THE STORY OF THE CAMERONIANS

The Club was recently privileged to welcome Major Ian Farquharson (Retd) of  The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

Major Farquharson , in a very interesting talk, traced the history of The Cameronians from formation in Douglas in 1689 under Lord Angus with Wm Cleland as Lt Col, to disbandment again in Douglas in 1968, 279 years later.

In these years of distinguished service, the Cameronians battle honours were many and varied. Killecrankie, Steenkirk, Blenheim, Ramilles, Oudenarde, Malplaquet, Gibraltar, Corunna, China, Canada, South Africa, Lucknow, South Africa and of course they served in both World Wars where they were active in many battles such as Neuve Chapelle in the first world war and Dunkirk, Sicily, Italy and NW Europe from Normandy to the Baltic in the Second World War.

Unusually in the British Army, the Cameronians were religious soldiers who carried a bible in their knapsacks and following a successful battle would hold a Conventicle rather than joining in the normal pillage of other soldiers!

Major Farquharson enthusiasm was much appreciated by Rotarians and this was reflected in the Vote of Thanks proposed by Past President Tom McNicol.

Cameronian (Scottish Rifles) Regimental Crest 

Article submitted by Alistair Mackie