AGS Magazine December 1955

THE

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHCDL MAGAZINE

ABERDEEN prinlul fo,-The. fol'mu Pupils ' Club at-TheUniversity Press Price Volume LIX , No. I

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Four ShilJings December 1955

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Te l. 204 26

Aberdee n Grammar School Magazine 7211d;•ear No. 177 (New Series 6zndyear No . 168)

Vol. LIX

D E CEMBER 19 5 5

No.

1

The Magazine is publi shed under the auspices of The Former P upi ls' Cl ub twice during the year, in December and June.

The Magazine Committee Rector of the School

James J . Robertson, 0 .B.E., M.A., B.D., F.R.S.E., F.E.I.S.

General Editor

Campbell Connon, M.A., LL.B., 58 Dee Street, Aberdeen .

Editor of Obituary, etc ..

Notes, Marriages , Ian G. Shinnie, 7 Bums Road, Aberdeen.

Editor of the Section

School Andrew l\iilne, M.A.

Chairman of the F.P. Joseph R. Carry, M.B.E .

Club Executive Secretary of the F.P. Club

J. Scott

Advertisements

Frank Connon , M.A., LL.B., 1 z Golden Square, Aberdeen.

MacLachlan, M.A., LL.B., zzo Union Street, Aberdeen.

Printed for The Former Pupils' Club at The Uni versity Pres s Aberd een

CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS Facing Page

Alan C. R. Watt, M.A., LL.B. Mr. Andrew Milne

6 7

Facing Page

Mr. A. H. Gmy's Ponrait School Rugby 1st XV-1955-56 .

The Grammarian I air . . . .

The School's Tradition and the Present Trend Alan C. R. Watt-and The School " \fag."

Retiral of Mr. Andrew ;\filne .

The " Pulling Power" of An Old Car. By C. C. The Closing of the Boarding House . . . . .

The Scout Jamboree of New llor1zon,. By ,\laitland Mackie Back Numbers of the " Magazine " .

Notes about Old Boys . . .

University Notes . . . . .

Presentation of l\lr. Alexander II. Gray's Portrait Marriages Obituary .

The late Miss C. S. Pirie .

Page

I 2

l 8

9 II

14 15 16 23

26 29 3I

36

School SectionSchool Office-Bearers, 1955-56 School and Random 1'.otcs Changes in the School Staff "Fire." By Andrew \\yllic . .

Edinburgh Festival 1915. By S. A. Pawn.

"Snow." By George P. Graham Literary and Debating Society .

Scripture Union. Dramatic Society. ;\lu~ic Film Society. Ans Club Lower School. House Notes Cadet Force . . .

Pipes and Drums. Scout Notes School Sporting Acttviucs Rugby Hockey .

Swimming Former Pupils' Club SectionQub Office-Bearers, 195 5-56 Annual Dinner Glasgow Centre London Centre F.P. Rugby Section .

F.P. Cricket Section .

F.P. Golf Section . . . . .

F.P. Tennis Section. F.P. Hockey Sectton. iloarding House Sectton "The Troops." 'cw :\£embers of the Cluh Club Consuls

76 77

,,

A11 a.sl1rislc after a 1101111 ituhatu Iba/ JIN F.J>. i.s a m1111btr of th, F.P. Cluh; d4J,.s afttr a 11amt inditalt JIN years of alltndan" al lbt Sthool.

.

The " Pulling Power" of a11 Old Car

9

It is to his credit that he has united to a quite unusual degree attachment to the old and open-mindedness towards the new.

To teach the ancient languages supremely well is a high achievement; to embody many of the classical virtues an even greater.

Who among us docs not admire a man who having given himself unsparingly to the ~choolmaster's task for forty years still finds satisfaction in it and manifests to the very end a singularly youthful spirit and the serenity that tells of rich inner resources.

As one whose son was schooled by Andrew Milne, I acknowledge a great debt to him and salute him as a master of his craft; as Rect or of the School, I set down my condction that in all the long centuries few indeed of her sons can have scncd her with so many talents and so ste ady a devotion.

J. J. R.

T he " Pulli ng Power " of an Old Car Many folk steer a lonely track through life- pleasant cheery folk, who yet for some unfathomable reason never seem able to attract anyone to them. If you are one such person buy a really old car, one which doesn't run properly ... and then stand back and watch them come flocking-people of all sizes and shapes and ages, drawn by the conviction that however little they may know about anything else, here, at least, is something they do know about!

•

Vintage cars have interested me for a long time, and the 1929 Citroen open tourer which I run has given me hours of enjoyment and has made me many friends and contacts amongst those who prefer the stout indi\· iduality of the cars of yesteryear to the sleeker massproduced jobs of today. Little <lid I think, howe\ er, when I bargained to buy a 1924 Durant (which had not run since 1930) just how it would fetch people. Towing it into town from the place where it was purchased, I was amused to see the surprised look of passers-by who first had a curious glance at the 1929 model (which was being used as " tug "), a look which changed to incredulity when they saw the 1924 Durant behind it!

Having deposited it in the lane behind the house, I scarcely had time to go in and change, prior to having my first proper inspection of the engine, when a few keen urchins arriYed on the scene hungry for work of any sort- the same urchins who half an hour before would have found their mother's request that they go a message to the grocer s' an unwarranted imp osition on their leisure time. I didn't see any runners being dispatched to summon other juniors from their various delinquencies but in no time the urchinry of the

10

Aberdee11 Gr01n111ar School Magazine

whole neighbourhood was assembled in the lane pitifully eager to be allowed the privilege of any task, however menial, however humble, so long as it had SOflltfhi,~g to do with the old car; and from thrn on a representative body of this urchinry was constantly in attendance, either assisting or merely watching and warding, for as long as the buggy lay in the lane. Furthermore, I had failed to allow for the way in which the urchins would carry the news far and ,...-ide about the funny old car in my lane, which I could not get to go (for such was the humiliating truth). Of course, ours is quite a small town as towns go-a mere 175,000 heads-but during the course of the following few weeks most of the town's population passed along our lane, each offering his or her little bit of constructive advice; and Indeed one or two were in fact able to provide information as to where I could get this part, or which scrap merchant had that pan, or where I could get a duff battery re-celled to save me the cost of a new one. Neighbours whom I scarcely knew approached me confidentially with the information that they had been in the R.A.S.C. in the last war, or the llying Corps in the first war, or the Camel Corps in 1901, and were therefore well up in the matter of 1924 Durant engines; and onl: lent me a book on tank engines which he had picked up in an Ind ian bazaar; he had to adm it shamefully that he had ne,·er had time to read it himself ... but you never kne\\,, It fll{t!,hf help . .Most disconcerting of all, however, was the large number of strange individuals who came from great distances to inspect and advise ... those who were "gen" men on "vintage jobs." They talked knowledgeablr about double-sleeve valves, hot tube ignitions, and a host of other technicalia about which I km:w nothing. Many were the nights, indeed, when I did not get to bed till after 2 a.m., for the courtesy " cuppa" which I would offer these experts in an endeavour to get rid of them very often proved to be only the beginning of a long session of argument about Bugatti v. Darracq, or RollsBentley v. Bentley-Bentley, or the route that old X took when he did the first London-Inverness run b) steam tricycle in 1870. But they still could not get the buggy to go!

Latter ly, after all had tried in vain to coax some sign of life from the engine, a dapper gentleman appeared one night. It turned out he was a Lt. Commander, (E) in the R.N. on leave He donned dungarees and produced from his car a large box of most impressivelookmg tools. He issued his orders and had six of us assisting him as he deftly and swiftly dismantled the engine. IIe thereafter put it together again, and soon had sparks leaping in the most improbable places; indeed the dash light went on for the first time in twenty-five years.

Sad to say, even this brave show of nan! efficiency failed to get the Durant to go; and I immediately sold it for a purely nominal sum to a 17-year-old enthusiast, who-by one of those irksome

The S,0111 Jan,boree of New Horizons

15

The days of the Jamboree passed even quicker than the first week.

Most of the time was taken up with visiting and befriending foreign scouts, then acting as hosts to them in return; watching the shows and displays of the different countries; or heing invited to a campfire; in fact, making as many friends as possible. Swopping, of course, was every scout's hobby, especiallr the Americans who were to be seen at any time with huge sacks of swopping material harrying the Scots for thcir kilts. The camp, of course, was open to visitors all the time and I am sure that sometimes they even outnumbered the scou ts.

From them I gathered that if it had not been for Scotland there would not have been an America, as they all claimed to have some connection with thL " Home country" .

Thus the spirit of friendship and brotherhood grew as the days sped past until it was brought to a climax in the closing ceremony.

It was grand to be linked on one side with a French scout, on the other with a West Indian, and he part of one great body linked thu s together singing in our own languages "Au ld Lang Sync". It was an occasion which I shall never forget, and which I shall carry with me always as an example of how sixty-eight different Nations, great and small of this struggling world, lived together in perfect harmony.

MAITLAND MACKIE (1946-54)

Back Number s of the "Magazine" This is the 168th issue of the Magaz_ine since the "new series " started in 1894, and the 177th issue if the nine magazines publishe d between 1885 and r893 be taken into account. For most (it is believed) the Magazine is something to be sculled through and then disposed of, but there are many who like to preserve their successive copies against the passing years, for to look back on the old copies after ten or t'wenty or more years (according to when one was at School) makes very intriguing retrospective reading. The Secretary 1s often asked if he can supply old numbers to make up deficiencies in sets; and he would be obliged if F.P.s who have spare copies, or copies which they do not require, particularly copies pre-1925, would advise him as to what particular issues he might have from them.

• The N otes E dit or will be glad if F.P.s will send him, from time to • time, information !or this 1ection of the /1,fagazine. News o( appointment,, promotions, etc., and other itcm a o( interest which are not reponcd in the press, are particularly requested.

Robert James Armstrong • (1934-41) has been promoted from area sales representat ive to Scottish Area Ma nager of A. C. V. Sales Ltd., the selling organization for A. .C. C. Maudslay and Cross ley commercia l vchidcs. Jle is liV1ng in J:\ewton Mearns, but hopes to be able Lo visit '\berdeen more frequentlr in the future.

Ian Francis George Baxter * (19z1-33) was on leave this summer in Aberdeen. Smee 19) 3 he has been on the staff of O sgoo de H all Law School, Toronto where all persons must qual ify before being called to the I3ar in Ontar io. Ilc has himself been called to the Bar in O ntar io ha"l.ing been admitted to the English Bai Lincoln's Inn in 19j 3. He has done some writing for the Canadian Bar Review and in fact one essay was awarded a pr ize by the Canadian Bar Associat ion .

Norman Robert Beattie "" (1921-31) who is at present D cpute Genera l ::\Ianager and Treasurer of Aberdeen H arbour Board was recen tly recommendi:d by the Board to succeed the present Genera l :-.[anager when he retires 111 l'.larch 1956.

Robert Kynoch Booth * (194)-j 1), who was in Barclay's Bank in London , has now been tiamferred to Barclay's Bank in Victoria, British Cameroons, West Africa.

Thomas Stewart Boyd • (1930-38) has moved north from London to Pert h where he is the Customs and Excise Officer in attendance at one of the bonded warehouses there.

David Antony Brittain * (1943-49), 11.A., LL.B., is at present doing his ,. ational Service in the Tavy.

Allan Melvill e Brown * (1935-47), who is with the at10nal Bank of India at Bombay, sent a vivid descript ion of working condition ~ there dur ing the recent Goanese disturbances in a letter to his parents which was reproduced in the Aberdeen Press a11d ]011rnal. " Buses and trams", he wrote , "which were srill running, were merci lessly stoned. I saw one man smash every win dow of a bus with his umbre lla."

16

Nott.r about Old Boys

17

Charles Alexander Clark (193z-37) has obtaine d an external honours degree in History at London Universitr, He is a lecturer in Education for Managemc.:nt Course at Robert Gordon's Technical College, Aberdeen.

Bramwell Willi am H arold Cook ·~ (1936-39), F.T.C.L., J\.R .C.M., who is Master of the 1\lusic at Brechin Cathedral and High School, conducted the 13rcchin ligh School Choirs in Purcell's " Dido and \eneas" last summer. The opera was performed on three evenings in the City I Jail, Brechin, and was ,·eq wdl recei\'cd.

Ian M ilne Cay Crawfo rd ,- (193 5-44), M.A., who has been in Taiwan (i.e. Fo rmos a) since May 195 2 is due home on leave next summer. He is trying to find someone who would agree to meet him in Capetown with a view to doing the Cape-Cairo journey by car. Anyone interested should contact him direct at-c 1o Tait & Co., P.O. Box 66, Taiwan, China!

Sir James (Ian Cormack) Crombie• (1908-21), K.B.E., C.i\l.G., Chairman of the Board of Customs and Excise, was on board the Customs and Excise vessel Vigilant when it made a short routine visit to Aberdeen in August of this year. His appointment as Chairman of the Board was noted in the last issue of the Magazine.

Brian Kerringt on Crookshank s" (1934-46) is now an assistant with Messrs. Patrick Cooper, Son & Hay, Advocates in Aberdeen and also a part-time assistant in the Department of Scots Law at Aberdeen University. Tle was admitted as a member of the Society of Advocates in \berdeen in August of this year.

Charles Burr Cruickshank (1887-89), M.A., A.R.T.C. Through an Aberdeen friend of Mr. Cruickshank we have obtained the following information about him. In 1896 he went out to the \X'est Indies to a job in connection with the mamtenance of the submarine cables in the Caribbean. During the Spanish-American war he was present at San Porto Rico during its bombardment by the .\merican fleet; and in 19oz he had a grandstand \-iew of the annihilation of St. Pierre (pop. 30,000) by an eruption of Mt. Pelce. In 1907 he move d to New York wht:re he remained for thirty-five years as a cable engineer with the Interborough Rapid Transit Co., he becoming an 1\merican citizen in 1922. IIe was last home in 1937, when he visited his old home and friends in Tarves; and he is now living in retirement at 205 Ainsworth, Ypsilanti, Michigan, l .S. \.

Charles Greig Cruickshank · (1925-32) is now Commercial Counsellor to the Gruted Kingdom High Commission to Canada and is resident in Ottaw a. Prior to going to Canada he was U.K. Trade Commissioner in Ceylon and whilst there was invited by the Government of the Maldive Islands to advise on the reorganization of their economy afte r their revolution in 195 3 when the President was deposed and the Sultanate restored.

18

Aberdeen Grammar S,hool Magazine

Jame s Gordon Dawson * (1921-34) has been appo inted Manager of the n,-pe1imemal department, F. Perkins, Ltd. , Diesel Engine .!\lanufacturcrs, Pttcrborough.

After graduating B.Sc. Eng ., with first class honr,urs in ~kchanical and Electrical Engineering he joined Rolls-Ro,ce, Ltd., as an engtncering pupil. After the war he joined rhe Shdl Organizatwn and was Chief Engineer at their Thornton Rcsearch Centre bLfore raking up his new appo1ntment.

Jam es Fo rres t Do nald ,. (1938-44), who was at Gurdomruun after lca\lng School, has rtcently complet1.:<l his l:\:ational Sen ice and 1, now learning the rhc.:arn.: busine,~ ar I L;\1. Theatre, \berdeen.

Robin T. Donald (1939-41), M.B., Ch.B., subsequent to the compktion of his R. \.:.\f.C. service, completed a course at the Maternity Hospital, 1\ber<lcen, in October and is now a trainee assistant to a G .P. in Edinburgh. With regar d to his two younger brothers-

Alan Ewen Don ald (1941-44), after taking Classics and Law at Cambridge, jorncd rhe D ip lomatic Service, and having studied Chinese for a year at the School of Oriental Languages in London, 1s now on the Embassy Staff at Peking, where he arr ived on , October.

Graham C. W. Donald (1941-46) is meantime doing his ational Service . He was commissioned in the Gordon 1Iighlanders, but is now ·with the British \X'est 1\frican Field rorce rn Tamale 1n the '\orthern T erritories, British West Africa.

John Simmers Duguid • (1934-41) is now in Leicester ha'-'ing been appointe d Assistant Cost Accountant with a division of the British X,·lonite Co., Lc.:iccster. Prior to going to Leicester he was employed by Joseph Lucas, Ltd., Birmingham, for eight rears as Supe1 visor in Cost .Administratio n.

John Micha el Eddison • (1939-48), after graduating B.Sc. (Eng.) at Aber deen L'111versity in 19.)Z, joined the Airfield Construction Branch of the R ..\ .F. for his ational Service. rle sen·ed in many stations in the Middle East including Suez Cana] Zone, Cyprus, Irak, Libya and :.\lalta. Since demobilization he has been working in the London office of Sir Murd<,ch Macdonald & Partners, Consulting Engineers, on the dc~ign side of two of the Scottish Hydro-Ekctric Schemes.

Edward Wylli e Fenton " (1895-1908), l\I.A, D.Sc., P.L. S., r.R.S.E., r.R.S.G.S., on reaching the age limit in ~ovemher 1954, retired from the post of Head of the D epartment of Botany at the Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of Agriculture after twentyseven ) lars sen·ice. Prc.:viously he had held a similar position at the Seale-1laync Agricultural College, ewton Abbot, Devon.

Ile has published many papers on Plant Ecology and just before retiring prepared three Technical Ilullc.:tins (publish<.:d by the Agricultural College, Edinburgh) dealing with "The Influence of Man and Animals on the Vegetation of certain Htll Grazings in South-east and 11id-east Scotland ".

Note.r abo11t Old Bqys

t9

Shortly after his retirement he was awarded the Diploma of Fellows hip of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for publications dealing with Human and Plant Geography. H e is a past- President of the Botanical Society of Edinburgh and is a member of the Scottish Committee for "Nature Conservancy.

Robert Fleming * (1891-98) has been elected a life member of the Engineering Institute of Canada. He is now resident in Toronto and was for a time Club Con~ul before handing over to Rich ard William Geater (1938-47), but he tells us that he sti ll gets occasional visits from F.P.s.

Young F.P. explorers George L. Fraser (1936-49) and Thomas C. Graham (1945-)2), who arc both Geography students at Aberdeen Lniversity, spent their summer vacation in the wilds of Labrador participating in a Briti sh ~ewfoundland Corporation survey of the Sona Lak e an:a to explore the hydro-electric potential of that area. One of the engineers on the job there was another F.P., James Lawri e Gordon (1947-48), who is now in the employment of the Monrreal Light Engineering Co. Gordon obtained " firsts " in Civil Engineering at Aberdeen University in 195 2.

James Martin Gatt ( 1948-54), who is now a student at the Royal Academy ofl\fu5ic, London, ha5 been awardd a £250 Caird Travelling Scholarship to help further his music 5tud1es. Besides studying the pianoforte he has special ized on the bassoon and played this instrument for many years in The ational Youth O rchestra.

William Wallace Gauld ( 1928-32) has been appointed private secretary to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr. Jamt.:s Stuart and accompanied him on a cruise of the \'qestern Isles on the Fishery cruiser Brenda in August this year.

James Marcus Gossip (1921-27) has been inducted to Hillhouse Church Extension charge, I Iamilton. He is a son of the late Rev. Profe ssor Gossip of Glasgow University.

Will iam Gordon Henderson (1926-38), 11-1.B., Ch.B., has been appointed sen ior lecturer in Path ology at the Institute of O phthalmology at London University.

Michael Sutherland Jamieson (r936-49) sailed for Ame1ica in Scptemher 1951 to take up an appointment as an English Speaking Cnion Fellow at Prin ceton University, New Jersey, U.S.A. After graduating M.A. with first class honours at ,\berdeen Coiversitr he compktecl his ational Service in the R.A.F., finishing with the rank of Flying-officer. On his return from the U.S.A. after one year he is going to King's College, Cambridge on a Fullerton Scholarship.

Robert Neilson Johnson (1930-38), M.R.C.P., i\LD., was in July appointed Chest Physician for the D undee and A1broath area.

20

Aberdeen Gra11111Jar School Magazine

Emmanu el Buckland Kelbie • (1945-5 1) JS n0\\ a civil engineer with Cumberland County Council and is living in Carlisk I le graduated as B.Sc. (Eng.), at \bcrdecn Universit) in July 195) · Kenneth William M acKenzie (1893-97), D.S.O., M.C., M.B., Ch. B. (Edin.), in response to an urgent appeal from the; Primus of the Episcopa l Church in Scotland has emerged from his n:tirement to take over the charge of St. Columba's Episcopal Church in Portree, Isle of Skye. The little congregation have made heroic efforts to repair the Church and the Rccton and he is now happil} installed there.

Thomas Mackinto sh (1909-14), B.Sc., has retired to orwich after o,•er thirty years in hotel management. ror the last seventeen rears he has been manager of the Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh, where he came in contact with many F.P.s. By a strange coincidence his father was staying in the Roxburghe I Totd whrn news reached him of the birth of his son and heir!

This might have been about Y-0-U but no one told us .... Please keep the otcs Editor posted about interesting promotions, changes of job, etc., of your F.P. friends or of yourself.

John Scott M acLachlan • (1922-32), at a special election for Aberdeen Town Council, was returned unopposed for a vacancy in Rubislaw \X"ard caused by the death of HARRY JA11Es RAE (!898-1904).

George Morgan Mackie (1946-49), no,, a Police Constable in the Aberdeen Police Force, recei, ed the Parchment of The Royal Humam Society at Aberdeen Town Council's meeting on 7 November 195 5 for what Lord Pro,·ost Stephen described as "a prompt and gallant action ". The award was made in recognition of Constable 1-fackie's rescue of an elderly woman from the Upper Dock of Aberdeen Harbour on 21 May this year.

George Gordon M athi es on (1932-44), .\LB., Ch.B., a Research Fellow in Canada and at \berdeen L"niversity, will take up the appointment of Lecturer in Patholog,· at ,\hcrdccn L'mvers1ty rn September next year.

Maitland Mackie ( 1946-54), after a year working on his father'~ farm, 1s now studying ,\griculture at Aberdeen University. During the summer he attended the Internauonal Scout Jamborelc in . \merica near the Niagara Falls. IIis father is Maitland Mackie (1926-28), who farms \X"esterton, Rothienorman, and his grandfather Maitland Mackie (1897-1902), who farms orth Ythsie, Tan-es.

Now aborlf Old Birys

21

Ernest James Stewart Michie (1947-5 2), the Aberdeen University and Scottish International rugby player, spent four months last summer in South Africa with the British Isles touring rugby team-the "Lions " . \'i'hen his plane touched down at Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, he was met by two F.P.s, George Mitchell Groat * (1927-40) and Kenneth Ernest Grant Coates (1945-5 1), who are resident there.

After a game with Rhodesia a party was organized by the F.P .s in the area together with the Glasgow High School F.P.s to do honour ro \lichie and to Angus Cameron. The players were presented with suitab ly inscribed tankards as mementoes of the occasion. :Michie's bagpipes have made him a familiar figure to South 1\frican enthusiasts as he piped on the British Team on all but two occasions , and on one of these the team lost and his team-ma tes • suggested that the absence of his piping was the cause!

Frederick Peter Morton * (1882-94), the well-known art worker, and architectural craftsman, has made available a most interesting photograph of the late Mr. J. Bentle y Philip and a class of 1892 or r893 (which includes Mr. Morton) "bota nizing-bm not too strenuously-in the neighbourhood of Dinnet ". It was not possible to reproduce this picture satisfactorily in the ~Magazine,and it has now been returned to Mr. Morton's custody. D oubtless he will be delighted to exhibit it to any other survivor of the group who might like to see it. \~citin g from his studio in St. Peter's Square, London, Mr. Morton, with characteristic verve, bids us " Give my regards to \'\'. M. Alexander [wh o also appears in the photograph-ED.].

I think it unlikely that we have met this century I" Gordon Bruce Nicolson * (1938-47) was admitted to ~Iembership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland and is now employed as Senior Assistant to ·Messrs. MacDowall & Black, C.A., Dingwall.

H orace Edw ard Nutten (1929-40), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.I I., has been appointed Assistant 1lcdical Officer of Jlcalth for Grc<.:nockfollowing upon two years as an assistant in genera l practice in Rh) nic.

WiJliam Linds ay Raitt (1938-40, 1944-51), B.Sc., is in Oslo studring Phrsical Geography under a British Council scholarship. ! le was a member of an expedition to Green land last summer.

William Wilson Michie Ross * (1916-24) is at present J l.M. Inspector of Taxes in charge of Glasgow 9th D istrict where he succeeded Lawrence Barron Grant (1918-20).

H erbert Brebn cr Scott * (190~-08) has now left Scotland and is living in Chudh:igh, South Devon.

Robert Das s Selbie (1941-52) is at present completing his 'ationa l Service in the R. A.F. Some months ago he was presented with a Certificate of 11crit by the R.A.F. "for displaying outsLanding ability as a line telegraph mechanic". He intends carrying on his career at Aberdeen Tel ephone Hou se as soon as his ational Service is over.

2.2.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Adeh Murray Sellar • (1920-28) 1s rnrn .\ss1stant \X'ork Study Manager to the General Chemical DiYision of Imperial Chemical Industries Lt<l., at Cunard Building, Lfrcrpoo l. This appointment carries the responsibility of all \\ nrk Stu<ly applications in the ten factories in Merseyside, Tet:s-side, Birmingham and Blackpool areas which are controlled by th1~ Division.

Willi am Dixon Swinn ey* (1918-31) resigned from the position of ~fedical Officer of Health, City of Peterborough, and took up a new appointment as :.\lcdical Officer of llealth, Merton and Morden Urban District Council and Divisional Medical Officer, Surrey County Counci l on 1 August 1955.

Ron ald Warman · (1942-54) is now in the Tran svaal and is attending Springs Boys High School. In a letter to the Secretary he states that he has joined the Springs Calcdonian Pipe Band as a drummer. So far he has not mi.:t any F .P.s.

Ian Macken zie Watt (1935-43) has become an .\ssociate :\fember of the Tnstitutc of Mechan ical Engineers. J Ie has been a maintenance engineer with :.\fessrs. J. & J. Crombie, Grandholm )[ills, Aberdeen, for the last five years.

Roy Deans Weir (193 2-44), 1\-1.B., Ch.B., was in October appointed lecturer in Public 1iealth and Social :.\[edicine at Aberdei.:n l niver~ity.

Robin Vawer Will iams"" (193 5-46), Surgeon-Lieutenant, is now sta tioned at R. . Hospital, Haslar, Gosport, after eigh teen months foreign service in the Persian Gulf on the frigate 11. \ LS. Fla111i11go.

George Tod Wright • (1901-06) has retired after thirty-eight years in the ministry; he was in charge of I [oddam Church, Dumfr icsshire .

Some time ago he sustained serious injuries in an accident and at a recent meeting of Annandale Presbytery his colleagues spoke of the admiration with which they had watched his brave attempt to oYcrcome the disability caused by his accident.

University Notes ,\t the Summer Graduation in the LniYersity of Aber deen on 7 and 8 J uly 19n, degrees were conferred on the follo\\.ing F .P.s.:

Higher Degrees D EGRl'E OF D OCTOR OF PH ILOSOPH Y (P11.D.)

Ronald William H epburn (1936-44), l\l. •\. and Value."

Thesis

D PGREE OF DOCTOR OF l\ l EDICI?\E

"Cosmologr

(l\f. D.)

\\ 1th l lonours

Andrew Armitage Shivas • (1927-39), \J.I3., Ch.13., D .P.H. Tlicsis -" Tissue Pressure in the Brain with some related Problems."

Honours and Ordinary Degrees D FGREL OF ]\[AST) R OF ARTS (l\1. \ .)

(1) \\uh Frr,1 Class Honours

Ian Howard Marshall * (1946-p), in Classics.

(2) \X'ith Second Class H onours

Peter Alexander Murphy * (1945-p), in Eng lish (Language and I 1tcrature).

Thomas Gordon Coutts • (1938-51), in History -English.

Roy Hendry Thomson (1941-50), in Psychology.

Gordon Strachan Cowie * (1937-40 and 194 1-5 1), in I Iistory- Pnht1c,.

DEGRrF. OF BAcnt:LOR

OF E0Lc .u10:--.

(Eo.B.)

With First Class Honours

Ian Ross Fraser • ( 1942.-48), l\l. \.

DFGREP. OF BAC H l"LOR OF L AWS (LL. B .)

Edwin Grieve · (1944-50), M.A. Denys Hantlcy Henderson • (1938-50), l\1. ·\.

Andrew Marshall Macdonald Steven • (1936-50), M.A. D EGREE OF BACHEWR OF ScIF~CE (B.Sc..)

With I'irst Class H onours

Peter John Bushell • (1944 p), in Mathematics.

John Low Brebner • (1938-p), in Natural Philosoph}, Hugh Robert Wynne-Edwards * (1946-51), in Geology.

Archibald Stewart Fraser (1942-p), in Geography.

WilJiam Lindsay Raitt (1938-40 and 1944-p), in Geography. . (foR.)) D EGREE op B ACHELOR OF Scrn .-.:cE I)', FORESTR Y (B.Sc

Ordinary Degree

Ewen William Gregor ,.. (1946- 52).

Ernest James Stewart Michie (1947-5 2).

23

24

Abtrdem Grau,mar School Magazine D EGREE OF B ACHELOR OF SCIE.1'CE (B.Sc. (ENG .))

IN E:sGINEERL'-G

Ordinary Degree

Emmanuel Buckland Kelbie * (1945-5 1), in Civil Engineering.

Derck George Marnoch * (1940-52), in Electrica l Eng ineering.

D F.GRF'.E OF BACHELOR OF D1vIJ-..ITY

(B.D.)

Colin Campbell Reith Macphe rson· (1935-44), 1\LA. (with distinction in Church H istory).

John Fraser Kirk * (1937-47).

D EGRLL 01' BACHELOR OF 1\1EOICI1'E AND B ACHELOR OF SURGERY (M.B., Cu .B.)

With H onours

Raymond George Lascellcs ( I940-49).

Ordinary Degrees

Leslie Gordon Laing (1937-49).

Frederick Passmore Lynch • (1936-49).

Andrew Maitland Milne * ( 1936-49).

Campbe ll Murray * (1943-49).

William Duncan Ogst on (1946-49).

Charles Francis Roe (1937-49).

Ian Stuart * (1933-46).

At a G rad uatio n Ceremony on 26 October 195 5 degrees were co nferred on the folio,, mg F.P.s: DEGREE OF D OCTOR OF :'.'.h::.OICI1'E (1\ 1.D .)

With Honours

Norman Stuart Clark (1919-29). Thesis-" \cute ephr itis in Childhood."

Alan Douglas Morgan (1919-28). Thesis-" T he :\lorpho logy of Coronary Occlusion".

Medals and Prizes FACULTY OF ARTS

Ian Howard Marshall • (1946-51) was awarded the Black Pnze and the Seafidd Gold Medal in Latin and the Simpson Prize and Robbie Gold Medal in Greek, the R. i\. Nei l Prize in Classics and the Martin Prize m Christian Evidences; John Pacitti • (1947-54) was award ed the de Gurbs P rize and the Earl of Buchan's Silver Pen in Greek; Alexander Farquhar Florence * (1944-53) the J enkyns Prize in Classical Philology; Ian Ross Fraser * (1942-48), M.A. , was awarded th e George Macdonald Prize for Ed. B.; Douglas Simpson Wood (1941-54) was awarde d the Henry Prize in Logic; Robert Chalmers Primrose * (1946-5 2) was awarde d the Gladstone Memoria l Prize; and John Kermack Milne Lothian * (1949-54) was awarded the Town Co uncil Prize in Political Economy.

Marriages Addi son (194-:--4fi). -At Aberdeen on z4 August 1955, ALLX\'-DER AnoJSON,'' \1.D., Ch.B., cider son of the late A. J. Addison, Esq., of l ·ordyce, Banff:,hire, and :--trs. Lilian Addison, 7 Richmond Terrace, w Joan \X.,,od (R.G.::-..), ~oungcr daughter of Mr. John Wood, and 1he late i\lrs. \\ <N,d, Bucksburn, Alxrdcenshirc and 29 Smith's Quadrant, Coatbridgc.

Aitken (1934-43).· At Aberdeen on 29 June 1955, ROBERT Jou, Ani-.E.,, :,on of the late J\1r. John C. ll. Aitken, Kedah, .\Jalaya, and of :--trs. Ruch Aitken, \\, ,ndsor, \\ est Cults, to Ilylda Louie Robertson, daughter of \lr. and Mrs. \X'illiam Robertscm, 493 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Burr (1915-28).-At Ashcon--on-1!ersey on 29 October 19)5, PATRICK D1ci-.rn Ut RR, son of the late ~ lr. Patrick Burr and of \ lrs. Burr, , Westbum Dri\'e, Aberdeen, to Rosemary 1:.lliot, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elliot, Ashton J louse, Sale.

Calder (1935-44).-At Dundee on 25 June 1955, A1EXAN0LRF1NDUY CAM IRON son of the late \lr. \\'i!Jiam r. Calder and of \lrs. Agnes Calder, 73 Beaconsficld Place, Aberdeen, co Gillian :-.lary Easwn Sharp, younger dau!!hter of \Jr. and Mr,. A. E. Sharp, 4 Richmond Terrace, Dundee.

L\LDTR,

Chr ystal (1927-38).-At Edinburgh on 8 Jui) 1955, GEORGL hA,FR C11RY,TAl,• onl>• son of the late J. Gray Chr)'stal and of ,\ lrs. Isabell.~ Chrystal, of 75 Forest A\'cnue, Aberdeen, to Sheila Elizabeth Lyall, only daughter of 1 Jr. and Mrs. R. S. S. Lyall, of 47 Chesser Grove , Edinburgh.

Clew (1937-49). At Ayr on 27 August 195 5, Sn ART J \\IES Cu.w; cider son of Mr. ancl lllrs. J. ]. Clew, 108 Angus Road, Scone, Perthshire, to \largarct Turner, dauJ!hrcr of '\[r. and :'llrs. Lachlan Turner, 13 Eglincon Place, Arr. Cockie (1930-43).- At Aberdeen on 1 October 1955, BRt:C-1' i\1.n-oR Coci.:1e,• lll.A., son of \lr. and Mrs. Alex Cockie, 33 llammcrfield A,enue, Aberdeen, co Prances Hilda Porsyth .\tcHaffie, daughter of :'llr. and :'llrs. John r. \lcllaffic, 39 Leggart Terrace, Aberdeen.

D ewar (1934-40).-At ·ewcastlc-upon-Tyne on 14 August 1955, DAVIn GEORGI' Oi.;NCAN DLWAlt, only son of the late Mr. and lllrs. David J. Dewar, Cults, Ahcrdccnshtrc, to \Jary 11au.recn Lang,;taff, only daughter of Mr. and \lrs.

S1anlcy Lanµ,taff, 300 \\ ingrove Road, Newcastle-upon Tyne.

D onald (193j-4b1}- .\t Aberdeen on 6 July 1955, JA, Do.NALO," younger son of J\lr. and \ l rs. G. A. Donald, 20 Allan Street, Aberdeen, co Freda Lkttinc Elsa Ogilvie, only daughter of the late l\lr. John Edwin Ogilvie, of Ipoh, Malaya, and of Mrs. Aida O)!ih ie, 17 Bums Road, Aberdeen.

Duth ie (1940-4)).-At Aberdeen on 17 August 195 5, Ai.;sT1ts I.. S. 0UTHIL. \1.B., Ch.B., son of \lr. and l\lrs. Leslie T. Duthie, 19 Gray Street, Aberdeen, co Anne Milne, \I.R., Ch.B., ,econd daughter of Mrs. :-.lilne and the late Col. John \hlne, M.C., T.D., lmermuick, Ballater.

Georgeso n (1929-39).-At Gla,gm•• on 17 Octobe .r 19)5, Dm:c;us NORRII GLORGF'ON,* 21 Bracmar Place, Aberdeen, 10 Irene r.lma I lam iicon, 17 I lcrriet Street, Glasgow.

Graem e-Coutt s (1936-48).-At Aberdeen on 6 Augu~t 1955, W11.uAM Dt.11'CAN GR.\F\tE-COLTTS, only son of the late Dr. and J\lrs. W. A. Coum, 468A King Street, Aberdeen, to Shi rley lilac \'fcddcrbum, younger daughter of \[r. and :'lirs. r. \\cddcrhurn, 46 Broomhill Road, Aberdeen.

Gre gory (1945-47).-At Aberdeen on 14 September 1955, Bi.RTII GREGORY, only son of \ir. and l\lrs. 13. Gregory, 569 Clifton Road, Aberdeen, to Isabella Gavin, second daughter of l\lr. and Mrs. W. Gavin, 65 Jasm ine Terrace, Aberdeen.

29

Aberdun Grammar School Magazine Hutchi son (1927-29).-At Aberdeen on 10 September 1955, NORMAN HUTcmSON, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. B. llutchison, 84 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, to Ella Graham, only daughter of the late \ir. \\. C. Graham and Mrs. Graham, 47 Hazledcnc Road, Aberdeen.

Kirk (1937-47). -At Edinburgh on 20 August t95 5, J'h,· Reverend Jo11N FRASER KrRK, only son of the late \lr. and .\lrs . John Kirk, , 34 South Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, co Sheila Sophia Burnett , only dau11htcr <>f ,\lr and \lrs. \\ ilham Burnett, Edinburgh.

M cGregor (1935-44).-At Abe,dccn on 27 Augu,1 1955, J.-1.ms A,-;01.RSo, .\lcGRECOR, younger son of the late \lr . .\lcGrcg or and of \lrs. \lcGrcgor, n Louisville Avenue, Aberdeen, to I 1lcen ,\nn ,\lurray, younger daughta of i\lr. and Mrs. John Murray, 12 Queen 's Road, Aberdeen.

M ackinn on (1930 10).-At Aberdeen on 9 l'.oHmhcr 195 5, NEIL BRuu MACKINNON, eldest son of i\lrs. A. \'(talker, Royal Hotel, Kirkwall, to Loui~e Reid, daughter of \lrs. E. E. Reid, 1 \X oodstock Road, Aberdeen.

Mel vin (1935-42).- At Aberdeen on 15 August 1955, JOHN MmOLET0'-1 MFLVJN,"' only son of \Ir. and Mrs. John A. \[elvin, 1 Abcrgcldie Road, Aberdeen, 10 Margaret Leslie Robenson, younger daughter of the late Rev. John L. Robertson and of Mrs. Robertson, 54 Riverside Dri,·c, Aberdeen.

Miln e (1935-48).-At Ahcrdcen on 10 September 1955, RONAJ o Dt>l'GL~, l\l JLNE, son of l\lr. and \lrs. D. G .\1ilnc, Sunart, Pi1f,xlel,, Aberdeenshire, tn Janet Dorothy Davidson, dauµ-hter of \lr . and \1rs. R. J. Da\·idso n, 9 \lan or Place, Cults, Aberdeenshire.

Mi lne (1938-44).-At Pitlochry on 28 October 1955, RoBFRT Gn m RT \hLNF, • cider son of .\lr. and \lrs. Robert .\Jilne, Auchna_,hecn, Gram·ille Place, Aberdeen, to Shcnach .\lcCallum \[cPhcrson, youngest <laughter of \[rs. ..\. McPherson and the late i\lr. D. \fcPhcrson, I'os s I Jome Farm, Pitlochry.

Miln e (1940-44).-At Aberdeen on 8 October 1955, AuxTAtR SHDIF .\hL-..F, younger son of .\Ir. and Mrs. Robcrr .\lilne, Auchnasheen, Granville Place, Aberdeen, to \furicl \lanha Dawson, dau gh1er of ,\lrs. i\l. Dawson and the late \lr. J. B. D.1wson, 68 lliltoo Drive, Aberdeen.

Morga n (1924-25). At Aberdeen on 2.1 June 1955, J0t1N l lF.NDRY MORGAN, son of the late Mr. and l\l r,. David ~Iorgan, (onnerly of Peterhead and Aberdeen, to Helen Ritchie, onlv daughter of the late .\fr. William R. Ritchie, Sandhavcn, and of .\lrs. Ritchie, 19 l:-orcs1 Avenue, Aberdeen.

Mo rris (1943-49).-At Nairn on 27 July 1955, BRHN f'AYLOR JoR1H-.. ,',loRRJS,• B.Sc., son of the late .\lr. and Mrs . .\[orris, Salisbury Terrace, Aberdeen, 10 Patricia .\largarer Brander, only daughter of \lr. and .\lr,,. \\'illian1 Brander, llcathficld, Nairn.

Re id (1922 34). ,\t Aberdeen on 25 Auj..'USI 195 5, I I ~RRY CntPBJ r ,. Rr m, • LL.B., C.A., 2R \X oodburn Avenue, Aberdeen, to Ann Alexander Jones, younger daughter of ,\1r, James S. Innes, 74 Hurns Road, Aberdeen.

Robe rts (1925-37).-At Aberdeen on 23 September 19jj, I'" l"R, ,1 R Rom RTS, • C.A., second son of Councillor and .\lrs. Robcr1s, Al·x.-rdcen,to \lnrgarc1 Elizabeth Buchan, daughter of .\lr. and \lrs. ,\lcxandcr Buchan, 262 \ldcrman Road, Glasgow.

San gster (1938-41).-,\t Argyll on 10 September 1955, rR..,-..K 1·.nWARn SANGSTER, son of \1r. and .\lrs. I-.. A. Sangster, 28 Thorngro\·c A,enuc, Alx·rdcen, 10 Lorna Joyce Rundmann, daughter of ,\1r. and \fr s. C. Hundmann, ofToowoomba woornba, Queensland.

Scott (1933-46).-At Aberdeen on I July 1955, \Iv 11.LIA\t STRACJJA'-1 Scorr, only son of \Ir. and .\Jrs. \X'm, Scott, 324 Queen's Ruad, Aberdeen, to Llspct \1iddleton McLaren, only daughter of \1r. and \1r;. \Ii:'. G . Mcl.arcn, 33 \'i:'allficld Crescent, Aberdeen .

Obi111ary

31

Smith (1929-40).-At Scokc-on-Trent, DR. RoarRT Ai-.01 RS01' SMITH, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith, 27 Burns Road, Aberdeen, to Helena \ largarct Clarke, daughte r of the late \ I r. Char les Clarke and of \ [rs. !-.lien Clarke, , 9 Rushdan Road, Cobridge, Scoke-on-Trcnt.

Smith (19H-37) (19.F),-At Gia.go"' on 3 August '9SS, GORDON jA,1n S,11-r11, B.Sc., B.R.T.C., son of \ lr. and Mrs. Alexande r Smith, 133 Dukes Road, Burnside , Rutberglen, 10 Ella l\lilne, daughter of \l r. and Mrs. K. Boot h, 484 Baltic Street, Glas).!O"-.

Suth e rla nd (1933-41).- \t London on 15 October 195 5, lAI" St;THEJlLAi-.u, son of Mr. and .Mrs. D . .\l. Sutherland, \\: oodhousclee, Cults, Aberdee nshire, to Jeanne Nutt, daughter of .\[r. and Mrs. T D. Nutt, Hay-on-\\' ye, llercford.

T ait (1943-46). -At Aberdeen on 6 September 195S, \'f1LS0::--1 TArT, Ordhill, Tarvcs, to Sheena Barron, Darrahill, IJdny Station.

William son (1922-25). On z August 1955, Sn'lu.Y Gc0RCF WILLIA"1'i0'.'I,• of Aberdeen and Colombo, Ceylon, to \\'.'inifred Payne, of Stafford Court, Kens ington, London.

Obituar y Charl es Willi a m Beattie· ( 1888 89) died suddenly on 14 September 1955, aged eighty-two. He was born at Dunnideer in 1873 and after leaving the Schoo l he entered the Aberdeen Lime Co. where be remained umil going to Ceylon as a tea planter in 1896, staying there unti l 1915 when be returned to lnsch.

During a long and acti~c reurcmcnc be became a parish councillo r and latterly a district councillor, holding these posts for thirty-nine years until be resigned in .\lay 1955. lie was also for many years a member of lnsch and Rothncy T own Council and was Provost for twch-e years from 1924. His other interests included the W'ar \lcmoria l Hospital of which be was an original manager and the Aberdeen Savings Bank of which he was local chairman for many years. His bobbies included bridge, bow ling and gardeninj?, and in the latter pursuit he gained many awards at shows.

William icoll Buyers • (19o6 10) died at his home at Rickmanswonb un 25 Octobe r 1955 in bis sixty-first year. On leaving the School he became an indentured apprentice with a firm of shippinR and insurance brokers in London, but left there to join the London Scottish as a private at the start of the first world -.·ar and was dem obilized with the rank nf Lieutenant in the Gordon I lighlanders 111 1919. From then until 1935, when be returned to this coumry, he held a number of positions in the insurance world in the Far Fast at Shanghai and I long Kong.

Since 1935 be was employed by Rothschild's Bank 111 London. H is brmber George Alston Buvers (1900-08) is resident in Aberdeen.

Alex ander W . C hristie (1878-87), the only surviving orig inal office-bearer of the Oub (be was treasurer from 1893 till 1897), died at his home in Huntly on 14 September 1955. On leaving the School be was in husiness in Aberdeen and London before going to Hundy in 1903 as .\[anager o f \lcssrs. \'C Spence & Son, \'foollcn Manufact urers, wh ich position he held till 1922, when be founded the Gordon Cleaning C:o., of which he was principal until bis retirement near ly two years ago. lle became a member of Huntly Town Counci l in 1919 and two yean, lacer was elected Provost, a position he held for fifteen years . During bis term of office be did a great deal 10 improve the amenities of IIunt ly, even ro the extent of donating a park to the football club which now bear.; his name.

J le was a staunch suppo rter of the Unionist cause, and was president of the Huntly Unionist Association for more than cwent} years and was twice P resident of the Centra l Aberdeenshire Unionist Assoc iation.

Abmlttn Grammar Sfhool Jfagaz.ine the late Rev. James Haggart Clark (1888-92), the ~econd of the five sons ofdied in Penh At EX.\NDER CLARK of 1'.ingswclls who all attended the School, minister of Infirmary on I June l9ll• He graduated :\1.A. in 1897 and occame to the l I U.F. Church, Abe rlcmno in 1901 until 1916, when he wa; calledSou th Church, Church, St. Cyrus. On has retiremen t in 19io he haJ been minister1,of he I A.-.;oRFV. Abernethy for man} yc:u,.. Only c,ne of the Clark broth<ers,un ci:, Gt..ORCFC1 •RK CLARK (189i-1901), who as resident an Cape Province, South Africa. and AtrH-.;01 R (1889-?) died in 1929, W1Lu,, 1 CLARK (1893-99) died in 1952 Cr \ RK (188i•89) died in 19,-; at l•ast London, South Africa. e, Aberdeen, Kenneth Hug h Craw ford (1l!9S•99) died at his home Ashley Hou on in the comm",i on I l ~ ovember 195', On lca,·ing the School he ohtainc<l a the end of the first Royal lnnisk illing fusi liers and scr\'ed as a regu lar officer unti l then unul he world war when he ,.a.s dcmobiliz1:J with the rank of \fajor. from and Crimuntr retired in 1936 he was facto r of various estates at l\ ewt)le, Drummu l Church m, ,.,,ate. H e took a grc21 interest in the affairs of St. James 's Lpiscopa .mJ Orkney. and was the oldes t diocesan representati \'e of the D iocese of Aocrdeen llonorary Lieutenant -Colonel Jam es D aw son,* D.S.O., :\I.A., LLD., an L<lucacion in \ fcmhcr of the J .P. Club an<l, for rwemy-one year~ Director of Aberdee n and a Ahcrdn•n, <lied at Aberdeen on 21 August 19,i. /\ naai,e c,f ,us gallantry graduate of Aberdeen lJnaversit)', Colonel Dawson exhibited con,picu,to the service an the war of 19q-18 an<l thereafter Jevote<l his cons1<lerablcpowers 1939•4j, Colonel of education in Aberdeen an<l of hi ol<l UniHr.;ity. Jn the u ar of from 1940, a Dcputr, D.1wson wa.s for ;1 time A.R.P. Controller for Aberdee n anJ, under the Civil Dismct Commis,ioncr for the North-Eastern District of Scotland y Court for Dc.:fence Re~i,,nal Organizati .. n. lie Wa! a member , .f the Lnherm conferred wa six year, anJ in 1944, the Universiry's H onorary De!(rce of LL D., all other good upo n him. ,\ firm an<l outspoken friend to the School-and to into men an<l causes-Colonel Dawson was possessed of consider. 1ble insight late ,\lr. D. \ I affairs, a qualit} wluch w-a.s notably shown in has tribute to the fc r Dcccn her which ap('<-':lrc<lin the i, uc c.f the ,\lataz1~ A,-.;oRLW(Rt.-ctor i9io. s GoR1JOs Colonel Dawson is sur"ivc<l br his wife anJ br two snm, J.rn1 o~w,o". (1921-34) and PHILIP D.,ww,-.; (1921-37). in :-.:oYCmhcr Stephen Jame s Hunter (18b9-99), A.\ t.J.C.r., d1nl in Aberdeen Cavil Engin• 19,i. Jle served his app rentices hip w ith Messrs. \\ alkcr & Duncan, he became resident cers and conunued with thi, firm as .in ass"tant unul 1910 when first world war he cnJ:inecr at Lord Cou dray's ~talc Jt Dunecht. Durinp; the when he re-joanc<l served as a Lieutenant in the Royal I· nginccrs from 191 i till 1919,the firm. He was Messrs. Walker & Duncan an<l ultima te!)' became a partner in Bracmar Cricket a keen cricketer and in his youni:(er Jays wa.s a member of the old in the running Club and had played for Aberdeenshire. lie t0ok a great interest of Ruhislaw ( hurch of which he wa., an elder.

"The Beo.t all-round Pupil the School eve r had " ), Q.C.., The H o n. Lord Macka y (Alexander M orrice Mack ay) • (1882-91of extra• life a _ haJ 19,~. r Novembe 2 on urgh b.lanb an <lied who ., \ I.A., LLD m the realm of ordinal') achievement not only m the mtcUectual sphere, but also in Classics and firsts" " <luuble oh1aaned he School the lea-.mp; sport. After succt.-s, in Philosophy at Aberdeen, and then:aftcr 111 Cambridge he lut<l bnlliant where he y, Universit h I:Jinhurg to came then Ilc ripos.

T Science the ,\l oral a<lmittt...! as u he rear chat in and 1902, in on di,11nc1i ~pccial with Law graduated in ng. outstandi likewise were ent, achievem sport llis s.

Advocate of to the !·acuity 'Shire. :u~J '\'arsil) r fo_ cricket la~cr, and, ,ol Scli, for crickc~ an<l He pla)t:d rugby Uub, an<l At Cambridge he was President of alie ( ambridge Una,·er,ttr Tcnmsthe Scottish (1905-7) years ,uccessi,e three fur was he Scotland to after hi, return far 10<> much by Tennis Singles Champion. And-as if all that were not alr<.-ady folfcr, a ~rl~r. ordtnary ~tandards-hc ~as also a m01.~taincer of repute, an ableo his hemp; 1rnn1 and a violin ist of <listtncllon; and mention should al<o he made

Obitt111ry

33

autho r of a booklet on Roof C/i111b11(( in Cambruf.?,e! Ic w 111 be seen, chcrefore, that cherc were adequate grounds for che Rector m 1918 (,\1r. D. M . ANDREW) describing Lord .'.laekay a.~ " the best all-round pupil the School ever ha<l ".

In 1918 he was appointed a Court of Se sion Judge, and in 1929 he received an honorary LL.D . from Aberdeen University; and when, in c9l3, he completed twenty-five years as a I ligh Court judge he had then had the longest servic e of any of the High Court judics then sitting. I le retired as a judge in Februa ry l 9l4· lie took a vigorou~ interest in l'.P. affairs, and was President of che Club in 1931-32. His brother\\ ILIH\f ).!Al.KAY (1884-94) who died in 1911, also followed .i lq:al career, hcin~ lacrcrlv a parrncr tn the Ahcrdcen lei.:al firm nf :\fessrs. Hunter & Gordon.

Eliot Digby Mackwonh • (1913-17), \1.0., \I.R.C.P., died in London on 23 August 1951, at the age of forty-four. llc was the cider son of Mrs. Isabella Mackworrh, Greystones, Dyce, and of the late NORMAN WALTLR M ACI<WOR TH (1892-96), M.D., Ch.B., P.R.C.S.E., J.P., Lt.-Col. I.M.S. (reti red); and the brother of NORMA~ flt ,1p1rn1v ,\ I ACKWORTII (1923-24), l\J.B., Ch.B. (Aberd.), Ph.D. (Cantab.).

Or. Eliot \1ackworth graduated \f.B., Ch.B., at Ahcrdecn Univers1t} 10 1932 and was chercafcer succcssi,·ely Hou,e Physician and House Surgeon at the Royal ·-..;orchem Hospital, I lolloway, London. During the war, D r. \fackworth 1tave distinguished ,avicc at home and m·er,cas as Officer Commanding the \lcdical Division of an Indian General Hospital on the Burma Border and in other capacities.

In 1948, Dr. \!a.ckwonh graduated M.D. at Aberdeen l.:ni,·ersity, his Thesis bc10g "A Clinical Study of Scrub Typhus in Burma". Thereafter, he became Visiting Ph}•sician co the Royal 'orchem Hospital, l lulloway.

Dr. ,\Jackworth, who was a wi<lowcr, was, at the time of his death a heart specialist in \\ m,polc Street, London.

James Mitchell • (1886-87), soliciror 10 Stonehavcn since 1900, died on 30 October 1955. He was a native of Stonehavcn and served his apprenticeship in the office of \lr. A. \V. K10near before going to Edinburgh, where he was in the offices of Messrs. Gordon & falconer, \V.S., and Messrs. Dundas & Wilson, C.S. for some years.

Among the official appointments he held were Clerk to Dunnouar School Board, Depute Procurator Fiscal for Kincardine and Session Clerk of Dunnottar Church.

I le was keenly interested in golf and was match secretary to the Stonehaven club for many years; and took an active part in the development of the course from 9 to t 8 holes.

The School's Public Orat or The Right H on . Lord Alness Robert Munro • (1884-81), P.C., G. B.E., LL.D., who died in Bournemouth on 6 October 1915, had behind him" a long life;, finely spent". Born atA lness, Ross shire 10 1868, he came to the Grammar in 1884 for a year to fini,h his schooling, before going on co Echnburgh lniversity, where he had an academic career of great diMinction in Arts and Law. Admitted to the Scottish Bar in 1893, he later admitted that his first year's work yielded the handsome sum of three p;uinCllS (by 1909 he had increased it a hund redfold). He entered Parliament as Li beral member for Wick in 1910, and in 1913 he was appointed Lord Advocate, this appointment being the occasion of a comp limentary dinner to him by the r.P. Club. Between 1913 and 1916 he assisted the movement which e,•cncually secured the Rub,slaw Playing Field for the School. In 1912 he became Lorc.l Justice Clerk: and in 1913 he unveiled 1hc \X ar Memorial to those who fell in the 1914-1R war, his speech on chat occasion being hailed as" a noble and moving oration". Ile was Prc-;idcnt of the P.P. Club in 1928-29, and in 1934 a Barony was conferred upon him in recognition of his parliamentary and judicial service~, afcer which he assisted in the work of the I louse of Lords' Appeal Committee. On bis retiral from the Scottish Bench, he was given a complimentary dinner by the Club in acknowledgement of his scniccs to the Club and the Fdinburgh centre.

34

Abmiun Grammar School Magazine

\'\'hen in 1935 he was given the LL.D. degree h>· St. Andrews-Edinburgh and Aberdeen had so honoured him in 1919 and 1921 respectively -he was hailed as one who had "upheld the noblest traditions of Sco11ish jurisprudence and Scottish civic spirit"; and in 1940 he was appointed to a position which made the passage of Scottish legislation through the Upper I louse his responsibility. Appointed he and his commit1ce by the Chairman of the Scottish Savings Committee in end of the war raised the huizc sum of £7q,ooo,ooo, and for this he v.as awarded the G.l:l.E:.

Twcnty-:,cn :n )C-,<rs after hJ\lng unvt:ded the _\lcmorial to the fallen of the hrst v.-ar, Lord ,\Ines. tn \la} 1950 performed the same sad task for those who fell in the recent war. 1'11c Rcctor has fittingly remarked ot thr, occasion that " his simple, eloquent words charged with the wisdom and sincerity of a long life, tinely spent, gave to the service of dedication a moving quality which will remain ,n the memory of a.II who heard him".

He took a visorous pan in the activities of the F.P. Club, ramcularly tn Edin burgh and later in London; and his speeches at many schoo and F.P. occasions (as recorded in the Ma.~az.i11nof the time) show him 10 have had a gift of eloquence, a fine sense of humour and a cheerful philosophy. f'or him his deep attachment to the School was " not a mere sentimenta l pondering over the schooldays of the past".

He looked upon a friend's speeches (he once said)" with admiration and envy, for their polish and profoundity and edge'', hut th<:$every qualities shine out from his own speeches. Sheriff J. A. Lillie, speaking at the Edinburgh Dinner in f'ebrua~ 1951- and in a speech which was itself a gem in the art of clear, beautifullyphrased speaking - complimented Lord Alness on his outstanding gift of" clarity and i:;racc of speech and presentation", and gave him the title of" The School's Publtc Orawi- ••. As an illus1ra11onof this gift, and of what The Grammar meant to Lord Alncss, 11 is felt a fitting tribute 10 close this appreciation wllh ;1 <1umation from Lord Alncss' reply to Sheriff Lillie's toast.

" I cannoc look back without a sigh on these simple, safe and sheltered days of long ago. The aire of syncopation and speed had not yet arrh·cd.

The road of life lay before us, glittering in the morning sunshine. Care and re<ponsibility were strangers. To-day some arc bo\\·cd down by responsibili ties of life: many ha\"C drunk the cup of sorrow to the lees. Today many of the tra,·cllers who ha\"e trodden the road of life have aching feet because of its rough places. For all of us the road behind is lengthening out and the road before is drawing in. But the gift of memory is still ours, and as we face the uncharcerc..-dfururc, he it short or long, we can draw inspiration and strength from our recollections of the days spent tn the Granite City and in its ancient Grammar School. \\ hen you and l lie beneath the sod, when all the little things which we have done and stri\"en 10 do are forgotten, l am confident that the Old School will wntinue to flourish, proud in ambition and proud also in achievement."

Ian James Sheph erd (192t-32) died in South Africa on 12 June l9ll• a sergeant m Durban City Police.

!le was

Simpson Shepherd· (1890•97) died suddenly at New1<,n ;\learns on 11 September T9l!· After leaving the School he went to South Africa, where he remained until the scan of the first world war, when he returned 10 Europe with the Union ,.f South Africa Defence force. He became a Captain m the Royal Engineers and was awarded the Military Cross in 1918. After the war he joined the firm of .\lessrs. Simpson Shepherd & Sons Ltd., Wine Merchants in Aberdeen.

Edmund Warters Strachan (1900-04) died at Emilie, near Stourbridge, on 13 August 195). On leaving thc School he studied at Edinburgh University and the East of Scotland College of Agriculture before settling in England as a land agent.

IIe served during the first world war in the Royal Scots and was demobilized in 1919 with the rank of Lieutenant.

Obituary

35

Walter Forbes Stratt on • (1897-99), 45 Learmonth Grove, Edinburgh 4, died on 22 ;\larch 1955, at the age of seventy-one years. after a very short illness. Jie was the son of Forbes Stratton, Donbank, Auchmill, and on leaving the School in 1899 he entered the service of Messrs. Alexander Pirie and Sons, Limited, Swneywoo<l Paper ,\tills, Aberdeenshire, and from 1904 onwards represented that company in lndia, Ceylon, Burma and elsewhere abroad. Later in his career he was the official representative for Scotland of J\lcssrs. Wiggins, Tcapc & Alex. Pirie (Sales) L imited, paper makers, London. His son, IAN FORBES STRATTON, was ac the School from 1921-24.

Andre w Gove Templeton (1925-34) die<l in Aberdeen on 17 September 1955 after a long illness, the result of injuries received when he was in a ~hip which wa~ corpcdoe<l during che war. On che first day of the war be enlisted in the Royal Engineers and served 1n that regiment uncil the end of hostilities. 1 lc was thereafter an elec1r1cian w11h the t-..orth of Scotland Jlydro-r.lectric Board at Pitlochry.

J a mes Bru ce T u rnbull + (1897-99), farmer, Ashgro,·c, For.1,>i.1c, Aberdeenshire, died on 2.5 January 1955, in his seventy-third year. The son of P. M. T. T urnbu ll, Smilhston, Gardy, he entered Modern IV of the School in r 897. Thereafter he farmed Sm11hston, Rhynie, and ultimately Ashgrove, Forgue. During the first world war he served in the 6th Battalion The Gordon Highlanders (1'.F.) from 1915-19, beinl,l gazetted Lieutenant in 1915. During the war of 1939-45, \lr.

Turnbull sen·cd wich the Aberdeenshire Special Constabulary.

R obert M oir Willi am so n * (1882-83), M.A. (Aberd.), LL. 13. (Edin.), LL.D. (Aberd.), C.13.E., Advocate in Aberdeen, died at Aberdeen on 19 November 1955, aged eighty-eight years. Ilewasa son of the late GEORGE \X'1LL1AMSON(1829-34) of Shempston, :\lorayshire, and one of five brorhers whoaucnded the School, the others being the late ALI'XANDER MORRISONWILLIUISON (1871-73), J\I.A., the late GEORGL WtLLIAMSO'I (1877-78), .\I.A., 1\1.13., C..\f., F.R.C.P.E., C11AR11.s \\11.LIAM'-ON (1883-8~}• ..\LA., C.A., and the fate )'INES CL"TIIBERTW1LUAMSON (1886-91). After graduating in Arts at the University of Aberdeen, Dr. \vill,amson studied Law at the University of f.i..dinburgh, where he graduated LL.13. with honours in 1891. llc joined the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in the same year and became a partner of the fmn of Paull and \'rilliamsons, Advocates in Aberdeen, whose senior partner he was at the time of his death. In 1908 he was appointed lecturer in Constitutional Law and History ac the University of Aberdeen and in this post he did valuable work for twenty-four years, his distinction as a Uni\'etsi1y teacher leading 10 his admission in 1925 to membership of the Senatus Academicus, of which he continued to be a member unti l he laid down his lectureship in 1933.

In 1939 the University conferred on him the Honorary Dcgr<:e of L L.D. ln 1hc prqctice of his own profession Dr. Williamson was recogniz'--<las one of the outstanding members. In his earlier days he published a study of the judgments of Lord \\ atson and was associated with one of the editions of Stroud's ]udi<ial Di,1tonary. IIe held the highest offices in the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen and was President of 1he Society from 1926 until 1928. He was for many years a Justice of the Peace, and in 1935 was appointed an llonorary Sheriff Substitute.

Dr. \'v'illiamson took a prominent part in the public work of Aberdeen. I le was for a time President of the Chamber of Commerce and for many years Chaim1an of the Board of Management of the Royal ..\kntal I lospital. But it was perhaps m connection with Aberdeen Savings Bank chat much of his most valuable public work was done and that over a per iod of tbircy-five years, during which he was appointed successively \lanager (in 1918), a trustee (in 192.2) and chamnan (in 1928). As chairman until '9B he saw the Bank's assets increase from £6,500,000 to £39,000,000. In the Birth day I lonours of 1950 he was awarded the C.B. I·..

The unusual vigour of mind and body which characterized Or. Williamson arc well demonstrated by two facts- he had been a member of the Caimgorm ( !uh, of which he became Honorary President, since 1892.; and he was actively enwu~ed in Lhe practice of his professi on umil a week or two before his dea th.

Of the family by whom Dr. \X ,lliamson is survi,cd, rwo sons, S1R GroRGF ALE.XANDLR\'f1u1A _\JSON (1904-12), D.L., 13.L., and ROBERT BLRTRA~I \X lLLIA~tS0N (1906-18), D.S.O., T.D., M.A ., LL.B ., arc partners of the firm of Paull and Williamsons.

Aberdem Grammar School Magazine Alexander Morice Wilson • (1895-1906), M.A., LL.B., Advocate in Aberdeen, died at Aberdeen on 15 July 1955, ag-ccl sixty-five. lle was a partner in the finn of Morice & \\ ilson, Advocates.

A son of the late Mr. Alexander \\ ilson, a former Lorcl Provost of Abcrclccn, Mr. Wilson gracluatccl l\l.A. in 1909 an<l LL.8. in 1912, hccuming in 19q a partner in the firm of .\forice & \\ ihon, with whom he hacl been apprenticed. .\lobilizcd tn 1914 as a Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Gordon llighlan<lcrs (T.F.), he served in France and Handers until wounded early in 1915. In :\!ovcmbcr 1915, \lr.

Wilson entere<l the Ropl Flyinj? Corp, and scnccl in u and later in the Royal Air Poree with distinction until he was demobilized in .\la}' 1920 with the rank of Squadron Leader. Jn 1919 .\I r. Wilson was awar<led the .\1.8.E. and O .B. E. (Military Division) and in 1920 the Greek \1,litary J\ledal. In \larch 1933 \lr.

Wilson was admitted as a member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen. l\Ir. \'vilson was an expert swimmer an<l in his }Ounger <la\,, played ,rat~r polo for the Thistle Swimming Club, whose I Ionorary President he became.

Mr. \\ilson was unmarried.

J ohn Wolkoff • (1921-25) dic<l sud<lcnly at furrestcrhill on 15 Scptcmhcr 1955, aged forty-six years. IIe was born 111 \[oscow and came to Abcrclccn in 1921 with his fatbcr. After lca,·ing School he joined his father in the busmc,s of herring merchants and exporters. During the last war he scn cd as a ,:,inner in the Royal Artillery and fou!{ht with the 8th Army from El A larncin to Italy where he was awar<ll-d the \1ilitary \ lcdal in December 1945.

The Late Miss Christin a S. Piri e, M.A.

It is with great regret that ·we report the death at Aberdeen on 1 D ecember 195 5 of i\liss Christina S. Pirie, :\f.A. who nurtured

many a generation of Lower Il [ and 1V between the time of her coming to The Grammar in r9r4 and her being obliged to retire prematurely in 1949 on account of ill-health-thirty-five years of stimulating and unruffled teaching; for indeed she was a fine teacher cheerful, patient and unperturbable, and man} of us remember her clearly and gratefully when other teachers whom \\e had in our younger days are now but names.

School Section School O ffic e-B earers, · 1955-56 Prefect s R. N1COL (Senior Prefect)

DONALD ALAN

K. G. PATERSON (Deputy Senior Prefect)

DovcLAS DRDINER \X,' 1LLIAM BROWN GRAEME F. BRYCE JOHN G. CHRl >TIB SINCLArR T. FORBES \X'rLLIAM G. Gl.Eh~ )AMl.S :M. )P.PFREY

BRvce P. LllN\IAN ALASTAIR 1\1. .\lATHrn,oN IAIN C. S. M1c111E ]ow~ G. ~fuNRO LESLIE M. N1COL STEPIIF.N .A. PACirn JOHNS. RAn-r

n.

RONALD R. Rons 'WALTllR Rons 1Jucn W. L. TnOMAS :\fELVrLLE F. WATSON ALAN R. WresTER MALCOLM S. WUSTl!R ALAN 8. WRIG HT

s.

House Captains Dun Keith

Byron Hucu W. L. THOMAS

DONALD R. N r cor,

Melvin

GaAEME F. BRYCE

W AL'rE R S. Roso

Rugby Football Captain

Ht;Gll \\ ' . L. THOMA S

Vic1-Captain WALTEll S. ROBB

Cricket made in Summer Term

Appointments

Hockey Captain

A. PACl'rTI

STEPHEN

Viet-Captain

SINCLAIR

T. FORDES

Athletic s Appointments made in Summer Term Swimming Captain

l\lELVILLI!

Presidtnl

ALAN K. G. PATERSON

F. WA'rSON

Via-Captain

HENRY A. HAMILTON

Literary and D ebating Society Vice-Pruidmt

SurtlllT)' and TrtOJ11rer

RONALD

R. ROBB

STEPHEN A . PAc1rn

Dramatic Society Pruidml Doucus R. Kn,oc11 Vice -Prt.ridtt1tT0~1 G. C. DUTTON

Secretary Treasurer

RONALD R. ROBB LESLlE ;\f. NICOL

Arts Club

I

(

Prt.ridtnt

Jwcs F. FooTF

President

DoNALD R.

Secretary

\X'ILLIAM Sn.VENSON

Film Society 0

Stcrtlary

ICOL

Treasurer

ALAN 1'.. G. PATERSON

JonN G. C 11R1ST1£

Cadet Force C.S. ,\f.

DONALD

R. Nrco1

Plight-SerP,lanf \V1LLIAM G. GLE!s"?s"IE

Scripture Unio n Secr1tary

Jo11N G. CHRISTIE

E di tors of School a nd Random Notes in the Magazine ALAN K. G. PATERSON and STl!PHEN A. PACITTI H

Aberdttn Grammar School Magaz_i11e

School and Random Notes "Each good thing is hardc,t to bcgin."-Spenscr.

Nights of benzedrenc and green eye-shades passed away, the busy patter of cager typists hushed, the inchoate masses of verbiage dredged and sifted, we can again reveal to you the glorious pages of " School and Rand om otcs ". There was unanimous agreement, for once, in the editorial staff that nothing of any real importance had happened in the School which might warrant a random note, and even Shakespeare knew that "nothing will come of nothing". So bear with us, Dear Reader, for that same sage also observed that "we are even more sinned against than sinning" . t * It would be vain to hope that the School staff remain unchanged for a year, hut, alas, already a farewell has been said. Mr. Edwin Hunter departed in ::\'ovembcr to take up his new post as head teacher of the Physical Education Department of Perth Academy. \Xie wish him success in his new charge. \\ e welcome Messrs. Henson and Turnbull to the English Department, :Mr. Grant to the Mathematics, Mr. Macaulay to the French, and Mr. Will to the Art Staff.

*

,,.

At the beginning of this term, we saw the first of what turns out to be a large number of changes within the School staff. Mr. Bell of the History Department, was promoted to head teacher of that subject at Daniel Stewart's College, Edinburgh. Apart from creating a major gap in the 11aster's Cricket XT, his departure was keenly felt by many, not only his own pupils, but those who, out of class, experienced his vigorous personality. For the School Dramatic Society, Mr. Bell proved himself an exceedingly competent stage manager, being one of the few who held the key to the secrets of the lighting ~ystem.

Hat s off to Col. Bryce (of Shanghai fame), whose party has succeeded in establishing the altitude record in the How ff. An exhausting scramble up a well-nigh Sheer Buttress brought the intrepid band of adventurers to an insecure stance, from whence Col. Bryce alone faced the superhuman difficulties of the perpendicular wall and chimney (no aJJusion to the S.U.). Out of reYerence for the Pcnates, he left unsullied the virgin whiteness of the ceiling, descending m record time. (Both records arc subject to ratification by the altitude committee.)

It was with no little regret that the School heard of the impending retiral of both Mr. 1lilne, of the Classics Department, and Dr. MacAndrew, of the Spanish Department, at Christmas and Easter respectively. Th ese two gentlemen have served the School long and faithfuJJy, and their absence, we arc sure, will be keenly felt.

School Section

39 Achtungl This is of cardinal importance! There is an enemy in OUI midst. It is crystal clear and penny plain I If not, how did a copy of Mein Kampf find its way into the staff-room? May we suggest that it was put there? Oh, absolutely I * * Perhaps it is as a precautionary measure against a sudden attack from this Gestapo clement in the adjoining staff-room that Mr. Henson keeps a (literally) standing army outside his door. It can be seen any day of the School week (and Saturday too, we suspect); columns of grimly determined small boys, ears cocked, tongues l olling, eyes rolling, waiting ... waiting ... waiting for marching orders . * * * Here's an impressive list to catch the eye: Donald R. Nicol; Alan K. G. Paterson; Douglas Bremner; \'\'illiam B. Brown; Graeme F. Bryce; John G. Christie; Sinclair T. Forbes; \X'illiam G . Glennie; James M. Jeffrey; Bruce P. Lenman; Alastair i\1. Mathieson; Iain S. Michie; John G. Munro; Leslie M. icol; Stephen A. Pacitti; John S. Raitt; Ronald R. Robb; \'\ 'alter S. Robb; Hugh W. L. Thomas; l\[ekille F. Watson; Alan R. Webster; Malcolm S. Webster; Alan B. Wright In case you haven't tumb led to it yet, these gentlemen happen to be your Prefects for session 1955-56. Congratulations to all, and especially to Donald Ticol, who is this year's " grand fromage" and to Alan Paterson who efficiently plays the part of the rind. (The rest would appear to be the maggots.)

..

A bouquet to the long suffering inmate of Room 30 who, we feel sure, must by this time be suffering from premature deafness. D onald (now just cut it right out)! Nicol has at any rate done his best, with his diurnal castigatory incursions; but Thomas must haYe some room to breathe. After all, he is a human being . . .

,. \'ve heartily congratulate Alan K. G. Paterson, Cpper VI, on taking first place in Great Britain, in a Spanish Essay Competition, organized by the Hispanic Society of London.

His subject wa5 "The Nitrate Industry of Chile", and the competition was open to all schools professing Spanish. The rirst Prize was j guineas.

*

*

There is an alarming interest in pipe~ (to blow, not to puff).

Every Monday the hallowed shrine of erudition is positively littered with coffin-like containers, bur not wishing to repeat Pandora's faux <fai we have refrained from opening these secret palladiums. Judging by the cacophony the wretched things make, even Hope must have deserted them.

Abtrdn11 Grammar School .'1agazint

The suhvcrs1vc rumour that a 1st year cherub slipped under ,I flagstone was gcnerall~- discreditld, but the fact remains that the gently undulating passage from the office to . . . Ah, you know where, has been supplantc;d hr a monotonous vista of uninterrupted smoothness. \\'e Pat· iarchs shake our heads sadlv. 1\ftcr all, life mmt haye its lmk ups and downs.

• ., * To anyone still wondering, 1\nte-Scm" e "tism is not a ne\\; cult of Yogi enthusiasts '-Vho ha, e decided to institute a sartorial revolution.

It's onlv the L. and D.S. officials undergoing a temporary bout of mental aberration. J lowevcr, enn the gods must nod. ,. * To a casual obsen·er, it appears that a new species has flown into the Grammar nest, viz. of the family Praejedomn1 togae dujfeli.r, or the Du ff boys. " Rarae avc;s " of a more plcb1an brood have been obscrnd stalking about in mufficd aloofness like a bevy of Capuchim But a man's a man for a' that. ( \eh, sour drapes!)

* * ::\ati,·e Spanish assistants like the Grammar School so wdl that they on:rstay their one-year tenure, Sr. Gtlabert having been here for three yc;ars, and Sr. \Iontero for two. Sr. Gilabert is now the rc.:presentativc in the ::\ltditerranean area for a London fruit firm, and Sr. Montero is taking a Spanish Phonetics Course in London L:ni,·ersity. \X'e now welcome Sr. Catlos Gimenez, who has already prO\ed himself nn!J .rin,pdticoto both staff and pupils. \ native of Barcelona, and the son of a Spanish Prote~tant minister of the Spanish Preshyterian Church, he has taken a short Didnity Course in \berdeen Uni,·ersity, and 1s at present working for an external degree m London Univenity. \\ e '-\ ish him a very happy and profitable stay amongst us . ,. *

..

This year we welcome ro the staff as rn:nch assistant ::-.r. Abraham L1chbztcjn, of Paris. M. I.ichtsztc.:jn was educated at the Lycec Voltaire in his nati,·e city, then at the Sorbonne, where he.: took the degree of J.icencie-es-L~ttres, followed by the Diplomc et Etude~ Superirnres de Philosophic. \X'e trnst that ;\l. Lichtsztejn will find his year at the Grammar School both rnjoyabk and profitable. \\ c trust that D.R. 0-icol and S. \. Pacnti, our two n,presentati,·es for the.: Council of Educat10n for \\ orld C1tizen~hip haYc a plea~ant and 1nstruct1ve sojourn in London. The \lt:tropolis will doubtless present many imen:~ung pasllmes to our two young gallants, and we hope thL) will return repkrc \\ith new ideas on pre,cnt \\orld Affairs. * * * In accordance with sccnon 13 of the Schools' (Scottish) Code, 19)0, it was found that thl- prefects' room was, and, Afirabi/e dJct11, still is capable of containing 14· 36 bodies. [n ~hmt, there is note, en room to swing a cat. But who has eyer seen a tabby in the Howff?

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School Sertio11

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" I to the hills " seemed ro be the prevalent note of the mid-term holidays. Eager youths, their eyes gleaming with unusual ardour and grim determination impatiently stamped symmetrical hob-nail patterns on the long-~uffering floor-boards, straining at the leash to dash up "Ben Something or Other ", obedient to the call of the wilds, or something disgusting like that, anyway. Like Chrbtian, they ~taggen:d out, their heterogeneous burdens trailing behind them. \-X'cll, well, "fools rush in . . "

*

*

Their tiny band is chosen. Our bunch of rhythm-mad kids have C\Tn Basin Street up in arm s. That Saturday-evening mecca of ballroom enthusiasts, wirh its " little children stumbling in the dark" resounded like a miniature tin-pan alley. Mr. •orris, beware the first blast of the trumpet, rhc roll of the distant drum I One shudders to think what the Brown Sextet (an appropriate name, we think) might attempt next. 0 ten1pora, 0 mores! \\'e bclie,·e these children should he neither seen nor heard, e re p11blica.

* * There is no truth in the rumour that a sweepstake is being held on thi:: POS~IBU' date of the crect10n of the cvclc-shcds. \-X'e assume their premature appearance was merdy to inco~vcnicnce and encumber the laddies that pla} with a round ball, but some say that these gaunt skdetons are the victims of the B.W.:M. (any offers for interpretation?).

I Iowevcr, t\·cn Rome was not built in one day.

*

"The moving finger writes, and having writ, mo,-es on" , but unfortunately our young scribes prefer penknife to pen, and sacrifice speed and facility of '>vriting on paper, to the more lasting and infinitely more painstakmg medium of wood. The various embellishments an<l flouri$hes found recently on school furnish ing leave littlt: doubt 111 the minds as to rhe practical aptitude of the average Grammarian, but engender gra, e doubts as to the moral conduct of those young shavers. * Again apropos of mountaineering, yet another school society has succumbed to nationalization. Who dreamt that the R.A.l\LC. of olden days would be transformed into the H.\X'.C.? \\'e all deplore this drastic transformation. \'\ ho ever heard of hills walking, anyway?

*

*

*

\-X'c han: <lone our best, and what more can any man <lo?

42

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaz/ne

Changes in the School Staff ARRIVALS .

Five N ew Assistants MR. LEWIS N. GR..u-;T, 1\1.A., was born in the scholastic tradition.

A native of the Mearns, he was educated wholly in Aberdeenshire, where he shared his secondary schooling with the Academies of Inverurie and Fraserburgh, being Dux of the latter in 1946. From Aberdeen University he graduated M. \. in 1950 with Honours in Mathematics and atu ral Philo sophy. Thereafter he served as Education Officer for two years in the R.A.F., mainly at Cranwell, attaining the rank of Flying Officer. The two following years he spent at actuarial work in Edinburgh before returning to Aberdeen for teacher training . His natural aptitude and ability for this vocation are evinced by the fact that he won the McGregor Prize in Methods, the premier award of the Training Centre. Much of his classroom training was done in the Grammar School, which is to be congratulated in having secured l\fr. Grant's skill and zeal to assist in the :Mathematics D1.:partment. Music has charms for him, and in sport he favours hockey, athletics, and tennis. In all respects Mr. Grant is a welcome addition to the staff of the School, where we trust he will find abundant scope for exercising his talents as teacher and colleague.

MR. DONALD C. MACAULAY, M.A., now assistant in Modern Languages and English, hails from Inverness city, where he did his senior schooling in the Royal Academy until 1942. Immediate call-up meant four years on active service, first in the R.A.F. Regimen t, then the Royal Marines, with whom he spent his last nine months of service in Occupied Germany; and this doubtless inspired him to take up the study of Modern Languages after demobilization in 1946.

Having graduated M.A. from Aberdeen University in 195 r with Honours in French and German, he then qualified as teacher of these subjects at Aberdeen Training Centre. Three years of teaching service at Turriff Academy have given him the classroom edge which has already served him well in the Grammar. As a student he followed up summer studies abroad at the Uni\'ersities of Zurich and Neuchatcl, where also he found himself a wife who is German-Swiss.

Having played rugby for his School XV and in the R.A.F., he also admits a liking for tennis and hockey; he is interested too in Choral Music, and finds that health-giving walking exercise can be usefully combined with ornithology. We wish Mr. Macaulay great happiness and success in his work and play amongst µs.

MR. GEORGE H. TURNBt:LL, M.A., an Aberdonian by birth, is also by choice a Grammarian. On graduating M.A. at Aberdeen University in 1950 with Honours in English and Psychology, he ventured for a time into the realm of Law, but presently became aware that teaching was to be his line. So he took some temporary posts in

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town and shire, and then completed the professional course at the Training Centre, at the same time studying for the University Diploma in Education, which he gained in 19i 3. Since then he has taught in Fraserburgh Academy and Wishaw High School, from which this session he has joined the staff as an assistant in the English Department .

We welcome him back to the Old School, where he may now supplement his bench experience as pupil by taking the floor as pedagogue: all success and good luck to himl MR. JAMESWILL, lately appointed to the expanded Art Department, is Aberdonian born and bred, and received his secondary education in what Grammarians euphemistically call " the Other Pface ". This he left in 1948, to study for four years at Gray's School of Art, where he gained the Diploma of Design and Decorative Art in June 19p..

In April 19i 1, he was awarded second prize in a nation-wide competition for an T.C.I. trade mark in connection with a new protein fibre; and in July of the same year he was commissioned by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to execute a Mural, in the form of a large Decorati,-e Map, in the new Terminal Buildings at Dyce Airport.

From July 19J3, to August I9J l, he did his National Service with the Royal Corps of Signals as an instructor of Officer Cadet5, and for some time was in charge of the Visual Aids Department. \'{'ith all this artistic training and experience Mr. Will has a fine future before him in the Grammar School where there has long been a wide field for such activities. He will be made most welcome by his immediate colleagues and members of the Art Club in places where they print and sketch and model. May he find much happy reward in his work amongst us!

MR. FORDYCE Ross PATERSON. W/e welcome :t,..{r, Fordyce Paterson as Assistant in the P.T. Department.

A whole-hearted Grammarian (1927-40), Mr. Pordyce Patersonor "Dycie" as he is known to a large number of F.P.s-was Sports Champion in his year, winning the 100 yards in two successive years.

For some ten rears, he has been Scoutmaster of the 17th School Troop. \'fell known in Rugby circles, he played in a final Scotland 11. The Rest Trial, but was unfortunately injured and had to give up the game as a plarer. During the last war, he served in the Fleet Air Arm, being trained at Pensacola, U.S.A., and in Canada. Based for some time on Trinidad, he was demobilized with the rank of Lieutenant . \X'e welcome him back to his old School to continue his fine record of service. . . . and DEPARTURES MR. CLEMENT \YI. BE:lL, M.A., B.A. Old William Kennedy, the Janitor-long may his memory remain green-once warned a young master joining the School staff: "If you come here, mind you, you're here for life; they never get out of this "; and his prophecy came true. But that was thirty years ago. At that time changes among assistants in the School were rare; most of them joined the School

44

Aberdeen Grammar S chool Jfagaz i,1e

staff as young men, grc:w grey in its service, and cndc:d thur acti\ ·e careers in it. Now, howc:vcr, for better or worse, it is diffl:rtnt. The School never has any difficulty in gctting excellent assistants but 1f seldom keeps them long, and changcs among the younger members ot the teaching staff have become incessant. i\mong the thre1; who haYc left us during this last term is ~lr. Clement lkll. :M.r. Bdl, a native of Forfar and a graduate of Aberdeen with Honours in Ilistoq·, joined us as an assistant in the Jlistor) Department just after the war, in which he had served in the Royal i\.rtilkry, and at once showed himself to he a taltntcd and cnchusiastic teacher.

For about ten rears he was my colleague, an<l no one could wish for a more rdiable partner, or one with whom it was a greatu pleasure to work.

Of his scholarship there 1s no need to say more than that, taking 1t into his head lo add a London B.J\. 10 his Aberdeen M. \., he studied for and sat the external London Cnivcrsity examinat10n.

There were seventy-two passes with Honours in History and only three first Class; :.\tr. Bell was one of the three. 'or is rhe H1storr Department the onl} one that misses him. I le is mis5Ld at Rubislaw on W'ednesdays and Saturdays, and the Dramatic Society will need a new stage manager. \\'hcn voluntary work was required, he ,,..as always ready to help. i\ow well-earned promotion has come his way. I le left us in September to be Principal Teacher of History in Daniel Stewart's College, Edinburgh. :\fa\' he enjoy success and happiness in his new appointment.

MR . EowrN I lUNTFR, for the past n111e years a capable and popular member of the School Phpical Education and Games Staff, has recently kft us for ,,·c:11-earncd promotion. He is now principal teacher of Physical Education at Pc11h Academy-gone, but still '":ithin reach. \X'e look forward eagerly to our sporting jousts with his new school.

Mr. ] luntcr was educated at Montrose Acadc:my, and, after completion of his training ac Jordanhill Training College, saw senicc with the Camcronians in the Middle East, India, and Italy. Soon after demobilization in 1946 he was appointed to the staff of the School and succec:ded his brother as Games Master in tht;: follo,ving year. Ilis association with the 1st XV in particular heralded a renaissance in the School rugby fortunes; but he would be the first to insist on a fair share of the credit being accorded to his brorh(.;r and Mr. Allardice for thti.r equall} inspiring work with the more junior XVs. For four seasons, from 1946 to 1950, .:-.1r. Hunter was a popular and effici(.;nt wing three-quarter in the F.P. s 1st XV, showing that his practical abilities in no way lagged behind his theoretical knowledge.

At this time also he played for the ~onh of Scotland XV in repre sentative gamLs. Bis sporung versatility was apparent in Masters v. Bop contests of all types. Jn particular, many boys (and F.P.s) will remember his long-though not always straight-hitting on the golf course and his rock -like display at full back in the annual soccer match.

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School Section

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\X'ith pupils and staff his popularity was matched only by his efficiency-witness the ever-growing Jist of spor ts fixtures for all teams, and the sufficiency of masters for the supervision of these.

Thus, much as we must regret the breaking of the famous " JJunt erHunter-Allard.icc" combination, we offer our sincere and hearty congratulations to 1fr. J Iunter on his promotion. May we have many happy meetings in the future!

)

"Fire! "

)

Bob Barley was happy. His experiment had been going well up ro now, and if the final results were satisfactory, he would earn a little fame.

He looked contemplatively at the dead shrimp lying on the hench.

Yes, it was a marked one right enough. IIis scalpel cut clean slashes into the shellfah and in a few seconds the carapace was lying empty on the bench.

On the oppo,itc bench there was a microscope being focussed by his fellow-scientist. \X hat was she working for? A few pounds c,ery Friday? lia- hal he, a Canadian, would beat all these Britishers! He would be famous . \\ ho knows ?-his name might go down in more than one book. E,·cn now, as his scalpel sliced away the shrimp he saw the newly-published book before him: "Part III. Section 5. Column A." (That sounded all right.)

"Shrimps: " There arc many different theories on the food of shrimps , but it was proved in 1915 by Mr. Robert Earle Barky, B.Sc., Ph.D., that, besides feeding on plankton, shrimps also have a vegetable diet. He pro,·cd this theory by letting fn:e twenty marked ~hrimps ten miks from the ~bore.:. Three days later, they were all caught again close inshore. On opening their stomachs, l\1r. Barley, B.Sc., Ph.D ., found fragments of seaweeds only found close inshore. No dead sea-weed was found."

(That ,,rnuld do capitally.) Well, he had slit the stomach up now, and had it under the binocular microscope. f le was very happy as he was focussing them, and began to sing rather a Yulgar song . The Canadian voice rose to a fine brazen bellow.

The girl on the opposite bench stopped working, she just couldn't think. He noticc.:d her moYements and said, "Like my singing?:i'll scng it again."

And so he did, with such brazen vi\'acity that she was about to ,cream " Stop! ! " In their office sat two sacrists, enjoying a smoke . Their comfcJrtablc chat was suddenly interrupted by a , iolent yelling which

Aberdun Grammar Srhool Magazine

brought both sacrists to their feet. \X'hat was it? Sounded like something bad? Sure, still does I Goodness I-the thought came ~imultaneously to the two men-FIRE! One seized the extinguisher and rushed down the corridor after the other. The noise became quite deafening as they came to an open door. Looking in, they saw a girl with a horrified expression on her face. Rushing in, they saw a young man yelling loudly. "\Vhere's the fire, sir?" asked both sacrists breathlessly.

An angry, affronted countenance stared back at them. " Not here, gentlemen-goodbye, gentlemen! " So the sacrists retreated, their tails well between their legs.

But that was not the only shock for Bob that week. Only two marked shrimps were found close inshore, and neither stomach provi ded the fame-bringing seaweed.

He was very annoyed, too, when the girl at the opposite bench proved a new theory and won her Ph.D. He, himself, would have to wait another year.

And no doubt he would be even more furious if he knew I had written this essay; so I think I will stop now.

N.B.-Bob Barley is not the student's real name.

Ar-oREW \'C'YLLIE, xs (Age u).

Edinburgh Festival, 1955 As was the case last year, a party of nine sixth-formers, in the tender care of Mr. Brown, answered the alluring call of the Muses and made a pilgrimage to the Capital, there to savour the sweetness of the Arts.

Blissfully unaware of the fact that Danish Royalty were expected at \X'averley at the same time, some of us were perhaps a little disappoin ted on our arrival to find that the crowd of newspaper reporters and photographers was not for our benefit. High spirits were soon restored, however, when we glided away from the station in a fleet of taxi-cabs.

Our base of operations was Cowan Hou~e, in George Square, admirably situated for our purposes, being only a few minut,;s' walk from the centre of the city.

After dinner on Friday evening we made our way to the King' s Theatre to attend a performance of Rossirii's " II Barbiere di Stviglia " given by the Glyndebourne Opera Company. Sesto Bruscantini as Figaro left no room for even us to criticize, although he was suffering considerable pain from an ank le injury; the music was delightfully rendered by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It struck us as interesting, too, that Bruscantini should be the only Italian in the cast.

The evening was made all the more memorable by a chance meeting with Mr. Prosser, our old teacher and friend, who was in charge of a party of pupils from Inverurie.

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47

De5pite the fact that the performance finished at about 9.40 p.m., it was after 11 p.m. before certain members of the party returned to th e Hou se. Fortunately Saturday morning v:as free, and an opportunit} was given us to sleep off the previous night's fatigue in Princes Street Gardens. (\'\'e arc not quite sure if anyone did avail himself of the said opportunity, but we have our suspicions . . . .) Lunch was obtained according to taste and means in various establishments in the city (no, not from Bin(n)s).

That afternoon we sa\, " Juliu s Caesar" ably played by the Old Vic Company at the Royal Lyceum Theatre. This was not enjoyed to the same extent as "II Barbi ere di Siviglia ", but that was to be expected, Upper and Lower Six being what they are. Considerable speculation was hazarded afterwards as to how the blood got on the conspirators' swords, and Mr. Brown let us have the benefit of his experiences on the way home, at which some members of the party were seen to turn slight ly pale-but perhaps the Chinese Restaurant may be blamed for that.

A wonderful treat lay in store for us in the evening in the form of "Romeo and Juliet", performed by the Royal Dani sh Ballet. Little more need he said than that admiration and delight were expressed by all, especially for the leading dancers, Henning Kronstam and Mona Vangsaa (Romeo and Juliet respectively). lt was indeed a fascinating experience for us, most of whom had never seen ballet in " real life" before.

Jn spite of a cold wind, the Tattoo at the Castle wa5 also much appreciated, most of all, of course, by our piping fiend Kicol. Though possibly the least comfortable, this was certainly the most colourful of our outings and it was with no little feeling of satisfaction, nay achievement, that we plodded homeward in the early hours of Sunday morning.

As our only engagement on Sunday was an evening one, we were free to use the morning as we pleased. Some of us attended service at the Canongate Church, others visited the International Photographic Exhibition or the exhibition of Paul Gauguin's paintings, while yet others went to a showing of foreign films in the Caler Theatre.

The scene of our evening's entertainment was the Usher J !all, where we heard Solomon (piano), Zmo I rancescatti (violin), and Pierre Fourn ier (cello), and the Scottish ~ational Orchestra under Karl Rank] in a concert of two works by Beethoven and one b)' D, orak. These were: the O,·erture, " The Consecration of the Hou se", the Triple Concerto in C :Major, Opu s l6, and Drnrak's Symphony o. 2 in D Minor, Opus 70. Understandably, Solomon received most of our applause, the other two artists being too much out of our sphere for much comment, though they did not fail to i mprcss; even the Lower Six members of the party seemed to apprcc iate it.

Nine o'clock on Monday morning found us at \\ averlcy once more; we walked there-no taxis available-and four hours later we were home.

STEPHEN A. PACITTI (l:pper VI).

Aberdmr (,ra1J1111ar School Magaz_ine

Snow The first flakes fell slow lr and at long intervals, drifting lazily down through the dimness of the night towards the dark, black carth.

They landed alone, isolated from each other by earth made blacker by their vi,id whiteness. Each one had a different f-hape and size from the one before. One might be large and feather-like, the next a small, compact little ball.

It was soon snowing heavily and the earth was no longer visible cxc<:pt where the protecting foliage of a lofty pine tree prcvcntcd the white blanket from intruding into the darkness. There was no wind.

The snow fell noiselc.:ssly, silencing the distant rippling of the once nois y stream. The silence was intense. ::-;'o sound issued from the nearby woods, whose trees raised gnarled and twisted branches to stand out in grotesque forms clutching towards the heavens.

Still the white crystals came floating down, some slowly, some swiftly, to disappear amongst an envdoping sea of white.

The distant background of hills, once a black, dim shadow, stood out in brilliant white, preventing the snow from being seen clearly and disguising the fact that it was now falling more lightly than previously.

Soon it was stopped completely and the sky was lightening with the approach of dawn. Slowly the greyness of twilight gave way to the brilliant orange of the rising sun and to a revelation of what the night had left. Everything was blanketed in white. The surrounding fields were flat and smooth, except where drifts raised low undulations near the whitened hedges . The woods were standing outlined against the hills, their branches black and crooked, whereas the occasional pine was white and Christmassy, with its springy branches shaking themselves free of any excess snow . A wood pigeon cooed softly, its mellow voice resounding from the hills. The hills themselves were like a glaring, white drift raised towards the sky: only where the black smoke from a newly-lit cottage fire rose stra ight inro the air was the blinding whiteness broken . .Meanwhile under all this blanket of snow slept mice, hedgehogs, li1.ards and all the dormant animals of the area, oblh·ious of snow, cold and sunshine, blissfully sleeping on till they, at the first signs of spring, would waken and gaily go about their business, glad that the snow and winter were past.

GEORGE P. GRA.HA" (THu).

School Su/1011

49

Literary and Debating Society ,\t the ,\nnual Gcner,11 \lcctin~ la~t term the following official, were elected for <t:<si1,n 1955-56: l'ruidmt, Alan K. G. Patermn; Virt-Pruidtnl, Ronald R. Robb, !>urtl ,n, Stt:ph~~1 ,\. P.icitti.

So far the S, >eiety ba, enjoyed a fairly successful term, and the membership shows a marked incrca\c over last year's , being somewhere in the region of one hundred. \!though this b b)· no means poor when one consider~ the number of other societies .,nd club,, which hold their meetings on I'ridays, ncvt:rthelc • it leaYes much t<, he desired. ·1 has year the Society ha, endeavoured tO develop the "litcrnry " side of 11s activ1ucs, giving less pmmancncc to debates, and increasing the number of talks.

This, 11 is hn['<:<l, will prove more acceptable to the younger members, many of u·hom arc a }Cl ,hy of partic1p:ltlng tn debate,.

The term's meeting, began in the (by now) almost customary manner with a Hat ,11.ht. "School lunches :uc the ruin of even the stron~est palate", "A bachelor bold and free is to he preferred to a married man with all his burdens ", "School uniform is outmoded and outdated", and "Hill-walking and climbing arc the irrcspon,il,le actions of foolhardy youth", were among the ~ubjccts selected and were on the whole dealt "ith in a lighthcarted .u1d frivolous manner by 1fc~,rs.

Robb, Smith, Scuritic, and \ 1cca, respectively, with additional comment from \lc<srs. Sicol, Rennie, and Garvie.

Our hrst debate took place on 30 September on the motion "That AntiSemitism is a breach in Christian principles".

For the affirmative we had Messrs.

Vicc.-iand Christie, opposed by .\lcssrs. \1acPherson and DO\'erty . 1'01 unnaturally perhaps, the debate prO\t!d one-sided and, despite a gallant attempt by .\lr .

•\lacPhcrson, the motion was carried almost unanimously Probably the liveliest< ,four debate,; took place on 7 October, in the form of a \ ltddlc School Debate on the motion "That all spom involving danger to life and limb should be abolished".

The subject was treated reasonably seriously, by .\lr. Cunningham and \lr. Gallic for the affirmative, and :',fr. Smith and :1ir.

Rennie for the negative. Sparks began to fly in the Open Debate, however, when :',lr. Rennie'• figure came under criticism, but once the uproar had ceased, some good ,en,e wa, ,pokcn, emanating chiefly from Me,srs. Ford, Sinclair, Cunntn~ham, and Smith . Rugh), Le Mans and the Grand National seemed to be the mam points of argumrnt, and the speaking, while perhaps not of a very high standard, certainly shO\n:d enthusiasm. The mvllvn was defc:ated by an overwhelming majority.

The following Frid:t)' found us at Robert Gordon's College for the session's first inter-school debate. The subject 111 question was" That betting and gambling arc evils and should be banned". \ lr. Paterson (Grammar) and Mr. Donald (Gordon's) mok a stand for the affinnauvc, while the opposition was led by \ l r.

Key (Gordon's) and :!'.Jr. Robb (Grammar). There was an attendance of about sixty. Mr. Paterson, in a speech lasting fifteen minutes, said little in effect, and only saved the day hy producmg an abundance of Statistics t() which \lr. Key, who maintained " Gambling i, a definite ,tone in the wall of ,ociery ", could make no answer. The mo1ion was carried by thirty-seven votes to fifteen. i\l r. Vicca then gave the vou: t,f thanks , ,n behalf of Grammar.

Our next ml'Cting "~ held jointly with the Dramatic Society on \londay, 17 Ocwber, and took the fonn of a talk by .\lr. Tom .\fordoch on "The Idea of Repertory''. .\ well known figure in north-<:ast dramaucs, Mr. 11urdoch soon made it obv10u, tbat he " knew what he was talking about" and easily held the attention of his audience throughout a most interesting talk. The vote of thanks was given b> \lr. Pacitti.

On account of the mid,tcrm holiday there was no further meeung until 4 November, when another talk was given, this time by our own ~lr. Norris. IIJustNted as it was by records, and by vocal and piano renderinj.,'li by \lr. Norris himself, the talk, on "Dte Hedcrmaus" by Johann Strauss, cou ld hardly have failed to interest, and indeed to delight, the audience. \lr, Norris was thanked on behalf of the Society by the \'ice-President, \lr. Robb.

Aberdeen Gra,mnar School ,fagaz.ine A debate was held the following week on the motion " That pre-twentieth century srudy occupies too important a place in our education". The speakers were: affirmative, .\tr. Forbes and Mr. Bremner; ncgati\•e, .\lr. Hell and .\fr.

W'atson. All four prO\ ided much food for choughc and, after a hotly disputcJ open dchatc, the motion was carried br only seventeen \"Otes LO fifteen.

On Tuesday, 15 November, the Society were the guests of Sr. \largaret's School for Girls, debating rhc motion " 1bat this House hclien:s in the censorship ,,f films". The debate wa, amusing, if nothing else, with \1iss \fcBain and Mr. Middleton for the aflirmative expounding vehemently on horror comics, Disney cartoons, mghtmarcs and sordid sensuality. I'or tbe ncgati\"C we heard .\fr.

Hunter and .\liss Skea, the former being somewhat taken up with " Injustice to the \',;-cJfareStace ''. The motion received the support of almost the entire ! louse.

On the whole, then, c~erc is little t0 complam of, the term's activities being, if anything, more succe,~ful chan expected; for this we are, as ever, sincerely grateful to the Fnglish struf, and especially to our Honorary President, Mr. Brown, who, with his timely advice and help, has ensured char everything has run smoothly.

STEPIIE.-.., A. PACITTI, Sur,tary.

Scripture Union The Scripture Union attendances this term have been moderate, although ther leave much to be de,Lred. 1bcre has been a variety of interesting speakers, among whom was a young missionary from Egypt, .\lr. Alan G. E. East.

The inter-school Bible Quiz has provided much interest, and both the teams which have competed so far have done quite wcU. \X e hope to have, with tbe aid of Dr. ~IaeAndrcw and :\[r. Miller, a big rccruiung dnve before Christmas, ~o that we may start tbe new year with vigour and Wl[h many new members.

Jons G. CHRISTIE,

St<rttary.

Dramatic Society Last year, the Society's annual production had to be postponed until \farch.

The reason for this was the o\"eml er influenza epidemic. J iowevcr, such was the success of rhe arrangement that, this year, it bas been decided to hold the production in late !'lforch.

The play that ha, been cbo,cn is "The Criuc" by Sheridan. It 1s an excellent choice as it 1, suitable for an audience of boys, and also has a large enough cast to enable all membt:rs of the Society to make an appearance on the stage.

Our < nc regret 1s that \1r. isbec has decided to leave us. The mantle of producer has fallen on the able shoulders of \lr. King, who, however, seems already to have become aware of our weaknesses, for, although the performances arc a long way off yet, we have been ordered long 'ere now," Learn those lines".

RONALD ROBB, St&rlfary.

Music The chief voluntary musical activities of the School, the Sc01or and Junior Choirs, an<l the Orchestra, ha,·c lx:cn busy with their annual reorganization. lt LS not always easy to till the places of the boys who have left; Buyers, Lees, an<l David Milne arc sorcl>• missed lrom the Orchestra for mstancc, but fortunately we ha\"e so far been able to maintain a fairly full body of players-ten violms, three viola~, six cellos, two double b,1sses, No flutes (thanks to ai<l from Amenca in the person of Da\ 1<l 1.t:cpcr), one oboe (, cry young and promisinp:), thr<:c clarinets, one bassoon, two each of horns, trumpets, trombones, and rimpa01. Their activities this term have been devoted main!)' to Bizet, Schubert, an<l Hay<ln, whose bones may have surred uneasily ac times, buc whose memory the players hope eventually to honour.

S,hooi Sec/ton

p

Recruitment to the Senior School Choir has been very good in the case of first and second year boys, not so good from the Upper School. One often wonders how many embryo Giglis and Taubers, not to say Crmbys and Sinatms, lie hidden and decaying within the manly chests of Upper I'our, Five, and Six! It is surprising how good a q uite ordinary voice may become given plenty of use in the right way.

The Lower School Choir and Recorder Groups continue to flourish. and their efforts will shortly be devoted co the annual carol-singing.

With almost fifty boy, lcam in$ orchestral instruments a band of steady Scottish Orchestra supporters and critics-and a party of eighty visiting the Lyric's ·• Die Fledermaus" (alias " Pink Champagne") at H ..\1. Theatre tn Xovember, ooc can fairly state that there is a healthy interest in music in the School. \YI. N.

Film Society At the first general mec11ng of che Society the following officials were clccced or the year 1955-56: Pruidml, D. R. Nicol; Secretary, A. K. G. Paterson, and Trtamrtr, ). G. Christie. A representative committee was drawn from the members pre-.ent.

Despite unforeseen difficulties in booking lilms, the Film Society ts once again established as a major school society. That it maintains its popularity is easily seen by its present membership of 195.

At the first meeting, held in the School hall on 21 October, an audience of some 200 enjoyed two widely differin~ films: "The ~avigator", a silent film, with Buster Keaton, and "Le Grand Melies ", a finely made biography of one of the first artists in the making of the celluloid film. The perfection of the extracts from his few remaining works was a humble reminder of those early days of the moving picture. A well-attended discussion afcer the show was marked by some lively and construcci, e criticism hy the younger members of the Society.

The Exhibition on 9 December will include " Conquest of Everest " and "Ai Ye", a South American lilm of a journey up a tropical waterway -bo th in colour.

Our sincere thanks are due to ~[r. Hemingway for pro'<'iding the necessary dri'<'e behind the Society, co Mr. Baxter for his competent handling of the projector and other technicalities, to ~fr. Atkinson and Mr. \\ill for their line poster. and active interest in the discussion group, and, of course, to the Education Committee for the use of the School hall. .Al.AN K. G. P,-TFRSON, ltfrtlary.

Arts Club The Arts Club has carried on this cerm wtth a membership of forty, most of whom are boys of the Middle School. What with the intervention of the autumn and mid-term holidays and the Film Society meetings, we have not had ttme co complete all our proJeecs. However, various activities are now wdl under way, the most ambitious of which, I think, is che mass production of glo,•e puppe ts by some of the younger members . There is, of course, the usual array of pictures in various mediums, and several models.

The new Craft Room, which has now reached an advanced stage of construction, "·ill be a great asset co the entire schoo l but particularly co the Arts Club, for upon its completion, perhaps at Xmas, doubcless many of our activities will be centred there.

As always, our sincere thanks are extended to the Art Scaff for their unsparing efforts in making our Priday evenings both pleasant and profitable. )-'MES F. FOOTE, Se.rtlary.

j2

Aberdem Gra11/f11t1r School Magaz.ine

Lower School With the roll standing at 334 this is the smallest complement of pupils we have had in the Lower School for several , cars, the main reason for this being that nu boys may be accepted for entry into the School except at the a1se of five. The Transfer Lxaminations as usual took place in ~ovcmber an<l Deceml->crand seventyeight boys sat them while their more fortunate jun10r companions rc\'dlcd in two mornings of freedom from school.

Con,equcnt upon the departure of '.liss Adam, "e welcomed \ltss Hilda 2\1.

Chapman at the beginning of this term as a new member of staff, and hope that she may find sa11Sfaetionand pleasure in this, her first teachinir post.

Our monimrs this session arc Leslie r. Donald (He.td), Gcor~c :\I. V. Dier, and Ian A. Glcndinning of P. \ II A, 1'igel '.[urray, George\\. :-,;icol,and Dou;(las W. T. Paul of P. \'II B, Ian D. \kNay and Samuel\\. Pope of P. \l A, and Robin A. Craig and Kenneth J. Thomson of P. YI B. These young men have been carrying out their ducics with traditional efficiency and enthusiasm - bathing cuts and bruises, " bookinp:" latecomers, and disciplining any too uproarious elements on stair and m corridor.

This session another nx,m in the Lower School has been commandeered for use by the Mathematics Department, both the Primary III classes being housed in the Kindergarten building, so now the corridor which once ech1,cd the chant of multiplication tables resoun<ls to learned di,serracions on square roots and logarithms. Let us hope that this is not the writing on the wall indK~1tini,: the shape of things co come!

Spurred on by the enthusiasm of Mr. Norris, the Lower School choir hoys continue to make good hcru.lway at their weekly practices and we look forward to hearing them perform in Hall before the Christmas break.

As ever, Sport plays an important part in the life of the Lower School. \\ ich the open winter P. VJI boys have had a satisfaccory introduction to rugger and have had numerous Saturday morning practice games, which ha,c, even at this early stage, done much to improve the standard of play. Thanks here arc clue co .\lr.

Seller and '.fr. Anderson for acting as referees on those t>Ccasions. :\fr. \lackinnon has also been no kss busv with the P. \'II sc>Ccerteam who ha,·e already one win of 3-0 to their credit again~t \'v'alkcr Road Primary School. Further fixtures ha,•e yet to be played. The enthusiasm of our boys for swimming shows no sign of waning, there being more applicants for swimming ins1ruc1i0n than there arc places in the classe•.

J. D. \L

Hou se

otes

Byron At the beginning of tenn the following officials w c1~ elected: 11 ,11.rt C.aptam, Alan K. G. Paterson; Vice-Captain, Jlugh \X'. L. 'lh, m,is, R,,g/9• Captam, Hugh W. L. Thomas; Vire-Captain, Alan 1'.. G. Paterson; \1ri111111in!!, Captain, Tom Houghton; Vitt-Capta111,Barton Brow·n: I/, .. h,· Captain, Sincl.1ir T. h,rhc,; I ' 1"Capla1i1, I. Stephen. \Ve congratulate thun all on their appo1ntmcn1, .111d also Thomas on hb appointment to captain c,f the 1st X\'.

After a gratifying performance lase year, being runner-up to \lclvin in the School Sports, winner of the Rugby Cup, and of the Swimming Gala, the Hou~e, I am sure, can look forward to another succe, ful period m sporting activities. ln che fi.r.t House match the team vanquished a redoubtable Dun sidL m a clo,clr c<,ntested game. Lnder the capable leadership of H. Thomas, the forwards matched up well against the Dun pack, while the threes always proYnl a danger in their attack. The final score was 9 points 10 6. ficlJini,: , inually the same team as last year, I sec no reason why we should not reta in the coveted trophy. The Junior Rugby team under the captainc\' of A. Clark, has a large nulT'b.:r .,f \finor players, whose lack of weight and experience is tcll111g a,6,ainst them. l\nt \'c,ir, however, promises well.

School Section

H

The record of the hockey team is played rwo, lo,;t one (co :\felvin), and dr2wn one (with Dun). They ha,e produced a surprisinglv good XI from a limited ii:roup of plaler.,. \\ ah a large number l>f keen aml cttieient sw11nmers in ii c lower years of the School, and a good percentage of skilled swimmers in the Upper Schoo l, I entcna,n high hopes of Tom H oughton leading the House to another ~• ,ocl perfom1:mcc m the Gala.

Over-opnmi,m can be dc:,,cribcd as ra h, but I feel ju,tilied in the confident w"hcs I have expressed, and l hope that e,cry member of the Huu,;c will do his utmo,c ro maintain tl,e achieH:mcnts of the past year.

At'"' K. G. P\TFR.SOS, H~rt Capl,1111,

Dun The session opened with the election of chc followm • officials: Iloust Capla111, Dunalcl R. :--,col; Vi,1-Capla111, Alan \'f n~ht; RJ1xby (aplam, Dvnald R. ]:\;icol; Alan \\right; Ilo.hy Cap1a111, ~tephcn A. Pacitti; Vit1-Captam, ViuCapla111 J,1me, D. Dow; S11:i111111i11gCaplai11, Alan Hamilton; l 'iu-Cap lai11, J. Kelly; Junior lv,gby Caplai11, Charles Michie.

The Huu,c f!arnCS of mid-September brought a narrow and unlucky defeat to our rugby tc.un by Byron. The hockey ccan, won one of its !?3ffiCS and drew the other. The junior rugby team won its game. :\luch hope of success is entertained for future llom,<' games.

The Sch, • ,I Swimming Gala is awaited with eagerness by the: Houses many c.-nthu,iascicsw muncr,;.

Keith At a mcctmj! held at the beginning of the term, the following officials were appointed: 11mm Capla,n, Graeme F. Bryce; Vi<t-Cap1ai11, Philip Barron; Ru~by ( nplain, I. C. S. :\l1ch,c, T'irt-Cap loin, II. A. I 'orbcs; .h1-i1,m1i11J ( ,ptt1m, \ldnllc I•.\\ atson; I ·,,t-Capluin, J.C. S. :\ltchie; l!O('/ely Caplarn, D. ::--.:c,,, t 'i,t-Cap10111, G. \1orrice. \\ e were unfortunate to be beaten into chirJ place in the Annual Sports, despite such a fine effort on the pare of the relay teams.

Our prospects in rugby arc good after our win against :\!chin Hou,c earlier 1n the term, and, with a lmlc luck, we can win the Rugby Trophy, which has c,-adcd us so often.

Due to lack of plaw", the hockey team does not shov. much promise thi, )'l'ar, but we hope that this· " ill be offset by o ur performance rn the Annual Swimming Gala.

GRAE\IF:

r. BRYCE, Ilo11.ft Caplai11.

Melvin At a Jloui>e meet ini.: held earlier this term the following were elected as officials: l{,11.st Caplom, \\alter S. Robb; i ·ict-Cap lam, Douglas Simpson; R,,;.,ry Captain, \\ .tlter S. Robb; i ·,a-Cap1a1n, Douglas Simpson; H,xkey Captam , John G. Chris11e; Vut-Caplam, John G. Bell; 'i•m1111ing Caplain, Douglas S1mp on; . .

1 ·u1-Caplai11, 1':cnneth .\lcLco<l.

In tbe .Annual Athletic Sports last term, the House was very successful, wmnmg the Achlecic Tro phy.

Three inJi, iJuals arc to be congrarulate d on their solo successes: \\', Rob~, on winning the Senior Championshif; N. Somerville, who swept the board m Group 4; and I. Coum , champion o Group 5.

5o far only one inter-llouse rugby match has been played. This was against Kc,ch, and w.: were unlucky to lo-e hy s1,c points t? three.

1 he hockcv tl-;,tm ap1x-.u-s to be dotng well, havm1,; won both its matches.

The next iinportant ,porting event on the calendar is the Swimming Gala, _and it is to be hoped that a strong rcpre~entation of swimmers will ensure .\lclvm a high placing in the final «11ult. \\ At,1 T'.R

ROBB, Hn1111 Capla,,,,

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaz/ne

Combined Cadet Force This session has brought in an encouragingly large band of recruits, with the result that our strenitth is maintained e,·cn a little fun her above last }car's total. \\ e haYe now 62 in the Basic Section, 43 in the Arm\ Section and 27 in the R.A.F. Section . \\'ich such increasing numbers our aim must be more than en:r to make our Contingent self-sufficient in training.

We hope to continue to produce '-1.C.O.s who arc capable of leading and instructing the younger boys. \X'e welcome back this term to his duties as O.C., R.A.F. Secnun, 1•1.-Lc. Watt.

Although his accident has left him medically unfit co carry ouc any glidin1at mstruc cion, be is leadin~ his section with his usual conscientious efficienq.

The senior 1'..C.O.s of Armv and R.A.F. rcspcctivclv are C.S.:\I. Donald Nicol and FI.-Sgt. William G. Glennie, while Sgt. Douglas Di,w is actin~ as C.Q.:\1.S. At our Annual Inspection in June, the l nspccnng Officer, Air Vice-.\larshal P. D. Cracrofr, C.B., A.P.C., gave us a good report. The militarr authorit ies express the usual recommendanon that we should ha,·c a miniature range of our own, but no hint as co "'here it is to come from.

Army and Basic Sections Last session's Cert. " A " results, although they fell short of the ideal of 100 per cent. pass, were quite creditable when compared with other contingents' aduenmcnts am! especial!) when it is considered ho\\ much now bas to be crowded into a hmited number c,f training parades, The Annual Camp, which was held at Fore George in the first week of Jui), "a,, en1oycd by all. \\e had the use of an extensive training area, where we carried our a \'arict} , ,f exercises; and e\'en if the " Reconnaissance Patrol'' did turn into a platoon attack, all concerned enjoyed cra,ding through the undergrowth and firing off blanks.

Trainin~ fr,r Cert. " A" (Parts l and 11) is now progressing well, with the addition of a post-cen." .\" course at\\ onlmanhill Barracks attended by N.C.O.s not required to instruct in School each week. I rom the regular army we have so far received the expert assistance of R.S. \l. Young (Aberdeen University 0.'f.C.) and Sgt. Kvrwch (4i7 Gorduns). f !owner, they have so many commitments themselves that we nc\'er know when we shall ha, c to forgo their help.

Some time soon, all ( adets "·ill shoot the annual musketry course, part of it possibh- at the next annual camp, which is likely to be held during the Easter holidavs. \. R.

R.A.F. Section

This years summer camp, which was held at R.A.F. College, Cran"·cll, was one ,,f the best ,,fits kind. On the second day, the 400 C.C.F. cadets of ahout twentv different sch, nls throui:,hout Britain were' .tlluwed tn spcctate at the passing-ou·t p.trade ,,f 1'.n. 6i Entry of officer cadets, which was inspected by Prince Bernhard of the 1'.etherlands. This impressi,·c display was followed by a series of vcr> interestinf,.' lectures on such subjects as meteorology, aerodynamics, thermodvnamics, "ar studies, navigation, engine,, and h>·draulic,. These talks, which were gl\ en <>\l'r the period of ten days, were interspersed with, approximateh · two houn, fl)ing per cadet; a trip in an _\1r-Sca rL"<.CUc launch from l~"ron, out into the \\ash; some targ-ct practice on the ''103 range at which Cdt. Fowlie scored sufficient points to qualifr as a marksman; swimming at the station pond where the majority of our cadets qualified for the proficicnq certificate; and an afternoon of competitive spores in the Stadium marked the end of our stay at Cran":ell. ,\t the latter e,·ent, the squadron in which the school was represented came in second, one point behind the winner.

As for our normal training, the results of last year's July exams. were, fi\'c passes for the advanced proficiency certifica te and nine passes f<ir the proficicnc)' certificate.

Training continues again this year, the numbers being eight and fifteen respectively.

Part of the instruccional work has been undertaken hv 1hc senior N.C.O.s of the c.ect1nn.

School Section In connection with extra training outside school, we must congratulate Sgt. McPherson on gaining his "B" gliding cenificate, thus putting the tota l number of glider pilots from the section up to eight. ln conclusion, the R.A.F. section takes this opportunity of expressing it;, gratitude to the commanding officer and all the members of the l nivcrsit} Air Squadron for the week ly flights which arc so gen~rnusly prmidnl for Grammar School cadets. Their ttme is precious and this prt\ ilq:?c, \\ hich ha, mtroduced not a few of the section to flying for the firsr time, i, mo,t highlr appreciated. \\ m. G . Gr F..'-"'tF , Flt. -Jgt.

Pipes an d Drums There is a record enrolment this session, 12 for the beginner, chamer-da:.:., and tl for the beginners' drumming class, held on Fridays at 6.30 p.m.. As during last year, drumming tuition is being conducted by 1\l r. H. W. J. Jmper, and we have had the expert services of Mr. K. L. Melvin as piping instructor on Mondays and Fridays.

There are this yc.1.r fhe experienced band pipers, wllh two more who ha,·e recently started playing the pipes.

The full corps of drummers returns, with the exception of rhe bass drummer and the drum major, the latter 's duties being taken over this yc.:ar by Alan Porter.

Grateful thanks arc due to J\lr. \lcLeod, who is showing a keen interest in the band, and is managing ics business affairs with great efficiency.

Do~uo R. "-u.01, Pi~ ,lt0J1Jr·.

Scout s 9th Troop The Troop continues ro flourish under the able k,tdership of bn O,;car Brown assisted by Harry \facPhillips.

Andre\\· L1.11c and Alan Stephen have rcccmlv been promoted to P.L.s, while Andre,\ \\.arrcn h:is l>c:come an .\.S.~L The Pack is as acti,e and prosperous as ever unde r the gui<lin).( hand of Cubmaster .\liss Hazel Lamb aided by \liss \X cn<ly \\ ood-with re/.!ular , isirs from certain senior scouts who have now found a new interest in helping with the Cubs. \

5L\tltl!R

( . \\IP

H

\J 1.0:\T ''

For their summ<r camp this year the Troop went to a site on Loch Carron near Plockt on and not far from the Kyle of Locbah h. The camp was a great success due in no small measure to the wonderful weather which favoured us during the whole of our stay. But this was a camp with a difference, for the troop hired and had at its daily disposal a 60-foot diesel-engined ring-net fishing hoar, complete with crew of skipper and engineer ; and so su irabh·-situatcd was the camp sire on rhc Duart Penin sula rhar the fishing boat was ahfe 10 lie-off, and take the boys aboard by small boat.

Patrols (usually two at a time) were taken on trips of exploration all over Loch Carron and the lnncr Sound, and ,isitcd such beauty spots as Loch Duich and the Kyle, and even Gairloch, a three-hours trip to rhe North; in addition they were also able to explore such intriguing and off-the-beaten-track places as Applecross, Kishom, Pabay, Raa,ay, and the uninhabited Crowlin hlands; and they were either left at these places for a day or else left o,ernight amply provided with tent and food.

A highly successful sea-borne "commando raid " was carried out on two patrols in temporary camp at Kishorn by a group of "commandos", complete with blackened faces, led by "General MacPhillips " . Jn the ensuing battle the commandos were completely victorious and returned home with out loss.

Rather a stir was caused by the troop's marching into the Plockton kirk co the rousing strains of the pipes-on che VCI) dav "·hen the Free Church was holding Communion I

Abmiun Grammar S,hcol Magaz_ine \

Rl!LORU

BRll\Kl;s;G

I AIP.

m the On Saturday, 19 ,o,·ernber, the Troop held its tri-annual I'air, thi, 1imc many h) :\lu<1c J Jail. .\ tremendous amount c f prcparatnry work had been done cvcnmg the "f the parent< beforehand, and the I air .,. a, a ~r<-at success. Jn the a grc.11 Scouts themselves put on a Concert 111 the School I lall, ,tnd it wa< likewise I lislop• success. A feature of particular interest w.1s the revival of the Archie Scour Opera" (la I d0nc, 11 1, hclic,·cd, in 1932). 1t had been Robbie :\lilne havin~ modernized slighrly hy Iain Lsslcmom, and ....c were very fortunate inDr. Jack Robbie .\lilne to help lum in the producuon; for1una1e, 100, in ha, ing \'\ atson to act a accompani$r . su111.

Jn all the Y-air and Concert brought in nvcr ,Cioo-a thoroughly au f>mi:: A. I. G. Dwmso", I"\.\/.

u

( ·o 1'01cs 'llcrc rc::ccl\cd f11,111 the 1<101 1hc 17th Troops.

t D.j

School Sporting Activitie s Rug by School 'I his season "as thou!):ht 10 be o 1c 111 "hich the n1ghy fortunes of the to 'llould be rnlHd. This has hc~-n ach:ned in some measure:, the tv.o defeats , date being by 6 poims 1<> 3 and 9 poims co 8. The ream is well equipped physically ether m hut there ha, c hc.:c.:n disappointments in that the f<'r'll"1rd play poorly to of the 1hc loo e, and cmer defence is alrno I negligible. h,r,unatcly the tacklmg have 1hrce-quarkrs and their general defence have been excellent, although they is good, a1 times bc.:m p<lOr in their handling <.f 1he ball. The spirit of the teamit gets on hut then, 1s an unfortunate t~'flJency for the team 10 slacken off u hen Jt will top. h i, w the 1~-arn•s credit, houenr, that when it has lost the mitiative tight back , J!:t•r••usly and pl:iy much finer rugby. that The game at Scaficld with pur l«:.1-I rh-als was only drawn, but I am suresome and in the next 1em1, with just a liule more application tn rcuing properly litinning the thought about the g;1n1e as it should be played, 'llC shall succeed in v. return match at Ruh1slaw. their 'I he 2nd X \' is strong this )c,1r, and the: 3nl and 4th X\'s arc playing They cu tomary good rugh). Of the younger s1d~-s, 1he Colts· X Y ,s the bc,1. ha,c <(>Ille cleur yc,ung pb}ers u ho should do 'llCll JO the tM X\' 111 the lutur<·, -way ~1 r. I• I luntcr, 1h<· 1st X\' coach, left 10 take up an appoimmcnl, miJ It 1hrou~h the tenn, a, principal 1cachtcrc,f ph}~•cal educarton at Perth .Acadnny. arc well is not ncc<:sSal) for me w sa,· anything about h1, capabilities, for they personal knou:n, hut I u ould like to take this opportunity of expressing my I hould gra111ude, and that (,f the Sch, o0I, for hi many scn 1c~-s and kindne or to also like IC> thank all those IT'\<.lel'\who, cnher h}" their willingness to referee >I 10 1ra, cl m charge of t<-arns ha\lng "a'll av" fi.•uur<~, haH' enabled the Sch, n,nunuc the nn full tixture card 1· Dundee l11gh Schoc,I 2.1 Septeml~r Team: :\tckay, Sutherland, 1',ucrson, Lawnc, Brown, I orb.:,, lh,,mson, ~lunro, I Iamilt, n, Nicol, .\!1chie, Thomas, \\ right, \\ ,uson, S1mp,nn. a dis • Although th1> match wa.~ won by quite a c• mfor:able mar ·in, It uas once. c at appoi111ing aifatr. Scho«Jl went straight inm the a11ack and scored almm Ide wing 1bc An orthod ox m"Hr.icnt wich the ball tra,elling ,.,. ifdy to Bro'll non point ending in hts SC• ,ran'-' far out . 1be difficult kick u as missed. from this up the handlmg of the School three-quarter, 'llas poor, and inst~-:id, f tollowmi; inclined 1be1r ~ucccss hy kttin'° the wing three -quarters u c 1hc1r speed, the y ,cun<:dhalf,1imc sco re nt to try and burst their .,.-ay through the Dundee d<fcnce. The play was nine pt,ims lO nil, Thoma, hadng gone o,cr for a try after omc looseoffside and l"orbc.:s ha, ing kicked a pc:nal1,· after 1hc Dundee wm~-forward, were: in a . et ,crum.

School Section In the second half, after a poor start in which the forwards were not putting enough effort into their game, some feeling arose which woke up the School forwards. They then won much more of the ball and trie s were scored by Forbes, Thomas and Sutherland, Forbes converting one of them. Dund ee kicked a penalty when a School wing-forward was offside.

Result : Dundee High School, 3 pts.; School, 20 pts.

1 Oc1obt,r. i. Glasgow Academy.

There was one change m the team which beat Dundee High School. W'. Robb, who had been unavailable, came in at ccntre three-quarter in place of L-iwrie, who took over at full-back from .\lcKay. In this match, the tackling by the three-quarters of stronge r and heavier opponents was a notable feature . The backs received a good proportion of the balJ, but were unable, partly because of, at times, indifferent handling, and partly because of the speed "ith which the Glasgow backs were upon them, to create many scoring opportunities . There was no score at half-time but at the beginning of the second half, School indulged in one of its slack periods and lost a try which was scored far out on the left wing. Before School reco,ered, the Academy side were a further three points ahead as the result of a drop-goal by their stand-off half, who, ru. School's wing-forwards were not marking closely, had plenty of time in which to steady himself before kicking the goal. School then went into the attack, and after the forwards had taken the ball to the Academy line, Brown scored on the blind side from a Thomas pass. School continued the pr.-ssure, hut were unable to save the game.

Result: School, 3 pts.; Glasgow Academy, 6 pts.

8 October. v. Gordon stou n.

Team same as for match with Glasgow Academy.

The conditions for this game were wor<:e than in the two previous games, bu t, surprisingly, School's backs bandied with much more confidence than they had done before. The Gordonstoun pack were both powerful and lively, but their threequarters were apt co come up on there men raggedly.

Taking advantage of this, Paterson was able co make many openings, and h is wing man, Brown , ran strongly to score four trie s. Sutherland, on the other wing, also scored a try, and Munro, who was well co the fore in a forward rush, \\ ent over at the comer. Kone of these trtes was converted, but, just before the end, Forbes succeeded in dropp111ga goal.

Forward, the game was scrappy , but it was hoped that it wou ld give the backs some much-needed confidence in attack.

Result : School, 21 pts.; Go rdon stoun, nil.

15 October. i-. D olJar Academ)'· Team: I.awnc, Brown, Paterson, Robb, .\lontgomcry, Forbes, Thomson, Munro, Hamilt on, Kicol, \fichie, Thomas, Wright, Simpson, Watson.

Mont!(omcry came into the team at wing three-quarter in place of Sutherland, who had left School.

School made a good start 10 this game with their forwards asserting themselves \\ ell. Robb scored an excellent individualist try. The try was converted, and with a lead of 5 points School should ha,·c gone out for the kilJ. Instead, however, School slackened off, but at half-time were stilJ leading by 5 points to 3, Stalker, the Dollar captain and full-back, having kicked a fine penalty goal. The game should have been well won before half-time. Far from having done this, Schoo l plarcd on listlc,;sly at the be!(inning of the second half and proceeded to gi,·e away a series of silly penalties. Stalker kicked two magnificent forty-rard penalties with the heavy, greasy ball. School then staged a belated comeback. The forwards took the ball the length of the field, and, following pressure on the D ollar line, .\lichie went over for a try, which was, however, disallowed. Soon afterwards Forbes kicked an easy pcnalrr, but there was no more scoring before t.he end.

The tackling of the backs throughout had been very !!ood, but School did not desen e to win after their slack period and stupid offcnc~s.

Result: School, 8 pts.; D ollar Academy, 9 ptS.

Abmken Graf!lf11ar School Magazine !',."ovcmber. , . Robert Gordon'• College.

Team: Lawrie, Brown, Pace.-.;on, Robb, ,.\lontgomery, Forbes, Thom son, J lamilton, ;\lunro, l\.1col, \lichie, Thomas, \X'righr, Simpson, Kennaway.

School won the toss and elected to play uphill on the heavy ground. From 1he kick-off Gordons went straight into attack and pinned School back on their own goal-line. The defence was sound, however, an<l, shortly after, they managed 10 break away; a movement in which the ball went swiftly t0 the wing ended in Brown racing past hi, opposite man to ,core ,1 good try in a fairly easy position for the kick. Forlx.'S mi,sed it, and play moved from ~nd tu end of che field. The tactic, of both sets of backs were m kick almost :b soon as they gained posse»ion, .md this causc<l play to move n,ry quickly from s1de to side of rhc field. f'orlx made good use of rhc long diagonal kick towards couch, which often had rhe opposition full-back in trouble. Cordons, on the other hand, employed rhe high kirk up the centre of the field, which gave Lawrie, who was having an cxcdlcm game, a compara1i,·cly easy task to clear his lines. During a penod of Gordons pressure, Gray, 1heir scrum-half, gathered rhe ball from a loose scrum and exposed School's lack of cover defence by running round the scrum and touching down near rhc post•. The try was not converted and there was no further ,coring in rhc game, a feature of which was the good tackling of both sides.

Result: Robert Gordon's College, 3 pts.; Schoo l, 3 pts.

12 '\ovembcr. ,•. ,\hhcy School.

Team same as for Gordon's \larch.

J"h1s game is perhaps the mo,t d1sappoinung in \\ h1ch School have taken part 1h1s ,cason. Although enjoying an a<lvantagc in height and weight there was l1ttle to commenc.l in the play of rhe forwards, who, for long periods, were beaten 111 line-out and loose by a pack of forwards who realized that they had to play 10gether to be effective. School won nearly all the ball in the set scrnms throughout the game, but otherwise failed in the task of winning the ball for the three-quarters.

The backs also had a poor game, inclining 10 bunch together roo much, and running across the field. The link between scrum-half and stand-off was poor hccausc f'orbcs stood too far awav from Thomson, whose scn-ice suffered from his being asked for ttx> great a length. Another disturbing fearurc of the game was the failure of the three-quarters 10 employ the obvious answer to oppo,irion which was coming up on them quickly, rhc high kick-ahead. Schoo ls points were scored

by Brown 1 1n: f'orbes-1 try, 1 conversion; Thomas-I try; Kcnnaway - 2 penalties, "-.icol-1 try; Ro~b--t try.

Abbey Sch, ol scored 6 points by a try far out and a drop-goal hy their srand-ofl, the School back row hcing at fault in each case.

Result School, 23 pts.; Abbey School, 6 pts.

I ll'Gn \\,. L. T110,1As, Coplom.

Hockey J'hi~ i, proving to be one of rhe most successful seasons in the history of C.rammar School hockey, and it is all the more noteworthy when it is remembered that ,e,·en of last 1c,1r's excellent 1c.1m arc no lonj!er with us. The regular team is as follow,: St.:phcn; Christie anc.l I3cll, \\cbster or .\forricc, Bremner, and Forbes; Hav, Paciui, Burr, Philip anc.l Dow. The 1can1 is most capably captained by Stephen Pacitti, aided and abe11cd hv Sinclair Forll\:s a, Yice-captain. Team play is the keynote and individuali,m fs largeh· submern:cd to the infinite advantage of the whole team. '!be combined wing play of Pacmi and flay is outstanding and, linked with the drive and powerful shot of Burr, .11 centre, 1s crea1ing havoc in the opposing defences. Jn defence Bremne r is proving himself to be rhe most improved player in the team and is a bulwark at centre half; young players shoul d watch carefully his excellent reverse stick play and attempt 10 copy it. Another consistent and dependable defence man 1s Chri,ric, whose powerful clearances and covering up arc a l,!reat asset to rhe ream.

School Section The 2.0d X I arc performing very creditably under the captaincy of Lcmt- Their bcl.t pctfonnance was probably against the !'Cnior team Richmond, to whom they lost only 5-6 after a hard struggle. They have certainly proved too strong for their counterparts in" the other place" with two easy victories 4-0 an<l 6-o to their credit. Lack of speed is the main weakness in the team and no one can hope to he a lir.;c class hockey player without speed and sound ,tick-work. This was brought home to them when a Mron11: University XI taught a k-s,on and handed out a 9-0 defeat to our disconsolate lads.

There are, however, some very promising players in the lcllln and, in time, the) ,houl<l make the grade. There is Buxton, who perfonn, heroics in goal; i:~s, who is a very steady and hard hiuing back; Dutton, whose emhusi.1,m and fitnc,s could be copied by many other players; Legg, who has excellent ,tick-work; and i\lclntosh, who can beal his opponent in the space of the provcrbi, tl sixpence, hut forgets wha t to do ruler that 11 Probably the most promis ing player of all is John Drummond, who had the misfortune to break his leg, in a simple accident, during practice. H is play at right half in the md XI was of grc:it merit and we all wi,h him n speed> and comp lete recovery. Regular md XI players arc: Buxwn, N~~•.

Stuart, Dutton, \\cb:.tcr or Morrice, Bruce, Pirie, Robenson, Lyall, Legg, ,md \lclmosh.

There has been regular Saturday morning play for Colts and IVth year players, and for that we arc greatly indebted to a new member of the :.\Jathematics staff, ,\Jr. L. Grant, who bas proved a tremendous asset to the ,cction, with his enthu,iasm and skill. He has a flair for coaching and, as a regular member of the Centralians hockey team, he has the practical knowle<l~e as well.

Cla.,;s IY arc rather low in numerical strength and an 8-2 defeat by Gordunstoun Juniors would seem to indicate a scarciry of good hockey material. Thi, i, not entirely true, however, as is shown by the fact that Hay is in the 1sc X I while Buxton, Robertson and Drummond (befo re his accident) arc in the 2nd XI. Other promising players are Phillipson, Morgan, and Reid.

The Colts are stronger this year, both numerically and in playing calibre, than they have been for several years. They have had two \'Cry good victories over Ruthricston Schoo l, 3-2 and 5-2; whi le Gordonstoun Cults were humblcJ hy two goals to one. The latter victory is our fin.t over Gordonscoun Colts since 1952.

Among the promising players are Smith in goal; Walker at centre half; Lyon, an inside forward; and hrguson at half back; while IllUTipton and •\dlllTis fonn a good righ t wing.

The fact that both l \'th Year and Colts are getting more match practice should he reflected in improved suck-work in years to come. \\ e arc specially indebted to Mr. Park for perfonning his ball paimin • duties so expeditiously; with the expansion of Saturday playing, he is willing to reward handsomely any boy who can devise a machine which will make his work less arduous. It is also wht pcred that :\tr. Park's performances in goal at Rubislaw ha,·e made tt certain that hts appearance as the "Old Crocks" goalkeeper in th<: annual Xmas match is as ure<l.

J St XI College: Score 1 -1.

The march with the "auld enemy" resolved itself into a ding-dong battle, which left little scope for studied play. College drew first blood but School equalized soon afterwards with a penalty goal scored by Burr. School had rather more of the play in the second half hut there was no further scorinir 11. Gordon's

,,. Ruthr1cston. Score 2-3.

Philip broke away early to score. Ruthneston pressed hard but the School defence stood firm with Stephen being especially prominent with some go<>d saves.

Half ume, 1-0 School forwards played attractive hockey and rcpcatc<llr took the initiative.

Then, midway through this half, intense pressure by Ruthrieston found gaps in the School defence and 3 goals were yielded. School recovered and McIntosh reduced the leeway but they were unable to equalize. This was a very good performance by School.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaz.i"e

60 11. Ruthrieston:

Score 1-4.

School did not play nearly so well as last week and honours on this occasion were with the defence amongst whom Christie and Bremner played well. Scorer: Burr.

11. II.M.S.

Fulmar "A": Score 8-1.

Scintillating forward play in the first half paved the way to a fine \'ictory over fulmar "A". The latter scored first but with fine combined play School quickly went into a ~-1 intern! lead. Play fell away in the second half, but the boys added 3 more goals for a decisive 8-1 victory. Outstanding forwards were Pacini and Hay, while in defence only Bremner played to form. Scorers: Pacitti 3, Burr 2, Philip 2, Dow 1.

11. Gordonians

"A": Score 7-1.

Against Gordonians " A " School forwards played very line combined hockey and, receiving sound backing from wing halves Webster and I'orbes, the boys led 4-0 at half time. In the end they were convincing 7-1 winners.

Burr and Christie were outstanding in a good all-round team . Scorers: Burr 3, Pacitti 3, Hay 1.

Richmond: Score 3-2.

School found difficulry in settling down to their usual Rame, primarily due to the robust tackling of the Richmond defence. At one stage Richmond led 2-0 but in the second half School did most of the press mg and scored 3 goals for a hard-earned victory. Scorers: Pacitti 2 , Hay 1.

11.

Swimming At the Annual General Meeting of the Swimming Club held at the commencement of the new session, Melville Watson and Alan II. Hamilton were elected Captain and Via-Capioin respectively.

This year the number of Oub members is 178, and the largest to date, though unforrunatcly the number of seniors is only one-fifth of the total. This fact, however, may be due to many boys gaining awards from che Royal Life-Saving Society and thereby aucomatically qualifying for free season tickets. The quality of tho,e awards gained at the latest tests is as follows: twenty-eight bronze medallions, eleven bronze crosses, and four awards of merit, a very creditab le record, and one for which we arc in no small part indebted to :\1r. Allard ice. .\1r.

Allardice is at present instructing another class in the art of life-saving.

Beginners' Classes with provision for 120 boys have ai;(ain started this year, and it gives a fair picture of the enthusiasm and average skill of the boys when it can be said that 80 to 85 per cent. of the boys of the senior school arc able to swim.

In the near fururc, 30 boys are being put forward to try their fifty-yards breast stroke certi6cate .

The aim of the Club has never been to produce champions, but to encourage every boy to be an average swimmer, and to this end the tests for club proficiency bad~cs, announced in the Magaz_im of December 1954, were begun on Friday, 4 November, during the Club hour. These tests are divided into three levels: junior, intermediate, and advanced, and by them it is hoped that the standard of swimming in the School will be raised. Having gained these tests, a swimmer's next step is the Scottish Olympic Training Award, an official award given on any stroke.

This year, durin~ the Oub hour, the pond has been <o congested that senior boys have been helping to coach the younger ones .

The Annual Swimming Gala will be held in the Bon-Accord Baths on Friday, 3 February 1956.

Last, but by no means least, we are, as always, greatly indebted to Mr. J. C. Hunter for his never-ceasing efforts on the Club's behalf.

1\1.ELVILLR F. WATSON, Captain.

Former Pupils' Club Section (Club Founded

II

September 1893)

Club Office-Bearers, 1955-56 Hononuy President : JAJ,(BS J. ROBBRTSON, O.B.E., M.A., 8.0., P.R.S.E., P.E .I.S. (Rector since 1942)

Honorary Vice-Presidents : Sir hNDIU!W GoURLAT CLOW (1896-98), K.C.S.I., C.I.E. Sir PATPJCJC MHLI!T Coo,sa (1896-1901), B.A., LL.B. CRAIU.l!S DAVIDSON (1881-86), M.A. jAllBS CATTO DUFFUS (1897-1904), O.B.E., M.C., M.A., LL.B. Colonel ARCHBR lRvrNn-Foarns c us (1892-97), D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B. Sir WILSON JAMBSON (1892-1902), G.B.E., K.C.B. , M.D., LL.D., Sc.D., F.R.C P. JAUES GRAY KTD (1891-98), C.B.E., F .F.A., F.R.S.E. JOHN ADAM LrLLIB (1893- 1903), M.A., LL.B., Q.C. Sir ARTHUR LoTHIAN (1892-94 and 1898-1904), K.C.I.E., C.S.I., LL.D. The Right Hon. Lord MBSTON (1901-02).

Doucus GoRDON MrLLBR, M.A. (Rector, 1921-24.)

Sir WILLIAM PBTBRS (19()0-06), C.M.G. , M.A. WILLIAM DoucusSmPSON (1901-13), O.B.E.,M .A., D.Liu., F.S.A.(Sc o t.), F.S.A. hLBXANDBR Gl!ORGB NICOL SMITH (1880-88), D.S .O. WILLIAM CLAR.JC SoUTI!R (1893-98), M.D., D.O. Sir WILLI.AM ROBBRT TBNNANT (1904-10), C.I.E ., M.A., LL.D. Sir JoHN MACJCAT THOMSON, C.B., M.A., F.R.S.E. (Rector, 1920-21.)

Sir LANosDOR0UGH T110MSON (1899-1908), C.B. , O.B.E., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E.

President : 1-iBNRY JACKSON BUTCHAllT (1890-99), D.S .O., O.B.E., T.D., B.L ., LL.D., D.L.

Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive : JosBPH ROBERT CARRY (1918-30), M .B.E. Secretary and Treasurer : JoHN Scon MAcLACHI..AN (19:u-32) , M.A., LL.B., 220 Union Street. Aberdeen.

General Editor of Magazine : CAMPBELL U>NNON (1926-38), M.A., LL.B. 58 Dec Street, Aberdeen.

61

Aberdeen Gra,11mar School Magazine

62

:

Secrctarie1 o f

Bengal and Assam-R . H . Ducum (1918-23), C.A., c/o Duncan Brothers & Co., Ltd., p Nctaji Subhas Road, Calcutta.

E dinb u rg h-A C fRA2.BR (192j-30), M.A., W.S., 10 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh 3, Gla sgow - J. G. l\l. BIRss (1926-38), \J.C., M.A., A.C.W.A., 99 Essex Drive.

Scomoun, Glasgow W.4.

Lond on-A. I I. K. SLATER (1912-3i), M.A., 2 Newton Grove, London W.4.

M ala ya F. K. SF.LLAR (I9H·4l), B.L., ·unes Building, Malacca Street, Singapore.

Yorkshire--\'<' F OUNSETT (1919 22), B.A., C..A., Grey Gables, Old Park Road, Leeds 8. of Secti on, : Boardin g H ou se- P. M. GoRoos (1939-48), M .A., Revoan, Stauon Road, Elion.

Cricket -A. M. DAVIDSON (1937•4j) , B.L. , 18 Golden Square , Abe rdeen.

Golf- W. S. GtLCIIRIST(1929-36), B.L., 69 Barclay Street, Stonehaven.

Hocke y-\'fALTER D1cK (1944-48), 1 B •n-Aco rd Square, Abe rdeen.

Rugb y-N. I. W . Ml!'.LDRUM: (192j •37), M.A., LL.B., 1 j Golden Squar e, Abe rdeen.

Tcnni s-J. \~. How1,0N (1937-jo), 16 Carnegie Crescent, Aberdeen.

Execu tive Committee : The Vice-Preside nt of the Club, Chair111a11.

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

The Secretary and Treasurer, and General Editor of Magazine, t x oflinu.

The Rector of the School, ex oj/i'1o,

c.

GEORGB E. BARTON (1923-26), M.A. E11.1c BUTHI.AY , 1928-40), B.L. W1LLIAM L. Coi-;NON (1930-40), B.L. :.\[AURJCECRA~IB (1916-29), M.A., LL.B. ROBERT L. CROMAR (1944-49).

E RIC II. CRUICKSHANK (1940-49), B.Sc. DoucLAS G. DEMPSTFR (192.4-33), B.Sc., B.Sc.(Agri.).

GILBERT F. HAMILTON (1921-30), B.Sc., l\1.B., Ch.B .

IAN G. MCPHBRSON (1910-17).

DOUGLAS G. PATTIRSON (1929-36), B.L. ALAN J. PETERS (192.0-,0), C.A. W. \~ ALLAC1! PORTER (191j-2.3).

JAMES REID (1924-34).

HAROLD M. R. WATT (192.6-38), M.A. 0

Sttl!On &pre1tnlalivt.1

lhzrding Ho11.1t-A. J. M. EDWARDS (1908-21) M.A., B.Com. Crfrht-A . .\f. DAVIDSON (1937-45), B.L. Golf-W. G. Tnow (19n-22), L.D.S. Hockey-WALTER D1cK (1944-48).

R.ug~N. I. \Y/. ~IFLDRUM (192.5-37), J\I.A. , LL.B. Ttnni.1-J. Fl!.NTON \'fnress (191j•2.o), r.R.I.B.A., F.S.A. (Scot.).

Hon . Audit ore : Messrs. BOWER and SM'rTH, CA.

Fort11tr Pupils' Club Section

6;

The Annu al Dinner The President of the Club, Lt.-Col. I I. J. 8UTCII.\RT, D.S.O., pn:sided al the Dinner held in I he Caledonian IIocel on 28 Occober 1955, the function bctng aucndcd by se\'cnty-cight 1-1.P.s and fifty-two guests, The President opened the evening by announcing that the \lusic llall has been booked for 23 June 1956 for the holding of a School Fair, but this being only the initial announcement F.P.s would be gettin~ full information in early course.

PRESENTATlO1'

TO ALAN C. ll, WATT

Joseph Carry, Chairman of the Club 1-xccuti\e, then made a presentation of a silver cigarette box and table lighter to Alan Watt on his retiral as Editor of the Mo/!,az/11t. Ile referred to Alan's great service to the Club and the School, and to his family tradition, without whose incentive it might ha,e been impossible for che Mo/?,oz.i11e to have been carried on . lie congrarulaced Alan on his monumental work and assured him of the Club's grcal appreciation of his services. The Rector would have added his tribute, had nor Alan been to receive a presentation from the School at a later dace.

Afan, rcplyini:t, acknowledged that hi\ father had handed down to him a welloiled machine, nnd that all he had had to do was to keep it going by the application of oil- midnight oil! Prior to his father's death his only work in connection with the .\fo~oz.ine had been imoluntary. I'rom wartime India be sent home m his parents "certain filial dispatches" and great had been his astonishment co discover these reproduced " complete and unabridl:!cd " in a subsequent issue of the Mo/!.oz/11t under the tide "Glimpses of an Army Oflicer's Life in India" . Great had hccn the drubbing he received from fellow F.P.s in Calcutta at that time. The editing c,f the Matoz.i11, had been a considerable task which he frankh• described as "That's IlelJ, That was!" hut in retrospect, and notwithstanding the s a.m. trips in cold Dcceml><:r mornings to the University Press with last-minute material, he felt that it had heen very much worth while. u TH.E SCHOOL

AND THE. CLUB.,

The principal guest, The Rt. Hon. Lord Tweedsmuir, O.B.E., delighted the company by the pawky manner in which he proposed this coast. Only seven <lays before he had been in .\lontreal where, on account of the speed of the traffic, there were only two types of people-the quick and the dead I A week previous to that he was in Kingston, Ontario, where he watched a game of rugby which he described as " a cross between trench warfare, and higher mathematics "! Like all the best ladies he had known, the School did not record its exact age, but Antiquity alone did nm make for Distinction; llistory was only made by vigorous human beings, and three of the greatest Canadian [nstimtions-Thc Tludson's Day Co., The Bank of Montreal, and The C.P.R.-wcre all largely the work of Scottish hands. Lord Twecdsmuir then went on to suggest that if on one particular day all F.P.s and Aber<lonians were tc> be recalled borne then " the governments of at least seven countries would collapse immediately", Addressing himself next to Col. Butchart, his Lordship recalled how, when he first came to know him after his becoming Lord Rector, he felt sure that the poet muse ha\'e taken Col. Butchart as a model for his poem " 1!ail Caledonia, seem and wild "; but he hastened to assure our President chat he di<covered thereafter that he was only really wild " on the most appropriate occasions " . He congratulated Col. Butchart on the manner in which he has achieved eternal youth, and told how some years ago his Lordship climbed Lochnagar in spring snow, and, having admired the new indicator at the top, was telling Col. Butcharc about it short!}• after; only to discover that Col. Butchart himself had been co the top of Lochnagar earlier in the year, in deeper snow ... carrying the new indicator on his back I Remarking on the exm1ordinary way in which r.P.s have spread all over the world, Lord Twcedsmuir told of having met Hugh \X'ynne-Edwards in Kingston during his recent travels; he told, too, of how during the summer he required co fly imo the heart of a remote and track.less forest area in Labrador co inspect a project on which his company was working. Great was his asmnishmcm co come

, 1berdmr Gram111ar School .\fagazine across a lone signpost bearing the words, "Aberdeen 4,740 miles". This he found to be the work <•f three 1-'.P.s, viz. George rr.tser, Tom Graham, and Jimmy Gordon, all of whom were workinv nn the scheme. All the F.P.s he had met for from home in different parr, of the world were winninl-! respect whatever the job they were doing.

Till.

RECTOR'S

RLPI.Y

Repiying to the toast on behalf of the School, the Rcccor showed yet again how he is (in the words of George Barton who later proposed "The Guesh ") "a master of the supremely well cho.scn phrase". At the time of last year's dinner he was himself on the high seas while 1-'.P.s were havin.c; "high jinks" with his senior mctstcr. Ile himself would not similarly indulge them to-night, but a couple of years hence he might be good for "a few calculated indiscretions" 1 [ \lr. A. 11.

Grny's "non-polmca l " speech at the 19H dinner will he long remembered and recalled.] IIe deplored the Education Commillcc's failure to evolve a firm pohcy for the School, a failure which had made him feel very much an Interim Rector.

I le felt too that the Committee by raisinf,!;the whole <1uestionof the primary sch0<,l, and then lenini, term after term slip past without a decisi<>n was causing a grc;\I dcul of parental anxiety, Mr. Rohcrt«>n made reference to the retiral, all within a single year, of l\lr. ,\.

H. Gray, ;\lr. Andrew Milne & Dr. Donald .\1. \facandrcw as marking the end of an era. They had that deep under standing of young folk which is one of the qualities of a good schoolmaster, and by virrue of that quality they had been able, in teaching ~lathemat1cs or Uass!CS or Spanish, to teach much else besides to many generations of Grammar boys. Therc:tftcr the Rcccor went on to do " a little decorous lx,astm).!" and quoted imprcs•" e hb'Urcs of academic successes. (These are reproduced elsewhere in this issue.) :\fr. Robertson concluded by complimcntin~ Col. Butchart, but seeking to unmask his reputation as "an academic Grey t,minence ". lle had ne, er, in fact, been a day over sixteen . " He is a robust, able and kindly son of the NorthEast, and we arc well content that there remains in him the eternal h<>>· with the wisdom of the man."

THE PRl , Sll>E:-.T'S

RFPLY

Col. Butcharc, replyinf,!; on behalf of the Cluh, stressed how inumatcly the Grammar has been connected with the Hry hi,torJ of Aberdeen itself. He chided the hducation Authorities for being so dilator}' in providing a sw11nming pool, for abolishing fees, and for reducin!( the Grammar to" a parochia l school catering only for those residing within tbe city boundary". He chided them too for thrc:a1ening now to close the Junior School which would withdraw that .continuity which 1s so important a part of school educati<'n. Such step, were threatening that Tr.ulicion which is of irn:stimablc ,·alue to any instituti()n, and this Tradition, once lmt, was gone for ever.

The toast c,f" The Gut.-sts " was proposed in a crisp and racy style by George E. C. Barton, and ,\lr. A. G. Hall replied. Joseph Carry proposed the vo1c of thanks co the C:hainuan, and in the traditional manner the evening cn<lcd with " Auld Lang Sync" and the t0ast of" Bon-Accord ".

The following members of the Club were present at the Dinner, the list being arranged in order of seniority based on date t>f emry to the School: 1876.

1880.

1895.

1897.

1902.

1903.

1905.

1906.

1907.

1908.

1909.

J. R. ~lcJ\lillan (1876-79 and 1881-84).

A. G. l',;icol Smith (1880-Sh).

R. J. Anderson (1895-99), J. Richard Scutt (1895-1902).

A. L. Robb (1897-99), A. \lck. Johnston, (1899-1903).

George Forbes (1902-4).

A. R.•\bercromby (1903-q).

H. J. Ld~·ard, (1905-q), Jam~s Leith (1905-17).

R. ll. \X'illiamsun (1906-18), J. I'. Jeffrey (1906-18).

J. L. Riddell (1907-16).

A. J. :\I. Edwards (1908-21), E. J. Galloway (1908-18).

J. G. Kilgour (1909-16).

Fort11er P11jJi/.r' Club Section 1910.

1911.

19t2.

1913.

L. R. Harper (1910-17), I . G. \fc Pherson (1910-17).

W. G. Thow (19 11-22).

R. J. Maitland (1912-18), J. G. Sellar (1912-18), . B. Sellar (1912-21). \1. G. Gibb (1913-22), J. I. Scott (1913-21).

19q. \'C G. Hutch<.·on (1914-23), R. E.W. Stroud (1914-19).

1916. f. B. Car1wright (1916-22), David Hanna (1916-22), A. M. C-.mpbell (1916-27), .\laurice Cramb (1916-29). ]. H. Gray (1917-29), F. f. Stott (1917-30). ]. R. Carry (1918-30), H. J. Fraser (1918-22), I. G. Shinnic (1918-28), I. L. Smith (1918-30), L \'\'. \f. Watt (1918-31), W'. R. Wisely (19 18-25).

1919. J. S. Stephen ( 1919-29), A. D. Troup (1919-22).

1920. \\,. H. Stephen (1920-29). K 1--. \X'isely (1920-32).

1921. G. H . Henderson (1921-34), A. \1. Bums (1921-26), E. I I. M. S1on (192 1-24).

1922. ] . G. W. Davidson (1922-28), J. S. MacLachlan (1922-32), J. S. G . Munro (1922-28).

1923 G. E. C. Barton (1923-26).

1921. f. C. i\Iackie (1924-27), D. G. Dempster (1924-33). James Reid (1924-34).

1925. \X'. L. Forbc~ (1925-28), A. C. R. Watt (1925-37), G. C. \lassie (1925-38).

1926. I I. M. R. \X'att (1926-38), Campbell Connon (1926-38).

1929. T. \V. . David~on (1929-41), D. G. Paterson (1929-36), K. J. Peters ( 1929-,41).

1 932· R. L. \lacK.innon (1932-45), i\1. A. G. Innes (1932-45).

1 934· L. D. Davidson (1934-40), B. K. Crookshanks (1934-46), G. B. Esslemonr (193,!"}8), P. L. llill (1934-38): 1937· r.. \1. Philip (1937-42), A . .\I. Dandson (1937-45).

1938. J. F. D onald ( 1938-44).

1939· J. A. Leith (1939-51).

1943· Ian Henderson (1943-44).

1 944· A. E. C. Abcrcromby (1944-46), R. L. Cremar (1944-49), Alexander Cremar (1944-50), Allan Macclearmid (1944-48), J. C . .\lilne (1944-50).

1946. A. F. Tough (1946-49).

Hon. Member. TIN Rulor-J. J. Robertson.

Staff \!embers. Edwin Hunter, J.C. Hunter.

Glasgow Centre The Annu al Gener al Meeting of the Centre took place in 1he Grosvenor Rcst.1urant on 26 October 1955. Office-bearers for 1955-56 are: Pruidenl, D. M. ~ernplc; Vice-Pruidml, G. N. Pennie; Commilltt: l:l. D. D. hrnslie, \'ii. 0. Fiddes, \\'. G. Gow, and C. F. Thomson; I/011. Surelary and Trto.ruru, J. G. i\ l. Birss.

On 5 October 1955 a Socia l Evening was held in Burlington Ilouse in conjunction with the Glasgo" Branch of the Aberdeen High School F.P. Club and the Glasgow and \X'cst of Scotland Branch of the Gordonian Association. A cc,mpan) of about sc,·enty enjoyed a varied programme of dancing and entertainment, and the experiment of replacing the customary Theatre EYcninl,l with this tvpc of (unction proved to be most successful.

The Annual Dinn er of the Centre was held in the Grosvenor Restaurant, Ghsi(ow, on 18 No\'ember 1955. The prmcipal guest was Mr. John J. Campbell, Grncr-.il i\lanagcr of the Clyde~dalc and 1'-orth of Scotland Bank, Ltd . D. M. Semp le, President of the Centre, "as in the chair, and there was an attendance of th1r1,·- tfrc members and l!uests, includtnµ Lt.-Col. Duncan l\lacgrcii:or. u

TJIL SCHOO i,. AND THE C'LUn"

In proposing the toast of" The School and the Club" Mr. John J Campbell said that he had made a powerful acquisition in the Aberdonians who had come to him from the North of Scotland Bank. He spoke of the civic pmlc and 1ndividuali1y of Aberdonians and of their open-heartedness, which they themsckes tried so hard 10 camouflage, and said that against this background there was litt le wonder that the Aberdeen Grammar School was in the forefront of education, and that

66

Aberdeen Grammar School l1iagaz.ine

the Former-Pupils' Cluh was so acm:c and prominent. There were ad,·antagcs in later life ari,ing from belonging to the right school; and in bu,inc,s, in the professions, and in sport the Aberdeen Grammar School had a proud and probably an unsurpas,c<l record. Frum his own experience of its former pupils it v.,a, evident that the School had set out to produce men of good character and of good repute.

He did not n:gard the youth of today as decadent, and to support this view he called upon their war cxplotts and their achievements in the field of sport as evidence.

Young people were leaving school to<lay fitter and better equippc<l than ever before, and they had the right qualities with which to venture out into a difficult world, the nature of which it was as well to remembcr hcforc judging them.

THL RECTOR',

REPLY

In rq,l~mg on behalf of the School, ;\lr. Roh,:rtson recalled that at the time of the la,t Glasgow Centre dinner he had been on his way co South America where he had found Aberdonians affable and prospering in distant places. I le regretted that he was in no better position than he was two years ago to give a firm report on the future of the School, and that he was unable to say what its staruwry overlords propo$ed to do. The great debate continued and he deplored the prolonged anxiet~· it was causing many parents. :\ftcr thirteen years as Rector he felt r.uher like an inu:nm head l<K>king for a mandmc. Day to day activities, however, were: probably more important than policies or long term planning, and during the long pet io<l of uncertainty we should be intellectually honest and admit that we were not simply the victims of gratuitous and spiteful interference, since the problem~ confronung central and local government were ,·ery real. The educational pa11em used to be simple and stable but redistribution of income had starteJ tensions between the old and the ncv.. Howc,·er ,·igilant and critical we were, we mu,t make: sure that our pre-test was better 1han a bleak and disabling nostalgia.

Despite uncertaint) regarding the future, the School today, he said, was not a poor, cowering thing. \X'itb 1, 1 jO boys it was a busy, bustling place, full but nm o'l"ercruwdcd. The staffinp; position was extremely good, and he did not think that there were many ,chools that could claim that, with an entitlement of eleven teachers for mathema11cs and science, they had eleven, all of whom were honour\ graduates. The buildings had been mo<lemized, equipment was generous, and the library was still the largest and finest of any dav school in Scotland. There were numerous clubs and societies and the whole pi.ice was alive with activit\'.

Above all, the work got done, and creditably.

• \1 r. Robertson referred 10 the great debt owed by the School t0 .\lr. Andre" :\lilne, who had first entered it as a pupil fifty-two yl-ars ago and had returned as a teacher in 1926 before becoming Senior Classical .\las1er in 1929. In the long history of the School few of its sons had scr,·cd it with a steadier flame of dcvoti , ,n.

In conclusion he said that we should think well, and be sure the good we strained after would be as great and as rich as that which we had achieved and dearly prized.

THF PRFSIDF.NT

1

S Rf\Pl ,Y

Lt.-Col. Butchart replied on behalf of the Club. He spoke of the schoolbo}, of his day, and said 1hat in comparing the boys of today with those of sixty vcar, ago we must remember how greatly the times had changed. Ilc agreed "with l\lr. Campbell in that he could sec little wrong with the boy of today.

He referred to the" governors" of the School, of whom .\lr. Robertson had spoken so politely. ]1 seemed strange that the Aberdeen Town Council, who had inhcrne<l the School v.·ith its history and traditions, should be so casual or even remtss m the discharge of their Stewardship. There had been a pn,m,sc of a swimming pool in 189j; but still the School lacked that facility. The School h,1d catered f, •r centuries for the whole of the North of Scotland, but, not content v. irh what they had already done, the Town Council now J'roposcd to take away the junior school; and he could only hope that they woul listen to 1hc advice of the Rector, and that Fonner Pupils v.·ould use their influence with members of the education commi11ce 10 prc,·ent this last insult and tragedy to a great school.

Lt.-Col. Butchart concluded his reply by conveying tbc best wishes of the Club for the continued prosperit)' and success of the Glasgow Centre.

Former Pupils' Club Su/ion 1bc toast of "Our Guests" was proposed by Mr. C. F. Thomson, and the reply was made by \fr. R. J. Donaldson. A vote of thanks to the chairman wru. proposed by ~lr. C. S. Buyers, a past president of tbe Centre.

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: 1890. H. J. Bucehart (1890-99).

1895. C. S. Buyers (1895-98).

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

1901. G. Lawrence (1901-3); D. l\1. Semple (1901-6).

1904. \\". 0. Fiddes (1904-15).

1909. A. A. R. Smith (1909-16).

1911. J. Stirrat (1911-2.1).

1912. K. R. T. ~latthcw (1912-24); C. F. Thomson (19t2-14).

1918. I. G. Shinnte (1918-2.8); WI. G. Gow (1918-19 and 192.5-28).

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

1923. G. . Pennie (1923-26).

1925. I I. E. R. Shand (1925-34).

1926. D. M. C. Donald (1926-32), J. G . .M. Birss (1926-38).

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

Ilon. Members . The Rutor-J. J. Robertson; Duncan Macgregor (Staff 1919-45).

London Centre The Annua l Gene ral M eeting was held on Thursday, 13 October 1955 with ~lr. A. G. Esslemont in the Chair, in tbc absence of the President. Sir James Crombie was re-elt:cted President for tbe period 1955-57: and the followm~ were appointed as office-bearers--as members of Committee: Mcs~l"I. A. D. S. Anderson, D. J. Calder, D. S. S. Marr and Dr. P. C. B. Shirrelfs; as Hon. Secretary (on re-election), Mr. A. I l. K. Slater.

The Annu al Dinn er was held at Brown's Horcl on 8 December 1955. The Chairman, Sir James Crombie, prefaced his address of welcome with a reference to the loss which the C..cntre h2d suffered by the recent death of Lord A lness. Sir James then made a few remarks by way of introduction of the principal guests, and expressed the particular pleasure felt by members at the presence of the Rector. ] le also referred to tbe recent achievement of ~fr. ~1urray Easton in wtnmng tbe Royal medal for architecture. ccTHE SCHOOL

ANO TH.E CLUB,.

The toast of" The School and The Club" was proposed by Mr. Murray Easton in a shore and witty speech. Ile procc-cded to say something of his own da}·s at the School and of the masters who had taught him. He referred to Charles .\laclcocl's imaginati\·e teaching of physics and chemistry which, he asserted, showed an almost prophetic grasp of nuclear physics; and h~ told of an experiment (whether in nuclear physics or more elementary matter he did not disclose) that ended in an explosion which caused much destruction in the classroom but gave great pleasure to the class. llc spoke of" C. D." as the leader of an" anti-sm ug" movement at a time when there was a great deal of smugness, not least in Aberdeen. Mr. Murray l!aston concluded his speech with a reference to the architecture of the northcast of Scotland and the inspiration of the Aberdeenshire castles in particular.

The Rector, replying for the School, delivered a speech distingui,hcd as c,·cr by his personal mark of quiet eloquence, illuminated by wit, and warmed b>• kindliness and humanity. llc rufrerted to the death of Lord Alness and expres~ed with much feeling bis persona l appreciation of the many dis1in1-,>uishcd services Lord Alness had rendered to the School and of bis great qualities as a man. The Rector made particular reference to the fact that Lord Alness, when over eighty, came north for che second time to unveil a War Memorial at the School.

Although be had companioned with the great and had dealt in great affairs, he had remained in all essentials " a man simple, kind and good ".

68

Aberdeen Gra111mar School Magazine

The then gave us the detailed account of the state of the School which i~ a traditional feature of his speeches on these occasions, and mentioned the many disnnctions attained during the past year in scholarship and sport. I le mentioned the impending retirement of Mr. Andrew .\lilne, and spoke of hi~ long scn·ice ro the School and of his personal qualiucs, which he thought were admirably expressed by his well known nickname. ') he Rector went on 10 sp<.stk (with careful impartiality and temperance of expression) 1,f the future, with particul.ir nfcrcncc to the proposals for the clo,ing c,f rhe Lower Sch1K,l and KinJcrg-Jrtcn and spoke of his personal misgh ·ings as to 1he ctfcc1 which such propo,.11, might h:tve upon the characrer of the Sch<K>l. 1'.on<c of us, he said, would wish to perpetuate mere privilege; but we would all wish to pre,aw a good thing wh ich the generations ba'l"e handed down ro us. Th<c Grammar School, he 1hough1, succccJcd 10 imparting to its pupils through long habituation that which in the public school, is imparted by the intensive effort of r<;si<lcncialschooling.

Lt.-Col. Butcban, repl,ing for the Club, also referred, in trenchant terms to the problem of the School's future, which he found no difficulty in attributing ro the mistaken policy of the Town Council; in lighter ,cin, Colonel Butchart referred to his own days at School, and gave some amusing stories ,if one of hi, masters in panjcular-\\ ,lliam Drown, known as "Brownie" faithfully and vh·idly reproducing his broad accent and forthright manner of speech.

The health of the chairman wa, proposed by !'-inian :\lackic, and the chairman bricll y replied to the wast.

The following mcrnbet<; of the Club were present, the list hcini-; arrani;ed orde r of seniority, based on daft of rntr;· to the School:

11

1884.

1890.

1895.

1899.

1903.

1905.

19o6.

1907.

1908.

R. lnkster (1884-88).

Lt.-Col. H. J. Butchart (1890-99).

John \lurray Easton (1895-1905).

Sir Landsborough Thomson (1899-1908).

Sir David Edwards (1903-8).

H. G. Edwards (1905-14), J. R. \lacNe1ll (1905-6).

D. S. Stewart (1906-18), Sir John Tay lor (1906-11).

Redvcrs N. lronside (1907-17).

Gilbert J. Anderson (1908-21), Sir Jame s Crombie (1908-20), A. G. Lsslcmont (1908-20).

1909. G. M. Cochran (1909-22).

1910. G. T. Simpson (1910-20).

19t 1. W. A. \ l itchell (1911-21), A. Y. S11rra1(1911-20).

1912. J. W. Benzie (1912-19).

1913. \'. N. Dean (1913-20), 'lhomas Robertson (19q 19), C.. ,\. (,. 5a\ldgc (19 13-24).

1914. W. D. Ironside (1914-24), J. ~I. Sleigh (1914-16), D.S. Cochran (1914-24).

1915. G. \X'. Bowes ( 1915-28), L. Don Robens on (1915 16) 1916. \'C Graham (1916-19).

1919. J. H. L. Innes (1919-23).

1920. J. L. S. Thomson (1920-27).

1921. D. G. E. Benzie (1921- 24), Gco. J. Anderson (1921-28).

192;. A. H. K. Slater (1923-35).

1925. W. J. G. \lcldrum (1925-35).

19n. Ninian :\Lackie (1927-37), G. F. Chr,,tal (1927-38), D. J. Calder (1927-31).

1929. D. P. Bruce (1929-35).

193R. P. Rennje (1938-43).

J. A . McK. Holloway (1944-53).

1950. L. D. Ilay (1950-55).

Hon. ~1embcrs. Tb, Rulor-J. ]. Robens on, P. S 1'oble.

[The Report on the London Centre's Dinner was not available unul after the Magazine material had gone to the primers, and the space left permits only the above very brief references to the Speechcs.- Ed.]

Former Pupils' Club Settion

F.P. Rugby Section The F.P. Rugby Section is once again enjoying a reasonably successful season.

The records of all teams arc g<xxl and, in addition, the continued spell of dry weather has meant that to date no match of any sort has been cancelled owing t0 ~round conditions.

The 5ccciun was lucky this season in that all of last season's successful side ,vere ,till available and results ha,·e followed very much the same trend as lase season.

There have lxx:n one or two outstanding results, in particular, the big victories uvcr Selkirk and Allan Glt.-n's F.P.s. In neither case were the side flattered by the mar~in nf victory. As "'ill be seen from the results, there have also been several 0tbcr g0<,d , ictorics, and it should be noted that the decisive wins over ~forgan F.P., and Grcenock Wanderers were achieved without four leading players who were playinp- for the orth in represemati\"e matches . The team was similarly depleted when defeated by Aberdeen \\'an<lerers, but this defeat as well as the heavy defeat by Stewart's College F.P., was chiefly due to a complete and inexplicable off-day by all concerned and the margin could well ha,·e been increased. \ narrow defeat was sustained from Edinburgh Academicals "·ho are still unbeaten 111 Scottish Club matches.

This match was rather spoiled by a very strong crosswmd and neither side succeeded in crossing the opponents' line and a draw would ha,e done nu injustice to cuber side. lbc match against Aberdeen Academicals took place on the clay of the North v. Midland s trial when ten I'.P. players were in the north side and one other 1st XV player and se,eral 2nd XV players were una,ailablc.

As I have indicated above the domestic affairs of the Section have been disturbed considerably once again by the calls of rcprCl>cntativematches. A record number of players, namely, ten were chosen for the North v. \li<llands match on 22 October and on 29 October and 12 and 19 November four were called on for the various 1'.orth and \lidlands games against the other district. These demands affect the 1st XV, but arc felt even more seriously among the junior teams especially when there is added a crop of injuries and, for this reason and several others, there is a feeling growing among the clubs that the large number of district games and trials should be drastically restricted.

Despi te the interruptions caused by these games and injuries where the 2nd has been particularly hardly hit, both 2nd and 3rd have had a very successful season co dace. 1 he 3rd c~pccially captained by a" promising youngster" called \\. D. \I lard ice are rapidly approaching a cotal of 300 points "for" at this early date The players chosen for representative games to date ha,·e been as follows: onh , •. ~lidlands: J. L. Hrcbner, E. H. Cruickshank, E. Craig, R.R. Coomber, R. 11. \'< . Craddock, T. G . Smith, C. Ritchie, \V. A. Craig, S. \fcPherson, C. D. \lowat.

1'.orth and Midlands 1. Edinburgh, Glasgow and south: I.:. II. Cruickshank , R. R. Coomber, C. Ritchie, C. D. 1Iowat.

Cruickshank was forced to call off from the game v. Glasgow because of injury.

First Scottish Trial at .\lurravfield: K. R. Comber.

As 1 have already mentioned the 1st X\' has had some very good results and at its best is playing most attractive football. The 6..-<rure list this season is the hardest ever undertaken and there arc now sufficient fixtures with senior south clubs co permit it to qualify for the Scottish unofficial championship, where it now stands in the top half. There are still a number of very attractive home fo,rures co be played and the management hope that these will be well supported by members of the club.

1st XV Results Sept. 10. l', Gordonians at Rubislaw 17. l'. George l lcriot's F.P.s at Gol<lenacre 19. t'. i\lclvillc College P.P.s at Rubislaw 24. v. Perthshire Acadcmica ls at l lubislaw 26. v. Stewart's College F.P.s at Inverlcith &t. I. I'. Selkirk at Rubis law 8. ,,. Allan Glen's F.P.s at Rubislaw

8-3 6-19 29-3 14-13 9-28 26-3 35-8

Won. Lost. \X'on.

Won. Lost.

Won. Won.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

70

Edinburgh Academicals at Rubislaw Oct. 15.

22. v. Aberdcrn Academicals at Chanonry 29. v. Aberdeen \X'andcrcrs nc Rubislaw .

N~,-. 5. I'. Aberdeen UniYcr,;ity at Rubislaw . !2, :\forgan Academy I'.P.s at Dundee Grcenock \\ an<lcrcrs at Rubislaw . t9.

I',

,."·

3-9

Lost.

8-10 15-0 31-5 I7-0

Lose.

Won. \X on.

Won.

6-6 Drawn.

2nd XV Results

Sept. 10, [~.

Oct.

24.

I.

8.

:--;~,·.

15.

29.

5. u. .

,. Aberdeenshire znd X\ at Rubt,Ja.,., George Hcriot's F.P.s 2nd XV at Golden.u:rc· .

I ', .\berdccn .\cadcmicals 1st XV at Rubisla\\ I', R.1'.A.S ..\rbroath 1st X\' at Arbroath .

I', a\lJan Glen's F.P.s 2nd X\' at Rubii.law . v. Perthshire •\cademicals znd XV at Perth I', Gordon ians rod XV at Rubislaw I'. Panmure 2nd X\' at Dundee ,,,. Aberdeen \\andcrcrs 2nd XV at Rubislaw I•

\X'on.

Lost.

Losr. :4•27 \\'on. t 1·10 \\on.

25-6 9-9 Drawn. zo-6 \\'on. \\:"on.

6-5 Lost.

11-19 25-0 0-25

3rd XV Resu lts Sept. I7• 24.

<kt. I.

8.

I 5.

22, 29.

N~"- 5.

12.

19.

C.ordonians 3rd X \ at Rubislaw . .

Aberdeen \rnc.lcmicals znd X\ at Chanonry v. R.!'..A.S. Arbroath 2nd XV at Arbroath I. .Al><:nkrnshirc znd XV at Chanonry Gordonians 3rd XV at Scafield .

I', Aberdeen LniYcrsity 3fd XV at Rubislaw ,,. Aberdeen Wanderers znd XV at Ilazlehead I'. Aberdeen Lnivcrsi?: 3rd XV at Rubislaw Morgan Academy •.P.s znd XV at Dundee .. Aberdeen linivcr,;ity 3rd Xv at King's College I',

,.

"·

,"·

N. J. \\. \fELDRtM,

44-3 j2·8

\\on . \Von. \\'on. \Von. \\on.

Lost.

Won. Won. Lost.

Won.

21-6 21•3 17-6 8-11 27-8 21-3 3-14 32-0 Hon. Stlrtlory.

Former P,pil.r' Club Semon

71

F.P. Cricket Section ~·e have enjoyed what must surely have hccn one of che finest summers for many years. As could be expected batsmen, who have tolerated many ~casons of capricious weather and uncertain rurf, 1rratefully accepted the tirm wickets .

This is reflected in the results of the 19 games pbyed by the Smubmorc XI. No fewer than 8 of these were drawn nml of the rem,lining 11, 6 lost and 5 won.

Nevertheless, under these conditions some excellent bowling figures were returned ,ind in particular those cJ L. r:. Tys, ,n who al!ain headed the averages, althou!-!h unforrunately unable co play regularly.

The team once more reached the semi-final of the Three County Cup Competition, beating Aberdeen l:nivcrsity, :-.fannoticld, and ,\ber<lcen,hire Grade Sclcc1, but fell decisively against Strathmore by 10 wickets after having made 122 runs.

T he Grade X I were most unlucky in not gaining further promotion this season to Grade I cricket. To accomplish this they required to win their final match, but narrowly missed the victot)· by only 4 runs.

The Grade side has heen given encouraging support throughout the season and very little difficulty has been experienced in nelding a side at full stn:ngth.

Unfortunately, their Captain, A. J. K. \fonro was unable co rum out after the first few games, but I. Thomson again took over this rcspon,1bilirv and, as II will be observe d from the averages, played a majol" part in borh batting and bowling.

I am sure that if the same enthusiasm is shown next sc.1Soo, there is no doubt that the side will gain the promouon which th<"y "' righlly desenL Again we arc indebted to all those ladies who so willini;dv helped with the teas, to those who ha,·e umpired and scored, and last but not least t0 L. E. Tyson and his assistants at Rubislaw for producing those perfect wickets on that ever increasing " midd le ".

Strathm orc Union XI Balling:

E. H. Cruickshank D. J. Stephen J. S. Manley

Innin.liJ

1'\01 01{/

R111u

Highut

At·tragt

17 15 16

0

P9 336 244

92 69

n

30· 53 22·4 I 5'25

194 115 107

45 41* 43•

19·4 14·4 13·4

IVickt; 21 29 38

At·tragt

0 0

Grade XI

L. Buchanan I. Thomson L. Soutar

t; 10

2

9 • not out.

IJoi,,}inJ!.:

Strathm orc Union XI Onr;

Jfaitkn;

&1111

L. E. Tyson J. R. Y. Mutch E. McLeod

79· 1

21 28 38

1 97

A. Edmond I. Thomson

1 39 1 54

120·8

177"9

3 19 540

9"38 1I

14·21

Grad e XI

45 43

286 320

38 38

7·53 8·42

A. \ I. DAVIDSON," Hon. \'ure tary .

Aberdeen Graf!Jf!Jar School Magazine

72.

F.P. Golf Section Persistence on the pan c,f my predecessor at Jc,ng last reaped its reward, when H. G. Stephen's resignauon as Secretary, owmg to busmcss and other commitments, was most rcluctandy accepted at the Annual General \leeung held after the Ballarer Outing on 8 :\lay. All members·" ill a!!ree that \lr. Stephen has proved a mo,t efficient Secreran who,c ,c..,..ices have been of the um 1r,,1 value to the Section.

The weather ·wa, kmd tu the Section, and each ou11ng was en1oyed in cxcell<·nt conditions. le v.as che "Oppc.,11ion's" \'car to ur!,(anize the Jnint Ou11nµ at Aboyne, which "a' followed by a very pleasant dmr.cr at Birse Lcl<lgc Hotel. An anonymous donor gificd a travelling rug which was won by E. \1. \lunro for the best score over 12 handicap. This kind gesrure was greatly appreciated, needless tO Sa}. ~ lain prize-winners at the outings were as follows: Auonrn, liratth \X', L. Connon Ila11d1'ap 1-11 J. G. Kilgour .

Ha11ditap 1 2 -+D. G. Paner,on

Aeor-P,

Ju,.,F. 1955 71 6t

Ti

77 -

13

8A1 LATER, 7 .'\UGUST 195l Sm1t,h ~G H . G. Stephen Ha11ditap I• 1 1 80 6 \\, . L. Connon Handicap 1 2 + 87 - lj J. I. Scott

6J

74 72

11 SEPT! \IBER 1955 Jo1s;T OL Tts:G

ltratch J. K. Hall (C,ord.)

69 Ilanditap 1- 11 A. C. Farquhar,c,n (G) 72 Ha11ditap 12 + E. ~lunro 77

(\Q 13 -

64

B.\1.1,!\TER, z Oc,·onER 195 l .krat,J, H. G. Stephen 7l lf.a,ulitap l · l I G. A. C. \\ .1lkcr 8I 9 = 72 Ila11d1'ap 12 + \\~. :\ l1lne 94 - 20 = 74

The principal prize-winners for the year were a, followo; Rm.'fll-Htndtnon Cup (3 h<.:,t scratch scores) ll"a/krr Ct1p best net scores) .

Jeffrey M11~ (3 best scores over 1 2 handicap) Gibb-Tho»• Trophy ]. I . Riddtll Trop41 .

<,

J L1·""0' Rmm.11, D, G. P\TTFR<O" 1 . }.I. .\lur-<RO . J. G. hll.GOLR . \\". L. Co:-;s;os

The Annual Dmn~r was held at the !-,,;onhern I lotel, Aberdeen, un 'lburscla) 17 l",uvember, presided m·cr by our Captain, \'<:'. G. Thow. Forty-one member, and guests attended. "The Section" was proposed by our good friend, J. k, Hall, Captain of the Gordonian Golf Club, and the C.'lptain replied. " The Guests " were proposed by I. L. Smith, and G. :\I. Lawrence, yet another Gordonbn, replied m his usual inimitable fashion. J. Lennox Riddell proposed a vote of thanks to our Captain. W. G. Thow is unfortunately demitting office as Captain, and the Captain for 1956 will be I. L. Smith.

The Section is in good heart, but new members, especially of the younger schoo l, arc always YCf}' welcome. \\ . Scorr G1LCIIRIST, l lon. Surelary.

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ADMIRALTY, D.N.R. (Dept. IV/ 101), QUEEN ANNE'S MANSIONS, LONDON, S.W.I

Former P11pils' C/11b Section

73

F.P. Tenni s Section This season, I am glad tO report that there was an increase in the number of Former Pupil s who joined the Tenn is Section. In view of the exceptionally dry summer, play was almost brought to a hale for some time due to the lack of w·atering facilities. It is hoped to go into the matter of water supply at the !\.G. \I. to he held early in the spring.

Three matches were played, a~nst the Masters, Dunfermline Colle!!.:, and Cults. Although we were successful in only one of these, w·e had a most enjoyable c,·cning on each occasion, and hope co do better in the return games next ~ca,nn.

A game against an Osborne side w•as m ha,•c been played, hut a suitable date C'JUld not be found. lt is felt that there arc many more F.P.s in Aberdeen who can play tennis, and we hope chat they will come along and support the section next year. ]AblES \'ii. llow1 s0~, fl,,11. \,,utary.

F.P. Hockey Section The Hockey Club has got off co one of the best starts to any season 111 its lmror y.

The 1st X I has played 8 games to dare and arc undefeated, having won each ![aim: by a margin of at least 2 goals. In past seasons, the defence has usually bt:cn chc stronger part of the team but now the forwards seem to be tryin g to show otherwise, as their record of scoring 4 t goals in 8 games proves.

The excellent record of the 2nd XI has shown that they arc nor gettin g strong enough opposition io the " B" section of the local unofficial league. I krc again, the forwards have scores 4r goals in 8 games.

The club has been represented by five players in Tnter-<listrict select games and it is to the credit of the reserves that the teams have continued to do so well.

In conclusion, it is hoped chat both teams will meet with continued success throughout the remainder of the season.

Results utX I 111d XI ,,. Ruthrieston 4-1 Won. Sept . 24. , . Centralians 2-3 Lose.

Oct. I. ,,. Morgan Acad. 3-1 \X'on.

6-o \'\ on. "· \fori.?an "A" 8. I'. Aberdeen 5-1 \\"on. t. R.A.F. Buchan 2-0 \Xon. , •. C~mralians ",\" 4-2 \'\'on.

I 5• I'. Ccntralians 5-0 \'\'on.

22. I". Richmond 7-0 \\"on. i. Gordon's College 6-2 \\'on.

29. I'. Grove Acad. 6-2 Won. 4-2 W'on. "· Grove Aca<l. "A" N~v. 5. "· Aberdeen 6-2 Won. "· Gordon's Coll. "A" 5-2 \X'on.

12. ,,. T.C. "· Grammar Sch. 6-1 Won. tt-o \\on. \\ALTER DICK, Captain.

Boarding House Section The Annual General Meeting was held in tbe Boarding Ilouse (by kind permission of the Governors) on 4 October. The following were elected as officebearers for the year 1955-56: Stlrtlary- P. ;\L Gordon Pruidt11I- J. S. ;\ I. Eddisoo Vitt-Pr,Jident-Wi. D. Allardycc Co111111illttMtmbtrs-~. Tayl or, A. \X·. \'\ alk<'r Reprut11lali1·1lo Club Extmlit'I-J\. J. i\l. Edwards .'.>1r. James Morrison, the housemaster nf th<' Boarding I louse, was elected an honorary member of the Section .

Another Re-union It was decided to hold a Re-union oo 31 March 1956. All members will be notified in February about this, but tbc Secretary will be glad to hear from any former boys of the Boarding House before then, if they propose to be present.

(His address is "Revoan ", Elloo, Aberdeenshire .)

PETER i\L GORDON, Hon. Secretary.

74

Abtrtken Gra,nmar School Magaz.int

" The Troops " At the F.P. Dinner held in Aberdeen on 28 October 195s a photograph was produced by one group which has an interesting tale attached to ir. It wa, of " the troop~" as they called themsch·es, they beingD. P. Cochran (1906-15) '\.. B. Sellar (1912-21) \\ m. G. llutcheon (1914-23) George \\:illiamson (1904-17) J. PJtrick Jeffrey (1906-18) R. B. \\'illiamson (1906-18) C. G. Kcnnaway (1904-16), d. 1953 J. \1. Yule (1914-19, 1923-14) J. G. Sellar (1912-18) They became a group of close friends after leaving School, and having holidayed cogc1her during Easter 1930 at Shandon (all being bachelors in these days) they had this photograph 1akcn 10 record the holiday; but in addition, the photograph bears a statement at the side signed by each, binding each to attend a rendezvous at the same place in ten years from then, viz. Easter 1940, if within the British Isles at that time, under penalty of paying a £10 fine to a charity to be named by those who did auend. From 1930 onwards the members of the group made it a "date'' to attend the F.P. dinner together each year, but the 1940 re-union required to be postponed on account of 1he war, and was not held until 1946 when, in fact, the whole nine met again at Shandon at Easter. Since then " the troops" have kept up their F.P. dinner" re-union", but one of the original s, C. G. Kennawav died in 1953.

At the 19s 5 dinner, unfortunately, only five managed to be present, D. P. Cochran, Sir George Williamson and John 2\1. Yule being unable co attend, and John M. Yule beini. now tn Rhodesia.

ew Members of the Club r5 May 1955- 15 N ovember 1955 LIFE MEMBER Donald, Herbert William GirYin (1940-45), 46 Rubislaw Den Soutb, Aberdeen .

ORDINARY MEMBERS Aberdein, James Doup;las (1943-46, 1948-55), 7l \\"'estbum DriYe, Aberdeen.

Anderson, Erroll Gray (1945-53), Kinnoull, West Cults.

Bakewell, William Ed\Vard (1949-is) , 296 Great Northern Road, Aberdeen.

Batton, Rae Colledge (1943-55), q Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen.

Birnie, Donald James Forbes (1948-JS), 31 Albyn Place, Aberdeen.

Brown, Dou,i.las Lewis Fletcher (194J-j 5), JS St. Swith in Street, Aberdeen.

Brown, Ronald Scott (1946-55), 27 Rub islaw Den South, Aberdeen.

Butler, Douglas Smith (1950-5 3), 8 Bradley Terrace, Tillydrone, Aberdeen.

Buyers, \'\'ill iam James Leslie (1941-55), 5 Rubislaw Den 1'.orth, Abcrdcrn.

Center, Alexander Ross (1945-55), 33 Forest Avenue, Abe1decn.

Chalmers, Anthony Alan (1946-J 5), "Woodbank ", Hammerpond Road, Horsham, Sussex.

Cowie, Alan (1951-55}, 302 Great r--onhem Road, Aberdeen.

Cruickshank, Gifford~\, D. (1945-55), "A.rdgathen ", Golf View Road, B1cld,idc.

Fletcher, Alan ~lcKay (1949-5 5), 68 Fcrryhill Road, Aberdeen. f'raser, John Gcorp;e ?-:cvill (1942-5 5), 17 Carden Place, Aberdeen.

Galloway, John Harold (1941-5 s), 28 forest Road, Aberdeen.

Gibb, 2\1ichael George I !arrow (1942-46), 14 Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

Gillan, Robert Fairweather (1941-55), 47 Gladscone Place, Aberdeen. lla y, John Yeoman Lc, lic (1945-55}, 47 Rubislaw Den South, .\bcrdccn.

Hay, Leonard (1950-55), 8 Tillydrone Place, Aberdeen.

Kelt y, James J\li1chell (1944-55}, 14 Woodhill Place, Aberdeen.

Kelty, Roger Fyfe (1944-5J), 14 Woodhill Place, Aberdeen.

Leiper, William West (1944-55), 121 King's Gate, Aberdeen.

Marr, Nonnan G. (1949-55}, 4 Watson Street, Aberdeen.

Meff, James Brown {1942-55), " Dunava " , Balun.ie£ield,Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

For,ner Pnpi/1' C/11b Section

7S

Mitch ell, Alexander I Iunter (1949-H), H illend of Lomi e, By Forfar, Angu s.

Mitchell, Wilson Sinclair (1949-s s), Hill en<l of Lornie, By Porfar, Angus. i\litchcll, Ronald Du ncan (1923-32), 16 Clarence Drive, G L-i.s~ow, W.2 . .MacDonald, I lccror Alis1.1ir \!acAulay (1949-5i), "Orinan ", 24 1':css Bank, lmerncss. \!acfarlanc, Alexander (1949-s i), \ fain, of T1llymoq~an. C:ulsalmond, Dy ln,ch. \lcL:oJ, Ian Halcro (19i2-ii), 47 \1i<ldlcficlJ Crescent, Hilton, AberJccn. \lcLcod, S[)Cncc ( 1949-j i), 2 Pemhill Place, Alx:rJeen.

Park, Jan :Mitchell Scott (194z-l3), 88 A,hgrove Road West, Aberdeen.

Park, John H;ic (1943-i4), 206 Great W'cstcm Road, Ahcr<lccn.

Parkinson, Alexander Touj.!h (r943-jj), 14 Scalicld Road, Aberdeen.

Petric, Kcnnc1h Rae (19)2-55), 3 Fraser Street, Aberdeen.

Phillips, Gcorj.!e l\JcArcney (19io-ii), 71 \X"alkcr Road, Aberdeen.

Robcmr,n, Jan Smith (r937-41), 102 Leslie TcrrJcc, Aberdeen.

Ross, 1--.dward Forrester (1942-ii), 27 \\loo<lend Place, Aberdeen.

Sadler, Brinn Prcdcrick (1942-5i), 29 Covenantcrs Row, Kincorrh, Aberdeen.

Sim, Gcorj.!c Hugh llrcmner (1943-i5 ), 394 Great Western Hoad, Aberdeen.

Stephen, George W. (1947-5i), 20 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen.

Sutherland, David l vor ::\facpherson (19i 1-s 1), 104 King'b Gate, Aberdeen.

Sutherland, Fmcst (19i 1-i i), c/o Fraser, 11 Walfidd Place, Aberdeen.

Sutherland, Ian Albert (19io-51), S9 Davidson Place, l\orthtidd, Aberdeen.

Thov., Stuart Robert (1942-48), 4 Queen's Road, \ berdccn.

Wallace, James Winning (194s-l i), 20 Belgrave Terrace, _\bcrJcen. \\arren, Andrew (1949-55), 11 Queen's Garden5, Aberdeen.

Watt, Kenneth (1949-5 5), 276 H ilton Drive, Aberdeen. \'fight, James Reid (1949-5 i), 6Sj George Street, Aberdeen.

Wilson, Euan A. L. (19.l6-)l), 18 Ayroun Road , Poll0bh1elds, Glas~ow, S. 1.

Wilson, \X'illiam Stewart (1942-si), s Scafi.eld Crescent, 1\berdcen. \X'olkolf, Jan (1942-i 5), 37 Lcggart Terrace, Aberdeen.

Young, James Alexand er Ogst0n (1947-5)), Glendce L<>dKe, West Cults.

Club Consuls AFRICA Kenya--GitAl!JdB GEOllGB SUTHERLAND ( 1903-09), P.O. Box 1002, Nairo bi, Kenya Colony ..

Northern Rhodesia Jo1tN l\lAxsoN Su.rc 11 (1914-16), B.Sc., M.lnst.C.E., c ·o J ohn lloward & Company (Mrica ) Limited, Great North Road, Lu saka, Northern RhoJcsia.

Southern Rhodesia JAMES Wn-.eSs l\1AcGREGOR(1910-23), !\fun•en, Nutt Hill, ~luramb,, Umtali, Southern Rhodesia.

Cape Province (Cape Town)-Profcss or WILLIAM SoUTAR MACKIB (t89s-1901), \l.1\., H .. \., Orumoak. Grecnfi.cld Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town .

Cap e P rovince (East Lon don)-JA ~IF.s ;\!ELVIN (1904 10), C.B .E. , M.C., T.D., M.B., Cb B .. 4 1 Q ncen Screet, C.,mb riJ gc, 1-.ast L ondon, Cape P rovince.

N atal-FRA NK BRUCB FARQUHARSONDuGUIO (1919-26), 8 Lambert Road, Durban.

T ransvaa l-JOHN EwAN HENDERSON (1884-87), P.O. Box 4466, Johannesburg .

AMERICA Canada Albetta - DouGLASHAttPl!R (1888-98), M.A ., B.L., 609 T egler Building , Edmonton, Alberta.

British Columbia-WILLIAM ERNEST l',,in.NB (1881-90), c/o Milne & Middleton, 137 West Pend er, Vancouver, B.C. (Private address-1837 19th Avenue \X'cst, Vancouver.)

O ntario -Rrc HARD WILLIAM GRA.TBR (1938-47), 436 Sheppard Avenue Eas t, Willowdalc, Ontario .

Quebe c-NO RMAN MACKINNON (1907-16), B.Sc.(Por.), 4095 Cote des Nciges Road, Montreal, Quebec.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Falkland Islands ROBERT STEWAl\r St.l!SSOI\ (1927-29), ;\f.B., Ch.B., S. M.O., Port Stanley.

Mexico PATRICIC J OHN MrLROY WALKER (19 14-20), C.A., Apanado 38 Bis., Mexico, D .F.

South America Brazil - JA~IF.S IR\"INP Ml'LVILLP (1917-21), The Royal Bank of Canada , Rua q de Novembn>, 240, Slo Paulo, Brazil.

Col ombia- ROBUT W1L1.1AM YousG (1914-21), Embotelbdoni T ropical, S.A., Calle 9 dcl y Carrera Euge nio Macias, Barranquilla, Colombia.

Uni ted Stat es of America BRUCH SMITH (1918-2 j), The Bruce Smith Insu rance Age nc>, 208 South Lau.lie Stre et, Chicago , Illinois.

West Indies British West Indies Km,NETH RFm (1901-04), J.P. , Concordia, Tobago, B.W.l.

Dutch West Indie s-GEORGE FERGUSON R1TCHIB (1917- 24), Lago Oi l & Transpo rt Company Limited , Marine Depanment, P.O. Box 643, Aru ba, D.\\ .I.

AUSTRALIA Australian Capit al Territ ory (Canberra) --CHARLt:.s OGtLVlll \'-'"tLL DowMAN (19 10-15), I\lan,1ger, Cap1t·1l !!ill llustcl, Canberra , A.C.T. N ew South Wale s Ai.AN Rno (1911-14), Kingscote, 68 Cecil Street , Gordon, Sydney .

Western Auatralia - lAN THOM (1912-25), Wydga Statio n, Mount Magn et, Pen h .

EUROPE Channel Island s-W 1t.LIAM l\lJLLl!R (1894-?).

Russia .- wN JonNSTONll .Mc81CT11 Su-r11ERLAND (19H•41), M.A., B.A., Bri tish Fmbassy, Mmcow (co Fomgn Office, London, S.W. 1).

Switzerland (Geneva )--JA~1RS LAWSON MOWAT (1915-16), M.A., Ph .D ., c /o Bureau International du Travail, Geneva.

Switzerland (Zurich )-ROBl!RT ALEXANDER EssLl!MONY .Ml!NNIB (19 24-,6), M .A., B.P. Bcnzin und Petroleum A.G., Handelshof, Uraniastras se, Z Linch.

Yugoslavia Professor Dr. DRAGOSLAV:\111.ETTTCII(19 16- 18), l\ledicinski Fakultct, Skop lje, Yugoslavia.

FAR EAST Hongkong- FRANK CHARLl!S BR1scos BLACK (1914-17), c/o Hong kong &

Slwlghai Banking Corpora tion, Hongkong.

Singa pore.-foRBJ:.S Kr.1TH Shl.LAR (1933-45), B.L., Nunes Building :\ialacca Street, Singapore 1.

INDIA a nd CEYLON India (Madnae )--TAN Cuv.1.nNG (1907-14), O.B.E., c/o Vernon & Co Ltd., 36 Second Lin e Beach, Post Box 79, Madras .

India (Wes t Bengal}- ROBERT Ht:-rro:-.r Dt:cum (191 8-23), C.A., c, o Duncan Brothers & Co. Ltd., 31 Netaji Subhas Road, Calcutta.

Ceylon --C nARLl!S JAinis STRACHAN (1917-21), Anglo-Ceylon General Es1ates Compa ny, P.O. Bo:tt 13, Colombo , Ceylon.

IRAQ At.BXANDl!R YOUNG (1925-36), Iraq Petroleum Company, Kirkuk, l raq.

NEW ZEALAND ANDREW ALl!xANt>ER MARR DUCAT (1924-2.8 and 1929-34), P.O. Bo:tt 2255, Wellin RJon. New Zealan d.

A photograph of the portrait b) MR . .J. B. ~IR.

\u•,ANDFR

JI. GRAY,

\l. \.

OLTF.R,

of

Aberdeen Grammar School 1st XV, 1955-56

B.uk Ra,u,~ ;\[r. J. C. Hun ter (Games MMltr), Jl. A. Forbes, II. A. Hamilton, A. B. Wright, I. C. \lichic, D. R. Nicol, J. G. Lawrie, I. B. Kcnnaway, D. B. Simpson.

Front Row-R. Montgomery, K. A. Thomson, W, S. Rnbb, II. W. Thomas (Capt.), ]. G. Munro, W. B. Brown, A. K. Paterson.

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You will find a good selection of ready for service suits at THE MAN'S SHOP in regular, long and short fittings Prices are from £15 to £23

ESSLEMONT & MACINTOSH (RETAILERS)

LTD. TAILORS AND OUTFITTERS

UNION

STREET

ABERDEEN

THE

NORTHERN ASSURANC E COMPANY LIMITED

' Northern • by name and ' Northern ' in origin, the Northern Assurance Company Limited was established in Aberdeen in 1836 and takes lasting pride in its Scottish ancestry

For all classes of Insurance

ACCIDENT • ENGINEERING • FIRE HOUSEHOLD • LIFE LIVESTOCK MARINE • MOTOR • PENSIONS fou will be on good terms with the' Northern' Head Offices I UNIO

I

TERRACE, ABERDEEN

MOORGATE, LONDON,

E.C.2

Group Assets exceed £58,000,000

JAMES BLAKE LTD. Enquiries courteously 1olicited

Joiners and Bulldlng Contractor,

30-3l GT. WESTER!\ ROAD

ALL CLASSES

Telephone 24382 Telegrams " Blake Builders"

BUILDING

OF

WORK

E1tabli1hed over 100 years

WILLIAM CAY AND SONS (Funeral Directors) Limited Efficient Service Day and Nie;ht

Cremations Arra ne;ed

Private Chapel and Rest Room

41S UNION STREET 209 GEORGE STREET ABERDEEN ABERDEEN Tel. 29302 610,12 GT. NORTHERN ROAD Tel. 200S4 Tel . 44S32

IMPROVED

SUPPLIES

arc available of Typewriters, Desks (wood or steel), Chairs, Filing Cabinets, Cupboards

Come and sec me

Everything for the Office

C. H. WEBSTER 489 Union Street, Aberdeen

Ae;ents for Ordnance Survey Maps

Agents for H.M. Stationery Office

WYLLIES (BooKSELLERS

LTD.)

247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN Established ESTABLISH

181-4

THE HABIT

Telephone 25S3'4 OF READING

GOOD

BOOKS

,-------

-

ROBERT MILNE Fellow Institute Br'itlsh Decorator s

STRACHAN Commercial and

PAINTER and

Portraiture

DECORATOR

Photography

* 257 HOLBURN

STREET

ABERDEEN 130½ UNION STREET Telephone No. _24556

ABERDEEN Telephone

20851

Estimates Free

TE:LEPHONE

-

-- -,

ABERDEEN

23950

•

TELEGRAMS

' GALLOWSES' ABERDEEN

I

Established 1904

Men's Outfitter

W . J. MILNE, LTD A B ERDEE N

After tlir ee quart ers of a century Collies-a house of private enterprise-enjoys

the highest public

estee m for the variety

of

its

excellence services

in

and the

realms of food and wines

I

FAMILY GROCER S AN D WINE MERCHANTS

269 UNIO

STREET • ABERDEE

A Iso

C U L T S

at

By A ppo1ntm<n t to H .M

• TELEPHONE 27244 BALLATER Tbe Queen

&

Grocers

BRAEMAR

Bound for the NorthernBound for success -

• oress oinne:-\ vening Saturday E d n ballroom . the rno er o ance ,n . of the Hote\ the music to . &and Broadcasting -

KITTYBR Telephon e

ABERDEEN

E WSTER

M1na1er : I\ . C. MILBURN , M.H .C.I.

BOYS W/i~BOYS! ... and clothes won't stay clean for ever. But they will last longer and stay bright and fresh if you send them periodically to

THE

Gordon Cleaning Co., Ltd., Huntly also at 434 Union Str eet • S05 Georg e Street • ABERDEEN 28 Whiteh all Cresc e nt • DUNDEE

A GOOD

IS

RADIOGRAM

AN INVESTMENT It yields rich dividends in the way of entertainment, year in, year out . A good radiogram is a superb instrument, giv ing a fidelity in tone rendering undreamed of a few years back. Come in and look around our spacious Radiogram Showroom and see the newest models for yourself

C. BRUCE MILLER & Co. 51-53

GEORGE

STREET ,

Pho ne 20278

ABERDEEN

THE

TI

PER!IIOXA~OlJC~

1111

rs FAST DISAPPEARING FROM THE MODERN WAY OF BUSINESS. YOU CAN STILL FIND IT P E RVADING THE FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE IN ROB E RTS .

WHY NOT CALL ON US NEXT T[ME?

l.tOBEBTS

(ABERDEEN)

LT.B

HOUSE FURNISHE RS

lJNION

419

ESTABLISHED

ST.,

ABERDEEN

OVER 80 YEARS

CAN I HELP YOU? There are over 400 offices tran sacting Insurance business in Britain.

While it is very tru e to say there is no such thing as a bad Insurance office, it is equally true to say there is no one office that is the best for every type of insurance.

Choosing an office for your insurance "because you know someone who works there" can be very e,cpcnsivc. You consult your Lawyer on legal matters, your Doctor regarding medical advice, your Banker or Stockbroker on questions of finance, therefore is it not logical to consult an Insu rance Broker on in~urance matters 1 He charges you nothing for his services. He acts on your behalf, and tries to get you the widest protection at the cheapest rate. In the event of a claim, he acts as an intermediary between you and the Company.

Motor Insurance Premiums : For Post War Cars in the majority of cases an increase in premium is shown from 1st December, 1955.

For good and careful drivers it is possible to arrange a 33! per cent.

No Claim Bonus-Example: I, 100 c.c. Car value £500 net premium allowing for no claim bonus - £8 6s. 8d.

Please 'phone or write for quotation without a11y obligation.

J. LESLIE WILSON 34 BRIDGE STREEl l ei. 22207

ABERDEEN

(INSURA:"ICES &. FINANCE)

NATIONAL COAL BOARD SCOTTISH DlVISIOt'i

CAREERS 1~ ft IE COAL l\U l: G INDUSTRY

Modern Coalmining 1s very largely a new industry. More accurately, it is an old and vital industry which is being reconstructed to serve the present and future needs of the nation.

While other forms of energy will help, the main source of power in the foreseeable future will continue to be coal.

Technical Careers Many well-paid and absorbmg jobs are available and the Coal Board are ready to train you for them, either through a University Scholarship or-if you prefer to earn and learn at the same time- by taking you into the industry straight from school and providing technical training without loss of pay.

University Scholarships

I lighly trained mining engineers arc urgently needed. The ational Coal Board offer one hundred Univer)ily Scholarships a year: most are in Mining Engineering, but a few are available in Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineering and in Fuel Technology. They are about the same value as State Scholarships and successful candidates receive them in fullparents' financial position makes no difference to the value of the awards.

Practical Training

When you haYe qualified-either through the University or through technical college while working you are eligible for a two or three year cour~e under the Coal Board's management training scheme. Each trainee has a course mapped out for him personally and a senior engineer gives him individual supervision.

If you come into the industry on the Mining Engineering side, you have a very good chance of becoming, between the ages of 25 and 30, a colliery undermanager at a salary bet\,een £900 and £1,200 a year-or even a colliery manager.

Other Careers

There are also good careers in the Board's Scientific Department and in clerical and administrative posts. Young men and women of good educational standard (who have preferably spent some time in the sixth form or have attended a university) are also needed in such field~ as marketmg, finance and labour relations. lsuU details can bi: obtained from tbi: ..011~b Dif~ioo, 1'ational Coal Board, 2 Eglinton Crescent, fdinburgh, 12

I

PLEASE SUPPORT

THE GRAMMARIAN FAIR

SATURDAY

.

1n

THE

MUSIC

HALL

TROPHIES ENGRAVFD

ON

PREMISES

11 ½ in. High- No. 125 -

£16 10s.

A. & J. SMITH (JEWELLERS) LTD.

191 UNION

STREET

A B ERDEEN FSTAOLISHED

1863

GOLDSMITHS AND SILVERSMITHS OPTICIANS WATCH,

CLOCK

AND

JEWELLERY

REPAIRS

J. GEDDES IRVINE EDUCATIO AL CONSULTANTS AND TUTORS Individual and Private Tuition in all subjects for all School, University, Professional and Civil Service Examinations

9 ALBYN TERRACE, ABERDEEN Telephone No. Aberdeen 29863

COMPLETE POSTER SERVICES IN NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND

'

-

DA L BI LL P OSTING Company Limited

The GENE fl

60 U IO

RO W

•

ABERDEE T and at

TELEPHONE

28194

3 CHUR CH STREET INVERNESS

BRANCHES THROUGHOUT

6)1,,e

CITY

BOOKBINDING OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS

WILLIAM

JACKSON (ABERDEEN) LIMITED Offices:

6-10

UPPER

KIRKGATE

Factory :

FARMER'S Telephone 22591

HALL

LANE

Established 1855

* * *

1\IEN'S

* * *

''ARCADE''

TUNIC SIIIRTS with Double Front and 3 Truhenised (Rcgd.) Collars NECKB \ND Sl:ltS

13: to 17½ \TTR \CTIVE STRIPLD DESIGNS A\I) SELF COLOl..llS

100 ¼ NYLON COLLAR ATTACHED

SHIRTS CRE.\M, WHITE, BLUE A1'D GHI!.'i

e W e cordially invit e yo u to visit our modcrni ed fENs '

\.ND

Boys' DEPARnrn

TS

J)i rt•ct Er1tra11ce by Ailelp hi

I FALCONERS,UNION ST., ABERDEEN • Phone 52341 I

~be

!topper 1stttlt modern COCKTAIL lounge ... there 's nothing quite like it in the North. It's an established Aberdeen custom-cocktails in the Kopper Kettle .

THE EXlLES LEAVE BOOKS Consult these books in the Kopper Kettle and in the Buffet Lounge. They record the names of exiles home on leave.

IM n,..,W 111

UNION TERRACE

ABERDEEN

Resident Manaaer: R. C. TUCKER. F.H.C.I .

B U SIN ,ESS PRINTING

Th e Greyfri ar s Press 6-10 UP P ER K JRKGATE, TtltpMnt 29124

ABERDEEN

CORPORATION

OP ABER.DEEN -

ABERDEEN RECTOR

EDUCA TlON

GRAMMAR

COMM.lTT EE

SCHOOL

JAYES J. ROBERTSON, O. B.E., M.A . , B. D., F.R.S.E. , J.P.

TH E GRAMMAR SCHOO L provides a complete course of Primary and Secondary Education for Boys.

The School is organised as follows :-Kindergart en (S·7), Low er School (7-12), Middle Schoo l (u- 1s), Upper School (1 s-18).

T he School, which occupies an extensive site in the West Eod of the City, has, io addition to ample classroo m accommodation, an Assembly Hall with Stage, a spacious Library and Reading Room, 6ve well-equipped Laborarori es, four A rt Rooms , two .Music Rooms, four Workshops , two Gymnasia, a Dining Hall, and a Cinema-Projection Room.

While the School bas a Classical tr.<dition, it offers co nsiderable variety of co=, the subjects of the Secondary Departme nt being (io addition to Religious Education, Music, Physical Exercises and Games), English, History, Geography , Latin, Greek, French , German, Spanish, Mathematics, Physics, Cbemisuy, Botin y, Zool ogy, Art and Crafts, Technical Subjects, and Commercial Subjects. floys arc prepared for the Universities, the Civil Service, the Professions, Commerce and Industry. The Examinations normall.y taken arc the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department aod the Bursaries Competitions of the Scottis h Universities.

The School bas spacious Playing Fields at Rubislaw, the gam es played being Rugby Football, Cricket, Hoclc.c y, and Tennis.

ABERDE EN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (ALBYN PLACI!)

HEAD MISTRESS

Miss M. McNAB, M.A. (EDIN. )

T HE HIG H SCHOO L provides a complete course of educati on for girls between the •ics of s and 18 years. I t is organised in t hree Departme nts-Infants, Primary and Secondary. The girls in the Secondary Department are prepare d for the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education D epartment and the Bursary Competition and the Preliminary Examination of the University, aod those pupils who take Music, for the Examinations of the .Associated Board. The subjects stud ied compr ise Scriprure, Physical Edu cat ion, Class Singing, English, History, Geography, Mathematics, Pbysiet, Chemistry, Biology, Latin, Greek , German , Fren ch, Music, Art and Craft, Needlework, Cookery and Laundry. There is considerable variety possible in the choic e of subjec ts and courses.

At least one afternoon a week and Saturday mornin gs arc set aside for organised games at the School Playing Field of eleven acres situated at Ha:dehead.

Accommodation in a Boarding House run for the pupils of the School can be arranged.

I nformation 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 bad free on application to the Direct or of Educati on, Bdua.tion Offices, Municipal Buildings , Castle Street, or to the Rector or Head Mistress respectively.

SAVINGS

SIGNS

The habit of regular saving started while at school leads to independence, happiness, and good citizenship

THE ABERDEEN S AVINGS B ANK !19 UNION TERRACE

ABERDEEN 51 Branchff throuchout tlM Nor1b of Scotland

RUGGER AND FOOTBALL BOOTS correct fitting by X-RAY pedoscope

JOHN A. DUNN LTD. FAMILY BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS

46 UNION

STREET , ABERDEEN

also at PE.TE.RHEAD, ELGIN, FORFAR, TURRIFF Phone 20158