Browsed by
Author: assaye

Jim Fury HLI

Jim Fury HLI

It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of Jim Fury HLI. Jim was a stalwart of the HLI Association, and was a familiar face to many at various veterans parades over many years. Jim was 1st Bn HLI serving in Cyprus in the 1950s, and in The RASC in Malaya in the 1960s.
Jim passed away at home in the care of his loving wife Jan on Thursday 5th October 2023.

John Lamont 6th Bn HLI Chevalier de la Legion D’Honneur

John Lamont 6th Bn HLI Chevalier de la Legion D’Honneur

It is my sad duty to report the passing of our old HLI comrade John Lamont on Tuesday 18th October 2022.

John on a return to Normandy in 2019

John served with the 6th Battalion HLI during WW2, and saw enemy action from his arrival at Arromanches in France, through Belgium and Holland, taking part in Operation Market Garden as part of XXX Corps, and into Germany, where he spent his 19th birthday on the west bank of the Rhine, before crossing the Rhine the next day. The 6th Battalion carried on into the heartland of Germany, finishing their advance with the capture of Bremen.

 

John being welcomed by Mayor Claude Allingri in Montblanc, France

John was a well known and much loved member of the HLI Association for many years, and many members will have shared some memorable experiences with John on numerous occasions on battlefield tours and commemoration events in France, Holland, Germany, and of course in the UK.  John will be sorely missed by us all, but also remembered with great fondness.

Jim Devine

Secretary HLI Association

James Bradford 5th Bn and 1st Bn HLI

James Bradford 5th Bn and 1st Bn HLI

It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing on 7th of June 2022, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea of our old comrade James (Jim) Bradford.

Jim Bradford revisiting Walcheren in 2016

Jim served with the 5th Bn HLI in WW2 in Belgium, Holland (Walcheren) and Germany, taking part in the Crossing of the Rhine. Shortly after the end of the war in Europe, Jim was posted to Palestine with the 1st Bn HLI.

Jim was a well known friend to many of our members who travelled with him on Willie Shaw’s “veterans return” tours to Holland and Germany.  Although Jim had been for many years resident in the south of England, he visited his old HLI pals in Glasgow, and participated in the veterans parade at Knightswood.

In the last few years Jim was a resident in the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where he enjoyed spending his days with his fellow pensioners.

Jim in his RHC uniform

The HLI Association sends their condolences to Jim’s son Alan, who informed us of Jim’s passing, and who sends greetings to his father’s old HLI comrades. Jim’s funeral will be at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on the 5th of July 2022.

Joseph “Gerry” McAuley HLI/RHF

Joseph “Gerry” McAuley HLI/RHF

Gerry McAuley HLI/RHF

It is with great sadness that we heard the news of the passing of Joseph “Gerry” McAuley. Gerry served in the 1st Battalion HLI in the late 1950s, and was in the Highland Light Infantry during the amalgamation with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, which saw the formation of the Royal Highland Fusiliers in 1959.
Gerry was a stalwart member of both the HLI and RHF Associations for many years, and was a familiar face at Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Services in Glasgow.

Gerry had been ill for some time, and passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, on the morning of Wednesday the 16th of February 2022. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Catherine and the family at this sad time.
Jim Devine
Secretary
Highland Light Infantry Association

John Deuchars HLI

John Deuchars HLI

We are greatly saddened to have been informed of the passing of John Deuchars, a WW2 HLI veteran, and a long standing member of the HLI Association.  John served in the 5th Battalion HLI in World War 2, taking part in the liberation of Holland, and the defeat of nazi Germany. John’s daughter Marion, contacted the Association to let us know that he had passed away on the morning of Tuesday the 21st of December 2021. He was 95 years old. He will be sorely missed by his family and his old HLI comrades.

John’s funeral will be on Saturday the 8th of January in South Lanarkshire. Details from the Association Secretary.

D Day 75 Return to Normandy

D Day 75 Return to Normandy

John Lamont, Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur, 6th Bn HLI, returns to the Normandy beaches for the 75th Anniversary.

Return to Gold Beach
A quiet moment of reflection

John being interviewed on Gold Beach for the British Army News Service

John Lamont with HLI Association Secretary Jim Devine at Bayeux Cemetery
John salutes fallen HLI comrades at Bayeux Military Cemetery

John and Jim with Sir Tim Laurence, Vice Chairman of the CWGC at Bayeux Commonwealth War Cemetery
John met another HLI Normandy veteran John McIntosh at Bayeux Cemetery. They both subsequently enjoyed a dram and a few stories aboard the British Legion D DAY 75 cruise ship Boudicca.
Bless them all – bless them all – the long and the short and the tall!

 

A salute from the crew of HMS Queen Elizabeth

 

 

Aboard the good ship Boudicca
SV Boudicca. Our home for the week
Our escorts to France

With grateful thanks to the Royal British Legion and the many service and civilian personnel who made the D Day 75th Anniversary such an amazing and memorable experience for so many Normandy Veterans!

Armed Forces Day Glasgow 2019

Armed Forces Day Glasgow 2019

The HLI, GH, and RHF Associations marched together at Armed Forces Day in Glasgow. Saturday 29th June 2019. Photos courtesy of Jim and Jan Fury.

HLI Association members Jim Fury and Eric Wallace after their long march through Glasgow to George Square (where a small refreshment awaited!)

Well done all!

VE Day Commemorative Service and Parade: Knightswood Glasgow Saturday 4th May 2019

VE Day Commemorative Service and Parade: Knightswood Glasgow Saturday 4th May 2019

The Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association will once again co-ordinate the above event which will take place on Saturday 4th May 2019

The Secretary carrying the HLI Association Standard at the VE Day Event 2018

A Church service will be held in Knightswood St Margaret’s Church, 2000 Knightswood Road, Knightswood, Glasgow G13 2HA.

Veterans on the march on Great Western Road

The dress will be as per Armistice day parades. Association Standards will be on parade.

73rd ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY / SATURDAY 12th MAY 2018

HLI veterans and dignitaries enjoy a well earned refreshment after the parade

Detailed Timings:

• 10:00 – Church Hall open for Tea / Coffee etc. TOILETS ARE AVAILABLE
• 10:30 – Branch Standard Bearers and Wreath layers dress rehearsal at Vets monument
• 10:50 – Veterans etc seated for Church Service
• 10:55 – VIP’S seated
• 11:00 – Service commences
• 11:40 – Service ends approximately
• 11:41 – Standards and Veterans who plan to lay wreaths proceed to pre set positions at Monument, including Bugler
• 11:42 – Veterans etc proceed to Vets monument
• 11:55 – VIP’S arrive to pre set positions, including Piper
• 11:56 – Rev S Fraser conducts short service
• 12:00 – Last Post (Bugler)
• 12:01 – 2 minutes silence
• 12:03 – Reveille (Bugler)
• 12:04 – Wreath laying ceremony ( Lament – Piper)
• 12:15 – Service at Monument ends
• 12:20 – Band and Veterans form up, including Standards.
• 12:30 – March off
• 12:40 – Arrive at destination / Fall out / Lounge for Music and Finger Buffet etc

All Welcome!

Fete de la Liberation. Montblanc, France August 2018

Fete de la Liberation. Montblanc, France August 2018

HLI Association members attending a Fete de la Liberation in Montblanc France. Saturday 18th August 2018.

https://www.herault-tribune.com/articles/171067/montblanc-emotion-et-recueillement-ce-samedi-retour-en-images-sur-la-fete-de-la-liberation-2018/
Montblanc’s Mayor M. Claude Allingri greets the HLI Association standard bearers.
 HLI Normandy veteran John Lamont, Chevalier de la Legion D’Honneur, is greeted by Montblanc’s Mayor M. Claude Allingri.
Message from Gordon Dow

Message from Gordon Dow

My father, Hugh Dow, served in the 17th Battalion HLI, A Company, No. 2996, joining on 7th June 1915. He was injured at The Somme on 1st July 1916 and shipped home. He died in 1970.

We were fortunate as a family to get tickets for the centenary at Thiepval on 1st July 2016. The next day as we walked in the area where I think my father was injured (near the Leipzig Redoubt) we met a chap from Glasgow whose uncle or great-uncle had been in the same battalion. We chatted for quite a while but unfortunately didn’t exchange details.

I’m sure he might have more info than I have about life in the 17th in those months of 1916. It’s a long shot but it’s just possible that he might read thus or someone might know who he is. If so it would be hugely appreciated if he would get in touch with me at gordon.dow@ntlworld.com