Major Ronald Callander, of Crichton, near Pathead, Midlothian, who has died at the age of 77, was awarded an Military Cross for gallantry when commanding a platoon of the Coldstream Guards on the notorious ''Longstop Hill'' (the Djebel Ahmera) in Tunisia on December 24, 1942. ''Longstop'', two miles long and 800ft high, blocked a vital path into Tunis and was held in strength by the Germans.
The Coldstream Guards had launched an attack on December 22 but had made slow progress in the pouring rain over slippery ground against hard opposi-
tion. However, on December 24, Callander led his platoon towards a final objective past enemy machine-gun posts, many of which they destroyed.
His presence on the objective caused the enemy to launch a ferocious counter-attack in great strength which forced a withdrawal during which Callander handled his troops with great skill and impressive leadership. The following day, when the Germans launched another heavy counter-attack he was forced back again with the remnants of his platoon, but not until his commanding officer ordered him and his last Bren gunner to leave
the position did he give any thought to further retirement.
His courage, coolness, and leadership against overwhelming odds were an inspiration to
those around him and enabled others to withdraw safely. Owing to the winter weather and strong enemy resistance Longstop was not finally captured until the
following spring.
Henry Ronald Burn Callander, the son of Major Callander of Prestonhall, Pathead, was born on November 6, 1921, and, after education at Eton and Sandhurst, was commissioned into the Coldstream Guards. After the Tunis battles he became an instructor at the School of Infantry in 1943 but rejoined the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards in Italy in 1944 where he was wounded. After recovery he was attached to the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards.
In April 1945 he returned to the Coldstream Guards, joining the 3rd Battalion and served in Palestine, where he was mentioned in dispatches for counter-terrorist work. After leaving the army in 1950 he worked for Lloyds of London, then took up farming in Shropshire, before returning to Scotland to farm his estate at Crichton.
Ronnie Callander and his wife were enthusiastic supporters of countryside conservation and of the local Crichton Collegiate Church. He was one of the first life members of the Crichton Church Trust and was closely involved in the restoration of the church which had its 550th anniversary this year.
In 1951 he married Penelope Crossley. They had three daughters. The marriage was subsequently dissolved and in April 1977 he married Joan Wade.
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