A man hailed as “the best Gordon Highlander of his generation” has died – less than a month after the death of his wife of 63 years.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Strachan, better known as Bob, followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by joining the Army as a teenager.
The Banchory man said he never wanted to be anything other than a Gordon Highlander, and he devoted decades to the historic regiment.
After serving for 36 years, including several tours abroad, he took on the role of regimental secretary and greatly contributed to the creation of the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen.
Lt Col Strachan died last week, aged 87, at a care home in Stonehaven.
Upon hearing of his passing, Lieutenant General Sir Peter Graham contacted the veteran’s family to offer the highest praise he could.
Lt Gen Graham, who was commanding officer of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, said that Lt Col Strachan was “the best Gordon Highlander of his generation”.
Lt Col Strachan was born and educated in Banchory, and served a short apprenticeship as a baker before following his dream of enlisting.
When he was 19, Lt Col Strachan was accepted into the north-east regiment, and rose from private to lieutenant colonel.
He served from 1950 until 1986, developing a proud reputation during that time.
His son, Robert Strachan jun, said: “He was a Gordon Highlander through and through; he always wanted to be a soldier.
“He was posted all over the world, to places like Singapore, Kenya, Cyprus and Northern Ireland.
“He was personable, friendly and sincere and won the respect of all he worked with.
“And he was a loving, caring man and father.”
When he left the service, Lt Col Strachan continued as regimental secretary for 10 years. As well as raising funds for the museum, he campaigned for the creation of a commemorative statue an Aberdeen’s Castlegate.
His efforts were recognised by the Queen, when he was made an MBE for services to his regiment.
Although his primary passion was the military, Lt Col Strachan also enjoyed golf and was an avid supporter of Aberdeen FC.
On the home front, he married wife Mollie on December 18, 1954.
The couple went on to have three children, Linda, Robert and Brenda.
Mrs Strachan would join her husband at the Gordon Highlanders Museum, working in the venue’s tea room in their later years.
The veteran developed dementia in recent times, and both he and Mrs Strachan spent their final months at Mowat Court in Stonehaven.
Mrs Strachan died in December, shortly before what would have been the couple’s 63rd wedding anniversary.
Mr Strachan jun said: “They had a wonderful life together.
“When she died, he just gave up and it was only a couple of weeks until he passed away.”
The funeral will take place on Friday at 1pm at Banchory’s Ternan East Church.
