51st (Highland) Reconnaissance Regiment
Stained Glass Window

51 (H) Recce Reg Memorial Window

51 (H) Recce Reg Memorial Window

show info

At the end of 'The brief History of the 51st (H) Reconnaissance Regiment' is the following:

“At the last Officer’s Mess meeting, prior to the disbandment of the 14th H.L.I. at the I.R.T.D. Geneifa, Egypt on 1st June 1943, Major Hutchinson (C Company) proposed that £40 be set aside for memorial plaque to be erected in the Nairn Old Parish Church in memory of those of the 51st (H) Recce. Regiment who had been killed at El Alamein the previous October. The proposals carried unanimously.

Nairn was selected because the Regiment was concentrated for the first time in that town for the winter months of 1941/1942 and during that time Church Parades were held regularly each Sunday in the Old Parish Church.

The plaque was unveiled by Gen Wimberley, GOC 51st Highland Division from mid 1941 and throughout the Desert Campaign, during a Service of Remembrance held on Sunday 9th April 1950 (Easter Sunday). The service was conducted by the Padre Rev Thos. W. Topping and the Minister, Rev Donald M McDonald, 25 old comrades and relatives attending.

Since 1950 we have joined Morning Service in Nairn Old Parish Church in 1977, 1981, 1986, 1988 and 1990 to commemorate our comrades who were killed at El Alamein, and all those who have died since, both during and after the war. It is our intention to do so again in 1992 – the 50th Anniversary the Battle of El Alamein - when we shall be joining the good citizens of Nairn in Morning Service on Sunday, 1 May.”

(Photographs provided by Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) R J Towns MBE)

Memorial Plaque, Nairn Old Parish Church

Memorial Plaque, Nairn Old Parish Church

show info
Leslie A Meek Memorial Window

Leslie A Meek Memorial Window

show info
Nairn Old Parish Church Memorial Window Detail

Nairn Old Parish Church Memorial Window Detail

show info