As Hallowe'en this year fell on a Saturday, the hall filled up from 6 p.m. onwards with great rapidity, to make the work of those serving in the bar a very difficult task. The pub "The Albert" used over the years by London Scots does not open until 7 p.m. on Saturdays, thus bringing about considerable congestion in "59". However, John Moore, Ron Younger and other helpers coped pretty well, with Alan Morris, here, there and everywhere.

The call to tables at 6.55 p.m. was followed shortly afterwards by the piping of the top table into the hall from the Officers' Mess by Sgt Spoore. The wreath was then laid on the 1914-18 War Memorial by Pte R. H. Wirgman of "G" Coy. The Lament, played by Sgt Spoore, and Reveille, played by Sgt M. Crowley, preceded grace said by the Rev D. J. F. McLuskey, MC, DD. Next came the dinner consisting of the traditional menu of cock-a-leekie, haggis, steak and kidney pie, cheese and coffee. All this served by the caterers courteously and efficiently.

After the Loyal Toasts, Colonel Niekirk read the telegram of Loyal Greetings which he had sent to our Honorary Colonel, and Her Majesty's reply of thanks and best wishes to all gathered at "59" for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Colonel Niekirk also took the opportunity of saying that the presentation of the Messines Trophy would not take place for the simple reason that the winner was not at the Dinner. But he did present Alan Morris on the occasion of his retirement, after more than 30 years with the London Scottish, with a gift of a piece of engraved glass. He spoke most warmly of Alan's long and devoted service, and the applause indicated how popular Alan is with the Serving Coy and the Regimental Association.

There was then a short break, after which Hector Robertson read greetings and messages from London Scots and friends who were not able to be present at "59". Colonel John McGregor sent best wishes to all at Hallowe'en; Colonel D. V. Penman, attending a family christening, sent warm wishes to all; Major Tom Lyon, attending CBI Conference, regretted his first absence in 30 years, but sent all good wishes for the usual successful Hallowe'en. Jock Sturrock writing from Castle Douglas said: "I hope that Saturday evening will be the usual howling success, and I send my greetings to all present; Ronnie MacPherson, in USA for the Clan MacPherson Rally, sent best wishes for a very successful evening; from RSM Bill Murdoch, Gordon Highlanders, ex-SPSI - "Best wishes to all members of the London Scottish, Gordon Highlanders and Sist Highland Volunteers gathered tonight at '59' ". Dick Turnbull received a letter from John Gillies in Kirkintilloch, who wished to be remembered to his friends. Messages had also been received from Cpl Duncan Nichelson and J. R. Ramps of the Toronto Scottish, James Eadie, Perth, Western Australia, James Crockett, 5. Australia, William Crowe, Lagos, Nigeria, Louis Sanebez, Tenerife, Major Stailard and Roger Limpod of Arabia, Dubai. Mike Dalisse, Dainville, and J. P. Schellekens, Commandant Belgian Air Force Reserve, Chairman; Hugh Price and London Scots dining in Inverness, Richie Cleland of the London Scottish Glasgow Branch, and finally from John A. Roll Pickering - "Very much regret that I shall be unable to attend Hallowe'en. I send my best wishes to the assembled company".

The Pipe Band Programme began with a Drum Salute - Men of Messines which was followed by the first set of the evening comprising:- The Mingulay Boat Song (Slow Air), The Earl of Mansfield (Quick March), London's Bonnie Woods and Bracs (Strathspey), The Piper o' Drummond (Reel), Major John

He continued: "Tonight is very much a family occasion. Will we be here next year? Is this the last Hallowe'en in "59" as we know it? We are in the market, but there are no takers yet, so it is too early to be precise about the future. If we do redevelop I am very conscious of my responsibility to do everything possible to ensure that all that we do here will continue somehow, somewhere. If we redevelop before Hallowe'en '82 - there will be a Hallowe'en, there will be the same activities. How will you know? Read your Gazette,. and if you are not a member of the Regimental Association, I urge you to join it.

"I said that this is a family occasion which makes the privilege of proposing the toast to our guests a particularly pleasant one.

"In 1859 it was the Caledonian Society of London together with the Highland Society of London which made the decisions and took the actions that led to the formation of the London Scottish Rifle Volunteers. It is a personal regret to me that the Highland Society of London are not represented here tonight, but I'm very pleased to welcome Mr lan McLeod, the Hon See of the Caledonian Society of London.

"Just over 25 years later this building was put up. Very canny Scots lawyers in a Trust Deed ensured that the freehold of the budding could not be taken away. In that Trust Deed it was laid down that, if the London Scottish ceases to exist, the building has to be sold and the proceeds handed over at the Trustees discretion, to the Royal Caledonian Schools, the Royal Scottish Corporation and the Highland Society of London. This means that before we can go ahead with any redevelopment we have to make our peace with those charities. With a lot of goodwill I have no doubt that we shall arrive at an arrangement which will be satisfactory to us all.

"It is with particular pleasure that I welcome Mr Douglas Robertson, Chairman of the Committee of the Management of the Royal Scottish Corporation, Captain Tug Wilson, Master of the Royal Caledonian Schools and, again, Mr lan McLcod, this time Secretary of the Royal Scottish Corporation. And in all these machinations we have our legal problems and I am most grateful to lan McCulloch for his continued help and advice.

"Scattered around the hall are many personal guests, all are very welcome. Amongst them are Major Clive Bewlay, 2IC 5 RRF, Lt-Colonel Patrick Lawrence, CO 221 Field Ambulance (Jock Anderson's former unit) and Charles Redmond's guests who include representatives from SAS, R Sigs, REME, Parachute Regiment and Special Constables. Talking of Jock Anderson - my congratulations Jock, on your promotion.

"I am particularly pleased that Mr Budge Brooks, Master of the Worshipful Co of Distillers is with us. I had the privilege of sitting alongside him and his wife at the Distillers' Dinner at the Mansion I-louse a few months ago before his election as Master. I asked him then to put 3Ist October in his diary, which he did - and was able to read it next morning. Our Regimental Chaplain, Dr Fraser McLuskey needs no introduction. He is so well kent and such a friend yet our pleasure at having him with us never dims.

"If we succeed in redeveloping "59", shape and design of the new "59" will be of absorbing interest. I am so pleased that the Architects, T. P. Bennet & Son are represented here by their two partners who are responsible for the new building, Mr Raymond Harris and Mr Frank Taylor. I forbad them to bring any plans tonight so don't ask them. Thank you both for all your hard work on our behalf.

"It has been traditional for many years that changes in command take place at Hallowe'en. Tonight we have a double bill. Major Patrick Layden hands over officially at midnight to Major Steve Henwood. Major Layden, whose uncle, Mr A. Byrne, is here to see fair play, has brought to his command something of the clear, logical thinking for which lawyers are supposed to be trained, has had a most successful tour, the culmination of which must have been winning the Champion Coy Cup at Camp this year. In this as in all facets of his command he has been backed up by the very good Regimental Gordon Highlanders on the permanent staff here. In welcoming Sgt-Major Malcolm and Sgt Park, may I also thank them on behalf of all the permanent staff for what they have accomplished over the past year.

"Patrick Layden has had a good tour and in thanking you, Patrick, for what you have done for the Scottish may I, on behalf of all of us, say how glad we are that you are going on serving in the TA (despite the trauma of debadging) and to wish you the best of good fortune. And to you, Steve, our best wishes on taking over the Coy.

"It is gratifying that the Bn 1/51 Highland has seen the advantages of changing command at Hallowe'en and has, so to speak, fallen into line. Lt-Colonel lan Sim also hands over at midnight to Lt- Colonel Alee Murdoch. Colonel lan is the first TA officer to command the Bn following a line of distinguished Regimental officers. He has been conspicuously successful, and how nice it is to see that he is handing over to another Volunteer. Very simply, fan, I want to say thank you and well done -you will always be welcome here and we give you our best wishes for a continued TA career. To Alec Murdoch, our congratulations and good wishes, you are going to have a busy two years ahead.

"Gentlemen, I give you Our Guests, coupled with the name of Colonel fan Sim."

Replying for the Guests Colonel I. A. Sim thanked Colonel Alan Niekirk for his kind comments, and the London Scottish for inviting him and the other guests to this very special function. He had known from Patrick Layden that he was to be invited, shortly after 1/51 Highland's Camp this year, but he had only bargained on about two minutes talk to the "G" Coy personnel, whereas Colonel Alan had informed him that he had eight and a half minutes worth. "T'was further informed," he said, "by Steve Henwood that sizeable bets were to be placed by the "G" Coy officers, based obviously on long experience of me, that I would never finish my remarks to time. I'll put my bottle on the table against yours, Steve.

"As you may know, I retire as CO of 1/51 Highland tonight after 14 years' service with it since its inception in 1967. There is at least one officer here tonight who will not mourn my passing, by name Alex Murdoch who becomes a Lt-Colonel just after midnight and CO of 1151 Highland. I might add at this point that he insisted on our travelling back to Scotland on the 23.30 tonight to avoid putting his hand in his sporran. I have news for him, however., MOD has backdated his promotion one day, and therefore he will have the opportunity to stand his round along with that other young scoundrel, Henwood, before they depart."

Colonel Sim then spent some time in telling a number of amusing anecdotes involving Alex Murdoch, which caused a great deal of amusement.

Colonel Sim then referred to "G" Coy, saying that during his tenure of Command the steady improvement in recruitment in "G" Coy to its present level, where it was now over-established with 121 men and 11 recruits in the pipe-line, was most heartening and encouraging.

It was some time now since this had been the case and he was sure that all Old Comrades would be delighted to learn that "G" Coy had become Champion Coy this year, for the first time since the Bn formed in 1967. Great credit was due for this to its present Coy Commander Patrick Layden, and his Command Team. Presenting the Cup to Major Layden - (also the bottle of whisky for the Jocks which he reckoned he had lost anyway) - he thanked him for all he had done for the Bn and "G" Coy in particular and wished him every success in the future. Colonel Sim continued: "Before I close I should like to mention that Major Bob Davidson, whom many of you know, has been taken back into Ninewells Hospital in Dundee last week for a further exploratory operation and I'm sure you will join with me in wishing him well. I should also like to make mention of the retirement of two London Scottish stalwarts of the Bn this year, Alan Morris and Joe Byrne who have given tremendous service over the years. In particular I feel that Alan Morris's contribution has been immense. On behalf of the Bn I would like to thank them both for their loyalty over the years - they will be sorely missed.

Major Layden, replying to the toast, reviewed the activities of "C" Coy during the past year. He was particularly happy with the recruiting position, and was fully confident that the Coy would be able to cope with any r61e it might be required to fill - anti-tank guns or mortars.

He concluded in saying how much he had enjoyed his years with the Scottish, and how kind and co-operative everyone had been during that time - not only the Permanent Staff, but also members of the Regimental Association. It was all rather traumatic for him - true, he was staying in the TA, but now he was having to change his cap badge once again.

The Pipe Band now played its second set - My Home (Slow March) followed by the Coy Marches, The Black Bear, Blue Bonnets, Bonnie Dundee, Colonel Robertson, Cock o' the North, and the Regimental March.

Loud applause greeted this final performance by the Band. The official part of the evening came to a close with the singing

of the Evening Hymn by Hamish Sutherland, Major Patrick Layden, CSM G. Woodall, Cpl Baigric and Colonel A. F. Niekirk. But there was plenty of the night left for groups of friends to foregather and natter till the early hours.

Bob Souter provided the drawing for the menu and programme card, and the photographs of the evening were taken by Colonel Niekirk's sons, William and David.