Obituary: Thomas Anderson BEM, Pipe Major with the Cameronians

Thomas Anderson BEM, Pipe Major with the Cameronians.

Born: 27 October, 1931, in Selkirk.

Died: 22 May, 2011, in Edinburgh, aged 79.

FROM the age of nine Thomas Anderson was a gifted and committed piper. He became the youngest Pipe Major in the British army and was much in demand to pipe at many royal and state events.

These included the historic state funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965. The Cameronians' pipers played with the massed pipes and drums in the solemn march to St Paul's Cathedral and later Anderson was one of the pipers who played a lament as the coffin was carried, accompanied by a 19-gun salute and an RAF fly-past, to the launch Havengore for the voyage up the Thames to Bladon church for the interment.

In a moving episode as the launch moved slowly up the river the cranes of the London docks dipped their girders in tribute to the war leader.

Anderson went to Broughton High School in Edinburgh and Galashiels Academy and in 1951 he joined the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) to do his national service. Anderson did not join his local regiment - the King's Own Scottish Borderers (KOSBs) - as he had heard that the Cameronians were about to be sent to Malaya and, typically, he wanted to see some action.

In Malaya the battalion encountered many problems - it was a demanding and hazardous mission as the local communist terrorists were well armed and the terrain was immensely testing. Anderson and his colleagues, however, gained a reputation from many of the locals for their fighting qualities.

Having signed up as a regular Anderson went with the battalion to Germany and became part of the famous 7th Armoured Division (Desert Rats) but returned to Edinburgh in 1956 to join the British troops preparing for the Suez invasion.

Then followed a period when the battalion moved around the Middle East and Africa and memorably played the pipes for the King of Jordan.

Following tours of duty in Germany and Scotland the battalion returned to Aden and in 1967 Anderson was accorded the Commander-in-Chief's Commendation for outstanding conduct, having lain for several hours silent and immobile in an ambush to surprise a terrorist who was in a strategically strong position and in control of considerable ammunition.

When the terrorist returned, "Pipe Major Anderson" the citation read, "gave chase and captured him. The Pipe Major has had a highly successful operational tour and has been a fine example to all ranks".

While in Aden, Anderson was presented with the British Empire Medal for distinguished service beyond the call of duty, both to the regiment and to the pipe band.

Anderson was involved in the impressive beating the retreat ceremony when the regiment left Aden. Anderson had composed a rousing march called The Cameronians Farewell to South Arabia and as the pipes and drums marched off the parade ground the band played the regimental marches, Kenmuir's On and Awa, and the The Gathering of the Grahams at fast rifle pace. It was a spectacular conclusion and their last Retreat to be played outside the British Isles.

In 1968 the Cameronians were disbanded and Anderson joined the KOSBs with whom he firstly served as a Company Sergeant Major.

After he retired from the army in 1986 he was the Regimental Sergeant Major at the Scottish Infantry Depot (Glencorse).

Anderson served at the Army Recruiting Office in Edinburgh's Rutland Square, then as the Schools Liaison Officer with the Education Authorities in Tayside, Fife, Lothians and Borders.

In his retirement Anderson became an official guide at Holyrood where he proved an enthusiastic and engaging guide to the many visitors he escorted round the palace, often conducting tours in French and German which he had learned in the army. He also served with the Corps of Commissionaires. Anderson piped at many official occasions and had the knack of choosing the most appropriate music for the occasion.

Notably Anderson was a member of the pipe band at the Queen's coronation and other events included the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, memorial services at Westminster Abbey, royal visits to Holyrood and Balmoral and the Thistle ceremony at St Giles' Cathedral, as well as numerous Edinburgh Military Tattoos.

Anderson welcomed the Queen when she arrived (in thick fog) to open the Forth Road Bridge in 1964 and was the piper to Swedish royalty. He was awarded the Order of The Sword 3rd Class by King Gustav of Sweden, who was Colonel-in-Chief of the Cameronians.

Anderson, a modest and forthright man, remained a proud Borderer to the end.

His death announcement included Yince a Souter Aye a Souter (once a Souter, always a Souter) - a long-standing Selkirk expression originating when Selkirk was known for its shoe making. Pipe Major Anderson married Elke Heuer in 1956.

She and their two sons survive him.