An open letter to the commanders of the SIX Scottish Infantry Regiments.
20th April 2005.
Dear Sir,
I shall begin with a quote from Malachi Malagrowther.
"When we had a king, and a chancellor, and parliament men o' our ain,
we could aye pebble them wi stanes when they werena guid bairns;
but naebody's nails can reach the length o' Lunnon."
Perhaps he had something here. To ensure a future as glorious as their past, we all need to put in London those who will save the six infantry regiments.
I have had the rare privilege to speak with soldiers and ex servicemen, who have served from Libya to Korea and Ireland to Iraq.
I watched as a Cameronian wiped tears from his eyes and said, "We mustn't allow these proposals to succeed."
I have observed English, Scots, Welsh and Irish, put rivalry aside for the common good.
What are you thinking, Generals? Are you the masters of your fate?
In the words of Winston Churchill, can you not go to your political masters and say.. "Give us the tools, and we will finish the job."
You know this is driven not by need, but by money.. You believe it is "regrettable". So say so.
You would get ten times more respect from your men, by your advocacy to save their regiments, than any other single action in your military career.
Stand forth. Speak out. Your soldiers can't hear you!
Perhaps then you will be at peace with your conscience.
Kathleen Weetman
