Thank you for sharing this link! Just peeked into the site and it looks fascinating. Definitely will spend some time there exploring its content. Loved the photos and the officers' mess hall/room looks grand.
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Lt. Colonel Johnny Thompson of the Scots Guards and Handsome Men In Kilts **Appreciation Thread
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Oh my!!!!! What a special and wonderful photograph! Can't wait to see what is on the link. There is our Jonny and a very beautiful surprise
I'm happy to hear that. I wondered, because in a couple of video clips I saw of him he specifically mentioned the Argylls.
When President Zelensky turned back to make a point of shaking Jonny's hand, I felt that he was honouring the man but also the uniform because of the Sutherland Highlanders' battle involvement at Balaklava : that historical Thin Red Line.
Yes. The pointed way Zelensky deliberately turned back to Jonny and gave him the double hand shake indicated a connection and, probably, a conversation shared. A tribute from one warrior to another.
He and his dog ? Xx
Agreed, a photo for his family album I should hope!
I enjoyed the article too - I forgot to thank you for posting this ( I won't be one of those passing it on )
Would you be willing to help us understand why President Zelensky would honour not only Jonny but his uniform? There did seem to be a special look shared between them but I thought, when I looked at the photo, it was only my imagination.
I read that there's a special historical bond between the Argylls and the now Ukraine.
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders already had a well-earned reputation for valour in the face of the enemy, most notably the 93rd (later 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) during the Crimean War. Here, the 93rd earned the sobriquet of "The Fighting Highlanders" and carried with it the status of having been the original "Thin Red Line". This title was bestowed following the action of the 93rd at Balaklava on 25 October 1854 in which this single battalion alone stood between the undefended British Army base at Balaklava and four squadrons of charging Russian cavalry. The 93rd, not only held steady, but for the first time in the history of the British Army, broke a large cavalry charge using musket fire alone, without having been formed into a square.
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders already had a well-earned reputation for valour in the face of the enemy, most notably the 93rd (later 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) during the Crimean War. Here, the 93rd earned the sobriquet of "The Fighting Highlanders" and carried with it the status of having been the original "Thin Red Line". This title was bestowed following the action of the 93rd at Balaklava on 25 October 1854 in which this single battalion alone stood between the undefended British Army base at Balaklava and four squadrons of charging Russian cavalry. The 93rd, not only held steady, but for the first time in the history of the British Army, broke a large cavalry charge using musket fire alone, without having been formed into a square.
What a wonderful photograph! Thank you so much for trusting us and sharing RomeGirl. So lovely to see the Commanding Officer with his dog.
SifR8, I remember in one of his Army videos Jonny was describing what inspired the exercise package he put together for the Company to carry out, a March and Shoot Exercise followed by a written test, after a past battle during WW2 in which the Argylls had triumphed in Aden.
And ofcourse her Late Majesty wore the brooch of the Argylls whenever she travelled to Balmoral as she'd been their Colonel-in-Chief since the age of 21.
Edited: It was 1967 the military action in Aden the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders took part in not WW2.
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Briefly :1854, the Battle of Balaklava took place place as part of the Crimean War between Russia ( again...) and allies against Britain and allies. The Russians were successfully foiled from capturing Balaklava which was a supply port for the Brits etc. One of the 3 battles there involved the Sutherland Highlanders, now part of Jonny's company. The famous painting of these kilted warriors is known as the Thin Red Line and is stored in Edinburgh Castle I think, a copy hangs in Redford ? Baracks which is Jonny's main Company base in Edinburgh.
A quick synopsis !
SifR8 and orti66
So nice to learn some of the history behind Jonny's RRS Balaklava command. Thank you for the history lessons and the active link to the "Thin Red Line" information. So interesting. I went to YouTube and found a fascinating 2 minute+ video that shows a painting called the "Thin Red Line". The first 45 seconds are the important part and other things in the video do not apply, as far as I can tell, to our conversation so I am just looking at it for the painting. The link is below.
So nice to learn some of the history behind Jonny's RRS Balaklava command. Thank you for the history lessons and the active link to the "Thin Red Line" information. So interesting. I went to YouTube and found a fascinating 2 minute+ video that shows a painting called the "Thin Red Line". The first 45 seconds are the important part and other things in the video do not apply, as far as I can tell, to our conversation so I am just looking at it for the painting. The link is below.
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The original painting of The Thin Red Line by Robert Gibb is exhibited in the National War Museum Scotland at Edinburgh Castle. I believe a print does hang in Redford Barracks.
See the link for more information about the event and the painting.
https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-c...sh-history-and-archaeology/the-thin-red-line/
See the link for more information about the event and the painting.
https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-c...sh-history-and-archaeology/the-thin-red-line/
Her Majesty had a very special connection to the Argylls and latterly 5 SCOTS.
In the last pics of Her Late Majesty, if you look closely at the fireplace behind her, you will see the motto of the Regiment engraved - Nemo Me Impune Lacessit - (No One Assails [or Provokes] Me With Impunity).
This is the motto of the Kingdom of Scotland and was the motto of the Royal Stuart dynasty. It is now the adopted motto of the Order of the Thistle, and the RRS.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit ... Ah ... In the part of the fireplace just above the flames. I would never have seen that without your sharp eyes. If Jonny ever had occasion to be in that room, seeing the motto, must have made him feel proud to be part of and following such a noble and historic path.
Here is a clip from Forces.net of our Jonny and 5 Scots. They are preparing for "Fit for Role" inspection in advance of Royal duties in London in 2019. The clip shows Jonny marching. It also has a quick bit of interview with Jonny in which he mentions the Argylls. There is also a short article explaining everything. He has a lovely voice.
Edit: Just corrected a typo
unfurl="true"]https://www.forces.net/news/army/5-scots-prepare-ceremonial-guard-duty[/URL]
Edit: Just corrected a typo
unfurl="true"]https://www.forces.net/news/army/5-scots-prepare-ceremonial-guard-duty[/URL]
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