Funeral for last Colonel of Gordon Highlanders

Sir Peter Graham, black and white image of man in uniform, with large moustache, looking to the side, wearing an army beret.Image source, Gordon Highlanders
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Sir Peter Graham was known as "The Tache"

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The funeral of the last Colonel of the famous Gordon Highlanders regiment has been held at the famous military academy where all British Army officers are trained.

Sir Peter Graham died at the age of 87 in December.

The Gordon Highlanders - established in 1794 - was the local regiment of the north east of Scotland before it was amalgamated to become part of the Highlanders in 1994.

The service for Sir Peter took place at The Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in Berkshire.

Sir Peter Graham, man with grey hair and moustache, wearing glasses, and in a green tweed jacket with medals, blue shirt, and a striped tie of the Gordon Highlanders regiment.Image source, Gordon Highlanders
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Sir Peter died in December

Sir Peter was raised in Fyvie in Aberdeenshire during World War Two.

During his military career he became known as "The Tache", both within The Gordon Highlanders and the wider Army, thanks to his impressive moustache.

He held a number of roles throughout his service.

These included commanding 1st Battalion The Gordon Highlanders on an 18-month tour in Belfast.

As the last Colonel of the The Gordon Highlanders, Sir Peter led the regiment's farewell parade which was held in Aberdeen's Duthie Park in 1994.

His lasting legacy is now seen as The Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen, having run the successful fund-raising campaign that saw it open in 1997.

The regimental flag flew at half-mast as a mark of respect on Tuesday.

Gordon Highlanders Museum, a white building amid a leafy setting.Image source, Gordon Highlanders Museum
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The regimental museum has become a popular attraction

Colonel Charlie Sloan, chairman of The Gordon Highlanders Regimental Trust, paid tribute to Sir Peter, who was his first commanding officer.

"All of us who served under him will remember the standards he set, both for us and himself," he said.

"He made us proud to be Gordon Highlanders and the self respect that engendered was the engine for our excellence.

"It wasn't by accident that we were one of the best regiments in the Army - it was because of Gordon Highlanders like Peter Graham.

"He was determined to ensure the Gordon Highlanders were not forgotten."

A memorial service in St Machar's Cathedral in Aberdeen is expected to be held at a later date.