I found the photos, certificate and postcards sealed in a bag in a cupboard at my parents home. My father, Marshall, died 2012.

I've always known my dad was a national serviceman with the Cameronians. He was very proud to have been a Cameronian. He entered national service (1956) after completing his apprenticeship in plumbing. He talked freely about his experiences during his initial training at Winston Barracks, but I have no idea about the remainder of his two years.

My mother has little recollection of that time, but I have managed to get some bits and pieces.....it's just a case of asking her a question in the correct way..she can rhyme off his service number as easy as her co-op divi number.

I've managed to extract bits and pieces from her, but not the sequence. During his two years he was based in Edinburgh - he used to tell me when I was a wee girl that he had guarded Edinburgh castle :) and Germany and Middle East.

The Middle East I now know from the post cards was Bahrain. My mother says one time he came home - I don't know whether it was leave, medical leave or at end of his service, but he was deaf and his body was covered in surgical stitches and something about mortar fire and a plane...but I don't know enough to provide her with more prompts to get more details from her.

Regards,
Moira

The picture with the 3 men and the mortar has the following details

A 3" mortar detachment of the 1st Bn The Cameronians pictured while training in the desert on Bahrain Island, where the Battalion is now stationed.
The soldiers, all national servicemen are, left to right, Rfn Marshall Barr (22), Rfn Patrick Young (20) and Rfn James Shields (19).

CAP/PIC : BAH/5/15 - by Capt PR Sawyer-Military Observer Photo by: Cpl. K. Burtt, REM ARMY PR.