Officer with Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Born: April 28, 1919;

Died: October 30, 2016

COLONEL Reginald Kettles, who has died aged 97, was a courageous soldier who displayed qualities of leadership that left a marked impression on his men. He was wounded three times on active service and served with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) for almost 40 years.

When a 2nd Lieutenant in the Second World War he was directly involved in the retreat to Dunkirk as the Germans advanced towards the coast. Colonel Kettles and his platoon had withheld the onslaught of the German forces at a strategically important bridge near Arras. After assembling his men Colonel Kettles, despite being wounded, organised a controlled withdrawal of his platoon under testing conditions. It is thought his commanding officer nominated him for an MC (writing that Colonel Kettles had shown “exceptional initiative”) but in fact, Colonel Kettles was Mentioned in Despatches.

Major Ian Farquharson served under Colonel Kettles’ command in the 1st Battalion of the Cameronians. He much respected him both as a man and as a gallant commanding officer.

“Reggie was a terrific leader and I admired him enormously," said Major Farquharson. "His chief characteristics were his boundless energy and endless patience. When he disciplined someone it was done in a calm and dignified manner – no histrionics and he never slammed the desk.

“Everyone revered Reggie. When he assumed command of the battalion he doubled up on everything – training, sport etc – but not on sleep!”

Alexander Reginald Kettles was born in Edinburgh and educated at Glasgow Academy in the 1930s – captaining the Ist XV. He was in the TA while at school and in 1936 joined the ranks of the Cameronians. In 1940 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion and his devotion to the Cameronians and his sense of duty never left him throughout his distinguished military career.

During the war Colonel Kettles also saw service in the Middle East before joining the Cameronians on the invasion of Sicily in 1943. He was again wounded but his bravery was rewarded with the MC on the Anzio beachhead. His company was holding an important front line “only 40 yards from the enemy and visibility was very limited”. Colonel Kettles mustered a strong defence and harried the enemy ceaselessly. The citation concluded he “showed outstanding leadership and gallantry. His personal example and efficiency were responsible for the retention of a most important position.”

In the 1950s he served in Malaya where he was awarded a Military MBE. The citation read, “Largely due to the example he set of untiring personal effort, patience and leadership.”

Colonel Kettles served with the Cameronians with BAOR (British Army on the Rhine) when some Cameronians got involved in a bar room scuffle and something of an unfortunate diplomatic incident ensued. There was an affray outside a bar frequented by men in the garrison town of Minden in 1962 – not an unusual event. The incident was firmly and properly dealt with by the Cameronians (two men were court martialled) but then the embattled Secretary of State for War, John Profumo, whose private life was known to the press made a comment in the House about the incident. The press, he said, had missed a trick in not reporting it. To get their own back, the tabloids then started leaking the news of his affair with Christine Keeler.

The affair grew in importance and in a debate in the Commons Colonel Kettles found strong support from the Labour back bencher, Reginald Paget. “Colonel Kettles” he stated “had stood up to tremendous pressure and attack by the Press. He was unshaken. His nerve was perfectly steady and he never deviated from the defence of his troops and his regiment.”

In the Cameronians archives their account of the affair concludes, “It is worth noting that the Commanding Officer from 1961 to 1964, Lieutenant Colonel Reggie Kettles, not only completed a successful tour in command but was later promoted.”

Colonel Kettles retired from the army in 1973 after his last posting in Holland. He retired to Wiltshire and worked for the planning department of the council offices. He remained a keen sportsman all his life and played for various army teams in Britain and India. In 1946 he scored a hat trick of tries when playing on the wing for the Cameronians against the School of Infantry in the Salisbury District Competition. He was an enthusiastic tennis player and taught Scottish Country Dancing and sang in the local choir in Wiltshire.

His final school report from Glasgow Academy concluded, “That he promises he performs.” His daughter Pam Shepherd told The Herald, “That sums up my father completely. Dad always did what he said he’d do.”

Colonel Keetles married Rita Balance in 1942. She and a son pre-deceased him. He is survived by two daughters.

ALASDAIR STEVEN