Military service From 1928, Niven attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He did well at Sandhurst, which gave him the "officer and gentleman" bearing that was his trademark. He requested assignment to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders or the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), then jokingly wrote on the form, as his third choice, "anything but the Highland Light Infantry" (because that regiment wore tartan trews rather than the kilt). Having completed his training, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Army on 30 January 1930, and assigned to the Highland Light Infantry (HLI). He served with them for two years in Malta and then for a few months in Dover. In Malta, he became friends with the maverick Michael Trubshawe, and served under Roy Urquhart, future commander of the British 1st Airborne Division. On 21 October 1956, in an episode of the game show What's My Line?, Niven, as a member of the celebrity panel, was reacquainted with one of his former enlisted men. Alexander McGeachin was a guest and when his turn in the questioning came up, Niven asked, "Were you in a famous British regiment on Malta?" After McGeachin affirmed that he was, Niven quipped, "Did you have the misfortune to have me as your officer?" At that point, Niven had a brief but pleasant reunion.
Military service From 1928 Niven attended the Royal Military College Sandhurst He did well at Sandhurst which gave him the "officer and gentleman" bearing that was his trademark He requested assignment to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders or the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) then jokingly wrote on the form as his third choice "anything but the Highland Light Infantry" (because that regiment wore tartan trews rather than the kilt) Having completed his training he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the British Army on 30 January 1930 and assigned to the Highland Light Infantry (HLI) He served with them for two years in Malta and then for a few months in Dover In Malta he became friends with the maverick Michael Trubshawe and served under Roy Urquhart future commander of the British 1st Airborne Division On 21 October 1956 in an episode of the game show What's My Line Niven as a member of the celebrity panel was reacquainted with one of his former enlisted men Alexander McGeachin was a guest and when his turn in the questioning came up Niven asked "Were you in a famous British regiment on Malta" After McGeachin affirmed that he was Niven quipped "Did you have the misfortune to have me as your officer" At that point Niven had a brief but pleasant reunion