Hallowe'en, the second to be held at 95 Horseferry Road HQ, was, as always, an occasion in which the past, the present and the future mingled. The occasion was one upon which to reflect on the many milestones of achievement or of times past - of the 130 years of the Regiment's existence so far; the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the First Great War, and the 40th anniversary of the Second; 70 years since the Hallowe'en Dinner of 1919 attended by Field Marshal The Earl Haig, the then newly-appointed Honorary Colonel of the Regiment; of milestones in this year of 1989 itself - the visit to Ypres and Messines; and on this day, in which our Regimental Colonel retired and another of the brotherhood rose to take his place.

1900 hours. After the top-table guests and their hosts had been piped into the hall and all were at their places, the Chairman Colonel J. A. D. Anderson called all to silence. "Gentlemen, will you please turn and face the Regimental Memorial." Private Keal, the young soldier selected for the duty this year, marched smartly around the perimeter of the hall to halt facing the Memorial, placed the wreath, and remained at the Salute as Pipe Major John Spoore played 'Flowers of the Forest'. A short silence followed, until broken by the stirring Reveille 'Hey, Johnny Cope'. Age-old tunes both of them, the one lamenting a defeat and tragic loss of 'The Flower of Scotland', the other a victory daringly contrived. Flodden Field and Prestonpans; so much of life - of defeat and victory - is mirrored in them. Thus we remembered.

The Regimental Padre, Revd. John Mclndoe, then said Grace. Dinner followed - Scotch Broth, Haggis with bashed neeps and tatties, Beef with Guinness, cheeseboard. Colonel Jock addressed the Haggis in the revised version (first four lines) and deftly stabbed the 'painch' with his dirk to resounding applause. Then like the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes it was distributed to all. Everyone agreed it was the 'kosher' article, in spite of the garnish of watercress which appeared to have been added as a concession to our ailing environment. A certain ex-sergeant of Irish origin was more than gratified by the choice of main course!

During the haggis course, Colonel Jock rose and invited veterans of the 1914-18 war to take wine with him. Three such old comrades were present, and in rising to accept the compliment were treated to thunderous applause: Stewart Oncken (Winifredian), Alec Stringer and Fred Morris. Harry Goodby had hoped to be at Hallowe'en this year, but in the event was too ill to travel.

A little later, Colonel Jock again rose and proposed the Loyal Toast to The Queen and to the Honorary Colonel. "Gentlemen, I have today sent the following message to Clarence House - 'Past and Present Members of The London Scottish dining together at 95 Horseferry Road on Hallowe'en to commemorate the Battle of Messines, send Loyal Greetings to The Honorary Colonel, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother'. To which I have received the following reply:

'I much appreciated your kind message which I was delighted to receive.

'To all Past and Present Members of The London Scottish Regiment I send my greetings. and hope very much that your Dinner this evening to commemorate Hallowe'en and the Battle of Messines will be a most enjoyable and successful occasion,' -

Elizabeth R Honorary Colonel

Following the Loyal Toasts, a 15 minute 'administrative' interval elapsed, and at 2100 hours diners returned to tables, the various groups almost as reluctant to break off their noisy and cheerful conversations as they were to hear what followed.

Major Patrick Layden, convener of the Hallowe'en Dinner Committee read out telegrams and letters of greetings from those unable to be present:

Lt Colonel John MacGregor, R. W. G. MacPherson TD, (Comrie), Hector Robertson (Aberfeldy), John Bannan (York), Bruce Hay (Crieff), Andrew Brand (Christchurch NZ), Leonard Hexton, Jimmy Cavell, Mary Souter, from James D. Eadie, John Allen, Peter Judge and Ken Duncan - all four to be celebrating Hallowe'en together on 3rd November at the Navy Army and Air Force Club in Perth, Western Australia; from Major Keith Pearson, OC 'G' Company, unable to be present due to a family bereavement. And from two others in particular, which are worthy of being recorded fully here:

"The Highland-based companies of this Battalion remember with pride the crucial stand of The London Scottish at Messines on Hallowe'en 1914, 75 years later it is proper that all ranks 1st Battalion 51st Highland Volunteers take inspiration from the deeds of your forebears. From Commanding Officer. We in Perth salute you."

R. A. H. Nunneley, Lt Col

Translated from the French:

"Messines, October 1989.

Dear Colonel, On this 75th anniversary of the Battle of Messines, I respectfully pay homage to your Regiment, which, three quarters of a century ago courageously defended our town. Your Regiment's bell, in the Carillon of Peace, keeps bright forever the sacrifice of these young heroes, and will be for the present the mark of the close and intimate relations which we share with you and your Regiment.

Yours cordially M. Albert Ghekiere Promoteur du Carillon de la Paix"

Once again the most resounding and heartfelt applause was raised for this most loyal supporter of The Regiment. Major Layden's careful enunciation of this message in the language of the writer must have evoked happy recollections from many young Jocks, though few of them could have understood it.

The messages concluded, the Pipes and Drums marched on for the First Set, which with the distinctive bass-drum rhythm of The Dornoch Links soon had many a foot tapping to the time:

Slow Air:     The Mingualay Boat Song 
March:        The Dornoch Links
Strathspey:  Captain Horne 
Reel:           The MacFariane's Reel
March:         Rab's Wedding 

Colonel Jock then rose to welcome the guests, and to deliver his final valedictory address as Regimental Colonel:

"Gentlemen, My first task is to welcome our guests tonight. General Peter Graham, currently Commandant of Sandhurst, is, of course, better known to us as Regimental Colonel of The Gordon Highlanders, our parent Regiment. Our second guest is General Michael Walsh, former Chief Scout and now President of the Knights of the Round Table, who provide on an annual basis The Messines Trophy. Our own special guests tonight are Captain Terry Nolan, formerly of the Grenadiers and now Adrnin Officer of 'G' Company, and two of the three PSI's - Warrant Officer Vic Lees of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and Sergeant Nobby Foulis of The Gordons. You are all very welcome as guests in your own Drill Hall, as is Captain Chris Tweedy, Adjutant 1/51 Highland, who is here, not only in his own right, but also as the emissary of Colonel Richard Nunneley who sends his apologies for his enforced absence. Also from north of The Border but formerly one of us, is Colonel Erie Osman, late The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who is currently TA Colonel Highland (V). Last but not least, we welcome to our table the only guest who is allowed to make public utterance at this function. 1 refer, of course, to our Padre John Mclndoe of St. Columbas."

Still very much with individuals in mind, Colonel Jock then went on to sum up his six years in office, and to give credit to so many who helped in that time:

"On this my last night in the Chair it is natural that I should feel a sense of nostalgia, but I have already made a valedictory statement in the Gazette and do not intend to reminisce at any great length here. Instead I shall confine myself to thanking everyone here, and a lot of those who cannot be here, for the fantastic support I have enjoyed from all quarters during a fascinating tour. First, to my predecessors in office, Colonels Gordon Maxwell and Derek Penman, who continued to serve on the Headquarters Trust - as well as other important committees associated with our organisation long after they had ceased being Regimental Colonel. To my immediate predecessor in office, Colonel Alan Niekirk. He is continuing to serve us, not only as Regimental Solicitor but also as Chairman of the Headquarters Trust. Another person I must thank tonight is Major Tom Lyon who has been Chairman of the Regimental Association since its formation. He is also about to demit office and on your behalf as well as my own I thank him for his valiant service. No list of tributes could possibly be complete without reference to the Regimental Secretary, Alan Morris, who does all the hard work of the Regiment, and who has protected me from my own incompetence during the past six years. To Colin Duff, for the hard work he has done in monitoring our accounts in the complicated Trusts that bedevil the London Scottish system. In addition to Colin, of course, is one of the most hard working colleagues I have ever known and who has devoted countless hours to the service of The Scottish; it is he who will succeed me at midnight (and not a minute before, mind) as Regimental Colonel, John Clemence. He takes over at a critical time but I have every confidence that the affairs of The Scottish are in sound hands, and I ask you all to extend to him the same loyalty and support that you have shown me. Let us all Strike Sure, and continue the Regimental traditions including strong support from our serving members in 'G' Company and the Recce platoon."

The report on the serving Company was then delivered by Captain Rupert Wirgman, second-in-command, acting in the absence of Major Keith Pearson. At some length Rupert went on to account the activities of the Company and the Recce platoon (part of Battalion HQ establishment) over the past year. He recalled what seemed at the time a fairly bad start to the year when a Brigade study into the future war role of 1st Battalion The 51st Highland Volunteers was instigated 'from above', casting possible doubts over the Battalion's future, particularly in fulfilling a front-line role in BAOR. Happily he was able to conclude that the Battalion's role was nevertheless confirmed without modification of any kind. The basis of field training continued to specialise in FIBUA (Fighting in Built-Up Areas) and Fighting in Woods, all prerequisites of the offensive 1/51 infantryman. He recounted the activities of the various platoons at Camp 1989, which included the rifle platoons finding themselves in unfamiliar security duties in the Divisional rear; and on the lighter side, the unorthodox tactics of Private Stokes, who, it seems. took on the whole of The Royal Greenjackets in a 'friendly' boxing tournament! Of military competitions held throughout the year, he commented in particular on The Highland Brigade Military Skills Competition - Company team led by Lt Anderson; the 'Lum Hat Shoot' conducted at Camp, and needless to say, retained by The London Scottish team; and the Cambrian Marches patrolling competitions, 'G' Company team led by Captain Mark Ludlow (OC Recce Platoon) over a particularly tough course in the Brecon Beacons in Mid Wales. Of Pipes & Drums activities - annual camp at Otterburn, and Ex 'Big Blow', the music festival at Windsor Castle in which Pipes & Drums of 1/51 Highland participated and which was a great success. The climax of Captain Wirgman's speech came with his presentation to Sergeant Major Brian Welsh of his Queen's Warrant, and accepted by the latter with all the dash and aplomb of a born showman. The cheering of the Jocks almost brought the roof down!

Before Captain Wirgman resumed his seat, there remained the presentation of the two serving Company trophies - The Messines Trophy, and The General McDonald Trophy for Junior Leadership.

Of the winner of The Messines Trophy, Captain Wirgman read the following citation. "This year's winner has demonstrated consistent attendances at all parades and weekend activities. He is a quiet but cheerful individual, and as 6 Platoon storeman he has the ability to get on with whatever needs doing without being asked. On the previous weekend, 27th-29th October, he went to the Brecon Beacons as administrative back-up for the Cambrian Marches team; in the absence of one member of the team, he cheerfully stepped into the other's boots and marched the whole course with the rest of the team. It is therefore, with great pleasure, that I ask Private S. Warrnan of 6 Platoon to accept this year's award."

Of the winner of The General Stuart McDonald Trophy, the citation was as follows: "Recently, when still a private, this soldier turned up for a FIBUA weekend, for which no NCOs were available. He was asked to act as Sergeant of 4 Platoon, and in the event, carried out the duties and responsibilities of platoon sergeant very well. On the basis of that performance, he was promoted to Lance Corporal; he subsequently acted as 4 Platoon sergeant for annual Camp until relieved (not without very considerable disappointment on his part) by a sergeant from one of the Black Watch companies. His leadership potential he has demonstrated very well in these situations. I therefore ask Lance Corporal M. Sullivan of 4 Platoon to step forward."

The Regimental Colonel Designate, Colonel John Clemence, then rose to propose the Toast to The Regiment, and after some difficulties with the microphone, began his first Hallowe'en speech:

"It is of course a great honour to be standing here, so to speak, on the brink of being your Regimental Colonel where so many greater men than I have stood in the past, and I am grateful to Colonel Anderson and Major Pearson for permitting a break with tradition and for giving me the opportunity of speaking to you tonight and proposing the Health of The Regiment.

"Any experienced speech writer will tell you that you should start off with some knockabout hurnour and at the right moment launch into the serious content of the message. I did say on a previous Hallowe'en that being amusing was difficult for an accountant, and it brought the house down on that occasion too." Having captured his audience with the promise of 'amusement', Colonel John went on to tell the one about the Scotsman who went to heaven, met St. Peter at the Pearly Gates and requested admission. "To which the great man replied: (and a sidelong glance at the Padre) 'Well, you can piss off Jock, I'm not making porridge for one!...

Colonel John went on to thank Colonel Jock for all his years of distinguished service, from 1961 until the present, as Medical Officer, as Company Commander, and latterly as Regimental Colonel.

"You saw us out of '59' on that memorable and sentimental visit by our Honorary Colonel. You saw us through Wenlock Street (least said the better) and then in '95' on that equally memorable occasion 18 months ago. "Throughout all these years countless would-be soldiers have coughed for you during what must be close to a record number of medicals. You have not been without medical mishap yourself., in fact I owe my first taste of command to your broken collar-bone in Germany before Camp in 1969.

"I think we all know how much we owe you and I thank you on behalf of The Regiment for all that you, and of course dear Mairead have done down the years. You were a hard act to follow in 1970, and you will be a hard act to follow in 1989."

The two Colonels then met and shook hands as a presentation of two decanters was made, together with a gift from all three London Scottish cadet units.

Colonel John then embarked upon the serious content of his message:

"The second reason for me standing here is to send out a few messages or vibes as I believe they are called in the modern idiom. Things which need saying. We are very fortunate to have so many friends; General Peter Graham, Colonel of The Gordon Highlanders, with whom I have already had conversations about strengthening the ties between our two Regiments. Major David White, his Regimental Secretary, is also an old family friend. Colonel David Arbuthnot, my new boss at 1/51 Highland Volunteers, who was once CO of the Battalion when I was one of his Company Commanders. I know he is sad not to be with us tonight, as will be Lt. Col Richard Nunneley, present CO of 1/51 Highland and a member of a well-known London Scottish family. These and many others have so much goodwill towards us that if we cannot succeed with their help maybe we do not deserve to succeed at all.

"We are fortunate too in our old comrades, so many of whom do so much to keep the Regimental institutions going, and I hope will continue to do so. I can tell you now that from 1976 to 1988 the support which you and so many others gave enabled us to keep our heads above water. I thank you all for that support from the bottom of my heart, and can also tell you that the 1986 Appeal for the fitting-out of '95' is close to £100,000, a sum I would never have dreamed possible.

"I turn to the serving Company. All you will suffer at my hands will be encouragement and the occasional bout of un-London Scottish over-enthusiasm. I resigned my commission in The Seaforth Highlanders to join as a private in The London Scottish and am very proud to have done so. You are our future - without you there is none. I will pledge to you that I will explain to you the way The Regiment is structured and what it does and what it can do for you. I would also say to you that this place is yours - your home. Every Regiment needs one. Treat it with respect. It does not belong to the Government but to you and us. It is not a shrine; but there are plenty of symbols around and within it. Think of the pediment. In and out beneath it have gone generations of London Scots in Peace and in War.

"And finally I turn to young and old alike for I must propose the Health of The Regiment and I must say aloud what we all know in our hearts to be true: the health of The Regiment is inextricably entwined in the health of 1st Battalion The 51st Highland Volunteers. Let us not forget that it is 1/51 that has enabled us to continue as one of its parts. I will fight to ensure that 1/51 Highland Volunteers flourishes and The London Scottish within it. If we need them you can be sure they need us and want us with them. Old and Bold must recognise this, and the young must seek to be the best Company in the best Territorial Army battalion in Scotland and thus in the U.K. Only by being the best can you be reasonably assured that The Scottish will continue to flourish.

"Prosperity to the Territorial Army and particularly 1st Battalion The 5lst Highland Volunteers, root and branch, and may they continue for ever; and the Health of The London Scottish Regiment!"

The Pipes and Drums marched on and played the Second Set:

March:         King George V's Army
Scottishche: Maggie Duncan
                   Loch Maree Island
Reel:           Hey Ho My Bonnie Lass 
                   Forest Lodge
March:         The Black Bear

followed by the Pipe Major's quaich, after which The Regimental March, 'Hielan'Laddie' was played, with all standing.

So at 2230 hours or thereabouts, the formal part of the evening drew to a close, with the customary singing of 'The Evening Hymn'.

For two hours or more, groups of Jocks and Old Comrades remained on the drill-hall floor, or drifted off to the Messes upstairs to reminisce until the wee small hours. It seemed like Christmas - months of preparation and anticipation, yet all over in a few brief hours. With memories perhaps, of comrades young and old, that were with us not in body but very much in spirit, the young Jocks of today gave voice in song, the words of which are as perennial as the forest flowers. if any testimony of the Health of The Regiment is needed, it was here:

"The hills are bare now, and Autumn leaves lie thick and still
O'er land that is lost now, which those so dearly held 
That stood against him, Proud Edward's army, 
And sent him homeward to think again."

No record of the Hallowe'en Dinner can be complete without mention of those who worked so hard, before during and after the occasion to make it such a success:

To the Regimental Secretary, Alan Morris; to the Caretaker, Barney Barnard; to the Caterers; to the cadets of 235 (Westminster Cadet Company - The London Scottish, and 102 (London Scottish) Cadet Company who acted as Stewards; to the man behind the bar - Ron Younger and his team of helpers; the men of the RMP on front-door security; and to the Pipes and Drums: Drum Major Brian Alderson, Pipe Major John Spoore, Sergeant lan King, Sergeant Mick Powell, Piper J. Bracken, Tom Johnston and Mike Crowley.

Last updated 23/1/2008