Tunes of Glory

A seasoned acting commanding officer with extensive combat experience, Sinclair has led as an acting lieutenant-colonel since his predecessor’s death. He has spent time in Barlinnie Prison for drunkenness, yet remains the battalion’s force of personality and informal authority. His deep loyalty to the men clashes with Barrow’s formal, peacetime discipline, driving the central power struggle.

A peacetime officer with an Oxford background and a lineage tied to the battalion, Barrow arrives to restore order through formal discipline. He enforces rules strictly and attempts to project calm authority, which sets him up against Sinclair’s entrenched informal leadership. His resolve is tested as the conflict spirals toward tragedy.

Sinclair’s daughter, Morag becomes entangled with Corporal Ian Fraser, highlighting the personal stakes behind the officers’ power struggle. Her secret meetings with Fraser illustrate the human tension beneath the regiment’s formal exterior. She embodies the intersection of family loyalty and military duty.

A piper and Corporal in the battalion’s ranks, Ian Fraser represents the traditional pipe-band culture of the unit. His secret liaison with Morag reveals how personal relationships complicate loyalty to the command structure. Fraser embodies the pull between personal desire and military expectations.

Battalion Executive Officer, a senior officer who navigates the politics between Sinclair and Barrow. Scott’s insights and ambition position him as a key observer and occasional mediator in the struggle for control. He embodies the strategic, behind-the-scenes maneuvering within the upper echelons.

Battalion Adjutant who stands as a secondary voice in the chain of command. His perspective reflects the practical side of administration and the pressures of enforcing orders during a time of transition. Cairns serves as a foil to both Sinclair and Barrow.

As the regiment’s senior noncommissioned officer, Riddick observes the shifting dynamics from the ground level. His experience and loyalty to the men provide a counterpoint to the ambitions of the officers. Riddick embodies the practical memory of the unit and its enduring culture.