Peeblesshire News | News | 'I had a great time in the sunshine at the King's expense'

Monday, 8th September, 2008

Published: Friday, 4th July, 2008 12:00

'I had a great time in the sunshine at the King's expense'

By David O'Leary

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War veterans have marked a national day in Peebles for the second time.

Now in it’s third year nationwide Veterans' Day celebrates the contribution made by all those who have served in the Armed Forces and raises awareness of veterans' issues.

The event took place last Thursday in the Burgh Hall and was attended by a large number of ex-service men and women.

Veteran’s day is held separately to compliment Remembrance Day, which focuses on commemoration of those who lost their lives in conflict.

The celebration was held in tandem with over 250 similar events that took place nationwide.

Peebles war veteran Danny Scott, who was recently awarded medals by the Malaysian Government 45 years after helping to rid the former colonies of rebels, attended the event.

Danny served with the Queens Own Highlanders, which was part of a Gurkha Division who helped free hostages and aid local police in preventing piracy.

Childhood friends Jim Robb and Jack Purves from Walkerburn also attended the event. Jim served with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) as a mechanic in India and Egypt, and Jack served with the Gordon Highlanders as a piper in France and Libya.

Jim said: "I had heard about the Bevin Boys and that wasn't for me so at 18 i headed to Edinburgh and volunteered for the army. In India my unit had to prepare transport for various different units.

"We'd be working with the Indians and most of them hadn't a word of English. I think they learned more swear words from us than anything to do with engines."

Jim and Jack both went to school together in Walkerburn and then went their separate ways after signing up. However, in the searing heat of Libya Jack received a blast from the past.

Jack said: "I was working in the canteen and placed a slice of ham onto the plate of a passing soldier. The plate didn’t budge, so I slapped another slice down on it. Still it didn’t budge. I looked up to see and it was only Jim’s brother George. It’s incredible really, two lads from Walkerburn bumping into each other in the middle of Libya.

Both Jack and Jim firmly believe that it was the army that made them the men they are today. Jim said: “I went away a boy and came back a man. It was hard when I came back first because I missed the gang mentality. I made some great friends and the army also taught me a lot about life.”

Jack said: “I had a great time in the army, put it this way I had a great time in the sunshine with my friends at the King’s expense.”

Local councillor Willie Archibald who attended the celebrations said: “As I passed the war memorial on my way into the Burgh hall, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the valiant efforts of these men and women. It’s through their actions that we are free to have this event and it’s important to celebrate them.”

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