Hallowe'en is with us once again, that occasion that is so special to all London Scots throughout the world. This year it is even more special as it is the first since the Serving Company has moved from The Highland Volunteers to become 'A' Coy The London Regiment. It is also the first time that we welcome to Hallowe'en the lady members of the Serving Company.

At 1840 Pipe Major lan King pipes the top table from the Officers' Mess, led by the Regimental Colonel to a top table which is this year positioned end on to the 1914/19 Memorial so that it is flanked on each side by the other tables, thus bringing our guests into the middle of our Regimental family.

The evening's ceremonies begin with the laying of a Wreath at the 1914-1919 War Memorial by L/Cpl Jon Hurnn, in remembrance of all those London Scots who died in two World Wars. Once again all three London Scottish Victoria Crosses are on display, thanks to the loan of Mitchell's medal by the Headmaster of the School, Mr Colin Ravden. After the Pipe Major has played the lament and reveille, grace is said by the Reverend John Mclndoe and we all sit down to enjoy the meal, and each other's company. After the soup we have the "Piping in of the Haggis" with Jim Barnard twirling the whisky bottles in the appropriate manner. The Regimental Colonel was obviously slightly taken aback to face three of the beasties looking at him from the platter, but succeeded in despatching them all with the aid of the Pipe Major's dirk.

Now it is time for The Presentation of Awards. The first of these is The Messines Trophy which is presented to L/Cpl Clarke by Colonel Alan Niekirk who is Knight Vice President of The Knights of the Round Table. The Macdonald Trophy is given to L/Cpl Hallett by Colonel Clemence. Major Ludlow read both citations, referring to the qualities of both winners which earned them the awards.

The Colonel took wine with all who had served in The London Regiment, which included the 14th County of London Bn up to 1937, and its more modern counterpart - also with all those who had served in a Gordon Highlander Bn, including the 1st Bn The London Scottish up to 1967.

After the Loyal Toasts Colonel John referred to our recent visit to Canada, read a message to his counterpart in Toronto and proposed an additional Toast to "Our Associated Regiments".

After the Interval, Major Patrick Layden read the Messages of Greeting received from: Hector Robertson and friends, Mary Souter, Ronnie Macpherson, George Bannan, lain Hanson (Australia), The Grangers, Vic Masters, Jack Tilbury, Francke, Ken Duncan (Australia), Gordon Skilling (Hong Kong), Dave Orpwood and others. These were received with heartfelt applause.

Then the Pipes and Drums marched on to play the First Set.

March On        Hallowe'en
March             The Rowan Tree 
Jig                  Up to the Line
March             The Burning Mill at Messines 
Retreat Air       The Bloody Field of Flanders 
Strathspey       The Maids of Flanders
March              The Battle of the Somme 

This was well received by all those present.

Then the Colonel rose to make his address: "Gentlemen and Ladies - There was a time that I thought I could get away with no address to you this evening, but then I thought what a disappointment that it would be for you and, in any case, there are some things which I need to say.

I am grateful to all our Regimental Guests for coming this evening, but I have delegated to one of my predecessors the task of proposing their health. Hallowe'en is a family occasion, but it did seem to me to be appropriate for our family to invite and welcome into our midst friends that we have made during "Options for Change", friends from the new family which makes up The London Regiment.

For some the results of "Options" is not a happy one, and we can only hope that what has happened, or is threatened, will produce fine Regiments of which we can all be proud.

Having looked back at what I said to you a year ago, all I can say now is to reiterate what I have said in the Gazette in that we have been fortunate. The London Regiment won concessions, possibly against the odds, and we now find ourselves in a new Regiment, of whose doings Major Ludlow will tell you later. All that now remains to be settled for The London Regiment is for the Royal Warrant to be issued. It has been agreed that each Company within the Regiment will have its own Honorary Colonel, and when all is said and done we and the other Regiments concerned will make The London Regiment the finest in the Territorial Army.

I would hasten to add that in company of many others, it was not rain drops that fell from our faces when "V" Liverpool and "G" London Scottish Companies marched off parade from the 1st Battalion 51st Highland Volunteers on a wet September morning in Otterburn. That was possibly one of the most emotional experiences which London Scots have felt since the 31st March, 1967.

I have to admit that I have a slight feeling of anticlimax, and I am reminded of a Middlesex Regiment Major who was my Company Commander at Eaton Hall. He had a rather high pitched voice and was frequently beard to pose the question "what are you going to do now?", usually in the middle of a platoon attack. So with two more years of my tenure to go, I shall be casting around for things to do.

One of the things which I am determined to achieve, is to strengthen our links with our Gordon and our Toronto friends. I have recently returned from Toronto where we have not been for 18 years. My uncle went there as a Private, and I was lucky enough to take part in visits of both 1965 and 1974, but 18 years is too long. We must apply some All Bran to our Toronto visits. As to the Gordons, we shall always remember our links with your Regiment, General Peter, and whatever befalls, we wish to perpetuate them.

I have been asked by David Henderson to remind you to turn out in large numbers for Church Parade, after which new arrangements have been made for tea. He has also asked me to say that he is now further advanced with his plans for a visit to Italy in 1993, and hopes to be able to include some details in the December Gazette. It is likely to take place in October, and while on the subject of Italy, he has asked me to say that the Appeal for the restoration of the Memorial in St. Andrew's Rome is still open.

I must sadly report to you the recent death of Mrs G. Cruikshank, the widow of R. E. Cruikshank, VC, who died recently at the age of 103. I can also tell you that she remembered the Regiment in her Will by leaving a substantial legacy to the Benevolent Fund.

Lastly, I have to say my thank-you's, and this year they are more heartfelt than ever. Thank you to the Old Comrades who have supported me and given me the strength and conviction to fight for our future, and who have sometimes not been afraid to air their views. Thank you to the Serving Company who have produced the numbers to give my argument strength. Thank you to all our friends whose representatives are gathered round this table. Thank you to our Regimental Staff who, under Alan Morris, have worked tirelessly during the last year and who enabled me to go to Canada and leave them with all the final arrangements for Hallowe'en. A special thanks to John Haynes and Jim Barnard for their work on the Museum - a handier man than Barney with a screwdriver and hammer would be hard to find.

Thank you Patrick Layden. Thank you Army in Scotland, TAVRA in London, HQ London District and thank you the PSI's. I cannot tell you how much I am indebted to you all.

Colonel John's words were received with much applause and without further ado he asked Colonel Niekirk to propose the health of the guests.

Colonel Niekirk rose to say that it is a time to thank all those who have ensured that we will continue on in future years, and maintain our fine traditions, and it is also a time to make new friends with our comrades in The London Regiment.

The guests include Lieutenant General Sir Peter Graham, GOC Scotland and Colonel of The Gordon Highlanders, Lieutenant General Sir Henry Leask a former GOC Scotland, but much more famous on the account of having commanded The London Scottish at the end of WW2. Sir Henry was attending his first Hallowe'en for many years. Lieutenant General Sir Jeremy Reilly Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Major General Mike Reynolds former Colonel of The Queen's Regiment, Major General Bob Hodges who was Director of Infantry during "Options for Change", Major General Robert Corbett GOC London District, Major General George Kennedy (Gordon Highlanders) Director General TA, Brigadiers Peter Bowser Secretary Greater London TAYRA, Kim Ross Commander 56 Brigade and Deputy Commander London District (Designate), Tony Pielow Honorary Colonel (Designate) of the PWOR Company of The London Regiment, Colonel Sir Greville Spratt Honorary Colonel (Designate) The London Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Peter McLelland CO The London Regiment, all in order of military precedence and Reverend John Mclndoe from St. Columba's. Colonel Niekirk proposed them in a different order to stress how welcome are the representatives of the other Regimental interests in The London Regiment. The toast to "our Guests" was received with great acclamation and enthusiasm by everyone.

Then Lieutenant General Sir Peter Graham made a most stirring and witty speech:

He referred to the action of The London Scottish at Messines, and our strong ties with The Gordon Highlanders, which commenced in 1900 when London Scots served with them in South Africa. He commented upon the obstinacy and "thrawness" (a new word for some of us) with which the struggle for our survival had been fought. It would appear that we only have to offer our Colonel Syrup of Figs to elicit from him certain fighting qualities.

His speech was most enthusiastically received with tremendous applause, especially by the serving Jocks.

Colonel John Clemence then presented General Graham with a framed print of the Official Opening of "95" saying:

"General Peter, I am most grateful to you for what you have said. For my part, I shall always remember the advice, encouragement and support which you have given to me, and I am sure to many others. As I have said, we value our links with the Gordon Highlanders as much as anything we have.

The first time we met was on the north German plain when we were both Company Commanders in our respective Battalions. Somehow or other your intelligence network had failed to alert you to the fact that we had a secret weapon in the shape of a member of the Borthwick Family. Malcolm had a propensity for screwing up almost everything with which he came into contact, even your immaculately planned Company advance and attack.

In spite of this early setback you have become the Senior Soldier in Scotland, and I am still a retired Major. There must be a lesson in there somewhere!

Just to show, however, there are no ill feelings, I would like to make a present to your Regiment. It is a signed print of the painting which hangs on the wall over there, and it comes with our esteem, respect and affection, and a reminder of our long association with your Regiment".

Major Ludlow then gave his Report on the Serving Company: Its activities over the year and their achievements, including their successes in shooting and sporting activities. His thanks also went to the PSI's for all their help.

Once again there was tremendous applause from the Jocks. Major Mark Ludlow then proposed the toast to "The Regiment". Following this the Pipes and Drums played the Second Set comprising a World War One Selection, which was well received by most of those present. Then Pipe Major lan King partook of a wee dram with Colonel Clemence.

Alan Morris removed the Victoria Crosses from the War Memorial with the assistance of L/Cpl Joe Catarino, and marched smartly from the hall.

Then the Regimental March, the Evening Hymn and God Save the Queen brought the evening to an end. But many lingered on until the early hours to remember the good times that they had had together.

A memorable evening we think, a fitting evening to mark our entry into The London Regiment, a suitable way to say thank you to many of those who had helped us to survive and to demonstrate that Our Hallowe'en Reunion is a special mixture of emotion and fun which makes an unforgettable impression on all who experience it for the first time.

We thank all those who made this splendid evening possible: The Regimental Secretary, Alan Morris; The Caretaker, Jim Barnard; to all the cadets who acted as stewards; Wally & Wynn Durrant and Ron Younger, together with all their assistants; The London Irish, who did security on the door; Audrey Scriven and her Caterers. Last but not least, The Pipes and Drums under Drum Major Mick Powell and Pipe Major lan King, who all helped to create that atmosphere which is unique to the Scottish.

The demand for Hallowe'en tickets exceeded all expectations and it was necessary to arrange extra seating on the Museum balcony. We are sorry for those who had to be disappointed, on what is our evening of the year.

Next year we may have to revert to the system of making tickets available to members first. It is recognised that this is difficult for our older members who have long journeys and who like to come with a friend. Leave it to the management to work out a system.

Messages to and from The Queen Mother were as follows: 

To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

May I send loyal and affectionate greetings to Our Honorary Colonel on behalf of all ranks of The London Scottish Regiment gathered with their guests at 95 Horseferry Road for our Annual Hallowe'en Reunion.

John Clemence Regimental Colonel

Clarence House SW1

Thank you very much for your letter which together with the enclosure I have handed to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Queen Elizabeth asks that her very warm good wishes 'may be conveyed to All Ranks of the London Scottish and their guests gathered for your Annual Hallowe'en Reunion, which Her Majesty hopes will be a very happy and successful occasion.

Martin Gilliat 26th October 1992

The following message was sent to the Toronto Scottish. 

For Colonel John Massingham C-D

All London Scots at our Annual Hallowe'en Reunion join me in sending to you our Greetings. May your recovery be speedy and complete.

May I also convey to you as Honorary Colonel our thanks for the hospitality and kindness shown by all ranks of your Regiment during our recent visit.

"Carry On and Strike Sure' Kindest regards

Lieut-General Sir Jeremy Reilly, KCB, DSO, Major General AIG Kennedy, CBE and the Colonel.

Yours Aye John Clemence Regiment Colonel 31st October 1992

Last updated 1/1/01