1948 Photographs and Reminiscence
During a recent visit to the Museum, Peter Cheyne donated two photographs from his time in The Black Watch in 1948. He also enclosed a letter (below) reminiscing of his time with The Black Watch.
'I write to thank you for the inspirational and nostalgic experience which I enjoyed when visiting the Museum for the first time a few weeks ago and offer one or two memories of my own'.
'In January 1948 I joined the 1st Bn in Duisburg as a young 2/Lt. As I recall it happened to be Burns Night and the Sergeants’ Mess was entertaining the officers, giving me my first taste of the family atmosphere which I think made Battalion special. It was a high spirited evening and a chandelier was swung on by the winner of the Scottish Rugby caps you have on display'!
'My C.O. was the then Lt. Col Bernard Fergusson, later to become Colonel of the Regiment and Governor General of New Zealand. To have served under him is a privilege which I have always treasured. He wore a monocle and flew his own private Auster in which one of my Jocks and I were given a flight as a prize after my platoon had laid on a demonstration for some visiting brass hats. It was quite an experience for the C.O. manages to land in a filled in bomb crater and we bounced back up'!
'I enclose a photograph of another brass hat visit. The General was I think Sir Sidney Kirkman, who was Quartermaster General at this time. The other kilted officers were, 1eft to right, myself, Captain Trotter and, just visible centre, Major Dewar-Durie. The others’ names I fear I forgot'.
'The second photograph shows my Platoon being drilled by my Platoon Sergeant, Sgt L. Johnstone D.C.M. They were I think the very first intake under the then new National Service regime and were a credit to their Sergeant'.
'Thank you again for awakening many happy memories of my all too short time with the Regiment which I still regard as a high point in my life'.
