Stuart Guild’s 100th Birthday Celebration
Myreside Pavilion
4 February 2024
Photo of Stuart Guild at his 100th Birthday celebration
On the 4th of February it was my privilege to be included in a small group of target shooters invited to attend the celebration of Stuart Guild’s 100th birthday, along with many friends and family at the Myreside Pavilion in Ediburgh.
His 100th birthday was actually on the 25th of January, and he was treated to a visit and presentation from a uniformed team representing the Royal Artillery Regiment on that day.
Stuart has been a stalwart of target shooting for longer than he cares to remember. He is a veteran of an artillery regiment and served in the far east for the last couple of years of WWII. His unit were, for a time, in support of a Gurkha brigade, and he has fond memories of their courage and determination during those days.
After the war he and his brother, David, established their legal practice as “Guild & Guild” in Edinburgh, having taken over from their father. As former pupils of George Watson’s College, they soon became regular team members of the Watsonian Rifle Club and represented the club continuously for many years.
Stuart’s interest in target shooting lay well beyond rifle club activities: he actively encouraged and coached shooting for many army cadet units and the T/A.
I remember assisting when he organised a Cadet Championship shoot at the Perth outdoor range in the mid-1970s. His enthusiasm to see the youngsters improving their technique and results was infectious. In the Territorial Army, Stuart held the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
For several years during the 1970s, there were only six active shooters in the Watsonian Rifle Club. They shot to such a high standard that they won most of the team competitions they entered. Of particular note is that, with no reserves available, they won the local shoulder to shoulder league competition for several years in succession against strong teams – Stuart was an essential component of that team.
In other roles he was chairman of the Lothian & Peebles Rifle Association for many years, and also chairman of the Scottish Smallbore Rifle Association for some time.
Since retiring from shooting (I believe he was well into his “eighties”) he has taken a keen interest in club activities, and regularly asks about the club’s progress.
On the day there was a great party atmosphere. Stuart was welcomed into the Pavilion by three pipers from the Watson’s Pipe Band who played a tune in tribute.
Stuart giving a thumbs up as he admires his 100th birthday cake
We were made to feel very welcome by Stuart’s daughter, Cathy, and all the friends and relatives present. I lost count of the number of great-grandchildren present (maybe twelve?). All-in-all, it was a wonderful celebration of an amazing life so far!
Robin Thomson
Watsonian Rifle Club