Tributes to athlete and Black Watch officer who served in the Troubles

The Herald Scotland

29-06-2025

Died: April 9, 2025
Lt/Col Andrew Ogilvy-Wedderburn, who has died aged 72, had a distinguished career with the Black Watch, was an Olympic bobsledder, a marksman and an all-round athlete. He was a formidable officer, respected and admired by both fellow officers and the men he commanded. He served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, was present at the hand-over of Hong Kong and was in charge of the British Contingent of the Tripartite Guard of Honour during President Reagan's visit to Berlin in 1987.
Andrew John Alexander Ogilvy-Wedderburn was born in Fareham, Hampshire. His father, Sir John, the 6th baronet, served in the Royal Navy and his mother was Elizabeth Katharine Cox. He succeeded to the baronetcy in 1977 on the death of his father. The baronetcy is an ancient title which was created in 1704, but forfeited in 1746 when Sir John Wedderburn was accused of high treason for supporting Charles Edward Stuart and executed in London. It was restored in 1803 for Sir David Wedderburn, a noted Scottish Tory politician.
Ogilvy-Wedderburn was brought up at naval bases where his father served principally in Malta and Helensburgh; then in 1960 the family moved to Perthshire. He attended Gordonstoun and, after Mons Officer Cadet Training Unit, he joined the Black Watch in 1971 on a Short Service Commission. He became a Regular in 1975 and saw service in Northen Ireland during some of the most fraught years of the Troubles.
But his service and devotion to The Black Watch (the Royal Highland Regiment) saw no bounds. His career involved such important commissions as adjutant, company commander, chief of staff and ultimately commanding officer of 1st Battalion. He upheld the history and traditions of the regiment with real pride.
He served in Derry during the protracted and bloodiest of the Troubles and was officer in charge of the British Contingent of the Tripartite Guard of Honour during President Reagan's visit to Berlin in 1987. The ceremony was the highly sensitive and diplomatic visit by the President: he concluded his speech dramatically, 'Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall.'
In 1995 Ogilvy-Wedderburn received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service.
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Lt/Col Tim Coles spoke warmly of his time in The Black Watch with Ogilvy-Wedderburn. 'I served with Andrew throughout our time in 'The Watch' which for me was since 1974 when we were platoon commanders. In Ireland we saw service mainly in West Belfast and County Downe.
'We had to be watchful everywhere and we were always on our guard. Andrew always looked out for other people and helped wherever and whenever he could. The Jocks and brother officers adored and admired him.'
In 1993 Ogilvy-Wedderburn (Ogg Webb, as he was affectionately known in the Battalion and Oggy by fellow officers) was received at Clarence House by the late Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Colonel-in-Chief, The Black Watch, upon becoming Commanding Officer of the Regiment.
But Ogilvy-Wedderburn also pursued a remarkable career in sports. His excelled in bobsleigh trials and races at the highest level. His passion for the sport dated from the early Seventies when he travelled in an old van to compete in bobsleigh competitions in the Alps.
He was in the team that won the British Bobsleigh Championship in 1976-77 and competed at the Winter Olympics at Innsbruck in 1976 and at Lake Placid, New York State, in 1980 when he crewed as brakeman.
In his youth he had played rugby for Panmure and he was also a remarkable shot. Ogilvy-Wedderburn lead the 1st Battalion Black Watch Sniper Team which won the School of Infantry Shield at Bisley and won the Army Sniper Shield in 1979.
In retirement he became a passionate gardener and a devoted environmentalist campaigning to preserve the wildlife of his beloved Perthshire.
Lt/Col Tim Coles told The Herald, 'After retiring from active service, he was appointed director of the Scottish Army Benevolent Fund and later commander of recruiting in Scotland. Throughout his career he was absolutely loyal, disciplined and vigilant about procedures. Andrew was one hell of a man.'
His duties on behalf of the Scottish Army Benevolent Fund were considerable and he devoted his energies to raising funds with his accustomed zeal. He travelled widely in Scotland but was particularly proud to accept a cheque from the local Ballumbie Primary School, Dundee for their efforts to raise funds for Help for Heroes.
L/Col Sir Andrew Ogilvy-Wedderburn married first, in 1984, Gillian Adderley; the marriage was dissolved in 2014. He married, secondly, Fiona (Fi) Beaton, who survives him with a daughter and two sons from his first marriage. Another son died in infancy. His son Peter (born 1987) succeeds in the baronetcy.
Alasdair Steven
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