« Back to 2004 News Archive

KOSB Family Traditions

TRADITIONS of the King's Own Scottish Borderers as a "family" regiment have been underlined at the annual Minden Day parade ­ by a 14-year-old piper.

Kieran Hoskins, who's father Hugh, from Stranraer, is a colour sergeant in the battalion, was given the honour of acting pipe major for the day on the parade ground in Northern Ireland.

And the youngster, who is a pupil at the Queen Victoria Boarding School at Dunblane said:

"It was really good - everyone was very kind to me and helped me learn the tunes.

" I want to be a pipe major in the King's Own Scottish Borderers when I'm older."

And it was a double mission for young Kieran who used the occasion as a fund raising effort for his school's pipe band trip to Nova Scotia next year.

There was no doubting the pride of dad Hugh, aged 38, who was having his last Minden Day parade with the battalion ­ an event marking the regiment's famous victory against the overwhelming odds of French and Austrian forces in the Seven Years' War 245 years ago. His reaction was:

"I'm extremely proud and happy especially being a member of the Colour Party and being piped on by your son to the regimental march.

"It was really proud for me to see him standing there and being a part of it."

Colour Sergeant Hoskins, who enlisted at the Stranraer recruiting office 23 years ago is in the final 12 months of service and stressed:

"It's a family regiment and it would be nice to see Kieran following in my footsteps - he could only further his career if he does decide at a future stage that he wants to join the regiment and I would be very happy."