The Gordon Highlanders
 

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2011 date to be announce

2010 Christmas Cards from the Gordon Highlanders London Association

Though the Gordon Highlanders London Association is distinct from the Regimental Association, the common interests are obvious.  The London Association has been able to make 2010 Christmas cards available (featuring the well-known painting of the Duchess Jean raising the Regiment) at a great price...£6 for 20 cards!! (shipping not included).  The greeting inside reads 'Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.' Proceeds go to support the GHLA Benevolent Fund. You are encouraged to contact the Hon. Secretary (just click on the badge to the left) to place your order as soon as possible.

G in the Park

While not directly sponsored by regimental associations, this is an event that will be of interest to those who served.  The 2010 G in the Park was held on 10 July near Gamrie (Banffshire).  For more information, go to www.ginthepark.co.uk (see the link in the left margin of this page).

Branches

The Aberdeen Branch meets on the first Monday of each month at the 22 Club (55 Rose St), Aberdeen.  Chairman: D. Allan ((0)1224) 826239.

The Edinburgh Branch meets monthly at the Scots Guards Club.  Secretary: D. Watt ((0)131) 539-1798.

The Fraserburgh & MacDuff Branch. For information, contact Chairman: R. Philip ((0)1261) 833228.  (See Upcoming Events, below, too.)

The Inverness Branch hosts its AGM and buffet supper each March, and a buffet/dance each October.  Chairman: J. B. Hutton ((0)1463) 791549.

The Laurencekirk Branch meets on the third Sunday of each month at the Drill Hall (244 High St), Laurencekirk.  Chairman: J. G. Gill ((0)1561) 377430.

The London Branch meets quarterly at the London Scottish HQ (95 Horse Ferry Rd, London).  All are welcome 'for a beer and a bleather.'  Chairman: Col van der Noot, MBE ((0)1635) 298430.

The Nottingham Branch hosts two dinner/dances each year.  Chairman: Mr Howlett ((0)115) 922-4003.

The 5th, 7th, and 5th/7th Branch meets the last Thursday of each month at RHQ with an annual dinner/dance in October.  Chairman: W. Burnett ((0)1358) 721227.

NEWS:
Did you serve in HM's Forces (regulars, TA, Merchant Navy, Home Guard) up to and including 31 December 1959?  If so, you are eligible for the Armed Forces Veterans Badge.  Application forms can be obtained from: Veterans Agency, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3WP or call 0800 169 2277 or visit their website (click on the image to the left).  War Widows or Widowers may apply for posthumous awards through the same agency.

The Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal (PJM) is available to UK service personnel who served at least 90 days in Malaysia (31/8/1957 through 12/8/1966) AND at least 90 days in Singapore (31/8/1957 through 9/8/1965).  The medal is granted by a foreign government, but applications must be verified through the MOD.  Applications are available at www.nmba.co.uk (click on the image to the left).

UPCOMING EVENTS
The next meeting of the Fraserburgh & Macduff Branch of The Gordon Highlanders Regimental Association will be held at Keith Royal British Legion on Sunday the 24th of Oct at 1300hrs. If you are within a decent travelling distance of Keith you are most welcome to join us at The Royal British Legion, Balloch Road, KEITH, AB55 5EN. The Legion is beside Keith football club and Tesco's. New members are always welcome. Maximum attendance by existing members please.

The Fraserburgh & Macduff branch of The Gordon Highlanders Association would like to invite you & your partners to our annual dance. The dance will be held on Saturday the 27th of November 2010 at The Royal British Legion in Keith. 1930hrs for 2000hrs till about 0030hrs. If you would like to attend PLEASE get in touch with Mike (Pug) Gerrie on pug3616@hotmail.com or 07748590574 or 01888562919 . The entrance fee is £15 per head to cover a sumptuous meal (John Seivwright's words lol) and the band. There will be a raffle during the evening and a donation of a raffle prize would be more than welcome. Please inform any other Gordon Highlanders in your area of this event. The more the merrier. We hope to see you in November. If you live in the Keith area tickets will be on sale at Keith Motorists DIY via Hughie Kellas.

Captain Neil Smith Memorial

Anyone who has been connected to the regiment in the last thirty years knows or has at least heard of Bill Smith.  As a new post-graduate student in Aberdeen, I came to know Bill and his intense love for the regiment.  His son, Captain Neil Smith, also served with the regiment but was killed in a tragic training accident.  A memorial was created for him and for many years Bill traveled to Germany to present the Neil Smith trophy to the best of the regiment's (and then The Highlanders') potential junior NCOs.  Sadly, the memorial fell into disrepair.  And then Fred Simpson came to the rescue...the following note and photos are borrowed from the G in the Park site (see the link in the left margin of this page):

Dear Pug [for the uninitiated, that's Mike Gerrie], I  was very disappointed last year when I was on G range at Sennelager to find the memorial to Capt. Neil Smith in a rather dilapidated condition, unfortunately I neither had the time nor the equipment to do anything about it.  I returned two weeks ago to find it in the same condition! This time, I did have the time and am sending you the photographs I took before, after and during the restoration. I only hope we have done him proud?  All the work was done, by myself and a Fijian colleague Hldr. Navuso Tuloco, over a couple of days while we were doing First Aid cover.
It brought back some poignant memories as I was working in the Officers Mess at the time and helped sort out his personal possessions amongst other things during what was one of the few sad times while we were in Hemer. His father came across a couple of years ago to present the Neil Smith trophy to the best  student on the Potential Junior NCO Cadre, unfortunately for the last time as he felt that he was getting to old to make the journey. BYDAND. Fred.

We would like to thank Fred and Navuso for this graceful and touching act of service.
 

Before...	After.  The stone reads 'In memory of Captain Neil Smith, The Gordon Highlanders. Killed training on G Range, 2 April 1987.'

This page was last updated on Tuesday, 12 October 2010