Rev Dr Thomas Nicol

Having left school in 1935 he studied Arts at Aberdeen University, graduating MA in 1939 prior to taking his second degree in Divinity. As a student his career was distinguished in social and sporting rather than academic

circles. He played in the univer-sity rugby team, being selected as a Scottish trialist, was the first president of the new Students' Union in Broad Street, and played the big drum in the OTC band.

He also took an active interest in the work of the Iona Community, founded by the Rev George McLeod, who had been his father's assistant at Govan and succeeded him as parish minister. Although, as was in evidence in his later sermons and jottings, he was a sensitive preacher and writer, Tom's citation in his final year student magazine concluded with the quotation from Disraeli's Endymion: ''His Christianity was muscular.''

On the declaration of war in 1939, he enlisted in the Army as a private soldier, being commissioned shortly afterwards as a second-lieutenant in the Black Watch. He was subsequently released for the short time needed to complete his Divinity degree and, having done so, he returned to the Army as a chaplain attached to the 5th Battalion The Black Watch.

He married Mary Taylor before embarking for North Africa with his battalion and the rest of the 51st Highland Division. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry, and with the Division he took part in the occupation of Sicily in 1943, and the D-Day landings in Europe, where the battalion suffered very heavy shelling before breaking out.

On returning to civilian life he received a call to St Luke's Church, Broughty Ferry, where he remained until 1949, occupying such time as his ministry and family allowed playing rugby with Panmure RFC. Feeling his true vocation, however, to be that of an Army chaplain, he was released to rejoin the Army and his old regiment, with whom he later served in Korea, where he was awarded the MBE in 1956.

He went on to Kenya with the 1st Black Watch and served with them until they returned home in 1953. Having then been posted to Germany as a senior chaplain with the 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, he was joined by Mary and his two daughters, Jan and Katherine. On their return to Scotland, he completed his Army career as Assistant Chaplain General, Scottish Command.

On his retirement from the Army in 1972, he was called to Crathie Church on Deeside as minister and domestic chaplain to the royal family in Scotland, the latter an appointment which he held until 1979, when he was honoured with the LVO (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order).

He retired as Minister at Crathie in 1977, going to live at St Fillans on Loch Earn. Here he lived happily with Mary, the family having grown up and married, enjoying the many pastimes he had pursued in his youth - hill-walking, fishing, golf, and gardening - while continuing to take a keen interest in the Church of Scotland. Having suffered a heart attack in 1984 the couple moved to a smaller house in Comrie. Mary has suffered persistent ill-health for several years which she has borne bravely, Tom tending her devotedly until he was overtaken by a stroke, from which he died quickly and peacefully.

He will be remembered by his colleagues and the very many friends he made and kept throughout his life for his complete lack of pomposity and cant, his concern always for the well-being of all he came in contact with, regardless of rank or station, and for his love of good companionship, cheerful conversation, and the welcoming dram.

He is survived by Mary, two daughters, and six grandchildren.