Month: July 2021

BRONZE LONG SERVICE AWARD – MICHAEL STRACHANBRONZE LONG SERVICE AWARD – MICHAEL STRACHAN

On Saturday afternoon Michael Strachan, Captain 1st Rosehearty Company, was presented with his bronze Long Service Award marking 15 years as an officer. The award was organised by Lt Marc Thomson, Battalion Vice-President, and presented by Alison Chambers, Brigade Vice-President.

Michael’s first 15 years as an officer have not been typical! He became an officer in 2006 with the 1st Fraserburgh Company; the Company he joined as a boy in 1992 aged 5. By 2010 he was Officer-in-Charge of the Junior Section, a post he held successfully until his resignation in 2016. That year his assistance was requested by the 1st New Deer Company, where he served as Officer-in-Charge of the Company Section while instructing new officers to take over. He served in this post for two sessions.

Then in 2018, at the invitation and instigation of his friend the Vice-President, he helped restart the 1st Rosehearty Junior Section of which he was appointed OIC. A year later in 2019 he was finally appointed to be a Company Captain, serving with 1st Rosehearty. The team in Rosehearty have now successfully revived the Junior Section and a Company Section over the past 3 sessions, while the Anchor Boys go from strength to strength!

In addition, Mr Strachan is also a past President of the Buchan Battalion serving in the role 2013-17. He has the distinction of being the Battalion’s youngest ever President, being appointed unexpectedly at the age of 25 and leaving office aged 29. He now serves as the Battalion Queen’s Badge Advisor and has been a Vice-President of the North Scottish Area since 2018.

Here’s looking to the next 15 years!


(Image: Michael Strachan is presented with his certificate and badge by Alison Chambers, Brigade Vice-President).

PRESIDENT’S COMMENDATION – JACK IRVINE, 1st ROSEHEARTYPRESIDENT’S COMMENDATION – JACK IRVINE, 1st ROSEHEARTY

Congratulations to Jack Irvine of the 1st Rosehearty Company who was presnted with his President’s Commendation yesterday.

The Presentation was made at Pitsligo Castle by the Brigade Vice-President, Alison Chambers, who spoke very highly of Jack and what he did to help his father in a difficult and challenging situation.

Jack was introduced by Lt Lynne Bruce who told us of his actions which led to him being awarded the commendation. As well as being very brave it is clear that Jack is also very humble about the whole thing!

Well done, Jack!

PRESIDENT’S BADGE – ADAM IRELAND, 4th FRASERBURGHPRESIDENT’S BADGE – ADAM IRELAND, 4th FRASERBURGH

Congratulations to Adam Ireland of the 4th Fraserburgh Company who was presented with his President’s Badge yesterday by Brigade Vice-President Alison Chambers.

His Company Captain Martin Dunbar explained what activities Adam and the 4th Company were able to undertake during the last year in order to gain the badge.

Congratulations Adam!

PRESIDENT’S BADGE – RUARY MCDONALD, 4th FRASERBURGHPRESIDENT’S BADGE – RUARY MCDONALD, 4th FRASERBURGH

Congratulations to Ruary McDonald of the 4th Fraserburgh who was presented with his President’s Badge yesterday by Alison Chambers, Brigade Vice-President.

He was introduced by his Captain, Martin Dunbar, who praised him and all boys for continuing with the Brigade through the last year in difficult circumstances.

Well done Ruary – keep up the good work!

PRESIDENT’S BADGE – KEIRAN LYONS, 1st STRICHENPRESIDENT’S BADGE – KEIRAN LYONS, 1st STRICHEN


Congratulations to Keiran Lyons of the 1st Strichen Company who was presented with his President’s Badge yesterday by Alison Chambers, Brigade Vice-President.

As well as congratulating him, the officers of the 1st Rosehearty would like to send their thanks to him for helping on the day by distributing the programmes!

Well done to Keiran on his achievement!

PRESIDENT’S BADGE – LACHLAN GRADY, 1st STRICHENPRESIDENT’S BADGE – LACHLAN GRADY, 1st STRICHEN

Congratulations to Lachlan Grady of the 1st Strichen Company who was presented with the President’s Badge yesterday by Brigade Vice President, Alison Chambers.

Like all other recipients this year Company Captain Steve Wilson explained how there was a slightly different route to the President’s Badge due to the pandemic.

Well done Lachlan! Keep up the good work!

PRESIDENT’S BADGE – CONNOR MOWAT, 1st NEW PITSLIGOPRESIDENT’S BADGE – CONNOR MOWAT, 1st NEW PITSLIGO

Well done to Connor Mowat of the 1st New Pitsligo Company who was presented with his President’s Badge yesterday by Alison Chambers, Brigade Vice-President.

This made it a doubly proud day for mum Elaine in her new role as Captain of the 1st New Pitsligo Company. Like his brother, Connor has also just started his Queen’s Badge journey and we similarly wish him well!

Well done!

PRESIDENT’S BADGE – BRANDON MOWAT, 1st NEW PITSLIGOPRESIDENT’S BADGE – BRANDON MOWAT, 1st NEW PITSLIGO

Congratulations to Brandon Mowat of the 1st New Pitsligo Company who was presented with his President’s Badge yesterday by Alison Chambers, Brigade Vice President.

It was a proud moment for his mum Elaine, the new Captain of the 1st New Pitsligo Company, who told all gathered how Brandon had achieved the badge despite all the additional hurdles posed by the COVID-19 over the last year.

Brandon has already started on his Queen’s Badge journey, and we wish him well as he progresses with that award!

QUEEN’S BADGE AWARD – STEFAN BUCHAN, 1st ST COMBSQUEEN’S BADGE AWARD – STEFAN BUCHAN, 1st ST COMBS

The President and Executive of the Buchan Battalion wish to congratulate Stefan Buchan of the 1st St. Combs Company who was presented with his Queen’s Badge yesterday by Brigade Vice President, Alison Chambers.

Stefan received a glowing report from his Company Captain, Sandy Gavryluk, with the Queen’s Badge Advisor adding that Stefan had given 40 hours service to the BB and an astonishing 90 hours voluntary service to the community as part of the award. Only 30 hours for each were required for the badge.

Stefan is a credit to his Company and a credit to the Brigade and we were delighted to hear that he plans to continue helping his with his Company in the new session! Well done!