ON A Saturday morning in April 1956 the Duke of Gloucester unveiled a window in memory of members of the Scots Guards who had “accomplished their warfare” since the formation of the regiment in 1642.

The memorial window, designed by Harry K. Stammers, incorporated the badges of the regiment’s companies, such as the galley of Lorne, the salamander, the griffin, and the unicorn. The Duke, who was on a visit to Glasgow with Princess Alexandra of Kent, was colonel of the Scots Guards.

Looking on were detachments of the 1st and 2nd battalions, commanded by Major N.P.D. Macdonald of the Isles and Major G.S.Nickerson, and representatives of the Scots Guards Association, some of whom had travelled from London and Leeds.

Reported the Glasgow Herald: “The unveiling and dedication were succeeded by the sounding, by Scots Guards trumpeters, of the Last Post, by the march of a piper through the nave playing ‘The Flowers o’ the Forest’, and by an answering reveille from the trumpeters.

“The ceremony was preceded by the laying-up of colours presented to the 1st Battalion in 1937 by King George VI and last carried on parade at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1951.

“The slow march, ‘The Garb of Old Gaul’, was played as the colour party advanced through the nave and chancel, presented the colours to the battalion’s commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel T.F.R. Bulkeley, who presented them to the Duke. He delivered them for safe keeping into the hands of [Rev] Dr [Nevile] Davidson”, minister of the Cathedral.

Later, at dinner with the Glasgow branch of the association, the Duke said the service was one of the most impressive he had taken part in for a long time. Dr Davidson said that for more than 300 years the regiment had served in many countries and on many continents, bringing new lustre not only to their own reputation but also to the prestige of the Empire.

Read more: Herald Diary