The Gordon Highlanders
"Bydand Forever"
In the predawn darkness of September 13, 1882, the Gordon Highlanders advanced over the desert sands towards the Egyptian fortifications. As the Brigade drew closer, Egyptian sentries began to fire at the oncoming shadowy formation. The deseert silence thus broken, commands were called out, bayonets fixed, pipes skirled and the Gordons charged to begin the Battle of Tel-El-Kebir.
Out of the pages of history marches "Bydand Forever," a commemorative company of the Gordon Highlanders as they were in 1882. It was cofounded by Gary Harper and David Inglett, trained by David Roe, sanctioned by the Gordon Highland Regiment and made possible by the hard work of its membership. "Bydand Forever" is dedicated to recreating the Gordon Highlander of the Victorian era. Painstakingly researched with the assistance of Captain Colin Harison of the Gordon Highland Regimental Museum in Aberdeen, the uniforms and equipment are exact replicas of the originals. Their original Martini-Henry rifles are supported by an 1874 model of the Gatling gun, which together provided awesome firepower against the enemies of the Queen. Of special interest is "Bydand Forever's" use and proficiency of the British Army's 1875 Manual of Arms.
Some of "Bydand Forever's" more noteworthy performances include:
- Two-week tour of Northeastern Scotland and Aberdeen during the 200th Anniversary and Trooping of the Colors of the Gordon Highlanders in 1994
- Greeting the Highland Regiment (Seaforths, Gordons and Camerons) at Pleasanton in 1995
- Performing as the opening act for the San Diego show of the Lifeguards, Blues & Royals, and the Black Watch.
In 1997, "Bydand Forever" went back to Aberdeen for an encore where, for two weeks, they performed for the Gordon Regimental Museum. And, they've been invited to perform at the 1998 Edinburgh Tattoo.
links:
The Gordon Highlanders
First Battalion the Highlanders
Courtesy of the Monterey Games Committee: 1997 Spectator Program