AGS Magazine July 1944

THE

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOU MAGAZINE

ABERDEEN

printZd forlhe Former Pupils' Club at the University Press • PRICE ONE SHILLING.

Volume XLVII, No. 1.

July 1944.

EDUCATIONAL BOOKS JAMES G. BISSET 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 Marischal College)

•

PHONE 753 •

GOOD HEALTH demands

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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FINE JEWELS and ANTIQUE SILVER Out-of-Date WATCHES JEWELLERY COINS CHAINS and Odds and Ends of every description realize

HIGH PRICES to-day

Full Value received at

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ILITITES have just what !/O141 are looking for Something to wear that is well cut, smart and practical and not too expensive

SUITS TRAVEL COATS MODEL COATS FROCKS DRESSES GOWNS FUR COATS

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ALSO AT CHURCH SQUARE. BALLATER.

PHONI RI

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TO THE LATE

APPOINTMENT

KING GEORGE V

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

(lane of 162 Union Street)

Estd.

A.u.

1844

'Phone 714

WM. KENNAWAY LTD. Quality Bakers, Confectioners and Caterers

ABERDEEN 0 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 9f

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

THE

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OUR 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 2695

Established 1873

JAMES FYFE & SON PAINTERS AND GLAZIERS. •

•

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OFFICE AND SHOWROOMS:-

11 DEE STREET, ABERDEEN. Telegrams--" Pyle, Painters."

Telephone 304.

IRONMONGERY A LARGE AND VARIED STOCK ALWAYS ON HAND SHEETMETAL WORK

A

SPECIALITY

H. LEITH & SON 26 and 28 NETHERKIRKGATE Phone 259

ABERDEEN

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very

convenient

to register

with

ALEXANDER

.

for your BUTCHER MEAT and BACON.

•

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It's

an economy too, for at the expense of only one telephone—or personal—call you may also order FISH and POULTRY with the assurance that

your

instructions

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receive

every

consideration.

Ak. (lic W. Al_EXANDEIR FISH, GAME AND MEAT MERCHANTS Tel.: Aberdeen 5172

492 UNION STREET

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ABERDEEN

• DAIRY: ABERDEEN

FARM: CULTER

Tel. 1315, 7013, 7014

Tel. 6

KENNERTY DAIRY

FARM •

WILLIAM

REITH

Sole Proprietor: JOHN REITH

•

46-48

ROSE STREET, ABERDEEN

CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS. Facing page

Facing page

The First F.P. Rugby Team, • • • • 1893-94 Thomas Irvine, Glen Huntly, Liverpool . . .

• John Ivo Dawson .

• .

Colonel John Eric Bain .

Sub-Lieut. J. R. S. Bell .

• Signalman John A. Rose • Lieut. R. A. S. Watt .

• Flight Lieut. E. M. Thompson

. 160 William Murison, M.A. . . . 161 Sergeant E. A. Gauld Flight Sergeant J. P. Hutcheson. 161 School Rugby Football ist XV . 176 School Prefects—June 1944 • 177 Centre Pilot Officer I. C. B. Black Flying Officer C. W. Peasland Pt Major J. H. Ogilvie It Major G. A. Burnett 21

I12 113 128 129 144 144 1 45 1 45

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A Message to Former Pupils. By J. J. R. • • Legacy from Dr. Charles McLeod The School and L'Orient. By Dr. A. A. Cormack .

The Beginning of F.P. Rugby .

• .

• Honour for the Rector The Thomas Irvine Memorial Fund On Service Abroad. By Colonist Notes about Old Boys . . . .

Roll of F.P. War Service . . .

• .

Marriages • • • .

Pro Patria Mortui . . . .

The Toll of the War . . .

Missing . . . .

• • Prisoners of War . .

Gift to the School Library .

Obituary . . . .

• • • James Cooper Clark : A Tribute. By C. D. .

• • • • Mr. William Munson .

Tercentenary of George Jamesone's Death .

Escape from Burma. By Sydney E. Dumo . . .

Safari on Kilimanjaro. By Benjamin Booth .

'Tis Sixty Years Since. By the late Dr. Edward Fiddes School Section— . . . .

School and Random Notes .

The Rape of the Porridge (verse). By R. W. Hepburn The Athletic Sports 1944 • • Rugby Notes . .

• . .

Cricket . .

• House Notes . .

• • The Literary and Debating Society . .

• • Scout Notes .

Army Cadet Force : The School Company Air Training Corps : No. 1299 Squadron School Office-Bearers for Session 1943-44 The Former Pupils' Club— Report for the Year 1943 The Club Boarding House .

• .

The Bengal Centre .

The Rugby Section . . .

The Cricket Section New Life Members of the Club New Ordinary Members of the Club Addresses Wanted of Life Members •

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146 147 1 47 1 47 1 48 1 57 1 59 16o 161 ' 164 167 170 172 174 174 175

176 177 179 18o 181 183 184

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186 188 188 188 189 189 19o

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

`N. M. McPHERSON Baker and Confectioner

IS FOUNTAINHALL ROAD AND

8

ST.

SWITHIN

STREET

ABERDEEN TELEPHONE I 5 I 5

i

1943

1h43

BARGAINS

Established 100 Years

are difficult to-day

WM. CAY & SONS

have good value in

but I still

TYPEWRITERS, SAFES, DESKS, CHAIRS, and other OFFICE EQUIPMENT.

(FUNERAL DIRECTORS) LIMITED

415 UNION STREET and

Have you any you can spare ? I am very anxious to secure them for H.M.S.O., for Army Units, Government Contractors, etc.

209 GEORGE STREET,

ABERDEEN

-I'll

give Good Prices.

All Funeral Requisites Supplied

C. H. WEBSTER

Cremations Arranged

489 Union Street Telegrams—"Cay, Aberdeen."

Telephone Nos. 92 and 54.

ABERDEEN

Telegrams : ' Blake Builders '

Telephone: 8811-2

JP AMIES IL ILAFIE LIU,.

Joiners§ 111111 igitildint;

Or%

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

All classes of Building Joinery

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ABERDEEN

Enquiries courteously solicited Wyllies Circulating Library

Agents for Ordnance Survey Maps

WYLLIES Booksellers, Stationers

247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN Telephone 402

Established 1814 ESTABLISH

THE

HABIT

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

416 UNION STREET ABERDEEN

'Phone 2870

We Buy

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

I

JAMIESON & CARRY ESTD. 1733

JEWELLERS. WATCHMAKERS, SILVERSMITHS

UNION

142 -

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

41e401-.•49 Oi

49

wow—

It

A 1 1'111 11 , _11

LIMITATION IN BUSINESS " Limitation" is the Government

business carried on by Collie's of

order of the day in practically every business, except munition making.

Aberdeen enables this firm to offer

Limitation of stocks, limitation of facilities, and even limitation of your purchasing power.

Under these circumstances it is no easy task for the lady of the house to

the

keep

Fortunately

larder

the

replenished.

extent

of

the

a

wider-than-ordinary

choice

of

good things, all at reasonable prices.

Not only so, but the service offered has not been limited In sincerity or helpfulness. stands

a

Good service to-day

chance

of

being

more

appreciated and more useful than at any other time.

atdite,w Cow' cecieed FAMILY GROCERS

269-271

UNION

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WINE

STREET

MERCHANTS

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ABERDEEN

Telephones: CENTRAL 4800 (4 lines) Branch Shops at CULTS, BALLATER, and BRAEMAR Telephones: Cults 28; Balloter 14; Braemar 212 s

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ESTABLISHED IN ABERDEEN I 836

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

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CHIEF OFFICES:

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LONDON ..

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Branches and Agencies throughout the World -

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine both year: No. 154 (New Series. ,first year, No. 145)

Vol. XLVII

JULY 1944

No. z —

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.

It must have seemed strange indeed to many of you that the last number of the Magazine should carry a message from the Rector without a single reference to the Jubilee of the Club. Yet the explanation is very simple : until the January Magazine was in my hands, I had no idea that we were celebrating an event of such moment in the history of the School. Let me, however belatedly, convey my warm congratulations and reaffirm the conviction I expressed at my first coming among you, that the continued vitality of the Former Pupils' Club is at once a major source and an unmistakable evidence of the quality of the School. Nor will it seem disparagement of others, if at this time I pay special tribute to Dr. Theodore Watt, who by the recurrent magic of the Magazine has bridged space and linked the School generations in record and recollection, and to the originator of the Club itself, that most prescient and enlightened Rector, Dr. Morland Simpson, the greatness of whose contribution to the Grammar School comes home to me more and more as I live and work there.

In April the Central School reoccupied its own buildings, and the Grammar School resumed a normal life. What are our feelings ?

Just what honest folks should feel about the ending of something that need never have been. And we take leave to remember (and to remind others l) that effects outlive their causes.

Of our activities generally in these last months the Magazine will give you a sufficient record. When I take stock of all that has been done in work and play and pre-Service training, together with the special demands on youth of a country at war, I feel that, even if some have toiled too much and others too little, the total achievement is not one of which we need be ashamed.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Old pupils will learn with grateful appreciation of Dr. Charles McLeod's legacy of Li oo to the School, and also of the substantial benefaction by Miss Edith Irvine of Liverpool, which is fully reported elsewhere in this number. Miss Irvine has given not merely generously but with singular graciousness and a most happy acknowledgment of all that the early years in Aberdeen and its ancient School meant to her father.

Dare I hope that the institution of " The Thomas Irvine Memorial Fund " will put right thoughts into the heads of others ? Probably the day of very large benefactions to schools is past, but there must be many who could mark their indebtedness to or affection for the Grammar School by some augmenting of its resources. To them I would express my conviction that, however freely Education Committees may use their statutory powers in the years ahead, there will remain many ways in which the boys of a School like this can be greatly benefited by such Trust Funds, vested in the Rector and the Former Pupils' Club, and freely available without trammelling conditions as the changing circumstances of the future require.

Another lifetime of service to the School was brought to a close by the retirement in December of Miss Mary A. Reid. She was an excellent teacher in that quiet way that is possible only for serene and disciplined personalities, and the same qualities that brought success in the classroom made her a delightful colleague and a trusted friend.

The death of Mr. William Murison was keenly felt by us all. He was a great scholar and a good man. Of his like, uniting the rarer qualities of mind and character, the number is limited in any generation, and the Grammar School does well to hold him in memory as one who enriched it with his influence and adorned it with his gifts.

My readers cannot be unaware that changes are impending which may profoundly affect certain historic Schools, and in the autumn a new Scottish Education Bill will give those changes shape and direction. Here are problems to whose solution we must bring minds open to the new and hearts that remember and love the old : only so shall we escape an obstructive or a defeatist temper and take our stand with those who hold that, whatever changes the times require, no School which has served the centuries should he left without a high and distinctive function in the years to come.

J. J. R. 104

Legacy from Dr. Charles McLeod.

Dr. Charles McLeod, whose death on i4th December 1943 was recorded in the last Magazine, bequeathed L1oo to the School for the purpose of founding a Library in the Physics Department. He directed that the annual interest be used for the purchase of popular books dealing with physical science and astronomy, "such as would stimulate the interest of the pupils, elementary and advanced, in the study of these subjects."

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

I05

The School and L'Orient.

Although in the modern spelling the apostrophe is dropped from the name of this frequently-bombed French naval base in South Brittany, on the Bay of Biscay, yet that apostrophe is essential to an understanding of the original meaning, namely, the East. This small town of 5o,ooo Lorientais was founded late in history, in 1664, as the trading port and depot of the French East India Company, whence goods could be distributed by land throughout France and by sea to Northern Europe. The site was chosen four miles up the river Blavet, at its junction with the river Scorff, in order to be inland and so safe from attack by British naval vessels and by British privateers. Forts, still standing complete but not modernized, were built at the river mouth on both banks—at Port Louis, left bank, and at Larmor, right bank. The full and deep Atlantic tide carried the sailing vessels up from and down to the sea, and rising 39 feet, provided the necessary means of cleaning and repairing ship-bottoms, high and dry on the shelving sandbanks that skirt the river. The substantial warehouses of the original company, strongly built of local granite, still stood in 1939.

Now come with me to the stage of our School Hall. In the south-west corner, above the stage back exit, upon a rounded shelf there still stands the bust of the School's greatest historian, John Hill Burton (1809-81), who at Schoolhill in 18zo, 1822, and 1823, gained as prize books " Gray's Selectae ex Latinis Scriptoribus, Homeri Ilias," and " Dumesnil's Latin Synonimes." At the age of fourteen years and two months Burton entered Marischal College to take his M.A. degree, where to-day his portrait in glass adorns the great window of the Mitchell Hall, alongside that of his life-long friend, schoolmate, and fellow-historian, Joseph Robertson. HistoriographerRoyal for Scotland, he was honoured by Edinburgh University, LL.D. (on the same occasion as his schoolmate Joseph Robertson), and by Oxford University, D.C.L. One of John Hill Burton's biggest works is entitled " Life and Correspondence of David Hume," published in two volumes in 1846.

In the first volume at page 441, in Appendix A, you will find the only record I know of an attack upon Lorient, made by the British in 1746, entitled " Fragments of a paper in Hume's handwriting describing the descent on the coast of Brittany in 1746, and the causes of its failure." Hume, the Scottish philosopher and historian, having studied in Anjou, France, from 1734 to 1737, was well qualified to be secretary to General James Sinclair, who was ordered in 1746 to lead an expedition against the French in Canada. Sinclair with 6,ooo men was to attack Quebec. With characteristic British lack of preparedness for war the expedition was not ready to sail until September —too late to proceed up the fog-bound St. Lawrence river. Accordingly Admiral Anson and General Sinclair were ordered to attack the French at Lorient, or Rochefort, or La Rochelle, or Bordeaux, as a diversionary measure to draw the French forces away from Flanders.

106

Aberdeen Grammar School MagaVne

Hume, after three years in Anjou, had a vague idea where Lorient was.

Burton continues :— The ignorance of the country and the want of guides was a desperate evil,

for which the General could provide no remedy. He had no map of Brittany, none of France, except a common map on a small scale of the Kingdom of France, which his aide-de-camp had been able to pick up in a shop in Plymouth. When the General protested that his task was impossible, he was answered that nothing was expected of him but to land anywhere in France, to produce an alarm, and to return safe with the fleet and the transports to the British dominions.

Sailing on 15th September they reached the island of Groix, eight miles off the Blavet mouth, on the evening of the i8th. Two days passed, during which they were clearly seen from the coast, before an adverse wind fell away and allowed them to sail up an inlet to the west and land for a flank attack across a moor at Quimperle.

L'Orient, lately a small village, now a considerable town on the coast of Brittany, lies in the extremity of a fine bay, the mouth of which is very narrow and guarded by the strong citadel of Port Louis. The East India Company had numbers of cannons in their magazines and had there erected a school of engineers for the service of their ships and settlements. L'Orient sent envoys to treat for terms.

Rain fell heavily. Cannon could not be moved. The Director-General of Engineers had neither skill in contrivance nor order and diligence in execution. His blind obstinacy rendered him incapable of making use of the capacity of others.

He trusted much to the red-hot balls with which he promised to lay the town in ashes in twenty-four hours ; yet by his negligence or that of others, the furnace with which these balls were to be heated, was forgot.

The French envoys, summing up the situation, disappeared in the night: On ist October the fleet sailed out of Quimperle roads, a dangerous situation in rough weather so late in the season in the dreaded Bay of Biscay. Lorient was never reached. British killed and wounded numbered twenty. The only relic shown to visitors in modern times was a British bullet stuck fast in the wall of a church.

In 175o the French East India Company was still a great maritime power owning thirty-five ships of the largest class. In 1753 the French lost Bengal, and after a period of internal mismanagement and trade depression this great Campagnie des Indes was wound up in 1769.

The French Government bought up the whole installation and made of it a naval arsenal—smaller than the dockyard at Brest. There is a school of navigation, a school for marine fusiliers, a school of hydrography, a shell factory, large magazines on St. Michel island, an active arsenal, an artillery range (polygone), shipbuilding yards, and a commercial port to the south. Not far away is the village of Carnac with its 9,ooo standing stones in ten avenues, where James Milne, a Scottish antiquary, brought to light the remains of a GalloRoman town complete with temple and bath, and where he established during the last fourteen years of his life a local museum of prehistoric curios—the best memorial to our industrious fellow-countryman.

The curator of this museum in 1939 and mayor of the parish was an excellent friend of the Grammar School, none other than the exDirecteur of the Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture a Rennes, who annually lectured to and entertained the boys at his experimental farm. How many still remember the cider factory, and the endless chain of Grammarians that passed the farm manager, who drew from a vast glass-lined tank into a beaker? We took him annually the latest

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

107

potatoes from Scotland and brought back lovely dahlias to gladden the heart of Rab, the School gardener.

In 1919 the French Government resolved to build at Lorient a model trawling centre for very large vessels fishing off Newfoundland and Iceland, le port de peche a Keroman, down-stream from Lorient —to be run as a public utility company. Keen young engineers were sent out to visit and report upon the world's best fishing ports. One morning I was summoned from School by the Town Clerk to proceed to the Palace Hotel to act as interpreter for two French engineers.

They were right friendly fellows, who had fought from 1914 to 1918.

German had been their first foreign language at school. One possessed a single phrase in English with which he saluted every official he met in Aberdeen. " Ze top of ze morning to youl" For two days they took copious notes and measurements of fish market, trawlers, nets, fish-houses, kilns, ice factories, coal stores, transport, rail facilities, fish-meal processes, etc.

The first steam trawler in the world was French, the Turbot, Skipper Allegre, which fished out of Arcachon near Bordeaux in 1837. The first steam trawler in Aberdeen, a converted Dublin paddle-boat, the Toiler, made her first fishing trip in Aberdeen Bay on 23rd March 1882. Her first shot of three boxes of haddocks was sold for 37s. to Thomas Davidson, grandfather of Thomas W. N. Davidson (1929-41), Dunmail, Cults. After the first Great War, when the franc fell to one-fifth of its value, it paid French trawlers, which were able to catch herring—a surface fish—in a trawl net, to land and sell their fish in Aberdeen. Our trawl fishermen had never tried this game for want of a suitable net and for want of experience. For a trawl-owner friend I had a special herring net brought over, complete with wings, belly, cod-end, and accessories, which our trawl fisherman learned in time to use and also to manufacture.

In 1928 my wife and I spent a long vacation at Larmor, near Lenient, with French naval officer friends interested in the new fishing industry, examining the grand new port at Keroman, with its wonderful market, refrigerator, rail head, German coaling machinery (reparations), a radial slip for its large trawlers whereby twenty trawlers could be out of the water at one time for repair and all sitting upon an even keel, and a School of Fishing. In the Fishing News, Aberdeen, 25th August and 1st September 1928, two long articles appeared descriptive of this port, illustrated by photographs, drawings to scale, and aerial views. That was a memorable holiday—of sea bathing, yachting, and seeking to learn all about this port, in order to enlighten Aberdeen. The local fishes are the sardine, the lobster, and the tunny. Lobsters were kept alive inside a stranded and flooded cement ship built on our Dee during the first Great War. With the exception of Geestemunde in Germany, Lorient fish market, 127 feet wide, is the widest in the world. From the quay wall, through the market, through the fish-house into the refrigerator on the refrigerating railway wagon, the fish are not transported more than zoo feet in a straight line. Little handling and quick despatch made Lorient fish renowned throughout France.

1 o8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

One of our French friends, a keen hunter, begged us to bring over on our next visit at Easter, 1929, two hunting dogs, Gordon setters, to live in his lovely castle near Lorient. Accordingly the Grammar Party, thirty boys, one teacher, his wife, and two sisters of Grammarians —Judy Orr, now a Captain, R.A.M.C., in the Middle East, and Mary Morrison, sister of Jimmie Morrison (1928-32), Major, R.A.M.C.— set off with a crate containing a pair of lovely setters, which cost L4 for the male and L3 for the female. Willie Mitchell (1919-32), now Major, R.A.O.C., a prospective vet., took charge of the dogs. What a wild crossing! Only two of the party could stand in the third-class forepeak of the small channel packet, since burned to the water edge, namely George Walker (1924-30), farmer, and the teacher who dutifully carried basins all night! Do we not all recall the howling of the dogs, the thudding of the solid green Atlantic rollers upon our starboard that made the whole ship quiver, and the chocolate shirt of Jimmie Morrison, which the game lad laundered himself in the bedroom washbasin and dried a dirty cream colour upon the corridor radiator of the Hotel Duquesclin, Rennes. (Alas! the hotel is no more.)

Meminissejuvall What with transport and import duty these Lorient dogs cost our friends a penny! Duty was 5o per cent. ad valorem for pedigreed dogs and so per cent. for plain dogs. Of course ours, of a brand never seen before at St. Malo, were described to the officer as common wild dogs to be found on any moor in Scotland in August.

Pale and groggy, we handed the crate to French boy correspondents, who were waiting eagerly on the quay to meet their pen-pals. Before lunch the Lorient owner arrived in his car with his wife. Madame went ecstatic over her beaux cbiens, while Monsieur paid the whole bill with pride. No hunter in Brittany would have dogs like his!

Since 5940 I have not had a single letter from France, nor did I once attempt to write to France when it was still possible to do so.

Yet I hope to return to Brittany on a pious pilgrimage to the known graves of at least two Grammarians who gave their lives over Brest —Stuart Middleton (1918-29) and Billy Orr (5927-36). Of the zoo boys who travelled to Brittany in nine years with us, could we not make a party after the war, at Easter again? For these places in Brittany where we were very happy, and for the many friends there with whom we have been happy, despite all events in France since 1939, there is an undertow of sentiment which no subsequent developments can alter. You wonder why Loricnt has had to be bombed so often. Well, up the Blavet for seven miles beyond Lorient sea-going vessels can proceed as far as Hennebont. In a network of inlets and canals German submarines can disperse and hide in concrete-roofed pens.

ALEXANDER A. CORMACK.

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The Beginning of F.P. Rugby.

In the Jubilee survey of the F.P. Club that appeared in the last issue of the Magazine, the hope was expressed that an account of the origin, development, and record of the Rugby Football Section of the Club would yet appear. Recently the Editor has been in communication with the surviving two out of the three F.P.s who gathered together the first F.P. Rugby Team—Dr. G. O. Gauld, Nottingham, and Mr. Ernest Rennet, Aberdeen, and from the former has received the following letter.

Dr. G. O. Gauld's Recollections.

The Editor suggests that I turn my mind back to the early 'nineties and give my recollections of the starting of the Former Pupils' Rugby Team and of its early days.

My recollection is that in the early autumn of 1893, between the two University sessions, three of us—J. R. Thomson, Ernest Rennet, and myself—came to the conclusion that there was a shortage of senior football clubs in Aberdeen and that the School might well rectify that shortage.

In the previous winter the second University team was nearly as strong as the first XV, and the Wanderers—as the second team was called—actually drew with the first team in the only match played between them, and we certainly gave the senior team a fright and a very good game (Rennet and I were members of the Wanderers' team). So we had a preliminary meeting of a few Old Boys, including J. L. G. Gillanders,1 H. P. Sleigh,2 and several others, and agreement was reached that in the following season (1893-94) we should make a start.

There were initial difficulties—we had no ground. To get over that first obstacle, at the meeting called soon afterwards, the Rector suggested that the School grounds might be used with several of the senior boys as a nucleus, and this was done, A. B. Walker being the first Captain of the joint team. It was decided that " The Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils' Rugby Football Club " should be the name. .

From that beginning, with the wisdom and experience of the Rector (Mr. Morland Simpson) and the assistance of several prominent Old Boys—Dr. William Findlay,2 Dr. Frank Kelly,4 Dr. J. Scott Ridde11,5 and others—the parent Club was launched.

1 John . Lyall Grant Gillanders (1877-89), M.B., C.M. (Aberd.) 1896 ; civil surgeon in South African War ; killed in accident at Pieserton, June 1905. *Henry Paterson Sleigh (1877-91), M.B., Ch.B. (Aberd.) 1899 ; medical practitioner, Holbrook, Ipswich ; died 6th January 193o. $ William Findlay (1879-84), M.A. (Aberd.) 1888 ; C.M. 1891 ; M.D. 1899 ; medical practitioner, Aberdeen ; died 23rd March 1904.

1 Francis Kelly (1879-85), M.B., C.M. (Aberd.) 1889; M.D. 1898 ; medical practitioner, Aberdeen ; Colonel, R.A.NI.C. ; C.B.E. 1919 ; Honorary Surgeon to the King, 1924 ; died 27th July 1939. * John Scott Riddell (18 76-79), M.A. (Aberd.) 1884 ; M.B., C.M. 1888 ; LL.D. 1912 ; Consulting Surgeon, Aberdeen ; M.V.O. (4th Class) 1905 ; C.B.E. 1917 ; died 3rd December 1929.

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That is my recollection of the starting of the F.P. Football Team.

So far as my memory goes, our first year was a very hard one, and we lost every match against the senior clubs, but it was not long before our record improved, and with each season we were more difficult to beat.

The photograph of the team of i897-98 (our fifth season) bears a note of the proud record that all io matches were won, points scored 1oz, against 3 (a penalty goal), our lines not having been crossed.

The photograph includes the President (Mr. Morland Simpson); the Vice-President, Dr. F. Kelly ; and the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Samuel Pope, Jun.6 Since those early days the F.P.s have been a leading team in the Scottish North and Midlands. One season we travelled to Edinburgh and played the Wanderers, one of the leading Scottish teams, and beat them by two tries to nil.

An incident which I can still vividly picture took place at the Duthie Park in the only football match I played there. Harry,' the fourth member of the Butchart family and still at the School, played half, and Tommy Robertson,8 another boy at the School, was playing wing three-quarter. With the forwards strung out well across the field, Harry threw out a short pass which Tommy, dashing up at full speed, gathered, and running half the length of the field, scored behind the posts—a feat worthy of Ian Smith, the famous Scottish wing of more recent years.

After the first year we must have played on our opponents' grounds.

I can remember playing in our first season against the University on the School ground, when we lost by a goal to nil after an even game.

No doubt the School ground was in our favour. Playing against the University at King's, I can still feel the thrill when Menzies kicked off towards the sea and, following up at full speed, gathered the ball at the first bounce and went in between the posts, being just reached as he grounded the ball by a great footballer, Sam Thomson. That is a record I have never heard of being equalled. My friend Lord Mackay is, I think, in error in sayings that we won that match—we were beaten but not disgraced.

Since those early days, with a beautiful ground to play on, the F.P.s have made history, and a few have played for Scotland with very great credit and brought honour to the old School.

G. 0. GAULD. i6 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, 20 May 1944. ' Samuel Pope, Jun. (1876-87), eldest son of Mr. Samuel Pope, drawing and writing master, Aberdeen Grammar School ; solicitor, Aberdeen.

7 Henry Jackson Butchart (1890-99), B.L. (Aberd.) 1905 ; advocate in Aberdeen, 1908 ; D.S.O. 1918 ; Secretary, University of Aberdeen, 1919. a Thomas Bremner Robertson (1887-1901), M.A. (Aberd.) 1906 ; minister, U.F. Church, Kingswells, Aberdeen, 1908 ; Church of Scotland, St. Cyrus, 1934 died 23rd April 1937. %See A.G.S. Mag., Jan. 1944, p. 9, footnote.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Mr. Ernest Rennet's Comments.

Mr. Ernest Rennet writes : " I well remember in 1893, when Mr. Morland Simpson became Rector, my first call on him, when we were refused permission to play on the School field. After consultation with my friends and on the suggestion of Mr. H. F. Menzies, I called again with the suggestion that some present pupils be taken into the Team, and then permission was granted. " One point on which my memory differs from that of ' G.O.' is where he says that in our first season we lost every match against the senior clubs, and the only way in which that point could be settled would be by reference to the files of our local press, if such still exist. My recollection is that all along we were quite a successful Team. I agree as to the season in which there were only three points scored against us, but my recollection is that it was a try scored at the corner post which, in the scoring of it, was knocked down. It was against a team not particularly strong, which was then known as The Engineers, and the match was played on the School ground.

We did play on various grounds. I remember a match on the old Holburn cricket ground against Blair- Lodge School, and later we often played on the Mannofield cricket ground."

The First F.P. Rugby Team.

Both Dr. Gauld and Mr. Rennet still retain their old F.P. football caps. The former's cap bears the dates continuously from 1893-94 to 1900-or, while the latter's has the dates 1893-94 to 1897-98. For fifty years Mr. Rennet has preserved a photograph of the first F.P. Rugby Team, that of 1893-94, and the reproduction of it in this issue will arouse much interest. Of the sixteen individuals in the group, one, Mr. Menzies, was a Master, twelve were F.P.s, and four—J. A. Butchart, W. R. Butchart, John (" Jock ") Milne, and A. B. (" Mushie ") Walker—were pupils at the School. The following are short biographical notes on the Team, in the order in which they appear in the group :— James Park Wingate (1887-91) : M.A. (Aberd.) 1895 ; went to Amoy, China, in 1897 ; died in Edinburgh, z7 February 1904.

Alexander Wishart Christie (1878-87) : C.B.E. 1939 ; proprietor of The Gordon Cleaning Company, Huntly ; for fifteen years Provost of the Burgh of Huntly ; first Treasurer of the F.P. Club.

James Andrew Sandilands Grant (1889-91): M.A. (Aberd.)

1896 ; M.B., Ch.B. 1900 • for many years in medical practice in Montrose ; died there, 7 October 1933.

James Souter (1889-9x) : M.A. (Aberd,) 1898 '• M.B., Ch.B. x9oz ; was in medical practice at Newtyle, Forfarshire; Medical Officer, Wimbledon, London ; latterly in North Kensington.

James Alexander Butchart (1889-95) : and Lieut., R.A., 1900 ; D.S.O. 1917 ; retired December 1921 (Lt.-Col.).

John Leibbrandt (1890-92) : came from South Africa and returned there; was in service of Messrs. Philip Brothers, general merchants, Cape Town, etc.

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James Rowan Thomson (1889-91) : admitted chartered accountant, Aberdeen, 1897 ; partner in firm of Rowan Thomson & Gibson, C.A., Kirkcaldy ; died there, 4 September 1915.

William A. Pope (1881-9o) : was in the service of the Caledonian Insurance Co., first in Aberdeen and later in Manchester; now retired.

Robert Whyte Mackay (1882-9o) : of Messrs. Anderson & Thomson, wholesale cloth merchants, Aberdeen; officer in 7th Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), 1914-19 ; O.B.E. (Military) 1919 ; died 22 May 1941.

Ernest Rennet (1879-88) : M.A. (Aberd.) 1893 ; B.L. 1896 ; C.A., Aberdeen, 1899 ; advocate in Aberdeen 1901 : partner in firm of Butchart & Rennet.

George Ogg Gauld (1886-91): M.B., Ch.B. (Aberd.) i9o1; medical practitioner, Nottingham, since 191o.

William Robert Butchart (1889-94) : marine engineer in Australia and the Far East ; farmer in Saskatchewan from 1911 ; with Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd., Shanghai, from 1918 (one of the donors to the School of the Shanghai Clock) ; engineer to Fraser's Mills, Vancouver, B.C. A brother of James A. Butchart.

Alexander Brown Walker (1883-94) : M.B., Ch.B. (Aberd.) 1898 ; in medical practice in Glasgow ; died in Edinburgh, 6 March 1907.

John Milne (1888-94) : for many years carrier, Braemar; officer in 7th Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), 1914-19 ; Major 1916 ; M.C. January 1917.

Henry Fisher Menzies : Master in the Grammar School 1893-96 ; thereafter Rector, Wallace Hall Academy, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire ; played rugby for the Fettesian-Lorettonians and the West of Scotland, and four times in 1893 and 1894 for Scotland ; lived in retirement in Edinburgh from 1933 ; died there, 31 July 1938.

Alexander Morrice Mackay (1882-91) : M.A. (Aberd.) 1895 ; B.A. (Cantab.) 1898 ; LL.B. (Edin.) 1902 ; called to Scots Bar, 1902 ; K.C. 192o ; one of the Senators of the College of Justice in Scotland (Hon. Lord Mackay) since 1928. A brother of Robert Whyte Mackay.

Honour for the Rector.

At the annual general meeting of the Association of Headmasters of Senior Secondary Schools held in Edinburgh in January, Mr. J. J. Robertson was elected President. He has been attending frequent meetings in Edinburgh as a member of the Advisory Council on Education in Scotland, which has already produced more than one report in connection with the shaping of educational policy in Scotland.

The First F.P. Rugby Team, 1893-94•

Standing—J. P. Wingate, A. W. Christie, J. A. S. Grant, J. Souter, J. A. Autchart, J. Lcibbrandt, J. R. Thomson,

W. A. Pope, R. W. Mackay.

Sitting—E. Rennet, G. 0. Gauld, W. R. Butchart, A. B. Walker (Captain), ). Milne, II. F. Menzies, A. \l. Nlackay.

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THOMAS IRVINE, Glen

Huntly, Liverpool.

Burn, 18'8; died, 1907.

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The Thomas Irvine Memorial Fund.

In March of this year came the very welcome announcement that Miss Edith M. Irvine, of 38 Knowsley Road, Cressington, Liverpool, had made a gift to the School of kr,ooo in memory of her father, Thomas Irvine, who was a pupil at the School from 1829 to 1833.

Under the trust deed it is provided that the trustees of the Fund shall be the Rector for the time being of the School and the VicePresident for the time being of the Former Pupils' Club. The yearly income of the Fund, subject to the payment of the expenses of administration, shall be applied in the advancement of education by the award of payments of such amount or amounts as the trustees shall determine for the benefit of any one or more of the pupils for the time being in the School. The trustees shall at their discretion apply every sum so awarded in or towards paying the tuition fees of any of such pupil or pupils, or otherwise for his or their maintenance or benefit while pupils at the School, in such manner as the trustees in their absolute discretion (which shall not be questioned) may think fit.

Any portion of the annual income which is not so applied in the year in which it arises shall be held by the trustees as an accretion to the Fund, but shall be kept separate from the initial capital, and may be applied in any subsequent year for any of the purposes already mentioned, but the trustees shall so far as in their discretion is possible expend the annual income annually.

A reference to the gift will be found in the Rector's " Message " on page 104.

How THE FOUNDATION CAME ABOUT. An interesting story lying behind the founding of the Memorial Fund has been told by a very loyal F.P., the Rev. GrBB N. PENNIE (1923-26), M.A., B.D., who is one of the Lecturers in the Edinburgh Theological College (Coates Hall) of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

He never met Miss Irvine, but it was through his meeting her nephew, the Rev. C. W. Trevelyan, that the gift came to the School. " The whole story," Mr. Pennie writes, " really begins when the Army ousted Chichester Theological College from its buildings and left it homeless. After some delay it migrated to Edinburgh and joined forces with Edinburgh Theological College. Mr. C. W. Trevelyan entered Chichester Theological College after its arrival in ECMburgh. He had recently retired from the position of Housemaster at Wellington College, Berks, in order to take Holy Orders. Shortly after his arrival, he recognized the F.P. scarf which I was wearing, and began to tell me about his grandfather who had been educated at the Grammar School and had been very proud of it. Subsequently he told me about his aunt, Miss Irvine, and her desire to assist the Grammar School by founding some Fund in memory of her father.

What had so far hindered her from doing so was the fact that she did not know anyone who could give her any information about the School.

So, when her nephew, Mr. Trevelyan, made my acquaintance, a link

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was discovered which would enable her to fulfil her wishes. Mr. Trevelyan told me all that was in his aunt's mind, and I discussed the whole business with the Rector on my next visit to Aberdeen. Mr. Robertson's suggestions were sent on to Miss Irvine and now the Thomas Irvine Memorial Fund is in existence ! " So it comes to this, that if Mr. Trevelyan had not retired from teaching and decided to take Holy Orders, and if he had not entered Chichester Theological College, and if Chichester had not been forced to move to Edinburgh, and if I had not been wearing my F.P. scarf on a cold day, the Memorial Fund might not have come into existence."

It is with great pleasure that we reproduce a portrait of Thomas Irvine, .which has been kindly supplied by his daughter.

AN OUTLINE OF THOMAS IRVINE'S CAREER.

Thomas Irvine, who was born on i5th December 1818, was a descendant of the Irvines of Brucklay in the parish of New Deer, Aberdeenshire, a cadet of the Drum family, one of whom, Sir Alexander Irvine, in 1629 founded bursaries which arc still tenable at the Grammar School and the University of Aberdeen. Thomas Irvine has left it on record that he began school at about five years of age, attending preparatory schools until 1st November 1829, when he entered Aberdeen Grammar School. He continued there until 28th June 1833. At the School he says that he had only Latin for five hours a day for three years ; Latin with a little Greek in the last nine months.

He adds, however, that he " had an hour of Arithmetic from 7 to 8 a.m. and an hour of Writing from 12 noon till i p.m. at separate schools."

Three days after leaving the School he got an appointment in the office of Messrs. Thomas Bannerman & Co., cotton spinners, Banner Mill, Aberdeen, where an older brother, George Irvine, who was at the School from 1824 to 1829, was head clerk. The Bannermans had also a wine merchant's business in Marischal Street, and Thomas Irvine was sent to work there until March 1834. He recalled that Mr. (later Sir) Alexander Bannerman, who was the first M.P. for Aberdeen when it got a member of its own after the passing of the Reform Bill in 1832, gave him a golden sovereign on New Year's Day 1834, " the first I ever possessed." His starting salary was at the rate of Lao per annum.

In 1838 the brothers George and Thomas Irvine decided to leave Aberdeen and seek their fortune in the South. They accordingly left by steamer for Leith and thence travelled by coach to Glasgow, where they stayed one night. On the following day, Thomas left for Liverpool by steamer, while his brother stayed on in Glasgow.

Thomas had letters of introduction to two firms in Liverpool, but they were unable to find a place for him owing to the severe financial panic prevailing at that time. However, he wrote to his brother to come on to Liverpool, as he felt sure that if any vacancies occurred, they would have a fair chance of securing them. George accordingly came to Liverpool, and within a week got a place with a stock and share broker. Nothing turned up for Thomas for two whole months,

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and he was getting quite dispirited, but in June 1838 he got the situation of book-keeper to Messrs. Nicol, Duckworth & Co., East India merchants. Matters went on smoothly with him in this post until the end of 1841, when, through the intervention of Mr. Nicol, he was appointed cashier and book-keeper to the Liverpool Marine Assurance Co., at the salary of £15o per annum. Two years later the directors, having been impressed by his assiduity, promoted him to be the underwriter and manager, at the salary of £3 5 o, which was increased in the following year to £400. Meantime George Irvine had also been making headway in the office of the stock and share broker. At the end of 1843 he decided to start on his own account, but his health was not good, and Thomas accordingly made arrangements to leave the Liverpool Marine Assurance Co. and on ist September 1845 entered into partnership with his brother. In March of the following year he was elected a member of the Liverpool Stock Exchange, and soon was developing a very successful business. He continued to be a member of the Liverpool Exchange till shortly before his death, which took place in his 89th year on 22nd October 1907. He was affectionately known as the " Grandfather " of the Exchange, and on his retirement he was presented with his portrait, which now hangs in the Committee Room.

On 21st December 1899, as " Thomas Irvine, Glen Huntly, Liverpool," he was granted a coat of arms by the Lyon King of Arms, Register House, Edinburgh.

On Service Abroad.

The futures of India and of the British Colonial Empire are subjects of frequent discussion in Parliament and in the Press in these days, and it is evident that they will be of first importance after the war if we are to retain the place we have held in the past in Colonial Government.

Opinions vary greatly as to how much we have achieved. The following is a quotation from a recent article in The Observer :— In the recent past the British people have not abused the Empire ; they have neglected it. The war has been an awakening. In the peril of three years ago the British Parliament began a new policy of Colonial Development and Welfare.

The scale of performance has been minute ; but a small start has been made on the right road. The repair of Colonial neglect requires research, skill, and capital to open up lands and forests, to raise the output and preserve the balance of farming, to begin the right manufactures for consumption on the spot and for export. It is, above all, a task that calls for enterprise, both private and public, for the most ample resources and for long-term decisions among the trading nations on prices and purchases. Empire building in the best sense has hardly begun.

This is probably an overstatement : mistakes have undoubtedly been made, but not enough to justify what the Prime Minister recently called the " mood of unwarrantable self-abasement." It would not be fair to describe our scale of performance in the past as " minute."

Our contribution to the material welfare of the peoples of India and of Egypt alone in irrigation works on a vast scale is probably unique in the history of the world ; and on the other side we can still claim

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as a race to possess two of the most essential qualities in dealing with foreign races—integrity and ability to accept responsibility.

But the fact remains that after the last war, when life at home was unsettled, many men took up a Colonial career, often with very little idea of what their new career really entailed, beyond the fact that it seemed to offer reasonably good prospects and an attractive opportunity for outdoor life and sport. Circumstances were then very different.

There had been little recruitment to these Services during the war and young men found themselves junior to much older men who were reaching the ends of their service, and whose attitude to the Nation was that of the " ruling class," and who, while treating the native justly, did not envisage his ever being fitted to take more than a humble post in his own country's government.

In these days opinion tends to swing to the other extreme : literacy and education have put new ideas into the native mind ; he is no longer content to be " ruled " and wants to take a part in the running of his country and ultimately in international affairs. "Native Administration " has been widely accepted as a principle, and what has been said and done during the present war will greatly quicken native hopes and aspirations.

The whole question is a vast one, and so much is being written on it at present that it is unnecessary to do more here than to give a brief outline of what such a career means and what forms of work are engaged in, in the hope that it may be of some use as a guide for those contemplating a career abroad. It must be understood that what follows applies to Government Services only, and it is to be hoped that many will adopt such a career, for which there is bound to be a demand after the war. If there is any truth in the belief often expressed that Scotsmen have made the best Colonial administrators in the past, it is perhaps mainly due to our national tradition for perseverance and hard work : but in the future these qualities, admirable as they are, will not be sufficient unless there can be added to them sympathy, almost unlimited patience, and a clear understanding of the objects we have in view for the future of the country in which we serve.

The field for service in India and in the Colonial Empire is already vast, and to these countries must be added Mandated Territories (to which an addition may be expected after the present war) such as Palestine and Tanganyika, to mention only two, which, though geographically not remote, present almost totally different problems.

Some, like India, offer a particular career in the sense that, once having selected the Indian Civil Service, the official is likely to remain in it ; whereas, in the Colonial Service, promotion is often effected by transfer from one colony to another. Much could be said in favour of both systems. Long residence among people of the same race should result in the acquisition of a better knowledge of their language, customs, and minds ; on the other hand it may, in some cases, result in staleness or in an official coming to realize he is trying to work under conditions for which he is temperamentally unfitted.

Clearly, it is difficult to offer guidance in this matter. Some may

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feel a preference for a particular country because their parents served in it or because they were born in it ; others may feel that the lack of a gift for foreign languages may prejudice them. What is essential is that anyone choosing such a career should feel a genuine vocation for it : other reasons apart, even the most unsophisticated of natives is quick to spot the " careerist," and whatever success or promotion he may attain, such an official is never likely to win either the respect or the affection of the native.

Generally, officials in Colonial and other Governments administered under the British Empire come under one of two categories—the Political Service and the Civil Service, that is, as it is sometimes called, General and Technical Service.

Both should work together for the same objects, which may be briefly stated as the well-being and happiness of the people as a whole.

This implies measures taken to provide for the maintenance and preservation of public security, the administration of law and justice, the prevention and treatment of disease, communications and public works, scientific assistance to the farmer and stock-breeder, the encouragement of trade and the establishment and maintenance of an educational system designed to meet the needs of the country and to fit the natives to take their share in the administration of it.

As a general rule officials are not transferred from one category to the other. Recruitment for the Political Services is either by examination or by a Selection Board in the United Kingdom representing the country. Men are usually selected towards the end of their University career, and, in many cases now, after selection take a further approved course of from six months to a year at a selected University. This course usually includes one or more Oriental languages, law, political economy, citizenship, and usually something of agriculture, forestry, and land surveying. The lecturers have often themselves had experience abroad, and these courses have done much to give candidates a sound idea of and much effective guidance in what is to be their life-work. Vacancies are usually notified to the Appointments Boards of the Universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, and South Africa, but are not always advertised in the Press.

On appointment, the Political Officer will usually serve from one to two years as a probationer ; that is, he may be attached for training to a district under a more senior member of the Service, who may be known as a Political Officer, District Commissioner, or Resident.

At the end of the probationary period he will probably have to pass examinations in the language and law of the country, and, if successful and otherwise suitable, will be confirmed in his appointment and placed on pensionable service.

When promoted to a district of his own, he is the chief administrative officer of that district and responsible directly to the Governor of the province or territory. With ability, and perhaps a certain amount of luck, he may eventually become a Deputy-Governor or Governor.

The political career has one obvious disadvantage. On reaching retiring age, which in some countries is as low as 48 or 5o, the officer

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returns home with a fund of knowledge and experience of little or no " market value " outside the country in which it was acquired.

To the other category—Scientific and Technical—belong the services of Agriculture, Education, Law, Medicine, Surveys, and so on. Of these, probably the Medical Service is of the greatest importance and has certainly a great influence : few officials are in as good a position as the doctor for winning the confidence of the native.

The branches of medicine are much the same as in this country— physician, surgeon, public health officer, pathologist, and bacteriologist; though at some time or other in his career every doctor is likely to find himself in an out-station where he has to practise all branches.

In out-stations much of his time will be spent in touring his district.

His greatest handicap is probably native prejudice ; for belief in the " witch-doctor " and in native medicine is not yet a thing of the past : nor is it as yet confined to the uneducated or to any one country.

When once the native can be persuaded to connect the mosquito with malaria and the fly with dysentery, much will be accomplished by " preventive medicine." On this side the Political Officer can be of the greatest assistance to the doctor in helping to overcome prejudice, whether due to ignorance, suspicion, or religious bias.

In larger stations the doctor may at times be in a position to engage in private practice, if he has time for it ; but generally, unlike the practitioner at home, he works at a fixed salary. Thus a young doctor, having perhaps taken a diploma in public health and in tropical medicine, will probably for some years be better off than he would be at home : later, while he may not do so comparatively well as his colleague at home, he should be able to retire on a pension with many years of active work still ahead of him, and the satisfaction of having done a job well worth doing and of having led an interesting and more varied life than practice at home could offer.

Next in importance in the development of a country comes the engineer—civil, mechanical, electrical, locomotive and, one must now add, communications and aeronautical. In most territories of any size there are separate departments or services for irrigation and for railway and steamer services ; while the Public Works Department is responsible for roads and Government or State buildings, communications, when it connotes telephones and telegraphs (land lines and wireless), will be under the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

The nature of the work of an engineer in any of these branches is generally comparable with the same branch at home, except that irrigation, in particular, is not usually a special subject in university or college courses beyond the principles laid down under hydraulics ; the practice of irrigation varies greatly in different countries, depending on climate, soil, and other varying factors. The fact that there is a considerable divergence in practice in all branches of engineering abroad to suit special conditions in different countries may have led to the custom, which has increased considerably in recent years, .of appointing engineers for service abroad immediately on completion of their university or collage careers. There is much to be said for this course, in that a man goes abroad at the right time of life and with

119 Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine a sound knowledge of the scientific theory on which his work should be founded. On the other hand, he may find himself in a country where British Inspectors of Works are few, and may have to rely on native supervision for the execution of works. Here, unless the engineer has had a sound, even if short, training on works, he will sooner or later find himself in difficulty through inability to speak with authority. These remarks apply in particular to the civil engineer, for in the other branches workshop experience forms an essential part of the training.

The surveyor is as often as not recruited direct from the university, as the practice—except in some details—is comparable with survey work elsewhere. In many countries there is still a vast amount of detailed survey work to be done, as the maps will show ; and often precise levelling has not been begun. For anyone with a sound knowledge of mathematics and astronomy in particular, survey services offer an interesting and largely outdoor life. Considerable expansion in these services may be expected after the war for the following reasons : surveys are not so essential as, say, medical services, and they have given much of their personnel to the Army, so that work has been cut down to a bare minimum ; after the war, new work may be expected in such projects as demarcation of boundaries and surveys for land development and new irrigation schemes.

Parallel with the above services comes agriculture, which in many countries may indeed be the chief line of development, the scale obviously depending on many factors---principally the climate, the extent of cultivable ground, rainfall, soil, and natural or artificial irrigation. There must be few Colonies in which some measure of extension and improvement of existing cultivation is impossible, and often the Department of Agriculture is the largest.

In most cases a degree in agriculture is essential, and practical experience at home will be of value, for although the official will find himself in totally different conditions of land, crops, methods, and climate, it will be for him to extend and improve native methods in accordance with sound and modern principles. The country in which he finds himself will almost certainly have its own Agricultural Research Station, where continuous work is going on in improvement of strains of seed, correct methods of irrigation for differing soils, manures, and so on. Attached to the station will probably be one or more biologists, soil chemists, plant pathologists, and botanists. Of these researches the native knows and understands little ; but the inspector who is fortunate enough to remain in the same district long enough to produce results will not find the native slow to emulate his methods as soon as he is convinced by practical demonstration.

Forestry will sometimes be of such importance, as in India, as to form a service on its own ; in smaller territories it is usually a subdepartment of agriculture. Its objects require no detailed explanation ; perhaps in few respects do native races as a whole show so little foresight as in the manner in which they will cut down areas of timber for use as firewood and for native carpentry, without a thought of resowing or replanting. In addition, then, to reafforestation to

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replace timber consumed, the forestry official will be concerned in the introduction, where possible, of new species suitable to the climate and soil for economic reasons and for possible export and, perhaps most important of all, to prevent soil erosion, which, notably in Africa, is rapidly turning once fertile regions into desert.

In many countries climatic and other conditions make cattleraising of as much importance to the native as crops, and here the veterinary surgeon has great opportunity. Lack of education frequently goes hand in hand with extreme conservatism, and the native cattle-owner views with equal suspicion measures taken to combat diseases and measures to improve his stock. Much work has still to be done in research, and if the veterinary profession at home is becoming of less importance with the progressive use of agricultural machinery, there still remains a good field for him abroad.

The educationist has not been mentioned so far, perhaps because his presence is probably the subject of more controversy than any other. Obviously, the framing of an educational policy for any country is a matter which must be left to the wisest and most experienced heads which can be put on the job, and it is a matter which requires years of careful investigation, patience, and thought. Each country must be considered on its own and a policy framed from first principles. In the past, when ready-made schemes have been borrowed complete from other countries, experience has often proved them to be unsuitable. It is sufficient to say that at present probably no aspect of our Colonial effort is receiving so much attention from men well qualified to pronounce on the subject.

To the opponents of " educating the native "—and there are still not a few—one can only answer, without going into the arguments on either side, that whether we agree with it or not, the native is going to demand education : nor is he likely to tolerate any Government which denies him what he considers his right.

Probably none of our Colonies has advanced so far in education as India, but there are still many countries where education has got no further than the secondary stage : there is, however, every indication that there will be a rapid expansion after the war and this will necessitate a large number of lecturers and teachers for many years to come. There will probably be a great demand for staff for colleges for the training of native teachers. In some Colonies higher schools are already established, and many of these will in time reach the status of university colleges, in which natives may receive professional training without the necessity of going to Europe or elsewhere with all the attendant disadvantages (apart from expense) that such a course entails.

In any country the teacher—in addition to his professional qualifications—probably needs the qualities of sympathy and patience above all. With native students, these together with a real interest in and desire to understand the native mind are absolutely essential : there is probably no form of work among natives which calls for a greater output of these qualities, but on the other hand, there is probably none which offers a better approach to real understanding on both sides.

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These, briefly, are the principal fields for the scientific and technical worker. There are, of course, others whose work is of no less importance, such as the meteorologist and chemist (analytical and soil, chiefly), but they are not required in such numbers. Of others, such as members of the police forces, legal officers and auditors, it is unnecessary to speak, as their duties are obvious.

There is one disadvantage in the career of the technical or scientific official which must be mentioned : that As, he is usually, for administrative reasons, ultimately under the jurisdiction of a member of the Political Service, perhaps the Governor of a Province. In the majority of cases this makes no difference one way or another, as most senior officers have the sense not to interfere in matters outside their own sphere. But cases do occur where officials, perhaps owing to an exaggerated idea of their own ability or importance, interfere with or else ignore the scientist or technician who is best qualified to make a decision. This is irksome for the latter, but happily such situations are rare and fewer than formerly.

There is one other, and perhaps the most serious drawback, especially to the well-qualified man. It cannot yet be said that, in general, promotion is by merit alone ; and increases of pay in excess of the regulations happen in only most exceptional circumstances.

This, however, is common to most Government services, and the fact must be realised and accepted ; but it is a matter which, with increasing Government control, must be remedied if a desirable standard of efficiency is to be reached and maintained.

Nothing has been said so far of the life and prospects which the above careers offer. As regards the latter, it is difficult to say what effect changed conditions and increased cost of -living brought about by the war may bring. Before the present war, and speaking very generally, salaries after the first few years' service were comparable with the salaries ruling for comparable posts at home, with the addition of about 3o per cent. to allow for expatriation. Starting salaries were as a whole a good deal higher than could be expected at home at the age, but in many cases the first two years were treated as a probationary period, at the end of which the official, if confirmed in his appointment, was placed on pensionable service. In considering conditions, the fact is apt to be overlooked that the official serving abroad has the expectation of a pension at a considerably earlier age than he could expect in Government service at home.

Other factors, which vary in different services, are leave, provision (or not) of free quarters? travelling and other allowances. But taken all in all, while the career is not one for a man out to make money, the official can—especially if he is content to remain unmarried until over 30—live well within his salary.

One is bound to say, however, that the married man with a family will find problems of living, travelling, and children's health and education, which, though capable of solution, would not have arisen at home, and to which no general answer is possible. Nor can the problems of separation from wife and family, which so often arise, be lightly set aside.

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Apart from work and salary, the life has much to commend it.

Normal working hours are on the whole shorter than those at home, and in most tropical countries during the hot weather little or no work is done from 1.3o or a in the afternoon until about 6 in the evening. This gives an almost daily opportunity for two or more hours of sport and recreation, and there are few stations of any size in which most British outdoor games are not available.

In short, from the material point of view, the career offers a pleasant, interesting, and in the vast majority of cases, a healthy life at an adequate salary, good leave, and the expectation of a pension on which most married men with families could live if they had not expensive tastes, certainly in pre-war conditions : retirement, too, is at an age which should permit of further active work at home for many years.

The writer quoted at the beginning of this article rightly lays stress on the economic aspect of our Empire colonization. This is of essential importance, but it is not in itself by any means the whole or ultimately the most important part of our task. Indeed, to help the native to achieve material prosperity and to stop there is more likely to do him a disservice, and many Colonies can unfortunately show the effect of it in towns where the prosperous native has made money but in the process has lost much or all of his innate charm, his tribal and family customs and his religion, and has become oversophisticated, greedy, and a bad citizen of his own country.

The reason is only too often that he is under the impression he is imitating the white man, whom he sees prosperous and successful, but spending his leisure entirely in the pursuit of pleasure. This is not, of course, wholly true, and in recent years we are sending out a more thoughtful type of man, who realizes that though we may not be in agreement with their beliefs, we have much to learn from many native races, ill-educated as they may seem from our point of view.

We occupy countries which number Hindus and Moslems in millions, and no one who has lived among them can fail to be impressed by their devotion to their beliefs ; as a general rule the same cannot be said of us. While it is true and, as we believe, proper that we should not be demonstrative in such matters, we can, by our example in uprightness and sincerity, show that we are not, as many think us, entirely given over to material things.

Neither at home nor abroad is life going to be easy for any conscientious citizen of our Country or Empire for many years to come.

There seems no reason to believe that at some time in the future the British Empire may not follow the fate of all great Empires in the world's history : but this thought must not deter us ; and if we put our minds and wills into it, there can be every hope of our inspiring new life and higher ideals into our colonial work : and if we make this effort boldly and with the conviction that we can still play a part in the advancement of true civilization, culture, and noble ideals among the races of the world, we shall at least have had the satisfaction of having made the effort and have retained our self-respect in the struggle.

COLONIST.

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*** 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 parentheses after names indicate the sessions of attendance at the School.

SERVICE DECORATIONS. Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.).

George Yull Mackie (1933-35), Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F.V.R., son of MAITLAND MACKIE (1897-1902), North Ythsie, Tarves, was awarded the D.S.O. in February, at the age of 24. He volunteered for service at the start of the war and has held his commission since 1440.

As air bomber and captain of aircraft he has taken part in a very large number of sorties. In the " Middle East " he successfully attacked numerous targets in the Western Desert, Greece, Crete, and the Dodecanese Islands. Since then he has been in many sorties against important and well-defended targets in Germany, including six attacks on Berlin. " By his great skill, inspiring leadership, and unswerving devotion to duty," says the citation, " this officer has set an example of the highest order." F/L Mackie, after studying agriculture at Aberdeen University, assisted his father in farming at North Ythsie. His marriage is recorded on another page.

William Ford Watson Porteous (1930-34), Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F.V.R. (Pathfinder Force), recently received an " immediate award " of the D.S.O. He joined the R.A.F. in 1940 and gained the D.F.M. and Bar within nine days in November 1943. He was commissioned in January of this year and promoted Flight Lieutenant in April. About the end of May he was reported missing from operations.

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

Robert James Maitland* (I 912-1 8), Major, Royal Engineers, was gazetted O.B.E. in March for services in Sicily. A son of the late Lord Provost Maitland, Aberdeen, he has been for many years associated with Messrs. J. & W. Henderson, Ltd., builders' merchants, Aberdeen, being latterly a director of the firm, in charge of one of its subsidiaries in Glasgow. He was in command of a company of Royal Engineers in the 5i st Highland Division which played an important part in the Battle of El Alamein. *Member of the Former Pupils' Club.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Member of the British Empire Order (M.B.E.).

Ninian Blundell Wright * (191o-23), M.A., B.D., Chaplain to the Forces, was gazetted M.B.E. in March. Before the war he was minister of the Kirk of the Covenant, Dalmellington, Ayrshire. As an Army Chaplain he was reported missing on active service in the Middle East in November last, but it was announced in January that he was safe, having escaped twice from German hands, first in the island of Cos and then in Leros.

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Distinguished Service Cross.

Avon Alexander Barnet * (1911-19), R.D., Commander, R.N.R., was in January awarded the D.S.C. " for gallantry, leadership, and undaunted devotion to duty under heavy and continuous fire from the enemy during landings on the Italian mainland." Thirty-nine years of age, he trained in the Conway before joining the Merchant Navy. He was Chief Officer of the s.s. Baron Lovat, when she was shelled by and escaped from a U-boat off the north coast of Ireland in September 1939. Immediately thereafter he was called up for service in the Royal Navy, his first appointment being to H.M.S. Patroclus, an armed merchant cruiser. A year later he was promoted to be Acting Commander, R.N.R., and appointed to the command successively of H.M.S. Manistee and H.M.S. Camito. He remained in the latter until she was lost by enemy action in May 1941. That episode led to a brief spell in hospital, and then he was appointed a Commodore of convoys. While in Italian waters Commander Barnet managed to arrange several meetings with his younger brother, Captain John Brebner Barnet (1911-25), M.B., Ch.B., R.A.M.C., who has been serving in Italy, and who, before qualifying in medicine, was engaged in planting in Malaya.

Military Cross.

James Campbell Williamson * (092.4-34), Major, The Gordon Highlanders, son of Mr. M. H. Williamson, zz Bayview Road, Aberdeen, was in May awarded the M; C. His gallantry was described by a Military Observer in the story of the Gordons on the Anzio beach-head.

Major Williamson was a subaltern in the Territorials before the war and went to France with his battalion of the Gordons. He fought in Belgium and came through Dunkirk. On his return to this country he was promoted Captain. He took part in the fighting in Tunisia and the battalion's gallant stand at Bou Arada. They went from Tunisia to Pantellaria, which quickly surrendered, and later to Italy.

His battalion was one of the first to land at Anzio.

At this time (the Military Observer said) battalion headquarters came under heavy shell and mortar fire and was swept every now and then by bursts of machinegun tire. Major James C. Williamson went through this barrage on a solitary recce " to try to contact three forward companies which had been overrun. He reached " B ' Company shortly after 8.15 a.m. and found them grimly holding on, after having repulsed infantry and tank attacks. He left and went forward to search for elements of the lost companies. On his way he found a badly wounded tank

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officer, gave him morphia, and arranged for his evacuation. He went on to overlook the former company positions. As he approached them, he heard voices and recognized them to he German. Eight Huns emerged from the bushes and he immediately took them prisoner. He pursued his search towards the main road, but was checked by heavy machine-gun fire from the right of the road. He then returned to " 11 " Company, where he wirelessed his report to the commanding officer and returned to battalion H.Q. with a straggler from one of the forward companies.

The information which he gathered was of the greatest value in formulating the plan to recover the situation.

The Military Observer also reported that " time and again the carrier platoon under Captain Robert D. Bain* (1915-23), Richmondhill Road, Aberdeen, with their Vickers medium machine-guns, drove the Germans back with tremendous losses on February 4."

Distinguished Flying Cross.

John Alexander Trager Simpson (1919-28), Flight Lieutenant, Royal Canadian Air Force, has recently been awarded the D.F.C. From 1931 he was resident at Swastika, Ontario, and was on the staff of Lake Shore Mines, Ltd., at Kirkland Lake. He enlisted in the R.C.A.F. in 1940, and was trained as a Navigator. Since December 1941 he has been stationed in England and has taken part in a large number of operational flights under Bomber Command.

Ferguson George Donaldson Smith * (1922-33), Flying Officer, R.A.F.V.R., tot Squadron, was awarded the D.F.C. in February.

He is a son of Mr. Ferguson S. Smith, 284 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, and on leaving the School entered the Metropolitan Police Force. He studied at Hendon Police College and became a member of the Special Branch of Scotland Yard. When in 1941 the ban was lifted on members of the Police joining the Services, he immediately volunteered for air crew duties in the R.A.F. He was trained and commissioned in Canada, and has taken part in a, large number of sorties. On the occasion when he won the award, German fighters attacked his bomber as it was nearing Berlin, and he was wounded in the back, chest, and leg by cannon fire. The injuries were severe, but he concealed them while he struggled to free two of his mortally wounded comrades, who were trapped in their turrets. Not until it was apparent that they were beyond aid did he relax his efforts. The pilot of the plane carried on to bomb the target and brought the damaged aircraft back to base.

Commendations and Mentions.

George Paterson Burr * (1894-1905), M.B., Ch.B., ship's doctor, was in January included in a list of Merchant Navy commendations for brave conduct in the encountering of enemy ships, submarines, aircraft, and mines. Dr. Burr was for a time in practice in Bradford, then in Swatow, China, and more recently was ship's surgeon in the Blue Funnel Line.

John W. L. Bain * (1915-22), M.B., Ch.B., Major, R.A.M.C., was mentioned in dispatches in March. He served in the 8th Army in North Africa with a mobile surgical unit.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine John W. M. Sutherland * (192o-24 and 1928-29), M.B., Ch.B., Major, R.A.M.C., a son of JoHN SUTHERLAND* (1899-1904), M.A., Head Master of Sunnybank School, Aberdeen, was mentioned in dispatches on 13th February 1944, for " gallant and distinguished service " in the Middle East, promoted to the rank of Major on 29th February, and posted as an Army Surgical Specialist to No. r General Hospital, Middle East. His wife, it may be mentioned, is at present on the Infants' Staff of the Grammar School. His younger brother, William Sutherland * (1928-34), M.A., LL.B., is a Captain, R.A., and was through the North African and Tunisian campaigns.

Alexander Watson * (1922-35), Captain, The Gordon Highlanders, of Balrogie, West Cults, Aberdeenshire, was " mentioned " in March. He served his apprenticeship as an architect with the late Mr. G. Bennett Mitchell, Aberdeen, in whose service he was at the outbreak of war. He received a commission in the Gordons (T.F.), was later transferred to staff work, and is meantime with the SouthEast Asia Command.

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26

Arthur James Adams* (1919-30), B.Sc.(Vet.), M.R.C.V.S., has resigned his appointment as Veterinary Inspector with the Ministry of Agriculture and has joined, as partner in private practice, Mr. Watson, M.R.C.V.S., of Bradford. He has not, however, severed all connection with the Ministry, for he now acts as Local Veterinary Inspector for that body. His new work he finds more attractive in that he has a wider field in which to practise the " art and science " of veterinary surgery.

Alfred Easton Allan* (1924-30), A.R.I.B.A., has recently gone to Iraq to take up an appointment under the Air Ministry. He qualified as an architect at the School of Architecture, Aberdeen, in 1936.

John C. S. Arnaud* (1929-40) is a Sergeant in the Intelligence Corps in India. He finds Intelligence work in the Tropics very interesting, though he alleges that it doesn't call for a high degree of intelligence I Harold Stanley Bennett* (1928-40) has been elected President of the Aberdeen University Students' Union for 1944-45. He is the sixth F.P. in succession to hold this office. All the male Presidents of the new Union (the first was a woman) have been F.P.s.

Charles Ogilvie Will Bowman* (191o-15) has recently obtained an appointment with the Crown Agents for the Colonies under the Custodian of Enemy Property in British Cameroons, Nigeria. His work will be the managing of the German plantations out there, and he says that it will be quite like old times, as he has already spent ten years in Cameroons and knows nearly all the plantations from personal contact. In 1936, in view of his knowledge and experience, he was appointed F.P. Club Consul for British Cameroons, and after an interval of several years he is to resume that post.

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George Chambers Brander* (192o-32), B.Sc.(Vet.), M.R.C.V.S., who has been a Veterinary Research Officer under the Sudan Government, has recently joined the Royal Veterinary Corps. During his period in the Sudan he was fortunate enough to fly from Lagos through the Belgian Congo to the Sudan, and later via Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika, and Rhodesia to South Africa, where he spent six weeks' leave.

He met F.P.s in Nairobi, Johannesburg, on a steamer on the Nile, and on the boat coming home to this country.

Robert Douglas Bruce* (1913-22), M.B., Ch.B., younger son of Dr. ROBERT BRUCE* (1886-89), C.B., D.S.O., Cults, Aberdeenshire, now holds the rank of Wing Commander in the R.A.F. He was stationed for a considerable time in the Middle East and is now Senior Medical Officer of a Group in Southern England.

David Cairns (1912-16), M.A., son of the Very Rev. Emeritus Principal D. S. Cairns, Edinburgh, has been appointed by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to be the Kerr Lecturer for 194548. After two years in Arts at Aberdeen University he won an exhibition which took him to Balliol College, Oxford, where he graduated with a Second in Moderations and a First in Greats. His work in. the ministry began under Dr. G. F. MacLeod at Govan, and in 1935 he was ordained at Bridge of Allan. On the outbreak of war he became a Chaplain to the Forces and resigned his charge. He is at present on active service.

Andrew Matthew Campbell* (1916-27) reports with satisfaction that his son is now a pupil at the School, under Miss Gracie, who also taught him. He is at present a Sergeant in the R.A.S.C. James William Spence Cobban* (192.0-20 is in the Department of Lands, Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. He went out there nearly twenty years ago and engaged in farming and tobacco-growing.

Sir Patrick Ashley Cooper* (1896-1901) has recently been " pricked" as a High Sheriff of the County of London. In the ceremony of " pricking the Sheriff," a list of gentlemen liable to serve is placed before the King, who pricks with a silver bodkin the names of those selected for appointment. The custom dates from the time of Queen Elizabeth. As a Sheriff, Sir Patrick is entitled to represent the King at all State and civic functions in the County, of London, attend the Commissioners and Judges at assizes, and collect, on behalf of the Exchequer, all fines imposed by the Crown. Sir Patrick has recently retired from the chairmanship and board of Trinidad Leaseholds, Ltd. Douglas Frank Noel Crawford* (1924-34) has been serving for a considerable time with a Friends' Ambulance Unit. He is now proceeding to China with a small F.A.U. party, and expects to be away for anything from two to four years. The Unit's purpose is officially stated to be one of actions and not of words. Its aim is to go wherever the need is greatest, and to give disinterested service in the relief of suffering wherever it may be found.

William Davidson* (1932-42), who was Senior Prefect of the School and Captain of Rugby in 1941-42, has been training as a pupil

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Pilot in the Transvaal since September 5943 and got his " wings " and commission in May of this year.

Alastair Ogston Dickson* (1919-28), who has been serving in Ceylon, reported that he had " escaped " to the hills for a week's break and found life there a great deal more pleasant than on the coastal belt and low country. Through the kindness of a brother Scot, he was beginning to feel human again. The scenery and the name " Lonach," to say nothing of the sharp morning air, gave an Aberdeenshire feeling to a home from home. Before he joined up he was banking in Nyasaland.

James Durno* (5900-oz), Uppermill, Tarves, for the third year in succession won the championship at the show and sale of Shorthorns at Aberdeen in February. He received big prices at this spring's bull sales in Perth and Aberdeen, securing 4,000 guineas for a bull at Perth.

Sydney Elmslie Durno* (1935-37), the last instalment of whose thrilling narrative of his escape from Burma appears in this issue, has been moved from the Deccan and is now stationed at Lucknow.

Basil D. D. Emslie* (5929-35), Captain, R.A., sent to the Editor about the New Year a cheery airgraph with a greetings design of his own. Under a cherubic head, with cigar prominent, was the wording (appropriately illustrated) : " Winston promised us Blood (Yes, on the beaches I); Toil (Yes, on the screwguns!) ; Sweat (Certainly, in Egypt!) ; and Tears (Never!)."

Harold Esslemont* (1915-19), of Messrs. Esslemont and Macintosh, Ltd., warehousemen, Aberdeen, is a Flight Lieutenant in the R.A.F. He has had a varied existence during the past three years : first he had a " static " year at a Recruit Centre, followed by a very mobile but interesting twelve months as Adjutant to a Fighter Squadron, and is now on the Personnel Staff at a Headquarters Unit in England.

Ranald Esslemont* (1903-13) has been elected a member of the Aberdeen Town Council in succession to Baillie Alexander S. Anderson* (1905-09), who has resigned owing to pressure of other work. Councillor Esslemont, who is managing director of Messrs.

Esslemont & Macintosh, Ltd., is a son of the late GEORGE BIRNIE Essi..EmoNT (1871-76), who was a member of the Town Council from 1898 until he became M.P. for South Aberdeen in 1907 ; and his grandfather, the late Mr. Peter Esslemont, was Lord Provost of the City from i88o to 1883.

Robert John Esslemont* (1920-23), M.B.E., who has been sailing as Chief Officer in the King Line fleet, has been appointed to command one of the large ships of this old-established and famous line. He went to sea as an apprentice with the King Line at the age of fifteen years, and has been in its service for twenty years. During the war he has been continuously at sea in many parts of the world, on ships which have run the gauntlet of mines and been attacked by U-boats and 'planes. In one attack in the North Atlantic his ship

JOHN IVO DAWSON See P.149,

JOHN ERIC BAIN Colonel, Indian Army Reserve.

See r. 142.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

129 was torpedoed and sunk with the loss of twelve of the crew. For meritorious conduct and bravery on that occasion Captain Esslemont was made an M.B.E. Alexander Findlay* (1882-9 i ), M.A., D.Sc., Professor of Chemistry in Aberdeen University from 1919 to 1943 and at present President of the Institute of Chemistry, is to receive the honorary degree of LL.D. from the University. At the same time the same honour is to be conferred on Colonel James Dawson,* D.S.O., Deputy District Commissioner for the North-East of Scotland, and formerly Director of Education, Aberdeen. He is an Honorary Member of the F.P. Club.

James Gray Fraser (1887-88), political correspondent of the Glasgow Herald, has retired after 39 years' association with Westminster and a career of 47 years in daily newspaper journalism. He started as a journalist with the Aberdeen Free Press, and going to London in 190o, joined the Press Association Parliamentary staff in 1903.

Two years later he took a post on the Glasgow Herald staff in Parliament, and in the course of his long service he has successively filled the posts of reporter, Parliamentary sketch writer, London editor, and political correspondent. On the occasion of his retirement he was entertained to dinner by the Scottish Unionist M.P.s, and on the same day was the guest at a luncheon in the House of Commons of Scots representing English constituencies.

Francis A. Garden (1885-91), who has been accountant of Robert Gordon's Colleges since 1921, retired in January, when he received a presentation from the members of the staffs.

Harry Sutherland Walpole Golding* (1926-i7) is a Leading Aircraftman with the R.A.F. in India. In a recent letter he mentions having received his copy of the last issue of the Magazine, looking " very cool and refreshing in its white and green dress." He read the second instalment of SYDNEY DURNeS adventures in Burma with more than ordinary interest, as he had recently had the good fortune to meet Durno under rather unusual circumstances :After having been a year in South India, l was proceeding on a four-day journey

to another station in the North. By the evening of the second day the " Military Only " carriage in which I was travelling had become rather crowded, and it was necessary for a few recent entrants to sleep on the floor. We settled down for the night, but two or three hours later we were awakened by a few more travellers entering the carriage. There were no lights inside and the station was dim, so I could not see who was getting in. The voices were British. Enough : we made room for them, and then slept again until we stopped at another station just as dawn was breaking. I rolled up my blankets, noticing casually our midnight arrivals.

As I sat gazing absently outside, where the tea-and-toast vendors were dashing up and down the platform, the soldier sitting opposite to me said suddenly : " Were you ever at Aberdeen Grammar School ? " Slowly recovering from my surprise, 1 agreed that I'd had that privilege. He likewise declared his allegiance, and at once I knew him, although I couldn't recall his name. He had my name right away : I was slower.

Thus in Central India the first F.P. I had met since coming overseas was introduced. We yarned for a day and a half I At the next station there was one of the few decent canteens in India, and we did ourselves rather well during our short stop by way of celebration. Of his Burma experiences Durno said that his escape was truly miraculous. He often thought that all was lost and that it was useless to go on, but he never gave up hope altogether. I am glad to say that he seemed none the worse for his ordeal and appeared fit and well.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine William Ernest Gordon (1913-17), who served as a Private in the Seaforth Highlanders during the latter part of the last war and then for a time studied medicine at Aberdeen University, went out to Northern Rhodesia over zz years ago. After the outbreak of the present war he joined up in Rhodesia and, with the rank of Sergeant, has been serving in an office at Mogdishu, Somaliland.

John Grant* (1921-33), M.C. and Bar, Captain, The Gordon Highlanders, was specially referred to by Major-General Douglas M. Wimberley when he spoke in Aberdeen in May and told the story of the Gordons in North Africa and Sicily. He narrated the following story of an exploit of the Bren-gun carrier platoon of one of the Gordon battalions in Sicily a few days before Sferro :— I 30

We were all tired there in Sicily, for in six days and nights since our landing we had come both fast and far and fought a number of minor advance guard actions, and had had little time for sleep. It was urgently necessary, however, to find out how far away was the enemy's position, and if they were in any strength. Away in the moonlight went the Gordons carrier platoon under Captain Grant, tired as they were, on this hazardous mission. The patrol was extremely well handled.

It crossed a river three miles south of Ramacca, came under fire, dismounted and stalked a German outpost (the survivors of which hurriedly withdrew), put an armoured car to flight, and then met all hell on what was obviously the enemy's position. Having returned with this valuable information about dawn, these carriers the next night once more distinguished themselves.

Another battalion had captured a bridge undestroyed over the River Dittaino, but it was weakly held, and it was vital that it should be held firmly. Assistance was called for, and up came the same Gordon carriers with the same officer. They pushed straight forward over the bridge with a few anti-tank guns, and penetrated, under considerable fire, nearly a mile on the other side. Here, despite the tire from 88s and mortars, they held on temporarily while a firmer bridgehead was organized behind them. Not only were these actions of the Gordon carriers gallant in themselves, but they were actions which could only have been carried out by highly trained and skilled troops.

It was for services in Sicily that Captain Grant was awarded the Bar to the Military Cross that he won at the Mareth Line in North Africa.

Robert Malcolm Grant* (1941-43) received serious injuries while in training, on the eve of his being posted to Lovat's Corps and when he had been chosen to play at Twickenham.

George McKenzie Denny Grieve* (1935-37), M.A., B.D., was licensed to be a preacher and probationer for the ministry by the Aberdeen Presbytery in April.

William T. H. Hay* (1928-38), SOLI of GEORGE EDWARD HAY* (1895-19oz), M.A., of the School staff, after volunteering three times and being rejected owing to an injury, was in April of this year accepted for the R.A.F. and is now in Northern Ireland.

Charles Lamond Henderson (1909-13), M.A., K.C., was recently appointed Recorder of Hereford. He was called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple in June 59zo.

Sir Hubert Douglas Henderson* (1901-04) is one of the members of a Royal Commission appointed in March to examine the present population trends in Great Britain and to make recommendations.

He is also Chairman of the Economics Committee—one of three

131 Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine technical committees that have been appointed to assist the Commission by providing a factual basis for the inquiry. Another of these committees is a Statistical Committee, one of whose members is James Gray Kyd* (1891-98), C.B.E., Registrar-General for Scotland.

At a Press Conference in Edinburgh in January Mr. Kyd stated that the vitality of Scotland was being or had been sapped by the export of the most virile of her people—her young men and women. More than one and a half million people had left Scotland in the last 8o years.

In this war, however, there had been a dramatic increase in the marriage rate. The number of marriages in the first four years was about 40,000 more than in the four years of the last war, and these marriages were having their effect in keeping up the birth-rate. Discussing marriages with members of Forces other than the United Kingdom Forces, the Registrar-General said that Canadians seemed to be the most popular among the girls. There had been about 5,000 marriages between Scottish girls and members of the Dominion and Allied Forces.

Of these, about half had been with Canadians. Next came the Poles, with over a thousand marriages, and the Norwegians followed, with about Soo. William Hendry* (1885-90), M.A., who has been head master of Walker Road School, Aberdeen, since 1932, retired at Easter, after being for over forty years in the teaching service of Aberdeen.

John R. S. Innes* (x 9 z 3-35), M.B., Captain, R. A. M.C., played again for Scotland against England in the Services Match at Leicester in March. He was one of the successes in the Scottish team, and had the distinction of scoring the only try registered by Scotland.

Anthony Wallis Aubrey-Jones * (192 5-26 and 1932-36), Lieutenant, R.A., in apologising for the lateness of his reply to a communication from the Secretary of the F.P. Club, explained that it had done the rounds in North Africa before arriving in Italy. Owing to his having been on service in particularly desolate parts of both countries and unable to buy anything other than an occasional egg, he found that he could well afford to become a Life Member of the Club and remitted accordingly.

John Laird* (19ot-o3), M.A., LL.D., F.B.A., Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Aberdeen, delivered the Herbert Spencer Lecture at Oxford in May. His subject was " Political Liberty and Human Well-being."

Eric Linklater* (1913-16), M.A., who, incidentally, is a Major in the Royal Engineers, has been much in the news recently, mainly by reason of the production of his second play, " Crisis in Heaven," first of all in the King's Theatre, Edinburgh, at the end of February, and then in the Lyric Theatre, London, about the middle of May. His first play, by the way, dated ten years ago, was " The Devil's in the News." It has been pointed out that Linklater's incursion from the world of books on to the stage had a preliminary in the form of a broadcast drama. The step was taken at the instance of John Gielgud, whom Iinklater's radio plays impressed with his possibility for drama.

Gielgud suggested to him that he should write a play for the living

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 132 theatre, and the suggestion was adopted. Three pages of a recent issue of Picture Post were devoted to pictures of distinguished actors and actresses being rehearsed by Gielgud for the new play. The premiere at the Lyric Theatre was, of course, attended by all the leading dramatic critics, and they proceeded to praise and damn in about equal proportions. " As a play," according to one writer, " it is probably better read than seen, though one would then miss the sumptuous production. It has wit, invention, poetical allusion, and sound sense, . but insufficient action."

Linklater has added to his broadcast series of " dialogues," which began with " The Corner-stones " and included " The Raft" and "Socrates Asks Why," two more items, "The Great Ship" and " Rabelais Replies," which were published in February in a small volume. One reviewer wrote that it seemed to him that these short conversation-pieces contained some of their author's finest and most forceful writing. The first piece, " masterly in its conception and construction, illustrates how much of the force of group morale is drawn from individual character, and the poetic vision which illumines this piece gives it a memorable quality." In the second piece " there is a vigour of reasoning which is enhanced by the writer's wit and his talent for rapid and vivid characterization." These " airy dialogues " were the subject of a leading article in the Times Literary Supplement— " Mr. Linklater has shown that the dialogue can be quick, nimble, graceful, and entirely pleasant to take."

The Orkney Blast, the weekly newspaper of the Orkney and Shetland garrisons, which claims to be the only Army newspaper in the British Isles produced by soldiers for Service men and women, entered in February its fourth year of regular publication. In the third anniversary number it was recalled that the paper was born as a result of the initiative and enterprise of a few soldiers stationed in the Islands at the time and of Major Eric Linklater. Each year its circulation has increased and its area of distribution has widened.

Yaik Foo Loke* (1905-14), who returned from this country to the F.M.S. in 1915 and became a partner and director in the firm of Chow Kit & Co., Ltd., Kuala Lumpur, with branches in Singapore and Penang, in a recent airgraph to an old friend in Aberdeen said that he was one of those few lucky ones who flew out of Singapore in one of the Flying Club machines that were being used with the Air Force. " It's a long story, but we had an awful time during those few months. It was rather sad parting with the family. I was in Penang when the Japs started, and was shifted to Singapore and Johore, operating from there. I got a few days' leave to see the family in K.L. before it was evacuated. On arrival at Melbourne I joined the R.A.A.F. soon after being demobilized, though now I am over age for flying! However, I am doing a job, and have been moved about quite a bit. It's very warm where I am and quite tiring. I have missed the School Magazine since 1941, so if you can arrange, please have copies posted to me." Needless to say, the missing copies of the Mag. have been despatched to him.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

1 33 William Alexander McConnach (1920-26), who joined the Plymouth City Police some years ago and latterly was Chief Clerk, has been promoted to be Chief Inspector.

Alastair David Macdonald* (1923-25), M.A., Lieutenant, Royal Norfolk Regiment, who was reported wounded and missing after the fall of Singapore, is now known to be a prisoner of war in Japanese hands. The information came first in May from the Vatican Radio, and was confirmed by the War Office. Some months ago his parents were told that he had embarked on a vessel for Java, but that nothing further had been heard of the ship or its passengers. Lieut. Macdonald graduated with First Class Honours in History at Aberdeen University in 1939 and held an Organ Scholarship at St. Catharine's College, Cambridge.

James Kinnear Mackay* (1919-33), M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., served in the North African and Sicilian campaigns with a General Hospital and was next with a Field Ambulance on the Italian Front.

Robert Gordon McKerron (1907-13), Professor of Law in Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, was appointed Assistant Judge Advocate-General, and South African Division, and went with it on active service to the Middle East in 1941. He was taken prisoner at Tobruk, along with the whole of the Divisional staff, in June 1942.

He was placed in a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy, and some months ago was transferred to a German prison camp. In a radio letter recently received in Aberdeen from a German source he says that he is " disappointed, though not down-hearted."

Gordon Maxwell McMinn (1923-27), M.A. (Edin.), served in France with the R.A.F. from October 1939 until the fall of France.

Some months ago he was promoted from Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader.

John MacMurray (1902-04), M.C., M.A., who since September 1929 has been Grote Professor of Philosophy of the Mind and Logic in University College, London, was in May elected Professor of Moral Philosophy in Edinburgh University. It is relevant to mention that the corresponding Chair in Aberdeen University is held by another F.P., Professor JOHN LAIRD* (1901-03), and it is interesting to recall that a previous occupant of the Grote Chair in University College was yet another F.P.-GEORGE CaooM ROBERTSON (1833-S7), M.A., who was elected in 1866, and ten years later became the first editor of Mind, a quarterly to which Professor Laird frequently contributes. Professor MacMurray, who is 53 years of age, graduated M.A. at Glasgow in 1913, and in the same year was Snell Exhibitioner at Balliol College, Oxford. He went all through the last war, first as a Private in the R.A.M.C., having enlisted in 1914, and then in the Cameron Highlanders, serving as Lieutenant and winning the Military Cross. In 1919 he was John Locke Scholar in Mental Philosophy at Oxford, and two years later he went to South Africa as Professor of Philosophy in the Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg. • Not long afterwards he returned to Balliol College as Fellow and Classical Tutor and Jowett

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Lecturer in Philosophy, and in 1928 he was appointed to the Chair in London University. He is the author of a large number of philosophical and political works.

James W. S. Marr* (1913-19), M.A., B.Sc., Lieut.-Commander, R.N.V.R., is the leader of a party of scientists and administrative officials who have established fully equipped and self-contained bases in dependencies of the Falkland Islands, the most important of which are the South Shetlands, South Orkneys, South Georgia, and Grahamland. Most of these regions are covered with snow and ice, and are destitute of plant life, but they used to be the centre of an important whaling industry, operated by whaling companies from shore factories, and it is expected that the commercial activities of these will revive immediately after the war. Marr over twenty years ago, as " Scout Marr," received his baptism in exploration work on the Quest during Shackleton's last voyage, and has since then made a number of voyages to the Antarctic in the Royal Research Ships Discovery II and William Scoresby.

Clement Marshall* (1915-27), M.A., LL.B., has recently been assumed a partner in the firm of Messrs. Edmonds & Ledingham, advocates, Aberdeen. He was for a number of years principal assistant to the late JAMES HASTINGS EDWARDS (1894-99), M.A., LL.B., of that firm, the other partners in which are GEORGE ROBB* (1892-97) and ROBERT MACKAY LEDINGHAM* (1897-1909), M.A., LL.B. Alexander James Morrison (1903-05), M.A., who has been

minister of Woodside North Church, Aberdeen, since 1928, has been elected minister of Laggan Church, Inverness-shire. Before coming to Aberdeen he was U.F. Church minister at Portree, Skye, and at Thurso.

William Agnew Duncan Neilson (1917-24), who studied at Wye Agricultural College (London University) and subsequently took up farming in Alberta, is now resident in Banff, Alberta, where he was recently met by Eric William Trail* (1929-41), who was over in Canada training in the R.A.F. Sir William Robertson Nicoll (1865-66), M.A., LL.D., who died in London in May 1923, was in April commemorated in the 3,oooth issue of the British Weekly, which was founded by him in 1886.

Sir William for over forty years fought ill-health and produced an amazing output of books in addition to writing frequently a dozen columns weekly for the British Weekly, the feature of which was for over thirty years his " Letters of Claudius Clear."

Sir Alexander Ogston (185 5-58), K.C.V.O., M.D., LL.D., who was Professor of Surgery in the University of Aberdeen from 1882 to 1909, and died in 1929, is the subject of a memoir which has been compiled by his son, Mr. Walter H. Ogston, and recently printed for private circulation. The volume contains much valuable autobiographical matter, including a highly amusing account of his first interview with Queen Victoria at Balmoral after his appointment as Surgeon-in-Ordinary in Scotland to her. Some copies of the memoir

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine '35 are available at the price of los. to anyone specially interested in the famous surgeon, on application to The Aberdeen University Press.

John R. K. Pirie* (1915-26), B.Sc., B.L., who has been in the service of the Ministry of Food in the North of Scotland, recently joined the staff of the Town Clerk of Edinburgh in the Education and Fireguard Administration Department. There he has met another F.P., Archibald Argo (1914-17), of Golspie.

John Grant Roger (1920-26), B.Sc., who graduated with Honours in Botany at Aberdeen University in 1937 and since that year has been in charge of the North-East Regional Museum at Aberdeen, has been appointed Assistant Keeper in the Botanical Department of Manchester University Museum. He is an expert photographer and has a remarkable collection of colour slides of North-East and Highland scenery.

Before studying science at the University, he was for a time in the service of Messrs. Harrisons & Crosfield, Ltd., in Sumatra.

George Brown Cameron Sangster* (1928-37), Lieut. (A), R.N.V.R., is one of a group of Fighter Pilots who have helped to protect convoys to Russia. He was present in the great air and sea battle within the Arctic Circle in March, 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—snow, blinding rainstorms, and high seas. The air crews flew in temperatures many degrees below zero, and when landing, after only two hours' flying, they had to be helped out of their aircraft.

Arthur Martin Scrimgeour* (1921-27), who was the representative in the Far East for Messrs. Joseph Nathan & Co., Ltd., London, and was a Lieutenant in the Singapore Volunteer Defence Corps, is a prisoner of war in Japanese hands, but in which camp is not known.

His wife and their two children managed to get away to Australia before Singapore fell. If any F.P. has any news of him, it will be welcomed by the Editor.

Harold Frederick Scrimgeour* (1921-29) has been released by the Department of Health for Scotland from his appointment in the Engineering Branch, and has been granted an emergency commission in the R.E. Ronald Charles Scrimgeour* (1921-24), a Lieutenant in the R.A.S.C., is also, like his brother Arthur, a prisoner of war. He was captured at St. Valery in June 1940, and is now in Germany, in Oflag VII B. His letters are cheerful, and the conditions in the camp seem to have improved considerably in recent months. He and his fellowofficers are allowed to leave camp on parole for walks, and they have been at the local Picture House on several occasions.

David J. G. Shennan* (1922-26), B.Sc.(Eng.), who, prior to the outbreak of war, was in Trinidad constructing a pipe-line viaduct, returned to this country and engaged in constructional work. He is now a Captain, R.E., serving with a Port Construction and Repair Company. His younger brother, Edward Theodore Sherman* (1924-30 and 1933-34), M.B., Ch.B., is a Captain in the R.A.M.C., and has been serving in Italy.

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William Douglas Simpson* (1901-13), M.A., D.Litt., Librarian, University of Aberdeen, has been re-appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland to be a member of the Scottish Records Advisory Council constituted under the Public Records (Scotland) Act 1937.

He has served on the Council since it was constituted.

In 1941 Dr. Simpson delivered the Rhind Lectures in Archaeology in Edinburgh under the auspices of the Society of Antiquaries, and these lectures have recently been published in book form in the Aberdeen University Studies Series, under the title of " The Province of Mar." This book has been very favourably reviewed, and has met with unexpectedly good sales. One well-known authority wrote : " The author may be congratulated upon the fact that birth, learning, and opportunity have fitted him to describe the development of the Scottish Province of Mar : and the issue of the book shows that his abilities are widely recognised in Scotland. South of the border, Dr. Simpson is best known for his study of medieval castles, a subject in which his knowledge of material extends throughout and beyond the two kingdoms. . . . Dr. Simpson plunges with enthusiasm and ' ability into a subject which he has made peculiarly his own, namely the medieval castle and church architecture of Mar." THE BISHOP SKINNER BICENTENARY.

In connection with the celebration in May of this year of the bicentenary of the birth of Bishop John Skinner, Dr. Simpson delivered an oration in Aberdeen on the life and work of the Bishop. John Skinner was a pupil at the Grammar School to 17S7, and was the son of another F.P., the famous author of " Tullochgorum " and of " The Ewie wi' the Crookit Horn." The Bishop's place in history, Dr. Simpson said, rests on three great achievements : the transmission of the Episcopal succession to America, the repeal of the penal laws, and the union between the Anglican congregations in Scotland and the Scottish Episcopal Church. The house at Linshart, Longside, in which the Bishop was born and lived for a time, still stands, as also does the tree under which the Bishop's father composed some of his poems. It is still referred to as " Tullochgorum."

Donald Rae Stewart* (1928-40), King's College, Cambridge, has been awarded the Edward S. Prior Prize for 1944. This annual prize goes to the student of the School of Architecture whose drawings show the best understanding of building construction and of the use of materials.

Alexander James Garland Waters* (1924-28) has recently joined the staff of Langley Alloys Ltd., as Experimental and Development Engineer, specializing in material applications from the engineer's viewpoint. He was previously with Rotal Airscrews, Ltd., a RollsRoyce subsidiary.

Norman Herbert Fenwick Weldhen* (1934-39) has passed into the Royal Naval College by the Special Entry Examination. After his five years at the Grammar School he went on to Malvern.

Ian Hamilton Williamson* O917-2 after having been commissioned in the Gordon Highlanders and having served with the

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Scots Guards and then the Gordon Highlanders, is now attached to the War Office. His younger brother, Stanley George Williamson* (1922-25), who was in the service of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, is a prisoner of war in Japanese hands in Singapore.

Edward Simon Willox* (1910-17), who was a Pilot in the R.A.F. in the last war, is again in the R.A.F., as a Flight Lieutenant, and is in control of an aerodrome in the South of England.

Ian Thurburn Wilson (1925-26), B.Sc.(For.), is a Japanese prisoner of war in a camp in the Philippines. He was in a shipping business out there when the Japanese overran the Islands.

James Wyness* (1933-39), Lieut., R.A., by a holograph declaration registered in the Sheriff Court books of the County of Aberdeen, has changed his name to JAMES HARKINS MACKENZIE WYNESS. As reported in the last Magazine, he has been serving in Sicily and Italy.

ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY DEGREES AND PRIZES.

At a Graduation Ceremony at Aberdeen University on 29th March 1944 degrees were conferred on the following :— Degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.Sc.Eng.) :— Donald McCombie Grassick* (1935 -39)• John Ferguson Semple* (1929-41).

Degree of Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) :— George McKenzie Denny Grieve* (1935-37), M.A., with Distinction in Church History.

Gibb Niven Pennie* (1923-26), M.A., with Distinction in Biblical Criticism.

Degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B., Ch.B.) :— George Edward Mayor* (1928-36), M.A., with Second Class Honours.

Arthur Jeffrey Hood Aitken* (1927-38).

Frank Northman Forster* (1921-25).

James Waddell Garden* (1924-37).

George Campbell Hadden* (1925-37).

William Gordon Henderson (1926-38).

James Watt McAllan (1925-32).

In the Faculty of Divinity George McKenzie Denny Grieve* (1935-37), M.A., B.D., was awarded the Stephen Wilson Prize in Christian Ethics and Practical Theology and the Stuart Prize in Hebrew.

TWO F.P. DOCTORS REPATRIATED.

In May came the welcome news that two of our R.A.M.C. officers were to be repatriated, and by the end of the month they were both in Aberdeen. They are Captain William Mackay Davidson* (191428), M.B., Ch.B., and Colonel David Proudfoot Levack* (1906-09), M.B., Ch.B. Both were captured at St. Valery, but they have been in different prisoner-of-war camps in Germany.

Captain Davidson is a son of the late Mr. James Davidson, M.A.,

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Mathematics Master in the School, and before the war was Lecturer in Morbid Anatomy at Aberdeen University.

Colonel Levack is well known in Aberdeen as a Radiologist and was A.D.M.S. of the 51st Division. The following is taken from the Aberdeen Press and Journal of 1st June 1944 :— Colonel Levack, who commanded the Divisional medical services, said that one of the ambulances of the Division was caught in St. Valery, where they had established themselves. He was with Major-General Fortune's headquarters in St. Valcry and set up a hospital there to cope with the number of wounded brought in. The whole Division had fought without rest from 4th to 12th June 1940, fighting all the way hack from the Somme. Every unit was exhausted, but they went on fighting until Rommel swept up the Seine and surrounded them.

Colonel Levack was left behind to look after the wounded. About a fortnight later he went with them to Rouen, where the hospital was put by the Germans under the charge of a French officer junior to Colonel Levack. This was a propaganda rebuff to influence the French.

In July Colonel Levack was suddenly transferred with nine other British doctors to Doullens. There were about seventy French officers and nearly 2,000 coloured troops. The conditions were appalling. In one room measuring about 15 feet by 12 feet, fourteen British officers had to live without beds or bedding, and the sanitation was extremely bad. German officers were arrogant and insolent to them and would do nothing to improve the sanitation. Later the British officers were transferred to a small cottage in the grounds, where the conditions were a little better. He was six weeks at Doullens and was then moved to Clermont-sur-Oise, from there to the prisoners' cage at Abbeville, and back again to Clermont, before being sent to Germany in September. He eventually landed at Nurnberg, where he and others were registered fur the first time as prisoners and deloused—a most inefficient proceeding.

In the course of his four years in Germany, Colonel Levack was in several camps. At Warburg he became Senior Medical Officer. This was a bad camp, and during the severe winter of 1941-42 the prisoners suffered from the cold weather.

The camp hospital consisted of an ordinary barracks hut, and for about eight months they had neither running water nor latrines. Ultimately the Germans found the camp difficult to run. There were many efforts to escape. The senior officers were sent to Spangenburg, but Colonel Levack refused to go there. Ile wanted to be sent to a larger camp, where he could be of use as a doctor. So in September 1942 he went to Eichstatt, which was formerly a barracks for mountain troops. This was a better camp. The living conditions were good except for some overcrowding, which was improved. Colonel Levack remained in this camp until April of this year, when he was transferred to another, in the Berlin-Leipzig area, before repatriation.

News of the war trickled through to the prisoners and they got to know of the deeds of the new 51st. They also saw in the Zellung the drawings of the bombing raid on Aberdeen, but they knew German propaganda methods and refused to take the reports and drawings at their face value. But they had firsthand evidence of our own raids on Germany. Colonel Levack heard several big raids on Kassel, and at Eichstkt he heard the bombing of Munich, Regensburg, Augsburg and Nurnberg.

Colonel Levack had an encouraging message for people who have relations in Oflag VII B. The general health of the officers and orderlies is very good indeed.

Apart from certain medical illnesses and occasional ordinary surgical emergencies to be found in any ordinary community, there was never any very serious illness and the morale of the camp is extremely high.

With Colonel Levack came Captain William Davidson, another Aberdeen doctor who served with the 51st. Colonel Levack sent him a message on so June 1940, just before the Division was surrounded, but never heard of him again until he stepped on the repatriation train with a hatch of wounded.

"An amazing change has come over the Germans," said Colonel Levack. " When I was taken prisoner in 1940 they were arrogant and insolent. To-day they realize they cannot win. We could see their morale getting lower and lower.

The change has been very marked in the last year."

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Roll of F.P. War Service.

Tenth Instalment.

It should be noted that the Roll contains the names only of Former Pupils who are members of the F.P. Club. The Editor will welcome additional names for the Roll and particulars of commissions, promotions, decorations, " mentions," etc., etc.

AITKEN, Alastair O927-3O, hanker, Aberdeen. and Lieut. (Feb. 1944), R.A. (L.A.A).

BELL, Patrick Hamilton (1927-32), M.B., Ch.B., Aberdeen. Flight Lieutenant (Medical Branch), R.A.F.V.R.

BOOKER, Robert Kilgour (1928-41), Aberdeen. Sergeant Navigator, R.A.F., India Command (trained in South Africa).

CAMERON, Scott (1921-34), M.B., Ch.B., Aberdeen.

India Command.

Captain, R.A.M.C.,

COOPER, Andrew James (1924-30), banker, Aberdeen. Flight Sergeant Pilot, Ferry Command, Middle East.

CRUICKSHANK, Ian Douglas (1919-23), Aberdeen. In Harbour Division, Police War Reserve, Aberdeen.

DINNIE, Alan Alexander (1 93 1-43), Aberdeen. In a Primary Training Wing.

DURWARD, Alexander Miller (193O-42), Richmond, Surrey. Sergeant Pilot R.A.F. (trained in Canada).

FINLAYSON, James Kerr (1933-37), B.Sc.(Eng.), Belsize Park Gardens, London, N.W. 3.

and Lieut. (Jan. 1944), R.E.M.E.

GRANT, Hamish Brown (1918-3o), M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen and legal assistant, Aberdeen County Council.

Joined Royal Navy, March 1944.

HAINE, Colin William (1929-41), Aberdeen. Bight Sergeant Pilot, R.A.F. HAY, Ian Kennedy (192o-33), M.B., Ch.B., Aberdeen. Lieut. (Sept- 1943), R.A.M.C. (with Light Field Ambulance).

HOME, John Andrew (1 939-43), Lossiemouth. O/Tel/S, Royal Navy.

INNES, Cameron Roy (1926-3o), Aberdeen. Craftsman, R.E.M.E. LAING, Andrew Ross (1921-32), M.B., Ch.B., Aberdeen. Captain, R.A.M.C.— West African Force for two years.

McCASKILL, Harry Wilson (t939-41), Peterculter. Sergeant Pilot, R.A.F. McLEAN, Alexander George (1929-39), Aberdeen, Pilot Officer (March 1944), R.A.F.

McLEAN, Ian Cook (193o-43), Aberdeen.

Naval Airman, training as Pilot,.

Fleet Air Ann. McNAB, Hector (1929-41), Aberdeen. Aircraftman (1st Class), Accounts Section, R.A.F.—in Palestine.

MASSON, Charles Gordon (1936-40), Aberdeen. Bombardier, R.A., West African Forces.

MILNE, Francis James (1 92 4-35), Aberdeen. Major (March 1 944), R.A.V.C., commanding an Indian Field Veterinary Hospital.

REBECCA, Edward Sutherland Pryor (1923-35), insurance clerk, Aberdeen.

Lieutenant, R.A. SOUTAR, Charles Lewis Colby (1932-41), Aberdeen. Sergeant Pilot, R.A.F., in Middle East (trained in Rhodesia).

STUART (formerly HELMRICH), Louis Vass (1918-27), banker, London.

Major, The Cameronians.

TRAIL, Eric William (1929-41), Aberdeen. Sergeant Pilot (Nov. 1943), R.A.F. WALLACE, William Clarke (1933-38), Aberdeen. Lieutenant, R.A. (Engineering Dept.), India.

WATT, Ian Stuart (1928-40), Aberdeen. Pilot Officer, R.A.F.

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Marriages.

Baxter (1924-29).—At Church of Scotland, Newtongrange, on I tth May 1944, Cpl. GEORGE JOHN BAXTER, R.A.F., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Baxter, 7o Garthdee Drive, Aberdeen, to Letitia Armitstead, W.A.A.F., second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Armitstead, 7 Seventh Street, Newtongrange, Midlothian.

Bell (1927-32).—At St. Andrew's Church, Ham Common, Richmond, on 29th April 1944, Flight Lieut. PATRICK HAMILTON I3ELL,* M.B., Ch.B., R.A.F.V.R., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Bell, 139 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, to Heather Diana Janet, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Penfold, The Cottage, Ham Common, Richmond, Surrey.

Cowan (z924-33).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 4th March 1944, IAN CAMPBELL COWAN,* B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., younger son of Mrs. E. Cowan and the late Neil McM. Cowan, 56 atson Street, Aberdeen, to Mary Forsyth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Kirton, I Hartington Road, Aberdeen.

Craigen (1925-36).—At the Church of St. Ignatius, Norwood, Adelaide, South Australia, on 12th February 1944, Flying Officer JOHN COLIN CRAIGEN, R.A.F. (attached R.A.A.F.), elder son of W. G. Craigen* (1894-1902), LL.B., and Mrs. Craigen, 39 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, to Moira, eldest daughter of the late Mr. A. J. Fogarty, Toorak, Adelaide.

Dalgleish (1928-34).—At Chester Cathedral, on 25th March 1944, JAMES WHYTE DALGLEISH, * Royal Signals, eldest son of the Rev. G. W. and Mrs. Dalgleish, The Manse of Monymusk, to Jean Leslie Saunders-Griffiths, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Saunders-Griffiths, Hampton House School, Chester.

Dron (19z1-34).—At Trinity Hall, Aberdeen, on 24th February 1944, Capt.

WILLIAM KENNAWAY DRON,* R.A.S.C., son of Mr. and Mrs. David Dron, Ito Queen's Road, Aberdeen, to Mary, only daughter of the late Mr. J. B. Taylor and of Mrs. Taylor (W. & W. Lindsay), 4z Victoria Street, Aberdeen.

Duffus (x916-27).—At St. Mary's Church, Hayling Island, on lit April 1944, NEIL COLLIE DUFFUS* (R.N.S.R.), youngest son of the late Mr. William Duffus and of Mrs. Duffus, 13 Argyll Place, Aberdeen, to Ruby, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Hall, Mayfield, Hayling Island, Hants.

Duncan (1921-25).—At Montrose, on 3rd June 1944, ARTHUR MORRISON DUNCAN, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Duncan, 212 Springfield Road, Aberdeen, to Isabella Stewart, daughter of Mrs. Lindsay and the late Mr. David Lindsay, 14 High Street, Montrose.

Hay (1925-35).—At Saint Christopher's Church, Abadan, Iran, on 29th March 1944, GEORGE HAY,* only son of the late Captain James Hay and Mrs. Hay, 79 Fonthill Road, Aberdeen, to Pearl Grace, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Colin Wilson, Abadan, and at Bright Street, Aberdeen.

Jamieson (t9z6-31).—At Lossiemouth High Church, Moray, on 24th March 1944, GEORGE MCCOMBIE JAMIESON, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Jamieson, fo Gordon Road, Mannoficld, Aberdeen, to Vera Kathleen, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown, 27 Bel!field Road, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen.

Jenkins (1936-4o).—At Bon-Accord Church, Aberdeen, on 31st March 1944, L.A.C. ANTHONY ALLAN JENKINS, son of M r. and Mrs. Anthony Jenkins, 47 Rosebery Street, Aberdeen, to Hilda Mary Crombie, daughter of Mrs. Hilda Davidson and of the late James Davidson, 12 Argyll Place, Aberdeen.

Keith (1925-32).—At Northwich, Cheshire, on it th May 1944, JAMES DUNCAN LINDSAY KEITH,* B.Sc., youngest son of the late Dr. R. D. Keith (1892-95) and Mrs. Keith, St. Congan's Den, Turriff, to Edith May Patricia Tharme, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Tharme, S9 Top Lane, Stourton, Warminster.

Lobban (1925-35).—At Lowthorpe Church, East Yorks, on 25th January 1944, Captain ALFRED WILLIAM CLARK LOBBAN,* R.A.M.C., son Of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Lobban, 81 Brighton Place, Aberdeen, to Ethel (" Pat ") Hall, V.A.D., daughter of Mrs. E. Hall and the late Mr. E. Hall, of Kelk, Driffield.

Lunn (t9z4-31).—At the Abbey Church, Scone, Perthshire, on 25th March x944, JAMES GLOVER THOMSON LUNN,* M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., son of the

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Rev. James G. Lunn, M.A., Hon C.F., and Mrs. Lunn, the Abbey Manse, Scone, to Dorothy, Q.A.R.N.N.S. (R.), youngest daughter of Mr. John Rowley and the late Mrs. Rowley, 146 Hemper Lane, Greenhill, Sheffield.

Macdonald (x9o7-17).--At Inverbrothock Church, Arbroath, on 18th February 1944, RANALD RODERICK MACDONALD,* M.A., B.Sc., F.F.A., Secretary, Aberdeen Savings Bank, son of the late Mr. Ranald R. Macdonald and of Mrs. Macdonald, 15o Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, to Jessie Milne Coutts, younger daughter of the late Mr. James Coutts, Registrar, Glasgow University, and of the late Mrs. Coutts, Stonehaven.

Mackie (I933-35).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 26th May 1944, Squadron Leader GEORGE YULL MACKIE, R.A.F., youngest son of Maitland Mackie (1897-1902) and Mrs. Mackie, North Ythsie, Tames, to Lindsay Lyall, youngest daughter of the late Alexander Sharp (1889-91), advocate, and of Mrs. Isabella Sharp, 45 Gray Street, Aberdeen.

Mann (1922-27).—At St. Saviour's Church, Walton Street, London, S.W., on 14th February 1944, Captain WILLIAM THOMSON MANN, R.A., youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mann, Lumsden, Aberdeenshire, to Bettine Caird Smith, B.R.C.S., youngest daughter of Mr. William D. Smith, Cassillis House, Maybole, Ayrshire, and the late Mrs. M. C. Smith.

Michie (1925-33).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 15th May 1944, CHARLES MICHIE, M.B., Ch.B., Colonial Government Services, only son of F. W. Michie (1885-91), M.A., and Mrs. Michie, East Bank, Culter, to Ruth Wigan, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Rollo, Camloun, Cults.

Paterson (1926-3o).—At St. Peter's R.C. Church, Aberdeen, on 14th February 1944, JOHN FRASER PATERSON, R.A.F., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. John Fraser Paterson, 25 Albyn Place, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth Ritchie Farquharson (" Bette"), elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Farquharson, 38 Ashley Gardens, Aberdeen.

Pratt (1 919-27).—At St. Mary's Church, Aberdeen, on 3rd June 1944, CHARLES HOWARD PaArr, 18 Cairnaquheen Gardens, Aberdeen, eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Pratt, to Louisa Mary Constance, only daughter of the late Sergt.-Major and Mrs. A. D. Simpson, 18 Bank Street, Aberdeen.

Ross (1923-32).—At the Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Name, Bombay, on 25th September 1943, Engineer Sub-Lieut. WILLIAM ANNESLEY Ross,* R.I.N.V.R., only son of the late W. A. Ross (1895-96) and of Mrs. Ross, 61 Caimficld Place, Aberdeen, to Margaret Mary, daughter of the late Mr. McGowan, engineer, and of Mrs. McGowan, Calcutta, India.

Russell (1932-37).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on t6th May 1944, Flight Licut. JAMES K. RussELL,* son of Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Russell, 6 Bright Street, Aberdeen, to Cecilia Valentine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Urquhart, Enzic Schoolhouse, Clochan.

Russell (1926-37).--At MannofieId Church, Aberdeen, on 25th March 1944, THOMAS HENDERSON RUSSELL,* fifth son cf Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Russell, West Park, Cults, to Cora Mildred, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Luckhurst, Catford, London.

Simpson (1925-38).--At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 28th April 1944, RONALD GEORGE. SnitrsoN,* M.B., Ch.B., son of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Simpson, 104 Desswotxi Place, Aberdeen, to Gertrude, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Fowlie, 139 Union Grove, Aberdeen.

Steele (1928-30).—At Woodside North Church, Aberdeen, on 25th April 1944, Sergt. ARCHIBALD STEELE, R.A.F., elder son of Mr. and Mrs:A. Steele, too Stanley Street, Aberdeen, to Joan Mathieson Blacklaws, A.T.S., daughter of Capt. and Mrs. C. G. Blacklaws, 75 Middlefield Terrace, Aberdeen.

Watt (1928-4o).—At St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen, on ;rd January 1944 Flight Scrgt. IAN STUART Wivrr,* R.A.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Watt, 98 Hammerfield Avenue, Aberdeen, to Enid Louise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. Heddle, 158 King's Gate, Aberdeen.

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Pro Patria Mortul.

John Eric Bain (1908-13), Colonel, Indian Army Reserve, died on 14th April 1944, at Bombay, as a result of the fire and explosions in the docks there, aged 45 years. The Times correspondent reported that the fire started in a ship in the docks and the flames spread to some ammunition, causing two explosions. According to a Government statement nearly 30o civilians were killed and over 1,OOO were injured. Colonel Bain was the elder son of the late Mr. William Alexander Bain, who used to live in Finchley, London, and of Mrs. Payne, now resident at Caversham, Reading. From the Grammar School he went to Mill Hill, and from there entered the Royal Flying Corps in June 1917. In the following October he was commissioned as a znd Lieutenant, and was demobilized in November 1918 with the same rank in the R.A.F. He then served with a firm of shipbrokers in London, and in 19zo joined Messrs. Mackinnon, Mackenzie & Co., East India merchants, in Bombay. After some years he was transferred to Karachi, then to Calcutta, Bombay again, and latterly to New Delhi. He had worked his way up from a junior and his next step was to have been to partnership, but the Army wanted him for transport work, in view of his experience in shipping. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel, after he had been home and across to America and back to India in April of last year. A great friend of his wrote: " He died as he would have wished, very, verybravely—having ordered zoo people off the burning ship. He must, of course, have known that an explosion might occur at any moment. His skull was fractured, and death must have been instantaneous." The burial was with military honours on 16th April.

He is survived by his wife, to whom he was married six years ago.

They had no children.

John Russell Stewart Bell * (1928-41), Acting Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., was killed on active service in a corvette in March 1944, aged zo years. He was the elder son of Mr. W. S. Bell, antique dealer, Aberdeen, and Mrs. Bell, Friendville, Mannofield, Aberdeen.

He joined the R.N.V.R. immediately on leaving the School, and was Sub-Lieutenant for about a year. His commanding officer, under whom he served for two years, wrote of him : " He was a very great personal friend of mine and I was extremely fond and proud of him. He was invaluable to me in running the ship and was, of course, most popular with his fellow officers and men. The loss of his ship is felt by all engaged in the Battle of the Atlantic and her end was a gallant one, befitting her and all who served in her." He was " a grand fellow, absolutely fearless, yet displaying gentleness and forbearance that were amazing." He played for the School rugby 1st XV, and was high jump champion at the School Sports.

Ian Campbell Bennett Black * (x93o-39), Pilot Officer, R.A.F., was reported missing from air operations in December 1943 and was later presumed to have been killed in action at that time. Twenty-one years of age, he was the elder son of Professor J. B. Black, Aberdeen University, and of Mrs. Black, 64 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen. At

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the School he was a wing three-quarter in the ist XV and was Athletic Champion in 1939. In the same year he reached the " quarter finals " of the British Boys' Open Golf Championship. He entered Aberdeen University as a medical student, and having passed his first professional examination, was well .on the way to his second when he volunteered for the R.A.F. in 1941. He was trained as a pilot in Florida and Georgia, U.S.A., and at the time of his death was Captain of a Lancaster bomber, on his zest sortie and his fifth to Berlin. His plane crashed on a Berlin raid in December last and he was buried at Lingen-on-Ems. George Allan Burnett (1926-37), Major, R.A., only son of Mr. and Mrs. George• Burnett, lot Westburn Drive, Aberdeen, was killed in action in Burma in May 1944, in his 23rd year. He joined a Signals Company of the Territorial Army at the age of 17, and was commissioned in the Gordon Highlanders in 1939. He was promoted Captain in 1942, and was killed on the day on which his promotion to Major was announced. He was drafted to India, attached to the R.A., last year. On leaving the School he entered the service of the Union Bank of Scotland at its head office in Aberdeen. He played rugby at the School, and later cricket in the Aberdeenshire Club.

Alexander George Dawson (1921-26), M.A., Squadron Leader, R.A.F., younger son of Mr. James A. Dawson, C.S.I., C.I.E., I.C.S. (retired), and stepson of Mrs. Dawson, Dunolly, Bieldside, Aberdeenshire, was accidentally killed in June 1944, aged 28 years. He graduated in Arts at Aberdeen University, with First Class Honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, in 1936, being at the same time awarded the Greig Prize in Natural Philosophy and having previously received the Cassie Prize in the same subject. He was employed by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in Iraq before coming home to this country to volunteer for service. His elder brother, DONALD JAMES DAWSON (1919-27), B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., is a prisoner of war in Java.

Edgar Alexander Gauld* (1925-39), Sergeant Wireless-operator and Air-gunner, R.A.F., was reported missing in March of this year and is now presumed to have lost his life then. He was the younger son of Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Gauld, 29 Beechgrove Terrace, Aberdeen, and was 23 years of age. At the School he was a keen cricketer, gaining both his " colours " and " cap " in 1939. He intended to take the degree in Forestry at Aberdeen University but volunteered for the R. A.F. in September 1940. Since April 1943 he had flown as a Wireless-operator, and had done about 3o trips before being reported missing. His older brother, Captain JAMES GAULD* (1923-34), M.B., Ch.B., R.A.M.C., is at present serving in Italy.

John Peter Hutcheson * (1934-4o), Flight Sergeant, R.A.F., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Hutcheson, 28 Brighton Place, Aberdeen, lost his life as a result of air operations in Italy in March 1944, aged zz years. On leaving the School he entered the Aberdeen office of the General Accident Insurance Company, of which his father is branch manager, and joined the R.A.F. in 1941. He was sent for training

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to Southern Rhodesia in that year, and then joined the Middle East Forces, with whom he continued through North Africa, Sicily, and Italy.

James Henderson Ogilvie (1911-15), Major, R.A., died in India, as the result of an accident, on 25th April 1944, in his 39th year.

He was the younger son of Colonel THOMAS OGILVIE (1884-87), C.B., C.M.G. (whose death is recorded on another page), and of Mrs. Ogilvie, Fernbank, Banchory. From the School he passed to Merchiston and then to Jesus College, Cambridge. At the outbreak of war he was in the service of Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd. Shortly before, he had joined the Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), and later he became a Gunner. He went to India over a year ago, and the accident which caused his death happened when he was returning to camp after visiting two of his troops who were in action on the Burmese front. His Colonel wrote of him : " He was a true friend and a brave soldier, and did a great deal for this Regiment." He is survived by his wife, who lives at Fernbank, Banchory.

Charles Willox Peasland (1936-37), Flying Officer, Royal Canadian Air Force, previously reported missing, was in March 1944 officially presumed to have lost his life during operations over Germany. He was in his z3 rd year, and was the only son of the late Mr. A. G. Peasland, Victoria, B.C., who served as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Flying Corps in the last war. Before joining the R.C.A.F. he was in the service of the Bank of Montreal at Victoria. He was trained as an air bomber in Edmonton, and since coming to this country more than a year ago had been on a Halifax bomber. The Air Ministry has informed his relatives that he was buried in Holland.

John Alexander Rose (1911-26), Signalman, Royal Corps of Signals, died as the result of an accident in the Middle East in April 1944, aged z8 years. He was the only son of the late Mr. John Alexander Rose (who was killed in action with the Gordon Highlanders in 1915) and of Mrs. Rose (Jeannie Hendry), Banchory Lodge, Banchory. When a young boy he decided that he was to have a hotel of his own, and at the age of 16 he started to gain experience of office work and then entered the service of the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, where he was in the kitchen for z1 months and showed promise of becoming a first-class chef. After a period in England, he came back to Aberdeen, to the grill room of the Royal Athenaeum Restaurant, and while there was awarded the second prize in a Daily Mail cocktail competition, before he was 21. About this time his mother took over Banchory Lodge and fitted it up as a hotel for him. Shortly after war broke out he was called up, and with only six months' training in the Army, was sent overseas to Palestine, where he served for three and a half years. He was killed instantaneously when on a duty run : he was riding as a passenger in a truck which crashed on a narrow bridge. He was buried with full military honours.

Robert Andrew Stewart (1932-;4), Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F., was killed in action in February 1944, aged z7 years. He was the eldest son of JOHN ALEXANDER STEWART * (1897-99), M.A., LL.D.,

JOHN RUSSELL STEWART BELL

JOHN ALEXANDER ROSE

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

Signalman, Royal Corps of Signals.

IAN CAMPBELL BENNETT BLACK

CHARLES WILLOX PEASLAND

Pilot Officer, R.A.F.

Flying Officer, R.C.A.F.

/

JAMES HENDERSON OGILVIE

GEORGE ALLAN BURNETT

Major, Royal Artillery.

Major, Royal Artillery.

ROBERT ALLAN STEWART WATT

EDWARD MAC KSON THOMPSON, D.F.C.

M.B., Ch.B.; Lieutenant, R.A.M.C.

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

145 Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine formerly of the Indian Civil Service, and of Mrs. Stewart, 17 Avenue Road, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. He passed right through the School and went on to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, in 1935.

After obtaining his B.A. there in 1938, he entered a solicitor's office in Watford, Herts. He joined the Civil Air Guard, and after being called up, was transferred to the R.A.F. in the middle of 1940. After completing his training, he did some operational flying in this country, and was sent to Africa in 1941. He served with the Desert Air Force, was for a time employed as instructor in Kenya, and latterly was attached to a Communications Unit, which he accompanied first to Sicily and then to Italy. His brother, JOHN MAXWELL STEWART (192535), A.F.M., Flying Officer, R.A.F.V.R., was killed in action in April 1943.

Edward Mackson Thompson * (1926-28), D.F.C., Acting Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F.V.R., previously reported missing at the end of last November, was in January officially presumed to have been killed then, aged 29 years. He was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Thompson, 66 Victoria Road, Aberdeen. After leaving the School he served his apprenticeship in the boot and shoe trade with Messrs. Lorimer & Son, Aberdeen. In 5935 he joined the Saxone Shoe Company and three years later was appointed manager of their branch shop in Kirkcaldy. He volunteered for air crew duties in 1940 and was trained at Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.A. At the end of 1942 he passed out as Air Gunner and received his commission.

He immediately joined a crew, with whom he flew on 4o operational trips. When with No. 156 Squadron he was awarded the D.F.C. in November 1943 for coolness and courage in saving his plane, which had been damaged by " flak " over Hamburg. He enabled it not only to bomb the target but also to evade an enemy fighter.

Robert Allan Stewart Watt * (1924-36), M.B., Ch.B., Lieutenant, R.A.M.C., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Watt, Hillside, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen, who was reported missing at sea in July 5943, was in April of this year officially presumed to have been killed in action at sea. He was in his 25th year. On leaving the School he studied medicine at Aberdeen University, where he graduated in July 1941. For a year he was a " Resident " at Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen, and was commissioned in the R.A.M.C. in August 1942.

He was for a time in Madagascar and later in Mauritius. It is understood that he was a passenger on a vessel that was torpedoed and sunk.

When at the School he was Athletic Champion and a member of the ist XV. Later he played for the University and for the F.P.s.

As this issue of the Magazine is going to press intimation has been received of the death of John Martin Harry England (1930-35), aged 19 years. He has been killed in action in Italy while serving as a Lance-Corporal in the Scots Guards. Further particulars will be given in the next issue.

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The Toll of the War. Under this heading there appeared in the Magazine of December 1918 a provisional list comprising the names of all F.P.s whose deaths in the last war had been noted from 4th August 1914 to Toth December 1918, and the Roll of Honour eventually consisted of 243 names, as inscribed on the Memorial in the School Hall. The present war has already lasted six months longer than the last war, but fortunately the loss of life, though grievous, has not been nearly so heavy, the number of deaths recorded so far being only about half. The following is the " Pro Patria" list from the outbreak of war in September 1939 to loth June 1944 : ' with a view to the formation of a complete Roll of Honour the Editor of the Magazine will be grateful to anyone who points out any omissions :— Harry Bews Anderson.

John Anderson.

John Eric Bain.

James Shearer Wood Ballantyne.

Robert George Leslie Baxter.

Alexander "Thomson Begg.

John Russell Stewart Bell.

Walter George Swan Benzie.

Ian Campbell Bennett Black.

Harold Anderson Blackhall.

Leonard John Blackball.

John Brown.

Andrew H. Bruce.

George Allan Burnett.

Leonard Massie Cheer.

Alastair Mackenzie Cockie.

James Whyte Connon.

Ian Maxwell Cormack.

William Scott Cormack.

James Ronald Coulter.

Henry George Craigmile.

John Milne Rigg Cruickshank.

James learns Davidson.

Alexander George Dawson.

John Donaldson.

Sydney Duffus.

Stephen George Esson.

John Fiddes.

John Alexander George Firth.

Robert David Spittal Fleming.

Hugh Thomas Christopher Forbes.

Henry Alexander Shaw Fraser.

John Davidson Frost.

Ian Ross Fyfe.

Angus Frederic Galloway.

George Leask Gibb.

Harry Bethune Gilchrist.

James Gillan.

Douglas William Gordon.

William Mitchell Grant.

Lawrence Harold Gruer.

Kenneth John Haine.

William Alexander Munro Halley.

Charles Albert Hendrick.

Allan Cruickshank Hendry.

Douglas Harry Mostyn-Hoops.

John Peter Hutcheson.

Alexander Burnett Hutchison.

Douglas Alexander Watt Innes.

John Alexander Barrie Jamieson.

William Fraser Jenkins.

Ian Alexander Bruce Johnstone.

Alexander Smith Kemp.

Charles Ludwig.

John Macpherson Macdonald.

Edward Mackie McIntyre.

Norman Crichton Maclver.

Dennis Lorraine Mackay.

Alistair Campbell Mackenzie.

John Woffenden McKenzie.

John Bruce MacLeod.

John McKenzie MacMillan.

James McPherson.

James MacPhail Massie.

John Cunningham Meikle.

Robert Coulson Meikle.

William McDonald Menzies.

Norman Alexander Mercer.

Stuart Auldjo Middleton.

Andrew Gordon Milne.

Kenneth David Milne.

William Francis Milne.

Alastair Ian Taylor Moir.

John Manwaring Steward Moir.

George Pink Mollison.

James Maconachie Morrison.

Robert Philp Munro.

Arthur Meldrum Murray.

James Henderson Ogilvie.

Alexander William Ogston.

Donald Noel Boyd Orr. George Murray Paterson.

John William Paul, Jun. Charles Willox Peasland.

Robert Albert Rainnie.

Thomas Campbell Reid.

Basil John Allan Rennie.

William Benton Rennie.

Alexander Arbuthnot Rodger Riddel.

John Moir Robertson.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Kenneth Hood Robertson.

John Alexander Rose.

Charles Hugh Eddie Ross.

James Matthew Ross.

Alan Milne Scott.

John Michael Scott.

Wynne Jarvie Scott.

Ian Alexander Seggie.

John Hall Davidson Sharp.

Ernest Robert Sorley.

Vernon William Lamond Stanion.

Allan James Stewart.

1 47

John Maxwell Stewart.

Robert Andrew Stewart.

Brian Alexander Sutherland.

Alastair Tait.

Edward Mackson Thompson.

Charles Chamberlin MacCulloch Watt.

George Theodore Robertson Watt.

Robert Allan Stewart Watt.

Reginald George Weighill.

Gordon Bowman Will.

John Paterson Smith Worling.

Donald James Young.

Missing.

Ronald David Whamond Jamieson * (1928-41), Flight Sergeant, R.A.F., younger son of the late Mr. Ronald Barrie Jamieson, Ceylon, and Mrs. Jamieson, Kirriemuir and Aberdeen, was reported missing in April in operations over enemy territory. His brother, JOHN ALEXANDER BARRIE JAMIESON (1928-35), Sergeant Pilot, R.A.F.V.R., was killed in action in August 1941 while operating over Germany.

George John Macpherson * (1933-4o), Sergeant, R.A.F., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Macpherson, 69 Fonthill Road, Aberdeen, was reported missing in March. Before he joined up he was serving his apprenticeship as a chartered accountant with Messrs. James A. Jeffrey & Co., Aberdeen.

The following have been recorded in previous issues of the Magazine as " missing," and the Editor has received no further information about them :— George Edmund Anderson.

Ernest Rex Chuter.

Ronald Grant Dingwall.

Kenneth Pirie McKenzie.

Malcolm Hugh Alex. Mackintosh.

James Barnett Michie.

Hugh Haldane Thomson.

William Harkins Wyness.

Prisoners of War. Douglas Scott Cruickshank * (1918-23), B.Com., C.A., was in March reported to be a civilian internee in Djawa Camp, Java. He went to Batavia as auditor and travelling accountant for Messrs.

Francis Peek & Co., Ltd., London, about fourteen years ago, and was appointed F.P. Club Consul for Java in 1939. His wife, whom he married in 1934, got away to Bombay just before the Jap invasion.

James William MacLeod * (192o-31), B.Sc.(Eng.), is a prisoner in Japanese hands, according to a radio message received in Canada.

He was an assistant civil engineer at H.M. Naval Base, Hongkong.

Gift to the School Library.

In memory of Lieutenant Alistair Campbell Mackenzie (1928-36), Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who died, as the result of an accident, on zoth August 1941, Miss Erica Dekker, Johannesburg, has presented to the School Library a number of new books, mainly of a historical character, which bear a commemorative inscription framed by herself.

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Aberdeen Grammar Schaal Alagazine

Obituary.

Hector Robert Adam (1897-1902), B.Sc., F.I.C., Chief Chemist of the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Co., Ltd., which controls the well-known Barnato group of gold mines, died in Johannesburg in February, in his both year. A son of the late Rev. Hector M. Adam, Aberdeen, he graduated B.Sc. with Honours at Aberdeen in 1905 and went to South Africa in 191o, working first as an analytical chemist at Heymann's Chemical and Metallurgical Laboratories, Johannesburg, and then as a metallurgist in Rhodesia and in the Murchison Range District. In 1913 he was appointed junior assistant to the Professor of Metallurgy at the South African School of Mines, Johannesburg. He became F.I.C. in 1917, and later was appointed Chief Chemist, Government Gold Mining Areas, Ltd., Transvaal. He married in 1913 Miss Gertrude 0. Reed of Gwelo, Southern Rhodesia.

William Aitken (188z-87), son of the late Mr. Alexander Aitken, died in Aberdeen on 9th May 1944, aged 68 years. He was in the service of Messrs. James Garvie & Sons, painters, Aberdeen, from 1892 to 1905, when he became a partner in the firm of Messrs. Alexander Aitken & Sons, painters. For a number of years he was a member of the Executive of the F.P. Club. He is survived by four sons who were pupils at the School—ANDREW AITKEN* (1915-18), JOHN ABEL AITKEN* (1918-22), WILLIAM NOEL AITKEN (1924-29), and ALASTAIR AI'rKEN* (1927-31).

James Cooper Clark* (1894-96), younger son of the late Mr. John Clark of Hatton, Ceylon, and Blackhills House, Lhanbryde, Moray, died at Aberdeen on zznd March 1944, aged 64 years. He served in the South African War with the Highland Light Infantry, 1901-oz, and then spent six years in Mexico, U.S.A., Japan, China, Java, and Ceylon. When in Mexico his interest was aroused in the mysterious hieroglyphic codices, and in i912 he published a monograph entitled " The Story of ' Eight-deer ' in Codex Colombino."

This was the history of a man named Eight-deer, represented in a series of pictographs giving the chief events of his life. In the last war Cooper Clark received a commission in the Lincolnshire Regiment, and served in England, India, Burma, and Mesopotamia (attached to the 2/6th Devon Regiment as and in command) until 1919, having the rank of Major from August 1916. In 1927 he was the leader of a small expedition that attempted to probe the secrets of an ancient civilization in Central America : he had specialized in archaeological matters for many years and was recognized as an authority on the ancient life of Mexico. In his later years Major Clark devoted much of his time to the production in three sumptuous volumes of the Mexican pictograph manuscript known as the " Codex Mendoza," which was published in 1938 at the price of twenty guineas. The book is a masterpiece of printing and contains a facsimile of the Spanish text of the codex and of the picture-writing, reproduced in colours.

The editing of the manuscripts demanded an intimate and first-hand knowledge of early Mexican civilization as well as familiarity with the Nahuatl language, and the work constitutes the most notable

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 1 49 contribution to Mexican archaeology for many years. After the outbreak of the present war Major Clark turned his attention to Java, the Buddhist antiquities of which he started to investigate in the light of a visit he had paid to them a good many years ago. During one of his visits to Mexico he climbed the famous volcano Popocatepetl (17,888 feet). He gave an interesting account of this expedition, illustrated by photos of his own, in the Magazine of November 1940.

A tribute to him by his most intimate friend appears on pp. 1S7-8.

Sinclair Couper (1868-71), M.I.Mech.E., died at Glasgow on izth February 1944, in his 88th year. He served his apprenticeship as an engineer in Glasgow and having gone through the complete engineering course at Glasgow University, continued to work in the physical laboratory of the University under Sir William Thomson (Lord Kelvin). He became successively chief draughtsman with Messrs. Miller & Co., engineers, Coatbridge ; engineering manager to Messrs. Beardmore, Parkhead Steel Works, Glasgow ; and in 1887 partner in Messrs. Lindsay Burnet & Co., engineers, Govan, being sole partner from 1895. In 1918 he transferred the business to the Forth Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd., of Alloa. His wife survived him by little more than a month, dying in her 81st year.

William Davidson (1869-73), last surviving son of Mr. William Davidson, master tailor, died in Aberdeen on 6th February 1944, in his 9oth year. He served his apprenticeship as an engineer with Messrs. Hall, Russell & Co., Ltd., Aberdeen, and then went to Demerara, where, however, his health broke down, and he had to come home. He was in the employment of Messrs. G. & J. McBain, chartered accountants, Aberdeen, as a valuator, from 1892 to 1918. when he retired.

FORMER F.P. CONSUL AT SINGAPORE.

John No Dawson * (1900-04), Managing Director of Messrs.

Guthrie & Co., Singapore, is presumed to have died in February 1942.

Immediately after leaving the School he entered the service of Messrs.

Guthrie & Co. Ltd., London, where he trained for three years before going to their Eastern branch at Singapore in 1907. He was later stationed at most of the firm's branches in Malaya—Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Malacca, and also in Medan, D.E.I. Finally he returned to Singapore in 1923, where he remained until the capture of the Colony by the Japanese. For the last three and a half years he had been Managing Director of the firm. He escaped on the s.s. Kuala on 13th February 1942 but since then nothing has been heard of him.

At Singapore he was a member of the Legislative Council, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and took an active part in the affairs of the Colony.

In his old School also Dawson took the keenest interest, and as long ago as 1911 contributed to the Magazine an account of " A Jaunt in Java." Shortly after the Club's system of Consuls was started, he was appointed its representative at Singapore and held the position for about 15 years. When he was home in 1927 he presented £5o to the School for the founding of a prize for combined

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excellence in scholarship and games, and since then the " John No Dawson Prize " has gone to the winner of the F.P. Club All-Round Trophy. He married at Singapore in September 1919 Miss Ethel M. D. Campbell, youngest daughter of Mr. and the late Mrs. William Campbell, 6o St. Swithin Street, Aberdeen. She is now resident in Edinburgh.

James Hastings Edwards* (1894-90, M.A., LL.B., advocate, elder son of the late Mr. David Edwards, solicitor, died at 6 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, on 8th May 1944, aged 6o years. He served as a law apprentice in his father's firm of Messrs. Edmonds and Ledingham, Aberdeen, and then was with Messrs. Alexander Morison and Co., W.S., Edinburgh, for over a year. He was admitted a member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in June 1909, and in the following year took the LL.B. degree at Aberdeen University, having graduated M.A. in 1903 and B.L. in 1906. In 1910, too, he became a partner in the firm of Edmonds & Ledingham, of which latterly he was senior partner. In 1926 he was appointed assistant to the Professor of Law in Aberdeen University, and in December 1930 he became Lecturer in Procedure and Evidence. At the outbreak of the last war he was mobilized as a Captain in the ist Highland Brigade, R.F.A. (T.F.), and served in France from 1915 to 1919, with the rank of Major from June 1916. The Territorial Decoration was awarded to him in 1920. He was a director of several local companies, and took a deep interest in the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, being appointed chairman of the board of directors in 1940. He married in November 1915 Miss Helen Christena, daughter of Mr. James Brodie, manufacturer, Glasgow. .

Alexander Esslemont (1876-80), son of the late Mr. Alexander Esslemont, wholesale merchant, King Street, Aberdeen, died at z7 Albert Terrace, Aberdeen, on 24th March 1944, in his 8oth year.

On leaving the School he joined his father's business, and eventually became principal of the firm of Messrs. Alexander Esslemont & Son, from which he retired a few years ago. Throughout practically all his life Mr. Esslemont devoted much time and energy to Church work, and was for long Session Clerk of Belmont U.F. Church and latterly of East and Belmont Church, Aberdeen. For a period of 57 years he was first teacher and then superintendent of the Sunday School of his Church. He was unmarried.

John Shields Fairbairn (1876-77), M.A. (Oxon), M.B., B.Ch. (Oxon.), F.R.C.S. (Eng.), F.R.C.P. (Lond.), F.R.C.O.G., elder son of the late Rev. A. M. Fairbairn, D.D., at one time minister of St. Paul Street E.U. Church, Aberdeen, and later Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford, died at Lossiemouth on 22nd January 1944, aged 75 years.

He received his medical training at St. Thomas's Hospital, London, where he later was Consulting Obstetrical Physician and also Lecturer in Midwifery and Diseases of Women. It was largely due to his efforts that the Royal College of Midwifery and Gynaecology was founded in London. He was for a time Chairman of the Central Midwives' Board, and was Editor of the Journal of Obstetrics and

Aberdeen Grammar School Maga.#ne Gynaecology.

15 I

For the past ten years he had lived in retirement at

Lossiemouth.

Douglas Falconer* (189 I -1900), son of the late WILLIAM FALCONER (1859-61), Belgrave Terrace, Aberdeen, died in Aberdeen on 4th May 1944, aged 58 years. On leaving the School he entered his father's business of John Falconer & Co., drapers, Aberdeen—a business which was founded as long ago as I788—and later he and his eldest brother, HARVEY GEORGE FALCONER* (1889-95) were assumed as partners. Harvey Falconer retired in 1929, when the business came under the control of the Scottish Drapery Corporation, and Douglas Falconer remained as managing director of an ever-expanding business.

At the outbreak of the last war he was mobilized as a znd Lieutenant in the 4th Batt. Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), and served in France from February 1915 to the end of 1918. He was promoted to be Captain in November 1914, was " mentioned " in Sir Douglas Haig's Dispatch of 9th April 1917, and was awarded the Military Cross in February 1918 in the following circumstances : " He was in command of a convoy of limbers and removed large quantities of trench stores under most difficult conditions and heavy fire, thus saving much valuable material from falling into the hands of the enemy." In October 1919 the award to him of the Croix de Guerre was gazetted.

He married in July 1913 Miss Lillias Gordon Nicol, daughter of the late ROBERT GORDON NicoL (1871-73), Aberdeen Harbour Engineer. He is survived by his wife, one son, and three daughters.

James William Ferguson* (1878-82), Lieut.-Colonel, late of the 3rd Dragoon Guards and zoth Hussars, died at Aboyne on 17th May 1944, aged 74 years. A son of the late Mr. Thomas Ferguson, who was born 138 years ago, he spent four years at the Grammar School and then passed on to Fettes and Sandhurst, from which he entered the Army in April 1890. For the next nine years he served with the 3rd Dragoon Guards in India, South Africa, and at home.

Having been promoted Captain in 1898, he exchanged in the following year to the zoth Hussars, and was with that regiment in India, South Africa, Egypt, and at home until 1913, when he retired with the rank of Major, to which he had been promoted in 1906. He served in the South African War in 1901-oz, receiving the Queen's Medal with four clasps. On the outbreak of the last war he was called from his retirement and served as a Major in Reserve Cavalry Regiments to 1916 and in command of the zit st Dorset Yeomanry in Ireland, 1917 to May 1919. He finally retired in the latter year, with the rank of Lieut.-Colonel. He succeeded to the estate of Corrachree, near Tarland, on the death of his uncle, Colonel Sir John Farquharson.

John Wilford Foster (1911-14), M.D., only son of the late Canon Foster, Bieldside Aberdeen, died in his 47th year on 19th February 1944 at an English port, on board a ship on which he was to proceed East to take up an appointment as a surgeon. He was mobilized in August 1914 as a Private in the Grammar School Company of the 4th Batt. Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), but shortly afterwards became a Cadet at Wellington College, South India, and in April 1916 received

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine a commission in the 25th Indian Cavalry, Frontier Force. He served in Palestine, attached to the 75th Punjabis, and later in Syria, having, with the rank of Captain, the charge of a district 1 ,ooo square miles in area, including Galilee. Relinquishing his commission, he took up the study of medicine at Aberdeen University, where he graduated M.B., Ch.B., in 1926 and M.D. with Honours in 1929. His medical posts included that of medical officer at oilfields in Peru and of ship's surgeon, Brazil. He was later engaged in anti-malarial prophylaxis in the Gold Coast under the auspices of the Ross Research Institute, and it was for his research work in connection with the study of native dietetics in Kenya under the auspices of the Rowett Research Institute that he received his M.D. degree. For some time he had a private practice in Ainsdale, near Southport, and for the last two years he was lecturing on tropical malaria and hygienics at the London School of Tropical Medicine.

William Taylor Gibson (1893-98), son of the late Mr. Henry Gibson, 35 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen, died at Cheam, Surrey, on 6th March 1944, aged 58 years. He was for a time traveller for Messrs. Rattray & Sons, tobacco manufacturers, Aberdeen, and then with Messrs. Harrods Ltd., London. In the last war he served as a Private and a non-commissioned officer in various English regiments in France, Egypt, and Palestine.

Macallan Ledingham (1902-04) died in Aberdeen on 25th January 1944, aged 55 years. He served his apprenticeship as a chemist in Aberdeen and became a partner (latterly sole partner) of the firm of Jenson & Ledingham, opticians, Schoolhill, Aberdeen.

In the last war he served in France as a Private in the Scots Guards for over two years and then in Italy as a Staff Sergeant in the R.A.M.C. James Middleton (1888-94), younger son of the late Mr. Alexander Middleton, Belmont House, Aberdeen, died at Leawesden, Watford, on and June 1944, aged 63 years. After being trained at Cooper's Hill Royal Indian Engineering College, he was appointed to the Indian Public Works Department in 1903, and being attached to the Irrigation Branch, Punjab, was employed in the N.W. Frontier until he resigned on account of ill-health in 1912. In the last war he served as a Major in the Royal Engineers, attached to the Indian Army.

Robert Moir Milne* (1881-90), M.A. (Aberd.), B.A. (Cantab.), died at Pennington, near Lymington, Hants, on loth March 1944, in his 71st year. The younger son of the late Surgeon ROBERT Mont MILNE (1856-58), Indian Medical Service (Bengal), who died at the early age of 32, he attended the Grammar School for nine years, and then went on .to the University, where he graduated M.A. in 1894, with First Class Honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, gaining at the same time the Simpson Mathematical Prize and the Arnott Prize for Experimental Physics. In the same year he gained an Open Scholarship at Jesus College, Cambridge, and in 1897 graduated B.A., as 16th Wrangler. In the following year he was appointed Assistant Master in the R.N.E. College, Keyham, Devonport, and in 15 2

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1900 an Instructor in Mathematics and Mechanics at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. Six years later he became a Mathematical Master in the newly established Royal Naval College at Dartmouth.

There he continued for 27 years, until his retirement in 1933. He was the author of an admirable textbook, " Mensuration and Elementary Solid Geometry for Schools," published by the Cambridge University Press. In his younger days he was a keen tennis player, and throughout his life devoted much of his spare time to the pursuits of a naturalist. His elder brother, Major CHARLES JOHN ROBERTSON MILNE (1881-88), M.D., of the Indian Medical Service, died at Berhampore in 1911.

Herbert William Murray (1896-98), son of the late Mr. Alexander Murray, bookseller, died in Morningfield Hospital, Aberdeen, on 25th May 1944, aged 55 years. He was for a good many years in his father's business. In the last war he served as a Private and later as a Lance-Corporal in the Scottish Rifles, from February 1916 to May 1918.

John Murray* (1868-75), M.A., advocate, died in Aberdeen on 17th May 1944 in his 86th year. He was the younger son of the late Mr. John Murray, merchant, Aberdeen (the elder son being the late Rev. THOMAS MURRAY (1862-68), M.A., Army Chaplain, 1st Class), and after graduating in Arts at Aberdeen University in 1878, served a law apprenticeship with the late Mr. David Stewart, advocate, with whom he was in partnership from 1886, the firm being Stewart and Murray. He was the sole partner of this firm for many years until in 1927 he assumed his son THOMAS PATRICK EDWARD MURRAY* (1907-18), M.A., LL.B. For nearly forty years Mr. Murray was Clerk to the Deeside District Committee, afterwards District Council, of the County of Aberdeen. He was admitted a member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in June 1886, and at the time of his death was the third oldest member, his two seniors being LACHLAN MACKINNON (1865-70), M.A. (still hale and hearty in his 9oth year), and GEORGE DUNCAN COLLIE* (1869-75), who is in his 87th year.

He was predeceased by his wife, a daughter of the late Dr. MacQuibban, Aberdeen, and by his eldest son JOHN CHARLES EDWARD MURRAY (1904-14), who was taken a prisoner of war in March 1918 and died in February 1941. His second son, Lieut.-Colonel T. P. E. Murray (mentioned above), was in command of the gist Divisional Signals in the present war, was captured at St. Valery and is still a prisoner in Germany. His youngest SO/1, CHARLES MITCHELL MACQUIBBAN MURRAY* (1914-26), M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S. (Edin.), is at present serving as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. The younger of two daughters iS the wife of Major CHARLES WHYTE WILLIAMSON* (1910-17), Gordon Highlanders, who in civil life is a chartered accountant in Aberdeen.

Thomas Ogilvie* (1884-87), Colonel, C.B., C.M.G., T.D., D.L., died at Fernbank, Banchory, on 17th April 1944, aged 7z years. He was the elder son of the late Mr. Thomas Ogilvie, Kepplestone, Aberdeen, and entered the family business of Thomas Ogilvie and Son, woollen merchants, in 1892, becoming managing director when

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine '54 the business was turned into a limited company. He joined the ist V.B. Gordon Highlanders in 1898, and was mobilized in August 1914 as Major in the 4th Batt. Gordon _Highlanders (T.F.). He was promoted to Lieut.-Colonel in October 1914 and succeeded the late Colonel D. B. DOUGLAS STEWART (1873-77) in the command of the Battalion, at home to February 1915 and in France to February 1916.

In the following month he was appointed Administrative Commandant, 4th Army Railhead, and organized all railheads in the areas of the 4th and 5th Armies. In February 1918 he was appointed Labour Commandant, 4th Army. For his work in helping to restore the line after the Second Battle of Ypres Colonel Ogilvie was made C.M.G. in June 1915, and the C.B. followed in January 1919. He was mentioned in dispatches no fewer than five times. His association with the Territorial Army was continued in peace time, and he was Chairman of the City of Aberdeen Territorial Army Association from 1925 to 1928. An honour which he deeply appreciated was his appointment as Hon. Colonel of the 4th Battalion, a post he filled for twelve years.

Every year those who survived of the Battalion he took across to France in 1915 held a dinner on the anniversary of their landing there, and he attended every one of these up to 1941, when the gathering was discontinued because of the present war. Colonel Ogilvie took an active interest in the F.P. Club, of which he was President in 1920-21. His two sons were also pupils at the School for a time.

Major THOMAS OGILVIE* (1909-15), R.A., is serving with the Highland Division, and Major JAMES HENDERSON OOLLVIE (191I-1 5), R.A., was serving in India, but died in May i944, as is recorded on page 144.

AN, EMINENT BOTANIST. Sir David Prain* (1872-73), C.M.G., C.I.E., M.A., M.B., LL.D.,

F.R.S., Lieut.-Colonel, I.M.S. (retd.), died at Well Farm, Whyteleafe, Surrey, on 16th March 1944, aged 86 years. He was born at Fettercairn, Kincardineshire, in 1857, and passed from the Grammar School to Aberdeen University, where he graduated in Arts (with Honours in Science) in 1878 and in Medicine (with Highest Honours) in 1883, receiving the LL.D. degree in 1900. He joined the Indian Medical Service (Bengal) in 1884. Three years later he was appointed Curator of the Calcutta Herbarium, a position he held for eleven years, and then for ten years he was Professor of Botany at the Calcutta Medical College, being for seven of them Director of the Indian Botanical Survey and Superintendent of the Calcutta Royal Botanic Garden.

It is interesting to note that as Superintendent of the Garden he succeeded another F.P., Sir GEORGE KING (1849-5o), K.C.I.E., who died in 1909. While holding this position Prain was placed in control of the department that was responsible for the cultivation of cinchona in India ; he reorganized the department, and the flourishing state of the industry is mainly due to his initiative and administration. As head of the Botanical Survey he accompanied Sir Francis Younghusband on the latter's famous mission to Lhasa in 1902, adding materially to the botanical knowledge of that then almost unknown country. In 1905 he came back to this country as Director of the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 1 55 Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, and worthily held this post for seventeen years. For three years after his retirement from Kew he was Director of Forest Products Research, and for nine years after that Chairman of the Advisory Council on Plant and Animal Products to the Imperial Institute. He was a Trustee of the British Museum from 1924 to 1936, and one of the Carnegie Trustees for the Universities of Scotland from 1917. He was made a C.I.E. in 1906, when he retired from the Indian Medical Service as a Lieut.-Colonel, and in 1912 was made a C.M.G. and created a Knight. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1905, he was its Treasurer from 1919. He married in 1887 Margaret, daughter of the Rev. William Thomson of Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire. Their only son was killed in the last war.

Charles Reid (1876-80), O.B.E., M.B., C.M., died at The Diglake, Stafford, on 11th May 1944, aged 79 years. A son of the late Mr. David Reid, who lived at 76 Dee Street, Aberdeen, he graduated in Medicine at Aberdeen University in 1886 and was for many years in medical practice in Stafford. In the last war he was County Medical Director of the Staffordshire Branch of the Red Cross Society and was made an O.B.E. on 1 January 1919.

Harvey Tytler-Nicol Sands* (5913-18), B.L., a son of the late Mr. Alexander Sands of the firm of Messrs. Watt & Cumine, advocates, Aberdeen, died in London on 21st February 1944, aged 35 years.

He served as a law apprentice with Messrs. C. & P. H. Chalmers, advocates, Aberdeen, and after being a qualified assistant to Messrs.

Watt & Cumine, became a partner in the firm of Rowley, Orr, Lamond and Co., writers, Glasgow. He suffered a breakdown in health and afterwards returned to Aberdeen, where for a time he was with Messrs.

James and George Collie, advocates. Over a year ago he received an appointment in London. He married in 1934 Alice, daughter of the late Alex. Emslie Benzie, Morkeu, Cults, and is survived by her and two children, one of whom, JEREMY NICOL SANDS, entered the School in 1941.

Arthur Cruickshank Smith (1893-1900), youngest son of the late Mr. John Smart Smith, 69 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen, died in Aberdeen on 3rd January 1944, aged 58 years. After leaving the School he was for ten years in the service of the Northern Agricultural Co., Ltd., Aberdeen, and then joined Messrs. Guthrie & Co., Ltd., at Singapore. Before he left Aberdeen, he was a member of the Executive of the F.P. Club, and when he went to Singapore, he did much to bring F.P.s out there into touch with the Club. In 1920 he was appointed manager of Messrs. Sutro & Co. (Eastern) Ltd., Singapore, but retired after a few years and entered the business of Messrs.

Gordon Graham & Co., Ltd., wholesale wine and tea merchants, Aberdeen. Latterly he suffered from ill-health and lived in retirement in Aberdeen. He married in 1919 Rosa Amelia, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Graham, Aberdeen, and was predeceased by her.

Arthur Curzon Lindsay Smith (1895-5903), M.B., Ch.B., youngest son of the late Major-General John Lindsay Smith, died in

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Manchester on 15th January 1944, aged 56 years. He qualified in Medicine at Aberdeen University before he was 21 and had to wait for graduation until he attained that age. He had been for many years in medical practice in Manchester.

Alexander Lyon Strachan (1883-92), C.A., elder son of the late Mr. James Strachan, South Seafield, Aberdeen, died at Worsley, Manchester, on 17th May 1944, aged 67 years. He served his apprenticeship as a chartered accountant with his father's firm of Strachan & Spence, Aberdeen, and qualified in 1897, after which he was for fourteen years with a firm of accountants in Belfast. He then became an auditor in the National Insurance Audit Department, serving successively in Belfast (two years), Liverpool (ten years), and Manchester (fourteen years), retiring with the rank of Divisional Inspector of Audit in 1938. He married in 1913, at Bristol, Miss Edith Margaret Canning of Wellington, N.Z., by whom he is survived.

John Duthie Webster* (1879-8o) died at Collynie Cottage, Tarves, on 4th April 1944, aged 77 years.

For 44 years he was connected with the North of Scotland Bank at Tarves, retiring from the agency of the Bank about thirteen years ago. In 1923 he succeeded his uncle, WILLIAM Durum (1853-55), as owner of the herd and the tenant of the noted farms of Collynie and Tillycairn, and became world-famous as a Shorthorn breeder. In 1920 at the annual sale at Collynie he received ;,zoo guineas for the bull Royal Mandate, and his average for five bull calves was over L865. After about fourteen years he sold by private bargain the entire collection of Shorthorns, with the exception of the stock bulls, and thereafter gave up the tenancies of Collynie and Tillycairn. In 1925 Mr. Webster presented the Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, with a donation (L i2,ooo) large enough to endow the Duthie Experimental Stock Farm as a memorial to his uncle and to his grandfather, also a William Duthie of Collynie. His object was to help in developing the practical side of the Institute. Ile left net heritable and moveable estate valued at almost £275,000.

Many F.P.s will learn with regret of the death of Robert Linton— better known as " Rab "—who was for twenty-six years gardener and assistant janitor at the School. He died at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 16th March 1944, aged 7o years.

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James Cooper Clark: A Tribute.

It is not very easy to compress into small space the memories of a friendship of about fifty years. As the Editor has sketched (on p. 148) the salient features of the quite unusual career of James Cooper Clark, I shall confine myself to merely 'personal details.

James Clark was a favourite pupil of mine at the School—not that he was a brilliant scholar, though he excelled in drawing and broke the School record for the zoo yards at the Sports. There was something attractive about him, his modesty and good manners above all.

As he told me afterwards, I never scolded, far less punished, him for his " inertia," shall we say. I merely smiled at some of his answers.

And so a friendship grew up between us, a friendship that increased with the years. When he came back from Mexico, where one of his friends was one of the most famous of Spanish bullfighters, later met in Madrid, he to me was Don Jaime and I to him Don Carlos.

After his journeyings abroad, a rich relative of his died, leaving a fortune of nine million pounds. This was " Silent." Smith or " Chicago " Smith, who spent most of the later years of his life in the Reform Club, London. James, his brother and sister inherited some part of this fortune, but the major part of it, five million pounds, went to his cousin, Sir George Cooper, Bt., North College, Elgin.

Thereafter life was more easy for him, but fortune smiled still further when another relative left him a large legacy, with South College, Elgin, as well. In this house Charles St. John had lived and written his famous " Wild Sports and Natural History of the Highlands."

In these Colleges the Cathedral dignitaries were housed long ago.

We met more frequently after this, and he declared that he wished to repay in some measure the debt of gratitude which he said he owed to me. So he asked me yearly where I wished to spend my holidays —in Spain, France, Italy, Morocco, etc., and whether I preferred train, steamer, or motor car. One year his chauffeur was a road-racer between Petrograd and Potsdam.'

Many delightful and instructive holidays we spent together. The .only drawback was that he insisted on taking the most expensive rooms in the most expensive hotels of the towns we visited. In vain did I expostulate that we could not thus study the ordinary types of the various countries : we might as well have lived in London in the Ritz.

On one occasion, owing to a confusion of dates, I had to journey with his valet from London via Paris to Bordeaux, where for a fortnight I tried to teach Edward, the valet, the elements of French and Spanish. A vain effort, except that I got him to recognize his name as Edouard in French, in Spanish Eduardo, but he did understand bommes and dames at the railway stations l After a pleasant stay for a fortnight in Bordeaux we set out for Madrid, Seville, Cadiz, and Morocco by the Sud Express, and on it we met a charming Spanish M.P., whom we invited into our coupe.

The result was that we were overwhelmed with kindness by our friend : luncheons, dinners, music-halls, etc., to say nothing of his sending us by his own car to visit the famous church-monastery of San

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Lorenzo of the Escorial, twenty miles away. A real hidalgo, Seiior Fernandez! Bullfights, picture galleries, libraries, wine-testing, and most of all the study of humanity, the greatest educator—all these were our Spanish programme.

Many such holidays we spent, sometimes in the Scottish Highlands.

Despite his cultured Bohemianism, and he was familiar with the exotic foreign " colonies " in Florence, where he lived for seven years, Don Jaime was no butterfly dilettante. He was by nature an archaeologist and ecclesiologist—the late Reverend Professor Cooper was a near relative—but anything less like the popular idea of an archaeologist you could not conceive. No scorner of the Graces was he. Indeed he always looked as if he had just stepped out of Savile Row, so carefully was he groomed. He hated the words " dappcr" and " natty " which I sometimes used in fun. Sometimes he would say, " Shall I wear my emerald or sapphire studs to-night ? " greatly to my amusement. Yet he was as hard as nails : at the College he ran a mile or two before breakfast.

From the musty gloom of the British Museum or the Bodleian, where he spent so much of his time, he would emerge immaculate, with a clove carnation in his buttonhole, ready for a dinner, followed by a " show."

There was another side to his nature, not generally known. His kindness to those less fortunate than himself was unbounded: all the fisher folk of Hopeman, Lossiemouth, and Burghead were his friends. I have seen him go through. the streets of Elgin, in his fisher's guernsey, carrying a pail full of the fish he had caught from his little yacht in the Moray Firth. These he would give to the poor people near his house. And I know of one case where he sent at his own expense a whole family to Canada. For myself, when on our travels I was afraid to mention some book I saw in a window : it would at once be bought for me.

Sometimes his good nature was imposed upon. For example, when he financed a poor play to be produced in the West End, merely because he was very friendly with the author and producer. It was a flop. .

His ideas on expenditure were not those of the canny Aberdonian, for I was with him in Paris when, after a couple of hours, he bought an Aubusson carpet of the exact pink shade he wanted.

Twenty years, off and on, he spent on his great work, the " Codex Mendoza," the price of which has now gone up to thirty guineas.

In this work I played a humble part—proof corrector. As a reward he made a special journey to Aberdeen to present me with a copy, and we celebrated the occasion with a special dinner.

Such were some of the memories that passed through my mind one April day this year as I accompanied the remains of my dear friend from Aberdeen to Elgin. And there in a grave, lined with spruce and bays, not far from the Cathedral he loved so well, he was laid to rest, while over him was recited the beautiful Office for the C. D. Burial of the Dead. R.I.P.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

1 59

Mr. William Munson.

William Munson, M.A., who was Head of the English Department of the School for over 35 years- from 1893 to 19z8—died at 140 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, on loth March 1944, in his 81st year.

He was the last survivor of three graduates with First Class Honours who gave distinction to the School staff, the other two being Dr. Charles McLeod and Dr. George Middleton. Mr. Munson graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University, with First Class Honours in Classics, in 1884, and at the same time was awarded the Simpson Greek Prize and the Seafield Latin Medal. In the following year he was elected to a Classical Scholarship at• Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

In 1884, too, he won at Aberdeen the Fullerton Scholarship in Classics, and in 1885 the Ferguson Scholarship in Classics, open to the whole of Scotland. Three years later he was awarded the Blackwell Essay Prize at Aberdeen University. On leaving Cambridge he studied for a time in Germany—at Freiburg University—and in London. In 1888 he was appointed Assistant Master in Speir's School, Beith, Ayrshire, and in January 1893 entered upon his duties at the Grammar School in succession to Mr. H. F. Campbell, M.A., who later became an advocate in Aberdeen and is still living, in retirement at Dornoch, at the age of 87.

Mr. Munson was the author of a number of books, the best known of which is " English Composition, with Chapters on Precis Writing, Prosody, and Style." First published in 191 o, it met with remarkable success, almost 40,000 copies having been sold by the time of his retirement, and many more since then. He was a contributor to Hastings' " Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics," the " Cambridge History of English Literature," and to various Dictionaries. He also edited various school and other books, and was the General Editor of the Cambridge County Geographies. For a number of years after his retirement he edited the Aberdeen University Review.

The death of Mr. Munson has taken from us the last of the Big Three—McLeod, Middleton, Murison—who for so many years, and so greatly to its benefit, dominated senior teaching in the School.

In every way Munson was a different man from his two colleagues, and a man to whose personality it is more difficult than in their cases to do justice in a pen portrait. In terms of output he was certainly the most distinguished scholar of the three—a scholar, moreover, of high calibre and fine temper, though Aberdeen (as so often in such cases) never seems to have been properly aware of the fact. Many will regret that year after year his Alma Mater passed him by when selecting recipients for her honorary degrees. The list of his published works is indeed an imposing one, ranging from his famous manual of English Prose Composition, through many admirable school editions of English classics, to such weighty undertakings as the Scottish Text Society's editio definitiva of John Leslie's " Historie of Scotland," and his excellent study of " Sir David Lyndsay, Poet and Satirist of the Old Church in Scotland." It was in this, his latest work,

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that Murison's wide knowledge, both of history and literature, and his command of graceful presentation, were displayed at their best.

In the classroom Murison's teaching was marked by the same qualities which shine forth from every page of his published work —extreme accuracy in detail, finely poised critical appreciation, sound judgment, and a just sense of proportion. That he won his way into the hearts of his pupils in quite the same way as McLeod and Middleton not even his warmest admirer would claim. Murison was essentially shy and reserved by nature. Such men are apt to case themselves in armour. In his instance the defensive panoply took the form of a gift of sarcasm that earned him the nickname by which he has been familiarly known to generations of his pupils.

But if his caustic tongue at times might seem to build a barrier between teacher and taught, it was not of the kind that left any lasting sting behind. One of his old boys recently referred to him, in most affectionate tones, as " an acid drop all right "—and the metaphor struck me as eminently just, for do we not all love acid drops ?

Every boy who passed through their hands was, I think, immediately aware of the superb teaching qualities of McLeod and Middleton. In Murison's case this awareness tended to come later.

It was only after they had passed out into the wider world and begun to make their way in life that his pupils came to realize what a magnificent advantage they enjoyed in having been trained, in the most important of all school subjects, by so thorough, careful, fastidious, and devoted a teacher as William Murison. To his widow in her sorrow warm sympathy will be extended from thousands of grateful Former Pupils in every quarter of the globe.

W. D. S.

Tercentenary of George Jamesone's Death.

The Scotsman in April reminded us of the tercentenary of the death of " the first clearly recognisable Scottish painter," for it was sometime in 1644 that George Jamesone was buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh. He was the first of a line of painters which extends to our own day and shows no sign of ending. There were painters in Scotland before him, but it was not until Jamesone appeared and gave his work richer colour, freer handling, more life, and a definite character that Scottish portraiture can be said to have emerged.

Born in Aberdeen towards the close of the sixteenth century, Jamesone was the son of a master builder and architect, and a nephew of that versatile craftsman, David Anderson, who was known to the whole community as " Davie-do-a'thing." He attended the Grammar School from 1597 to 1601. His daughter Mary married Professor James Gregory, the famous mathematician and inventor of the reflecting telescope, who was also a pupil at the School. Jamesone's death called forth from David Wedderburn, the famous Rector of the School and Latin poet, an elegy entitled " Sub obitum Georgii Jamesone," which is known to have been printed by Edward Raban, " printer to the City and both Universities of Aberdeen," but copies of which have not been traced.

•

WILLIAM MURISON, M.A.

EDGAR ALEXANDER GAULD

JOHN PETER HUTCHESON

Sergeant W/O and A/G, R.A.F.

Flight Sergeant, R.A.F.

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Escape from Burma.

Third and Final Instalment.

SYDNEY EIA1SLIE DURNO (1935-37), of Peterculter, Aberdeenshire, was a student of Science at Aberdeen University when the war broke out and later joined the R.A.M.C. as a Private. He was serving in Burma at the time of the Japanese invasion of that country, and has written an account of his experiences while seeking to escape to India. The narrative has reached this country in three instalments, the first of which was printed in the " Magazine" of Jane 1943, and the second in the last issue. The third instalment—the last for the meantime—has recently come to hand and is printed here as received: it is regrettable that " for obvious reasons" it has had to be cut short.—ED.

zznd May 1942. Previously I had had to rely on myself and make my own decisions, but now the Gurkhas were in charge, as two of them could speak Kachin. They could always find out the way and, in any case, they were very much at home in the mountains. This day " Janson " and one of the Gurkhas left to travel with another party of Indians which we encountered. The pace the Gurkhas set was too much for " Janson," and 1 was considerably strained to maintain the pace, although afterwards I was as fresh at the end of the day as they were. Gurkhas are very versatile, being equally good at scouting, cooking, or killing Japs, not that I saw them performing the last operation, but I did the others. All our food was now cooked by ourselves, and very good it usually tasted. Now we frequently got rice beer along with our food. This is a very tasty drink, if not newly made, and has the merit of being but slightly intoxicating, while very refreshing. We spent the night together, three Gurkhas and myself, in a Kachin hut as usual, and a jolly little party we were.

MEETING WITH AN IRISH PRIEST.

z3rd May. To-day we entered Katchito, but so misty was it that we saw little of this town or large village, and after being put on the right track, we kept right on. After a few miles the path started to descend steeply towards the Mali-Kha. I was going down this path when I met Father Stewart (or " Jao " Stewart, as the Kachins call him).

He was ascending towards Katchito where, with a fellow-priest, he ministers in lonely seclusion to the Kachin people. He was, of course, surprised to see me (and I to see him) and we had a long chat. He is an Irishman, as most of the missionaries in outlandish parts are. He was well aware of the serious situation of the country but never thought of getting out of it. Before leaving, he told me to get some cocoa and sugar from his servant who was following him up the hill with a caravan of ponies, laden with what supplies he could get at Sumprabum, the nearest British outpost, 3o-4o miles away. This I got, and afterwards our little party enjoyed hot cocoa and the while blessed " Jao " Stewart. I often wonder if Father Stewart and his colleague are still living with the Kachins at Katchito.

To-day also we crossed the river Mali-Kha in a canoe-shaped boat.

There was quite a number of refugees of all kinds (except European)

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine at this point, and we had to wait our turn for the crossing, which we accomplished without mishap. The Mali-Kha is, perhaps, wider than the N'mai, but not so turbulent and rocky. It has, however, a strong current, and our boatmen earned their pay, which was, I think, six annas. By nightfall we had walked 3o miles and were well on our way to Sumprabum, where I hoped all manner of help awaited us.

UNPLEASANT HUNGRY CHINESE.

z4tb May. This day we did not travel so far, as we stopped at a village a few miles from Sumprabum. Here our Gurkha in charge met one of his fellow-countrymen, with whom he had a long and earnest conversation. The village was in a state of alarm because the Chinese were known to be in the vicinity, and the Chinese had no food and were hungry, and hungry Chinese are not pleasant people. All the women of the village were hiding in the mountains and so was the bulk of the rice belonging to the villagers. There were rumours of gangs of brigands in the surrounding hills, and some said even the Japs were near. This was all translated to me by the English-speaking member of our Gurkha party. We stayed in the village and that afternoon the Chinese came—hundreds of disreputable, demoralized troops—hungry, cold, sick. A party stopped in our village. They had been looting all sorts of things, including livestock, and were keen to loot more.

I, of course, as the only white man, attracted attention, and they wanted my gun, my ammunition, or anything that might be of any use to them, but I had neither gun nor ammunition, so they went empty away. z51b May. We entered the small town of Sumprabum this day.

We expected to find it full of Chinese and empty of food or anything which might be of use to us : our expectations were realized. Here I met my old companion " Janson " again and took him to the little hospital, where I intended to dress his wound properly. The Chinese had been there before us and had made a shambles of the place. Doors were burst open, cupboards ransacked, sheets, blankets, etc., lying all over the place, windows broken, and hardly an article of any value left.

What they could not take away was destroyed. Such was the hospital I found in Sumprabum, but, after diligent searching, I discovered some ensol, a little acriflavine, and a few dressings, with which I cleansed and dressed my Gharwali friend's side. Some of the Chinese, having heard that I was a " doctor " I suppose, came in for treatment, but I was hardly in the mood for spending much time on the agents of such destruction, and, in any case, there was no material left in the building with which to effect any treatment. In Sumprabum I met a sorry party of refugees who had come by road from places further south.

They were mostly Eurasians and many were wives of Service men— all quite unfit to make any attempt to reach India—and were waiting there with their children and a few belongings. Whether the Japs or the Chinese got them first I know not, but their chances of survival were not of the brightest. I got a few messages to carry back to India with me to relatives of these people, and though I was unable to make personal contact, I believe the messages reached their destination.

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As our road was now being used by other travellers besides our party, we could not depend on the poor Kachins to supply us with food for nothing, and I therefore prepared for this complication by borrowing some money from an officer whom we met in Sumprabum.

We left the same day and made good headway along the rough but picturesque " road " which leads to Fort Hertz (or Putov), some i zo miles distant.

AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE!

From this day on we had no difficulty in finding our way, and we were able always to buy food from the tribesmen.

The Gurkhas are full of tricks, and to impress the simple Kachins used to tell them that I was a person holding an exalted position in the British Army or Government. As soon as they were told this, the villagers would gather round and gaze at the great person! I would be given a stool to sit on (only important people sit on stools in a Kachin gathering) and shown great respect. Several times the Gurkhas translated to me an offer of marriage from the headman on behalf of his daughterl Had I accepted such an offer, the maiden would have been mine, but I would have been expected to settle in the village and live the life of a Kachin, which, in spite of the advantages of having a robust and hardworking helpmate, was not my ideal of a happy married life I During this period nothing very exciting happened. At mile 182, on the z7th, I felt slightly fevered and my thermometer told me I had a temperature of To4.4°. Next day, however, I felt so well that I did my 13 miles to our next stopping place in such a hurry that I outstripped the Gurkhas by at least half an hour. The zgth found me with a temperature of over io5° and I did only ix miles. Though I did not, or would not, realize it at the time, I had, of course, contracted malaria. Our last stopping-place before Fort Hertz was a Shan village. The Shans are quite a distinct people from the Kachins, having a different language and different customs from their neighbours.

They come into contact with the rest of Burma more than do the Kachins and are, perhaps, on that account slightly more advanced.

In this isolated Shan village an Indian doctor was taking refuge, and he gave me some quinine tablets to combat the fever. Next day I travelled most of the way to Fort Hertz in a bullock cart, and never have I had such a rough journey, the roads not being meant for vehicular traffic even of such a humble character as the bullock cart.

Eventually I walked into the little outpost minus my boots, which had at last fallen to pieces.

The rumours we had heard for the last week proved true, for there was a party in Fort Hertz consisting of several British officers, a few civilians, and some native troops. The officer in charge was preparing to lead this party to India via the Himalayas and Tibet—a three months' journey through snow and clouds. This we did not have to do as, thanks to the R.A.F., most of us landed on the soil of Assam on the 31st of May. Details of my return to India are left out for obvious reasons. At a rough estimate, my travels from the River Nazu to Fort Hertz covered some Soo--33o miles.

26th-31st May.

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Safari on Kilimanjaro.

The following very welcome contribution has come from Mombasa in the form of five consecutive airgraphs from BENJAMIN BOOTH (1937- 39), who is engaged in work for the Navy there. An account of a previous " Assault upon Kilimanjaro" by the late Surgeon-Commander ERNEST ROBERT SORLEY (19o6-18), Al. D., R.N., appeared in the " Magazine" of November 1932.

He gave the height of the mountain as 19,700 feet, and had to give up the attempt to reach the lop when he had reached 18,270 feet. His companion got to within zoo feet of the coveted height and was then confronted by a precipice which, in his condition of extreme exhaustion, he did not think it safe to negotiate. It will be noted that Ben Booth says that he feels it would be well worth while making a second attempt to reach the crater. As he may do so, we wish him complete success and shall have great pleasure in recording the exploit in the " Magazine."

THE FIRST DAY: TO BISMARCK HUT. On Sunday, jr 4th November 1943, I set out with a friend to climb Mount Kilimanjaro—" The Shining Mountain "—r9,455 feet high, and the highest mountain in Africa. We had spent several days in wandering around the foothills, becoming acclimatized, after a number of months at the coast, and also in getting to know the countryside.

From the foothills snow-capped Mount Kibo, the primary peak of Kilimanjaro, appears to penetrate far into the skies and is at once challenging to the prospective climber. There is apparently some doubt on the part of authorities on the subject as to whether volcanic activity exists in the crater of Mount Kibo. The second peak, Mawenzi, 17,290 feet high, consists of a rugged, rocky mass, rising sheer in places, and is a favourite climb for experienced rock-climbers. Mawenzi is separated from Kibo by a saddle of volcanic ash, several miles long and approximately 15,ooo feet above sea level.

We set out after breakfast with one guide, one alleged cook, and six porters, and reached the first hut-Bismarck Hut-9,ooo feet high, after a trek of about four hours through the tropical forest. There was little visible during this part of the climb, as the forest is very dense. The overhanging trees shut out the sight of the sun and instil a sense of depression and gloom. It is most interesting to note the changes in the species of the trees. For the first part, the forest consists entirely of tropical trees and gradually, as it becomes higher and colder, the trees of colder climates take their places. A very weird, grey-green aspect is given to these trees by the moss and lichens which trail from every branch in extremely long strips and which completely envelop the trunks. Flowers bloom in profusion in the higher reaches of the forest, and it was a pleasant change to see violets, purple heather, and Scotch thistles—the first time for many months. A fairly well defined track exists through the forest, although the going is very rough in places. It may be of interest to note that the track was originally created by the elephants which until recently were plentiful in this part of the forest.

1 65 Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine At Bismarck Hut the very rapid fall in temperature was noticeable and, after lunch, we immediately settled into our bunks and warded off the cold with countless cups of tea. When we awoke next morning, however, the sun was shining brightly, and we set out for the second part of the climb with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.

THE SECOND DAY: DEPRESSING MIST.

Half an hour after leaving the hut we suddenly emerged from the forest and here we had a most wonderful and breath-catching view of Kibo and Mawenzi in brilliant sunlight. Before us stretched a vast expanse of rough grass, covering the numerous hills reaching towards the two peaks. Here and there heather and flowering weeds added patches of colour to the scene : everything dominated by the mighty and majestic Kibo peak, crowned with everlasting snow, against a background of tropical blue sky.

As we climbed higher, we looked down on the blanket of cloud obscuring the view of the plains and the hills. It was an odd feeling to be cut off from everything earthly, and certainly not unpleasant.

Some distance from Peter's Hut, rocks took the place of the grassland and the going became harder. Before we reached the hut, a thick mist suddenly enveloped us and the cold and damp seeped through into our bodies. It was with great relish that we supped our hot soup and, as at Bismarck Hut, we turned in for warmth immediately after our meal.

By three o'clock in the afternoon the mist was so thick that it was quite dark and most depressing. There was nothing for it but to go to sleep! It is not unusual at this hut, which is I2,5 0o feet above sea level, to have an initial attack of mountain sickness or headache. One of our porters, who had presumably done the trip several times before, cadged some aspirins here, complaining bitterly of severe headache.

THE THIRD DAY: EFFECTS OF RAREFIED AIR.

Next morning we awoke with brilliant sunshine, streaming through the shutters. We changed now into heavy European clothes on account of the cold and made preparations for the final ascent. Nothing exists beyond Peter's Hut except wilderness, and even firewood has to be carried. For two hours we climbed steadily, until we finally arrived at the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. We were very close to Mawenzi and could make out every rugged detail. It was during our climb to the saddle that we saw the only piece of game during the whole of the trip—a small and timid gazelle. We were greatly disappointed that we did not see any eland on the saddle, as reported by several previous parties.

From the Mawenzi end of the saddle we could see Kibo Hut about six miles distant, nestling near the foot of Mount Kibo. The saddle stretched flat and uninteresting before us, covered in volcanic ash and interspersed with boulders—not a very pleasant prospect! It was a great relief to get to the end of this plateau, which is continually swept by a biting wind, and I was extremely tired by the time I reached Kibo Hut. Immediately on arrival there I complained of headache and my companion of severe headache and sickness. This, of course,

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was due to the intensely rarefied air, as Kibo Hut is some 16,5 oo feet high. We could eat nothing and, after sipping weak tea, my friend was violently sick. We slept fitfully until a a.m., when the guide came and called us. We immediately got up and put on every available article of clothing which we had brought along, including fur caps, fur gloves, and fur capes. I was not exactly sure how I felt, but I tried to convince myself that I felt fit and ready for the final effort.

THE FOURTH DAY: EXHAUSTION.

The last climb is not long as distance goes, but it is through very troublesome scree, and respiration is exceedingly difficult at that altitude. The scree consists of loose volcanic ash, and the harassed climber slips back one step for every two steps forward. The scree is fairly deep and is continually getting into one's boots, necessitating many stoppages. After nearly one hour on this exhausting climb, I had to stop every two or three steps for breath. The pulsations of the heart are very fast and intense at i 7,000 ft. and, by the time I reached x13,ooo ft., I became very sick. The severe cold, together with this wretched mountain sickness—which to my mind is much worse than any other form of sickness—did much to dispel my enthusiasm, and I now felt apathetic about reaching the highest point, Kaiser Wilhelm Spitz. I carried on a little further and was compelled through weakness to lie down under a huge boulder, which gave me some shelter from the bitter wind. I immediately fell into a deep sleep, and I still do not know how long I slept there. On awakening, I could see the vastness of the countryside stretched out before me, for the dawn was about to break. I had the pleasure of looking down on Mawenzi, at the other end of the saddle, dour and unkempt in the half-light of morning.

My friend meanwhile had carried on, and I decided to wait at Kibo Hut until I had news of him. At nine o'clock the guide returned to say that he was on his way down, after reaching Gillman's Point in an exhausted condition, and that he would follow me to Peter's Hut. THE FIFTH DAY: GOOD GOING ON RETURN JOURNEY.

We slept very soundly at Peter's Hut and, much to our cook's astonishment, our appetites surpassed all previous records! We set out on the fifth day for the hotel, a distance of some twenty-eight miles, which we accomplished in little over six hours.

My only regret about the whole trip is that I was unable to reach the crater. I feel that it would be well worth while making a second attempt for this purpose. I should think that this is one of the most interesting and unforgettable safaris that East Africa can offer.

In conclusion, I should like to say how much of the success of the safari was due to our very faithful and cheerful guide, Johannes, now a hardened mountaineer, and to our native porters, who did so much excellent work.

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'Tis Sixty Years Since.

EDWARD FIDDES (1876-81), M.A., LL.D., Professor of History and Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Manchester University, who died in March 1942, left an unfinished autobiography. His reminiscences in it of the Grammar School, at which be was Silver Medallist in the Second and Third Classes and Gold Medalist in the Fifth, more than sixty years ago, may be of interest to the present generation.—ED.

The Grammar School is one of the oldest schools in Scotland and claims, authentically, to go back to the 13th century. My father [Edward Fiddes (1830-34)] had been a pupil in it under Dr. Melvin, a very distinguished Latinist and an excellent teacher. Whatever mental discipline could be gained by the study of the Latin language no one could impart better. He was beloved by his pupils and was the pride of the town. The School was housed in his day in an old building in Schoolhill, and was transferred in the early 'sixties to the present buildings, handsome and well-proportioned, with extensive grounds. The management was at that time in the hands of the Town Council, but was a few years later transferred to the School Board, under the Scottish Education Act of 1872.

The scheme of teaching was simple. The staff consisted of the Rector, two Latin Masters, and one for each of the following subjects : English, French, Arithmetic and Mathematics, History and Geography, Writing and Drawing, and Elocution. The School was divided into five Classes, and, as far as I knew, the pupils advanced annually from one Class to the next, without examination.

The staple instruction was in Classics. Greek was taken by the Rector in the Fourth and Fifth Classes, where alone it was taught. He also taught Latin in the Fifth Class.

The Rector—Alexander Martin—was an excellent teacher, especially for the better pupils. The Fifth Class in my last year was small, with about fifteen, and perhaps four of these had much interest in their work. Martin devoted his attention almost entirely to this small minority, and troubled himself little with the others, as long as they were orderly in their behaviour. I remember a page of a " crib " being passed from hand to hand, as the boys were put on to construe, without any interference from the Rector, who can hardly have been unaware of what was going on. This was all to the good of the minority, who got what was equivalent to excellent private coaching when they were preparing for the Bursary Competition, their first external examination. I rejoice to think that neither School Certificate nor Leaving Certificate had been invented then, and that I was not from a tender age under the shadow of examinations, nor my teachers unduly occupied with the thought of examination results. I am quite aware that in a system of National Examinations it is difficult to escape from their net.

The two Latin Masters took in alternate years the First and Third Classes and the Second and Fourth, thus securing that the pupil should be under the same teacher for four years. The two in my time were

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Still and Legge. Still was a competent but not very inspiring teacher.

He was known as " Boxer " Still, from his habit of signifying his displeasure by striking the offender with his clenched fist between the shoulder blades, a punishment which was annoying rather than painful.

Legge was a finer character : scrupulously polite, he always raised his hat when " capped" by a pupil ; keeping order without corporal punishment and enthusiastic for his work, he inspired his pupils with respect and affection.

In the teaching of English great stress was laid on Grammar, which is nowadays, I believe, out of fashion. Bain's " Grammar " was the text-book and it reflected the exact thinking of its author. Particularly valuable was the analysis of sentences, which gave us some idea of logical and psychological processes. No doubt it is not the " natural" way of learning a language, but education is mainly " un-natural."

In my first year the English Master was Alexander Munson, a kindly, rather self-conscious man, who afterwards became Professor of Roman Law in University College, London, and was made a K.C. for his learning. Later came George Paul Macdonell, whom I remember with special gratitude. He had a real enthusiasm for his subject and managed to communicate some of it to us. He once dictated to us Wordsworth's sonnet on London Bridge, and it seemed to open a new vista of beauty to me. He used one ingenious device, which I have not heard of elsewhere. He would dictate to us a prose paraphrase of a piece of English poetry and tell us to turn it into verse. " I don't wish to make you poets," he said, " but to learn the value of words." The results were sometimes startling ; generally, however, the exercise was a help to the appreciation of both prose and poetry.

Macdonell left early and was called to the Bar. He died comparatively young—a premature close to a promising career.

Charles Sleigh taught Arithmetic—a strongly made, bearded man, intimidating in appearance and manner, so that discipline in his classes was spontaneous and he had little need to resort to the " tawse," but he could do so unmercifully. His rebukes were strongly expressed. " John," he would say to a boy detected munching sweets, " you come here to fill your head and not your belly." But he was never severe on any one who was really trying to master his subject. He was essentially kindly, and, if he was too pedantic about exact expression (we were not allowed to say " two triangles having two equal sides " where the book said " two triangles which have "), and if he asked, " What is the use of Euclid if it is not to teach accuracy ? " (it certainly has other uses!), at any rate we were well grounded in Arithmetic and Elementary Geometry and Algebra.

History and Geography were comparatively new subjects. No special study and knowledge were expected from the teacher. His business was to see that his pupils had memorized the text-book. The Master, when I entered the School, was a sour-tempered man, who up to that time was a " stickit " minister. He was the only Master I remember who seemed to enjoy thrashing the boys. He was succeeded by a divinity student, who had a real taste for history, and taking the

169 Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine particular lesson as a basis, would enlarge on it in an interesting way.

I remember in particular his graphic talks on Military History. He was followed by another divinity student, who could not keep order and who solved all difficulties in the pronunciation of foreign names by pronouncing them as they were written. Even boys of our tender age were aware that it was not correct to speak of Mount Blank or Bordoaks.

There was much to criticize in the state of the School. Martin, though an excellent teacher, was, whether through inertia or timidity, not a successful administrator. There was no grading of the boys according to ability. The curriculum remained the same during the three years I was there, and the staff took little trouble to know the boys outside the School. There was no encouragement to form societies, and in spite of the magnificent opportunities afforded by the spacious grounds, the forming of any athletic club was left to the initiative of the boys. There was no physical training. The numbers were decreasing, so the School Board took the matter in hand. Martin resigned the Rectorship and was succeeded by Mr. (later Dr.) James Moir. Great changes were carried out, but I will not go into these, as I was only for a few weeks under the new regime.

Among the pupils of my time was Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell, who some years ago published his reminiscences and was already showing signs of strong independence of mind. Others were Sir James Meston (later Baron Meston of Agra and Dunottar) and Sir George Carmichael, K.C.S.I.—both I remember as quiet, steady workers, with an abundant endowment of good sense.

The weakness of the School in those days was a too close adherence to the old conception of school education—the acquisition of a certain amount of memorized knowledge. For this no very high qualifications were required in the teacher, and hence the occupation was neither well paid nor generally attractive. " There is always something grotesque about a schoolmaster," wrote Sir Walter Scott, and teaching was too often a bread-and-butter stop-gap for an ambitious youth, or a permanent asylum for a failure in life. The days when education would be a highly respected profession were still in the distant future.

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SCHOOL SECTION. School and Random Notes.

Teaching Geography by film-shows is a fairly recent innovation which has great attractions for most " Grammar " boys, and something we hope to see more of in future years. We think Geography Masters will agree that, at present, there is rather much of novelty in film-teaching, due to the infrequency of " performances," with a resultant tendency to their being regarded as entertainments and not lessons in Geography. The art of producing instructional films is still far from perfect, and (to our recent disgust) our own projector proves at times " unreliable." Still, breakdowns and " technical hitches" have been thoroughly appreciated by the School audiences who have witnessed them. *

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is customary and proper to find in these pages some reference to, or anecdote about, the Masters of the School ; yet despite our intensive efforts we can recall no incident or adventure of note which has in these terms concerned the noble band of " Staff " (at least nothing which would pass Mr. Censor into print). All that can be said is that the Staff have of late performed their tasks in a fairly sane and sober fashion, except perhaps when, recently, there appeared among them a disposition to catch Mumps (of all things!) and sundry other petty ailments. This, we have no doubt, was caused by the sudden change-over to (almost) full-time school, to which everyone has taken some time to adapt himself (as to a change of food). * * * * * It

The dignified entry of a Prefect on to the platform in Hall and his solemn tones in " Reading the Lesson " sometimes mislead the ignorant as to the same Prefect's bearing and behaviour prior to his appearance, as the following Irtee tale will demonstrate. The " First Bell " is to sound in one minute. The Prefect to Read is quietly rehearsing in the Prefect's Room (that most spacious chamber). Sundry other Prefects occupy the many armchairs. The boys arc all in Hall, waiting.

Another Prefect enters the Room upstairs and shuts the door behind him. (Pause.)

The bell rings. A Prefect turns to open the door, intending to proceed to Hall.

There is no handle to the door. They are locked in. The Masters process towards hall. Frantic shoutings and beatings of the fist upstairs. (Another short pause.)

Last-second escape. Precipitate flight downstairs. Staff shuffles into Hall. Prefect follows, makes his dignified entry, and " Reads the Lesson " in solemn tones. * * * * * It's all due to the change-over to normal School! in recent years " Rubislaw " has, on many Sports Afternoons (or Mornings), presented the appearance of a vast park, uninhabited save by clusters of our brawniest rugger players pet-forming in sundry corners—places to which even a poet or thinker might resort to find solitude and peace. Not so now! The return to healthy conditions has wakened us up to such an extent that when the Athletic Fans run a mile together, they end up by having hardly any gap in the line between the winner and the last man, but a continuous circle of runners round the whole field. So may victories in the Realm of Sport crowd round us in the session to come!

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Whether we refer to them as " our honourable and gallant foes," or as these from " the other place," or simply and mcaningly as " those pestilential creatures from Gordon's," we must shamefacedly admit that they have twice well and truly beaten us at cricket. There is no doubt about the matter ; there can be no quibbling— but now that we arc back on full days (the system, to be sure, had not time to work for the cricket season!), what can we not do ? Wait till next season—which is a far time off, and we shall not have the misery of recording another such victory! * * * * * If we were to note debit and credit on our Sports sheet, we could reasonably say that our friends the Gordon's are deeply in debt, or conversely that we have a big balance on the right side. Our hockey season showed how well we could do when we tried! Of theirs—but let bygones be bygones ; we will not shame them. * * * * * by the Cadet Companies, represented well arc Force Air While the Army and there is no mention of the Navy—apart, of course, from the Sea Scouts, which, in our humble (non-Scout) opinion, do not count. But there are, surprisingly enough, a few candidates for naval honours, and they must go the devious way to their service through one of the two Cadet forces. The Whyte Connon library of books about the sea gives an opportunity to all (which the closely-guarded secrets of the Cadets do not) of finding out facts and traditions about the Navy and thereby exalting that Service. * * * * * Gone arc the days! Yes, gone the time when we could sit in the Library studying and waken when the telephone bell rang, starting up and waiting expectantly for Miss Henderson to give to some enquirer after the Central School the time-honoured formula : " No, the Grammar School is in session at present "—which delighted us as much as " Timc, gentlemen, please," must have annoyed our fathers! * * * * * the enemy, and after a brief with contact made forces night of — our " On the and brisk engagement succeeded in destroying two, while a third made off in the gloom "—such might be an announcement from the Admiralty. But it is issued from the School, where the firewatchers killed two mice and pursued a third, which took evasive action and broke off the engagement. It is difficult to say which were having a field day —the firewatchers honourably wielding shovels, pokers, etc., or the combined forces of mice. And to think that the Prefects once harboured a cat in their room! * * * * * No one, surely, can impute to Upper School boys a lack of broad-mindedness.

Those who sat a Higher (Optional) Paper in the Bursary Comp. argued with guileless logic that if the other candidates were to be allowed two days off School for recuperation, they, in all fairness, should be allowed three for their endeavours on behalf of the honour of the School. Far be it from us so suggest that there is a lack of great-hcartedness and fellow-feeling on the part of the powers-that-be, but what other conclusion are we to draw when we find that these candidates were granted neither three, nor two—but one! * * * * * a mere miscalculation of perhaps Perhaps it is part of a policy of discipline, time, perhaps a sly suggestion that we do not get enough exercise in the fresh air,

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but when the boys of the A.T.C. are kept standing on a windy day, by, mark you, an Air Vice-Marshal, and an energetic " go-getter " at that, there must be something seriously wrong. If there is going to be any doubt about tramcar running, he should hire a tandem cycle next time and get a W.A.A.F. to drive him. * * * * * It would not be amiss for us of the Upper School to cast our eyes back to our first year in the Middle School. One thing strikes us forcibly—the breed of men seems to be smaller. At that time we looked up with awe at the towering figures of Upper Form boys. They were no less giants in their own right than in our imaginations. And we look at them to-day (or rather, at ourselves) and we find a puny race in comparison. Or are we able to see ourselves in the proper perspective ?

The Prefects, we are sure, do not aspire to claim respect, though they may enforce it—which, we contend, is quite a different thing. * * * * * On gth June the School was honoured by a visit from Dr. Hildebrandt from Cambridge. Friend and colleague of Pastor Niemoller, he remained staunch and faithful to his convictions during those years when the whole force of evil seemed to be let loose in Germany. The School is grateful to the Rector for having persuaded such a distinguished scholar and speaker to address us in Hall. The earnestness and sincerity of his address made a deep impression on the members of the Upper and Middle Schools. *

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At a recent Board for entry to the Fleet Air Arm, 12o candidates were interviewed from the three Services and A.T.C. units. Two were accepted as Pilots. One was Sergeant A. J. Gray, 1agg Squadron, Aberdeen Grammar School.

The Rape of the Porridge.

As the Camp Log might have put it :—Rose 7 hrs. : lit fire : cooked porridge : pan tipped : no breakfast.

As Mr. Pope might have put it :— The trumpet calls ; and instant at the sound All leave their grassy lairs and gather round : To each the Priest Superior speaks in turn ; Some, with high pomp, must fetch the silver urn ; Others invoke the altar fire to burn.

Some from the willing woods bring log and beam ; Sonic bear the pitcher to the silv'ry stream.

Each minds his proper task with purpose high : Eftsoons the hour of sacrifice draws nigh.

Within the stony cavity there lies A cunning stack of twigs of smallest size; Shaped like a temple reared by pagans old Which travellers find full oft in Lands of Gold.

A wand is waved, with sacred Phosph'rus crowned ; A god is loosed, and crackling fire is found.

There in a circle crouch the priests in fear, Lest flames should rise, then fall, nor more appear.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine But:speedily the blaze mounts to the skies, And pillars, too, of smoke to Heav'n arise.

In solemn conclave then th' attendants meet, To fix what sacrificial dish to eat.

With care upon his brow, the High Priest rose : " Porridge t'will be," he said, and porridge t'was.

Forth came the gleaming pans like censers high, Which sometimes incense held, and sometimes pie.

Then came the oats, like soft and silv'ry sand, Which Navigators bring from India's strand.

The potion boils ; the Priest bends o'er the brew ; With solemn count the meal begins to strew, A priestly handful each for all his crew.

The tension others scarcely can endure ; Draw near the altar ; spoons and plates procure.

The potion thickens by the magic craft ; To fair Olympus gentle odours waft.

Jove leaves his nectar ; hies to Heaven's great stair ; Far views the scene, and wishes he were there.

Likewise (alas!) the odour downward flees To Hades, borne by subterranean breeze.

Dark Pluto frowns within his rocky den ; Wretched himself, he loathes the mirth of men.

Above him far, the happy band prepare, The order giv'n, to taste the glorious fare.

The Priest takes sample ; states that it is good— Fit for Immortals, masterfully brewed.

Ahl gentle reader! faint not when I tell How blissful happiness to anguish fell!

For as the Priest comes forth to lift the pot, Pluto beneath with jealousy distraught, Smites on his rocky roof with massy blow, And through Earth's bowels tremors vast do go.

The gleaming pan slips from its tott'ring grid ; A demon's wrath a morning's toil undid.

Forth pours the precious porridge on the fire, With hissing vapours and combustion dire.

The watching priests let fall their spoons and plates ; A dismal wail ascends to Heav'n's high gates.

"Sic transit Gloria Affordi1 " pronounced Jove ; And Pluto's fiendish laughs the shadows dove.

And if (dear reader!) you should likewise try To live and feast beneath the open sky, Tempt not the wrath of Sprites in Heav'n or Hell ; See that your cooking pan is balanced well.

R. W. Hammitt...T.

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The Athletic Sports, 1944.

Although no records were broken, the 194.4 Athletic Sports were very enjoyable, and the general impression of spectators was that the standard of performance was quite high. Events were for the most part contested with the utmost keenness, particularly the inter-House relay races, and there was ample evidence of good sportsmanship and camaraderie among the competitors of all ages. Although there might have been many more entries for the Open and Class II events, there was no scarcity of younger entrants, over too names for an event being common in .the case of Classes IV and V. The I louse Championship was again won by Keith, Melvin, their nearest rivals, being some 3o points behind. Dun House were third, not far short of Melvin, and Byron House, supreme nowadays only in swimming, were fourth.

Keith were fortunate in having some splendid athletes at almost every stage.

In the Open Class, they had two fine all-rounders in A. M. Davidson and R. L. MacKinnon, Captains of Cricket and Rugby respectively, and a grand middle-distance runner in W. K. Smart. In Class II, J. M. Milne and A. A. Lawrence gained valuable points, Milne being runner-up for the individual championship of that Class.

Their younger boys also played their part well. 1. R. Young and A. I. Cheyne excelled in Class III, T. Gordon Matthews in Class IV, T. Thow in Class V, and Roy Preshaw in Class VI. Matthews and Preshaw won all the races in their respective age groups. It was not surprising that Keith's total was well over too points.

The individual Champion of the Sports was James C. R. Dawson of Dun House, who gained 17 points. Dawson's versatility and stamina may be judged from the fact that he won the Hurdles, Shot Putt, and Pole Vault, finished second in the Discus, High Jutnp, and 220 Yards race, and third in the Lung Jump and Half Mile. A. M. Davidson of Keith, with 15 points, was a good runner-up. He had four " firsts," one " second " and a " third." R. L. MacKinnon gained 13 points, and J. A. McGregor of Byron tot.

Champions and runners-up of other Classes were as follow : Class 11—K. I. Sutherland (Champion), J. M. Milne (runner-up) ; Class 111—R. D. Milne (Champion), J. M. Eddison (runner-up) ; Class IV—John Grant (Champion), T. G. Matthews (runner-up) ; Class V—A. James Grant (Champion), T. Thow (runner-up); Class VI—Roy Preshaw (Champion), C. Scott Hodge (runner-up).

A. J. M. E.

Rugby Notes.

The 1943-44 season must be rated one of the leanest ever experienced by the School XV. Five inter-school games were played, and not only were all lost but the side failed to score a single point. " Points against " amounted to 147, 56 of which were scored by Trinity College, Glenalmond, and 3o by George Heriot's.

It was some slight consolation that the team's best performances were against Gordon's Colkge, but both at St:afield and at Rubislaw our players failed to cross the enemy line and were denied even the satisfaction of a successful kick at goal.

It is difficult to explain away such a dismal record. In some measure it is undoubtedly due to the wretched system of " half-day school," now happily ended.

It was certainly not because of any lack of team spirit or uninspired leadership.

Both R. L. MacKinnon, the Captain, and D. Cowie, the Vicc-Captain, did all they could by their example to spur on their fellow-players, but success simply would not come their way. Mr. W. P. Stewart, too, spared no effort to try to weld a side out of young and inexperienced material.

Fortunately prospects for 1944-45 are brighter. Quite a number of old Colours are expected to return, and MacKinnon will still be with us. The fixture list is quite an attractive one, there being home games with Glenalmond and Glasgow High School, away matches with Heriot's, Royal High School, Perth Academy, and Glasgow Academy, and, of course, the usual tussles with Gordon's College, first at Rubislaw and later at Scaficld. Our old rivals incidentally are to be heartily congratulated upon the remarkable success they enjoyed during the i943-44 season.

They were undefeated by any other school, and did much to enhance the prestige of Aberdeen " rugger " in the south.

A. J. M. E.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Who's Who in the 1st XV.

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R. L. MacKinnon. 5 ft. tol in. ; 11 st. I lb. Captain. A fast and determined right centre three-quarter. Inclined to delay his passes.

D. L. Cowie. 5 ft. to in. ; to st. 8 lb. Vice-Captain. A clever back-row forward, very useful with his feet. Needs to cultivate low tackling.

J. C. R. Dawson. 5 ft. to} in. ; 12 st. to lb. A back-row forward who sometimes played on wing. Speedy and determined in attack.

J. A. McGregor. 5 ft. 9i in. ; to st. 8 lb. Right wing three-quarter. Most improved player in the side. Excellent turn of speed, reliable defence.

D. H. Ross. 5 ft. std in. ; 11 st. II lb. A strong, hard-working second-row forward, very useful in the loose and line-outs.

G. C. Kirkland. 5 ft. 74 in. ; to st. s lb. A back-row forward of the " terrier " type. On the go all the time. Tackling needs improvement.

J. A. G. Ehnslie. 5 ft. 8/ in. ; I1 st. 13 lb. A steady full back with useful kick. Needs to develop quickness in recovery.

P. Cooper. 5 ft. 5 in. ; t I st. it lb. A reliable hooker, always doing useful work in the loose.

R. G. Milne. 5 ft. 7/ in. ; to st. 1 lb. A steady, hard-working front-row forward, very useful in loose mauls.

D. Mackowie. 5 ft. 9 in. ; to st. z lb. A steadily improving left centre three-quarter, very useful in defence.

D. C. McNutt. 5 ft. 9 in. ; 71 stone 3 lb. An intelligent front-row forward, hard-working especially in the loose.

F. McPherson. 5 ft. 54 in. ; 8 st. A midget scrum half with an elusive dummy. A glutton for punishment.

S. McK. Davidson. 5 ft. 7i in. ; 8 st. 7 lb. A useful left wing three-quarter with good turn of speed. Needs to cultivate more determination.

R. G. Ross. 5 ft. 8 in. ; so st. A good stand-off with useful hands. " Nervy" at times. Should cultivate more penetration in running.

C. C. Allan. 5 ft. 94 in. ; so st. 6 lb. A useful second-row forward, who needs to cultivate more " devil " in the loose.

J. G. Matheson. 5 ft. so in. ; so st. to lb. A good back-row forward, useful in line-outs, hard-working in the loose.

Cricket. xst XI Matches.

29th April 1944.—v. A.G.S.F.P.s, at Rubislaw.—School batted first and ran up a total of 6z. The only batsmen to succeed were G. Warder, S. McK. Davidson, and A. M. Davidson, the School Captain, who made 19, 16, and 15 respectively.

F.P.s passed the School total with 7 wickets in hand and declared at 94 for 5 wickets, A. M. Davidson taking 2 for z8 and 1. Smart 2 for 31.

17th May.—v. Gordon's College 1st XI, at Rubislaw. School made a poor show in this game, largely owing to lack of practice. Batting first, they could only muster the meagre total of 34. S. McK. Davidson was top scorer with 12 runs. Without any difficulty Gordon's registered an easy win and declared when their total was 36 for 3 wickets. zoth May.—v. Morgan Academy 1st XI, at Dundee. Owing to A.C.F. calls a depleted team travelled to Dundee for this game. Morgan Academy batted first and were dismissed for 53. A. M. Davidson was in brilliant form with the ball, having an analysis of 7 for to. After a good opening stand by the brothers G. and H. Warder, who made so and 12 respectively, the School batting collapsed badly and the final score stood at 36.

27th May.—v. Arbroath High School 1St Xl, at Lochlands, Arbroath. On this occasion School batted first and declared at 75 for 9 wickets. Some good hitting was shown by G. B. Nicholson, who made 16, and by J. W. Cradock, who

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made 13 not out. The game ended when the Arbroath High School total was 42 for 5 wickets. School bowlers were I. Stuart, who took 3 for 13, and A. M. Davidson a for so.

31st May.—v. Gordon's College xst XI, at Seafield. Gordon's won the toss and decided to hat. Their earlier batsmen shaped well but, thanks to A. M. Davidson, their " tail" was quickly dismissed. Davidson had 5 wickets for 31 and G. B. Nicholson 2 for 16. In failing light School went in to bat and were dismissed for 68, A. A. Lawrence making as and 1. Stuart 14 not out.

3rd Junc.—v. R.A.F. XI, at Rubislaw. Again with a weakened team School met strong opposition in an R.A.F. XI, which included five or six Australian players.

The School batting was not very impressive against some good bowling, and the highest scorer was A. H. Innes with it. R.A.F. passed the School total of 28 with only two wickets down and declared at 75 for 7. S. McK. Davidson was the most successful howler, with 3 for t;. The high light of the School fielding was a fine catch by H. L. Warder at short square leg.

17th June.—v. Perth Academy 1st XI, at Rubislaw. Perth Academy were dismissed for 32. Sehool won by 8 wickets.

A. A. LAWRENCE.

The 2nd XL The School znd XI has to date had an enjoyable and successful season. David L. Cowie is Captain this season and has as his Vice-Captain Patrick K. Booker.

The two games against Mackie Academy were both won. At Stonehaven we scraped through by 3 runs, but at Ruhislaw the following week, won easily by 5 wickets. Thanks to a dashing innings by C. C. Allan we defeated Gordon's College znd XI by 2 wickets.

Owing to the absence of several regulars we lost in a low-scoring game at Rubislaw the following week to Fraserburgh West Church. We hope to avenge this defeat when we travel north on 24th June. Other games yet to come arc the Gordon's College and XI and an away fixture with Perth Academy and XI. Excellent individual performances have been given by C. C. Allan, I. M. C. Crawford, and A. G. Westland, as well as others who have since been promoted to the xst XI. An excellent team spirit has been prevalent throughout the season and this no doubt accounts for the success of the team.

D. L. Cowie.

House Notes.

Byron House.

During the session the following have been awarded rugby Colours, and we take this opportunity of heartily congratulating them : 1st XV Full Colours—J. A. Grant Elmslie and J. A. McGregor ; 1st XV Half Colours—R. G. Ross ; and XV Colours—W. M. Brown, R. D. Weir, D. Menzies, and I. Booker.

At a meeting of the House at the beginning of the summer term the following officials were elected : Cricket Captain, Ronald G. Ross ; Athletic Captain, James A. McGregor.

Since the last House Notes appeared, Byron has played three more inter-House rugby games, in which we beat Melvin but lost to Dun and Keith. The first interHouse cricket match was against Dun, when we were beaten. In this game we had in the team a few Junior members of the House, who played an excellent game, and the future of Byron House cricket seems promising.

This session has not been a very successful one as far as rugby and cricket arc concerned, but we have done our best and may, more than ever, look forward to the day when Byron will again be the leading House on the Sports field and in the classroom.

As one of those who are leaving this year, I say to you who will carry the fortunes of the House through the years to come, " Good Luck " and, in the words of Lord Byron :— " Farewell! a word that must be, and hath been— A sound which makes us linger ; yet—farewell."

J. A. MCGREGoR, House Caplain.

School Rugby Football ist XV-Season 1943-44.

Standing—Mr. A. J. M. Edwards (Interim Games Master), Mr. W. P. Stewart (Comb), G. C. Kirkland, A. A. Dinnie, J. A. McGregor, J. G. Matheson, R. G. Ross, S. McK. Davidson, Mr. J. J. Robertson (Rector).

Sitting—D. McNutt, D. H. Ross, D. L Cowie (Vice-Captain), R. L. MacKinnon (Captain), J. C. R. Dawson, D. Mackowit-, R. G. Milne.

Absent—J. A. G. Elmslie.

Inset—C. C. Allan.

In front—F. McPherson, P. Cooper.

School Prefects—June 1944.

Back Row—A. M. Davidson, J. C. R. Dawson, T. Blair, R. G. Ross, R. B. Taylor, D. L. Cowie, R. L. MacKinnon.

Front Row—R. A. Kirton, J. A. McGregor, R. W. Hepburn (Senior Prefect), Mr. J. J. Robertson (Rector), G. G. Mathieson, P. C. Millar, W. M. Ewen.

(Ab.rent : D. Mackowie and D. M. W. Nicol—both in H.M. Forces.)

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Dun House.

At the termination of this season's rugby, the following awards were made to members of the House : t st XV Cap—D. L. Cowie ; 1st XV Full Colours— P. Cooper, D. C. McNutt, J. C. R. Dawson ; ist XV Half Colours—A. A. Dinnie. and XV Full Colours—A. F. C. Calder, F. Craig, I. Rogers, I. Stuart, R. L.Watson.

These must be congratulated upon their fine play throughout the season.

The Rugby Cup, which is annually competed for by all four Houses, has been won jointly this year .by Keith and Dun. Up to the time of writing, the House Cricket XI has played only one game —against Byron—which finished successfully for the House. Under the leadership of our newly appointed Cricket Captain, I. Stuart, and Vice-Captain D. L. Cowie, the House should do weir during this season's play.

I regret to say that the House has not—so far—produced anyone of outstanding athletic ability, but everyone in the House did his best at this season's Sports.

To all members of the House who will be leaving School at the end of this term, on behalf of Dun House I extend my best wishes.

T. C. R. DAWSON, House Captain.

Keith House.

Before mentioning the present term activities, I should like to congratulate R. L. MacKinnon on gaining his 1st XV Cap at the close of the rugby season.

The officials for the present term were elected as follows : Captain of Athletics —R. L. MacKinnon ; Captain of Cricket—A. M. Davidson ; Vice-Captain of Cricket—A. A. Lawrence.

Unfortunately, owing to many School activities the House has played only one cricket game. This was against Melvin, whom we defeated. Our prospects this year are reasonably good, as six of our team play for the rat XI. In Athletics we have undoubtedly a strong team, and with some real House spirit there is no reason why Keith should not prove to be the best House, and to come out on top at the Sports for yet another year.

To end, I would like to wish the I louse the best of luck in all its activities.

A. M. DAVIDSON, Howe Captain.

Melvin House.

At the end of last term the House was very unlucky to lose its popular House Captain, Dean Maekowie, who has joined the R.A.F. The House, I am sure, will take this opportunity to wish him good flying and safe landings.

At the dose of the rugby season many members of the House received Colours.

1st XV Colours were awarded to the following : Dean Mackowie, F. MacPherson, R. G. Milne, and D. H. Ross. J. G. Mathieson gained his Half Colours. Four 2nd XV Colours were awarded—to J. \V. Cradock, J. Baird, V. G. R. Stephen, and H. Turnbull.

At the House meeting recently D. H. Ross was elected House Captain, and F. McPherson was elected Athletic Captain. He was also elected Cricket Captain.

So far the House has played only one cricket match, against Keith, which I am sorry to say the House lost.

We seem to have no outstanding athletes in Melvin this year, but we hope that everyone will do his share to win for the House as high a place as possible.

At this, the end of another School year, I wish all those members of the House who are leaving the School " All the hest " in the future.

D. I-I. Ross, House Captain.

The Literary and Debating Society.

The first meeting of the new term took the form of what must now be regarded as an annual " fixture " of the Society—a jazz recital ; only on this occasion classical music was also given a hearing and discussion followed.

The pundit on matters jazz was N. Dickson, who took great pains to ensure that his hearers should be under no illusion as to what was to be regarded as true

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33L1

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

579

to air one's philosophy of life, and even the youngest took part. The meeting lasted for some two hours.

The only meeting after Easter was the Annual Short Story Competition. Formerly it had been the practice for the audience as a whole to be the judges, but on this occasion a " Bench " of Messrs. Forbes, Miller, and Walker of the School Staff was formed.

First Prize went to D. Cowie, second to P. C. Millar, and third to J. Milne.

Prizes of ros.' 7s. 6d., and 5s. were handed out. Several works not quite within the fold of the short story were specially mentioned, and in this connection R. W. Hepburn, J. M. Craig, and J. Paterson may be named.

In all, some fourteen works were submitted, providing a collection of some considerable interest.

J. W. R. G.

Scout Notes.

1st Troop.

An Easter Camp was held this year as usual at our Hut at Clinterty. The number of campers was good and, in spite of continuous rain for three days, the camp was quite a successful one. In all, eight of our Scouts gained their Second Class Badges during this week—quite a creditable achievement.

The regular weekly meetings this term have been well attended, and the enthusiasm of the boys is a good omen for the future. Several of these meetings have been held outside, usually at Hazlehead, but we have been restricted in this respect, as much of the work for Scout Week must be done at the Hut. A site has been secured at Glen Tanner for our Summer Camp during July.

As the 9th Troop will also be camping there, we hope to have some friendly competitions and " fights."

T. L. Morrison Brown and P.L. Ian Davidson are to be congratulated on gaining their King's Scout Badges and All-Round Cords. The following promotions took place recently : Roy D. Weir and James A. McGregor to Assistant Scoutmasters ; W. Morrison Brown to T.L. ; Ian Booker and Iasi Davidson to P.L.s ; Ian Thomson and Eric Cruickshank to Seconds. We are expecting much from them in their new positions.

We have our new chairman of the Parents' Committee, Mr. Strathdee, and the Parents to thank for financial assistance during the term.

The Pack is still vigorous with a roll of over 4o, but, with the prospect of -14 going up to Scouts next session, there may be openings for a few recruits. The Pack was represented by 38 members at the Scouts' Own Parade and Service. Miss Mackintosh is ably assisted by Macleod Barr and senior members of the Troop.

To Dean Mackowie, who left us at Easter to join the R.A.F., we wish the best of luck and hope that some day soon he, and all the other Scouters who left the Troop to serve their country, will be present at one of our Friday evening meetings.

GEORGE C. DAVIDSON, Acting Scoutmaster.

gth Troop.

Most of the Spring term was taken up with preparations for the Troop Open Night. This, which took place on the 3rd April, was a true Open Night, for it, like most of its predecessors, turned out to be a night of wind and rain. All the parents and friends who braved the storm thoroughly enjoyed the show.

The Troop Easter Camp was held at Pittodrie, Pitcaple, for a week during the Easter holidays. A very enjoyable time was spent under the shadow of Bennachie.

P.L. Donald H. Ross was in•claarge of the camp and was ably assisted by other two Patrol Leaders. The main event was an expedition up Mither Tap—one half of the Troop going by the main path, while the rest chose the more ha7atdous route.

The Scout Week, which was held during the week x8th to 24th June, dominated the Troop activities during the Summer term, as the weekly meetings were devoted to practices for the various events.

Summer Camp this year is to be held at Glen Tanner, Aboyne, from 12th to 26th July, when we hope to do some large-scale pioneering.

r8o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Promotions : Second G. Anderson is promoted to Patrol Leader, and Scout E. Anderson is to be Second of the Plover Patrol.

All through the year the Wolf Cub Pack has been thriving under the Cubmastership of Miss Ella Robertson. The weekly attendances at the Pack meetings have been in the region of 4o.

IAN M. WATT., Acting Scoutmaster.

x7th Troop.

With a considerable increase in membership, and preparations for a Summer Camp making favourable progress, the 17th Troop is flourishing better than it has done since the war reduced its numbers and the scope of its activities. This year has seen one patrol camp, four " ist class hikes," and some outdoor meetings of the Troop on Fridays.

During the Easter holidays, the Eagle Patrol held a patrol camp at Ballogie, a favourite site with the Troop. Bad weather delayed their departure, but later it improved. Two " 1st class hikes " were held at Easter and at the May week-end.

The outside meetings so far held have proved very successful.

We have received several recruits both from the Pack and from outside. The Pack is doing well with a membership of close on thirty. There is, however, still room for a few more recruits in the Troop.

We intend to hold our Summer Camp during the second and third weeks {or part of them) of July. This date will allow Scouts who are members of the Cadet Forces to attend both camps. We are at present negotiating for a site at Ballaterach, on the south side of the Dee near Ballater. This is not far from Glen Tanner, and we hope to be able to hold joint meetings with the xst and gth Troops.

There have been no promotions since the last issue of the Magazine.

GORDON MATHIESON, Acting Scoutmaster.

Army Cadet Force : The. School Company.

Officer Commanding—Lieut.-Colonel W. P. Stewart.

Platoon Commanders—Byron : Capt. J. S. M. Eddison ; Dun: Lieut. 1. M. Park ; Keith : Lieut. R. Wilson ; Melvin : Lieut. J. S. Henderson.

The Company, with 1zo cadets, is at full strength. The past year has indeed been a busy one for the A.C.F. The staggered summer holiday delayed the start of intensive training until October, but from then on every Tuesday afternoon has provided opportunity for training in the basic subjects of Drill, Field Craft, Map Reading, Weapon Training.

No P.S.I.s were attached to the company this year, so that all the instruction had to be given by the Platoon Officers and N.C.O.s. Not the least gratifying feature of the year's work has been the success of the N.C.O.s as instructors, for all of them began as recruits in 1942 or later and, having passed their " A " certificate, were promoted and are now passing on what they learned to the new recruits. This year 55 cadets passed the first part of the " A " certificate, and other 51 both parts of the " A " certificate.

In addition to training on Tuesday, all the N.C.O.s joined the University Battalion of the Home Guard, and, besides training with the students for the " B " certificate on Saturday mornings, took part in several week-end exercises with the Home Guard.

Another group formed a signalling section and made rapid progress in that branch of training.

The kilted pipe band, with six sets of pipes and five drums, came on so successfully that it has headed the School Cadets to Church Parades and on route marches, to the delight of the eyes and ears of the spectators and of the marching feet behind.

No cadet can obtain an " A" certificate until he has passed certain physical training tests. The standard of these is by no means low, but no cadet has had to admit defeat in this part of his training.

Four cadets-J. C. Smollett, A. A. Dinnie, I. A. Middleton and D. M. W. Nicol— have recently left to join H.M. Forces. We await their first leave to learn what value they put on pre-service training as a help in getting through the raw recruit stage in the army.

St. ntarpret's ,School for arts (Incorporated) ALBYN PLACE, ABERDEEN. Iliad !Marais: Miss M. E. HOLLAND, M.A.Cantab. (Classical Tripos).

Chairman of the SchoolConrail: Dr. E. W. WArr, Ex-Lord Provost of Aberdeen.

Incor-

MARGARET'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS is an ST.porated School, registered according to the Companies administered under the

(Consolidation) Act, 1908. It is management of an ele&ive 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 beet part of the City of Aberdeen, and in all respells 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 charaeter 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.

BOARDING SCHOOL. As a special war-time arrangement, a country branch of the School has been established at Blackhall Castle, Banchory.

This is organized as a Boarding School, with all the advantages of residence. In this healthy atmosphere, in conditions of complete tranquillity, girls are able to follow the normal School routine and at the same time enjoy the pleasures of an unrestricted country life. 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 given in the ProspeCtus, which may be had on application to the HEAD MISTRESS, 7 QUEEN'S GARDENS, ABERDEEN.

.D•ry `-bs 66zi • yc) `INT '11 -uo!ssas aqi arranp glom pin( pus uoddns apsz!statpua 20j slusx ire Ppastp ..-papasoq „ Arr!paoa .00 ata -paads-po9 siapra `it.q02-3no ire Lisp& Arapsals 2upq axe slapED luarroaxa Si uoapenbs alp Jo 3!.qds ag L— aat.ra~r Pus usn3S 61,T 's1‘.J3S ITPCI ! Atz9 Pug 11/113.1g9 Iv d "S1S 1111NPW D 'lams 'Ow 's,232s ivu2!s t SNI0:1 110!II,1103Z)j t uosatpanH •,r •R `ayavo 6f '0•Ak-'1.0',71\T uamg *ZA pun JorSEI g •saliaas aqS!ra : uosmra`InoOnoaqa •auaa Sad ooi • puamouaqd uaaq ssq Ausaparxd 'aprzud uo aauspuans aqa 'pede ssaum ;o amappu! uy-7p9 /pH •xsaA. 15E1 „ dart) .IWk -sauseu Jima) uf and at mg slapra oc atuos—'11/P.7 -sag „ aq2 Jaa3aq o1 adoq -Padsoid u! osre sr stood Su!unuams wawa )3 Jo auo uf uopaas rrpa At0um v 'By-n.3721 alqsnrue. sup Jo salisaugatps ay3 wpra prnoqs S i 3aeo spdnd paunpal fly •arqrldaaar aq mom au!Suo arxas-17 So/ pus )IOS-Z plo uy -stool )jdWiT pus aupfua 'ars: iapun auopSD s paqnbas ssq uoapsnbs ay,L -3usis!ssy reap.npaj, `a!Ascr !sEa v _.„op:uspr / asnny ui pauses aq rpm uopaas (sauOua-wav) 2uTure.41, salg.i..d 'Irvof palqapui s! uoxprnbs a LL .suoploo le upanpuoa so; Iremals .(Y.IInN kiatapas.6-14 Aq pa5usaxe `ssera .slautiOaq alp pau!ol sppra -slq5su Aeppg uo rullaspriv of sampal bulunpe alp papullas aegq slaps) ADuapprud lsod - uopru!dstn xsax s uaaq ssq (slaps) oz „A23514 „) urqgzarAr '0 'm „•maslisw 3s „ `s! =all 0330w ,slaps) aq,I, •sdp3s A3aixen )jqs413oid Ao!ua pus fouapyom 3noA wird pus auslr an-uriugc `Rupoo4S uoaN Aso `ainpaaom pus sreu.2!s paausepy 'sluaturiuxy u!uopanalsur pus saparpsj Jo; `uo2prnbs x!y A3is1anlun •D•co 'aurqdod Aapliqg -man )gRrTJ cal palqaput sr uolpenbs aq J,--.8u/u!au kmapyo.sd god 10; a3!AIDS irta xis -trolnqD mslsfgn21 ti! Aviv u! •D•I'v .a .nag ay3 'tIreldgLID Iooy)S aqi- -umicity0 Csnsouolr S play "aaualmerr 017 alp paaaxo 03 adot( )M sparputas ibuoptiom pus ssuo 3s.m qqm puni-plau lnoqu paprdwoo aq rpm asaILL--xtroyouyamcg -uaal uaaq stag uoppadulop •AxauunS !spas 03 uopanpoilur paAoadds ay3 Ilupooqs uoali!d Asp o3 uoinpps ui 'uo!ssas sup pair; uaaq anvil spunox 000't vino •aut!dpsf(i alfura pus 5uutqy Jo manilla al!nbas scrape) Tty "sra/A 44"."'!unl u! V 3195.1 axg Alcm sl!nlaal „paufacpw lapED Siaeg „ s1 usifois uoipsnbs s .00p515 aqi, -dump iaununs Job 15 sap!parj Su!All aidure aledppus to poiso paads-i!E us u! sanoq /fu!Ap 91 pa2or slapra atzo-Aluami,—lupChr qmos 5 35 asmoD uolaral!meN 5 papualag 3olAgy -15.32as—wroto.9 • uopels 6D6.1.61/ 3t13 3° 1"J! I 'i15H aqi u! s3apsa P3ssaIPP Ifs parsizIN-11y Aq palaadsu! StlY1 U0.1pEllbS atu—wowatrui `a5essor) agsal •oi Jo sly2llj 0_S1—slapea 001 35 las Si iraA axau 103 )alix53 uoxpunbs aqi, -aunt' u! patrasax Ipttu oL pip pus 'Asp u1 passed srm `99 `Iaqumu Isad snopaa.ad •saapra ti ssm q3Nuails uoipsnbs £.661 asany til—youuor49J

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z8I

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

IX;

School Office-Bearers for Session 1943-44.

W. M. EWEN.

R.. A. KIRTON. J. A. McGREGoa. G. G. MATHIL;SON. P. C. MILLAR. Byron.

J. A. MCGREGOR.

Prefects.

R. W. HEPBURN (Senior Prefect).

D. L. COWIE. 1). M. W. Nicol..

A. M. DAVIDSON. R. L. MACKINNON. D. MACKOWIE. T. BLAIR. R. B. TAYLOR. J. C. R. DAWSON. R. G. Ross.

House Captains.

Keith.

Dun. J. C. R. DAWSON. A. M. DAVIDSON.

Melvin.

I). MACKOWIE (left).

D. H. Ross.

Games Committee. _ President Hon. Secretary and Treasurer

R. L. MAcKrtogoN. D. L. COWIE. P. COOPER. R. G. MILNE. D. H. Ross.

J. C. R. DAWSON. D. McNurr.

D. A. WEs.r.

_ -

-

THE RECTOR.

Mr. A. J. M. EDWARDS. A. M. DAVIDSON. P. C. MILLAR. A. A. LAWRENCE. I. A. MIDDLETON. J. A. G. ELMSI1E. IL L. WARDER. 0. MACKOWIE. G. W. WARDER. G. C. KIRKLAND. G. K. TOWNSHEND. F. McPmasoN. A. K. ROBERTSON. II. MAIN. 1. CRAWFORD. G. G. MATHIESON. I. K. SHAW.

Captain

-

Rugby Football.

Vice-Captain - D. L. CowlE..

I R. L. NIAcKINNON.

Captain

-

A. M. DAVIDSON.

Captain

-

R. B. TAYLOR.

-

R. L. MACK.INNON.

Cricket.

I

Vice-Captain - A. A. LAWRENCE.

Swimming.

I

Vice-Captain - I. W. STR ACHAN.

Athletics.

Captain

I

Vice-Captain - A. M. DAVIDSON.

Hockey.

Captain

-

P. C. MILLAR.

Captain

-

R. A. KIRTON.

Vice-Captain - I. A. MIDDLETON. I Tennis.

Vice-Captain - D. L. CA)wiE. I

Literary and Debating Society.

President Vice-President Hon. Secretary

-

-

-

R. W. HEPBURN.

J. W. R. GRAY.

P. C. MILLAR. Dramatic Society.

- R. A. KIRTON. President - D. KNIGHT. Vice-President - M. A. A. INNEs. Secretary and Treasurer -

Aberdeen Grammes• School Magazine

18 4

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., LL.D., The University Press, 6 Upper Kirkgate, Aberdeen.

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

Rugby Section—ALFRED J. M. EDWARDS, 25 Westburn Drive.

Rates of Subscription for Membership : . £5

LIFE MEMBERSHIP . . . . .

Or Five Consecutive Annual Payments of £I each.

ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP— For those of 21 years of age and upwards at commencement of Club year (1st January) .

For those under a 1 years of age at the commencement of Club year (1st January) . . . but for those under a I a single payment of £I IS. will secure membership for SEVEN YEARS. •

0 0

o

5

o

0

2

6

Report for the Year 1943.

The Executive now submits its fifth war-time Report:— Membership and Subscriptions.

The following is an analysis of the membership of the Club, with the comparable fig urea for the previous year :— Total at 29/2/44 Total at 28/2/43

Life.

Ordinary.

Honorary.

Extraordinary.

Total.

787 727

1,421 1,390

13 15

39 39

2,260 2,171

+60

-1-31

0

+89

-2

-

In the above figures there are included all those whose annual subscriptions have been in arrear since the outbreak of war and who have not intimated their resignation from the Club. A large number are known to be in one or other of the Services, and the difficulty in remitting their subscriptions continues.

SCHOOLBOYS

enjoy

coming here for books and stationery (not

forgetting foreign

stamps ! ) FORMER PUPILS in after life continue to appreciate the atmosphere of this friendly bookshop

WEST END BOOKSHOP 412 UNION STREET

•

ABERDEEN

Telephone

ABERDEEN

2544 for THE BAKERS OF QUALITY

1 J

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of ABERDEEN JOHN

LEDINGHAM

&

SON, LTD.

Rosemount Bakery and Branches

ABERDEEN

C

LOTHING

sideration

COUPONS

these

days,

a

con-

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Dry

are

but

Cleaning and Repair Service will retain the shape and appearance of your present garments

Parcels received at

The Claremont Cleaning Service 2 Beechgrove Terrace

Aberdeen Steam Laundry TELEPHONE

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

i8 5

The outstanding feature in the membership bas been the net increase of 6o in the total of Life Members. Actually 68 new Life Members were enrolled, but eight deaths have had to be taken into account. Of the 68 new Life Members, 5z made a single payment of £5 each, and 16 completed their payments of five annual instalments of £1 is. each. In addition, 68 F.P.s (at present classed as Ordinary Members) are in process of becoming Life Members by the instalment method of subscription. The Ordinary Membership (including both Seniors and Juniors) has increased by 31, while the Honorary Membership has decreased by 2, through the deaths of Dr. Charles McLeod and the Rev W. H. K. Ward.

The final result is that the total membership, at 1,z6o, is up by 89. Last year the increase was so.

The number of boys of is years of age and over who left the School during or at the end of the last session was 84, and it is gratifying to report that no fewer than 56, or exactly two-thirds, have already joined the Club. During 1943, 27 F.P.s under the age of 21 made the single payment of £t Is. each to cover membership for seven years. The corresponding figure in 1942 was 15.

Losses by Death.

In the course of the year the deaths of 41 members were reported, including 19 who died on war service. Up to the end of 1943 the total number of F.P.s recorded as having died " Pro Patna" was lot, of whom 65 were members of the Club. Of the tox, portraits of 87 have been reproduced in the Magazine.

The Club mourns the passing of one of its most distinguished members, Lord Meston, a former President, who took a life-long interest in the School and was for many years the President of the London Centre. Among others whose deaths were noted were Colonel E. A. Ewart (" Boyd Cable") and George M. Wood, who had been Club Consul for Nova Scotia from the start of the Consular system.

Honours to F.P.s.

A considerable number of honours to members of the Club has been gazetted since the last report was submitted. The knighthood conferred on Patrick Ashley Cooper is the sixth that has come to a former pupil of the School since January 1939. As usual, all honours and awards, so far as ascertained, have been recorded in the Magazine.

The Club and the School.

At the Annual Distribution of Prizes on ;oth June 2943 the Club presented three medals. These were awarded as follows :— Theodore J. Crozier.

Silver Medal for English • • Malcolm D. Cumin.

•• Silver Medal for German • • Ian K. Shaw. .• Silver Medal for Spanish • • The All-Round Trophy and John No Dawson Prize were awarded to William C. M. Lawrence.

The Executive has been greatly pleased to learn of the founding by Dr. George Duncan, C.B.E.—one of the Honorary Members of the Club—of an award at the School for English, to be named " The Masson-Bain Medal and Prize," which will commemorate two very distinguished former pupils of the School, Professor David Masson and Professor Alexander Bain.

The Executive continues to take a keen interest in the Boarding House, and has noted with satisfaction that the accounts for the year 1942-4; showed a profit, which enabled the Directors of the Boarding House Company to wipe off the debit balance that first appeared in 194o-41. The Boarding House has proved to be a very valuable adjunct to the School and is likely soon to be again filled to capacity.

The " Magazine."

Actually only one Magazine was published in 1943, the number that would under normal circumstances have appeared in December having been postponed to January 1944, in order to divide the School year more equally. The last issue took the form of an " F.P. Club Jubilee Number," commemorating the founding of the Club on i ith September 1893. The main feature was a survey of the Club's fifty years, in which some account was given of its formation, development, and

186

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

achievements. In each of the last two issues a welcome item has been " A Message to Former Pupils " from the Rector, continuing a feature happily instituted many years ago by his predecessor, Mr. D. M. Andrew. Through these ' familiar letters F.P.s at home and abroad are kept posted up with what is going on at the School.

Other welcome contributions have come from Old Boys, giving thrilling accounts of their war-time experiences. No effort has been spared in compiling the record of F.P.s, concerning whom nearly 6oo notes appeared in the two issues.

Club Sections.

The only two Sections that continue to function at present arc the Cricket and the Rugby Football. The former had a pleasant, if uneventful, season, fulfilling every fixture ; and the latter, in spite of the departure of most of its experienced players, found it possible to field one side regularly and, on occasion, two. Frequent changes in personnel have, however, hampered good team play.

Finance.

The production of the Alagazine, with numerous portraits, has caused a heavy charge on the Club's annual income, but as there was only one issue in 1943, the accounts for the year closed with a surplus of £8 I is. 6d., by which sum the accumulated deficit in the balance sheet was reduced to £156. As has been pointed out in previous reports, one factor contributing to annual deficits has been the unavoidable absence of a dividend on the Club's large holding in the Boarding House Company. Fortunately, it is anticipated that before long the Company will be in a position to resume paying a dividend. A noteworthy feature of the balance sheet is the increase in the capital by £374 in respect of Life Members' subscriptions received in 1943. The capital has now passed the £4,500 mark, and the total assets amount to £4,898 ros. 7d.

On 17th June 1944 the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of the Club completed twenty-five years' service.

The Club Boarding House.

List of Boarders.

As usual in the June issue of the Magazine a complete list is given below of the boys (Sr) who have been resident in the Boarding Ilouse during the past session.

The Junior House has been out of occupation throughout the session, but the Senior House has been very well filled.

It is a pleasure to record that three House boys have taken prominent places in the School Prize List for 1943-44. The All-Round Trophy has been awarded to David L. Cowie, and the Norman Mackie Memorial Prize to Ian G. Rogers and John W. Cradock.

ENTERED IN SESSION 1935-36.

Thomas Hill Buchan, s. of Captain J. I. Buchan, Governor's House, H.M. Prison, Peterhead.

ENTERED IN SESSION 5936-37.

Patrick Gordon, s. of Sidney Gordon, c/o Bank of London and South America, 7 Tokenhouse Yard, London, E.C. z.

John Tower Sorley, s. of Dr. John .I'. Sorley (1904-17), M.A., c/o A.D.M.S., Lagos, Nigeria.

ENTERED IN SESSION 1938-39.

Ronald A. Kirton, s. of Dr. John Kirton, " Oakbank," Fort Augustus.

Peter M. Gordon, s. of Dr. D. G. Gordon, " Revoan," Ellon.

ENTERED IN SESSION 5939-4o.

George F. Durno, s. of George F. Durno (1909-11), Jackston, Rothienonnan.

Frederick C. Sleigh, s. of Dr. Frederick R. Sleigh (1914-17), 36 Park Road, Hampton Hill, Middlesex.

John C. K. Steele, s. of Charles S. Steele, 8z Bedford Court Mansions, London, W.C. 1.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

187

ENTERED IN SESSION 1940-41.

Bruce E. Thomson, s. of G. B. Thomson, Dhullie, Miiikajan P.O., Assam.

C. Alan W. Ramsay, s. of Hugh G. Ramsay, " Broom Close," Cornsland, Brentwood, Essex.

John W. Cradock, s. of Mrs. E. M. Cradock, " Kinsley," Banchory.

Alan Robson, s. of Capt. Robson, Nazareth House, Southend-on-Sea. ENTERED IN SESSION 1941-42.

Ian G. Rogers, s. of Eric W. Rogers, Grinan Estates Ltd., May Pen, Jamaica.

Ian M. Stuart, s. of Dr. J. M. Stuart, 47 Goldington Road, Bedford.

John Michael Luxton, s. of Charles E. Luxton, Caimess House, Lonmay.

Forbes K. Sellar, s. of Mrs. Mary Lumsden, 178 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen.

Gordon Hamilton Bell, s. of Dr. J. H. Bell (1908-14), 55 Wood Street, Walthamstow, London, E. 17.

Alaister Gillies MacCrimmon, s. of A. G. MacCrinunon, Adela House, Balcygunge, Park Road, Calcutta.

ENTERED IN SESSION 1942-43.

W. Graeme H. Bell, s. of William S. Bell, 56 Bridge Street, Aberdeen.

Alexander Brown, s. of Alex. S. B. Brown, P.O. Box 204, Kampala, Uganda: David L. Cowie, s. of Alex. Cowie, 3 Redfield Road, Montrose.

Michael J. Fox and Peter J. Fox, ss. of Leslie H. Fox, Milton Lodge, Keith.

Norman S. Kirkby, s. of A. R. Kirkby, 19 Esplanade Mansions, Calcutta.

Jeremy Sands, s. of Mrs. Alice R. E. Sands, 13 Forest Road, Aberdeen.

Richard D. L. Smart, s. of George M. Smart, The Braes, Bicldside.

James S. Stewart, s. of Dr. Donald S. Stewart (1906-18), 41 Hendon Way, London, N.W. 2.

Robert L. Watson, s. of Mrs. A. M. Watson, Holly House, Montrose.

John Williamson, s. of William B. Williamson (1900-02), Seafield Cottage, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen.

ENTERED IN SESSION i9.43-44.

W. Lyall Anderson, s. of Mrs. Anderson, Bank of New South Wales, Sydney.

Alexander L. Black, s. of Dr. S. A. B. Black, 71 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen.

Kenneth W. Bowie, s. of Mrs. Bowie, Buchan Hotel, Ellon.

David Brittain, s. of Dr. J. Simpson, 5 Birmingham Road, Walsall.

James Cowie, s. of Mr. Alex. Cowie, 3 Redfield Road, Montrose.

Richard Cradock, s. of Mrs. Cradock, " Kinsley," Banchory.

Stewart Grant, s. of Mrs. Grant, Gordon Arms Hotel, Tomintoul.

John Holloway, s. of Mrs. Holloway, Betchworth Avenue, Reading.

Neil Johnston, s. of Mrs. Johnston, 7o Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

Michael Kearon, s. of Mrs. Bush, io Macdonncll Gardens, Watford.

Michael Keith, s. of Mr. John Keith (1905-08), Mains of Tarty, Elkin.

Alexander Longmore, s. of Mrs. Longmore, 25 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen.

Gordon Machin, s. of Mrs. Roots, 3 Queen's Gardens, Aberdeen.

Alexander Maclntyre, s. of Mrs. Maclntyre, " Cruachan," Tomintoul.

Grahame Marshall, s. of Mrs. Marshall, 684 King Street, Aberdeen.

David Orton, s. of Mrs. Orton, Monccht House, Echt.

William Sinclair, s. of Mr. Alastair Sinclair, 39 Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness.

Alexander Skinner, s. of Lieut.-Commander Alex. Skinner, R.N.R., Marine Dept., Lagos, Nigeria.

Ian Smith, s. of Mr. John Smith, New Pitsligo.

Wilson Tait, s. of Mr. Charles E. Tait, Aberdeen Arms Hotel, Tarves.

Robin Taylor, s. of Mr. John C. Taylor (1904-06), 3 Lombard Street, London, E.C. 3.

Alexander Watt, s. of Captain F. R. Watt (1905-16), 3 Woodstock Road, Aberdeen.

r 88

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The Bengal Centre.

The last Annual Genera] Meeting of the Centre was held in Calcutta on 29th October 1943, when the office-bearers were re-elected and the statement of accounts for the year 1942 were approved.

At the previous Annual General Meeting it was decided to invite donations to the North-East of Scotland Prisoners of War Appeal, and this resulted in the collecting and remitting of Las 16s. std., which was acknowledged by the Honorary Treasurer, Mr. James B. Clarke (1896-99).

It was decided to collect further donations this year.

Members of the Centre wish it to be known that they look forward to meeting F.P.s in the Forces who may be visiting Calcutta. These should get in touch with the Secretary of the Centre, H. B. Scott, 26 Dalhousie Square, Calcutta, from whom and from the other members they will get a very warns welcome.

The Rugby Section.

During the latter part of the season the side was captained by A. M. C. Duffus, sun of J. C. Duffus, a stalwart of the Section's early days. D. Stuart, the outside half who was elected Captain at the start of the season, is now in the R.A.E. Duffus played well at full hack and was chosen reserve for the representative Aberdeen XV which played an Arm side at King's College on 19th February. A. I I. Tawse, the outstanding E.P. forward throughout the season, played in the Aberdeen representative side both on Christmas Day, at Hazlehead, and on igth February.

Results of games during the second half of the season were seldom in the Section's favour, teams being frequently weakened by late withdrawals. Perhaps the best performances were the wins registered against an R.A.F. side from the North and the School 1st XV. A game was played at Montrose on 26th February between a combined Gordonian-Grammar F.P. side and R.A.F., in which the combined XV won by 6 points to 4. The F.P.s all acquitted themselves well.

They were A. M. C. Duffus, G. S. Elmslie, E. Rogers, A. Ii. Tawse, A. K. Davidson, and W. H. Stephen.

Among the F.P. " rugger" players who showed good form towards the end of the season were, in addition to the above, K. S. H. Macgregor, R. J. Baits, J. H. Warrack, I. M. Duguid, W. S. Mike, R. J. Aitken, E. Alexander, and R. F. Carswell.

The following players left for service with the Armed Forces during the season : D. Stuart, J. Sinclair Taggart, J. M. Melvin, and J. C. Smollett.

A. J. NI. EDWARDS, Hon. Secretary.

The Cricket Section.

Grammar F.P. cricket is again struggling along in the face of considerable war-time difficulty. An Eleven was again entered for the Aberdeen Cricket Association League and Cup Competitions, and so far a full Eleven has been placed in the field for each match.

Commencing with a victory over the School, wins were also recorded in League encounters against R.A.F. and I.T.C., but an unexpected reverse was experienced at the hands of North, and after a good victory over Westgrove, a disastrous defeat at the hands of Balmoral saw F.P.s " outed " in the first round of the Aberdeenshire Cup Competition.

The features of the season so far have been the splendid bowling for F.P.s of L. E. Tyson, and the fine batting of Dr. J. Sorley, one of the " stars " of the brilliant side of 1919-23. Home on leave from the Tropics, Sorley found the wickets slow and the weather cold, but had scores of 27 v. School, 33 not out v. R.A.F., 27 v. I.T.C., 17 out of a total of 38 v. North, and 39 v. Wcstgrove ; W. S. Gibb had 21 v. School and 3o v. I.T.C. ; Edwards 38 v. I.T.C., 22 v. Westgrove, and 23 not out against Balmoral in the fatal Cup Tic, in which Neil Macdonald, the Captain, hit a brilliant 47.

L. E. Tyson's consistent bowling has earned him five wickets for so runs against School, 8 for 16 v. R.A.F., 8 for 32 I.T.C., 6 for 18 v. North, 3 for 22 v. Westgrove, and 6 for 26 v. Balmoral.

F.P.s home on leave are cordially invited to communicate with the Hon. Secretary (telephones 505 and 2.530).

C. H. WEBSTER. Hon. Secretary.

T.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

189

New Life Members of the Club. (a) F.P.s who have become Life Members on first joining or on re-joining.

Cruickshank, Ian Douglas (1919-23), 67 Hammersmith Road, Aberdeen.

Findlay, Graham (1940-43), ,6 Carden Place, Aberdeen.

Garvie, Donald William (19,8-30), B.Sc.(Eng.), 35 Windsor Road, Stafford.

Milne, Ronald David Lawic Wilson (x932-43), 47 Kingshill Avenue, Aberdeen.

Walker, John (1931-43), 29 Campcrdown Road, Aberdeen. (b) Ordinary Members who have now become Life Members.

Aitken, Alastair (1927-31), 11 Hammcrfield Avenue, Aberdeen.

Barclay, James Alexander (1920-25), M.A., B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., Medical School, Hospitals Centre, Birmingham.

Buchanan, John Rust (19z5-36), 32 Albyn Place, Aberdeen.

Cooper, Andrew James (1924-30), 104 Irvine Place, Aberdeen.

Dempster, Douglas George (1924-33), B.Sc., Stafford House, Dingwall.

Duguid, Robert Hutton (1918-23), B.Com., c/o Messrs. Duncan Brothers & Co., Ltd., toi Clive Street, Calcutta, India.

Gray, John Hector (1917-29), M.A., LL.B., C.A., S4 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen.

Hoggarth, Frank Evans (1921-25), M.A., C.A., Lanka Cottage, Oaklands Avenue, Esher, Surrey.

Jones, Anthony Wallis Aubrey- (1932-36), Thatcham Lodge, 95 Sussex Place, Slough, Bucks.

Laing, George Inns (1911-2o), M.A., 25 Braco Street, Fife-Keith, Keith, Banffshire.

Laing, Gordon Smith (1926-31), B.Sc.(Eng.), Fresh Field, West Cults.

Leith, James Ritchie, Jun. (1917-24), C.A., 15 Hillview, Blackhall, Edinburgh, 4.

McKerron, Patrick Alexander Bruce (1904-1o), Colonel, 38 Hyde Park Gate, London, S.W. 7.

Reid, John Charles Nicol (1925-37), 14o Bon-Accord Street, Aberdeen.

Still, Robert (1924-27), M.A., Coleford, Petercultcr, Aberdeenshire.

Webster, James (192o-26), M.B., Ch.B., Aberaven, 1z Antrum Road, Dundee.

Wilson, Alexander Roger (1912-25), 29 Raeden Avenue, Aberdeen.

New Ordinary Members of the Club.

Aitken, Hugh George Jeffrey (1928-40), M.A., Denhead House, 167 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen.

Aitken, Robert John (1934-43), Windsor, West Cults.

Aitken, Robin Christopher (1931-43).

Denhead House, 167 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen.

Alexander, Eric Archie (1 935-43), 53 Kingshill Avenue, Aberdeen.

Alexander, Francis William (1933-43), 53 Kingshill Avenue, Aberdeen.

Alexander, William Johnstone (193143), 86 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

Butler, Kenneth Cruickshank (1939-43), 31 Auchmill Road, Bucksbum.

Butler, Robert William (1937-43), 468 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen.

Carswell, Robert Finlayson (1933-43), 115 Clifton Road, Aberdeen.

Clark, Allan Alexander (1932-43), so Grosvenor Square, London, W. 1.

Cockle, Bruce Mayor (1930-43), 33 Harnmerfield Avenue, Aberdeen, Davidson, George Chessor (1934-43), 51 Gray Street, Aberdeen.

Dinnic, Alan Alexander (1931-43), 6 Harlaw Road, Aberdeen.

Donald, Robert Turner (x939-41), 38 Grosvenor Place, Aberdeen.

Duncan, Alexander (1938-43), 53 Seafield Road, Aberdeen.

Edmond, Alexander Angus Cameron (1938-43), 73 Braemar Place, Aberdeen.

Farquharson, Joseph (1929-43), 38 Ashley Gardens, Aberdeen.

Fraser, James Richard (1932-43), 126 Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

Hamilton, Malcolm T. Henderson (1931-43), 119 King's Gate, Abdn.

Harper, James Hendry (1930-43), 166 Skcnc Street West, Aberdeen.

Hay, Ian Kennedy (192o-33), M.B., Ch.B., 169 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen.

Hay, William Tulloch Hutton (1928-38), 169 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen.

Heggie, David John Gordon (1932-43), 6o Desswood Place, Aberdeen.

Home, John Andrew (1939-43), Letchworth Lodge, Lossiemouth.

19o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Johnson, Ronald Herbert (1922-26), " Kingscot," Warminster Road, Bathampton, Bath, Somerset.

Kelly, Francis Carmichael (1 933-38), Strathallan School, Forgandenny, Perthshire.

Laing, Arthur Gordon (1931-43), 114 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen.

McAdam, Norman (1938-43), 27 Calsayseat Road, Aberdeen.

Mackowie, Dean (1932-44), 87 Ilammerficld Avenue, Aberdeen.

McLean, Ian Cook (1930-43), Seafield House, Mayfield Gardens, Aberdeen.

Marr, John Angus Colin (1936-43), 47 Stanley Street, Aberdeen.

Masson, Eric William (1938-43), 126 Seafield Road, Aberdeen.

Milne, Andrew Milton (1931-43), 15 Ashley Park North, Aberdeen.

Nicol, David Mark Wotherspoon (193344), 222 Springfield Road, Aberdeen.

Paul, John Poskitt (1939-43), " Glenlea," Old Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire Rennie, Peter (1938-43), Fiveholding, Balmedie.

Riach, Alfred Emslic (1932-43), 27 Angusfield Avenue, Aberdeen.

Robertson, Eric Barnett (1933-43), 175 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Robertson, George Strachan (19i3-43).

175 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Semple, John Ferguson (1929-41), B.Sc.(Eng.), 7 Alford Place, Abdn.

Shirran, Edward Henry Paton (1914-19), 33 Auchentrae Crescent, Ayr. Stephen, George (1936-42), East Mathers, St. Cyrus, Montrose.

Steven, Ranald Fyfc Findlay (1933-43), 75 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

Watson, Edward Paul (1937-43), c/o Milne, 73 Fonthill Road, Aberdeen.

Watt, Ian Mackenzie (1935-43), it Beechgrove Avenue, Aberdeen.

Addresses Wanted of Life Members.

•

The Secretary of the Club will be glad to receive the present addresses of, or information about, the following Life Members with whom he has for some time failed to get into communication—possibly some are deceased :— John Malton Adcock, A.M.I.C.E. (formerly in Sidcup, Kent).

Cecil H. Aiken (formerly in Ceylon).

David Sinclair Allan (formerly in Assam).

John Campbell Anderson (formerly of Wester Durris, Drumoak).

Wilson Anderson (formerly in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.).

James Chessor Asher (formerly of Handsworth Wood, Birmingham).

George Stephenson Brown, A.M.Inst.C.E. (formerly of West Hartlepool).

James G. Danielson (formerly of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, Hamburg).

Sydney William Duthie (formerly of Willow Wood, Culter).

Alexander Wishart Edward (formerly of Alhambra, C2lifomia).

William Elmslie (1904-07).

Williamson Jackson Finnie, M.B., Ch.B. (formerly of 73 Forest Road, Aberdeen).

James H. Fraser (formerly in Rangoon, Burma).

Go Khek Ghee (formerly in Hankow, China).

Arthur William Gill (formerly in Belfast).

William S. Henderson (i890-97)-(formerly in Assam).

William Hepburn Horne (1900-08).

Theodore W. B. Knight (formerly in Southsca, Hants).

Go Khek Law (formerly in Singapore).

Donald Macfarlane (1909-14)—(formerly in B.P. Police, South Africa).

J. D. Gordon Mackie (1895-1900)-(formerly of Sutton, Surrey).

Alfred George Mathieson (1896-1897).

Harald Merrylees (1895-98).

Louis Francis Merrylees (1896-1905).

Noel W. J. Miller (formerly of Port of Spain, Trinidad).

John Hall Ritchie (formerly c/o Yacht Club, Bombay).

W. Wilson M. Ross (formerly of 27 Gray Street, Aberdeen).

James Russell (formerly in Singapore, and Blundellsands, Liverpool).

Dr. Donald T. Skeen (formerly in F.M.S. and Ceylon).

Gordon I. Strachan, C.E. (formerly in Cardiff).

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JAMES J. ROBERTSON. M.A., B.D., F.R.S.E.

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

The School, which is organized in three Departments—Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools—contains, in addition to the usual classrooms, a Chemical Laboratory, Science Theatre with Physical Laboratory attached, Natural Science Laboratory, Art Room, Gymnasium, Workshop, Botanical Garden, Library, Reading Room, and Museum.

Pupils in the Middle School are prepared for the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department, passes in the latter examination being recognized as exempting from further examination in the corresponding subjects of the Preliminary Examination for graduation in Arts, Science, Law, and Medicine at the Scottish Universities.

The situation of the School in the West end of the City is open and healthy. The Class-rooms are large, and the Grounds for Recreation include separate Playgrounds for Juniors and Seniors, Tennis Courts, end a field for Cricket and Football. There is also a Boarding House run in conjunction with the School.

ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. (AT.BTN PLACE.) Head mistress - Miss B. M. ROSE, M.A. (Oxon.).

THE HIGH SCHOOL provides a liberal education for Girls from 5 to 18 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 Haziehead 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 had free on application to the Director of Education, Education Offices, or to the Rector or Head Mistress respectively.

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