In the Regiment David was always known as Tex, a name that came with him when he joined the Queens Royal Irish Hussars.
Tex originally came from a wee place called Dingwall, which is situated at the southern end of Cromarty Firth, near the city of Inverness.
At the tender age of 15, he left his native Scotland and headed south to the coast of Dorset, where he joined the Junior Leaders Regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps.
This in itself was an achievement, as the selection process ensured that only those who showed potential would make the final grade.
Having completed his time as a Junior Leader and after his Pass Off Parade, he was then badged to and joined the Royal Scots Greys. This regiment was the one, that most sons of Scotland wanted to join (but many didn’t succeed), so yet again Tex proved he had that something.
He spent a number of years as a “Scots Grey” and served with the regiment in a number of places, the latter being a 6-month tour in Northern Ireland.
It was during this tour that Royal Scots Greys amalgamated with the 3rd Carbineers in 1971 and became the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Sadly due to manning levels, Tex along with many other Greys was then given a choice of which regiments they could transfer into. At this point, he elected to be rebadged to the Queens Royal Irish Hussars.
Having completed his tour of Northern Ireland in November 1971, Tex joined the Irish Hussars who were stationed in Paderborn – West Germany. He was to spend the next 14 years of his life as an Irish Hussar, a Regiment who was proud to have him and one in which he was proud to serve. During his time as an Irish Hussar, he served in Germany (Paderborn & Munster) Cyprus, Canada, and the UK, to name but a few.
Tex attained the rank of Local Warrant Officer and his final appointment with the Irish Hussars was that of Training Warrant Officer.
On leaving the Irish Hussars in 1985, Tex then made Chester his home and this is where he met Marie. However, he wasn’t ready to sever all ties with the Army, as he then joined the local TA Unit of the Cheshire Regiment.
He was also instrumental in establishing an Old Comrades Troop (North West Counties & North Wales) as part of the Regimental Association of The Irish Hussars and Queens Royal Hussars and in which he would serve as treasurer for more than 10 years.
He took up employment in a number of roles and worked in Chester Town Hall until his retirement.
Tex and his wife Marie were regulars at the OCA weekend in London. For those of us who travelled to London for the Combined Cavalry Memorial Weekend & Dinner, it was always a pleasure to meet with them at the Victory Services Club.
