No more Commando reunions
Since 1984 there was an annual reunion of the men based on Arran who served in the 11th Scottish Commando unit, Black Hackle, formed in July 1940 after a command from Winston Churchill. The survivors on these super-fit, super-daring troops who would tackle any situation used to meet in the Douglas Hotel on the 11th September, the date when they arrived in Lamlash all those years ago. Many people will remember the Perishers’ Bar, in the a basement of the old hotel, which was full of Commando memorabilia.
Last year, only one veteran was able to attend the 28th reunion, accompanied by Commando committee and relatives. This year’s reunion was planned for September as usual, but within a month of confirming the weekend, Peter Turfrey, a Commando relative from Tamworth, became ill and died. That, sadly, was the end to a long tradition – but long-term Arran residents may still remember the start of it.
