The London Scottish Regiment are headquartered in a large Victorian building in Horseferry Road and have had a presence in London since 1860. Wendy and I were invited – along with a large number of other Livery Masters, Clerks and Consorts – to their annual Summer Party hosted by the Regimental Colonel. They also took the opportunity of launching their latest book, a history of “Scots in Great War London”.
As we all know the Great War was the first industrial-scale killing machine in history and hundreds of thousands of young men from all four Home Nations lost their lives, mainly on the Western Front. The book charts the journey of many Scottish soldiers who joined up in their home towns and villages and then were transported through London on their way to the war. The Regimental Hall is dominated by the War Memorial to these men (see photograph) many of whom were leading lights in business, academia, science and sport as well as humble crofters and farmers. The London Scottish Regiment were able to set up a number of support services to these men as they passed through to France – and perhaps more importantly – on their return from the trenches, traumatised and depleted as they were. They would typically be dropped off at Victoria in the early morning via the night boat from France, having then to wait until the evening train up to Scotland. The pastoral support given by the Regiment during that day saved many of these young men from themselves – one can only guess!
We were entertained by the marching bagpipe band of the Regiment with rousing renditions of some classic Scottish tunes, all in their full uniform and regalia (see photograph). We chatted to some of the pipers afterwards – however we didn’t hear a single Scottish accent!
Once again, the evening highlighted the support the Livery movement have given to the Armed Services, not just now but in the past. It is an association that will endure.
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