John Bullough’s widow, Lady Georgina, has spoken of her “astonishment” at the turnout for her husband’s funeral and the sense of being held by the “family” of John’s Atholl Highlanders comrades.
Perth’s St John’s Kirk was full to capacity for the funeral last Friday, the scale of which was the greatest anyone can remember taking place there.
John Bullough MBE, war veteran, city businessman and charity action man was given a fitting send-off.
John’s unexpected death on May 5 while away in London put his achievements, particularly in helping found Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA), in the spotlight and people from all sides of Perthshire life came forward to pay the son, father and husband fond tributes.
John's parents Michael and Sandra Bullough were very touched that over 30 of the ex-McEwens staff came to the St John's Kirk funeral, to pay their respects to the Bullough family and to support Michael and Sandra in recognition that a parent grieving for their child goes against the natural scheme of things.
Mr and Mrs Bullough ran the Department store McEwens of Perth from 1982 until 2008 when they retired. During that time they were active members of the business community, which is where John got his passion and commitment for Perth City Centre from. Michael also was also chairman of the Perth College development board and Sandra organised charity fashion shows, so they showed him the way in terms of community engagement and charity work.
John's parents remember him as a very active child, (he would always run rather than walk) his huge positive energy being something still vibrant until the day he died. Sandra also remembers him as obstinate and never taking no for an answer, a trait he very much needed when fighting to set up SCAA.
Stephen Leckie, Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, attended in his official capacity having been personally asked by King Charles III to represent him.
Mr Leckie said: “If a funeral is a mark of respect to a person, the gathering to mark John’s passing was impressive. His family handled it with great dignity.
“John was a keen piper and seeing his son perform a tune he first saw just days after his father died would have made him immensely proud.”
At the funeral on May 26 in front of around 550 people, 20-year-old son Hercules played the pipes with the Atholl Highlanders, reputed to be the best pipers in the world.
Officers of the Scots Guards spoke of John’s kind humanity in a loving eulogy and John’s two sisters Debbie and Victoria read a poem John was fond of, written by his grandfather who was a WWII PoW.
Lady Georgina Bullough commented: “We were all astonished at the number of people across multiple organisations who came to say goodbye to John and pay him their last respects. He would have been deeply humbled and proud, all at the same time.
“There was also a great deal of emotion in the Kirk and outside, which reminded us that as well as bringing his own brand of incredible energy and work ethic, he also brought a wonderful sense of humour, camaraderie and supportive understanding of how life can throw you curve balls.
“Of how alongside success, despite your hardest endeavours, failure can be part of life too.
“John’s friendships and relationships with colleagues in his work life, army career and voluntary work covered a very broad church. We will never forget the extraordinary police escort and guard of honour at the crematorium, which as a special he would have been amazed to achieve.
“It also included paramedics from SCAA, for whom John had the highest respect and affection. Alastair Duthie, an Atholl Highlander, but also the Pipe Major of the Perth and District Pipe Band, of which I am president, played solo for our last emotional moments with John.
“The Atholl Highlanders reminded us that as well as a regiment, they are a ‘family’. The kindness, professionalism and support from all ranks has enveloped us since the news of John’s death.”
Paramedics of SCAA’s flying rescue service attended St John’s Kirk in uniform and there was a strong police presence as John had served for many years as a Police Special Constable.
Chief Super-Intendant Phil Davison and Chief Inspector Tom Leonard were there to pay their respects.
Also present was the retired Lord-Lieutenant Sir Melville and Lady Jameson.
John’s widow Lady Georgina Bullough is a deputy lieutenant (DL) and attending in support was her fellow DL, George Fleming.
Representing the civic side to John’s life were a number of key local figures: Pete Wishart MP, Murdo Fraser MSP, Alexander Stewart MSP, Elizabeth Smith MSP, leader of Perth and Kinross Council Grant Laing, Councillor Heather Stewart, Head of Culture and Communities Fiona Robertson and John McCrone of Perth and Kinross Council.
Representing The Order of St John was its executive director Angus Loudon and Janice Webster, chair of St John Perth and Kinross with her husband Robin.
Philanthropists Sir Brian and Lady Souter and also Rod and Sheila Flavell were in St John’s.
Magnus Linklater, former newspaper editor, said of the church tribute: “It was a splendid occasion, a truly Scottish funeral for a fine son of Perth.
“St John’s Kirk was packed, there were kilts everywhere, and the Atholl Highlanders turned out to honour one of their own.
“The addresses - by John Forbes-Leith and James Gray-Cheape - recalled a man of action, one who preferred deeds rather than words, and who got things done.
“Probably the most moving part of the service was when John and Georgina’s son Hercules led the coffin down the central aisle, accompanied by two Atholl Highlanders pipers, Pipe Major Gary West and Pipe Corporal Ross McNaughton.
“Outside, the entire Atholl Highlanders pipe band lined up and led a procession through the centre of Perth to the wake in the Concert Hall. It was a privilege to be part of it.”
From Blair Castle came Bertie and Sarah Troughton and also the Marquis of Tullibardine.
Commanding officer of the Atholl Highlanders, Charles Hay, Lord Kinnoull explained the special part played by the private regiment associated with Blair Atholl, of which John was a loyal member.
He said: “There were 35 Atholl Highlanders in uniform at the funeral performing various duties and a further 15-20 or so in our No 1 kit. We all sat together.
“For me there were three great moments. First was the performance by the pipe band outside the Kirk and before attendees entered. Twenty were in the pipe band with many of Scotland’s finest pipers. It was outstanding in volume and as music.
“The second was the pall bearer party of 10 under the command of RSM Graham Jack.
“They were immaculate and moved very slowly up the aisle at the end of the service. It was something of great poignancy and dignity. The front two bearers were our ex-Black Watch drill sergeant and a former Finnish special forces member. Each of the bearers was a picked man.
“The third was the three pipers leading the coffin out. They were Herky Bullough in the lead with the AH Pipe Major Gary West and Piper Ross McNaughton. They played the ‘Sands of Kuwait’. Herky played the first round of the tune alone and perfectly. When the other two great pipers joined in there was not a dry eye in the Kirk.”
Pall bearer RSM Graham Jack, who knew John since 2005 when he joined the Atholl Highlanders, confided it had been “a great honour” to help carry John’s coffin. “It was such a lovely service and a fine tribute to his life. He was unique.”
In advance of the funeral, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance said: “Today we say a final, sad farewell to our chairman, and one of our founding trustees, John Bullough MBE as he is laid to rest in Perthshire.
“While his physical presence will be sorely missed, his drive, enthusiasm and commitment to life-saving emergency pre-hospital care in Scotland will remain at the heart of everything we do at SCAA. He has left behind a legacy that will endure. May he rest in peace.”
When John passed away last month, he had been business fundraising for his new charity, The Thunderbird Project, which aims to get regulatory approval for emergency service drones.
Wife Georgina said: “John constantly worked on improving himself and trying to improve lives for others.
“He was the living embodiment of true grit and determination but also very affectionate and great fun. I was lucky to have him in my life for 25 years.”
