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).