.
The ist and 2nd Battalions found themselves billeted
closely together towards the end of 1916 and on St
Andrew's Day a game of football was arranged between
them followed by dinner for the ofliccrs of both battalions.
This was the first time when the battalions had met since
being Hnked together in 1S81, They had served together
once before. That had been with Abercromby in Egypt
in 1801 but of course they had no idea then that they
would subsequently be united. In 1927 both Battalions
were in Great Britain for a few davs and to mark this
unique event, a dinner, attended by the Commanding
Officers of the Regular and Territorial Army Battalions
and of the Depot, together with a large number of serving
and retired oflicers, was held in Hamilton,

Reference to the accompanying map will show the
places visited by the Battalion after the end of the First
World War.

At the outbreak of World War II they found them-
selves in England. They fought with the British
Expeditionary Force in France and after Dunkirk spent
two years in Britain. After a year in the Middle East
they fought through Sicily, Italy^ and France and at
the finish of the War were in Germany. Moving to
Gibraltar in 1947 they remained there for two years.
It was while the Battalion was in Gibraltar in 1947
that the decision was taken to reduce all Regiments in the
Army to one Regular Battalion. This resulted in the 2nd
BattaHon being renumbered the ist and receiving a large

draft from the 1st Battalion which had been placed in
suspended animation in Malaya. Thus the two regiments
which had been linked for 66 years but which had each
retained their individual character were finally merged to
become the ist Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish
Rifles) which has maintained and added further laurels to
the proud records of both regiments until this day the
fourteenth of May 1968.

The Graham Snuff Box. A gold box presented to Lieut, -
General Sir Thomas Graham containing the Freedom
of the City of Edinburgh 'in grateful acknovt/fedgement
of most meritorious services . . , particularly in the
glorious battle of Barrosa . . / Dec. 1813. Acquired in
1967 for The Cameronians Trust by a small group of
former officers of the regiment

FORM OF PARADE AND ORDER OF
SERVICE FOR THE CONVENTICLE
HELD AT CASTLE DANGEROUS, DOUG-
LAS DALE, ON 14TH MAY 1968, TO
MARK THE DISBANDMENT OF THE

I St Battalion

The Cameronians

(Scottish Rifles)

3.25 pm

The isl Battalion condiment, kd by the Pipes and Drums (Bugle-Major R.

MacDonald, Pipe-Major R. Gillies), will leave the West lodge of the Douglas Estates and

march along Douglas Dale towards the Conventicle siie.

3-33 Pn^

The ist Battalion contingent will march past a saluting base on the Estate road
located 120 yards from the Conventicle site. The salute is to be taken by Hia Grace The Duke
of Hamilton (The Earl of Angus), KT, GCVO, AFC, lately Honorary Colonel 6/7th Battalion
The Cameronians (Scottish Rjiles).

The Battalion contingent will march straight to its Conventicle position, in line either
side of the Communion Table. Meanwhile contingents provided by the regular officers and men
of the Regiment serving outside the Battalion and by the retired officers and men of the Regiment
will march past the saluting base.

The Pipes and I>runis will play the contingents past to the Regimental Maichea
(Kcnmuir's On and Awa' and The Gathering of the Grahams). They will then take up their
position wilh the ist Battalion contingent.

During the approach mArdb and the march past the congregation is
requested to remain within the Conventicle enclosure and to be seated^ where
applicable, once the Pipes and Drums have joined the Conventicle. Apart from execut*

Left: Badge on officers' cere-
monial cross-belt

'es-^iiH>'

The Sphinx superscribed Egypt
awarded to the 26th and 90th
after the campaign in Egypt
in 1801.

BATTLE HONOURS

' BLENHEIM'

'RAMILLIES'

'GUDENAROE'

MALPLAQUET'

'MANDORA'

'CORUNNA'

'MARTINIQUE 1809

GUADALOUPE 1810

i«

SOUTH AFRICA 1846-7

'SEVASTOPOL'

'LUC KNOW

'ABYSSINIA'

SOUTH AFRICA 1887-8-9'

'RELIEF OF LADYSMITH'

SOUTH AFRICA 1899O902

The Dragon superscribed "China
awarded to the 26th in 1843 after
service in China.

THE GREAT WAR

'MONS

' Le Cateau

' Retreat from Mens

'MARNE 1914-18

' Aisne 1914

'ta Bass^e 1914

'Messines 1914

' Armenti^res 1914

'NEUVE CHAPEUE

' Aubers

'LOOS

'SOMME 1916, 18

'Albert 1916

' Bazentm

' Poziferes

Flers- CourceTette

' iM Tranalov

' Ancre Heights

'Arras, 1917, IS

'Scarpa 1917, IS
' Arleux

'YPRES 1917, 18

'Piickem

■ Langemarck 1917

' Manin Road

' Polygon Wood

' Passchendaele

' St Quantin

' Roaidres

' Avra

'Lys

' Kazebrouck

' Batlleul

' Kemmel

' Scherpanbarg

' Soissonnais-Oarcq
' Drocourt-Qu^ant

'HINDENBURG LINE

' Ep6hy

'CanaJ du Nord

' St QuantJn Canal

'Cembrai, 1918

' Courtrai

' Sella

' Sambre

'France and Flanders, 1914-18

'Doiran 1917-18

'MACEDONIA, 1915-18

'GALUPOU, 1816-16

' RumanI

'Egypt 1916-17

' ET Mughar'

'Nebi Samwil'

' Jaffa '

'PALESTINE 1917-18'

Ing certain drill moveniencs, tbe ist Battalion wiU remain standing to attention whilst
the Regimental Marches arc being played. But in view of the marching spectacle to be
seen behind the Conventicle enclosure and the need for the second ttvo contingents to
move to the area of their seals as soon as they have marched past, the convention of
standing to attention during the Regimental Marches will not be expected of anyone
other than members of the ist Battalion.

When the Pipes and Drunos have joined the Conventicle, the official party will move from
the saluting base and on their arrival the Clergy will take up po&ition at the Communion Table*

The congregation should remain seated when the Clergy move to the Communion Table.

3-45 pin

At 3-45, or aa soon afterwards as all is ready in the Conventicle area^ the ist Battalion will be
brought to attention. Genera! Count Thord Bonde, Aide-de-Camp-General to Hia Majesty King
Gustav VI Adolf of Sweden, will deliver a message from the Golonel-in-Chief This and any other
messages received will be read out by the Colonel of the Regiment (Lieutenant-General Sir
R. George Gollingwood, KBE, CB, DSO.)

The ist Battalion will give three cheers for Her Majesty the Queen, followed by three
cheers for the Colonel-in-Chief.

The congregation is not expected to participate in this part of the ceremoay.

The picquel officer Lieutenant J, J, D, Cox will report to the senior minister (The
Reverend Donald MacDonald, DDJ, as follows:

*Sir, the picquets are posted. There ia no enemy in sight. The service may proceed,'
(Two members of the picquet will be visible throughout the service: Rifleman N. M. Hawthorn
one of the oldest Riflemen in the Battalion, beyond the Communion Table on the left as
viewed by the congregation, and Rifleman J. Gallagher one of the youngest Riflemen in the
Battalion, on the right.)

The Military Band of the Regiment (Bandmaster T. Charlton) will lead all present
in to the singing of the flrst verse of the National Anthem.

Hie congregation shoold then sit.

The picquet officer will withdraw to his duties. The 1st Battalion will stand at ease.
The Reverend T. J. T. Nicol, MBE, MC, MA, Chaplain to the Forces, ist Class, will say
prayers.

The Lord Clydeamuir, GB, MBE, TD, Her Majesty's Lieutenant for the County of
Lanarkshire and lately commanding 6/7th Battalion the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), will read
the lesson from the book of Joshua Chapter i verges 5 to 9.

The Reverend Joseph Hardie, MA, Minister of St Bridc*s Church, Douglas^ will call
upon the congregation to sing the 121st Psalm: — '

I to the hills will lift mine eyes,

froni whence doth come mine aid.
My safety Cometh from the Lord,

who heav'n and earth hath made.
Thy foot he'^11 not let slide, nor will

he slumber that thee keeps,
fieholdf he that keeps Israel,

he slumbers not, nor sleeps.

The Lord thee keeps, the Lord thy

shade

on thy right hand doth stay:
The moon by night thee shall not smite,

nor yet the sun by day.
The Lord shall keep thy soul; he shall
preserve thee from all ill.
Henceforth thy going out and in
God keep for ever will.

The Reverend Donald MacDonald, DD, will give the address.
The congregation will sing the 23rd Paalmi—

The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want.

He makes me down to lie
In pastures green : he leadeth me

the quiet waters by.

My soul he doih restore again;

and me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,

cv*n for his own name's sake.

Yea, thou I walk in death's dark vale^

yet will I fear none ill :
For thou art with me; and thy rod

and staff me comfort still-

My table thou hast furnished

in presence of my foes ■
My head thou doat with oil anoint,

and my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life

shall surely follow me:
And in God's house for evermore

my dwelling-place shall be.

At the end of the psalm the congregation should sit.

The Colonel of the Regiment wiH speak and the Colonel-Commandant of the Scottish
Division (Major-General F. C. C. Graham, GB, DSO), will reply-

Thc Commanding Officer of the ist Battalion (Lieutenant-Colonel L. P, G. Dow)
will read from Ecclesiasticus, Chapter 44 and then report to Lieu tenant-General Sir Derek Lang,
KCB, DSO, MC, General Officer Commanding Scotland, for permission to
disband the ist Battalion.
The 1st Battalion will be brought to attention.

At this point all present should stftnd.

The ist Battalion wil! present arms and the picquet come to the On Guard position
with their rifles.

On the third movcmcni of the Present, all officers in uniform should salute,
all others in uniform come to attention and gentlemen In plain clothes remove
headdress.

The bugler (Lance-Corporal J. Morrison) will play the Last Post and whibt he does
so the ist Battalion flag will be lowered for the last time.

On the last note of this call all officers other than those in the ist Battalion should
come down from the salute and ail in uniform relax the position of attention.

The Pipe-Major will play the Flowers of the Forest and whibt he does so two sub-
alterns (Lieutenant R. A. U. Grant, the senior subaltern and 2nd Lieutenant D. J, P. Corkerton,
the most recently commissioned Cameronian) will take the flag and lay it on the Communion Tabic

Silent prayer and silent benediction by the Reverend Donald MacDonald, DD.
The parade will march off.

Once the first drill movement at the end of the flllent prayer has been
executed, the congregatloD may wish to sit again.

The clergy will leave the congregation, at which point, at approximately 4.30 p.m,,
the Conventicle ends.

THE SECOND
WORLD WAR

YprfiS'Comines Canal'

'ODOW

' Cheux '

' Caen '

' Mont Pincon '

• Estrv '

' Nederrijn '

' Best '

■SCHELDT'

' South Boveiand '

'Walcheren Causeway'

' Asten '

' Roar '

'RHINELAND'

■ Relchswatd '

' Moyland '

'RHINE'

Dreirwalde '

' Bremen'

' Artlenburg '

ig.W.EUROPE^IftaO, 44-45'

Landing in Sidty '
Simoto Bridgehead'

'SICILY 1943'

Laft: The Regimental collar badge

' Garigliano Crossing'

'ANZIO'

'Advance to Tiber'

•ITALY, 1943-44'

Pegu, 1942'

Paungde'

Yenangyaung, 1942'

CHINOITS, 1944'

BURMA, 1942, 44'

The Regimental Cap Badge from 1881 to 1959.

O God in Whose Almighty Name
The Covenanters fought their way-
Hold Thou thy Brothers' faith the same
To keep Thy Covenant today.

Composed by a retired officer of the Cameronians
(Scottish Rifles) for use by a Cameronian Lodge.

^^

I V

1"

M

.4-

r- i

lA&i

Regimental Conventicfe on the Pentlands, 1967

STAFF LIST OV THK OKFJCERS, WARRANT OFFrCKRS AND
SERGEANTS OF THE 1ST BATTAI.ION T<JDAY

'A

k

w^wA

Commanding Olficars

LJeulen^n:- Colonel L P. G. Dow

Second-in -Command :
Ma|or J. C. Mr Bayn^e

Adjuldnt:

Captam D. 0. CJinsiie

Regimental Sergeani-Md^or:
Warrant Officer R. T Andrews

Inlelligence Ottic«r:
Li€Ut€n?r>t M, D. SiKsmith

Medical Officer:

Maior M. C. Woircn. MBE. RAMC

Padre:

Lieutenant -ColonsI T. J. T. Nicol,
MB£. MC. MA

Orderly Room Colour Sergeant:
Colouf-Serg&ani A E. Thurlow

Orderly Room Sergeant:
Serge^nr R. McAllisler

RIFLE COMPANIES

'A' COMPANY

Company Commander:
Captain C Lmd^y

Company 2 IC'

Capram J. Muaay

Company Sergeant- Major:
yVprrant Officer H T. Anderson. BEM

Company Quarter mastar-Sergeant
Cofour- Sergeant R Kilbride

No. 1 Platoon Commander:
UeulenbtnE J B. Jermann KOSB

Platoon Sergeant:
S&rg^ant A. MacOonald

No. 2 Platoon Commandar:
Sergeant H Megeary

Support Platoon Commander:
Lieulenanr J. J. D Cok

Mortar Sergeant:
Sergeant W Shi^ridan

Anti-tank Sergeant:
Sergeanl G- O'Neill

'B* COMPANY

Company Commander :
Major A CampbeU

Company 2 IC:
Captain P Gordon -Srriilfi

Company Sergeant- Major:

Warrant Officer II E. Martin

Com p a ny O u a rla r master -Sergeant
Colour-Sergeant R fklcBride

Wo- & Platoon Commander:
Sccond-Lieyienant D J. P. Corkerlon

Platoon Sergeant;
Sergeant J. Wdson

Nq. 6 Platoon Commandar:
Lieutenant R A U. Grant

Platoon Sergeant:
Sergeant J Carr

Support Platoon Commander:

Lieulenant J. R. WilMams

Mortar Sergeant:
Sergeant R. ifons

D'COMPAMV

Company Commander:
Major A Lindsay

Campany 2 iC:

Captain I D Farquharaon

Company Sergeant- Major:
Warranl Officer II UV. Todd

CompanyOuarterm aster- Sergeant

Colour-Sergeant W_ Morn&on

No. 14 Platoon Commander:
Lieulenani R. P. Mason

Platoon Sergeant:
Sergeani J Qumn

No. 1B PJatoon Commander:
Lieuienani C. G F Milchmson, RE,

Platoon Sergeant:
Sergeant T La-Roche

Support Platoon Commander:
LieuienanT F. C Matthews

Mortar Sergeant;
Sergeant W Adama

Anti-tank Sergeant:
Sergeant R. Findlaler

'C- (Training) COMPANY

Company Commandar:
Captain A. D. I. Nishsl

Company Sergeant-Major:
Warranl Officer II S. M. Robertson

Training Sergeants:
Sergeant E. Wallace
S&rgeani J- Currle

HEADQUARTBRS COMPAtJY

Company Commander:
Major O. E. N. Cameron

Company Sergeant-Major r
Warrant Officer U G. Yuill

Company Quarterinaster Sergeant

Colour-Sergeant E. A. Page

Adminjetralive Sargeante;
Sergeant T_ Sorbie
Sergeant A Tait

President of the Regimental
Institutes:

Major H. W, N. Gface, RS.

Unit Famthes Officer:
Mapr S. D. Clarke

Provost Sergeant:

Sergeani H. Hamilton

Medical Sergeant:
Sergeant J. Hynd

QUARTERMASTER S DEPARTMEtJT

Quartermaster:

Major (QM) G. A M. Soper

Assistant Quartermaster:
Lieutenant E- G. T Crilchell

Regimental Quartermaster-
Sergeants
Warrant Office^- II J. Burns

Ration NQn-Commiasroned

Officer:

Sergeani J Ramsay

Quartermaster's Stores:
Sergeant J. Irwin

Quartermaster's Clerk:
Sergeant S. Fairie

Accommodation Warrant Officer:
Warrant Offic&r II J- Haslam

Accommodation Sergeant:
Sergeant W Wilson

Armourer:

Staff Sergeani B. Fuller, REME

Cook Warrant Officer:

Staff Quanerniafler Sergeant -Major

F. Brierley, ACC

Cook Sergeant:
Sergeant W. Booth, ACC

MECHANICAL TRANSPORT
PLATOON

MecFianical Transport Officer:
Caplam (OM) J. Burns

Mechanical Transport Warrant

Officer:

Warrant Officerll R McDonald

Mechanical Transp:>rl Colour-

Sergeant:

Colour-Sergeanl J_ McKnight

Technical Sergeant:
Sei^geant J. Armstrong

Fitter Sergeant:
Sergeant K. BurnetEr RtME

SIGNAL PLATOON.

Sicrnal Officer:
Captain R H. Paierson

Colour-Sergeant:
Colour-Sergeant L Collinsen

Radio Sergeant:
Sergeani P. Schoneville

Signal Sergeant:
SerQeant D Fergu&On

Armv Physical Training Instructor:
Staff Serpeant J. Riley, APTC

Unh Pav Master:
Captain K. Lee. RAPC

Pay Warrant Officers
Warrant Ofhcer II J. Scotl. RAPC

Ofncers' Mess

Colour-Sergeant :

Colour Sergeant T F_ Laverick

PIPES AND DRUMS^

Bugle-Major:

Colour Sergeant R. MacDonald

Pipe- Major r
Sergeant R. GilJies

MILITARV BAND

Bandmaster:

Warrant O^icer I T. Charlton

Band Warrant Officers
Warrant Officer II J. McEwan

Band Sergeants:
Sergeant J Some
SergeanT K. MecSween
Sergeant J. Dalglish
Sergeant C- Br van

Some nineteenth century uniforms of the 90lh from the water-colour by P Simkin (1884)
Top: 1850. Bottom Jeft: 1826. Bottom right: 1832

BATTALION QUOTATIONS:
THEN ...

Extract from a letter to Sir Patrick Home of Polwarth

written by Alexander Monro of Bearcrofts on 24th September 1689:

'Sir, if ye be acquainted with the Earl of AnQ:ua, I pray you assure him that his Regiment
must necessarily hreak if they be not delivered from Blackwood & Mr Shields. They are the worst paid
of any of the forces, and they are naked, and their heads are blown up with such notions as renders
them intolerable. They are worse than ever they were in every way; the reputation they gained (at
Dunkeld) will quickly vanish. I hear the Earl is a discreet youth and understands his business^ and if he
desires to have a regiment he must quite change the frame of this, for they refuse all subjection to
discipline. They run away and return as they please, their own brutish officers comply with them in all
their disorders; gentlemen are disgraced in conjunction with them and no gsntlemen can bear Black-
wood ^s arbitrary government.*

' */

-a-.

fc

Tod's Snuff Box

The inscription reads:

*In memory of Noel Moir Tod.
Lieutenant, The Cameronians,
who fell leading a forlorn hope
at Wagon Hill, Ladysmith, on
6th Janua^>^ 1900/

Tod's final remark:

tt

Well it has pot to be done somehow".*

Extract from General Sir John French's Address to the 2nd Cameronians
after the battle of Neuve Chapelle, 10th March 1915:

*I come here as Commander-in-Chfef of this Army to express to you my heartiest gratitude
for the splendid part which you took at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. 1 know what awful losses you
suffered, I know the gallantry you displayed on that occasion has never been surpassed by a British
soldier. You came up against the enemy's wire, and although the artillery was unable to get at it, you
showed the utmost bravery and gallantry. I deeply regret the terrible losses you suffered on that
occasion. No less than 22 officers were killed or wounded; the officer commanding your splendid
Battalion, Colonel Bliss, being included amongst the losses. Everyone in the Regiment will deeply
regret this loss, I do not mean to say it was too much— I want you all to realise that. I am sure your
officers will always lead you on, it may be to die» but follow them right gallantly. I know
you wilJ, I am sure at the same time you will all feel what your officers have done for you, leading you
as they have done; hut still at the same time the officers on their parr felt they had splendid and gallant
men who would follow them anywhere and had every confidence in them. That is one great thing, the
mutual coTifidenee which exists between leaders and men. I can not say more.'

BATTALION QUOTATIONS:
LATER . . .

Two extracts from The Road Past Mandalay' by John Masters

'The Cameronians, also called the Scottish Rifles, were a Regular battalion that had fought
through the first Burma campaign. ^'Damned good they were» too'*^ Joe said. "And they've still got a
good many left from '41 , officers and men 1 They recruited most of their men from the streets of
Glasgow, and had the reputation of being one of the toughest regiments in the British Army, in peace-
time. They waged street iighls with secreted bayonets and broken bottles and^ on at least one occasion
in Calcutta, with rifles and ball ammunition. They carried razor blades in the peaks of their caps, with
which to wipe the grin off opposing faces by a car-eless backhand swipe from the cap; and potatoes in
their pockets, in which razor blades were stuck. No one but their own officers could handle them, and
their touchy disciphne vanished altogether for a week around the great Scottish fiesta of Hogmanay,
New Year's Eve".'

'A Cameronian lay near the ridge top, near death from many wounds. "Gi' me a Bren'\ he
whispered to his lieutenant. *'Leave me. I'll take a dozen wi' me!'\*

AND NOW . . .

Remark made by R. T. Paget, MP in the House of Commons, 26th June 1962

'. . . In the early part of April some Jocks beat up a honky tonk one night. I do not know
whether 1 am somewhat out of date but in my day it would have been news if two months had gone
by without the Jocks doing something like that,'

Extract from 'The Covenanter', December 1S66, the concluding lines of an
article 'Jottings from a vfsit to Aden' written by the present Colonel of the
Regiment, General Sir George Collingwood, KBE, CB, DSO.

\ . . And so ended a wonderful experience for an elderly and retired soldier to have been
able to live with the Regiment for a short space in an operational camp. The actors were different
people and the conditions rather different from what we knew, but basically it seemed to me that they
were doing just the same things that we used to do. It was rather like a ghost coming back to his
family house after thirty years, to see what was going on, and retiring again wirh a happy sigh to find
that the old home was in good hands and the old tradition going on just as before.'

Extract from a letter written by the Chief of the General Staff, General
Sir James Cassels, GCB, KBE, DSO to the Colonel of the Regiment on
24th February 1967.

'I enclose a copy of a letter I have from John Willoughby which I know you will find
very good reading.

I saw your Battalion in Aden in J2nuar>', and everywhere I went there was nothing but
praise for the way all the men had behaved and acted. 1 should therefore like to add my most greatful
thanks and congratulations for the splendid work that they did.'

Major-General Willoughby^s letter is reproduced on the following two pages.

FROM: MAJOR CENERAL SIR JOHN VILLOUGHBV K,a,E.. C.fl^

GEMERAL OFFICER COUMANDINC MIDDLE EAST LAND FORCES.

/7 fpi n

HEADQUARTERS.

MIDDLE EAST COMMAND,

B. F P. o. ea.

Vj^tc."^^^ i^^^ ^-^ , ^"^ ^^

t * v^' *t^

"TL '-^

^u

^ a. ^

Ck^ ^ »^'- "^^ ^

C^t^

Ks^c^l\

UH

luLik <i»^^ ii Uf^i^i^H^ i^

**H-.,

*<»n

< ^'i '^> :'^ "fu

The present Colonel of The Regiment, Lreutenant-General Sir George CoMingwood KBE. CB. DSO, talking to members
of the Federal ReguJar Armv with the Political Officer, Michael Tamblyn. and the Commanding Officer of the
1st Battalion, Ueutenant-Cofonel L, P, G. Dow. Photographed at Habilayn, South Arabia. December 1966

COLONELS OF THE REGIMENT

THE 26TH

THE 90TH

1689-1692 The Earf of Angus
1692-1693 Colonel Andrew Monro
1693-1705 Colonel William Borthwick

1706

Cofonel Lord Dalrymple
(The Second Earl of Siair)

1706-1720 Cofonef George Preston

later Lieulenant-General)

1720-1760 Colonel Philip Anstruther
(later Lieulenant-General)

7760-1763 Colonel Edward Sandford

1763-1775 Colonel John Scoit
(laler General)

1775-1782 Colonel Lord Adam Gordon
(laler General)

1782-1795 Colonel Sir William Erskine
1795-1801 Major-General Sir Charfes Sluart

1801-1803 Colonel Andrew Gordon
(laler Lieulenanl-General)

1806-1813 Major-Generaf Lord Elphinstone
(laler Lieuienani-General)

1813-1338 Major-General The Earl of Dalhousie

1838-1854 Colonel Sir John Colborne
(laier Lord Seaton)

1854-1862 Major-General Sir Philip Bambngge

1862-1889 Majof-General George Mackinnon

(In 1 890 Mackinnon became Colonel of both Battalions of
The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles),)

1 794-1 823 Colonel Commandant Thomas Graham of Balgowan
(later Lord Lynedoch)

1823-1837 Major-General Ralph Dading

1837-1842 Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Sheehy Keating

1842-1854 Cofonel Alexander Leilh

1854-1858 Cofonel W. Felix Cafbert

1858-1862 ColoneMleTfander F. Macintosh

1 862-1 881 Colonel William Hassall Eden

1882-1889 ColonelJohn Street

Both BattaJions: The Cameronians (Scottish RifJes)

1890-1899 Major-General George Mackinnon
1899-1910 Lieutenant-General Sir J. Clark Rattray
1910-1918 Major-Generaf J H. Laye
1918-1927 Maior-General P. R. Robertson
1927-1945 Majof-General Sir Eric Girdwood
1946-1951 General Sir Thomas Riddefl-Webster
1951-1954 General Sir Richard O'Connor
1954-1961 Major-GeneraJ D. A. H. Graham
1961-1964 General Sir Horatius Murray
1964- Lieutenant-General Sir George Collingwood.

FORBEARS AND FORTITUDE:
THEN AND NOW . . .

1689

Camp scenes — 1803

1790

As we come to the end of an era that has lasted 279 years, our thoughts inevitably centre on
the great deeds of Cameronians since the raising of the Regiment in i68g. This short article
recalls another side of their lives which receives little space in mihtary histories: their pay,
their food, and their families, all of which are basic to man*s existence. The modern reader
may be interested to learn how much was accomplished under appalling conditions.

Pay. Early records of the Regiment show that a Sentinel's pay was 8d a day, out of which he actually
received 6d subsisnence money to pay for his quarters and food. The remainder, amounting to
^3 Os lOd per annum, was known as the 'gross off-takmgs' most of which went to the Colonel for the
purchase of the Regiment's clothing. This is a far cry from the basic ^9 3r 9d a week our regulars
begin with, excluding their marriage allowance. The state paid its soldiers as little as it dared, so it was
hardly surprising as we look at the records that pay was often a subject of discontent. It was not only
utterly inadequate, but seldom issued regularly, even in peace time stations. Men sometimes went
months without it. Small levies made at the whim of commanding officers were often regarded as
acutely unfair; for instance, 5% of a soldier's pay in the 18th ccntuiy- went as a fee to the Regimental
Paymaster, and levies of id to the Regimental Surgeon, or to the Chelsea Hospital.

The increase in pay between 1689 and 1783 was minute. In that year the amount paid to a
captain of a company for a man^s subsistence was increased by 8d a week^ and a few years later by lOd.
In 1795 these amounts \sere consolidated so that the soldier then received lOd a day, that is 6d as pay
and 4d as a daily allowance: 2id for messing and 1 jd for bread! Two years later the daily rate was
increased to Is a day out of which 4s a week was guaranteed to the soldier, the State paying any
subsidies for his keep. This princely sum was to remain unchanged for over 100 vears. It was not until
the end of the 19th Centurj' that pay and allowances really improved, enabling men to maintain
themselves and their families with some dianit^'. Todav a married Rifleman with 5 years service
receives ^M 17s 3d a week and a Sergeant £2A lis ?,d.

The Bounty- Recruiting was from the first a problem, although times of war brought forth a patriotism
that eased the difficulties. *Set a Glasgow man, and a Glasgow weaver at that, to lure recruits out of
the Glasgow mills*, livery means, fair or foul, was employed Co inveigle men into uniform, and one big
draw was the bounty. A recruit signing on might be paid as much as £5 hounr^' as an inducement a
very large sum in those days, seeing that he was invariably drawn from the very poor, the outcasts of
society and even the criminal classes. Poor fellow! By custom this sum was regarded as common
property by his comrades, and from the Platoon Sergeant downwards cverj' man enjovcd his beer or
spirits until the lot was gone. The idea of saving was almost unknown — life was too uncertain, anyway
— but there were rare exceptions- Colonel Harry Oglandcr in 1826 made himself unpopular with the
authorities because of a radically humane attitude to his Cameronians, and by such actions as starting
a small regimental savings bank. He would have been interested to find that 142 years later weekly
savings in the Battalion average £^70.

Camp scenes — 1803

Food. If pay was poor, food was worse. Ignorance, parsimony and sheer bad administration ensured
that men went hungry, ill-nourished and often ill-clad. It is recorded that during Marlborough's
campaigns at the beginning of the 18th century, and 100 years later during the Peninsular War, the
rations might consist of an issue of one biscuit a day. The system of billeting did not lend itself to
good cooking. Until 1792, when the first barracks was built, men were customarily billeted in private
houses or inns, and innkeepers were paid an allowance of 4d a day f<)r hoard and lodging. Centralised
cooking in barracks was unknown, men doing the best they could m their barrack rooms, often with
little or no fuel allowance, somecimes with the aid of the wives living among them.

No suppers. The scarcity of food turned many to drink cheap wmes and spirits— a frequent cause of
dysentery. (Cheap alcohol has not completely lost its appeal, but its effect on the Battalion today is less
devastating.) Ration scales varied enormously in different theatres. In the American War the weekly
scale was as follows :- 71bs of bread or flour, 71bs beef or pork, ^Ib rice, 3lbs peas and 6 oas butter.
Rations there were issued in the proportion: Brigadier- General 12, Major 4, Subaltern and Staff 2, and
presumably Private 1 ! In India in 1826 and even under the bemgn leadership of Colonel Oglandcr,
Private McGregor of the 26th recorded: 'I don't recollect any suppers, I never saw any, and breakfast
was a piece of dried bread and coffee*. A few years later, when the 26th were in China, rations, it seems,

1840

Camp scenes — 1803

*were saTty and of poor quality and the result was an outbreak of fever and dysentery'. In a year 240
men of the Regiment died of dis-ease. It was not until after the Crimean War that serious efforts were
made to improve the rations. In 1873 the first free daily issues were authorised, and food has improved
steadily to the point where today in the expert hands of the Army Catering Corps aided by our own
well-trained Regimental Cooks a notable standard has been achieved. For instance the
main dining hall menu for Thursday 15th February, 1968 just an ordinary day, was as follows:

Breakfast

Porri d ge / Ce real s
Fri cd / P ached /B oi led
or Scrambled egg
Grilled Bacon or
Sausage, Baked Beans
or Tomatoes, F'rench
Fried Bread, Toast,
Marmalade, Bread,
Margarine, Coffee or
Tea-

Lunch

Cream of Vegetable soup
Roast pork, apple sauce,
Roast beef, Yorkshire
Pudding, Roast Chicken,
Bread sauce, Braised
Steaks, Fried liver and
Onions, Roast Potatoes.
Buttered Cabbage,
Vichy Carrots,
Gravy,

Steamed fruit pudding,
Jam pancakes, Apple pie,
Semolina pudding,
Custard, Bread, cheese,
Tea.

Tea

Fillet of Cod.
Meat & Veg. Pie,
Savoury mince
and Toast, Braised
sausage. Saute and
Creamed potatoes.
Garden peas. Green
Beans, Brown sauce.

Fresh fruit, Swiss,
Roll, Cream slice.
Jam sponge, Tea,
Bread & Margarine,

Supper
Tomato soup,
Cornish pasties
Creamed potatoes
Garden peas
Tea, Bread &
Margarine.

1865

As a contrast to 200 years ago, in Aden at Hogmanay, 1966, the Battalion consumed 670lbs of turkey,
500lbs each of pork and ham, 2,000lbs of potatoes not to mention 9501bs of plum pudding.

Families. The families of early Cameronians suffered much. For two centuries married men had to
maintain their wives and children on their basic pay. for no allowances or quarters were provided until
late on in the 19th century. The Army, except where it won victories, was held in scant esteem by the
nation, and this attitude coupled with the quality of man recruited did not encourage strong marriage
ties. Though heroic in battle, it would be idle to pretend that the early Cameronians were always upright
and virtuous at other times. A 'wife' in every theatre was not unknown.

Travel, Where the soldier went, his family if humanly possible went too. Marriage into the army was
considered socially degrading and hence to be left behind on a regimental move spelled destitution.
OfHcial, 'on the strength' wives were selected by ballot. Wives acquired abroad, if they were 'off ihe
strength' of the Regiment, had to be abandoned before the troop ship sailed for home. As to moves
abroad from Britain, one poor Scotswoman trudged all the way from Kdinburgh to Folkestone to join
her husband on posting abroad, only to draw a 'to be left' ticket: she died making her way from the
quayside. Her husband rarely spoke afterwards, and was one of the first to fall in Spain. Proper con-
cern for women and children today ensures chat when they move abroad with soldiers chey do so at
public expense and with all the comforts and facilities of modern airlines.

Sutlers and Nurses. Since there were no quarters, women lived where their husbands were billeted,
in inns, commandeered houses and curtained-ofF portions of barrack rooms. In 1738 in Gibraltar some
wooden hen hutches were to be burned, but strong protest was made because families were found to be
living in them. Selected "on the strength' women were called upon to cook, clean and wash for the
soldiers thev lived \Mth. Their children grew up with them. During campaigns these women travelled
with the baggage train or the columns, acting as sutlers and appointed as nurses: one can imagine the
medical attention the wounded received. Living in such conditions and with disease and crime about
them, they had to be very tough indeed- Like the men, they became adept at scrounging, foraging and
even steahng, but were subject to regimental discipline. There is the pathetic tale of Margaret, wife of
Peter Dove, who was tried by court-martial for creating a disturbance and slitting the throat of a
soldier. She was sentenced in Gibraltar in 173S to three hundred lashes, one hundred to be admin-
istered every other day by the Regimental Drummers, and then was driven out of the garrison. Again
there is the moving account of the wife at the terrible retreat to Corunna who watched silently while
her husband received two hundred lashes, and after tenderly drawing his shirt over his streaming back,
shouldered his pack and firelock and trudged at his side as the column moved on-

Shipwreck and Disease. Disease took heavy toll of men and their famdies abroad, and many
succumbed in the terrible conditions at sea. In 1805 fifty-two women and children and about half the
Regiment were drowned while on their way to Germany. In India under the privations of heat and
disease — mainly cholera and dysenter\' many more died. Yet these hazards never prevented families
following the men wherever they went in the world.

As with improvements in food and pay, it took the Crimean War to set in train real
advances in quartering and allowances. The advent of the short service soldier greatly reduced the
numbers married, who by 1914 were to be found chiefly among warrant officers and senior NCOs, now
housed with some degree of comfort and security. By contrast to-day, 280 out of 540 Cameronians in
the 1st Battahon are married; one hundred live in married quarters and sixty in Army Department
hirings in the Edinburgh .Area, .All these quarters and hirings are fully furnished, supplied with linen,
crockery and cutlery. The remainder of the married men draw marriage allowance and live in private
accommodation for the most part within commuting distance of Redford Barracks- Times have indeed
changed I

ANOTHER ACROSTIC UPON
HIS NAME

W ould you approve of how the tree has grown?

I like to think so- You bequeathed your own

L ove of a harassed land and honest cause,

L ove which without advertisement or pause

I nspired a hundred Clelands less renowned

A nd warms platoons of Thompsons in the ground,

M en who have walked this road and shared this view,

C ampbell and Lindsay forged the sword with you,

L it by your pride they handed on the text,

E ach generation shaping up the next,

L indsay and Campbell finish it today.

A xed lies the tree. Now put the sword away,

N o old forgetful age will end our story,

D eath cuts our days, but could not stain our glory.

Written to the first Commanding Officer by the last at
Douglas, 1968.

Rifleman John Thompson on patrol in Aden in 1967

THE LAST CAMERONIAN

Right: the 1st Battalion centre-piece.

'JAMES, EARL OF ANGUS, Son of the Marquis of Douglas, born 1671, killed at the
Battle of Steinkirk, when in command of the Cameronian Regiment'

A TRIBUTE TO OTHER CAMERONIANS

Today's events at Douglas are concerned with the loss of the last remaining regular battalion of The
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). This commemorative programme has been produced by the Battalion
with the aims of recording history, of honouring our regular forbears and of illustrating that our
regimental spirit and outlook in modern times are little different from what they were 279 years ago.

Leaving those aims on one side for a moment, the 1st Battalion before it goes would wish
to pay tribute to two other groups of Cameronians, First we would wish to express our admiration
for the way in which a number of units within the framework of the Cameronian Company of the new
Lowland Volunteers and of the Cadet movement continue to work with devotion and tenacity in these
difficult and changing times.

Our final word goes, appropriately, to the many former Territorial Cameronians who
have done so much to support and encourage us, and who have upheld the name of the Regiment
where for us it has always counted most — on the field of battle. We cannot name all the individuals;
even the current Regimental Association mailing list is of daunting length. There is little point in
merely naming the Battalions. We are all of the same family; today we merely want our old comrades
to know, as we depart, that we are very much aware of their individual presence and strength.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Parade is being held at Castle Dangerous by kind permission of Sir Alec Douglas Home. KT, PC, MP.

The scope and quality of this brochure has been made possible through ths generosity of the following
firms:

Colvilles Limited. Glasgow; House of Fraser Limited, Glasgow; R. J. McLeod (Contractors) Limited;
Scottish and Newcastle Breweries Limited.

We also wish to acknowledge the generous gift of board and paper from the Clyde Paper Company
Limited, Rutherglen.

The brief histories of the 26th and 90lh Regiments were written by Lieutenant M, D, Sixsmith. The Cameronians (Scottish
Rifles). The article 'Forbears and Fortitude . . . Then and Now' was written by Major D. E. N- Cameron. The Cameronians
(Scottish Rifles). The sonnet 'Another Acrostic upon his name" was written by Lieutenant-Colonel L P. G. Dow,
The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), The original paintings reproduced at the front and back are by Joan Robinson (Mrs Lesiie
Dow), The brochure was designed by Forth Studios Limited and printed by Caledonian Press (EdinJ Limited, Blocks by Kings
Town Engraving Company Limited. The paintings of Blackader and The Hon. Mrs. Graham are reproduced by permrssion
of the National Galleries of Scotland, The portrait of Graham is reproduced by permission of the Wellington Museum and the
"camp scenes' by permission of the United Services Museum. Photographs of the Regimental silver and Pipe Band equipment
by Forth Studios Limited.

,-fit

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