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My Dad Jim came from Boghead on the edge of Blackwood Estate Lanarkshire, he joined up Feb 1959 at Lanark before he was called up as his friend told him a regular had a better pay.

After training his first posting was to Kenya June 1959, straight from the lovely climes of Winston Barracks on Lanark Mair to the Equator, “not a lot of difference, the warmest rugby match I played there was Feb 2001, no snow for once”.

From East Africa he was back home with the Cams for four months before the posting to Elizabeth Barracks in Minden for four years. He always spoke of the good times, hard work, his love of driving Bedfords and friends in Germany as can be seen from his pictures - apart from getting arrested when his driving pupil reversed over a politzi car!

Returning back to Scotland for home duties, he was by this time a corporal in A Company Mt Section, instructing, maintenance and all round driving which he carried on in life till becoming ill in his mid sixties.

Whilst stationed at Ballater on Royal duties he was in charge of the MT section as NCO where he was praised for his work in his service records.

Shortly before he died he was chatting to his daughter-in-law Isabell about his time in the Regiment, Nudist Beaches? Driving down autobahns wrong-sided as the convoy leader hadn’t seen a motorway before or driven on the other side, and the general good times he had whilst serving. Though having the regret, he didn’t take his third stripe when he was offered. Though when younger he mentioned he had problems with flat feet when he left, as his sister remembered as he loved the service. He did feel guilty once when he said his mate lost a leg in Aden as he couldn’t go.

Enjoying his stories as a youngster and looking at the pictures gave me a great respect for the Regiment and all who served, or being taken to the museum at Hamilton. When we were married I had Douglas tartan Trews and dad’s Cameronian belt polished highly for the day. I always enjoyed playing sodjers with his lowlander and Glengarry hats, as do our two, though it’s papa’s pirate hat.

Sadly he went to the big conventicle in the sky in February this year to be with all the others gathered still ready to serve. Isabell and May did his wreath at home with the badge, tartan, flowers and greenery of the Cameronian colours.

(Hover mouse to see names) (click to see larger photo)

Donated May 2014 - Harry Morris. 1st 3 photos in Sennelager and 4th Colleseum Minden (1960?) Close up Willie Crawford, Bob Edgar Tam Faulds, James Torrance, Harry Morris, Tam Groom, Matt Millar

Other misc photos sourced from www.mccrow.org.uk/eastafrica/JanetDavis/JanetBW1.htm

Douglas Torrance says "The bandsmen have Cameronian badges in their Glengarries but the other lad has a Lowland Div one, I'm not sure why this is and I can't be sure where it was taken"

Ed, this was posted to the Cameronians Forum on 15 NOV: I question the location, unless there was an older building at Winston Barracks, or a building in Lanark that had the Regimental crest on it: David Burns Nov 2012. The crest on the building's dormer appears to be the Regimental badge. If it is, I think it may have been Hamilton Barracks. The Lowland bonnet suggests 1962 - I'm not sure when we were re-badged but when I joined the regulars in September, 1962, we were issued glengarries and the new badge Lowland Brigade cap badge. If this was indeed Hamilton Barracks the fellows may have been in the T.A. Bn, thus the Lowland Bonnets. The T.A. was not issued the glengarry until later. As I recall the T.A. RHQ was at Hamilton barracks in March 1962. The new cap badge on the fellow in the old BDU's throws things off, unless he was regular army. Perhaps someone from before my time in the regiment could put some light on that one since I'm not sure when the regular Bn was first issued the new No.2 dress."

I question the location, unless there was an older building at Winston Barracks, or a building in Lanark that had the Regimental crest on it: The Pipe Band wore the glengarry long before the change from the Balmoral. The guy holding the side drum is Skelf Lavallin and the Bugler with his back to the picture is Eddy Mc Dowall ( Both Regulars)-- I think this was Lanimar Day, Lanark (1962) The guy with T.O.S. and the lowland Brigade Badge, has the BAOR Patch on his arm, which would suggest he was maybe MT driving the PB kit from Minden (Hook of Holland To Dover)??? The guys with the Balmorals look like the TA-- I remember the Pipe Band being presented with Pipe Banners from all the councils in Lanarkshire around about this time and I am quite sure it coincided with the Lanimar day parade-- On the other hand, I could be talking a load of mince, as I was only just turned 17. Keep the memories flowing lads.

Thanks to all above and Ken Jackman and Jim Kane who said - "It's Lanark. There is a road on the left at the tourist information going to the loading area at the rear of what was the old cattle market leading to the Lockhart hospital called Portland place/Whitelees Road."

From Douglas: Here's a picture for taking it easy. It's one I painted of the Earl of Angus monument. Feel free to print it for yourself.

You may like to know that Douglas has created his own website which shows his hobby for making and selling fly-fishing dressings in Cameronian tartan & colours.

This small selection of Salmon and Trout Flies has been designed and tied on behalf of The Cameronians Friends and Family Association to raise funds to keep the memory of this once proud Scottish Infantry Regiment alive, whilst also helping it's members who at times may need a visit, a gift when sick or the cost of Rememberance Day wreaths each year. Well worth a visit here

And. are there any more photos out there taken at Ballater, either 1954 or 1965 - or indeed, any photos taken anytime, which would be suitable for my Cameronian website?


A Cameronian soldier helps pupils aboard an army lorry which will take them to the British Army's school in Nairobi. Only the little girl seems to be enjoying herself at an army open day in Nairobi - PHOTOs the late Jim and Hilda Dixon


Army public relations at an open day in Nairobi with a soldier of the Kings African Rifles demonstrating mortars (left) while the Cameronians explain the workings of a gun (right) - PHOTOs the late Jim and Hilda Dixon


Land Rover rides (left) and heavy machine gun (right) - but the little boy's attention has clearly be attracted by something else - PHOTOs the late Jim and Hilda Dixon