In 1964 or 1965 (too old to remember the exact year) 3 other fellows and I that were on the guard at Ballater attended the Christmas ball at Buckingham Palace. Does anyone recall the names of the other 3? I vaguely recall that one was a Rutherglen lad named Hugh.

David Burns

hi there David, my Dad Jim Torrance remembers the event happening but can't recall who else went with you on that amazing trip in 1964. Douglas, Isabell

Hi Isabell, it was indeed quite amazing - a once in a lifetime thrill for us young lads. Your dad must have been on the guard at Ballater with me, thus his invitation to the Christmas Ball. Does he recall the ghillies balls at Balmoral too? They were terrific, but paled in comparison to the one at Buckingham Palace.

Please give my regards to your Dad. I he has e-mail have him drop me at line at davburns1@verizon.net. Does he still have his invitation? Mine was lost when my parents moved house many years ago.

Hi David, dad didnt go to the ball as he was transport section, he has a comendation for running the transport section efficently. He remembers the invites going out as we try to get him talking a lot about his happy times. Parkinsons is playing on his body but his mind is fit, so for 70th birthday today we got a booklet on the Cams from 1940. He has a stack of pictures from his years 1959 to 1965. I can give you our email to chat more, dtorrance2@googlemail.com. Our two wee ones are going to grow up proud that Papa was in The Cameronians.

Jamelia, thank you. I will write to him later today. David

Isabell, sorry for using the wrong name when I responded. It's 3.30 am and the auld grey matter is not working too well properly.

David

I think the man you're thinking of is Hugh (Tubby) Harding.

Bill, that sounds right. I recall that Hugh - I couldn't remember his surname- was one of us and the he was from Rutherglen. He was dating a really good looking gal from the palace at the time. I don't recall what became of him.

David

I had heard some time ago that 'Tubby' had died. However; I cannot verify this. Can you, or anyone, for that matter, tell me what happened to big John McAlpine? He was so institutionalised that he never left the barracks and I often wonder how he managed when he eventually had to leave.