Ronnie Scott laid to rest at British Cemetery

Who else but Ronnie Scott could compete with the late Pope Francis, being buried on the same Saturday morning at the British Cemetery in Chacarita?

The funeral unfolded with strict British punctuality at 11am, so much so that this journalist arrived just three minutes late to find the coffin borne by the Buenos Aires Scottish Guard already well on its way to the Cemetery chapel at the head of a large procession of family and friends. Although Ronnie was both born (just before the Russian Revolution in 1917) and died (last Maundy Thursday) in Argentina, the coffin was decked only with the Union Jack, true to the traditions of the Royal British Legion. It was topped with a large wreath of poppies, a smaller wreath of various flowers and a beret to commemorate his Second World War combat experience.

The service began with the hymn ‘Abide with me’ sung by the Vox Celeste choir, conducted (as always) by Ian Gall, accompanied by a congregation which filled the chapel to overflowing. Methodist pastor Carlos Amarillo then read from the Scriptures and delivered some brief words of reflection but it was also his intention to leave room for four other speakers representing those present.

Tim Lough, the president of the Royal British Legion (Buenos Aires Branch), said that Ronnie ceased to be RBL president many years ago but never really left, a Poppy (Remembrance) Day presence until his penultimate year, also listing the many sports in which he excelled.

Tim (the only one to speak in English) was followed by the British Embassy Defence Attaché Sally Cawdery (an aviation comrade of Ronnie even if from a different military branch as a Group Captain in the Royal Air Force), who paid tribute to the volunteer´s service in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during World War II, saying that he would be remembered with “honour, respect and affection.”

Günter Schuster, a name reflecting the other side of that conflict and a lifelong friend, then added some heartfelt words on behalf of all the many friends and acquaintances of Ronny.

Finally, his son Roger Scott, who had flown in from Malta for the funeral, spoke in representation of his family, recalling a long life spent honouring various traditions and urging those present to follow his father’s example of “keep moving, keep loving and keep going.”

Vox Celeste then gave voice to the hymn ‘Eternal Father Strong To Save’ (which will be familiar to the millions who have seen the Oscar-winning film Titanic), followed by ‘Amazing Grace’ played by Brian Gibson on the bagpipes and Robert Fraser on the organ.

A bugle reveille then preceded a minute of silence and the final blessing before the coffin slowly left the chapel to the sounds of Gibson playing ‘Flowers of the Forest’ and three volleys fired by the Scottish Guard.

A long and worthy life ending not with a whimper but a bang.