At approximately 18.50 the Top Table was piped to the hall by Pipe Major John Spoore and when all the assembled company were at their places, they turned to face the 1914-19 War Memorial. Private Deering of G Coy 1/51 H/Vs laid a wreath - The lament "Flowers of the Forest" was played and after a short silence this was followed by Reveille "Hey Johnnie Cope are ye waken yet"?  After Grace, Dinner was served.

An excellent meal of Scotch Broth, Haggis and Bashed Neeps, Chicken Grandmere, Cheese and Coffee followed. The Haggis was piped in by the Pipe Major at approximately 19.15 and given a healthy dressing-down by the Chairman, Col Jock Anderson. Chicken Grandmere had been sampled before on certain occasions - a sprightly dish which belied its title. An interval from 20.45 to 21.00 took place on completion of the dinner, everyone returning to table at the sound of the pipes. Major P. Layden then read out greetings and messages of those who were unable to be present. From Erie Leach; (he and Gwen have moved to Ayrshire). "My apologies for not being present at Hallowe'en, sorry I cannot be there. From Jimmy Cross, in Cornwall. "Regret I shall be unable to present myself on the 31st October, but please remember me to any of the 1939 Carrier Platoon who may be there. Have a good evening - distance and circumstances prevent my joining you". From Dr Fraser McLuskey, "Best wishes to you all in your new Headquarters, and hoping you will have a convivial evening". From David James (The Bishop) Durban. "Greetings to you all on your first Hallowe'en at '95"'. From RSM Bill Taylor, 1st Gordons, "Have a good time in the new Drill Hall". From West Perth, Australia, "To all London Scottish at Hallowe'en, apologies for absence. Regards to all". Ken Duncan. And from the same part of the world, 'Regards to Major John Clernence and to Colonel Jock Anderson', Peter Judge. From Major Richard Robinson, 24 Air Mobile Brigade, "So sorry I cannot be with you at our first Hallowe'en in our new HQ. Best wishes to all Ranks, The London Scottish - especially to 'G' Coy". From Hector L. Robertson, "Hallowe'en Greetings from Aberfeldy in the heart of Scotland on this first occasion in our splendid new HQ at '95'. Regret my absence but will be with you all in spirit - Highland Malt!". From John Hewson in Cheltenham: "I am very sorry that I shall not be able to come to Hallowe'en; it is a bit difficult from this distance and I cannot really leave my wife on her own for very long. I hope all goes well - please remember me to all". From R. W. G. MacPherson, T.D., Kilmur, 3 Tummel Place, Comrie, Crieff, Perthshire PH6 2PG (new address). "I will not be able to attend the Hallowe'en Dinner. Please convey my apologies to Col Anderson - and best wishes for a successful evening". From James D. Eadie, No. 2877633, new address - 61 North Street, Swanbourne, Western Australia, 60 10. "A line to wish all you comrades a most successful Hallowe'en this year. I send my best regards to you all and in particular to 'B' Coy, 1st Bn on this momentous occasion. I would dearly love to be with you all". From Andrew Brand, Christchurch, New Zealand, "I am sad that I shall miss the first of many Hallowe'en gatherings at '95' but wish you all well. As I am now also an Octogenarian I would - metaphorically - take a dram across the miles with any other such present. Hallowe'en Greetings tac Ane an' A"'. Finally, Major Layden referred to Bob Souter, dearly remembered by so many for many years as the artist behind the frontispiece of the Hallowe'en Dinners' programme. He had received a card illustrated as of yore by "Bob" - from Mary, his widow. Her message inside the card - "Wishing all London Scots a very successful and a happy evening on their special night, Very sincerely, Mary Souter".

The time being approximately 21.15 hours the Pipe Band opened its programme. The first set: 

After the Loyal Toasts - the Chairman proposed the Toast to the Regiment. Col. Anderson said.-

"Gentlemen, I do not have to remind you that this is the first Hallowe'en in our new Headquarters. I have said before, and have no hesitation in repeating, that the dream which culminated in the official opening by our Honorary Colonel in April this year was achieved by the vision and perseverance of my predecessors, particularly Colonel Alan Neikirk; and also the tireless efforts of Major John Clernence who, I am pleased to say, has been recommended to succeed me in office a year from now.

Those of us who are getting on in years sometimes suffer from delusions known as "deja vu" - which is French! - and means that one experiences the false feeling that something seen for the first time has been seen before. May I hasten to reassure those of you who think you are suffering from these "deja vu" delusions tonight, have nothing to fear and that there are indeed many features of this Hall which we have all seen before in another place. Unfortunately one of the prices we have had to pay in moving the roof and superstructure from '59' to '95' is that we have also transferred the leak, which requires the attention of our builders, along with several other snags which keep coming to light because we use the building. One thing not attributable to the builders is the increasing number of cigarette burns on the floor. May I appeal to the smokers among you to use the ashtrays provided? Apart from our move to this Headquarters, the past year has seen a move of sub-units of 6 Pln and Recce Pln to Bromley where, alas, their premises need the attention of the building trade.

We have also continued to forge links with the Gordon Highlanders, not only by inviting their representatives to attend the Opening Ceremony here at '95', but also by many of us visiting Fort George for the presentation of their new Colours, and I'm sure that these links are important to us.

Those of you who did attend Fort George will recall there were numerous clergy and this was no doubt the reason why the bleak peninsular on which the Fort stands appears to have been the only dry spot in Britain that day. It was perhaps for the same reason that the Regimental Secretary, in drawing up a seating plant for my approval, arranged that our new Padre, the Revd John Mclndoe, whom we are pleased to welcome here tonight, is placed directly under the spot on which the dripping roof will cascade if the weather conditions are unfavourable, so it is in his interest to enter negotiations with the appropriate authority. However, the truth is this; this Hall is smaller than it's predecessors and the only way to accommodate maximum numbers is to sit "sideways on" to our usual orientation in which the top table is placed with their backs to the 14/18 Memorial, so beautifully refurbished through the generosity of Major Richard Holliday.

Apart from our Padre, there are others who I must welcome on your behalf. First, of course, we extend a cordial welcome to his own Drill Hall to the Commanding Officer, Colonel Ewan Graham, and with him from the North the Honorary Colonel, 1/51 Highland Volunteers, Colonel David Carnegie-Arbuthnott. He is to be replaced by Richard Nunnerly, a former member of 'G' Coy. We also welcome Brigadier lan Sim, TA Adviser U.K. who commanded the Battalion some seven years ago. Brigadier Peter Bowser, Secretary of TAVRA, who is unable to join us tonight, has been very busy in the refurbishing of this new HQ, and might also provide us with a lovely new building in Bromley.

Finally, I welcome to our table, the permanent staff of 'G' Coy. Captain Terry Nolan, Admin Officer; our three PSI's, Vic Lees, A & SH; C/Sgt Gordon Laing; Sgt Mick Kessack - without your help the Serving Company would indeed be in a parlous state - and we hope you are enjoying your evening.

In closing, I revert to the new HQ. There is always a danger that by transferring so many memorabilia of our past heritage to this lovely new building, we might develop a sense of complacency and a tendency to look backwards rather than forwards, thus limiting the changes needed for progress. But I do not believe that this will happen under the leadership of Major Keith Pearson, whose task it now is to organise recruitment and training of the Serving Company of London Scots so that they will continue to "Strike Sure" as part of the Highland Volunteers in a modern style appropriate for the 1990s.

Gentlemen, I give you the toast "The London Scottish Regiment".

Major K. J. Pearson replied:- "Colonel Anderson, honoured guests, gentlemen, before giving you a report on the activities of the Serving Company, I have two pleasant duties to discharge. The first of these is the annual awards of the Messines and MacDonald Trophies - the Messines Trophy is awarded for the best overall contribution to the Company, and deciding who wins it is a particularly taxing task. The decision this year, however, was an easier one than usual because the recipient has made a significant and identifiable contribution to the Coy for his work as Coy Storeman, his good attendance, and his willingness to help out whenever he has been required. This year's winner of the Messines Trophy is L/Cpl Frasi. Unfortunately (as seems to be the case with Messines Trophy winners), L/Cpl Frasi was married a fortnight ago and is unable to be here tonight - but I'm sure you would want to show your appreciation.

The MacDonald Trophy for junior leadership was presented in honour of General MacDonald of the Australian Army, by Lt John Cairns. The recipient this year also received the award at last year's Hallowe'en, and I would now ask the winner to come forward to receive the Trophy from Col Anderson, after so recently handing it back - this year's winner of the MacDonald Trophy is L/Cpl Taggart.

My second duty this evening is to express publicly the debt the Coy owes to its permanent Staff, Admin Officer and PSI's.

Captain Terry Nolan joined us in 1987 after a full career with the Grenadier Guards and has given the Company sterling service; Sgt/Major Victor Lees. Somewhat unique in not being a Gordon is my SPSI, Sgt Major Victor Lees of the A & S.H., whose wide ranging knowledge and sense of humour have made him a great asset to the Coy and to me as my training adviser. The QPSI Gordon Laing, Gordons, gained a few grey hairs during the move which could not have been carried out without his patience and understanding - and finally Sgt Mick Kessack of the Gordons, who, as well as being the Recce PI PSI, also runs the Coy Transport - Gentlemen we all thank you.

And so to the Serving Coy. With a move to the new HQ - a change of command and the problems we have experienced with the Hill House TA Centre at Bromley - the year has been a difficult one. In November last year the Coy team, led by Mr Rupert Wirman, came 2nd in the Bn Military Skills competition - being beaten by 'K' Coy by one point. In the Bn Small Arms Meeting in May this year the Coy team did not do particularly well in the ranges, but we came away with the Best GPMG shot, won by L/Cpl (now Cpl) Darwish.

Annual Camp 1988 saw the 1st Bn 51st HV on exercise in Germany with 11 Armoured BOE and other supporting units, which presented the Coy with a unique challenge. Within my memory it had never been so taxing - the Bn finding itself faced with a wide variety of operational tasks varying from Bridge Demolition and Assault River Crossings to minefield breaching and close assaults mounted from tanks. 'G' Coy had prepared well for Camp, having covered the minefield breaching technique in June, and it was no surprise to us to be given the task during the second week of the exercise. The middle w/e of camp saw us win the Bn Sports Competition and so revenge ourselves on 'K' (Kirkcaldy) Coy. Camp then demanded much from us, but it has set down clear operational objectives which will dictate our training over the next year.

Since Camp the Coy had an excellent w/e run by the PSI's on Salisbury Plain where we practised fighting in built-up areas - the London Irish acted as enemy. November sees us camping out on Mobex on 11th/12th, and in December the Coy will be using the Nuclear Biological and Chemical Training facilities in Norfolk. In the same month eight men of the Recce PI will be taking part in an escape and evasion exercise in Luxemburg!

Camp in '89 has been the subject of many conflicting rumours, but I am at last able to say that we have been given the kind permission of the C.O. to have a detached camp next year. Hopeful enquiries have been made to various units, High Commissions and foreign embassies and I am delighted to be able to say that, due almost entirely to the efforts of my 2IC Captain David Rankin Hunt - we now have obtained host nation sponsorship for an annual camp in the Oman. This is an exciting opportunity for the whole company, but there is still a great deal of spadework to be done if we are to pull it off. Not the least of our difficulties will be to convince the UK Ministry of Defence.

Now a word on our number. We need more serving Pipers and Drummers. We need to maintain the fine Recce Pln (now only slightly under strength) - but above all we need to boost the numbers of young men joining. In May the Coy made a concerted effort, recruiting at several weekend venues, and holding an Open Day here at HQ in which the HQ Trust was generous in its assistance. The numbers generated were not as great as we had hoped for, but there has been a slight improvement in the past few months, mainly I feel as the result of spin-off from recent TAVRA campaigns. Throughout February, March and April we will be mounting a big campaign in the Bromley area which offers us, I believe, great potential, and I hope to be able to announce a fully recruited Coy this night next year".

The Band then played its second set, the time being approximately 21.45.

On its conclusion the Pipe Major went to the Regimental Colonel for Quaich and requested permission for pipers and drummers to play the Regimental March and March off - permission given - Regimental March "Heilan' Laddle".

The official part of the evening ended, the company assembled round the Hall to sing the Evening Hymn.

God Save the Queen

A special word of thanks to the 235 (Westminster) Cadet Coy - the London Scottish, who carried out their duties as Stewards for the evening in quite an exemplary manner.

The Personnel of the Band, whose playing was much appreciated, consisted of the following:-

Drummers

Cpl M. Powell
Dmr G. MacPherson 
Norman Lennie

Our first "Hallowe'en" at "95" was a happy occasion in that the building was from then on to be a place where any London Scot would be welcomed, - carrying on from "59". But the 1914-19 War Memorial, cleaned, refurbished and renovated quite magnificently, dominated the whole evening and surely made one realise that those gleaming names, those families entirely wiped out, pointed to the futility of war.

Last updated 28th September 2000