Scottish independence: Veterans offer their views

Scottish veterans are campaigning for both sides in the last week leading up to the referednum. Picture: TSPL

More than 400 former servicemen and women have signed a statement arguing that Scotland will be stronger and more secure as part of the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, a group of veterans backing a Yes vote have issued their own letter saying the referendum is about democracy rather than supporting a “self-serving Westminster establishment”.

The pro-union group includes six former heads of the Army in Scotland, 11 Second World War veterans and 15 generals.

Among the signatories is Colonel Ian Critchley of the Black Watch, the first officer in the Highlands Division to cross the Rhine in 1945, and two Second World War veterans who sank the Bismark and its sister ship the Turpitz - Lieutenant Commanders Jock Moffat and John Lorimer.

The former heads of the Army in Scotland that have signed the statement are Lieutenant Generals Sir Norman Arthur, Sir John MacMillan and Sir Peter Graham, and Major Generals Mark Strudwick, Euan Loudon and Andrew Mackay.

Their statement reads: “As former members of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force who are proud to call Scotland our home, we passionately believe that the people of Scotland will be stronger and more secure if we remain part of the United Kingdom.

“We are in no doubt that were Scotland to break away from the United Kingdom the current arrangements for defending all these islands would be irresponsibly weakened.

“Scotland also stands to lose thousands of highly-skilled and high-value jobs in the wider defence industry.

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“We see no evidence that the SNP’s proposals for the defence and security of an independent Scotland could possibly provide us with a credible, effective defence force capable of securing the interests of Scotland and our people.”

Some of the signatories cite emotional ties to the union in personal messages to undecided voters.

Captain Frankie Caldwell, formerly of the Royal Tank Regiment, who left the army in 2010 after 27 years, said: “Every issue matters in terms of the referendum but it is the emotional ties that make me more inclined to fear the break-up of it.

“It would absolutely break my heart to see the Scottish element of the Union flag unpicked and separated from it when I’ve fought together with my English, Welsh and Northern Irish comrades.”

Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said: “Britain’s Armed Forces help make this world a safer place.

“It cannot be right that we should allow our proud military tradition to be vandalised by the SNP’s back-of-a-fag-packet plans on defence.

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“We are stronger and safer together. These veterans know it and will be voting to keep Scotland secure as part of the United Kingdom on Thursday. I urge undecided voters to listen to their words and back a No vote too.”

The pro-independence group issued a response to comments by former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt, who said he fears a Yes vote could be ‘’letting down’’ Scottish soldiers who died during fighting in Northern Ireland.

The signatories include 102-year-old Desert Rat Jimmy Sinclair, retired Lieutenant Commander and Faslane Naval intelligence officer Colin May and veterans minister Keith Brown MSP, who served in the Royal Marines and fought in the Falklands.

The letter reads: “As former UK armed forces personnel, we take the strongest possible exception to the outrageous statement by Lord Richard Dannatt implying that our fallen comrades died in support of a No vote in a Scottish independence referendum.

“How dare he take their sacrifice in vain and try to turn it to political advantage - particularly having presided over the destruction of Scotland’s historic regiments.

“People who serve in the armed forces and veterans hold a variety of different views on Scotland’s future. We are all voting Yes on Thursday, others will vote No.

“It is that freedom to decide matters democratically which our service men and women have helped safeguard for generations - it is not about bolstering the position of a self-serving Westminster establishment - and the people of Scotland will choose on Thursday. We believe that choice should and will be Yes.”