Thomas Anderson

From the age of nine Thomas Anderson, who has died in Edinburgh aged 79, was an enthusiastic piper. He was the youngest Pipe Major in the British Army and much in demand at many royal and state events. He was with his regimental pipe band, the Cameronians, for the funeral at St Pauls Cathedral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965 and then was one of the pipers that played a haunting lament as the coffin was carried to the launch Havengore for the voyage up the Thames to Bladon church for the interment. In a moving episode as the launch moved slowly up the river the cranes of the London docks dipped their girders in tribute to the war leader.

Thomas Anderson attended Galashiels Academy and in 1951 joined the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) to do his national service. He chose the Cameronians as he had heard that they were about to see active service in Malaya. The mission was hazardous, not least as the local communist terrorists were well armed and new the terrain. The battalion displayed great resilience and Mr Anderson and his colleagues gained much respect from the locals.

Mr Anderson decided to sign on as a regular and went with the battalion to Germany and became part of the famous 7th Armoured Division (Desert Rats) but returned to Edinburgh in 1956 to join the British troops preparing for the Suez invasion. He then served in the Middle East, Africa (where he played the pipes for the King of Jordan), Germany and Scotland before the battalion returned to Aden.

In 1967 Mr Anderson was accorded the Commander-in-Chief’s Commendation for outstanding conduct, having lain for several hours immobile in an ambush to surprise a terrorist who was in a strategically strong position with considerable ammunition. When the terrorist returned, “Pipe Major Anderson” the citation read, “gave chase and captured him. The Pipe Major has had a highly successful operational tour and has been a fine example to all ranks”.

While in Aden Anderson was presented with the British Empire Medal for distinguished service beyond the call of duty, both to the Regiment and to the Pipe Band.

Mr Anderson composed a rousing march called The Cameronians Farewell to South Arabia as the pipes and drums marched off the parade ground for the beating the retreat ceremony when the regiment left Aden. The band played the regimental marches, Kenmuir’s On and Awa’, and the The Gathering of the Grahams as they marched off the parade at fast rifle pace. It was a spectacular conclusion and their last Retreat ever to be played outside the British Isles.

In 1968 the Cameronians were disbanded and Anderson joined the KOSBs with whom he firstly served as a Company Sergeant Major then he was the Regimental Sergeant Major at the Scottish Infantry Depot (Glencorse) served at the Army Recruiting Officer and the Schools Liaison Officer. He retired from the Army in 1986 – with a commendation that his military service was “exemplary”. Mr Anderson became an official guide at Holyrood and served with the Corps of Commissionaires.

Mr Anderson piped at many official occasions. These included the Queen’s Coronation, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, memorial services at Westminster Abbey, royal visits to Holyrood and Balmoral and the Thistle ceremony at St Giles and many Edinburgh Military Tattoos.

Mr Anderson, a modest and forthright man, was born in Selkirk and remained a proud Borderer all his life. Pipe Major Anderson married Elke Heuer in 1956. She and their two sons survive him.