Bonhill Territorial Army stalwart celebrates 31 years

Apr 17 2009 by Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald (main ed)

A farewell salute from TA stalwart

DOUGIE Craigie fancied a trip to America – so he cut his hair and joined the Territorial Army.

But Dougie’s stunt to earn a free holiday sparked a lifelong commitment to the TA, which ends with his retirement on Saturday.

The Bonhill man had planned to hang around only for the two week Transatlantic adventure back in the 70s – but he ended up staying 31 years.

In his time with Dumbarton-based Delta Company, 7 Scots, Regiment of Scotland, he has held a number of key posts, received honours, travelled the world and met Her Majesty the Queen.

But Dougie, 51, says now it’s time to hang up his uniform and make way for the next generation of Terries.

He said: “It was a bit of a hippy time. I heard that the TA were going on a trip to the USA in 1979. I decided to sign up to go for the fortnight in America and ended up staying.”

Dougie, an electrical fitter with the council, has risen through the ranks serving as a corporal, lance corporal, sergeant and company quartermaster. He became company sergeant major in 1990, a post he held for five years before moving for two years to battalion headquarters.

He returned to Dumbarton in 1997 and since then has held the post of recruit training warrant officer, with responsibility for all new soldiers.

He said: “When a person presents themselves at the door, my job, from day one, is to take over all aspects of their life and training until they are qualified as a trained soldier.

“It’s good to see someone make a go of it. Some of the guys and girls I have trained are now in the senior ranks, which is great to see.”

Dougie, who is married to Rosemary, said he has “never had a bad day” since joining the TA. Travel has been a major highlight of his decades of service, with three trips to the States, three to Gibraltar and visits throughout Europe under his belt. He paid his respects to colleagues who have seen active service in Iraq and Afghanistan, an opportunity denied him because of his age and rank.

Dougie finds it hard to single out any one highlight of his long career. “I couldn’t put it down to one thing,” he said, “as there have been a lot of great times. The Colours parade in 1986 when the Queen presented us with our colours was one of them, along with the travel and comradeship.

“You make friends that last forever from all ranks and they are friends for life. That’s the thing that carries on after the TA. We all talk the same language.”

Dougie could have stayed on till he was 55, but believes the time is right to step down. He said: “When you hit 50 you look at yourself and ask what you are doing. I should be getting out my paper and slippers!

“A colonel once said to me when you are in the trenches, 30 is OK, at 40 you ask questions and 50 is certifiable! So 31 years is enough.”

Dougie, who has a son, James and grandchildren, Amber and James, is looking forward to Saturday’s dinner at the TA hall in Latta Street, Dumbarton, and the chance to catch up with old friends, as well as say farewell.

He said: “Serving soldiers will be rubbing shoulders with guys of 50 and 60 and the common denominator is that we’re all members of Delta Company.”