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

Home Headquarters NotesRegimental Secretary: Colonel (Retd) R L Steele TD DLAssistant Regimental Secretary: Captain (Retd) K Gurung MBEEditor: Major (Retd) A L MackRegimental Benevolent Association: Major (Retd) A D KenyonThis has been another busy and eventful year for our smallteam here at 518 Sauchiehall Street – Kamal, Liz, Sandy,Maureen, Stewart, David, Ken and Major Ken Kenyoncontinue to supply the answers.I am particularly grateful to all of them and our volunteers fortheir hard work and good humour, in particular, to Alastair Mackfor his unstinting and meticulous attention to detail in editingthis journal.The highlight of my year was, undoubtedly my visit in August to the50th Anniversary celebration of our sister regiment the Royal NewZealand Infantry Regiment accompanied by Lts David Morgan andGordon Muir from the Battalion.It was a splendid few days and we were royally entertained andhosted by the honorary Colonel, General Sir John Mace, theCommanding Officer Lt Colonel John Howard, Lieutenant “Biscuit“Nicolson, who was brought up in the West of Scotland, and a host ofothers to numerous to mention.The ceremonial was most impressive and started with thetraditional HAKKA, led for the first time by the CommandingOfficer, and the rest of our visit alternated between a mixture ofceremonial and social events.We were made to feel most welcome and the three of us will longremember the hospitality and friendship we were shown throughout ourstay. The RNZIR were most impressiveon parade and certainly know how tothrow a party.Our links with Ayrshire have not been neglected and I was invitedto attend the unveiling ceremony of the memorial to the Russiandestroyer Varygar at Lendalfoot as a guest of the South AyrshireCouncil and the Russian Navy.Other highlights of the year were attending the blessing of theBranch Standard in Inverness and the annual RemembranceParade in George Square. Both ceremonies were well supported byour veterans. It is good to see that throughout Scotland Branchesof the Veterans Association are thriving and we continue tosupport our less able veterans with visits to Erskine and the RoyalHospital at Chelsea.Once again I am asking for volunteers to help run the Museum andopen it at weekends. No matter how little time you are able to givewill be much appreciated. Anyone interested please give me a shout.Home Headquarters has had another successful year on theentertainment front and we have entertained parties from RBLS andKentigern House as well as regular gatherings of the old and boldand of course our regular fortnightly Luncheon Club. In this regard Iam most grateful to Alex McDivitt for his excellent supportPlease keep your eye on our website for forthcoming events andsupport as many of them as you can throughout the year. It’s alwaysgood to see old friends.Before closing I must record my grateful thanks to Willie Shaw forhis unfailing support and advice and to Ron Milne for his valuableassistance with the accounts. Between them they’ve kept me out ofthe “jail”.Finally best wishes and good fortune to everyone for 2008.Most memorable for me was beinginvited to march with the Battalionalongside the Honorary Colonel to theCenotaph for a Commemorative Servicein Palmerston North.The alliance between the RHF andthe RNZIR was forged in the heatof Singapore in 1973 and long maywe continue to maintain our linkswith them.This year we have managed tostrengthen our ties with GlasgowCathedral. The Battalion’s Colourswere marched in as part of theCommemoration of the Battle of theSomme in July and in August weprovided the Guard of Honour for theunveiling of the Memorial to Glasgow’sVCs in the Cathedral grounds.A gathering of Veterans and guests in Dec 07 (organised by Alec McDivitt and attended by the Regimental Secretary).(Prize for spotting the latter?)62 THE ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS