Cameronians (SR) and Families Organisation

Bernie Wilkins is trying to track down a family friend 23959173 Mick O'Boyle HQ Coy MT Section.
Originally from Lasswade.

Alan Halliday and from Ian Hendry a Cameronian from Erskine hospital.

Thanks from Daughter Jean Leighton.
James from Larkhall moved to Stonehouse, Jean is unsure of service of her dad.

John from Larkhall, thanks Margaret Savage.

Tam tallest from Larkhall Lanarkshire, thanks Maureen Ingham and Margaret Savage.

Funeral service 1 March 2019.
9th btn Nwest Europe.
Travelled to Cameronian day service every year and Kelvingrove remembrance day whilst he was fit.

William Sutherland white dot.
Thanks Trent Sutherland.

Thanks Trent Sutherland.

Cousin of Willam Sutherlands wife Annie.
Grandfather of Jane Hewitt Rogers.

White Dot, thanks Trent.

Thanks Joyce Jess.

Cared for by the Dutch folk with thanks from nephew Tommy in Kirkudbright.

Request from son Barry.

I joined this Facebook group a few days ago and asked if anyone could help with info about my fathers service during WW2. After only a day I was told that he was wounded in action on April 17th 1945 in Uelzen Germany. I then started looking at that time and place and found this photo showing Scottish soldiers escorting POW's near Uelzen, photo dated April 14th 1945. My Dad didn't talk about the war much but he did tell me about the day he was wounded. While him and a few others were guarding some POW's one of the Germans found a grenade, Dad had told me that at that point the German Army was in full retreat and had left equipment and weapons everywhere. Well I guess this one hard core German decided to keep fighting and threw the grenade into a group of Brits standing close by. The resulting explosion tore off chunks of my fathers upper and lower right leg and he was driven by truck back to a field hospital then home. As you can imagine my Dad's fellow soldiers were not to pleased and the hardcore German soon became an ex-hardcore German, who's comrades had gladly pointed him out. Seeing the 2 lads on the fence I can clearly imagine my Dad sitting there with a mate, I know it's probably not but it still makes me feel closer to him. I just wanted to thank this page and its members and Ade Smith for helping find this out. For a few minutes I got to talk to Pops again.

Councillor Margaret Cooper: I am a local Councillor for Strathaven in South Lanarkshire and I am working on an important project for our community. We have a very famous Cameronian War Dog attached to our Community and we are working hard to put in place a statue the dog in our Town Centre. I hope your will support our project now and in the future. We plan to hold a dedication to Rifleman Khan when we install him in his rightful place in the centre of Strathaven and we hope that as many people attached to the Cameronians as possible will come along. I will keep you posted on our progress. In the meantime we are fundraising and if you feel you can support the project please make a small donation it will be much appreciated.
Remember Rifleman Khan from Strathaven who saved his handlers life. Rifleman Khan and his handler James Muldoon from Strathaven landed at the island of Walcheren in the Netherlands, as part of the Battle of the Scheldt. and Khan swam to the shore. However, his handler could not swim and was drowning. Khan ran from the beach and swam back out to into a strong current in the river to tow his hander to safety on the beach. They both survived and led a famous parade in Strathaven in 1953. Khan was awarded the highest award for bravery for a dog the Dicken Medal (Dog VC). After the war his owners allowed him to return to Strathaven to stay with James Muldoon. The money will be used to fund a statue and description plate that will be placed in a prominent place in town.
https://www.facebook.com/donate/457197444808770/2203515332991925/

Seated right, thanks daughter Jacqueline.

2nd Btn Italy.

Thanks Ian Shields.

1st btn former HLI.
Kia 9 10 1918.
Thanks to the O'Hare family.

Thanks Fiona Begg.

Good Morning, Spot the difference. Some of you may remember a few years back I noticed that one of our WW1 Caithness Begg War Heroes wasn't commemorated on a cenotaph, with the help from Stuart Webster and the Royal British Legion as you can see the outcome was very favourable. Alexander Begg was added yesterday to the Corsback War Memorial. As you can imagine it was an emotional couple of hours. There were a few happy tears. Lance Corporal Alexander Begg Cameronians Scottish Rifles was wounded in the battle of the River Selle. He was only 24y when he succumbed to his wounds on the 30th of Oct 1918, just twelve days before the end of the War. Alexander is buried at Mont Houn Military Cemetery. In the Spring of 2017 we made the trip over to France to pay our respects. We took a small amount of soil from his parents grave at Canisbay to leave with him plus removed some from his grave for the return trip to his parents. x

Thanks Fiona Begg for sharing this piece of Family history.

Good Morning, Spot the difference. Some of you may remember a few years back I noticed that one of our WW1 Caithness Begg War Heroes wasn't commemorated on a cenotaph, with the help from Stuart Webster and the Royal British Legion as you can see the outcome was very favourable. Alexander Begg was added yesterday to the Corsback War Memorial. As you can imagine it was an emotional couple of hours. There were a few happy tears. Lance Corporal Alexander Begg Cameronians Scottish Rifles was wounded in the battle of the River Selle. He was only 24y when he succumbed to his wounds on the 30th of Oct 1918, just twelve days before the end of the War. Alexander is buried at Mont Houn Military Cemetery. In the Spring of 2017 we made the trip over to France to pay our respects. We took a small amount of soil from his parents grave at Canisbay to leave with him plus removed some from his grave for the return trip to his parents.

A Cameronian from clan Cameron country From Isle of Skye, thanks to granddaughter Julie Cunningham.

Thanks to Lisa Hassan and her mother Barbera.

Francis Hassan was my great grandfathers brother born 2.8.1895 13 Bosnia street in the falls road area in County Antrim
He was one of 12 children and served in the Scottish rifles 9th battalion pvt 11727. and died at Flanders on the front line 3.7.1916 he is on the memorial in thiepval pier and face 4D. And the one in Edinburgh castle.

My great grandfather was John Hassan 8376 and survived then went on to marry and live in govan, centre street. He is mentioned on this pic below
If you want to know anything else please ask 👍

John served in the 1st battalion died in 1950

Francis Hassan was my great grandfathers brother born 2.8.1895 13 Bosnia street in the falls road area in County Antrim
He was one of 12 children and served in the Scottish rifles 9th battalion pvt 11727. and died at Flanders on the front line 3.7.1916 he is on the memorial in thiepval pier and face 4D. And the one in Edinburgh castle.

My great grandfather was John Hassan 8376 and survived then went on to marry and live in govan, centre street. He is mentioned on this pic below
If you want to know anything else please ask 👍

John served in the 1st battalion died in 1950

Christopher Lowe middle Malaya veteran.

Picture from Roman Cascino.
Anyone know of Davie or Mighty Mouse as known.

From George Tomalin.

It was lovely to see the 1st Cameronians (SR) represented at the Cenotaph today.

 

My father, L.Cpl Cyril George Tomalin (known as Bud or Tom) s/n 3245259, served for 10 years with the 1st Bttn The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) in India before the 2nd World War and in Burma during the War. He was involved in the retreat from Prome back to India via the Chindwin River in 1942. He was a PT instructor with the Battalion.

He would not talk about his dreadful experiences to us children and I have only lately been able to piece together part of his story from my latte Mother, his Army records and other records on the internet. He did not claim his War medels and it was only after he died that my Mother sent for them.

What I have discovered is that he joined the Regiment in London on the 13th Nov 1935 with his friend Laurence William "Laurie" VINER s/n 3245258. and served until 30th May 1945. They had both left home at the age of 14 years,, after their mothers had died. On reaching the age of 18 years, they decided to join the Army.The Regiment was the only one they found in London that would accept them both, as Laurence could not read or write. My father spent most of his service life stationed with the Regiment in India before War was declared. He did not altogether enjoy Army life and, on telling his father this, his father offered to buy him out. Tom would not accept this though and said he had made his bed so must lie in it.

He and his Battalion were amongst the first troops to be sent into Burma in 1942 to deal with the invading Japanese but found them a more formidable enemy than expected. On the 28th Feb 1942, he was threatened with Court Marshall - his "crime" being to use wood from the side of an Army lorry for a make-shift cross for his best friend "Laurie", who had been killed beside him! Although there are several references to the "Retreat from Burma", I get the impression it was not as well organised as it was described. Certainly my father was separated from the main body and had to make his own way back from Prome to the Indian border, using his skill and the stars to guide him. He was leading a small group of Cameronians and, at one point, one of their number, Charles "Charlie" Connor s/n 10602700, said he thought they were going the wrong way and left to make his own way. Unfortunately, he was captured by the Japanese and ended up on the Burma Railway, where he died on the 8th Apr 1944. When he reached the Chindwin River, it was heavily swollen with rainwater. The Japanese were firing on them from the jungle and many soldiers lay dead on the banks or drowned in the river. My father had the forsight to collect as many water bottles as he could from the bodies strewn on the bank and emptied them out before tying them around his waist. Entering the river upstream and with the aid of the empty bottles he managed to cross the river on the current and then had to scale the bank on the far bank with the aid of ropes sent down by friendly forces.

When he reached India, he was immediately hospitalised. He weighed half his normal bodyweight and had Malaria, Dysentery and was physically and mentally scarred and exhausted. He was then evacuated back to London and spent some time in Hammersmith Hospital, where my Mother was one of the nurses who cared for him. The rest, as they say, is history.

He was, however, to suffer from recurring bouts of Malaria and nightmares from the mental scars for the rest of his life. He died in 1984 from lung cancer from heavy smoking, which was the only thing that kept him sane but was to kill him in the end.

From son John Tomalin.

Yes Douglas, happy for you to use the story and photos in Dad’s memory..

 

The 1st Cameronian (SR) reformed and re-entered Burma as the Chindits. This time thay were successful in defeating the Japanese.

 

I remember my mother was upset at the VE Day celebrations as the War was not over and our men were still fighting, until we succeeded in defeating the Japanese.

 

My father was transferred to the R.A.O.C. on the 13 Jun 1944 and finally discharged on the 30 May 1945 as no longer meeting the Army’s physical requirements.. He had served 9 years and 199 days with the colours (6 years 195 days in India). During his service he was awarded the 1936-39 GS Medal with Palestine Clasp, the India GS Medal with NW Frontier 1937-39 Clasp, The 1939-45 Star, the Burma Star and the War & Victory Medals and a Silver War Badge. Although he did not claim his medals, I know he wore the 1st Cameronian (SR) badge on his blazer pocket with pride. I arranged for a Scottish piper to play at his funeral and his coffin was draped with a Union Jack with his Regimental Glengarry on top. My mother sent the Glengarry to the 1st Cameronian (SR) Museum.

 

Regards, John

Alex Maxwell Jack Yarker John McIntyre
Jack Yarker a veteran of WW2.

VJ Day Service 2017 Motherwell.

From Ron Kemp.
Thomas Henry Kemp was born in Camberwell, South London on 11th December 1902. His origin however is Whitstable, Kent. His father and Mother came from Whitstable and are both from the Oyster Yawl fraternity. Kemp is a very common name in that part of Kent. Thomas's father joined the Royal Navy and when his service was complete he became a Coast Guard in Ireland (Cloghy).

Thomas enlisted in the Cameronian Scottish Rifles 2nd Batt. 90th at Woolwich on 10th May 1920 (Aged 18).

Army Number 3234348

After 277 days training he was posted to "British India" to the North West Fronteir town of "Quetta".

In Quetta he passed his 2nd Class Certificate of Education and became a trained Machine Gunner. Quetta had become a busy town with Schools, Hospitals and a Brewery but more important it had become a very important military base/location for the British Army.

It had become a British Command centre and acted as a buffer against the unruly parts of Mespotamia, Kurdistan and Iraq.

During his posting the Cameronians became associated with The Royal Gurkha Rifles from Nepal.

The main threat to the Cameronians was from the Kurdish tribes led by Shaikh Mahmud and Mahmud Barzani (WarLords) of the kurdish regime.


The General Service Medal with Kurdistan Clasp was awarded to all those Cameronians involved in that conflict. Thomas Henry Kemp received such a medal.


Thomas Henry Kemp spent from 11.02.1921 until 17.02.1923 in British India

                                               18.02.1923 until 02.02.1924 in Iraq

                                               03.02.1924 until 14.11.1927.


On the 15.11.1927 he returned home (Hamilton) having spent nearly 7 years in India with the Cameronians having attained the rank of Lance Sergeant.

His service with the colours was Seven years 203 days.


Great! I will continue to keep in touch. No news about the medal my Dad never really mentioned it.

The reason l have started this research is because my Grandson is going to "India" on a School Exchange trip and mentioned to me if l knew "anything" about India.

I mentioned that his Great Grandfather (Thomas Henry) went to British India for nearly seven years with the Cameronians to a place called Quetta.

I did a folder / history of Thomas and his time in India. I think it helped him understand what went on in British India during the 20'.

Quetta became part of Parkistan so technically my research only applied to when it was British India prior to 1947.

Anyway all that information might have helped Josh (Grandson) in getting a place on the India trip next year!

I will keep you posted.


Thanks aagain

Memorial service at the grave of Henry May VC Glasgow. A salute to a true hero.

James Coutt's, 1st Btn, buried Kohima Cemetery, India, native of Larkhall.
Wreath laid in honour by Tom McDonagh.

A native of Kilwinning, served India, Burma and Germany, a true Cameronian.

Keeping everyone in line at Armed Forces Day.

Service at 52nd D Memorial from people of Holland.

Lanarkshire lads in the Harz Mountains 1961.

6th Btn WW2 Northern Europe.
From Larkhall, courtesy Walter Smith.

Return to Holland 1980's. Sittard war cemetery.

Trieste 1948, courtesy Lisbeth Batho.

Aden 1966/7.

Germany 1962.

Courtesy Norman Niven.

The first Cameronian.

At Westminster 2016 with Duke of Edinburgh.

Memorial at old Cameronian Club, now you mounted in wall.

Memorial and fir tree planting in memory of regiment at the training camp in Kent.

Left Hammy Hamilton, lcpl Jim Smith, Danny Pearson. Hammy was provost Sgt 1968 disbandment.

Bill was transferred from DLI to 9th Cameronians after Dday.

Old Cameronians meet at Aldergrove 1983 to toast Cameronian Day.
Left to right, Jimmy Spence, Peter McHarg (KOSB), Bobby Towns, Tam Balloch, Dunky MacLeod QOH, all NCO's with regiments after Cameronian Disbandment.

As requested, and with great honour I am writing to you with the details of my Late Father in Laws service during the war and especially his time with the 6th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) - William was born in 1926. His father, also William, had served throughout the 1st World War, with The Royal Scots. The humorous tales of these arduous times led William to follow in his father’s footsteps, once of age in 1944, when he enlisted for regular service (7 colours, 5 reserve).

On completion of his basic training he was posted overseas to a holding unit in North Western Europe and then to 6th Battalion of The Cameronians with which he saw action from then on until the end of the war.

During his time in Belgium Bill met a local girl named Simone. She was quite stunning and they struck up quite a mutual admiration for each other. He the tall handsome soldier and she the Petite, beautiful member of the Belgian resistance. Bill served out four years in Germany after the war and in due course they married and remained together for 66 years until she passed away in 2015.

William George Beardmore S/N 14447711 was laid to rest on the 27th of January 2017. His coffin was draped in the tartan of the Cameronians, his Medals sat on top

The members of the regiment that attended the funeral, brought and laid a regimental wreath, one of the attendees, Kenn Robinson, spoke in front of us all as to the meaning of being a Cameronian. His comments reflected and fortified what we had always understood from Bill.

We thank those present, some we deeply regret not being able to thank personally.

But with the same honour in which they served , they simply came, performed their duty and slipped quietly away.

Glen Tizard

Low Kittymuir Stonehouse 1958.

A not so small Cameronian from Stonehouse. Flanked by Patrick Kelly Teddy Murphy.

From Cameronian to local regiment Sherwood Foresters.

Pro footballer from Stonehouse and Cameronian.

Stan was attached to regiment, killed accident 1959 August in Kenya.

Funeral firing team and salute from Cameronians.

Wadi Ein. Public relations.

Robert Mitchell Tam Balloch.

Kia April 1945 Germany.
Thanks from niece Lisbeth Batho.

Courtesy Ron Kemp.
India 1920s.

John Rouse Alex Falconer Tam Groom Jim Hawkins.

Thanks to wife Janeatte.
Sammy served Trieste Hong Kong Malaya.

5 great band pics from Ilse.

Middleburg Holland 1954.
5 great band pics from Ilse

Middleburg Holland 1954.
5 great band pics from Ilse

Middleburg Holland 1954.
5 great band pics from Ilse

Middleburg Holland 1954.
5 great band pics from Ilse

Jim on left.

A 6th Cameronian WW2 then Gibraltar post war as did twin George.

Thanks to Waggi Wardrope of Stonehouse for his grandfather's pictures.

Sgt Shearer 6th btn, left.

Thanks to daughter Lyn Tannahill.

Thanks from some James.

Thanks set from son Tony.

Sanbostal?

Buckingham Palace.

Christopher Lowe right Malaya.
Thanks from daughter Pat.

Kenya 1959

Kenya 1959

From Roag Isle of Skye.

Thanks to granddaughter Julie Cunningham.

Minded May 1(6).

Feb 61 Bavarian Alps.

East Kilbride memo 2018.

Thanks from granddaughter Carolnne Spence.

Stand easy brave Cameronian Chindit.

Thanks Karen Mackie.

Thanks Lilian Crags.

Lillian is asking a few questions as well as telling her uncles story via her pictures.

Thanks Lilian Crags.

Thanks Lilian Crags.

Lilian Crags.

Thanks Lilian Crags.

Lilian Craggs.

Thanks Nick Reeves.

Thanks Nick Reeves.

Thanks Nick Reeves.

Thanks to Nick Reeves for John's Story and pictures.

Rifleman McCall visiting museum at Hamilton 2018 shortly before joining his friends at the big conventicle in the sky.

Thanks Nick Reeves.

Thanks granddaughter Carolanne Spence.

The regiment took part in the retreat from Burma 1942 but returned as Chindits two years later.

Thanks to John Fowler for his grandad pictures and clips.

Calum from Roag Skye, thanks to granddaughter Julie Cunningham.

Thanks to sister Margaret for sending these great pictures, from boy soldier piper to Aden.

Boy soldiers Winston Barracks.
Thanks Margaret Lynn Canada.

Age 18 to 20. Wrapped up and proud black hackle.
Sammy went to 19 Regiment Artillery after Disbanded.

Thanks from Andy Steel.

Sammy Lynn collection.

Sammy Lynn collection.

Thanks to son Alan for pictures.

Baarsland Holland.

Thanks from daughter Elizabeth.

Bottom right.
Thanks Catherine Thomson.

Villagers of Clary honour the Cameronians with a cuppa on the anniversary of their liberation 10th October 1918.

Poppy week 2019.

Poem regarding the 1968 Disbandment.

Thanks from grandaugter Libby Taylor.

Malta pre ww1

Hockey team 2nd battalion.

thanks Cat Thomson.

Thanks daughter Karen.

From Karen Fair.

KarenFair.

John visits the grave of his 6th Btn father at Brunsemm twice a year.

John lays a wreath at the place of an HLI G Calderbank member who grew up in his locality.

Thanks son Gavin.

Picture of unknown Cameronian found in Edinburgh house clearance.

2nd Battalion.

Thanks JoAnne Williamson.

Thanks JoAnne Williamson.

Thanks Craig.

Thanks son Craig.

Thanks son Craig.

1st Battalion India thanks to Kathy Gormley for some pictures from her grandfather Albert Charles Hunts collection.
He enlisted London 1931 for 7 years, called back up from reserve to 2nd Battalion 1939.

Thanks Kathy Gormley.

Thanks Kathy Gormley.

1st Battalion India thanks to Kathy Gormley for some pictures from her grandfather collection.

Thanks for these kathy Gormley.

Thanks to granddaughter Sophie.Matthew passed away March 2020.

Norman rigjt, Killed 1943 Sicilly.
Thanks grandaughter Diane Perrie.