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The Clan Ewen Society serving the clan since 1977 |
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Society pages:
Clan Pages:
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Alan Ramsay Ewing was born in Glasgow on 16th May 1926. He went to Hutcheson Grammar School, and his best friend, John Brown, remained a good friend until the end. Alan fought with the Indian Army Corps in Java during the war, both in Hodson’s Horse and the 13th Lancers, and at one point taking charge of a platoon of Gurkhas. Aside from his military achievements, he also learned to speak Urdu. In 1948 Alan joined the Territorial Army as an officer in the Queen’s Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry (QORGY). During his time with QORGY his Pipe Major wrote the pipe tune ‘Colonel Ewing’ for him, which was later recorded by the piper William McLetchie. After the disbandment of QORGY, Alan remained with the TA, working in recruitment and later as Honorary Colonel of ‘B’ Squadron. In 1973, Alan joined the Earl Haig Fund, and was Chairman of Glasgow and South West Scotland from 1985 until 2002. He was also a committed supporter of Flanders House for ex-servicemen, organising and overseeing the running of the home. With his wife Irene, Alan attended the inaugural business meeting of The Clan Ewen Society in October 1978. Alan was elected to the committee, becoming vice-chairman in 1984. His election to the Chairmanship in 1990 coincided with the building of the Clan Ewen Memorial Cairn and Alan was proud to take his place at the unveiling ceremony that June. His passions grew from his love for Scotland and the history of its people. He was dedicated to the Army, to the Clan Ewen Society and the search for a Chief, Scottish history, tartans, Scottish music (especially Jimmy Shand), genealogy and heraldry; he loved learning (taking night classes in Gaelic and Spanish, to add to his Urdu), DIY, growing plants in garden and green-house, and the Herald crossword. Alan’s wife Irene died before him in 2002; they had been married for 51 years. They are survived by their children, Margaret, Alan and Morag, and their grandchildren, Andrew, Claire, Emma and Aimee. In his time as Chairman of The Clan Ewen Society, ‘Colonel Alan’ came to embody the spirit of the society - an ever-curious investigator into matters genealogical, a proud Scot, a courteous gentleman, a humorous, unpompous, convivial, welcoming and kind man, Alan was an examplary figure.
based on an obituary in the Clan Ewen Society Bulletin, No.52, December 2004
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