| Major Mark Ewing, of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said since the regiment was disbanded to become part of the Scottish Battalion, many members of the public think the name is no more, which is “simply not true”.
“It is now a battalion, not a regiment, and the red hackle lives on. We would want to reassure everybody we’re still here and it’s business as usual.”
Major Ewing said the merger of the Scottish regiments has had no discernible impact on recruitment.
“The first thing to say is that regardless of any changes, recruitment goes in peaks and troughs and we are continually trying to encourage young people to join up. We’re still finding plenty of interest in the battalion.”
With a return to Iraq within the next six months for The Black Watch having been confirmed, Major Ewing says the battalion is ready to go back to the strife-torn area.
“There’s no specific date been announced, but what I can say is that this is what we train for, and the boys are well up for going back out there. It’s our job.”
Black Watch soldiers from Dundee, Fife and Angus were in the city centre today on a recruitment drive to encourage other young people to join up with the new Scottish outfit.
Corporal Gary Liddel and Private Colin Stewart, both from Dundee, were joined by Private Philip Duthie, from Brechin, and Lance Corporal Paul Laing, from Leven, in the City Square, along with other members of the recruiting team.
Lance Corporal Laing, who has served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq, is keen to see other locals enjoy a life in the army.
“My father was a Black Watch soldier for 22 years, so I am delighted to be in Dundee to help other young men join the family.
“We are currently recruiting young men between the ages of 16-26 years to serve with The Black Watch, one of the most famous battalions in the British Army.
“It’s a family and a career, not just a job, with the opportunity also to enjoy all kinds of sport and adventure training.” |
