Iain Mathieson

Seaforth Highlander and businessman.

Born. 9 January 1925. Died 25 May 2017.

The Glasgow-born Iain Mathieson, who has died aged 92, saw distinguished service with the Seaforth Highlanders in Burma in the Second World War and then as a senior executive with Unilever. Mr Mathieson gained the admiration of his colleagues in the torrid conditions of the jungle in May 1944 when he saved the life of a fellow officer Lt John Gunn.

The 1st Battalion of the Seaforths were based at Scraggy Hill during a monsoon – it was a strategically important position and over 5,000ft above sea level on the Imphal Plain. They were desperately holding the position against severe Japanese counter-attacks who bombarded “The Fighting Jocks” relentlessly, driving the Seaforths back into their dug outs. The 1st Battalion valiantly regrouped but casualties were high.

Lt Gunn was severely wounded and presumed dead. Mr Mathieson detected a slight movement in his body and despite the constant fire he crawled into No-Man’s Land and pulled his fellow officer into the trench. The troops in the trenches acclaimed Mr Mathieson’s bravery and displayed their respect for both officers’ courage – they jokingly shouted to Mr Mathieson: "Don't bring him back here, sir. He'll get us all killed!"

Displaying a remarkable degree of courage Mr Mathieson carried Lt Gunn on his back down to the American Field Service then calmly rejoined his comrades in battle. Lt Gunn was later awarded a Bar to his MC. The two were remained devoted friends for the rest of their lives. Whenever Gunn was getting over enthusiastic in retelling of his army life he would quip, “Don’t blame me. Blame Iain Mathieson.”

Iain Mathieson was born in Cardonald in the south west of Glasgow. His father was a director in Caledonian MacBrayne’s cargo division. Mr Mathieson won a scholarship to Glasgow High School where he was a keen rugby player earning himself the name of Tiger for his ferocious tackling. However, he left at the age of 14 so he could add to the family’s income. On his 18th birthday he joined the Cameronians, did his officer training in India and was then posted to the 1st Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.

After the rigours of Scraggy Hill the 1st Battalion were stationed in Burma for some months. The tropical conditions were unrelenting and there was much malnutrition throughout the battalion. Mr Mathieson was promoted to captain and involved in the preparations for Operation Zipper - the planned recapture of Malaya. However the dropping of the Atom Bomb in August 1945 meant the landings were substantially unopposed.

In September the battalion were sent to Batavia in the Dutch East Indies. The following year Mr Mathieson was promoted to acting major when he resigned his commission and returned to his family in Glasgow.

On the voyage home Mr Mathieson met Major Richard Geoffrey Pine-Coffin who suggested he should join the Parachute Regiment. So began another chapter in Mr Mathieson’s military career. He joined the 15th Scottish Parachute Regiment, a Territorial Army unit making over 60 jumps retiring from the Paras in 1954. Mr Mathieson later admitted that he only resigned because parachuting was not conducive to married life. According to family folklore, his wife received a letter from Major Pine-Coffin, asking her to make her husband reconsider. She thought it was a hoax because of the author’s name.

Mr Mathieson studied business management at Worcester College, Oxford and joined Mac Fisheries, a branch of Unilever, in 1955. He stayed with the company for 35 years serving in their Birds Eye division and holding various executive posts in the north of England and Scotland.

Mr Mathieson remained active in his retirement researching the deployments of the Seaforths in Burma and the Far East. He much admired the bravery of the Gurkhas with whom he had served in Burma and remained a keen supporter of the Gurkha Widows charity. It was significant at his funeral he had suggested that donations be made to The Gurkha Welfare Trust in his memory

He worked tirelessly on various local projects – notably Mary’s Meals and ActionAid. Mr Mathieson remained a keen rugby fan and enthusiastically trained the colts at Stirling County Rugby Club. At the Club he was delightfully known by everyone as “Father” and served as their Vice President. A club statement remembered him with much affection, “Iain served the club in a number of roles and managed the first club tour to the south of France in 1982. Iain was also well known for his culinary skills and often provided meals for visiting touring team.”

Mr Mathieson, throughout his life, remained a modest, courteous and good-natured man. While in hospital being treated for a serious heart condition, Mr Mathieson picked up an infection and died in Glasgow of pneumonia. His wife Betty died in 2010 and he is survived by their three children and three grandchildren.

Alasdair Steven