AGS Magazine December 1953

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CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS Facing page

Facing page

F.P. Club Diamond Jubilee Dinner

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Upper VI, 1953-54

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• . , • . . Page 1 Diamond Jubilee of the F.P. Club .

6 Club Office-Bearers, 1893-1953 .

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Club Office-Bearers, 1953-1954 • 7 • • • • . .

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A Letter to Former Pupils 9 . . . . . . . .

The Melvin Centenary .

12 1956. Proposed Rhodesian Centre. Dr. A. G. Hutchison Memorial . . . .

• . . . . .

13 F.P. Club Blazer . . . . . . . . .

Notes about Old Boys .

4 . .

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University Notes . .

27 The Centenary of the Great North of Scotland Railway. By R. W. G. Bryant . . . .

• • . . . . . . .

Police Work in Malaya. By Thomas Blair • • .

34 .

• • Trouble in Nyasaland. By R. A. D. Lindsay . .

37 • • 4,I7th Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders (T.A.) • . ,, 40 . . .

Books by F.P.s . . .

Marriages . . .

• • • • • • 42 . . . . .

• Obituary • • • • .

45 School Section— School and Random Notes . . . .

54 Miss Winifred Robertson (A.G.S. 1935-53) • . . .

• 57 Changes in the School Staff .

59 The Coronation . . .

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62 First Impressions . . .

63 Edinburgh Festival, 1953 . . . . .

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65 Literary and Debating Society. Film Society .

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66 Arts Club. Dramatic Society. Music Notes • • • • 67 Combined Cadet Force Notes. Pipes and Drums.

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68 Scout Notes . . . . .

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69 Rambling and Mountaineering Club .

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70 School Sporting Activities1st XV Rugby Matches .

• • • 71 Hockey . . . .

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72 Cricket. Athletics . .

• • 73 Swimming . . .

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74 House Notes . . . .

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74 Former Pupils' Club— Diamond Jubilee Dinner . .

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75 London Centre . . .

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Glasgow Centre . . .

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79 Bengal and Assam Centre . . .

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• . „ 82 Malayan Centre. School and F.Y. Rugby Fixtures in the South ,, 83 F.P. Rugby Section . . . . .

• • • . „ 84 F.P. Hockey Section . . .

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85 F.P. Golf Section . . . . . .

• • . „ 86 F.P. Cricket Section. F.P. Tennis Section . . . . ,, 87 F.P. Swimming Section. Club Boarding House. New Members of the Club . . . . . .

• • 89 • Club Subscription Rates . . .

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90 Club Consuls . . . . . . . .

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F.P. Club Diamond Jubilee Dinner

By eourteiy of Aberdeen Journals Ltd. Left to Right—Mr. Maurice Cramb, Mr. J. J. Robertson, Lord Provost J. M. Graham, Dr. W. Douglas Simpson, Sheriff James Walker, Sheriff J. A. Lillie.

A

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 7„th 173 (Ncw seF,es, Gist year, N. 164)

Vol. LVII

DECEMBER 1953

No. I

The Magazine is published under the auspices of the Former Pupils' Club in December and June. Communications should be addressed to the Editor, ALAN C. R. WATT, M.A., LL.B., 12 Bon-Accord Crescent, Aberdeen.

Nom.: An asterisk after a name indicates that the F.P. is a member of the F.P. Club; dater after a name indicate the years of attendance at the School.

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Diamond Jubilee of the F.P. Club The F.P. Club was founded on it September 1893 at a meeting held in the School under the chairmanship of Dr. (then Mr.) H. F. Morland Simpson, Rector of the School. Sixty-two Former Pupils were present and, after listening to " a very interesting, suggestive and rousing address " by the Rector, they unanimously carried a motion that an Old Boys' Club should be formed. Mr. Morland Simpson was elected President.

Just sixty years later, on 23 October 19S3, his son, Dr. W. Douglas Simpson, the thirty-fifth president of the Club, was in the chair at a Dinner held in Aberdeen to mark the F.P. Club's Diamond Jubilee.

(See pages 75 to 78.) In his reply on behalf of the Club to the toast of " The School and the Club ", he recalled the simple yet significant object which his father had set for the Club, namely, to help its members and the School to the best of its ability. He considered that, by means of its Consuls, its Centres and Sections, its Magazine, and in other ways, the Club had succeeded in the first part of its twofold object and, with regard to the second part, he enumerated some of the projects which the Club had launched or with which it had been associated for the benefit of the School. He thought that in the days to come, the principal concern of the Club should be the safeguarding of the tradition and well-being of the School. * * * In the F.P. Club Jubilee Number of the Magazine (published in January 1944) there appeared " A Survey of Fifty Years " and, for lack of space, much of that survey must be " taken as read ". It may be of interest, however, in this Diamond Jubilee Number, to give some account of the activities of the Club at the present time and to recall some of the principal events during its first sixty years.

ORIGINAL MEMBERS

The only surviving original office-bearer is ALEXANDER W. CHRISTIE (1878-87) of Huntly, who was Treasurer from 1893 to

2

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

1897. Of the sixty-two F.P.s who were present at the inaugural meeting, only three are still members: these are WILLIAM F. CROLL (i 882-9 I ), SIR ROBERT LYALL GRANT (1884-91) and WILLIAM A. POPE (1881-90). In the Magazine of January 1894 there were printed the names of 145 F.P.s who had joined the Club, and of these the following (in addition to those already mentioned) are still members: CHARLES DAVIDSON (188z-86) WILLIAM C. DILLING (1882-89) ADAM FYFE FINDLAY (1879-85) ALEXANDER FINDLAY (1882-91) D. ALBERT HUTCHESON (188 2-93) ALEXANDER MORRICE MACKAY (Lord Mackay) ( Rg 2-91)

A. G. NICOL SMITH (1881-88) HARRY ELKINGTON SMITH (1881-88) DAVID M. STRATH (1881-87) CHARLES WILLIAMSON (1883-85)

MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTIONS By 1910-11 the membership of the Club had reached the i,ooo mark, and it passed the 2,000 mark in 1927-28. Between 1930 and the end of the second world war the membership remained around 2,15o, but thereafter it increased and in 1949 the figure was 2,309, the highest in the Club's history. It has since declined somewhat and is now about 2,16o.

The annual subscription in 1893 was is. and it was raised succesively to as. 6d. (1907), 5s. (1919), 7s. 6d. (1947), and los. (195o).

Life membership was started in 1895, when the subscription was fixed at Li is.; in 1907 it was doubled, and in 1919 it was raised to £5 5s. In 1939 there was a reduction to L5, but in 1947 it was increased to £7 7s. and in 1950 to £8 8s. During each of the post-war years there has been a deficit in the Club's Revenue and Expenditure Account, and in 1952 the Executive were forced to take steps to restore the Club's financial position. They decided inter alia that the subscription for life membership should be increased to £15, and that all life members should be invited to make a donation to the Life Member Capital Fund of the difference between the subscription which they paid and the sum of Lio, so that the Club might derive considerably more benefit annually from the interest on the fund, and from capital redemption. The result of this appeal has been gratifying and donations to the Life Member Capital Fund have amounted to about L1,96o. It is hoped that, as a result, the Club Accounts for 1953 will show a surplus of revenue over expenditure.

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS The " F.P. Dinner" and the " F.P. Ball" have for long been recognised as two of the principal annual social functions in Aberdeen.

Annual Dinners have been held regularly since 1907, except during the two wars, and a feature of the Dinners since the second war has been the greatly increased attendance. The average number at prewar Dinners was 9o, but more than 15o have been present at each of the eight functions since the war. The record number of 199 members

Diamond Jubilee of the F.P. Club 3 should be mention Special and guests attended the Dinner in 195o. made of the Jubilee Dinner, which had necessarily to be postponed for more than three years from the date of the Club's Jubilee and was held in January 1947. The principal speaker on that occasion was ERIC LINKLATER (1913-16). As already mentioned, the Diamond Jubilee Dinner was held on z3 October 1953. The Ball in pre-war days was almost invariably held in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, but the venue has been changed more than once since the war and the Beach Ballroom is now favoured.

CLUB SECTIONS The Rugby Section was formed in the first year of the Club and has flourished ever since. To mark its diamond jubilee a special match was played on 12 September 1953 against Gordonians, the F.P. team winning by a satisfying margin of z6 points. Four teams are now fielded regularly. Season 1947-48 was perhaps the most memorable in the history of the Section, for then not only did the 1st XV have a particularly successful record in a fixture-list which included matches with many of the leading teams in the South, but its captain, JOHN R. S. INNES (1923-35), also captained Scotland in each of the international matches that season.

It was resolved to form a Cricket Club in 1894 but it was not until 1917 that organised F.P. Cricket began. Since 1947 the Cricket Section has been a member of the Strathmore Union, and in 1948 F.P.s won the championship.

The Hockey Section was started in 1911, and since the second world war it has been in a more flourishing state than ever before, largely due to the introduction of hockey as a School game during the war. A Tennis Section was formed in 192O and was run successfully until 1938: it was resuscitated in 1953 and has already a membership of about twenty-five. The youngest of the Athletic Sections is the Golf Section, which was formed in 1947 and has gone from strength to strength. It has now a membership of about sixty and its meetings are invariably well attended. The Boarding House Section, which was formed in April 1952, is referred to later.

CLUB CENTRES Club Centres—four in the United Kingofficial six There are now dom and two abroad, and each organises annual reunion dinners and other social functions. The senior Centre is that in London, which was formed in 1908; the Glasgow and Edinburgh Centres, were established in 193o and 193z respectively; and in 1947 a Yorkshire Centre was formed with headquarters in Leeds. Prior to 1939 there had been regular reunions of F.P.s in China and Malaya, and steps had been taken towards the formation of official centres there..

Plans for a proposed China Centre had, however, to be abandoned and the official formation of the Malayan Centre was delayed until after the war. The Bengal Centre (which later became the Bengal and Assam Centre) was established in 1939. There is now a proposal that a Rhodesian Centre should be formed in Salisbury.

4

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine CLIJB CONSULS

The Club Consular System is believed to have been the first of its kind and it has been used as a pattern by several other F.P. Clubs in Scotland. The scheme was started in 1921 and at times there have been more than fifty Consuls stationed at various places in all five continents. The duty of these F.P.s is to be available to advise and assist other members of the Club who may be going abroad for the first time, and many tributes have been paid to the useful service that Consuls have given. The only complaint of most Consuls is that they have insufficient opportunities of exercising their consular functions. Many changes in the roll of Consuls had necessarily to be made after the war but the scheme continues to flourish. There are at present about forty names on the roll.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL HOUSE

The School Boarding House has now been in existence for twentyfive years. This was a project undertaken by individual F.P.s and by the Club, primarily for the benefit of the School and of F.P.s furth of Aberdeen, who have been enabled to send their sons to their Old School. No. 8 Queen's Road was purchased in 1928; No. 84 in 1929; the two houses were united in 1930; an additional wing was opened in 1934; and in 1937 No. 6 Queen's Road was acquired as a Junior House. The Club has a substantial financial interest in the Boarding House Company and appoints three of the seven directors: the Rector is a director ex ofcio and the other three directors are F.P.s. The years since the war have been a difficult period for Grammar School House, due largely to some initial uncertainty as to future arrangements for admission of boys to the School after the abolition of fees in 1947. The average number of boys in the House in pre-war years was sixty, and numbers have fallen somewhat: this session there are fifty-two boys in the House. Applicants for admission to the Boarding House are regarded by the Education Authority as sons of ratepayers and are consequently, for purposes of admission to the School, on an equal footing with boys resident in the city.

In April 1952 a Boarding House Section of the Club was formed to provide a link between former boarders and to assist in any way possible the boys at present in the Boarding House.

THE CLUB AND THE SCHOOL

When the old School Board was induced in 1914 to purchase what is now Rubislaw Field for the School, it was agreed that, in return for certain rights with regard to the use of the Field, the Club would contribute £1,OOO towards the purchase price. This sum was raised and handed over before the end of 1914 and Rubislaw was opened on 16 September 1916. The Sports Pavilion was part of the Club's Memorial Scheme after the first world war. Subscriptions amounted to £4,595 and the Pavilion was opened in June 1924. (An extension at the west end of the Pavilion was carried out by Aberdeen Town Council in 1937.) The Shanghai Clock, presented to the School in November 1927 by F.P.s in Shanghai, was the forerunner of other gifts by sections of the Club to the School. In November 1939 the

i

Diamond Jubilee of the F.P. Club

5 Malayan Clock, which is installed above the main door of the Hall, was presented by F.P.s in Malaya, and in October 1946 the Bengal and Assam Centre presented the Bengal Lectern, which now adorns the platform of the Hall. From 1899 the Club presented annually two silver medals for the best scholars in English and German and a third medal for the best scholar in Spanish was presented in 1935.

(The medal for English became a medal for Spanish in 1944.) An inter-House Rugby Cup was presented by the Rugby Section in 1933, and, of course, the All-Round Trophy and Bronze Medal, presented in 1914, is awarded annually after a committee of F.P.s has interviewed the senior boys who, in the opinion of the Rector, are most deserving of this coveted award.

MEMORIAL SCHEMES

In 1919 it was decided that the Club's War Memorial Scheme should comprise the building of the War Memorial Pavilion at Rubislaw Field and the completion and publication of the Roll of Pupils, 1795 to 1919, containing a record of the war service of F.P.s.

The Roll was published in October 1923 and, as already mentioned, the Pavilion was opened in 1924. The Aberdeen Education Authority undertook to instal in the School Hall nine panels bearing the names of F.P.s who died in the first world war, and this memorial was unveiled by LORD ALNESS (1884-85) on 8 May 1923. Twenty-seven years later, on 19 May 1950, Lord Alness returned to Aberdeen to unveil six additional panels bearing the names of F.P.s who lost their lives during the second world war. The Town Council contributed part of the cost of this memorial and the balance was paid by the Club. The Club also published a Roll of Honour, a handsomely produced volume containing a biographical notice and photograph of each of the 194 F.P.s who lost their lives. Copies were presented to each of the next-of-kin and a specially-bound copy was presented to the School.

In 1947 the Executive of the Club also sponsored two other memorial schemes: a posthumous portrait of THEODORE WAIT (1889-1901), Editor of the Magazine, 1907-46, and Secretary of the Club, 1919-46, was presented to the School in November 1948, and the W. P. Stewart Memorial Fund was established to enable boys at School to participate in extra-scholastic activities.

CELEBRATIONS

One of the highlights in the history of the Club was the celebration of the 65oth Anniversary of the School in September 1906, which coincided with the University Quatercentenary and was a memorable occasion. In less than three years from now the School's Tooth Anniversary falls to be celebrated, and the Club is represented on a Joint Committee which is making arrangements for this very notable event. In 1963 it will be too years since the opening of the present School Buildings and the Club will no doubt again co-operate with the School and the Town to ensure that this centenary is celebrated in a fitting manner.

A. C. R. W.

Club Office-Bearers, 1893-1953 Presidents 1893-1902 1902-08 1908-10 1910-II 1911-12 1912-13 1913-14 1919-20 1920-21 1921-22 1922-23 1923-25 1925-26 1926-27 1927-28 1928-29 1929-30 1930-31 1931-32 1932-33 1933-34 1934-35 1935-36 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1939-46 1946 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53

H. F. MORLAND SIMPSON, M.A. (Cantab.), Rector.

JOHN SCOTT RIDDELL, M.V.O., M.A., M.B., C.M. Professor WILLIAM L. DAVIDSON, M.A., LL.D. ALEXANDER DUFFUS. ALEXANDER SPENCE MACDONALD. ROBERT GORDON NICOL, M.I/ISLC.E. JAMES ESSLEMONT. JAMES COPLAND GLEGG. Colonel THOMAS OGILVIE, C.B., C.M.G. Rev. Professor GEORGE PITTENDRIGH, M.A., D.D. JOHN FARQUHAR CHRISTIE, M.A., M.B., C.M. ALEXANDER THOMAS CRUICKSHANK, O.B.E., M.A. JOHN MALCOLM FYFE. Lieut.-Colonel ALEXANDER G. NICOL SMITH, D.S.O. JoHN MALCOLM BULLOCH, M.A., LL.D. The Right Hon. Lord ALNESS, P.C., M.A., LLD. The Right Hon. Lord MESTON, K.C.S.I., LL.D. Professor JowN J. R. MACLEOD, M.B., Ch.B., D.Sc., LL.D., F.R.S. The Hon. Lord MACKAY, M.A., LL.D. The Right Rev. Bishop DAMSON, M.A., D.D. Lord Provost HENRY ALEXANDER, M.A. GEORGE WATSON. Colonel HARRY JACKSON KINGHORN, C.B. Lord Provost EDWARD WILLIAM WATT, M.A. PATRICK ASHLEY COOPER, B.A., LL.B. Professor JAMES CHARLES PHILIP, O.B.E., D.Sc., LL.D., F.R.S. Colonel ARCHER IRVINE-FORTESCUE, D.S.O., M.A., M.B., Ch.B. THEODORE WATT, M.A., LL.D. CHARLES DAVIDSON, M.A. Sir ARTHUR LOTHIAN, K.C.I.E., C.S.I. WILLIAM CLARK &MITER, M.D., D.O. JAmEs GRAY Krn, C.B.E., F.F.A., F.R.S.E. JAMES CATTO DUFFUS, O.B.E., M.C., M.A., LLB. HN ADAM LILLIE, Q.C., M.A., LL.B. WILLIAM DOUGLAS SIMPSON, M.A., D.Litt., F.S.A. (Scot.), F.S.A.

1893-94 1894-97 1897-1900 190o-0I 1902-07 1907-08 1908-10 1910-12 1912-14 1914-20 1920-22 1922-24 1924-26 1926-28 1928-30 1930-32 1932-34 1934-36 1936-39 1939-47

Jomt Scorr RIDDELL, M.A., M.B., C.M. ALEXANDER DUFFUS. GEORGE BIRNIE ESSLEMONT. LOUIS WILSON. JOHN FARQUHAR CHRISTIE, M.A., M.B., C.M. CHARLES DAVIDSON, M.A. ALEXANDER G. NICOL SMITH. EDWARD WILLIAM WATT, M.A. CHARLES JAMES DAVIDSON, M.A., B.L. CHARLES WATT. HAROLD EDGAR SMITH, M.A., M.B., Ch.B. WILLIAM GORDON CRAIGEN, M.A., LL.B. JAMES CATTO DUFFUS, M.C., M.A., LL.B. ALEXANDER MCKENZIE JOHNSTON. GEORGE GORDON NICOL, D.S.O., A.M.Inst.C.E. ALAN MCBAIN, M.A., C.A. DOUGLAS P. COCHRAN. WILLIAM DOUGLAS SrursoN, M.A., D.Litt.

JAMES PATRICK JEFFREY, B.Sc., C.A. J. LENNOX RIDDELL.

Vice-Presidents

6

Club Office-Bearers, 1893-1913 1947-49 1949-51 1951-53 1953-

7

R. BERTRAM WILLIAMSON, D.S.O., T.D., M.A., LL.B. ALEXANDER GRAY, M.A., LL.B. IAN G. MCPHERSON. MAURICE CRAMS, M.A., LL.B.

Secretaries 1893-95 WILLIAM FLNDLAY, M.A., M.B., C.M. 1895-97 GEORGE WALKER SMITH WALXFR , 1893-97

Treasurer ALEXANDER W. CHRISTIE.

Secretaries and Treasurers 1897-1906 ALFRED W. EDWARDS. 1906-19 JAMES W. MILNE, C.A. 1919-46 THEODORE WAIT, M.A., LL.D. J. SCOTT MACLACHLAN, M.A., LL,B. 1946Assistant Secretaries 1913-19 STODART M. CHRYSTALL, M.A., B.L. 1925-28 DONALD A. DAVIDSON, B.L. Editors of Magazine -1.19,07-46 THEODORE WATT, M.A., LLD. ALAN C. R. WATT, M.A., LL.B. 19461902-

Honorary Auditors BOWER & SMITH, C.A.

Club Office-Bearers, 1953-54 Honorary President : JAMES J. ROBERTSON, O.B.E., M.A., B.D., F.R.S.E., F.E.I.S. (Rector since 1942) Honorary Vice-Presidents : The Right Hon. Lord ALNESS (1884-85), P.C., G.B.E., LL.D. Sir ANDREW GOURLAY CLOW (1896-98), K.C.S.I., C.I.E. Sir PATRICK ASHLET COOPER (1896-1901), B.A., LL.B. CHARLES DAVIDSON (1882-86), M.A. JAMES CATTO DUFFUS (1897-1904), O.B.E., M,C., M.A., LL.B. Colonel ARCHER IRVINE-FORTESCUE (1892-97), D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B. Sir ROBERT LYALL GRANT (1884-91), T.D., M.A., LL.B. Sir WILSON JamEsort (1892-1902), G.B.E., K.C.B., M.D., LL.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.P. JAMES GRAY Kim (1891-98), C.B.E., F.F.A., F.R.S.E. JOHN ADAM LILLIE (1893-1903), Q.C., M.A., LL.B. Sir ARTHUR LOTHIAN (1892-94 and : 898-1904), K.C.I.E., C.S.I., LL.D. The Hon. Lord MACKAY (ALEXANDER MORRICE MACKAY) (1882-91), Q.C., LLD. The Right Hon. Lord MESTON (1901-02).

DOUGLAS GORDON MILLER, M.A. (Rector, 192x-24.)

Sir WILLIAM PETERS (1900.06), C.M.G., M.A. ALEXANDER GEORGE NICOL SMITH (188o-88), D.S.O. WILLIAM CLARK SOUTER (1893-98), M.D., D.O. Sir WILLIAM ROBERT TENNANT (z904-io), C.I.E., M.A., LL.D. Sir JoHN MACKAY THomsom, C.B., M.A., F.R.S.E. (Rector, 1920-21.)

EDWARD WILLIAM Wm (1883-94), T.D., M.A., LL.D., D.L. t The Magazine has been published by the Club since 1907: before then it was published by the School. The first number appeared in 1885, and a " Ncw Series " was started in 1894. It has been issued continuously since then.

8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine President : WILLIAM DOUGLAS SIMPSON (1901-13), M.A., D.Litt., F.S.A.(Scot.), F.S.A. Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive : MAURICE CRAMB (1916-29), M.A., LL.B. Secretary and Treasurer : JOHN SCOTT MACLACHLAN (1922-32), M.A., LL.B., zzo Union Street, Aberdeen.

Editor of Magazine : ALAN CROMBIE ROBERTSON WATT (1925-37), M.A., LL.B., 12 Bon-Accord Crescent, Aberdeen.

Secretaries of Centres : Bengal and Assam—R. I I. DUGUID (1918-23), C.A., c/o Duncan Brothers & Co. Ltd., 31 Netaji Subhas Road, Calcutta.

Edinburgh—A. C. FRAZER (1925-3o), M.A., W.S., r o Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh, 3.

Glasgow—J. G. M. Blass (1926-38), M.C., M.A., 99 Essex Drive, Scotstoun, Glasgow, W.4.

London—A. H. K. SLATER (1922-35). M.A., 2 Newton Grove, London, W.4.

Malaya—W. S. GiLcHaisr (1929-36), B.L., c/o Messrs. Bannon & Bailey, Laidlaw Building, Kuala Lumpur.

Yorkshire—W. F. DoNNErr (1919-22), B.A., C.A., Grey Gables, Old Park Road, Leeds, 8.

Secretaries of Sections : Boarding House—I. M. DUGUID (1938-43), Whitehouse, Newburgh.

Cricket—A. M. DAVIDSON (1937-45), B.L., 18 Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Golf-H. G. STEPHEN (1920-30), 252 Union Street, Aberdeen.

Hockey—R. P. WISHART (1919-31), 21 John Street, Aberdeen.

Rugby—N. I. W. MELDRUM (1925-37), M.A., LL.B., 15 Golden Square, Aberdeen .

Tennis—B. D. M. GRASSICK (1938-52), 395 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Executive Committee : The Vice-President of the Club, Chairman.

JOSEPH R. CARRY (1918-30), M.B.E., Vice-Chairman.

The Secretary and Treasurer, and Editor of Magazine, ex officii.r.

The Rector of the School, ex officio.

GEORGE E. C. BARTON (1923-26), M.A. ERIC BUTHLAY (1928-40), B.L. WILLIAM L. CONNON ( I 93o-40), B.L. ALEXANDER CROM AR (1944-30).

ALFRED J. M. EDWARDS (1908-2I), M.A., B.Com. DOUGLAS N. GEORGESON (1929-39).

IAN G. MCPHERSON (191o-17).

JAMES S. G. MUNRO (1922-28), B.L.

DOUGLAS G. PATTERSON (1929-36), B.L. ALAN J. PETERS (192o-30), C.A. JAMES REID (1924-34).

J. LENNOX RIDDELL (1907-16).

HENRY G. STEPHEN (1920-30).

JOHN S. SUTHERLAND (1935-48).

One representative from each of the Sections.

Hon. Auditors : Messrs. BOWER and SMITH, C.A.

A Letter to Former Pupils When I wrote a year ago that the extensive work of reconstruction at the School was almost complete, that claim did not cover one important change, the conversion of the larger part of the museum corridor into a cinema-projection room.

The most valuable exhibits—the birds, the birds' eggs, the Chinese panels, and the geological collection—have been kept ; a large quantity of varied material that can be more directly used by our Science, Art, History and Geography Departments has been assigned to them : the rest has been sensibly disposed of. What has been done has the full approval of the Education Committee, and we have had the expert guidance of Professor Wynne-Edwards, of the Chair of Natural History, and of Mr. Charles Carter, Curator of the City Art Gallery and Museum.

Almost inevitably the news that a Collection which we owed to the generous interest of friends over a long period has been broken up will occasion regret and possibly puzzled surprise in not a few Former Pupils. It would seem wise, therefore, to offer some words of explanation.

In recent years much consideration has been given to the value of such heterogeneous museum collections as we have been familiar with in our smaller towns and large schools, and the conclusion reached is that their educational significance is much less than was once supposed.

During the same period, a great advance in photographic processes and the development of the epidiascope, the film-strip lantern and the cinema-projector have put into our hands new teaching aids of great power which make it possible to give a vivid awareness of a wide range of natural objects and artefacts, lying outside the direct observation of young people. It follows, then, that the projection room, which we could secure only by taking the corridor space, will do for the future what an extensive museum did, or was believed to do, in the past : New occasions teach new duties.

Time makes ancient good uncouth.

Do Former Pupils, I wonder, realise just how the School has grown ? The Diamond Jubilee of the Club takes one's thoughts back to the beginning of Morland Simpson's time. Then the School had 450 boys and just over twenty of a staff. When that great rectorship closed in i 919, the roll had risen to a little over 700 and the staff to about forty. To-day the School has it g o boys and more than sixty teachers. Even in the twelve years I have known it the Secondary Department has increased from 400 to almost 700, the three smallish classes entering Middle I having grown into five classes, all of them over rather than under thirty-strong.

Former Pupils will learn with pleasure of two major gifts to the Library.

Mrs. Charles Diack has handed over to the School some boo 9

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

volumes from the library of the late Rector Andrew. Valuable in themselves, these books will be prized too as a lasting memento of one who was so fastidious in his standards, so quiet and unadvertised in all his ways, that it is easy to miss the extent of his contribution to the Grammar School.

Mr. W. S. Bell has provided for the Russell-Bell Memorial Library a further endowment of £700 in addition to the £1200 he has made available since its inception in 1946. The value and popularity of this splendid collection of 15oo books for boys of Middle School may be judged from the fact that last session there were about a z,ooo borrowings from it.

I am sorry that it is not possible to report much progress in the arrangements for the Septcentenary Celebrations initiated just a year ago. The delay is mainly due to the difficulty of getting decisions on matters which concern not only the City Authorities but also the Scottish Education Department.

I have tried at prize-giving and at the recent Aberdeen and Glasgow Dinners to convey how warmly interested the School is in the Diamond Jubilee of the Club and how truly we share with you a sense of deep and lasting indebtedness to Dr. Morland Simpson.

It did not surprise me to hear your President say the other night that he was sure his father would have put first among all the functions of the Club its obligation to serve the School. That would not, believe me, have been a headmaster staking a claim but a shrewd, experienced observer stating the incontestable fact that a Club severed from its roots in the continuing life of the School would not long find nourishment enough in memory and sentiment alone.

If it be asked what the Former Pupil who lives far from the Old School can do, the answer is threefold.

If your school sentiment contains an element of gratitude to your own teachers, work for the support and better status of teachers everywhere.

If distance precludes helpful association with the Grammar School, interest yourself in the school of your children or of the town in which you live, wherever it be.

Lastly, don't freeze a generous impulse to give to your Old School by concluding that it is too well provided for to need your gift or too much changed to have any title to it. The School could use much it does not have ; and, if in our kind of world you make unchangedness a condition of your interest or beneficence, then assuredly you will find few causes or institutions to claim your allegiance, and few outlets for your liberality.

J. J. R.

The Melvin Centenary On Sunday, z8 June 1953, a small group representing the School, both masters and boys, went in just and respectful duty to lay a wreath upon Melvin's grave in St. Nicholas Kirkyard. It was on z8 June 1853 that Dr. James Melvin, for twenty-seven years Rector of the School, died virtually in harness and was buried there within easy earshot of the Ferguson Bell of the Grammar School in Schoolhill.

The School party were met at the graveside by the Rev. Anderson Nicol, minister of the West Church of St. Nicholas, of which Dr. Melvin was for many years a member and elder. Mr. Nicol offered prayers of commemoration in gracious and grateful thanks for Melvin's fine work and example as a famous rector and teacher whose name remains a vital part of the School tradition. Thereafter, Mr. William Cunningham, Head of Melvin House, laid upon the grave a wreath in the School colours, bearing the inscription— AVE RECTOR DISERTISSIME, PRAECEPTOR ERUDITISSIME, CENTUM POST ANNIS TE IUSTA PIETATE NOS GRAMMATICI SALUTAMUS. MDCCCLIII-IV KAL. QUINCT.-MCMLIII.

The company then joined the congregation of the West Kirk at morning worship. Mr. Nicol made the centenary occasion the subject of a lively address to the young people in Church. He dwelt upon the sterling qualities and splendid work of Dr. Melvin as rector and man, and underlined the fine example he gave of dignity, integrity and excellence in his life's achievement.

The following day our School padre, the Rev. P. D. Lawrence, presided at morning assembly with the Melvin centenary as the theme of the service. After an appropriate hymn and prayer, followed by the senior prefect's reading of the passage from Ecclesiasticus, " Let us now praise famous men ", an encomium of Melvin was spoken by the Classics Master, Mr. Andrew Milne. He sketched the background of School and University in which Melvin was trained, and to which for over forty years he devoted his own great teaching powers. He indicated the ideals which Melvin cherished of orderly behaviour, careful accuracy in everything, and loyal devotion to the School.

He closed with the words of Sir William D. Geddes, Melvin's successor as Rector and sometime Principal of Aberdeen University : " The name of a great teacher is a great inheritance, and such undoubtedly to Aberdeen and its Grammar School is the name of James Melvin."

II

1956 The Special Grammar School Septcentenary Joint Committee, consisting of representatives of the Town Council, the School and the F.P. Club, has had two meetings. Lord Provost J. M. Graham is chairman.

The only information so far available is that a proposal for the building of a new School Hall to accommodate 1,200 people is being considered by the Education Committee and by the Scottish Education Department. The present Hall has accommodation for only about 4zo people and is quite inadequate for School purposes: if the proposal for the building of a new Hall is adopted, the present Hall would be converted into a second gymnasium. The new building would be located on the ground to the west of the present Rector's Room and south of the existing gymnasium. Government restrictions on capital expenditure are still such that the new Hall would probably have to be built in two stages—the first stage to be completed by 1956.

We hope to be able to give further information to F.P.s in the next issue of the Magazine and, if possible, to state in what month of the year the School Septcentenary is to be celebrated. It is hoped that, if they are given adequate notice, F.P.s abroad who are to be on home leave in 1956 will be able to arrange to be in Aberdeen for the celebrations.

Proposed Rhodesian Centre In February 1953 a second annual reunion of F.P.s and Gordonians in Southern Rhodesia was held in Salisbury and, like the first reunion in 195z, it was an outstanding success.

There is now a considerable number of F.P.s in Northern and Southern Rhodesia, and it is proposed to form a Centre on the lines of the successful Centres in Bengal and Assam and in Malaya. Any F.P. in Northern or Southern Rhodesia who is interested in the proposal should communicate with either J. W. MACGREGOR (1910-23), Morven, Nutt Hill, Murambi, Umtali, or G. M. GROAT (1927-40), P.O. Box 51o, Salisbury.

Dr. A. G. Hutchison Memorial The Dr. A. G. Hutchison Memorial, towards which a number of F.P.s have subscribed, is to take the form of a Climbers' Hut. After consultation with the Cairngorm Club, the sponsors of the memorial scheme decided that the Hut should be erected near the Larig an Laoigh path, north of its junction with the path that leads to Loch Etchachan, and they applied to the proprietors concerned for permission to erect the Hut on the selected site.

On account of negotiations with the Nature Conservancy with regard to the formation of a Nature Reserve in the Cairngorms, the proprietors are not yet in a position to consider the application, but it is hoped that it may be possible to proceed with the erection of the Hut during 1954.

12

F.P. Club Blazer In the last issue of the Magazine members of the F.P. Club were invited to submit suggestions to the Executive of the Club with regard to a proposal that a new Club blazer should be designed.

Five F.P.s wrote to the Secretary and the following are extracts from their letters :— . . . I am horrified at the monstrous idea of changing our colours again.

Magenta and dark green are indeed distinctive. Who is this wishy-washy person who wants to be " sedate "? Who is the gloomy creature who wants a black blazer? If any change is to be made, it should be only to return to our original magenta and green stripes of equal breadth. First of all we had a Council who deleted every alternate magenta one; then we had black introduced into our ties and scarves; now another change is proposed: why? I am indeed no conservative, politically or sartorially, but why change without good reason? For goodness sake, let well alone. My wife is not uncritical of my attire from time to time, but even she agrees that my blazer goes well with white flannel trousers or with grey.

Please convey to those concerned my strong—very strong indeed—disapproval of the suggested change. " Unpopular ", forsooth; I am proud of my A.G.S.F.P.C. magenta and green blazer. It was bought less than two years ago, and I shall continue to wear it until it drops or I do!

I entirely agree that the present F.P. Club blazer is unpopular. I have had one for years, and it has never been worn in public and never will be. During my travels, particularly on board ship, I have met F.P.s but never one wearing an F.P. blazer.

Nearly every blazer one sees is blue: therefore I favour black with special buttons and, if desired, a small badge on the pocket, single or double breasted.

Black cloth is easy to obtain, and one's own tailor could make it. Buttons and/or badge could be got from Aberdeen.

The present blazer must be changed: it is just terrible. " School blue " might be difficult to obtain, and one forgets what School blue is like; therefore black.

As a new member of the Club may I be allowed to give my opinion on the suggestions on blazers? A black blazer would, in my opinion, simply look too mournful, whereas any blazer where there is a choice of style is undesirable. The idea of having a " School blue " blazer is an excellent one. Firstly, the colour is superb, being a lovely blue, and secondly, far more F.P.s will wear it, for they will, instead of buying a new blazer, adjust their old School one.

Regarding the suggestion that the colour should be " School blue ", may I point out that the colours of the Club are magenta and green, and these are the only colours in my opinion that should be used for F.P. apparel. The substitution of an F.P. badge for a School one, I fail to understand, as the F.P. badge is the School badge—is it not?

The third suggestion in my opinion, is the most acceptable, and 1 would further propose that the blazer, being black, carries the School badge in its proper heraldic colours on a magenta and green ground on the breast pocket. Specially designed buttons could also be used. . . . I think you should bear in mind that what was once a garment pretty well restricted to the Services and Oxford University is now being worn by all and sundry. Particularly around London, the standardised garb for the week-end is the navy blue or black blazer, with silver buttons. This is worn by Commanders, R.N., office boys, spivs, R.A.F. officers, a whole assortment of cricket and rugby clubs, and in fact by every Tom, Dick and Harry.

I believe it is an excellent idea to have a blazer of a more sober hue. . . .

The matter is still under consideration by the Executive.

13

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*** The Editor will be glad if F.P.s will send him, from time to time, information for this section of the Magazine. News of appointments, promotions, etc., and other items of interest which are not reported in the press, are particularly requested.

Alfred Easton Allan* (1924-30), A.R.I.B.A., is now an architect and surveyor with the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. He works in the Lothians Area—mainly in East Lothian. His eldest brother, George James Allan* (1907-20), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., is in practice at Marple, Cheshire, and his other brother, John Charles Ernest Allan (1923-28), is managing director of John Alexander and Company, cabinetmakers and upholsterers, Rosemount Place, Aberdeen.

Ian Francis George Baxter* (1921-33), M.A., LL.B., left London in August for Canada to take up a senior appointment on the permanent staff of Osgoode Hall, the headquarters near Toronto of the High Courts of the Ontario Law Society. He had been for a year Deputy Clerk of the Court of the University of London. He is a barrister-at-law of Lincoln's Inn and an Associate of the Association of Certified Accountants, London.

Leonard Bird* (1939-46) left this country in October for Singapore.

He has received a two-year appointment as Radar Engineer with Messrs. Kelvin & Hughes, Raffles Place, Singapore.

William George Rowntree Bodie* (1913-22), A.R.I.B.A., A.R.I.A.S., A.M.T.P.I., F.S.A.(Scot.), who has been Assistant Chief Planner for Glenrothes, the " new town" in Fife, since September 1949, submitted a paper on " The Provision of Shops in a New Town " at the autumn conference of the Scottish Branch of the Town Planning Institute, held at Kirkcaldy. Glenrothes is growing rapidly and now has a population of 4,5oe. Keeping pace with the production of houses is the building of shops, schools, churches and other buildings necessary to meet the full communal and social needs of the inhabitants.

From 1947 to 1949 Mr. Bodie was seconded by the Corporation of Aberdeen to Messrs. Dobson Chapman and Partners, the consultants engaged for the preparation of a Survey and Plan of Aberdeen and high tribute to his work was paid in their prefatory note to the " Survey and Plan, 1949 " and also in Granite City, published in 1952.

Eric William Harcourt Brander* (1894-1901), M.A., LL.B., has been appointed treasurer of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen.

14

If Notes about Old Boys Edgar Bulmer Bright* (1921-31), A.F.C., M.B., Ch.B., Wing Commander, R.A.F., has been posted to Germany for a two-year tour. Earlier this year he gained the University of London's Academic Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, having previously obtained the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene awarded by the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Surgeons of England. His winter pursuit is rugby refereeing and he has been in charge of matches in which Oxford and Cambridge Universities, the Army, the R.A.F. and all the senior London clubs, except London Scottish, have played. He was in Aberdeen in October and refereed F.P.s' match against Edinburgh Academicals.

His son, David Michael Fraser Bright* (1946-52), has started the B.Sc. course at Peterhouse, Cambridge.

Allan Melville Brown* (1935-47) is now with the National Bank of India at Bombay. He joined the North of Scotland Bank in Aberdeen in 1947, and after national service in the R.A.F., he was again with the North Bank from January 195o until October 1952.

He joined the National Bank of India in London at the end of last year and went to India in February of this year. When at the School he was a keen member of the Army Cadet Force. He completed his national service as an R.A.F. policeman, being parted then for the first time from his twin brother, Peter Sinclair Brown* (1935-46).

They were later re-united at the R.A.F. Station, Kinloss.

David Cairns (1912-16), M.A., Professor of Practical Theology at Christ's College, Aberdeen, received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Edinburgh at the Summer Graduation this year. In the course of his laureation address the Very Reverend Principal John Baillie, Dean of the Faculty of Divinity, said :— Professor Cairns comes of a family of theologians and divines whose name have been household words among us for the past too years. Born of this pure Border stock in the manse of Ayton in Berwickshire, he was only three years old when his father was translated to Aberdeen to teach theology, and later to serve as .Principal, in the college in which the son now holds a chair.

Having received his schooling first in Aberdeen Grammar School and then in Merchiston Castle, the younger David proceeded to the University of Aberdeen, but was soon awarded an English Exhibition at Banjo'. On arriving in Oxford, however, he was advised to transfer his attention from English to classical studies, and accordingly finished his course, under the tutorship of our own Professor Macmurray [A.G.S. 1902-04), with a first class in the Honour School of Merry bumaniore.r. There followed three years of divinity in Aberdeen, and afterwards, with the aid of a Brown Downie Fellowship, some two years of further study at Tubingen, Zurich and Montpelier, during which, besides acquiring a competent knowledge of the German and French languages, he sat at the feet of many famous scholars.

On his return home, and after a short visit to Canada, he was for a year with Dr. George MacLeod in Govan Parish, before being called to a parish of his own in Bridge of Allan. Soon after the outbreak of the second world war he resigned that charge and sought active service as a Chaplain to the Forces. Serving first with the Training Battalion of the Scots Guards, he was afterwards posted to the 15th Division and served with them on the Continent until the end of the war.

During the advance into Germany, his linguistic ability caused his services as

16

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

interpreter to be much in demand, and when the fighting was over he was among the first to seek contact with the leaders of the German Churches. On his return home, he served for a time in Oxford as a secretary of the Student Christian Movement before being appointed in 1948 to his present chair in Aberdeen.

So active and varied a life did not at first leave much opportunity for carrying on the family tradition of theological writing, apart from some work of translation and the editing of his father's fine fragment of autobiography, but the present year has witnessed an admirable beginning in the volume of Kerr Lectures entitled The Image of God in Ma —a book which securely establishes his reputation as a scholar and thinker well worthy of the name he bears.

George G. Cook (1923-25), manager of the George Street branch of the Clydesdale & North of Scotland Bank, Aberdeen, was appointed in September to be manager of the St. Nicholas branch, Aberdeen. He entered the service of the North Bank at Banchory in 1927 and was appointed manager of the King Street branch, Aberdeen, in 5947.

Sir Patrick Ashley Cooper* (1896-1901), B.A.(Cantab.), LL.B. (Aberd.), relinquished the chairmanship of the London Head Office Board of the Northern Assurance Company in June of this year.

He also resigned as a director after an association with the company lasting twenty-one years.

Douglas Edward Cruickshank* (1942-48) was a successful candidate in the A.R.C.M.(viola) examination held in July 1953.

He had studied for three years at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, Glasgow, and for one year at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. He is now doing his national service and is a member of the R.A.O.C. staff band. He is stationed in Hampshire and is continuing part-time studies at the Guildhall.

Duncan Colin Davidson* (1921-23), who completed his education in South Africa after leaving the School, joined the Shell Company of South Africa Limited and is now the company's credit manager. He was on leave in the United Kingdom this year, visited the School and joined the F.P. Club.

Peter Diack* (1904-09), M.A., minister of Drumoak Church, Aberdeenshire, since May 1948, has retired. He was minister of Pollokshields West Church, Glasgow, from 1937 to 1948 and he has now returned to live in Glasgow.

Randal James Drennan (1928-41) is Second Engineer in the s.s. Gothic, which is taking the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to New Zealand and Australia this winter. His marriage is reported elsewhere in this issue.

Andrew Alexander Marr Ducat* (1924-28 and 1929-34) resigned in September 1952 from the position of Assistant Cargo Superintendent of the New Zealand Shipping Company in Wellington and is now manager of the Woodward Advertising Agency at their head office in Wellington. He would like to hear from F.P.s in the advertising agency business in the United Kingdom. He is F.P. Club Consul at Wellington and wishes to advise F.P.s who may be visiting New Zealand that his business address is P.O. Box 2255, Wellington.

17 Note.: about Old Boys Marshall Keith Duguid* (1919-29), who has been a partner in the firm of Duguid & Anderson, builders and contractors, Beira, Portuguese East Africa, since about 1937, has retired from Beira and is now resident in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. He has accordingly had to resign his appointment as Club Consul for Portuguese East Africa. He has already met several F.P.s in Salisbury.

Thomas Duncan* (1924-3 r), M.B., Ch.B., is now Deputy Superintendent of Baldovan Mental Hospital, Dundee.

Calthorpe Emslie* (1941-47), M.A., was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Aberdeen in June of this year. He is now an assistant minister in Motherwell.

George Forbes Esson* (1894-1903), master of the s.s. Lantao, who was reported in the last issue of the Magazine as having had a meeting in Port Swettenham with W. S. Gilchrist, Club Consul for Malaya, has reported that the consular report omitted to mention that their ladies were present at the party. Mrs. Esson has been sailing with Captain Esson for two years in the Far East and has, he says, the questionable distinction of being the only lady at present sailing on the coast of Liberated China. Captain Esson hopes to let us have an article on his varied and sometimes thrilling experiences after his return to this country for good in the spring of next year.

Louis Findlay* (1924-30), M.B., Ch.B., has been appointed Chief of the Health Division of the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Arab refugees. In this capacity he directs all health services for Arab refugees in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the Gaza area and has his headquarters in Beirut.

During and after the war he was Director of I-Iealth for the U.N.R.R.A. Middle East Mission at Cairo ; thereafter he was for four years Chief Medical Officer and later Chief of Operations for the International Refugee Organisation in the U.S. Zone of Germany; and in July 1951 he was appointed Medical Consultant to the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency, with headquarters first in Geneva and later in New York. He visited Korea in 1952.

Ian Flockhart* (1915-27), proprietor of Ian Flockhart and Company, aerated water manufacturers, Aberdeen, since 1934, has sold his business to William Hay & Sons (Aberdeen) Limited. He is now a representative of the latter company in Aberdeen.

Archibald Stewart Fraser (1942-5x), a student at the University of Aberdeen, was a representative of the young people of the Congregational Union of Scotland at the conference of the International Congregational Council held at St. Andrews in June of this year.

George Sutherland Fraser (1924-33), M.A.(St. And.), won a prize of £2O in a competition arranged by The Observer for a poem in honour of Sir Winston Churchill on the occasion of his entering his eightieth year on 3o November 1953.

James Burnet Gadsby (1928-39), M.B., Ch.B., has been in practice at Burnley, Lancashire, since April 1952, as junior partner

i8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

of Dr. W. Fraser Munro, M.C., an Aberdeen graduate, and David Skinner (1909-11 and 1915-18), M.B., Ch.B., who has been at Burnley since 1925. After the war Dr. Gadsby held hospital posts in London, Rugby and Nottingham, and from 1949 to 195z he was an assistant in general practice at Wellingborough, Northants.

Alexander Marr Geddes* (1897-1903), M.D., who was in medical practice in South Africa from 1911 to 1938, retired in 1949.

He is now living in Aberdeen. Dr. Geddes was the donor to the School of the Geddes Silver Medal for Science.

David James Gill (1929-37), M.B., Ch.B., is now in practice at Brighton, two of his partners being Aberdeen graduates. He himself graduated at Aberdeen in 1947 and was appointed Orthopaedic House Surgeon at North Ormsby Hospital, Middlesbrough.

He did his national service in the R.A.F., was stationed for a time in Hamburg and later at Compton Bassett, Wiltshire, with the acting rank of Squadron Leader. In 1950-51 he was a trainee assistant with his uncle, Dr. J. Gill, at Inverurie and thereafter for a short time he was an obstetrical house surgeon at the Maternity Unit, Foresterhill, Aberdeen.

John Greenlaw* (1884-93), T.D., H.C.F., minister of the North Church Buckie, since 1908, retired in November. He celebrated his ministerial jubilee in May 1953.

George Hay (1925-35) has been appointed Assistant Harbourmaster at Aberdeen. He served his apprenticeship in the s.s. British Engineer belonging to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company Limited, with which he served for several years in Persia. In 1949 he was Harbourmaster at Bandar Mashur, Abadan.

Sir Wilson Jameson* (1892-1902), G.B.E., K.C.B., M.D., LL.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.P., received the honorary degree of Doctor in Legibus from the University of Wales in July 1953. He had previously been similarly honoured by the Universities of Aberdeen, Manchester and Toronto.

Douglas Harold Johnston* (1913-26), Q.C., B.A., M.P., has been appointed a member of the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland. The Council has two functions, firstly to advise the Minister of Works on the exercise of his powers under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, 1935, which enables the Minister to make grants towards the repair or maintenance of buildings of outstanding historic or architectural interest, and their contents and adjoining land, and, where necessary, to acquire them or assist the National Trusts or Local Authorities to acquire them ; and secondly to advise the Secretary of State for Scotland on the exercise of his functions under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947, in relation to buildings of special architectural or historic interest.

Peter Forbes Kemp* (1928-39), A.M.Inst.C.E., has been maintenance civil engineer in the County Road Surveyor and Engineer's

Notes about Old Boys

19

Department of Aberdeen County Council since December 1948. In this capacity he is responsible for the maintenance of approximately sixty public water supplies and a rather smaller number of drainage schemes in the County of Aberdeen. fle served his apprenticeship as a civil engineer with the County Road Surveyor and Engineer and from 1942 to 1946 he served with the R.A.F. in Palestine, Egypt and the Western Desert. For most of the time he was attached to an airfield construction squadron engaged in building permanent airfields for air trooping to the Far East. He was elected an A.M.Inst.C.E. in December 1951.

Robert Sangster Kemp (1876-78), M.A., D.D., minister of Deer Church, Aberdeenshire, since 1899, retired in November of this year.

Then in his ninety-first year, he was the oldest serving minister in the Church of Scotland, having been ordained sixty-five years ago.

Cecil John Lamb* (191 5 -22), B.Sc.(Eng.) (Glasg.), A.M.Inst.C.E., who joined the staff of the L.N.E.R. at Inverurie in 1926, has for the past two years been District Motive Power Superintendent at Glasgow (North). His apprenticeship period was divided between Inverurie, Kittybrewster and Cowlairs and it was at Kittybrewster that he received his early training in running-shed and footplate work.

In 1937 he became Station Master at Alnmouth and thereafter he held posts at York, Sunderland, Darlington, Edinburgh, Burntisland and Liverpool.

James Elsmie Lawie* (1902-12), head of the firm of George Elsmie & Son, shipowners and coal merchants, Aberdeen, was appointed in August to be a Justice of the Peace for the County of Aberdeen. He lives at Pitcaple and represents the Chapel of Garioch and Daviot on Aberdeen County Council, of which he has been a member since 1935.

Robert Alexander Lillie* (5896-1905), M.A., Ph.D., lent his collection of water-colours and drawings by W. G. Gillies, R.S.A., R.S.W., for an exhibition entitled " The Scottish Scene " which was held under the auspices of The National Trust for Scotland during this year's Edinburgh Festival. Sixty-eight pictures were on view and the exhibition was seen by over 6,300 people. The general fund of The National Trust for Scotland benefited by about Li6o.

Robert Arthur Drysdale Lindsay* (1933-39) has been in Nyasaland for the past five years. He obtained his Planter's Certificate at the North of Scotland College of Agriculture in 1948 and in July of that year he joined the Tung Estates of the African Lakes Corporation Limited. Three years ago he joined the Estates Department of the Imperial Tobacco Company Limited. A dispatch giving some account of part of the troubles in Nyasaland last summer appears elsewhere in this issue.

William Alexander McConnach* (1920-26), M.B.E., Detective Superintendent (since 1947) and Deputy Chief Constable (since 1949) in Plymouth City Police Force, is now Chief Constable of Southendon-Sea.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine Neil Hunter MacDonald* (1934-38) took up an appointment in October as Development Engineer and assistant to the Mechanical Handling Engineer of Courtaulds Limited, Coventry. For two years he had been with Albright & Wilson Limited, manufacturing chemists, Birmingham. He is a former secretary and captain of the F.P. Cricket Section and is still playing cricket regularly.

George Yule Mackie (1933-35), D.S.O., D.F.C., who is farming at Ballinshoe, near Kirriemuir, has bought the 2 i,ooo-acre farm of Braeroy, Roybridge, near Fort William. He is retaining his farm at Ballinshoe and is to raise sheep and beef cattle on Braeroy.

Norman Humphrey Mackworth (1923-34), M.B., Ch.B.(Abe rd .), Ph.D.(Cantab.), has been appointed by the Medical Research Council to be Director of their Applied Psychology Research Unit at Cambridge, with effect from 1 October 1952. He was formerly assistant director.

John Ross McMillan* (1876-79 and 1881-84), F.R.I.B.A., senior partner in the firm of D. & J. R. McMillan, architects, Aberdeen, is a leading member of the Northern Arts Club. At this year's exhibition in November several of his water-colour paintings were on view.

Lewis Middleton* (1919-32), B.Sc.(Eng.), broke the record for the Royal Aberdeen Golf Course at Balgownie in June with a round of 67. This was one stroke below the professional record and two below the previous amateur record.

Harley Ogilvie Miller* (1921-24), younger son of DOUGLAS GORDON MILLER,* Rector of the School from 1921 to 1924, has recently joined the F.P. Club. He left the School at the age of eight, when his father was appointed High Master of Manchester Grammar School, completed his schooling at Manchester Grammar School and at Chichester High School, and then engaged successively in farming in Aberdeenshire, newspaper reporting in Manchester and publishing in Glasgow. Thereafter he was abroad for about ten years, in France, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Denmark and Germany. He taught at various Berlitz Schools and then in his own private school of languages. He acquired a good knowledge of some ten languages and did a good deal of translation work. He was interned in Germany during the war. Since 195o he has been a master at Old Buckenham Hall Preparatory School, Merton, Norfolk. He has been reading for an external degree of the University of London.

Francis James Milne* (1924-35), M.R.C.V.S., has been appointed Professor of Surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada. For the past three years he has been Assistant Professor of Veterinary Surgery at Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College, Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.A. Herbert John Mansfield Milne* (19oo-o5), M.A.(Aberd.), B.A. (Cantab.), retired from his post as Assistant Keeper of MSS. at the British Museum in July of this year, after forty-one years' service in the Department of Manuscripts. He now resides at Tadworth.

2o

Notes about Old Boys Asked by the Editor to give some account of his career he states that, although he adopted as his motto at an early stage the injunction of Epicurus : AdOE Bitimms?, he can and does say that his career has been a happy one and indeed (within the frame of reference) a fortunate one. Although in 191 a the bias of his Department leaned to things mediaeval, it had in the course of the previous twenty years developed a strong classical activity under the stimulus of the exciting discoveries of Greek papyri in the mounds and tombs of Egypt. It fell to his lot to edit the catalogue of the Literary Papyri in the Department, and later on, when they were fortunate enough to acquire two fairly complete papyrus manuals setting out the system of shorthand employed by the Greeks, he was commissioned to prepare the official publication. (He confesses that the system still remains largely a mystery to him 1) Outside the field of papyri but still within the province of the Greek language, he was assigned the task, conjointly with a colleague, of re-examining the famous, not to say notorious, Codex Sinaitieus from an up-to-date palaeographical point of view, a task he greatly enjoyed. The result of their labours was published by the Trustees of the British Museum in a volume entitled " Scribes and Correctors of the Codex Sinaitim".

In conclusion he states that he is grateful to the fate which led him to the halls of Bloomsbury, and particularly grateful to a former dux of the School, IAN ALISTAIR KENDALL BURNETT (1894-1903), M.A., assistant in the Department of Printed Books at the British Museum from 1910, who first directed his steps to the august institution of which he was so promising a member. (Mr. Burnett was killed on active service in 1917.)

Lawrence Walker Milne* (1939-43), M.A., LL.B., has been appointed secretary of the Aberdeen Rotary Club.

William Proctor Milne* (1897-99), M.A., D.Sc., LL.D., who was Professor of Mathematics in the University of Leeds from 1919 to 1946, spent a six months' holiday in Malaya earlier this year. In a letter to the Editor he stated that he would like to bear witness to the extraordinary value of F.P. Club Consuls to those who are wandering far from home. When passing through Kuala Lumpur and having some hours to spare, he got into touch with our Consul there, W. S. Gilchrist, and adjourned with him forthwith to the lounge of the Station Hotel where they raised their glasses to " Aiberdeen an' the Twal Mile Roon " and other appropriate toasts. " Siccan a collieshangie we hid." Gilchrist, says Professor Milne, is a superb Club Consul.

David Donald Morison (1922-29), M.A., who has been Editor of the Scottish National Dictionary since 1946, is moving his headquarters early next year from Aberdeen to Edinburgh. The centre of compilation is to be in the new School of Scottish Studies which is being established under the auspices of the University of Edinburgh, but the Dictionary is to retain its independent status. The School is to be a centre from which research will be carried out into Scottish history, literature, language and music.

Aberdeen Grammar School Mag‘qine George Murray* (1946-53), who was Captain of the School Cricket XI last session, had the unusual distinction of playing for Aberdeenshire in a county championship match when he was still at School. He was in the 'Shire team on several occasions during the summer.

Ian Farquhar Ogilvie* (1935-45), who has been on the staff of Aberdeen County Council Roads Department since 1948, received an appointment in August in the Borough Engineer and Surveyor's Department at Sutton and Cheam, Surrey.

Douglas James Cochar Patterson* (1926-38) was in July of this year appointed manager of the Glasgow office of the Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of Canada. He had been assistant manager for a year. On leaving the School he spent two years with his father in his licensed business and then was abroad for six years, becoming a district manager with N.A.A.F.I. in the Middle East.

On returning to this country in 1948 he joined a leading firm of office equipment suppliers as a sales executive and remained with the firm for two years. He joined his present company in 195o.

Kenneth Jamieson Peters* (1929-41) was appointed in May to be Editor of the Evening Express, Aberdeen. He joined Kemsley Newspapers in x 947 as a sub-editor on the Daily Record and was sports columnist of the Aberdeen Weekly Journal. He joined the Evening Express as assistant to the Editor in 195x.

Sir William Peters* (1900-06), C.M.G., M.A., senior United Kingdom Trade Commissioner and economic adviser to the High Commissioner in South Africa, left Pretoria in July on his return to Britain. He had been sixteen years in South Africa.

Frederick Strathern Philip* (1914-24), who retired from the Colonial Service in 1950, is now living in Nyasaland.

John Lewis Potter* (1921-29) has been accountant in the Union Bank of Scotland at Pitlochry since 1948. He entered the service of the Union Bank in Aberdeen in 1929 and was later transferred to Huntly. In 1939 he was mobilised with the 6th Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders. He served overseas, mainly in India, and was appointed R.Q.M.S. at the R.A.C./I.A.C. Officers' Training School.

In Pitlochry he is the Amateur Dramatic Society's producer and also secretary of the local branch of the British Legion.

Douglas Reith* (1924-35), M.A., LL.B., advocate, was appointed by the Lord Advocate in July to be an advocate-depute. He was previously Sheriff Court advocate-depute. At the same time Maurice Gordon Gillies* (1923-30), M.A., LL.B., advocate, was appointed extra advocate-depute for the Glasgow Circuit. Both were called to the Bar in 1946.

John Lennox Riddell* (1907-x6), a prominent member of Deeside Golf Club, has been appointed a member of a special subcommittee of the Scottish Golf Union which is to select the Scottish boys' team for the match with England at Hoylake in 19f4. zz

23 Notes about Old Boys Dennis Alexander Ritchie* (1943-46), who works in his father's hairdressing business in Aberdeen, is to take part in next year's T.T. motor cycle race in the Isle of Man. He has already ridden in the Clubman's T.T. race over the same course and he won the Scottish featherweight championship at St. Andrews in 1952. His 35o c.c. motor cycle is reported to be the fastest machine in Aberdeen.

Alexander Kay Robertson* (1942-44), M.A.(Aberd.), B.A. (Oxon.), was successful this summer in the examinations for both the administrative grade of the Civil Service and for the Foreign Service, Branch A. He chose to enter the latter. He has been at the Foreign Office since July and is now studying Burmese at the School of Oriental Studies.

Dennis Russell Sangster* (1942-44), who joined the Merchant Service after leaving the School and was subsequently with the Air Ministry at Kemble, Gloucestershire, is now Technical Manager in Aberdeen for the Marley Tile Company, Glasgow.

George Brown Cameron Sangster* (1928-37), D.S.C., M.A., B.D., has been elected minister of Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen, in succession to William Wallace Gauld* (1893-98), M.A., D.D., who retired in January 1953 after holding the charge for twenty-five years. Mr. Sangster was minister of St. Kessog's Church, Comrie, Perthshire, from 1948 until this year. He won his D.S.C. in July 1944 when holding the rank of Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., for distinguished service as a pilot during an air and sea battle within the Arctic Circle in March of that year. Later he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, R.N.V.R. Herbert Brebner Scott* (1905-08), C.B.E., M.C., manager for the East (India, Burma, Ceylon, Pakistan and Iraq) for the Royal Insurance Company, the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company and their subsidiary companies, since 1948, is retiring early next year and is to return to this country in the spring. He joined the " Royal" after the 1914-18 war—his father, the late WILLIAM J. $COTT (1879-89), was manager for the company in Aberdeen and later in Edinburgh—and his service has been divided between Shanghai and Calcutta. He was in Shanghai from 1925 to 1927 and from 1933 to 1938 : the remainder of his service has been in Calcutta. He was awarded the C.B.E. in 1949.

Second to none in his enthusiasm for the F.P. Club, he was Consul in Shanghai before the war and he has been Consul in Calcutta since 1939. He was one of the F.P.s who presented the Shanghai Clock to the School in 1927 and also one of those who presented the Bengal Lectern to the School in 1946. He instigated the formation of the Bengal Centre in 1939 and has been honorary secretary of the Centre since then, except in 1948-49 when he was president.

Forbes Keith Sellar* (1933-43), B.L., has joined Messrs. Shearn, Delamore & Company, advocates and solicitors, Kuala Lumpur.

24

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Ronald George Simpson* (1925-38), M.D., M.R.C.P., has been appointed Physician Consultant in Geriatrics to the Perthshire area, Eastern Regional Hospital Board. He is to take up his appointment at the beginning of next year. He graduated at Aberdeen in 1943 and was in practice at Cowdenbeath before working in hospitals in London and Birmingham. From 1944 to 1947 he was with the R.A.M.C. in India. He returned to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in 1948 and since 195o he has been Senior Medical Registrar at Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen. He took his M.D. with honours at Aberdeen in March 1949 and qualified as M.R.C.P. later that year.

William Douglas Simpson* (1901-13), M.A., D.Litt., F.S.A. (Scot.), F.S.A., was one of three delegates from the University of Aberdeen who attended the Second Viking Congress in Stavanger, Bergen and Oslo in September. The First Viking Congress, sponsored by the British Council and the University of Aberdeen, was held at Lerwick in 1950 and a Third Congress is likely to be held in 1956 at Reykjavik. After this year's Congress ended at Oslo Dr. Simpson went on a ten-day lecture tour for the British Council in Sweden and Norway.

August Henry Klie Slater* (1922-35), M.A., was in July appointed by the Lord President of the Council, Lord Salisbury, to be his Private Secretary.

Robert Arthur Smart* (1919-31), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., Lieutenant-Colonel, R.A.M.C., is now stationed in Nairobi. In 1949-50 he was on the staff of the School of Hygiene, lecturing to national service medical officers, and in 1951 he was in Tripoli for six months.

Luther Kitson Smith* (1928-40) has been elected an Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (A.R.I.C.S.).

Thomas Gibson Smith* (1936-43) has passed the professional examinations of the Land Agents' Society.

Oswald Hastings Ritchie Still* (1922-33), who was in South Africa for some time after the war, is now Sales Manager for C. F. Wilson & Company (1932) Limited, diesel engine manufacturers, Aberdeen. In October he left to undertake a comprehensive market survey in Egypt, the Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Madagascar, Portuguese West Africa, Belgian Congo, the Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and other parts of Africa.

Charles Ian Graham Stobie* (1924-27), M.A.(St. And.), has been minister of Mossvale Parish Church, Paisley, since 1950. He was ordained in 1942 and his first charge was Uyeasound Parish Church, Unst, Shetland : in 1947 he was translated to the Parish Church of Whalsay, also in Shetland, of which his grandfather, the late Rev. Charles Stobie, was minister from 1876 to 1910.

George Ewen Swinney (1918-3 i), M.R., M.B., Ch.B., has been appointed Lecturer in Mental Health at the University of Aberdeen with effect from x January 1954. He is at present Senior Registrar in Psychiatry with the North-Eastern Regional Hospital Board.

Notes about Old Boy

25

Edward Robert Hector Tennant* (1945-46), M.B., Ch.B., is now medical officer at the Depot of the Gurkha Regiments near Darjeeling.

Sir William Robert Tennant* (19o4-1o), C.I.E., M.A., LL.D., who was Secretary of the Scottish Universities Entrance Board from 1948 to 1953, has been appointed one of the three assessors to serve for five years on the Court of the University of St. Andrews. The appointment of these assessors was one of the recommendations of the Royal Commission whose report was implemented by the Government in the University of St. Andrews Act, 1953.

Sir William received the honorary degree of LL.D. from the University of Aberdeen in July. In his laureation address the Dean of the Faculty of Law said :— Sir William Tennant is one of the many graduates of Aberdeen to have served with distinction in the Indian Civil Service. Educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and Aberdeen University, he graduated in 1913 and thereafter served for the duration of the first world war with the British and Indian Armies. In 5959 he entered the Indian Civil Service, where he served with distinction for some thirty years. The hereditary talents of an artistic family found expression in Sir William in his untiring attention to detail. Like Strafford, he might well have taken " Thorough " as his motto. In the Indian Civil Service he served in many places and many capacities—increasing his reputation with every new task undertaken.

His final appointment as Director of Audit, Defence Services, was the culmination of many other highly responsible financial posts, and at the same time he rendered invaluable service to the Red Cross. In his personal relationships he has retained an enviable reputation for good comradeship, and for selfless service to the Church and to his fellow men.

Since 1948 he has been an invaluable secretary to the Scottish Universities Entrance Board. He has codified its regulations m detail, dealing in particular with the changes resulting from the new English General Certificate of Education and from our own new Scheme recently approved. He dealt also with the greatest efficiency and goodwill with the numerous applications from ex-service men and others for special consideration. It is rare to find a man of such gifts and experience willing to tackle a mass of tedious detail so carefully and well. He was always well aware of the human element behind the paper " case ". His relations with members of the Board were always excellent. It is most unfortunate that, after putting matters so thoroughly in order, ill-health has compelled him to resign from a post which, thanks to his labours, will be a very much lighter one for his successor.

Sir William has done much for the Universities of Scotland, and it is but fitting that we should recognise his notable services by conferring upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws.

George Tough* (194o-42), B.Sc., has been with Organon Laboratories Limited, near Motherwell, since early 1952. This company produces steroid and protein hormones and he is head of the Protein Hormones Department. During the war he was trained as a pilot in Southern Rhodesia but was later transferred to the Army, being commissioned in the Gordon Highlanders. During service in Germany he was a defence officer at the war crimes trials. When he graduated B.Sc. with honours in Biochemistry at Aberdeen in 1951, he was one of the first two students to complete a degree course in Biochemistry at the University.

Eric Douglas Watt* (1937-5o), who has played hockey for Scotland eleven times, was selected to play for Great Britain against Belgium at Bristol on 24 October 1953. He was the only Scottish player selected. He is captain of Aberdeen University Hockey Club.

26

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Stuart Weir* (1944-46 and 1947-52) has emigrated with his parents to Auckland, New Zealand. Last session he was in the sixth form at Mount Albert Grammar School and he expected to sit the University entrance examination later this year.

Charles Williamson* (1883-85), M.A., C.A., and John George Duncan Ferries (1894-1905), O.B.E., advocate in Aberdeen, honorary treasurer and honorary secretary respectively of the Aberdeen Business and Professional Club since its inception twenty-one years ago, have been elected the first honorary members of the Club.

They were guests of honour at the Club's twenty-first anniversary dinner held in November.

Loriol Glegg Williamson (1941-5O, who is a midshipman in the Royal Navy, left in August for a voyage with the Port Line to Australia for experience before taking up his first commission with the Navy. After leaving the School two years ago he went to the Royal Naval training ship, Worcester. He was runner-up for the Queen's Gold Medal for naval cadets and became chief cadet captain of the training ship. He was athletic champion and won his colours for rowing, rugby and basketball.

James Fenton Wyness* (1915-20), F.R.I.B.A., A.I.L.A., F.S.A. (Scot.), was the designer of the Stone erected at Braemar by the Deeside Field Club, of which he is an honorary president, to commemorate the raising of the Standard there in 1715. The Stone was unveiled in August by Mrs. Farquharson of Invercauld. In September he was elected President of Gray's School of Art Former Students' Club, a position which he held in 1930-31. For some years now Mr. Wyness has been engaged in writing the authentic story of the life of John Brown, Queen Victoria's personal Highland servant. His researches have brought to light many hitherto unknown facts.

DIPLOMAS IN ARCHITECTURE David John McKenzie Davidson (1 934-45), William White Isles (1944-46) and Kenneth Sinclair Lawrie (1945-47) have gained Diplomas in Architecture at the School of Architecture, Robert Gordon's Technical College, Aberdeen.

University Notes At the Summer Graduation in the University of Aberdeen on 9 and io July 1933, degrees were conferred on the following F.P.s Honorary Degrees DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LAWS (LL.D.) Sir William Robert Tennant* (1904-1o), C.I.E., M.A. Higher Degrees DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF LETTERS (D.LITT.) Alexander John Youngson Brown (1923-36), M.A. DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF SCIENCE (D.Sc.) Allan Henry Hector Fraser (1916), B.Sc., M.D. Honours and Ordinary Degrees DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.) (1) With First Class Honours James Edward Fraser* (1936-49), in Classics.

George David Smith Henderson (1936-49), in History•.

Michael Sutherland Jamieson (1936-40 and 1942-49), in English (Language and Literature). (z) With Second Class Honours Arthur Farquharson Tough* (1946-49), in History.

John Raymond Cutts (1946-49), in Psychology.

Ian Ross Fraser* (1942-48), in Geography.

Henry Taylor* (1944-47), in Geography.

(3) Ordinary Degree Bernard Anton (1936-46).

Alexander Cromar* (1944-5 0).

Edwin Grieve* (1 944-5 0)• Denys Hartley Henderson* (1938-50).

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF DIVINITY (B.D.) Arthur William Alexander Main* (1939-45), M.A. DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF LAWS (LL.B.) Ordinary Degree Thomas Ballantyne* (1 942-47), M.A. John Thomson Clifford Gillan* (1934-46), M.A. Albert John Home Paterson* (1935-47), M.A. DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF LAW (B.L.) Forbes Keith Sellar* (1933-45).

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.Sc.) (1) With Second Class Honours William Alexander James Davie* (1937-49), in Natural Philosophy.

Ian Macpherson Matthews (1932-40), in Natural Philosophy.

27

z8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Frederick William Bultitude* (1943-49), in Chemistry.

Eric Hugh Cruickshank* (1940-40, in Chemistry.

Myron Grant Hampton* (1946-49), in Chemistry.

Alexander Abel Taylor* (1944-49), in Chemistry.

Brian Scott Gray* (1943-49), in Botany.

James Melvin Brander (1944-46), in Geology (in absentia).

Frederick John Michael Shand* (1943-49), in Geography. (a) Ordinary Degree

Stewart MacGregor Hosie (1941-48).

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING (B.SC.(ENG.)) (I) With Second Class Honours

Craig McIrvine Grubb* (1946-49), in Mechanical Engineering.

Martin James Wagrel* (1943-49), in Mechanical Engineering.

(2) Ordinary Degree

Andrew Milroy McQueen* (1946-49). *

*

*

Medals and Prizes James Edward Fraser* (1936-49) was awarded the Black Prize in Latin (another candidate was first in the examination but was ineligible to hold the prize) ; Alan Stirling Hall* (1937-40 and 1943-50) shared with another the Jenkyns Prize in Classical Philology; Michael Sutherland Jamieson (1936-40 and 1942-49) shared with another the Minto Memorial Prize in English, the Seafield Gold Medal in English, and the Senatus Prize in English Literature ; John Forrest McClellan* (1944-5o) was awarded the Gladstone Memorial Prize.

John William Reid Gray (1931-4S), M.A., LL.B., was awarded the Hunter Gold Medal in Roman Law ; Forbes Keith Sellar* (1933-45) was awarded the Society of Advocates Prize in International Private Law ; and Andrew Marshall Macdonald Steven* (1936-50) was awarded the Society of Advocates Prizes in Constitutional Law and Legal History and Jurisprudence.

Peter John Bushell* (1944-51) was awarded the Dr. J. A. Third Prize in Mathematics.

Arthur William Alexander Main* (1939-45), M.A. (who received his B.D. degree at the Summer Graduation), was awarded the Brown Scholarship.

Ian Howard Marshall* (1946-51) was awarded a Henry Prize in Moral Philosophy and John Forrest McClellan* (1944-so) a Henry Prize in Logic.

Alexander Kay Robertson* (k I 94 2,-44 M.A., B.A.(Oxon), and George Harley Turnbull* (1939-45), M.A., qualified for the Diploma in Education.

William Dawson Sinclair* (1934-38), M.B., Ch.B., passed the final examination for the Diploma in Public Health (D.P.H.).

University Notes

29

At the Autumn Graduation in the University of Aberdeen on z8 October 1943, degrees were conferred on the following F.P.s: Higher Degrees DEGREE OF MASTER OF SURGERY (CH.M.) George Edward Mayor* (1928-36), M.A. (Aberd.), M.D. (New

York), F.R.C.S. (Edin.).

Thesis—" Some aspects of peripheral vascular insufficiency as it affects the lower limb."

Honours and Ordinary Degrees DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.)

Ordinary Degree George Alexander Murdoch Stewart* (1 941-47).

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF LAW (B.L.) John Philip Grant (1 937-45).

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.Sc.)

Ordinary Degree William Dixon Brooker* (1938-5 0).

DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING (B.Sc. (ENG.))

Ordinary Degree Ronald Thomas Hamilton* (1936-3o), in Civil Engineering.

Douglas Alexander Gordon Gray (1937-4o), in Electrical

Engineering.

DEGREES OF BACHELOR OF MEDICINE AND BACHELOR OF SURGERY

(M.B., CH.B.) James David Garden* (1935-41). *

*

*

S.R.C. OFFICE-BEARERS

The office-bearers in the Students' Representative Council for 195 3- 5 4 include the following F.P.s:—Senior Vice-President, Colin Campbell Reith Macpherson* ( 9 3 5 -44, M.A.; Secretary, Gordon Strachan Cowie* (1937-4o and 194i- 5 1); Sub-Treasurer, Alexander Edward McIlwain* (194 5 - 5 1).

University of Edinburgh At the Summer Graduation in the University of Edinburgh in

July 1953, the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) was conferred on David Cairns (t9tz-16), M.A.

The Centenary of the Great North of Scotland Railway The year 1954 will mark the centenary of the opening of the Great North of Scotland Railway. It is worth while, therefore, to cast an eye back over the history of this concern, which for many years played a distinctive and important part in the life of Aberdeen and its hinterland. To-day, changed conditions and particularly the coming of mechanised road transport, have diminished the significance of the railway to the economy of the North-East. A number of branch lines have become redundant. The grouping of the railways in 192.2, and their nationalisation in 1948, has meant that there is no longer an independent railway headquarters in Aberdeen. But the former Great North of Scotland Railway was a company of distinctive character, and (latterly at least) notable for its vigorous administration and the excellent facilities which it offered to the public.

In these days of rigorous public control of investment, and of public organisations providing essential services, it requires some effort of imagination, and not a little detailed historical knowledge, to form a mental picture of the state of affairs during the formative period of our national railway system. It is a fact astounding by any standard, that in the three decades following on the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 183o, Britain was provided with a railway network not essentially less than that which exists today. In essentials the national system was complete by the '86os.

Many extensions and additions were made after that time but they were, so to speak, "trimmings ". This enormous feat of civil engineering was accomplished entirely by groups of capitalists, organising themselves to meet particular local needs and acting in the expectation of a profit on their investment. There was very little attempt on the part of the Government to fit these individual enterprises into some overriding national plan. Such a conception would have been foreign to the prevailing outlook of the period. Each group of railway promoters prepared a separate scheme, putting it up in the form of a Private Bill for the approval (or otherwise) of Parliament. There were no powers of compulsory purchase, so that railway companies often had to pay inflated prices for land, and the legal expenses involved in floating an enterprise were enormous.

Yet such was the public demand for the new means of transport, and the commercial possibilities therein, that investors came forward readily with capital accumulated in the trade and industry of a rapidly expanding economy. In their turn, the railways stimulated demand for the products of the engineering industry, and put yet more money into circulation. It was a state of affairs very different from that which pertains to-day, with strict government control of investment and relatively scarce capital resources.

The Great North of Scotland Railway was floated by an influential group of Aberdeen business men, at the height of the notorious " Railway Mania" of 1844. The prospectus was actually issued in 30

The Centenary of the Great North of Scotland Railway

31 March of the following year. The line was to run from Aberdeen to Inverness via Keith, Mulben and Elgin, with a number of short branches to Moray Firth coast towns. The capital was to be Li ooo,ooo—an enormous sum for those days. Given the absence of a national railway plan, this was simply a response to the natural controls of topography and the flow of trade—and also, be it said, a bold attempt on the part of Aberdeen to exercise economic influence over Inverness. The railways proposed in this original prospectus were all ultimately built. It was the major tragedy in the history of the G.N.S.R. that the financial stringency following on the collapse of the Railway Mania led to the lines west of Keith being made by other companies, based on Inverness.

In the beginning, this trunk route was intended to be a northward continuation of the line from Perth. Aberdeen was connected to Perth and the growing network of railways in the South by the Aberdeen Railway from Guthrie and Friockheim on the old Arbroath and Forfar line. The Aberdeen Railway's Act received Royal Assent on 35 July 1845, and its line was opened in 185o. At first, the G.N.S.R. was intimately linked with the Aberdeen Railway and the directorates were interlocked. In 1847 an Act of Parliament was passed providing that the two concerns should be amalgamated when half the capital of each was paid up and spent on works. This Act was a dead letter, and in the period of financial stringency, the two companies drifted apart. The Aberdeen Railway was later to form part of the Caledonian Railway—grouped into the L.M.S. in 1922.

The G.N.S.R. retained its independence until it was grouped into the L.N.E.R. in 1922. It was not until nationalisation that Aberdeen ceased to be a "frontier" station as between different railway administrations.

This development of the G.N.S.R., separate from the line to the south, had important consequences. It settled the character of the railway as a local concern, primarily interested in the local traffic of the area north and west of Aberdeen. In its early days, particularly, the G.N.S.R. did not appear to be interested in developing through rail traffic between its system and places south of Aberdeen. It retained its own inconvenient terminus at Waterloo for several years, and it was only after complex negotiations that the Joint Station and the Denburn line to Kittybrewster were opened in 1867. There are well-known stories of how the north train would be deliberately started from Waterloo so as to leave behind unfortunate passengers from the south, hurrying along the quay from Guild Street. As for goods traffic, it was G.N.S.R. policy in the early days to send it south by sea. This excessively independent attitude undoubtedly hastened the making of the direct line from Perth to Inverness, which put Aberdeen on one side so far as the through connection to the northern Highlands was concerned.

It seems an odd policy, but we must look at it in the light of local circumstances and economics. Aberdeen was not, then, the metropolitan centre for the north to the extent that it now is. It was an industrial town—but its industries were largely textile, and not

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Aberdeen Grammar School MagaTine

intimately connected with the hinterland. There was no great fishing industry requiring fast transportation to southern markets.

Also (and this was a factor largely non-economic) there was the ancient rivalry between Aberdeen and Inverness.

In the railway sphere, this arose out of the financial stringency of the lean years following the Railway Mania. The G.N.S.R. got its Act in 1846, but found great difficulty in raising capital. Progress was very slow, and in place of the grand design of 1845, the first portion to be built was a modest section from Kittybrewster to Huntly, and this was not opened until i z September 1854. It is this modest development that marked the inception of the G.N.S.R. as an operating concern, and whose centenary falls due. At first, the new railway had only seven locomotives—as compared with the 115 which were taken into L.N.E.R. stock at the grouping of r9zz. As far as Port Elphinstone, the track was laid on the site of the former Aberdeenshire Canal. The canal company had been purchased by the railway, but final arrangements for the transfer had not been completed by the time the contractor was ready to start work. Being anxious to start, he let the water out prematurely, leaving several barges stranded, and the breach had to be made good until the lawyers had completed the formalities.

The further section, from Huntly to Keith, was not opened for another two years—it October 1856, to be exact. By this time the Aberdeen end of the line had already been extended from Kittybrewster down the course of the old canal to Waterloo. This was the Aberdeen terminus for all traffic until the Joint Station was opened in 1867—and it is still a busy goods station, with connections to the Harbour railways.

The delay in commencing construction had an important effect, which was to have repercussions on the whole of the subsequent career of the G.N.S.R. The Inverness interests grew weary of waiting for their railway, and proceeded to build an independent line of their own from Inverness to Nairn. They did this with a promptitude that stood in strong contrast to the delays that had marked the progress of the G.N.S.R. Parliamentary powers were obtained in 18S4 and construction was begun in the same year—a week after the opening of the G.N.S.R. from Kittybrewster to Huntly. The line was opened on 5 November 1855.

This small railway had an effect on the railway politics of the north out of all proportion to its size. It followed the Parliamentary line of the original G.N.S.R. scheme, and the latter would never be able to reach Inverness unless it bought it up or built a competing line. One would imagine that the G.N.S.R. directors would have pressed on with their main line west of Keith and cultivated cordial relations with the Inverness interests. By some curious misjudgment, they did neither. They busied themselves with promoting nominally independent companies to make branches in Aberdeenshire, to Oldmeldrum, Peterhead, Turriff, and so forth, and were remarkably undiplomatic in their dealings with the Highland landowners. In the result, the G.N.S.R. never got further than Keith on the original

The Centenary of the Great North of Scotland Railway

33 route approved by Parliament—which was also the shortest and most natural route. The intervening section between Keith and Nairn was built by a third company, the Inverness and Aberdeen Junction Railway, which was a creation of the Inverness interests. Originally, the G.N.S.R. put up £40,000, and had two directors on the I. & A.J.R. board, but relations very soon became strained, and this arrangement was terminated. The I. & A. J.R. got its Act of Parliament in 1856, and its line was opened for traffic in 1858-thus providing a through route between Aberdeen and Inverness. Ultimately, the I. & A.J.R. was to be extended north of Inverness, and in 1865 it amalgamated with the Inverness and Perth Junction Railway to form the Highland Railway. The Highland Railway was naturally always more interested in developing its own traffic direct to the south via Blair Atholl—to it, Elgin and Keith were on a branch line. This led to squabbles between the two companies, accentuated by conflicts of personalities, that went on almost until the end of the century. Then, under new officials, the quarrels were resolved. In 1905 there was even an abortive attempt to amalgamate the two railways, as the "Highland and North of Scotland Railway ". Thereafter, there were through expresses between Aberdeen and Inverness, with pooled locomotive power.

But such a state of affairs was not thought of in the sixties and seventies, when each company timed its connections at Keith as awkwardly as possible for the unfortunate travelling public, and the late E. L. Ahrons could write that the G.N.S.R. trains resembled nothing so much as a glacier, in their leisurely progress. The G.N.S.R. did manage to reach Elgin, both by the coast and Craigellachic, and along both these routes there was more lucrative local traffic than on the direct H.R. line via Mulben. Also, by 1870, the G.N.S.R. had covered Aberdeenshire with branches, penetrated Strathspey as far as Boat of Garten, and absorbed the Deeside Railway. Apart from the H.R. line between Elgin and Keith, it had a monopoly of rail traffic in the whole area between Aberdeen, Ballater, Elgin and the sea.

It was' not until the closing years of the nineteenth century that the possibilities of the traffic were fully exploited. From being a byeword for lethargy, the G.N.S.R. very quickly transformed itself into one of the most enterprising and efficient railways in the country.

It was one of the earliest to light its carriages by electricity. The Palace Hotel, built in 1888, was one of the earliest buildings to be lit by this means. About the same time, intensive local services were started between Aberdeen, Culter and Dyce, which were a model of smartness and rapid acceleration, until their demise in 1937 as a result of bus competition. That the G.N.S.R. lines should have suffered so much as a result of such competition is ironic, inasmuch as the railway company itself was one of the pioneer bus operators. The first G.N.S.R. bus service was started in May 1904, between Ballater and Braemar, and this was the forerunner of a considerable system of routes to places such as Echt, Tarves arid Newburgh, not served by rail. A notable feature of tourist traffic immediately before the first

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 34 world war was the combination of road and rail facilities in the " Three Rivers Tours ", linking Dee, Don and Spey.

In many respects, in fact, the North-East has not since enjoyed such facilities as those offered by its energetic local railway in its palmiest days, between 189o and 1914. The site of the Palace Hotel, the desolate site of Cruden Bay station, dismantled Aberdeen suburban stations, remain to remind us of past endeavour. But there are also actively-used facilities such as the Joint Station which Aberdeen folk now take for granted, but which is a far better station than is usually found in towns of comparable size. The G.N.S.R. deserved well of the district which it served, and it is fitting to remember that one still cannot go by rail from Aberdeen to Elgin quite so quickly as fifty years ago.

R. W. G. BRYANT (1920-32).

Police Work in Malaya The Federation of Malaya Police as it is today is made up of a number of separate forces, which first became unified in the days following the Japanese surrender in September 1945. Prior to the Japanese invasion in 1941 the nine States and two Settlements of what is now the Federation of Malaya were policed by no less than six Police Forces. These were the Straits Settlements Police, which controlled Penang and Malacca ; the Federated Malay States Police (formed in September 1896), which controlled Perak, Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Pahang; and the State Police Forces of Johore, Kedah/ Perlis, Trengganu and Kelantan. On the reoccupation of Malaya in 1945, the country had for the first time a unified police system under one Commissioner of Police, controlled centrally from Kuala Lumpur.

BACKGROUND TO THE EMERGENCY

The Malayan Communist Party (M.C.P.) was formed in 1927, and in 1939, taking its orders from Moscow, the Party opposed the war against Germany, and endeavoured to disrupt the war effort in Malaya by causing strikes and labour unrest. In 1941 the invasion of Russia by the Germans brought about a complete reversal of policy, and up to and after the Japanese invasion of Malaya in 1941 the M.C.P. offered active help to the Malayan Government.

Immediately after the surrender in 1942, the Malayan Peoples Anti-Japanese Army (M.P.A.J.A.), which was Communist-controlled, was formed. This organisation was responsible for carrying out guerilla warfare against the Japanese, but in fact carried out its object only on a very minor scale. The political aspirations of the M.P.A.J.A. were never in doubt throughout the war—its aim was to create a Malayan " Peoples Republic ".

In the latter stages of the war large quantities of arms and ammunition, together with British officers and N.C.O.s, were parachuted into the country to assist the M.P.A.J.A. The task of these men was to organise and equip the " Anti-Japanese Army " in order

Police Work in Malaya

35 that they could disrupt the Japanese supply lines when the Allied landings began. (A number of the officers were kept virtual prisoners in the M.P.A.J.A. camp in the jungle and had little or no opportunity to do much training.) The Japanese surrendered before the invasion started, and the M.P.A.J.A. came into the open in many parts of Malaya—without their British officers—and stated that the victory over Japan was their doing and that they were now taking over the country. Many people believed this and made them welcome—more welcome than they deserved. At this time too, many dangerous political enemies were removed by the simple method of shooting them and then calling it a matter of " operational necessity ". This was accepted in most cases without question.

About the end of 1945 the M.P.A.J.A. was disbanded—not without considerable trouble—and large quantities of war materials went into secret dumps throughout the country. This was to be the reserve, to be used as and when required, as it was some two-and-ahalf years later.

In 1947 strikes were prevalent throughout Malaya due to the drop in the price of rubber and the Communists' exploitation of this fact.

An improvement was apparent towards the end of that year and in the early part of 1948, although strikes were still common occurrences.

Thereafter, things deteriorated rapidly, rubber estate labour was terrorised by the Communist-run Labour Unions, beatings-up were commonplace and murder soon began to take its place in dealings with reluctant contractors on estates.

THE EMERGENCY

In June 1948, following an outbreak of ruthless killings and much organised violence by these gangsters, the Government declared a state of emergency to exist and promulgated regulations to enable its forces to deal with the situation.

At this time the Federation of Malaya Police Force was approximately io,ooo strong, with some eighty-five European gazetted officers, to police some five-and-a-half million persons. This small force was quite inadequate to cope with the extra work required of them following the sudden outbreak of terrorism, and the majority of the men had only been in the Force for two-and-a-half or three years and had had relatively little experience. Arrangements were made to enrol a new body of men to be known as the Special Constabulary.

These Special Constables (S.C.) were, in the beginning, recruited by the managers of the estates or tin mines where they had to do their guard duty and in a number of cases were from the actual labour force on the spot. Until these men could be armed with rifles from police sources their initial issue of weapons was made from whatever weapons were available, mainly sporting rifles and shotguns which were the managers' own property. These S.C.s were originally given training in the use of their weapons by the managers themselves or by an S.C. who was himself a police pensioner or ex-volunteer.

In the end these men were all trained by the European Police

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Sergeants who came from Palestine and were put in charge of a group of estates or mines. These sergeants did magnificent work and they made a great contribution to the Force. S.C.s were also recruited to assist in the police stations and were quite likely to find themselves transferred from a big town (and civilisation) to an isolated estate in the middle of the jungle miles from anywhere.

Roads which were considered safe between A and B were now death-traps only to be attempted with an escort, and a heavily armed escort too. Estates were shot up both by day and night and in many cases the police party going to assist was ambushed en route and suffered casualties. Police parties now went out in strength and took precautions considered unnecessary only one month previously : in spite of this, however, police stations were overrun in the remoter districts, in broad daylight, and ambushes still took place. It was becoming a war of nerves.

So the battle went on and in 195o General Sir Harold Briggs, the Director of Operations, produced what became known as the " Briggs Plan ". This plan called for the resettling and regrouping near the towns and villages of all the squatters, vegetable gardeners and rice planters throughout the country. Where this could not be done, new communities were formed and dispensaries and police stations provided. Town Offices followed and in some cases also a District Office and Land Office. As a result of these new villages springing up throughout the Federation, the Police Force had an extra burden to bear and further expansion became necessary. The aim of the Briggs Plan was the cutting off of supplies from the terrorists and in the last three years the Plan has made a great contribution towards the easing of the bandit situation in Malaya.

The incident rate in the Federation to-day is small compared with that in 1950 and 1951, when ambushes and murders were common everyday occurrences, and the Police are now returning to their normal duties instead of operating as an almost completely militarised force. To look after the operational side, Police Jungle Companies were formed and these have now been re-formed into Jungle Forces comprising one or more of the old companies. With this expansion over the years the Police Force now numbers some 70,000 men, an increase of 700 per cent. between 1948 and mid-1953.

All the S.C.s who joined in 1948 have become eligible to leave the Force, if they so wish, and return to their former occupations, or to undergo vocational training at Government expense in order to take up a trade. They receive a gratuity as well. Many of them, having done five years, have signed on for a further engagement of three years. Malaya owes a great debt to those men who rallied round in the dark days of 1948 and it is hoped they will not be forgotten.

Although there are few incidents to-day, the Emergency is by no means over and it will be some time yet before all the terrorists are eliminated and Malaya once more returns to her normal way of life.

36

THOMAS BLAIR (1934-44).

Trouble in Nyasaland' Traditionally, the true peoples of this country are a happy, peaceloving lot who are recognised for their indolence in their own country and their industry in other countries, viz. Southern Rhodesia and South Africa. Large numbers emigrate annually to the south for employment but almost invariably come back for holidays and to settle with the extra money saved. The population is very dense considering the area of the territory and the land available for cultivation. The population problem has been made worse by the constant, uncontrolled stream of natives from Portuguese East Territory who have settled here. These people are of a different stamp to the true indigenous peoples. In fact a lot of them are refugees from across the border, escaping either the harsher treatment of the Portuguese, or running away from the Portuguese authorities for misdemeanours, etc. They cannot all be classified thus, but it is largely the case. A popular view, and I feel a correct one, among the Africans and Europeans of Nyasaland is that these people are being used by the Nyasaland Congress Party (African) in the current disorders. Government is paying now for past laxity in its immigration policy.

Now to the matter of Federation of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland and the aforesaid Congress Party. This African association came into legitimate being during the past war. Not much was heard about it until the matter of Amalgamation and finally Federation of the three territories was raised. With this proposal it somehow found its feet and its voice and has been very vocal right up to and during the present troubles. The brains behind the Congress Party are, so far as I know, still unknown to Government. There are theories that it is inspired from European Communist sources, from Indian sources and from African intelligence outside the country. Wherever it comes from, there is more to it than spontaneous local African nationalism. During the deliberations as to whether Federation was to be or not, the only voice heard in opposition, so far as the African was concerned, was the Congress Party. The African in the street here has neither the education nor the grasp of the situation to be able to say or even deliberate whether Federation is a good thing or not.

The very loud vocal efforts of Congress, helped by the Fabian Society at home and a great deal of intimidation of village Chiefs and the ordinary native, made it appear at home as if the whole African population here was against Federation. In plain truth the average native neither knew nor cared a whit about the matter.

And so to the present, or more accurately to the month of June and afterwards this year. During the Coronation Celebrations throughout the world and, in particular, the British Territories, Congress started a reign of intimidation to stop the Chiefs and ordinary Africans from attending the celebrations. Their efforts 1 The writer of this dispatch is manager of a farm, 2,4oo acres in extent, belonging to the Imperial Tobacco Company Limited, on Chisombezi Estate, near Limbe, Nyasaland. It was written early in September last.

37

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

were on the whole successful. I repeat the method used was intimidation. The African mind is very easily affected by talk. Threats which involve witchcraft and poison are very real things still in this part of Africa. Since June Congress have been active : small incidents, strikes, sedition, refusal to pay taxes and rents—all done by intimidation and seditious talk.

On 18/19 August, things really flared up out of nothing at a European-owned estate. By lies and spread of rumours, tension and feeling were aroused. Attempts were made to release arrested persons and the Nyasaland Police and European Special Constables had to make baton charges to disperse the crowd. Gradually the mood of the agitated mobs became more and more angry. The Riot Act had to be read and finally firearms were used by the Northern Rhodesian Police, called in for the emergency. Police from Tanganyika and Southern Rhodesia latterly also came in as security forces.

On Thursday z8 August, a Congress-agitated mob from Cholo, where the troubles started, made an attempt to depose the Native Authority of our immediate district here. In the resultant action firearms were again used after the Riot Act had been read. The following day, Chisombezi Estate was unlucky enough to lie on the line of march of a mob out for revenge on the police for the previous day's affair. As a result of mob damage we had our two tractors burned and severely battered, and hundreds of acres of grazings and forest were burned out. I am proud to say that not one of my labour force joined the mob and we continued with our payment of food money, due to be paid at that time : my labour quietly dispersed to their villages, frightened but loyal. I should have said earlier that during that week, all our neighbouring farms and estates were closed down by a visit from Congress in company with a mob from Cholo.

The European in charge or the owner concerned was told that all his labour would not be allowed to work. I was expecting this visit on the z9th and so the arrival of the mob on the farm was not unexpected. My wife, who had gone to Limbe that morning with the children for stores and food for our beleaguered neighbours, met the mob on the road, and was turned back. From then until the next day we were cut off.

A striking force of police and K.A.R. came back through the farm about 5 p.m. and evacuated my wife and children and the other women and children of the neighbourhood. That night I fought fires and prayed that no plans were being shaped for the return of the mob for the complete destruction of the farm buildings and the looting of the several thousand pounds' worth of foodstuffs in store on the farm. I knew police protection was out of the question. If the mob wanted to come back, there was nothing to stop them. All I could have done was to slip into the " bush ". Meanwhile, I had to sit tight until help came from Limbe. The road was heavily blocked between Limbe and the farm. I could not get out by car, even if I had wanted to scoot, which I had no intention of doing.

My encounters with the mob twice that day when trying to get the tractors to safety, had convinced me that, though the mob, especially

Trouble in Nyasaland 39 antinot were leaders up, the me the women, would have beaten European as yet. They saved me both times.

That night then I fought fires on my own until 3.3o a.m. to keep my mind busy. I also managed to save crops still in the field unharvested. All my labour were sitting tight except for one faithful watchman who was with me all that night until I fell into bed exhausted at 3.3o, wondering what the morrow held in store.

At 6 a.m., after a cup of tea, I set about feeding and watering the cattle. Old Eneya, my cattle foreman, was with me, bless him, and Jimmy Volak, seconded from the Government Vet. Dept. to help some of my neighbours because of the labour intimidation, came across and helped. About noon the first police patrol got through the road-blocks from Limbe. Shortly after, the Estates Manager, in company with a bunch of the I.T.C. fellows from Limbe, arrived and the situation was in hand. While he was still here, other fires were started in the crops I had fought so long the previous night to save.

We finally got the fire under control only to see Malowa Hill, part of the Estate lands, go up. With no African labour and a strong wind blowing I had to stand and watch it burn. What a blaze that was 1 For three years I had kept fires out. And now within a few hours the hill was a roaring inferno.

A little later, the Officer ifc British South African Police arrived to make a recce. for a camp for his detachment. Next day I had the satisfaction of seeing twenty European and eighty African ranks of the B.S.A. Police camped on our front lawn 1 My wife and family came back with the Estates Manager on the Monday, disgusted at having had to quit.

And so there we are. The police are still with us. The District Commissioner is bunking in with us while he storms round the district picking up suspects in company with a formidable convoy of B.S.A. Police. Although the situation is still not completely quiet— only yesterday there was quite a " do " down Chikwawa way on the Shire River—the position is much better. Ringleaders are being picked up, seditious literature has been found and we expect the new Gov. Gen. of the Federation in Nyasaland next Tuesday. He may have some further instructions in his pocket from London. The first job, as in Kenya, is law and order. After that some close enquiries have to be made. The Cinderella of the Colonies must be so no longer. At least we need enough money to reorganize our police and security measures 1 . . . This is not another Kenya, it must be emphasised, although the intimidation tactics are the same.

Speaking from what I myself have seen and heard, and from talks with my own Africans, this is mob violence and is against the professed policy of Congress. They had been working on the fond hope of pacific resistance. (Rev. Michael Scott.) Now they have lost control as we knew would happen. The issue of Federation has been completely lost sight of. All the skirmishes with the police have occurred during attempts to depose loyal Native Authorities.

It is nothing short of sedition. No attacks have yet been made on a European. Even European property is not officially the target.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 40 We were just unlucky on our day. Had we been a bit off the main road they would have passed us by, as they did our neighbours, except for the intimidation of our labour in forcing them not to work.

On the Monday 25 per cent. of my labour reported for work.

Without the police protection promised, I let them go home. Next day with the police on the place they turned up 5o per cent. Within two more days they were all working again. Supporters of Congress in Nyasaland are the malcontents and a few educated Africans. The bulk of the population, as our Governor, Sir Geoffrey Colby, said in a broadcast, are loyal and peace-loving people. This is strictly correct.

The average village native depends for information on talk and word passed by word of mouth. With more adequate information and the truth he can see and judge for himself. He is no fool but can be swayed and incited readily. Some of the rumours I picked up during August were fantastic. Until the authorities started the local Government Radio Information Service, even the Europeans did not have a clue. How can the African be blamed for feeling nervous and in the dark ?

R. A. D. LINDSAY (1933-39).

4/7th Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders (T.A.) The School is well represented in the Officers Mess of the 4/7th (City of Aberdeen, Mar and Mearns) Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders (T.A.). The C.O. is Lieutenant-Colonel Alistair Macdonell Milne* (1924-32) and Alexander Milne (1911-13), O.B.E., T.D., B.L., is Honorary Colonel. Other officers are Captain Alan Fowler Niven* (1941-44), Lieutenant Bruce Ewan Thomson* (1940-43) and Lieutenant John Maxwell Milne* (1934-46) ; the M.O. is Major John Robert Stephen Innes* (1923-35) ; and a former member of the School staff, Major WILLIAM HAY LAWRIE, M.B.E., is one of the company commanders.

Lieut.-Colonel Milne is most anxious to contact F.P.s, particularly those in Aberdeen, Kincardineshire and Deeside, who wish to do their part-time national service with the Battalion, either as officers or in the ranks. Many F.P.s who have family ties with the Gordon Highlanders may find themselves posted for full-time national service to infantry regiments with no territorial claims to the North-East and he will be glad to do what he can to ensure that on their return to civil life they are posted back to the Gordon Highlanders for their part-time training.

Books by F.P.s The Editor will be glad to receive for review in this section of the Magazine copies of books, pamphlets, etc. written or edited by F.P.s.

DAVID CAIRNS (1912-16),

M.A., D.D.: The Image of God in Man.

S.C.M. Press. 18s. *

*

ALLAN FRASER (1916), D.Sc., M.D.:

*

Beef Cattle Husbandry. Crosby

Lockwood, 18s. *

*

*

The Modern Writer and His World. Derek Vcrschoyle. I6s.

GEORGE SUTHERLAND FRASER (1924-33), M.A. and lain Fletcher (Editors): Springtime. An Anthology of Young Poets and Writers. Peter Owen. I zs. 6d. * * * A ERIC LINKLATER* (1913-16), M.A., LL.D.: The House of Gair.

Novel. Jonathan Cape. tos. 6d. * * * DAVID DONALD MURISON (1922-29), M.A. (Editor): The Scottish National Dictionary. Vol. IV, Part I. Scottish National Dictionary Association. * * *

GEORGE SUTHERLAND FRASER (1924-33), M.A.;

ELMSLIE ROBERTSON WATT* (1931-43), M.A. (Editor): Oriel College. Oxford University Archaeological Society (Ashmolean Museum, Oxford). is. 6d. * * * Oxford Economic Papers (New Series). Supplement: Sir Hubert Henderson, 1890-1952 (A.G.S. 1901-04). Oxford: Clarendon Press.

London : Cumberlege. 1 os.

DONALD

41

Marriages

-

Aitken (x928-37).—At Aberdeen, on t6 October 1953, ROBERT AITKEN,* son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Aitken, 128 King's Gate, Aberdeen, to Lillian Clarice Livett, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Lowe, London.

Allan (1922-34).—M Ferryhill South Church, Aberdeen, on 24 October 1953* EDWIN VERNON ALLAN, only son of the late Mr. and Mrs. E. Allan, zo Ashley Park Drive, Aberdeen, to Agnes Donald, daughter of the late Mr. Adam A. Donald and of Mrs. Donald, 79 Hilton Street, Aberdeen.

Black (i93o-4x).—At the Church of St. Mary and St. Joseph, Boxmoor, Herts, on 5 September 1953, ROBERT ALEXANDER Ross BLACK, B.Sc., B.A., son of Professor and Mrs. J. B. Black, Aberdeen, to Jean Ramsay Wolstencroft, eldest daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Wolstencroft, Rosehill, Boxmoor, Herts.

Bowman (I927-39).—At St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen, on 6 June 1953, JAMES FORBES BOWMAN,* son of the late Mr. James M. B. Bowman and of Mrs. Bowman, 53 Becchgrove Terrace, Aberdeen, to Jean McKay, twin daughter of Mr. James McKay and of the late Mrs. McKay, Garthmohr, Torphins.

Brown (1917-24).—At West Church of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, on 4 November 1953, DOUGLAS STEWART BROWN, younger son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Brown, 58 St. Swithin Street, Aberdeen, to Mary Patricia Petrie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hay Petrie, 306 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Carnegie (1932-45).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 7 October 1953, AUSTEN OGSTON CARNEGIE,* M.A., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Whyte Carnegie, 96 Mile-End Avenue, Aberdeen, to Catherine Douglas Henderson, youngest daughter of the late Mr. S. P. Henderson and of Mrs. E. Henderson, 4; Victoria Street, Aberdeen.

Cassie (L932-40).—At St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Aberdeen, on z6 November 1953, GEORGE CASSIE,* M.B., Ch.B., 5 Burns Gardens, Aberdeen, to Marjory M. M'Intyre, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George R. M'Intyre, 53 Argyll Place, Aberdeen.

Chalmers (z933-45).—At Dyce Parish Church, on 27 July 1953, ALEXANDER CHALMERS, only son of the late Mr. Alexander Chalmers and of Mrs. E. Chalmers, 32 Springbank Terrace, Aberdeen, to Nan Milne, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Milne, East Farbum, Dyce.

Cheyne (1934-41).—At Mannofield Church, Aberdeen, on 1 x August 1953, GEORGE WILLIAM CHEYNE, son of the late Mr. George Cheyne and of Mrs. Cheyne, 345 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, to Freda Beverly Nicoll, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. Nicoll, 8 Salisbury Terrace, Aberdeen.

Craig (1933-44 —At Rubislaw Church, Aberdeen, on 25 September 1953, ERIC CRAIG,* third son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Craig, 5 Woodburn Avenue, Aberdeen, to Patricia Mary Mackie, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Mackie, White Lodge, Milltimber.

Cressy (1944-47).---At Christchurch, Bexley Heath, on 13 June 1953, GEORGE WILLIAM CRESSY,* only son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Cressy, 37 Union Grove, Aberdeen, to Heather Stines, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Stines, 48 Westwood Lane, Welling, Kent.

David (1929-40).—At St. Andrew's Parish Church, Edinburgh, on 31 July 1953, ROY FEARON DAVID, elder son of Eng. Lt. G. C. David, R.N. (retd.), and of Mrs. David, Windyridge, West Cults, Aberdeenshire, to Mary Cowan Ramage, younger daughter of the late Mr. Thomas B. Ramage and of Mrs. M. Ramage, 23 Briery Bank, Haddington.

Donald (1941-44).—At Birse Parish Church, Aboync, on 31 July 1953, NORMAN DONALD, B.Sc., second son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Donald, Ben Alder, Culter, to Isabel Ann Millicent Bell, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Bell, Overseer's House, Ballogic, Aboyne.

Drennan (1928-41).—At St. Columba High Church, Inverness, on so June 1953, RANDAL JAMES DRENNAN, ro South Crown Street, Aberdeen, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Drennan, Aberdeen, to Jean Loretta Cruickshank Bernie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. M. Benzie, Dunroamin Hotel, Bomar Bridge.

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Marriages

43

Duffus (i932-38).—At Reston, Berwickshire, on 16 September 1953, ALEXANDER JAMES DUFEUS,* B.L., son of JAMBS CArro DuPrus* (1897-1904) and of

Mrs. Duffus, 62 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth Catherine Hcndrie, M.B., Ch.B., daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. J. G. W. Hendrie, The Manse, Reston.

Esslemont (t934-38).—At the Church of St. Martin's-on-the-Hill, Scarborough, on z5 November 1953, GEORGE BIRN1E ESSLEMONT, 3 Kingshill Avenue, Aberdeen, to Judith Winifred Mary Gray, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Gray, Scarborough.

Ferguson (1938-42).—At Forglen Parish Church, Turriff, Aberdeenshire, on 6 June 1953, DOUGLAS CORDINER FERGUSON, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Ferguson, 13 Granville Place, Aberdeen, to Jessie Clark Skene, elder daughter of the late Mr. James Skene and of Mrs. Skene, Crossbrae, Forglen.

Glashan (192z-z5).—At Hilton High Church, Aberdeen, on zz August 1953, JOHN GE/LS[1AM, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Glashan, 46 Rosehill Drive, Aberdeen, to Nellie Duncan, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. Duncan, Johnshaven.

Gray (t93t-44).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 18 July 1953, ,Ch.B., son of Alexander H. Gray (School Staff) ALEXANDER JAMES GRAY,* and of Mrs. Gray, 41 Rubislaw Park Crescent, Aberdeen, to Moira Margaret Taylor, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Taylor, izz David's Loan, Bainsford, Falkirk.

Gray (1928-41).—At the Memorial Chapel, University of Glasgow, on 13 June 1953, DOUGLAS GRAY, M.A., younger son of the late Mr. F. J. Gray and of Mrs. E. Gray, 7o Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, to Paula Madeline Cook, B.Sc., Ph.D., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Cook, 51 Runnymede Crescent, Streatham, S.W.16.

Haining (1943-48).—At Holburn Hall, zzo Holburn Street, Aberdeen, on i8 September 1953, KENNETH SPARK HAINING, A.C.I.l., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. William Haining, Go Dec Street, Aberdeen, to Olive Hazel Ross, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Ross, 27 St. John's Terrace, Aberdeen, Hall (1932-42).—At Beechgrove Church, Aberdeen, on 27 October 1953, ROBERT GALLOWAY HALL, son of Captain and vIrs. R. G. Hall, 71 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, to Eileen Stephen, daughter of the late Mr. George B. Stephen and of Mrs. I. Stephen, i Carden Place, Aberdeen.

Heggle (1932-43).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 6 November 1453, DAVID JOHN GORDON HEGGIE, only son of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Heggie, Rocklea, 6 Westwood Avenue, Giffnock, to Audrey Margaret Gourlay Towns, M.B., Ch.B., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Towns, Bank House, Aboyne.

Hepburn (1936-44)At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 16 July 1953, RONALD WILLIAM HEPBURN, M.A., SOD of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Hepburn, 7 Norfolk Road, Aberdeen, to Agnes Forbes Anderson, daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Wm. Anderson, S9 Forrest Road, Edinburgh.

Irvin (192 5-34—At Mannofield Church, Aberdeen, on 7 November 1953, JOHN HANNEL IRVIN,* younger son of Mr. T. T. Irvin and of the late Mrs. Ethel Irvin, Cranford, Aberdeen, to Margaret Mathieson, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mathieson, 83 Cranford Road, Aberdeen.

Lamb (1942-45).—At St. Columba's Church, Pont Street, London, on tz September 1953, LEONARD MCKEWNEY LAMB, 143 Clifton Road, Aberdeen, to Vera June Metcalfe, 16 Oakdene Road, Orpington, Kent.

Lawrence (t9o9-16).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 4 September 1953, the Rev. PHILIP DOUGLAS LAWRENCE,* M.A., 45 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, to Charlotte Mary Gerrie, a Queen's Gardens, Aberdeen.

Lawrence (1940-43).--'-At. St. Columba High Church, Inverness, on to July 1953, WILLIAM CALDER MACPHAIL LAWRENCE,* M.B., Ch.B., second son of the Rev. PHILIP DOUGLAS LAWRENCE* (1909-16) and of the late Mrs. Lawrence, 45 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, to Sheila Macleod, M.A., elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Macleod, The Lodge, Munlochy.

Lightbody ( I 922-33).—At Harrow, 011 31 March 1953,.ALEXANDER LIGHTBODY,* B.Sc., D.C.Ae., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Lightbody, 6 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen, to Pamela Hubbard, B.A., second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Hubbard, Harrow Road, Sudbury, Wembley.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Littlejohn (1939-43)At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 17 Octobet 1953, MICHAEL PETER LrrrLEioNN,* B.Sc. (Eng.), only son of WILLIAM MILNE LrertEjonN * (1901-02), A.M.Inst.C.E., and of Mrs. W. M. Littlejohn, Longhaven House, Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire, to Ellen Mary Short, only daughter of Mr. J. C. Short, 68 Bon-Accord Street, Aberdeen.

M`Cann (1938-46).—At Christ Church, Dartford, on to October 1953, PATRICK BERNARD WCANN, son of Mr. and Mrs. P. S. M`Cann, 38 Victoria Street, Aberdeen, to Rosemary Holland, elder daughter of Mr. J. Holland, O.B.E., and of Mrs. Holland, 3z Heather Drive, Dartford.

MacDearmid (1941-48).-At St. Paul's Church, Aberdeen, on 22 August 1953, ALLAN MACDEARMID,* elder son of Mr. and Mrs. MacDearmid, z Market Street, Aberdeen, to Margaret Isabel Mearns, elder daughter of Mr. George C. Meatus, S9 Esslemont Avenue, Aberdeen, and of the late Mrs. Margaret Mearns.

M`Nab (x929-41).—At West Church of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, on 6 June 1953, HEcroa M`NAB,* son of the late Mr. Alexander M`Nab and of Mrs. A. J. M`Nab, III Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, to Christine Hutchison, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Hutchison, 245 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen.

Main (x939-45).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on to August 1953, ARTHUR WILLIAM ALEXANDER MAIN,* M.A., B.D., only son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Main, 44 Salisbury Terrace, Aberdeen, to Emily Margaret Barclay, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. B. Barclay, 81a Queen Street, Peterhead.

Millar (x933-44).—At Wellington Church, Glasgow, on 5 September 1953, PETER CARMICHAEL MILLAR, M.A., LL.B., son of the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. P. C. Millar, The Manse, Fintray, Aberdeenshire, to Kirsteen Lindsay Carnegie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Carnegie, x Varna Road, Glasgow.

Milne (,930-42).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 22 August 1953, GAvIN MILNE,* M.A., LL.B., second son of Mr. and Mrs. John Milne, 44 Ashley Gardens, Aberdeen, to Doris Symon, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Symon, 22 Beechgrove Avenue, Aberdeen.

Nicol (1925-39).—At the Parish Church, Saltbum-by-the-Sca, in September 1953, NORMAN THOMAS IsitcoL,* M.B., Ch.B., son of the late Captain and Mrs. Nicol, Aberdeen, to Margaret Ethel Ellerton, M.S.R., younger daughter of the late Mr. B. C. Ellerton, Saltbum, and of Mrs. Ellerton.

Petrie (,947-48).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 14 July 1953, GORDON PETRIE, only son of the late Mr. Fenton W. Petrie and of Mrs. Margaret M. Petrie, 8z Hilton Drive, Aberdeen, to Dorothy Gladys Bewick, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Bewick, Edindeen, 2 Kingshill Avenue, Aberdeen.

Ross (x937-44).—At Melville Church, Aberdeen, on 3o October 1953, DONALD HARPER Ross,* younger son of Mr. and Mrs. W. K. Ross, 72 Hammersmith Road, Aberdeen, to Isabel Craig, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Craig, 188 Union Grove, Aberdeen.

Shivas (1927-39).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 4 August 1953, ANDREW ARMITAGE SHIVAS,* M.B., Ch.B.' D.P.H., son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Shivas, 36 Brighton Place, Aberdeen, to Isobel Margaret Silver, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Silver, 18 Erskine Street, Aberdeen.

Thom (z9I5-28).-At. St. Mary's Anglican Church, Kerrisdale, Vancouver, B.C., on 14 March 1953, JAMES NORMAN THOM * to Louise Florence Sevin.

Tough (1940-42). At Penn Fields Church, Wolverhampton, on 29 March 1952, GEORGE TOUGH,* B.Sc., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Tough, 8 Leggart Avenue, Aberdeen, to Dorothy May Sexton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Sexton, Mornington, Victoria, Australia.

West (x939-44).—At St. George's, Hanover Square, London, on x July 1953, DAVID ALEXANDER WEsr,* M.A., B.A., only son of Mr. and Mrs. David West, 45 Brimmond Place, Aberdeen, to Pamela Frances Murray, only daughter of the late Lt.-Col. S. G. C. Murray and of Mrs. L. F. Arthur, 7 Princes Gate, London.

Yeoman (x935-39)At St. John's Church, Aberdeen, on 26 August 1953, WILLIAM ALEXANDER YEOMAN, son of the late Mr. William Yeoman, tax King's Gate, Aberdeen, and of Mrs. A. Yeoman, 6o Sunnybank Road, Aberdeen, to Dora Jennie Wetherell, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Wetherell, 4 Winifred Road, Waterlooville, near Portsmouth.

Obituary

0

p

Frederick Shand Baxter (1897-98) died at Aberdeen on 4 June 1953, aged seventy. He was the second son of the late Mr. William Baxter, Peterhead.

William Baxter Blackwood* (1899-1903), minister of Ord, Cornhill, Banffshire, dicd on 13 August 1953, aged sixty-seven. He attended the University of Aberdeen from 19O3 to 1907, and the Congregational Church Theological Hall, Edinburgh, from 1907 to 1909. In the latter year he was appointed pastor of Blantyre Congregational Church and from 191o to 1913 he held the charge at Reawick Congregational Church, Shetland. He then attended the United Free Church College, Aberdeen, for a year before returning to Shetland to become minister of the United Free Church, Ollaberry. In 5933 he was called to Archiestown, Morayshire, and after ten years there he was appointed minister of Ord, where he remained until his death. His interests were centred in the work of the Church and his congregation.

George Wilson Bolton* (1926-33), manager of the Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen, died at Foresterhill, Aberdeen, on is September 1953, aged thirty-five. The younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bolton, 7z Forest Avenue, Aberdeen, he trained as an accountant with Messrs. J. R. Flockhart & Grant, chartered accountants, Aberdeen, and during the last war he served with the R.A.S.C. in England, India and Burma. In 1946 he was appointed assistant secretary of the Tivoli Theatre, and he became assistant manager after four months. He was appointed manager in 1947.

James Cheves (1884-85), C.A., died at Ivybank, Longside, Aberdeenshire, on 5 July 1953, in his eighty-fifth year. He had been in poor health for some years.

He qualified as a chartered accountant in Aberdeen in 1895 and thereafter worked in Nottingham and London. He retired in 1916 and took up residence in Longside, where his family had lived for generations. He was of a very retiring disposition, and took no part in public affairs, his chief interest being his garden. For many years he was treasurer of St. John's Episcopal Church, Longside.

His brother, LAWRENCE CHEVES (,88o-84), was killed in the Matabele War in 1896.

Walter James Chinn (i9o5-o7), youngest son of the late Major and Mrs. J. H. Chinn, Candacraig, Portsoy, died at Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen, on 16 August 1953, aged sixty. For almost forty years he was on the staff of Aberdeen Journals Limited : he joined the Evening Expresx as a sub-editor after the first world war and latterly he was a proof reader on the staff of The Press and Journal. He was one of four brothers who attended the School: CHARLES J. C. CHINN (1886-89) was lost at sea in 1895; HERBERT HARRISON CHINN (1886-91) died at Sunderland in 1919, after the ship in which he was travelling had been torpedoed; and SIDNEY H. CHINN (1891) was formerly a mechanical engineer in Queensland, Australia. " K. J. P." writes: In the fast-changing, restless tempo of modern journalism it is a comfort during hours of stress to turn to one of the constant aspects of a bewitched profession.

Such constancy was to be found until recently in the approachable, unchanging person of Walter Chinn of the editorial staff of Aberdeen Journals.

The newspaper people of Broad Street, Aberdeen, seldom hesitated to " ask Walter ". And Walter seldom was to be found wanting. He possessed an extraordinary memory, stuffed with one of the raw materials of his profession— facts. These facts might be happenings of yesteryear from which Walter dusted time ; they might be dates ; they might—and here Walter warmed to his work —be references to one of the productions of his beloved Gilbert and Sullivan.

How valuable such a man is to his profession is not often realised. But journalism is not all fluorescent light, dramatic headlines, and fast work. It needs its Walter Chinns. It is doubtful if he knew how valuable he was to colleague and profession alike. He was a modest man; he shunned limelight.

Many will not realise that he was the writer of frequent contributions to the newspapers of Aberdeen. The modest initials " W.J.C.", however, betrayed an active mind and a keen understanding of human nature.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Robert Haldane Cook* (1877-82), M.D., died at Malvern Mill, Blockley, Gloucestershire, on io November 1953, aged eighty-seven. He graduated M.B., C.M. at the University of Aberdeen in 1888 and took his M.D. degree seven years later. He was in practice at Portlethen, Kincardineshire, Brill, Buckinghamshire, and Enfield, Middlesex, before being appointed resident medical superintendent at the Enfield and Edmonton Isolation Hospital, Winchmore Hill, London, in 1913.

He retired from this post in 1931 but nine years later, at the age of seventy-four, be enlisted in the Home Guard giving his age as sixty-five.

He was the youngest and last surviving son of the late Mr. John Cook, founder Three brothers of the firm of John Cook & Sons, shipowners, Aberdeen. attended the School: GEORGE MILNE CooK (1864-69) and JAMES CooK (1877-79), who were both partners in the family firm, died in 1932 and 195o respectively; JOHN CooK (1872-76) died in New Zealand in 1940.

Albert Coull (1920-32), M.B., Ch.B., died at Foresterhill, Aberdeen, after a long illness on 24 June 1953. Aged thirty-eight, he was the second son of the late Mr. William Coull and of Mrs. Coull, 25 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen. He graduated in Medicine at the University of Aberdeen in 1937, and in June 1939 be became a Surgeon Lieutenant, R.N., being posted as medical officer to H.M.S. Sharpshooter. He was at Dunkirk with the Atlantic convoys, and at Scapa Flow as a flotilla M.O.; for several months he served on Russian convoy routes, and he reached the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander. After the war he went into practice at Sutton Coldfield but later decided to return to the sea, and it was during his first trip as medical officer in a troop-carrier bound for Korea that his last illness started.

James Cumming (1882-89), M.B.E., died at Foresterhill, Aberdeen, on to August 1953, aged seventy-nine. He was Chief Sanitary Inspector of Aberdeen from 1913 to 1938, and altogether had forty-nine years' service in the city's Public Health Department. He started in 1890 as a boy clerk under the late Professor Matthew Hay, and in 1937 he was appointed president of the Royal Sanitary Association of Scotland. During the last war he worked in the Ministry of Food.

He was a former session clerk of Ruthrieston West Church and in his younger days he was captain of the Boys' Brigade Company attached to that church.

Norman 114`Leod Douglas (189o- ?), retired chemist, 71 Crown Street, Aberdeen, died suddenly at Foresterhill, Aberdeen, on 5 July 5953, aged seventyfive. He served his apprenticeship as a chemist with the late Dr. Cheyne, Queen Street, Aberdeen, and after qualifying he went to London and became a dispenser in one of the large hospitals. Thereafter for a number of years he was dispenser to a doctor in Santo Domingo, West Indies. On his return to this country he was in business for a short time in Glasgow, and during the 1914-1918 war he served with the R.A.M.C. His health was impaired by the war and thereafter he held no permanent post. He was, however, locum tenens from time to time in various places, including Ballater, Dufftown and Fraserburgh.

William Flett (1881-84), eldest son of the late Mr. Alexander Flett, 20 Louisville Avenue, Aberdeen, died at Cape Town on 26 October 1953, aged eighty-two.

After working in his father's business in Aberdeen, he went to the Caledonia Estate, Wellesley, Straits Settlements. Thereafter he settled in Cape Town and was in business there as an accountant from 1921 until he retired a few years ago.

He returned to Scotland last year on holiday.

Ernest George Gray (1885 ? and 1895-99), elder surviving son of the late Mr. Henry Gray, J.Y., merchant, Aberdeen, died suddenly at Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen, on 3 July 1953. He was aged seventy-two. He was trained in his father's business and in later years, until he retired about three years ago, he was employed by Messrs. William Scatterty, commission agents, Aberdeen. His chief interests were politics, the Church and music, both choral and instrumental. He played the violin and was for many years up to the time of his death a member of the Hall Russell Male Voice Choir.

He was one of eight brothers, all of whom attended the School, but he is survived by only one, THEODORE GRANT GRAY* (1895-1901), C.M.G., M.B., Ch.B. Dr. Gray was Director-General of New Zealand Mental Services, and is now a consultant psychiatrist in Wellington, New Zealand.

4

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Obituary

47 James Hay* (1883-87), M.A., B.L., LL.D., D.L., advocate in Aberdeen, one of the city's best known men and one who was associated with many branches of public life, died at his home, 4o Morningfield Road, Aberdeen, on 7 July 1953.

He was aged eighty-one. Son of the late Mr. James Hay, he was born at Little Ythsie, Tarves, Aberdeenshire, where his family had been farming for over three centuries.

Most of his professional life was spent as a partner in the firm of Adam, Thomson & Ross, advocates, which he joined in 1911 and from which he retired in 1951.

He graduated M.A. at the University of Aberdeen in 1891 and then made a tour round the world (as his father had done before him in the '6os), visiting Australia, China, Japan and the U.S.A. In 1896 he graduated B.L. and qualified as a law agent, after serving his apprenticeship with Messrs. Lumsden & Davidson, advocates. He was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1896, and was a partner in the firm of R. D. Leslie & Hay, advocates, from 1900 to 1911, being sole partner from 1906.

He was a member of Aberdeen Town Council from 1928 to 1945, and will be remembered principally for his work as convener of the Links and Parks Committee. He was keenly interested in sport and it was during his convenership that the city's Uptown Baths and the Hazlehead Golf Course were opened. He was also.largely responsible for providing many football pitches and sports pavilions for young people.

He was particularly interested in golf and was secretary of the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and of the North-East District of the Scottish Golf Union for about thirty years. He was responsible for bringing many leading British and American professionals to Aberdeen to take part in exhibition matches. In 1932-33 he was president of the Scottish Golf Union.

Before the National Health Service was introduced Mr. Hay was on the board of directors of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for many years and chairman of the board for a time. He was also a member of the University Court for over eighteen years and in 1946 the honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred on him. He was a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of the City of Aberdeen and president of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen from 1936 to 1938.

He is survived by a daughter and two sons, DAVID SINCLAIR HAY* (1907-11), B.L., Aberdeen, and JOHN RAE HAY* (x910-x3), Major, The Gordon Highlanders, who is now on the staff at the War Office.

Colonel Lachlan Mackinnon, advocate in Aberdeen, writes:— I knew the late James Hay—Jerry to his friends—for many years. It was probably during the first world war that I really came to appreciate his outstanding qualities. He was the ideal war-time company commander. He had managed to get to the front at an age when he could quite well have remained at home or taken up an appointment at the base. He had all the qualities which make for leadership—bravery, fairness, understanding, clear thinking—and with these qualities he got on very well with his men. He could always be left on his own to do the right thing. He once said to me that he liked serving with me, because I left him on his own, but it was just because of his own qualities of leadership that I could do so.

After the war there were labour troubles, and a battalion of a so-called Defence Force had to be raised to take up duty at the pit-heads in Fifeshire ; he was the first to leave his business and volunteer.

He was intensely public-spirited; he showed that all his life—his work in connection with University and Town Council matters was outstanding.

In later years he was much troubled by deafness, which gradually grew worse, but he bore his affliction with the same stoicism as he showed during the war. He was reserved and therefore not easy to know, but when one really knew him, one came to appreciate his outstanding qualities, and these were many.

Charles Stewart Jackson (1909-ti), minister of the North Church, Stirling, since 1935, died at Stirling on at November 1953, aged fifty-six. An obituary notice will appear in our next issue.

Charles Gray Kennaway* (1904-16), M.A., B.Sc., C.A., died suddenly at Aberdeen on 13 June 1953, aged fifty-three. He was a partner in the firm of

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Mitchell, Kennaway & Company, chartered accountants, Aberdeen, and lived at 34 Rubislaw Den South. At the University of Aberdeen he graduated M.A. with honours in Mathematics and B.Sc. with special distinction in Chemistry 'm 1922, and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1925. After two years in Glasgow he returned to Aberdeen and became a partner in Mitchell, Kennaway & Company.

He was auditor to the Lads' Club, Aberdeen, for over twenty years and clerk to Carden Place Church for twenty-five years. During the 1914-18 war he was commissioned in the Guards Machine Gun Regiment. He was a son of the late Mr. William Kennaway, baker, Aberdeen, and his two brothers were also at the School: WILLIAM BARCLAY KENNAWAY (1902-14) died at Aberdeen in 5927 and JAMES PEEBLES KENNAWAY* (1905-17) has been proprietor of the Kenway Tyre House, Aberdeen, since 1929.

John Henry Leith* (1912-23), 41 Albert Street, Aberdeen, died suddenly from coronary thrombosis at his home on 19 June 1953, aged forty-six. He was the only son of the late Mr. John L. Leith, and on leaving the School he entered his father's business, H. Leith & Son Limited, tin plate workers and ironmongers, Netherkirkgate, Aberdeen. He became a director in 1932 and was managing director from 1942 until his death. He was a member of the Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen.

Thomas William Lumsden (1883-87 and 1889-91), M.D., Director of Cancer Research at London Hospital from 1930 to 1941, died on 24 November 1953, aged seventy-eight. He lived at Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire. A fuller notice will appear in the next issue of the Magazine.

William Moir McCrae (1899-1910), M.M., died at his home, 9 St. Anne's Terrace, St. Helier, Jersey, on t November 1953, in his sixtieth year. He served his apprenticeship as a civil engineer with the Burgh Surveyor, Aberdeen, and was with a Signal Company of the Royal Engineers in France from May 1915 to November 1918. The following year he entered the service of the Malayan Public Works Department and held posts successively in Singapore, Perak, Selangor, Malacca and Kelantan. From 1939 to 1941 he was Senior Executive Engineer, Kedah North. At the end of 1941 he received a commission as a Major in the Royal Engineers but was attached to the R.A.F., first at Singapore and later in Java. Thereafter he went to India, joined the Indian Engineers and was posted as Garrison Engineer to Chaman, North )3aluchistan (one and a half miles from the border of Afghanistan). In December 1942 he was posted to Quetta and in July 1943 he was transferred to Manipur Aerodrome, Karachi. In April 1944 he joined G.H.Q., New Delhi, and in August of that year he went to H.Q., S.E.A.C., at Kandy, Ceylon.

After the war he returned with the British Military Administration to Malaya and from November 1945 to June 1948 he was State Engineer in Kelantan and Trengganu. Thereafter he retired and settled in the Channel Islands.

George Alexander Mayor* (1885-90), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., died at Ballater, Aberdeenshire, on 25 July 1953, aged seventy-nine. Eldest son of the late Mr. Alexander Mayor, architect, Aberdeen, he graduated at the University of Aberdeen in Arts (1894), and in Medicine with honours (5899). He obtained his D.P.H. in 1905. He was resident physician at the City Hospital, Aberdeen, and in private practice in Liverpool until the outbreak of war in 1914. He then served with the R.A.M.C. in Palestine and elsewhere until 1920, when he was invalided home suffering from the effects of a tropical disease. On this account he was unable to resume practice, and he lived in retirement in Edinburgh. His interests were entirely centred on medical matters, and he followed keenly all the reports of recent advances in medical knowledge. When his health permitted, he gave voluntary assistance in Edinburgh hospitals.

Alfred Forbes Milne* (1895-1900), M.A., B.Mus., died suddenly at Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, on 6 November 1933, aged seventy. He was an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music and of the Royal College of Music.

He took an honours degree in Classics at the University of Aberdeen in 1904 but then decided to specialise in music. He had already conducted a string orchestra in Aberdeen and had been organist in one of the city churches. He gained the A.R.C.M. diploma in pianoforte in 1906, and in 1907 he was appointed music master at Madras College, St. Andrews. From 5908 to 1917 he was music master

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49

at Dundee High School, and also organist and choirmaster at St. John's U.F. Church, Dundee. Bad health prevented his going on active service during the 1914-18 war, but he served with the Y.M.C.A. and organised recreational facilities for the troops. In this work he was associated with Gustav Hoist and Percy Scholes. During the war he also studied for an external Bachelor of Music degree and passed the examination at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1916. In 1918 he was appointed music master at Caterham School and also part-time lecturer in music at Borough Road Training College. In 192o he was appointed Director of Music at Berkhamsted School, where he remained until he retired.

In 1930 he was appointed Professor of Aural Training at the Royal Academy of Music, and he was on the examining board of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and the Cambridge Loral Examination Syndicate. For the former he went to Canada in 1939 to carry out an examination tour and he went to New Zealand during the 1939-1945 war. He wrote several books and articles on musical subjects.

Andrew Robb Mortimer (1895-1901) died suddenly at 114 Marchmont Road, Edinburgh, on 59 October 1953, aged sixty-nine. He served his apprenticeship as a chartered accountant in Aberdeen and Glasgow and joined Ingram & Mortimer Limited, commission agents and produce brokers, Aberdeen. During the 1914-18 war he served in the ranks of the Royal Fusiliers and was later commissioned in the Rifle Brigade. He was at Salonika in 1918 and in South Russia in the following year. In 1925 he joined the staff of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in Edinburgh and worked in the legal branch until about two years ago. Thereafter he assisted the Department in a part-time capacity.

In his younger days he was a prominent member of the Aberdeenshire Cricket Club, with which several members of his family have been closely associated. I-Ie played in many county championship games and was at one time treasurer of the club. He was an uncle of JOHN MORTIMER* (1923-27), who has played cricket for Scotland on several occasions.

Two of his brothers were also at the School: GEORGE MORTIMER (1894-96) has been in New Zealand since 1914; and Jomq MORTIMER (1895-97), who worked in the Department of I lealth for Scotland, died in Edinburgh in 1939.

John Everard Rae* (1885-87), M.A., advocate in Aberdeen, died at his home, 25 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, on 22 July 1953, aged eighty-three. He retired from the firm of Adam, Thomson & Ross, advocates, Aberdeen, at the end of 1952, having been a partner in the firm for fifty-one years and associated with it since 1896. He was clerk of the J.P. Court in Aberdeen for twenty-three years and clerk of the Juvenile Court in Aberdeen from 1938, when it was established, until he retired in July 1952. During his long public career he had many interests.

Son of the late Mr. John Rae of the Commercial Bank, he was born in Edinburgh but came to Aberdeen with his family and attended the School for two years. In 1891 he graduated M.A. at the University of Aberdeen and went on to serve his law apprenticeship with Messrs. C. & P. H. Chalmers, advocates, Aberdeen.

In 1894 he entered the office of Messrs. Dalgleish, Gray & Dobie, W.S., Edinburgh, to gain experience of Court of Session practice. In 1896 he was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen, of which he was president from 1940 to 1942.

At the outbreak of the 1914-18 war he held the rank of Major in the 1st (City of Aberdeen) Battery, ist Highland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (T.F.). He commanded the zlist Highland Brigade—later known as 32oth Brigade, R.F.A.—in the United Kingdom until October 1917, and during the following two years he was attached successively to the Headquarters of 7th Corps and 8th Corps in France. He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in 1917.

Mr. Rae was the last survivor of four F.P.s who left the School in 1887 and who, in October 1946, presented a photograph of themselves (taken in that year) to the Rector of the School. The other three were GEORGE HADD9N BOWER (1877-87), C.B., M.A. (who died in 1950), ALEXANDER THOMAS CRUICKSIIANK (1882-87), O.B.E., M.A. (who died in 1947) and JAMES HAY (1883-87), M.A., B.L., LL.D., D.L. (q.v.) (who predeceased Mr. Rae by fifteen days). Also in the photograph was their old English master at the School, Mr. Hugh F. Campbell, M.A., B.L., who, like his four pupils, subsequently became an advocate in Aberdeen. Mr. Campbell died at Domoch in 1948.

5o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Mr. Rae is survived by two brothers who were also at the School: DONALD

BRUCE RAE (1886-94) was manager of Lloyds Bank at Reigate, Surrey, until 1945, when he retired, and JAMES BuRNErr RAE * (1886-97), M.B., Ch.B., has been a

consulting medical psychologist in Harley Street since 1917.

WILLIAM ROSE BLACK* (1882-85), M.A., solicitor, Elgin, writes The passing of John Everard Rae has shorn my life of a luminous personality and of my greatest friend. He was a college friend of my late brother, the Reverend James Black. They entered Aberdeen University in 1887— two years after me. During our University course I met him frequently, and especially during the summer sessions when we played tennis together in the Duthie Park. Our paths then diverged but, by one of the happiest coincidences in my life, when he came to study law in Edinburgh, he found lodgings in rooms adjoining mine. I paid a courtesy call on my fellow lodger and to my surprise and delight there was Jack Rae! We were both law students and we found we had many interests in common. We became fast friends, helped each other in our studies during the week, participated in our youthful pranks on Saturday evenings and often in walks over the Pentland Hills on Sundays. We passed our final law examinations together and ultimately settled in lift's business, he in Aberdeen and I in Elgin.

Thereafter we saw each other as much as the exigencies of our work permitted. We were both keen fishers, which formed another abiding bond.

Many delightful expeditions we had, fishing the streams and lochs of Morayshire, Banffshire and Aberdeenshire.

When my wife, who was an artist, and I got a car in 1911, Sutherland became our happy hunting ground, and Jack joined us in our annual holidays there. The first great war intervened and we met less often, though for many months we were in Norwich together, he in command of an Artillery Squadron and 1 in command of the 6th Seaforths.

After the war, we resumed our Sutherland trips. His belated engagement, of happy augury and fulfilment, gave us great pleasure. The only fly in the ointment was that the lady of his choice was not a fisher. How would our fishing holidays be affected? His wife had her first experience of fishing at Lochnabo near my home. She caught a fish and lost it. The next time we met, she had become as keen as mustard. Our holidays in Sutherland continued yearly and latterly twice a year. We were a very congenial quartet, sometimes supplemented by the pleasant company of Colonel Tom Davidson of Caskieben and young relatives of mine. While my wife sketched, the others fished. The evenings were spent in bridge and banter. Jack was an ideal companion always. On holiday he was ever full of mirth and song, and many a waiting hour in the boat did he entertain us with his pawky wit and humour and songs secular as well as sacred! The old Scottish tunes (psalms and paraphrases) were very dear to him. He had a very pleasing voice which never failed even when he was an octogenarian. On his last visit to us he delighted the company with his rendering of the Mountains o' Mourne and other ditties. It was always a pleasure to me to play his accompaniments. Alas, all is now but a happy memory. Requiescat in pace.

James Cooper Rennie* (1913-18) died suddenly at Johannesburg on 25 June 1953, aged fifty-two. When at School he was a keen Scout and won the Rector's Cup for swimming in 1916. He went to Johannesburg in 1920 and became a director in George Stott & Company Limited. Later he was interested in farming.

He was a keen bowler and a member of the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg.

He was a grandson of the late Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Rennie of Milladen, Mintlaw.

His elder brother, ALEXANDER RUSDEN RENLNLE (1913-14), who also won the Rector's Cup for swimming (in 1914), was severely wounded at Vimy Ridge in 1918 and died at Johannesburg in 1924.

Mr. Henry Tucker, solicitor, Johannesburg, writes:— To his colleagues at School, many of whom remained close friends, and to his many other friends, the news of Cooper Rennie's untimely death came as a great shock, and our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife, his mother and his children.

Obituary

3I

Cooper Rennie had made a success in following his father in a large engineering business. He had many varied interests and recently became a keen bowler; in fact, on the day of his death he had been passed as a howls umpire, continuing a sporting tradition which commenced as far back as 1916 when he won the Rector's Cup for swimming.

He had a host of friends who mourn his passing.

Peter Johnstone Rhind* (1902-04) died at Kilmuir, Milltimber (the home of his sister-in-law), on 3 November 1933, aged sixty-four. On leaving the School he trained with Messrs. Anderson & Thomson, wholesale warehousemen, Aberdeen, and during the first world war he was commissioned in the Machine Gun Corps and served in France, Where he was wounded in September 1917. Thereafter he was on the staff. In 1918 he joined Messrs. Stewart Brothers, a shipping firm in Glasgow, and later he was appointed a director of Strachan & Company (Aberdeen) Limited, wholesale woollen warehousemen. From 1933 he was North of Scotland representative of Kilgour & Walker Limited, woollen manufacturers, Aberdeen.

He had been in poor health for some time before his death. He was an elder of Woodside North Church for many years and later of the Kelman Memorial Church, Peterculter.

His twin brother, JAMES ALEXANDER RHIND (1902-04), who was in Chile from 1912 to 1932 with the An lo-Chilean Nitrate & Railway Company Limited, died at Dundee in 1930; his other brother, ALBERT RHIND (1893-97), WAS Surveyor of Customs, Huddersfield, until he retired in 5947. He is now living at Pontefract, Yorkshire.

Charles Edward Smith* (1889-92) died at i 38 South Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, on 23 November 19S3, aged seventy-seven. A son of the late Mr. Alexander Smith, a former Gas and Electricity Manager in the city, he was for forty-six years in the Aberdeen Corporation Gas Department. When he retired in 1938, he had been Assistant City Gas Engineer for thirty-three years. He was a founder member of Dccside Golf Club.

Herbert Lindsay Snowie* (1899-1901) died at Aberdeen on 27 September 1953, aged sixty-six. He was with Messrs. Stephen & Smith, advocates, Aberdeen, from 1902 to 1912 but gave up law and joined Harrisons & Crosficld Limited at Kuala Lumpur in 5953. He returned home for the first world war and was commissioned in the Gordon Highlanders. He was invalided out in 1918 and on his return to the Far East was appointed managing director of the British American Tobacco Company Limited for Malaya and Siam.

After his retirement in 1936, he returned to Aberdeen, resumed his law studies and duly passed his final examination. He did not, however, practise.

His brother, ROBERT SIMPSON SNOWIE (1903-08), M.B., Ch.B., was in practice at Burton-on-Trent for many years from 1913. He has now retired.

Arthur Percy Spark (1905-t I), M.B., Ch.B., Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent in 1949-50 and for thirty years a prominent figure in the municipal, social, sporting and theatrical life of North Staffordshire, died at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary on 29 August 1953. He was aged fifty-nine.

The second son of the late Reverend Robert Spark, M.A., of Durris, Kincardineshire, he had his medical studies at the University of Aberdeen interrupted in July 1914 when, as a member of the Territorial Force, he was called up. After serving in France, where he fought at Hill 6o, he was severely wounded and invalided from the Army. He then resumed his medical studies and after graduating in 1917 became a resident at the Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen. He then joined the Royal Navy and served in the Dover Patrol, his ship taking part in the famous Zeebrugge action. He was then posted to the Royal Naval Hospital at Corfu.

At the end of the war he became medical officer to the Dardanelles Commission and travelled extensively in the Near East.

In 1919 he left the Royal Navy and started medical riactice at Strood, near Chatham: in 1921 he went to Stoke-on-Trent where the rest of his life was spent.

In addition to attending to his busy practice, he held many medical appointments.

He gave outstanding service to the St. John Ambulance organization; in 1946 he was promoted to the rank of Officer (Brother) in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and in January 595o his services received further recognition when he was

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promoted to the rank of Commander (Brother). For twenty years he was medical officer to the Hanley (Staffordshire 4) Red Cross Division and for about the same period he was medical officer to the Theatre Royal, Hanley, and to Stoke City Football Club. He was also associated with the Air Training Corps, the Stoke Boys' Club and other Youth Movements.

Throughout his life he was intensely interested in various sports and excelled in many himself. At the School he gained his rugby cap and established a throwingthe-hammer record which was unbeaten for twenty years. At the University he was a member of the athletic team which won the Scottish inter-University Championships in 1911. In 1913 he won the Territorial Forces' Gold Medal for putting the shot, thereby becoming national champion. In the early years of the war he played rugby for Scotland in a war-time international match against England.

After going to Stoke-on-Trent he resumed his sporting career, playing for the North Staffordshire Rugby Football Club and competing in the Midland Counties Athletic Championships. From 1922 to 1925 he was Midland Counties shotputting champion; in 1923 he represented Scotland at shot-putting and in 1924 he was a member of the British Olympic team which competed at Paris. In 5925 he was hammer-throwing and discus-throwing champion of the Midland Counties; in 1926 he was a member of the English Athletic team which competed with France; and in 1928 he was a member of the British Empire Athletic team which competed against a U.S.A. team.

His municipal career started in 1929 when he became a member of the Stoke City Council. He remained a member until his death and served on most of the committees of the Council. He was made an alderman in 1945, and when he became Lord Mayor in May 1949, he was the first doctor to be appointed to that office.

One of his sons, ROBERT ARTHUR SPARK* (1926-35), M.B., Ch.B., and his four brothers were also at the School.

In the course of a tribute which appeared in the Evening Seniinel (Hanley, Stokeon-Trent), it was stated:— He achieved eminence in many spheres but always maintained his genial good humour, his friendliness and his ready smile. He was a big man, both in physique and heart, and his passing will be mourned among a host of friends throughout the country.

His life was remarkably active and full. He was associated with numerous associations and bodies and was a popular and witty guest at many social functions in the district.

George Stewart (1889-92), M.A., B.Sc., died suddenly at Aberdeen on 5 August 1953, aged seventy-eight. He was gold medallist at the School in 1892 and a teacher of Science and Mathematics on the staff from 1897 to 19oz. Over fifty years later, after he had officially retired, he again taught at the School from 1940 to 1944 and was present at the School prize-giving in 1942—fifty years after he had left as gold medallist.

At the University of Aberdeen he graduated M.A. in 1897 and B.Sc. in 1901.

He taught Science and Mathematics at Campbeltown Grammar School from 5901 to 1904, and at West Coats Higher Grade School, Cambuslang, from 1904 to 1920.

From then until 1939, when he retired, he was Rector of Strathaven Academy.

His three brothers were also teachers: ROBERT STEWART (1887-91), M.A., was on the staff of the Central School, Aberdeen, from 1905 to 1933 and died in 1941: GORDON GRAY STEWART (1898-1905), M.A., retired in 1951 after twenty-six years' service in Victoria Road School, Aberdeen; and ALEXANDER STEWART (1901-08), M.A., was headmaster of Rayne North Public School, Wartle, Aberdeenshire, from 1920 to 1932, when he retired.

Both his sons are also F.P.s: ROBERT WEIR GILMOUR STEWART (1941-44), M.B., Ch.B., graduated at Aberdeen this year, and is now in the Surgical Department at Stracathro Hospital, and GEORGE ALEXANDER ML'RDOCH STEWART* (194147), M.A., also graduated this year and is awaiting his call-up for national service.

Thomas Walker* (1917-20, son of the late Mr. Andrew Walker, Thorngrove, Mannofield, died at Foresterhill, Aberdeen, on 31 October 1953, aged forty-eight.

On leaving the School he entered the Walker Steam Trawl Fishing Company, which had been founded by his grandfather in 1901, and he succeeded his father as

Obituary

53

managing director in 1926. He was also managing director of the Regent Fishing Company Limited, and he held directorships in various companies.

His father and his grandfather were pioneers of trawling at Aberdeen and he maintained the tradition. Ile had the Star of Orkney built for his firm by Hall, Russell & Company Limited and the plans of this vessel, with certain war-time fittings added, were used by the Admiralty for a number of trawlers built during the war. Five of them were subsequently acquired by Mr. Walker and, together with Aberdeen's first diesel-driven trawler, thc Star of Scotland, also acquired just after the war, these vessels are among the most modern in the port.

A friend writes:— On occasions, Tom used to go to sea on fishing trips, and some years ago he went on a trip to the west side of Greenland aboard one of his vessels, the Lord Talbot, which was following the Great Line Fishing. He took a very good film of the voyage and the fishing operations.

In addition to business affairs, Mr. Walker had other interests. He was a director of the Sea Cadet Corps, Aberdeen " Scylla " Unit, in which he took a practical interest. He was a patron of the Aberdeen Wanderers Rugby Football Club and he seldom missed a rugby international at Murrayfield.

He was a member of the Royal Aberdeen Golf Club and was often to be seen at Lawn Tennis Tournaments, his wife (ad Margaret Mitchell) being a wellknown tennis player. He did not pretend to be an angler, but he made at least one attempt at it, on 25 May 1929, when he caught a record Ythan sea trout at Newburgh on the River Ythan, weighing lot lbs., length 29j1 in., girth t5i in., age over 14 years.

His frequent business visits to the South brought him a wide circle of friends by whom he was well liked and highly esteemed, as he was by his friends at home.

Another friend writes:— Torn was some years behind me at School and I did not meet him until after he left, but we were friends for over thirty years after that. He was always very good company and generous to a fault. He was always willing to take a very great interest in anything that appealed to him and was on the committee of the Sea Cadets. During the war he was on various committees for the whole of Britain in connection with the fishing industry. He was very fond of his home and was very proud of the achievements of his family and especially the fact that his son, ANDREW WALKER (1943-45), is this year Head Boy at Loretto.

James Henry Wallace* (1888- ?), architect, died suddenly of a heart attack in Edinburgh on iz October 1953, aged seventy-one. He was a pupil of the late Dr. William Kelly, architect, Aberdeen from 1898 to 1904 and then entered the office of Sir John J. Burnet, architect, London: now Sir John Burnet, Tait and Partners). In 1914-15 he was with Mr. E. Lauriston Conder, architect, Buenos Aires. He returned to this country in 1915 to join the Royal Flying Corps, in which he gained a commission in 1917. After the war he went to Burma for some years and then returned to his old firm in London. About 1936 he went to Edinburgh to open the firm's office there and he was engaged in work on the new government buildings on the Calton site. He was assumed as a partner about five years ago. During the 5939-45 war he was attached to the Army as a garrison engineer. He had not retired at the time of his death but during the past few years his health had been indifferent.

He had two brothers who were at the School: DAVID WALLACE (1884-87) died at Aberdeen in 1896 and ALEXANDER F. WALLACE (1888- ?) has been in the U.S.A. since 1905. butes Cuthbert Williamson (1886-91) died at Durban, South Africa, on 6 September 1953, aged seventy-eight. He was the fifth and youngest son of the late GEORGE WILLIAMSON (1829-34), Shempston, Elgin and, after serving his apprenticeship with the British Linen Bank in Aberdeen, he went to South Africa, where he was associated with various business houses in Swaziland, Zululand and Durban.

SCHOOL SECTION School and Random Notes Awake for morning in the bowl of night Has thrown the stone that sets the stars to flight.

And woozy Prefects are staggering yawning down towards the Hall at revoltingly early hours of the morning with the horrible thought that School and Random Notes must be written. * * * Although we (one whole third of the Prefecture) awaited eagerly in Hall for the result of the "Gordon's " game, we were not enlightened on the subject ; we know not why. Perhaps the ist XV grows modest ? * * * We welcome to the staff, Mr. Michie, Mr. Henderson, M. Chemin, Senor Montero and Mr. Brown, who has come to be the Head of the English Department. We also announce with regret the departure of Mr. Russell, Mr. Prosser and Mr. Coulthard. * * * there is a dragon, sly and that We are intrigued to discover cunning, at present in residence here which has made its lair in the environs of the Prefects' picture palace. Some brave knights have been trying by assaulting the outer walls of its cavern with chairs, tables and locker doors to make a breach and effect a rear attack.

We wonder if we will find any damsels in distress 1! * * * We believe the school-leaving age in Venezuela has been raised to fifty. This accounts for certain sun-burned, tall gentlemen with black beards seen walking around Aberdeen in School uniform. * * * A certain conceited pipe-major in this school is said to wear his myriad stripes upside down on his wrist so that he can see them better. * * * nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita mi ritrovai per una selva oscura.

We are not quite sure what this means. But if Mr. T. S. Eliot can scatter quotations from Dante throughout his writings, why shouldn't we ? * * * a little cinema somewhere in building is someone that hear We the School. We would suggest it be reserved entirely for the showing of " X " films to Upper VI so as to give them some idea of the life that lies outside their monastic hard-working existence which up to now has been so devoid of pleasures of the world.

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School Section

55 We notice that a certain member of the Mathematics staff keeps himself in training by solemnly counting the overwhelming mob of Prefects who storm into Hall every morning. It is quite worth while hurrying along to Hall to see the Twinkle in his eye. Owing to certain recent arrivals, however, to get the right number he is forced to use all his fingers, nose and toes 1 * * * We are very pleased to learn that Alastair Henderson of V is going on a trip to New York, sponsored by the New York Daily Mirror. We hope he will think of us sometimes when he is skulking round West 42nd Street or mooning around Manhattan Bridge.

* * * .6.

It is with the deepest regret that we note the disappearance of that big black box (from under the table in Room 3), inscribed with the heart-warming legend, Major A. B. Russell. We always have believed that it contained a battered body, but perhaps we are a little too fond of " Murder in the Red Barn ". * * * Let it be known that the S.U. (not S. for Scripture) is now firmly established in its new premises.

There have been several reports from hysterical, unintelligible 1st year boys of outbreaks of fire in the School buildings. On investigation these have all been groundless. As the new president of that time-honoured union cried in his inaugural address : " Smog masks for Prefects." * * * We congratulate Scott Hodge of Lower VI on winning the Coronation Golf Trophy during the Summer Holidays. He has now been appointed the official School bogey man and was in great demand from Middle School boys around Hallowe'en. * * * We are happy officially to disclose the news of the first ascent last June of the Prefects' Room wall by tall, bespectacled Sandy Grassie and Sherpa Holloway. After leaving proof of their ascent on the horizontal overhang of the summit, these two heroes descended to receive the felicitations of their many admirers. * * * The School museum has been broken up. The walls have been painted and are now adorned by nothing more terrifying than birds of Paradise, fluffy bunnies and humming—appropriate word that— birds (and those have often made our editorial stomachs squirm).

We believe, further, that we are correct in reporting that the first pipe ever to be confiscated by a Grammar School master from a Grammar School boy (c. 1257—what the t. is for we are not sure, but it looks authentic), as-we-were-saying, this pipe has passed into the possession (we forbear to say use) of a distinguished member of Upper IV.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine It has come to our Prefectorial ears that one of our Science staff actually sang in a recital in the Albert Hall on the 3rd of December 193- (date will be supplied on application). We applaud the fact that he has shown himself to be such a highbrow. The same gentleman, when asked as to the authenticity of this report, replied in characteristic vein : " Oh, just flannel, my dear fellow, flannel." * * * The School Dramatic Society has, we fear, been smitten by the disease which has gone the rounds of the film companies. No, not the Monroe Doctrine—but the seeming inability to use an apt and original title. We are led to believe that sometime in the near future Adventure Story will be presented, a Macdonald-Nisbet production—an epic that will roar across the lives of Grammarians—lusty and lovesome— starring that bronzed hunk of manhood Douglas Wood as Alexander the Great and grizzled, hard-hearted old sergeant Erch Hunter as Hephaestion, the man of iron. You've read the best seller by famous novelist Nepos—ille reruns scriptor darissimus. Now see this Macedonian melodrama. You mustn't miss it. (You could, of course, if you tried.) * * * We fear that Revolution is brewing in the Middle School. As with all revolutions in history this has its roots in religion. The Angelic infants have been scandali7ingly forbidden to propitiate the gods by throwing the second halves of their interval pies on the floor of the main corridor. Deal out the pikes! Barricade the Prefects' Room! Devil take the hindmost! * * * relaxed and patriotic body, serenely that All members of Upper VI, they wish to be supUniversity at stay their during that agreed have ported by the Town Council alone and not by the Capitalist Bourgeois Reactionary Bursary Board. * * * say for the simple reason that can we else little very really is There very little else has happened in the School which is worth writing about. Is it worth mentioning the young man who, half-way through an inter-school debate, found that the latter half of it was left at home ?

Or should we make mention of the fact that for the first time in living memory an R.A.F. N.C.O. is leading light in the noble army of our C.C.F. ? Should we make amusing remarks about the Jovial One or Twinkler Mathematicar or Parvar Arbor?

We don't know, but we've done it now and it would take too much time and energy to score it all out again.

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Miss Winifred Robertson (A.G.S. 1935-53) The death of Miss Winifred Robertson on r a November at the early age of forty-eight is a very grievous loss to the Grammar School.

Miss Robertson was appointed Kindergarten Mistress in 1935, and when the writer came to the School seven years later, the admirable Infant Department he found there bore the clear impress of her personality and her educational ideals.

She was fortunate indeed in her natural endowment; a good presence and a pleasing dignity, a crisp, friendly manner, a very lively intelligence, and not least the intuitive understanding and capacity for fun which quickly put children at their ease with her. But even these enviable qualities would not have guaranteed success like hers in the schooling of little boys, had they not been made to minister always to an enlightened and courageous conception of her task.

Winifred Robertson understood and, in the deeper unsentimental sense, loved little children.

What was individual in them she cherished, and she sought to satisfy to the full their constant need for activity and play, but always within a framework of order and purpose. They might run wildly but they never quite ran wild. Nor did Miss Robertson, for all her sympathy with half-formed creatures living in and for the immediate moment, ever forget the spiritual and social ends of her teaching, to foster the growth of personality in the child and to prepare him to live and work with others. Hence the robust sense that marked her attitude towards the beginnings of reading, writing and number: in her eyes they were no whit less indispensable merely because they were seen to be a part and not the whole of early education, and her teaching of them was as thorough as it was lively. Hence too her refusal to surrender ever to a child's clamancy or passing naughtiness.

With Miss Robertson the most patient allowance stopped far short of any weak indulgence, and many a boy owed to the loving firmness with which she curbed the selfish or unruly impulse his first awareness of what it means to live under law and in the company of his fellows.

In this uniting of enlightenment and moral discipline was the secret of Miss Robertson's strength and the key to her influence with staff and parents. It has given us one of the freest and happiest, and yet one of the best-ordered Kindergartens in the land, and for herself it has won a secure place within that generous tradition to which the Grammar School tries, however faultily, to be loyal.

Two memories of her I especially keep: her welcoming smile and greeting, as I tapped at the door and entered her little sanctum; and second, Kindergarten Sports on a June morning, the animated scene, with the pleased interest of parents matching the immense self-importance of six-score small participants, the multiplicity of helpers, and over all in happy command—Miss Robertson.

Many besides us will deplore the loss of the gifted teacher at the height of her powers, but the grief of the School is above all personal, for the friend and sharer of our working days.

J. J. R.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine TRIBUTE FROM A FORMER COLLEAGUE

I first met Winifred Robertson when we were fellow-students at St. George's Training College, Edinburgh. She was young, full of life, enthusiastic, capable, and a very hard worker. I remember the Principal of the Kindergarten Training Department saying to me on one occasion, " Miss Robertson will go far. She will be Head of a Kindergarten Department in a few years ". And how true was her prophecy!

In April 1926 I came to Aberdeen to start the Kindergarten Department in Robert Gordon's College. When, at the end of a year, our numbers had risen from 14 to 5o, it was evident that a second teacher was required. Dr. Morrison asked me if I could suggest the name of anyone suitable for the post, and I at once thought of Miss Robertson. So she came North, was interviewed and immediately appointed.

Then followed a few years of very happy association. Kindergarten work was, so to speak, in its infancy in Aberdeen at that time.

The idea was new, and there was not a little misunderstanding of, and prejudice against, the system from outside. We had to combat that and at the same time build up our Department. And how nobly Miss Robertson helped! We worked very hard, staying in school long after the children had left in order to make our plans and preparations for the following day; and at all times my assistant's enthusiasm was an inspiration.

With the small boys her touch was almost magical, and they adored her. I have seen a little face that was puckered up with grief suddenly break into smiles at her quaint and comforting remarks; for she had an almost puckish sense of humour.

But she was too good to keep, and when she applied for the Grammar post in 1935 we felt that the result was almost a foregone conclusion. And so our loss was your gain.

But I think that, to the end, a corner of her heart still stayed in " Gordon's ", and nothing gave us greater pleasure than when she popped into our Junior Staffroom after school to receive a warm cup of tea and a warmer welcome.

And so she has passed on—so early—and the world is the poorer for her passing.

G. W. CLARK, late Kindergarten Mistress, Robert Gordon's College.

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Changes in the School Staff Departures MR. DOUGLAS PROSSER may have been innocent in the wiles of the schoolboy when he came to us in September 1948, but he was old in experience gained in war. Very quickly he showed himself to be an enthusiastic teacher who did not confine his interests in School activities to the merely academic. The drearier stretches of English Literature would be enlivened by an occasional anecdote about the gremlins of the Air Force; the Masters' Choir owed much to his capable presence; and in the Music Hall he showed to an audience of parents and boys that gift of voice with which he is so richly endowed.

Mannofield was not without its sight of a portly Douglas who found that hockey shed superfluous pounds as well as classroom cares.

While we cannot but regret the loss of a colleague who was so goodnatured and companionable, our sense of regret is tempered by our pleasure at his appointment as Principal English Master in Inverurie Academy. There he finds himself among the people he knows so well, but we hope that he will continue to exhibit his golfing prowess with his old friends when they advance to their periodic battles with the turf of Ballater. * * * In the departure of MR. J. W. COULTHARD at the beginning of October to take up the post of Lecturer in Education in Moray House Training College, the French Department of the School is conscious of a real loss.

Since his appointment in September 1946, Mr. Coulthard's work has been characterised by thoroughness and vitality. Possessing an excellent command of French, and keenly interested in his subject, Mr. Coulthard was a stimulating teacher, as was shown chiefly in the ability of his pupils to speak the French of Paris.

That Mr. Coulthard's interests embraced a wider field than French was proved by his Ed.B. in 1951 with first class honours. He also showed a keen interest in the School Scout Troops with which for a time he was closely associated. From 1947 to 1952 Mr. Coulthard was principal House Master at the Boarding House.

Outside the classroom Mr. Coulthard's astringent wit and good fellowship made him a sympathetic colleague and his gifts as a raconteur enlivened many a leisure moment in the staffroom.

We congratulate Mr. Coulthard on his appointment, and wish him every success in his new career. * * * MISS AILEEN K. STEWART, M.A., left her charges in P. IIIA at the end of last session, on her appointment as Headmistress of College of Roseisle, near Burghead. We wish her all success in her new post of responsibility, for which her ability and previous experience make her well suited.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Arrivals

MR. THOMAS M. BROWN was appointed last June to be Principal English Master in succession to Mr. A. B. Russell. He is a worthy reinforcement to the S.W. membership of the staff, being a native of Glasgow, a former pupil of Allan Glen's, and an alumnus of Glasgow University, where he graduated in 1937 with first class honours in English Language and Literature. In 1939 he became assistant in English at Glasgow High School, and there gained the wide and varied experience which took him in 1951 to the principalship in English and History at Inverurie Academy. His interest in orchestral music as an exponent of the oboe will doubtless be noticed and welcomed in the proper quarter. * * * MR. KENNETH D. HENDERSON, after a brief interim spell at Ellon Academy, is a new addition to the English Department of the School.

Aberdeen born and bred, he attended Gordon's College and saw service in the R.A.F. before entering Aberdeen University in 1947.

In July 1951 he graduated with honours in English and Psychology, and during his training year also attained the Diploma in Education.

As a member of the S.R.C. he took an active share in the social and publicity sides of student affairs, and on the sports side was awarded a half-blue for badminton. * * * MR. JAMES A. D. MICHIE, lately appointed to the Modern Languages Department, was educated at Mackie Academy, Stonehaven, of which he was Dux Medallist in 1944. After a year at 'Varsity he joined the R.A.F., and served in Germany, Austria, and Italy, chiefly as French and German interpreter. Resuming his 'Varsity studies in 1948, he graduated in 1951 with honours in French and German, and subsidiary qualifications in Advanced Economics. After a year's experience of the business world, he feels that he has found his true niche in the teaching profession. While at the Training Centre he also gained the Diploma in Education. His other interests are wide and varied, ranging from drama, agriculture and travel to keen activity in tennis, cricket, badminton and soccer, with a dawning attraction to rugby. * * * MISS MARGARET W. ANDREWS, M.A., who has been appointed to the Lower School staff in succession to Miss Aileen Stewart, starts off her professional career as a teacher with a background of schooling at Aberdeen Central Secondary School and graduation at Aberdeen University, followed by a very successful period of training at Aberdeen Training Centre. We have every confidence that her service to the School will be as efficient and whole-hearted as that of the several other Centralians who have taught, or are still teaching, in the Lower School, and that her spell with the younger boys of the Lower School will be a happy, satisfying and instructive experience.

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MISS AMELIA A. FRASER is a daughter of the Schoolhouse at Torridon in Wester Ross. She was educated at Dingwall Academy, and received the initial training for her profession at Aberdeen Training Centre. This qualification she reinforced by attending Moray House, Edinburgh, where in July i 95o she gained the Froebel Certificate (First Class). For three years she has been teaching at Stockethill Infant School, whence she brings her great natural skill and valuable experience to the Kindergarten Department of the Grammar. * * * After a year without a French Assistant, we are very glad to have with US MONSIEUR MARCEL JEAN CHEMIN. Monsieur Chemin is a native of Fougeres in Brittany and is a graduate of the University of Rennes.

Since the war we have been singularly fortunate in our French Assistants, and Monsieur Chemin has already established himself firmly in the affections of the pupils. No newcomer to the teaching profession, having spent a year as a part-time teacher in a French college, Monsieur Chemin quickly proved his worth in the French Department.

We extend to him a hearty welcome to the Grammar School and wish him a happy and profitable year in our midst.

Departure and Arrival

At the end of last session SR. D. PABLO GILABERT gave up his post as conversational Spanish master to become a fruit buyer with a London firm, operating in several Mediterranean countries.

A colourful personality, political exile, escapee from three concentration camps, and bearing the honourable scars of war, Sr. Gilabert was a great favourite with staff and pupils. He came for one year and stayed for three.

At a short ceremony with Spanish staff and pupils, Dr. Macandrew presented Sr. Gilabert with a fountain pen. Mr. S. B. Hunter and Mr. G. L. MacGhee also expressed appreciation and good wishes.

Pablo left amid three resounding Grammar School cheers.

The new conversational Spanish master is SR. D. ANTONIO MONTERO DE LA CAMARA. He has studied at the universities of Deuste and Madrid.

We give him una bienvenida de las nth cordiales and hope that he will find the Grammar School as pleasant as we have already found him.

Is the Grammar School the only school in Scotland which enjoys the privilege of having a native Spanish assistant? * * * To all new colleagues we bid hearty welcome to the Grammar staffrooms and hope they will find much happiness and real satisfaction in their work among us.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

The Coronation " I don't wonder no one comes here—it's so crowded " said a woman, speaking about the Albert Hall. The Coronation, however, was for the crowds, whose appreciation bettered it; but they were orderly crowds. While it was yet hardly light, they were advancing over the cold wet patches of mud and pavement which surrounded Buckingham Palace. The order was not enforced: policemen stood as if there were coronations annually. " Holders of stand tickets are advised to be in their seats by six o'clock." But, possibly, Japanese don't understand English. We had no seats but we managed to get within the gates of a stand, from where we had a view of the front of the Palace and the greater part of the space in front of it. In the long queue waiting for the gate to open was every description of person, with every colour of the rainbow in their dress—gold and blue uniforms for naval lieutenants, wide purple trousers and green hat-bands for the thick-set Russian officers, grey and light-blue for lanky American airmen and grey top-hats and pinstriped trousers for elegant Englishmen.

The standard atop the Palace was changed for one four times its size. There was something happening. We had not come on the wrong day. Controlled excitement was in everyone's face. The soldiers who were to line the route, after some clattering behind their barrack railings, appeared : it was time to start taking photographs. A telegraph boy, his uniform and red bicycle matching ludicrously the uniforms of the troops, was cheered off the scene.

A very respectable troop of airmen led by an impressively polished band—men and instruments—a rectangle of guardsmen led by whistling fifes, and a " barge load " of sailors, their white spats and belts leaving a wake, " trod upon the scene ", clapped to attention and stood at ease like six cannon shots. Carriages with elaborate footmen, and several guards of honour for colonial dignitaries trotted through the gate— white and gold, crimson and yellow, maroon and green. They were duly sent down the Mall with a cheer. But now l—the coach—the Queen—thousands of cheers—the day had really begun. But almost an anti-climax : we would not see her again for many hours.

The loudspeakers tuned in, giving a running commentary of the service in the Abbey. We had a rest from tiring work to burn our fingers with coffee from cardboard mugs, and to appease our hunger.

Some troops to take part in the procession passed and gave us a close view of what we saw but dimly later: Gurkhas in green, looking twice as big as, but being three-quarters of the size of, their European officers, Papuans with skirts; women in dark green with peach-coloured belts and sashes, and thousands of quite as impressive " just troops ".

The loudspeakers began giving instructions on how to leave.

We were following the procession and, with the troops, were standing loyally to attention for the National Anthem.

We needed the loudspeakers no longer—a band was heard and for what seemed like hours we had a feast of colour and martial music, and were beginning to feel the effects of shouting. And now it was

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Combined Cadet Force Notes The strength of the School Contingent continues to increase, being now well over the too mark, this being reached despite an abnormally large number of " leavers " last session.

The proportion of cadets who transfer to the R.A.F. Section is disappointingly small, especially in view of the first class training facilities offered to R.A.F. cadets.

A precedent has been established this session by the promotion of Sergeant Crichton to the rank of W.O. II and his appointment as C.S.M. of the Contingent. Staff Sergeant Hunter is the senior Army representative.

Last session's Certificate A results, though very satisfactory, failed to reach the too per cent. level of the previous year, but this was offset by a too per cent. pass-list in the R.A.F. Proficiency Certificate examination held in June.

Ten cadets now possess Certificate A, and twelve the R.A.F. Proficiency Certificate. The Army cadets have been undergoing signal training, considerably interrupted owing to the non-availability of our signal instructor on certain Thursdays. The R.A.F. cadets are tackling the Advanced Proficiency Certificate syllabus under Flt. Lieut. Watt's guidance.

Training otherwise continues normally. The recruit squad, over fifty strong, is being put through its paces on the barrack-square by R.S.M. Howitt, and the mysteries of the rifle and allied subjects are being clarified by Lieut. Robertson.

Sergeant Shorrocks of 4/7 Gordons is making rapid progress with his squad of Cert. A, Part II candidates.

Flying Officer Barron continues Proficiency training with a squad of R.A.F. cadets that is all too small in numbers.

Highlights of the summer training period have centred largely on R.A.F. activities. The Section attended annual training at the R.A.F. Station, Hullavington, where a good camp would have been bettered if more flying had been possible.

It is hoped that more than one hour's flying per cadet will be possible next year.

W.O. Crichton duly completed his Flying Scholarship traininti f le now possesses the Civilian Pilot's ' A " Licence, and has flown solo for teeo hours.

He is to be warmly congratulated on this achievement.

Cadets Henderson and Sim also did well to obtain the " B " Gliding Certificate after a course at Grangemouth.

Further distinction was gained by Cadet Bowthorpe and Sergeant Lothian, who were first and second respectively in a course of navigation which they attended at Halton.

Future plans for the training of the Contingent cover continuation of Certificate training for Army and R.A.F. cadets, firing of courses on the miniature range by all cadets, flying at Dyce, glider courses for selected cadets of the R.A.F. Section at Edzell and—during the summer holidays—camps for Army and R.A.F. cadets.

It has not been found possible this session to hold the Army camp at Easter, and in all probability about seventy cadets from the Army and Basic Sections will be found in Perthshire during the first week of the summer holidays doing training at Cultybraggan, near Comrie. The R.A.F. camp site has not yet been fixed.

Glider training at Rubislaw comes a step nearer with the arrival of the garage for the glider ; Flt. Lieut. Watt is now qualified to instruct after attending courses at Grangemouth and Detling.

Pipes and Drums Piping and drumming classes continue to flourish, the numbers increasing in both. Entry to the piping classes had to be closed soon after the beginning of the term as we had twenty-three budding pipers. The drumming class is, however, only eight strong, and the addition of two or three more boys from Middle School would have been welcomed.

Mr. Couper continues to give whole-hearted instruction and assistance to the drummers, but a change of piping instructors has to be reported. Peter Cromar's appointment to a post in Montrose necessitated a replacement being found, and we have been most fortunate. Thanks to Peter Cromar's help, we have secured the services of Mr. Kenneth Melvin, who is already assuring the continued success

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of our piping classes by his teaching skill and enthusiasm. We arc deeply indebted to Peter Cromar for his efforts, which are largely responsible for the present high state of efficiency of the Pipes and Drums, and are assured of his continued interest in out doings. To Kenneth Melvin we bid a hearty welcome.

Of the twenty-three pipers now under instruction, eight may already be termed as " proficient ' and are building up a creditable repertoire of tunes in a systematic fashion. The others vary from this session's beginners engrossed in mastering the basic skills of scales, grace notes and doublings to the " almost-proficient ' , who have graduated from playing tunes on the practice chanter to performing on the " goose ".

The corps of drums is less fortunately placed, with only two seasoned performers in their ranks. Weekly perfect attendances at the drumming class indicate, however, the keenness of the members of the class and steady progress can be reported. It is no secret that continued effort will be required for the remainder of the session before the drummers can match the pipers in proficiency.

Joint practices will commence next term, and there is every indication that by the end of the session the standard of performance of the Pipes and Drums will be the highest in post-war years.

We are grateful to members of the Former Pupils' Club for the interest shown in our effor.s, and doubly grateful to those who responded to the appeal for contri butions made by the Executive in the last issue of the Magazine.

A drum-major's staff is being provided through the generosity of an F.P., and a sash, suitably decorated, will be forthcoming through the efforts of another F.P. Contributions of money have been made by other F.P.s. To those showing such practical interest in the School Pipes and Drums we are sincerely grateful.

Members of classes are now contributing annually to the Pipes and Drums Fund. The money derived from these subscriptions will assist to relieve the strain on general School funds and enable us to purchase additional items of equipment.

D. M. A.

Scout Notes rst Troop The Pack is at full strength and is being ably run by Cubmaster Miss F. Edmonds. We thank her and all those who have assisted on Saturday mornings —particularly P.L.s S. Wilson and G. Collier, and Second H. Cairns.

The Troop's summer camp this year was held at Loch-an-Eilan, a picturesque spot near Avicmore. Though the weather fell short of expectations, Troop activities, guided by the Scouters in charge, A.S.M.s Peter S. Brown and David Kilgour, included a hike to the Pools of Dec and the climbing of Creag Dubh.

Senior scouts took part in a night climb to Sgoran Dubh, hoping in vain to see the sunrise, and a party also scaled Cairngorm. A large camp fire, held despite the rain, rounded off a memorable camp.

Two enjoyable week-ends were also spent at our hut at Clinterty during the September and Mid-Term holidays.

There have been a number of recent promotions—Robin Glashan to A.S.M. ; Lindsay Kilgour and James Hay to AJA.S.M.s ; Gordon Collier, lain Bishop and James McIntosh to P.L.s ; and Hunter Cairns, Ian Wolkoff, Hamish Mitchell and Alan Webster to Seconds.

The Troop has had the misfortune to lose the services of S.M. Ronald Walker and A.S.M. Peter S. Brown, both of whom devoted much time and energy to their duties. We wish them every success and good luck.

With Troop and Pack Hallowe'en Parties now happy memories, we turn our thoughts to the New Year and all that it holds for us in good Scouting.

DAVID KILGOUR, St-Nein/aster.

9th Troop The 1953-54 session started with a few changes in the leadership of the Pack We welcome a new Akcla in A.S.M. Ian O. Brown, with Miss Lamb as assistant Miss Duncan, who is still with us, continues to give valuable services to the Pack

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Aberdeen Grammar School Afagaine

which now numbers thirty-six. We take this opportunity of expressing our thanks to Bob Cromar for his past services.

In the Troop, there is little change in the numbers attending. It seems that the new Cubmasters are very popular, for no cubs have been lured into the Troop, so far, this year.

Scout Douglas Harper has passed his first class test, and Scouts J. Munro, R. MacKay and A. Mathieson hope to pass it in the near future.

This summer we have welcomed back, as Scouter, Ian O. Brown, who has convinced the Navy that they no longer need him after his two years' national service. He returned in time to help to run the summer camp at Corriemulzie, beyond Braemar.

This, as usual, seems to have been a great success, and was run by David Gibson. Good weather enabled a fairly complete programme to be carried out.

A lock bridge was made, and an " aerial runway ", which had the undoubted merit of prematurely coming to rest directly above a burn, to the annoyance of the passenger and to the supreme satisfaction of the rest of the Troop.

On other days, if the Scouts were not climbing Beinn a Bhuird, or following trails of various kinds, they were kept busily entertained by Messrs. F. and C. Cannon, who honoured us by camping with us during the week-ends. One day was spent visiting Altanour Lodge—or, rather, what is left of the lodge—in Glen Ey. We hasten to assure the owner that the house and the wood were in that state, before the Ninth reached it.

W. A. STEELE, A.S.M. I. ESSLEMONT, A.S.AL

i7th Troop A very successful summer camp was held at Invertromie, Kingussie. Twentyfour boys out of thirty attended and a lot of scout work was achieved, including the building of bridges and an aerial railway over the river Tromie. The weather clerk was rather unkind, sending rain every day, though in insufficient quantities to damp our spirits.

Two enjoyable week-end camps have since been held nearer borne, though again the weather was rather unkind.

The parents and friends of the Group arc extremely busy preparing for our cafe and concert which take place on 5 December. The Troop and Pack take this opportunity of thanking them for the hard work that they are doing.

The following promotions have been made--P.L.s Brian Bruce and Ian Allan to A.S.M.s ; Seconds Kenneth Duthie and Kenneth Park to P.L.s ; Scouts William Balfour, Edward Anderson and James Wallace to Seconds. We wish them every success.

The Pack, now nineteen strong, continues to expand under the very capable guidance of Miss Alice Merson, ably assisted by Miss E. Ogilvie. A very pleasant Pack outing was held at Templars' Park, and a very enjoyable time was had by all at the Hallowe'en Party.

JOHN K. BLAIR, Scommast.r.

Rambling and Mountaineering Club Although the number of members (i.e. those willing to pay for the syllabus) is never very encouraging, there is always a very enthusiastic turn-out for the excursions.

The only excursion this term has been to Morven. We were very lucky to have a perfect day, so far as the weather was concerned. We started from Cambus o' May and went over the Culblcan Hill to Morven, returning to the Deeside Road by the Gairn.

During the winter we hope to hold two indoor lectures or film shows on French climbing and ski-ing. Our spring and summer excursions will include Kerloch, Bcnnachie, Clachnabcn, Lochnagar and Mount Keen.

JoHN L. HARPER, Secretary.

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School Sporting Activities 1st XV Rugby Matches 26 September t953.—v. Dundee High School, at Dundee.

Team : G. M. Bruce, R. A. McIntyre, D. V. S. Williamson, R. D. M. MacLeod, R. Miller, D. E. Baird, K. S. Duncan, H. W. L. Thomas, K. Watt, E. A. L. Wilson, C. S. Hodge, I. C. S. NI ichie, K. R. Petrie, L. D. Morrison, R. Templeton.

School kicked off on a day on which conditions, although not perfect, were favourable for the playing of good rugby. A clever change in kick-off tactics saw School very close to the Dundee line and, after some hard pressing, Hodge scored. The try was unconverted.

School now lost the initiative and play became very dull because of scrumming which from this point onwards marred the game. \lclntyre and Williamson, the School wingers, ran well when they got the ball, but unfortunately this was not often. After a spell of rather scrappy forward play R. MacLeod broke through to score a good try between the posts. E. Baird converted. Shortly before half-time R. McIntyre scored an unconverted try far out.

The second half started brightly but play soon became scrappy again. School gained possession near the Dundee line and K. Duncan, scrum-half, went over for a characteristic score. K. Watt converted. Play improved and K. Petrie broke from a loose scrum to dribble over. E. Baird converted. From now on it was all School. Near the end I. Nlichie went over for a good try which Baird once more converted. This ended the scoring.

Result—School, z6 pts. ; Dundee High School, nil.

3 October 1953.—v. Glasgow Academy, at Rubislaw.

School showed only one change from the team which defeated Dundee, G. W. Millar playing in place of R. A. McIntyre. School lost the toss and Glasgow elected to play up for the first half.

School played well during the first twenty minutes and their efforts were rewarded by a cry between the posts by K. Petrie. This try was very commendable, being the outcome of some keen following-up by the player. The kick failed narrowly. However, in the last five minutes before half-time, Glasgow began to show their handling superiority and drew level through their right wing. Two quick tries then followed.

The superiority of the visitors became more pronounced in the second half.

The School forwards lacked cohesion and were too slow in coming up on the loose ball. Glasgow's stand-off cut through to score his side's fourth try. Later the Academy scored another try which was converted and also a penalty goal.

Result—School, 3 pts. ; Glasgow Academy, 2o pts. to October 1953.—v. Gordonstoun, at Rubislaw.

The School team was greatly changed because of injuries to S. Hodge, R. Miller and K. R. Petrie. D. Black was brought in at full-back, D. E. Baird went to the centre and G. M. Bruce played at stand-off. D. J. F. Bimie carne into the front row and P. B. Philip played wing forward.

Gordonstoun played with the slope in the first half, and at the outset looked the better team. School were being pinned down in their own half and were only hanging on because of their fierce forward play. A score had to come, however, and come it did when the Gordonstoun centre split our defence wide to score between the posts. The try was converted.

The second half was entirely the reverse of the first, with School fighting back fiercely, and play was confined to the visitors' " twenty-five ". After about 15 minutes' play K. Duncan sent D. Williamson through on the blind side and the winger crashed his way over for an unconverted try. It was all School now and in one fierce attack L. Morrison went over with the help of the whole scrum.

The try was not converted. The School forwards were now " out for blood " and threw themselves at the Gordonstoun line, when it might have been better to put the ball hack to the " threes ".

Near the end, in an exciting spell of play, it looked as if the visitors might score but School held out and when the final whistle came they were attacking strongly.

Result—School, 6 pts. ; Gordonstoun, 5 pts.

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17 October 1933.—ti. Dollar Academy, at Rubislaw.

Team : D. Black, D. V. S. Williamson, R. Miller, R. D. M. MacLeod (A/Capt.), G. W. Millar, G. M. Bruce, K. S. Duncan, D. J. F. Bimie, K. Watt, H. W. L. Thomas, L. D. Morrison, I. C. S. Michie, R. Templeton, D. E. Baird, P. B. Philip.

School lost the toss but played down in the first half. Play was very lively, but tended to be negative, both sets of backs cancelling each other out. However, shortly before half-time Dollar scored an unconverted try.

After the interval the Dollar handling was faultless and again and again they cut through the School " threes ". However, School stuck to their task of defending admirably, so much so that new hope was given to the School forwards who now transferred play into the Dollar " twenty-five " where it stayed for a long time. During this period of sustained pressure P. B. Philip broke from a line-out to score an unconverted try.

It was against the run of play when Dollar, near the end, scored two breakaway tries, both of which were converted.

Result—School, 3 pts. ; Dollar Academy, 33 ;as.

7 November 1933.—v. Gordon's College, at Seafield.

Team : A. S. Hunter, R. Miller, D. E. Baird, G. M. Bruce, D. V. S. Williamson, R. D. M. MacLeod, K. S. Duncan, H. W. L. Thomas, D. J. F. Birnie, P. B. Philip, I. C. S. Michie, L. D. Morrison, K. R. Petrie (A/Capt.), R. Duncan, R. Templeton.

We welcomed back to the School team R. (Tiny) Duncan, a member of last year's successful XV, knowing that he would be a great asset to us.

School lost the toss, and the first ten minutes of play were exceptionally fast with Gordon's receiving the better of the exchanges. Thereafter, the play lost some of its early lustre and School were left to play a defensive role. The opposition's handling was particularly good and too often their cross kicks left the School forwards wondering just where the ball was. The backs on the other hand should have tried some experiments but were quite content to handle in the normal way. About midway through the first half Gordon's scored a good try due to an intelligent kick ahead. The try was converted. They kept up the pressure and shortly before half-time scored far out.

In the second half the School forwards fought back well and the Gordon's line was under constant pressure. During this period L. D. Morrison bustled his way over for a score. The kick failed narrowly.

However, once again Gordon's main assets, their handling and kicking, made them " top dogs ". They soon added to the score and any hope of School saving the game vanished.

School, although beaten, fought pluckily, but were beaten by a team that was superior in their back division. We look forward to our revenge in February.

Result—School, 3 pts. ; Gordon's College, 17 pts.

14 November 1933.—v. Abbey School, Fort Augustus, at Rubislaw.

C. S. Hodge returned to play in the front row, but apart from that the team was the same as the previous week.

School lost the toss and played up in the first half. It was soon very obvious that they were the heavier and faster side and from the start Abbey were in trouble.

After about five minutes' play D. V. S. Williamson rounded off a good movement by scoring far out. This was followed by tries from L. D. Morrison, R. Miller, R. D. M. MacLeod and K. R. Petrie. MacLeod converted Petrie's try with a superb kick.

In the second half School's superiority was very obvious and the lighter Abbey side could do nothing to stop the fast, skilful passing movements among the School forwards. At no time in the match did Abbey get the ball from a set scrum and this put them at a great disadvantage. School's tries in this half were scored by K. S. Duncan, D. J. F. Birnie, H. W. L. Thomas, R. D. M. MacLeod (z) and R. Duncan (z). MacLeod converted three of them with excellent kicks.

Result—School, 44 pts. ; Abbey School, nil.

Hockey The most interesting feature of the Hockey Section's activities this term has been the increasing number of fixtures with outside teams arranged for the and and Junior XIs. This development has done much to provide incentive and foster interest in the sport throughout the Hockey Section.

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For the 1st XI, of which Alan Bremner and Roy Logan were elected Captain and Vice-Captain respectively, only four " veterans" from the previous year's team were available, but, after passing through a spell of " growing pains ", the team emerged finally as a well-balanced, efficient machine. The defence has skill and hitting-power, and if at times it has collapsed, the cause has been the superior speed and stamina of senior sides. The forwards have shown commendable zeal in attack, as is reflected in their " bag " of 20 goals in the first eight matches.

At the time of writing, the 1st XI has fulfilled one fixture with Gordon's College, the outcome of an exciting encounter being a t-r draw.

A new fixture of interest was that with H.M.S. Fulmar. Though the boys were heavily defeated, the brilliant exhibition of speed, accuracy and stick-work to which they were " treated " was not lost on them, as was demonstrated by their decisive victory the following week over a senior team.

The and XI, ably led by R. Angles, has played six matches to date, among which have been two close games with the T.C. Xl and a 5-2 victory over the Gordon's College and XI. The 4th Year XI also decisively defeated the corresponding Gordon's College XI, and in their first fixture with Gordonstoun they played with great inspiration to win by 4 goals to a. That inspiration was lacking, however, in the return " away " match, which resulted in a four-goal defeat.

The present Colts team has shown rather less promise than previous Colts teams, but they arc fortunate in having a real live-wire in Brian Smith. Gordonstoun Colts have inflicted two heavy defeats upon School Colts, but the latter had their crumb of comfort in a clear-cut victory over the newly-formed Powis Junior XI. In closing, we offer warm congratulations to our own F.P. internationalist, Eric Watt, who had the distinction of being the only Scot chosen to play for Great Britain against Belgium. Well done, Eric I S. B. H.

Cricket The School ist Xl had a most successful summer. Under the capable captaincy of George Murray, the team suffered only one defeat in eleven games. This defeat was, however, by no means inglorious since our conquerors were led by Mr. A. J. M. Edwards and included several Aberdeenshire players. School put up an excellent show on this occasion. This game and a closely-fought and drawn contest with Central School apart, we were always victorious.

The most encouraging feature of this year's cricket was the number of young players who gained so much valuable experience playing alongside Murray, Lindsay and Rennie and the other experienced campaigners. This augurs well for the coming season and we hope that in 1954 the standard of play will reach the same admirable level as this year.

A. STEWART HUNTER.

Athletics As forecast in the July issue of the Magazine, the boys who represented the School at the Scottish Schools' Athletic Championships at Goldenacre, Edinburgh, put up a creditable show. Robert MacLeod hurdled very strongly to gain our solitary first-place medal in the Group 2 Hurdles. In the same event Robert Miller did well but was unplaced in the final. Both boys are eligible again next year and we hope they can make it a " double ". Ronald Comber gained a secondplace medal in the Open Javelin with a powerful throw of 172 feet 5 inches—just 7 inches outside a School record which has stood since 1939. Murray Bywater did not show the form of which we know he is capable, but nevertheless gained two third-places in the 13-15 years Broad Jump and Hurdles. It is sad to relate that we shall lose Murray soon as his father has accepted a post in England. He is one of the most promising athletes we have had for some years. Other representatives who did well and gained places in the finals of their events were Kenneth Fraser, Jonathan Daube, and the senior relay team, Errol Anderson, Ronald Comber, Alistair Littlejohn and Kenneth Fraser.

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74

ANNUAL SPORTS

It has rained on previous Sports days but never has it rained as it did this year.

Nevertheless, the atrocious conditions, although not enjoyed by the many spectators, did not deter the competitors and the spirit of competition and standard of performance was as high as ever. Many records were broken.

Congratulations are due to Melvin House on winning the Inter-House Trophy and to Keith House, the runners-up, who were only four points behind.

Congratulations also to the individual winners : Senior Group, Errol G. Anderson ; Group a, Robert Miller ; Group ;, Murray Bywater ; Group 4, Neil Duncan ; Lower Schal, William Stevenson.

J. C. H. 1

Swimming

The Swimming Club has again been formed on the usual lines and 12o boys have joined. This is a smaller number than last year but this may be explained by the fact that Mr. Allardice's efforts in life-saving arc bearing fruit and many boys have season tickets for the Pond granted by the Town Council on their gaining an R.L.S.S. award.

Kenneth Petrie has been appointed Captain, Euan Baird Vice-Captain and Patrick Philip Secretary.

Beginners' classes are already well under way and x2o boys—apart from Club members—are receiving instruction at the Middle School and Municipal Ponds.

Thirty boys are meeting weekly in the life-saving classes and the majority of them will be ready for the R.L.S.S. examination by the end of this term.

Friday, 5 February 1954 is the date fixed for the Annual Gala and it will be held as usual in the Municipal Pond. This will be the first occasion on which there will be advance knowledge of our new Inter-House Swimming Trophy.

The Trophy has been donated by an F.P. well-known in swimming circles. It was presented last year to Keith House but it was uncertain before the Gala whether or not it would be available for competition. This year, swimmers, it is there for your competition I J. C. II.

House Notes Byron

Dun

Keith

Melvin

House Captain—

I. W. D. Buxton D. V. S. Williamson K. R. Petrie M. Mackie House Vice-Captain— R. D. M. MacLeod D. G. Crichton I. F. Macleod J. Pacitti Rugby Captain— G. M. Bruce C. S. Hodge K. R. Petrie S. McLeod Rugby Vice-Captain — L. D. Morrison G. W. Millar H. W. L. Thomas A. S. Hunter Swimming Captain— K. R. Petrie E. A. L. Wilson P. Philip M. Mackie Hockey Captain— R. M. Logan R. J. Angles W. J. L. Buyers A. Bremner Junior Rugby Captain— R. S. Taylor N. A. Duncan D. G. Grant D. L. Allan

The above officials were elected by the Houses for the session 1953-54. The inter-House rugby matches have already started with the usual unpredictable results. In the senior rugby matches Dun had another easy win over Byron, the Dun backs proving more experienced than their younger opponents. In the other game, a hard-fought one, Keith emerged victors after being in arrears.

In the hockey games Melvin won both their matches against Byron and Dun respectively. Keith were beaten by Dun and then defeated Byron. We look forward with eager anticipation to the next set of inter-House games.

In the junior rugby matches Dun had a clear win over Byron while Melvin won a close match with Keith.

Former Pupils' Club Founded is September O193

Diamond Jubilee Dinner There was an excellent attendance at the Diamond Jubilee Dinner of the F.P. Club which was held in the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, on 23 October 19f3.

The President, DR. W. DOUGLAS SIMPSON, was in the chair, and four former Presidents—Ma. A. G. NICOL SMITH, DR. E. W. WATT, DR. W. CLARK SOUTER and MR. J. A. LILLIE—were also present. The principal guest was the Rev. Professor John M. Graham, Lord Provost of Aberdeen. Others at the top table were MR. J. J. RomanoNt, Rector, Mr. James Walker, the newly-appointed Sheriff of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Banff, Mr. D. E. Collier, Headmaster, Robert Gordon's College, Mr. E. C. Finlayson, President, The Gordonian Association, Mr. A. Glendinning and Mr. J. B. Johnstone, representing the Aberdeen Centres of the Heriot Club and the Watsonian Club respectively, MR. MAURICE CRAMS, Vice-President of the Club, and MESSRS. E. Ros BIRKETT and C. S. McLEon, representing the Edinburgh and London Centres of the Club respectively. The Glasgow Centre was represented by MR. B. D. D. EMSLIE. Altogether, 174 F.P.s and guests were present.

After dinner the President extended a warm welcome to the company and stated that messages of good wishes had been received from Sir Patrick McKerron, Sir David Edwards, Dr. Wallace Troup and Dr. Ian G. limes. He then called . upon Lord Provost Graham to propose the toast of " The School and the Club ".

"THE SCHOOL AND THE CLUB"

After confessing that he was more than a little daunted at having been given the honour and responsibility of proposing this toast on a very auspicious occasion —the Diamond Jubilee of the Club—the Lord Provost invited his listeners to consider what it was that caused men to gather together on an occasion such as this. He dismissed any suggestion that it was merely for conviviality and a good dinner. It might be that we had gathered there to look back on their carefree and irresponsible lives as schoolboys when anxieties and worries were left to parents and teachers. " There might", he went on, " be another reason. We have among our company to-night previous winners of prizes, members of School teams, prefects and those who distinguished themselves in athletics. Have we gathered to bask in the glory of former achievements, to enjoy again recognition of our prowess ? " Again it might be suggested that we have gathered to see those who have made good, men who have achieved their ambition in the vocation of their choice.

As I look round the company, there are certainly those who, for the present at least, have an appearance of substantial prosperity." (Laughter.)

He went on to say that it was very satisfying to recall how many Grammar boys had achieved distinction in many walks of life. Throughout its long history, the School had known how to foster heroism and nourish genius, and what is equally important, to interest and vitalise the boy of normal gifts. Throughout the generations the School had been given good material to work on, and it had shaped it well.

After examining other possible reasons why men came together for such a gathering he thought in the end that it was something simpler and worthier.

It was a feeling of underlying piety to the School that in our years of growth had been our constant nurse.

The Lord Provost went on to pay a tribute to teachers, whose task was now much more difficult when there were so many powerful distracting influences for children. While it was absurd to compare the remuneration of one profession with that of another, in these fantastic days when boxers received many thousands of pounds for being mashed around a boxing ring and the price of some footballer's feet was valued at £40,000, it must be remembered that there was no more honourable task than that of educating the young in school and we must ensure, 73

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if society was to be progressive, that there were attracted continuously to the teaching profession men of skill and character who were free from all the anxieties of maintaining a decent standard of living. We must take care that the members of the profession received their due measure of honour.

On the occasion of the Club's Diamond Jubilee it was appropriate to recall the many years of continuing evidence of loyalty and generosity on the part of Former Pupils to their Old School and he commended a continuance of that loyalty and generosity. Although the School's essential equipment was now provided out of public funds, there was still room for the work and generosity of F.P.s.

He concluded with a reference to the forthcoming celebration of the School's Tooth anniversary of continuous history—a happy occasion (he said), quite unique in the North of Scotland. He hoped that the anniversary would be celebrated in a fitting manner by some substantial addition to the equipment of the School and he gave an assurance that it was the desire of the Town Council and the Education Committee to mark the occasion in a generous manner.

THE RECTOR'S REPLY

" Being an old-fashioned dominie ", began the Rector, in his reply on behalf of the School, " I don't hold with the doctrine that, when the children are present, parents should be seen and not heard. Birthdays, however, are times apart when all of us alike take the grubby boy, wipe the toffee-stickiness from the corners of his mouth and make him the centre of attention. To-night, therefore, mother School gives place to offspring Club and I propose to speak very briefly, hoping that Dr. Douglas Simpson who, like Moses and myself, is a man of slow speech and few words (loud laughter), will shed his inhibitions and give us both a spirited and an ample reply to the toast." (Renewed laughter.)

After thanking the Lord Provost warmly for the very handsome things he had said about the School, for his active interest in it and the personal service he gave to the School out of an almost intolerably busy life, Mr. Robertson went on :— " My Lord Provost, may I in a sort of oblique fashion hand to you representatively two bouquets and an old stager's gentle lament ? If, which is wholly inconceivable, this poor hireling (laughter) were permitted to address his employers, it might run something like this : ' Good Sirs, in these latter days you have most wonderfully renovated and equipped the School, denying us no material provision within reason, and that is a great boon, for which we thank you. Moreover, you have in time of dearth secured us a sufficiency of good-quality teachers, and that is a greater service still. But one thing you have never given us in all the eleven years since you brought me to your fair town—a settled and clearly-formulated policy for the School. Fees vanished ; parents felt increasing misgivings ; recruitment of younger pupils suffered ; but even after seven years you have not yet divulged your long-term policy for our Lower School. Similarly you have heard year after year of our mounting Secondary Roll, have learned, that is, that we have been steadily siphoning off the boys from the Central School. Now, we have no room left and the Central very few boys ; but what you propose to do about it all, I do not know, and I sometimes doubt if you do either. x956 comes on apace, and we should like not merely to be proud of our past but also to be hopefully clear about our future.' " If it were thus spoken, what reply, I wonder, would my outraged masters gasp out as they bundled me into the tumbril ? ' Gentlemen of the Club, I am a bit on the old side and far too tuneless to sing ' py Birthday to You ', but I do indeed felicitate you to-night on your Diamond Jubilee. It reverses the normal role for a School to thank its Club—for what is a Club at its best but an embodied expression of thanks to the School ? Yet, I think you know that we do greatly value all you have been and done. Sometimes when I am asked : what kind of school is the Grammar ? I reply, ' It's the There's kind of school that produces one of the best F.P. Clubs in Scotland quite a deal of educational philosophy packed into that brief answer. " I cannot think of the Club and its record to-night without my mind going hack to the great Rector who founded you. It is symbolically right that Morland Simpson's portrait should be central in our Hall, for he is beyond dispute the central figure in the more recent history of the School. It is not enough to think

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77

of him as your Foundcr. He not only instituted your Club ; he ensured its enduring strength and vitality, for year by year his directing wisdom and devotion so shaped the School that it became a place where it was good for boys to be, a shared experience later to become a strong bond. " ' Music when soft voices die Vibrates in the memory' —and the memory of a happy schooling, with its play and ploys, its real if griefs, its lasting transient attachments, vibrates powerfully and long ; and these vibrations, as though they were forces in a magnetic field, draw us human particles into those patterns of fellowship which we call F.P. Clubs and Old Boys' Associations. " Just one reminder in closing. A good Club has two roots ; but if one may rightly be in the past, the other must be a lively and disinterested concern for the continued well-being of the School. Mindful of that, move forward now to your first century in the strength of a fine record and well assured that the goodwill of the School will companion you all the way."

THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY In his reply on behalf of the Club, Dr. Douglas Simpson began by expressing his sense of the high honour which the Club had done him in appointing him President for the Club's Diamond Jubilee year. He knew very well that this was largely a compliment to the memory of his father. In launching the Club on its career sixty years ago, Dr. Morland Simpson had laid down its proposed activities and duties in quite simple language. The Club was to be helpful to its members and to the School to the best of its ability. In his (Dr. Douglas Simpson's) opinion the Club had fully justified its existence in both respects. By its system of Consuls, by its splendid Magazine and in many other ways it had been of assistance to Former Pupils scattered over the five continents and the seven seas. The School itself owed to the Club, in whole or in part, many material benefits such as the Playing Field at Rubislaw, the War Memorial Pavilion and the Shanghai Clock. Other schemes sponsored by the Club still awaited fulfilment, notably the proposed swimming pond which was actually one of the items adumbrated in the very first year of the Club's existence.

Dr. Simpson specially stressed the need for the Club to act as a watchdog in the interests of the School during these rapidly changing times.

"OUR GUESTS" DR. ALLAN C. HENDRY proposed the toast of " Our Guests " and Sheriff Walker replied. A vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by MR. MAURICE CRAMS in a witty and highly entertaining speech which set the seal on a most enjoyable function. Unfortunately, it was marred for part of the company by the fact that the microphone used by the speakers functioned in an exasperatingly temperamental fashion. *

*

*

The following members of the Club were present at the Dinner, the list being arranged in order of seniority based on date of entry to the School :— T880. A. G. Nicol Smith (1880-88).

1882. James Inkster (1882-88).

1883. E. W. Watt (1883-94).

1885. F. W. Michie (1885-91).

1889. Alfred Smith (1889-96), H. Edgar Smith (1889-97).

189o. H. J. Butchart (1890-99).

1893. J. A. Lillie (1893-1903), W. Clark Souter (1893-98), N. J. J. Walker (18931902).

1895. R. J. Anderson (1895-99). x9oi. J. U. Mackintosh (1901-04) and 1905-06), W. Douglas Simpson (19o1-13).

1902. George Forbes (1902-04), G. Angus Mitchell (1902-13)1903. A. R. Abercromby (1903-13).

1904. James Fiddes (1904-14), G. C. Grant (1904-17), Sir George Williamson (1904-14 1905. James Leith (1905-I7).

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

1906. D. P. Cochran (1906-25), H. J. Edwards (2906-17), R. B. Williamson (1906-18).

1907. D. S. Hay (1907-xx), A. C. Hendry (x907-24), R. R. Macdonald (2907-27), J. L. Riddell (1907-16).

2908. E. J. Galloway (1908-18), C. S. McLeod (1908-20).

1909. J. G. Kilgour (1909-16).

1920. Alexander Gray (1910-22), L. R. Harper (1910-17), James Hutcheon (1910is), T. K. Macdonald (1910-19), I. G. McPherson (1910-17), J. W. Pope (292o-24), R. S. Walker (2920-22).

2922. W. G. Thow (1911-22).

1912. T. E. Anderson (1912-21), J. W. Bcnzie (1912-19), A. R. Duncan (191229), J. G. Sellar (1922-28), N. B. Sellar (1912-21), R. D. Strachan (1912-19), 2923. J. B. Esslemont (2923-24), M. G. Gibb (1913-22), A. P. Macdonald (291;24), N. G. Taylor (2913-23), J. S. Walker (2913-17).

2924. Leo Dumin (2924-27), W. G. Hutcheon (2924-23), John Maclennan (191420), M. C. Ross (1914-2O, R. E. W. Stroud (1914-19).

2925. F. B. Cartwright (1915-24), Harold Esslemont (1915-19), R. L. Milne (2925-26), W. W. Porter (2925-23), E. A. Sinclair (1925-23), D. O. Wright (1925-16).

1926. Maurice Cramb (1926-29), David Hanna (1916-22).

1927. J. H. Gray (1917-29), G. A. C. Walker (1917-23).

1928. L. G. Boyd (1918-29), J. R. Carry (2928-30), H. J. Fraser (1918-22), W. M. Miller (2928-23), I. L. Smith (2928-30), E. W. M. Watt (1928-31).

1919. J. G. Bissct (1919-29), N. S. Clark (1929-29), A. Nicol Smith (1919-29), J. S. Stephen (1929-29), A. D. Troup (1919-2O, R. P. Wishart (2919-32).

1920. E. R. Birkett (2920-22), A. J. Peters (1920-30), H. G. Stephen (1920-30), N. F. Wisely (1920-32).

1921. G. H. Henderson (2921-34), E. H. M. Stott (1921-24).

1922. J. S. MacLachlan (2922-32), F. A. Smith (1922-28 and 1930-33).

2923. G. E. C. Barton (1923-26), J. R. S. Innes (2923-35).

2924. D. G. Dempster (1924-33), J. C. Mackie (1924-27), James Reid (1924-34), A. G. B. Young (1924-26).

1925. J. S. Abernethy (1925-26), H. W. Rankine (1925-35), A. G. Scott (2925-29), A. C. R. Watt (2925-37).

2926. H. M. R. Watt (2926-38).

1927. N. R. Wishart (1927-40).

2928. Eric Buthlay (2928-4o), M. H. Tawse (1928-40).

2929. T. W. N. Davidson (1929-41), B. D. D. Emslle (1929-35), D. G. Patterson (2929-36), K. J. Peters (1929-41).

(2930-4o).

1 930. H. F. M. Aitken (2930-33), W. L. Connon 2932. M. A. A. Innes (1932-45).

2934. L. D. Davidson (1934-40), T. I. Morrison (1934-47).

1935. David Anderson (1935-42).

1942. J. T. L. Parkinson (1942-50).

1944. A. E. C. Abercromby (1944-46), R. L. Cromar (1944-49).

Honorary Member. J. J. Robertson (Rector).

Staff Member. D. M. Armand (Lower School Master).

London Centre The Annual General Meeting was held (after an informal Supper) in The Horse and Dolphin, W.C.2, on 15 October 2953. In the absence of Lord Alness, the chair was taken by Mr. G. W. Bowes.

The following officials were elected President, Sir James Crombie ; Hon. Secretary, A. H. K. Slater (re-elected) ; New Afember, of Committee, A. R. H. Kellas, Ninian Mackie, C. S. McLeod, G. M. McPhee and G. T. Simpson.

A message of appreciation and good wishes was sent by the meeting to Lord Alness, President of the Centre from 1938 to 2953.

The Hon. Secretary announced that the joint Dance with the Aberdeen High School F.P. Club and the London Gordonians was to be held on 26 March 2954.

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Glasgow Centre The principal event has been, as usual, the Annual Dinner which was held in the Grosvenor Restaurant, Glasgow, on 20 November 1953. MR. C. S. BUYERS, President of the Centre, was in the chair, and he was accompanied at the top table by the principal guest, Dr. David S. Anderson, Director of the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, MR. J. J. ROBERTSON, Rector, DR. W. DOUGLAS SIMPSON, President of the parent Club, Mr. Charles M. Hendry, Vice-President, Glasgow and West of Scotland Gordonians, Mr. J. G. P. Findlay, Junior Vice-President, Glasgow High School Club, MR. J. S. MACLACHLAN, Secretary of the parent Club, Ma. A. C. FRAZER, Secretary, Edinburgh Centre, and others.

"THE SCHOOL AND THE CLUB"

Dr. David S. Anderson proposed the principal toast. He said that of all our institutions our schools were the most important since they laid the foundation on which all else was built, that grammar schools were the most important of schools and that the Aberdeen Grammar School, with its long tradition and record of high achievement, was clearly in the first rank.

The problem in schools was not only that of equipping young people to earn a living but of making them capable of exercising judgment on the problems of a complex and bewildering world—a far more difficult task. The construction of the yardsticks and instruction in how to use them should begin at school but this difficult task was not made less difficult by the tendency towards a dead level of uniformity in schooling which a certain section of public opinion wished to impose : a level in which no one should be privileged, no one should be penalised, and all should receive the same treatment and be turned out in exactly the same mould. This foolish attitude derived from the insidious and false idea that fairness demanded that what could not be given to all should be given to none. It was not fairness which demanded this, it was envy.

In this matter there was a tendency for people to confuse egalitarianism with equality of opportunity : the two in fact were quite different. Equality of opportunity must obviously be a continuous selective process in which, at various stages, all those capable of advancing further, whatever their circumstances, should be given the chance to do so.

We had witnessed, during the first half of this century, a progressive extension —in recent years a rapid extension—of the field of state, public authority and local authority control. This development was a product of the outlook of the age and must be accepted as a permanent feature of our way of life. It brought, however, certain problems in its train : one of the main problems being to find men competent to direct and control these vast public services in which the discipline of competition had been replaced by the security of state and public monopoly. Leadership, enterprise, initiative and wisdom of the highest order were called for, and yet these were the very qualities that a dull level of uniform schooling would not evoke. Therein lay an inherent contradiction : our educational policy was in danger of making it more difficult to produce the very types we most needed.

Our schools could not do their job without teachers and the present position, particularly in relation to Mathematics and Science, was more than a little alarming.

The fact was that we had overstrained our scientific manpower and the research associations and the scientific civil service might have to economise in the interest of the schools. There was a shortage of manpower in the country as a whole but in every activity, except education, scientific aids could be made to compensate to some extent for the shortage. Teaching, however, still required the same human contact between teacher and taught and by and large the process of learning changed hardly at all from generation to generation.

'I'hc multiplicity of occupations was another reason for the manpower shortage.

At the start of the century the lad o' pairts usually entered teaching, medicine, law or the Church. To-day the situation was transformed. Many more careers were open to him : he could be a scientist, statistician or economist in government or industrial service ; banking, insurance and accountancy now occupied a far more important place than they did fifty years ago ; forestry and agriculture were subjects of university study. The educational standards in these and other professions

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

had reached such levels that the relative prestige of teaching was no longer what it was. To counter this the financial reward of a teacher must be on a basis of full equality with that in professions recruiting men of equal talent. The situation was improving but all too grudgingly and slowly.

Dr. Anderson concluded with a tribute to the Rector whom he had met as a colleague on the Advisory Council on Education in Scotland. He said that he had spent his life in industry, science and technology and that it had been most refreshing, after that somewhat intense and narrowing experience, to come into contact with the real scholarship of the humanities in the setting of such a modest, kindly, sympathetic and attractive personality.

THE RECTOR'S REPLY

In his reply on behalf of the School Mr. Robertson said :— " A birthday party is always agreeable ; a visit to Glasgow is a pleasant occasion—except for the Edinburgh man, and his reaction borders on the pathological l—but when to the two-fold inducement of the Club's sixtieth birthday party in Glasgow you add the presence of so good a friend as Dr. David Anderson, this becomes for me an evening to warm the heart."

After paying tribute to Miss Winifred Robertson, Kindergarten Mistress at the School (who had died the previous week), he said that his words, although spoken primarily in gratitude to a colleague whose passing we so deeply mourned, took him right to the heart of what he wanted to say about School and Club.

All that we remembered now and praised in Miss Robertson was in complete accord with the best traditions of the Grammar School. He went on : " Bad schoolmasters think of the imparting of knowledge as something separate and in itself sufficient and so they create schools which are efficient no doubt but illiberal and joyless. The good schoolmaster's thinking moves between two poles—the child, with his own needs, limitations and laws of development, and the very complex human society with which the child must come to terms.

It follows that the good schoolmaster sees the business of teaching and learning as related to both developing human nature and the demands of the community, sees it, that is, as something of great dignity and significance, yet always as something less than the whole of school, simply because it is less than the whole of life.

A school embodying these more generous concepts need not be inefficient but it must be a place of happy activity, where sentiments and loyalties take root and grow strong. Need I remind you, gentlemen, that it is just such feelings and attachments that flower in the life of a good Club : lacking them it dies of inanition.

Would you assess the quality of a school, take a good look at its F.P. Club. " Inevitably to-night our thoughts go out in homage to the great schoolmaster who founded your Club. Morland Simpson's portrait faces me every morning across the Hall, and out of all the long, rich history of the School I could not have a better mentor. One shade austere, you say ? Yes, if you mean it in the same fine sense that his great predecessor, James Melvin, was ' Grim Pluto'— in each a heart of gold, revealing itself, however, not in demonstrativeness but in high and dedicated service. " It was a great thing to establish the Club, but in the event it would have mattered little in itself, had Morland Simpson in the years that followed so ordered the School that it was for the generality of boys a chapter they were well content to close. On the contrary, he was far ahead of his time in the width of his vision and the enlightenment of his aims ; consequently the abundant life of the School has spilled over into the Club. " May I in conclusion give you the congratulations and good wishes of the School, and with them a simple reminder in which I know I shall be backed by your President. The Club can never be self-preoccupied and inward-looking and remain healthy. Just as fabled Antaeus of old drew strength only from contact with his mother earth, so the Club must be always in living touch with the School. Nostalgia, the remembered past as a basis of fellowship, will remain wholesome only so long as it issues in or is accompanied by action on the School's behalf. To-day can repay yesterday only by becoming the servant of to-morrow, and by inescapable paradox the School you serve can never be your School but rather the School of your children, of a new generation."

FormerPupils' Club

81

THE. PRESIDENT'S REPLY

Dr. Douglas Simpson began his reply on behalf of the Club by conveying the warm greeting of the parent body to the Glasgow Centre. He also expressed his great sense of honour in having been elected President of the Club in its Diamond Jubilee year. He knew that, to a large extent, this was a tribute to his father and this made it doubly pleasing to him. " The Former Pupils' Club ", he went on, " was founded by my father sixty years ago and I do believe that the founding of our Club will not be counted among the least of his services to our ancient School. When he founded it, he defined the duties of the Club in a very simple and wise way. He said that the duties of the Club were two-fold—to be of help to its members and the School to the best of its ability."

So far as the first part of that thesis was concerned, he thought they would all agree that the Club had justified its existence. It had been of very great help to countless Grammar boys all over the world, but he felt that the second part of his father's programme for the Club was in his heart more important than the first.

They knew that there had been many material ways in which the Club had helped the School, such as the Playing Fields at Rubislaw, the War Memorial Pavilion and the Shanghai Clock. In a material sense the Club had helped the School to the best of its ability.

But there were other ways the Club could help the School to the best of its ability. He remembered his father telling him that one of the things that the Former Pupils' Club would have to do in the future would be to act as the watchdog of the School. His father was looking ahead to the trend of the times. He was not a pessimist or a party political man but he knew very well that, while there was always progress, progress never came without its problems.

When his father came to the School, it was run by a School Board, and the School Board was succeeded by the Education Committee, and after that the Education Committee was changed over into the Education Authority and then it was changed over into the Education Committee of the Town Council.

There might be a difference of opinion about his next statement but he for one was very sorry that the Grammar School of Aberdeen was no longer under the control of an ad hot authority. He thought that it was one great advantage of Gordon's College that it was governed by a body of people whose sole concern was the boys of the school.

A school under the control of the Town Council was governed by a body of people elected for political reasons. There was a danger there. It was quite obvious the dangers were there, whatever party was in power. In his opinion this was one of the serious things facing the School—the fact that its fortunes depended on people in party politics. The danger of the situation was obvious and that was where the Club was required as a watchdog. This role would become more prominent in the years ahead. He was not a prophet or a pessimist, but changes brought along their problems.

They might safely claim that they were the only body connected with the School that had no vested interest in the School. All they wished to see was the School prosper and go on from strength to strength. They had quite a unique responsibility there. He did not know what the future was going to bring them —nobody knew that—but he feared that, when the future of the School came to be decided, it might be decided by people who did not understand what the School stood for and what it stands for in the social life of the community.

Therefore, the time might come when it might be necessary for the Former Pupils' Club to take a strong stand, if developments were proposed or suggested which were prejudicial to all that the Grammar School stood for. " I would like ", Dr. Simpson concluded, " the Former Pupils' Club, not only in its main centre in Aberdeen, but in the various Centres I am going around, not to base itself on sentiment, with the annual dinner and good wine. You must remember that you are the only body which can truly and properly claim to have nothing else in its mind but the maintenance of the ancient traditions of the School.

Remember always you are the watchdogs of the School."

The toast of " Our Guests" was proposed by MR. D. NI. SEMPLE, VicePresident of the Centre, and replied to by Mr. Charles M. Hendry.

$2

Aberdeen Grammar School Magcqine

being arranged in The following F.P.s were present at the Dinner, the list order of seniority based on date of entry to the School :1895. C. S. Buyers (1895-98).

1898. L. H. Ross (1898-1901).

W. D. Simpson 1901. George Lawrence (1901-03), D. M. Semple (19ot-o6), (1901-13).

1904. W. O. Fiddes (19°4-15), S. C. Still (1904-to).

1906. D. C. Sangster (1906-13).

191I. James Stirrat (191I-21).

1912. K. R. T. Matthew (1911-24), C. F. Thomson (1912-14)1914. A. W. Carle (19x4-zo).

19'5. C. J. Lamb (19,5-22).

1921. I. F. Stratton (1921-23).

1922. J. S. MacLachlan (1922-32).

1923. G. N. Pennic (1923-26).

1925. A. C. Frazer (1925-30), H. E. R. Shand (192 5-34)1926. J. G. M. Birss (1926-38), A. L. Spiers (1926-38).

1929. B. D. D. Emslie (t929-35).

1930. A. C. Thomson (1930-41).

Hon. Member. J. J. Robertson (Rector). *

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*

October 1953 and The Annual General Meeting of the Centre was held on zo 1953-54 are: Presidentwas attended by twelve members. The office-bearers for and Treasurer—J. G. M. C. S. Buyers; Vise-President—D. M. Semple; Hon. Secretary Pennie, R. L. Richards and Birss; Committee—W. O. Fiddes, D. C. Sangster, G. N. B. D. D. Emslie. held in conjunction On 8 October 1953 a most successful Theatre Evening was Club and the Glasgow with Glasgow Section of the Aberdeen High School F.P. Association. A party of about and West of Scotland Branch of the Gordonian Sauchiehall Street, and thereseventy met for high tea in The Rhub Restaurant, Baxter and Jack Radcliffe after adjourned to the Theatre Royal, where Stanley were appearing in " Half-Past Eight ". held with the Edinburgh It has been suggested that a joint Golf Outing might be such an outing may Centre in the spring. In order that the probable support for interested should contact the be gauged, all members of the Glasgow Centre W.4.

Secretary, J. G. M. Birss, 99 Essex Drive, Glasgow,

Bengal and Assam Centre 1953, during the course The Annual General Meeting was held on 12 August The following were present:— of a cocktail party at the Secretary's flat in Calcutta.

R. H. Duguid, W. G. Messrs. I. C. Barclay, R. M. Bonner, Peter Crombie, Mesdames Barclay, Macmillan, H. B. Scott, A. L. Simpson and C. M. Young. cocktail party but the male Bonner, Duguid and Simpson were also present at the General Meeting. element withdrew to another room for the Annual 195z were approved but the The Accounts for the year ended 31 December the bank charges amounting Secretary was directed to lodge a protest regarding collected during the past two to Rs. zo. Annual subscriptions have not been subscription of Rs. to for Calcutta years but it was decided to reinstitute the annual were thereupon collected on residents only. The subscriptions of those present the spot by the Honorary Treasurer.

Centre and Mr. R. M. Bonner Mr. R. H. Duguid was re-elected President of the intimated that he would be Hon. Treasurer. The Secretary, Mr. H. B. Scott, from his company's service leaving Calcutta early in January 1954 on retirement recommend to the Executive of (see page 23) and it was unanimously decided to be appointed to succeed Mr. Scott the parent Club that Mr. R. H. Duguid should for West Bengal with effect from as Secretary of the Centre and as Club Consul been approved by the Executive.

I January 1954. This recommendation has since invitation of Mr. Duguid, After the meeting the company adjourned, at the dinner was enjoyed. to the Saturday Club where a special Italian

Former Pupils' Club

83

Malayan Centre The Annual Reunion Dinner was held in the Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, on 6 November t953. Unfortunately, several members who had hoped to be present had to call off at the last moment but ten members were present and the function was most successful.

Loo YEW Hot, the senior F.P. in Malaya, was in the chair, and R. W. I. BAND proposed the toast of " The Auld School ".

It is a grand thing ", he said, " to belong to a School whose roots go far back into history. Our School was founded well over fifty years before Robert the Bruce drenched the field of Bannockburn with Sassenach blood and over zoo years before Christopher Columbus discovered the North American continent which, with other parts of the world yet to be discovered and colonised by the West, was to prove such a happy hunting-ground for Grammar F.P.s who were prepared to work hard and who, having lived in Aberdeen, were capable of withstanding the rigours of any climate."

He went on to refer to the F.P. Club Consular Service which had, he said, in these days when our Colonial Empire was dwindling even more right to the name of the far-flung service. As a member of the Colonial Administrative Service, he wished to pay tribute in passing to this sister service.

It was in 1932, when he came out East, that he first came within the sphere of the Club's consular jurisdiction. Malaya was then in an unhappy state, definitely more so than now, and during the previous few years there had been quite an exodus of Englishmen, hut he found that the Scottish population had not appreciably diminished and that the Scotsmen whom he had met everywhere seemed to be hanging on grimly to their jobs. It was then that he began to make the discovery which had since been confirmed by travels in other parts of the world, that it was not Scotch whisky, excellent though that was, which was the best commodity exported by Scotland but Scots men, who mixed even better and went down better almost anywhere in the world.

The following F.P.s were present at the Dinner, the list being arranged in order of seniority based on dale of entry to the School :— Loo Yew Hoi ( i 907-14).

S. M. Davidson (x934-44).

V. G. R. Stephen (1934-47).

R. W. I. Band (1924-26).

W. S. Gilchrist (1929-36).

I. D. Booth (1938-40).

F. K. Sellar (1932-45).

Norman McLean (1943-48).

Thomas Blair (1 934-44)• W. A. J. Longmorc (1945-50.

Apologies for absence were intimated from the following :— Alan Chalmers (1915-19).

J. B. F. Smith (1928-37).

D. B. Palmer (1915-24).

J. R. Bell (193o-35).

J. M. Fraser (t9r8-zo).

Harry Maitland (x931-33)• J. L. K. Brown (1921-25).

Dean Mackowie (1932-44).

A. M. Scrimgeour (1921-27).

R. H. W. Cradock (1940-41 and 1944-51).

G. R. Bums (1925-3x).

D. L. Cowie (1942-44).

R. K. Booker (1928-41).

J. M. Leishman (1943-47).

The Secretary of the Centre, W. S. Gilchrist, expects to be on leave in the United Kingdom next year. During his absence from Malaya his secretarial duties will be taken over by F. K. Sellar, c/o Shearn, Delamore and Company, advocates and solicitors, Kuala Lumpur.

School and F.P. Rugby Fixtures in the South Jan. 16.

23. fl 30.

Feb. 13.

27.

Mar. 6.

13.

20.

27.

F.P.s v. Hutcheson's Grammar School F.P.s at Auldhouse.

F.P.s v. Morgan Academy F.P.s at Dundee.

School v. Glenalmond at Glenalmond.

School v. George Heriot's School at Goldenacre.

F.P.s v. Hillhead High School F.P.s at Hughenden.

School v. Glasgow High School at Old Anniesland.

School v. Morgan Academy at Dundee.

F.P.s v. Panmure at Edinburgh.

F.P.s v. Musselburgh at Stoneyhill.

84

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

F.P. Rugby Section This season the Scottish Rugby Union, with the object of rejuvenating Scottish Rugby, decided to arrange a series of inter-district trials during the months of October and November. Whether this experiment has been successful will not be known for some time, but what is certain is that the F.P. Rugby Section has been seriously upset by these trials. For four Saturdays out of six, from to October to 14 November, first of all five and then four players, including the Captain and Vice-Captain and the other most experienced players, were required to represent the North of Scotland, with the result that the Section has had as yet no opportunity of settling down.

These district matches may prove a good thing, but the writer feels that the burden placed upon this Section is too great, especially as in other districts clubs arc called upon to give up their players for these games on only one Saturday during the period mentioned. Surely some of these matches could be played on Wednesdays, as is done in the case of the match between the South and the Cities, or at least they could be spread out over a longer period. It is now the middle of November and it is only now that the F.P. teams can settle down as teams and not aggregations of individuals changing weekly. The effect of these continual changes, in addition to the normal changes due to injuries, etc., is felt not only in the tst, but to a greater degree in the 2nd and other junior sides.match This season is the both since the founding of the Section and the first was an anniversary match against a Gordonian-selected side, played on the actual anniversary of the founding of the Section. The results of the 1st team to date have not been good, to a large extent for the reasons mentioned in the first paragraph of these notes. This has given rise to a lack of team-work, especially in the pack where there is a complete absence of experience and maturity. There has also been a certain amount of unexpected loss of form by certain players. the The outstanding feature so far is the excellent form now being shown by znd XV, although the team has had to be continually changed. Its last six matches have all been won very well and in two cases, against Edinburgh Northern and Strathmore, the team has been weakened by trial calls. The outstanding ist XV result to date was the draw with Edinburgh Academicals, in one of the best games seen at Rubislaw for a long time. Greenock Wanderers were also beaten for the first time.

The " A " XV has fared reasonably satisfactorily to date and once again there are sufficient members for a " B " XV to turn out every week.

By the time these notes appear in print the 1st XV will have had three or four more very stiff games to face, but there are hopes that these games may go reasonably well.

The players chosen for the various trial games arc as follows :— North v. Midlands on to October.—W. D. Allardice, D. N. Georgeson, E. H. Cruickshank, C. D. Mowat, W. M. Brown.

North v. Edinburgh on 24 October.—W. D. Allardice, D. N. Georgeson, E. H. Cruickshank, C. D. Mowat.

North v. Glasgow on 31 October.—W. D. Allardice, D. N. Georgeson, E. H. Cruickshank, C. D. Mowat.

North v. South on 14 November.—W. D. Allardice, D. N. Georgeson, E. H. Cruickshank, C. D. Mowat.

North v. " All Blacks " on 2 December.—W. D. Allardice, E. H. Cruickshank, C. D. Mowat. sat XV Results Won. . . z6- o . .

Sept. is. v. Gordonians at Rubislaw .

Won. . . 21- o . . „ 15. v. Centralians at Chanonry .

Lost.

• 3-17 „ 19. v. George Heriot's School F.P.s at Goldenacre Won. . . 17- 8 .

2s. v. Melville College F.P.s at Rubislaw Lost. . 11-13 . „ z6. v. Perthshire Academicals at Rubislaw .

Lost. . 3-12 28. v. Daniel Stewart's College F.P.s at Inverleith . 3- 3 Drawn. .

Oct. 3. v. Allan Glen's School F.P.s at Rubislaw Lost. .

• o- 5 . „ xo. v. Dollar Academicals at Dollar .

• 6- 6 Drawn. . „ 17. v. Edinburgh Academicals at Rubislaw .

Won. . . 21-1 3 . . „ 24. v. Highland Select at Inverness

Upper VI, 1953-54

D. & W. Prophet, Dundee Back Row—J. M. Gatt, R. N. Mackie, Andrew Robertson, D. I. K. MacLeod, J. G. Kellas.

Middle Row—J. Bray, J. M. Taylor, M. G. Dow, M. A. B. Christie, D. L Morgan, D. S. Wood.

Front Row—John Pacitti, Alan Bremner, D. G. Crichton, D. V. S. Williamson, I. W. D. Buxton, A. S. Hunter, 1. F. Macleod.

Forum. Pupils' Club

85

Oct. 3r. v. St. Andrews University at Rubislaw .

3-Ia Lost.

Nov. 7. v. Aberdeen Wanderers at Rubislaw Lost.

• 5-13 14. v. Aberdeen University at Rubislaw • Lost.

5- 6 „ 21. v. Greenock Wanderers at Rubislaw • 8- o Won. „ 28. v. Gordonians at Seatield .

Won. • 13- 9 Dec. 5. v. Watsonians at Rubislaw .

Lost.

• 8-14 and XV Results Sept. 19, v. George Heriot's School F.P.s and XV at Goldenacrc 5-31 Lost.

Oct. 3. P. Allan Glen's School F.P.s znd XV at Rubislaw • 0-24 Lost. „ ro. v. Gordonians and XV at Rubislaw . . . 11-13 Lost. " 17. v. Perthshire Academicals 2nd XV at Rubislaw . 17- 5 Won. ., 24. v. 8th T.R.R.E. at Elgin . . . . . 12- 5 Won. " 31. v. Edinburgh Northern at Rubislaw . . .

3- o Won. Nov. 7. v. Panmure and XV at Broughty Ferry . . . 17- 3 Won. v. Strathmore at Rubislaw . ,, 1 4 . . . . 13- 5 Won. „ 21. v. Greenock Wanderers znd XV at Rubislaw . 46- 3 Won. N. I. W. MELDRUM, Hon. Secretary.

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F.P. Hockey Section At the Annual General Meeting held on 19 September 1953, the following appointments were made :1st XI Captain R. L. Cromar ; Is/ XI Vin-Captain, T. Craig ; znd XI Captain, D. Stephen ; and Viet-Captain, W. Gatt.

With the exception of A. Cromar, now on his national service, and A. Main, who has taken up an appointment in Edinburgh, we are fortunate in having all last season's players at our disposal, plus T. I. Morrison and G. Robertson, both of whom have recently returned from H.M. Forces.

Although the start of the season was none too good, the 1st XI losing two of its first three games, the prospects now are very promising. Undefeated since ro October, the ist XI improves with every game and has lately produced some really excellent hockey. When this good outfield play can be translated into goals, the 1st XI will indeed be a force to be contended with in Scottish Hockey.

In the local trials we had six representatives, three of whom, W. Dick, S. Banks and R. L. Cromar, were chosen for the North of Scotland XI which played against the Midlands.

The and XI, composed almost entirely of young players, promises to be the best the Section has had for quite a few years. The team suffered a setback by losing to School in their first League game but made amends by defeating Centralians. It is perhaps unfair to mention names in a team in which every man more than pulls his weight, but everyone has been inspired by the example set by Donald Stephen, an extremely able and sound foundation on which to build any defence, while the recent introduction of Peter Mitchell in the forward line has given it the necessary fire which it perhaps lacked in the opening games.

I should like to take this opportunity of extending an invitation to any F.P. who is interested in hockey and who is keen to have a game, to contact the Secretary. At present we are fielding two XIs, but we have quite a number of reserves every week. A few more members would enable us to run a 3rd XI and ensure that all our players can play regularly.

1st XI Results v. Ruthricston F.P.s . 6-i Won. v. Aberdeen . . . 4-1 Won. v. Richmond . . I-2 Lost. v. Gordonians . s-t Drawn. . v. Grove Academy F.P.s 0-1 Lost. v. Training Centre . 5-3 Won. v. University . . 3-I Won. and XI Results v. School " A " • . 7-2 Won. V. University "A" . i -2 Lost. v. Gordon's College 1-I Drawn. a. School . .

3-4 Lost.

• v. Grove Academy F.P.s v. Centralians 3-c Won. and XI . .

• 2-1 Won. v. Richmond • 2-3 Lost.

R. L CROMAR, •

86

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

F.P. Golf Section 'Throughout the 1953 season the meetings of the Section were well attended and, in deference to the wishes of members, the Secretary arranged an extra (Ailing to Ballater on 2 August. All the outings took place in brilliant weather and thus our fine weather record from the start of the Section has been maintained. In September a joint outing took place with our rivals and good friends of the Gordonian Golf Section. The results of the outings were as follows :— BALLATER OUTING-I0 May 1953.

Best Scratch Score E. Buthlay .

•

•

•

72

Handicaps 1 to I I .

W. Bryce H. J. Stewart

• .

74 — 7 — 67 76 — 8 - 68

Handicaps iz and Over R. R. Russell • 93 — 24 = 69 D. G. Patterson . 85 — 22 = 63 . 91 — 22 = 69 J. Argo (Guest) . . 87 — zo = 67 J. S. G. Munro . 93 — 24 = 69 Alex. Gray .

The results of the Stableford Competition were as follows :— J. G. Kilgour 46 points ist 44 points G. E. C. Barton znd 43 points E. Buthlay 3rd 41 points J. S. G. Munro 4th ABOYNE OUTING-7 June 1953.

Handicaps 1 10 I I Best Scratch Score . 72— 6 = 66 H. J. Stewart . . 7o . .

H. G. Stephen . 76 — to = 66 .

G. N. Henderson . 77 — 8 = 69 I. F. Henderson Guests Handicaps i z and Over .

72 — 3 = 69 J. L. Moffat . 79 — 17 = 62 G. E. C. Barton . 75 — I2 = 63 J. G. Kilgour . . . 78 — 14 = 64 R. J. Bain . 82 - 17 = 65 .

1. L. Smith BALLATER OUTING-2 August 1953.

Handicaps 12 and Over Handicaps 1 to I I 8o 14 = 66 • G. E. C. Barton H. G. Stephen • 75 - 2 = 73 86 — 19 = 67 • D. G. Patterson Dr. W. S. Milne — 23 = 7o • R. R. Russell . . 85 — to = 75 .

(Guest) 93 89 — 16= 73 • E. H. M. Stott J. L. Riddell .

• 79- 3 = 76 R. J. Jamieson G. A. C. Walker . 84 - 8 = 76 • 87 — 13 = 74 • (Guest) . 92 — 18 = 74 R. J. Maitland BALLATER OUTING-4 October 1953.

1 handicaps 12 and Over Handicaps t to 11 D. G. Patterson • 90 — 17 = 73 . 71 — 2 69 H. G. Stephen • 85 — 12 = 73 G. E. C. Barton . 8o — 5 — 75 W. C. Bryce • 96 — 22 R. R. Russell 74 • 8o — 5 75 II. J. Stewart Guests R. Ritchie 84 — 15 = 69 84 - 14 -== 70 J. C. Renfrew 8o — to r= 7o Dr. H. Fowlie The principal prizewinners for the year were as follows :— Walker Cup (3 best net scores)—G. E. C. Barton.

Jeffrey Mug (3 best scores over tz handicap)—D. G. Patterson.

Russell-Henderson Cup (3 best scratch scores)—H. G. Stephen.

Gibb-Tbow Trophy—Winner : Dr. M. G. Gibb ; Runner Up : J. L. Riddell.

J. L. Riddell Trop—R. R. Russell.

Stabkford Mug—J. G. Kilgour.

On Friday, 20 November, the Annual Dinner of the Section was held in the Northern Hotel, whcn thirty-seven members and guests had a very enjoyable evening. The Captain, W. L. Connon, presided and welcomed the company.

The principal toast of the evening was proposed by Maurice Cramb and the •

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(Palace Cinema Corner)

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TO ALL ENQUIRIES

NOTES FROM

THE

SERVICES (No. 4

ADMIRALTY)

A career in the air and at sea Twentieth century developments in weapons of war and such electronic devices as radar and sonar have resulted in more and more specialist officers being required in the Royal Navy. Men with the necessary ability are trained to the highest degree in special duties such as Gunnery, Communications and Submarine Warfare. The biggest single group of specialists is however to be found in the Fleet Air Arm — the pilots and observers who fly in the aircraft of the Fleet.

The Navy's first line of attack These officers are specialists indeed.

They must learn not only to fly, but to fly with the skill and precision needed for carrier landings at sea. They do a job of outstanding importance. The Second World War confirmed that carrier-borne aircraft are essential in sea warfare: the tighter, strike and anti-submarine aircraft of today form the Navy's first and most formidable weapons of attack.

Three types of Fleet Air Arm Commission PILOTS AND OBSERVERS are all officers and can hold one of three types of commission: (a) PERMANENT

Entry either as a Cadet at 16 and 16i or between 171 and 18I years of age, or by promotion from the lower deck. (b) SHORT SERVICE

Entry between the ages of 17i and 24 for 8 years Short Service, with the chance ofPermanent Commission at any time afterflying training, or from selected members of the lower deck. (c)

Getting the best of both worlds The pilots and observers who man these aircraft combine the excitement of flying with the adventure of life at sea. Besides constant flying practice they are trained in many other duties as Naval Officers. You will often see Commanding Officers and Officers-ofthe-watch in carriers, destroyers and frigates wearing wings on their sleeves.

NATIONAL SERVICE

Entry for 2 years compulsory service, followed by week-end flying with the R.N. V.R. or a transfer to 4 and, if desired, 8 years R.N. Commission with the opportunity of a permanent career in the Navy.

Information on all types of Commission in the Royal Navy can be obtained from: The Secretary of the Adm:rally (C.W. Branch) Dept. DU/54, Queen Anne's Mansions, London, S.W.I.

Former Pupils' Club

87

Captain replied. Willie Miller gave a most humorous speech in welcoming our guests and he received a tremendous ovation from the company ; James Argo replied suitably. The final toast of the evening was proposed by Leo Dumin who thanked the Captain for all he had done for the Section.

H. G. STEPHEN, Hon. Secretary.

F.P. Cricket Section Although the promise shown by the Section at the beginning of the season did not materialise as was hoped, the Strathmore XI finished one place higher in the Union Championship than it did last season, winning 8, losing 9 and drawing 3 of its games.

The Second XI must be considered very unfortunate in not gaining promotion to Grade II. The decision was made on a percentage basis, and F.P.s failed by only 0.625 per cent. However, should the same enthusiasm be present next season, there is no doubt that the team will gain the success it deserves.

Again the mainstay of our bowling this year has been L. E. Tyson, who failed by only a small margin to win the Strathmore Union Cup for the best bowling performance. His finest performance of the season was against Forthill XI when he finished with an analysts of 7 for 14. In this game, for the first time in his long career, he dismissed four batsmen with four successive balls, but it was by no means his first " hat-trick ".

The team's batting has been very unreliable and leaves much to be desired ; the fielding has improved considerably.

Aberdeenshire again honoured the Section by including George Murray in their team for several County matches. He had an excellent season with both hat and ball, and as he left School only this year, we are sure that he will bring credit to the Section for many years to come.

Again our appreciation must be recorded to L. E. Tyson for the excellent pitches he has prepared, to Major W. D. Andrews and to the other gentlemen who willingly umpired, to our scorers, Mrs. D. Stuart and Jack Milne, and to all the ladies who so kindly attended to the tea arrangements.

Strathmore Union XI Averages (League matches only) Times Batting Innings Not Out Rims Highest Score Average J. S. Manley .

16 2 216 40* 5 5'4 G. Murray . to 2 .

181 22.6 55 C. Spence .

16 o 228 45 74'25 I. Stuart . . x6 6 to2 23* 10. 2 * Denotes Not Out Bowling Overs Maidens Runs 'rickets Average L. E. Tyson 260.5 .

6.75 59 385 57 A. M. Davidson 211 292 29 xo 6 55 A. A. C. Edmond 75.1 17 136 II I2. 4 G. Murray .

124.1 22 .

22 294 13'3 A. M. DAVIDSON, Hon. Secretary.

F.P. Tennis Section The Tennis Section had a most successful season despite a rather delayed start.

It had been in abeyance for a number of years and certain facilities enjoyed by F.P.s in the past had to be adjusted to fit in with the School's altered curriculum.

These adjustments were amicably settled and the twenty-five members of the Section put in some strenuous practice at the courts.

No matches were played against other teams as the equipment provided at the Field proved to be much below match standard. This is to be remedied next year when the Section looks forward to an even more successful season and to an increased membership.

The Captain of the Tennis Section for 1953 was J. Howieson; B. D. M. Grassick was Secretary and A. M. Hardie Treasurer.

Aberdeen Grammar School F.P. Club Boarding House Co. Ltd. GRAMMAR SCHOOL HOUSE SENIOR HOUSE 8 QUEEN'S ROAD

JUNIOR HOUSE 6 QUEEN'S ROAD

ABERDEEN

The Houses are conveniently situated in the west end of the town, and arc equidistant from the School and the Playing Fields.

The Senior House, which can accommodate 45 Boarders, is specially designed and fitted for the purpose, having large common rooms, modern dormitories, bathrooms, changing rooms etc.

The Junior House, which has accommodation for about i8 Boarders, is available for boys up to II years of age.

The Company have their own Hard Tennis Courts (3) and large Playground adjacent to both Houses.

Fees, £159 per annum.

House Master

Mr. DUNCAN M. ANNAND, M.B.E.

Under House Master

Mr. JAMES D. MORRISON

Matrons Miss HELEN OGILVIE

Miss MARGARET T. HEGGIE

For Application Forms and further particulars apply to the Secretary of the Company, Mr. ALEXANDER J. DUFFUS, Advocate, 7 Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Former Pupils' Club

89

F.P. Swimming Section As announced in the last issue of the Magazine, it is proposed to form a Swimming Section of the Club.

Efforts are being made to obtain suitable facilities and when further progress has been achieved in this direction, a meeting of all interested will be held. The date of the meeting will be intimated in the Aberdeen press.

Club Boarding House There arc resident in Grammar School House this session fifty-two boys, of whom sixteen are boarders in the Junior House and thirty-six in the Senior House.

The following boys have entered the House since December 1952:— Gordon Edmonston Anderson, s. of Dr. Ian A. Anderson (1912-24), 21 Leslie Road, Glasgow, S.1.

Ronald William Arthur, s. of William Arthur, Sonabheel T.E., Bindukuri P.O., Assam, India.

David Gibson Browne, s. of Mrs. Frances G. Browne, 124 Desswood Place, Aberdeen.

Alistair Wallace Duncan, s. of Captain John Duncan, D.S.C., Marine Dept., Creole Petroleum Corporation, Las Piedras, Estado Falcon, Venezuela.

John Irvine Glashan, s. of John 1. M. Glashan, Lary Cottage, Ballater.

Ian Alexander Gray, s. of Alexander Gray, O.13.E., M.Inst.C.E., Chief Engineer, Aden Port Trust, Aden, S. Arabia.

Colin Farquhar Johnston, s. of William F. Johnston, 46 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

Alan William Low, s. of Captain Andrew Low, R.E.M.E., 29 Vine Close, Farnborough Road, Aldershot, Hants.

Duncan John Macfarlane, s. of Duncan J. Macfarlane, Mains of Tillymorgan, Cu lsalmond.

Neil Farquhar Macmillan, s. of Dr. W. G. Macmillan (1916-22), 2 Raja Santose Road, Calcutta, India. lain Charles Main, s. of John A. D. Main, Sessa T.E., Jokai P.O., Dibrugarh, Assam, India.

Alistair Fowlie Philip, s. of Mrs. Helena M. Philip, 37 Westburn Road, Aberdeen.

Derek Killah Roger, s. of John M. Roger, 79 Salisbury Avenue, St. Albans, Herts.

Douglas John Stewart and Alan Gordon Stewart, ss. of Douglas G. Stewart (1924-33), The Attock Oil Co., Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

New Members of the Club xs May 1953 — 15 November 1953 LIFE MEMBERS Anderson, Allan Cunningham (1907-12), Canadian Embassy, Mexico City, Mexico.

Graham, Gordon I nnes (1936-47), A1 2 Mess, ILM.S. Simbang, c/o F.M.O., Singapore.

Slater, George Murray McAdie (1935-47), TOO Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

Stewart, Clyne Robert Bruce (1931-41), M.B., Ch.B., 6 Harlaw Terrace, Aberdeen.

ORDINARY MEMBERS Aitken, William Henry Milne Scott (1914-24), 79 Ashley Road, Aberdeen.

Angus, David Nicol (194313), Knoyle, Coronation Road, Culter.

Bain, Robert (1944-52), Viewfield, Milltirnber, Aberdeenshire.

Banks, Stewart Cowie (1940-53), 5o Annfield Terrace, Aberdeen.

Bowie, James Frederick Ronald (1940-53), t; Carden Place, Aberdeen.

Bright, David Michael Fraser (1946-52), 24 Little St. Mary's Lane, Cambridge.

Bums, George Rettie (1926-31), Chartered Bank Chambers, Scremban, Negri Sembilan, Malaya.

Campbell, Alexander Keith (1944-f3), 6 Oakdale Terrace, Aberdeen.

Chambers, John Colin (1945-53), 41 Grosvenor Place, Aberdeen.

Cockle, Bruce Mayor (1930-43), 33 Hammetheld Avenue, Aberdeen.

90

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Cook, Donald Stewart (1945-53), Lethendry, West Cults, Aberdeenshire.

Cruickshank, James George (1945-53), 95 Desswood Place, Aberdeen.

Daub; Jonathan Mahram (1951-f3), 65 Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

Davidson, Duncan Colin (,92o-24), 8 Eighth Street, Houghton, Johannesburg.

Duncan, Ronald.Wallace (1945-53), Campo Adaro, Las Piedras, Falcon, Venezuela.

Falconer, Atholl George (1947-53), 195 King Street, Aberdeen.

Florence, Alexander Farquhar (1944-53), 47 Desswood Place, Aberdeen.

Fraser, Kenneth Noble (19f0-S3), Bank House, Strichen.

Gauld, Robert Gorman (1947-52), 34 Rose Street, Aberdeen.

Gough, Douglas Scott (1948-55), 4 Hopetoun Court, Bucksbum, Aberdeen.

Grassie, Alexander Donald Campbell (1939-53), 4 Harlaw Terrace, Aberdeen.

Grieve, Edwin (1944-5o), 3x Middlefield Place, Aberdeen.

Holloway, John Alexander McKenzie (1944-53), I Betchworth Avenue, Earley, Reading.

Johnston, Neil Roderick (1943-53), 7o Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

Kelly, Dennis (1940-49), Alma Bank, Cults, Aberdeenshire.

Kelly, Michael (1940-49), Alma Bank, Cults, Aberdeenshire.

Key, Gordon James (t9oo-t M.B., Ch.B., Valkenverg Hospital, Cape Town.

Little, Ian Kemp (1937-43), Officers' Mess, Royal Air Force, Wattisham, Ipswich.

McAllan, George Cooper (1944-53), 246 Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

McFarlane, Michael Watt (1938-40 and 1942-53), 23 Fonthill Terrace, Aberdeen.

Macfarquhar, lain Alexander (i945-53), Ashfield, Kintore, Aberdeenshire.

MacGregor, John Murdoch (1948-50, i6 Marywell Street, Aberdeen.

McLaren, Ronald (1949-52), 17 Momingside Place, Aberdeen.

McMurtrie, John (1944-53), Springbank Lodge, Craigton Road, Aberdeen.

Michie, Alistair Davidson (1937-5o), 95 Whitehall Place, Aberdeen.

Miller, Harley Ogilvie (1921-24), Park Cottage Merton, Thetford, Norfolk.

Moir, Ian Andrew (1940-53), 39 Carden Place, Aberdeen.

Morrison, David Douglas (1947-53), 51 Morven Place, Aberdeen.

Murray, George (1946-55), 45 Salisbury Terrace, Aberdeen.

Murray, George William McLeman (1939-53), 28 Belsize Avenue, London,N.W.3.

Murray, Ian MacDonald (1949-53), 122 Seafield Road, Aberdeen.

Patterson, Douglas James Cochar (1926-38), too Moray Gardens, Clarkston, Glasgow.

Potter, John Lewis (1921-29), Union Bank of Scotland Ltd., Pitlochry.

Robb, John Bertram Leslie MacDonald (1943-53), 51 Prospect Terrace, Aberdeen.

Sadler, Rodney Grayston (1943 and 1945-53), 29 Covenanters Row, Aberdeen.

Sands, Jeremy Nicol (1942-46), Balblair, Cults, Aberdeenshire.

Sangster, Dennis Russell (1942-44), 135 Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen.

Scott, Alasdair Somerled MacDougall (,944-f3), t8 Grainger Avenue, Prenton, Birkenhead, Cheshire.

Slater, Magnus John (1940-53), 26i Victoria Road, Torry, Aberdeen.

Smart, Robert Arthur (19i9-31), t86 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen.

Stephen, John Lindsay (1946-53), 152 Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

Stewart, James Smith (1901-08), M.B., Ch.B., 326 Clifton Road, Aberdeen.

Strachan, Charles Hugh (1950-53), 8 Prospect Terrace, Aberdeen.

Thomson, Bruce Ewan (1940-43), Birkwood, Aboyne.

Thomson, Michael Boyd (1938-51), Murdan, Bieldside, Aberdeenshire.

Tosh, Alastair (1946-S3), 92 Hammerfield Avenue, Aberdeen.

Wolkoff, William Wassili (1942-53), 37 Leggart Terrace, Aberdeen.

STAFF MEMBERS

Patterson, Henry (Staff, x9x9-5t), 6o Momingfield Road, Aberdeen.

Russell, Alexander B. (Staff, 1946-53), High School, Kelso.

Club Subscription Rates ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP. Ios. per annum (5s. for those under 2I years of age on I January).

LIFE MEMBERSHIP. £15.

Former both' Club

91

Club Consuls There have been the following changes in the roll of Club Consuls since July 1953:— Resignations Portuguese East Africa—MARSHALL KEITH DUGUID (1919-29). (See page 17.)

Colorado, U.S.A.-FRANCIS JAMES MILNE (1924-35), M.R.C.V.S. (See page 2O.) India (West Bengal)—HERBERT BREBNER SCOTT (1905-08), C.B.E., M.C. (Sec

page 23.)

Appointment India (West Bengal)—ROBERT HUTTON DUGUID (1918-23), C.A. The full roll is now as follows:—

AFRICA Egypt—ALEXANDER GEORGE WALKER (1906-20), c/o Northern Assurance Company Limited, St. Mark's Building, P.O. Box 5695, Alexandria.

Gold Coast—EDGAR REUBEN GAULD (1917-23), M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P., Medical Specialist, Sekondi Hospital, Sekondi, Gold Coast, B.W.A. Kenya—GRAE.ME GEORGE SUTHERLAND (1903-09), P.O. Box xOO2, Nairobi, Kenya Colony.

Northern Rhodesia— Joi ,: MANSON SLEIGH (1914-16), B.Sc., M.Inst.C.E., c/o John Howard & Company (Africa) Limited, Great North Road, Lusaka, Northern R hodesia.

Southern Rhodesia—JAMES WYNESS MACGREGOR (1910-23), Morven, Nutt Hill, Murambi, Umtali, Southern Rhodesia.

Tanganyika—GEoRos ALEXANDER WILSON (1920-23), M.B., OLD., Medical Sp:cialist, Labour Department, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika Territory.

Union of South Africa Cape Province (Cape Town)—Professor WILLIAM SOUTAR MACKIE (1895-1901), M.A., B.A., Drumoak, Greenfield Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town.

Cape Province (East London)—JAMES MELVIN (1904-to), C.B.L., M.C., T.D., M.B., Ch.B., 44 Queen Street, Cambridge, East London, Cape Province.

Natal—FRANK BRUCE FARQUHARSON DUGUID (1919-26), 8 Lambert Road, Durban.

Transvaal—JOHN EWAN HENDERSON (1884-87), P.O. Box 4466, Johannesburg.

AMERICA Canada Alberta—DOUGLAS HARPER (1888-98), M.A., B.L., 6o9 Tegler Building, Edmonton, Alberta.

British Columbia—Wuxi/in ERNEST MILNE (1881-90), c/o Milne & Middleton.

137 West Pender, Vancouver, B.C. (Private address-1837 19th Avenue West, Vancouver.)

Manitoba—JOHN DUGUID CRUICKSHANK (1899-1904), The Canadian Bank of Commerce, Personal Loan Department, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Ontario—ROBERT FLEMING (1891-98), Wood Fleming & Company, Royal Bank Building, Toronto z, Ontario.

Quebec—NORMAN MACKINNON (1907-16), B.Sc.(For.), 4095 Cote des Nciges Road,

Montreal, Quebec.

Falkland Islands ROBERT STEWART SLESSOR (1927-29), M.B., Ch.B., S.M.O., Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Mexico PATRICK JOHN MILROY WALKER (1914-20), C.A., Apartado 38 Bis., Mexico, D.F.

92

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine South America

Brazil—JAMES IRVINE MELVILLE (1917-21), The Royal Bank of Canada, Rua 15 de Novembro, 240, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Colombia—ROBERT WILLIAM YOUNG (1914-21), Embotelladora Tropical, S.A., Calle 9 del y Carrera Eugenio Macias, Barranquilla, Colombia.

United States of America Illinois—JAMES BRUCE SMITH (1918-25), The Bruce Smith Insurance Agency, 208 South Lasalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.

West Indies British West Indies—KENNETH REM (1901-04), Concordia, Tobago, B.W.I. Dutch West Indies—GEORGE FERGUSON RITCHIE (1917-24), Lago Oil & Transport Company Limited, Marine Department, P.O. Box 643, Aruba, D.W.I.

AUSTRALIA Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)—CHARLEs OGILVIE WILL BOWMAN (1910-15), Manager, Capital Hill Hostel, Canberra, A.C.T. New South Wales—ALAN REID (1911-14), 3 lona Avenue, West Pymble, Sydney.

Western Australia—IAN THOM (1912-25), Wydga Station, Mount Magnet, Perth, Western Australia.

EUROPE Channel Islands—WILLIAM MILLER (1894-?), Beaufort Hotel, St. Helier, Jersey.

Russia.—IAIN JOHNSTONE MCBETH SUTHERLAND (1933-41), M.A., B.A., British Embassy, Moscow (c/o Foreign Office, London, S.W.1).

Switzerland (Geneva)-JAMES LAWSON MowAT (1915-16), M.A., Ph.D., c'o Bureau International du Travail, Geneva, Switzerland.

Switzerland (Zurich)—ROBERT ALEXANDER EsSLEMONT MENNIE (1924-36), M.A., B.P. Benzin and Petroleum A.G., Handelshof, Uraniastrasse, Zurich, Switzerland.

Yugoslavia—Professor Dr. DR Acosi-Av MILErircit (1916-18), Medicinski Fakulter, Skoplje, Yugoslavia.

FAR EAST Hong Kong—FRANK CHARLES BRISCOE BLACK (1914-17), c/o Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, Hong Kong.

Malaya (Selangor)—WILLIAM SCOTT G x LCHRTST (1929-36), B.L., c/o Messrs.

Bannon & Bailey, advocates and solicitors, Laidlaw Building, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya.

INDIA and CEYLON India (Madras)—IAN CUMMING (1907-14), c/o Vernon & Company, 36 Second Line Beach, Post Box 79, Madras.

India (West Bengal)—ROBERT HurroN DUGUID (1918-23), C.A., c/o Duncan Bros. & Co. Ltd., 31 Netaji Suhhas Road, Calcutta.

Ceylon—CHARLES JAMES STRAcItAN (1917-21), Anglo-Ceylon General Estates Company, P.O. Box 13, Colombo, Ceylon.

NEW ZEALAND ANDREW ALEXANDER MARE DUCAT (1924-28 and 1929-34), P.U. Box 2255, Wellington, New Zealand.

CALEDONI FOUNDED 1805 Incorporated by Special Act of Parliament

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RECTOR .

JAMES J. ROBERTSON, O.B.E., M.A., S.D., F.R.S.E., J.P.

HE GRAMMAR SCHOOL provides a complete course of Primary Tand Secondary Education for Boys.

The School is organised as follows :—Kindergarten (5-7), Lower School (7-12), Middle School (ix-15), Upper School (t5-18).

The School, which occupies an extensive site in the West End of the City, has, in addition to ample classroom accommodation, an Assembly Hall with Stage, a spacious Library and Reading Room, five well-equipped Laboratories, three Art Rooms, two Music Rooms, four Workshops, two Gymnasia, a Dining Hall, a Museum, and a Botanical Garden.

While the School has a Classical tradition, it offers considerable variety of courses, the subjects of the Secondary Department being (in addition to Religious Education, Music, Physical Exercises and Games), English, History, Geography, Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Art and Crafts, Technical Subjects, and Commercial Subjects.

Boys are prepared for the Universities, the Civil Service, the Professions, Commerce and Industry. The Examinations normally taken are the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department and the Bursaries Competitions of the Scottish Universities.

The School has spacious Playing Fields at Rubislaw, the games played being Rugby Football, Cricket, Hockey, and "l ennis.

There are two Boarding Houses run in conjunction with the Grammar School.

ABERDEEN

HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (ALBYN PLACE)

HEAD MISTRESS .

MISS B. M. ROSE, M.A., LL.D. (ABERD.), J.P.

HIGH SCHOOL provides a complete course of education for T HE girls between the ages off and 18 years. It is organised in three Departments—Infants, Primary and Secondary.

The girls in the Secondary Department are prepared for the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department and the Bursary Competition and the Preliminary Examination of the University: and those pupils who take Music, for the Examinations of the Associated Board. The subjects studied comprise Scripture, Physical Training, Class Singing, English, History, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Latin, Greek, German, French, Music, Art and Craft, Needlework, Cookery and Laundry. There is considerable variety possible in the choice of subjects and courses.

At least one afternoon a week and Saturday mornings are set aside for organised games at the School Playing Field of eleven acres situated at Hazlehead.

Information as to Scholarships, Courses of Study, etc., at the Grammar School and the High School for Girls is given in the School Prospectuses, which may be had free on application to the Director of Education, Education Offices, Municipal Buildings, Castle Street, or to the Rector or Head Mistress respectively.

There is no recognised text book on Thrift, but in many pass books of the ABERDEEN SAVINGS BANK excellent examples of Thrift will be found.

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