Comments by "em stirling" (@emstirling-is4nu) on "The History Chap" channel.

  1. Always 2 sides to a story. @olliephelan 
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  2. Tks for reply...it was my bro who sadly passed away Xmas 2018...I think I gave more detail account on another person. I posted some photos on the Friends of Cameronians site in his memory - Radfan in the M ountains and a couple in the barracks....they were very young and 1st deployment but did a good job...he also talked about the children being escorted to/from school and were very protective of them. Also escorting the ladies for shopping. Think he was there just before Mad Mitch but he had great respect for him. It took me a year in Canada to sort his affairs, then Covid, then a medical emergency so I'm hoping to take him back to the family plot mid Nov for final rest. He never forgot he was a Cameronian even though he along with his 2 buddies were trans on disbandment to 19th Royal Artillery. He came to Canada in 1974 and joined the Reserves where he dedicated himself until 2000 when he retired. He would have loved this article and the fact that you replied, so tks for that. @maxwellfan55 
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  3. Absolutely agree. Most of our military regiments were sent there at one time or another to defend the local people being threatened by the militants/terrorists as they are known now...I believe there were 4 different ones in those days. Also had to defend the non-military workers and their families as well. I believe the Cameronians were there just before Mad Mitch arrived. He was a tough but fair man who did what had to be done and left with pride knowing they had done their best, he did not deserve the nickname, nor the treatment he received on his return. Many soldiers lost their lives there, the forgotten ones. I believe there is a Cameronian Relic still there: "Cameronian Habilyan Bell" won by Captain Gam Soper and acquired by Lt. Col Riddel Webster, then acquired by HMSR Andrew 1966. It is still there so maybe one day it will be returned to the Cameronian Museum in Scotland.
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  4. Thank you for mentioning the Cameronians...my bro was there.
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  5. Agree about Mitch. However, our soldiers should not be involved in the conflicts of other countries, especially when it is usually not appreciated by the locals. Hate to wager a guess on how many boys/girls we've lost because of this and it is not fair at all. We need all hands on deck to defend ourselves if need be in our own territory.
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  6. Its always the same,, 2 politicians disagree with each other and the next we know both countries are at war...why are/were they not in the front line since it is/was their disagreement in the 1st place?
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  7. Sry to say but in Aden they knew who the enemy was.....In N.I. it was a whole different story, nasty in every aspect and should have been identified as a war as this is what it was.
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  8. Well said - I was trying to be polite. I hope some of the soldiers who were there will elaborate. One story is that a Nun came into the square with a small child as "she" got nearer the soldiers knew there was something "off" and went forward....the Nun took off and left the child who was actually kitted out with bombs strapped to him. The Nun was captured and turned out to be a man...his feet gave him away I guess. There are many more stories I am sure.  @flyingjackcarpentry9394 
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  9. Ask our Govts....they declare war but sit at home in comfort. @fredatlas4396 
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  10. And many more such stories can/should be told. They could not trust anyone and had to be extra vigilant as the men dressed as women. too
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  11. Was not taught in our schools either, although some now-a-days will cover some of the Regiments etc.
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  12. God Bless him! Terrible infliction. @philiprufus4427 
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  13. She certainly sounds like a character and looked after you all very well.
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  14. Both sides. @olliephelan 
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  15. I'm sure they were not, but never-the-less the truth, they only talk with those who served and in limited capacity. God Bless them all....our Heros.
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  16. Best to leave the history of the Black Watch in the past. @crouqetoo2 
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  17. Thank you for that...I've wondered for many years what it meant. @bobroberts6155 
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  18. The only comment I can make is that most of the time the soldiers knew who the enemy was with the exception of N.I. Those of I descent would suffer the most because of their heritage. Has not changed much , still an accident waiting to happen.  @philiprufus4427 
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  19. Really? I guess you just don't get it. Soldiers honour each other even though they are on the opposite side. Those non-soldiers who kill re murderers.  @anthonytaylor9232 
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  20. Well, we all have our favourites - The Cameronians is mine.
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  21. I see that most of the Scottish Regiments have been amalgamated in with the former Black Watch but are allowed to be identified e.g. 1Scots, 2cots etc. Their Pipe Bands if they had one are still in their Regimental tartan but the Military bands in with the Black watch....I believe the soldier are now dressed as Black Watch (Now The Royal Artillery of Scotland). Again, political cutbacks by parliament who know nothing and Scotland is fair game to them.
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  22. You were not the 1st and probably not the last either...at least you survived.
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  23. My bro was there with The Cameronians Scottish Rifles I believe 1966...had photos of him and his buddies up in the mountains (Radfan) on lookout for long periods as well as their quarters which were in tents. They were very young soldiers but did what they had to. Talked about how the children had to be escorted to/from school and the ladies being escorted by bus to the shops for groceries. They also had to go into the desert as the insurgents were known to poison the wells. Lots of conflict and danger and that was before Mad Mitch. Lots of soldiers lost their lives there.
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  24. That's too bad, I am sure the Regiment would have loved to have it. Thanks to your bro for doing that.
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  25. You need to educate yourself.....many of these soldiers were Irish or of Irish descent. Many were murdered, perhaps you forgot that. @aidanmoore8499 
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