Battery Quartermaster Sgt.’ Dixie’ Deans

This week’s photograph shows Battery Quartermaster Sgt.’ Dixie’ Deans who maintained the One o’ Clock Gun from 1972-1979.

Robert Deans joined the Royal Artillery before the Second World War, the gunner served in India and Burma.

In addition to serving with 19th Field Artillery Regt. and 40th Field Artillery Regt., he served for a short spell with the Royal Horse Artillery. Returning to Scotland in the late fifties, following service in Germany, Hong Kong and Korea, he was appointed permanent staff instructor with the Territorial Army at Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh.

Battery Quartermaster Sgt. Deans died on October 19th, 1979. His uniform is in the collection of the Museum of Edinburgh, Huntly House. The District Gunner’s uniform formed part of ‘The Toun’s Time’ exhibition which was held at the Museum of Edinburgh in 2002.

Photographs of the exhibition can be seen on our Events section.

The photograph of Batttery Quartermaster Sgt. Deans was sent to us by his daughter Wendy Travis who now lives in France.