Seventy years on indeed! "Tempus irreparabile fugit". Another unforgettable occasion and possibly a record attendance, certainly a number of those who left their requests late were unable to get tickets. It was interesting to note that many coming to the Dinner met up first at the "Albert" across the road, a tradition that went through rather a sticky patch a year or two ago through some misunderstanding. All appears to be well now and London Scots past and present are once again cordially received.

Pre-prandial Pursuits 
Arriving - most of us - between 6.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. at the back entrance (or side entrance) to 59 in Spencer Street - as instructed, we found this even less attractive than usual and quite unyielding. Round therefore to the main entrance which we rarely penetrate and looking quite impressive in the dim electric lighting; there to hand in our tickets and make our way either to the Officers' Mess or the Drill Hall Bar.

To meet as many old friends as possible and to drink as much as was seemly before sitting down to dinner was the order of the night, and John Moore, his brother and cousin were kept hard at is dispensing the beer and the hard stuff, while Ron Younger looked after the wine. Upstairs, of course, you could sign chits and help youselves knowing that this would cost you nothing - till later on!

Remembering the Fallen 
At about 7.15 p.m. the top table were piped down to the Hall by P/M John Spoore to join everyone assembled at his place, and Colonel J. A. D. Anderson, TD, Chairman for the evening said, "Gentlemen, I shall shortly ask you to face the 1914/19 War Memorial, and as we do so let us remember not only our fallen comrades at Messines, but all who have worn the Hodden Grey and died as a result of enemy action - and indeed all Old Comrades no longer with us. Those of us who knew him would wish to remember particularly tonight Colonel Torrance Law, CO of the 1st Bn at Anzio and later Honorary Colonel of the London Scottish Regiment who was killed so tragically earlier this year." All then facing the WW1 Memorial at attention, Pte Young moved forward and placed a wreath at its base, remaining at attention while 'the Lament was played by P/M Spoore, followed by the Reveille on the bugle by Mike Crowley. Turning back to the tables the Chairman said, "We all welcome back the Very Reverend Dr. J. Fraser McLuskey, our Honorary Chaplain, who has been absent in Scotland for his year as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and I would ask him to say Grace."

Greetings and Presentations 
The Dinner that followed was excellent with some slight variation from previous years. There was Scotch Broth instead of Cock-a-Leekie, and Chicken Grandmere, New Potatoes, Carrots and Green Beans instead of Steak and Kidney Pie, Croquette Potatoes and Broccoli Spears - a nice touch of the "entente cordiale"? - "grandmother's poussin". The Chairman then read out the message he had sent to our Honorary Colonel, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother - "All ranks the London Scottish Regiment assembled for their Annual Hallowe'en Dinner offer our Honorary Colonel loyal Greetings and a sincere welcome home to Britain"; and the Queen Mother's gracious reply,- "I was delighted to receive your kind message of loyal greetings from all ranks of the London Scottish Regiment, on the occasion of the Annual Hallowe'en Dinner. I send to you all my best wishes for a most enjoyable evening."

After the Loyal Toasts the Messine Trophy was presented to L/Cpl Foot by the Principal Guest for the evening, Lieutenant Colonel Sir Colin Cole, KCVO, TD, FSA, Garter Principal King of Arms.

A short interval at approximately 9 p.m. followed and on re-assernbly to the sound of the pipes by P/M J. Spoore. The messages and greetings were read by Major R. D. Holliday. These came from Scotland, England and pretty well all over the world, which made one realise what a large number of members of the Regimental Association, though not with us, were thinking of us at 59; as these words from Andrew Brand in Christchurch, New Zealand clearly show: "With fond remembrance to all assembled at 59 to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of our first Hallowe'en, and with special thoughts to all who fell in that first battle; especially to those Old Comrades who survived wherever they may be."

The Pipe Band opened their programme with the Drum Salute - Men of Messines, and with the Pipes marching on, then played the tune - The Burning Mill at Messines. We learnt later from the Chairman that this tune had been written by P/M John Spoore and, that he had presented a copy of it to the Burgomaster of Messines on the occasion of the Regiment's visit to the battlefield of Flanders, last July. The first set comprised: The Cockney Jocks - March; Because He Was A Bonnie Lad - Strathspey., The High Road to Linton - Reel, and John D. Burgess - March.

Toasts - Proposed, Honoured and.Responded to 
The speeches followed. Colonel F. G. Maxwell, CBE, TD, DL, proposed the toast "Our Guests", coupled with the name of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Colin Cole, KCVO, TD, FSA, Garter Principal King of Arms. To introduce so many distinguished official guests was a daunting task, but Colonel Maxwell managed comfortably enough. He welcome first of all the relatives and friends of London Scots who were present and that had to include the permanent staff of whom the Regimental Chaplain, the Very Revd. Dr. Fraser McLuskey was particularly welcome after his active year as Moderator of the Church of Scotland.

Those who were there from the 1/51 Highland Volunteers - the Honorary Colonel, Commanding Officer, Officers and NCOs, all were made to feel at home in their "own Drill Hall", as were those who had connections with the Regiment in a professional, military or livery capacity.

Having heard that two members of the Messines Town Band were present in the Hall he asked them to be upstanding - they were Daniel Liefooghe and Patrick Hellem, both dressed in their distinctive uniform.

He introduced and gave a warm welcome to the Guest of Honour, Sir Colin Cole, as soldier, graduate from both Oxford and Cambridge, and barrister and whose recreations included archaeology, parenthood and wine- bibbing. Colonel Maxwell summoned all London Scots to their feet to bib their wine in a toast to Sir Colin and all the guests.

In his reply Lieutenant Colonel Sir Colin Cole thanked Colonel Maxwell on behalf of all the guests for the hospitality and generous welcome they had received. He felt that he had come to the gathering of a large, united family, that he was in fact part of it. He had much enjoyed the Dinner, the good food and drink (never an empty glass), and he had particularly appreciated the music of the Pipes and Drums - especially the latter, for he had been a drummer in the OTC Band when he was at Dulwich College. He noted from the evening's programme that the Band would be playing a second set, and he was greatly looking forward to that. Proposing the toast of the Regiment he paid tribute to the past and the great traditions that had been built up and he was confident that "G" Coy in its role as part of the 1st Bn the 5lst Highland Volunteers would continue to uphold them.

Major S. H. Henwood, Commanding "G" (The London Scottish) Company then replied shortly outlining some of the activities that had taken place during the past year, and including points on the Messines trip and Exercise Lionheart 84, the largest British Army Exercise since 1945. He considered that this exercise had been very valuable indeed, although there were complaints from some of the Coy that there was not enough action for them - however, as they were used in a defensive role this was not surprising. Morale in the Coy was high and recruiting was going along well.

The second set from the Pipes and Drums now followed. This consisted of Slow Air - Dream Angus, and five Marches - The Blue Bonnets, Bonnie Dundee, Colonel Robertson, Cock O' the North and The Black Bear. The Pipe Band programme ended with the playing of the Regimental March, and the long applause at the end indicated how much the music had been appreciated.

Auld Lang Syne 
Colonel Anderson then brought the official part of the evening to an end by thanking the Hallowe'en Committee for their organisation of such a successful evening; the Regimental Secretary, Alan Morris and Jon Cairns for their invaluable help; the stewards, 235 (Westminster) Cadet Coy - The London Scottish; P/M John Spoore and D/M Alderson and the pipers and drummers for their entertainment, and, of course, the speakers. He also encouraged people to attend the Church Parade on Remembrance Sunday, and his last word referred to the saga of 59 - no move before Easter 1985.

So to the large circle round the Drill Hall, and the evening hymn.

1st verse - Chips Turner

2nd verse - L/Cp] K. J. Duncan 

3rd verse - Pte P. Compobassi 

4th verse - Cpl A. Baigrie.

5th verse - Colonel J. A. D. Anderson.

Our thanks to John (Jumbo) Ford for the drawing on the front of the menu and our congratulations to A. F. Moffat and Stewart Oncken toasted at Hallowe'en, the two veterans of Messines.

Last updated 6th July 2000