The Scottish  links of Brian O'Brien

My Maternal family hails from Selkirk in the Border region in Scotland and I was brought up with well thumbed copies of the Southern Reporter , The Sunday Post, Oor Wullie & The Broons to read and of course our family were well schooled in the heritage and traditions of this lovely area. My Grandfather served in both the 9th Royal Scots and the HLI during World War1 and fought in many areas of conflict with these famous Scottish Regiments. Although he was gassed on more than one occasion he survived the War and returned home to his family before emigrating to New Zealand in 1927.

I am proud to have had two relatives who have been Standard Bearers at Common Riding celebrations, Daniel Cunningham Henderson in the 1930s & 1940s and his Grandson Kenneth Firth in the 1990s. This annual event is in memory of those who fell at the battle of Flodden on September the 9th 1513 and the return of the sole survivor. It is a very moving ceremony and is attended by thousands of visitors every year.

This family background made it easy for me to become involved in many Scottish associations in New Zealand