SPLIT WATERMAN retired from the Territorial Army on Hallowe'en 1980, after 21 years service to The London Scottish.

He enlisted in 1959 and began his soldiering in Support Coy - the MMG Platoon, under David Henderson. It was love at first sight (with machine guns that is) for Split's devotion to marksmanship and weapon training in The London Scottish has sustained his interest up to the present. In 1962 he transferred to "C" Coy, the year it was formed, and was promoted to Sgt. In 1964 he was appointed CSM of "C" Coy, and in 1967 CSM of "G" Coy, when the old London Scottish was absorbed into the Ist Battalion 51st Highland Volunteers. This appointment he held until February, 1970. Since then he has been Weapon Training Instructor continuously.

A quiet, mild-mannered man who usually keeps a low profile, Split Waterman can still produce a fair imitation of a ferocious CSM, or a cantankerous headmaster when teaching soldiers the intricate details of the GPMG in a Sustained Fire role (not a bit like the cumbersome Vickers Guns he once trained on, but times change). That every Coy range practice was a model of efficiency and safety we owe it to Split's supervision. The Coy's marksmen owe their skill to his patient and thorough coaching. That the Coy walked away with the Battalion Trophy this year is due to his efforts, and Split himself counts it as one of his most fulfilling achievements in 21 years soldiering.

He remembers the camp at Senelager in 1971 - one of the best he thinks, when the Coy reached its highest operational standard, functioning as it then did in a Surveillance role. He also recalls how complicated things seemed to get when The London Scottish became part of 1/51 Highland. Things still are.

The Coy has lost another of its wise old Gurus, and there are few left to replace him. It is not however the last we shall see of Split, for in his new role as Old Comrade he intends to make frequent return visits to "59". All from "G" Coy wish him well, and a long and happy retirement.