Walk to David Stirling Memorial led by Ranald Shepherd

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir David Stirling Honoured by Rotary

 Members of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club have celebrated the centenary of the birth of David Stirling, the driving force behind the establishment of what became the SAS in the Second World War.   Led by Ranald Shepherd, the party assembled at the Stirling Memorial where members were given a detailed account of Stirling’s life.    Members were intrigued to hear from Ranald about the efforts of the then Lieutenant Stirling to convince the Army’s senior officers of the potential of this initiative.  Having achieved approval, the new unit, officially designated the Ist SAS Regiment in 1942, went on to wreak havoc on the German air offensive in North Africa, ultimately destroying some 400 aircraft on the ground, together with significant damage to fuel dumps and other infrastructure.  Captured in 1943 in Tunisia, the then Lieutenant-Colonel Stirling spent the remainder of the War in prisoner of war camps, ultimately ending up in Colditz.  However, in 1943, his brother Lieutenant-Colonel William Stirling continued the family tradition by raising the 2^nd SAS Regiment.  Together, the two Regiments joined the newly formed SAS Brigade and were at the forefront of the D-Day landings.  David Stirling was knighted in the 1990 New Year Honours, ironically dying in the same year.  Members were very appreciative of the detailed account of David Stirling’s life given by Ranald and his skill in recounting it.

 Ranald, in the kangaroo hat with Rotarians and Friends

The monument, erected to honour David Stirling, also records on plaques surrounding the statue the names of those in the SAS who died in action.