mentor scotus
Active member
AN EXPLANATION REGARDING THE THREATENED SCOTTISH REGIMENTS.
"For a' that,an' a' that,
Its comin yet for a' that,
That man to man the world o'er
Shall brithers be for a' that"
From Robert Burns " Is there for honest poverty."
I have surmised that some of those responding to the appeal from
"Save the Scottish Regiments"
are not familiar with the system in place here in the U.K.
1. The infantry in the whole U.K. Army is being cut,at a time when it is already overstretched.
2.These Six Scottish Regiments are the LAST of the Scottish infantry regiments.
3.These are the regiments who have been on ACTIVE SERVICE more often in the last five years than ANY other infantry regiment.
4.All the regiments which our government proposes to cut are very ANCIENT REGIMENTS with histories going back hundreds of years;
(one of them is in fact, THE OLDEST SURVIVING REGIMENT OF THE LINE.)
5.The regiments have such a reputation for gallantry and service to the country they attract the highest quality infantryman.
6.Traditionally,these units have a familial,local and historically based recruiting area.
7. If the government go ahead with this planned restructuring,men will loss their jobs,their homes, their comrades.
8.It was claimed by the Ministry of Defence that some soldiers will move into other areas of work, in different units.This would in fact not be possible, as they have neither been given the correct education nor training for these sorts of posts.
9. Although some colonels and generals backed the scheme,one or two brave souls have kept in step with the "rank and file" infantrymen and spoken out.
10. The latest survey figures show that 8 out of ten non commissioned officers and soldiers wish to retain the regiments intact.
11. The Chief of Staff said, and I quote from a letter to me personally;
" THE LOSS OF THE FOUR REGIMENTS AND THE AMALGAMATION OF THE OTHER TWO IS REGRETTABLE, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE."
12.The six historic Scottish Regiments were told they would retain their traditions,badges,colours, uniforms and pipe- bands.Now the Army Chiefs and the government, say these pledges will not be honoured. Even
Sir A. Irwin, has had to admit that this is the case.
So. my dear friends worldwide you can see why the other British contributor to your site,is pleading for your help in this matter.I wish to add my appeal by ending with a verse of my own,which I dedicate to ALL soldiers killed in Iraq, but particularly Scots serving and sacrificing themselves for democracy.
"Tell all the OLD BOYS at Westminster
That I 've seen what they've never seen.
And that while they sat down in the Commons
I gave all for my country and Queen."
from Black Watch Lament by K.Weetman
(dedicated to those who sacrificed all on Operation Telic.)
please Help ! Visit www.savethescottishregiments.co.uk
and find out more. If you wish you could sign the online petition or even complain to our Prime Minister
MR.TONY BLAIR,
10, DOWNING STREET
WESTMINSTER
LONDON W1A