A memorable visit

Tuesday, the day that we pick up our young grandson from school in Aberdeen. Today we went into the city early and visited the Gordon Highlanders Museum, something we have meaning to do for a very long time.

The museum is home to the regimental treasures of the Gordon Highlanders who were first raised in 1794 by the 4th Duke of Gordon. The museum displays are absolutely first rate but, without doubt, the highlight of our visit was talking to the sprightly old soldier in my photograph. At the age of 86 years he still serves as a volunteer museum guide. Aged 19 he had landed with the Gordons on the beaches of Normandy, five days after D Day, and then had fought through France, Holland and into Germany, being wounded and hospitalized on two separate occasions, and seeing many friends and comrades killed in the process. It was a great privilege to hear about such historic events from a man who was actually there, and who remembers them so vividly.