Highlanders battalion holds Christmas service and lunch
Soldiers from Lochaber’s infantry battalion, The Highlanders, (4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland), took part in their annual Christmas church service.
Currently based at Bourlon Barracks at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, troops marched last Monday through the garrison before arriving at the Garrison Memorial Church for the service.
A large number of members of the public turned out to line the route of the parade as the battalion, also designated as 4 SCOTS, passed by.
On December 12, soldiers of 4 SCOTS conducted the annual inter-company Elgin Rose Bowl competition, in which Support Company emerged victorious and overall winners.
Personnel played rugby, football and basketball. In the afternoon, there was the ‘Jocks’ Christmas Lunch’, at which the battalion officers, warrant officers and senior NCOs served the Junior NCOs and ranks their Christmas lunch.
This is a tradition which allows the higher ranks to show their appreciation for the junior ranks and also saw the battalion’s commanding officer, Lt Col Neil Tomlin, carried shoulder-high into the junior ranks’ mess for the lunch.
There were many awards for sporting and professional achievements, prizes for the very amusing blanket competition and many promotions.