Pipey, as he was best known to most Cameronians who had the good fortune to serve with him. Indomitable in spirit as he was on the Rugby field, Tom went on to be a popular member of staff at the Palace of Holyrood House. Best known to many in his capacity as Pipe Major The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) he went to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on the disbandment of the Regiment in 1968 where he served as a Company Sergeant Major before going on promotion as Regimental Sergeant Major to the Scottish infantry Depot (Glencorse).

Pat Jack a former piper who served with Tom says – “It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Tam. He together with Maxi McDonald (Bugle Major) produced a Pipe Band second to none among the Scottish Regiments during the 60’s. I am sure that I speak for all who served with him, particularly his pipers and drummers, in sending our condolences to his family”

His funeral took place at Mortonhall Edinburgh on Friday 3 June 2011 when a piper from the Army School of Bagpipe Music played The Cameronians Farewell to South Arabia, a piece written by Tom in 1967. He is survived by his wife Elke and their two sons

Major Brian AS Leishman

MAY 13th 2012.
Annual Commemoration at Douglas.
09.30hrs Regimental Flag Raised at The Bowling Green.
10.00hrs Morning Service in St Brides Church.
14.00hrs Conventicle at The Disbandment Cairn beside Castle Dangerous.
15.30hrs Buffet and Social Afternoon at Douglas Victoria Bowling Club, Admission By Ticket £5.00 at the Door.

June 7th 2012.
Annual Lanimer Day Parade In Lanark
Form Up At The Corner Of St Leonard’s Road And St Leonard’s Street
at 09.00 Hrs For A Prompt Move Of At 10.00 Hrs.

June 30th 2012.
Armed Forces Day Parade Glasgow.
13.00hrs Assemble Holland Street.
13.45hrs Form Up.
14.00hrs Step Off George Square.
14.15hrs All Detachments in Position in George Square.

Parade and Events of Other Regiments and Corps

May 5th 2012 VE  Day Parade
Central Branch Of Scotland Parachute Regiment
(Details to be announced)

Once again I was present at the Abbey to represent our association on this solemn annual occasion. As usual, HRH Prince Philip attended the short service; he then carried out his tour of inspection of all the regimental plots. Our plot, as usual, was nicely laid out, but I noticed that our two small regimental crests were a bit faded. So, I shall ensure that this problem will be rectified for next year’s occasion. Once again, I was very pleased at the attendance this year; ten in all turned up, and three regulars sent their apologies for non-attendance. The weather on this occasion was beautiful.

I’m sure you will be delighted to know that on Sunday 13th November four Cameronians created another piece of regimental history. For the first time ever, these four gentlemen formed a small detachment to represent the regiment for the Armistice Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph and then joined the march down Whitehall. The gentlemen concerned were Ian Bilboe, Kenn Robinson, Tam Winters and Ray Anderson B.E.M. (see photo above). They were resplendent in Douglas tartan kilts and tartan trews, and marched along with great pride. They were an absolute credit to the regiment.

In conclusion, I wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Eddie Clark

To all of our members, friends and families we extend our greetings and best wishes.

A Message from the Chairman 

I write now as Chairman of the Wit Rifles Regimental Association and hope my old pals of the WR/DLR will forgive me if I try to put over a few points on the doings of the Association. Remember the WR/DLR no longer exists but the two Regiments now retain their separate identities. Thus the Wit Rifles Association works for the betterment of the Regiment in so far as the provision of essentials not provided by the Defence Department is concerned and generally for the well being of the Regiment. Many ex WR/DLR (not too many) scattered throughout the republic and SWA are members of this Association, I think by virtue of the fact that their parent

Regiments no longer exist and also that unwittingly they maintain contact with their old comrades of the WR/DLR.

You may wonder what relevance my opening paragraph has to this matter of the Association and the Regiment. Regiments and Armies are built on tradition and the Association through the OC of the Regiment strives to instil into serving members the need to be proud of the Regiment and its traditions. What better ideal can there be for serving members of the Regiment than to uphold the dignity and zeal of a Regiment that was the spearhead of a Brigade, which in turn was the spearhead of a Division under the command of the late Maj Gen Poole. The Regiment’s Battle Honours earned in the Italian Campaign will stress my point.

I urge serving members to become members of the Association with a view to serving on its Executive Committee. If continuity is not maintained the Association will ultimately fade away along with the passing of those members of the WR/DLR who for so many years have been at the helm.

There exists in the Garden of Remembrance at the Regimental HQ, Germiston, a monument (donated some years ago by our friend Freddie Bosazza) to the memory of members of the Regiment and the WR/DLR who fell in various campaigns. The Association’s aim at present is to erect two bronze plaques bearing the name of each and every one of those who did not return. This is an expensive undertaking but nevertheless one which must be completed as soon as possible. I would therefore appeal to you to support the request for funds for this purpose which will be put to you shortly.

Kindest regards to all,

Winkie Reeve.

AN AMBITION REALISED ……………………….By Bernie Cohen

Its good to see an ambition realised, especially if it is one very dear to one’s heart and there was nothing dearer to my heart than to see those bronze plaques, placed in position alongside our WR/DLR Cenotaph at Wit Rifles HQ in Germiston.

It happened like this. It was Saturday Afternoon 19^th April at WR HQ, Wits Week 1969. We started off with a parade of approximately 40 WR/DLR chaps under the command of our old RSM Ray Thorpe. Brig Jack and Des Williams amongst other were on parade. Ray did not spare any of us. After a few preliminary barked commands he informed us very seriously that we were now “ON PARADE”, to cut out the “Bull” and “If you can’t stick your chests out, at least pull them up!!” It was good to be on parade again and to be commanded by Ray. Everyone felt 20 years younger and looked it. Dennis Theunisson said he felt like running around with a Vickers again.

After the parade and drum head service we all assembled at the Cenotaph and our dear old friend and Padre “Doempie” Cloete addressed the gathering. He then unveiled the two bronze plaques. It was a wonderful and solemn moment. In his simple and moving address Doempie spoke of the sacrifice made by the men whose names are inscribed for ever in bronze and he said we must never fail them. Doempie always speaks simply and beautifully and I have never seen the chaps looking so quiet and thoughtful. After the last Post, the Lament and Reveille, floral tributes ranging from a single rose laid by an elderly lady to the proud wreath laid by the Regiment were placed at the foot of the Cenotaph.

There were very few dry eyes when the Guard of Honour with the band playing at its head moved off and a gave a smart “Eyes Left” as a final tribute to our Fallen Comrades .

Kevin Townsend (Lt Col ret), Secretary

On 14th May 2011 at Edinburgh Castle there was a presentation of a commemorative Pipe Banner to 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland by Major Philip Grant on behalf of The Regimental Trustees of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

“The 14th of May is an important and a historic date. It is 322 years ago on the 14th of May that the Cameronians were raised in one day at Douglas in Lanarkshire and 43 years ago since they returned there to disband. None of the thousands of us who were there at the disbandment will ever forget it. It is very good to see our flag flying here today at the headquarters as it has done on the 14th of May each year since.

Colonel Hugh Mackay, the Chairman of the Regimental Trustees, is very sorry he is unable to be with us today due to ill health. To you, Colonel Wrench and the 1st Battalion, he sends his apologies and good wishes. To you, Cameronians, he asked me to say how sorry he is that he is unable to be here to greet you personally. He has asked me to present this pipe banner on his behalf and on behalf of the Regimental Trustees.

To you, the pipers who will carry it, I would say, “Carry it with pride!”. It is a replica of the pipe banner carried by our Pipe Major. On the original, on the reverse, is the personal cipher of our Colonel-in-Chief, the King of Sweden, King Gustaf VI Adolphus. On your pipe banner of course there is your regimental crest.

To you, Colonel Wrench and the 1st Battalion, I would say, “March behind it with pride!” You will not, of course, be marching at 140 paces to the minute: that was our privilege alone! But I’m sure you will march behind it with just as much pride as we would.

It gives me great pleasure then to present this pipe banner to the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland from The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).’

Major Philip Grant - 14th May 2011

A selection of photographs taken on the 14th May 2011 are available online >>>

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Burrell  was born in 1931 and following a short period of other ranks service in the Royal Artillery   attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1951. He was commissioned into the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and after a short period, following completion of the School of Infantry Small arms, Signals and Platoon Commanders Courses served as a Training subaltern at the Depot. In 1954 he was appointed ADC to the GOC South West District. He served with the Regiment in Germany, East Africa and later in Malaya and Northern Ireland. In 1963 he attended the Staff College, Camberley and in 1966 was taken on strength of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an Instructor. On the disbandment of the Regiment in 1968 Jim transferred to the Royal Highland Fusiliers finishing his military career in 1978 having taken over command of the Scottish Infantry Depot, Glencorse, in 1972. His loss is greatly felt by his many friends, his wife Norma and family
Major Brian A Leishman MBE

Lieutenant Frank Courtenay Mathews was born in 1944 and joined the Royal Leicester’s in late 1962. Following a short period of other rank service he entered the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in 1963. He was commissioned into The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) where following completion of the School of Infantry Small arms, Signals and Platoon Commanders Courses he joined the 1st Battalion with which he served in Aden. On the disbandment of the Regiment in 1968 he transferred to The Royal Corps of Transport attending the Army Aviation Centre in the same year. On completion of his helicopter training he was posted to Headquarters 2nd Division, for duty with 652 Aviation Squadron, in Germany. There followed a tour with 15 Squadron RCT and service in Northern Ireland followed by staff jobs in the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey and in Virginia USA. He was promoted to command 153 Arty Sp Regt RCT (V) in 1988 and following one further staff job he retired in 1993. His loss is greatly felt by his many friends, his wife Sue and family.

Major Brian A Leishman MBE