As Dad finished his schooling, he was called up and on 4th November 1943 started training with the Royal Signal Corps and to his delight, this meant motorbikes! He transferred on 4th November 1944 to the British Commandos, designed to be highly trained and equipped for carrying out raids in German occupied Europe. Training was at Achnacarry, near Spean Bridge and started with an 8 mile hike from the railway station in full kit. Physical fitness was a prerequisite and achieved by mountain marching, assault courses and river crossings, both by day and night, and the final exercise being a simulated night beach landing using live ammunition, all while living in Nissen huts. Real action took place in Belgium, France, Holland, Italy and eventually Germany. He contracted diphtheria from drinking contaminated water, which he was fortunate to survive, but later wondered if this in fact had saved his life, as many of his compatriots lost their lives in action during this time. Many of the stories were too painful to retell, but highlights were parachute training, the kindness of strangers and the deep friendships and he was immensely proud of his green commando beret. He was demobbed on the 4th November 1947 and returned to Mull and like many others started to rebuild his life.

Whilst stopping for petrol at Tobermory, on the Isle of Mull, last summer, Jack Quarries tie-pin and car badge caught the eye of the proprietor of the filling station, who turned out to be ex-Sigmn. MacGilp (Bde. Sig. Tp.). Though not an Association member at the time, he has now been well and truly roped in.