AGS Magazine January 1945

THE

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHGDL MAGAZINE

ABERDEEN Pupils' Club at The University Press prinMc1 for-The Fortner PRICE ONE SHILLING. Volume XLVIII, No. 1.

January 1945.

EDUCATIONAL BOOKS JAMES G..B1SSET CONTINUES to supply all the Class Books (New or Second-hand) suited for the requirements of the Higher Educational Institutions in the City, at the Lowest Prices.

N.B.—Best Value in Students' Note Books.

JAMES G. BISSET, Classical,

Medical, and

Educational

Bookseller,

85 BROAD STREET (Opposite Marisrhal College)

•

PHONE 753 •

GOOD HEALTH demands

GOOD BREAD For the children especially is it necessary to ensure their stamina and energy with good, wholesome, nourishing bread. In Hutchison's bread you'll find all these requirements are fully met. Phone or give instructions to have It supplied daily.

BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE CITY

OLD GOLD AND SILVER Urgently Wanted also

FINE JEWELS and ANTIQUE SILVER Out-of-Date WATCHES JEWELLERY CHAINS

COINS

and Odds and Ends of every description realize

HIGH PRICES to-day

Full Value received at

A. & J. SMITH ICI Union Street ABERDEEN

ILITTLIES have inst what vcti are Icckitut fcr Something to wear that is well cut, smart and practical and not too expensive _

—

SUITS TRAVEL COATS MODEL COATS FROCKS DRESSES GOWNS FUR COATS -

--

Sizes to fit all figures from 36" hip to 56' hip

-

A. C. LITTLE & SONS, LTD. IOS

UNION STREET

•

ABERDEEN

EFTA,WINED ISIS APPOINTED MIAs PuRysitons AND POULT AAAAA

„ 4

TN.

Hit MAJESTY KING, DATED 1ST JULY 1940

•

J. WILLIAMSON & SON (w. IL WILLIAMSON. IIII7PRIUTOI)

Meat Purveyors, Poulterers and Game Dealers 1, 2, & 3 MARKET BUILDINGS, ABERDEEN 'Nome 452 BRANCHES . 75 F0UNTAINHALL ROAD 'NON, 1724 Am

THE SQUARE, CULTS 'PROM.. CULTS 2

At CHURCH SQUARE. EALLATER.

ST

Si

TO THE LATE

APPOINTMENT

)

KING GEORGE

Y

GRANITE MONUMENTS Designs and Prices on Application Monuments carefully packed and forwarded to all parts of the world Letter-Cutting done in Town and Country at Moderate Rates

JAMES TAGGART & SON Granite Works

92 GREAT WESTERN ROAD, ABERDEEN Telephone-1658

Established over 50 years„

For Better Footwear

JAMES LORIMER & SON (BOOTMAKERS), LTD.

CIVIL and MILITARY BOOTMAKERS

8 CHAPEL ST.

ABERDEEN

(Late of 162 Union Street)

Eatd. A.D. 1844

'Phone 714

WM. KENNAWAY LTD. Quality Bakers, Confectioners and Caterers

ABERDEEN When on a visit to Aberdeen—Gateway to Royal Deeside—rest and dine at our

RESTAURANT AND TEA ROOMS -173 UNION STREET--- Here you can have the finest War Time service at reasonable cost.

The Restaurant is commodious

and comfortable.

Our rooms are available for all

types of functions—Phone 2371.

Telephone No. 1891.

ARCHIBALD McKELLAR Family Grocer and Wine Merchant,

454-456 Union Street, Aberdeen. . . We Specialise in . .

Cooked

Gammons, Finest Belfast Smoked Hams, Wiltshire Bacon.

Medicinal Wines—Vibrona, Hall's, Wincarnis, Phosferine.

THE VALUE OF RECOMMENDATION Pt

" We have been recommended to you by Every day that phrase Is being used by Customers on their first visit to our showrooms.

THE REASONOUR STOCK is of good quality and our prices are reasonable.

OUR SERVICE Is of a personal nature and we study the requirements of every Customer.

SATISFACTION IS OUR AIM

ROBERTS (Abdn.) LTD. CABINETMAKERS AND UPHOLSTERERS

THE FURNISHING HOUSE OF ENTERPRISE

419 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN Telephone 2698

Established 1873

JAMES FYFE & SON PAINTERS AND GLAZIERS. •

•

.

OFFICE AND SHOWROOMS :-

11 DEE STREET, ABERDEEN. Telephone 304.

Telegrams

" Fyfe,

Painters."

IRONMONGERY A LARGE AND VARIED STOCK ALWAYS ON HAND SHEETMETAL WORK

H. LEITH

A

SPECIALITY

& SON LTD.

26 and 28 NETHERKIRKGATE Phone 259

ABERDEEN

• FAIR SHARES . . . is an admirable policy.

Here you are

assured of your fair share, but there is an added advantage in that customers registered for rationed goods can order their fish supplies at the cost of only one telephone—or personal—call.

A. Ai W. AUEXANIDEU FISH, GAME AND MEAT MERCHANTS Tel.: Aberdeen 5172

492 UNION STREET

+

ABERDEEN

• DAIRY: ABERDEEN Tel.

1215,

FARM: CULTER Tel. 6

7013, 7014

KENNERTY FARM

DAIRY •

WILLIAM REITH Sole Proprietor : JOHN REITH

•

46-48

ROSE

STREET, ABERDEEN

CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS. Facing page Facing page Flight Licut. J. A. Cruickshank, V.C. 2 Warrant Officer J. F. Forbes.

• 35 Flight Lieut. W. F. W. Porteous, Captain A. W. Grant . .

35 D.S.O. . .

3 Captain Denys W. England . . 42 Major John Grant, M.C. . t8 Lance-Corporal J. M. H. England . 42 Raymond Graham Wilson • 19 Leading Naval Airman H. B. Lieut.(A.) J. G. Irvine . 26 Anderson . .

• . 43 Sergeant T. A. Firth .

• z6 Lieut. Harry William Glcnnie • 43 Colonel W. J. S. Ingram, M.C. . 27 Major H. E. Lister .

• • so Major R. R. Maitland . . . 27 Captain D. W. Milne . .

• 50 Warrant Officer David M. Bell . .

• 34 Lieut. S. R. Smith . 51 Squadron Leader A. G. Dawson • 34 Flight Lieut. R. A. Stewart .

• 51 Suh-Lieut.(A) R. N. Drennan Centre Private W. R. Scorgie . . . 64 .

Private C. D. Yule .

Sub-Licut. L. G. M. Hall • ,,, .

• 64 Captain J. C. Thom, M.C. .

Skipper George Craig . . . 65 • II Licut. J. G. Shepherd .

Private First Class C. P. Skenc . 65 • IP •

•

•

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A Message to Former Pupils. By J. J. R. Flight Lieutenant John A. Cruickshank, V.C. • • .

A Former Rector Notes About Old Boys .

Marriages . .

• .

A Former Master of the School Obituary .

• • Pro Patria Mortui The Toll of the War Missing . .

• School Section — School and Random Notes Leslie Dumo .

• • . .

D Day ; Airborne Padre (Sonnets). By Arthur Main School Sports—A Resunk Rugby Football . . .

Lower School Association Football. Hockey House Notes . . .

The Literary and Debating Society The Dramatic Society . . .

Army Cadet Force : The School Company Air Training Corps : No. 1299 Squadron .

Scout Notes . .

The Former Pupils' Club— The F.P. Club Boarding House .

The Bengal Centre The Rugby Section The Cricket Section •

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3 4 30 34 35 41 so 50 51 55 56 56 57 6o 6z 64 65 66 66 67

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71 72

SCHOOL OUTFITS ARE A PROBLEM Owing to manufacturers being wholly

employed on Govern-

ment contracts we are at the moment unable to supply many of

the Grammar

Garments.

We

School

will do our

utmost to fit your boy with a serviceable school outfit.

ESSLEMONT & MACINTOSH (RETAILERS) LTD.

UNION STREET, ABERDEEN

" I need good food" —and this is where you can get it !

We always have a fresh stock of all well-known dog foods including Spratt's, Spillers, etc.

Main Stockists for :—

Pot and Pearl Barley Barley Meal Hay and Straw • Agent for :

Hadfield's Fertilisers .

Coal and Firewood Poultry and Bird Food Moss Litter Manures

WILLIAM SCORGIE GRAIN AND POTATO MERCHANT

13 ROSE STREET

•

Phone 4014

ABERDEEN

1843

1943

What About

Established 100 Years

WM. CAY & SONS

TYPEWRITERS? DESKS ?

(FUNERAL DIRECTORS) LIMITED

CHAIRS ? and all other

415 UNION STREET and

OFFICE

209 GEORGE STREET,

EQUIPMENT ?

ABERDEEN

CAN I

HELP YOU ?

I am both Buying and Selling All Funeral Requisites Supplied

C. H. WEBSTER

Cremations Arranged

489 Union Street Telegrams—" Cay, Aberdeen." ' Telephone Noe. 9.2 and 54.

ABERDEEN

Telephone: 8811-2

Telegrams : • Blake Builders '

ID

JP AtA

ID.

and Building COD(

Joiner.

106 CROWN STREET Works-23, 25, 29 SUMMER STREET,

All classes of Building Joinery

::

ABERDEEN

Enquiries courteously solicited

Agents for

Wyllies

Ordnance Survey Maps

Circulating Library

WYLLIES Booksellers, Stationers

247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN Established 1814 ESTABLISH

THE

HABIT

Telephone 402 OF

READING

GOOD

BOOKS

DRAWING

STRACHAN

PAPERS

COMMERCIAL

PENCILS

&

BRUSHES EVERY REQUISITE

PORTRAITURE

FOR THE ARTIST

PHOTOGRAPHY

at

•

Taylors'

Telephone 851

•

Picture Framers 49-51 SCHOOLHILL 'Phone 2870

We Buy

416 UNION STREET ABERDEEN

I

YOUR OLD GOLD, SILVER, SILVER PLATE & GEM-SET JEWELLERY HIGHEST PRICES PAID

i

JAMIESON & CARRY ESTD. 1733

JEWELLERS. WATCHMAKERS, SILVERSMITHS

142

UNION -

STREET,

ABERDEEN

NEXT UNION BRIDGE -

-

TO OUR CUSTOMERS We regret that the present restrictions on both men and materials make it impossible for us to maintain the usual high standard of service which we have carried on for nearly a century. We can assure you that we are doing our utmost to please you and trust that you will be patient with us.

J. & A. OGILVIE 369 UNION STREET ABERDEEN Telegrams : " Interiors "

Telephone No. 433

The choice of your

FIREPLACE ARRANGEMENTS may be a little restricted these days, but we have been able to maintain our stocks at a good level, and have on display a pleasing range of modern and period designs for your selection.

James Scott & Son (Aberdeen) Ltd. 483-485 UNION STREET ABERDEEN Phone 1881-2

-,

4 4 -4

, ,

_

-- 1 3 3 -; ' -

, p4.$ 1113111 1 -

•

rj -

TO-DAY and

TO-MORROW

world is at war, and business

In the to-morrow to which we all look forward, this

everywhere

to

progressive

firm

will

be

so,

pleased

renew

the

full

To-day practically the whole

bare

is

restricted

necessities.

thousands people

of

will

pleasure

Even

discriminating testify

to

the

of shopping at

Collie's of Aberdeen.

to

high standard

of goods and

service

made

that

every

visit an experience of sheer delight.

aiditztvGats€O,Cid FAMILY GROCERS AND WINE MERCHANTS

269-271 UNION STREET ABERDEEN Pr

APPOINT ,

•

Telephones: CENTRAL 4800 (4 lines)

Branch Shops at CULTS, BALLATER, and BRAEMAR Telephones : Cutts 28; Ballater 14 ; Braemar 212

• ---

a

ESTABLISHED IN ABERDEEN 1836

Northern Assurance Company Limited Enquiries solicited for all Classes of Insurance

FIRE Insure your Dwelling-house and Furniture with the Local Office LIFE The Company's tables of rates for Life Assurance include every class of Policy ACCIDENT Insurance granted against Third Party Risks of all kinds Company's Assets

-

£3 I,ooo,ooo

CHIEF OFFICES:

ABERDEEN .

LONDON .

I UNION TERRACE I MOORGATE, E.C. a

Branches and Agencies throughout the World

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 61st year :

. [55 (New Series, 52nd year, No. 146)

•

Vol. XLVIII

JANUARY 194 5

No. 1 -

The " Grammar School Magazine" is issued under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club, twice a year in war-time--in January and July.

All communications with regard to the " Magazine" should be addressed to the Editor (the Secretary and Treasurer of the Club), THEODORE WATT, M.A., LL.D., The University Press, 6 Upper Kirkgate, Aberdeen.

A Message to Former Pupils.

The calm voyage adds no chapter to the odyssey ; the uneventful Term yields little news for a letter. And how uneventful the past Term has been I The break for harvesting, novel in '43, was merely tiresome in '44 ; no changes in the permanent staff ; never a Raid Warning to rescue the sore-pressed schoolboy from the insistent attack of some grand inquisitor ; and our games performances neither good enough to elate nor bad enough to depress.

Yet there is nothing here to deplore. He was wise who said long ago, " Happy is the land without a history," and remembering the stresses of the years just past, we may well wish for the Grammar School not one but several uneventful Terms in which to come to itself again.

But, if the School fails you with news, it does offer you a greeting of especial warmth and the wish that 1945 may be rich with blessings J. J. R. and hopes fulfilled.

The Rector is anxious that all Former Pupils should know how great is the pressure on the School accommodation and the need for very early enrolment. The demand for places is now such that little boys are being entered for the Kindergarten at two or even younger. ** * The Editor regrets the lateness of the publication of this January " issue of the Magazine and the omission of some contributions, due to circumstances beyond his control. School news has been recorded to the end of December and notes about Old Boys to the end of January. No effort will be spared to have the next number published before the close of the School session early in July.

z

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Flight Lieutenant John A. Cruickshank, V.C. The Magazine of October 1917 recorded the posthumous award on z7th June of that year of the Victoria Cross to Lieut. ROBERT GRIERSON COMBE (1894-97), Canadian Infantry, who had been killed in action in France on 3rd May 1917; and now the Magazine has the great satisfaction of recording the award of the Victoria Cross to another F.P., Flight Lieut. John Alexander Cruickshank (1926-29), R.A.F.V.R., No. 210 Squadron.

The following is the official citation :— " This officer was the Captain and Pilot of a Catalina tlying-boat which was recently engaged on an anti-submarine patrol over Northern waters.

When a U-boat was sighted on the surface, Flying Officer Cruickshank at once turned to the attack. In the face of fierce anti-aircraft fire he manctuvred into position, and ran in to release his depth charges. Unfortunately they failed to drop. Flying Officer Cruickshank knew that the failure of this attack had deprived him of the advantage of surprise and that his aircraft offered a good target to the enemy's determined and now heartened gunners. Without hesitation he climbed and turned to conic in again. The Catalina was met by intense and accurate fire and was repeatedly hit. The navigator-bomb-aimer was killed ; the second pilot and two other members of the crew were injured. " Flying Officer Cruickshank was struck in 72 places, receiving two serious wounds in the lungs and ten penetrating wounds in the lower limbs. His aircraft was badly damaged and filled with the fumes of exploding shells. But he did not falter. He pressed home his attack and released the depth charges himself, straddling the submarine perfectly. The U-boat was sunk. He then collapsed and the second pilot took over the controls. He recovered shortly afterwards and, though bleeding profusely, insisted on resuming command and retaining it until he was satisfied that a course had been set for base and that all the necessary signals had been sent. Only then would he consent to receive medical aid and have his wounds attended to. He refused morphia in case it might prevent him from carrying on.

During the next 5i hours of the return flight he several times lapsed into unconsciousness owing to loss of blood. When he came to, his first thought on each occasion was for the safety of his aircraft and crew. " The damaged aircraft eventually reached base but it was clear that an immediate landing would be a hazardous task for the wounded and less experienced second pilot. Although able to breathe only with the greatest difficulty, Flying Officer Cruickshank insisted on being carried forward and propped up in the second pilot's scat. For a full hour, in spite of his agony and ever-increasing weakness, he gave orders as necessary, refusing to allow the aircraft to be brought down until the conditions of light and sea made this possible without undue risk.

With his assistance the aircraft was safely landed on the water. lie then directed the taxi-ing and beaching of the aircraft so that it could easily be salvaged.

When the Medical Officer went on board, Flying Officer Cruickshank collapsed, and he had to be given a blood transfusion before he could be removed to hospital. " By pressing home the second attack in his gravely wounded condition and continuing his exertions on the return journey with his strength failing all the time, he seriously prejudiced his chance of survival, even if the aircraft safely reached its base. Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude, and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Service."

•

Atrift M

JOHN ALEXANDER CRUICKSHANK, V.C.

Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F.V.R.

WILLIAM FORD WATSON PORTEOUS,

D.S.O., D.F.M.

Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F.V.R. see p. 47.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

3 Flight Lieut. Cruickshank—his promotion from Flying Officer took place before his exploit—is the elder son of Mr. J. C. Cruickshank, 94 Craiglea Drive, Edinburgh, who was formerly associated with Messrs. Walker & Duncan, civil engineers and architects, Golden Square, Aberdeen, and is now a Principal Surveyor with the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. Born in Aberdeen on zoth May 192o, he entered the Grammar School in September 1926, and left it in June 1929, when his parents removed to Edinburgh. There his school education was continued at Daniel Stewart's College. He entered the Commercial Bank in Edinburgh as an apprentice and had nearly a year's experience of banking. On his father's suggestion, he joined the Territorial Army in the late spring of 1939, serving with the Royal Field Artillery and transferring to the R.A.F. in the summer of 1941. He did his flying training in Canada and the United States, and was commissioned in July 1942.

The King held an investiture at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the morning of list September 1944, and at it decorated Flight Lieut. Cruickshank with the Victoria Cross. The latter at first sat next to his parents, who were in the front row, almost opposite the centre of the dais. After the King had entered and the National Anthem had been played, Flight Lieut. Cruickshank advanced to the dais and stood while Lord Clarendon read out the citation narrating the incident for which the honour was being bestowed. It was obvious that the recipient had not completely recovered from his wounds, for, although he gave no direct sign of any physical weakness or constraint, he moved slowly and carefully. When he stepped forward at the end of the reading of the citation to receive the honour and shake hands with the King, His Majesty in a low voice conversed with him for some time.

Flight Lieut. Cruickshank returned to duty towards the middle of December and was stationed in the south of England.

A Former Rector.

Mr. Douglas Gordon Miller, M.A., who was Rector of the Aberdeen Grammar School from 1921 to 1924, when he was appointed High Master of Manchester Grammar School, is to retire from the latter post in July of this year. Although it is over twenty years since he left Aberdeen, many F.P.s recall with warm appreciation his all too short rectorship.

In a leading article the Manchester Guardian said " The [Manchester Grammar] School's numbers and its record in scholarship have reached peaks that have never been surpassed '• the name of Miller as High Master must always be associated with a time when Hugh Oldham's foundation ' dared to be wise ' in all manner of new ways and responsibilities under a chief who gained the affection and respect of boys and men alike. Mr. Miller has preserved and enhanced the tradition of a great day-school during a time when it had more than ever to contribute to educational theory and practice. The wisdom of those who resisted the nineteenth-century temptation to engraft a boarding school tradition was never better justified than during the past twenty years."

Aberdeen Grammar School A fagerzine

* The Editor is glad at all times to receive from any quarter items of information for this section of the " Magazine."

The dates given in parenthesis after names indicate the sessions of attendance at the School.

SERVICE DECORATIONS. Companions of the Bath (C.B.).

Rudolf William Galloway* (1902-06), C.B. E., D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B., Brigadier, late R.A.M.C., was in December gazetted a Companion of the Order of the Bath—for gallant and distinguished services in Italy. Since June 1g44 he has held the acting rank of Major-General. At a ceremony in Belgium in November he received a unique American honour in being the first Briton to be awarded the Typhus Medal of the U.S. Typhus Commission. The citation stated that the award was for exceptionally meritorious service. " During the period from December zo, 1943, to February zo, t944—the critical period of the outbreak of typhus at Naples and in Southern Italy— Brigadier Galloway actively supported the work of the Commission.

In addition, he took special steps to see that the danger of typhus fever was brought to the attention of all British Medical Officers in the area. He initiated an anti-typhus control programme throughout the entire military forces in Southern Italy." In the present war Brigadier Galloway was A.D.M.S., Marseilles area, until the collapse of France, and then A.D.M.S., 51st Division. He was with this Division in Libya, Cyrenaica, and North Africa. On his promotion to the rank of Brigadier, he became D.D.M.S. in Tripolitania and afterwards in Sicily. Later he was appointed D.D.M.S., Allied Forces H.Q., C.M.F. Thomas Gordon Rennie (1908-so), D.S.O., M.B.E., MajorGeneral, was early in September last officially announced to be in command of the 51st (Highland) Division on the Continent, and later in the same month was gazetted a Companion of the Order of the Bath. When the 51st Division liberated St. Valery on znd September 1944, their victorious commander was the Major-General, who in June 1940 was taken prisoner in the same town but made a dramatic escape on a bicycle, wearing blue jeans and a cap.

The future General, after spending two years at the School, went on to Loretto and Sandhurst, and was commissioned in the Member of the Former Pupils' Club.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

1

Black Watch in 1919. He served with the Highland Division in 1940 as a G.z (Major), and was decorated with the M.B.E. for his services in France. On his return to this country he became a G.1 (Lieut.-Col.) at Western Command. At the end of that year he took over command of a battalion of the Black Watch, and led them in the Battle of El Alamein, where he won the D.S.O. He was wounded in January 1943, and was in hospital for four months, but returned to the command of his brigade in May, and led it as the assault brigade of the Highland Division in the invasion of Sicily two months later.

From December 1943 he was in command of the Third British Infantry Division. Wounded in the arm round about D Day, General Rennie returned to this country, and then went back to France as Commander of the 51st Division. On 19th December the promotion of " Lt.-Col. (tempy. Brig., actg. Maj.-Gen.) T. G. Rennie, D.S.O., M.B.E., Black Watch, to be Tempy. Maj.-Gen. and War Substantive Colonel " was gazetted.

Before the present war broke out our two new C.B.s were serving in China, and both were present at an informal dinner of F.P.s in Shanghai held in the Shanghai Club on 17th December 1937. At that time Captain T. G. Rennie was Brigade Major to the Shanghai Defence Force.

Commander of the British Empire Order (C.B.E.).

David Proudfoot Levack* (1906-09),, M.B., Ch.B., Colonel, R.A.M.C., was in January gazetted C.B.E. He was repatriated in May 1944, after having been a prisoner of war for four years. He was captured at St. Valery when serving with the 51st Division, of which he was then A.D.M.S. An account of some of his experiences in Germany appeared in the last issue of the Magazine.

Officers of the British Empire Order (O.B.E.).

Alexander Smith Anderson* (19o5-09), M .B. E., Lieut.-Colonel, as Chairman of the Aberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine War Pensions Committee, received the honour of O.B.E. at the New Year. For many years manager of the Norwich Union Life Insurance Society, and also latterly of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, he has since about 1930 been Chairman of the local War Pensions Committee, and since 1941 Chairman of the Advisory Committee on civilians', mercantile marine, and fishing fleet pensions. He was the first Local Defence Volunteer in Aberdeen in May 1940, and a month later was made Group Commander. In 1941 he was promoted Lt.-Col., with command of the 4th Aberdeen Battalion of the Home Guard. In the last war he joined up in the K.R.R.C. in December 1915, and later received a commission in the Gordon Highlanders. He is a founder member of the British Legion, and his work in the interests of exService men was recognised in 1931, when he received the honour of M.B.E. He served in the Aberdeen Town Council for seven years, and was for a period a Magistrate.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Robert Mackay Ledingham* (1897-1909), T.D., M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, Lieut.-Colonel, 7th Aberdeen Battalion of the Home Guard, was in December gazetted O.B.E. In the last war he served as an officer in the R.F.A. (T.F.), and on the outbreak of the present war was recalled for service, being put second in command of a Field Regiment, R.A. He served with it until April 1940, when he was invalided out.

Charles Watt Michie* (192;-z5), M.A., who entered the Colonial Administrative Service (Nigeria) in 1931 and was seconded as H.M. Consul for Spanish Guinea during 1941-42, was in November last invested at Buckingham Palace with the O.B.E. for public services in West Africa.

Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.).

George Brown Cameron Sangster* (1928-37), Lieut. (A), R.N.V.R., was in July 1944 awarded the D.S.C. As recorded in the last Magazine, he was present in the great air and sea battle within the Arctic Circle in March 1944, when two U-boats were sunk, two more probably sunk, and the rest of the pack took to flight. The great convoy went through in appalling weather conditions and without the loss of a single merchant vessel.

6

Military Cross (M.C.).

Birss* (1926-38), Lieut. (temp. Captain), Michie John Gordon The Gordon Highlanders, was awarded the M.C. in December.

He joined the Army over four years ago while a student in Arts at Aberdeen University, and was in the fighting from El Alamein to Sicily, and went to France on D Day. He has been wounded three times—once in Sicily and twice in France. He was Scoutmaster for a time of the 9th (Grammar School) Troop.

Arthur Hutchison Gilchrist* (1924-30), Captain, The Gordon Highlanders, was awarded the M.C. at the end of August for distinguished service in Normandy. He has been wounded four times.

Kenneth Terence Gruer (1927-32), Captain, Royal Horse Artillery, was awarded the M.C. in December for distinguished service in Italy, where he risked his life in bringing about the destruction of an enemy gun position in the Tiber Valley. He was studying Medicine at Aberdeen University when he volunteered for service at the outbreak of war. He served in Libya with the Eighth Army and went through the long siege of Tobruk, where he was wounded but made a good recovery.

Roderick Ferguson Semple* (1927-38), B.Sc.(Eng.), Captain, R.E., was awarded the M.C. at the end of August for distinguished service in Normandy. He is a son of ROBERT SEMPLE* (1898-1905), O.B.E., M.D., Aberdeen.

James Harkins Mackenzie Wyness* ( x 933-39), Lieut. (tempy.

Captain), R.A., was gazetted M.C. in December for conspicuous gallantry and distinguished service in North-West Europe. He was called up as a Territorial on the outbreak of war, when serving as an

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 7 apprentice with Messrs. Brander & Cruickshank, advocates, Aberdeen.

He was commissioned in 1940, and has served in India, the Middle East, Sicily, and Italy. He was wounded at Le Havre in September last. In '939 he was the winner of the All-Round Trophy at the School.

Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.).

George Yule Mackie (1933-35), D.S.O., Acting Squadron Leader, R.A.F.V.R., was in October awarded the D.F.C. He had then completed his third tour of operational duty as an air bomber, captain of aircraft, and flight commander, and had participated in attacks on a large variety of heavily defended targets in many theatres of war. " His fine leadership, determination, and courage in the face of the enemy," said the official citation, " have always been of the highest order, and have set a splendid example to all." He was awarded the D.S.O. in February 1944 (as recorded in the last Magazine).

John Alexander Trager Simpson* (1919-28), Flight Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Air Force, in September last was awarded a Bar to the D.F.C. he received four months earlier (as recorded in the last Magazine). According to the official citation he was one of a number of officers and airmen " who have completed, in various capacities, many successful operations against the enemy, in which they have displayed high skill, fortitude, and devotion to duty." After being for nearly three years in England, during which he took part in a very large number of operational flights over enemy territory, mostly as a navigator in the Pathfinder Force, under Bomber Command, he has returned to Canada and is at present stationed on the Pacific Coast in British Columbia.

Rowand Gordon Chalmers Skinner* (1935-39), Flying Officer, R.A.F., was in October awarded the D.F.C. He entered Aberdeen University in 1939, graduated B.Sc. in Engineering three years later, and joined the R.A.F. the day after his graduation. He was commissioned in March 1943, and in October last had completed thirty-one operational trips with Bomber Command. He was in the Boarding House all the time he was at the School.

Norman Robertson Wishart* (1927-40), Flying Officer, R.A.F., was in September last awarded the D.F.C. for his share in many successful sorties over enemy country. On one occasion, when over Berlin, two engines of his plane became unserviceable, and the aircraft went into a spiral dive. He regained control however, continued his bombing run, and made a successful attack. " This officer has invariably displayed notable skill and resolution," says the citation.

Before joining the R.A.F. in 1941 he was attending the North of Scotland College of Agriculture. He received his air training in Rhodesia.

Distinguished Service Medal (D.S.M.).

Hugh Douglas Mackintosh* (1922-30), Chief Engine-room Artificer, R.N., was at the New Year awarded the D.S.M. He

8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

entered the Royal Navy after serving his apprenticeship with Messrs.

Hall, Russell & Co., Ltd., Aberdeen.

Mentioned in Dispatches.

John W. L. Bain* (1915-22), M.B., Ch.B., Major, R.A.M.C., was at the New Year mentioned in dispatches for the second time, for services in Italy. He had previously seen service in North Africa, Greece, Crete, and Sicily, and has recently been in France.

Leslie Duncan Durno* (1931-38), Lieutenant (A), R.N.V.R., was mentioned in dispatches last September, for his part as a Fighter Pilot with the Fleet Air Arm in successful strikes at enemy shipping off the coast of Norway. In October it. was reported that he had shot down three Japanese aircraft during the Eastern Fleet's attack on the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. He is a son of JAMES DURNO* (1900-02) of Crichie, Inverurie, and had completed his second year in Medicine at Aberdeen University before volunteering for service with the Fleet Air Arm. He won his " wings " in America.

[See page 30. As this issue of the Magazine is passing through the press Lieut. Durno has been officially reported missing.]

Ronald Paterson Lumsden (1921-26), Captain, R.A.S.C., was in August last mentioned for distinguished service in the Middle East.

Ronald Duncan Mitchell (x924-31), Lieut., R. A., was recently mentioned in dispatches for services in Italy.

The Right Hon. Lord Alness* (x884-85), P.C., LL.D., is the President and Chairman of the Scottish Savings Committee, and in a statement he made in November, on the fifth anniversary of the launching of the War Savings Campaign, " tendered a meed of unfeigned thanks " to the Scottish people for the response which throughout the campaign they had gladly, gratefully, and generously accorded to the various appeals made to them. " Since the beginning of the campaign in 1939 Scotland had contributed a total of £650,000,000 to the Imperial Exchequer. Of that sum no less than £303,000,000 were contributed by small savers, who thus became stake-holders in the stability and welfare of their country." At the end of December, when it was announced that Mr. Lloyd George was to retire from public life at the close of the present Parliament, Lord Alness contributed to the Scotsman an intimate personal sketch of the Prime Minister under whom he had served as Secretary for Scotland. In it he said : "I was near him, as a Ministerial colleague, throughout the Great War, and I affirm, without hesitation or reserve, that it was his sane optimism which sustained his Ministers and upheld the nation during the darkest hours through which they then passed. Let us never forget that."

Andrew Riddel Abercromby* (1903-13) last year returned to Aberdeen from London, having purchased the stockbroking business of Messrs. Gray & Laing. He was admitted a member

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

9

of the Aberdeen Stock Exchange in March 1944. Since then he has been Deputy Controller, Civil Defence, County of Aberdeen.

Robert Denham Alexander* (1917-20), who was in the service of the Union Bank of Scotland, Ltd., Edinburgh, is a Flying Officer in the Tactical Air Force. The Adjutant of his unit is Flying Officer JOHN FRANCIS LEDINGHAM* (190I -11).

David Sinclair Allan* (1906-07) is one of the " missing " Life Members of the F.P. Club whose addresses have been ascertained since the last issue of the Magazine. He is Captain of a company that has been serving with the 14th Army. He went out to India in 1913 as an engineer on a tea plantation, and in the last war held a commission in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers, serving on the NorthWest Frontier. For many years he has been engaged in tea-planting in Assam.

Francis Sheed Anderson* (1909-12), who was formerly Divisional Food Officer for Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland, and in October '1943 was appointed Director of the Fish Division of the Ministry of Food, has recently been promoted to a Principal Assistant Secretaryship.

John Campbell Anderson* (1909-13) has been since 1929 with the Rhokana Corporation at N'Kana, Northern Rhodesia, as chief geologist. Recently he was appointed a consultant by a U.S.A. firm and has been resident at Springbok, Namaqualand.

Alexander Elder Anton* (1932-40) and Henry Craigen Anton* 0932-40—stepsons of Professor WILLIAM ELDER LEVIE* (1889-93) —have recently become Life Members of the F.P. Club. The former is a Lieutenant in The London Scottish and was wounded in Sicily ; and the latter, who was Classical Dux of the School in 1940, is now in his fourth year as a medical student at Aberdeen University. A younger brother, CHARLES EDWARD ANTON (1937-43), is at present at school at Fort Augustus.

Frederick Cooper Arnaud* (1929-36) is a Lieutenant (E) in the Royal Navy. John C. S. Arnaud* (19z9-4o) is a Sergeant in the Intelligence Corps in India. He has become a member of the Bengal Centre of the F.P. Club and has reported enthusiastically on the kindness he has received from the Secretary, at whose house in Calcutta he has met several other F.P.s. Stanley William Arnaud* (1930-43) has been in Canada training to be a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. John R. S. Bell (1928-41), Acting Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., whose death on active service in a corvette in March 1944 was recorded in the last Magazine, is to be commemorated in the Aberdeen Regional Museum by his collection of antiquities. This includes arrow heads and stone axes of the Stone Age, bronze swords and celts of the Bronze Age, specimens of Greek, Egyptian, and Babylonian antiquities, sixteenth century armour and weapons, Roman glass, and a number of articles of bygone Scottish domestic life. The collection is to be known as the Russell Bell Bequest.

TO

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Eric Ros Birkett* (1920-22), C.A., who is Secretary of Messrs.

John Menzies & Co., Ltd., wholesale booksellers and newsagents, Edinburgh, on St. Andrew's Day 1944 sent a further cheque for twelve guineas as a contribution towards a School Swimming Pond.

The cheque has been gratefully acknowledged.

George Haddon Bower* (1877-87), M.A., has recently been appointed Treasurer of the Aberdeen Society of Advocates. Three of his classfellows at the School and the University have also held office in the Society. Alexander Thomas Cruickshank* (1882-87), O.B.E., M.A., was Treasurer in 1929-31 and President in 1938-40 ; James Hay* (1883-87), M.A., B.L., was President in 1936-38 ; and John Everard Rae* (1885-87), M.A., was President in 1940-42.

The Secretary, Factor, and Librarian of the Society is Norman J. J. Walker* (1893-1902), M.A., LL.B., and the Auditor is Charles Williamson* (1883-85), M.A., C.A. Charles Ogilvie Will Bowman* (191o-15), who went out to Calabar in 1928 and was later manager of a rubber and cocoa estate in British Cameroons, for which area he was the F.P. Club Consul, after a period in business in Broughty Ferry, and more recently in Bermuda under the Ministry of Information, is now stationed at the West African Plantations, Victoria, British Cameroons. His post is that of \Vest Coast Manager for all the German plantations on the Cameroon Coast for roughly 3o miles.

Percy Stuart Boyd* (1927-40), Corporal Parachutist, was wounded and captured at Arnhem on 15th September last. This information about him came through the Red Cross.

John Brands* (1928-31) in May 1944 was promoted to be Temporary Acting Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., his commission being in the Special Branch. He joined the Navy in November 1942 and served as an ordnance artificer (ophthalmic), with the rank of Petty Officer. In May last, when crossing London after an Admiralty interview, he shared a taxi with a stranger. To their surprise, they discovered that they were both F.P.s, the " stranger" being the Registrar-General for Scotland, JAMES GRAY KYD* (1891-98), C.B.E. They decided that this happy chance meeting was worthy of record in the Magazine. Last summer Brands was attached to H.M.S. Excellent on a special course of instruction.

Douglas Stewart Brown* (1917-24), who has been serving with the Royal Air Force Security Police since June 1942 and is meantime stationed abroad with the B.L.A., was promoted to the rank of Squadron Leader in November last.

William John Brown* (1921-28), Captain, R.E., has for over two years been with a Quarrying Company, and at the time of the landing in Normandy, gained, he says, very valuable experience in the handling of some of the latest types of quarry plant. His company was allotted the job of keeping the roads open during the first stages of the campaign.

George Rettie Burns* (1925-31), who went out to a rubber estate in Malaya in 1935 and succeeded in escaping from Singapore

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine just before it fell, was recently reported to be in Tanga, East.Africa.

After leaving Malaya he was for a time in Western i‘ustralia, and then went to West Africa, signing on with a Norwegian ship, working his passage in the engine-room, and stewarding the engine-room staff.

Douglas Knox Cameron* (1932-35), L.D.S., R.C.S.(Edin.), Captain, Army Dental Corps, is at present in command of an Indian Army Dental Centre in Delhi. Writing in November he said that he had not been long out there, but found it a tremendous change after serving in the Scottish Command. He reported that in the previous week he had run across another F.P., Lieut. Campbell Connon* (1926-38), M.A., Intelligence Corps, and they had dinner together in the latter's mess. Connon is several years younger than Cameron, but they recognised each other mutually. Cameron's cousin, Captain Scott Cameron* (1921-34), M.B., Ch.B., R.A.M.C., has been serving with a General Hospital in Burma. " D.K." spent some years in the School Boarding House, where he was Head Prefect in 1934-35.

George Gordon Cameron* (1915-17), M.A., B.D., who was ordained a minister of the Church of Scotland in 1931 and became minister of Kent Road Church, Glasgow, has been serving with the Church huts and canteens in France. When, some days after the entry of the British troops into Brussels, he and a padre from LeochelCushnie arrived there, they received a royal welcome in the little Scots Kirk at the corner of the Rue Buchholz. On Sunday, toth September, they held a service largely attended by a deeply moved and enthusiastic congregation, gathered from the homes round its doors.

Later Mr. Cameron was at an aerodrome when gallant survivors from Arnhem came floating down to earth. From the Church of Scotland mobile canteen under his charge, although it was only in transit and stocks were low, he and his colleagues had the great privilege of making available what they had and, in the name of the Church, of giving some cigarettes to each of the men, the first they had had for ten days.

CHURCH OF SCOTLAND MODERATOR.

Andrew James Campbell (1886-87), B.A.(Cantah.), D.D., minister of Evie, Orkney, and a former clerk of Glasgow Presbytery, has been nominated for the Moderatorship of the next General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He is the farthest north minister, and the only minister actually from Shetland or Orkney, ever to be nominated for the Moderatorship. He is a son of the late Mr. John Campbell, schoolmaster, Ardallie, Aberdeenshire, and after a year at the Grammar School, went on to Fettes College and St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. He studied Divinity at the University of Edinburgh, and after serving as an assistant in the East Parish Church, Aberdeen, was ordained at Lerwick in 1902.

In 1909 he went to St. John's Church, Glasgow, and remained there for zo years. From 1929 to 1936 he was joint clerk of Glasgow Presbytery and then went to Evie. He received the degree of D.D. from Glasgow University in i933.

Andre Charles Antony Casati, the second son of M. Ennemond Casati, former lecturer in French at Aberdeen University, was reported

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaizine

in October last to have been shot by the Germans. His elder brother, Henri Paul Louis Isaac Casati, was taken a prisoner but escaped on the way to Germany. Both were at the School for a short period in 1932.

Douglas Gordon Cheyne* (19o1-o5), C. B. E., M.C., M.D., Lieut.-Colonel, R.A.M.C., was in October promoted to be Colonel.

In July 1943 he was appointed Chief Health Officer to the Allied Military Government in Italy.

Andrew Clark* (1895-1901), M.A., who retired in August 1943 from the post of Secretary and Treasurer of the School Board, Queenstown, Cape Province, is now stationed for an indefinite period at Pretoria, Transvaal, where he is helping to make up the shortage of clerical assistants in the Defence Department of South Africa. He describes himself as " one of the insignificant cogs in the war machine."

Norman Stuart Clark* (1919-29), B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., Major, R.A.M.C., in August last passed the examination for Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of London. The examination was held in India in May of last year (the first occasion, it is understood, on which the examination has ever been held outside London). Major Clark has been stationed in Lahore, where he is a medical specialist to both the British and the Indian Military Hospitals. Previously he spent over a year in the north-east corner of Assam in a similar post. Assam is, in one sense, he says, the physician's paradise— practically every known disease (and, he strongly suspects, quite a few unknown ones) flourish there I The only F.P. he had met in India was Eliot Digby Mackworth* (1923-27), M.B., Ch.B., who was O.C. Medical Division of an Indian General Hospital on the Burma border.

William Catto Connon* (1928-40), Sergeant, R.A.F., recently passed out in South Africa as a bomb-aimer, taking the first place in his flight.

Sir Patrick Ashley Cooper* (1896-1901), B.A., LL.B., Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, according to The Times correspondent in Ottawa, arrived there in the beginning of November, after making a tour of the Company's posts along the Mackenzie River. He had travelled more than 15,ooo miles, mostly by air, going as far north as Aklavik. Later he visited British Columbia and Alaska. "He next visited several Canadian cities before going to New York and returning to London. In Ottawa he stayed at Government House.

ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE.

James Ian Cormack Crombie* (1908-2O, M.A., who entered the Home Civil Service in 1926 and has recently been Principal Establishment Officer, Ministry of Food, was in October last transferred at the request of the Treasury to take up an appointment as Assistant Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign Office. He is particularly concerned in this post with the carrying into effect of the measures for the reform of the Foreign Service outlined in the White Paper, Command 6420, of 1943.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

13

Alexander Cruickshank* (191r-17), O.B.E., M.D., who held the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Sudan Defence Force, withdrew from the Army last February to take up the post of Senior Physician in the Sudan Medical Service. This post carries with it the interesting, if onerous, duty of being Lecturer in Medicine to the Kitchener School of Medicine for Sudanese in Khartoum. As he is likely to be resident in Khartoum till the end of his service, he has been appointed F.P. Club Consul for the Sudan, in place of JAMES LORIMER SOUPER* (1898-1909), who retired in 1943. It is now over five years since he was home, and he expects that it will be another year before his turn for home leave comes.

Charles Davidson* (1882-86), M.A., had an interesting letter in the Aberdeen Press and Journal last July, in which he referred to the raising in Canada of the 48th Highland Regiment by his first cousin, Colonel John Davidson, in 1891. He was a son of the late Dr. Samuel Davidson, long at Wartle, Aberdeenshire, and a brother of the late Professor WILLIAM LESLIE DAVIDSON (18S9-64), LL.D. " The Davidsons," wrote " C.D.," " have been in the Auchedlies, Tarves, for more than 15o years, and before that in Newton and Gowanwell, Methlick, where Alexander Davidson was an elder of the kirk in 173o."

William Dilling* (1882-89) wrote in August from Northwood, Middlesex, that he was specially interested in the photograph of the first F.P. Rugby Team, 1893-94, which was reproduced in the last issue of the Magazine, as several of the team were his contemporaries at the School. He enclosed his copy of the first membership card of the F.P. Club (dated 1893-94), which he had found in an old pocketbook. Of this card, which bears the old (unregistered) arms of the School and a rather elaborate lithographed design, there are probably few copies now in existence. In view of the Jubilee of the Club, it is an interesting souvenir.

James Catto Duffus* (1897-1904), M.C., LL.B., was in June last appointed Controller of the Civil Defence Services in the City of Aberdeen. Six months earlier he was appointed Deputy A.R.P. Controller for Aberdeen, and before that was Officer-in-charge of A.R.P. Control and Report Centres.

Leslie James Park Duncan (1927-28), B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., was recently awarded by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons the 1st Fitz Wygram Prize for 1944. This prize is for the highest aggregate of marks obtained in all professional examinations of the final year held in all veterinary colleges in Great Britain and Ireland. Lieut.

Duncan is at present serving with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

He was a student at the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Edinburgh.

James Durno* (1900-oz), of Crichie and Uppermill, was in June last presented with his portrait, painted by Mr. John M. Aiken, R.S.A., in appreciation of his services to the North-Eastern Agricultural Co-operative Society, of which he is chairman, and to agriculture in general.

Alexander Wishart Edward* (191i-17), who went out to Colorado, U.S.A., in 1922, is now resident at Windsor Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Williamson Jackson Finnic* (1928-32), B.Sc., M.B , Ch.B., is a Captain in the R.A.M.C. and is serving in a General Hospital of the India Command.

William Alfred Beaumont Forbes (1932-42), the elcW son of Mr. William Forbes, formerly Senior English Master of the prammar School and now Rector of Galashiels Academy, was in June last awarded the Harkness Residential Scholarship in the open entrance scholarship and bursary competition of St. Andrews University.

The scholarship is of the annual value of km° and is tenable for four years.

Robert Forgan (2898-2908), M.C., M.A., M.D., is one of the scientists working on the " M. and B. " group of drugs. In a recent lecture in Aberdeen he dealt with the whole field of sulpha drugs and led up to the production of penicillin.

Alexander Forsyth* (1923-30), B.Sc., M.P.S., was some months ago released from his post as Assistant Secretary to the Chemical Control Board, Ministry of Supply, at the request of his company, The Distillers Co. Ltd., and is now back at his pre-war office address in St. James's Square, London, where he is Acting General Manager of Honeywill & Stein, Ltd., one of the subsidiary companies. He was recently elected an Associate Member of the Institute of Transport and has become a Freeman of the City of London on his election as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Carmen.

George Sutherland Fraser (2924-33), M.A.(St. And.), son of the late Town Clerk of Aberdeen, has recently had his first full-length collection of verses published under the title " Home Town Elegy."

He was for a time serving in Eritrea, but has recently been appointed to the Ministry of Information in Cairo. There are over forty poems in the collection, which has received a warm welcome.

Edgar Reuben Gauld* (1917-23), M.B., Ch.B., served throughout the Abyssinian Campaign as a Captain in the Royal West African Field Force. Recently he has been stationed in the Gold Coast.

Godfrey Power Geddes* (2903-2i), D.S.O., T.D., Colonel, The Gordon Highlanders, ended his tour of duty as Garrison Commander at Aberdeen on 3rd December last, after serving in that capacity from July 1940. His last official appearance in his post of Garrison Commander was at the saluting base during the final march past of the Home Guard in December. In October 1940 he was appointed Sub Area Commander, and during the period when the threat of invasion reached its most acute stage, was responsible for preparing the defences of the North-East of Scotland. He maintained a close liaison with the Navy, R.A.F., and Civil Defence Services, and to him fell the task of co-ordinating the Home Guard into the defence scheme and training them in their operational duties.

Alan George Gibb* (1926-36), M.B., Ch.B., Lieutenant, R.A.M.C., in June last received the Diploma in Laryngology and Otology (D.L.O., R.C. S. Eng.).

Patrick Lindsay Gordon (1878-80), M.A., B.D., in October last reached his jubilee as minister of the parish of Glenbervie, Kincardine14

_Aberdeen Grammar School IlIagazine

i5

shire. I-Ie was born in the parish and has spent the whole of his ministerial life in it. He stated at the time that he could trace the connection of his family with Glenbervie as far back as 1628. Both his father and his maternal grandfather were ministers of Glenbervie before him, so that the religious life of the parish has been in charge of members of the same family for 129 years. Mr. Gordon's great-grandfather was a merchant in Drumlithie.

Douglas Wyndham Mating Grant* (1937-41) has been teaching in Widford Lodge Preparatory School, Chelmsford, Essex, since May 1943, and has been in close contact with ALASTAIR D. R. FIDDES (1936-43), who lives nearby, at Brentwood.

Robert Imray Alexander Gray* (t 932-3 5 ) has been in the R.A.F. since the outbreak of war and has recently been stationed in the Azores. Before the war he was a bank clerk in Aberdeen.

Clarence Edward Greeson (1902-05), M.D., R.N., who at the time of the Battle of Cape Matapan was Surgeon Captain and Fleet Medical Officer, H.M.S. 'Warspite, is now a Surgeon Rear-Admiral and in charge of a naval hospital in the North-East of Scotland.

George McKenzie Denny Grieve* (1935-37), M.A., B.D., has been elected colleague and successor in the charge of St. John's Church, Edenside, Kelso. He was previously probationer in charge of Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen, and before that was for three years student assistant in the West Church of St. Andrew, Aberdeen.

An intimation of his marriage appears on another page of this issue of the Magazine.

George Ian Griffiths* (192 5 -36), M.A., B.D., who was ordained a minister of the Church of Scotland in 1942 and thereafter was assistant minister of Holburn Central Church, Aberdeen, was in August last elected minister of the South Church, Bonhill, Dumbartonshire. He was inducted to his new charge in September.

PRISONER IN BULGARIA.

George Mitchell Groat* (19z7-4o), Flight Sergeant, R.A.F., navigator in a Wellington bomber, who in May last was reported missing and then in August was reported to be a prisoner in Bulgaria, was liberated in September, when the Russians advanced into that country. During his period of four months' imprisonment he was among the prisoners who were jeered at by the people of Sofia on their being paraded through the streets in an open truck, shortly after the city had been bombed by the Allies. Describing the episode he said : " The guards packed us into a truck and took us on a tour of the city's bomb damage. They wanted to show us what the bombers had done, and they also wanted to show us to the people of Sofia, who were very angry about the damage. They stopped pretty often and at every stop the driver hooted his horn to attract the people's attention. The city folk jeered and shook their fists at us. Sofia was certainly badly smashed up by the bombing. Conditions in the camp were not good. About 13o men occupied a hut about 45 ft. square. Every morning we had to de-louse our clothing.

16

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Each of us got one loaf a day—usually the bread was about six days old—and for breakfast we had a kind of tea made with herbs. Bean soup was served at lunch and dinner, and sometimes we even got a piece of meat in the soup." The prisoners kept up their spirits by organising debates and talks, camp concerts and religious services.

Sir Hubert Douglas Henderson* (1901-04), M.A.(Cantab.), LL.D., was recently elected Professor of Political Economy at Oxford University and is now serving as Economic Adviser to His Majesty's Treasury. He is one of the first members of an expert committee which has been appointed to assist the trustees of a fund with a capital of Li oo,ooo established for the promotion of economic research, to mark the z5oth anniversary of the founding of the Bank of England.

The fund will be known as the Houblon-Norman Fund, after Sir John Houblon, the first Governor of the Bank in 1694, and Mr. Montagu Norman, who retired recently, after holding the office of Governor for 24 years.

William Garden Hendry (1925-29), M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C.—a son of WILLIAM HENDRY * (I 88 5 -90), M.A., formerly head master of Walker Road School, Aberdeen—was in July admitted a Fellow of the Royal College. of Surgeons, Edinburgh.

John Blain Howitt* (1926-35) has recently returned to this country from India. For the last four years he has been in the service of the R.A.F. in Burma, Malaya, and India, latterly with the rank of Flying Officer. Previously he was on a tea estate in Assam.

Kenneth Williams Hutchison (1927-29), Sergeant, R.A.F.— a son of the late A. B. HurcHisoN (1896-1904)—was in October reported to be missing from air operations but later was reported to be safe. Before joining the Air Force in 1943 he was associated with the family bakery business in Aberdeen.

Redvers Noel Ironside* (1907-x7), M.B., Ch.B., formerly in practice in Harley Street, London, became a Squadron Leader in the Medical Branch of the R.A.F. in 1940. Later he became a Command Neuropsychiatrist with the rank of Wing Commander. He is now Consultant in Neurology to the R.A.F. overseas, and is with the Central Mediterranean Force, holding the rank of Air Commodore.

John Hannel Irvin* (1925-34) has been on active service since the war broke out. He was in France in 1940 and, as he says, " just got out by the skin of my teeth quite some time after Dunkirk."

Then in early 1941 he went to Iraq, via South Africa and India, and spent nineteen months there in the heat sometimes of 128 in the shade. Next he went to Palestine and Egypt and took part in the invasion of Sicily and Italy, where he continues " soldiering on," in R.E.M.E. Keith Brisco Irvine* (1933-38) is now at Epsom College, Surrey.

Arthur R. H. Kellas* (1926-32), M.A., was one of the successful candidates at the Civil Service Competition in 1939 for the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service, but since then he has had a varied military career. Ile has, however, recently been released from the Army and taken up a post in Persia in the Diplomatic Service.

.1berdeen Grammar School Magazine Derek M. Ketlas (1924-35), M.C., B.Sc.(For.), who served with distinction in the Abyssinian Campaign as an officer of the Gold Coast Regiment, has now been released from the Army and has returned to his post in the Colonial Forest Service as an Assistant Conservator in the Gold Coast.

PRISONERS OF THE JAPANESE.

Charles Forrester King* (1912-23), of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, has been a prisoner in Manila, and information about him since his internment has come indirectly. For the first few months he felt depressed and humiliated, but after he was made Camp Treasurer and was consequently busy every day from 9 till 5.3o, he became well and cheerful. The prisoners had a shack in the grounds where they could get a little privacy and cook their midday meal, although food apparently was getting rather scarce. They got a stew of buffalo meat once a week, and the rest of the time it was French beans and more beans. They rarely saw a Jap and were mostly left to their own devices. His brother, Francis Henry King* (1916-26), of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, is a prisoner of war in Stanley Camp, Hongkong. From a letter and a postcard he wrote in July and October 1943, it appeared that he was well and very cheerful.

Ile said that there was nothing to worry about out there—" we can go on like this for years." He was doing some work in the hospital and learning Cantonese. He reported that he had got in touch with George Findlay Walker* (1907-20), C.A., who is a prisoner of war on the mainland, and that he was well. Before the fall of Hongkong Walker was in the employment of a firm of accountants there.

Theodore W. B. Knight* (1906-11), who is one of the Life Members of the F.P. Club whose addresses were asked for in the last Magazine, is now resident at 43 Goddington Lane, Orpington, Kent.

James Gray Kyd* (1891-98), C.B.E., Registrar-General for Scotland, was in June last appointed President of the Faculty of Actuaries in Scotland. The new President, although he received his early actuarial training in the Northern Assurance Company, has spent the major portion of his life in the service of the State, having been for 25 years in the Government Actuary's Department. " His present position as Registrar-General," said The Scotsman, " enables him to bring his actuarial mind to bear on the many problems of vital statistics which play so important a part in the present history of the country and commonwealth. His knowledge of social insurance will he of advantage in the many problems of post-war social security, upon which the advice of the Faculty of Actuaries will doubtless be sought by the State."

At the end of November the Registrar-General lectured to the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow on " A Modern Statistical Account of the Scottish People." Such an investigation, he said, would he of the greatest value in the economic development of Scotland, and would give future historians a picture of the Scotland which will inevitably pass away in the changes which must arise in

18

...lberdren Grammar Selma! 11a,gaz:tne

the post-war world. In the course of an amusing leading article The Scotsman said: " Mr. James Kyd, the Registrar-General for Scotland, took his life in his hands when he went to Glasgow the other day and told the natives of that city that a child born in Edinburgh has an expectation of life at birth of some five years more than a Glasgow baby. For a resident in Edinburgh to make a statement of that nature to a Glasgow audience must have called for moral courage of a high order. Mr. Kyd, however, being a Registrar, is accustomed to taking life in his hands. Mr. Kyd did not undertake the arduous journey to Glasgow simply to spread alarm and despondency among the inhabitants. Nor did he go to provide ammunition for the Glasgow insurance canvassers. He. went as a dispassionate and disinterested compiler of vital statistics. His motives were as pure, one may say, as those of a missionary embarking for torrid parts."

John Laird* (19o1-o3), M.A., LL.D., F.B.A., Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Aberdeen, is the author of " The Device of Government : An Essay on Civil Polity," recently published by the Cambridge University Press. The substance of this book was delivered to soldiers as lectures on general political theory.

William Elder Levie* (1889-93), advocate, Aberdeen, was in December appointed to the Hugh McLennan Chair of Conveyancing at Aberdeen University. He served his law apprenticeship with Messrs. Adam, Thomson & Ross, Aberdeen, and qualified as a law agent in 1905. In the following year he became conveyancing clerk and chief assistant with Messrs. L. Mackinnon & Son, advocates, Aberdeen, and was admitted a partner of this firm in 1915 and a member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1921. He has made a special study of conveyancing and the history of Scots Law, and is the author of a number of text-books and articles dealing with these subjects. He is at present preparing a book with the title " Studies in Scottish Legal History."

SAVING PRICELESS FLORENTINE TREASURES.

Eric R. R. Linklater* (1913-16), M.A., Major, R.E., was on 3oth July last reported by the B.B.C. to be at a house near Florence where priceless art treasures were stored. On 14th August The Times special correspondent reported that the aspect of Florence was already beginning to change for the better, although the enemy was still at the gates. The fate of the art treasures of Florence was not then known, but some of the pictures from the Uffizi and the Pitti art galleries were stored in the cellars of these palaces. Many, including some of the choicest gems, were placed in the most haphazard manner in country villas round about the city. There they remained without any special guard or protection. By a fortunate chance, nearly all of them escaped without damage. No small part of the credit for their salvation was due to the librarian of the Uffizi collection, who, realising the desperate peril in which the pictures were placed, boldly walked out into the middle of the battle and established himself as unofficial curator, interceding first with the German troops and then with the British in order to secure them. Eventually, he ran into►

JOHN GRAN r, M.C. and Bar.

Major, The Gordon Highlaniers.

See

P. 44•

t-

. .

•

RAYMOND GRAHAM WILSON

Secretary, Malayan Centre, F.P. Club.

See p. 49.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

23

George Robb* (1892-97), now senior partner of Messrs. Edmonds and Ledingham, advocates, Aberdeen, was appointed last June to the Head Office Board at Aberdeen of the Northern Assurance Co., Ltd., to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his partner, JAMES H. EDWARD$ (1894-99). In November he was also appointed a Director of the North of Scotland Bank Ltd. George Alexander Robertson* (1922-34), Captain, R.A., attached Airborne Forces, 14th Army, S.E. Asia Command, has been mentioned in dispatches. He was on the Burma front from June 1942, and took part in one expedition with the late Major-General Wingate.

He was later a " long-range penetrator," and was slightly wounded in the left arm from Jap shrapnel. At the time, he happened to have his tin hat on, which saved his head: they usually wear a soft Australian hat. His brother, James Campbell Robertson (192434), joined up in 1939 and is now in an Independent Parachute Company. He was in Normandy on D Day, and five days later was brought back with minor injuries.

David Burgess Ross* (1928-36), Flying Officer, R.A.F., received from the King at an investiture at Buckingham Palace in November last the D.F.C. which he had won in March of the previous year for gallantry during a raid on Essen. Since then he has taken part in many attacks on Berlin and other targets in Germany. Recently he was rear-gunner in a Halifax bomber of the R.C. A.F. Lion Squadron.

Half an hour before they reached the target, the port inner engine ceased to function and the port outer engine lost some of its power.

This caused the aircraft to lose height, but the skipper kept going and the bomb load was successfully unloaded on the objective. On the return journey the bomber was attacked by a Messerschmitt 2 to, but a long burst from F/O Ross's guns caused it to disappear into the clouds.

David Main Ross* (1884-88 and 1893-?), joined the firm of Messrs. Ross & Iedingham, drapers, Aberdeen, under his father, about fifty years ago. The firm was founded in 5872 and has occupied the same premises, 23 Union Street, throughout its existence. It has now been acquired by a multiple firm of millinery specialists.

John Hugh Gunn Ross* (1924-31), M.A., B.D.(Aberd.), B.A. (Oxon.), recently described with affection the Church of Scotland Woman's Guild Mobile Canteen which he took through the Egyptian and Libyan campaigns of 5945-42, later through a winter in the desolate and trying wastes of Northern Persia, and latterly through Italy. " She must," he wrote, " have done well over 5o,ooo miles ; she is now running on her fifth engine, and I have been nursing her for two years, recently with more and more anxiety to keep her on the road, that she may carry on this work till the defeat of Germany."

John Chesser Salmond* (1889-96) has retired, after nearly 45 years' banking service. He first entered the Union Bank of Scotland, Aberdeen, and in 19oz transferred to the Capital and Counties Bank Limited (now Lloyds Bank Limited). For the last ten years

24

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

he was Manager of the Chelmsford and Witham branches. He is now resident in Cheltenham.

Harry Edward Ross Shand* (1925-34), who, as a and Lieutenant in the Gordon Highlanders, was wounded and left for dead at the time of Dunkirk, subsequently became a prisoner of war in Germany, and from his prison camp last summer passed the final examination for a chartered accountant. Before the war he was serving as an apprentice with Messrs. Bower & Smith, C.A., Aberdeen, and had passed the first stage of the final examination. After recovering from his severe wounds he continued his studies in the prison camp, and the papers for the second stage of the final examination were sent to him through the Red Cross.

Andrew James Shinnie* (1897-1903), M.D., M.O.H., Westminster City Council, London, had an interesting letter printed in The Times in August last about the existence and purpose of the provident dispensaries, of which there are some thirty in the Metropolitan area. Most of them were founded about the middle of last century, or earlier, and their purpose was the out-patient and domiciliary treatment of the provident poor who subscribed small weekly or other regular payments for medical attendance. Dr. Shinnie pointed out that the Goodenough Report emphasized the need for training in social medicine. The best means of gaining practical insight in this sphere was by visiting the homes of patients. In Scotland the medical schools had always realised the importance of home visiting of patients in undergraduate teaching, and had taken full advantage of the facilities which provident dispensaries offered. Thus the medical student was made familiar with the types of illness commonly found in the daily round of medical practice and saw the patient in his home surroundings.

Lancelot Mitchell Shutte* (1929-40), Lieutenant, Royal Marines, went to Normandy on D Day with L.C.V.(P.)—Landing Craft Vehicles (Personnel). He came back to this country at the end of September and trained in the West of Scotland for another job.

George Taylor Simpson* (1910-20), the F.P. Club Consul for Rajputana, has recently been promoted from the post of Chief Traffic Manager of the Jodhpur Railway, India, to that of Deputy General Manager. Last summer, while on a few days' leave in Simla, he went to the Scots Kirk one Sunday and found that the leading elder was William Robert Tennant* (1904-10), M.A., of the Indian Civil Service, " whose name as Dux of the School used to stand before me from the walls of the Hall as a shining example. He must be gifted with an astounding memory, as he was able to tell me all my three names and to give my approximate address in Aberdeen. As he was in the Classical Sixth when I was in Lower I, I think this is more than remarkable." In the previous summer Simpson shared part of his holiday with his cousin, Alexander Milne Wilson*, who is an architect in civil life, but is at present a subaltern in an Indian Bridge Company of Sappers in the S.E.A.C. theatre. " India," he writes, " is peaceful again for the moment, but my wife and I had a few excitements in the difficult days of 1942. We were twice bombed in

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

25

cinemas and once shot at by a gang of about 6o Huts on the Sind border, who had planned to derail and loot the train on which we were travelling. By the grace of God, summer time had come into force two days before this happened. The Hurs had not reckoned on this factor, and the train came along an hour earlier than they were expecting it. In consequence, the barrier which they were building to derail it had not attained the necessary dimensions to be effective, and the driver opened up his throttle and ran through it."

Arthur Skene* (1928-33), after serving his apprenticeship as an engineer with Messrs. John M. Henderson & Co., Ltd., Aberdeen, was for four years on the technical staff of the Director of Electrical Engineering, The Admiralty, and is now Admiralty representative at an agency factory in the Eastern Region of England.

Ronald Fraser Skene* (1918-26), M.A., joined the R.A.F. in December 1942 and is now a Pilot Officer in the Administrative and Special Duty Branch. He was previously joint stage manager and producer of the Garrison Theatre, Aberdeen.

Charles William Sleigh* (1874-79), C.B.E., M.A., LL.D., Strichen, Convener of the County of Aberdeen, was last September unanimously elected Chairman of the National Committee for the Training of Teachers in Scotland. Although he retired in 1942 from the C.onvenership of the Aberdeenshire Education Committee, after holding the post for 24 years, he continues to be Chairman of the Aberdeen Provincial Committee for the Training of Teachers, and of the Education Committee of the Association of County Councils.

He is one of the original members of the National Committee for the Training of Teachers, elected in 19zo. Dr. Sleigh began his public life at the beginning of the century, and Who's Who records that he is a member of 8o committees and sub-committees.

John Manson Sleigh* (1914-16), B.Sc.(Eng.), M.Inst.C.E.— second son of C. W. SLEIGH* (1874-79)-a senior executive engineer in the Public Works Department of Nigeria, has recently been appointed Director of a new Government Department in Gambia called the Department of Public Utilities, including the Public Works Department. He served his apprenticeship as an engineer with Messrs. Vickers & Co., Ltd., Barrow, and graduated in engineering at Glasgow University.

Alexander Johnston Slessor* (I918-3o), M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S., Major, R.A.M.C., wrote in October that he had been for a year in India, after being for six months in South Africa. In both countries his job has been peripheral nerve surgery, which he finds intensely interesting, and as his Centre is (or was) the only one in India, he has had plenty of work to do. He had just returned from leave with Duncan Campbell Robb (1918-23), M.A., M.D., who is a medical specialist out there. They went to a place which is the starting-point for most of the Himalayan expeditions and is a glorious spot for leave.

Erik Malcolm Smith* (1925-38) is at present a Sub-Lieutenant (Special Branch), R.N.V.R., and has been serving off the French coast. He has recently become a Life Member of the F.P. Club.

a6

.•lberdeen Grammar School Alagazine

Robert Watson Smith* (1923-29) for more than a year has been " on loan " from the Aberdeen Corporation Electricity Department to the Air Ministry Directorate-General of Works, his duties being those of an R.A.F. station engineer in the North of Scotland.

Robert Arthur Spark (1926-35), who is a Lieutenant in the India Command, in a recent letter mentioned that he had had the pleasure of meeting a number of F.P.s in various places in India. " In Lahore," he writes, " I was approached by a face that seemed familiar, who said, ' You're Spark, aren't you?' I replied in the affirmative, and he said, ' I thought you were ; you were senior to me at the Grammar.' " The face turned out to be that of William John Sim* (1 9 33-37), now Captain attached to the R.I.A.S.C., and then going back to the Burma front, after a spot of leave. Spark's next coincidence was to meet someone on arrival at his unit by the light of a Petromax lamp. " Asked if I had a brother at Aberdeen, I said, ' No, it must have been myself.' The questioner was George Wilson Boyd* (1924-32), and we had another long and excellent chat about old School friends." Later on they both met Maxwell Innes Groundwater (1929-31), who came and went rather rapidly. Some time before meeting these two, Spark met Alistair Nicol Smith (1919-29), who is a Captain in a Gunner Regiment and was in Poona for a few days. Another F.P. that was seen was Douglas Y. Lobban* (192234), who had left his tea estate and become an officer in a Baluchi Regiment. Then " I had a very excellent night in their mess with Geoffrey Rowton* (1920-31), John R. Laurence (1918-31), and Alistair M. Milne* (1924-32). They were all fit and well and have, I am sure, given the Jap something to think about since I saw them."

Also in Poona he met Alexander J. Slessor* (1918-30), Major, R.A.M.C., and Alastair Forrest (1927-40). Spark concludes : " in closing, George Boyd and I, and I am sure the others also, wish all success to the Grammar XV this season."

Thomas McConochie Train* (x931-43) joined the New Zealand Shipping Co., Ltd., as a Cadet in June 1943, and since May 1944 has been sailing as uncertificated 4th Officer. He has made trips to Australia and New Zealand, Canada, and U.S.A. To serve in the Merchant Navy was always his ambition.

Charles A. P. Walker* (1894-1902), who entered the service of the Hudson's Bay Co. in 1903, continues to be an R.Q.M.S., and last summer was stationed at Calgary, Alberta, and later at Suffield, Alberta.

Of the latter he wrote : " The only trouble about this camp is the situation, down in the southern part of the Province. The Government have 4o square miles on the prairie—not a tree in sight for miles and miles, but ideal for training. Nothing grows on this land, and the only things around are gophers, rattlesnakes and antelope, and these are being driven out on account of gas, bombing, etc. We get men from all Services here—Army, Navy, and Air Force; also from the U.S.A. It is actually a proving ground for various experiments."

•

JAMES GRAHAM IRVINE

THOROLD ANDERTON I lit 111

Lieutenant (A). R.N.V.R.

Sergeant, R.A.F. See p. 46.

See P. 43.

r ) 4•40 oh•

"fry%

•

WILLIAM JOHN SIVEWRIGHT INGRAM, M.C.

ROBERT REID MAITLAND

M.B,, Ch.B. ; Colonel, I.M.S.

M.B., Ch.B. , Major, R.A.M.C. See p. 15.

See p. 46.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magepzine

31

Cameron (1 92 3-34).—At Fcrryhill South Church, Aberdeen, on 24th July, 1944, Sgt.-Pilot ALFRED GORDON CAMERON,* son of the late Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Cameron, of Aberdeen, to Sgt. Gladys Cooper, A.T.S., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Cooper, 65 Albury Place, Aberdeen.

Cartwright (1915-24).-At St. Ninian's Episcopal Church, Aberdeen, on 17th October, 1944, FREDERICK BENJAMIN CARTWRIGHT,* only son of the late Frank H. Cartwright and Mrs. Cartwright, 46o Great Western Road, Aberdeen, to Mary Anne Vera, elder daughter of the late David Anderson, Morven, Bieldside, and Mrs. Anderson, 33 Richmondhill Road, Aberdeen.

Cheves (1927-29).—At Rosebank Union Church, Johannesburg, on 14th October, 1944, Lieut. JAMES BARNETT CHEVES, S.A.A.F., second son of the late William M. Cheves and of Mrs. Cheves, 103 Gaim Terrace, Aberdeen, to Frances Dorothy, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Niesewand, at Saxon Street, Sydenham, Johannesburg, S.A. Conn (I927-37).—At St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Aberdeen, on 14th December, 1944, Pilot Officer LESLIE JAMES CONN,* R.A.F.V.R., only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Conn, 3o Wallfield Place, Aberdeen, to Freda, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Martin, 40 Belvedere Street, Aberdeen.

Cruickshank (19t5-x9).--At St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, London, on 23rd December, 1944, ALEXANDER CRUICKSHANK, F.R.C.S., Harley Street, London, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Cruickshank, tog Desswood Place, Aberdeen, to Eileen Bertha, daughter of Major and Mrs. J. Douglas Coleman, Winchester Street, London, S.W.I. Cruickshank (I934-41).—At St. Patrick's Church, Huddersfield, on 4th November, 1944, ANDREW WHYTL CRUICKSHANK,* Sergt. A.G., younger son of Mrs. J. Cruickshank, 7 Cairnfield Place, Aberdeen, and of the late John Cruickshank, Berrybrae Farm, Lomnay, to Rosemarie, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Young, 33 Spring Street, Huddersfield.

Cruickshank (1925-39).—At Ruthrieston West Church, Aberdeen, on 12th June, 1944, CIIARLF.S ROBERTSON CRUICKSHANK* (F.1O. R.A.F.), son of the late Mr. C. Cruickshank and of Mrs. Cruickshank, 116 Desswood Place, Aberdeen, to Vera Margaret (Bunty), younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Rogers, 65 Gray Street, Aberdeen.

Duncan (1928-33).—At Christ Church, Warwick, Bermuda, on 28th October, 1944, Flt.-Lt. DOUGLAS STANLEY DUNCAN,* R.A.F.V.R., younger son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Duncan, 16 Calsayseat Road, Aberdeen, to Martha Elizabeth, daughter of Mrs. Allan Percival Thompson, Ravello Gardens, Bermuda.

Dude (1919-2.1).—At Westminster Cathedral, London, on 19th June, 1944, FREDERIC LEWIS DURIF, B.Sc. (Eng.), son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Durk, 7o Cairncry Road, Aberdeen, to Eileen, younger daughter of Mr. J. F. H. Stallrnan, F.R.C.S., and Mrs. Stallman, Gloucester.

Esslemont (1913-24).—At Beechgrovc Church, Aberdeen, on 25th October, 1944, JAMES BRYCE ESSLEMONT,* 69 Forest Road, Aberdeen, youngest son of the late James Esslemont (I875-8o), and of Mrs. Esslemont, 134 Hamilton Place, to Anna Drummond, only daughter of Mr. John F. Hall and the late Mrs. 73 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

Ewan (1921-27).—At All Saints' Church, Rome, on ist September, 1 944, WILLIAM JOHN STRACHAN EWAN, M.B., M.R.C.P. (Land.), Capt., R.A.M.C., son of the late Dr. and Mrs. W. J. S. Ewan, London, to Joan Mary, eldest daughter of the Rev. Frank Thatcher, Dean of Georgetown, British Guiana, and Mrs. Thatcher.

Forster (1921-25).--At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 24th January, 1945, FRANK NORTHMAN FORSTER,* M.B., Ch.B., Lieut., R.A.M.C., younger son of the Rev. Chas. E. and Mrs. Forster, 3 Fcrryhill Place, Aberdeen, to Dorothy Mary, S.R.N., youngest daughter of the ate Mr. John Shepherd and of Mrs. Shepherd, 35 Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

Fraser (1925-29).--At Sr. George's, Hanover Square, London, W.I, on 25th July, 1944, Major RICHARD MICH kEL FRASER, R.A., younger son of Dr. and Mrs. Tom Fraser, of 16 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth Chloe Drummond, elder daughter of Brigadier C. A. F. Drummond, of Guards Well, Ascot.

32

Aberdeen Grammar School Ali-TIT/ft

Garden (193o-58).—At Holy Trinity Church, Broughton, on 27th June, 1944, Sub-Lieut. LEWIS GARDEN,* R.N.V.R., I15 Hilton Street, Aberdeen, to Joan Philippa de Bretton Tower, W.R.N.S., Dormy House, Bournemouth.

Graham (1911-18).—At Aberdeen, on 26th December, 5944, F./O. CHARLES GORDON GRAHAM,* Potterton House, Aberdeenshire, to Mary T. Lumsden, 178 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen.

Gray (1917-29).—At St. George's West Church, Edinburgh, on 14th September, 1944, JOHN HECTOR GRAY,* M.A., LL.B., C.A., younger son of the late John P. S. Gray and Mrs. Gray, S4 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, to Sheena Croall, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Croall, Maxwell Place, Kelso.

Grieve (19;5-37).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 9th November, 1944, GEORGE ACKENZIE DENNY GRIEVE,* only son of the Rev. and MrsIWKenzie Grieve, 7o Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, to Kathleen Zia, only daughter of the late Dr. J. M. Johnston and Mrs. Johnston, Greenfield, Blairgowrie.

Haine (1929-41).—At Christ Church, Crewe, on 17th July, 1944, COLIN WILLIAM HAimr,* Flt. Sgt., R.A.F., elder surviving son of Claude F. Hainc, 56o King Street, Aberdeen, and of the late Mrs. Haine, to Margaret Ethel, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Dalgleish, I t Hungerford Avenue, Crewe.

Hendry (1928-39).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 16th August, 1944, GORDON FREDERICK HENDRY,* M.A. (R.A.F.), younger son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hendry, 15 Richmondhill Place, Aberdeen, to Elsie Helen (W.R.N.S.), cider daughter of Chief Constable and Mrs. M'Connach, 167 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Hervey (1913-19).---At Banchory Devenick Church, Kincardineshire, on 19th September, 1944, ROBERT STF.WART BARCLAY HERVEY, son of the late Mr. James Hervey and Mrs. Hervey, Monteviot, 4o Springfield Road, Aberdeen, to Julia, elder daughter of Mr. Robert Begg and the late Mrs. Begg, Eden Cottage, Countesswells Road, Aberdeen.

Howitt (x926-36).—At St. Matbew's Church, Edinburgh, on 15th June, 1944, W. Officer Jorix BLAIN HowrrT,* R.A.F., to Margaret Johnston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Johnston, 139 Holbum Street, Aberdeen.

Innes (1929-56).----At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 9th September, 1944, Flight Lieutenant FRANK LUMSDEN FARQUHARSON INNES,* second son of the late Robert A. Innes, Wrangham, Culsalmond, and Mrs. Innes, Kininvie, Countesswells Road, Aberdeen, to Grace, younger daughter of Mr. Alex. Dow, 5 Fonthill Terrace, Aberdeen, and of the late Mrs. Dow. Kilgour (I9II-I2).—At the Church of the Sacred Heart, Grampian Road, Aberdeen, on ioth November, 1944, ORMONDE J. LOWELL KILGOUR,* N.D.A., N.D.D., " Craigard," Cults, elder son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Kilgour, 72 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, and Banff, to Christine, eldest daughter of the late Henry and Mrs. A. Home, " The Grotto," Abbotswell Road, Aberdeen.

Littlejohn (192o-22 and 1927-29).—At St. Mary's Chapel, Aberdeen, on 15th June, 1944, ROBERT HAROLD LITTLE5omm, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Littlejohn, 57 Argyll Place, Aberdeen, to Doreen Cheyne, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Barclay, S9 Union Grove, Aberdeen.

M'Gowan (1926-37).—At Christ Church, Southgate, London, on 22nd August, 1944, WILLIAM BARBER M4GOWAN,* only son of Dr. and Mrs. J. P. M'Gowan, x6 Ruthriehill Road, Stoneywood, to Irene Lilian (Anne), only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Bcadell, 89 Ulleswater Road, Southgate, London.

Mackinnon (I921-34).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 17th August, 1944, DOUGLAS NELSON MACKINNON,* M.A., M.B. Ch.B., Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, to Beryl Audrey Beresford, daughter of the laic Lt. John G. Ironside, late of the Gordon Highlanders and Gold Coast Regiment, and of Mrs. A. S. Esson, Wimbledon, London.

Maclennan (1923-29).— In London, on 29th November, 1944, Major JOHN DUNCAN MACLENNAN,* R.A.M.C., son of Col. Farquhar Maclennan* (1888-9o), D.S.O., Milltimbcr, Aberdeen, to Beryce Winifred Mellis, younger daughter of Lt.-Cul. and Mrs. Mellis, 33 Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

Aberdeen Grammar School Mapqine

33

Main (t931-35).—At Woodside South Church, Aberdeen, on and September, 1944, GEORGE MAIN, only son of Mr. and Mrs. George Main, 67 Angusfield Avenue, Aberdeen, to Freda Margaret, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Taylor, 3 Froghall Terrace, Aberdeen.

Milne (,9z9-33).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 24th June, 1944, ALEXANDER MILNE,* M.A., LL.B., only son of the late Mr. Alexander Milne, and Mrs. M. Milne, Woodbine, Stonehaven, to Ruth Mary Helen, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Malpass, 20 Craigton Terrace, Peterculter.

Milne (1924-35).— At All Saints' Church, Shillong, Assam, on 4th July, 1944, Major FRANCIS JAMES MILNE,* R.A.V.C., S.E.A.C., only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Milne, 3x2 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, to Gladys Margaret, Q.A.I.M.N.S./R., S.E.A.C., eldest daughter of the late Mr. J. Garnett and of Mrs. Garnett, Hellifield, Yorkshire.

Moir (1929-33).—At Bari, Italy, on 22nd August, 1944, Capt. JAMES ALEXANDER MILNE Mont,* R.A., of 537 Holbum Street, Aberdeen, to N./S. Doris Gertrude, only daughter of Rev. Arthur and Mrs. Bischlager, Vancouver Island, B.C. Mursell (t92x-22).—At Lylesland Church, Paisley, on toth June, 1944, DONALD Mursell, FRASER MORSELL,* son of Rev. Dr. Walter A. Mursell and the late Mrs. and the Lochs, Laxay, II Maclver, Alexander of daughter youngest Iona, to late Mrs. Maclver, Stornoway. • Mutch (1923-35).—At the Parish Church, Warrington, on 5th June, 1944, J. G. Mutch, 23 Sub-Lieutenant (A.) ERIC GALL MtrrcH,* son of Mr. and Mrs. the Hammersmith Road, Aberdeen, to Peggie, only daughter of Mrs. Ward and late Mr. K. Ward, 149 Oxford Lane, Warrington.

December, Raffan (1919-31).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 16th Mrs. G. W. 1944, Major ALFRED WILLIAM RAFFAN,* R.A.M.C., son of Mr. and daughter of Dr. Raffan, Achath, Royfold Crescent, Aberdeen, to Jean Crampton, and Mrs. R. F. Twort, 24 Albyn Place, Aberdeen.

Church of Scotland, Roberts (1926-37).--At the Keith Falconer Memorial ROBERTS,* R.A., third Aden, on 16th September, 1944, Lieut. VICTOR FREDERICK Road, Aberdeen, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Roberts, Rotunda Lodge, Polmuir and of Mrs. to Sister Joan Henrietta, Aden, daughter of the late Mr. K. Luscombe Luscombe, Claygate, Surrey.

5th November, Robertson (1921-34).—At St. Edmund's, Beckenham, on Mrs. Robertson, and Mr. of son R.A.S.C., ROBERTSON,* GROOM GEORGE 1944, of the late daughter W.R.N.S., Gillespie, Joan to Beckenham, of 32 Braeside, of Mr. C. M. Mr. J. J. Gillespie and of Mrs. C. M. Warren, and step-daughter Sydenham.

Road, Park Lawrie Court, Fountain Warren, of 15 14th June, Roger (1920-z6).—At Mannofield Church Manse, Aberdeen, on Roger and Mrs. Roger, 1944, JOHN GRANT ROGER, son of the late Capt. GeorgeLt.-Col. Arthur Dymock Aberdeen, to Margaret Jean, eldest daughter of the late Bournemouth, W. (1887-95), O.B.E., and of Mrs. Dymock, 15 Tower Road, June, 1944, Sarg.-Lieut.

Ross (1923-27).—At Christ Church, Colombo, on zzndMr. and Mrs. Ross, It; of son younger R.N.V.R., Ross,* ALEXANDER FRASER second Q.A.R.N.N.S., Swinbume, Elizabeth to Aberdeen, Broomhill Road, WarwickGreen, Wylde Rookwood, Swinbume, R. F. Mrs. daughter of Mr. and shire.

1944, SubRust (1919-32).—At Trinity Church, Rothesay, on 1st September, John Rust late the of son younger Lieut. (E.) ROBERT RANNIE RusT, R.N.V.R., Kincardineshire, to Marie (1885-90), and Mrs. Rust, Benhohn Castle, Johnshaven, Craigielea, Ardbeg, M`Nair, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Lawson, Rothesay. of St. Nicholas, AberScorgie (1920-32).—At St. Mary's Chapel, East Church son of the late James T. deen, on 26th August, 1944, WILLIAM SCORGIE,* elder Aberdeen, to Norma Forrest, Scorgie and of Mrs. Scorgie, 20 Duthie Terrace, Drive South, Aberdeen. elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Forrest, 2 Anderson on 9th December, Church, Parish Bay Margaret's St. Shutte (1929-40).—At and Mrs. L. A. Mr. of son only R.M., SnuTrr,* MITCHELL LANCELOT 1944, Lieut.

Dr. and Mrs. of daughter youngest Frances, Joan to Spain, Shutte, of Huelva, Kent.

Bay, Margaret's T. H. Molesworth, St.

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Sinclair (1912-20.—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 12th July, 1944, DAVID Strictiaa,* son of the late Dr. William Sinclair (1872-77), and Mrs. Sinclair, Loirston, Nigg, Aberdeen, to IIelen, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Alec Steel, of Southend-on-Sea. Smith (1922-33).—At St. Augustine's Church, Hammersmith, on 9th November, 1944, nt. Lt. FERGUSON GEORGE DONALDSON SMITH,* D.F.C., only son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith, of 284 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, to Mary Margaret Murphy, daughter of the late Mr. Murphy, and of Mrs. Murphy, of Enniscorthy, Ireland.

Soutter (1 933-35).— At St. Paul's Church, Aberdeen, on 23rd January, 1943, JOHN HARLI Y SHIRRES St:turn-a, Chief Petty Of£rcer, R.N., eldest son of Commander William Soutter, R.D., R.N.R. (rtd.), and Mrs. Soutter, Park House, 34 Gilcomston Park, Aberdeen, to Nurse Sally D. Lees, Croydon General Hospital, Surrey, elder daughter of Mrs. Harkness and the late Mr. G. Harkness, Newcastle.

Stephen (1914-18).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on loth August, 1944, Rev. ADRIAN HAY STEPHEN, son of the late Mr. Robert Stephen and Mrs. Stephen, formerly of Peterhead, to Margaret Mary Smith, daughter of Mr. Charles Smith and of the late Mrs. Smith, Dec Street, Ballatcr.

Troup (1927-38).—At Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen, on zoth January, 1945, KENNLTH DOUGLAS TROUP,* only son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Troup, 8 Beechgrove Avenue, Aberdeen, to Helen Wyness, W.R.N.S., second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Thomson, 19o King Street, Aberdeen.

Watt (1918-31).—At the Cathedral, Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 17th June, 1944, EDWARD WILLIAM MURRAY WATT,* M.A., Colonial Administrative Service, only son of Lt.-Col. Edward W. Watt (1883-94) and Mrs. Watt, Glenbumie Park, Aberdeen, to Cynthia Myrtle Potter, Q.A.I.M.N.S.(R.), eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Potter, Wokingham, Berkshire.

Whitehead (1911-18).—At Edinburgh, on 31st October, 1944, NORMAN STANLEY WHITFHEAD,* younger son of the late Frank J. Whitehead, and Mrs. Whitehead, 29 King's Gate, Aberdeen, to Claude Marie Louise, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Ross, 94 Avenue Aubert, Vincennes (Seine), France.

Whyte (1923-27).--At the Methodist Church, Lecderville, Perth, Australia, on 23rd September, 1944, L.A.C. JOHN GEORGE ANDERSON WHYTE, R.A.A.F., formerly of Perak, Malaya, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Crawford Whyte, 87 Cairnfield Place, Aberdeen, to Elaine Nellie, W.A.A.F., youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hoskins, 127 Flinder Street, Mount Hawthorn, Perth, Australia.

Williamson (1915-I9).—At St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen, on z7th January, 1943, NORMAN STUART WILLIAMSON,* Assam, India, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. I). J. Williamson, Kingswells, Aberdeenshire, to Kathleen Kinnaird, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George M`Kee, The Royal Hotel, Elgin, Morayshire.

Yule (1914-19 and 1923-24).---At Salisbury, Rhodesia, JOHN MORGAN YULE,* eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Yule, 9 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, to Johanna (Joey) de Jongh, sister of Mrs. A. M. du Precz, Salisbury, Rhodesia.

Former Master of the School.

Mr. JOHN YOUNG, who was a member of the School staff in the early 'eighties of last century, died in Cape Town in June 1944, in his 84th year. He went there as an assistant in the Normal College, and later was appointed Principal of the Boys' High School in East London. He joined the Inspectorate in 1893 and retired on reaching the age limit in 1923. In the issue of the Magazine of October 5912 he appears in a photograph of a class of the Middle School in 1 881-8z, and he also appears in a photograph of the staff of the School in 1883, reproduced in the Magazine of March 1934.

A

•

DAVID MA'rHIESON BELL

ALEXANDER GEORGE DAWSON

Warrant Officer, R.A.F.

M.A.; Squadron Leader, R.A.F. See p. 4r.

Su p 41.

ROBERT NORMAN DRENNAN

LAWRENCE GRAHAM MURRAY HALL

Sub-Lieutenant (A), R.N.V.R.

Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R. p. 42.

Su P. IS•

/

ino *1 r

4;* JAMES GORDON SHEPHERD

GEORGE CRAIG

Lieutenant, R.N.R.

Skipper, R.N.R. See p. 41.

Su P. 47.

ANC,t -

JAMES FRANCIS FORBES

\\ ILLIAM GRANT

B.$c.(Agr.); Captain, R.A.

C.A. ; Warrant Officer, R.A.F. Sec P. 43.

'564 P. 44.

. iberelren Grammar School Magazine I

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35

Obituary.

James Forbes Beattie (1886-88), son of the late Mr. Peter Beattie, Dunnydeir, Insch, died at Solsgirth, Manitoba, Canada, on 17th December 1943, aged 74 years. He entered the service of the Mercantile Bank of India, China and London in 1891, and remained with it till 1905, after which he went to Manitoba, where he engaged in farming until his death. His brother is CHARLES WILLIAM BEArrIE* (1888-89), who for nearly zo years was a tea planter in Ceylon and is now resident at Emerald Bank, Insch.

Gavin Saxby Smith Bisset (1880-86), second son of the late Mr. James Bisset, who used to live at 7 Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen, died in Guernsey, Channel Islands, on 14th January 1944, aged 74 years.

I le was trained as an architect in the office of the late Mr. A. Marshall Mackenzie, Aberdeen, and practised his profession for a time in London and Richmond. Thereafter he was in commercial business in London.

William Sinclair Smith Bisset (1882-87), youngest son of the late Mr. James Bisset and brother of GAVIN S. S. BISSET, died at Watford, on 16th November 1944, aged 69 years. Ile had a varied career, for after an office training in Aberdeen and Manchester, he entered an insurance office in Melbourne ; next he was a sheep and cattle farmer in Australia and New Zealand, later engaging in commercial business in New Zealand ; and then he was for a considerable period in the service of the Madras and South Mahratta Railway at Madras.

Thomas Cruickshank Bruce* (I889-9z), son of the late Rev. WILLIAM R. BRUCE (1849-53), M.A., D.D., New Machar, Aberdeenshire, died at Johannesburg, Transvaal, on 26th May 1944, aged 69 years. After graduating M.A. at Aberdeen University in 1896 and being trained at the School of Mines, Camborne, he engaged in mining in South Africa, serving during the Boer War in the Imperial Light Infantry and the Scottish Horse. From 1908 to 1928 he was mine manager of various gold mines belonging to the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Co., Ltd., including the largest one in the world. Thereafter he managed a small gold mine of his own, but retired from the Rand in 1932 to his farm in Sunday River Valley, Cape Colony, which he had acquired a number of years before.

John Middleton Clyne (1902-09) died suddenly at Zomba, Nyasaland, on 24th June 1944, aged 53 years. He was the youngest son of the late Mr. William Clyne, who used to live at 84 King Street, and afterwards at 18 Albert Terrace, Aberdeen, and served his apprenticeship as a marine engineer in the Strath Engineering Works, Aberdeen. In the last war he was a znd Lieutenant in the 17th Battalion, London Regiment (T.F.), and was awarded the Military Cross on the King's Birthday, 1916. When the war was over he went out to Nyasaland, and continued there until his death. He married in December 19zo at Port Herald, Nyasaland, Miss Elsie Spark Middleton, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Middleton, 97 Leslie Terrace, Aberdeen.

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James Alexander Davidson* (1893-19oz), M.D., Ch.B., of " Culblean," Montpelier Avenue, Ealing, London, W.5, elder son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Davidson, " Birchwood," Cults, died on 17th October 1944, aged 61 years. He graduated M.B., Ch.B., at Aberdeen in 5907 and M.D. in 1909, and was for many years in medical practice at Ealing. In the last war he acted for some time as Medical Officer in the Auxiliary Hospital at Belgrade, under Admiral Trowbridge, and in October 1917 the King of Serbia conferred on him the Order of St. Sava (4th Class). In November 1915 he was commissioned in the R.A.M.C., and served in hospitals in Malta, Cairo, and Rouen, being demobilized in December 1918 with the rank of Captain. He married in London in March 191o Miss Doris Collie, daughter of JAMES YOUNGER COLLIE ( I 869-75), advocate in Aberdeen.

John Low Dickie (1881), M.B., C.M., who was the youngest son of the late Professor GEORGE DICKIE (18 z t-z6), M.A., M.D., F.R.S., died in Aberdeen on 4th November 1944, aged 76 years. After graduating in medicine at Aberdeen University in 1895, he was appointed a medical officer of the Assam-Bengal Railway, India.

Later he was in practice at Kintore, Stonehaven, and Ruislip, Middlesex. In the last war he became a Major in the R.A.M.C., and for ten years from November 1915 was Medical Superintendent of the Star and Garter Home at Richmond, Surrey, for totally disabled soldiers and sailors. He was an authority on angling, and wrote much about the sport, one of his books being " Forty Years of Salmon and Trout Fishing." In 1938 there was published another book of his, " Comedy and Drama of a Doctor's Life." A lengthy notice of this entertaining volume appeared in the Magazine in March 1939.

John Wight Duff* (1877-81), M.A.(Aberd.) 1886, M.A.(Oxon.)

1895, D.Litt.(Durham and Oxon.), LL.D.(Aberd.), F.B.A., Professor of Classics at Armstrong College (University of Durham), Newcastle-on-Tyne from 1898 to 1933, and then Emeritus-Professor, died at Newcastle on 8th December 1944, aged 78 years. He left the School as Latin Dux and Gold Medallist in 188z, and graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University in 1886, with First Class Honours in Classics, being awarded at the same time the Simpson Greek Prize.

Proceeding as a scholar to Pembroke College, Oxford, he graduated B.A. in 189o with a First Class in Litt. Hum., and was appointed Assistant Professor of Greek in Aberdeen University in 1891. Two years later he became Professor of Classics and English Literature in Durham College of Science, afterwards Armstrong College, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and from 1898 until his retirement in 1933 was Professor of Classics and Ancient History. For several periods he was Vice-Principal, and Acting Principal in 1918-19. Undoubtedly one of the most distinguished Classical scholars that the School has produced, he was an outstanding writer on Classical subjects, his best-known work probably being " A Literary History of Rome (from Origins to Close of Golden Age)," first published in 1909 and still going strong. He was a regular contributor to The Classical Review and The Journal of Roman Studies, and wrote a chapter with full.

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37 bibliography in the eighth volume of " The Cambridge Ancient History." He was one of the editors preparing "The Oxford Classical Dictionary," which is to be published when the war is over.

James Skene Duthie (1887-89), M.A., English and Latin Master in Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen, from 1901 until his retiral in 1932, died in Aberdeen on 13th January 1945, aged 73 years. On retiring he went to live at Banchorv, where he founded the firm of Messrs. J. S. Duthie & Sons, sawmillers, Invereannie.

Thomas T. Gair (1886-87), son of the late Mr. John Gait, Shurrerv, Shebster, Thurso, died in Aberdeen on 14th October 1944, aged 74 years. Ile was Customs and Excise Officer at Carron-onSpey, Morayshire, for 24 years, before retiring to Aberdeen thirteen years ago.

Alexander May Gold* (1906-12), A.M.Inst.C.E., son of the late Mr. Alexander Gold, 83 Braemar Place, Aberdeen, died of pneumonia in Jamaica in May 1944. He served his apprenticeship as a civil engineer in the Harbour Engineer's Office, Aberdeen, and in 191z entered the service of the Public Works Department, Jamaica, as a district engineer. In the last war he served mainly in the Royal Engineers, but for a short time was in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, being wounded at Gaza, Palestine, in April 1917. Thereafter he was on the Director of Works Staff of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, and was demobilized in August 1919.

Stephen Henderson (1869-74), M.A., A.M.Inst.C.E., a son of the late Sir William IIenderson, Lord Provost of Aberdeen, died last year in Sydney, New South Wales, aged 85 years. He graduated in Arts at Aberdeen University in 1878, with First Class Honours in Mathematics, and was awarded the Boxill Prize. He was admitted to associate membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers in January 1885, and went to New South Wales, where he engaged in civil engineering.

Robert Meldrum Johnstone* (1886-89 and 1891-94)—the third of eleven sons of the late Mr. Charles Johnstone, wholesale merchant, Aberdeen, who attended the School—died at Cults, Aberdeenshire, The greater part of his on zoth September 1944, aged 67 years. working life was spent as a civil engineer on the Colonial Government Railway, Sierra Leone. To the Magazine of March 1925 he contributed " Memories of Sierra Leone," an article in which he recorded numerous amusing experiences he had had there, from the time of his arrival in 1906 until he was invalided out of the West African Civil Service some seventeen or eighteen years later. He married in Aberdeen, on 8th June 1916, Miss Flora Victoria Gordon, youngest daughter of the late Mr. William Gordon of Kaimhill.

Sir James Taylor Lawrence (1898-1901), M.A., B.A., 1.C.S. (retired), Chief Justice, Colony of Aden, died at Aberdeen on 1st August 1944, aged 56 years. A son of the late Rev. WILLIAM GORDON LAWRENCE (1870-71), he was born at Edzell, Angus, and graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University, with First Class Honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, in 1908, being awarded the

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Aberdeen Grammar Selma Magazine

Simpson, Greig, and Lyon Prizes, the Dr. David Rennet Gold Medal, and a Fullerton Scholarship, and in 1909 the Ferguson Scholarship in Mathematics. He went on to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was placed in Class I in both parts of the Mathematical Tripos.

In 1911 he passed into the Indian Civil Service, and being posted to the Bombay Presidency, had much experience both in secretariat and judicial work. In 1927 he was appointed Judicial Assistant to the Resident at Aden, which was then under the administration of the Government of India. On retirement from the I.C.S. in 1931 he occupied his time for five years as Assistant in Mathematics in the University of Aberdeen, and then in 1937 his services were secured by the Colonial Office and he was appointed Chief Justice of Aden, a position that he continued to hold until his death. From 1942 he commanded the Aden Home Guard, and in the same year was created a Knight. He married, on 23rd June 1915, Miss Gladys Irene Parsons, daughter of Mr. J. P. Parsons of Upton Manor, Essex.

James Mackie (1877-82), son of the late Mr. James Mackie, Lewes, Fyvie, died at Ythanside, Fyvie, on 18th November 1944, aged 8o years. Until his retirement a few years ago he was managing director of Messrs. James Mackie & Co. Ltd., merchants, Fyvie.

He had a long association with the Volunteer and Territorial movements, retiring with the rank of Captain. For over 3o years he was an elder in Fyvie Parish Church.

Donald McMillan (1876-83), M.A., minister-emeritus of Prestonfield Church, Edinburgh, died on 31st July 1944, aged 77 years.

The eldest son of the late Mr. Duncan McMillan, architect in Aberdeen, he graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University in 1887, and five years later became minister of Careston, Forfarshire. From there he was called in 1904 to Prestonfield Parish Church, Edinburgh, where he ministered until his retirement in 1926. In Edinburgh he took an active interest in educational affairs as a member of the School Board and later of the Education Authority, of which for a time he was chairman. A man of literary ability, he contributed numerous articles to the daily and weekly press, magazines, and Church publications.

Joseph McKenzie McPherson (1888-91), M.A., B.D., D.D., minister-emeritus of Forglen Parish Church, died in Aberdeen on z6th June r 944, aged 68 years. A son of the late Mr. Neil McPherson, Aberdour, he graduated M.A. at Aberdeen in 1895, and B.D. with Honours in 1899. In the following year he was ordained minister of Birsay, Orkney, and in 1906 was translated to Newmill, Banffshire.

His succeeding charges were Rickarton, Stonehaven (1924), Dunnichen, Angus (1929), and Forglen (1931). He retired in 1939.

Keenly interested in the study of folk-lore, he made a valuable contribution to the literature of this subject by his book on " Primitive Beliefs of the North-East of Scotland." Another of his works deals with the Church's care for the poor in olden days. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from the University of Aberdeen in 1931, and in 1940 he was awarded a Civil List Pension of £1OO in recognition of his services to anthropology in Scotland.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

39 (1875-76), son of the late Mr. Richard Pithie, Richard Pithie* who lived at 93 Wales Street, Aberdeen, died on 1 ith March 1942, in his 8ist year. He served as an apprentice engineer with Mr. John M. Henderson, Aberdeen, and then engaged in marine engineering.

In 1895 he joined the Indo-China Steam Navigation Co. as Chief Engineer, and after acting on several occasions as Marine Superintendent, retired in 1921 to Polegate, Sussex, where he continued to live for over twenty years.

George Alexander Reid (1889-90), M.D., F.R.C.S.(Edin.), died at Bournemouth on ist December 1944, aged 71 years. Practically the whole of his professional life was spent in Bournemouth.

THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE F.P. CLUB.

Patrick Reid* (1861-65), commercial traveller, late of 6 Ashley Park North, Aberdeen, died at Morningfield Hospital, Aberdeen, on 13th November 1944, aged 94 years. He served for no less than 63 years as a traveller in the flour trade, setting out in 1866 as the representative of the Kessock Mills and being from 1897 with Messrs.

Robert Hutchison & Co., Ltd., Kirkcaldy. He retired in 1929.

Since the death of WILLIAM A. SMITH (1861-65) in November 1942 he has been the oldest member of the F.P. Club and probably the oldest living F.P. There can now be very few F.P.s surviving who, like him, attended the old Grammar School in Schoolhill and were present at the opening of the present building in October 1863.

Charles M. Rennie (1880-81) died at Kintore on 4th January 1945 in his 82nd year. Born at Wester Fintray, Kintore, he succeeded his father as tenant farmer there, and he retired about four years ago, after farming for close on 6o years.

George Rennie (1884-85), M.A., formerly head master of Skenc Square School, Aberdeen, died in Aberdeen on 5th November 1944, aged 72 years. He graduated M.A. at Aberdeen in 1901 and taught in Aberfeldy and Peterhead until he entered the service of the Aberdeen School Board, being first in Broomhill Public School and then in the Central Higher Grade School. In 1920 he became first assistant in King Street School, and seven years later was appointed head master of Skene Street School. In 1932 he was promoted to Skene Square School, and continued in charge of it until he reached the retiring age.

John Smith (1894-97), chemist and postmaster, Dyce, died there on and January 1945, aged 65 years. He served his apprenticeship as a chemist with Messrs. W. Paterson & Sons, Aberdeen, and after further experience in the city, started in business on his own account at Dyce, where he continued for ;6 years.

James Murray Tomory* (1883-85) died very suddenly in Glasgow on 23rd August 1944, aged 75 years. He was the son of the late Rev. Alexander Tomory, who was for many years head of the mission of the Free Church of Scotland at Constantinople. There he received his early education before coming to the Grammar School.

In 1886 he went to Glasgow, entering the service of Messrs. J. & A. Roxburgh, shiphrokers, and on the amalgamation of that firm with

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 40 Messrs. Colin Scott & Co., Ltd., in 1923, he became a director of Messrs. Roxburgh, Colin Scott & Co., Ltd. Ile retired six years ago, after an association with the firm extending over 5o years. He took a leading part in promoting the advancement of Sunday Schools, and was for a time director and chairman of the former Scottish National Sunday School Union. An office-bearer of Westbournc Church, Glasgow, he was greatly interested in Church work, and frequently attended the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

In his old School and its F.P. Club he also took the warmest interest, and was one of the original members of the Glasgow Centre, being its enthusiastic President in 1932-34.

Adam Walker (1868-69), son of the late Mr. William Walker, who was Goods Manager of the Great North of Scotland Railway, died at Banff, on 11th August 1944 at the age of 89. On leaving the School he entered the service of the G.N.S.R., and was at the head office, at Ellon, and at Macduff before becoming agent at Banff Harbour Station at the age of 25. After ten years he left the Railway and started a wholesale spirit business. Four years later he sold this and acquired the business of McConnochie 8c Ironside, wholesale iron merchants, Banff. He was a member of the Banff Town Council for zo years and Provost from 1917 to 1920.

Archibald Moir Macrae Williamson* (1906-16), M.A., LL.B., advocate, died in Edinburgh on zest November 1944, aged 45 years.

The second son of ROBERT MOIR WILLIAMSON * (1882-83), M.A., LL.D., advocate in Aberdeen, he left the School in the middle of the last war, and after serving as a cadet in the Edinburgh University O.T.C., received a commission in the Highland Light Infantry in September 1918. Having been demobilized in 1919, he entered Aberdeen University, where he graduated in Arts in 1920 and in Law in 1922. He served his law apprenticeship with Messrs. Lumsden and Davidson, advocates, Aberdeen, qualified as a law agent in Scotland in 192;, and was called to the Scottish Bar in 1924. During his twenty years' association with Parliament House he became one of the busiest and most popular of counsel. In an appreciation in The Scotsman a friend wrote : " By the death of Archie Williamson at the height of his powers the Scottish Bar has lost a counsel of the greatest promise who, had he lived, would assuredly have reached the Bench, and Parliament House has lost one of its best known and most beloved representatives. He built up a very large practice, being retained latterly in almost all the leading cases. His abilities were recognized by his appointment as counsel for the Department of Agriculture and as chairman of the recently constituted Rents Tribunal for Edinburgh. His bluff, forthright manner, his pawky Aberdeen humour, his complete forgetfulness of self, and his warmhearted friendship made him deservedly popular with all his legal brethren."

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Pro Patria Mortui. " 1 hare only done my duty as a man is bound to do."

-TFNNYSON, Ballad of "The Revenge".

Harry Bews Anderson (1921-27), M.A., Leading Naval Airman, died on active service with the Fleet Air Arm in the autumn of 1941, aged 25 years. The elder son of the late Dr. John Anderson, lecturer on bee-keeping at the North of Scotland College of Agriculture, and of Mrs. Anderson, 186 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen, he graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University in 1938, being one of the best known and most outstanding graduates of recent years. He was a member of the S.R.C., President of the " Debater," author of the theatre show " The Varsity Spirit," on " Gauche " Committee, prominent in the Dramatic Society: " in fact, so wholeheartedly did he take part in student affairs that it is impossible to give a just estimate of his versatility. His driving force and originality could not fail to make a deep impression on everyone who met him, and his pleasant manner and unfailing good humour made him a most popular student official."

Peter Coryndon Luxmoore-Ball (1924-29), Lieutenant, The Welsh Guards, younger son of the Rev. Cecil and Mrs. Luxmoore-Ball, St. Michael's Vicarage, Barnes, was killed in action in Normandy in August 1944, aged 28 years.

David Mathieson Bell (193o-35), Warrant Officer, R.A.F., elder son of the Rev. D. M. Bell, B.D., and Mrs. Bell, The Manse, Forfar, was killed in action in Italy in November 1944, aged at years. On leaving Forfar Academy in the spring of '941, he joined the R.A.F. and became an experienced fighter-pilot. After acting as an instructor in various parts of the country, he went to Italy during the summer of 1944 to join the Desert Air Force. Standing six feet four, strongly built, and of a frank and cheery disposition, he was a notable and popular figure. He was a musician of unusual ability and understanding, and while he did not confine himself to the piano, it was as a pianist that he was particularly distinguished. His great height and power made him a formidable rugby forward, and he was a fine tennis player. His younger brother, JOHN RAMSAY BELL (1930-35), is serving in the Royal Navy.

George Craig (1920-27), Skipper, R.N.R., of 7 Rosehill Crescent, Aberdeen, youngest son of the late Mr. Andrew Craig and of Mrs. Craig, 52 Murray Terrace, Aberdeen, was reported missing, presumed killed, on active service, on 29th July 1944, aged 33 years.

Having served his apprenticeship as an engineer with Messrs.

McKinnon & Co., Ltd., Aberdeen, he went to sea on a trawler immediately afterwards, and became Skipper of the trawler Star of the North. In 1940 he joined the R.N.R., and served for twelve months as second hand, and then as Skipper of H.M.S. Lord Wakefield, which sank off Normandy after being attacked by a dive bomber.

Alexander George Dawson (1921-26), M.A., Squadron Leader, R.A.F., was accidentally killed in June 1944, aged z8 years. A note

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 42 about him appeared in the last Magazine, and a photograph of him is reproduced in this issue.

Robert Norman Drennan* (1926-39), Temporary (Acting) Sub-Lieutenant (A), R.N.V.R., eldest son of the late Mr. Robert E. Drennan, veterinary surgeon, Aberdeen, and of the late Mrs. Drennan, was reported missing on 3rd April 1944 after the Fleet Air Arm attack on the German battleship Tirpitz, and was later presumed to have lost his life in the action, aged 23 years. He was navigator of a plane which failed to return from the attack. Before joining the Fleet Air Arm he was a civil engineering student at Aberdeen University.

Denys William England* (x927-35), B.Sc.(Eng.), Captain, Royal Engineers, elder son of Mr. C. L. England, who was formerly manager of Aberdeen Employment Exchange and now with his wife lives in Beckenham, Kent, was killed in action in Italy in August 1944, aged 26 years. Having graduated B.Sc. at Glaigow University in 1939, with First Class Honours in Civil Engineering, and having been awarded two prizes as the most distinguished graduate of 5939, he took a post as an engineer with the Admiralty. Early in 194o he joined the Royal Engineers and received a commission a year later.

Having undergone Commando training in an Engineer Unit (Demolitions), he went out with the North African Expeditionary Force and saw service in Tunisia, being attached to an American unit. Later he passed over to Italy and was in action round about Cassino. He was killed near to Pesaro on 21st August 1944. A former superior officer of his wrote : " Denys was one of my officers for almost two years, and during that time I learned to know him as one of the finest fellows I ever hope to meet. He set himself a very high standard in life and his great powers of leadership brought the best out of those with whom he was associated. His uprightness of character and outstanding ability were a source of strength to me, and to give Denys a job to do was to assure myself that it would be done perfectly."

John Martin Harry England (193o-35), as briefly reported in the last issue of the Magazine, was killed in action in Italy while serving as a Lance-Corporal in the Scots Guards, aged 19 years. He was the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. England, Beckenham. A troop leader, King's Scout, and piper in the Waterloo (Liverpool) Scottish Scouts, he was in a short leet of ten selected from the whole of the United Kingdom for consideration to be one of four King's Scouts to travel to Canada and the United States, but was not one of the four finally chosen. He served as a Scout Messenger (attached to the N.F.S.) through the Liverpool blitz, and it was largely for his work in that connection that he was considered for the Canadian venture. He went to Glasgow University in the autumn of 1942, and volunteered from there in the following year for the Scots Guards.

He was promoted Lance-Corporal and went out to Italy in February 5944. He was at the taking of Cassino, and a week or two later was killed at the taking of Monte Piccolo by the Brigade of Guards.

His Platoon Commander wrote : " He was one of my Section Commanders, and I could never have wanted a more helpful and gentle-

i

4

4 •

$

DENYS WILLIAM ENGLAND

JOI-V-: MARTIN HARRY ENGLAND

B.Sc.(Eng.); Captain, R.E.

Lancc-Corporal, Scots Guards.

!LARK),

HARRY BEWS:ANDERSON M.A. ; Leading Naval Airman, Fleet Air Arm. See Q. 41.

\\ ILLIAM GLF.NNIE

Lieutenant, The Gordon Highlanders.

See P. 44.

Aberdeen Grammar Schaal Magazine

49 as quickly returned to this country Northern Territory, and Australia's as possible. He was gazetted Captain in the R.A.M.C. in January 1940, and was sent to France, being evacuated with the B.E.F. in June of that year. Later he was posted to a hospital in India, and afterwards given command of a hospital in Iraq, but he relinquished this post and the rank of Major to join a battalion of the Gordon I lighlanders the day before El Alamein. I-ie went through the North African and Sicilian campaigns with the 51st Division, and landed with his battalion in France on D Day. There he was always on the spot and in the thick of things. He received an immediate award in the field of the Military Cross for " his magnificent example and devotion to duty on June 12-13." He was killed instantaneously shortly afterwards, when a mortar shell struck his dug-out, and he was buried in the front line south of Caen. A fellow officer wrote : "I can honestly say that his death was a staggering blow to the Battalion, not only from the medical point of view, but also because he knew all the Jocks and they knew him as a friend. He died in his sleep as a result of a direct hit from a shell. He was buried the next day, and although it was in the front line, a large number of officers and men attended his funeral, and the pipes played ' Lochaber No More ' for him. He was buried in a cornfield by himself, and his funny little Balmoral bonnet, about which we all used to laugh, was buried with him."

Alastair Drummond Thomson (1927-29), M.A., Lieutenant, Mahratta Light Infantry, was killed in action in August 1944, aged 21 years. He was the second son of the late Rev. J. K. and Mrs. Thomson (sometime of East and Belmont Church, Aberdeen) and a grandson of the Rev. Robert J. Drummond, D.D., Edinburgh.

I-le was in the Infant Department of the School for two years. After graduating M.A. at St. Andrews, he joined the Army and went out to India.

Raymond Graham Wilson* (1906-12 and 1915-17), A.M.I.C.E., son of the late Louis G. 0. Wilson (1872-75), died as a prisoner of war at Malai Camp, Malaya, on 28th April 1944, aged 43 years.

On leaving the School he served as an apprentice with Messrs. Walker and Duncan, C.E., Aberdeen, and after a time received an appointment with United Engineers Ltd., public works contractors, Singapore, and most of his professional life was served with that firm. Always a very keen member of the F.P. Club, like his father before him, he devoted spare moments to forming a register of F.P.s in Malaya, and soon had collected more than fifty names and addresses. This led to the holding of a re-union dinner of Malayan F.P.s at Kuala Lumpur in January 1938 and to the formation of a Malayan Centre of the F.P. Club. He succeeded the late JOHN No DAWSON as Club Consul at Singapore, and was very largely instrumental in promoting the movement for the presentation to the School of the Malayan Clock, which was placed over the main doorway of the Hall. Fortunately he was home in 1939 and had the satisfaction on St. Andrew's Day, 3oth November, of that year, of personally, on behalf of the donors, presenting the Clock to the School. He returned shortly afterwards to Singapore, where he had been for many years a member

5o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

of the Volunteer Force, but at the time of the fall of the Settlement he was attached to the Auxiliary Fire Service. He married at Singapore, in October 1928, Miss Anne Margaret, younger daughter of Mr. W. Lewis, South Africa, and of Mrs. Lewis, 2 Polmuir Road, Aberdeen.

She got away in time from Singapore to Perth, Australia, and is now resident in Aberdeen.

Charles Dunbar Yule (1936-39), Private, The Gordon Highlanders, younger son of the late Mr. James Yule and of Mrs. Yule, 374 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, was killed in action in Normandy in August 5944, aged zo years. On leaving the School he was employed by Messrs. Gordon Graham & Co., Ltd., Aberdeen. He joined the Army in 1942 and served in North Africa, Sicily, and France.

He married in July 1943 Miss Helen Glennie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hardie, 9o Hilton Road, Aberdeen.

The Toll of the War. To the provisional " Pro Patria " list printed in the last issue of the Magazine (pp. 146-547) should be added the name of Alexander Moir Walker (1913-18), Kenya Defence Force, who died at Nairobi on zoth October 5939. He is believed to be the first F.P. to have died on service in the present war.

Missing.

William Davidson* (1932-42), Flying Officer, R.A.F., was early in January reported missing as a result of air operations. He was Senior Prefect of the School in 1945-42, Captain of the 1st XV, and winner of the All-Round Trophy.

Alexander McPherson Geddes* (1926-39), Sergeant, R.A.F., was reported missing in April 1944. The aircraft he was in was engaged in minelaying and did not return.

Desmond T. Kavanagh (1924-29), Captain of airborne troops, was in October last posted as missing. " Paddy "—as he was always called—and his platoon were detailed to go over and see how much could be recovered of a supply drop which had fallen wide. He set out at the head of his platoon, but instead of going by the recognised route, he decided to take a short cut to save time. They fell into a German ambush, with machine-gun fire on both flanks. There was no cover on either side of the road, and no way out except back over a bridge. Paddy took a Bren gun and advanced down the road towards the enemy, firing at a house they were holding. He then took up a position with a few other men and engaged the machine-guns.

Meanwhile, the Sergeant, acting on his orders, withdrew the remainder of the platoon over the bridge, and reported back to headquarters. " Nothing further," wrote his Colonel, " has been seen or heard of Paddy or of the other men with him. Paddy was the finest officer that I have ever known, without exception." Before joining the Army, Captain Kavanagh was a Liverpool advertising specialist on the staff of L. T. Salts, Ltd., and was well known in the advertising business in London and the provincial cities.

0110,000

i Ii. (Al EVELYN LISTER

DOUGLAS WILSON MILNE

Major, The Wclsh Guards.

C.A. ; Captain, The Cameron Highlanders.

See

p. 46.

Sty fr. 47.

ROBERT ANDREW STEWART

SYDNEY ROBERTSON SMITH

Lieutenant, The Glider Pilot Regiment.

See p. 48.

Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F. See p. 48 •

...lberdern Grammar Seim& Magazine

s1

SCHOOL SECTION. School and Random Notes.

In Ecclesiastes, vii, 8, we read : " Better is the end of a thing than thc beginning thereof." With this we heartily agree concerning our war-time system of schooling.

As the end of the war draws near, we are glad that our School has been able to return to a system approaching very near to that which existed before the war, and we look forward to the School Societies, which have been necessarily curtailed by the war, increasing in size and playing the important part they should play in the life of a school. * * * The Prefects this year are R. L. Mackinnon (Senior Prefect), A. M. Davidson, P. K. Booker, I. M. Brooker, J. M. Bruce, J. A. G. Elmslie, A. A. Lawrence, A. D. Lyall, D. C. McNutt, A. W. A. Main, F. K. Sellar, I. Stuart, K. I. Sutherland and G. K. Townshend. We extend our congratulations and wish them all a successful year of office. *

*

*

At the end of last term we lost the services of Mr. Knox in the Classics Department, Mr. Aitken in the English Department, and Mr. George Stewart in the Science Department. Their places have been ably filled by Miss Morrison, Mrs. Ross, and Miss Mathieson. We wish these ladies all success during their stay with us.

* * Mr. Miller's position has been temporarily filled by Mr. Fraser. We arc deeply grieved at Mr. Miller's absence because of ill-health, and we would take this opportunity of expressing our hopes for his speedy recovery and return to School. * * * On the ill-fated day, after dispersal from Hall, the majority of the senior pupils sadly made their " weary way " to Miss Brown's office for the last pay-out of firewatching money. No more will they have this sure means of eking out meagre weekly allowances of pocket money. No longer is our School the scene of nightlong battles fought over the table-tennis table. The resident mice and other creatures who haunt our School by night can now roam in peace without fear of being struck by inkwells and sundry other missiles. Indeed we senior pupils have spent many happy hours fire-watching, and a new and most welcome friendship has sprung up between Masters and boys. * * * are proving popular with pupils Orchestra Scottish The monthly visits of thc of the Middle and Upper Schools. Once more we must thank Mr. Falconer for arranging the School parties. * * * As one of " the Fourteen " entered Mr. Henderson's laboratory, staggering under the weight of a full crate of milk-bottles for the thirsty mob, he was greeted by a teacher who has been on the School staff for four months. She smiled sweetly and said, " Oh I you're on milk to-day. I thought it was G—r—ld." * * * The examinations this term have not proved lacking in the customary howlers.

From most reliable sources we have learned that the greatest of Greek philosophers *

5z

Aberdeen Grammar School Makizinc

was " Pluto." A bright historian, who, we suspect, is undergoing an experience similar to Dante's, is quite certain that " with the advance of Spain and Portugal in the colonial world, the power of Venus declined." A member of Lower VI, whose attentions would appear to be divided between the study of the Bible and the amassing of sufficient knowledge for passing a certain examination, assured us that the Great Trek was " the flight of the Israelites from Alexandria." Alas ! too intensive study does lead to confusion. * * * A certain German student, while sitting an examination in a classroom occupied

by Middle School pupils and a " madame," was reprimanded by the said lady for not paying attention. Hiding with difficulty his indignation at being embarrassed in the presence of these " infants and babbling babes " (to take a very " gud " quotation from one of the Classics Department), he informed the teacher that he was a member of the Sixth, and did not take French. The poor lady, much distressed at having offended one of the " august " body, said she supposed " it would be all right." * * * One day, after an examination, the Happy One was met by a lady who had a complaint to make about the conduct of certain pupils of the School. " Some Grammar loons," she informed him in wrathful tones, " had scrapit the pent aff ma gate wi' a penknife." When the flow had ceased, our jovial Classics master, with his far-famed ability to deal with any situation and his detailed knowledge of the finer points of the law of our land, pacified the infuriated lady, to the delight of the watching " Janny." After the woman had departed, " beatus ille " was heard to remark that it was not a gate that such people needed, hut a cage. * . * The x 5th December saw the end of the Civil Defence's semi-occupation of the Pavilion at Rubislaw. We arc glad that it has been of use to the city's A.R.P. organization as an Ambulance Depot. * * * We arc beginning to abandon all hope of ever seeing a playable rugby pitch behind the School. Once more " the field " is suffering disfiguration. It is the scene of extensive operations, with gangs of workmen busying themselves with concrete-mixers and pneumatic drills. Indeed, we arc to be honoured with a Dining Hall. A few days after DH day (Dining Hall day) a certain thoroughfare in the centre of operations was placed out of bounds, causing complete reorganization of all movements about School. It is rumoured that this step was taken because some rather enthusiastic infantry cadets hindered the work by pestering the workmen with demands for advice on trench digging ; moreover, endeavouring to put into practice what they had done in theory many times, some of them even carried out a flanking attack on the cycle sheds, using the trenches as cover.

Nevertheless, the Dining Hall should prove a great asset to the School, and we look forward with eagerness to its completion and the serving of the first meal. * * * What would Melvin have said? " Good intentions—bad results ! " Somc time ago, a Master in the Classical Department of the School had occasion to have grave suspicions about the character of one of the few Classical students in the Sixth Year. Endeavouring, as usual, to make his weekly Latin prose as exact and correct as possible, this student had deigned to consult a certain liolume known as

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

I3 " C—ll's Dictionary." The particular word in question was the adverb of time " still." After deep consideration, our friend inserted the word " alembicum" in the blank space in his exercise. Next day he opened his exercise-book and found, to his dismay, that the marker had been most lavish in his use of red ink. 'the words " tut I tut I " were written in the margin, which was also liberally strewn with exclamation marks. On demanding an explanation, the offended pupil was informed that " alembicum" was a still used in the manufacture of whisky. We can, however, assure all readers that the only liquid consumed during this pupil's lucubrations is the far-famed " midnight oil." * * * The Flight Sergeant and N.C.O,s of the A.T.C. would like to intimate, in reply to the many questions which have been received by them on the subject, that all their officers have uniforms ; and even if one in particular scarcely ever dons the weeds of aerial authority, that does not mean to say that his uniform is " away getting cleaned." They also take this opportunity of announcing that it is against laws and regulations for glaring red ties to be worn on parade, and thus there will be no hope of a distinctive colour pattern being established by one of the junior officers. *

*

*

It was with amazement that Mr. Tyson looked over the balcony of the pavilion at Rubislaw and saw a series of eleven Grammar School youths, led by one of the " august " body, concealing sticks beneath their coats and tip-toeing across the velvety grass towards the sacred hockey pitch. What was his amazement after seeing this stealthy anabasis when he beheld an even more wondrous sight ; it was eleven of the most elegant damsels whom Miss Rose could offer. Yes, it was the High School hockey team, and without anyone's knowing, the day had been arranged when boy met girl on the hockey field. At any rate, being gentlemen, the Grammarians, we are told, gave up counting once the score reached double or treble figures ; thus the score is barred from mortal ears. We arc now allowed to announce that the next "co-hockey" match took place during the winter recess.

Whatever the result on that occasion, the meetings on the night of zoth December were more cordial (we hope), when both hockey and rugby players joined with these damsels and others " to trip the light fantastic " for a few hours till after midnight, to forget their scholastic troubles and enjoy an early morning walk home under a moonlit sky. For on that night Mr. W. P. Stewart and R. L. Mackinnon had arranged that a band would sound cacophonies while the male dancers threw themselves into the hands of their partners and thence into uncomfortable contortions, among many other things. The only repercussion, so far, is that one of the more misogynistic members of the " august " body has suggested that, before the next dance, all inviting should supply photographs of their guests for censoring by the Committee. * * * " We live and learn " says the old adage ; never has this been so true as of what happened during an early morning train journey to the south during bleak December's snowy days. We shall not repeat the whole talc ; it will suffice to quote the ejaculation of one gallant member of our noble 1st XV—a youth with strong antipathies to minor Monte Carlos : " So now I know what Churchill meant when he said ` Never did so many owe so much to so few '." Well, well--!

54

iberdeen Grammar School Maga:zine

Through no fault of their own, it now can be authoritatively stated, the censorship being relaxed, that the 1st XV have won three matches. Owing to the weekly readjustment of this team (for it has been reshuffled as often as one reshuffles a pack of cards during a rubber of bridge, as often as juvenile feminine tastes in fashion change, as often as the Cabinet is altered), the 2nd XV have not had a very stable team. They were, indeed, unfortunate only to draw with the Gordon's and XV ; but the cause was outwith their control. * * * On a fine Saturday morning, the first in November, much to the astonishment of our peaceful neighbours, there gathered on the verdant Elysian fields of Rubislaw a large company—youthful, adolescent, aged, masculine, feminine, and canine— proudly displaying the colours of the Grammar School and of " the other place," either to exhort their respective fourteen gods under their dashing Jupiters to victory, or to display their modern utility fashions. Whatever the cause, the god-like royalists, shining at the start in white shorts, blue jerseys, and boots cleaned for the first time since they were procured, finally dishevelled, dreary, defeated, dismayed, dazed, despondent Don Juans, besmeared with mud and sweat, retired beaten, only to fight another day, despite the cheering of the thousands of spectators.

For this and the other many recent victorious defeats, dear reader, consult our gaily grim sports section. * * * . During the Autumn term we were fortunate in having two representatives of our near allies to give short talks on their respective countries. The first of these, Mr. van der Laan, a Dutch journalist who had escaped from Holland some time after the Occupation, spoke just as that country was in the throes of liberation.

Mr. van der Laan, though he spoke of his country's fate with deep feeling, enlivened his address with numerous examples of his native humour. His grave anxiety as to the means by which the Nazis might take their revenge before they finally departed was made quite clear, however. In particular, he feared the disastrous consequences of the deliberate flooding of large tracts of the land.

The next speaker to visit us was Professor Kosta, late of the University of Prague, who suffered under German domination also, spending part of the time in a concentration camp. Though Professor Kosta's chief topic was education in his native country, he took the opportunity to show how Prussia and Austria were the traditional enemies of Czechoslovakia throughout the ages, or more accurately the peoples now constituting Czechoslovakia. In passing, we note that the customs and educational institutions of this country are by no means unknown to a considerable body within the School through the speeches, official and otherwise, of a gentleman no longer with us. * * * During the month of November, the Wolfit Shakespearean Company made its second visit to Aberdeen, for a period of some ten days. School parties were formed for " Hamlet," " Macbeth," " As You Like It," and " The Merchant of Venice."

A very much larger number attended than last year and it is worthy of mention that Mr. Wolfit complimented the youth of the North-East on their behaviour in comparison with that of the infinitely less cultured denizens of the South. Doubtless it was for this reason that towards the end of the visit we were privileged to view the mighty "Tragedy of Macbeth" from Olympian heights, complete with Immortal Zcus in the hack row to ask us where we sat I

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

55

During the said period Miss Rosalind Iden and Mr. Godfrey Kenton, ,t,he Shakespearean actors, were kindly lent by the Literary and Debating Society to address the greater part of the Middle and Upper Schools. Miss Iden gave a very interesting account of the Company's work in London and the provinces, during which she explained their views concerning scenery and production, which, she said, Shakespeare meant to be of the simplest. Several remarks of a heretical nature were also made concerning films and film acting, but they arc best glossed over in discreet silence.

At the outset of his speech Mr. Kenton confessed to two things—that he had never been to Scotland in his life before and that he had been on the stage for some twenty years. Mr. Kenton's appearance belied both statements, for he looked both civilized and youthful I He concluded his speech by reading several passages from the works of Shakespeare.

* * * With the beginning of a new session under the more normal conditions accompanying the return of " full time " we observe with satisfaction the re-formation of the Orchestral Society under the skilful baton of Mr. Falconer. Now in the still of late afternoon, once every week, when most have long departed, the old shades re-echo, as in the distant past, to the magic strains of the youthful virtuosos as they seek spiritual refreshment after the day's hard mental toil. * * * The sensitive souls of the Middle and Upper Schools have long languished under the enforced magisterial surveillance before the commencement of morning prayers.

How often have we blushed with shame as we caught that eye, firm but yet kindly I Great are the afflictions of the sinful but how well merited I Now, however, our self-respect is partly restored as the great opportunity for redemption comes—once more we reign in uncontrolled splendour. * * * For the coming of the New World we wait in silent expectation. We know that then the last foul traces of Fascist domination will be swept from the face of Europe. No more will the sturdy democrat have to cower in the cycle-shed, the prefectorial picket will be the forgotten horror of an erstwhile age. Meanwhile : " Time, gentlemen, please I "

Leslie Durno.

The School session of 1944-t9.45 had run for the brief space of three weeks when the sad news of the unexpected death of Leslie Durno cast a shadow over us all.

A brief life of some 14 years 2 months was abruptly cut off on Saturday, 19th August, in Foresterhill, where he had been taken earlier in the week.

Not only were his more immediate companions in Middle ILIA stricken with grief and wonder, but the whole Senior School gave evidence of its sorrow at Morning Assembly.

In both I B and II A he had secured high places for his work and ability, and already he was showing much promise of a bright future. Keen in everything he tackled, he was possessed of a cheery personality and a fine sense of humour, which ensured his popularity amongst his friends. Despite his youthfulness, he had planned to enter the Ministry, a profession which he would have adorned.

The world can ill afford the passing of lads like Leslie, but the memory of his cheerfulness should be a source of real inspiration to his fellows. To his parents and his sister we extend our heartfelt sympathy in their loss.

i6

Aberdeen Grammar School Afagazine

D Day-6th June 1944.

Of great events the grey dawn gave no sign Save to those who hoped to try and gain The mastery o'er those inhuman swine Who long in fear, oppression, want, and pain The people of a continent had held.

At last, the hour had come. There came the word That comrades, by the bonds of freedom held, In Europe, with the blessing of the Lord, Had landed. Then in every heart was given A prayer for loved ones who in peril grave Might be ; and trust was put in Heaven.

And o'er that shore stormed by our soldiers brave, O'er countless battle-craft and allied wings, O'er all—lboked down the mighty King of Kings.

June 1944.

ARTHUR MAIN (VA).

Airborne Padre.

I saw him once—he was a student young, With children of the parish wont to play.

Upon the wall two years ago was hung A portrait of him in his new array, In which attired he lies in battle line Now at Arnhem, his helmet from the fire Of stuttering, slaying Spandaus and the whine Of shells indeed salvation. Through the mire From man to man, the Spirit's sword in hand, He crawls, risking his life to bring a gleam Of hope into the hearts of that brave band.

He tends a wounded lad, no more to dream, Who murmurs as he dies in dreadful pain, " God grant our gallant stand be not in vain I " November 1944.

ARTHUR MAIN (Upper VI).

School Sport—A Résumé.

Although the results of most of our games with other schools have hardly been what we would wish them to be, the session to date has been quite a satisfactory one as far as School sport is concerned. The things that really matter—sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and honest endeavour—are still very much in evidence at Rubislaw, and so long as this is the case, it is of little consequence when the tide will turn and victories on the field of play become once again the rule rather than the exception.

The fortunes of the various teams are dealt with in some detail in other pages, but any comments on Grammar School sport would be incomplete without a meed of praise for our plucky and successful rugby znd XV, whose performances are the justification of our hopes that the School's long run of rugger reverses is drawing to a close. This season's znd XV must rank as one of the best for many years.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

57

There is, however, not a great deal wrong with the 1st XV, although it has been out of luck so far this season. This term's stiff " away " games should serve to brting out its fighting qualities.

Another bright feature of School rugby is the tremendous zest which the players of Middle I and Middle II bring to bear upon their games, especially their House matches. Almost every physically tit first or second year pupil is in either his House Junior ist or 2nd XV, and, best of all, even those boys from other schools who are quite new to rugby football are displaying a keenness and willingness to learn that augur well for the future.

Hockey devotees are no less enthusiastic than the rugger players, and both at Mannofield and at Rubislaw there has been a good response to the prompting of the Masters in charge, Messrs. Forbes and Park. The standard of play is high, and it reflects great credit on these two coaches that Grammar School hockey is much admired by local senior players.

Swimming continues to attract only a small proportion of pupils, but among those who do attend at the Municipal Pond on Fridays, after school, are some swimmers and divers of real promise. Past and present Byron House boys will be pleased to learn that, although temporarily in the toils on the sports field, Byron is still supreme in aquatics. As is to be expected, Grammar School swimmers are still eclipsed in their periodic encounters with their rivals of " the other place," but it is hoped that before long they will meet on level terms, to the benefit of both.

Meantime some satisfaction may be derived by our swimmers from the knowledge that their conquerors must be ranked as the finest swimming school in the country.

Their standard is almost unbelievably high.

A. J. M. E.

Rugby Football. " But westward, look, the land is bright "—this may well be the motto of the School Rugby Section, for School rugby is slowly rising from the decadent mire in which it has been weltering for some seasons.

We welcome back last year's Captain, R. L. Mackinnon, who has as his ViceCaptain this year G. C. Kirkland. Of last year's team we still have some members —J. A. G. Elmslie, D. C. McNutt, C. C. Allan and J. G. Matheson—together with a large number of 2nd XV stalwarts ; all these have been combined to form a team which has not yet fulfilled its expectations in spite of its occasional brilliant Play.

The School tst XV have made a not too happy beginning, for, up to the time of writing, the season has not been marked by any outstanding victories, despite the large number of inter-School matches (large compared with the small number of fixtures in previous war years). However, during the coming months of the Easter term, they hope to add some worth-while school " scalps " to their already few victories. Injury has dogged their path in many games, for often, when just settling down, they have temporarily lost the services of a player, with the result that they have been knocked out of their rhythm. Since the game against Gordon's, the team has been without its hooker, G. H. Turnbull ; fortunately they found in W. M. Brown a youth who was filled with an eager zeal to carry out this unenviable task and who has done so not without some marked success.

Passing from the inauspicious defeats of the 1st XV to those of the other XVs, we see a breeding ground for future success. The znd XV, although it has suffered through the mensal reshufllings in the 1st XV, has shown itself to be a team worthy of its ancestral tradition and of future respect. So far it has suffered only one defeat —at the hands of an I.T.C. XV—a defeat they soon avenged. Two of their games they have drawn—one against an R.N. team, the other against " the other place."

The znd XV are to be congratulated on their very creditable victory over the strong-going Arbroath High School ist XV—a success which deserved more laurels than it was given.

The 3rd XV have recorded two victories over the Central School ist XV, but have suffered defeat at the hands of " the old enemy." The other School teams, Colts, Juniors, and Minors, have not had any fixtures except those with Gordon's, in which all have suffered reverses, but hope remains, for the season is not yet finished and the return games have still to be played.

18

Aberdeen Grammar School A fagazine

So to all, whether they are members of the tat, and, 3rd or tho,minor XVs, we wish the best of luck and success for the coming half of the season I Such a short rugby review as this would not be complete without a tribute to Mr. W. P. Stewart, who, despite the war-time military and educational calls on his spare time, has found it possible to appear at Rubislaw regularly in order to referee the games and to coach the members of the two principal XVs. To him, indeed, all are very much indebted and in this short panegyric we take the opportunity of thanking him for the keen, unwavering energy and interest he has shown at Rubislaw. When remembering Mr. W. P. Stewart, we also wish Mr. Miller a speedy recovery from his present serious illness, for he has been very much missed from the pitches of Rubislaw, and we hope to see him back with us before many more weeks have passed.

pit XV Matches.

14th October 1944.—v. Trinity College, Glenalmond, at Rubislaw. Team: J. W. Cradock ; A. A. Lawrence, R. L. Mackinnon, J. A. G. Elmslie, E. Craig 1. Stuart, J. M. Milne ; R. L. Watson, G. H. Tumbull, D. C. McNutt, I. G. Rogers, P. K. Booker, G. C. Kirkland, J. G. Matheson, W. M. Brown. This was the School team's first appearance as a unit after the summer holidays. During the first half, the game was contested with great zeal, Glenalmond obtaining slightly better results. They kept the School defence continually on the alert with their short kicks ahead. The College Captain, Macnaughton, a centre three-quarter, was playing well and it was he who scored their first try. In quick succession Brewster, a fast left wing three-quarter, added two tries, the second of which McIntyre converted. Half-time-School, o ; Glenalmond, 11.

Immediately after the resumption School were the more aggressive side and Lawrence kicked a penalty goal—the School's first score in an inter-School match for a year. But Glenalmond, taking full advantage of a strong wind, rallied, and Macnaughton increased their lead with two well-taken tries, both of which were converted. In the closing stages Milne went over in the corner for a try. Final Score—School, 6 ; Glenalmond, 2 I. 4th November.v. Robert Gordon's College, at Rubislaw. Team: J. W. Cradock; R. L. Mackinnon, J. A. G. Elmslie, E. Craig, J. W. Baird ; A. A. Lawrence, J. M. Milne ; R. L. Watson, G. H. Turnbull, D. C. McNutt, C. C. Allan, P. K. Booker, G. C. Kirkland, J. G. Matheson, W. M. Brown. Gordon's kicked off before the customary large crowd of ardent spectators but failed to settle down and School reaped their meagre rewards in the first half, holding their opponents in their own half for most of this period. Mackinnon failed narrowly on many occasions, owing mainly to lack of support from backs and forwards, but it was he who made a brilliant opening for Milne to score almost on the touch-line. Cradock missed with a difficult kick. This score was the sign for Gordon's to rally, and McCombie, intercepting a pass hack to the outside half, ran on to score under the posts. Farrell could not fail with the kick. Halftime-School, 3 ; Gordon's, S. Disheartened by the half-time score, School determined to make an improvement. The defence, however, collapsed because of faulty handling and passing : three quick tries by St. Clair Taylor, the Gordon's flying winger, two of which were converted, completely broke the morale and darkened the hopes of the School team. For the rest of the half all roads led to the School line, with occasional bursts of brilliance shown by the School team. All was over when McCombie and A. Farquharson their Captain, added two further tries, the former one being converted by St. Clair Taylor. Final score—School, 3 ; Gordon's, 26. t 1th November.—v. Morgan Academy, at Rubislaw. Team : J. W. Cradock; R. L. Mackinnon, I. Stuart, E. Craig, J. A. G. Elmslic ; A. A. Lawrence, J. M. Milne •' R. L. Watson, D. C. McNutt, C. C. Allan, I. G. Rogers, G. C. Kirkland, P. K. Booker, J. G. Matheson, W. M. Brown. (The first game against Morgan Academy, fixed for 28th October, had to be cancelled owing to ground conditions.)

The strongest Dundee school team came north with a fine reputation. Their forwards, however, though heavy, were held in check by the re-arranged School pack. Play swung from end to end during the first half and it was a long time before School mastered the long kicks ahead which were a prominent feature in

Aberdeen Grammar School illagine 59 the Dundonians' tactics. At the interval the Academy had a 5-o lead, for just before half-time they scored a goal.

School resumed, eager to improve the " scrappy " first-half play, and the try which Stuart scored and Cradock converted was the result of a brilliant inter-back passing movement and of determined running. School played much better in the second half and often came near to scoring. A draw, indeed, would have been a fair result, but with the last movement of the game the Academy scored, to snatch a late victory from the School. Final score—School 5 ; Morgan Academy, 8.

25th November.—v. Perth Academy, at Perth. Team: J. W. Cradock ; R. L. Mackinnon, I. Stuart, E. Craig, J. A. G. Elmslic ; A. A. Lawrence, J. M. Milne ; R. L. Watson, W. M. Brown, D. C. McNutt, C. C. Allan, E. Argo, G. C. Kirkland, J. G. Matheson, P. K. Booker. On ground covered with a crust of ice School kicked off late. The first to attack, they were soon forced on the defensive for a long period but withstood the frequent forward rushes of the heavier Perth pack. Weight finally told, and Ditchbum scored an unconverted try. School fell further in arrears a few minutes later, when Forbes, a fast right wing three-quarter, scored another try. The light School team now began to press, Cradock just failing with a long penalty kick. Almost at the interval Watson, one of the School front-row forwards, retired after sustaining a neck injury. This necessitated some changes in the pack. Half-time—School, o ; Perth, 6.

Watson was not our only casualty on the hard surface, but School resumed with seven forwards. We were soon in trouble again, however, and only fine tackling by Mackinnon and Kirkland averted a score—not for long, unfortunately, for two quick tries by Moncrieff and Caird, Caird's one beng converted, ensued due to defence lapses. The School team were spurred on by these set-backs, and for the last ten minutes held the Perth team within their own 25 ; and it was little wonder that Elinslie scored twice in the closing stages. The final whistle came with the School forwards and backs, having formed a cohesive unity somewhat late, attacking strongly. Final score—School, 6 ; Perth Academy, 14.

9th December. v. Glasgow Academy, at Old Anniesland.—Team: J. W. Cradock ; J. A. G. Elmslie, I. Stuart, E. Craig, J. W. Baird ; R. L. Mackinnon, J. M. Milne ; R. L. Watson, W. M. Brown, D. C. McNutt, C. C. Allan, E. Argo, G. C. Kirkland, J. G. Matheson, P. K. Booker. After an early morning 4-hour train journey and a half-hour tram run, School, having suffered a few changes through the late withdrawal of Lawrence, our stand-off half, eventually reached Anniesland. During the first half both School forwards and backs under the capable leadership of Captain Mackinnon out-shone the weightier Glaswegians. The Academy, however, took the chances that the School failed to grasp ; so it was that, owing to faulty School kicking, they went ahead through Henderson, who scored under the posts—a try which was converted by Thomson, their most dangerous three-quarter. The School tcam ought not to have been behind at the interval. Half-time—School, o ; Glasgow Academy, 5.

The strain of the train journey told on the School team, especially towards the end of this half. For some time we were held in our own '25, and it was during this period that Jarvis of Academy scored after a melee. Shortly afterwards both captains were injured and retired for a short time. Kirkland, who up till now had been playing brilliantly, received a kick on the head, which left him dazed. Despite this injury to their leader, the School forwards were holding their own, Matheson, in the line-outs, and Brown, by his hooking in the set scrums, excelling. In the closing stages the School defence waned and Thomson kicked a penalty goal after a doubtful offside infringement, and the same player scored a try which he himself converted. The School team, on form, did not deserve to be defeated by such a large margin. Final score—School o ; Glasgow Academy, 16.

School played several local teams and the results of these matches were 16th September—School, 8 ; A.U. Royal Artillery Cadets, 17—at Rubislaw.

28th October—School, 11 ; A.G.S.F.P.s xst XV, 13—at Rubislaw.

18th November—School, 13 ; and University, 8—at Rubislaw.

2nd December—School, 9 ; I.T.C. 1st XV, 7—at Bridge of Don. 16th December—School, 13, ; and University, 6—at New King's.

6,,

Aberdeen Grammar ,School ,1fagazine znd XV Matches.

Owing to the fluctuating state of the ist XV, no znd XV Captain has definitely been appointed, but J. W. Baird has been given temporary command of the team.

Among the matches they have played are the following :— . . .

- Won, 14-0 Oct. 21. f. I.T.C. 3rd XV, at Rubislaw z8. v. I.T.C. 2nd XV, at Rubislaw . .

• Lost, o-6 Nov. 4. r• R.N. XV, at Rubislaw . . . .

• Drawn 6-6 11. v. Arbroath High School ist XV, at Rubislaw . . Won, 12-o " 18. v. I.T.C. znd XV at Bridge of Don • • . Won, 5-3 ft z• r. Robert Gordon's College and XV, at Scatield • Drawn, 3-3 Dcc. „ 16. v. R.N.T.C. at Rubislaw . . . . . Won, 12-3 The players have not been regularly the same, but some of those who have played for and are: A. Craig, A. J. K. Monro, J. W. Baird, A. A. Kelso, G. D. Nicholson, G. B. Anton, B. McLeod, I. Stuart, V. G. R. Stephen, J. M. Milne, I. M. Brooker, W. K. Smart, G. Rhind, S. F. Hutcheson, A. D. Lyall, I. G. Rogers, M. Barr, K. I. Sutherland, E. Argo, A. G. Turner, C. C. Allan.

P. K. B.

Lower School Association Football.

It says much for a rugger-playing School like ours that it can enter an Association Football XI in the Aberdeen Primary Schools' League, and, while it does not come out on top, it gives a very good account of itself. The team is mostly chosen from the classes Lower IV and Lower V, and is captained this season by Wm. Donald of Class VB, with Stanley Monro of the same class as Vice-Captain.

The results to date are : Played 7, Won a, Drawn a, Lost 3.

P. MURRAY STEWART.

Hockey.

This season School entered two teams in the Aberdeen (Wartime) Hockey League.

Only three of last season's " Colours "—G. K. Townshend, G. W. Warder and A. G. Westland—were available this year and, as a result, the School XI lacked the necessary number of experienced players to form a balance sufficient to cope with the more experienced and heavier teams in the League. With Warder at back and Townshcnd and Westland at half-hack, the nucleus round which to form a new side was in the right place, and what the newer players lacked in experience at the start of the season, they supplied in enthusiasm and fighting spirit.

The results, so far, compare rather unfavourably with last year's, but the School side has been up against much heavier teams, and, although nothing was given away in skill, weight told against them before the finish. At present the defence is the strong part of the side, but the forwards are improving with every game, and in Macandrew and Johnston the School has a pair of speedy and clever wingers, whose accurate crosses might be made better use of in the circle. The School XI will strike better form on less heavy grounds and before the season ends will prove a formidable obstacle to many sides hunting for points.

The " B " or znd XI is a very young side to be playing against the older and more experienced teams in the League. Defeats, however severe, do not daunt them, and their enthusiasm and spirit keep them fighting to the final whistle. To date, the "B" team's best performance has been against Gordon's College xst XI, when they shared in a draw of one goal each. The performance in this game acted as a tonic to the znd XI, and showed that with more playing experience they would be a force to be reckoned with yet.

zst XI Matches.

14th October, 1944.—r. A.G.S.F.P.s.—In this game against a powerful F.P. team School held out well, and during the second half it seemed scarcely possible that the School could fail to score an equalizing goal. However, the F.P. goal line was not crossed and the final score was School, nil ; A.G.S.F.P.s, 1.

St. Margaret's School for Girls (Incorporated)

ALBYN PLACE, ABERDEEN. Head Misirms: Miss M. E. HOLLAND, M.A.Cantab. (Classical Tripos).

Chaiman of lb ScheolCourril: Dr. E. W. WArr, Ex-Lord Provost of Aberdeen.

T. MARGARET'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS is an Incorporated School, registered according to the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. It is administered under the management of an eleaive Council of prominent citizens, on lines similar to those of well-known Girls' Schools in other parts of Scotland.

The School stands in its own grounds in the best part of the City of Aberdeen, and in all respe&s is well equipped to secure the comfort of pupils and the efficiency of the education imparted.

The aim of the School is to provide a first-class education on modern lines, to care specially for the development of charaaer in the pupils, to prepare them for the interests and responsibilities of social life, and to enable those who desire it to proceed to the higher education of the Universities or to train for a career.

S

School Boarding House, Woodlands, Cults.

The Council of the School has been fortunate in securing the lease of a large mansion house standing in extensive grounds on the Deeside road three miles out of Aberdeen.

The Boarders travel to and from School daily in a private bus, and, while attending school in town, they have the advantage of healthy country surroundings out of school hours.

Full responsibility is taken by the School if the parents wish, and holidays are arranged for.

Information as to Fees, Entrance Scholarships, Courses of Study, etc., is ;liven in the Prospeaus, which may be had on application to the HEAD MISTRESS 17 ALBYN PLACE, ARERDEEN.

_Aberdeen Grammar School Akazine

Gz

21st October. v. I.T.C.—During the first half the School left wing pair were particularly effective and School led by two goals to none. I.T.C., however, quickly rallied and during an exacting second half they equalized and went ahead. Through Mackay, at inside right, School drew level in the closing minutes of the game.

Result : School, 3 ; I.T.C., 3.

28th October.—r. Aberdeen. During the first half the whole team pulled its weight. The School defence kept the opposing forwards in check and supplied the ball well to its own attack ; the halves in particular played a strong attacking game. The second half opened with the score one goal each, but disaster overtook the School. Aberdeen produced the best brand of hockey seen this season, and scored five more goals, completely overwhelming a tired School defence. The outstanding feature of the game was a fine run by G. Warder, when he came near scoring for the School. Result : School, t ; Aberdeen, 6.

4th November.—v. Gordon's College. In this game School was determined to stem the tide of defeats experienced so far. The first half was uneventful and School led by one goal, scored by Macandrew. During the second half the XI produced its best hockey, and added another five goals. School were continually on the offensive and on one occasion only did Gordon's cross into School's half of the field. So completely did the XI assert their supremacy that the School half backs virtually became forwards during the latter part of the game. Result : School, 6 ; Gordon's, nil.

18th November.—r. R.A.F.(P). This game was the most enjoyable yet played by the 1st XI. School attacked well during the opening minutes, and this continued pressure resulted in a goal. Macandrew, after a fine run, crossed the ball from the left to the right wing for Johnstone to centre, and Morrison made no mistake with his shot. The R.A.F. attacks were repelled by the School defence, Warder, Cruden, and Mutch in goal all making confident clearances. The rest of the game was uneventful, and School, through Johnstone and Macandrew, added two more goals to their score. Result : School, 3 ; R.A.F.(P), nil.

House Notes.

Up to the time of writing half of the inter-House rugby fixtures have been completed. Keith House, who have been winners or part winners of the InterHouse Rugby Cup for the last two years, seem well set to complete the trio of victories. Of this year's ist XV they alone have six members, including the Captain and the Vice-Captain. The House Rugby tables to the end of the first term read as follows :— Senior Competition Scores House Keith .

Dun .

Melvin Byron

. .

• .

Played 3 3 3 3

Junior Competition Keith .

5 Melvin .

5 Dun . .

5 Byron .

5

Iron 3

Lost 0

For 11 4

2

I

64

1 0

2 3

12 16

4 4

I 1 3 5

78 56 38 3

2

0

Agt, 12 36 84 68 22 18

40 95

Points 6 4 2

o

8

8 4 0

Byron House.

At a meeting held at the start of the session under the chairmanship of the House Master, Mr. Lynch, the following officials were elected : House Captain, J. A. G. Elmslie ; Captain of Rugby, R. D. Weir ; Vice-Captain of Rugby, W. M. Brown ; Swimming Captain, R. Strachan ; Captain of Hockey, A. G. Westland.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

63

Before the term was many weeks old, R. D. Weir left the School and W. M. Brown was elected Captain of Rugby, with 1. M. Brooker as Vice-Captain.

This year the House seems to experience a great difficulty in procuring senior players for a House XV, with the result that many junior players have had to be included in the team. Although they lack nothing in enthusiasm, their lack of weight and of experience has decidedly weakened the team. Up to date all three House matches have been lost, the match against Melvin by a very narrow margin, and in the other two matches, although badly beaten, we fared better than some pessimists thought we would.

So far this season the Hockey XI has played only one game, which was lost by one goal. This match was against Dun, and our usually strong side, which includes four of the School Hockey XI, was overcome by six goals to five. This failure can be attributed to lack of team-work and to the opposing side obtaining some very experienced help.

Although the competition in swimming this year is much keener, the House is still top-dog. At the inter-House competition, held on 24th November in the Corporation baths, the House won by a good margin.

In conclusion, I ask Byron boys to continue in their enthusiasm for their House and to rally round and help their respective Athletic Captains.

J. A. G. &Ann.

Dun House.

At a meeting held early in the session the following officials were appointed : House Captain, 1. Stuart ; Rugby Captain, D. C. McNutt ; Rugby Vice-Captain, I. Stuart ; Swimming Captain, A. D. Lyall.

We were unfortunate, at the beginning of the season, to lose A. F. C. Calder, our Athletic Captain and rugby stalwart, who left for the Forces. To him we wish the very best of luck.

Up to the time of writing, we have played three inter-House " rugger " matches.

The first, against Byron, finished very successfully for us. In the second, after a very hard-fought game, we were narrowly defeated by Keith. The last of the present series was played against Melvin and in it we gained a notable victory.

There are now two Junior House XVs, who, although they have been playing with great determination, have not met with any great success.

The newly formed Hockey XI, captained by the School Hockey Captain, G. K. Townshend, has played but one match, in which they gained a narrow victory over Byron by 6 goals to g.

Despite the brilliant swimming displays of A. D. Lyall and D. C. McConnach, we attained only second place to Byron in a recent competition.

In conclusion, I thank all Dun boys for their hearty support during the last term in the realms both of sport and of School social activities.

I. STUART.

Keith House.

At the usual meeting of the House early this session the following office-bearers were elected : Captain of the House, A. M. Davidson ; Captain of Rugby, R. L. Mackinnon ; Vice-Captain, G. C. Kirkland ; Captain of Hockey, A. H. lnnes; Vice-Captain, S. Cruden.

The House has again been honoured by the appointment of R. L. Mackinnon to the responsible position of Senior Prefect. I speak for the House when I wish him the best of luck in this important post.

Under the leadership of R. L. Mackinnon, Captain of the School 1st XV, the House rugby team has carried off the honours in the senior rugby House games played this term. The three victories were all won by a considerable margin and the prospects of winning the Rector's Cup for Rugby seem very promising.

The junior members are also upholding the honour of the House by taking a prominent place in their own league.

Up to date the hockey XI has played only one House game, and as the team was at a disadvantage by having to play with a depleted side, it was unable to put up much of a fight against Melvin, who won by six goals. The team, however,

64

Aberdeen Grammar School Malta'me

includes two prominent tat XI and three and XI players, and with this experienced nucleus, it yet may he able to gain victories over the other Houses.

To finish, I should like to say that the prospects of the House are very favourable, and with the full support of its members there is no reason why it should not be the top House this session.

A. M. DAVIDSON.

Melvin House.

At a meeting of the House at the beginning of the session the following officials were elected : House Captain, J. M. Bruce ; Captain of Rugby, J. G. Matheson ; Vice-Captain of Rugby, J. W. Cradock ; Hockey Captain, G. W. Warder; Hockey Vice-Captain, A. W. A. Main • Swimming Captain, G. R. Rhind.

At the time of writing three senior House matches have been played. We have lost our games with Dun and Keith, but won our match with Byron by two points. Our junior XVs, however, have had a highly successful season so far, and they are upholding the tradition of the House very satisfactorily. We wish them the best of luck this term.

In the swimming gala held recently we succeeded in gaining 3rd place, and we congratulate the team on its good showing.

This term has seen the beginning of inter-House hockey matches. So far we have played only one game, against Keith, which we won by a good margin. The team is fortunate in having four members of the School 1st XI playing for it.

To conclude, I would ask every member of the House to do his utmost to make this a successful year for Melvin.

J. M. BRUCE.

The Literary and Debating Society.

Last term was, perhaps, the most successful the Society has had since the outbreak of war. This is due not so much to the return of full-time schooling (which has not brought back our evening meetings), as to a complete change of policy.

Novelties such as balloon debates, parliamentary elections, book afternoons, jazz sessions, song recitals, and " afternoons at home" were disregarded in favour of the ordinary debate and the formal lecture. This experiment was endorsed by a rise in the average attendance from 15 to 38.

The Society held its first meeting on 3rd November for the debate, " That Exams. are a necessary feature of school life." The affirmative was ably upheld

by J. B. McLeod and K. I. Sutherland, and the negative by F. Sellar and N. Dickson.

The after-speaking was disappointing ; in fact, only A. W. A. Main, Vice-President had anything to add to the reasons already put forward. Mr. Forbes, Honorary, President, brought his rhetoric to bear against the affirmative ; and the vote of 67 to 3 was not so much in opposition to exams. as in approval of Mr. Forbes's speech.

Miss Rosalind Idcn and Mr. Godfrey Kenton, of Donald Wolfit's Company, addressed us on the following Friday. Miss lden set out to prove that the cinema was inferior to the theatre, and told us of some of the Company's experiences.

Mr. Kenton concluded a somewhat inconsequential speech with two excellent readings from Shakespeare.

17th November brought the Rev. Ian Begg to explain his enigmatical subject, " Youth Whither—Somewhere or Nowhere." With whimsical appreciation of the layman's point of view, and in his own inimitable manner, he gave a most entertaining talk on his experiences as an Episcopal minister. A. W. A. Main, Vice-President, expressed the Society's sincere appreciation.

The Society at its fourth meeting held a " Hat Afternoon," which was notably successful on account of the variety of speakers, some of whom were newcomers.

The subjects and victims were : " What are the good points of Toryism and Nazism ? "—Beaton ; " Is an international army necessary for the preservation of peace ? "—Robertson ; " Is the modern stage deteriorating ? "—Notholt ; " Arc prefects necessary ? "—Booker ; " Is the Bible a living force in the world

CHARLES DUNBAR YULE

WILLIAM ROBERT SCORGIE

Privatc, The Gordon Highlanders

Privatc, The London Scottish.

$e p. 47.

see p 50.

JAMES COWIE THOM, M.C. M.B., Ch.B.; Captain, R.A.M.C.

CHARLES PEARSON SKENE Private First Class, American Army See P. .1A •

See Q. 47.

....lberdeen Grammar School Alapr:cine

65

to-day ? "—Crookshanks ; and lastly, " Is a king necessary in any country ? "— Hunter. In the after-speaking many interesting arguments were put forward, especially by M. Craig and J. Paterson.

Mr. Drew, Director of Education, addressed us on the following Friday, giving us a fluent survey of education. He was introduced and thanked by the Rector.

On the afternoon of 8th December, Mr. Boddie, Lecturer on Music at the Training Centre, showed in a very enjoyable talk how a composer's music is affected by his character, his environment, his experience in life, his fortune—good or bad, the time of writing, and the audience he had in mind. Mr. Boddie gave us a record of Bach's music, and played some minuets by Haydn and Mozart and a sonata by Beethoven.

In the evening, the Grammar and Central Debating Societies met in the Central School for a debate, " That the Artist has been more beneficial to mankind than the Scientist." Representing the Grammar were J. B. Anton, Secretary, who led for the affirmative, and G. Murray, who seconded for the negative. The afterspeaking was aggressive and sarcastic on both sides, and in the end the negative won by a substantial majority.

The last meeting before Christmas took the form of a Masters' Brains Trust, which included Messrs. Eddison, Gray, Park, and Walker, with Mr. Forbes, Honorary President, as Question-Master. Among the questions were, " Are parents the least qualified people to bring up their children ? " ; " Is the woman's place in the home?"; " What is the Trust's opinion about the prefect system in the Grammar School ? " ; and " Is it fair that an English master should try to change a boy's natural style ? " The Society must express its thanks to A. Brown of V. for posters, often drawn at very short notice, and to Mr. Forbes for help throughout the term, especially in getting speakers.

J. B. A.

The Dramatic Society.

On the Monday of the last week of the Summer Term, the Society gave a performance to the School, circumstances being against a public performance. The senior section, with Mr. Forbes as producer, presented the first act of " Lady Precious Stream," a play by S. 1. Hsiung. The second section, under the direction of Mr. Forbes and Mr. Walker, did two plays, " Hewers of Coal" and " Rory Aforesaid." The third section, comrosed of Middle School pupils, presented the comedy, " The Crimson Cocoanut,' the production being carried out by Mr. Eddison. It was hoped to give a public performance of these plays in August, but this was found to be impracticable.

After the second summer vacation, the Society met on Monday, t6th October, and the following officials were elected: President, A. G. Westland ; VicePresident, M. A. A. Innes ; Secretary, A. W. A. Main. A Committee was appointed consisting of W. K. MacTaggart, J. T. C. Gillan, J. S. Horne, J. B. McLeod, K. I. Sutherland, A. V. Lewis, and R. D. Milne. Thereafter the Society met regularly on Tuesday afternoons, after school, in Mr. Forbes's room. At these meetings, scenes from " Twelfth Night" were read and acted under the direction of Mr. Forbes. As the session went on, a certain section of the Society began to show its disapproval of the continued study of " Twelfth Night " ; but, ready as these members were to criticize, they had no constructive suggestions to make. At the last meeting of the term, however, the Society decided to divide into three groups, a Sixth year section, a Fifth year section, and a third group composed of members of years I—IV. No plays will be performed at the end of the Spring term because of the Leaving Certificate examinations, but the Society looks forward to a public performance during the summer term.

A. W. A. M.

66

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazin(

Army Cadet Force : The School Company.

The following are the principal appointments for the current session : C.S.M., J. Marshall Bruce ; C.Q.M.S., D. McK. Davidson ; Pipe Major, R. A. Robson ; Byron Platoon Sergeant, J. A. Grant Elmslie ; Dun Platoon Sergeant, G. K. Townshend ; Keith Platoon Sergeant, J. Neill Dickson ; Melvin Platoon Sergeant, R. 'I'. S. Henderson.

A new session always brings its changes, and to replace those who have left us, 23 recruits were enrolled. Amongst those who left were Tim Blair, Peter Cooper, Sandy Dinnic, Mark Nicol, Neil Maclnnes, and Ian Middleton, who arc now serving in the Army, and John Smollett, who sends cheery letters about his life in the Navy. Recently we have said goodbye to Robbie Robson, our Pipe Major, who is now in his primary training at an I.T.C. Others have gone up to the University and arc continuing their training in the S.T.C. All agree that the training they received in the School Company has been of great value to them in their new spheres of activity.

In addition to the usual training in Cert. " A " work, Signals, and Advanced Infantry Tactics, we have regularized the .22 Miniature Range Shooting. Every cadet now has an opportunity of firing to rounds on a miniature range every month under expert supervision and coaching. So far this is satisfactory, until we can have a range of our own in School.

Courses continue to have great appeal to all cadets. During the Christmas vacation, 3o cadets travelled to various parts of the country to take part in training courses in Physical Training, Signals, Advanced Weapon Training, and Cooking.

During last term we were visited by Col. Bruce Campbell, Col. I. NI. Stewart, who gave an entertaining and instructive talk on the campaign in Malaya and Singapore, and and Lt. J. S. Taggart, who told us, in his racy manner, of his experiences at an O.C.T.U. Our usual Church Parade took place in conjunction with the School Squadron A.T.C. on Sunday, 29th October. Led by the Company Pipe Band, we marched from School to Rubislaw Church, where an interesting address was given by our Chaplain, Rev. P. D. Lawrence.

The enthusiasm with which the A.C.F. training continues to be received by the Grammar School boys is indicative of its value to them. We have been functioning now for over two and a half years, and there is no evidence of any slackening off. Attendances at the weekly parades show so far a higher percentage than last year's figure, and the demand for vacancies on courses always exceeds the number available. It is a healthy sign, and doubtless F.P.s in the Forces will be glad to learn of it, when after five and a half years of war, the lads at School continue to give voluntarily of their leisure time in order that they may fit themselves to take their places, if the need arise, alongside their elder brothers, who are meantime bearing the " heat and burden of the day."

W. P. S.

Air Training Corps : No. 1299 Squadron.

Personnel—Despite a damaging policy of drift in the A.T.C. movement, the School Squadron still stands at the August 1943 numbers.

Camp.— A record number of 142 cadets, composed of Squadrons from Elgin, Forres, Gordon's College, and Grammar School, held a first-class camp at Kinloss from 1st to 8th July. We logged 7o flying hours, despite two very wet days.

The most envied cadets were two from 5449, who ditched in the drink in Findhorn Bay and so qualified to be Members of the Goldfish Club. They came through their ordeal with flying colours. The high spot of the Camp was Pay Parade.

The smooth running of the Camp was due in great measure to the sacrificial toil of the Camp Adjutant, F/O C. A. Forbes, of the Grammar School Squadron, in carrying through the intricate Station Training programme. It was reported that during the third night, the C.O. had to shake the Adjutant out of deep sleep, as he rehearsed the oracular formulae, " How long were you up ?", " Where did you go ?", " What type of plane ?", " Your total flying time is now . . . ?". An.

Aberdeen Grammar Selma Magazine

67

outstanding feature of the Camp was the impromptu drumhead service on Sunday morning, when the Cinema House failed to hold the whole Station Parade. For the marching of the W.A.A.F.s, who immediately preceded us, we had no bouquets.

F/Lt. Fenning was the ideal Liaison Officer. He could produce anything from cinema tickets to hedge-hopping in an Air-speed Oxford.

A composite A.T.C. soccer team trounced its opposite A.C.F. number.

Training.—A fillip has been given to Navigation by the new map-size tables in the Science Lab. The new Engine Section is proving attractive. Post-proficient cadets are indebted to F/Lt. John, O.C., U.A. Squadron, for a very varied programme at Marischal College.

Honorary Chaplain.—The School Chaplain, the Rev. P. D. Lawrence, held a special service for cadets in November. We bad the best roll-call to date, and march discipline was of a high standard. These twice-yearly services, specially suited for cadets, are very acceptable.

Roll-Coll.—Attendance continues at practically too per cent., thus facilitating t raining.

Review.—Despite a wet-blanket policy at the top, cadets continue keen. We greatly appreciate visits from old cadets. One told us he was " based in England."

We discovered later that he had done z8 operational trips over Europe. Such is the R.A.F. spirit, no " shooting a line " but getting on with the job. We commend this angle to present cadets. The Squadron wishes the best of luck to all who have left us since last report.

R. M. MACANDREW, I 7/Lt., O.C. 1299.

Scout Notes. tat Troop.

At our summer camp this year the weather greatly favoured us and we had scarcely a spot of rain. Our camp-site was on the unused golf-course at Glentanar, Aboyne, from which we had a delightful view up the glen. Perhaps we shall remember two things more than anything else : the climb up Mount Keen with the clear panorama at the summit, and the camp-fire at which we were visited by Lord Gkntanar, Chief Scout Commissioner for Scotland. The number of songs sung round the fire seemed limitless.

After the harvesting break, meetings started in earnest again and this winter has shown a marked increase in numbers, the roll having reached 45 with many boys from the Cub Pack. The following promotions were made : Alistair Stewart and Alan Thomson to Patrol Leaders and Ian Fox, William Michic and Edward Fraser to Seconds. A large number of badges has been gained lately.

Dr. W. Douglas Simpson, one of the first Aberdeen Scouts, came to our meeting on Friday, 8th December, and gave a very interesting yam on the start of Scouting in Aberdeen. He promised us he would come back to tell us of Coastguard Watching by Scouts during the Great War and we hope to see him again soon.

The following Friday we had a joint meeting with the 23rd Troop, which ended with an enjoyable sing-song. The 17th Troop has challenged us to a game of rugby, which we have naturally accepted.

Both the Troop and the Pack were successful in the realm of sport this year, the Athletic Trophies and the Cub Swimming Trophy being won. Miss Macintosh is still doing excellent work with the Pack, and recruits will be welcomed any Saturday morning. The Pack spent a day at Clinterty during the summer and those going up to the Troop had a happy week-end camp there.

GEORGE C. DAVIDSON, Acting Scoatmaster.

9th Troop.

We held our fourth war-time camp in Glen Tanner in the second and third weeks of July. The site was an admirable one, at the part of the river called Swan Neck, where it runs on two sides of a grassy triangle of ground. Its only fault was the accompaniment of midges, who bothered us for the first few days and then miraculously disappeared. Lord Glentanar, the Chief Scout Commissioner for Scotland, was very kind to us, both in the facilities which he provided and in his personal

68

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

visits. He came to our camp fire one night and told us of his friendship with the Chief Scout, Lord Somers, who had just died.

It was our aim in camp to push on with our scouting activities. The senior scouts spent several days building huts of natural materials, branches and bracken.

Six huts were made altogether, each by a pair of scouts. There was considerable competition amongst them as to who could build the best hut, and the results were a notable tribute to their ingenuity. But they not only looked well, they served their purpose, as the Troop spent two successive nights in them with no ill effects !

Other outstanding events were a hike up the Tanner and over the bill to the Dee, thirteen miles in all .• and joint Highland Games with the tat Troop, who were camping a mile further up the Glen. Great interest was taken in passing tests, and six Second Class Badges were gained as well as many advances made towards First Class.

During August and since October the regular weekly meetings have been held.

Our numbers remain good and there is a constant flow of recruits. Such has been the demand that we have now two Sea Scout patrols in place of the one which we have had for many years. At the end of August we visited the Fire Station, with its thrill of sliding down the slippery pole. The traditional Troop feed and P.L.s' dinner were held in the Christmas holidays and for war-time we fared very well. We did not feed ourselves only, however, as we revived the custom of giving Christmas dinners to the poor, each patrol visiting one family.

The Pack under Miss Robertson is continuing to flourish with a roll of fifty and an average attendance of forty. In all, the Group may be said to be proving its worth and popularity, despite the growth of the Cadets, now well established in the School. Both organisations have their value and there is no doubt that Scouting still has its attractions.

DONALD E. R. WATT, Acting Scoostmasler.

z7th Troop.

At the time of the last issue of the Afogazine the 17th was congratulating itself on a period of general improvement—of membership, of the standard of scouting and in the number of proficiency badges being gained by members of the Troop.

It was with a feeling of confidence, therefore, and of eager anticipation, that we entered the County Flag Competition last summer. The results justified our expectations, although the first place was not for a Grammar Troop, the second and third places were attained by the 9th Troop and ourselves. First class badges and " King's Scouts " are at last being gained once more by the Troop. Our winter programme contains badge work which, with continued effort on the part of the Scouts, may see the winning of many more.

Last year's summer camp was held at Ballaterach, a favourite site with the 17th. Conditions of weather and transport—those two anxieties of every camper —were more favourable than the Troop has experienced for some time. A successful attack on the summit of Lochnagar was made by a party of senior members of the Troop, additional interest being given to the climb by recalling that Byron had made the ascent from Ballaterach probably by the same route.

Mrs. McCrac has earned the grateful appreciation of the Troop in her help with the redecoration of the Hut. This is making good progress.

The Troop benefited in several ways from the Whist Drive held on 1st November, and the parents of the Scouts agiced that they had an enjoyable evening. A sum of i to tog. was the result.

The Troop has several promotions to report since the last issue of the Magaine.

In the first place P.L. Stuart has become Troop Leader. Ian Murray and John Sutherland are new P.L.s of the Eagle and Owl patrols. Scouts Macdiarmid and Symon have been promoted to the rank of Second.

The day seems nearer when our many Scouters serving abroad will be returning, full (we hope) of ideas that will set the Troop on its peacetime feet again and restore it to the pitch of efficiency which during the war years we have undoubtedly lost to some extent. Until then, we arc confident that not only will the /7th continue to flourish as it now does, but that we shall be able to present to these returning Scooters a record of enthusiastic scouting and of steady improvement in the face of difficulties which, as the war has continued, have by no means decreased.

GORDON MATHIESON, Acting Scoutmaster.

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lberdern Grammar School Magazine

The Former Pupils' Club.

Founded 1893.

President : Colonel ARCHER IRVINE-FORTESCUE, D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B. Vice-President and Chairman of Executive : JOHN LENNOX RIDDELL. Secretary and Treasurer : THEODORE WATT, M.A., LLD., The University Press, 6 Upper Kirkgate, Aberdeen.

Secretaries of Sections : Cricket Section—C. H. WEBSTER, 88 Fountainhall Road.

Rugby Section—N. J. W. MELDRUM, IO Carden Place.

Rates of Subscription for Membership : LIFE MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . £s Or Five Consecutive Annual Payments of LI Is. each.

ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP— For those of at years of age and upwards at commencement of Club year (1st January) . .

For those under az years of age at the commencement of Club year (1st January) . . . but for those under a: a single payment of Li is. will secure membership for SEVEN YEARS.

o

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5

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2

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The F.P. Club Boarding House.

Boys who entered the House in Autumn 1944.

John D. Benzie, s. of John Wm. Benzie (1912-19), 37 Colquhoun Drive, Bearsclen.

John Chalmers, s. of Marshall G. Chalmers, Maud, Aberdeenshire.

George j. Gill, s. of Alex. S. Gill, Douglashead, Tarves.

Neil W. Gollan, s. of Donald Gollan, Connaught Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone, David A. Graham and Gordon I. Graham, ss. of Charles G. Graham (1911-1S), Potterton House, Balmedie.

Peter J. Ingrams, s. of Leonard St. C. Ingrams, t8 Cheyne Row, Chelsea, London, S.W. 3.

Wm. W. Isles, s. of J. R. Isles, 37 River Street, Montrose.

David Jack, s. of Major F. W. Jack, " St. John's Wood," Inverugie, Peterhead.

Gordon C. Kirkland, s. of Mrs. Kirkland, Thistle Inn, Auchenblae. lain M. B. Mackay, s. of Dr. John B. Mackay, Matlock House, Old Meldrunt.

7o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Eric C. MacLeod, s. of Dr. John MacLeod, " Glencorse," Fraserburgh.

Ian G. McPherson s. of Dr. H. G. McPherson, " Lochengair," Stonehaven.

Anthony W. Milligan and John S. Milligan, ss. of Mrs. Milligan, Stracathro Hospital, Brechin.

Alex. M. D. Skinner, s. of Lt.-Commander Alex. Skinner, R.N.R., Marine Dept., Lagos, Nigeria.

Ronald Sleigh, s. of John L. Sleigh (1913-16), Newseat of Tolquhon, Tarves.

James C. Stewart, s. of Mrs. Stewart, 104 Crown Street, Aberdeen.

Alex. McL. Telford, s. of A. M. Telford, P.O. Box 282, Khartoum, Sudan.

Michael Thomson, s. of Mrs. G. M. Thomson, Cromlet Hill, Old Meldrum.

John C. Wilson, s. of John Wilson, Batchart, Blairs.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARDING HOUSE COMPANY. The Sixteenth Annual General Meeting of the Aberdeen Grammar School F.P. Club Boarding House Co., Ltd., was held in the registered office of the Company, 7 Golden Square, Aberdeen, on x6th October 1944, Mr. A. G. Nicol Smith presiding in the absence of Dr. Edward W. Watt, the Chairman of the Company. The Report of the Directors to the meeting stated that the average number of boys in the House during the year had been 43. Towards the end of the year the Junior House was returned to the Company, and in view of the applications received, the Directors decided to re-open it at the beginning of the current School year. Both Houses, therefore, were again functioning, and were filled almost to capacity.

The gross income for the past year showed an increase, but increased costs and a loss on the Junior House resulted in a small reduction in the trading profit.

No depreciation had been provided on the Buildings and Furnishings, but the Directors had provided in full for the estimated taxation on the past and current £370 9 7 years' profits, leaving a net profit for the year of 66 7 8 Brought forward from last year ...

Making a total for allocation of ...

• • •

.. •

•••

••• £436 17

3

The Directors recommended that this sum be allocated as follows :£xoo o o 1. In writing off A.R.P. Expenditure ...

55 O O ... a. In payment of Directors' fees ... ... 187 to O ;. In payment of a Dividend of 5 per cent., less tax • • • 114 7 3 • •• ••• ••• 4 • Carrying forward to next year £436 17

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On the motion of the Chairman, the Report was unanimously adopted. Dr. E. W. Watt, the retiring Director, was re-elected, and Mr. Alan McBain, C.A., was re-appointed Auditor.

The Bengal Centre.

The Annual General Meeting of the Centre was held in Calcutta on 18th April 1944, when the following were present : G. C. Whyte, President ; I. C. Barclay, F. C. B. Black, R. H. Duguid, D. I. Duff, W. G. Macmillan, Alan Reid, Hon. Treasurer ; and H. B. Scott, Hon. Secretary.

Gift of a Lectern.

The first item on the agenda was the approval of the accounts, which revealed an amount of Rs. 450 on deposit account, and Rs. 21/6/6 in cash with bankers.

The existing office-bearers were re-elected. After some discussion, it was resolved that the Honorary Secretary of the Centre should address the Honorary Secretary of the F.P. Club on the subject of the disposal of the surplus funds of the Centre in furthering the objects of the Club. The Club Secretary, after consultation with the Rector, replied that a gift that would be very welcome would be a Lectern or Reading Desk for the School Hall. He pointed out that at Prayers every

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_Aberdeen Grammar Sebool Magazine morning in the Hall the lesson is usually read by one of the Prefects and that it would add to the dignity and impressiveness of the proceedings if the Bible were placed on an appropriate stand. Such a gift, suitably inscribed, would be a constant reminder to present pupils of the loyalty and devotion of F.P.s abroad, and the gift would not be lost sight of, as it might be if merged in some larger scheme. The suggestion of a Lectern has met with the hearty approval of the members of the Bengal Centre and steps will now be taken to give effect to it.

The Rugby Section.

At the beginning of the season the Section sustained a great loss when Mr. A. J. M. Edwards was forced to resign from his position as Secretary, owing to the increasing pressure of his work as School Games Master. Mr. Edwards was Secretary of the Section for five war-time seasons and it is a great tribute to his hard work and enthusiasm that the sixth war-time season finds the Section still flourishing. Much more could be said on this topic, but the fact that F.P.s are still playing regularly, when famous clubs like Glasgow " Accies" and Hillhead H.S. F.P.s have to combine to put one side in the field, is sufficient proof of the debt which the Section owes to Mr. Edwards.

At the Annual General Meeting held on z3rd September the following officials were elected : I. G. K. Phillips, Captain ; A. J. K. Davidson, Vice-Captain ; N. J. W. Meldrum, to Carden Place, Aberdeen, Secretary and Treasurer.

Up to date one side has been fielded regularly, but an effort to run a second side had to be abandoned for lack of support. The side, as generally constituted, has quite a good pack, although rather lacking in weight and strength ; but there is a great shortage of backs, and normally the back division has to be completed by one or two unwanted forwards. In fact, in one game, the side fielded consisted of twelve forwards and three backs The most pleasing feature of the team's play has been the way in which players have managed to acclimatize themselves to unaccustomed positions. However, the greatest handicap is the extreme youthfulness of the side (at a recent game the average age was t8i), and this is, of course, especially evident when playing against heavy and mature Services sides. Although more often on the losing than the winning side, F.P.s can always be relied on to fight right till the last minute of the game, and except when, with a badly depleted side, soundly beaten by the University, the results have invariably been fairly close. The best display was a pointless draw with Gordonians amidst the mud of Seafield.

Players who have been outstanding are : I. G. K. Phillips, Captain and hooker ; A. J. K. Davidson, Vice-Captain and second row forward ; J. Warrack, a very fine wing forward ; I. M. Duguid and J. A. McGregor, who have borne the brunt in attack and defence behind the scrum ; and E. Rogers, a wing forward perforce turned full-back—and they have been awarded half-colours for season '944-45.

Phillips, Warrack and McGregor played for the Aberdeen side which beat a Services select team on 23rd December.

It has been a great pleasure to welcome back from time to time F.P.s home on leave from the Services, and any one coining on leave is assured of a game, provided he notifies the Secretary. Amongst others, the following heroes of past seasons have turned out : D. L. Paul, C. R. Cruickshank, H. S. Cardno, G. C. Warrack, D. Stuart, G. A. Paterson, and W. L. Connon.

A most pleasing feature of this season has been the large body of recruits from the School. In these days, even more than in normal times, the Section could not carry on without the maximum support from the School, and it is to be hoped that the perfectly logical and natural proceeding of playing for the F.P. Club will continue. Surely loyalty to the School should outweigh the tinselled glamour of a blue I In conclusion, I appeal to any F.P.s who may have any rugger kit for which they have no more use to present it to the Section. Everything is welcome, but jerseys are the most needed.

N. J. W. MELDRUM.

Aberdeen Grammar Sc1)001 liagazine

72

The Cricket Section.

After a somewhat discouraging commencement in 1944. the Cricket Section rallied and had a most interesting and quite successful season. An early League defeat by North and a very unexpected dismissal from the Cup Tics at the hands of Balmoral made it improbable that any considerable success could be obtained, but a series of League victories was broken only by another defeat at the hands of Balmoral, while the season finished with two draws, both in F.P.s' favour, against Gordonians and Mannofield, the two most powerful adversaries.

Early in the season the bowling was far too much dependent on the efforts of L. E. Tyson, who put up a series of grand performances but had no assistant who could be depended on at the other end. In July and August, however, the School Captain, A. M. Davidson, played fairly regularly and immediately filled the want of a good bowler to help Tyson.

In the season as a whole, the best batting was done by the Captain, Neil Macdonald, a gallant and successful hitter, and by the steady and stylish Edwards and Tyson, but a very pleasant feature of the earlier part of the season was the appearance of Dr. J. T. Sorley. A prominent member of the all-conquering F.P. sides of the early 1920's, Dr. Sorley always hatted finely and headed the averages, in addition to keeping wicket most capably.

A. Lawrence, the School opening batsman, showed the finest promise in his few appearances for F.P.s, and Davidson was also a successful batsman. The weak points of the F.P. side were the lack of bowling to support Tyson until the arrival of Davidson, and the inability of the batsmen in the lower half of the batting order to take advantage of the too few opportunities that were accorded them.

Batting and Bowling Averages for 1944• Batting.

Dr. J. T. Sorley .

N. H. Macdonald . .

A. Lawrence A. J. M. Edwards L. E. Tyson .

A. M. Davidson .

. .

•

lans.

7 16 4 16 15 4

N.O. 1 4 1 4 5

Highest Score 39 74 58 38 57

1

30

59

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A taidens 4

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Video's 5 71.

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Bowling. .

J. A. Innes . .

L. E. Tyson Dr. J. T. Sorley .

A. J. M. Edwards A. M. Davidson .

A. Edmond .

W. S. Gibh .

Macdonald .

N. H.

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21

20

396

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175

29.1

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15 19

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Avera ze 4.20

5-5 6.6 9.8 11.5 13.1

13.8 15.8 C. H. WEBSTER, LIM/. Sec. 97

158

New Members of the Club.

Since the last Magazine was published, 16 F.P.s have become Life Members on first joining, S4 Ordinary Members have now become Life Members, and 45 new Ordinary Members have been enrolled.

It is regretted that space cannot meantime he found for the publication of the names.

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HE GRAMMAR SCHOOL provides for Boys a complete course of TStudy, both Elementary and Secondary, Classical and Modern.

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Head Mistress

(ALBYR PLACE.) - Miss B. M. ROSE, M.A. (Oxon.).

HIGH SCHOOL provides a liberal education for Girls from THE 5 to x8 years of age. It is organised in three Departments—Infants,

Primary, and Secondary. The Classes in the Infants and Primary divisions are graded in accordance with the requirements of the Scottish Code. Pupils in the Secondary Department are prepared for the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department and University entrance and Bursary Competition examinations.

Pupils, whose parents desire it, can be taught Theory and Practice of Music (Pianoforte, Violin, Singing, etc.) and can be entered, if desired, for the examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music.

The School buildings occupy an excellent and spacious site in the West end of the city. A Playing Field of eleven acres, situated at Hazlehead and provided with a suitable pavilion, is used for organised games.

Information as to Fees, Scholarships, Courses of Study, etc., at the Grammar School and High School for Girls is given in the School Prospectus, which may be bad free on application to the Director of Education, Education Offices, or to the Rector or Head Mistress respectively.

The best form of

SOCIAL SECURITY is a private bank balance of your own

• Open an account in the

ABERDEEN SAVINGS BANK and add to it regularly Interest 2), per cent.

Money repayable on demand

•

, SHOE FITTING BY X-RAY

/

JOHN A. DUNN Family Boot and Shoe Maker

46 UNION STREET ABERDEEN Phone 158

Repairs Executed

6

SPECIALISTS IN YOUNG-PEOPLES FOOTWEAR PRINTED AT TUB ABILSDEBN UNIVIIISITY ►BRCS.