Journal 2008 - The Journal Royal Highland Fusiliers - The Royal ...

Officer Training CorpsGLASGOW AND STRATHCLYDE UOTCCJUO Duncan FraserThe affiliation Glasgow and Strathclyde UOTC has with 2SCOTS dates back to February 1909 when the GlasgowContingent of the OTC was formed. Its first Adjutantwas Captain A N E Browne, a Highland Light Infantry Officerwho, despite having only one arm, steered the OTC through itsfledgling years.The Mackenzie HLI tartan continues to be worn by the Cadets,with the Red Erskine Tartan of the Royal Highland Fusiliersbeing worn by the female Cadets of the Highland Dance Troop.The Pipes and Drums proudly wear HLI plaid brooches, andone form of headdress for Cadets is the rifle-green Glengarry aswas worn by the HLI (and the Cameronians).Yet, despite the fact that this OTC is heading towards its Centenary,it had never deployed abroad for its Annual Summer Camp – notuntil June 2007. It was then that the Unit travelled to the Continent– for its first deployment in France since 1945!Departing from Glasgow on June the 6th we were all too awareof the fact we would not be seeing our barracks for a good fewdays. However, entertainment from the Corps Highland DanceTroop as well as the Pipes and Drums relieved the agony of thelong ferry ride to the Continent, as well as a few beers!En route to our barracks we visited the famous battlefields of theYpres Salient, the Somme, and Waterloo. Time was also given toa visit at the Commonwealth cemetery Tynecot. The Unit alsohad a contemplative day at the Menin Gate, where we all paidour respects whilst reading the many thousands of names listed.The day ended with an impressive Ceilidh in the town centrewhich was enjoyed by all, even some of the locals!We were no sooner in barracks when we headed to FortPenthievre, a beautiful eighteenth-century fort, and also atraining base for the French marines. The Unit was then luckyenough to attempt the challenges of the Confidence Course aswell as find time for a barbeque and a night on the beach.All Officer Cadets were granted a day out in the seaside town ofQuiberon before happily deploying into the field. The exercisewas a tough and arduous four days. It saw the usual reccepatrols, as well as a Corps river crossing which was a memorableexperience for many. The FTX culminated in a loud andthrilling Company-level attack on a village complex, with twoHours-of-darkness Briefing.THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS 57