I went into the Army after house jobs in Glasgow – and stayed there until 2001. My jobs included commanding medical units and working on the planning staff.   I was shot at in Cyprus during the invasion in 1974, in Northern Ireland and in the Falklands War, but they all missed.   I helped plan medical support to the first Gulf War, Croatia, Bosnia, Kosovo and Sierra Leone.  Since leaving the Army I have done consultancies for the Defence industry and medico-legal work for the Army.   I examine candidates for the Diploma in the Medical Care of Catastrophes and wrote two chapters in ‘Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine’.

I married Wilma, a Stobhill nurse, in 1972 and we produced two children, Angus in 1973 and Lesley in 1975.   The marriage did not survive my behaviour and I have remained single (ish) since 1992.   Angus is a commissioned nurse in the Army.   Lesley is a gardener and has two daughters, Ruby, 10 and Bonnie, infant!   Wedlock has so far escaped both my children - or is it the other way round?    I am now 9 years abstinent from alcohol (see original yearbook entry) thanks to a certain 12 step programme.   I have nearly completed a BA (Hons) in Opera Studies, ski badly and think I can still do a few more Munros.