AGS Magazine December 1963

THE

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHGDL MAGAZINE

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Soth year No. 193 (New Series 7othyear No. 184)

DECEMBER 1963

Vol. LXVII

No. I

The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club twice during the year, in December and June

The Magazine Committee Rector of the School

.

John Vass Skinner, M.A., B.LITT., DIP. ED.

General Editor

.

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

.

Editor of Notes, ObitBrian K. Crookshanks, M.A., LL.B., uary, and Marriages I2 Bon-Accord Square, Aberdeen.

Alexander Tait, M.A. Joint Editors of the . {Ronald Henson, M.A. School Section Chairman of the F.P. . Alan C. R. Watt, M.A., LL.B. Club Executive Secretary of the F.P. Club J. Scott MacLachlan, M.A., LL.B., 220 Union Street, Aberdeen.

Advertisements

.

.

Frank C. Connon, M.A., LL.B., 58 Dee Street, Aberdeen.

Printed for The Former Pupils' Club at The University Press Aberdeen

CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS Centenary Dinner . . . . . .

Centenary Dinner . . . .

Senior Athletic, 1963 and Cricket 1st XI, 1963 Teams Malayan Centre Group . .

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General Section— Centenary Dinner, 23 October 1963 The Primary Department . . . . . .

Opening of New Swimming Pool . . . . . .

The Late Mr. Henry Paterson, M.A. . . . . .

School Library Appeal . . . . . . . .

A Lightning Trip to the Far East . . . . . .

T.A. Honour for Mr. James Morrison . . . . .

The Ryvoan Bothy Song. School Holidays . . . .

Parents and F.P.s . . . . . . . .

School Section-Office-Bearers . . . . . . . . .

The Centenary Year . . . . . . . .

School and Random Notes • . . . . . .

Staff Changes • • • • • • • .

Literary and Debating Society. Dramatic Society. Scripture Union. Film Society . . . . . . .

Arts Club. Photographic Society. Radio Club. Scientific .

Society . . . . . . . . .

Chess Club. Music . . . . . . . .

Senior Discussion Group. House Notes . . . .

Scout Notes • • • . . . . . .

School Sporting Activities— Rugby . . . . . . . . . .

Hockey • • • . . . . . .

Cricket. Badminton . . . . . .

Swimming. Athletics . . . . . . .

C.C.F. Notes .

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Edinburgh Festival • • . . . . . .

Regensburg 1963 . , . . . . . . .

Easter Trip to Spain, 1963 . . . . . . .

Lower School Notes .

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Literary Section— Prose—Meditations on the Sublimity of Things by Robert Craig A Sequel to the Motor Show by Donald A. Lamont .

Poems—Nocturne by Ian Teller . . . . . .

The Long and Short of It by John Tracey . . .

Autumn by D. Levinson . . . . . .

The Banshee by David Thomson . . . .

The Chase by C. Dressel . . . . . .

No Man's Land by Peter May . . . . .

The Waterfall by Robert Hutcheson . . . .

The Hunt by Neil McBeath . . . . .

Countdown by David Norbrook . . . .

Former Pupils' Club Section— Club Office-Bearers . . . . . . . .

Notes about F.P.s • 9 • • • • • .

Centres—Dundee . . . . . . .

Edinburgh. Malaya. West Bengal and Assam . .

Rugby Section. Hockey Section . . . . . .

Cricket Section . . . . . . . .

Swimming Section • • . . . . . .

Marriages . .

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Obituary . . . . . . . . . .

New Members • . . . . . . . .

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Centenary Dinner-23 October 1963 (In view of the importance of this occasion we are giving this report pride of place in the General Section, instead of placing it in the F.P. Section.)

To celebrate the Centenary of the opening on z3 October 1863 of the present School buildings in Skene Street the Club this year held its Annual Dinner in the form of a special Centenary Dinner— indeed Banquet would be a more proper term—in the School Hall on Wednesday 23 October and not a word of criticism have we heard against the success of the evening which all who attended agreed was outstanding in every respect; it was indeed openly acclaimed by many as the best P.P. function they have ever attended.

Dr. W. Douglas Simpson as President of the Club for 1963-64 was in the Chair, and he commenced the evening by intimating apologies from two of our most distinguished guests, viz. Lord Provost John M. Graham and Principal Edward M. Wright, both of whom were unhappily prevented from attending by illness.

He also read a touching letter received from the oldest F.P., Professor Alexander Findlay (1882-91) who joined the School as a pupil eighty-one years earlier.

Dr. Simpson also noted for our interest that Sir John Taylor was the only living Past President who had been unable to attend this special occasion.

A telegram from " Beattie Brown "—" The Honourable Lady Member "—was greeted with cheers, and a capacity crowd (occupying not only the floor of the Hall, but the Hall stage as well), gave Sir James J. Robertson a standing ovation when " Fossil " called upon him to propose the Toast of " The School and the Club ". (Sir James's speech is reproduced in full.) He said— " THE SCHOOL AND THE CLUB "

Let the familiar, homely words suffice, " Happy to meet again ", and from this seat of honour you have accorded me tonight I greet you with undiminished affection, adding only that an old chap finds he can make-do without the Grammar, given his own rich store of memories of her and the occasional visit when no man could be more graciously welcomed by his successor.

But what of our kindly mother herself, always and very specially tonight a focus of our best sentiment ? To outward seeming she wears uncommonly well, even if the once trim figure shows an alarming lateral expansion! Ah, but picture her just a century ago, a debutante of the year, in all her bright, slim, girlish elegance. Irresistible one might have said, and yet it is strangely difficult to determine just what 1863 felt about the forsaking of the old love and the migration from Schoolhill to Scots baronial and green sward in the West End. The old place, graceless and spaceless as it was, may yet have held the hearts of its 3oo boys so close that the new failed at first either to impress or to charm.

Be that as it may, I am sure that we here tonight align ourselves with the British Association's recent tribute to that older Aberdeen 3

.Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine 4 which built and provided on a scale that revealed a prescient awareness of the far greater needs the years would bring. Above all, we can never be too grateful for the vision that gave the School what must have seemed a century ago a shockingly extensive site.

Of course, there must have been genuine interest and pride in the new building during the years that followed, witness this. [Sir James held up a glass paper-weight.] Here is the New Grammar School of Aberdeen, preserved in glass if not in amber. Have many of these survived, I wonder. This one was spotted in a London antique shop and gifted to me by one of my old Falkirk High School girls. Two and a half cheers for co-education!

Scottish education was stirring in the 186os, and the Grammar's new spaciousness and amenity might well have prompted to a broader concept of the School's task. Alas, the vision seems to have been lacking, and the old faithful work went on within the old narrow round. In the twenty-five years after William Geddes left, six Rectors came and went, of whom it is not unfair to say that, if later memory denied to some of them a word of thanks and praise, for none of them, on the other hand, has it been claimed that he made a very deep and lasting impression on the School.

The coming of James Moir in 1881 brought to this place a kindlier climate and a humaner schooling. Our thoughts can dwell approvingly on those earlier,' unclouded years of his rectorship when his cultivated mind and sunny gracious nature were evoking the happiest response from the young life around him.

Surely too we must deem it remarkable that seventy-five years ago a Classical Head was proposing a conference of business men, board members, and schoolmasters, to frame a syllabus of standards and proficiency for budding apprentices, and to devise a scheme whereby apprenticeship might be shortened for higher school attainments.

His Reports are studded with good things. In 1886, Mr. Director, he writes, " The experiment of teaching French orally to the younger pupils has been very successful." And in '89 he records that in the first year of the newly-instituted Leaving Certificate no Grammar pupils were presented because " no arrangement had been come to as to who was to pay the expenses of conducting the examination ".

Don't hang your thrifty heads, gentlemen of Aberdeen! We have come a bit since then. Did we not last year spend £700,000 more than Dundee in educating a thousand fewer children?

If I put 1893 far above 1863, it's not because the Club and I both slipped modestly into the world in that later year but because Henry Fyfe Morland Simpson slipped into Aberdeen Grammar School.

1863 meant only a new building, but '93 in a very real sense a new school. I have never concealed that I am first and last a Morland Simpson man, and I back the claim that he was a true second founder of our School, so fundamental was the change he wrought, so many the fruitful developments he inaugurated. Take them in random Centenary Dinner pictures: copies may be hadfrom the respective photographers.

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5 list—the doubling of the Roll, the opening up of science and modern languages, the games-master, the Club itself and the Itlagaine, the Museum, the Byron Statue, and very specially in our minds tonight that transformation of the Hall which made it a continuous witness to the things that last, an ever-present reminder of the varied, exciting richness of our own inheritance. How rightly then, when the great chapter of his rectorship had closed, did the late Dr. George Duncan sum it up, " Our successors will regard Dr. Simpson as the pioneer in Aberdeen of that more complete ideal of education which strives after the full development not only of the intellect of the pupil but of the moral, spiritual, and physical sides of his nature as well." Almost as strange at first as the austere presence and alien speech of the man himself must have seemed the queer things he wanted to do with and for the Grammar School; for here was nothing less than a native schooling, admirably strenuous but unbearably narrow, being offered the best fruits of a more ample and a mellower educational tradition.

But Morland Simpson's conquest was far more than the prevailing of any tradition. It was the triumph of sheer personal worth, which the unspoiled instincts of boyhood were quick to recognise: it was surrender before unmistakable evidence that this man from outside cared, and cared supremely, for the School. His old pupil, Dr. Edgar Smith, let us into the secret. " H.F.M.S. ", he wrote, " wooed and won the Grammar School. One of its greatest lovers, he became one of its greatest Rectors. Love of the school was the keynote." Mr. President, I could fain have made this a veritable Morland Simpson night of praise and recall; but, since that can hardly be, I am content to say of your father now—A prince among schoolmasters, so preeminent indeed that even if his son had proved not a quarter the man you are, you would still have stood high in our regard for the debt we owe him.

Two brief interludes were to follow. The swift vanishing of the boyish Rector must have called forth many a sighful " We weep to see you haste away so soon ". Grammar had only the bright promise, Scottish education in its wholeness had the ample fulfilment. And at the end of the day St. Andrew's House knew and knew gratefully, what Aberdeen had discovered long before; that there was much more to John Mackay Thomson than scholarship and a marked administrative gift; that here was one who in the discharge of high office proved unfailingly dependable, considerate and just to all who served with him. Sir John, the junior emeritus is proud and happy to salute the senior.

Then Douglas Millar, born schoolmaster, rugger blue, and the first to dream of a Grammar Boarding House. If he stole your hearts, he gave you his and in a sense he never really left you. Twenty years on, the Manchester headmaster who followed me at Royal High said a little plaintively, "I just couldn't get Douglas Millar to talk seriously about Edinburgh at all. He would only sing the praises of Aberdeen and the Grammar School."

When that shy, shrewd bachelor, David Andrew, was walking out of this place, he said in effect: I'm quite content if I haven't spoiled it.

6

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

Do not be impatient with that self-assessment. Of course, there was much more to it than that—the example of fastidious courtesy, the humour, moderation and sheer civility of the man, and that expert building-up of our book-stock that gave Grammar Scotland's premier school-library. But this is how I see it. In those halcyon years between, ere our world had shattered into bits, Aberdeen Grammar displayed for a season the sort of perfection in its kind occasionally vouchsafed to the things of time. Academic success continued to be massive and brilliant, while the ordinary boy was perfectly at home here, as he has rarely been in any Scottish school. A Staff, scholarly and long-staying, lived itself into a fellowship of past and present, home and school, a fellowship self-sufficient, harmonious and at once tough and urbane, even if the fairy at the Town House was not invited to its every feast! There was, too, a great flowering of athletics as Grammar moved into the top flight of Scottish rugby; and did you you not have as corrective, the immense vitality of the 1st, the 9th and the i7th Troops, together with those long days given to hill and moor? Well now, why should David Andrew of all men have wanted to tamper or innovate where to change must have seemed to him merely to spoil? I leave it with this parting question, which I never brought myself to put to him—what happened to the School Hockey which Morland Simpson introduced at some cost to the rectorial shins and I in due season restored? Sacrificed, I suspect, to a pure monotheistic faith in Rugby Football!

Have there been only Rectors in A.G.S., do I hear you murmur?

Ah gentlemen, you know that every educational value I cherish would cry out against any suggestion that staff matter less. The primacy of the teaching office is never in question, nor the irreplaceable contributions in their different spheres of a Miss Mackie, a Charles Macleod or a Munson, a Caesar, a C.D. or a Duncan Mac, to mention but older names. They are in most memories tonight, but you sense the speaker's dilemma? When a hundred years have to go into some twenty minutes, then, if you'll allow the figure, it just has to be the team captain alone who comes forward to receive the cup.

Of one who came from Edinburgh with a single ticket, I propose to say little more than this: that he never very seriously wished he had a return half in his wallet. He just capitulated to the Grammar, finding there all the ingredients of satisfying, happy days. If there were occasional frustrations from without, they were in the day's work and are largely forgot. What does abide, however, is a deep regret that the problem of the School's future, a problem of great complexity, calling for unhurried consideration and much, fresh, imaginative thinking, was resolved in what I must regard as the easiest, the most conventional, and the most damaging way, to the joy of the doctrinaire and the grief of the historian.

The Hall; the School; the Club.

To me, the Hall never meant Prize-Giving, an annual futility I could scarce abide. It meant, apart from hallowed occasions, just a school assembled; the Prefect at the lectern, and my own eyes turning first to the golden names, then to my Englishman, and to Theodore

Centenary Dinner

7 Watt, that one in a generation, the strong tower so greatly needed and so sorely missed—" But I'll remember thee, Glencairn, and a' that thou hast done for me ". After that moment's communing with my silent mentors, I could let eyes and thoughts rest on the rows of young faces, for I felt my mind had made a queer, quick linkage of the insistent present with a past that speaks and a future that beckons, a linkage without which no head of school should begin his working day.

The School—its secret and essence ? To the outsider many words might not convey it; within the family few are needed; so just one little story, even if it shows an ex-rector in a deplorable light.

Detection had followed crime, and I broke the silence in the sanctum, "Well, wretched boy, what now? Shall I execute you forthwith, or have a thoughtful word with your father?" In an indignant flash he was back. " Of course, you'll execute me, sir.

You wouldn't bring my parents into a thing like this; it just wouldn't be decent." Justice was served, and we parted in deep accord with no trauma at all. That was the authentic note, the old close-knit freemasonry, firmly barred against all the uninitiate. Long may it survive!

The Club ? In my term as Examiner, your marks were consistently high! You never fell into that excess of zeal and intervention which some heads of schools have found a bit oppressive in their Old Boys' Club. In the days of threat, you showed much restraint and sound sense! You abounded in good works; your support was unfailing.

And later when certain shabby folk sought, unbeknownst to us, to filch out little bit of free endowment, did we not plunge together into that jolly and successful venture, Grammarian Fair? I am minded to recall tonight Eric Linklater's genial and effective part in it, and to remember with gratitude and affection how much we owed to Mrs. Gray, who was so soon to be taken from us.

Advice to you? Just what your founder gave the Club when it was young—Exist primarily for the School. Fellowship is precious and nostalgia well enough, but sentiment keeps better when it is rooted in the continuing life of the School. Remember too that when in a changing world you give your heart to a school, it must be for better, for worse, and the rougher the weather, the more it needs you. And this to end with: it is still meaningful to speak of your school. For it's theirs only by statute, whereas yours is that better title which derives from loyalty and love.

At the end of his speech, Sir James was again given a standing ovation, a remarkable tribute indeed to an indeed remarkable man for whom obviously the passing of the years has brought no restraint on his effortless and irresistible flow of magic eloquence.

The Rector of the School, Mr. John Skinner, then replied on behalf of the School and first welcomed Sir James back to " the scene of his finest triumphs ". He brought a chuckle with his telling of the anxious consideration which had been given to the questions of (a) whether or not smoking should be allowed in the Hall even on this special

8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

occasion, and (b) whether or not drinks might just for this once be served within the hallowed walls; and he scored well " against " F.P.s by recalling his first meeting with them four years previously at the Annual Dinner when he was greatly impressed by the calibre of man whom he saw sitting before him, until when " the guests " were drunk, he was surprised to find that almost half the company remained seated as guests—and he later discovered they were in fact Gordonians.

The Rector then devoted the rest of his speech to the " Statutory Report " which we expect from him on the state of the Empire, and on this occasion about the new buildings, particularly the swimming pool opened earlier that day which he described as " possibly the greatest event in School history ". He detailed the accommodation to be furnished in the new buildings, " a happy and successful marriage of new to old " and reminded those present how, after this evening's dinner, the Hall is to be converted into a Library.

He emphasized the importance of a good library to a School such as ours and acknowledged the large number of book donations received; and stressed that while School probably has one of the best School libraries in the country he is still eager to accept donations in books or cash to increase the Library.

He paid tribute to the loyalty and devotion of the School Staff and said that while some may be anxious for the future of the School, it is no weak plant ready to die before the cold winds of change; its roots go deep and he was satisfied that with the continuing loyalty of staff and F.P.s and with its own resilience, we need have no cause to fear the future if the Grammar but to itself remain true.

He was followed by Dr. Douglas Simpson replying on behalf of the Club. He stressed his gratitude to the Club for having appointed him President for a second spell and felt that his father " looking down this night in contentment and happiness " would be greatly impressed by the present prosperity of the Club and by all that it represented in personal achievement for the late Theodore Watt, perhaps the School's most devoted pupil, for it had never been better served by a single man.

With regard to future prospects, he was not altogether happy.

He looked back on the strength of the Club in the past as manifest by, for example, the Shanghai Clock Benefaction, but he deplored the fact that the problem of education has in this century become " a pawn in the game of party politics ". Nowadays, he believed, we are at the mercy of Town Council members who may have no qualifications to serve on an Education Committee, and yet we have no Board of Governors (as we might well have) to act as a buffer between us and party politicians. The price of liberty he believed lies in eternal vigilance and, therefore, we must in all consciousness intervene if we feel that this liberty is being threatened. If we will but determinedly show this eternal vigilance, then we need not necessarily have fears of foreboding or of incipient deterioration as regards the future.

Centenary Dinner

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" THE GUESTS "

Eric Linklater proposed the Toast of " The Guests," whimsically deploring the absence of the Lord Provost and the University Principal for had he not been invited to come this evening to shoot—only to find that the birds had flown? The situation had, however, been saved by the gallantry of Mr. Marshall of that other " most esteemable Institution " who had volunteered at less than twenty-four hours' notice to stand in for both these gentlemen, and he suggested that his right hand might represent the Principal and his left hand the Lord Provost.

He spoke of his admiration and affection for the Lord Provost after seeing him appear on television a short time before in a Debate which had shown " the great qualities of the man ".

He then indulged in some personal recollections as to three Institutions which had meant much to him. First Aberdeen itself, returned to in 1919 after war service, a city of scintillation and pleasure and a place " easy to get out of "; then the University—giving a great sensation of delight to him, for in those days you were allowed to fail lots of exams; and thirdly the F.P. Club with all its friendly associations.

He then paid great tribute to the late Principal T. M. Taylor likening him to a mixture of Walter Elliot and James Bridie. As to the great Morland Simpson, had he only been able to see how recent British history would develop, he would have devoted even more time to teaching boys more history—of the Romans. He hailed him as the great re-creator of the Grammar School.

With regard to the present political unhappiness, he believed this is not permanent, and hoped that the University would strive to encourage local entrants and devote itself to the needs more of students from Aberdeen and " twal mile roond "; and he finished off with the thought that if only we could get a Board of Governors representing the F.P.s, the Town Council and the 'Varsity jointly, we might well be able to promote a Grammar School which would be a great 'Varsity feeder, a School which could live in " Bon Accord " with the Council.

Replying, Mr. John Marshall, the Headmaster of Gordon's, who identified himself as being from " the auld hoose in Schoolhill ", said that his was a case of his right hand not knowing what his left hand was doing. He thanked the Club for its " Hostmanship " and voiced the appreciation of the Guests that they had been allowed to participate in this " intimate historical family occasion ".

"THE CHAIRMAN"

Alan Watt then performed the very difficult task, at this stage of the evening, of putting over " The Chairman " in a pawky and most acceptable manner. For this unique occasion we had selected a unique Chairman. The response to his Archaeological Lectures was fantastic and, in fact, exceeded the popular response to groups such as the Beatles, for had he not long extolled the subtle charm

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine and mystery of the privies at Kildrummy, and had he not proved himself far ahead of the teenagers who only very recently had started to dig this and dig that—whereas " Fossil " had been digging for forty years and was, indeed, undisputed King of the Castle. He saluted him not only as a son of his father, but no less as a personality in his own right, the only F.P. to be given two terms as President, viz. as 35th President and 45th President, which surely counted a lot more than a mere i4th Earl!

50

It was indeed a " gran' nicht ", an unforgettable occasion, with a fine representative company covering the years of entry to School from 1889 to 1961. Great pleasure was had by many in seeing School friends whom they hadn't seen for twenty or thirty years and a benignity, contentment and good humour presided over the whole evening in a manner seldom before seen at an F.P. Dinner. It should be fairly noted, however, that a great part of the success of the evening was directly due not only to the excellent banquet put on for us by Alistair Laing but just as much from the manner in which he unobtrusively marshalled his well-disciplined troop of waitresses, so that course upon course was presented to us without a second of impatient delay or wasted moment.

Lastly, tribute falls to be paid to Brian Crookshanks for the great volume of work which he did in organising and attending to the administrative side of this great occasion.

The Company Chairman

W. Douglas Simpson* (1901-13) President of the Club 1953-54 and 1963-64 Guests

Sir James J. Robertson Rector, 1942-59 Sir John Mackay Thomson Rector, 1920-21 J. V. Skinner Rector since r 959

J. R. Clark Director of Education

Alexander Goldie Rector, Aberdeen Academy

John Marshall Headmaster, Robert Gordon's Coll.

Colin Maclver Convener, Education Committee

Representatives of Ober F.P. Clubs

George Mortimer Aberdeen Academy F.P. Club

J. Noble Aberdeen Walsonian Club N. W. Reekie Aberdeen and District Heriot Club

E. A. Reid Daniel Slewart's College F.P. Club (Aberdeen Branch)

R. F. Tully Gordonian Association Past Presidents of the Club

I950-51—J. G. Kyd (1891-98) I952-53—J. A. Lillie (1893-1903) 1954-55—Sir Landsborough Thomson (1899-1908) 1955-56-H. J. Butchart* (1890-99) 1956-57—Eric Linklater (1913-16) 1957-58—D. P. Cochran (1906-15)

Members Present i958-59—J. L. Riddell* (1907-16) z960-61-R. B. Williamson (1906-18) 1961-62—The Hon. Lord Johnston (1913-26) I962-63—Alexander Gray (I9I0-21)

Past Vice-President I928-30—G. G. Nicol* (1894-1903)

Representatives of Club Centres Dundee E. F. Anderson (1922-29) Edinburgh Douglas Reith (1924-35) Glasgow B. D. D. Emslie (1929-34) London R. A. E. Mennie (1924-36) Yorkshire 0. G. Prosser (1907-18) A. Smith' (1889-96) N. J. J. Walker* (1893-0O A. Rose (1900-13) J. S. Stewart (1900-08) G. Forbes (1902-04) E. B. Reid (1092-13) J. F. Walker (1902-14) J. M. Ross (1903-14) Sir Patrick McKcrron (1904-10) J. Leith (1905-17) H. J. Edwards (1906-17) D. C. Sangster* (1906-13) G. R. Fraser (1907-08) H. D. Christie (1908-21) J. Cooper (1908-14) A. J. M. Edwards (1908-21) E. J. Galloway (1908-18) G. N. Gordon (1908-19) J. G. Kilgour (1909-16) J. C. Esslemont (1919-22) L. R. Harper (1910-17) T. K. Macdonald (1910-19) I. G. McPherson (1910-17) R. J. Maitland (1911-18) E. M. Munro (1911-23) W. G. Thow (1911-22) J. G. Sellar (1912-18) N. B. Sellar (1912-21) J. B. Esslemont (1913-24) M. G. Gibb (1913-22) J. H. Henderson (1913-21) H. S. Milne (1913-25) J. I. Scott (1913-22) E. A. Sinclair (1913-22) J. S. Walker (1913-17)

W. G. Hutcheon (1914-23) W. A. Nelson (1914-24) S. D. Ross (1914-20) J. D. Brown (1915-19) H. Esslemont (1915-19) G. P. Fyfe (1915-23) J. W. L. Bain (1916-22) A. M. Campbell (1916-27) M. Cramb (1916-29) D. Hanna (1916-22) G. H. McCrombie (1916-29) J. H. Gray (1917-29) F. F. Stott (1917-30) C. J. Strachan (1917-21) G. A. C. Walker (1917-23) L. G. Boyd (1918-29) J. R. Carry (1918-30) W. M. Miller (1918-2;) A. Nicol Smith (1918-29) I. G. Shinnie (1918-28) I. L. Smith (1918-30) E. W. M. Watt (1918-31) W. R. Wisely (1918-24) N. S. Clark (1919-29) J. H. L. Inns (1919-23) J. Middleton (1919-23) L. Middleton (1919-32) J. S. Stephen (1919-29) A. D. Troup (1919-zz) E. R. Birkett (1920-22) A. J. Peters (1920-30) W. B. Rae (1920-24) W. H. Stephen (1920-29) A. W. R. Wilson (1920-28) W. C. Youngson (T920-31) G. H. Henderson (1921-34) D. H. McDougall (1921-34) J. S. MacLachlan (1922-23) G. F. Hamilton (192z-3o) A. R. Smith (192z-26) G. E. C. Barton (1923-26) J. R. S. Junes (1923-35) J. Mortimer (1923-27) F. S. Taylor (1923-28) J. R. Fiddes (1924-37) A. M. Milne (1924-32) J. Reid (1924-34) J. C. Williamson (192 4-34) J. R. Buchanan (1925-36) W. L. Forbes (1925-28) A. C. Frazer (I925-3o) F. Harper (1925-28) N. I. W. Meldrum (1925-37) A. C. R. Watt (1925-37) C. Connon (1926-38) A. S. Matheson (1926-3O

II

I2

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

E. M. Smith (1926-38) H. M. R. Watt (1926-38) W. Milne (1927-39) F. R. Paterson (1927-40) R. K. Booker (1928-41) W. N. Menzies (1928-29) J. T. Scorgie (1928-41) R. A. Williamson (1928-36) R. J. Bain (1929-41) C. M. Hall (1929-40) J. H. Herd (1929-43) S. F. Lindsay (1929-32) K. J. Peters 1929-41) W. L. Connon (1930-40) T. W. N. Davidson (1930-41) J. MacKenzie (1930-32) F. J. Meldrum (1930-41) W. M. Ewen (1932-44) A. D. Lyall (1 932-45) R. L. MacKinnon (1 932 -45) J. McP. Mutch (1932-44) C. L. C. Soutar (1932-41) F. C. Connon (1932-44) J. T. Wiseman (1932-44) I. D. Inns (1933-38) P. C. Millar (1933-44) R. F. F. Steven (1933-43) R. J. Armstrong (1934-41) W. G. H. Bell (1934-46) J. D. Chalmers (1934-39) B. K. Crookshanks (1934-46) L. D. Davidson (1 934-40) S. McK. Davidson (1 934-44) J. S. Finnic (1934-41) A. R. Lyall (1934-46) E. G. MacRae (1 934-47) J. M. Milne (1934-46) R. D. L. Smart (1 934-47) A. G. Westland (1 934-45) J. A. McGregor (1935-44) G. A. Macnab (1935-44) M. J. Mitchell (1935-47) D. M. A. Shewan (1935-43) G. M. M. Slater (1935-48) F. P. Lynch (1936-49) E. McLeod (1936-49) A. M. Davidson (1937-45) J. W. Howison (1 937-50) J. G. W. Jones (1937-47) J. D. Rust (1937-48) E. D. Watt (1937-50) D. N. Annand (1938-51) W. S. Donald (1938-49) C. L. Forbes (1938-51) D. H. Henderson (1938-50) J. McBain (1938-51)

P. E. G. Mitchell (1938'47) Q. A. Aitken (1 939-45) H. M. Munro (1939-50) S. A. C. Robertson (1939-51) G. Tough (1 939-41 ) J. W. Cradock (1940-46) A. A. Lawrence (1940-46) W. C. M. Lawrence (1940-43) I. R. Macdonald (1940-52) J. H. Galloway (1941-55) R. C. Munro (1941-51) R. C. Barton (1942-55) A. H. Cairns (1942-56) J. M. Jeffrey (194 2-57) J. G. Matheson (1942-45) N. M. Munro (1942-56) I. M. S. Park (1 942-55) R. W. Strachan (1942-47) M. F. Watson (1942-56) W. S. Wilson (1942-55) J • P. Cairns (1943-57) A. M. Campbell (1 943-53) A. M. H. Crawford (1 943-57) A. Cromar (1944-5o) R. L. Cromar (1 944-49) D. A. Fowlie (1944-57) D. B. Galloway (1944-58) W. G211 (1944-48) E. Grieve (1944-5o) D. R. Harper (1944-58) J. P. Jeffrey (1944-59) J. C. A. Michie (1944-58) J. Milne (1 944-50 I. D. F. Thomson (1944-48) T. Craig (1945-5 0) H. M. Aird (1946-60) R. S. Brown (1946-55) J. Hyland (1946-58) G. D. Reid (1946-61) L. J. C. Rennie (1946-53) G. A. Robb (1946-60) J. G. C. Weir (1946-61) K. M. Gorrod (1947-61) D. K. Parkinson (1 947-59) S. F. Robertson (1947-58) A. R. Smith (1947-6O R. I. L. Smith (1947-60) M. L. Wolkoff (1 947-59) R. W. Youngson (1947-60) D. J. F. Bimie (1948-62) F. M. Coutts (1948-61) G. W. Glentworth (1948-61) R. W. Grant (1948-61) M. J. Hardie (1948-59) M. Plowman (1948-60) C. T. Preshaw (1948-60)

Members Present R. S. Riley (1948-35) I. C. F. Wisely (1948-61) D. S. McKenzie (1949-60) A. H. Mitchell (1949-54) H. G. Mitchell (1949-58) S. W. Pope (1 949-63) M. G. Walker (1 949-57) H. A. B. Harper (1950-57) R. S. McKay (1950-57) A. D. Milne (1950-58) G. G. Milne (1959-61) N. R. D. Begg (1951-59) M. G. King (1951-60) E. A. S. Porter (1951-58) D. I. M. Sutherland (1951-55) N. K. Campbell (1952-58)

13

P. N. Love (1952-58) A. B. Matheson (1952-58) T. W. Ogg (1952-58) C. M. Fumival (1953-58) I. G. Spiby (1953-59) R. C. Scace (1954-60) A. I. Soppitt (1954-60) R. Watson (1954-61) J. A. Banks (1957-63) E. G. Grant (1957-63) D. I. Lennox (1958-61) M. C. Robinson (1958-62) R. N. Pedersen (1959-63) J. A. Thomson (1959-62) D. S. Cairns (1961-63)

Staff Members D. Anderson A. G. Baxter R. Brown A. Bruce P. Cook H. Davidson W. W. Dickic D. Hawksworth K. D. Henderson R. Henson N. W. King J. Lynch S. D. H. McClean

Note.

A. L. McCombie E. McDonald R. McLeod R. McNay E. E. Morrison J. D. Morrison J. D. Murray J. L. Nicholson P. W. Scott I. T. Stephen A. L. Stevenson A. Tait J. T. Waters

Those marked with an • were present also at the 1923 Anniversary Dinner.

14

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The Primary Department

In November 1957 Aberdeen Education Committee decided that the Primary Departments of the School and the Aberdeen High School for Girls should be dosed. This decision was reached on the casting vote of the Chairman, and after receiving vigorous protests from the F.P. Clubs of the two Schools, and from various other bodies, parents and a Committee representing members of the public, the Secretary of State for Scotland (by whom such a proposal has statutorily to be approved) suggested to the Committee that they leave the proposal in abeyance until such time as it was clear that a change would command such a degree of acceptance as would offer reasonable assurance of its permanence. The Education Committee adopted this suggestion in 1958 and in the Primary Department was reprieved—but not for long.

Early in 196z it was again proposed in the Education Committee that the Committee consider the closure of the two Primary Departments—with effect from the termination of session 1970-71. (This meant that there would be two further intakes to the Departments in 1963 and 1964, but that thereafter no more pupils would be admitted and that the Primary Department in each School would be decreased by two classes in each year between 1965 and 1971.) In due course the proposal came before the Education Committee for decision and on z8 January 1963, by 15 votes to 7, it was approved, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State.

The Committee consists of twenty-seven members—x z Labour councillors, 5 Progressive councillors and to external members (appointed on account of their interest in and knowledge of educational matters). At the meeting the members who voted for closure comprised i i Labour councillors and 4 external members: 4 Progressive councillors and 3 external members opposed closure. Five members of the Committee—I Labour councillor (Lord Provost Graham), i Progressive councillor and 3 external members—were unavoidably absent but all five (including the Lord Provost) subsequently stated publicly that they were opposed to the closure of the Primary Departments.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Club held on 18 February 1963 a resolution deploring the Education Committee's decision was passed unanimously, and the Executive Committee were authorised to make representations to the Secretary of State, to co-operate with other interested parties and to take such further action in this connection as the Committee deemed appropriate. A similar resolution was passed unanimously at a well-attended Public Meeting in Aber deen on 4 March 1963, when the speakers included Dr. W. Douglas Simpson, President of the Club, and Sir James J. Robertson. A Joint Committee consisting of representatives of the F.P. Clubs, the parents of pupils at both Schools and the parents of prospective pupils was appointed.

Subsequently this Joint Committee submitted a Petition to the Secretary of State which answered the arguments for closure, set forth

4

1_,

The Primary Department

I5

the case for retention and maintained that the reasons for retaining the Primary Departments were overwhelming. The Secretary of State was asked to refuse to sanction the proposed closure or alternatively, before coming to a decision, to order a full Public Inquiry at which the arguments for and against the proposal could be publicly stated and fully examined. Petitions* were also submitted by both F.P. Clubs and other interested groups. A large number of individuals protested to the Secretary of State and to their Members of Parliament.

On 1 November 1963 the Secretary of State intimated that he had approved of the Education Committee's proposal. He stated that he fully appreciated the considerations which had led the Club and other bodies to oppose the discontinuance of the Primary Departments which had served the educational needs of Aberdeen well in the past, but he explained that, in his opinion, the arguments for and against the proposal appeared to be evenly balanced. He was satisfied that the discontinuance of the Primary Departments would not prejudice the fulfilment by the Education Committee of their statutory duty to make adequate and efficient provision for primary and secondary education in their area. In these circumstances and in view of the clear majority (r5 to ) of the Education Committee in favour of the proposal, he did not feel justified in withholding approval of it.

The Secretary of State also declined to hold a Public Inquiry since he believed that the views of all interested parties were already known and as there seemed to be no dispute about the facts in the case.

A further Public Meeting was held in Aberdeen on 4 December 1963, at which Dr. W. Douglas Simpson, Sir James J. Robertson and Dr. Gilbert F. Hamilton were the principal speakers. It was unanimously agreed to press the Secretary of State to hold a Public Inquiry since it was believed that the arguments for and against the Education Committee's proposal, while well known to the parties concerned, were little understood by the electors of Aberdeen. It was also agreed to invite electors in the City to sign a public petitiont to the Education Committee. Another Joint Committee (including seven members of the Executive Committee of the F.P. Club) was appointed, and every effort is now being made to avert what is, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, an unnecessary and unjustifiable step that will inevitably change the whole character of the School and destroy something of unquestionable value. * It is not practicable in this short account of recent events to report the various arguments for and against the Education Committee's proposal, but copies of the Petitions to the Secretary of State may be examined in the office of the Secretary of the Club. t Copies may be obtained from the Secretary of the Club.

A. C. R. W.

i6

Aberdeen Grammar School Alagaine

The Opening of the New Pool On the afternoon of 23 October 1963 a very important event in the history of the School took place—the opening of the new swimming pond (and a magnificent one it is too-75 feet by 3o feet) a pool varying in depth from 3 feet to 7 feet 6 inches, complete with diving boards, spring board, and the usual accommodation, sprays etc. For the occasion a most attractive pamphlet had been prepared carrying the School colours, and Mr. Colin Maclver presided, in the absence of Lord Provost Graham through illness. Introducing Col. H. J. Butchart, Mr. Maclver recalled some anecdotes about " Butch " who had been at School at approximately the same time as himself, and he recalled in particular how " Butch " played rugby with " a barbaric ferocity "!

Before dedaring the pool open, Col. Butchart recalled his family's long association with School—his unde came as a pupil in 1864 and he himself in i 89o; and went on to point out that today's opening was really in a way a " closing "—namely the end to a 70-year dispute and wrangle as to whether or not we should have a pool at all, the history of this dispute running along these lines— i893—the School Board made provision for the proposal School extensions in Westfield to include a pool—but then struck out the pool from their plans, indignant protest against this followed in the Press and at public meetings, and in 1896—a public meeting decided on representations being made to the Department, which, however, passed the matter back to the School Board ; and notwithstanding the intervention of the Town Council the new extensions ultimately went up without a pool. In 1898—Col. Butchart was himself captain of swimming at School and (as we well know) since his leaving School he has from time to time vigorously asserted the claim that School should have its own pool, but only in 195 8—was the pool at last finally decided upon.

Col. Butchart recalled his early swimming days in the old Town Council pool at the foot of Constitution Street, and finished off by reiterating his view that " it is more-than-ever important to emphasise the necessity of people taking a sufficient amount of exercise ". He considered that it is not just the amount of exercise which is important so much as the regularity thereof.

He then declared the pool formally open and invited School's swimming captain Peter Collier to complete the official ceremony by diving in off the top board.

Thereafter a short demonstration was given by pupils of the various stages of learning to swim, and the opening was then rounded off by a race between an F.P. team, viz. Messrs. A. J. M. Edwards, C. Connon, "Dicey" Paterson, Gordon Spake, Tom Houghton and Garth Brentworth and a School team, viz. Brian Cowie, Peter Collier, John Wright, Doug.

Craig, lain Wostenholme and Fred Middleton. The School team won by a small margin—but it would have been much larger but for the sportsmanship of School's last swimmer who took the last length at a leisurely pace to enable his rival (almost) to catch up on him I A noble ending to a great occasion.

The Late Mr. Henry Paterson, M.A. It was with the deepest regret that we learned that Mr. Henry Paterson, M.A., who retired from the Deputy Rectorship of the School in the winter of 1951, had died at Nairobi, Kenya, on z November 1963.

Mr. Paterson, who served the Grammar School faithfully for over thirty-two years, joined the staff, after war service, in 1919 as senior assistant in Modern Languages. A graduate of Edinburgh University, he had already taught in George Heriot's and, after five years here, his fine qualities were recognised when he was promoted to the headship of the Department of French and German. At no time were his interests confined to the narrow limits of the classroom. In his earlier years " Pa Pat " was a familiar figure at Rubislaw and rendered yeoman service in coaching both in rugby and cricket. To him is due, in no small measure, the distinguished record, at that time, of Byron of which he was House Master for many years. He served his colleagues no less generously, being an indefatigable worker in the E.I.S., the Teachers' Nursing Home Scheme and latterly, after the dissension, the S.S.T.A. His early training in the Army endowed him with a lasting interest in things mechanical which he was able to transfer, most readily, to the motor-car and in this field, he became an expert of considerable ability. Here, too, he appeared as the willing mentor and knowledgeable consultant to prospective car purchasers of the staff and not a few of these embryo-motorists were initiated into the mysteries of driving, under his aegis. He showed a great fondness for the open-air life and spent many happy days at his rural retreat near Tomintoul. He was no mean exponent with the rod and line and, a regular attender at staff outings, he proved himself a sound performer on the golf course. As a further evidence of the measure of his versatility, it must be recorded that, after leaving the Grammar School, he was invited to the inner sanctum of the Education Office where he worked for several months on the administrative side.

When his time came to depart from the School he had grown to love so deeply, such was the esteem of his colleagues—the young, who regarded him with filial affection and the not-so-young, who had travelled the green and lean years in his company—that it was decided to honour him with the first staff function of the post-war years, an occasion which it is still a delight to recall. Thus he took his leave of us, then, if an unashamed classicist may make bold to sail in unfamiliar seas. " Heureux, qui comme Ulysse a fait un beau voyage."

But life had yet something in store for his adventurous spirit. Soon came the holiday in Kenya and the decision to settle there, even in a troubled land, on the other side of the world. There followed the difficulties of building a new house and learning new skills in growing coffee, the thrill of two trips home and happy re-unions.

To Mrs. Paterson and her family we extend our deepest sympathy in the passing of her husband and hasten to assure her that he will be long remembered in the Grammar School for his loyalty, friendliness and tolerance, these inestimable qualities of an outstanding colleague.

R. McL. 17

18

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The School Library Apr eal A year ago it was sharply lamented in the Magazine that the appeal for books for the School Library had met with the poorest of responses.

It is the more pleasant, therefore, to report in this issue that since then quite a number of books, from various sources, have been donated, some directly to the Rector or the School Librarian, some through the Editor of the Magazine, and some by way of the Secretary of the Club.

Those who give books to others ordinarily are men who find in books profit and pleasure for themselves; and the volumes that have been presented do obviously, in large part, come from men whose affection for the School is linked in their minds with gratitude for the particular pleasure of reading and of study that the library has provided.

Not all of the books will find a place on the shelves, for some kinds of knowledge become outmoded, and contemporary literary reputations are liable to violent fluctuations; but those who have given and those who may have it in mind yet to give can be sure that the new, wider spaces that are promised for our library will both finely set off what we've got and yet leave room for still more. The architects are presently thinking of the new library, but plans are still fluid so that it is impossible to envisage with any particularity the shape of things to come. But whatever that shape turn out to be it is good to know that the heritage of books which we carry continues to be remembered and will continue to be added to by old Grammarians.

It is not practicable to give in the Magazine the name of every person who donated a book, but the Editor, the Rector and the School Librarian would like in thanking every one who, in whatever measure, responded to the appeal, to make particular mention of some larger donations. These include: from the estate of the late Dr. G. P. Hector, donated by his widow and son, 4o books; from Mr. James Eddison, so long a master in the School, dose on zoo books; from Mr. E. G. H. Lightfoot, Hove, Sussex, some 7o books; and from Dr. A. A. Cormack, Mr. John Dunn (1946-48), Mr. David Edward (19O39), Mr. John Gray, son of Professor Sir Alexander Gray, and Mr. Alexander Shaw (1951-58) substantial numbers of books. To those, and to all the others the School rests indebted, and would express its warm thanks.

A Lightning Trip to the Far East During a lightning tour of South East Asia I found myself in Hong Kong at the beginning of the Cheung Chan Bun Festival. This was not in itself remarkable since all of South East Asia seems to exist from festival to festival interspersed from time to time with wild excesses of stone-throwing, riots and Embassy-sackings. Indeed I only missed the wrath of the anti-Malaysian citizens of Djakarta by a month. For this I was glad. Nevertheless I was safe in Hong Kong for the Bun Festival and determined to enjoy it.

The origin of the festival is quite recent. About eighty years ago a number of skeletons were found on Cheung Chan, or Dumb-bell island, eight miles south-west of Hong Kong. These gruesome discoveries were reckoned to be the bones of innocent people surplus to the needs of pirates who used to, and still do, flourish in that part of the world. After the bones had been found the residents of the island suddenly realised that they had been dogged by persistent illness and a variety of bad luck for years. The bones were to blame. In cases of this nature there is a standard panacea and so a priest was brought in to investigate. His diagnosis was the normal one of evil spirits turned vicious by the ignorance of humanity and the treatment followed the regular pattern. A festival was prescribed to divert the malevolent spirits from their anti-social behaviour. At this point one ponders the question of the efficacy of the treatment versus the material content of hedonistic priests and the clubbable atmosphere of Hong Kong. The ceremony has now become a three-day celebration reaching a climax of orgy-like proportions at midnight on the third day.

I caught the ferry•—not unlike the Fifey betwen Dundee and Newport but on a more ramshackle scale and without the cars—at a qualm: Hemingwayesque wharf quaintly known as the Yaumati Vehicular Ferry Pier and after a not unpleasant trip along the water front of Hong Kong and through the Sulpher Channel I arrived at Cheung Chan.

All through the festival the natives follow a strictly vegetarian diet and feverishly build hills out of buns. These hills are between 5o and 6o feet high although they looked smaller and are shaped not unlike the shells the Chinese periodically lob across the Straits of Formosa. Thousands upon thousands of buns are fitted into a wooden frame and symbolise the souls of the fish and animals that have been used for food the previous year. The hills, once built, remain intact during the festival so that the spirits can gorge themselves stupid and forget about the failings of humanity. The spirits are reckoned to be sick of the sight of buns by midnight on the third night whereupon the young men of the community set out to scale the slippery sides of the hills in an effort to secure the bun at the top which carries the power to bring luck, fertility, virility and what have you, and bestows it on the winner.

Just to add to general atmosphere of a Mad Hatter's Tea Party there are the " flying children" who parade across the island at 19

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

mid-festival. These children appear to defy gravity in the most amazing, not to say improbable, fashion. For example delicate little girls of about six can be seen, arms severely folded, standing on the top rung of a ladder which rests on two eggs in egg cups themselves supported by a spar of wood held upright by the little girls' brothers. In fact these fantastic displays are only made possible by the diabolical cunning of the Oriental mind. The step ladders and other paraphenalia are so constructed that there is a steel bar from the floor of the float ending in a large boot. Round this steel bar the bits and pieces are built and the child retains her balance quite easily in the boot.

On the way back to Hong Kong after the festival I wondered what it would be like living in South East Asia all the time. Certainly it's very colourful and very warm and the place has a fatalistic friendliness. But I expect one would soon weary for chill Scottish mornings and convivial evenings with the toddie ladle when one could reminisce about Bun Festivals.

JOHN B. MENZIES* (195 i - 5 9) *

*

T.A. Honour for Mr. James Morrison

•

As from t6 October, 1963 Mr. Morrison, Headmaster of the Primary Department of the School, was appointed Commander, Royal Army Service Corps 51(H) Division. To his many friends who know of Colonel Morrison's unstinting devotion to the Territorial Army the appointment gives the warmest pleasure; and to himself it must bring a deep satisfaction, for he has long worn the khaki, both in time of war and of peace, and his heart is much attached to its service.

James Morrison joined the Army in 1940, and after varied spells of home training served in the Middle East 1942-46, rising to the rank of major as Deputy Assistant Director of Supplies for Palestine and Transjordan. Demobilised in 1946, he, in 1951, joined the Territorial Army. From 1956-6o he commanded 525 Company R.A.S.C. (Aberdeen), and in the latter year transferred to Headquarters as second-in-command. 51(H) Divisional District R.A.S.C. Now in his new appointment he takes over command of four R.A.S.C. companies (Aberdeen, Perth, Dundee, Dunfermline), two W.R.A.C. companies (Perth and Dundee), and detachments in Stirling, Cupar, Falkirk and Kirkcaldy. The function of the R.A.S.C. column is to provide logistic support for the Division.

We who are happy to have Mr. Morrison as a teaching colleague must commend the T.A. for their wisdom. Colonel Morrison's straight back, brisk walk, clear eye and cheery address may remind us that the Army has helped to mould a man whom we admire as a teacher and a friend. But belligerency of manner or of speech and cap-touching subservience to higher authority—qualities not undiscovcrable in some sons of Mars—arc anathema to him. On the contrary, to be just, to be firm, to know ones job and to carry it out with a steady efficiency, to accept responsibility without hedging, and always to administer and control with insight and with charity, these are qualities that are shiningly his. We confidently wish him much happiness and success in his new and onerous duties.

A. T.

The Ryvoan Bothy Song (found behind the bothy door— a tribute from an anonymous hillman) Ohl Tonight I leave from Euston by the 7.30 train, From Perth in the early morning I shall see the hills again; From the top of Ben Macdhui I shall watch the gathering storm And see the crisp snow lying on the back of Cairngorm.

I shall feel the mists from Bhrotainn and pass by the Lairig Ghru To look on dark Loch Einich from the heights of Sgoran Dubh.

From the broken Barns of Bynack I shall watch the sunrise gleam On the forehead of Ben Rinnes and Strathspey awake from dream.

And again in the dusk of evening I shall find my way alone By the still waters of the Green Loch and the pass beyond Ryvoan.

For tonight I leave from Euston and I leave the world behind.

Who has the hills as a lover will find them wond'rous kind. *

*

School Holidays-I963-64 Christmas and New Year Vacation Easter Vacation Spring Holiday Session ends

Wednesday, a December 1963 to Friday, 3 January 1964 (both dates inclusive).

Friday, 27 March 1964 to Friday, To April 1964 (both dates inclusive, being a period which includes Good Friday).

Monday, zo April 1964.

Friday, 3 July 1964-

21

xx

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Parents and F.P.s All those who are electors in Aberdeen and who consider that the whole character of the School would be jeopardised if the Primary Department were taken away are urged to sign the Petition to the Education Committee, copies of which are available for signing from Members of the Executive (see p. S4).

Campbell Connon As this issue of the Magazine goes through the press, we have heard with shock and deep regret of the sudden death of Campbell Connon (1928-36), M.A., LL.B., Editor of the Magazine since 1955.

After checking the final proofs on 13 December, he went off for a short ski-ing holiday on Speyside and died there on i8 December 1963.

An appreciation of Campbell and an account of his multifarious activities in Aberdeen will be included in the next issue.

A. C. R. W.

SCHOOL SECTION School Office-Bearers School Prefects DOUGLAS G. FowLIE (Senior Prefect) AusrAnt F. PHILIP (Deputy Senior Prefect) ROBERT K. R. FULLERTON EVAN M. MORROW

JOHN ADAMS ALEXANDER M. GRIEVE ERIC G. ARCHIBALD DONALD A. LAMONT DOUGLAS B. CAMPBELL NEIL MCLEOD BRIAN J. CARRIE DOUGLAS MARK IAN COBB HENRY R. MILLER PETER M. COLLIER GEORGE P. M. CRAWFORD GORDON D. MITCHELL NEIL D. FORREST

HUGli M. MUNRO RICHARD B. RAE DAVID J. F. ROBERTSON RICHARD C. SHIRREFFS DAVID W. SMITH ALAN D. THOMSON W. GRAEME U'REN

House Captains Dun

Byron DAVID W. SMITH

DAVID J. F. ROBERTSON

Keith

Melvin DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE

PETER M. COLLIER

DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE

Rugby Vice-Captain

Captain

DOUGLAS B. CAMPBELL

Hockey Vice-Captain WILLIAM T. LAMB

Captain

PETER M. COLLIER

Captain

Badminton Secretary

ALISTAIR F. PHILIP

DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE

Literary and Debating Society Vice-President ALAN D. THOMSON President ALAN G. LESLIE Secretary GORDON D. MITCHELL President Secretary

Dramatic Society Vice-President ALISTAIR F. PHILIP Treasurer GORDON D. MITCHELL RAYMOND G. HARDIE

President

DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE

Treasurer

ALISTAIR F. PHILIP

MALCOLM F. RENNIE

Film Society Secretary GORDON D. MITCHELL Cadet Force W/O DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE

C.S.M. Nan. D. FORREST

Scripture Union Secretary GAVIN T. McEwEN Editors of School Section DOUGLAS G. FOW LIE

GEORGE C. GAMMACK

ALAN G. LESLIE

GORDON D. MITCHELL 23

24

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The Centenary Year Three events have combined to make the Autumn Term this year unusually interesting, all of them connected with the large-scale programme of expansion and modernisation which is currently being carried out.

At the start of the session we were granted access to the new teaching block which lies to the west of the main building. Although we had been promised that the entire building would be available to us on the opening day, the take-over has in fact been a gradual one. The top floor was ready for occupation on the opening clay, the middle floor after the September holiday week-end and the ground floor has only now (mid-November) been made available to us. The building, which contains nine Science laboratories and nine classrooms, has been allocated to the Mathematics and Science Departments of the School. A link-up with the main building has been effected by driving the ground-floor corridor through what used to be the School office. A corresponding arrangement has been made on the upper floor by driving a corridor between Rooms 16 and 17 into the new building. A new School office is at present under construction on the site of what used to be Rooms z and 3.

This year marks the centenary of the main building of the School and it was felt that the occasion should not be allowed to pass unnoted. On 23 October, the actual date of the original opening of the building in 1863, the Former Pupils held their Annual Dinner in the School Hall. Any doubts or misgivings they may have cherished about the undertaking were in the event proved completely unfounded.

Within a few days of the opening of booking all available places had been taken up and many names had been placed on a waiting list. Since, as was natural, members of the Former Pupils' Club were given first priority, it proved in the end impossible to accommodate any but a small number of official guests. It is not surprising in the circumstances, with an audience consisting almost entirely of Former Pupils and present or past members of the Staff of the School, seated in a Hall so richly charged with treasured memories and associations and surrounded by the Lares and Penates of the School, that the Dinner should have been an unqualified success. A more detailed report of the proceedings will be found at the beginning of the Magazine, but I would record here in the School Section the great pleasure it gave to all of us to welcome back to the Dinner, after a self-imposed exile of four years, the Rector Emeritus of the School, Sir James J. Robertson. The eloquence and charm with which he proposed the toast of the School and Club will long stand out in the memory as the highlight of an evening already memorable on every count.

By a happy arrangement the same day witnessed another event of unusual importance and interest to the School. Already by the start of the session the long-awaited Swimming Pool had been handed over to the School and was in daily use. Although in one sense only part of a much larger and more comprehensive building programme, it was felt that the long history which lies behind the project and the special place it holds in the affections and aspirations of Grammarians had earned for it the right to be accorded separate treatment in the matter of a formal opening; 23 October was accordingly chosen as an appropriate date for the ceremony, and at 3.45 p.m. on that day the Pool was officially opened by Licut.-Colonel Henry J. Butchart a senior Former Pupil and throughout his long and active life a leading protagonist in the struggle to obtain a Swimming Pool for the School. The Lord Provost, Professor John M. Graham, being unfortunately prevented by illness from officiating, his place was taken by Councillor Colin Maclver, Convener of the Education Committee. At the conclusion of his address Colonel Butchart called upon the School Captain of Swimming to signalise the opening by a dive from the top diving platform. This was followed by a short display of swimming activities by a group of boys drawn from all stages of the Senior School culminating in a relay race between a team of boys and a Former Pupils' team, captained by that veteran swimmer and former Lower School Master, Mr. A. J. M. Edwards. Tea was served in the Gymnasium at the close of the proceedings.

J. V. S.

School and Random Notes The School is in a Mess. . . . * * * Only one building remains in the former Kindergarten playground. Several workmen have latterly got bogged down there while trying to close it in as an ornamental garden. But these gents have been driven round the bend by the sounds of chanting coming from Room 6. * * We must congratulate the botany staff for the grand job they did in producing those instant tress and shrubs which adorned the swimming pool on its opening day. They are now working to perfect the process so that they do not disappear as quickly as they arrived. * * * It gives us great pleasure to welcome to the School the new clerical assistant who, by force of circumstances, spends much of her time in Mr. McCombie's room— now the temporary School Office. * * * The Prefecture this year has been tailored to fit exactly the number of lockers in the Howff, viz. 24. We sincerely hope that this will be the last year of occupation of the L-shaped room with its i sink, r convenience, 2 radiators, 23 pegs, 3 lights, r table (old) and 64 assorted chairs. It ain't much and it's just as well it's NOT home! * * No teacher has yet dared to sport a Beatles' haircut, but we observe more beards in the Staff Room this session—some short and wispy, others large and bushy. * * There has been a Flitting from Room 3o to a Flat in the New Building. * * * Between each pair of labs, in the new Research(?) Wing is a preparation room.

One of these has so far been used for preparing the masters' cuppa at interval, aided by two well-used Bunsen burners, for theWind of Change has caused Room 1 x and its adjoining Canteen to become the School's own Tait Gallery, and tea and Shakespeare just don't mix. In desperation, Mr. (Latin) Wilson, rather than venture to the Wild West of the School each interval, has set up his own Cafeteria, and every day at r 1 a.m. can be seen consuming his bun and flask of tea, before being besieged by the two eager members of Upper VI Latin. " Why does tea generally taste like boiled boots? "—Thackcray. * * * Rumour has it that the Janny is to introduce trading stamps in his box, by means of which he hopes to raise funds to fill in the Swimming Pool and turn it into a Bowling Alley. * * * The new building has had its teething troubles, but the architects have answers for all the problems. They make use of all modern inventions. There is a beautiful example of an original Mark I bucket at present in the top corridor. It is placed strategically 84 inches from the wall and acts as a catchment area for the flood waters which deluge through a small crevice in the roof. * * * One member of staff has recently been seen in a vehicle somewhat akin in appearance to an Ice Cream van. It is believed that this will afford more liberal accommodation for his party than his previous purchase from the E.E.C. [East End Car Breakers]. *

*

*

25

16

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

If diplomatic relations are to be re-established between the Arts and Science factions, now separated physically as well as ideologically, then top level meetings between the Block Heads are essential. * * * One final point: if the Hall is to be made into the Gym, the Gym into the Library, Library to Music Room, Music Room to toilets. . . ?

"Change is not made without inconvenience."

Richard Hooker

Staff Changes Arrivals .. .

Mr. Ian Gordon, officially appointed to the Technical Department of the School in June 1963, has been efficiently getting on with the job here since August 1962.

His spruce figure and tidy beard arc already accepted features of the landscape, his obliging nature and his teaching ability make him welcome in staff-room and classroom. He is native to these parts—born in Kemnay, schooled in lnverurie, holder with distinction of the diploma of the Aberdeen College of Education; and he now joins the Grammar School in his first teaching appointment. He plays football regularly, though, heretically, with a round ball; but as in all other respects he admits to an admiration for the traditional modes and manners of the School, we can hope that he may yet appreciate the symmetry of ellipsoidal forms in games as in other artefacts.

Ronald W. Caie, M.A. joins the English Department. A Gordonian, he graduated in 1960 with honours in English Literature and Language at Aberdeen University. Thereafter he had two years' teaching experience in London, before returning to his native place to take his teaching diploma with some distinction, and then to take up an appointment in the School. Married, with a daughter born in July 1963, and with the preoccupations of a new home and a new school, he confesses to having little time at the moment for external interests. But we have noted his interested attendance at meetings of the Literary and Debating Society, and regard this as a real sign of grace. lam M. Ramsay, M.A. joins the Staff as a teacher of History and of English. As he is an History graduate of Aberdeen University we may assume that his peculiar pleasure lies in that discipline, but he is obviously not wanting in his work as English teacher to two classes. Educated at Dundee High School, he went to the Army on leaving School, thereafter was associated in the family business in Dundee, and so, with a developed interest in historical study came to Aberdeen, to graduate in 1962 and to complete his teachers' training course in 1963. He gives archaeology and hill-walking as other interests—in both of which he will find enthusiastic companions here; and as he is a Past President of the University Debating Society (1960-61) we may expect evidence of his interest and experience in attendance at the School Debating Society meetings.

Eric Kennedy, M.A., joins the Modern Languages Department. He is an honours graduate in French-German of Aberdeen University and holds the teaching diploma of Aberdeen College of Education, but has ranged beyond those limits— to Germany where he studied for a year as the University of Marburg, and to France where, after graduation, he taught English in L'gcole Normale, Lc Mans.

Now in his first year here he has accomplished the quite extraordinary feat of being at one and the same time a former pupil of Aberdeen Academy, a teacher at Aberdeen Grammar School and an Assistant Housemaster at Sillcrton House, an adjunct of another education institution in this city. Such an evident capacity to bridge chasms and indeed to square circles must compel admiration. Mr Kennedy is also interested in acting and in stage production.

School Section

27

Mr. Clement A. Stewart, M.A., returns in 1963 to teach in the School of which he was a very fine pupil. In the interval he graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University in 196z, and in 1963 completed his teachers' training course at Aberdeen College of Education. The interests he showed in School he maintained at University; thus he played regularly for the University znd XI in hockey, and was Secretary of the University Scottish Country Dance Society, while his deep commitment to the Scripture Union at School led to his being a leader in the Aberdeen Class of Crusader Union for Secondary Schools. Now with his particular talent for Mathematics and Physics he comes to join those departments and to pass on to others his quiet, deep regard for those disciplines.

It is significant that all five of these young men take up their first full teaching appointment in this School; it indicates how quickly the School roll is increasing.

We extend a hearty welcome to them all and wish them much happiness.

Miss Lesley Glashan, appointed to fill Eileen's vacated post as Assistant Secretary had a similar post in Hilton Secondary School before coming to the Grammar. She has quickly settled into her new work, and we wish her a long and happy stay here.

. . . and Departures It was with very real regret that the School had to accept the fact of Mrs. Simpson's resignation from her post of Assistant Secretary, for during the five years she was here, Eileen was a most attractive adjunct to the School's life. Her ready smile and obliging nature made it a pleasure for others to go to the office; and as she moved with a long-legged elegance about the corridors and into the classrooms, carrying an ever-increasing pile of memoranda, questionnaires and miscellaneous hand-outs, she brought a pleasantness into the air. It was as Miss Eileen Park that she joined the School staff; in July of this year she was married, and now, as she leaves us as Mrs. Simpson, she carries the good wishes of us all, staff and boys alike for happiness in her new life.

Mr. John Cullen leaves at the close of the Winter Term to take up the very desirable appointment of Director of Music at Abingdon School in Berkshire. Mr. Hawksworth writes elsewhere in the Magazine of Mr. Cullen's contribution to the musical life of the School, and the city of Aberdeen, and of the affection in which he is held by his immediate colleagues and by the boys. Affection and high regard he has also won from all members of the School staff, who have sensed in him a high talent—an unaffected vibrant enthusiasm for music, and a concern for the standards of musical education that showed itself in his quiet dedicated work. Mr. Cullen is a graduate of Cambridge University, so that in going to England he returns to an environment which has done much to mould him, from which he has drawn inspiration and to which he cannot but be naturally attracted, so we can be certain that he will be at home there. He also has a deep affection for his own country, and so it may be that Scotland may yet again see him as a teacher; but wherever he is we may be sure that he will be happy, making music.

Mr. Michael Turner, after a year's service in the School went to the High School for Girls as Assistant Janitor at the beginning of this session. His place has been taken by Mr. Gordon Murray. We welcome Mr. Murray to the School and to him and to all the others we wish happiness and success.

z8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Literary and Debating Society

The officials for the session, elected at the Annual General Meeting last June are: President, Alan G. Leslie; Vice-President, Alan Thomson; Secretary, Gordon D. Mitchell.

After the success of the Society last year, we have high hopes that it will continue to flourish, and so far we have not been disappointed. Attendances so far have been round about seventy at each meeting, and topping the hundred at the " Mock Election ", at which Meeting the School continued to show its individuality by giving the Conservatives most votes. So watch out, Mr. Harold Wilson!

The quality, as well as the quantity of membership this year is high, and even at this early stage, we have had some excellent speeches. To try to encourage the younger members to speak more, Middle School debates have this year been reintroduced, with discussions for the senior members running concurrently.

So far, the Colour Bar, United Nations and Censorship have been debated, and with the coming session including such subjects as Public Schools, Class Distinction and Trade Unions, there can be no reason to doubt the continued success of the Society.

GORDON D. MrrcitEtt, Secretary,

Dramatic Society This session the Society is to produce " Volpone ", (Ben Jonson's satirical comedy); and because of School examinations falling in December this year, it has been decided to stage the performance in early February 1964. We also hope to present some other type of play or perhaps a revue sometime in the Summer Term, but no final decision on this has so far been reached.

The Society has experienced an increase in membership from all years and an encouraging enthusiasm is evident at every rehearsal. We regret the departure of Mr. McGee, but feel confident that Messrs. King and Murphy will maintain the past standards of the Society.

RAYMOND A. HARDIE, Secretary

Scripture Union The Scripture Union continues to thrive, though there has been a slight drop in membership. We have a number of new members from the first Form, which is encouraging, compared with last year.

We have had a visit this year from Mr. Meiklejohn, the secretary of the Scottish S.U. Inter-school Fellowship. A series of interesting talks has been arranged for next year, along with film strip, Bible study, discussions and quizzes. New members are always welcome.

I would like to thank the Rector for his co-operation and Mr. Duncan for his continued advice and guidance in the administration of the society.

GAVIN T. McEwEbt, Upper VI

Film Society The officials for this year are: President, Douglas G. Fowlie; Secretary, Gordon D. Mitchell; Treasurer, Alistair F. Philip.

This, the eleventh Season of the Society, is possibly the most ambitious so far.

For the films, coming under the theme " Adventure and Courage ", include such excellent ones as " A Tale of Two Cities ", " Above Us the Waves ", and " Lonely are the Brave ". The credit for this is due to Mr. Hemingway who, with Mr. Baxter, continues to organise the Society as efficiently and enthusiastically as ever, and we arc confident that this Season will be as successful as the past ten.

GOIWON D. MITCHELL, Secretary

School Section

29

Arts Club The Club has been meeting regularly since late September. Membership of both the painting and crafts section has been good, with fewer ist Year boys.

The highlight of this autumn was the bus tour along with the Photographic Society into the Aberdeenshire countryside, which gave members an opportunity to sketch scenes not easily accessible from Aberdeen. The weather on this October day was kind to us, ranging from a balmy breeze at Monymusk to a more blustering wind at our Culsh stop. Colin Rae of IV won the prize for the best sketch done on the tour. On 25 October we were pleased to have a visit from Mr. Wyness who took great interest in the work. (Mr. Wyness is a founder member of the original Art Club, begun in 1919.)

Again, we would like to thank Mr. Hemingway and Mr. Wood for giving up their Friday evenings to instruct and advise us in painting and crafts. The president elect is Neil McKinnon of VI and the treasurer, Douglas Farquharson of VI. JAMES E. MORRISON, Secretary

Photographic Society The Club restarted after the September holiday, with last year's membership figures. In the middle of October a combined Arts Club and Photographic Society outing by bus was successfully organised and was blessed with good weather. A series of short Saturday expeditions to places of interest in and around Aberdeen is planned. These should provide useful material for the monthly competitions which were started last year; the variety and the high standard of the prints exhibited indicate the enthusiasm of the members.

JoHN M. PALMER, Upper VI

Radio Club The British Association's Science Fair was undoubtedly the climax of last term's activities. The television and press publicity given to our exhibits was such that we received a letter from a small Lancashire boy requesting details of how to make our computer exhibit. This letter found sympathy among our members, particularly his declaration that he was " of sound mind and body " and could use a soldering bolt.

This term some of our members have graduated to being " hams " with the Blenheim Place Club, though it had been known for some time by the rest of us that they were big enough hams to join it. For lesser mortals there has been some impatient waiting for the instructional construction kits. For these we must thank the Endowments Trust and the Rector. We would also like to thank Mr. Murray and Mr. Gordon of the technical staff for giving up their Friday evenings to advise and instruct us in this fascinating subject.

NEIL MACLEOD, President, Upper V

Aberdeen Schools Scientific Society The Society continues to be as popular as ever. The opening meeting on 25 October was addressed by Professor Burnett of Aberdeen University on the subject of " Rubber ", and was both enlightening and amusing. For the remainder of the session a most attractive programme has been drawn up, including lectures on nuclear physics, biology and geology. The British Association are supplying us with a selection of films, and a visit to a glass factory at Perth has been proposed.

ALISTAIR F. PHILIP, School Representative

3o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Chess Club

Membership of the Club is lower than last year and as a consequence attendances, especially on a Wednesday, have often been low.

We again entered the Sunday Times National Schools' Tournament. In the Scottish zone this year there were nineteen teams and in the first round we received a bye. In the second round of the competition we were drawn against Fettes College, Edinburgh. Fettes, however, later withdrew from the competition and so we have now passed though into the quarter-finals of the Zone without having played a game. It is hoped that throughout the season, as well as competing in the Sunday Times Tournament, friendly games will be arranged within the city.

Thanks are due once more to Mr. Galloway for his continued interest and support.

TERENCE I. COWLING, President

Music

i I

St. Machar's Cathedral was the dignified setting for the two performances of Britten's " St. Nicolas " on 17 and I 8 June by a large chorus of over zoo boys drawn from most classes of the School and accompanied by the School Orchestra. What will stand out most in the minds of those who heard or took part in these performances? For some it may be the voice of the young Nicolas chanting " God be glorified! ", or the storm at sea—" Spare us! Man the pumps! " Others may recall the great fugal chorus " Serve the faith and spurn his enemies ", or the entry of the Pickled Boys, or the mighty stroke on the gong which heralds the death of Nicolas. Whatever it may be, the many hours of hard work learning a part in class were amply rewarded by the thrill of these final performances. The contemporary idiom of Britten's music caught the imagination of the boys, who responded to its challenge, setting the rafters of " Old Machar " ringing with their lusty singing. David Haggart's sensitive singing of the part of Nicolas contributed in no small way to the success of the occasion. Britten's Missa Brevis, for Treble Voices, opened the recital, which also included the first movement of Bach's 4th Brandenburg Concerto, with Alexander Leiper, Neil McKinnon, and Ian Stronach as soloists.

Other Music Notes

The Regensburg visit is reviewed elsewhere. Plans for the future include a Carol Service in Beechgrove Church, a recital of music associated with Shakespeare, and a Choral/Orchestral concert. Both Senior and Junior Orchestras ate hard at work. The former is studying Bizet's Symphony in C and Rossini's Soirees Musicale in Britten's arrangement. A series of Lunch Time recitals is planned for the Spring Term. In the farewells to pupils in the June edition, the name of Victor Kimbcr was inadvertently left out—we wish him success at university and thank him for his loyal help in orchestra, choir, and recorder group.

Mr. Cullen

Mr. Cullen's appointment as Director of Altaic at Abingdon School will leave a great gap in the School's musical life, and indeed in that of the city, for Mr. Cullen also leaves St. Andrew's Cathedral where he has built up a fine musical tradition. In his zit years at the School, he has put in a great deal of hard work in training the Senior Choir, and under his inspiration, the annual Carol Services have entered a new dimension as we have received the benefit of his Cambridge training. His direction of Britten's " The Little Sweep " made this one of the happiest ever musical events in the Grammar School. Mr. Cullen has been a sympathetic and inspired teacher, always ready to give that little extra help to the individual pupil who needed it. The genuine affection we feel for him makes us glad at his excellent promotion, but very sorry to lose him.

4

School Section

31

House Notes

Byron The officials elected to represent the House, this term, are: House Captain, David W. Smith; Vice-Captain, James W. Strachan; Rugby Captain, David W. Smith; Vice-Captain, James W. Strachan; Hockey Captain, Ian Cobb; Vice-Captain, Hugh M. Munro; Swimming Captain, Michael J. Graham; Vice-Captain, Martyn A. Batchelor.

After an unsuccessful Summer Term, we arc looking forward to greater things in the winter.

We have a strong, although somewhat inexperienced, rugby team, which looks like retaining the Rugby Cup. Under the able captaincy of Ian Cobb, the hockey team hope to meet with more success that they did last year. In the Annual Swimming Gala, I am sure that our swimmers will again put up a good performance.

DAVID W. SMITH, HOUR Captain Dun

At a meeting earlier this term, the following officials were elected: House Captain, David J. F. Robertson; Vice-Captain, William T. Lamb; Rugby Captain, David J. F. Robertson; Vice-Captain, David Forbes; Hockey Captain, William T. Lamb; Vice-Captain, Charles A. Wilson; Swimming Captain, Brian J. Carrie; ViceCaptain, David Forbes.

Last term, the House carried off all sporting trophies in the Upper School. The House cricket eleven combined well as a team and defeated the other Houses by comfortable margins. Outstanding performances were by W. Lamb, the captain, D. Robertson, J. Banks and K. Lobban.

At long last, the House has won the Athletic Sports, for the first time since 1925.

This term the Rugby team will be all out to improve on last year's dismal performance, while the hockey eleven, captained by W. Lamb will do their best to win the Trophy for the first time since season 1956-f7. The House's prospects in the Swimming Gala arc promising.

D. J. F. ROBERTSON, House Captain Keith

The following is the list of officials elected at the beginning of term to represent the House: House Captain, Leonard Mackay; Vice-Captain, Peter Collier; Rugby Captain, Leonard Mackay; Vice-Captain, Peter Collier; Hockey Captain, Douglas Campbell; Vice-Captain, Russel Gray; Swimming Captain, Peter Collier; ViceCaptain, Douglas Craig.

Unfortunately Leonard Mackay, rugby and athletics enthusiast, has left. Peter Collier fills the places occupied by him.

It must be admitted that prospects for the House rugby and hockey teams are dim this year; we trust, however, that reasonable success will be ours despite the seeming overwhelming odds. Swimming seems to offer a brighter prospect, and we mean to give Melvin, strong favourites, a good fight in the Gala.

PETER COLLIER, House Captain Melvin

At the beginning of the session the following officials were elected: House Captain, Douglas Fowlie; Vice-Captain, Alistair Philip; Rugby Captain, Douglas Fowlic; Vice-Captain, Alistair Philip; Hockey Captain, Derek McLachlan; Swimming Captain; John Wright; Vice-Captain, Douglas Fowlie.

Last summer the cricket team were unfortunate not to win the cricket cup and the House did well to finish runners-up in the Athletic sports. We have a reasonable chance of success in the House rugby championship since we have a fair proportion of ist XV players. The hockey team is again a strong one and might provide the House with the hockey cup yet again. I should like to thank Mr. Brown and his assistants for ensuring the smooth running of House affairs.

DOUGLAS FOWLIE, Howe Captaie

3z

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine Senior Discussion Group

This term the Group has been augmented by a number of new members from the Upper School. The increase in numbers has necessarily rather changed the nature and form of the discussions, but it still proves an interesting and profitable experience to exchange views in an informal atmosphere.

A great deal of credit for the success and growth of the Group must go to Mr. Duncan whose chairmanship and occasional participation have been a valuable asset.

M. F. R.

Scout Notes rst Group G.S.M. (acting) C.M. S.M. R.S.L.

I. G. S. MacGregor, 56 Union Grove, Tel. No. 51518.

Miss Eva Slessor, 21 Viewfield Cresc., Tel. No. 3682o.

T. N. Ducat, 38 Osborne Place, Tel. No. 5 to73.

I. G. S. MacGregor, 56 Union Grove, Tel. No. 51518.

Pack Notes took part in the Cub Sports. taking 4th summer—we enjoyable had an The Pack place, we sang at the Templars' Park Open Day and we had our usual excursions to Clinterty. In fact the Pack continues to thrive. It is at full strength, for although seven of the oldest boys left us to join the Troop we welcomed ten " new chums " this autumn. This year we held our annual camp in July at Clinterty. The weather was fine, seventeen of the older Cubs attended and all enjoyed it. The camp marked the end of Bob Falconer's Scouting in Aberdeen; we certainly miss him, but wish him success in his career in Birmingham. We are also sorry to lose Alasdair Lawrance who is going to London. We should like to thank both Bob and Alasdair for their services and hope that we will see them soon.

The Pack looks forward to a busy winter's tubbing.

Troop Notes held at Auchintoul, some eleven miles up Glen year was this Summer Camp Esk. The site was a very pleasant one, with excellent facilities for swimming.

Unfortunately we were unable to take full advantage of this for the weather throughout the camp was inclement, and better suited to other activities. Weather apart, however, the camp was most successful and closed with a sumptuous dinner at which the patrols entertained the Scouters, suitably dressed for the occasion, with rare gastronomic delicacies! This was our second visit to Glen Esk, the Troop having previously camped there in 19 59 when we were a few miles further down the glen.

After camp, two members of the Troop, Harry Miller and John McLennan, attended the World Jamboree and arc to be congratulated on being awarded places for this great event. The Jamboree was held on the Plains of Marathon in Greece, and was visited by a party of boys from the Troop, led by the S.M. A good time was had by all.

•

School Section 33 Shortly after the Autumn Term began, the Troop held a Fair in the Music Hall, this being the climax to our fund-raising year. During the year, in addition to raising 4153, normally required for the maintenance of the premises, we also raised 4625 for a special building fund. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking all parents and friends who contributed to the effort, and made it the success it was. It is now hoped that with the money raised we may proceed with extensions to our premises at Forbesfield Lane. The proposed extension includes a Rover den, and another Patrol den and, if carried out, will mean that the Group will possess a really splendid H.Q. So far as purely Scouting activities are concerned, P.L. Mike Colvin is to be congratulated on being awarded the Queen's Scout badge. Congratulations also to Keith Fraser who hiss gained his Scout Cords. A large number of proficiency badges has also been gained by the boys. Unfortunately the Troop has had to relinquish its hold on the County Flag this year, but Mike Colvin and the Curlew patrol, who took part in the County Flag competition, were by no means disgraced and arc to be congratulated on turning in an excellent performance.

The Troop's last outing this year was to Clinterty, in September, when a very enjoyable camp was held over the holiday week-end. Regretfully, however, this was also the last Troop function to be attended by I-iunter Cairns, our S.M. for the last four years. During this period Hunter has given splendid service to the Troop, and both the spirit of the Troop and its material well-being have benefited greatly from his Scoutmastership. We arc all very sorry that he has been unable to continue.

Several additions were made to the Troop's strength in September, when a number of boys came up to the Troop from the Cubs. Also, Mike Wolkoff, one of our Rovers, has joined us as a Scouter and this helps fill the gap left by the departure of A.S.M.s Ron Smith, now in his honours year at University, and George Nicol.

Altogether the Troop has had another useful and successful year's Scouting.

T. N. DUCAT, S.M. Crew Notes

Since the last issue of the Magazine, our numbers have increased to twenty-one, five squires have joined us, for the loss of one " old-stager ", Colin Sutherland, who is now working in England. I am pleased to note that squires are continuing to join the Crew from outside the 1st Group, thus strengthening our policy that the Crew should not be restricted to 1st Scouts only.

Over the summer, the Crew attended the Scottish, and North of Scotland Moots; and the " Deep-Sea " Moot at Blair Atholl in September. In the Scottish Challenge Hike, our team was unlucky to lose, being well in front with only five miles to go, when they were disqualified. Looking ahead, we have quite an interesting year in front of us, having been elected to run the next North Moot, to which we intend to add some novel ideas; and with the prospect of some attractive trips abroad before us. We hope to have our now traditional " retreat " to the hills at New Year, concentrating this time on the Balquhidder area.

It is with considerable regret that we have to announce the forthcoming departure of our R.S.L., Ian MacGregor. Over the last four years, Ian has served the 1st Group, and the Western District as D.C., very faithfully, and we wish him all the best in his new post as Deputy Director of Education for West Lothian.

ALASDAIR MACLEOD, Say.

34

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine i7th Group G.S.M. F. R. Paterson, 26 Osborne Place, Tel. No. 5 1013.

C.M. Miss Joyce Park, 270 Union Grove.

J. K. Blair, 8 Pitstruan Place.

S.M.

Pack Notes For the fifth time in succession the Pack won the athletic shield,,a fine achievement considering that the team entered was a very young one.

During June the Pack held their annual outing and also had a trip to the Lighthouse.

A team took part in the seven-a-side football competition. Although they played very hard they had unfortunately little success.

Since the summer holidays a very successful Hallowe'en party has been held.

At a Going-up ceremony, nine Cubs became Scouts, but with an intake of fourteen new members the Pack is well up to strength.

The following promotions have been made. To Sixers: Peter Brotherwood, David Johnstone, John Muir and Charles Napier. To Seconds: Alistair Grant, Peter Lowit, Campbell Paterson and David Wood.

We offer our congratulations to John Muir on gaining his Leaping Wolf Badge.

Troop Notes In rather mixed weather a very successful and happy camp was held near Huntly.

All told thirty-three boys were under canvas and a goodly number of 1st and znd Class tests were passed. A number of hikes were undertaken by the Patrols.

September week-end camp was held at Kingswells in most glorious weather.

I regret that the following promotions were omitted from the last issue: Second Graham U'ren to P.L. and Scout Leslie Henderson to Second. To these two I offer my apologies and congratulations.

We congratulate the following on their promotions: Second Gordon Morrison to P.L.; Scouts Alastair Watt, William Stephen and Geoffrey Strange to Seconds.

We offer our congratulations to Alastair Watt and Leslie Henderson on gaining their Scouts Cords.

JOHN K. BLAIR, S.M. [No 9th Group Notes received]

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36

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

School Sporting Activities Rugby At the end of last session twelve of the 1st XV left School. Of the three who retumed—Fowlie, Philip and Smith—none was a full colour. Such a clearance comes every now and again but one hardly expects it to happen in successive years.

Finding a new XV has taken some considerable time. By a process of trial and error the vacancies in the side have been filled. To date its fortunes have fluctuated and while it is too early to say what the season holds in store, it is certain that the XV will do its best to maintain the high standard of rugby which, for many yeats now has been expected of the Grammar School.

Captain, D. G. Fowlic; Vice-Captain, A. F. Philip.

Results School o —Dundee High School, 9.

School 12 (Inkson 3 tries; Rae, 1 penalty)—Glasgow Acad., 6.

School 11 (Smith, Crawford, Rae t penalty 1 conversion)—Gordonstoun, 8.

School 6 (Rae, 2 penalties)—Dollar Acad., 14.

School 17 (Inkson, Farquharson, Rae 3 penalties x conversion)—Aberdeen Acad., 6 Outstanding Games Home v. Glasgow Academy Won 12-6.

5 October School played into the slight breeze. After some excellent work by the forwards Inkson raced through to score his first try. Rae just failed with the conversion. There followed a period of hard fast rugby during which Academy scored an unconverted try. Half time 3-3.

Kicking off in the second half, School maintained its territorial advantage by some excellent forward play; and on occasion Smith's excellent covering saved some dangerous situations. Inkson made a first class interception and sped 75 yards to score an excellent try. Inkson again scored when he followed up a diagonal kick by McKay. Rae completed the scoring with a well-taken penalty. This was a good game, and a good win. v. Dollar Academy.

Home Lost 6-14.

19 October Playing against a big well-balanced side School had an off day. They were fortunate to open the scoring with a well-taken penalty by Rae in the opening minutes.

The gusty wind made the high up-and-under kick difficult to cope with, and School were hard pressed to keep their opponents out. After some scrappy play Dollar opened the game up and had the overlap to make their first try which was converted.

This first score was followed quickly by another which was not converted. Dollar had it mostly their own way in scrum and line-out and increased their lead to eight points with a penalty goal shortly before half-time.

School started the second half well, and Inkson and Glover were unfortunate not to score. This early pressure, however, was rewarded with a penalty which was converted by Rae, himself a former Dollar Boy. The School pack seemed to tire and the heavier Dollar forwards gave their threes a chance to run with the ball.

Farquharson did well in his first game to stop many good movements and he was well backed up by Graham. Carrie did a lot of good work in the loose but still Dollar pressed. Their pressure ended in a penalty being kicked. School finished this game on the attack but could not add to their score.

Away. v. Aberdeen Academy.

Won 17-6 26 October School kicked off and immediately started an attack with newcomer Auld having a fine run on the wing. An infringement shortly after gave Rae the

School Section

37

opportunity to put School three points ahead. School played well and Academy were saved more than once by their full back. Through an interception in mid-field Inkson ran well to score a try which was converted by Rae. Just before the interval Rae put over another penalty.

After the resumption both sides mounted attacks which were stopped by good defence; but Academy broke through and scored a well earned try. School pressed again and some excellent work in the loose was done by Carrie and Marr.

After a blind side movement, Farquharson went over for an unconverted try.

Soon after, Rae kicked an easy penalty to increase School's lead to 14 points. Although most of the attacking was being done by School, the heavier Academy pack managed to gain ground and a hooking offence resulted in their scoring three more points. School rallied again and were only kept out by desperate defence.

Hockey The hockey season has got off to a very good start. We are fortunate in having six of last year's side back with us and this has meant that teamwork has developed early in this year's 1st XI side. Two very promising youngsters in Hay and Gray have been introduced to the team and if they work hard at the game I am sure they should be possible stars of the future. It is interesting to note that Kenneth Hay is a brother of Denis Hay, an ex-School hockey captain and recently a final International trialist. The team is captained by Douglas Campbell who must curb his tendency to get out of position, and instil a scoring urge into his forwards.

The and XI shows a vast improvement on last year's side and may be a force to reckon with in their section of the league. They are a strong team in defence but we have still to strike the right blend in the forward rank. The 3rd XI are captained by McBain, and his enthusiasm for the game should encourage this rather immature team. Hard work should be their motto—they should be practising hitting and stopping at every opportunity and remember that reverse stick and flick arc two of the most difficult arts of the game but the most rewarding in results. This year, the Colts Team is being given a term of intensive coaching before taking part in any fixtures. Their matches arc being fulfilled by a " C " XI of 4th year boys under the captaincy of Cook. This is a splendid opportunity for the weaker members of last year's Colts to improve their game. This was a necessary move as we were finding that the opposing teams were mostly composed of 4th year boys with two years' hockey practice, thus placing our colts at a great disadvantage.

R. McNia Outstanding Matches z8 September, v. Ruthricston Ramblers at Links. z-t.

In fine weather for hockey, School played with the sun for the first half in this, their first league match of the season. Right from the bully-off School played good hockey, tackling solidly and using the ball well. Cobb, Clark and Wilson did well to stop the Ramblers wingmen, and as a result their inside forwards never really got going. School opened the scoring in the first ten minutes with an excellent goal by Lamb, who picked his spot in the net after a hard cross from the right. Near half-time Ramblers exerted severe pressure and in an all out attack Campbell was injured. Meanwhile in the ensuing confusion Ramblers equalised rather luckily. Half-time i-t.

In the second half, School defence seemed to find it easy to repulse the Ramblers forwards and with Cowie and Campbell particularly outstanding, School were right on top. The defence were spreading the ball beautifully to their forwards who produced some promising moves. From one of these Somerville ran clear and very calmly placed the ball in the back of the net to give School a deserved lead. Ramblers defence were badly harassed at this stage in the game and were

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

very lucky, indeed, not to concede more goals. Near the end Ramblers staged a last ditch rally but School defence held firm. The only weakness in this outstanding display was a failure to score the goals that the outfield play merited. This was a very disappointing Ramblers side which, although harassed, comforted themselves sportingly and accepted their defeat in a fine spirit. We look forward to our return game when I am sure School will not dart to be so liberal around goal.

Cricket In our Scottish day schools, cricket has often been referred to as the " cinderella " of their sporting activities. The short term, the usually inclement weather and more recently the advent of the S.C.E. in the month of May has tended to support this view. This is vet), much regretted; yet it seems to be a fact that less and less time is available for the practices which are essential for good cricket. In season 1963 the weather was as unkind as it had been for rugby. Indeed, as one umpired, well protected against the wind and the rain, one mused that often the months of September and October were better cricketing months.

Season 1963 was one of the leanest for many years. Only four ist XI games were played and of them one (v. Gordons) was won, one (v. Academy) was tied and two were drawn. In the Gordon's game the side showed up well. Craig, the Captain (z8), Robertson (23), and Britt (16) were the run scorers, in a grand total of 118 for 8 declared. In reply, Gordon's, having scored 33 for 4, were dismissed for 36, Angus taking 5 for 9 and Hadden 3 for 9. Of this XI only four have returned to School this session, but with some promising youngsters on the way up we hope for more sunshine and better cricket in 1964.

Colours were awarded as follows: Full Colours: R. A. Craig, J. W. Haddcn, D. A. Britt.

Half Colours: G. Dorward, G. Angus, B. Stephen. mit XI Results v. Glcnalmond. Abandoned. v. Perth Academy. Home. Perth 4.4 all out, School 43 for 8. Draw. v. Morgan Academy. Away. Morgan 49 all out, School 24 for 7. Draw. v. Aberdeen Academy. Away. Academy 58 all out, School 58 all out. Tie. v. Gordons. Away. School 118 for 8, Gordons 36 all out.

Team Results 1st XI and XI 3rd XI Colts Juniors Minors

Played

Won

Lost

Drawn

4 6 6 5 5 4

1 1 5 4 3 z

o 4 i O I 1

2

I

1 — 1 1 —

—

Tied

--

— 1

Badminton Club The Badminton Club, with twenty-five members this year, continues to have Monday and Thursday evening sessions in the gymnasium. There is a small nucleus of experienced players who are able to guide the newcomers. We hope to arrange matches against the staff and against the girls of Albyn and High. In these games we shall be able to test our inexperience and enthusiasm against the experience and training of our opponents. We look forward to an enjoyable season.

DOUGLAS FOWLIE, Secretary

School Section

39

Swimming Club Due to the long-awaited, yet most welcome implementation of the swimming pool project there has been a tremendous increase in the membership of the Club.

We now have a total of 358 members about (double the normal figure) and of these, to6 boys arc from 1st year.

Life-saving instruction is being given by the Physical Education staff during school hours and, although classes have not yet begun after school we know there are many boys who are eager to try for the awards of the Royal Life Saving Society.

Congratulations to those boys who entered and swam so well in the NorthEast District Swimming Championships in October.

PETER COLLIER, Captain

Athletics Athletics still plays a major part in the Summer Term and various matches were arranged.

Unfortunately a suitable date could not be found for a Senior Match against Aberdeen Academy this year. In the Senior Match against Robert Godon's College, School lost by 61 pts. to 47 pts., though this result might have been a lot closer had not our Captain, Robin A. Craig been injured in the long jump early in the competition.

In the Middle and Lower School Matches the results were: Middle School Win by 147 NS to 82 pts. v. Aberdeen Academy Win by 140 pts to 99 pts. v. Robert Gordon's College Lower School Loss by 43 pts to 27 pts. v. Robert Gordon's College A party of twelve boys attended the Scottish Schools Athletics Championships.

The outstanding performances were by D. G. Fowlie who came second in the 17.19 years age group in the javelin, and G. Davidson who won the 13-15 long jump.

Athletics Colour Awards: Full Colours: R. A. Craig (Re-award); D. G. Fowlie.

Half Colours: J. A. Banks, J. W. Hadden, D. J. F. Robertson.

C.C.F. Notes Army Section This year sees an entirely new syllabus introduced into the C.C.F. programme, now making it possible for any pupil of the School, fourteen years of age or over, to join the R.A.F. Section without first completing the previously compulsory year in a basic Army Section. Unfortunately the age limit has prevented any second year boys from becoming official members of the C.C.F. However, a non-uniformed section of eight has been formed and it is hoped to increase this number considerably by next year.

The Promotions for this term were as follows: C/Sgt. Forrest to C.S.M., Sgt. Grieve to C./Sgt., Cpl. Adams to Sgt., L./Cpls. Brown, Christie, Clark, Morrison and Philip to Cpls. Cpl. Rae, $ competent and well qualified instructor, who came to us from Dollar C.C.F., remains a Cpl. till Christmas.

Due to the administrative changes previously mentioned, it has been possible to alter the normal programme a great deal, and although the Cert. " A " Part a has been abolished, the Part a or Proficiency Exam. remains. In addition, an Advanced Infantry Badge has been introduced for which C./Sgt. Grieve and Cpl.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Rae have already qualified. This year a rather adventurous programme has already been planned for all stages, incorporating such new subjects as Motor Mechanics, Signals, Military History and Civil Defence, integrating with these as many films as possible.

Summer Camp, held at Ness Battery, Stromness, during the first week of the Summer holidays, proved to be most successful although slightly marred by the rather rough journey up in the M.V. St. Magnus. Besides the exercises and instruction carried out under the competent supervision of C.S.M. Courts, the Cadets visited many of the historically interesting sights of Orkney, including St. Magnus Cathedral and some of the ancient earth works at Scarradale. During our stay in Stromness, we were honoured by a visit from General Lang, O.C. 51st Highland Division of Scotland.

Sgt. Adams and Cpl. Clark have recently returned from a visit to Sandhurst where they met Walter Coutts our C.S.M. of last year. Walter is the first pupil for many years from the Grammar School to have gained a place at Sandhurst and I am sure it is the wish of all those who knew him that he has a successful and enjoyable stay there.

On r November we held a successful Field day at Alford. Leaving School on the Thursday afternoon, we stayed overnight in the T.A. Hall there, giving us a full day to work on. The Thursday evening was spent on instruction in Signals, Map reading, Recreation, and the miniature range was also in use. On the Friday a platoon level exercise, devised and conducted by the Junior N.C.O.s was successfully carried out.

Looking into the future, plans for an Easter Arduous Training week in the Cairngorms are already underway. Looking beyond that there is a strong possibility of our next annual camp going to B.A.O.R. in Germany during the summer holidays.

We were sorry this year to see the departure of Lt. Lawson, who, although he has only been connected with the contingent for a short time, assisted Capt.

Galloway a great deal on the administration side. Lt. Lawson is now Headmaster of a school in the south of Scotland and we wish him every success there.

In conclusion it is hoped that the very ambitious ideas and endeavours of the conscientious N.C.O.'s will not go unrewarded. Our thanks again due to these officers who continue to give up so much of their time to keep the Section running smoothly. At the same time we extend a cordial welcome to C.S.M. Adams of the Scots Guards who has recently joined us in place of R.S.M. Whyte.

NEIL D. FORREST, C.S.M. Royal Air Force Section

This past year has been an outstanding one for the Section. Two cadets D. G. Fowlie and J. C. Marsh gained the award of a Flying Scholarship. They both carried out their flying training during the month of July and completed their courses by gaining their Private Pilot's Licences. We offer our congratulations to the two cadets and send our best wishes to John Marsh who is now residing in Glasgow.

Annual camp was held this year at Royal Air Force Aldergrove in Northern Ireland. Our week's stay there proved very interesting and a full training programme was prepared for us. In addition to the flying details and visits to the various operational sections of the airfield there was a bus tour of Northern Ireland which gave us an opportunity to see some of the local beauty spots. This camp was enjoyed by all who attended.

At the start of this session the following promotions were made to fill the senior ranks: Sgt. Fowlie to Warrant Officer, Cpl. Philip to Flight Sergeant, Cpl. Butler to Flight Sergeant.

School Section

41

This year the Section numbers twenty-one from the third year upwards, of which seven are junior N.C.O.s. At mid-term P.1O. Sutherland accompanied a party of nineteen to Royal Air Force Kinloss, our parent station. The party stayed overnight and were shown round the following day and every cadet had a flight in a Shackleton aircraft. This visit was particularly enjoyed by the younger members who had not visited a station before.

Flt./Sgts. Butler and Philip made a four day visit to Royal Air Fora Henlow in October. This is the ground crew training establishment and the two cadets were taken on a detailed tour of the station. It is hoped that this experience will enable them to stimulate some interest in the technical side of our cadet training.

The Section continues throughout the winter months with its training programme and it is hoped that eight Cadets will sit the Advanced Proficiency examination in June, and we have no reason to doubt that the usual high percentage pass rate will be maintained.

DOUGLAS FowLIE,

Pipes and Drums With last year's drum major, pipe major and drum sergeant all back at School the band this year should benefit from their experience. As there arc only two drummers to be found for the band, we have enough beginners under the tuition of Mr. Simpson.

In the piping section we have more newcomers than in some previous years, however the majority will unfortunately not learn enough to play in the band this year. On behalf of the pipes I would like to thank Mr. White who has taught the pipes for several years, and wish him good luck in his studies at Oxford, and Mr. Hunter of the music department who has started teaching this year. Thanks are also due to Mr. MacLeod for his management of the band.

HARRY MILLER, Drum Major This year will mark a transition period in the history of the C.C.F. and will see the first far-reaching changes in policy and organisation since its inception in 1948.

A War Office Directive of July this year required the pruning of numbers on a national scale and laid down maximum numbers for Contingents and Service Sections within them, the underlying principle being that smaller numbers would lead to greater efficiency, particularly if the same financial assistance were available as on the previous basis of larger contingents. In an attempt to regulate the numbers, no boy will become a full member now until he is fourteen. However, it is possible to run a pre-C.C.F. Section in the Second Year and this has been started in the Contingent this winter. Formal training has been kept to a minimum and the general interest programme devised by the O.C. seems to have met with approval and even enthusiasm. It is hoped that this new venture will be treated in the nature of a challenge and will afford Officers and N.C.O.s alike an opportunity of pioneering and improvising.

Last year was, in all departments, an exceptional year in the C.C.F. and all are to be congratulated on their fine showing in training and in the grand spirit of camaraderie that existed at all times (even on the ship to Orkney).. Si sic omnes I R. McLzon

Edinburgh Festival 1963 Even the spectacle of six Jordanian camels braving our wet Scottish climate was not sufficient to compensate for the frightful weather experienced by a dozen boys and two masters of the School, when we saw the Tattoo at this year's Edinburgh Festival.

42.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

However, it was drama, not Military Precision, that had brought us to Edinburgh, and during our short stay, we covered many aspects of the theatre, from the now too well known Drama Conference, through tragedy to the " Fringe ".

It was the first session of the Conference we attended. After introductions from Sir Laurence Olivier and Lord Harewood, the delegates got down to discussing the topic of that day which was, " Who Makes the Theatre: Writer, Actor or Producer? " The trend of the speaking was summed up by a certain David Frost who said that the respective sides were simply supporting their own interests. Despite this tendency, we heard several impassioned speeches, Joan Littlewood causing a stir, and perhaps sparking off the controversy about the conference that raged all week. This series of discussions, however, was of more interest to the theatrical enthusiast than the disinterested layman.

Shaw's " St. Joan " occupied the following afternoon. It is a deeply moving play, and Joan Plowright, in the title role, impressed the audience by the simplicity and innocence that seemed to stamp the character of her St. Joan. The rather lighthearted epilogue marred, I felt, an otherwise excellent performance. " Waiting for Godot " is a play it is difficult to describe. Through the medium of two down-and-outs waiting day after day for " Godot ", Samuel Beckett would seem to point out the essential hopelessness of life. There is really nothing more to the play, yet so skilfully written is it that it holds one's attention for two hours, and is throughout, pathetically amusing.

At eleven that night, we set out to see the Fringe production " Bubonic Plague Show ". It was a rather disappointing satire of a Germ Warfare Establishment, and its main interest was that it gave us an insight into the Festival Fringe.

On our final afternoon we saw Eugene Ionesco's much-praised " Exit the King ".

I could see little matter for a play in the talc of a King who, after four hundred years' rule, is hastened to his end in one morning by one of his wives. Alec Guinness acted well, but one can only hope he knew more about the play's purpose than I did.

The orderliness of a train journey back to Aberdeen afterwards came as something of a relief, and the quietness of a near-empty second class compartment was an excellent stimulus to my powers of reflection. Much of what we had witnessed during the previous few days was not what one normally accepts as Drama, but because it was unconventional, it made me think more deeply about the Theatre.

That alone, made the journey well worth while.

GORDON D. MITCHELL, Upper VI

Regensburg X963 " Oh, the far Cuillin arc puffin' love on me, as step I wi' my cromak to the Isles." The evocative strains of this Hebridean song could have been heard wafted through the warm summer air of a July evening in the Bavarian city of Regensburg. For it was on 9 July 1963, that the choir and orchestra of Aberdeen Grammar School joined with those of the Oberrealschule of Regensburg to make music together before a large audience in the Neuhaussaal, Regenburg's fine concert hall. " Wir musizieren gemeinsam " had, after many months of planning, become a reality.

On z9 June our party of sixty-three boys and thirteen adults had set out from Aberdeen, and after two days of travelling we had reached Regensburg early on 1 July. During our stay, we were accommodated at the very• comfortable and well equipp-A Youth I Iostel. The warden, Herr Strutz, and his wife, were wonderful hosts, and gave us excellent food. The hostel is idyllically situated by a quiet haven—a backwater of the Danube.

School Section

43

Our first official engagement was a reception by the Oberburgermeister in the Reichsaal of the Mediaeval Town Hall. The orchestra of the Oberrealschule played two pieces for strings by the English composer Walter Leigh, and after speeches of welcome, we were shown round the State Rooms of the Town Hall. Fine as these were, it was the grim Mediaeval Torture Chamber that made a more lasting impression on our macabre minds!

Our stay in Regensburg was a mixture of hard work at rehearsals and relaxation in spoit and sightseeing. We soon made many friends amongst the German staff and pupils. We found that the universal language of music broke across racial barriers and that the rehearsals were a wonderful meeting ground. We also met on the Sports Field, in two friendly " internationals ", both games played in sweltering heat. A genuine cup-tie fever was generated, Mr. Hunter, our piper, taking his instrument along and acting as cheer leader to our many supporters, in particular amongst the younger German boys, whose picturesque banners and chanting remain vividly in our minds.

Herr Wilhelm Halter, the Music Master of the Oberrealschule, had arranged a full and varied programme of excursions for us. We visited many of the interesting buildings in Regensburg itself, and attended a service in the Cathedral, where we heard the singing of the " Domspatzen" or Cathedral Sparrows. This is the charming name given to the boys of the Cathedral Choir, one of the great choirs of Europe, and our visit to their modern and magnificently equipped Choir School was quite fascinating.

Only a brief summary can be given of the many other excursions we made.

Down the river to Valhalla (memorable for a tremendous thunderstorm); up the river to Kelheim; a coach tour through the Bavarian Forest, taking in many Baroque churches, and visiting the Czech Frontier and the Arber Mountain (ascended by chair lift); Passau, with its great organ; Munich, and a quick tour round its Art Gallery, and the Deutsches Museum of Science and Technology; if towards the end of our stay, we began to suffer from acute " Baroque " indigestion, we were none the less very grateful to our German friends for arranging such wonderful trips for us.

The concert came as a fitting climax to our holiday. The full forces were combined in the first scene of Purcell's opera " Dido and Aeneas " and in Handel's " Hallelujah" Chorus. (In the first of these, the part Dido was sung by Mrs. Stilwell, that of Belinda by Fraulein Achhammer, one of the German music staff, and that of Aeneas by Ian McNay.) The work was sung in English, a formidable undertaking for the German choir. The combined orchestras played the first movement of Haydn's " London" Symphony and Beethoven's Romance in F major, in which Alexander Wilson was the sensitive soloist. Our wind players played in Chamber Music and as a complete ensemble, and our Choir sang four Madrigals. Most popular of all were the Scottish Folk Songs and Dances which brought the first half of the concert to an end. During the interval, the entire Aberdeen party remained on the stage, while their music staff were not only bedecked with an unusual garland of thick, spicy Regensburger sausages, but presented as well with a bouquet of white radishes! Mr Skinnet, who had travelled to Regensburg to attend the concert, received on behalf of the School a handsome pewter plate, suitably inscribed to commemorate the visit and decorated with various symbols associated with Regensburg.

Our final impressions will be of people and friendships. The hospitality of our German friends knew no bounds, and our most treasured memories will be of the evenings spent in their homes. When, reluctantly, we had to leave, someone was heard to say that this was just a beginning. We all hope that this is in fact the beginning of a long and fruitful period of friendship and musical co-operation between the young people and musicians of these two sister cities,

44

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Easter Trip to Spain, 1963

The facts ...

On Thursday, z8 March, many months of careful preparation culminated in the departure from the Joint Station of thirty boys and six masters of the School.

We were bound for Spain. During the twelve days spent in that country we saw many aspects of the Spanish way of life and of the geography of Spain, from the seabattered industrial north coast to the arid Meseta and the famed Mediterranean Coast. One of the main aims of the tour was to see some of the many art treasures of Spain. The style of these paintings varied as much as the landscape, perhaps the greatest contrast being between the cave paintings of Altamira and the rich Renaissance works of the Prado.

It is impossible to give in small space a complete itinerary of the trip, but the following brief account will give some idea of its length and scope. Entering Spain in the north-east at Inn, we journeyed along the north coast through Bilbao to Sandander. Thence we struck south for Madrid, staying en route at Burgos.

During the five days spent at Madrid, excursions were undertaken to Toledo, Avila and Segovia. From Madrid the party continued southwards to Valencia whence we made our way up the Mediterranean coast to Barcelona, spending a night at Tarragona.

Seeing Barcelona and its wonderful hinterland was worth three days of our precious time, but on i i Apiil the tour came to an end and we started on the return rail journey to Aberdeen.

GEORGE P. M. CRAWFORD, Upper V And an impression .

The feature of our Spanish trip which stands out most vividly in my mind was not the splendid cathedrals, the Spanish people and their simple surroundings, the bull ring, the caves of Altamira, nor the exotic foods, fascinating as all these were.

It was the scenery of the country and how completely it could change in a very short distance.

Coming from the north coast we climbed continuously to a height of several thousand feet through a grassy countryside of rolling hills and valleys. As we reached the top, expecting a magnificent view, we were suddenly enveloped by a swirling mist. Next we passed through a strange piece of country which seemed to be the dried up bed of some river that had fashioned weird pinnacles of rock, standing bolt upright like pine tree trunks. The sides of this miniature " Grand Canyon " had also been cut into and eroded, some of the larger holes forming caves at varying heights in the vertical rock face.

Further on we arrived at a flat, dry plain which stretched for miles with little more than the occasional hillock to break the horizon. The sun, now shining in a clear blue sky, provided little warmth at this altitude, and a chilly wind swept across the central plateau. Nevertheless we could well imagine how like a desert this place would be under the scorching sun of high summer.

Continuing along the long, sweeping road to Madrid, the bus bumped to a halt in a small village where we had a meal and our first taste of Spanish wine. Soon in the distance we could make out a dim blue shadow with white patches, stretching along the full length of the horizon. As we approached, the magnificent Guadarramas seemed to reach up to the sky which was now that indescribable continental blue.

The rest of our tour took us through Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona, Spain's three biggest cities and suddenly, all too soon, our Spanish holiday was over.

ALISDAIR G. MACKENZIE, Upper V

School Section

45

Lower School Notes At the beginning of this term, as replacements for Mr. H. F. Lawson and Mr. J. F. C. Davidson, we welcomed to our staff Miss Christine M. Mackinnon and Mr. J. M. McRoberts. Miss Mackinnon, who hails from Lewis and is a fluent Gaelic speaker, is an Arts graduate of Aberdeen University and came to us straight from Training College. Seeing that the teaching of languages in Primary Schools is now so widely practised, I'm wondering if as an experiment we should ask Miss Mackinnon to start her Primary III boys on spoken Gaelic! Mr. MacRoberts is one of those astonishingly brave people who, after spending fourteen years in the Civil Service and many more as a business manager, has taken an Arts degree at Aberdeen University and completed a course at Training College. I'm glad to say that now with two months teaching time behind him, he seems to be weathering the storm remarkably well, with no signs as yet of incipient H.B.P. or thrombosis!

5 November saw Mr. A. P. Farquhar (referred to as " Sid " by the boys) taking up his new appointment as first assistant to the Lower School Master of Robert Gordon's College. While we rejoice with him in his well-merited promotion, we cannot but feel despondent at losing the services of such a competent, diligent and experienced master who gave his pupils such excellent training both in the classroom and on the playing field. The criterion of his worth lies in the fund of good feelings and gratitude left in the hearts and minds of his ex-pupils and colleagues here in School.

Mr. Joseph Buchan now most adequately fills the breach created by Mr. Farquhar's " elevation " and brings with him in his sincere outlook, bearing and speech a fine, wholesome, refreshing tang of his north-east home town, Peterhead. During his eleven years in the profession, he has seen service in various types of schools, has studied at the Sorbonne, is particularly interested in religious education and most important (I) is a qualified Junior Football Coach. We are happy indeed to have the benefit of his wide experience and trust that his stay in Lower School will bring him satisfaction and contentment and widen his horizon of knowledge still further.

With September and October being such pleasant, open months, training at Rubislaw has proceeded normally. The Primary VII classes show promise of producing a good rugby XV and of the six soccer games already played against other city Primary Schools we have won 3, lost z and drawn 1. It would ill become me if I did not record how grateful we have been to Mr. A. J. M. Edwards and Dr. Ranald Steven this term, for the generous way in which they have given of their time and knowledge in the supervision of games at Rubislaw on Fridays when we have been short of male members of staff.

The swimming pool has naturally been proving to be a great source of delight not only to our Primary V, Primary VI and Primary VII classes but also to members of staff who by their aquatic gyrations cherish the hope (alas often forlorn!) of miraculous rejuvenation and the losing of the tell-talc inches!

The Junior and Senior sections of the Lower School Choir continue to be in good heart, in the capable hands of Mr. Hunter and Mr. Hawksworth respectively.

The Senior Section is preparing to take part in a recital in connection with the Shakespearean quater-centenary celebrations to be held in springtime. Their contribution to the recital will be a small cantata based on Shakespeare's " Tempest ".

That is one note for parental diaries; another that the annual Carol Service for parents, pupils and friends of the School will take place in Bcechgrove Church on the evening of Wednesday, 18 December 1963. A Carol Service for Lower School boys will be held on the following afternoon.

Our Spanish scholars, now Primary VI A, continue to be instructed in the oral intricacies of the language by Mr. McLean, head of the Spanish Department, who reports that progress is very satisfactory and that there is no diminution of interest.

Two half-hour periods per week are now allocated to this subject.

46

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

When the rain eventually abated today, 13 November, we managed to place our pots of spring bulbs in a plunge-bed in the school garden. They will next see the light of day in twelve to fourteen weeks and thereafter will be carefully nurtured until exhibited at the Spring Bulb Show on 54 March 1964.

School Camp held at Rhynie during the third week in July for thirty boys of our last session's Primary VII classes, was a most successful venture although weather was not altogether perfect. Living with boys was a heartening experience. It was good to observe that all members of the group could find joy and satisfaction in the simple things of life—walking, climbing, fishing, football, expressing views, baseball, cricket, reading, exploring—and that they would quite happily organise themselves. On no occasion was there a " yen " for town life; in fact practically all would have wished the holiday to continue much longer. Behaviour of all the boys was excellent even in the sharing of household chores, and at no time had the voice of authority to be raised in criticism, warning or anger. Arguments and fun there were a-plenty but the spirit of amity and concord was never broken. This well-balanced, stable group of boys with such varied backgrounds, well knit in spirit, in principle, in interests and fidelity, is such as Lower School has been on-routing to Middle School for many years. What a pity that the iconoclasts have no knowledge of the meaning of the word " ethos " in its particular application to the Aberdeen Grammar School.

A few weeks ago I received a long and interesting letter from Mrs. Booth, our Art Mistress during Session 196z-63. After touring France, Spain, Andorra, Italy and Greece by car this summer, she is doing a spell of teaching in a Royal Air Force school in Cyprus before making her way back to Australia. To boys, staff and friends, she and her husband Ian send their kindest regards. The Rector also tells me that he met Mrs. Booth in Cyprus for a brief spell, when he was there with other headmasters last month visiting Royal Air Force installations.

The following boys were chosen as Monitors this session: Graham C. M. Watt (Head), Alan J. Gardner and Michael J. Milne of Primary VII A; Richard Gamblin (Deputy), lain G. Williamson and Harry J. MacFarlane of Primary VII B; Wilfrid J. Mitchell and Andrew D. Nisbet of Primary VI A; Alastair W. Duthie and Marshall Willox of Primary VI B. As ever they are a group of helpful, sensible young men who perform the simple duties demanded of them as to the manner born.

J. D. M.

Literary Section

Meditations on the Sublimity of Things " Oh, I hate those horrible animals ", said the dinosaur, silvery tears running down its cheek to splash in large pools on the ground. " It's those great big lumbering triceratops, with their silly great horns. They keep bumping into people, and it's so uncomfortable. And they never give the proper hand signals to show which way they're going. That fat old one over there just walked right through the ferns I was saving for dinner."

It pointed with its tail towards what I had previously taken for a round grey rock, but now I could see the gently-waving ears and huge horns. A noise by my car made me look round. A large green dragonfly, its wings a mere silvery blur of motion hovered by my shoulder, " Green and Blue and Green again Stephen's ink fills every pen ", " After the great age of reptiles comes the age of mammals," said the silverhaired professor, sweeping his spectacles from his beaky nose. " And all my colleagues are going to America now. No pay, no prospects here at home." He proffered a Woodbine apologetically. " No thanks, I don't " said I, taken aback. His pale green eyes seemed to look right through me at the wall behind, on which I knew he saw details of the

School Section

47

geological succession neatly set out in white and red chalk. Out of the misting face issued strangely a familiar voice. " Five tons of triceratops flesh were immersed in a fluid of specific gravity I.59.

Assuming the temperature, the pressure and the square root of the distance from the earth to the moon to be constant, find (a) the density of the flesh and (b) the number of eggs laid by a female triceratops in 314.49 years."

I started to write. The Stephen's ink trace on the white became a mad complex of blue and red curves—a Marples highway between two important points. Down came the ruler on my fingers. " Wake up, boy, wake up! 5ooo c.c. of flesh of density 17.3 gm. per c.c. c.c. cool to swim in.

Down where the porpoises roll and rock And the rocks don't roll Under the blue like Stephen's ink well diluted, Not made red by bloody hands. Only The seaweed is red." " It has taken all the guilt upon itself," said a voice. " Strange how innocent things can be so despoiled."

Red is sin and sin is red And what is redder than the red red rose?

Why red? Why is sin red?

Red for gore and red for murder.

Why are we so innocent outside And so red and sinful there within? " Phosphate and nitrate are essential for the cultivation of good roses, and Killset ' will keep down those insect pests and give you bigger, brighter heads."

The doctor shook his head " Thickhead—try aspirin with water."

The glass was clear as crystal; the white pill effervesced. " Oh, God, it's turning blue! " I said. I filled my pen. What was that? Hen, pen, hen? " The ' Lion' stamp is your guarantee of freshness."

But now they sell unstamped eggs, from hens without legs.

Can you post the stamped eggs " Free?

Glimmers of sanity return. The hammers of hell beat on giant steel eggs clearly marked with rampant lions in Stephen's ink. The noise should have stopped.

How could it go on so long? It was not of the teal world, but something in a fourth dimension outside space and time in that waking fantasy, the particular dream world we laughingly call reality.

ROBERT CRAIG, Upper IV

A Sequel to the Motor Show I have recently had the opportunity of testing a vehicle which did not appear at the last London Motor Show, but which, by virtue of the many advantages it has over its competitors, should appeal to the man who is young at heart and dislikes the closed-in feeling of saloon cars.

This particular model was finished in dark blue, its spoked wheels and visible brake mechanism lending it a sporting appearance. In all-round visibility it surpasses all its competitors, whilst the driving seat, though apparently rather small, has an almost infinite variety of positions over a very wide range of adjustment, and can be simply arranged to give the driver the now popular " straight arm " driving position. The accurate steering has neutral characteristics and is very

48

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazme

high-geared. The three-speed gearbox fitted to the test model was a delightful piece of engineering, changes being made swiftly and with an ease normally associated with much more expensive cars. Although a four-speed gearbox is obtainable at slight extra cost, we found that the box on the test model was perfectly suited to the vehicle's characteristics, combining the advantages of a sporting gearbox with those of the best two-pedal control system.

The vehicle would make an excellent town conveyance. No sports car can compare with it in low-speed torque or acceleration, its high-geared steering and small overall dimensions enabling it to insinuate itself between traffic lanes, even in the busiest of towns. Indeed, it can out-accelerate an E-type Jaguar at low speeds and at a much less exorbitant initial outlay.

Perhaps a word about costs would not be out of place at this point. Initial cost is small; the model can be bought for a fraction of the cost of its competitors, and maintenance costs are low. The only recurrent fault encountered was a tendency for the flexible cable from the gear-lever to the gearbox to snap at crucial moments, but this should not deter any potential buyers.

Although interior appointments are decidedly stark, there are some thoughtful features. Behind the driver, where there is no proper provision for an extra passenger, there is a small but useful compartment for tools, and other odds and ends. Also, clipped neatly and unobtrusively below the driver's seat is an inflator for the tyres.

In conclusion, if you are looking for an un-pretentious conveyance to carry you swiftly and efficiently through the thickest town traffic, but find the cars at the Motor Show too expensive, I advise you to be like me—buy a bike.

DONALD A. LAMONT, V

Nocturne These are the hours after midnight that Wash in silent ebb and flow around the Tenuous threads of consciousness. Each Second Falling Strikes and whispers like a plangent gong, Ripples out over the back-streets Eddying in Andromeda.

The street-corner gas-light mutters Introspectively, casts Comate in lunar bronze the silent Silhouettes of dormant tenements, rattles Absorbedly In spattering gusts of warm autumnal rain.

Heavy anaesthetising darkness hovers Personified over the suburbs, Horizons suffused by the intimate Aurora of a myriad street-lamps, Equinoctial winds Guttering like lost soul Among the chimney cowls.

Oh neon signs Blot out the stars and blast the nebulae to Dust, But do not let me wake.

IAN TELFER, Upper 1V

>1ff `NOSSIOHJ, UlAYa •aagsurg Ira3S alp Jo aSzlla Sugmoq aq3 puy aa33 )EO pio ur uj pupa Suitizawas atij, mar 3r3t1 O3 praxp I rips 3ng uatp aauis sea paAau3no[ aerti I 0 •3g2iu 343 g3rm auoS pry aqs a3loms I uatim 3ng 314$p3 g3rm paluirj 1 Imp araj Atu sea 3E3353 OS Suos injusnow 3rtp Sues aqs rips puy Suet' 33311!. S.132U9 33H uapplq sea 23E3 33H '3EO3 ua3ills say SUp1O13S 33343 poo3s ays Sy wont-4 Atu paddpS naj jo sIaSug atu, -aatisurg 3talS alp pools aux astajaq puy aan atp apisaq pamddr v puTtos ppm= pus moi r 3U1E3 333Ly punoiS alp Suoiv Anita atp 148noni3 `uatu, •Arj I 3iro luapur sup Aq mou puy `AN pus weans 33X) ores pus putm liffnostu, At? lEEPss3P3A3anl°1 PIN I 0 aatpiligEf atri `NOSNIATI 'a

*bpa3utu pus ssaumogatu jo uosras 'utun3ny !uo Asa slow Sumpro `bronp atp aisnp 3r ua,g `sqSnoq Suiddisp aq3 piojua snitu uaqsy •A3pjpua3 pus ssaumoriatu jo UOSE3S `UUM3UNT !3139q pus alrq `stuia Supaems alp purls pa3irN `saerai paidunua 'mops atp Ag Supaurtas •Auouusq pus ssaumogatu jo uosras %rummy pupa alp jo S2UTM aq3 Slum `Asp SuiSnesp auo awn uununv uumlny .911 `Agpvx.1, [IHOf

•3aeq Ard 3sntu am Awl, 3tiffra `txaq3 pamonoq am arty& ApIns 10d `31ari am straw jo asuas y `uatu `Arm piny ay3 3turai uossai atu, 'ATMs uo >jsom sn aerti `aunf Jo pua alp asojaq `MOM! mu\ •AspuoN sno paddouia Saq3 jjo mg/A aura Aszatu sno paSurqa uual-pitu anti

•suopualui pooS pun surid xpiALN, tpunq Addrti bae e tians `suoisua3x0 Arp!IN 1.14M qaund sr pasraid asom am =mums siti,L

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5o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine The Chase Running, leaping over the moor, The pack behind, his den before, The cool air whistling in his cars Calmed those pulsing, insistent fears.

Speeding uphill and into each glen, Away from the maddening world of men, Leaving their pungent smell behind, Racing to join his own foxy kind.

He had youth on his side, and strength of a store And the ground hardly felt the weight of each paw As he flew for his life towards his home ground, Leading the hounds through " Hangman's Sound ".

Steadily urging, onward, on, His hopes were high, his fears were gone, Less than a mile or more to run Then he saw his den in the rays of the sun His den, a haven where no hound could follow, Deep in a snug and mossy hollow, Into his den he plunged with mirth.

As he heard the cry, " Gone to Earth."

C. DRESSEL, //C

No Man's Land No one dares the sweating plain But the Nomads of the camel train For they only know the dead terrain— None other.

There are outcrops at rocky stone Here and there a sun-bleached bone And the sand, with which this monotone Is covered.

There is no sound no voice of man As the sunbeats down on the caravan Only the faraway beat of a wing— A vulture.

Was there once a race, lcarn'd and wise?

Was this sea of sand once highly prized?

Was this place ever civilised, Or cultured.

As the sun goes down and the night sets in The wind starts to howl in a land of sin Where nothing lives as decreed by Him Far above.

PETER MAY, MIIA

School Section

51

The Waterfall As gently rippling on their way The waters clear and cool Between the overhanging banks Pass o'er the darkened pool Their surface broken by the fish As eagerly they fed Now rising swiftly to the flies Then down to the river bed.

But, lo, the tempo quickens now The waters come alive!

They hurry on: rush bete and there As o'er the fall they dive, To hurtle down with thunderous roar Like tortured souls possessed, Thrashing the dauntless salmon Struggling to reach their rest.

The fish must try to reach their goal Led on by nature's call By leap and bound to gain the top And overcome the fall, The waters must rush onward For them there is no sleep, Their destiny lies out to sea In the oceans of the deep ROBERT HurcitEsort, Middle 11,4 The Hunt The trumpet blares, the hunting cry!

And a poor mad hare goes shrieking by, Down to where the mill stream races, Past the school with its laughing faces.

Beside the castle with its high " Donjon " Forward! The hunt goes rushing on!

Through the field where the cows are grazing, Along to the farm where the pigs are lazing.

On to the stream with its babbling mirth Up to the lake where it has its birth Over the moorland robed in heather Onwards! Onwards! We go together.

Up the mountainside so steep, Over a hedge which we have to leap.

Back past the school where the laughter is merry, On to the graveyard where our dead we bury.

Through the meadow, green and cool, Over the river by the deep black pool.

Past the quarry with its stones so hard Along the wall of the squire's orchard. " Onward, onward, we don't care where! " And all for the blood of one poor little hare.

NEIL MCBEATH, IlB

3z

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Countdown Tense faces watch with bated breath, As final checks take place, " All systems go! " the cry rings out, Across the rocket base.

The countdown starts—" four, three, two one.... " The rocket, poised skybound, Awaits the launching signal—" Fire! " And hurtles from the ground.

Spectators turn their faces up, To keep it in their sight, The " Wheat Flakes Rocket—Free Inside " Begins its maiden flight.

DAVID NORBROOK, Middle ILA

•

•

*

Down in the meadow, Running fast and deep, There is a little streamlet And there I used to sleep.

Before I became a gent In a silken gown, With carriages and horses To drive me to town.

Before I became a gent In a mansion large, With servants, and money, And my own private barge.

To take me down the river To see that little stream, And see that lovely meadow, Where I used to sit and dream.

I sit and gaze out yonder.

From my carriage fine And think about the freedom That once used to be mine.

PETER LOGAN, IIA

Former Pupils' Club Section (Club Founded n

September 1893)

Club Office-Bearers, x962-63 Honorary President : JOHN VASS SKINNER, M.A., B.LITT., DIP. ED.

(Rector since 1959) Honorary Vice-Presidents : HENRY JACKSON BUTCHART (1890-99), D.S.O., O.B.P.., T.D., B.L., LL.D., D.L. DOUGLAS PATERSON COCHRAN (I 906- i5).

ALEXANDER GRAY (1910-22), M.A., LL.B. THE HON. LORD JOHNSTON (1913-26) JAMES GRAY KYD (1891-98), C.B.E., F.P.A., F.R.S.E. JOHN ADAM LILLIE (1893-1903), M.A., LL.B., Q.C. ERIC LINKLATER (1913-16), C.B.E., M.A., LL. D., T.D.

The Right Hon. Lord MESTON (19o1-oz).

GEORGE GORDON NICOL (1894-1903), D.S.O., M.I.C.P.., M.CONS.E. Sir WILLIAM PETERS (1900-06), C.M.G., M.A. JOHN LENNOX RIDDELL (1907-16).

Sir

JAMES JACKSON

ROBERTSON,

O.B.E.,

LL.D., M.A.,

B.D.,

F.R.S.E., F.E.I.S.

(Rector 1942-59).

WILLIAM DOUGLAS SIMPSON (1901-13), O.B.F.., M.A., LL.D., D.LITT., F.S.A.(SCOT.), F.S.A. Sir JOHN WILLIAM TAYLOR (1906-I I), K.B.E., C.M.G.

Sir WILLIAM ROBERT TENNANT (1904-I0), C.I.E., M.A., LL.D. Sir JOHN MACKAY THOMSON, C.H., M.A., F.R.S.E. (Rector, 1920-2I).

Sir LANDSBOROLIGH THOMSON (1899-1908), C.B,, O.B.E., M.A., D.SC., F.R.S.E., LL.D. ROBERT BERTRAM WIL LI AMSON (1906-18), D.S.O., M.A., LL.B. President : Dr. W. DOUGLAS SIMPSON (1902-13), O.B.E,, M.A., LL.D., D.LITT., F.S.A. (SCOT.), F.S.A. Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive : ALAN CROMBIE ROBERTSON WATT (1925-37) M.A., LL.D. Secretary and Treasurer : JOHN SCOTT MACLACHLAN (1922-32), M.A., LL.B.,

zzo Union Street, Aberdeen.

General Editor of Magazine : CAMPBELL CONNON (1926-38), M.A., LL.B., 58 Dee Street, Aberdeen.

Si

54

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Secretaries of Centres : Bengal and Assam—DR. WILLIAM GEORGE MACMILLAN (1916-22), c/o Indian Jute Mills Research Institute, 3 Taratala Road, Calcutta, 27.

Central Africa—GEORGE MITCHELL GROAT (1927-4O), P.O. Box 394, Salisbury.

Dundee—ROBERT S. RILLEY (1 946-55), 8 Foster Road, Dundee.

Edinburgh—ALLAN CAMERON FRAZER (1925-30), M.A., W.S., to Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh 3.

MICHIE GORDON BIRSS (1926-38), M.C., M.A., A.C.W.A., 99 Essex Glasgow—JOHN Drive, Scotstoun, Glasgow. W.4.

London—ROBERT A. E. MENNIE (1924-36), Graystones, 3 Mount Pleasant Road Saffron Walden, Essex.

Malaya—BRIAN SCOTT GRAY (1943-49), B.SC., P.O. Box 207, Ranting, Selangor, Malaya.

Yorkshire—ARTHUR JAMES ADAMS (1919-30), 485 Bradford Road, Thornbury, Bradford.

Secretaries of Sections : Cricket—ALEXANDER MUNRO DAVIDSON (1937-45), B.L., 18 Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Golf—GEORGE ALEXANDER CRAIG WALKER (1917-23), 164 Market Street, Aberdeen.

Hockey—H. K. LAWSON, I14 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

Rugby—GEORGE M. M. SLATER (1935-47) 164 Craigton Road, Aberdeen.

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

Vice-Chairman—WILLIAM LEWIS CONNON (1930-40), B.I..

The Secretary and Treasurer, and General Editor of Magazine, ex offirii.r.

The Rector of the School, ex officio.

JOHN MGR MUTCH (1932-45), C.A. HECTOR MACQUEEN AIRD (1946-61).

ALEXANDER CROMAR (1944-50), M.A. WILLIAM WALLACE PORTER (1915-23).

IAN LEWIS SMITH (1918-30).

WILLIAM MILNE EWEN (1932-44).

GORDON HARVEY HENDERSON (192I-34), DONALD JOHNSTON STEPHEN (1946-52).

Dr. RANALD FYFE FINDLAY STEVEN M.A. LL.B. PHILIP NOEL LOVE (1952-58), M.A. (1933-43).

ERIC DOUGLAS WATT (1937-50).

JOHN MAXWELL MILNE (1934-46), M.A. HAROLD MURRAY ROBERTSON WATT (1926-38), M.A. JOHN MORTIMER (1923-27).

Section Representatives Cricket—IAN D. F. THOMSON (1944-48).

G0ff—GEORGE ALEXANDER CRAIG WALKER (1917-23).

Hockey—DR. C. LESLIE FORBES (1938-51).

Rugby—GEORGE M. M. SLATER (1935-47). .Slaff—ALEXANDER BRUCE, T.D., M.A., B.SC. Hon. Auditors : Messrs. BOWER and SMITH, C.A.

Notcs about F.P.s Honours and Awards Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) Ian George Innes* (1905-08), M.A., B.SC., B.SC. (Agri.), M.B., cie.a., was awarded the O.B.E. in the Ncw Year Honours List, 196;. He has been in medical practice in Hull for forty years. He has been chairman of the General Services Committee of Hull Executive Council of the National Health Service since 1948, and chairman of the local Health Service Executive Council since 1952. He is a Fellow of the British Medical Association, has been a member of its Council since 1948, and was president of the Hull and East Yorkshire branch in 1941 and 1951. An enthusiastic F.P., he was prevented at the last moment by ill-health from attending the recent Centenary Dinner. His son Ian Dunbar lanes* (1933-38), M.B., CH.B., is also in practice in Hull.

George Gordon Allan* (1939-51) has joined the Press Association news agency in Fleet Street as a sub-editor. Since leaving Aberdeen Journals in 196o he has been a sub-editor with the Daily Telegraph, the Scotsman, and the Psiorth London Press.

Bryce Alexander Anderson (1951-56), M.A., B.U., is now studying at the Union Theological Seminary, New York, under a Bruce & Fraser scholarship awarded

by Aberdeen University, where he graduated in Divinity this summer.

Robin Band* (1924-26), M.A., B.A., who retired a few years ago from the Malayan Civil Service, has just published his first book, Aly Dear Sons. Since retiring to Surrey he has been working in London, and he was recently appointed executive secretary of the International Folk Music Council.

Robert Gordon Barron* (1951-54) has been transferred from the Aberdeen office of the Commercial Union Assurance Company to the company's head office in London.

Burgesses of Guild Four F.P.s were admitted as Burgesses of Guild at a recent meeting of Aberdeen Town Council—William Graeme Hamilton Bell* (1 934-40: 1942-46), Derek George Mamoch* (1940-52), Neil MacCallum Scott* (1942-5o) and Charles Anthony Webster (1932-40).

Graeme Findlay Bryce* (1942-56), P11.D., has taken up a research fellowship in the University of Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis. An honours graduate in biochemistry of Aberdeen University, he obtained his doctorate from University College, London, this summer.

David Ian Calder* (1926-38), A.M.I.C.E., A.M.I.STRUCT.E., is a harbour inspector with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland, and lives in Edinburgh.

Harry Donald Christie* (1908-21), M.B., CH.B., has retired after thirty-four years in medical practice in London. He is now resident in Stonchaven.

Walter John Collins* (195o-63) was granted a place in the September intake at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was for five years in the School contingent of the Combined Cadet Force, latterly with the rank of sergeant-major, and he is the first Grammarian in post-war years to go direct from the School to the R.M.A. 55

56

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Alan Gordon Craig* (1933-46), M.B., CH.B., after eight years in the family medical practice in Aberdeen, has taken up a training post at St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. Martin Dalby (1946-60), who has been studying at the Royal College of Music in London since leaving School, has been awarded a Senior Scholarship of the Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarships Trust. He is to study music in Italy, the emphasis of the studies being on composition for which he has a particular flair.

He has also been awarded an Octavian Scholarship, tenable at the London College.

Vaughan Nicol Dean* (1913-20), c.A., retired earlier this year after fifteen years as general manager of the Elstree Studios of the Associated British Picture Corporation. He qualified as an accountant in 1926, and started his career with the film industry at Elstree in 5931. While his main responsibility was for the management of the studios, he has a number of film productions to his credit, including " Moby Dick " and " House of the Arrow ". He has recently been a member of the executive council of the British Film Producers' Association. , B.COM., retired at the end of Alfred John Meldrum Edwards* 0908-20, the Summer Term from the headmastership of Skene Square Primary School, Aberdeen. Formerly head of the Lower School, he was appointed head of St. Clement Street School in 1948, transferred to Walker Road in 1952 and moved to Skene Square in 1958. He continues to take a keen interest in sport and is kept busy as a press and T.V. commentator. As reported elsewhere in this issue, he has become the first president of the F.P. swimming section.

William Ingram Emslie* (1924-30), M.B., CH.B., is studying anaesthetics at Aberdeen University. He had previously been in medical practice at Kirkwall for twenty-four years.

Alastair John Gove* (1962-63) is now training as a valuation surveyor in the City Assessot's office, Aberdeen. Before coming to the School to complete his higher education he was Dux of Ruthrieston Junior Secondary School.

F.P. Chartered Accountants Three F.P.s qualified as chartered accountants earlier this year. Ian Drysdale Halliday* (1952-58) has been appointed an assistant with Messrs. Price Waterhouse & Co., chartered accountants, London. He was recently admitted to membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Ian McMaster Clubb* (1953-58), whose marriage is reported elsewhere in this issue, is now an assistant with Messrs.

Thomson McLintock, chartered accountants, I.ondon. Robert Clark Whyte* (1946-58) has entered practice with his father in Aberdeen.

Alexander Merrie Hardie* (1918-28), M.A., B.SC., until recently principal lecturer in electrical engineering at Robert Gordon's Technical College, has been appointed vice-principal of Bristol College of Science and Technology. He is a graduate of Aberdeen University with first-class honours in electrical engineering and in mechanical engineering, and is an acknowledged expert in radar.

Gordon Harvey Henderson* (1921-34), M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, has been appointed to the Panel of Aberdeen City Juvenile Court.

Harry Hill* (1948-59), M.A., an honours English graduate of Aberdeen University, has been appointed assistant lecturer in English at Edmonton University, Alberta. He plans to study at the same time for a degree in theatre arts.

Alexander F. J. Home (1952-58) has been commissioned as a flying officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force following the successful completion of a navigation officers' course at Winnipeg. lie joined the Canadian Air Force in 1959.

Alexander Cantlay Hutchison* (1927-33) is now manager of Chemicals Sales and Technical Service in the Nobel Division of LC_L, and is resident in Ayr. Previously he was technical manager at the company's head office in London. was in August elected Master Redvers Noel Ironside* (1907-17), m.s., of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of Londcn for 1963-64.

Notes about F.P.s

57

Alexander Souter James* (1 94910), B.Sc. (Eng.), was home earlier this year on leave from Australia where he is engaged in civil engineering and mining. His work has taken him throughout Australia and New Guinea. In South Australia he renewed his friendship with another F.P., Patrick Beaumont Forbes*(1937-42: 1949-50), M.B., CH.B., who is in practice there.

William Dalgarno Jenkins (1939-44) has been appointed manager of the wholesale branch of the Hudson's Bay Company depot at Edmonton, Alberta. He has been on the staff of the Company since 1954.

Francis Henry King* (1916-26) has retired after thirty years in the Far East, latterly as manager of the Djakarta office of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. He is now resident in Uckfield, Sussex.

Gordon Smith Laing* ( x926-31) ri.sc. Eng.), has been appointed vice-president of the Institution of Structural Engineers, London. He is structural engineer in charge of all civil and engineering construction for Escort), South Africa, and was chairman of the South African branch of the Institution in 1961-62.

John Marsh* (195o-63) has been awarded an R.A.F. flying scholarship and has begun training at Crosbie, near Carlisle.

David Corrigal Marwick (1947-6o), who is a science student at Aberdeen University, spent the summer months in research in radiation biology at Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York. He was one of only twenty-eight students selected from over five hundred applicants from colleges throughout the United States and Europe.

Angus Stewart Matheson* (1926-31) left the Civil Service earlier this year, after thirteen years as H.M. Inspector of Quarries in Scotland under the Ministry of Power. He is now in private practice in Edinburgh as a consulting engineer, specialising in matters relating to quarrying.

William George Alexander Middleton* (1940-50) is now assistant Marketing Director and Staff Photographer with Messrs. Watts, Lee & Kenyon, Inc., advertising, marketing and merchandising consultants, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Thomas Ian Morrison* (1 934-46), B.sc., after nine years on the staff of Stirling High School, has been appointed lecturer in chemistry at Jordanhil] College of Education, Glasgow. A former hockey player for School and F.P.s, he has recently been playing for I.CI., Grangemouth and was selected for the Scottish Final Trials. He is captain of the znd XI of Stirling County Cricket Club.

In what spare time is left he is actively associated with the T.A. as an officer in 527 Coy. R.A.S.C. at Stirling.

Frederick Peter Morton* (1882-94), who has spent almost all his working life in London, tells the Secretary in a recent letter that, although now aged eightyfive, he is still in practice as a carver and designer in wood and stone. His main work now is in designing memorials for churches and foundation stones for large building projects.

Charles Donald Mowat* (1944-5o), M.B., CH.B., who was reported in the last issue as being in practice in Westlock, Alberta, has moved again. He is now on the staff of the hospital at St. Walburg, Saskatchewan.

Harold Adair Nelson* (1919-32), M.I.C.E., M.I.W.E., E.G.S., has been appointed engineer to the East Shropshire Water Board, which is one of the larger of the many new Water Boards being formed at the present time under a Government-sponsored re-organisation of the water supply industry. Included in the area will be Dawley, one of the new towns which will have a population of about 90,000 coming mostly from the Birmingham over-spill. This town does not yet exist and will provide much interesting work in the next few years.

William Wallace Porter* (1915-25) was recently awarded the Silver Acorn, one of the principal Scouting honours, in recognition of over thirty years of outstanding service to Scouting. He is a former Assistant County Commissioner for Wolf Cubs for the City of Aberdeen.

58

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Robert Lawrence Richards* (1922-34), M.B., CH.B., has been appointed a consultant at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow. He previously held a similar post at the Southern General Hospital, Glasgow. Since graduating at Aberdeen in 1939 he has served in the R.A.M.C., and has held posts in the United States and Canada as well as in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Charles Skene (1940-47), who is in business as a photographer in Aberdeen, was this year invited to join a platform panel at the annual Congress of the Institute of British Photographers, which was a notable distinction for a young member of that profession. He is also a member of the Association of Professional Photographers of America, and has recently been appointed secretary of the Aberdeen Junior Chamber of Commerce.

John Smart Smith (1946-59), M.A., has been awarded the Silver Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society for 1963. He graduated from Aberdeen University with first class honours in geography and won the Lyon Prize for the most distinguished graduate in Arts of the session 196z-63. He is the second F.P. in two years to receive the Society's Silver Medal, the 1961 award having been won by Edward Alistair Smith* (1943-57), M.A. Colin Robert Sutherland* (1947-6o), B.sc. (Eng.), has been appointed site engineer for the building of Mexborough Grammar School, Yorkshire. He is employed by Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons Ltd. Malcolm Scott Webster* (1948-57) has gained a Diploma in Architecture at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture, and has taken up a post with Messrs.

T. Harley I laddow and Partners, architects and consulting engineers, Edinburgh.

Robert Bertram Williamson* (1906-18), M.A., LL.B., has resigned from the vice-convenership of the Business Committee of Aberdeen University General Council, a post which he had held since 1956. He has been succeeded by Maurice Cramb* (1916-29), M.A., LL.B., who has been a member of the General Council since 1 949.

Narman Wishart* (1927-40), D.F.C., has for the last five years been a pilot with the Iraq Petroleum Company. He was injured recently, although not seriously, when a light aircraft which he was piloting from Britain to Iraq crashed into a hillside in thick fog in central France. He joined the R.A.F. on leaving School, and was awarded the D.F.C. for his share in many successful sorties over enemy territory.

*

*

*

Centres Dundee The Centre, since its inauguration on 14th May 1963, is now firmly and happily established with a membership of over forty F.P.s.

The First Sessiolal Meeting 1963-64 took place on Thursday, 19 September in the Queens Hotel, Dundee, when the Club had the pleasure of hearing from Sir Garnet D. Wilson who had kindly accepted on invitation to address the company.

Sir Garnet, who is a former Lord Provost of Dundee, enlightened and entertained his audience with his experience of a public life and his association with Aberdeen.

Seven members of the Centre were able to attend the Parent Club's Annual Dinner en masse and all managed to return safely to their respective occupations the next day. All agreed—the finest F.P. Dinner ever attended.

The Centre's first Annual Dinner will take place in the Queens Hotel, Dundee, on Tuesday, x x February 1964.

Former Pupils resident in the district and yet unable to attend previous meetings are invited to coal nanicate with the Secretary or any of the committee members.

Former Pupils' Club

59

Edinburgh •

The Centre Dinner will be held in the Roxburghe Hotel on Friday, 17 January• 1964, the night before the All-Blacks rugby match. Why not make this week-end a " double "?

Malaya The Annual Reunion Dinner was held in the Tanglian Club, Singapore, on 25 May 1963.

It was unfortunate that several F.P.s who had hoped to attend were, at the last moment, unable to do so. Nevertheless, the presence of twelve members and three guests resulted in the function being a resounding success as usual.

F.P.'s present (see photograph) were: George E. Fearby (1 937-1945) John M. Smith (1924-32) Richard Jones (1928-38) Harry Wilson McCaskill (1939-1941) Brian Scott Gray (1945-1949) Alexander Stuart (1932-1945) William K. McTaggart (1933-45) Norman McLean (1943-1948) Ian Vernon Anderson (1945-1947) Vincent G. R. Stephen (1 934-1947) Kenneth Forbes Brown (1935-1947) Arthur Grant (1948-51)

West Bengal and Assam Nothing really to report. There has been no activity in the Section for many years now; changed days from the times when we used to have our annual dinners, social gatherings, and golf competitions for the President's Cup. A sign of the times, however, since service in India has become less of a career and more one of short-term contracts, except possibly, in the tea gardens.

So far as I know, the only two F.P.s in Calcutta are Peter Crombie and myself, but I would welcome David Kilgour of the Bekhari Tea Company and his young bride from Aberdeen who have recently returned to Assam.

WiLumf G. MAcMILLAN, Secretary Note by Editor: Here is a list of the names of F.P.s understood to be in West Bengal and Assam, Any others in these parts should contact the Section Secretary.

Peter Crombie (1919-20, 1922-24), Indian Tea Association, Royal Exchange.

Calcutta, 1.

John F. Gauld, (1919-29), Dangua Jhar T.E. & P.O., Jalpaigurt, West Bengal.

David C. Kilgour (1938-40, 1944-50). Dckhari Tea Estate, Rajmai P.O., Assam.

Douglas Y. Lobban, (1922-34), Manager, Jaboka Tea Estate, Sonari P.O., Assam.

J. Irvine Miller (1918-25), Zurrantee Tea Estate, Matelli P.O., West Bengal.

Hamish A. Munro (1908-21), Dufflaghur Tea Co. Ltd., Halem P.O., Darrang, Assam.

Robin D. M. R. Anderson (1943-53), Jutlibari Tea Estate, Hoogrijan P.O., Upper Assam.

William H. A. Aitken (1937-40, 1942-47), Tara T.E., Doom Dooms, Assam.

Alistair J. McLean (1933-37, i941-44), coo James Finlay & Co. Ltd., Netaji Subhas Road, Calcutta.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

60

F.P. Rugby Section 1963-64 Despite the fact that several players had left town or were unable to take part at the beginning the Section made a good start to the season. Unfortunately the return of the late-starters coincided with a spate of injuries to other players and it was the middle of October before the teams could be said to be settled down and a 4th XV fielded. By that time thirty-four different players had turned out for the rst XV. R. R. Comber, M. G. Walker and A. Walker were chosen to play for the North against the Midlands, and R. R. Comber has been picked for both the subsequent District Games.

After losing to Gordonians for three seasons and playing two drawn games last season the nit XV scored a narrow victory at Seafield on 3o November by 6-5.

Results 1st XV Sept. 7 to 14 28 21 23

28 Oct. 5 7 12

19 26 Nov. a 9 x6 23 3o

znd XV

v. Panmure v. Aberdeen Accies. v. Aberdeen Wand. v. Aberdeenshire V. Geo. Heriots F.P. V. D. Stewart's Coll. F.P. v. Jordanhill Coll. v. Dunfermline v. Dundee H.S. F.P. V. Allan Glen's F.P. v. Edinburgh Accies. v. Howe of Fife v. Aberdeen Univ. v. Perth Accies. v. Jordanhill Sch. F.P. v. Greenock Wand. v. Gordonians

27-6 W 27-o 42-3

%V W

29-6 W 9-14 L 6-17 L 0-34 L x2-5 W 12-11 W

6-9 L o-18 L 8-3 \V 6—o W 6-22 L — — 36-6 W 6—i W

Sept. 7 v. Panmure 2nd 25-o \V 26-3 W 24 v. Aberdeen Wand. 2nd 28 v. Aberdeenshire 2nd 29-o W 23 V. D. Stewarts Coll F.P. and 3-23 L 28 v. R.N.A.S. Arbroath xst 5-22 L Oct. 5 v. Dunfermline and 3-10 L 22 v. Allan Glen's F.P. 2nd 8-3 W 19 V. Aberdeen Univ. 2nd 3-o W 26 v. Howe of Fife and 2 ,-6 W Nov. a v. R.A.F. Kinloss zst 44- 3 W 9 v. Moray xst o-8 L 16 v. R.N.A.S. Lossie. 1st 5-3 W 23 v. 1st School 38-8 W 3o v. Gordonians 2nd 3—0 W

3rd XV

4th XV

Sept. 7 v. Gordonians 3rd 8-6 W 21 v. Montrose tst 5-23 L 28 v. R.N.A.S. Arbroath and 26-3 W Oct. 5 v. Aberdeenshire and o-o D 12 V. Gordonians 3rd 19- 3 W 19 v. Montrose xst 0-9 L 26 v. Aberdeenshire and 22-3 \V Nov. a v. Queens Coll. Sat. Club. 2o-6 W 9 v. Moray znd 9- 3 W 26 v. R.N.A.S. Lassie. and 35-6 MI 23 v. Aberdeen Univ. 3rd 29-o W 3o v. Aberdeen Univ. 3rd 22-3 W

Oct.19 26 Nov. 2 9 16 23 3o

v. Aberdeenshire 3rd v. Aberdeen Univ. 4th v. Aberdeenshire 3rd v. Aberdeen Univ. 4th A v. Aberdeen Univ. 4th B v. Aberdeen Univ. 4th A v. Aberdeen Univ. 4th B

14- 8 W 9- 3 VI 9-3 W 22-22 D 36-22 W 8-o \V 28-xo W

G. M. M. SLATER, Hon. Secretary

F.P. Hockey Section The season has opened well and all three teams have had some notable victories.

The ist XI blotted their copybook by losing to Varsity and pride of place must go to the 2nd XI which has had a run of eight victories—culminating in the defeat of Ruthrieston—one of the best sides in the district.

The 3rd XI have had defeats but this is because they have tackled some very strong teams and they may well win their own league.

The Club has engaged in one or two new ventures this year which should help to make our name better known throughout Scotland. A party of fourteen attended the Girvan International Festival and fixtures have been arranged against I.C.I. Grangemouth (won 4-1) and Inverleith—two of the top teams in the East District.

Former Pupils' Club

6r

Congratulations are due to Eric Watt on his continued selection for Scotland and to Alistair Philip who was reserve for the Nottingham International Tournament.

Six players have been chosen to represent North District—E, Watt, J. Wright, L. Forbes, J. Leipcr, F. Lawson and A. Philip—and other two, A. Hampton and D. Ross were selected for the Local Trial.

We aim to make this season a memorable one for the Club and hope that the weather will allow us to complete an interesting fixture list.

C. LESLIE FORBES, Captain

F.P. Cricket Section At the Annual General Meeting of the Section held on 28 March 5963, the following appointments were made: President, K. J. Peters. Strathmore Union: Captain, A. M. Davidson; Vice-Captain, R. Bain. Grade XI : Captain, A. Fletcher; Vice-Captain, S. Forbes; Secretary, A. M. Davidson; President, Wm. M. Ewen; Match and Grade XI Secretary, G. Wilson.

In the past season there was a departure from the usual Annual Meeting as it was arranged by the committee to hold the General Meeting at the Athenaeum Restaurant followed by a Dinner. It was a most successful occasion at which almost forty members of the Section and a small number of guests were present. For the coming season a provisional date has already been set aside in March, final details of which will of course be intimated to the members as soon as possible.

At the Annual General Meeting our President, Mr. Peters, most generously presented to the Section two trophies to be awarded each year for the leading batting and bowling performances in the Strathmore Union. On presenting the trophies, Mr. Peters hoped that these trophies would represent an added incentive and encouragement to the members of the Section.

Although the past summer has been one of the worst for cricket for many years, the Strathmore Union side managed to play zo out of the 22 games on their programme and finished fourth top of the Table, a position which they have not attained for many many years. In fact only once has the Club been in the top half of the Table since 1948 when the side won the Strathmore Union Championship.

The Grade XI had a rather chequered season mainly arising from the difficulty in keeping together a permanent side although there was never at any time a lack of players. Nevertheless some creditable performances have been turned in by the members of the side and though it may be invidious to single out certain members I feel that one should mention the performances of the younger members of the Section who have shown considerable promise and should be a considerable asset to the Section in years to come.

The season can be considered to have been a successful one for the Section as a whole for not only did the Strathmore side attain a very creditable position in the Table but five F.P.s appeared in the leading bowling and batting averages of the Strathmore Union.

As always our ever grateful thanks to Mr. Matthews and to the various ladies for the many services they have rendered to the Section in the past season and to all those members and schoolboys who have helped throughout the season with the variety of jobs necessary in the running of the Section.

It is needless to say that a cordial invitation is extended to any F.P. or schoolboy leaving School this coming season to join the Section and he is assured of a most friendly welcome and an interesting and varied programme of matches.

A. M. DAVIDSON, Secretary

Aberdeen Grammar School 211againe

62

Leading Averages Batting Innings J. M. Milne

W. A. Stewart R. Bain

Highest score

Total runs

Average

58 61 44

323 z6o 1 55

17.33 17.22

17 17 Io

24.84

Bowling

A. M. Davidson W. A. Stewart

•

Over:

Maidens

Runs

Wickets

Average

243 2 40.2

66 6z

51 7 566

44 46

11 .74 12.3o

F.P. Swimming Section

About the end of September 1963, the Education Authority agreed that Former Pupils of the School could have the use of the new pool as from 1 October 1963, and thereafter on Tuesday evenings between 7 and 9 p.m. An advertisement was inserted in the local press to that effect and on t October the long-awaited Swimming Section of the F.P. Club might be said to have begun its existence.

During the succeeding four or five weeks the number of F.P.s who indicated their intention to join the Section rose to 29, and it is thought that this does not include all those who have attended. In addition, members of the Rugby and Hockey Sections have `gone in for a swim' after their training sessions in the gymnasium on Tuesdays.

On 5 November 1963, an informal and very short meeting was held on the side of the pool presided over by Mr. Campbell Connon who had been instrumental in obtaining permission for the Section to use the pool. The purpose of the meeting was to take the first steps towards the formal constitution of the Section and in this connection the following appointments were made: Mr. A. J. M. Edwards, President; Mr. Campbell Connon, Captain and Mr. Melville F. Watson, Secretary.

The Captain and Secretary were mandated to draft a constitution which would then be submitted ro the members of the Section for amendment andior approval. It is hoped that this constitution will be submitted to the F.P. Executive at their next meeting in February for ratification.

M. F. WATSON, Secretary

Marriages Allardyce (1947-57).—At Ncwmachar Church, on 8 June 1965, CLARENCE WALKER ALLARDYCE, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Allardyce, 76 Gaitsidc Drive, Aberdeen, to Ann Forsyth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Quirie, S Wood Cottages, Kingscat, Ncwmachar.

Anderson (I949-55).—At the Parish Church of St. Matthew, Surbiton, Surrey, on 7 September 1965, GEORGE CRIMEN ANDERSON, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Anderson, 296 Queen's Road Aberdeen, to Pauline Anne, youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Rowland, 22 Hook Rise North, Tolworth, Surrey.

Bakewell (1949-55)-- At the West Church of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, on 4 July 1963, WILLIAM EDWARD BAKEWELL, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. William Bakewell, ;o6 Great Northern Road, Aberdeen, to Lesley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Rennie, Amdale, Belvidere Road, West Cults.

Barron (195o-56).—At the South Church, Elgin, on 28 June 1963, PHILIP THOMSON BARRON, M.B., CH.B., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barron, 17o Hilton Avenue, Aberdeen, to Joan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Mayor, 34 Wittct Drive, Elgin.

Barton (1942-55).—At Orchard Park Parish Church, Giffnock, on in July 1963, RAE COLLEDGE. BARTON,* only son of George E. C. Barton* (1923-26) and Mrs. Barton, 15 Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen, to Eileen Elizabeth Denny, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Goodall, To Moorfoot Avenue, Giffnock, Glasgow.

Bruce (1 945-54).—At St. Augustinc's Episcopal Church, Dumbarton, on 9 August 1963, ALASTAIR CAMPBELL MITCHELL BRUCE,* only son of the late Alexander Bruce and of Mrs. J. R. Bennet, 129 Blenheim Place, Aberdeen, to Patricia Ann, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James A. G. Valentine, 39 Caman View, Bellsmyre, Dumbarton.

Burke (1952-55).—At Holbum Central Church, Aberdeen, on 14 September 1963, DOUGLAS BURKE,* son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Burke, 22 Ramsay Gardens, Aberdeen, to Kathleen Anne, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. A. Gray, 13 Morningside Gardens, Aberdeen.

Cheyne (i951-55).—At St. Columba's Church, Elgin, on 28 September 1963, GORDON MCLEOD CHEYNE, M.B., CH.B., son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Cheyne, 48 Woodhill Road, Aberdeen, to Sheila Teller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Teller, Drummuir, Duff Avenue, Elgin.

Clubb (1953-58).—At Ferryhill South Church, Aberdeen, on 5 June 196;, IAN McMAs-rEa CLuaa,* second son of Mr. and Mrs. William O. Clubb, 143 King Street, Aberdeen, to Denise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cowie, 28 Covenanters Drive, Aberdeen.

Cruickshank (1945-55)At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 21 October 1963, CLIFFORD ADAM DUFFUS CRUICKSHANK,* younger son of the late Mr. J. W. Cruickshank and of Mrs. Cruickshank, Ardgathen, 4 Golf-View Road, Bieldside, to Aileen, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Baxter, 41 Mount Street, Aberdeen Cuthbertson (1946-54).—At Reigate Parish Church, on 24 August 1963, ALASTAIR CUTHBERTSON, B.SC., DIP. AGRIC., younger son of Dr. and Mrs. A. P. Cuthbertson, Bucksbum, to Carol, only daughter of Sir Gordon and Lady Ferguson, Reigate, Surrey.

Davidson (1940-47).—At Saddlebrook Church, Rochelle Park, New Jersey, U.S.A., on 8 September 1963, ERIC GEORGE BEATTIE DAVIDSON,* son of Mr. and Mrs. George Davidson, 502 Summer Avenue, Newark, New Jersey, to Sally, only daughter of the late Mr. Goerty and of Mrs. Goerty, of Rochelle Park, New Jersey.

Davidson (1934-44)At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 12 July 1965, SCOTT MCKENZIE DAVIDSON,* elder son of the late John McKenzie Davidson and of Mrs. McKenzie Davidson, Cults House, Cults, to Margaret Lillian, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Paterson, Balquholly, Turriff.

63

64

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Dunbar (1946-56).—At Holburn Central Church, Aberdeen, on 7 September 1963, GRAEME CLIFFORD DUNBAR, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Dunbar, 33 Esslemont Avenue, Aberdeen, to Alison Donald, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James I. Findlay, 5 Caimwell Drive, Aberdeen.

Fraser (1942-51).—At Beverley, Western Australia, on zo September 1963, ARCHIBALD STEWART FRASER, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Fraser, 25 SUIlflyballk Road, Aberdeen, to Margaret, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Barrett-Lenard, Annandale, Beverley, Western Australia.

Kilgour (1940; 1943-52).--At St. David's Church, Glasgow, on 14 October 1963, LINDSAY KILGOUR,* younger son of J. Gray Kilgour* (1909-16) and of Mrs. Kilgour, 49 Forest Road, Aberdeen, to Gillian, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Black, 97 Thane Road, Knightswood, Glasgow.

Kincaid (1945-54—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 3 April 1963, JAMES KINCAID, only son of Mr. and Mrs. James Kincaid, 41 Hilton Drive, Aberdeen, to Valerie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Moir, Aberdeen.

Lindsay (194o-S3).-At St. Machar Cathedral, Aberdeen, on a August 1963, JAMES GORDON LINDSAY, son of James Lindsay, L.D.S., and of Mrs. Lindsay, 23 Cranford Road, Aberdeen, to Lesley Veitch, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Ogg, 89 Grampian Road, Aberdeen.

Love (1952-58).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 21 August 1963, PHILIP NOEL LOVE,* M.A., LL.B., only son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas I. Love, 431 North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, to Isabel Leah, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Innes T. Mearns, 132 Mid-Stocket Road, Aberdeen.

McBain (i941-50).—At St. Columba's Church, Pont Street, London, on 22 June 1963, ALAN GORDON MCBAIN, younger son of the late Mr. Alan McBain and of Mrs. Ella McBain, 282 King's Gate Aberdeen, to Fiona, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. M. Campbell, The Shelling, 64 Ducks Hill Road, Northwood, Middlesex.

McCleverty (1942-51).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 29 June 1963, JON ARMISTICE MCCLEVERTY, only son of the late Mr. John F. McCleverty and of Mrs. Agnes E. McCleverty, 65c Forest Road, Aberdeen, to Dianne Margaret only daughter of the late Mr. Ian W. Barrack and of Mrs. Emily M. Barrack, 19 Burns Road, Aberdeen.

McDonald (I952-56).—At St. Machar Cathedral, Aberdeen, on 7 September 1963, GEORGE MCDONALD, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. G. McDonald, 41 Caledonian Place, Aberdeen, to Shirley Evelyn, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Ross, 19 Denmore Gardens, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.

McGill (1948-56).---At Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen, on 25 September 1963, NORMAN LIONEL MCGILL,* only son of Mr. and Mrs. N. L. P. McGill, 49 Balmoral Road, Aberdeen, to Frances Ann, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Stephen, 6 King's Cross Road, Aberdeen.

Macmillan (1944: 195o-53).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on II May 1963, IAN REID ANDERSON MACMILLAN, M.A., LL.B., elder SOD of Dr. and MTS. W. G. Macmillan, 7 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, to Joan, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Sinclair, Westgate, Cupar, Fife.

Marnoch (194o-52).—At Craigiebuckler Parish Church, Aberdeen, on 23 August 1963, DEREK GEORGE MARNOCII,* son of the late Mr. George A. Mamoch and of Mrs. E. Mamoch, 5o Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen, to Kathleen, daughter of the late Mr. Reginald G. Howard, late of Oldham, Lanes, and of Mrs. W. J. Hunter, 21 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen.

Mathieson (1943-56).--At Rosemount Church, Aberdeen, on 7 September 1963, MILLER CHARLES ALEXANDER MATIIIESON,* only son of the late Mr. James Mathieson and of Mrs. K. F. Mathieson, 12 Hilton Walk, Aberdeen, to Alison Aitken, youngest daughter of the late Mr. Henry Thompson and of Mrs. R. Thompson, 162 King Street, Aberdeen.

Marriages

65

Middleton (1944-f7).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 3 August 1963, STUART AULDJO MIDDLETON,* son of the late Mr. Stuart A. Middleton, Aberdeen,

and of Mrs. Irene Buxton, 131 Rownhams Road, Maybush, Southampton, to Margaret Grant, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Edmond, 44 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen.

Milne (1949-35).—At Cults West Church, on to August 1963, DUN MICHAEL WALLACE MILNE, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard S. Milne, 36 Hillview Road, Cultr, to Margaret Milne, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Gordon, Myrus, 13 Kirk Crescent South, Cults.

Morison (1947-57)At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 3 July 1963, MICHAEL CHARLES MORISON, younger son of the late Mr. Charles E. Y. Morison and of Mrs. Mary Morison, 25 Hilton Road, Aberdeen, to Maureen Youngson, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Stephen, White-Lodge, Milltimber.

Ogston (1937-39; 1946-47).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 19 July 1963, DEREK OGST0N, M.A., M.B., CH.B., PH.D., M.R.C.P.E., younger son of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Ogston, 74 Morningfield Road, Aberdeen, to Cecilia Marie, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Clark, 16 Orchard Road, Aberdeen.

Paccitti (1947-56).--At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 22 June 1963, STEPHEN ANTON PAcrrri,* younger son of Mr. and Mrs. P Paccitti, 9, University Road, Aberdeen, to Sylvia, only daughter of Mr. Stanley Long, 7 Sycamore Place, Aberdeen, and of the late Mrs. Long.

Philip (1944-5o).—At Ebenezer Gospel Hall, Sauchie, on 24 August 1963, ANDREW ALEXANDER BAIN PHILIP, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew K. Philip, 37 Devanha Gardens South, Aberdeen, to Helen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Penman, 23 Woodlands, Sauchie.

Powrie (i942-54).—At the Abbey, Paisley, on 17 May 1963, ARCHIE MILNE POWRIE, elder son of the late Mr. A. Y. Powrie and of Mrs. M. Powrie, 393 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, to Vivien Edgar, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Osborne, 5 Townhead Terrace, Paisley.

Robb (1943-53).—At Morebattle Parish Church, on 12 October 1963, Jour; BERTRAM LESLIE MACDONALD ROBB, M.B., CH.B., son of Mr. and Mrs. Bertram G. Robb, 51 Prospect Terrace, Aberdeen, to Pauline Elizabeth, only daughter of the late Mr. William Yeamshire and of Mrs. E. Ycamshire, Hilltop, Aughencrow, Berwickshire.

Robertson (t944-54).—At Ferryhill South Church, Aberdeen, on 8 June 1963, IAN BEVERLEY ROBERTSON,* younger son of Mr. and Mrs. John Robertson, 39 Angusfield Avenue, Aberdeen, to Evelyn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mowat, 15 Gaim Crescent, Aberdeen, Rough (x9SI-S4).—At Maryculter Parish Church, on 20 July 1963, CHARLES HARPER ROUGH, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Rough, 92 Tollohill Crescent, Aberdeen, to Doris Margaret, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Milne, Rumlin Fauld, Maryculter.

Simpson (x953-S9).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 27 September 1963, ROBERT WILLIAM SIMPSON,* eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. William Simpson, ro8 Mastrick Road, Aberdeen, to Gladys Diack, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Murison, 129 Broomhill Road, Aberdeen.

Smith (1955-59)At the Hebron Hall, Thistle Street, Aberdeen, on 8 June 1963, JOHN MURRAY SMITH, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Murray Smith, 27 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen, to Audrey Christina Mowat, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Ettles, 17 Moir Green, Aberdeen.

Smith (1953-6o).—At All Saints' and St. Margaret's Church, Pakefield, near Lowestoft, on 24 September 1963, STANLEY DAVID BENSON SMITH,* eldest Son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Smith, 208 Westburn Road, Aberdeen, to Jennifer, daughter of the late Mr. Waveney Brooke and of Mrs. Brooke, Oulton Broad, Lowestoft.

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Telford (x943-45).—At St. Mary's Church, Rushden, Northants, on 20 July 1963, ALEXANDER MCLEOD TELFORD, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Telford, 31 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, to Mary Patricia, only daughter of Mr. Ernest Robinson, 28 Park Avenue, Rushden, and of the late Mrs. Robinson.

Templeton (1951-55).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 31 May 1963, RICHARD TEmPturoisr, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Templeton, 27 Gairn Crescent, Aberdeen, to Rowena Boyd, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Russell, Bucksburn House, Bucksburn.

Turner (1949-54).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 22 June 1963, WILLIAM TURNER, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Turner, 37 Osborne Place, Aberdeen, to Patricia, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Kelly, Bainsford, Falkirk.

Watson (I943-56).—At Bcechgrovc Church, Aberdeen, on 5 July 1963, MELVILLE FORSYTH WATSON,* M.A., LL.B., son of Mr. and Mrs. Melville E. Watson, 5o Morningfield Road, Aberdeen, to Sheila Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas N. Morgan, 74 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

Williamson (t941-55).—At the Central Methodist Church, Eastbourne, on z7 July 1963, ALEXANDER MAXWELL WILLIAMSON,* elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Williamson, 16 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, to Brenda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Snook, 77 Wannock Lane, Lower Willingdon, Eastbourne.

Williamson (11943-55).—At the Old Patish Church, Dunbar, on 14 September 1963, ELLIOT ALLEN WILLIAMSON,* younger son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander A. Williamson, 16 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, to Helen Esther, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Bruce, 7 Marine Road, Dunbar.

Wilson (194o).—At West Church of St. Andrew, Aberdeen, on 1I September 1963, HENRY DEREK WttsoNt, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wilson, Kinta, Balgownic, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, to Florrie Taylor, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James McA. Gatt, St. Helens, Bcllvuc Road, Banff.

Yule (1952-58).-At St. Fittick's Church, Torry, Aberdeen, on to August 1963, ALEXANDER YULE* M.S.R., only son of the late Alexander Yule and of Mrs. A. Yule, 222 Victoria Road, Torry, to Alison, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Cameron, 125 George Street, Aberdeen.

Obituary Christopher Charles Barnett (1915-21), M.A., B.D., died suddenly while attending a course for school chaplains in Dundee College of Education on 1 8 September 1963. He was aged sixty. While studying divinity at Aberdeen University he was student assistant minister at John Knox (Mounthooly) Church, and in 19:7 he was ordained as assistant there. He was inducted to his first full charge at Finzean in 1928, moving to Belie Church, Fochabers, in 1934. During World War II he was a chaplain to H.M. Forces at Aldershot and in North Africa and Italy. He was inducted to Hilitown, Dundee, in 1947, and was still minister there at the time of his death. He was moderator of the Presbytery of Dundee in 1955, and was a former member of Dundee education committee.

Charles Stuart Buyers* (1895-98), A.M.I.E.E., M.I.E.S., died at Glasgow on 14 July 1963, after a long illness. He was seventy-six years of age. After leaving School he trained in electrical engineering at the Heriot Watt College and with Messrs. Bruce, Peebles & Co., Edinburgh. After a short period as a marine engineer with Alfred Holt & Co. he was appointed engineer in charge of Glasgow Corporation electricity works. There followed a number of years as electrical engineer to the Scottish Boiler Insurance Company at Glasgow, after which he became engineer in charge of the works contract department of Crompton and Co., electrical engineers at Chelmsford. He retired several years ago. An enthusiastic F.P., he had a long active connection with the Glasgow Centre of which he was vicepresident in 1950-5 1 and president in 1952-53.

Alexander Wishart Edward* (1915-57) died at Los Angeles, California on 29 April 1963, after a long illness. He was aged sixty-two. He served an engineering apprenticeship with James Abernethy & Co. in Aberdeen. In 1922, as soon as his training was completed, he emigrated to Colorado, U.S.A., and he had been resident in Los Angeles since 1944.

Former Club Consul Robert Fleming* (1891-98) died in Toronto, Canada, on 2 March 1963, aged seventy-eight. He was the third son of the late Sir John Fleming of Murtle. He trained under the late A. Marshall Mackenzie, architect, and the late James Barron, civil engineer, in Aberdeen. In 19°5 he emigrated to Canada, and for the next six years he was engaged in railway engineering work with the Canadian Pacific Railway in Ontario and New Brunswick, and on other railway projects in various parts of Canada. In 1911 he became a member of Tomlinson & Fleming, contractors, but his connection with this firm was interrupted by war service with the Canadian forces in France. He was mentioned in despatches in 1916. After the war he joined Messrs. Wood, Fleming & Company, real estate and insurance agents, in Toronto, with which firm he was actively associated until shortly before his death. During World War II, with a lifetime of engineering experience, he was again called out for service, this time in a training and administrative capacity until he retired on reaching the age limit.

He was an enthusiastic F.P., being Club Consul for Ontario for many years.

He was scrupulous in his devotion to his consular duties, and many is the F.P. coming to work in Ontario, or even, as often happened during the war years, just passing through, who received a warm welcome and a helping hand from Robert Fleming. He was an office-bearer of the Toronto St. Andrew's Society, and an honorary vice-president of the Totonto Scottish Rugby Football Club (which was captained for several seasons by his successor as Consul, Richard William Geater* (1938-47)). In 195o he replied to the toast of " Scotland " at the annual dinner of the Watsonian Club of Toronto. According to the report which appeared subsequently in the Vatronian, " Bob is one of the most charming of men; of rich 67

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

personality shot through with a love of Scotland and its people. His address was a delight, pregnant with Scottish atmosphere and descriptions of Scottish scenecharacter."

Robert McHardy Gauld (1892-95) died in hospital at Aberdeen on 19 May 1963, aged eighty-five. He was one of six F.P. sons of the late Edgar Gauld, builder in Aberdeen. For many years he was a partner in his father's firm, and thereafter he was associated with Messrs. Gordon & Watson, funeral undertakers in Aberdeen.

Two brothers survive—William E. Gauld (1882-86), P.R.1.B.A., retired architect in Aberdeen, and James Gauld (1891-93), retired tobacco farmer in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia; the others were George Ogg Gauld (1886-91), M.B., Cli.B., and Alexander McRobbie Gauld (1893-96), solicitor, both of whom died in 1950, and Edgar Gauld (1887-91), who died in 1954.

Archibald Reith Ledingham (1900-09) died at East Kilbride on 16 September 1963, aged seventy. He was a member of the well-known family of Aberdeen bakers. He served an engineering apprenticeship partly with John Lewis & Co. in Aberdeen, and completed his training in Glasgow. In 1921 he took up an appointment with the British Motor Trading Corporation in Glasgow, and four years later moved to Kinlochleven, where he remained until his retiral to East Kilbride in 1959.

John Blake Lyon* (1900-04) died suddenly at Bournemouth on 8 November 1963, aged seventy-six. He went out to Brazil in 1912 to take up a post with the San Paulo Gas Company. He was for many years purchasing agent for the company, which is a subsidiary of the Brazil Traction Light & Power Company. He was F.P. Club Consul for Brazil from 1940-51, but returned to this country on retiral in 1952, after forty years in South America, and settled in the south of England.

Ranald Roderick Macdonald (1907-17), M.A., B.SC., F.F.A., died suddenly at Aberdeen on 9 July 1963, aged sixty-two. He had been ill for some months, but his health had been improving and his death was unexpected. After leaving School he studied at Aberdeen University, where he graduated in arts in 1921 and in science the following year. He joined the staff of the Sun Life Assurance Society in Edinburgh in 1925, and was admitted a Fellow of the Faculty of Actuaries in Scotland in 1931. In 1936 he joined the Aberdeen Savings Bank as an inspector of branches, and in 1939 he was appointed secretary of the Bank. He was keenly interested in sport, his main pursuits being mountaineering, golf and sailing.

He was the eldest of three sons of Ranald R. Macdonald (1876-78). His two brothers, who were also at School, were Thomas Kyd Macdonald* (1910-19), ILL., advocate in Aberdeen, and Alastair Philip Macdonald* (1914-15), M.B., CH.B., who is a doctor in Newark. His uncle is James Gray Kyd* (1891-98), C.B.E., F.F.A., P.R.S.E., a former president of the F.P. Club.

James Milroy McQueen (1886-88; 1892-98), M.A., B.SC., M.B., CH.B., D.P.H. (Oxon.), died in hospital at Halesowen, near Birmingham, on io July 1963, aged eighty-two. He went from School to Aberdeen University where he graduated in arts in 1903, in science in 1906, and in medicine in 1907. He obtained his diploma in Public Health at Oxford in 1911. He served in the R.A.M.C. during World War I as a specialist sanitary officer with 51st Highland Division, and several years later he wrote Our [liar, an entertaining account of his experiences.

After the war he went into general practice at Halesowen, retiring in 1948. He was made a Freeman of the Ancient Borough of Halesowen in 1957• He was one of three F.P. brothers to attend the School, the others being— Alexander Dalrymple McQueen (1884-92), M.B., CH.B., who was in practice in Birmingham and who died in 195o, and William Andrew McQueen (1897-1900), B.sc., who died in Bolivia in 1941.

Senior Athletics, 1963

Back Ro;, Mr. N. L. Stevenson, J. C. AlcBain, A. F. Philip. M. C. Mastic, D. G. Fowlie, 1.. J. Mackay, V. Robertson, G. L. Davidson, Mr. G. Mortimer.

Front Rom—W. G. Downs, D. J. F. Robertson, J. A. Banks, J. W. Eladden, D. W. Inkson, I. W. Thomson.

Inset—R. A. Craig (Captain).

Cricket 1st XI, 1963

Lick Ro:r

Mr. A. L. Stevenson. C. \ ngus, . C. Downs, C. V. SIOIlt, D. A. Britt, B. D. Stephen, C. NI C. Cormack, Mr. F. R. Paterson.

Front Row—H. 0. Will, G. J. Dorward, J. W. Hadden, R. A. Craig (Captain), F. U. Petrie, H. E. Morrison, W. G. U'ren.

MALAYAN CENTRE

flack Ron. (left to right)—K. Brown, G. E. Fearby, I. V. Anderson, N. McLean, A. Grant, V. G. R. Stephen.

Front Ron—W..McTaggart, A. Stuart, H. W. McCaskill, B. S. Gtay, R. Jones, J. Smith.

Obituag

69

William Henry Peter Minto* (1925-27: 1928-36), M.D., D.P.H. died suddenly on 29 October 1963. Dr. Robert Garden Murray* (1933-36) wrote as follows in the British Medical Journal: " I feel that I must write to pay tribute to Dr. W. H. P. Minto, Principal Medical Officer, the Ministry of Health, whose sudden tragic death has shocked me beyond words. I knew him for over thirty years and in the homely dialect of Aberdeenshire we were' loons thegethet '. We both went to the Grammar School in Aberdeen and were in the same year at the University there. Because of the close alphabetical proximity of our names we were always in the same sections and study groups at 'varsity and I quickly came to appreciate his high intellectual capacity. As a student he made a multitude of friends in every year and faculty, and in his quiet way was one of the most popular undergraduates of his time. " After the war, in which he was wounded in Normandy soon after D-Day, he again became my fellow-student in the first D.P.H. class to be held at Aberdeen following the cessation of hostilities. His career in public health, his chosen branch of medicine, was brilliant and meteoric. When he became county medical officer of Cumberland he was, I believe, the youngest county medical officer in England.

After only a few years in Cumberland he went to the Ministry as a senior medical officer, and after a relatively very short time there he was promoted to be a principal medical officer. I thought the world was at his feet and possibly the very highest office would eventually become open to him, but it is not given to mortal man to foresee the future. I cannot speak too highly of his ability nor of the quality of his intellect and of the many endearing facets to his character. This country can ill afford to lose such men as Peter Minto. To his wife Dorothy and to his three sons I extend my deepest sympathy in their great sorrow and irreparable loss."

Andrew James Shinnie (1897-1903), 0.5.5., M.D., D.P.H., died in a Twickenham nursing home on to May 1963, aged seventy-seven. He studied medicine at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1908. He obtained his doctorate with commendation in 1912, after which he was appointed assistant Medical Officer of Health for the City of Westminster. He studied for his public health diploma at the same time, and was awarded it in 1915. He was promoted as Medical Officer of Health on the death of his former chief in 1924, a post which he held until his retiral in 1953. In 1926 he became lecturer in public health at Westminster Hospital Medical School. During World War II he was in charge of the casualty services for Westminster. He was one of the country's foremost authorities on public health matters and he served on numerous committees and hospital boards. He published many articles on public health problems in medical and technical journals.

He was awarded the O.B.E. in 195r, and in 1952 he received the Smith Award from the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, an award given to a medical officer of health who is recognised " as having done the most noteworthy work in the dim-barge of his official duties ". He was a Fellow of the Institute, and also of the Society of Medical Officers of Health, and a former Fellow of the Royal Sanitary Institute.

He was an uncle of Ian Gray Shinnie* (1918-28).

James Gibb Taylor (5945-53) died in a motor accident in Rhodesia on i o July 1963, aged twenty-six. After completing National Service with the R.A.F., he entered journalism in Wigtownshire before becoming a staff reporter with Aberdeen Journals. He went to Africa in 1961 and joined the staff of the Northern News at Ndola. At the time of his death he was the special correspondent for that newspaper in Lusaka. He was a former member of the F.P. rugby section.

Marcus A. Thomson* (1889-97), F.R.A.M., died in London on 3 April 5963, aged eighty-two. He was the youngest of three sons of the late Rev. George Webster Thomson, minister of what is now the West Church of St. Andrew, Aberdeen. After leaving School he started an apprenticeship with the Commercial

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Bank of Scotland in Aberdeen, but soon realised that this was not the career for him. A fine singer from his youth, he went to London and studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he later became a professor and, in due course, a Fellow.

During the 1914-18 war he served with the East Kent Regiment (" The Buffs ") and later in the R.G.A. in France and Belgium.

Frederick Peter Morton* (x882-94) writes: " In the early years when we were both in London we met once or twice; but many years have passed since. In more recent times there came an echo of him. I was having a talk with a member of the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral. He told me that he had been trained at the Royal Academy under Marcus Thomson. He was loud in his praise of his professor, and his last words were, ' He always struck me as a very well educated man '.

The Grammar again!"

Alexander Brian Tottnochy* (1897-1902), M.A., died very suddenly on 13 July 1963, aged seventy-three. He studied at Edinburgh University and graduated in arts in 1911. Three years later he became an assistant in the department of British and Mediaeval Antiquities and Ethnography in the British Museum. He was commissioned in the London Regiment (Artists' Rifles) and later served with the Rifle Brigade in France and Flanders in 1917-19. Returning to his post after the war, he was mainly concerned with mediaeval and Renaissance antiquities, and was the author of the Museum's Catalogue of Seal-Dies. He was appointed Deputy Keeper of his department in 1945, and Keeper in 195o. He retired in 1954.

Douglas Stewart Walker* (1903-16), M.A., LL.B., died at Hereford on 18 June 1963, aged sixty-five. He was the son of the late George Walker Smith Walker (1876-8z), advocate in Aberdeen. He became a cadet gunner with Edinburgh University O.T.C. in 1916, and the following year was commissioned in the 1st Highland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (T.F.), serving in France and Belgium.

He was Classical Dux of the School in x916, but was on active service before the end of the session; he returned in uniform to receive his medal and prizes. After the war he studied arts and law at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1921 and 1923. While at 'varsity he contributed several of the tunes for the first three Gala Week productions, in which he collaborated closely with another school contemporary, Eric Linklater* (1913-16). He entered legal practice in Edinburgh, and was admitted as a Writer to the Signet in 5930. He was assumed a partner in Messrs. J. C. and A. Steuart, W.S., in 1927, and was senior partner at the time of his tetiral on account of ill-health in 1960.

Douglas Walker married the eldest daughter of Charles Murray (" Hamewith "), and is survived by his widow, two daughters and a son who is a partner in his father's old firm.

William Laing Watt (19o3-o9) died suddenly in Winnipeg, Canada, on 11 June x963, aged seventy. He emigrated soon after leaving School, and served his apprenticeship with the Canadian Bank of Commerce. He was in the Bank's service at several places in Canada, including Rainy River, Ontario; Winnipeg; and Elgin, Manitoba. He retired a number of years ago.

•

New Members of the Club (15 May 1963-15 November 1963) LIFE MEMBERS Forbes, Richard Edmondstone Ewen (1948-63), 17 Charlotte Place, Aberdeen.

Williamson, Ronald Alexander (1928-36), Auchenfroe, Mil'timber, Aberdeen.

ORDINARY MEMBERS Anderson, John Douglas (1948-63), 24 Craigie Park, Aberdeen.

Banks, James Andrew (1957-63), 25 Cairnfield Place, Aberdeen.

Batthi, Ahmad Nasser Tariq (1959-63), Salisbury Green Hall, Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh 9.

Britt, Dennis Allan 11957-63), 581 Great Northern Road, Aberdeen.

Brown, J. Donald (1915-zo), Oglaby, Stromness, Orkney.

Burt, William Johnston (1949-63), 87 Duthie Terrace, Aberdeen.

Caie, Graham Douglas (1949-63), 35 flamilton Place, Aberdeen.

Cairns, David Stitt (1961-63), 41 4 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Christie, James I-]ugh (1950-63), 8 Margaret Street, Aberdeen.

Christie, Meston Charles (1 958-63), 403 King Street, Aberdeen.

Cormack, Charles M. G. (1957-63), 6o Brighton Place, Aberdeen.

Cormack, Ian Richard (195o-63), 7 Granitchill Place, Aberdeen.

C,outts, Walter J. (195o-63), 17 Richmondhill Road, Aberdeen, Cowie, 'William Alexander (1938-62), 29 Airyhall Crescent, Aberdeen.

Dorward, Gordon John (1949-63), 27 Thomson Street, Aberdeen.

Doyle, Leslie Sutherland (195z-63), 43 Kincorth Crescent, Aberdeen.

Forbes, Ashley William (1 945-47), 5 Blake Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

Forbes, Iain McCallum (1957-63), 53 Woodend Place, Aberdeen.

Fraser, David (I95o-63), zo Bridge Terrace, Balgownie, Aberdeen.

Gibb, David Malcolm (1951-63) 49 Kildrummy Road, Aberdeen.

Gossip, Dr. William Henderson, M.B., CH.B. (1921-25), 12 Airlie Place, Dundee.

Gove, Alastair John (1962-63), 76 Annficld Terrace, Aberdeen.

Grant, Eric George (1957-63), 38 Garthdcc Crescent, Aberdeen.

Hadden, John William (1 95 0-63), 41 Craigiebuckler Avenue, Aberdeen.

Hall, Andrew (1958-63), 21 Summerfield Terrace, Aberdeen.

Hardie, Alexander (1954-63), 83 Parry's Lane, Stoke Bishop, Bristol 9.

Heath, John Simpson (195o-63), 58 Cornhill Road, Aberdeen.

Hepburn, Stuart Philip (1957-63), 233 Union Grove, Aberdeen.

Herd, James Barron (1949-63), to Smithfield Road, Aberdeen.

I Iogg, William (1958-63), 44 Esslemont Avenue, Aberdeen.

Hunter, Edward Bryce (1957-63), zo Comdavon Terrace, Mastrick, Aberdeen.

Hutcheon, Graemc Garden (1951-62), Huntersden, Kingswells, Aberdeen.

Inkson, lain James (1957-62), to Beechgrove Place, Aberdeen.

Kent, Anthony W. D. C. (1954-63), to Wigan Crescent, Bedhampton, Nr. Havant, Hants.

Laing, John Kane (1957-63), 28 Kincorth Crescent, Aberdeen.

Lawrence, Alasdair John Alexander (1957-63), 12 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen.

Marr, Ian Scott (1957-63), 4 Stanley Street, Aberdeen.

Matr, Roy Skinner (1959-63), 6o Tay Road, Aberdeen.

Marsh, John Campbell (1950-63), 22 Decside Gardens, Aberdeen.

Miller, Norman Stephen (1954-56), 25 Fernhill Road, Aberdeen.

Moir, David Alexander (1949-63), 31 Corthan Place, Aberdeen.

Morrison, Alan (1958-62), 29 Stanley Street, Aberdeen.

Munro, Hamish David (1954-60), 19 Ashley Gardens, Aberdeen.

71

72

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

MacFarlane, Duncan J. (1953-59), Mains of Tillymorgan, Culsalmond, Insch, Aberdeenshire.

McFarlane, John Edward (1949-63), 61 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen.

McKechnic, John (1957-60), 6 Minster Precincts, Peterborough.

Mackenzie, lain Grant (1957-63), 24 Crathie Terrace, Aberdeen.

McLeod, Ian Ronald (195 1-63), 255 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen.

Macnay, Ian Desmond (1949-63), z Springfield Place, Aberdeen.

McPherson, Dr. Stephen (1942-49), 6 Sunnyside Terrace, Aberdeen.

Ord, Michael John (1957-63), 45 Burns Road, Aberdeen.

Paterson, Robert (1957-60), zo Richmond Street, Aberdeen.

Pedersen, Roy Norman (1959-63), 9o Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

Peters, David James (1957-63), 7 Deeside Terrace, Aberdeen.

Pide, Ian Maxwell (1957-6;), 331 Hilton Drive, Aberdeen.

Pope, Samuel William (1949-63), Berriedale, Westhill, Skene, Aberdeenshire.

Reid, Ian Andrew (1951-63), 52 Whitehall Place, Aberdeen.

Reid, Robin Davidson (1958-63), 104 Desswood Place, Aberdeen.

Rennie, Frederick G. N. (1950-6;), 31 Viewfield Gardens, Aberdeen.

Riley, Robert S. (1946-55), 8 Foster Road, Dundee.

Robertson, Neil (1959-63), 369 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Roger, Alexander Walter (1949-61), sir Walker Road, Aberdeen.

Slater, David Jonssan (1957-63), 6; Tollohill Drive, Aberdeen.

Stewart, Alan Gordon, (1953-63) 16a Bayview Road, Aberdeen.

Stewart, Douglas James (1953-63), c/o G. S. Milne, 16A Bayview Road, Aberdeen.

Stewart, Kenneth Gunn (1951-63), Abbotswell Villa, 1 Abbotswell Drive, Aberdeen.

Stewart, Peter James Neilson (1952-63), 41 Grosvenor Place, Aberdeen.

Stephen, Peter Gillies (1949-63), 6 King's Cross Road, Aberdeen.

Stone, Gordon Victor (1957-63), 71 University Road, Aberdeen.

Taylor, William Davidson (195o-63), 109 Cromwell Road, Aberdeen.

Templeton, Alex Allan (1953-63), 27 Gairn Crescent, Aberdeen.

Thomson, Alistair Bruce (1952-63), 6 Wellbrae Terrace, Aberdeen.

Thomson, Kenneth J. (1949-63), 8; Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

Towns, Graeme W. C. (1959-63), 35 Craigiebuckler Avenue, Aberdeen.

Towns, John Johnston (1950-63), 63 Auchinyell Road, Aberdeen.

Urquhart, Barrie Stephen (1950-63), 5o Anderson Drive, Hilton, Aberdeen.

Waugh, Maurice S. C. (1949-63), 57 Cairnfield Place, Aberdeen.

Wood, Geoffrey Edward (1949-63), 7 Gairn Road, Aberdeen.

STAFF MEMBERS Cook, Peter, 7z Craighall Road, Edinburgh 6.

Davidson, Henry, M.A., 71 Murray Terrace, Aberdeen.

McDonald, Ewen, M.A., Deveron Housc, Huntly.

WINES FOR ALL OCCASIONS One of the stimulating trends of the times is the enlightened approach to the pleasures of the table.

Wines, which have become a topic of conversation are discussed knowledgeably and selected with discrimination. Here you can choose from a selection which for variety and value is unsurpassed in Scotland.

, 1 too

1,"' '

By Appointment To H.M. Queen

By Appointment Elizabeth To H.M.The Queen The Queen Mother Grocers Grocers

Vllli III

?

-R' IIIIIIillllllliillllllll~l~

/

cretit A 72U Family Grocers & Wine Merchants

269-271 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN Telephone 27244 ALSO AT CULTS AND BALLATER

xiii

)

*

A.& J. SMITH gJEWELLERS/

191

UNIONS

STREET

ABERDEEN JEWELLERS GOLD AND SILVERSMITHS WATCH AND CLOCK MAKERS

*pairs in

rleparirnenis iieellsecia7Arders 0,obeiaos frtaMskel 4'03

TELEPHONE Ell 37 TE C E CR A MS JEWELLERY ABERDEEN

*

A select, interesting and varied Collection of Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby and Emerald Rings in a wide range of prices

xiv

THE

AUSTIN A 60

The AU ST IN A60 is designed for power, safety, and comfort.

Its 1622 c.c. 61 b.h.p. engine gives you more than

80 m.p.h., and for the first time ever Austin offer fully automatic transmission in a car of this class.

Standard Model E720 :14:7 ex works; De Luxe £755: 15:5; Automatic Transmission E82 : 3 :4 extra.

THE AUSTIN DISTRIBUTORS

2A131'1.2DITI At0201a LIMITED

UNION ROW, ABERDEEN. Tel 29155 (5 lines) SHOWROOM-254 UNION STREET

XV

COMPLETE POSTER SERVICES IN NORTH-EAST

•.•.,l

SCOTLAND I

The

AND GENERAL POSTER PUBLICITY Company Limited

60 UNION ROW

•

ABERDEEN and at 45 HAUCH ROAD INVERNESS

TELEPHONE

28194

ROBERT MILNE AND SON Fellow Institute British Decorators

Decorator

263 HOLBURN STREET ABERDEEN Telephone No. 24556 ESTIMATES FREE

xvi

. r

Telegrams :

Telephone :

ti

" GAELIC "

I:

25283

1 1) -

Established 1871

G. & W. Fraser Ltd. General and Commercial Printers Stationers and Paper Merchants BELMONT WORKS

10 BELMONT STREET, ABERDEEN

Shoes correctly fitted by X-RAY pedoscope

JOHN A. DUNN LTD. FAMILY BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS

46 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN also at PETERHEAD, ELGIN, FORFAR, TURRIFF

Phone 20158

xvii

Exquisite Engagement Rings .

•

SOLITAIRE DIAMOND RINO:

•

£20, £25, £32, f40 upwards.

Illustrated here are two styles of Engagement Ring chosen from our wide range, designed to suit all tastes.

Each ring is covered by a fret " All Risks" Inswartce.

ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES SENT FREE ON REQUEST.

DIAMOND CturrEa: £20, £25, £34, £40 upwards.

FOR RINGS. WATCHES AND GIFTS

/

UNION BRIDGE •

ABERDEEN

The Complete House Furnishers J. & A. OGILVIE UNION STREET ABERDEEN We can offer you extensive service in the following spheres : •

FURNISHING FOR THE HOME, HOTELS AND INSTITUTIONS.

•

DECORATING AND APPOINTING SCHOOLS, SHIPS AND RESTAURANTS.

•

FURNISHING AND RESTORING CHURCHES AND CHAPELS.

xviii

•

CABINETMAKING AND UPHOLSTERY REPAIRS.

•

REMOVING, STORING, SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS.

•

PROVIDING COMPLETE UNDERTAKING SERVICE.

for all scholars' requisites and Books Stationery Fountain Pens Maths. Sets Gifts Greeting Cards Games Toys Educational Magazines Newspapers Periodicals

JOHN MENZIES BOOKSHOP

-412 UNION STREET

ABERDEEN

).t~P t WI - ik ffi F FPI Flifiji !Ft rt t LEARTE) , iri /.4 ..- .0uwFiEwy . . --

4: --°'-.

-

Te l ephone

2

The social centre of the city For each and every occasion " The Caley" offers all the facilities and services expected of a first class hotel

THE CALEDONIAN HOTEL UNION TERRACE Resident Director: R. C. TUCKER, F.H.C.I.

xix

•

ABERDEEN Telephone: ABERDEEN 29233

REPAIRS SERVICING GARAGING PETROL OILS

AUSTIN • MORRIS • M.G. GUARANTEED USED CARS *

SELF-DRIVE CARS *

CHEYNE MOTORS GEORGE CHEYNE (MOTORS) LTD. WESTERN GARAGE 60 GREAT WESTERN ROAD Esc. 1911

Tel. 25264

TEL

ABERDEEN 23950 • 'GALLOWSES'

Men's Outfitters I Established 1904

W. J. MILNE, LTD ABERDEEN

I xx

ESTABLISHED IBIS

JAMES BLAKE LTD.

APPOI NT 1D

TO

HEAT PUR-

— Joiners and — Building Contractors

HER

MAJESTY

VEYORS AND

THE Questa

POULTERE RS

30-32 Gt. Western Road

J. WILLIAMSON & SON Meat Purveyors, Poulterers and Game Dealers

Enquiries courteously solicited

I, 2, & 3 MARKET BUILDINGS ABERDEEN

ALL CLASSES OF BUILDING WORK

Phone 28470

BRANCHES

Telephone 24382 Telegrams " Blake Builders"

5 ECUNTAiNHALL ROAD

THE SQUARE. Culls

► HON, 21724

PHONE 47822

ALSO AT CHURCH SQUARE. BALI-ATER ► HONE 35

• For QUALITY

FEEL THE

EXCITING LIVELINESS

DRY CLEANING

THAT ONLY IMPREGNATION CAN GIVE

• Claremont The Cleaners

Sharp's Impregnated Bamboo rods give you a liveliness and control that adds greatly to your pleasure in casting. Sharpe's Impregnated rods are built from tip to bottom by Scottish craftsmen— renowned the world over. There is a full range of rods for trout, salmon and carp, both Hy and spinning.

450 UNION STREET 27 ROSEMOUNT VIA. ST. NICHOLAS STREET All in Aberdeen and at

THE SQUARE, CULTS

"SCOTTIE"

Head Office and Works:

J. S. SHARPE LTD.

40 CLAREMONT STREET Telephone

Free illustratedfolder from :—

52 2 55

Makers of Fine Fishing Tackle

35 BELMONT ST., ABERDEEN

xxi

MAIN FORD DEALERS SINCE 1911 MAIN DEALER

HARPER THE HARPER MOTOR CO. LTD

Car & Commercial Vehicle Department HOLBURN JUNCTION, ABERDEEN

Tractor & Service Department UNION GLEN, ABERDEEN

depots at Ellon & Laurencekirk

xxii

EXCITEMENT, TRAVEL, VARIETY-

A Royal Air Force career offers high rewards As an officer in the Royal Air Force you could serve in any one of a dozen countries and visit twenty others. The aircraft you fly could vary from helicopters to Mach 2 fighters, and your regular runs from a hundred miles to right around the world.

Pay is excellent: by the age of 21 you could be earning over £1000 a year.

Two ways to a Flying Commission With Higher Grade S.C.E. you may apply for entry to Cranwell, the R.A.F. College which trains you for a flying and executive career that can take you to the most senior ranks in the Service. You must be 17f-191 and have S.C.E. in English. arithmetic. mathematics, science or a language and two other subjects. Three subjects must be at Higher Grade.

With 6 S.C.E.'s including English, arithmetic, mathematics and three other acceptable subjects you may apply for a Direct Entry commission. This gives you guaranteed service to the age of 38 and you have good prospects of service to the age of 55. Alternatively you may leave after 8 or 12 years with a tax-free gratuity of up to £4000.

If you are Technically Minded If you have Higher Grade in mathematics and science (physics and chemistry) you may be eligible for a cadetship at Henlow, the R.A.F. Technical College. Here you train for a permanent commission in the Technical Branch and read for the Dip. Tech. which is equivalent to an honours degree.

R.A.F. Scholarships Boys over 15 years 8 months may apply for an R.A.F. Scholarship worth up to

£260 a year, to enable them to stay at their own school to take the necessary Higher Grades for Cranwell or Henlow.

If you would like further information, write, giving your date of birth and details of education to Group Captain J. W. Allan, D.S.O., D.F.C., A.F.C., Air Ministry (SCH), Adastral House, London, W.C.1.

Mention the subject that most interests you: Cranwell, Direct Entry, Henlow, or R.A.F. Scholarships. Alternatively, ask your Careers Master to arrange an informal meeting with your Schools Liaison Officer.

The Royal Air Force

xxiii

And not only in the country! A Daks country suit is invaluable for race meetings, travel and all those times when you're relaxing but want to look well-dressed.

Come and see these useful, comfortable, distinguished suits in tweeds, saxonies, sports worsteds, and other fine cloths.

We have them for you now.

Two-Piece Tweed Suits £18 18s.

Check Worsted Suits £20 Two-Piece Charcoal Grey Suits £22 7s. 6d.

Three-Piece Lounge Suits £22 17s. 6d. & £24

ESSLEMONT & MACINTOSH (RETAILERS)

LTD. TAILORS AND OUTFITTERS

ABERDEEN

UNION STREET

xxiv

ABERDEEN'S FOREMOST FASHION SHOP

for the lady of the house...

The show stealer . . . the fashion leader . . .

Shopping at Watt & Grant keeps you in the fashion picture, so pay us a visit. You will find exciting fashions in up-to-the-minute styles in every price range.

Childrens's fashions—in materials and colour s that will delight every mother and child—are situated in a charming little department on the lower ground floor.

Household linens are well displayed on the floor below A. & R. Milne's bookshop.

Everywhere you will be sure of excellent service ... and remember, Watt & Grant know about fashion.

E Open every Thursday until 8 p.m.

UNION

STREET.

ABERDEEN

A LINK WITH PROSPERITY The new Forth Road Bridge will bring easier and faster road communications with the South and so help increase the prosperity of the North of Scotland.

Your personal link with prosperity is a Savings Account with the Aberdeen Savings Bank. Regular savings give you confidence to face the future, and a firm foundation for all financial dealings.

ABERDEEN SAVINGS BANK For SEA, RIVER or LOCH get yourself a

MOULDACRAFT DINGHY Our glass fibre dinghies for rowing, outboard or sailing are the complete answer—

• SEAWORTHY • STRONG • EXTRAORDINARILY LIGHT •

and require practically NO MAINTENANCE See the display in our SHOWROOMS or send for fully illustrated leaflet to :

MOULDACRAFT PRODUCTS 16-18 ROSE STREET, ABERDEEN 27366