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lest
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a
GlesgaPals tribute to 'oor forces'
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Highland Light Infantry
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page5b page5c |
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Glasgow man,
Private George Rodgers
of the list Regiment (later the HLI)
and holder of the Victoria Cross. On
June 16, 1858 at Marar, Gwalior in India, Private George
Rodgers attacked single-handedly a party of seven rebels, one of whom he
killed. This was a particularly vital act of bravery as the party of
rebels were all armed and strongly posted in the line of advance of a
detachment of the 71st Regiment.
George Rodgers sadly died in Glasgow's
Govan district, on the 9th March 1870, after mistakenly drinking vitriol
poison thinking it was alcohol. He was buried in an unmarked grave in
Glasgow's Southern Necropolis.
However
a ceremony organised by the Royal Highland
Fusiliers and Mrs Mary Fairbairn of Abercorn Memorials, Edinburgh, took
place on the 1st December 2004 in Glasgow's Southern Necropolis, to
place a
memorial
stone over the previously unmarked grave of Private George Rodgers
VC. His VC is on display at the Royal Highland Fusiliers
Museum, in
Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow |
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The Royal Highland Fusiliers
were formed in 1959 by the amalgamation of the Royal Scots Fusiliers (21st)
and the Highland Light Infantry (71st, 73rd and 74th).
In honour of both Regiments, the RHF wore the HLI’s Mackenzie tartan
trews (trousers) and retained the Flaming Grenade cap badge from the
RSF.
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Company Sgt.Major
and Sergeants
15th (S) Battalion
(1st Glasgow, Tramways)
in France
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HIGHLAND LIGHT
INFANTRY
The 15th was a locally raised Glasgow
battalion formed on 2nd September 1914. It joined the 32nd Division and
went to France in November 1915. Served in France and Flanders until the
Armistice.
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HLI
During the war of 1914-1918
twenty-six battalions were raised.
A cap badge to the
Glasgow Highlanders.
9th Battalion,
Highland Light Infantry in white metal.
With lugs to rear.
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January 1956 and the men of the
Highland Light Infantry get their kitbags weighed before taking off
for the danger of Cyprus, which was then in the grip of a guerrilla war
for independence |
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The regiment received the
Freedom of the City of
Glasgow
on 16th March, 1948
Regimental Tartan: Mackenzie tartan
The HLI was the only Highland
regiment to wear trews.
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A Gordon for Me
I'm Geordie MacKay of the
H. L. I.
I'm fond of the lassies and a drappie for bye,
One day when out walking I chanced to see,
A bonnie wee lass wi' a glint in her ee'
Says I to the lassie "Will you walk foe a while?
I'll buy you a bonnet and we'll do it in style,
My kilt is Mackenzie o' the H.L.I."
She look'd at me shyly and said wi' a sigh.
Chorus
A Gordon for me, a Gordon for me,
If ye're no a Gordon ye're no use to me.
The Black Watch** are braw, the Seaforths** and a'
But the cocky wee Gordon's the pride o' them a'.
~ |
HLI Bugle |
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Jimmy Currie & Jim Cairney
Palestine cc1947/48 |
This photo was sent to me by
GlesgaPal Nell.
Her dad is Lance Corporal
James Wilson Cairney seen here with his pal Jimmy Currie. The
picture was taken in Palestine where he served with the 1st Battalion
Highland Light Infantry, 1947/48, he later made Sergeant.
During a military raid
L/Cpl Jim Cairney got shot in the stomach, leg and face. His pal Jimmy Currie,
in the photo, lost a leg and another comrade Archie Bremner later died
of his wounds.
Jim came out of Army
in May 1949, met Jessie McKay in August 1949 and after a whirlwind
romance they married in December 1949. Their first born Helen (Nell) was
born in September 1950 so they didn't waste any time! Her sister Jessie
was born in September 1952.
Jim & Jessie separated in 1954 and eventually divorced.
Webmaister : Nell thank you for sending me
this photo - its an honour for me to record these stories and photos
from oor Glesga soldiers.
When I see these photos and read the stories - how can we
ever thank these guys?
footnote :
In November 1947 the general assembly of the
United Nations voted to partition Palestine, dividing it into
Jewish and Arab controlled parts The Jews
accept the UN plan, but the Palestinians and neighbouring Arab nations
reject it.
In 1948 the new Jewish state,
State of Israel, was proclaimed |
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Jim Cairney, Nell's dad was
admitted into hospital December 2007....
"I have been to his flat, which is full of clutter, my Dad always says,
"Genius's thrive on clutter"
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I am shredding and sorting out papers and photographs, he asked me to do
it. Its a sad task, a lifetime of papers, he has given me his medals
and his Glengarry from the HLI, he wanted me to have them. I will be
back to the hospital today and will let you all know how he is tomorrow.
Thank you all again for your support and comfort. Luv Nell"
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Sadly Jim died of cancer in London on 8th
Jan 2008.
GlesgaPal Ronnie found this poem and added it the condolences ...... |
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I must have life.
I don't wish for death to ease his pain
I am too selfish for that
He must have life
I must be able to hear of his life
He must continue to sing to me
I need to see his beautiful baby blues
sparkle and shine
I don't want to just remember these things
Even in his pain they sparkle and shine
I need him to be here to show me who I am
To show me where I came from
If he left, part of me would leave
I would be someone different
I need to touch and hug him
To let him know how important he is
I don't want to remember these things
To feel the pain that I will feel
when my memories of him start to fade
I want him here with us
I want him here with no pain
I love you, my Dad
All through my troubled and sad childhood,
through my rebellious adolescence and through adulthood,
I always knew that you loved me
I hope you knew that I always loved you too
[poem by Sharon] |
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