A respected member of the Angus Black Watch Association, who fought to save the regiment’s identity and red hackle, has died aged 76.
Syd Mather was born in Rossie Braes, Montrose. He joined The Black Watch in 1953 for two years’ national service.
After training at the Queen’s barracks in Perth at the age of 18 he served with the 1st Battalion in Kenya, escaping death in a terrorist attack.
He was stationed in the battalion’s motor transport section, often acting as chauffeur for the intelligence officer a role which took him to all parts of the country.
After returning to civilian life he worked locally as a mechanic and was employed by the water board and a frozen foods company until opening his own business in 1986 with long-term partner Ena Laing, who died last year.
Mr Mather was one of the first former soldiers to join the Angus branch of The Black Watch Association after its formation, and tackled his role with gusto.
At Christmas he would deliver packages to widows and pensioners associated with the regiment and was a key figure in selling 5000 Black Watch wristbands to raise funds for charity.
In the 2001 Remembrance Day parade in London he marched past the Queen Mother, who was colonel in chief of The Black Watch.
He was a member of the party which travelled to Edinburgh for the Queen’s jubilee celebrations in 2002 he was involved in a major parade around the capital.
In 2004, Mr Mather wrote to George W. Bush in a bid to save The Black Watch from merger, and collected over 4000 signatures in Montrose on a petition against the change.
That year he was a special guest at the formal opening of the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Mather proudly wore the medals of his late father, Sergeant James Mather, who served with the RAF in both world wars.
He was also involved with the Royal British Legion Scotland, was a member of the Masonic Order and worked with Alcoholics Anonymous.
Major Ronnie Proctor of the Angus Black Watch Association said, “Syd joined the Angus branch of the Black Watch Association very soon after I started it an he was a great supporter of the organistaion.
“He was a great fighter when the regiment was being merged, and at that time his character came right to the fore.
“He had a major impact on the association and the local community and he will be sorely missed by all his friends and his comrades.”
Mr Mather never married but is survived by the children and grandchildren of his partner.
A funeral service will be held on May 3 at Old and St Andrew’s Parish Church in Montrose.