Legion Scotland Today, Summer 2016

LEGION The magazine of The Royal British Legion Scotland Issue 10 Summer 2016

www.legionscotland.org.uk

SCOTLAND TODAY Anyone for a cuppa?

Dalbeattie branch’s coffee morning debut

MAKING WAVES

HOW VETERANS BENEFIT FROM COMRADESHIP EVENTS PLUS

BRANCH NEWS, SCHOOLS COMPETITION WINNERS’ TRIP, ANNAN’S CADET CAMARADERIE, SIR ALISTAIR IRWIN’S VOICES OF VETERANS STORY

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

John was proud to serve his country ... now Erskine is proud to care for us both

Scottish charity No, SC006609

Erskine specialise in nursing, residential, respite and dementia care for veterans. If you, or your spouse, have served as a Regular, Reservist or were in the National Service you may be eligible for care.

For information contact Care Home Admissions Department:

0141 814 4538

www.erskine.org.uk Glasgow . Edinburgh . Bishopton

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 Mark Davies SUB-EDITOR Andrew Littlefield GROUP ACCOUNT DIRECTOR John Innes john.innes@thinkpublishing.co.uk STORIES TO SHARE? Please contact Christie McMonagle at c.mcmonagle@legionscotland.org.uk or by calling 0131 550 1549.

Submissions received by 19 August 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

MIKE WILKINSON

ADVERTISING Alison Fraser alison.fraser@thinkpublishing.co.uk 0141 946 8708 Copyright © Legion Scotland 2016.

All rights reserved.

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

Reflecting on huge sacrifices

O

VER THE next few months, the Battle of the Somme will be on many of our minds.

Fought 100 years ago, and These men lasting from July until November, more made a huge than 480,000 British lives were lost. sacrifice for their These men made a huge sacrifice for their country and it is of the utmost country and it importance that we honour their memory. is of the utmost As ever, though, remembrance is not the importance only thing on the agenda for Legion Scotland.

Looking after those veterans who have made that we honour it back from the battlefield, including the their memory brave men and women who have served in more recent conflicts, is a key priority.

This includes running comradeship events, and on page 20 we share the experience of a group from Scottish Veterans Residences in Glasgow and Edinburgh who were invited to canoe on Linlithgow Canal, and explore why the experience is so valuable to them.

In April, a great many of you took part in our Give A Little For Veterans fundraising and awareness campaign, and I would like to offer my sincere gratitude for all your hard work. There will be more on this in our next issue.

The money raised will go towards services like befriending and grants to help veterans with urgent financial needs. The difference they can make to veterans’ lives is monumental.

On page 24, we visit Dalbeattie for the local branch’s first-ever coffee morning, held as part of the campaign. The team, led by Jim Dingwall, put on a fantastic spread and did the charity proud.

Thanks also go to all those who joined us at the annual conference in Perth. Your continued support is so greatly appreciated.

Kevin Gray MM CEO Legion Scotland SUMMER 2016

www.legionscotland.org.uk

3

£1,000,000

must be spent before 20th August

BUYING QUALITY WATCHES and MILITARY WATCHES

MILITARY WATCHES URGENTLY WANTED £100 minimum paid for black dial (WW11) Army issue: Record, Buren, Timor, Lemania, Cyma, Vertex, Smiths, Hamilton.

£500

MODERN & VINTAGE WATCHES PURCHASED

minimum paid for any gents Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch

ANY CONDITION,WORKING OR NOT

Rolex · Cartier · Omega · Breitling · Vintage Longines · Cartier IWC (International Watch Company) Jaeger le Coultre · Patek Philippe · Panerai · Tag & Vintage Heuer

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ROLEX GMT Master & Submariner minimum

ROLEX Air King

ROLEX Explorer

working or not.

RECORD

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Black dial Army issue Minimum £100

Military issue Minimum £500

Black dial military Minimum £1000

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MILITARY WATCHES URGENTLY WANTED

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LEMANIA

OMEGA

ETERNA

Chronograph military Military (black dial) Jaeger le Coultre & watch. Minimum £500 Army issue.

Longines military (black (white dial & black dials) Minimum £250 dials). Minimum £300

AUSTIN KAYE IS THE NO.1 UK BUYER OF QUALITY WATCHES AND JEWELLERY. ESTABLISHED IN 1946

All gold items wanted, Highest prices paid for 9ct, 14ct, 18ct & 22ct.

Even broken & scrap gold.

Modern & Vintage Vintage 1016 model Purchased.

Minimum paid £1500 paid £2000 Min. paid £600 Current models must have original Rolex Guarantees

▼▼▼ £800 min paid

BREITLING NAVITIMER

1960s models Min. paid £800

Top Prices Paid

£1000 min paid

OMEGA SPEEDMASTER Pre 1969 Min. £1000.

Also wnted pre 1970 Seamaster and Constellation

VINTAGE HEUER

Wanted: Carrera, Monaco, Autavia, Camaro, Silverston, Montreal, GMT

THREE STEPS TO SELLING YOUR UNWANTED WATCHES AS NAMED ABOVE 1. BRING YOUR WATCH OR GOLD TO OUR SHOP AND WE WILL PAY YOU INSTANTLY (Please bring photo ID) 2. IF YOU CAN’T VISIT US, WRAP UP YOUR ITEMS AND PUT THEM IN A JIFFY BAG WITH YOUR NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER AND SEND TO THE ADDRESS BELOW BY THE POST OFFICE SPECIAL DELIVERY. 3. WE WILL CALL YOU THE NEXT DAY WITH AN OFFER AND PAY YOU BY RETURN. No obligation to sell if offer is not accepted. Goods returned with full postage refund.

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Freephone: 0808 1235303 www.austinkaye.co.uk 100 yards from Charing X station

Please note: We do not guarantee to buy every watch offered. We do not buy fake watches or early quartz watches.

WE BUY MOST QUALITY WATCHES, WORKING OR NOT. RUSTY WATCHES PURCHASED FOR PARTS ONLY

SUMMER 2016

24

15

CONTENTS

28

LEGION The magazine of The Royal British Legion Scotland Issue 10 Summer 2016

www.legionscotland.org.uk

SCOTLAND TODAY

IF IT FLOATS YOUR BOAT A group from Scottish Veterans Residences take to Linlithgow Canal for a comradeship event

Dalbeattie branch’s coffee morning debut

MAKING WAVES

HOW VETERANS BENEFIT FROM COMRADESHIP EVENTS PLUS

BRANCH NEWS, SCHOOLS COMPETITION WINNERS’ TRIP, ANNAN’S CADET CAMARADERIE, SIR ALISTAIR IRWIN’S VOICES OF VETERANS STORY

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

ON THE COVER Stephen McCulloch and Craig Pratt take to Linlithgow Canal in a canoe as part of a Legion Scotland comradeship event PHOTO: Mike Wilkinson

ANGELA CATLIN, MIKE WILKINSON, MARK OWENS

LEGION NEWS The latest from Legion Scotland and beyond, including the Legion Scotland schools competition winners’ trip to Orkney, a report from the annual conference, your chance to win a new book commemorating the Battle of the Somme, and news from branches

20

Anyone for a cuppa?

20

06

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

24

A PIECE OF CAKE Dalbeattie branch hosts its first-ever coffee morning as part of the Give A Little For Veterans campaign

28

VOICES OF VETERANS President of Legion Scotland Sir Alistair Irwin shares his story

30

LAST POST Fond notes of remembrance from branches across the country

32

COME AND SEE US Directory of our branches and clubs

34

MAKING TRACKS ON THE BATTLEFIELD The Mark I tank’s Battle of the Somme debut, and the important role tanks have played since

SUMMER 2016

www.legionscotland.org.uk

5

LEGION NEWS

Keeping you up to date with Legion Scotland’s latest

SCHOOLS

Legion Scotland competition winners learn remembrance lessons on Orkney visit

PRIZE PUPILS COMMEMORATE BATTLE OF JUTLAND THE WINNERS of the Legion Scotland Primary Schools Competition enjoyed the “trip of a lifetime” when they travelled to Orkney in June and paid tribute to those who fought and fell in the biggest naval battle of World War One. The children, from Burnhaven Primary School in 6

www.legionscotland.org.uk

Peterhead, visited landmarks including Scapa Flow, Britain’s main WWI naval base, where seven battleships still lie.

Aged nine and 10, the pupils laid commemorative crosses at the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery in tribute to those who lost their lives in the Battle of Jutland. They also visited the Hoxa defensive SUMMER 2016

battery and the “astonishingly beautiful” Italian Chapel.

Burnhaven teacher Christian Ritchie said: “The trip brought to life all the stories, photographs and reports the pupils had collated as part of their research.

Seeing the shipwrecks and cemetery really brought home the human collateral of the

battle. This was a once-ina-lifetime trip that we will remember forever.”

Funded by Co-operative Funeralcare and the Scottish Government, the annual competition challenged P5-7 pupils to produce a newspaper article about life aboard a WWI battleship. Burnhaven reported on the British fleet

National chairman Charlie Brown (centre) with vice chairman Martyn Hawthorn (left) and treasurer John Whitelaw

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE CALLS Legion Scotland shows strength in numbers at this year’s gathering

ORKNEY PHOTOGRAPHIC, MARK OWENS

Pupils from Burnhaven Primary School celebrate victory

sailing into Scapa Flow after the battle, securing 28% of the 5,000 public votes cast, along with those of the final judging panel.

Thanks go to the Kirkwall branch for supporting the winners on their trip, to Co-operative Funeralcare and the Scottish Government for their continued sponsorship of the competition, and to Loganair, which provided two free return tickets from Aberdeen to Kirkwall.

Read Burnhaven Primary School’s winning entry on the Legion Scotland website

MORE THAN 200 people attended the Legion Scotland annual conference 2016, which took place over three days in May at Perth’s Dewars Centre.

Feedback on the event has been very positive and planning has already begun for next year.

Charlie Brown was elected as national chairman and Martyn Hawthorn as national vice chairman.

Charlie paid tribute to previous chairman Jan Harvey, who sadly passed away in December 2015: “Jan was taken from

us far too early. There was so much more she wanted to achieve. I intend, with the support of the membership, to continue her work and plans to move the organisation forward.”

Charlie also emphasised the importance of Legion Scotland members working together to support veterans in need.

A range of speakers joined Legion Scotland at the conference, including from other ex-service charities Catching up with friends

such as BLESMA, SSAFA and the Defence Medical Welfare Service. Presentations and speeches, including those made by Legion Scotland’s national president, chairman and treasurer, are available in the members area of the website.

The conference also hosted the Legion Scotland national colour bearing competition. James Dingwall from Inverness branch came first in the adults competition, and sea cadet Philip King won the tri-service cadet colour bearing event.

Our annual draw was again very successful – thank you to all who bought and sold tickets.

The results of the draw are available on the website.

See page 14 for more pictures from the annual conference

legionscotland.org.uk

7

Sailor Society_SL_Aut_14.indd 1

17/09/2014 Veterans 10:25 Assist_SLN_Summer14.indd 1

04/07/2014 11:46

Opening 2014: Bellrock Close, Glasgow 51 new flats for let to Armed Forces veterans

 21 one and two bedroom independent

properties

 30 one bedroom flats with transitional

support provided  Wheelchair adapted flats available  Gym, café, Wi-Fi and landscaped gardens

For more details see www www.mobilityaidservices.com sales@mobilityaidservices.com www www.mobilityaidservices.com www.svronline.org sales@mobilityaidservices.com SVR is a registered Charity No. SC015260 Email: info@svronline.org Phone:0131 556 0091

Scot Legion_QUART VERT.indd 1 004_LEGION_Autumn14.indd 4

02/05/2014 11:19

www.veterans-assist.org

30/09/2014 09:4

We will remember them

Tens of thousands of merchant seafarers sacrificed their lives during times of conflict.

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

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

We continue to care for them today.

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

For Some Veterans, Every Day is a Battle You don’t need to fight it alone.

We have supported accommodation available now in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow.

For more information visit

or call

0131 556 0091

Registered Charity SC015260

Sailor Society_SL_Aut_14.indd 1

www.svronline.org ‘

Registered Charity in England & Wales No: 237778

(1939-1945 Star)

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

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

www.veterans-assist.org

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

17/09/2014 Veterans 10:25 Assist_SLN_Summer14.indd 1

04/07/2014 11:46

LEGION SCOTLAND NEWS CONFERENCE

Branch committee members share best practice at event

July – October

CLUBS GET TOGETHER LEGION SCOTLAND held its first club conference on 13 April 2016 which was kindly hosted by Dunfermline club.

The object of the conference was to promote an exchange of ideas and best practice between clubs.

There were 31 out of 68 clubs represented on the day and a host of guest speakers covered a variety of subjects. The conference was organised by John Whitelaw, the national treasurer, and opened by Kevin Gray MM, CEO Legion Scotland, who was followed by presentations from:

Committee members from across the country at the event

lM ark Livingston – Energy and Utilities lM egan Nawrot – Employment Law lS usan Normansell – Licencing Law l Arlene Campbell – Police Scotland Best Bar None Scheme l Lorna Kane – Auto Enrolment Belhaven Brewery was represented

by Andrew Miller, who also supplied a new Legion Scotland lager for tasting.

Overall the day was a huge success and Legion Scotland is looking forward to making it an annual event. George Gaff from Aviemore has already volunteered to host it next year.

Silver Poppy winners and supervisors

SPORTS

DIARY DATES Keep an eye on the website for further announcements and more information

SUNDAY 31 JULY

Glasgow Glasgow and West of Scotland veterans group meeting SUNDAY 14 AUGUST

Edinburgh Edinburgh and East of Scotland veterans group meeting SUNDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

Moffat Lord Dowding commemorative service taking place at Station Park, 2.25pm

BE A GOOD SPORT

Members get competitive at Silver Poppy and national sports finals GREAT WEATHER made this year’s Legion Scotland Silver Poppy golf tournament a glorious day out for its 66 entrants. Held in May at St Andrews’ New Course and sponsored by Belhaven Brewers, the Silver Poppy was won by Dalbeattie branch team.

Other prize winners came

from Prestonpans and Banchory branches.

This year’s national sports finals are underway, hosted by the Edinburgh and Lothians area.

Events still to take place are: deep sea angling (in Dunbar, 30 July), bowling (in Bathgate and Prestonpans, 13 August)

and golf (in North Berwick, 14 August).

Results to follow.

For more information on the national sports finals, contact area secretary Freddie Wood on 0131 550 1590 or areasecedin@ legionscotland.org.uk

FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

Edinburgh Best Kept War Memorial winners announcement and presentations FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER

Edinburgh Edinburgh and East of Scotland veterans group meeting For comradeship events, see page 21

SUMMER 2016

www.legionscotland.org.uk

9

141 DAYS Commemorating the Battle of the Somme

T

HE BATTLE of the Somme took place over 141 days in 1916, with more than 623,000 allied lives lost – 72,000 of whom would never be found or identified. In this 100th anniversary year, many tributes will be taking place to commemorate those who served in the battle.

In a new book from The History Press, Somme: 141 Days, 141 Lives (extract below), Alexandra Churchill and Andrew Holmes chronicle the battle in a powerful way, through the stories of 141 individuals who served, including 11 Scotsmen.

10

www.legionscotland.org.uk

SUMMER 2016

immediately. With the troops next along they were sent out from their own front line to discover if the trench ahead was occupied. The British had noticed that lights being sent up only came from the trenches behind and, indeed, when patrols reported back it was to state there was little or no movement in the line in question. And so it was decided to occupy it by peaceful penetration, dispensing with any artillery preparation, “which, in addition to putting the enemy on his guard, usually brings forth a severe and continuous barrage from the enemy”.

It was a dull, cold morning on 20 August as the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders finalised their preparations to takeover the abandoned enemy line.

That evening the battalion began to file up to claim it, told by the occasional wounded Saxon that they came across that the Germans had left days ago.

As his comrades began this heartening takeover, though, Murdoch MacRae was mortally wounded and, although evacuated back to a casualty clearing station, the 29-year-old died before the day’s end. He was laid to rest at Heilly Station Cemetery, plot III.F.12.

COMPETITION We have three copies of Somme: 141 Days, 141 Lives (RRP £25) to give away to Legion Scotland Today readers. To enter, simply send your name, address and telephone number by 22 August 2016 to Somme 141 Competition, Legion Scotland, New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HQ, or email c.mcmonagle@ legionscotland.org.uk with Somme 141 Competition in the subject line. See www.legionscotland.org. uk/news-events for T&Cs.

ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS LTD/MARY EVANS

20th August – #S/6585 Private Murdoch MacRae, 11th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Born near Oban, 29-year-old Murdoch MacRae was a baker with an established history of serving in the militia before the war. He waited until November 1914 to join the Army and then rapidly took care of his affairs, enlisting on the 17th in a battalion of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and marrying his sweetheart Mary Jane the following day.

Having arrived in France in October 1915, by mid-August the following year Murdoch and his battalion were bivouacked at Albert, receiving drafts to replace those lost in their last stint in the trenches and attempting to avoid the enemy’s high velocity shells by scraping small niches in the riverbanks and drawing covers over themselves with old sacking and waterproof sheets. Thankfully a number of their new recruits were sorely needed specialists and tired officers were switched over with those who had remained in the rest camp the last time everyone had gone into the lines.

On 19th August, Murdoch MacRae and the other Highlanders relieved another battalion overnight, picking up casualties

BRANCH NEWS KIRKWALL

REPRESENTING IN RUSSIA

Branch member attends march in Moscow BOB MILLER from the Kirkwall branch was asked by the organisers of the Immortal Regiment of Russia to attend the Immortal Regiment march in Moscow on Victory Day, 9 May. Some 800,000 people took part in the march through Red Square to the Bolshoi Ballet, carrying pictures of their relatives who served in the Armed Forces in what the Russians call The Great Patriotic War Against Fascism. With Bob were Sarah Taylor from

The Immortal Regiment march

Stromness and Graham Haddow from Dundee.

Sarah and Graham carried photos of their fathers, Dr Derrick Johnstone and James Haddow, who both served in the Arctic Convoys. Graham in his kilt attracted much attention, and he, Sarah and Bob were approached by many Russians and thanked for what had been done by the UK during the war. The trio found it a very moving experience remembering the sacrifices made for freedom from Nazi tyranny.

ELLON

KSG PHOTOGRAPHY

A FAB FORTY

AFTER 40 years as a committee member of the Ellon branch, including 17 years as treasurer, Tom Lothian (right) was presented with a voucher and bottle of whisky by branch chairman George Bowman (left).

Ayrshire veterans outside the Odeon IRVINE

THE BIG PICTURE Veterans treated to a cinema trip MEMBERS OF the Irvine branch, with veteran befrienders and befriendees, headed to the Odeon cinema in Kilmarnock to see the new Dad’s Army film.

The outing was supported by Legion Scotland head office.

Kevin Gray MM, chief executive of Legion Scotland said: “Comradeship and wellbeing have always been at the heart of what we do.

Hosting events like this, where veterans can come together with like-minded people to get support and make lasting friendships, not only helps combat loneliness SUMMER 2016

but isolation too. Having a group outing to see such a relevant film provides our members and supporters with a fantastic way to connect and share experiences.”

Rebecca Lucy McKerrell from the Odeon Kilmarnock cinema said: “It’s great having guests come along to showings of films which are relatable or meaningful to them.” www.legionscotland.org.uk

11

BRANCH NEWS PRESTONPANS

CLOSE TO HEART PRESTONPANS CLUB has purchased an automated external defibrillator (AED), with eight members trained in how to operate it. The AED is stored between the bars for easy access.

Arbroath ladies with the Haddington Cup WOMEN’S SECTION: ARBROATH

VICTORY ALL SEWN UP ARBROATH BRANCH’S women’s section have taken home the Haddington Cup this year, after member Jenny Whittaker’s impressive knitted evening stole won the annual craft competition at the

women’s section annual conference.

The Haddington Cup has been awarded annually since 1928, when it was given to the women’s section by the Countess of Haddington.

PRESTWICK

NICE SHOT Legion Scotland runs monthly comradeship events at Craigiehall

MOFFAT

CADET CAMARADERIE

HELENSBURGH

JUTLAND PARADE MILITARY, ASSOCIATION and youth organisations marched through Helensburgh on 14 May to commemorate the Battle of Jutland, arranged by the Helensburgh and District branch in conjunction with the local council. Other events included a play and exhibition.

The group gets prepared

METHLICK

LEGION D’HONNEUR FOR RAF VETERAN MEMBER OF the Methlick branch Bill Adie MBE has been awarded the Legion d’Honneur. Bill was in the RAF and was stationed in France during 1944-1947.

www.legionscotland.org.uk

FIVE MEMBERS of Legion Scotland from across the Edinburgh and Lothians area attended the dedication of a memorial plaque for WWI and WWII servicemen at Howgate Parish Church outside Penicuik.

MEMBERS OF the Moffat branch were out to show their support at the opening event for the Moffat Academy Army Cadet Force School Linked Detachment. This is one of only seven school-linked detachments in Scotland.

MEMBERS OF the Monkton & Prestwick and Irvine branches travelled through to Craigiehall in March for a clay pigeon shooting comradeship event.

Elaine Clark and Senga Lindsay were joint winners of the women’s competition. Joe Ballantyne took the men’s prize.

12

PAYING TRIBUTE

SUMMER 2016

PRESTONPANS

BACK ON THE ROAD A CHEQUE for £1,000 was presented to Harlawhill Day Centre bus fund by the Prestonpans branch. Veterans in the area go there for companionship and lunch.

STAN MACKIE

Ayrshire veterans’ aim put to the test at comradeship event

EDINBURGH & LOTHIANS AREA

Legion Journal 185x122 0616_Legion Journal 185x122 0616 17/06/2016 13:09 Page 1

PREPARE FOR PARADE

Award provide a comprehensive and professional medal replacement, cleaning and mounting service. For details of available full-size and miniature medals and related items contact: AWARD, (Dept. LJSC), PO Box 300, Shrewsbury SY5 6WP, UK. Telephone: 01952 510053 Fax: 01952 510765 E-mail: info@awardmedals.com or visit www.awardmedals.com Proud supporters of Veteran Groups and Charities for 30 years.

Proud to suPPort legIon ScotlAnD • Exclusive discount for Legion Scotland members – quote GLLEG15 when booking • Donation to Legion Scotland for every booking made • Free holiday insurance option

Our GOOD COMPANIONS holidays are designed with solo travellers in mind.

Sidestep the stress of travelling alone and enjoy your break in the company of new friends and your convivial host.

Flying From glasgow or Edinburgh airport Based in the island capital of St Helier, a lively town with a pretty water front, pedestrianised shopping areas, open air markets and leafy parks.

Choose from six hand-picked hotels all on St Helier, your holiday also includes dinner, B&B, return flights with baggage allowance, resort transfers, optional Door to Door* Service for an additional £10 pp and free holiday insurance option.

tel: 0844 248 6105 glentonHolIDAYS.com

& PoPPies WeePing WindoW Includes entry to twelfth century Balhousie Castle where our visit coincides with the display of the Weeping Window Tower of London ceramic poppies and lunch at the castle.

Sat 20 Aug, Wed 14 Sep Day Trip only £49

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Includes Dinner, B&B • Welcome reception • One morning coffee & pastry • One lunch • One afternoon tea • Select coach travel throughout • Two excursions • Services of a GOOD COMPANIONS host • No single room supplement • Free holiday insurance option Fri 16 Sep 3 Days only £199

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Our super value Mystery Gold treats are always a huge hit the perfect way to sample a Select luxury coach holiday.

• Services of a GOOD COMPANIONS host • Welcome reception • No single room supplements • Free holiday insurance option

JERSEY BY AIR

Legion members please quote your membership number for your 15% medal mounting service discount.

ADD Door to Door* SERVICE FOR £10pp

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AuTuMN & FESTIvE COLLECTION coming soon

PLEASE CALL TO PRE ORDER YOuR BROCHuRE

Calls will cost only your phone company’s local access charge.

LEGION SCOTLAND discount code GLLEG15 – please quote at the time of booking

*Conditions apply.

BRANCH NEWS CONFERENCE

Some pictures from the annual conference in Perth

BRANCHING OUT AND GETTING TOGETHER

Iain Bowles (left) and Andy Jamieson from Carnoustie branch

Mick McEvoy from the Riders branch

Jimmy Wynd from Moffat branch (left) and Gary Cruickshanks from New Pitsligo branch

Roddy Wood from Inverness branch (left) and Bob Coburn from Beauly branch

Representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion talking to Brian McLeod BEM from Hawick branch

Advice for sending us your stories

SUBMITTING BRANCH NEWS

14

www.legionscotland.org.uk

SUMMER 2016

l If you include contact details, this gives us the option to get in touch if we need clarification on any of the above points. l In order to make sure Legion Scotland Today is a high-quality publication, we will favour images that are high-resolution and stories about recent events. l Articles will be edited for length and clarity.

Massive thanks go to everyone who has sent us images from the Give A Little For Veterans campaign.

We are saving these to run with the fundraising totals in the autumn issue – so please keep them coming.

Send your stories to Christie McMonagle at c.mcmonagle@ legionscotland.org.uk or call her on 0131 550 1549

MARK OWENS

WE LOVE to hear news from branches and members across the country, and we try to include as much as possible in the magazine. Please note the following points when making a submission: l It is always easier for us to present your story strongly with pictures and words, so please include both wherever possible. l We need to know the facts – tell us WHO the story is about, WHAT happened, WHEN it happened, WHERE it happened, WHY and HOW.

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

LOCAL HERO

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

Branch president Archie Dryburgh with cadets

ASSEMBLING AN ARMY

Why Annan branch has enlisted the help of the local cadet force and others

T

HE troops were out in force on Annan High Street to raise money for the Give A little For Veterans campaign in April – but it wasn’t just Legion Scotland members who were out with the collecting tins.

Army Cadets from Annan Detachment, Minden Training Group, West Lowland Battalion, also joined in.

Branch members and cadets collected at Aldi, Tesco and Annan Athletic Football Club during the first two Saturdays of the month and raised £1,260. The amount has been matchfunded by the Annan branch.

This is just the latest show of support between the local Army Cadet Force and Annan’s Legion Scotland branch.

Thanks to president Archie Dryburgh’s connection – he is patron of the Annan Detachment of Cadets – the relationship is blossoming.

Archie said: “The cadets have been our standard bearers for a couple of years now and we have also donated their new banner. The intergenerational

work has been fantastic and I am very proud of both the organisations.”

Chairman David Paterson was instrumental in planning the Give A Little For Veterans collections in Annan.

“When we asked the cadets for help with this collection, they all wanted to take part,” he says.

Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant John Marshall is delighted that the cadets are able to work with the Legion Scotland branch in this way: “Cadets welcome the opportunity to raise funds for our veterans, but it also helps with their syllabus, as they work to become better citizens in their community. I am extremely proud of them, and I know their parents are too.”

Having the cadets on board is a fantastic asset for the Annan branch, but their attempts to get the wider community involved don’t end there.

Their youth pipe band is growing, and local groups including the Annan Border Raiders – a Western re-enactment group – have made their own donations to the Give A Little For Veterans campaign.

Annan is also one of only a handful of Legion Scotland branches to have a charity shop. Opened almost two years ago, it is managed by David Paterson, and helps remind the community of the importance of supporting Scotland’s veterans.

“We are always surprised by the amount of support we get from the local community in Annan and beyond,” David explains. “Our shop is always busy. We could not do this without the support of our volunteers and branch members and I would like to thank them all for their huge hearts and the time that they give to us.”

Cadets welcome the opportunity to raise funds for veterans. I am extremely proud of them SUMMER 2016

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POPPYSCOTLAND NEWS FUNDRAISING

HEALTHY TOTALS IN POPPY APPEAL THANKS TO the hard work, dedication and support of many Legion Scotland branches and members, the following totals were collected for the 2015 Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Overall, you collected £864,704 towards the forecast total for the whole appeal of £2,966,384. Poppyscotland greatly appreciates your ongoing support which helps to make a real difference to the lives of Scotland’s Armed Forces community. Thank you.

Aberdeen & District Aboyne Alford Alyth Annan Anstruther Arbroath Assynt Aviemore & Rothiemurchus Ballater & District Banchory & District Bathgate Beauly Biggar Black Isle Blairgowrie, Rattray & District Braco & Greenloaning Brechin Bridge of Weir Buckie & District Bucksburn Callander Campbeltown Canisbay & District Carnoustie Castle Douglas Charles M Macrae (RBLS Lochalsh) Clackmannanshire & District Cockenzie & Port Seton Coldstream Crieff Crossgates Cumbernauld Cupar Dalbeattie Dalkeith Dingwall Dufftown Dumfries Dunbar Dunfermline Dunkeld & Birnam Duns Easdale East Kilbride Eyemouth Forres Fort William Fraserburgh Fyvie Garnock Valley Gatehouse & District Glenrothes Glenurquhart

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£72,520 £2,924 £2,164 £1,076 £6,226 £1,223 £13,135 £312 £4,262 £2,410 £11,863 £13,394 £1,675 £4,445 £3,871 £4,671 £591 £2,659 £1,856 £6,214 £7,770 £3,039 £2,620 £884 £6,157 £5,509 £1,168 £11,343 £2,200 £1,756 £5,763 £557 £17,403 £6,530 £3,064 £7,035 £8,076 £1,037 £25,964 £3,277 £42,695 £3,790 £3,475 £1,958 £17,569 £3,400 £8,000 £5,978 £6,466 £1,231 £3,803 £1,543 £14,186 £1,652

SUMMER 2016

Golspie £1,748 Grangemouth £23,921 Hamilton £50,183 Hawick £6,258 Inveraray £1,020 Invergordon £856 Inverness £50,261 Inverurie £6,930 Irvine £14,271 Isle of Bute £3,661 Jedburgh £1,820 Keith & District £4,204 Kelso £4,457 Kennoway £873 Kilwinning £8,395 Kincardine O’Neil £918 Kingussie (Badenoch) £1,401 Kirkwall £11,087 Langholm £2,093 Largs £294 Latheron £573 Lerwick £5,003 Leven £5,368 Lewis £7,865 Liddesdale £1,213 Livingston £21,761 Lochbroom £1,684 Longside £2,224 Lossiemouth £2,719 Lumphanan £648 Maybole £1,563 Methlick £676 Millport £938 Moffat £7,147 Montrose £8,396 Muirkirk £1,698 Nairn £9,039 Newbattle & Gorebridge £2,082 New Deer £2,477 New Pitsligo £710 Newburgh £861 Newton Stewart £3,018 Newtonmore (Badenoch) £1,226 North Berwick £3,926 North Skye £5,074 Oban £8,034 Oldmeldrum £2,118 Peebles £7,245 Penicuik £3,920 Peterhead £9,912 Pitlochry & Blair Atholl £5,423 Portobello £13,433 Prestonpans £5,760 Roslin £1,915 Saltcoats, Adrossan & Stevenston £11,397

Mark Bibbey, chief executive of Poppyscotland, presents Legion Scotland’s national chairman, Charlie Brown, with a certificate of appreciation

Sanday Sanquhar Scalloway Selkirk Stranraer Strathpeffer Strathspey Strichen Stromness Tain Tarves & District Tayport Thornhill Thurso Troon Turriff & District Uist Upper Donside Wick

£887 £1,610 £2,800 £3,163 £8,780 £2,442 £3,263 £725 £2,834 £3,650 £560 £886 £2,749 £9,656 £6,834 £7,819 £1,526 £621 £8,594

Royal British Legion Scotland Women’s Section Crail Earlston Ellon Galashiels Glenrothes Larkhall Methilhill Stonehaven

£1,405 £1,870 £11,997 £8,334 £420 £6,188 £1,400 £7,545

If your total does not appear here, or is incorrect, please contact Poppyscotland on 0131 550 1553

WELFARE

The money raised through the Scottish Poppy Appeal helps Poppyscotland provide life-changing support to the Armed Forces community

HOW POPPYSCOTLAND HELPS A STAIRLIFT FOR 94-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM WALKER WILLIAM WALKER, 94, has lived in his house for more than 60 years. It is a home filled with happy memories.

Although wounded in World War II, William is very independent and runs his home well. Getting up and down his stairs has, however, become an obstacle. His daughters were unable to secure statutory funding for the provision of a reconditioned stairlift and mobility aids of this sort are expensive.

Poppyscotland was made aware of William’s plight and, because keeping veterans in their own homes for as long as possible is William Walker

Ronnie Docherty with his son Ross

a key aim of the charity, it agreed to help with the funding of a stairlift.

William said: “Before I was fortunate enough to receive the stairlift, I was finding it increasingly hard to climb the stairs, having to stop for a breather halfway up.

Thanks to all concerned, I have no further problems in that direction.”

William took part in the launch of the 90th Poppy Appeal campaign back in 2011 when he was 90 years old. He said: “The Scottish Poppy Appeal changes lives and I would ask people to be generous when they are buying their poppies.”

A LIGHTWEIGHT WHEELCHAIR FOR ROSS DOCHERTY COLOUR SERGEANT Ronnie Docherty is a reservist with 6 SCOTS. When Ronnie’s son Ross was 18 months old he was diagnosed with a rare disorder called Langerhans cell histiocytosis. He also has other medical conditions, which have a debilitating effect on his life. Until he was 12 or 13, Ross was active and enjoyed life. However, as his condition has progressed, he has needed to use a wheelchair more frequently. Yet despite

all he has gone through, Ross remains cheerful.

Ross was using an NHS wheelchair, which was far too heavy. Poppyscotland was happy to step in to help fund a lightweight sports wheelchair for him.

This has had a positive impact on Ross’s life and that of his family. Ronnie said: “We are all really proud of Ross. The new wheelchair means he is much more independent.

It’s made a difference to our life as a family too, as it’s much easier to do things together now.”

Find out more about Poppyscotland at www.poppyscotland.org.uk

SUMMER 2016

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Funeralcare SPECIAL OFFER £150 off for Legion Scotland members*

Leave your loved ones something they will appreciate in the future: A fully guaranteed Funeral Plan Unlike some funeral plan providers, we promise to cover all the costs of your chosen burial or cremation*.

For a Pre-paid Funeral Plan that saves you money and your loved ones worry, contact us today. ††Call now on 0800 389 8377, visit your local Co-op Funeralcare or find us online coop.co.uk/funeralcare and quote LEG15 to receive £150 discount.

*Terms & conditions: 1. If you are choosing a burial, prices and availability of graves vary widely across the country and are therefore not included in the Funeral Plan. 2. Only one discount of £150 will be made towards the full price of a Pre-paid Funeral Plan (“Discount”). 3. The Discount is only valid for Pre-paid Funeral Plans purchased before 31st December 2016, for Legion Scotland Members only. 4. The Discount does not apply if the Funeral Plan is to be paid for by fixed monthly payments. 5. This Discount is redeemable only by the purchaser of a Funeral Plan, who must be a Legion Scotland member. The Funeral Plan purchaser can purchase a Pre-paid Funeral Plan either for themselves or another. 6. If you are purchasing a Pre-paid Funeral Plan at a Promoter Funeral Home, please present this advert at the time of purchase. The Funeral Home shall retain the advert. Photocopied or re-produced adverts will be void. 7. If you are purchasing a Pre-paid Funeral Plan online, you are entitled to a £100 discount in addition to the standard online discount of £50, which will be deducted from the retail price of a Pre-paid Funeral Plan purchased at the time of sale. Please insert the promotional code where requested. 8. If you are purchasing a Pre-paid Funeral Plan over the telephone, please state the promotional code to the Promoter’s operator. 9. This Discount is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, membership offer, discount or promotion being run by the Promoter, other than the standard £100 online discount if you purchase a Pre-paid Funeral Plan online via the Promoter’s website. 10. The Promoter reserves the right to withdraw, modify or terminate this offer in whole or in part in the event that makes it necessary to do so. 11. The promotional code for this advert is LEG15.

For full Pre-paid Funeral Plan T&Cs see www.co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

The Promoter is Funeral Services Limited (30808R) trading as Co-op Funeralcare, with registered office at 1 Angel Square, Manchester, M60 0AG. ††Calls to 0800 Freephone numbers are free from landlines but call charges from mobiles may vary and you may want to check this with your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for security and training purposes.

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VETERANS NEWS COMMEMORATION

WREATHS ON ORDER

Are you prepared for Remembrance?

AT LADY Haig’s Poppy Factory, a team of veteran workers make poppies, wreaths and crosses so that each November these can provide a fitting tribute to the fallen – and raise money for Poppyscotland.

Some wreath and cross designs are customisable, and can be ordered with Legion Scotland or Royal British Legion Scotland logos in the centre.

The easiest way to order is online, at www.ladyhaigspoppyfactory.org.uk, though orders can also be placed over the phone on 0131 550 1573 or 0131 550 1574, by filling in the mail order form distributed with the printed brochure, or by dropping in to the factory, located on Warriston Road and Logie Green Road in Edinburgh

Actors Natalie Clarke and Joe Proctor with pupils Shona Robertson and Scott Armstrong YOUNG PEOPLE

Covenant Fund ensures return of Scottish schools hit performance

MUSEUM

Loch Ewe was a key setting off point for the Arctic Convoys

ARCTIC CONVOY MUSEUM EYES UP EXPANSION Project run by volunteers around Loch Ewe reveals future plans THE RUSSIAN Arctic Convoy Museum Project currently exhibits an extensive collection of convoy artefacts, pictures and models at the Old School in Inverasdale – and can be visited on Wednesdays and Fridays from May to October,

between 2pm and 5pm.

The project has, however, much bigger plans to pay permanent tribute to those who served in the convoys.

The volunteer group’s ultimate plan is to develop a visitor centre in Aultbea with a larger exhibition space, research facilities and more.

They also wish to form a ‘Wartime Trail’ around Loch Ewe, linking related locations around the area.

The team is urging anyone who would like to become involved in the project to get in touch. Contact gail@theracmproject.org or by post at Pool House, Poolewe, Ross-shire, IV22 2LD, for more information

THE SHOW MUST GO ON THE ROYAL Caledonian Education Trust (RCET), which supports the children of current and former Scottish Armed Forces personnel, has been awarded nearly £20,000 from the Armed Forces Community Covenant Fund to finance a return tour of the hugely successful ‘Forces Kids Live’ theatre performance.

In excess of 9,000 children and staff in 60 schools are expected to benefit from the 4-6 week long roadshow, which will be commissioned again by the RCET and performed by Hopscotch Theatre Company in this 2016/17 academic year.

‘Forces Kids Live’ follows the story of Kevin, whose father is serving in the Armed Forces, and features hard-hitting messages highlighting Kevin’s anxieties around his father’s deployment and the challenges of taking on extra responsibilities at home, while still adjusting to life at a new school.

Matthew Middler, fundraising development manager, RCET, said: “This is a significant award which will go a long way in raising awareness of the impact of deployment on some school-age pupils and the feelings of isolation they can sometimes experience.”

SUMMER 2016

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COMRADESHIP

Perfect weather for a day on the water

A group from Scottish Veterans Residences head out on Linlithgow Canal for banter and bonding

IF IT FLOATS YOUR BOAT WORDS: FIONA MCKINLAY PHOTOGRAPHY: MIKE WILKINSON

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A

s the group pile in to the Low Port Centre and start helping themselves to the bacon and sausage rolls, there’s a warm and positive energy. The group, from Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) in Edinburgh and Glasgow, are all pretty young but have got a lot of living under their belts.

Activities like today’s Canadian canoeing, organised by Legion Scotland as part of its comradeship programme, provide a great chance for these guys to get together, have a laugh and expend some energy. For many of them, it’s only that – but for others it’s a big move. When you’re dealing with demons, it can be hard to find the motivation to leave your room. Some of the guys tell me about their neighbours, who couldn’t be convinced to come along.

Stephen Elliot, the head of events and liaison for Legion Scotland, gives a brief introduction while the men tuck in to a spread of bacon and sausage rolls.

Ordinarily, the Canadian canoeing would have taken place on Linlithgow Loch. Due to the wind, though, we head to the canal instead. Waterproof overalls and paddles handed out, the group pack into a minibus for the short ride there.

Dave takes to the water first, demonstrating how to paddle a canoe in the right direction, while John narrates from the water’s edge. It’s simple stuff that a bunch of veterans will have little trouble working out. The group then get into pairs and start familiarising themselves with the techniques in the canal basin.

Aaron Shields tells us he’s come “just for a good day out, I suppose”. Aaron only moved into the Scottish Veterans Residence at Whitefoord House in Edinburgh two weeks earlier. He was in 3SCOTS for four years, based at Fort George. In his time serving, he saw Kenya and Canada and was involved in training Libyan security forces in London. He decided, though, that it was “time to look for another career” – he starts college in August. As a newcomer to the group, today is a great chance for him to get to know his neighbours.

One of them is Matthew GrahamMcMurdoch, who drove amphibious landing craft in the Army.

“I eventually wanted to go for Army Air Corps as a helicopter pilot, but I didn’t get my promotion in time to enable me to do the course,” he says. “So I left to take a university degree in aviation.”

Matthew has been at Whitefoord House for three months.

“This activity was announced in the house via the noticeboard. I always enjoyed adventure training and whatnot when I was in the military, so I thought I’d do it,” he says. He also attended another comradeship event – go-karting – a few weeks earlier. “It’s a good day out, a break from the norm.”

Craig Pratt has been at Whitefoord House for seven months, following a “family relationship breakdown”. For him, comradeship events are about “teambuilding and building friendships.

I hadn’t met those who have come from Glasgow before today”.

Craig served with the First Battalion Royal Scots and then Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders for around seven years; he’s been out for nine. “Things haven’t been perfect since I came out.

Once you’re out, you’re forgotten about.

However, when you meet up with the support workers at Whitefoord House,

One or two that are here today wouldn’t even have ventured outside their room last year, but today they have big smiles on their faces. It’s unusual to hear so much laughter around veterans you realise there is help out there.

It’s just not advertised well and none of the guys who are getting out know it’s there. SVR put me in contact with other places like Veterans First Point and SSAFA.” At Whitefoord House, Craig helps arrange games days for residents and staff. He says: “Obviously the residents win everything.”

The group don’t get too crazily competitive today, though there is a fair amount of playful ribbing.

The canal setting is pretty calming, and with the sun blazing it would be hard to have picked a more perfect day. Despite the constant threat that someone might get a bit boisterous and have a go at capsizing their neighbour, every canoe miraculously stays the right way up. Those spare SUMMER 2016

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COMRADESHIP

HOW TO RUN A COMRADESHIP EVENT IN YOUR AREA Make local connections Talk to leisure and community centres in your area about what activities they might be able to offer Know your audience If you are running an event for younger veterans, high energy activities usually prove popular; older veterans might be better suited to a museum trip or similar Get numbers Find out how many people are going to attend before you book transportation, but don’t leave it too late, as coach hire firms can get booked up weeks ahead Ask Legion Scotland for help Legion Scotland’s Ex-Service Community Support Fund can provide support for comradeship events, and the head office team may well be able to offer you advice on your plans

shoes and full changes of clothes everyone brought thankfully won’t be needed today.

Not everyone braves the water, and among those staying on dry land is Jonathan Hanlon – who has brought his camera to take a few snaps instead.

He’s come through from Glasgow today, where he lives in one of the permanent homes at Bellrock Close.

“I actually rent a property from the SVR, the idea being to have established families who have already left the military and adjusted back into life in permanent housing.

“Bellrock Close also has a transitional support facility. I think the hardest thing for residents is dealing with addiction.

It’s such a nightmare. You’re in a situation where you’re getting bombed constantly and then you come back and everyone expects you to be OK,” Jonathan says.

The group on the water are running back and forth across one another’s canoes. “One or two that are here today wouldn’t even have ventured outside their room last year, but today 22

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SUMMER 2016

Ex-Submariner Stephen McCulloch heads back to the water

they have big smiles on their faces.

It’s unusual to hear so much laughter around veterans.”

Another full-time tenant at Bellrock Close is Ex-Royal Navy Submariner Stephen McCulloch. “When I left the Navy, I stayed in Cornwall and then moved to Singapore. When I returned to the UK I was basically homeless.

Then I heard about the new housing development at Cranhill and applied.”

Stephen has not only been to other comradeship events, he’s also arranged one himself, taking a group to HMS Neptune at Faslane.

“It’s the comradeship and brotherhood that’s important. Everyone here has something in common. There are a lot of problems among veterans, like

addiction issues, and we can relate to one another. Sometimes it’s a lot easier to speak to other veterans than to civilians.”

Liam Conroy has recently been brought in to SVR as a healthy lives officer, and has been instrumental in arranging today’s event with Legion Scotland. “My focus is on physical and social health, and things like this are ideal for our veterans. The fact that they’re all shattered is a success in itself.

Sleep is a massive issue for some of them, who are lucky to get one or two hours a night.”

Over a lunch of soup and sandwiches, the group get to know one another a bit better, before heading off east and west to their respective homes.

COMRADESHIP

COMRADESHIP CALENDAR What Legion Scotland has planned for the coming months 17 August Clay Pigeon Shooting, Craigiehall 9 September Archery, Edinburgh 17 September Clay Pigeon Shooting, Craigiehall 14 October Archery, Edinburgh

Instructor John Lewis and support worker Fiona Stewart lead the way

Sometimes it’s a lot easier to speak to other veterans instead of civilians

22 October Clay Pigeon Shooting, Craigiehall Contact Stephen Elliot at s.elliot@legionscotland.org.uk or on 0131 550 1583 for more details or to book your place.

More comradeship events are being lined up all the time.

Visit www.legionscotland.org. uk/news-events/events-diary/ for up-to-date listings

Smiling veterans make a splash on the canal

William Dempsey has been staying at Bellrock Close for five months, having just got out of prison. “I was arrested while I was still serving, so I had nowhere else to go,” he explains. He served in the Army for 13 years. Comradeship events for him are “a chance to meet other people who have been through the same stuff as me. I was diagnosed with PTSD about three years ago, so it’s trying to deal with that as well, with other people who have been in the same situation”.

It’s a shame, he says, that more people don’t come along to these events.

“Liam is trying his hardest to get us all involved. It’s just about getting people motivated, though.”

How valuable today’s event is for the participants is plain to see, and that’s why

Legion Scotland plans to run many more comradeship events – both for specific groups like SVR residents and for broader gatherings of veterans from all over the country.

Stephen Elliot says: “Comradeship is something you do with people, not do to them. At the comradeship events I’ve been involved in, we have had people from all different backgrounds from all three armed services, some young, some old and some people who are somewhere in the middle. It’s amazing how they can come to these events and bond, become a team and leave as friends.”

It can be a good chance, too, to make sure veterans who are not yet members of Legion Scotland know how the charity can help them.

“People have joined Legion Scotland as a result of the contact through comradeship events. This is really important because it means we can assist them when it comes to them making the transition to civilian life, and as members they can get involved in all sorts of activities, from running local comradeship events to befriending and more. They can keep Legion Scotland moving into the future, to make sure we can carry on this important work.”

In the coming months, Stephen hopes to try out new comradeship activities like walking football and trips to concerts.

“Comradeship events come in all shapes and sizes,” he says. “We’ve just had a really successful Give A Little For Veterans campaign, and the fundraising activities around that, like the quizzes, actually became fantastic comradeship events in themselves. We are seeing more demand for comradeship events further afield, so are keen to support local branches in arranging activities in their area, with Legion Scotland’s support.”

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FUNDRAISING

How Dalbeattie’s Jim Dingwall made a success of hosting his and the branch’s first coffee morning

A PIECE OF CAKE WORDS: BRIAN DONALDSON PHOTOGRAPHY: ANGELA CATLIN

Home baking was a hit with the Dalbeattie locals

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FUNDRAISING

T

HE KITCHEN in Dalbeattie’s Lesser Town Hall is a hive of activity during this Legion Scotland branch’s first-ever coffee morning, part of the Give A Little For Veterans campaign. Cups of coffee are filled (and refilled many times over), scones are frantically buttered (the closest we come to a note of controversy today is when a request is made for an unbuttered scone) and mouth-watering tray bakes are eyed lovingly by all.

Many people in the busy room are from various parts of the Dalbeattie community, some are connected to Legion Scotland in one way or another, many are not. But it’s a sign that the local Legion Scotland branch has been successful in getting the word out about this late-April fundraiser.

The man behind today’s coffee morning is Jim Dingwall, whose 42 years in the Legion would earn him a national certificate of meritorious service and a life membership card at Legion Scotland’s conference in Perth two weeks later.

This is the first coffee morning we’ve had and we really wanted to get local people involved. As you can see it has been a success “The committee was a lot bigger in the past and I remember I was always in a minority of one: whatever I suggested was met with ‘oh no, can’t do that’. Not that I was right and they were wrong, just that I found this seemed to happen a lot.”

During Jim’s time at Legion Scotland, he’s been sports area delegate, branch representative for meetings and area president, a position he’s held for a number of years now. “We still have a committee but most are pensioners now. Though I have a wry smile about that because

From left to right: Stranraer branch chair and Dumfries and Galloway area chair Chris Le Plongeon, Dalbeattie’s Jim Dingwall and national vice chair Martyn Hawthorn

I retired myself last year.”

Legion Scotland vice chair Martyn Hawthorn has dropped in from his Moffat branch to lend support to Jim as the first Dalbeattie coffee morning is launched. As a former Royal Naval officer, Martyn is rather appropriately in charge of the Battleships game: three attempts for £1.

Chris Le Plongeon, chair of the Stranraer branch and area chair of Dumfries and Galloway, is in attendance too. A former Territorial Army man whose

son served in Northern Ireland, Chris is originally from Jersey (“the island wasn’t big enough for both Bergerac and me”) but life took him to the south of Scotland.

When his wife passed away five years ago, Chris began to get involved in his local branch and its activities took up much of his time. “It’s not like a full-time job, but you can get involved with committees and various meetings and it can take up a bit of your time: it’s really what you make of it.”

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FUNDRAISING

All the food and all raffle prizes were donated by either members or family connections or locals who always come to support these things On the day, the coffee morning kicked off bang on 10am and was wound up as the dust settled on the raffle, with the clock ticking towards the noon closing time.

You could say that this was an operation executed with almost military precision.

Collecting the entrance fee was June Walker, who has helped Jim run Legion Scotland’s bingo for the best part of two decades. “This is the first coffee morning we’ve had and we really wanted to get local people involved. As you can see it has been a success and I’m sure there’ll be another one very soon.”

Among those from the community not just turning up but setting out their own stall with the likes of carriage clocks and local art is the Dalbeattie Men’s Shed. Their presence is another symbol of the event’s success in bringing different sections of the community together. “The Men’s Shed and Legion Scotland gel nicely together,” insists Geoff Allison. “We have three or four ex-servicemen in our group.

It’s expensive to buy the kit to fit out our workshop but Legion Scotland kindly decided to support us on that. It’s nice that Dalbeattie is pulling together like this.”

For Jim Dingwall, his efforts in the run-up to the coffee morning as well as his effective management on the day helped make this event a triumph.

A total of £846.69 was raised in aid of the Give A Little For Veterans campaign through an admission fee, donation bucket, raffle and bottle stalls.

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Jim handing out Legion Scotland goodies at the event

As well as fundraising for Legion Scotland, the Dalbeattie branch has made substantial donations to the likes of the Gurkha Welfare Trust, Poppyscotland and Erskine Hospital.

“I’d been planning it for three or four months and everything here

4 TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST COFFEE MORNING as many donations as possible so 1 Get that everything taken is profit the right amount of help: 2 Recruit doubling up makes it easier numbers in the kitchen to keep the tea, coffee and scones (buttered and 3 Maintain unbuttered) flowing a venue that will be just the right 4 Pick size for the number of people you expect to attend: too big a room and the event

SUMMER 2016

can seem quiet and lose atmosphere; too cramped and it can cause discomfort

was donated,” says Jim, having a well-earned sit-down just after noon before heading back in to help with the clear-up.

“We spent maybe just a few pounds on buying one or two things but all the food and raffle prizes were donated by either members or family connections or locals who always come to support these things. This was the first one I’d ever done so it was a bit daunting but I took advice from other people and I’ll be ready for it next time.”

Jim is especially grateful for all the help he received from committee and non-committee members alike who gave generously of their time.

Everyone who contributed helped make this coffee morning a real success. “When you go to a coffee morning, you don’t realise the time-consuming work that goes on. When you come along to one of them, you can think that somehow, as if by magic, it all just happens! Would I do another one? Yes, I would.”

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

There are many ways to leave a gift to a charity in your will that your solicitor will be able to explain. You could leave a cash gift or a share of your estate, and you can make specific requests on how your gift can be used. The needs of veterans are subject to change, though, and gifts without conditions allow us to channel money to priority projects at a particular time.

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

Should you have any questions about leaving Legion Scotland a gift in your will please either speak to your solicitors or to Sheena Stone, Head of Marketing & Fundraising, at s.stone@legionscotland.org.uk or 0131 550 1554 LET US KNOW ABOUT YOUR GIFT If you wish to leave Legion Scotland a gift in your will, we would love to hear from you so we can say thank you.

Title Name Address

Postcode Email I intend leaving a gift to Legion Scotland (Royal British Legion Scotland) in my will but wish to keep the details private I intend leaving a residual bequest of £ to Legion Scotland I intend leaving a (cash gift) bequest of £ My gift is for general purposes My gift is specifically for

Are you a member of Legion Scotland?

Yes

No

Branch (if applicable) Please tick here if you would like to receive a complimentary copy of Legion Scotland Today quarterly, and do not already Please be assured that we will treat any information that you give us in the strictest of confidence.

The information that you provide will be held to help in the processing of your donation. We will not disclose your information to any other organisation outwith the Legion Scotland group. Your information may be stored on a database.

Please return this completed form to: Sheena Stone, Head of Marketing & Fundraising, Legion Scotland, New Haig House, Logie Green Road, Edinburgh EH7 4HQ, or email to s.stone@legionscotland.org.uk

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

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

Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE MA, president of Legion Scotland, on his military career and beyond

A KNIGHT’S TALE WORDS: JONATHAN MCINTOSH PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK OWENS

G

ROWING UP in a military family, Sir Alistair Irwin followed his father to many different countries around the world. While living in Cyprus as a young boy of around 10 or 11, he and a friend watched the Black Watch on parade at Famagusta. It was so impressive that, from that moment on, he knew he was going to join the Army.

After graduating in Political Economy at St Andrews University, Sir Alistair was commissioned into the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) in 1970, becoming the sixth member of his family to have served in that regiment.

His career took him to many locations across the world, including Hong Kong, Pakistan and West Germany: “My time as the Commanding Officer 1st Battalion Black Watch in Edinburgh, Northern Ireland and West Berlin between 1985 till 1988 was a particular highlight,” reflects Sir Alistair. “My military career is filled with fond memories, but this period was especially pivotal because it equipped me with the skills and experience that helped me in my later appointments.”

During his career Sir Alistair considered himself “very lucky” to have received three honours: the OBE for his time in command of his battalion and in recognition of the prominent role the regiment played in the Commonwealth Games in 1986; the CBE for his time in command of 39 Infantry Brigade in Belfast between 1992 and 1994; and in

Sir Alistair Irwin in his Colonel of the regiment (Black Watch) uniform, 2004

the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2002, he received a knighthood for his role as General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland. “It’s a great privilege to receive such honours from the hands of the Sovereign herself and they are moments that I’ll always cherish”, says Sir Alistair.

Following more than 35 years of service, Sir Alistair decided to retire from the Army in 2005. “I didn’t find adjusting to civilian life too difficult, but oddly enough the strangest thing I experienced was living in one place for more than a year or two,” he laughs. “I have lost count of the number of places I’ve lived in, so remaining in one area has taken some getting used to. I’ve been in my current home for 11 years and it’s the only time in my life that I’ve

SHARE YOUR STORY Voices of Veterans is a Legion Scotland campaign paying tribute to veterans of all ages by sharing their stories. If you have a story to share, whether you left service yesterday or 50 years ago, or know someone with a story and would like to nominate them, let us know. Please contact Christie McMonagle on 0131 550 1549 or at c.mcmonagle@legionscotland.org.uk

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SUMMER 2016

been static. Almost every day I think to myself how marvellous it is.”

Leaving behind the highly regimented routine of his military career also took some getting used to. “When you retire from the Army, you’re the one who has to make sure your days are filled,” says Sir Alistair. “It’s potentially one of the most demanding changes to a serviceman’s lifestyle – especially the longer their period of service.”

This is one of the reasons that Sir Alistair decided to get involved in the important work of Legion Scotland, more than ten years ago. “I really enjoy meeting people from similar backgrounds who you can have a chat with,” he says. “It’s always great fun and it helps keep the old brain ticking over.”

As an organisation, Sir Alistair believes members should be very proud of what they have helped Legion Scotland achieve. “Many of our members always turn out incredibly smartly at various events to show their respect for those who sacrificed so much,” he remarks.

“Legion Scotland has played leading roles in a number of high-profile events, and how our members conduct themselves at such events is held in high regard by the general public. This is something of which the organisation should be very proud.

“However, there is more to our work than remembrance. The wonderful work of Legion Scotland members at grassroots level aimed at making life better for isolated or needy veterans is terribly important. The time, commitment and passion that these volunteers put in to ensure that the ex-service community is looked after is really admirable,” says Sir Alistair. “The benefits that individuals get from these services are incalculable. This work can often go unsung, but ensuring veterans retain a support network is among the Legion’s most crucial work.”

I really enjoy meeting people from similar backgrounds who you can have a chat with.

It’s always great fun and it helps keep the old brain ticking over

IN MEMORIAM

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

CHARLES HARKNESS Charlie lived in Dunoon all his life.

He did his national service in the Royal Air Force, first as a cook and then eventually as an amendments clerk in the publication offices in Stamford. After discharge he took up hairdressing, opening a shop in Ferry Brae. Many ex-servicemen went along to support him. He leaves behind his wife, Terressa, and son, Charles, who lives in America.

MILNGAVIE & BEARSDEN

TOM BAKER Thomas George Baker was born in 1924 and joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18 during World War Two. A veteran of the Arctic Convoys, in 2014 he received the Russian Ushakov Medal, the latest of 11 medals awarded to him. He and his wife, Betty, regularly attended branch events, and he will be dearly missed. .MUIRKIRK

.EDINBURGH CENTRAL

WILLIAM SUTHERLAND Bill Sutherland was born in 1957 and joined the Royal Navy in 1975. He trained as an electrical, electronic and explosive artificer engineer and saw active service in the Falklands and the first Gulf War. In his military career, he was deployed to Australia, the Far East, Europe, the West Indies, USA and Canada. He was latterly very active in the Royal Naval Association, and a member of Legion Scotland’s Central branch in Edinburgh. .HAWICK

HUGH (HUGHIE) SPOTTISWOOD ROBSON Hughie passed away in April after a short illness. He was a member of the Hawick branch for more than 40 years and a regular attendee on parade at Armistice Day. He will be best remembered as the groundsman for Hawick Royal Albert Football Club, where he worked for more than 50 years. Hughie did national service in the Army Catering Corps, then served for 24 years in the 4th and 4/5th King’s Own Scottish Borderers TA.

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SUMMER 2016

FRED CRAWFORD Frederick Wilson Crawford, branch president, died on 14 April, aged 95. At the outbreak of WWII, Fred joined the Merchant Navy as a cook and baker.

He sailed to New York on the Atlantic convoys, Murmansk on the Arctic Convoys, Buenos Aires and the Red Sea. Thoughts are with his son Eric and family. .TAIN

IAN FRASER John (Ian) Lorimer Fraser was a member of the Lifeguards (1951-1953), Scottish Horses (1953-1954), and the Ross and

Submitting a Last Post

Cromarty Police Force (1954-1959).

In his earlier life he was a very active member of the community. He finally succumbed to ill health on 24 April, aged 82. Thoughts go out to his wife, Heather, and family at this sad time.

TAYPORT

BRIAN HOUGHTON Stalwart Tayport branch member Brian Houghton, born in 1934, sadly passed away on 26 March 2016.

Brian was a wonderful loving father and grandfather who will be sadly missed, not only by his children and grandchildren, but also by all who knew him at the Tayport branch and in the wider community.

TROON

SUE STAPLES Sue was a valued member of the Troon branch. Along with her husband, she was a WWII veteran, having served in the WRAF. She spoke fluent French and was closely identified with Troon’s twinning with a French town.

TROON

HUGH MCEWAN Hugh was an Army driver in WWII, his lorry landing in Normandy just after D-Day. He witnessed the joy of the

Please submit dedications to recently departed Legion Scotland members to c.mcmonagle@legionscotland.org.uk. We will endeavour to include these in the next issue based on the following deadlines: 19 August 2016 (autumn), 18 November 2016 (winter).

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.

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liberation of Brussels and the sombre scenes at Belsen concentration camp. He was billeted with a family in Belgium and had the great pleasure of visiting them after a lapse of 40 years.

All sympathies go to Hugh’s daughters and grandchildren.

TROON

DAVID JAMIESON (DAVY) With the death of David Jamieson, Troon branch has lost its president.

An ardent and enthusiastic member, David will be sorely missed. In the late 1990s, David was part of the band of enthusiasts who re-established an active Legion branch in Troon. David was also convenor for the Earl Haig Fund in Troon. The sympathy of the branch goes out to David’s widow, Margaret, and to his brother and sister. .TURRIFF & DISTRICT

DICK HUTCHEON One of the branch’s oldest members, he was born on 14 March 1919. At the start of the Second World War, he left with his fellow comrades to fight in France, where he was captured and spent five years at Stalag 9C camp in Germany.

Dick enjoyed his daily pint in the Legion and a blether with his pals in the bar. Dick will be very sadly missed by family and friends. .TURRIFF & DISTRICT

JIMMY GORDON Jim was born and lived for the first part of his life at Upper Crudie, near Turriff.

In 1939 he joined the Home Guard until the war ended. While living in sheltered housing, he was always very happy to help anyone in any way he could. Jimmy was a very popular

character, well loved and respected.

He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

serving as chairman. His passing is a great loss to all who knew him. .TURRIFF & DISTRICT

.TURRIFF & DISTRICT

STEWART ROSS Stewart joined The Gordon Highlanders in 1943 and took part in the Anzio campaign and the Liberation of Rome. He then served in Palestine and Greece. On return to civvy street he studied law in Aberdeen.

During his legal career, Stewart was in the 5th/6th Gordons (Territorial), where he reached the rank of second-incommand. He was a much-loved figure in the area. .TURRIFF & DISTRICT

NORMAN A GREIG, MBE Norman joined the Royal Observer Corps in 1971. After many years and many promotions, in 1991 it was Norman’s duty to “stand down” 10,000 volunteers due to the reduction of nuclear threat from the Soviet Union.

In 1995, Norman was presented with an MBE. On retirement, he and his wife moved to Turriff. Here he became very involved in the local branch, eventually

DAVID MCGREGOR David was born in Kirkcaldy in 1934.

He was called up for National Service and joined the Royal Air Force. After training he was posted to RAF Kinloss as an aircraft air-radar fitter. After his demob, he had various jobs in the nuclear power industry and later worked in Qatar. Sadly, David’s health deteriorated in recent years. He was a quiet, modest man who will be very sadly missed by his family and friends.

UPPER DONSIDE

ALISTAIR WALLACE Alistair was president of the Upper Donside branch and passed away in December at the age of 80. Alistair did National Service in the Life Guards and served in Egypt. He was a Lieutenant in the Inns of Court Yeomanry and in 1967 became part of the Royal Yeomanry. Alistair was a great supporter of Royal British Legion Scotland. He will be sorely missed and our condolences go to his wife, Alice, and family.

Co-operative Funeralcare supports Legion Scotland Scotland’s leading funeral provider, Co-operative Funeralcare is offering an exclusive deal to Legion Scotland members.

A discount of £150 is available on Pre-paid Plans purchased by members, for themselves and their immediate family.

Co-operative Funeralcare will also give £100 to Legion Scotland for every Pre-paid Plan purchased.

Call 0800 3898377 and quote the code LEG15 to purchase, or visit www.co-operative funeralcare.co.uk for more information

SUMMER 2016

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 820425 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 01771 653470 Oldmachar 01224 704717 Oldmeldrum 01651 872527 Peterhead Stonehaven 01569 763655 Strichen 01771 637792 Tarves & District Turriff & District 01888 563231 Upper Donside ANGUS & PERTHSHIRE 07530 380545 Alyth Arbroath 01241 873964 Blairgowrie, Rattray & District 01250 873882

32

Braco & Greenloaning Brechin 01356 622562 Callander & District Carnoustie 01241 854940 City of Dundee Crieff 01764 652937 Dunblane Dunkeld & Birnam 01350 727773 Forfar 01307 463204 Montrose 01674 672406 Perth Pitlochry & Blair Atholl AYRSHIRE 01294 552013 Ayr Cumnock & District Garnock Valley Irvine 01294 313164 Isle of Bute Kilmarnock Kilwinning Largs Maybole Monkton & Prestwick Muirkirk Saltcoats, Ardrossan & Stevenston Troon BORDERS 01361 883696 Coldstream 01890 882109 Duns Eyemouth Galashiels 01896 752457 Hawick Jedburgh 01835 863201 Kelso 01573 224506 Liddesdale

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SUMMER 2016

ABERDEEN BANFF & KINCARDINE

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS

ANGUS & PERTHSHIRE FIFE GLASGOW & WESTERN COUNTIES

EDINBURGH & THE LOTHIANS

BORDERS

AYRSHIRE DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

Melrose Peebles Selkirk & Ettrick Forest St Boswells DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY 07849 828413 Annan Castle Douglas 01556 504499 Dalbeattie Dumfries & Maxwelltown Gatehouse & District Moffat Newton Stewart Sanquhar Stranraer Thornhill

EDINBURGH & THE LOTHIANS 0131 550 1590 Bathgate 01506 652723 Cockenzie & Port Seton 01875 810103 Dalkeith 0131 663 3235 Dunbar 01368 863275 Edinburgh Central 0131 557 8164 Edinburgh HQ Linburn Livingston

Longniddry 01875 853241 Newbattle & Gorebridge Penicuik 01968 672095 Portobello 0131 669 5418 Prestonpans 01875 811446 Roslin 0131 440 2174 FIFE 07904 817917 Anstruther Ceres & District

Crail Crossgates 01383 511478 Cupar Dunfermline 01383 723921 Glenrothes Kennoway 01333 350332 Kirkcaldy Leven 01333 426058 Newburgh St Andrews Tayport

GLASGOW & WESTERN COUNTIES 01324 872146/ 07979 006536 Biggar & District Bridge of Weir 01505 613530 Cambuslang Campbeltown Clackmannanshire & District Cumbernauld 01236 735263 Dunoon Easdale East Kilbride 01355 233545 Forth 01555 811317 Glasgow HQ Grangemouth 01324 483040 Hamilton Helensburgh Inveraray Knightswood 0141 959 2721 Millport 01475 530052 Milngavie & Bearsden Newton Mearns Oban Paisley Comrades 0141 889 9281 Stirling HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS 01463 233743 Assynt Aviemore & Rothiemurchus 01479 810892 Badenoch

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 nine areas, in alphabetical order.

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

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

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 1583 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 pre-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

THE RED TUNIC

LEGION SCOTLAND has nearly 170 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

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

SUMMER 2016

www.legionscotland.org.uk

33

HISTORY

The World War One first that paved the way for a more mobile army

MAKING TRACKS ON THE BATTLEFIELD

A Mark I tank of C Company, ditched north of Bouleaux Wood on the day tanks first went into action (15 September 1916). A shell hole can be seen to the side of the tank

MARY EVANS/ROBERT HUNT COLLECTION

15

TH SEPTEMBER 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of tanks first being used in battle – as part of the Battle of the Somme.

Thirty-two Mark I tanks made their debut on the French fields at FlersCourcelette, under the direction of the British commander on the Western Front, Field Marshal Earl Haig.

Their success on the battlefield was limited, but it was a noteworthy first step in the development of tanks in warfare. As World War One progressed, so did the British Army’s vehicles.

Hundreds took part in subsequent 34

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SUMMER 2016

battles, including the third battle of Ypres, Cambrai and Amiens.

The role of tanks became much more significant in World War Two, as development improved on both sides, along with anti-tank weaponry.

In 1943, 23,000 tanks took part in the Battle of Kursk, the biggest tank battle in history.

The largest tank offensive carried out by the British Army was Operation Goodwood in Normandy in July 1944,

with 1,100 tanks taking part. The last major tank battle is considered to have been the Battle of 73 Easting in 1991, as part of the first Gulf War. Tanks still play an important role in combat, though this has evolved with the very nature of war. The Challenger II has been the British Army’s tank of choice since 1998, with modifications and upgrades ensuring its armour and weapon systems stay up to date.

Thirty-two Mark I tanks made their debut on the French fields at Flers-Courcelette

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