This is where we will feature all the latest HLI Association news stories. If you would like to suggest a news article to add to this page, please contact us via the website.
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, 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!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!
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 2018A Church service will be held in Knightswood St Margaret’s Church, 2000 Knightswood Road, Knightswood, Glasgow G13 2HA.
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 paradeDetailed 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!
HLI Association members attending a Fete de la Liberation in Montblanc France. Saturday 18th August 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.A paving stone to commemorate the centenary of Lieutenant Colonel William Herbert Anderson’s posthumous award of the Victoria Cross was unveiled at the People’s Palace Glasgow on Sunday the 25th March 2018 by two of his great-great-grand-daughters.
Standard bearers Billy Neilson RHF Association (left) and Eric Wallace HLI Association (right)On 25/3/18 at Bois Favieres, near Maricourt, France, when the enemy attack had penetrated a wood on the right of his line and there was grave danger that the flank of the whole position would be turned, Lt. Colonel Anderson gathered together the remainder of his two companies, counter-attacked and drove the Germans from the wood, capturing 12 machine guns and 70 prisoners. Later the same day, Lt. Col. Anderson led another counter-attack which resulted in the enemy being driven from his position, but the Lt. Colonel died fighting within enemy lines.
Lt. Col. William “Bertie” Anderson was one of four brothers from Lansdowne Crescent in the west end of Glasgow, who served in the HLI in WW1. They were all killed. A novel, The Way Home, written by Robin Scott-Elliot, Bertie’s great-grandson was published in 2007 telling their story. William Herbert Anderson is buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, France.
The folowing message was sent to the HLI Association by Alastair Shepherd, son of former HLI and RHF Colonel Ken Shepherd, who along with his brothers Nigel and Robin, visited the grave of Wiliam Herbert Anderson VC in France on Sunday the 25th March 2018. A fine tribute to both their father and to “Bertie” Anderson…
“Alastair, Nigel and Robin Shepherd are the sons of Colonel Ken Shepherd, ex HLI and RHF. They decided to arrange a trip to the Western Front in 2018, specifically to visit Loos and Sanctuary Wood, where Ken’s father had fought with 4th Gordons in the Great War. By chance they realised they would be in France on the centenary of the death of Lieutenant-Colonel W H “Bertie” Anderson. Anderson had not only served in the HLI, won the VC, he had also been at school at Fettes College ( as had Ken and his children) and had been a member of Moredun House while at Fettes, again like the Shepherd boys. There was therefore no debate, they had to ensure they were at Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt on the 25th to honour his memory.
A simple cross was placed at the graveside in his memory.” Alastair Shepherd.
Lt Col Anderson’s Victoria Cross is on display at the Lord Ashcroft Gallery in the Imperial War Museum, London.
Further images from the ceremony at Glasgow’s People’s Palace:
L-R Jim Urquhart Billy Neilson Eric Wallace John Lamont
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Eva Bolander, Glasgow’s Lord Provost, welcomed members of Lt Col Anderson’s family; including his grandson, two grand-daughters, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Representatives were also present from The Royal Regiment of Scotland, The Royal Highland Fusiliers and of course The Highland Light Infantry.
Captain Witherspoon read the citation and Corporal McLean played a selection of pipes tunes, including the slow march of The 74th Highlanders (The Highland Light Infantry) – both are members of The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Jim Urquhart and Billy Neilson
Eric Wallace and John Lamont
HLI WW2 veteran John Lamont Chevalier de la Legion D’Honneur
Lord Provost Eva Bolander lays a wreath
Standards of a Proud HeritagePhotos courtesy of Thomas McCann and Alastair Shepherd
The Highland Light Infantry Association standard was paraded by Association members Jim Devine and Jimmy Urquhart for Victoria Cross commemoration events at Dumbarton on Saturday 23rd September (Assaye Day), and at a service in Cambuslang Parish Church on Tuesday 26th September for 1/9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Bn. Highland Light Infantry Victoria Cross recipient L/Cpl John Hamilton. Commemorative plaques were unveiled on the banks of the river Clyde and river Leven at Dumbarton, and in Cambuslang Parish Church.
Both events were well attended by local dignitaries and veterans organisations, and most importantly, John Hamilton’s grandson Gordon and granddaughters Meryle and Hazel had all made long journeys from around the country to mark this commemoration of their valiant grandfather.
On 25/26 September 1917 north of the Ypres-Menin Road, Belgium. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty during the enemy’s attack on the line held by our Brigades. The greatest difficulty was experienced in keeping the front and support lines supplied with ammunition. As it was of vital importance that this should be got forward Lance Corporal Hamilton on several occasions on his own initiative carried bandoliers of ammunition through the enemy’s belts of fire to the front and support line, and then passing along these lines in full view of the enemy’s snipers and machine guns distributed the ammunition. By his splendid example of fearlessness and devotion to duty he inspired all who saw him with fresh confidence and renewed their determination to hold on at all costs.
He later achieved the rank of Sergeant. Between the two World Wars he remained an active reserve and Territorial Army member. At the outbreak of World War II he was in hospital and missed mobilisation, and luckily missed his unit being captured at St Valery in the defence of Dunkirk. He eventually was promoted through the ranks and finished the war as a Colonel in charge of an Italian prisoner of war camp in England. He died at the age of 77. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National War Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle.
HLI Association Cyprus veterans Jimmy Urquhart and Jim Fury attended the presentation ceremony at Glasgow City Chambers where Mrs Jean Andrew, the sister of their fallen HLI comrade John Beattie, was presented with the Elizabeth Cross.
The Herald 23rd February 2017
The Glasgow Highlanders Association held a service of dedication of their new standard in St Columba Church of Scotland Highland Cathedral on Sunday 18th November 2012.
The new Glasgow Highlanders Association Standard flanked by the RHF Association Standard and our own proudly borne by 1 HLI veteran Jim Urquhart.
Members of the HLI Association and other ex-service associations supported and participated in this splendid event. HLI Association members also assisted in raising funds towards the cost of the new GH Association standard. It is intended that both the HLI and GH Associations will continue to march together at parades with both standards flying!