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MEMORABLE QUOTES

FROM: MAJOR GENERAL SIR JOHN WILLOUGHBY K.B.E., C.B.
GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING MIDDLE EAST LAND FORCES

HEADQUARTERS,
MIDDLE EAST COMMAND,
B.F.P.O. 69.

17 FEB '67

My dear General,

Yesterday Leslie Dow, Commanding 1st Battalion the Cameronians, left on the completion of his Battalion's tour of duty here in Aden. I would like therefore now to put on record how this Regiment has completed its difficult and exacting duties.

The men arrived in the heat of the summer with all the appearances and bearing of troops seasoned in the kind of half-war we have here.

They went straight patrols and escorts: and from the day of their first appearance they looked the business. They have never looked otherwise.

And in many ways a much less easy reputation to earn under these trying conditions, they have won a name for exceptional courtesy.

They will ever be remembered by the families of servicemen and of Civilians with affection, not only for these qualities but in the crowning of their association with their Pipes in the open streets. And in the telling of this day by the ordinary wives of ordinary families bearing the strain of terrorism magnificently, I have seen tears of gratitude and of pride.

They are second to none, and I am as proud of having had these men under my Command as they have reason to be of their record and reputation so well and truly earned in Aden, and in the hills of Southern Arabia.

Yours very sincerely

John

www.cameronians.org

Source: '300 Years of Service' published by the Regimental Trustees