The Bard
tune – An Eala Bhan

He lies in Gairloch Cemetery since nineteen eighty nine
Perhaps with war time injuries at rest before his time
He fought for King and country in lands across the sea
But Inverasdale by Loch Ewe his dearest wish to be.

To leave his native homeland the bard had no desire
For him to fight oppression his country did require
He left his near and dear ones in answer to the call
He’d train to be a soldier not knowing what would befall.

In rank and file divided set sail from England’s shore
Bid farewell to Dover’s cliffs perhaps to see no more
Bound for war torn countries their freedom to sustain
He’d fight to stem aggression the ‘jackboot’ to contain.

A battle hardened soldier the bard did become
Recall for special training on leave he would get home
But soon deployed in Europe prepared for anywhere
A fully fledged commando their motto ‘We who Dare’.

After many skirmishes cruel fate did intervene
With life-threatening injuries a casualty became
Captured by the enemy fair treatment did expect
Deprived of sleep and dignity his health and due respect.

When the war was over returned to England’s shore
After convalescing regained his health once more
Home to Inverasdale to greet his parents dear
And in time to welcome the ‘forty six’ New Year.

Now at his grave in Gairloch a headstone with his name
The bard fought for liberty did not seek fuss or fame
A lifetime plagued with injuries a legacy retained
So we could have our freedom, a way of life maintained.

Although has now departed can still with him converse
His presence felt in every song and poems in rhyme and verse
When oft I sit and reminisce can hear his voice anew
And clearly I do hear him sing ‘Inbhir Asdal Taobh Loch Iu’.

Ian Cameron, Hector’s uncle, was known as the Bard of Inverasdale. He was crowned Bard at the National Mod in Oban in 1953.
During World War 2 he was in the army and left England and Dover’s white cliffs to serve in France. Between May 27th and June 4th 1940 more than 338.000 Allied soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk in the North of France. Ian Cameron was one of these.
He had a chequered war career. Later he became a commando and was involved in the Italian Campaign. The troop ship on which he was sailing was sunk and he had to swim for his life. Soon after June 6th 1944, D Day, he parachuted into France while he was serving with the Airborne Division. However, he was taken prisoner by the Germans at Arnhem. From there Ian was taken to East Germany. However, he was released from captivity by the advancing Russian troops.
When Ian was released from the war he worked at Mellon Charles for the Ministry of Defence. But for years he carried with him a reminder of his time in the war – a piece of shrapnel was lodged in his back. Later this was removed.
As Hector tells us Ian died in 1989 and was buried in Gairloch cemetery