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DON'T LET POLITICIANS BETRAY BLACK WATCH
Jul 23 2004

BY WAR VETERAN ALFRED AGED 108

By Natalie Walker
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=14453295&method=full&siteid=89488&headline=don-t-let-politicians-betray-black-watch-name_page.html

SCOTLAND'S oldest soldier has backed the Record's campaign to save the Black Watch.

Alfred Anderson yesterday said he believed every Scot should fight to save his former regiment.

The World War I veteran, who celebrated his 108th birthday last month with a card from the Queen, said he felt 'betrayed' when he heard the Black Watch was set to be scrapped.

Alfred, of Alyth, Perthshire, said: 'It's just unthinkable for any government to think about getting rid of a regiment of this calibre.

'I was very sad and felt betrayed when I heard the news.

'The Black Watch is known and respected around the world and everyone who serves in it serves with pride.

'It's one of the oldest established regiments anywhere and this is notime for it to go.

'The world is a changed place now. We are under new threats and if anything we need more regiments like the Black Watch, not less.'

'It's excellent that the Daily Record is fighting this move.

'Every Scot should fight this and try to stop this happening.'

The regiment has emerged as the most likely to be scrapped following sweeping defence cuts announced this week.

Alfred, who is the oldest man in Scotland,was only18when with he was sent to France in 1915 with the 5th Battalion of the Black Watch.

He served a brief term as batman to the late Queen Mother's brother, Captain Fergus Bowes Lyon, who died in 1915.

Alfred's war ended a year later when he was hit by a piece of shrapnel from a German shell which killed several of his pals.

Alfred, who has 18 great-grandchildren, also told how he was disappointed Black Watch had been sent to Iraq.

The pensioner, who still lives in his own home, said: 'I was saddened when I heard the news. Those young men going off there.

'I was told I was fighting the war to end all wars.'

Alfred was awarded the prestigious Legion d'Honneur by France six years ago and received a visit from Prince Charles when he turned 100.

Former Black Watch soldier John McGregor, who took part in the D-Day landings, also backed the Record's campaign.

John, 88, from Inverness, said: 'We should be getting rid of civil servants not soldiers.

'Without them there is no peace. You simply can't replace a soldier with a piece of equipment.'