The BB will participate in the raising of the new Flag for Aberdeenshire at Saltoun Square, Fraserburgh, on Sunday 23rd April.
Interested parties should meet at the Square for a short ceremony at 1.45pm ready for 2pm. Companies are invited to bring their colours.
As we understand it, the flag will be raised by Hon. Mrs. Nicolson, Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire.
Full uniform should be worn, although it is expected this may be under a jacket!
Young men who have recently completed their Queen’s Badges, and those currently engaged in Queen’s Badge work, may be interested to know that the Buchan Battalion have approved a new award in honour of the late Andrew West.
In conjunction with Andrew’s family it has been agreed that an award for the Queen’s Badge candidate who has gone above and beyond to achieve the Badge will be awarded and named the Andrew West Memorial. Its first award will be made this year from among the young men who completed the badge in February and April 2023.
There is no set criteria for the award which will generally be awarded on the advice of the Queen’s Badge Advisor in consultation with the Battalion President and Battalion Secretary. The QB Advisor has been aware of the possibility of the award since the start of the year and all books have been scrutinised with the award in mind. This year’s candidates may remember his advice to record everything they did!
Mr West, an Officer of the 1st Fraserburgh Company for nearly 40 years, served as our Battalion Queen’s Badge Advisor for nearly 24 years making this award a fitting one. He passed away after a short illness in August 2022 and is much missed in the Brigade.
The Battalion further intend to host a Queen’s Badge and President’s Badge Celebration Evening later in the year at which event it is envisaged the Andrew West Memorial will be first presented.
Due to the great success of the Anchors Committee in getting multiple competitions running it was decided at last night’s Council Meeting that a Championship Award should be introduced for Battalion Anchors.
It was noted that since his passing in June 2020 no award had been named to honour the late, great Henry Duthie MBE. It was agreed by the Council that it would be fitting to name the new Anchors Award in Henry’s honour given his dedication to the youth of Buchan over decades of service.
This year also marks what would have been Henry’s centenary making the timing all the more fitting.
We will look forward to seeing the award and will keep all informed with its progress.
