Tayforth UOTC facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tayforth Universities Officers' Training Corps |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1860 – Present |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Training |
| Role | Army Officer Training |
| Size | 2 Squadrons & 1 Company |
| Part of | Sandhurst Group (Army Recruiting and Training Division) Army Reserves (Group B) |
| Locations | RHQ - Park Wynd, Dundee A Sqn - Wyvern House, St Andrews B Sqn - Park Wynd, Dundee C Coy - Forthside Barracks, Stirling |
| Nickname(s) | "God's OTC" |
| Motto(s) | ΑΙΕΝ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΥΕΙΝ (AIEN ARISTEUEIN) "Ever to Excel" |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | Lt Col Jonny Taffs |
| Honorary Colonel | Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich |
| Insignia | |
| Tartan | Hunting Stewart |
| Abbreviation | TUOTC |
Tayforth Universities Officers' Training Corps (often called Tayforth UOTC) is a special group for university students in Scotland. It's like a club where students can learn about the British Army and train to become future officers. Tayforth UOTC has three main parts:
- A Squadron: For students from the University of St Andrews.
- B Squadron: For students from Dundee University and Abertay University.
- C Company: For students from Stirling University.
This group helps young people develop leadership skills and learn about military life while they are still studying at university.
Contents
The Story of Tayforth UOTC
How it All Started
Tayforth UOTC has a long history, going back to the time of King Charles II. It is connected to groups that helped during the Jacobite rebellions in 1715 and 1745. These were times when people fought over who should be king.
In 1859, people in St Andrews decided to create a volunteer group. This group would train with rifles and artillery (big guns). On December 5, 1859, the 3rd (St Andrews) Fife Artillery Volunteers was officially formed.
In 1881, a professor named Peter Scott Lang started a university artillery group. It was made up entirely of students and staff from the university. This group was called the Anstruther No 7 Battery of the 1st Fife Brigade of Garrison Artillery.
Two years later, in 1883, the group changed its name. It became the University Company 1st Fife VA. The university even promised to give them £20 each year to help. This group had a yearly training plan. It included a camp, a special dinner, and a parade at St Salvator's Quadrangle.
In 1906, the university also started a Military Education Committee. This committee began teaching courses about military education.
Forming the OTC
In 1908, a new idea came about: the Officers' Training Corps (OTC). St Andrews University was very interested in this. It was the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the UK.
Because St Andrews already had a Military Education Committee, they quickly set up their new OTC unit. They even decided on the uniform that same afternoon! The cap badge (the symbol on the hat) was the university shield with the King's Crown on top. This old cap badge is now a special crest in the A Squadron mess.
Tayforth During World War I
During World War I, many former members of the University Company joined the army. About 415 of them served in the war. The OTC continued to train, even though fewer students were able to join.
In 1916, medical students started training separately. They became their own special part of the group. Sadly, 78 members of the corps died during the war. Their names are remembered on a special board in the A Squadron Mess.
New Universities, New Name
Over time, the OTC grew. When Dundee University was formed from a part of St Andrews University, the group changed its name. It became the St Andrews and Dundee University OTC.
Later, Stirling University joined the group. The name "St Andrews, Dundee and Stirling Universities OTC" was too long! So, they chose the name Tayforth Universities OTC. This name was picked because Dundee is on the River Tay, and Stirling is on the River Forth.
Some people worried that St Andrews, being the oldest university, might not like the name. But the River Tay and the River Forth are the borders of the Kingdom of Fife. St Andrews is located within Fife, so the name was approved!
Special Associations
In May 1976, a group called the Old Wyvernians was formed. This group was for former officer cadets from St Andrews University OTC.
Then, on June 16, 1984, the Tayforth Regimental Association had its first meeting. This was a very special event because it was the first association of its kind for an OTC. Other OTCs later created similar groups, but the Tayforth Regimental Association is the oldest!
See also
- University Royal Naval Unit East Scotland, the Royal Navy counterpart in St Andrews, Dundee and Stirling
- East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron, the Royal Air Force counterpart
