AGS Magazine July 1951

THE

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHODL MAGAZINE

I I

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July 1951

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CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS Facing page

James Catto Duffus, O.B.E., M.C., . .

M.A., LL.B. .

Welcome to F.P. from Yugoslavia . .

School Prefects, 19 5 0-5 I Presentation of the Tawsc Trophy School Rugby ist XV—Season .

1950-51 .

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Facing page

School Cricket 1st XI- Season 1951 . . . . . 173 At the Edinburgh Centre Dinner . 189 F.P. Rugby Section 1st XVSeason 1950-5 I . . . 1 94 P.P. Hockey Section—Season 195o195 • 51 •

too 101 124 125 172

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• The Rector's Letter to Former Pupils . . .

Our I-Iockey Internationalist . " Prior to 1256." Boarding House Reunion . . .

The New President of the F.P. Club . .

Welcome to F.P. from Yugoslavia. Legacy for the School . . . .

Notes about Old Boys . . . . , University Notes .

The Bar and The School. By J. A. L. .

Roll of Honour. Annual School Service The Feckless Chiel. By W. G. Craigen .

• Clew to Kew View and 3-2. By E. R. B. . . . .

Plus ca Change .

• F.P. Rugby Section Fair • . .

Books by F.P.s . .

Marriages . . . . . . .

Obituary School Section— School and Random Notes • .

• .

Presenting the Prefects .

Aberdeen University Entrance Bursary Competition • . .

Mr. James Davie . .

• • Changes in the School Staff .

The Lovyers Tale . . .

A Routine Job . .

Lower School Notes .

Rambling and Mountaineering Club .

Library Committee. Arts Club .

School Sporting Activities— Rugby . . .

Ilockey . . .

• Cricket . . . . .

Athletics. Swimming. Tennis House News. Dramatic Society Literary and Debating Society Combined Cadet Force Notes. Scottish Schoolboys' Club • Scout Notes . . .

School Office-Bearers, 195o-51 The Former Pupils' Club— Annual General Meeting London Centre . . . .

Glasgow Centre Edinburgh Centre .

• • Club Executive Notes. Bengal and Assam Centre. F.P. Cricket Section . . . . . . . . . .

F.P. Golf Section. School and F.P. Rugby Fixtures in the South F.P. Rugby Section . , F.P. Hockey Section , .

F.P. Club Consuls . . .

New Members of the Club F.P. Club Office-Bearers, 1951-52 . . .

Club Subscription Rates. Addresses Wanted .

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 67/h year, No. z68 (New Series, 58th year, No. 159)

Vol. LIV — —

JULY 1951

No. a

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

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

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The Rector's Letter to Former Pupils

•

No one who read my letter of June 195o, with its account of alterations and improvements begun and projected at the Grammar School will be surprised to learn that the present session has seen an unprecedented invasion of the buildings by.workmen of many kinds— masons, plasterers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters and decorators. Forced to choose between long delay in the completion of the work and the acceptance for a time of interruption and abnormal conditions, we had no hesitation in preferring the latter. Inconvenience and some disturbance of work there have been and will continue to be through the earlier part at least of next session ; but the ill-effects have been minimised by the sensible and accommodating attitude of all the tradesmen concerned and by the almost stoical cheerfulness with which the Staff have endured dirt and noise, ejection from classrooms, and a continual clutter of tools, material and scaffolding all about them.

Special thanks are due to Mr. Paterson, the Deputy Rector, for the patience and invincible good humour with which he has acted as liaison officer throughout, freeing class-rooms, supervising the installation of furniture, and making those day-to-day arrangements and adjustments which have allowed everyone's work to go forward more or less smoothly.

The benefits of all these improvements will be best appreciated

by Staff and pupils, but even the occasional visitor will see how much has been done to brighten the interior of the School, and I trust we shall be judged to have departed sensibly from the dingier conventions of an earlier time, without falling into such a decorative prettyprettiness as would go ill with our solid and serviceable old buildings.

Alex. Miller, W. P. Stewart, Gavin Falconer, and now James Davie —rarely can death have taken such toll of any Staff within four short years. Tribute is paid to Mr. Davie elsewhere in the Magazine, but

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 98 I must associate myself with the poignant sense of loss felt by the whole School in the early death of this gifted and well-beloved colleague.

Modest and gentle, the most companionable of men, and infinitely obliging at all times, he had endeared himself to us during his four sessions here. Then, when grievous sickness laid him aside, he bore two long years of weakness, pain and disappointed hopes with so much grace and quiet fortitude that our affection for him became matched by admiration for his character and our gratitude for his example.

The retirement at Easter of Miss Agnes H. Duff severed one of the few remaining links with the Lower School Staff of Morland Simpson's time, and even had Miss Duff's service been much less distinguished than it was, its length alone would have given her a strong claim on our regard and goodwill. In fact, however, she has exercised a singularly robust and lively influence in the Lower School, bringing to her teaching unusual skill and keenness, and all the resources of a wellstored and stimulating mind. To the gratitude of many generations of pupils falls to be added that of the Secondary Staff, to whom she has passed on a long succession of classes, well taught, sanely disciplined, and ready for the next stage of the educational journey.

Hitherto I have confined myself in this letter to information and comment on School affairs ; on this occasion, greatly daring, I put a question to the former pupils. Need the Sections of the Club be so straitly limited always to the field of athletics ? The existing games Sections are wholly admirable, and no one would wish them either less numerous or less active ; but is there nothing within the whole range of culture which might bring together a group of former pupils ? One would hardly look to see even the School of Melvin and Gregory produce an F.P. Section for the cultivation of the Art of Latin Prose Composition or for the aesthetic appreciation of Euclidean Geometry (though many gifted men have found delight in one or other of them) ; but when one reflects on the place the Grammar School has given in the last two decades to Debate and Drama, to Music and the Visual Arts, and recalls the evidence of aptitude for such cultural activities among our boys, it seems strange that none of them should provide a common interest and bond, when school days are over.

J. J. R.

Our Hockey Internationalist Eric Douglas Watt* (1937-50), who had the distinction of being " capped " to play hockey for Scotland against Wales, Ireland and England in 195o, when he was still at School, was awarded another " cap " in the spring of this year. He played for Scotland against Ireland at Edinburgh on ri March 1951. The team was, however, beaten by 5 goals to z, and he was not selected for the later international matches. We hope that he will soon regain his position.

Watt is now a student at the University of Aberdeen and plays hockey for the University. He has been awarded his full blue.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

99

" Prior to 1256 " A Letter to the Editor

Sir, I refer to the argument we started at the Edinburgh Centre dinner about the correct date on which the foundation of the School should be celebrated.

The tradition is (and your letter heading confirms it) that the School was founded " prior to 1256 ", by whom and on what earlier date is uncertain, but it does seem fairly clear that in the year 1256 the School was already an established and recognisable entity. The year 1256, by itself, is not important. True, it was a quiet year in the reign of a strong and, relatively, enlightened king. There was no war at the time and even less than the normal amount of bickering, so it was an eminently suitable year for the foundation of a school. But there were other years in the reign of Alexander III that were equally suitable and just as many perhaps, in the time of David I, a hundred years earlier. The important part of the tradition lies in the words " prior to ". They open up vistas of possibility. They are a warning to other ancient seats of learning that the spade of the archaeologist or the infra-red camera of the palaeographer may yet disclose that the School is even older than we claim. And they are a challenge to those who pursue these callings to unravel the mystery.

We do not know what such further research might prove to be the correct date of the School's foundation. All we can say with reasonable certainty is that 1256 is the wrong one and I contend that to celebrate a seven hundredth anniversary seven hundred years after the wrong date would be to do violence to tradition and to discourage scholarship. So I submit that the appropriate year is 1955. Not earlier, for that would savour of boastfulness, but certainly no later.

Yours etc., FRANK S. TAYLOR (1923-28).

Boarding House Reunion Plans are being made for a Reunion Dinner for F.P.s who were at the School Boarding House. It is hoped that the function will be held in Aberdeen within the next few months.

The committee responsible for the arrangements have been very successful in getting in touch with a great number of ex-boarders but they would be grateful if any F.P. who attended the Boarding House and who has not yet received a circular from them would communicate with the secretary of the committee, Mr. F. K. Sellar, cfo Messrs.

G. H. Bower and Gibb, Advocates, zzo Union Street, Aberdeen, as soon as possible.

The New President of the F.P. Club For the first time in the history of the Club the President this year is the son of a former President. He is James Catto Duffus* (18971904), O.B.E., M.C., M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, eldest son of the late ALEXANDER DUFFUS (1871-76), advocate in Aberdeen, who was President in 1910- I I. Mr. Duffus is senior partner in the firm of Wilsone and Duffus, advocates, Aberdeen and one of the best known business men in the city. He has been chairman of the board of management, Aberdeen General Hospitals, since 1948 ; he is a member of the Aberdeen head office board of the Northern Assurance Company Limited ; he is chairman of C. Davidson and Sons Limited, Rubislaw Investment Trust Limited, and Lawson Turnbull and Company Limited ; and he is a director of Mitchell and Muil Limited, Caledonian Investors Limited and various private companies.

He has taken an active part in the activities of the F.P. Club for over forty years. He was a member of the Club Executive for no less than twenty-nine years from 191o to 1914 and from 1921 to 1946 ; he was chairman of the Executive and vice-president of the Club from 1924 to 1926 ; and he has been secretary of the Club Boarding House Company since its inauguration in 1928. There can be few F.P.s whose devotion to the interests of the School and the Club has been greater than that of Mr. Duffus.

After seven years at the School he went to Fettes and thereafter he attended the University of Aberdeen, graduating M.A. in 1 91z and LL.B. in 1914. He served his law apprenticeship with his father, was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1919 and became a partner in the firm of Wilsone and Duffus in the following year.

In the 1914-18 war he served with the 255th Highland Brigade Royal Field Artillery (T.F.) and rose to the rank of Major. He was awarded the M.C. and the French Croix de Guerre. During the second world war he held various A.R.P. and Civil Defence posts and from June 1944 he was Controller of Civil Defence Services in the City of Aberdeen.

For many years J. C. Duffus was a member of the F.P. Rugby ist XV-from 1909 to 1914 and from 1920 to 1923—and he was secretary of the Rugby Section from 1910 to 1912. He played for the North of Scotland against the South in international rugby trial matches in 1913 and 1922. At cricket he played for Aberdeen University and Aberdeenshire.

His two sons, ALEXANDER JAMES DUFFUS* (1932-38), B.L., advocate in Aberdeen, and ADRIAN MICHAEL CAMPBELL DUFFUS* (1932-38), M.B., Ch.B., were also at the School, as were his four brothers. Two of these survive—ALAN ALEXANDER DUFFUS* (1900191I), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., Watford, Herts., and HAROLD WAIT DUFFUS* (1908-14), B.Sc., civil engineer, Aberdeen.

Advance Information Annual Dinner—Thursday, i November 1951. Northern Hotel.

Annual Ball—Wednesday, 26 December 1951. Beach Dance Hall.

100

•

Slrachan

•

JAMES CArro DUFFUS, O.B.E., M.C., M.A., LL,B.

Welcome to F.P. from Yugoslavia

By courtesy of

niter' Journals lid.

Left to Right—G. F. Clark, Charles Davidson, Professor Dr. Dragoslav Miletitch, Fenton \X yness

and J. F. Gordon

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

101

Welcome to F.P. from Yugoslavia During the first world war Dragoslav Miletitch (1916-18) was one of a number of Serbian boys who came to this country as refugees and attended the School until the end of the war. He is now Professor of Pathology in the University of Skoplje, Yugoslavia, and early this year he came to this country on a visit arranged by the British Council.

He visited various medical schools in the United Kingdom and spent four days in Aberdeen.

The Executive of the Club took the opportunity of arranging a luncheon in his honour and a very pleasant function was held in the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, on x March 1951. Mr. Alexander Gray, chairman of the Executive, presided and those present included Mr. Charles Davidson, one of Professor Miletitch's masters at the School, Messrs. Gordon F. Clark (1916-zo), James F. Gordon (19 x4-2 x), David Hanna (1916-2z) and Fenton Wyness (19 x5-zo), who were his contemporaries at the School. Eight members of the Executive were also present.

The Professor was welcomed by Mr. Gray who then called on " C. D. " to propose the health of the guest. This he did in his own inimitable way, in an informal speech full of wit and charm. In his reply Professor Miletitch said that he was deeply touched by the Executive's gesture in entertaining him and especially by the presence of his old teacher, Charles Davidson. He said that one of the pleasantest memories of Aberdeen that he and his compatriots had, and always would have, concerned Mr. Davidson. He recalled how " C. D." had come into their classroom one Christmas Eve during their stay in Aberdeen and said that everyone except the Serbians would be receiving presents from their parents. He then presented each of the Serbian boys with a leather wallet embossed in the corner with the boy's initials. This, said Professor Miletitch, was the most precious present he had ever received. He was indeed proud to be able to meet Mr. Davidson again and to greet him as " my Professor Charles Davidson ". He went on to express his gratitude to the Executive and to say that, if any F.P. visited Yugoslavia, he would be delighted to meet him and to try to return in some measure the hospitality he had received in Aberdeen.

On the day following the luncheon Professor Miletitch paid a visit to his old School and addressed the Literary and Debating Society. * * * Professor Miletitch has accepted office as F.P. Club Consul for Yugoslavia and his name is now included in the Roll of Consuls which appears on pages 196 and 197.

Legacy for the School By his Will the late Mr. D. M. Andrew (Rector 1924-42) bequeathed £zoo to form a fund for an annual prize at the School for the most proficient scholar in Greek. The bequest is payable on the expiry of a liferent.

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

New Year and King's Birthday Honours Knight Bachelor (K.B.) David Edwards* (19o3-o9), M.A., LL.B., Chief Justice of Uganda, was created a Knight Bachelor in the New Year Honours. He entered the Colonial Civil Service in 1921 and was for a time an assistant resident commissioner in Nairobi. In 1924 he was called to the Scottish Bar and in the same year he became principal registrar in the Supreme Court of Kenya and the Court of Appeal for East Africa : four years later he was appointed to be a resident magistrate in Kenya.

In 1935 he was appointed relieving president of the District Court at Jerusalem and in the following year he became president of the District Court at Jaffa. He held several posts in Palestine and from 1941 to 1947 he was a puisne judge of the Supreme Court there. In 1945-46 he acted as Chief Justice of Palestine on two occasions, at times when the Jewish terrorists were creating a great deal of trouble. He took up his present post in 1947, and has his headquarters at Kampala.

He was a commissioner representing the Presbytery of East Africa at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland held in Edinburgh in May of this year.

Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) William Robertson Myers* (1895-99) was awarded the C.B.E. in the New Year Honours. He is Deputy Inspector-General of Customs at Shanghai in the Chinese Maritime Customs Service, which he joined in 1904. He has served at various ports in China. He was captured by the Japanese in December 1941 at Tientsin and spent eight months in enemy hands, mostly in solitary confinement. Thereafter, however, he was one of a party of British subjects from China who were released and in September 1942 he reached Lourenco Marques, Portuguese East Africa. In the following year he returned to this country but in 1945 he went back to Shanghai as British Red Cross Commissioner for all China.

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) Henry Jackson Butchart* (1890-99), D.S.O., T.D., B.L., D.L., advocate in Aberdeen, secretary of the University of Aberdeen, was I02

Notes about Old Boys

103

awarded the O.B.E. in the New Year Honours. He is chairman of the City of Aberdeen Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association and County Commissioner of the City of Aberdeen Boy Scouts Association.

On St. George's Day last year he was awarded the Silver Acorn in recognition of his services to the Boy Scout Movement. He was in partnership with the late ERNEST RENNET (1879-88) in the firm of Butchart and Rennet, advocates, Aberdeen, from 1908 to 1919, when he received his present University appointment. In the first world war he served with the Scottish Horse until 1916 and for the next three years he was on the staff in Egypt, Palestine and France. He was awarded the D.S.O. and the Star of Roumania and was twice " mentioned ". From 1925 to 1933 he commanded the university contingent of the Officers Training Corps. He is well-known as a mountaineering and ski-ing enthusiast. It has recently been announced that Colonel Butchart is to demit office as secretary of the University in September 1952.

John George Duncan Ferries (1894-1905), advocate in Aberdeen, was also awarded the O.B.E. in the New Year Honours. Since 1920 he has been a partner in the firm of Carle, Duthie and Ferries (formerly Whincup, Carle and Duthie), advocates, Aberdeen. He is chairman of the Military Service (Hardship) Committee, the Local Appeal Tribunal under the National Insurance Act, 1948, and the Appeal Tribunal under the National Dock Labour Committee. He is also joint manager of the Harbour branch of the National Bank of Scotland, Aberdeen.

Herbert James Jones* (1902-07), M.C., Controller, National Assistance Board, Scotland, received the O.B.E. in the New Year Honours. He joined the civil service in 1910 and worked in the Inland Revenue, Board of Trade and Custom House. After the first world war, in which he served with the Royal Scots, he joined the Scottish Board of Health (later the Department of Health for Scotland) and in 1934 he was transferred to the Assistance Board. For some years he was assistant district officer at Dundee and from 1939 to 1945 he was district officer at Inverness, in charge of the Highlands and Islands. In 1945 he took over his present post in Edinburgh and since then his responsibilities have greatly increased due to the transfer of national assistance from local authorities to the board.

Andrew James Shinnie (1897-1903), M.D., D.P.H., Medical Officer of Health, City of Westminster, was awarded the O.B.E. in the New Year Honours. He graduated M.B., Ch.B. at the University of Aberdeen in 1908, and thereafter attended University College, London. After holding various hospital appointments and taking the degree of M.D., he entered the public health service as an assistant medical officer under Surrey County Council in 1913. He obtained his D.P.H. in 1915 from the Royal College of Physicians, London, and became assistant medical officer of health and tuberculosis officer for Westminster City Council in 1916. Eight years later he was promoted to his present post. In 1926 he was appointed lecturer in Public Health at Westminster Hospital Medical School, University of London.

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Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) James Bryce Esslemont* (1913-24), B.L., advocate in Aberdeen, was awarded the M.B.E. in the King's Birthday Honours announced on 7 June 1951. He is honorary secretary of the Aberdeen City Savings Committee. He was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1928, and after being an assistant in legal offices in Glasgow and Greenock, joined the firm of Wilsone & Duffus, advocates, Aberdeen, in 1933, becoming a partner in January 1936.

His elder brother, HAROLD EssuEmoNT* (1915-19), was awarded the M.B.E. (Military Division) in the New Year Honours of 1946. * * * The Editor invites F.P.s to submit short notes about their activities for inclusion in this section of the Magazine. He will also be glad to receive articles on any topic of general interest. " Copy " for the December issue of the Magazine should reach him by 15 October and for the July issue by x5 April. * * * James Smart Abernethy* (1925-26), M.A., LL.B., W.S., a resident magistrate in Tanganyika, who was called to the Scottish Bar last year, was in December on circuit as Acting Judge of the High Court of Tanganyika. At the time of writing he had just completed a Sessions at Tabora and was about to open another Sessions at Kigoma, on Lake Tanganyika. On that circuit, he said, his wife and he could live quite comfortably in a judge's coach consisting of living room, two sleeping cabins, bathroom (with long bath), pantry and kitchen, but on some circuits where places far from the railway have to be visited, High Court judges have still to put up with many inconveniences and discomforts. His wife and he were very hospitably entertained by the Club Consul at Beira, MARSHALL KEITH DUGUID* (1919-29), and his seat at the Tabora Caledonian Dinner was not far from that of the Club Consul for Tanganyika, GEORGE ALEXANDER WILSON* (192o-23), M.B., Ch.B., who was at Tabora for a labour conference.

William Ernest Adam (1902-09), J.P., who has been provost of Ballater since 1947, was re-elected in May for a further three years.

Alexander Smith Anderson* (x9o5-o9), O.B.E., D.L., who succeeded Principal T. M. Taylor two years ago as chairman of directors of the Aberdeen Association of Social Service, has completed his term of office and been succeeded by the vice-chairman, Robert Bertram Williamson* (1906-18), D.S.O., T.D., M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen.

Francis Sheed Anderson* (1909-x a), C.B., Under-Secretary, Ministry of Food, has recently returned from Australia and New Zealand where he led a small mission from this country in discussions on current problems and future supply prospects in relation to food commodities imported into the United Kingdom from these Dominions.

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Gilbert John Anderson* (1908-21), B.Sc.(Econ.), who joined the Eastbourne Mutual Building Society in 193z, has been manager of the Society since 1942. He graduated at the University of London in 1925 and was with the Anglo-American Oil Company from 1926 to 1932. He is vice-chairman of the South-Eastern Counties' Association of Building Societies, a member of the Eastbourne Hospitals Management Committee, and immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Eastbourne. He has recently become a life member of the Club. .

George Douglas Allan* (1919-30), C.A., who has been with the Iraq Petroleum Company Limited at Kirkuk, Iraq, since the war, has returned to this country. Before the war he was in Malaya and from 1942 to 1945 he was a prisoner-of-war.

George James Allan* (1907-20), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., now resides at Marple, Cheshire. In 1934 he went to the Belgian Congo as a medical missionary and latterly he has been in Birmingham.

Frederick Cooper Arnaud* (1929-36), B.Sc.(Eng.), is now at Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria, where he holds an appointment in the Colonial Service as an electrical engineer in the Marine Department of the Government of Nigeria. He is concerned mainly with port installations. His younger brother, John Charles Stanley Arnaud* (1929-40), M.A., is assistant English master at Blairgowrie High School, of which the headmaster is CHRISTOPHER MACLENNAN, formerly of the School staff. The youngest of the Arnaud brothers, Stanley William Arnaud* (1930-43), B.Sc.(Eng.), holds an appointment with Messrs. Howard Humphries and Company, consulting engineers, Reading.

Athol Emslie Benzie* (1921-22) is now director and general manager of Mersey Cable Works Limited at Bootle, Lancashire. He was previously an industrial consultant.

Robert Kilgour Booker* (1928-41), M.A., LL.B., who graduated in Law, with distinction, at the University of Aberdeen last year, has gone to Singapore, where he is now with Messrs. Allan and Gledhill, solicitors.

William A. Bothwell* (1915-23), who was tenant of the farm of Westwick, Hemel Hempstead, Herts., from 1926 to 1947, now lives in Johannesburg. His advice to young Scots who may be considering engaging in agriculture is to exercise caution, but, if they are determined to become farmers, to rent rather than buy land. For those wishing to engage in grain-growing in the " Dominions ", South-East England is still probably as good a place as any, and safer than most.

Alexander John Youngson Brown (1923-36), M.A., who was appointed lecturer in Economic History at the University of St. Andrews in 1948, was appointed a lecturer in the Faculty of Economics and Politics at the University at Cambridge in October 195o.

Eric Buthlay* (1928-40), B.L., advocate in Aberdeen, has been assumed as a partner in the firm of G. H. Bower and Gibb, advocates, Aberdeen. The senior partner is John Scott MacLachlan* (1922-32), M.A., LL.B., secretary and treasurer of the F.P. Club.

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Alexander Matheson Cain* (1937-46), M.A., who graduated at the University of Aberdeen last year with first class honours in English (Language and Literature), is now studying in Paris for a doctorate at the University of Paris.

Percy R. J. M. Callan* (1915-25) has been appointed minister of Kirkmichael Church, Perthshire. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Aberdeen in 1941 and during the war he was interim minister at Aberchirder. From 1946 until this year he was minister of Corgarff Church, Strathdon.

John Brunton Cameron (1923-28), M.A., B.D., who was with the Calabar Mission of the Church of Scotland in Nigeria from 1935 to 1946, is returning to Calabar to join the staff of the United Theological College. Since June 1947 he has been minister of St. John's Church, Montrose.

Alastair Hyde Campbell (1928-37), B.Sc., Ph.D., who went to University College, London, after leaving the School, graduated B.Sc. there in 1940. Thereafter he had a series of unpleasant experiences including working in a poison gas factory. He also sustained a fractured spine in a road accident. Some years ago he joined the firm of Revertex Limited, London, and he took his Ph.D. in 1947.

For two years he worked as a research chemist at Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, but he is now back again with his firm in London. He is the younger brother of Duncan Ian Campbell (1925-34), M.A., Classics master, Downs School, Malvern, about whom a note appeared in the last issue of the Magazine.

Alexander Vernon White Cantlay* (1903-10) retired from Sumatra in April 195o for health reasons after nearly thirty-seven years in the Far East. He is now living in North Harrow, Middlesex.

Joseph Robert Carry* (1918-30), M.B.E., head of the well-known firm of Jamieson and Carry, jewellers, Aberdeen, spent a fortnight in April at the annual Swiss Industries Fair held at Basle. He was a member of a party of sixty-three organized by the British Horological Institute for its members and during their stay the party visited several of the famous Swiss watch factories, the Horological Research Laboratory and the observatory at Neuchatel.

James Rankine Wilson Catto* (1923-36), M.B., Ch.B., has been in practice in Coventry since he was demobilized from the Navy.

He graduated at the University of Aberdeen in 1942, and was an assistant for a year in a practice at Kirkcaldy. He then served for three years as a Surgeon-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R. His destroyer, Kemfrerfelt, took part in the landings at Anzio and in the invasion of France, and then went to the Pacific. Dr. Catto cracked his thigh playing rugby in Sydney, and heard of the first atomic bomb while lying in hospital there. He returned home via Canada and New York as medical officer to a party of prisoners-of-war from Japan.

James Dumo Chalmers* (1935-40), M.B., Ch.B., D.C.H., has passed the examination for the diploma in Obstetrics of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

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The Right Rev. Monsignor William Robert Clapperton* (1899-x 90 /), M.A. (Durham), Ph.D., D.D. (Rome), who has been rector of the Scots College, Rome, since 1922, was received along with his pupils by the Pope at the end of April, at the conclusion of the celebrations to mark the 35oth anniversary of the College. He was trained for the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church at Ushaw College, Durham, and the Scots College, Rome. In 1913 he was ordained as a priest and in the following year he became vice-rector of the College. In 1920 he was appointed a privy chamberlain to the Pope and in 1923 a domestic prelate. He returned to Scotland in 1940 and for the duration of the war he held the charge of the Church of our Lady of Mount Carmel, Banff.

John Kenneth Colley* (1926-35), C.A., has since June 1949 been on the head office staff of the Hawker Siddeley Group Limited in London. Previously he was for three years with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company, chartered accountants, Darlington.

William Catto Connon* (1928-40), B.L., solicitor, has joined the firm of Mayer and Fraser, solicitors, Keith and Dufftown.

He lives in Dufftown and has bcen appointed joint town clerk and joint town chamberlain. marriage is reported on another page.

Sir Patrick Ashley Cooper* (1896-1901), B.A., LL.B., was in February re-appointed by the King to the Court of the Bank of England for a period of four years from I March 1951. He was first appointed a director of the Bank in April 5932 under the old regime, and after the passing of the Bank of England Act, 1946, he was appointed a member of the Court of the Bank.

Geoffrey George Cormack* (1943-46) has since June 1949 been an assistant manager on the Chemoni Valley rubber estate, Palapilly P.O., Cochin State, South India. He is with Peirce Leslie and Company Limited.

David George Murray Covey* (1925-37) was appointed agent of the Cults branch of the Aberdeen Savings Bank which was opened in March of this year. This new office is the forty-ninth branch of the Bank and the seventh to be opened since the end of the war.

John Colin Craigen (1925-36), elder son of the late WILLIAM GORDON CRAIGEN (1894-97 and 1900-02) (see page 142), who was formerly talks producer in the North American Service of the B.B.C., London, is now working with Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Limited in Sydney, as production manager in the recording department. He has recently been travelling a great deal, making recordings for the present recruiting drive. During the war he served in the R.A.F., and was attached to the R.A.A.F. His brother, William Gordon Cameron Craigen (1931-40), M.B., Ch.B., D.O., is registrar in ophthalmology at Addenbrook's Hospital, Cambridge.

Maurice Cramb* (1916-29), M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, has, along with Mr. Thomas Gibb, solicitor, acquired the legal practice of the late Mr. Edwin J. Cormack, advocate in Aberdeen. The firm

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

name is now Cormack, Cramb and Gibb. He was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in May. Ian Milne Cay Crawford* (1935-44), M.A., left Aberdeen in February to take up a three-year appointment on the staff of the AngloIranian Oil Company at their oil refinery at Abadan on the Persian Gulf. He is personal assistant to a works manager.

Hugh Mackenzie Crombie* (1911-zo), M.B., Ch.B., L.D.S. (Eng.), Aberdeen, was last summer awarded an honorary fellowship in dental surgery by the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh (F.D.S.R.C.S.(Ed.)). He was one of the first recipients of this new honour.

Charles Greig Cruickshank* (1925-32), M.A.(Aberd.), D.Phil.

(Oxon.), has been appointed United Kingdom Trade Commissioner in Ceylon. For the past few years he has been with the Board of Trade at Sutton, Surrey.

Peter Diack* (1904-09), M.A., minister of Drumoak Church, Aberdeenshire, has retired from the convenership of the Colonial and Continental Committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He was appointed to the committee in 1935, became viceconvener in 1943 and convener in 1946.

James Alexander Dunbar* (1919-23 and 1929), Captain, Royal Signals, has returned to this country from Burma, where he went in 1948 with a British Services Mission. From 1942 to 1945 he served in India and was then for three years in Germany. Before joining the regular army in 1935 he was for four years in the Merchant Service and obtained his second mate's ticket. He was with the Silver Line.

Eric Henry Weir Duncan* (1918-26), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., who was appointed assistant medical officer of health for Greenock in 1949, was in February unanimously appointed to succeed the late ALEXANDER JOHNSTONE (1904-I0), M.C., M.A., M.D., D.P.H. (see page 144) as medical officer of health. Before going to Greenock he was in practice at Banff for ten years.

James Lindsay Duncan* (1911-24), M.A., LL.B., Ph.D., advocate, has been appointed Sheriff-Substitute of the Lothians and Peebles at Edinburgh. In 1940, when he was appointed Sheriff-Substitute of Ross, Cromarty and Sutherland at Stornoway, at the age of thirtyfour, he was Scotland's youngest sheriff. From 1942 until March of this year he was Sheriff-Substitute of Ayrshire at Kilmarnock.

James Durno* (1900-02), C.B.E., who is this year's chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, has also been appointed chairman of the Royal Northern Agricultural Society.

Francis Millar Esson* (1918-25), T.D., Major, R.A.S.C., who has been at Trieste since 1942, is now stationed at Benghazi.

John Fordyce Robertson Fairweather* (1919-25), F.C.I.I., has been appointed assistant manager for South Africa of the Royal Insurance Company Limited, with effect from 1 January 195 t. He

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109

joined the " Royal " at Aberdeen after leaving the School in 1925 and two years later went to Nairobi, where he was in charge of the business of the "Royal/Globe" groups in Kenya and adjacent territories. He served in the second world war with the King's African Rifles and later at the headquarters of East African Command, reaching the rank of Major. For the past three years he has been assistant local manager for the " Royal at Johannesburg. He is a member of the Council of the Insurance Institute of the Transvaal.

His office in Cape Town controls the Company's interests in the Union of South Africa, South-West Africa, Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Brian John Fiddes (1927-37), M.A. (Glasg.), was appointed to be private secretary to Sir George H. Henderson, K.B.E., C.B., Secretary, Department of Health for Scotland, on i December 195o. His first civil service post was in the Town and Country Planning section of the Department of Health, which he joined in 1947.

Alexander Forsyth* (1923-30), B.Sc., M.P.S., who is with T. and II. Smith Limited, pharmaceutical manufacturers, Edinburgh, recently toured Iran, Iraq, India, Pakistan and Egypt. In Calcutta he met our Consul, HERBERT BREBNER SCOTT* (1905-08), C.B.E., M.C., ROBERT MITCHELL BONNER* (1922-28), C.A., LANCELOT SIMPSON* (1916-25) and COLIN MACPHERSON YOUNG* (1934-36). In Karachi he met John Morrison Smith* (1924-32), of Steel Brothers and Company Limited, who has been moved to Karachi from Jesselton, North Borneo.

James Milner Fraser* (1918-2o), A.R.I.B.A., A.M.T.P.I., A.M.I. Struct. E., who joined the Singapore Improvement Trust in 1927, and who has been manager of the Trust since his return in June 1946 after internment, had a busman's holiday in the United Kingdom in 1949. He visited various ministries, government departments and local authorities in order to gather the latest information on housing and town planning, and on his return to Singapore he drafted a comprehensive development bill for Singapore, containing provisions for housing, planning and improvement and for the setting up of a development board for the Colony. The new Bill provides for up-todate legislation to supersede the Improvement Ordinance of 1927.

The work of the Trust has increased enormously since the war, particularly as regards housing, on which about 15,ooo,ooo dollars have been spent since 1947. The population of Singapore is increasing at the rate of 36,000 a year and is at present just over i,ooo,ooo, of whom about half are living in slum conditions. Mr. Fraser hopes shortly to make a three months' tour of U.S.A. to study planning and housing developments and production methods there. He is president of the Singapore Battalion of the Boys' Brigade, which has ten companies. It has strong ties with the Aberdeen Battalion.

William Wallace Gauld (1928-3z), M.A., who joined the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in 1947, his latterly been private secretary to Sir David Milne, K.C.B., permanent Under-Secretary

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine of State for Scotland. He has now returned to the Department on promotion.

Godfrey Power Geddes* (19o5-11), D.S.O., O.B.E., T.D., M.A., Colonel, has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Aberdeen.

Alan George Gibb* (1926-36), M.B., Ch.B., F. R.C. S. E., D.L.G., who is an ear, nose and throat specialist (consultant) in Dundee, was appointed in January to be an assistant in ear, nose and throat at the Medical School of the University of St. Andrews.

William Scott Gilchrist* (1929-36), B.L., advocate in Aberdeen, left Aberdeen at the end of May to join Messrs. Bannon & Bailey, advocates and solicitors, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. He was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in February. Before the war he was in the Merchant Service and during the war he held the rank of Lieutenant, R.N.R. Patrick John Green (1894-97), M.A. (Aberd. and Oxon.), retired from the charge of Stoneywood Parish Church in June 1949, after being minister there for thirty years. He had previously been minister of Roy Lodge Church, Woodford Green, London, from 1904 to 191r, and of Doll Memorial Church, Beddington, Northumberland, from 1911 to 1919.

Eric William Hunter Greig* (1927-39) was elected an Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in March of this year.

He is at present with the firm of Arch. Henderson & Partners, chartered civil engineers, Aberdeen.

James Greig* (1938-41) is Second Officer in the British Phosphate Commission's ship, Triadic, which is based on Melbourne. The vessels of the Phosphate Commission convey all mails, food, machinery, water etc. required by the Commission's staff on Ocean and Nauru Islands. They also take up stores for the Gilbert and Ellice Island Administration and are the only links between these islands and the outside world. The " run " from Melbourne is 2218 miles which, in good weather, takes nine days. The voyages are very pleasant: three days after leaving Melbourne, the ships are in the tropics.

Greig's ship is a weather ship and sends in weather reports every six hours.

He expects to return to Aberdeen for a short time later this year in order to study for his Master's certificate.

Donald McLeod Grieve* (1931-38), B.Sc.(Agri.), Hawick, has been appointed an agricultural officer in Nigeria.

John Hall (1889-90), who has been a member of Macduff Town Council for twenty-two years, was appointed provost of the burgh in April of this year.

Robert Hastie* (1926-35) has passed the final examination of the Association of Certified and Corporate Accountants.

James Hay* (1883-87), M.A., B.L., LL.D., D.L., advocate in Aberdeen, senior partner in the firm of Adam, Thomson & Ross, advocates, Aberdeen, has retired. Aged eighty, Mr. Hay is the second

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senior member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen, the senior member being Robert Moir Williamson* (1882-83), C.B.E., M.A., LL.B., LL.D. lie graduated B.L. at the University of Aberdeen in 1896, and started business on his own account. In 1900 he went into partnership with the late Mr. R. D. Leslie, the firm being R. D. Leslie & Hay, and in 1909 he joined the firm of Adam, Thomson & Ross.

He was president of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen from 1936 to 1938.

WARDEN OF ALL SOULS Sir Hubert Douglas Henderson* (1901-04), M.B.E., M.A., LL.D., F.B.A., Professor of Political Economy at the University of Oxford since 1945, was in June elected Warden of All Souls College.

He is believed to be the first F.P. to have gained this outstanding academic distinction.

Steven Leslie Henderson (1932-38), C.A., was in March admitted to the Society of Chartered Accountants in Aberdeen. He served his apprenticeship with James Meston & Company Limited, Aberdeen.

Another F.P. admitted to the Society at the same time was Walter Rankine Oliver (1932-33), who is with Messrs. James Milne & Company, Aberdeen.

Ronald William Hepburn (1936-44), who is a third year Arts student at the University of Aberdeen and scoutmaster of the 17th Aberdeen (Grammar School) Boy Scout Troop, is to attend the International Scout Jamboree at Bad Ischal in Austria in August of this year. He has been in the Scout movement for eleven years.

John Andrew Home* (1939-43), B.L. (Edin.), who graduated in July 1948, has for the past two years been engaged in development work with the Colonial Development Corporation at Tiko, British Cameroons, West Africa.

Victor Wallace Jaffray* (1930-36), M.A. (Aberd.), LL.B. (Edin.), is now with the Indian Oxygen & Acetylene Company Limited, Bombay.

Charles Hugh Crosswell-Jones (1919-zo) has been dairy farming in the Ashford district of Kent since about 1922. He was first at Hodgeham, Bethersden, and since 1940 he has been at the larger farm of Snoadhill in the same district.

Ronald Bruce Killoh (1927-28 and 1919-35), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., formerly assistant medical officer of health at Bexley- Heath, Kent, was in February appointed medical officer of health for the borough and district of Devizes, Wiltshire.

Robert Mackay Ledingham* (1897-1909), O.B.E., T.D., M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, has been appointed a member of the Aberdeen head office board of directors of the Northern Assurance Company Limited, in succession to George Robb* (1892-97), solicitor, who has retired on reaching the age of seventy. Both are partners in the firm of Edmonds & Ledingham, Aberdeen. Mr. Robb had been a member of the board since 1944.

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Leslie Carse Liddell* (19z2-33), M.B., Ch.B., is now in practice at Penygraig, Glamorgan. At a University of Aberdeen graduates' reunion held at Treforest, Glamorgan, at the end of last year, he met William Ernest Coutts (1927-30), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., who is in practice at Cardiff.

Brian Walter Whyte Mackay* (1913- i 4 and 1922-23), M.C.S.P., has received an appointment in the Department of Physiotherapy at Noble's Isle of Man Hospital, Douglas. Last November he obtained a qualification in electrotherapy (with a credit in the practice of medical electricity), granted by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Donald Hugh James Mackay* (1912-18), B.L. (Edin.), W.S., is now in Victoria, British Columbia. Last January he attended a Burns Dinner in Victoria along with James Alexander Milne Moir* (1929-33), who holds a post under the British Columbia Provincial Government at Victoria. Another F.P. with whom he has been trying to get in touch is Albert Edward King (1887-89) of Simmons Insurance Agencies Limited, Vancouver. Mr. King has been in Canada since 1903.

John Robert Mackay* (5926-37), M.A., LL.B., was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates at Edinburgh in December 195o. He has recently been awarded the Cruickshank Law Prize at the University of Aberdeen.

George Alexander McNab* (1936-44), has been awarded a L60 Rutland Prize for design and working drawings in the annual competitions of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Last year he won an Aberdeen Society of Architects' Prize in architecture and the R.I.A.S. Incorporation Prize. In 1950 he was also an R.I.B.A. Tite Prize finalist. He is now a fifth-year diploma course student at the Aberdeen School of Architecture.

Norman Macphail (1899-1904), M.B., Ch.B., has relinquished his post as a representative on the Court of the University of Sheffield on grounds of health.

Dennis Trevor Llewellyn Marr* (1930 and 5936-42), who went to South America in July 1947 to join a branch of Wilson Sons & Company Limited, is now in partnership in the firm of Frank B. Hill, insurance agents, Maracaibo, Venezuela. His partner is British vice-consul for Maracaibo and Marr has been appointed pro-consul.

Two other F.P.s in Maracaibo are with the Shell Caribbean Petroleum Company Limited : they are James Edward Smith* (5916-22), B.Sc., Ph.D., and Henry Farquharson (1926-27), M.A., LL.B. The three F.P.s celebrated St. Andrew's Day most successfully last year.

William Ferrier Mayor* (1923-30), M.A., won the Singapore Island Club golf championship by 5 and 3 in the thirty-six hole final in March. This was his fourth appearance in the final but his first victory. In the Malayan championship at Kuala Lumpur at Easter he was third qualifier but was beaten in the quarter-finals.

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William Seton Meston (1879-81), who is now in his eightyseventh year, was entertained to luncheon by British Railways on z5 May 1951, on the occasion of his taking out his seventy-third season ticket on the railway from Inverurie to Aberdeen. The Railway Executive believe this to be a record for the country. Mr. Meston, who lives at Burnbank, Inverurie, the house where he was born, is still in the service of Messrs. C. & P. H. Chalmers, advocates, Aberdeen, whom he joined in 188z. Apart from a nine weeks' absence in the spring of this year, due to a foot complaint, he is reported as never having missed a day at the office.

Andrew Maitland Milne* (1936-49), a second-year medical student at the University of Aberdeen, is a member of the Johnston String Quartet which has been chosen to represent Scotland in the amateur section at the Festival of Britain. He is the 'cellist in the quartet. When at School he was a member of the National Youth Orchestra.

Benjamin Disraeli Milne* (1893-97) retired from the position of managing director of Spencers (Melksham) Limited on 31 March 195o, but he is remaining on the board and has charge of the Company's interests in the North of England. He has been associated with the Company for forty-six years and was managing director for eleven years. He now lives at Wirrall, Cheshire.

Charles Napier Gordon Milne (1893-94), latterly factor of Glenmuick Estate, Ballater, has retired and gone to live in Bournemouth. Major Milne was a leading figure in the British Legion in the North-East of Scotland, having been chairman of the Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine branch from 1944 until 195o. Thereafter he was president of the Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine Area Council.

Prior to his departure for the South he received a presentation from his British Legion colleagues at the hands of his successor as president, H. J. Milne.

Harold James Milne* (1904-07), M.C., solicitor, provost of Fraserburgh, has been elected president of the Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine Area Council of the British Legion. He has also been re-appointed chairman of the Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine War Pensions Committee. He is a member of a committee set up by the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) which is to inquire into the employment position in Aberdeen and district, with particular reference to the drift of labour.

Lawrence Walker Milne* (1939-43), M.A., LL.B., whose marriage is reported on another page, is one of two partners who have been assumed by his father-in-law, Mr. J. Downie Campbell, advocate in Aberdeen. The firm name is now Campbell, Murdoch and Milne.

Ian Alexander Moir* (19z4-3z), M.A., B.D. (Aberd.), Ph.D. (Cantab.), has been minister of the parish of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, since June 1949. Previously he was minister of Tower Parish Church, Stanley, Perthshire, for four years.

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George Gordon Nicol* (1894-1903), D.S.O., M.Inst.C.E., civil engineer, Aberdeen, was installed as Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeen City at a ceremony held in the Masonic Temple, Aberdeen, in January. The ceremony was presided over by the Grand Master Mason of Scotland, Sir Malcolm Barclay-Harvey, and it was the first time for seventeen years that such an installation had taken place in Aberdeen and not in Edinburgh. Brother Nicol succeeded another F.P., Brother Robert Pearson Masson* (1903-04), M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, who was Provincial Grand Master of Aberdeen City for five years.

Thomas James Trail Nicol* (1930-35), M.C., M.A., C.F., who has been in Germany with his unit, the 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers, since he rejoined the army in May 1949, writes that from the chaplain's point of view there is a tremendous field for work in the army these days. " I don't suppose ", he says, " that any minister has the chance that a chaplain has for influencing the age-group covered by the national service men—and it's our fault if we don't use it. The response we get is very good, due to the good Scottish grounding. Padres of English units envy us the material we are sent from home."

William Ogilvy Pattullo* (1939-4z), M.A., LL.B., who was awarded a legal probationership by the Colonial Office in October 195o, was called to the Scottish Bar in March of this year.

Gibb Niven Pennie* (1923-26), M.A., B.D., has been instituted to the charge of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Hamilton. After graduating M.A. at the University of Aberdeen, he spent two years at the Scottish Episcopal Theological College, Edinburgh, and in 1936 he was ordained a deacon of the Episcopal Church in Scotland.

He then became assistant curate of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, and in 1938 he was appointed a lecturer at his old college. He was appointed resident chaplain there in 1942, and for the past six years he has been rector of Christ Church, Dalbeattie.• Kenneth Jamieson Peters* (1929-41) has been appointed assistant to the editor of the Evening Express, Aberdeen. He was formerly a sub-editor on the Da4y Record and sports columnist for the Aberdeen Weekly Journal. Working with him in his office are two other F.P.s, George Fraser Chrystal* (1927-3 8), " Chrys ", the paper's artist, and Norman Morley Lawson Woodman (1938-49), the Evening Express film critic.

Richard Reginald Maitland Porter* (1895-1906), M.C., M.A., M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S.E., who retired from the Indian Medical Service in 1929 after sixteen years' service, joined the staff of Southport Infirmary, Lancashire, on his return to this country and continued there until this year, when he resigned from the health service and came to live in Aberdeen. Latterly he was senior surgeon at Southport. lie was a member of the Liverpool Regional Consultants and Specialists Committee of the British Medical Association, and took a great interest in the activities of the Order of St. John. When he left South-

Notes about Old Boys

115

port, he was a district staff officer in the Brigade, a member of the County Association Committee, and a member of the Council of the Order for Lancashire. He was made a Serving Brother about three years ago and since coining to Aberdeen he has got in touch with the St. John Organisation and hopes to continue his work for the Order.

Henry William Rankine* O915-35), B. Sc.(Eng.), A.M.I.C.E., who has been on the staff of the County Road Surveyor and Engineer, Aberdeen County Council, since the war, was in May appointed to be divisional road surveyor for the southern division of Aberdeenshire, in which the districts of Deeside, Alford and Huntly are included.

Harry Campbell Reid* (1911-34), M.A., LL.B., C.A., is one of three new partners in the firm of James Milne & Company, chartered accountants, Aberdeen. The two senior partners in the firm are Gordon James Innes (1905-07), C.A., and John George Wilson Davidson* (i9zz-z8), C.A. James Reid* (19z4-34), messenger-at-arms and sheriff officer, has been assumed as a partner by his father, Mr. James Reid, messengerat-arms and sheriff officer, Aberdeen. He was granted his commission as a messenger-at-arms by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in July 19i7, and before that he obtained his J.P. commission for the City of Aberdeen and his Sheriff's commission for Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire.

Robert Lawrence Richards* (192z-34), M.D., M. R .C.P.E., has been appointed lecturer in Medicine (consultant grade) in the University Department of Medicine of the Western Infirmary, Glasgow.

This is a joint appointment made by the Court of the University of Glasgow and the Western Regional Hospital Board. A note about Dr. Richards appeared in the last issue of the Magazine.

Robert Lindsay Graeme Ritchie* (1894-99), M.A., D.Litt., LL.D., Docteur de l'Universite de Paris and Docteur (bonoris eausa) de l'Universite de Caen, has been promoted from the rank of Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur to the rank of Officier in that Order. He received his Paris doctorate in 1907 and the honorary doctorate of the University of Caen in 1931. He has been Professor of French at the University College of the South-West of England, Exeter, since 1946.

George Muir Glen Robbie* (1930-41), who has been on a tea estate in Ceylon for the past five-and-a-half years, is due to come home on leave this year. He is with the Scottish Tea & Lands Company of Ceylon Limited and has been latterly on the Haputale Estate.

Alexander Kay Robertson* (194a-44), M.A., who is at Magdalen College, Oxford, has been awarded the Beit Prize. This is an open university prize and one of the major history awards at Oxford.

The prize is given for an essay on Imperial or Dominion History and his subject was " Goldwin Smith and the British Empire ". Goldwin Smith held the chair of Modern History at Oxford from 1858 to 1866, and later went to the U.S.A. and Canada. His writings on constitutional questions had considerable influence on the development of that Dominion.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

Sandy Robertson, who is the Rector's son, had a distinguished career in Classics at the University of Aberdeen and won an open scholarship for Magdalen College. He is now studying medieval and modern history.

Charles William Robertson* (1919-25), M.B., Ch.B., who has been in medical practice at Catford, London, since 1931, was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple last November. He acts as deputy for the coroners of South and West London, North-West Kent and East Middlesex and also has a private medical practice.

George Reginald Robertson (1921-22) is now a master at Merchiston Preparatory School, Pietermaritzburg, a school controlled by the Natal Education Department. After leaving the School, at which he was in Miss Ledingham's class for one year, he studied at Maritzburg College and Natal University. He was selected as Natal Rhodes Scholar in 1931.

Henry Robertson (1939-47) left for Australia in February. He hopes to make a career in agriculture and is to start work on an upcountry sheep farm.

Robert Lewis Ross (1923-32), M.A., LL.B., solicitor, is now a legal assistant on the staff of the town clerk of Clydebank. His recent marriage is reported on another page.

Alexander George Nicol Smith* (I88o-88), D.S.O., has been appointed president of the Aberdeen branch of the Royal Army Service Corps Association. At the end of May he received a presentation from the Aberdeen Liberal Association of which he has been joint honorary treasurer for over twenty years.

David Smith* (1921-25), local manager of the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company Limited in Belfast, has been appointed a member of the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees. He is still in great demand as a referee in Northern Ireland and one of his big matches last season was that between Ulster, the Irish provincial champions, and the British Army. The game was one of the best seen there for many years.

James Buchan Fraser Smith (1928-37) has returned to Aberdeen on leave this summer after four years in Malaya where he is a plain clothes preventive officer in the Malayan Customs Service. He is stationed in Wellesley Province.

Ronald Gordon Christie Smith* (1927-37), B.Sc.(Agri.), who is on the staff of the North of Scotland College of Agriculture, Aberdeen, was awarded a Kemsley travelling fellowship at the end of last year and has spent the last six months in Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, studying various aspects of agriculture in these countries.

William Smith* (1921-30), B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., who has been in medical practice in Brixton, London, for five years, is now in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia.

117 Notes about Old Boys James Tindal Soutter* (1898-1902), M.A., retired in September 1949 from the parish of Whitekirk and Tyninghamc, East Lothian, and is now living in retirement in Lancashire. Ile was appointed minister of the Scots Church in Nairobi in 1913 and went to East Lothian four years later. He was a member of Britain's team at the Olympic Games held at Stockholm in 1912 and ran in the 400 metres, 8oo metres and 1600 metres relay.

James Christian Spark* (1918-21), M.I.Mech.E., M.I.Loco.E., left this country in May on being seconded to the Indian Railway Board to be production engineer at the new locomotive works at Chittaranjan, West Bengal. From 1922 to 1945 he held various railway engineering appointments, mainly in Glasgow, and for the past six years he has been locomotive works manager at Doncaster. He is a past chairman of the Institute of Locomotive Engineers, NorthEastern Area, and a past president of the Doncaster Engineering Society. He has also been a member of the Technical Advisory Board and of the Ministry of Labour Advisory Board at Doncaster.

His four elder brothers are also F.P.s : Archibald Douglas Spark* (1905-Io), M.C., Major (retired), The Gordon Highlanders, is now a partner in Bernard Thorpe & Partners, estate agents, Edinburgh ; Arthur Percy Spark (1905-1I), M.B., Ch.B., Lord Mayor of Stokeon-Trent in 1949-50, is in medical practice there ; Ian Robert Spark* (1912-14), M.B., Ch.B., is in practice at Nottingham ; and Cecil Vivian Spark* (1914-16), M.B., Ch.B., formerly at Holloway, London, is now in practice at Atherstone, Warwickshire.

William Legge Stephen* (1902-04), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., who has been in practice at Methlick for about forty years, is retiring.

He is County Commissioner for the Aberdeenshire Boy Scouts.

Gordon Gray Stewart (1898-1905), M.A., has retired from the staff of Victoria Road School, Aberdeen, which he joined in 1925. Latterly he was deputy headmaster. His first teaching posts were at Viewforth Higher Grade Public School, Fifeshire, and at Clydebank and he joined the staff of the Aberdeen School Board in 191o.

James Strachan* (1885-95), M.A., B.Sc. (Abend.), M.A. (Cantab.), who was one of His Majesty's Inspectors of Schools in England from 1911 to 1940, now lives at Saffron Walden, Essex. He joined the Society of Friends in 1927 and since his retirement he has been playing an active part in the work of the Friends' Education Council. He is a co-opted member of Essex County Education Committee and a member of various other educational bodies.

George Noble Summers* (1927-39), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., who graduated at the University of Aberdeen in 1944 and obtained his D.P.H. in 1949 after demobilisation from the R.A.M.C., has since January 1950 been studying in Belgium, preparatory to going to the Belgian Congo as a medical missionary. He has completed the general colonial course in Brussels and is now taking the course in tropical medicine at the "Institut de Medecine Tropicale Prince Leopold " at Antwerp. Both of these courses are conducted in French.

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lain Johnstone McBeth Sutherland* (r933-41), M.A.(Aberd.), B.A.(Oxon.), who joined the Foreign Office in January 1930, is studying Russian, being on attachment from the Foreign Office at the School of Slavonic Studies. During the war he served with the Royal Indian Artillery, and on being demobilised in 1947 he went to Balliol College, Oxford, and read the Honours School of Modern Greats.

He passed the Civil Service entrance examinations for Branch " A" of the Foreign Service in the summer of 1949.

James Runcieman Sutherland (1907-17), M. A. (Abe rd.), B.Litt. (Oxon.), has been appointed by the King to be Lord Northcliffe Professor of Modern English Literature at University College, London, with effect from i October 1951. Since 1944 he has been Professor of English Language and Literature at Queen Mary College, University of London, and previously he held a corresponding appointment at Birkbeck College, University of London, for eight years.

Alan Cameron Taylor* (1938-41) was due to leave this country in April for Surabaya, where he had received a post with the Java Transport and Trading Company, a subsidiary of the United Molasses Company Limited.

John Hamilton Taylor* (1934-45), M.A., obtained his " wings " in the R.A.F. in August 195o. He is now serving as a pilot with a squadron of the latest jet fighter aircraft with which he expects to remain for the rest of his period of national service.

John Berry Thomson* (1927-33) is now an accountant with Messrs. James Meston and Company, chartered accountants, Aberdeen.

Arthur David Troup* (t9t9-22), M.A., LL.B., solicitor, was in June 1950 elected to the Council of the newly-formed Law Society of Scotland. He is one of the three members of the Council elected by all practising solicitors in the counties of Aberdeen, Banff and Kincardine. He is sole partner in the firm of Gray and Gray, solicitors, Peterhead.

William James Cameron Tulloch* (1923-29) has returned to Aberdeen from London and is now on the staff of the George Street branch of the Union Bank of Scotland Limited. His brother, Ronald Tulloch (1923-34), is with the General Accident Fire and Life Assurance Corporation Limited in London.

Harry Lyon Williams* (1925-36), A.R.I.B.A., is now in the architects' department of the Northern Ireland Hospitals Board.

George Alexander Williamson* (1904-12), B.L., D.L., advocate in Aberdeen, has been appointed president of the Scottish Unionist Association. He is honorary president of the South Aberdeen Unionist Association and has been a member of the Central Executive of the Scottish Unionist Association for several years.

Norman Stuart Williamson* (1915-19), who was for many years a tea planter in Assam, now has a tobacconist's business in Elgin.

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119

Charles A. Wilson (1878-79) is the senior member of the Aberdeen and North of Scotland Philatelic Society. At this year's annual meeting of the Society he was presented with an illuminated parchment paying tribute to his services to philately and to his diligence in furthering the interests of the Society. Mr. Wilson had at one time an outstanding collection of U.S.A. and Hawaiian stamps.

William Donald Wilson* (1914-25), M.D., D.P.H., deputy medical officer of health for Inverness-shire since 1941, has been appointed chief medical officer of health for the burgh and county of Inverness.

George Stewart Wood* (1922-32) has been working for the past two years with the force of Moral Rearmament in Australia and New Zealand. Early in 195o in New Zealand, at the invitation of a distinguished national committee which included the Speaker and five members of the Cabinet as well as five members of the previous Cabinet, Mr. Wood and his colleagues showed the industrial play " The Forgotten Factor " to 34,000 people in the four main cities, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland.

Benjamin Vincent Yorston* (1939-49) has been undergoing his period of national service since July 195o. He is at present at the headquarters of the R.A.M.C. in Germany.

Colin Macpherson Young* (1934-36) is now with Andrew Yule and Company Limited, Calcutta. He is the latest addition to the Bengal and Assam Centre of the Club.

ABERDEEN TOWN COUNCIL

At the Municipal Election held in Aberdeen on i May 1951, James Patrick Jeffrey* (1906-18), T.D., B.Sc.(Eng.), C.A., was elected to Aberdeen Town Council as a representative of Rosemount Ward. At a subsequent meeting of the Council Andrew Riddel Abercromby* (1903-13) was appointed to be sixth baillie and Ian Gowanlock McPherson* (191o-17) was appointed convener of the Links and Park Committee. Other F.P.s who are members of the Council are Colin John McIver (1902-03), M.A. (fourth baillie), and James Scott Gray Munro* (1922-28), B.L., advocate in Aberdeen.

NEW JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FOR THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF ABERDEEN

The forty-six new J.P.s who were appointed for the County of the City of Aberdeen in February 1951 include three F.P.s : Charles Grant Brown* (1921-24), M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, sole partner in the firm of Burnett and Reid, advocates, Aberdeen ; Ranald Esslemont* (1903-13), managing director, Esslemont and Macintosh (Retailers) Limited, Aberdeen ; and Robert Bertram Williamson* (1906-18), D.S.O., T.D., M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, a partner in the firm of Paull and Williamsons, advocates, Aberdeen.

Another of the new J.P.s is the Rector of the School, JAMES JACKSON ROBERTSON*, O.B.E., M.A., B.D., F.R.S.E., F.E.I.S.

University Notes Degrees and Prizes At the Spring Graduation in the University of Aberdeen held on 5 April 1951, degrees were conferred on the following F.P.s :— DEGREES OF BACHELOR OF MEDICINE AND BACHELOR OF SURGERY (M.B., CH.B.) Bruce Morison Barron* (1938-40).

John Alexander Grant Elmslie* (1931-45)Ronald Alexander Kirton (1938-44).

Robert Arthur Spark* (1926-35).

In the Faculty of Medicine Michael John Emslie (1937-41) was awarded the Fife Jamieson Gold Medal and shared the Chanock Gold Medal in Anatomy ; James Kerr Finlayson* (1933-37) was awarded the Lizars Gold Medal and the Durno Prize in Anatomy ; and Lindsay Symon* (1934-46) shared the Ogston Prize in Surgery.

In the Faculty of Law John Robert Mackay* (1926-37), M.A., LL.B., was awarded the Cruickshank Prize ; Ronald Lee MacKinnon* (1932-45) was awarded the Society of Advocates' Prize in Conveyancing; and Forbes Keith Sellar* (1933-45) shared the Society of Advocates' Prize in Roman Law. Sporting Activities

The following F.P.s have been awarded Blues :RUGBY FooTBALL. Full Blue—Albert Alexander Lawrence* (194o1946)Half B/w—Alexander Ian Cheyne* (1937-48).

John Michael Eddison* (1939-48).

Henry Innes* (1933-45).

Blues—Alexander MEN'S HOCKEY. Full Eric Douglas Watt* (1937-5o).

At the University Sports held on 22 and 3o May 1951, Kenneth Coutts* (1944-5o) broke the University records for the three-mile and

one-mile events. His times were is minutes 24.5 seconds and 4 minutes 26.9 seconds respectively. Both records were previously held by Alfred William Clark Lobban* (1925-35), M.B., Ch.B., with times of 15 minutes 25.7 seconds and 4 minutes 29 seconds.

Coutts also won the half-mile event and was awarded the Dean's Medal for most points in pure athletics.

Further laurels were won by Coutts at the inter-University Sports held at Glasgow on 2 June 1951. He was first in the one-mile event in 4 minutes 24.3 seconds—a new inter-'varsity record—and was thereafter selected as one of the Scottish Universities' two representatives in this event at an athletics match against English Universities at Glasgow on 3o June 195 1.

I2O

The Bar and The School The Faculty of Advocates of Scotland has in the long history of Scottish public life, literature, culture and manners wielded an influence of high import and pervasiveness. Moreover the advocates have been and are the chief custodians of what is a distinctive and highly developed system of law, the Law of Scotland. This body of law is distinctive. It has been evolved by the native philosophical and practical genius of many generations of Scottish laywers. While owing much to the principles of earlier mature legal systems, especially the Roman, and the developing continental systems, in accepting these principles it did so in no uncritical spirit—it owes little to the Common Law of England.

In the period between the two world wars the influence of the Faculty may have seemed to decline somewhat ; but it has revived and, significantly, the numbers and quality of young Scots of ability who are turning to the Scottish Bar for the exercise and development of their talents is much to be welcomed and is sufficient to be remarkable.

It is therefore of interest to note that probably at no time has the Scottish Bar had so many and so large a proportion of its members who have been pupils of the Aberdeen Grammar School as now.

And certainly in the matter of distinction in that most eclectic of vocations the record of the School to-day must be unequalled in its annals. A brief survey of the contribution thereto made now and in recent times by the School seems called for.

Approximately the School is contributing ten per cent of the members of Faculty attending Parliament House at the present time.

It is a question whether any other Scottish school contributes so large a quota. Be that as it may, in the matter of the quality and effectiveness of the contribution of members of Faculty now living, the record of the School is surely remarkable. There appear to be at least sixteen such, who were educated at the School. They include two Judges of the Court of Session in Lord Alness, formerly Lord Justice-Clerk, and Lord Mackay ; a Law Officer of the Crown in the SolicitorGeneral, Douglas H. Johnston, K.C. ; two Sheriffs in Charles Milne, K.C., Sheriff of Dumfries and Galloway, and John Adam Lillie, K.C., Sheriff of Fife and Kinross ; two Sheriff-Substitutes in Arthur R. Brown, K.C. (now retired), formerly at Hamilton, and James Lindsay Duncan, recently appointed to the Lothians and Peebles ; a Professor of Law in Matthew Fisher, K.C., Professor of Civil Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Edinburgh ; two Colonial Chief Justices in Sir Robert Lyall Grant (now retired), formerly Chief Justice of Jamaica, and Sir David Edwards, Chief Justice of Uganda ; and James S. Abernethy, a resident magistrate in Tanganyika.

Members of the Junior Bar include M. G. Gilles, Douglas Reith, J. R. Fiddes, J. R. Mackay and W. O. Pattullo, who is to enter the Colonial Legal Service.

Three well-known members of Faculty who died in recent years while in full practice at the Bar were Charles Eaton Lippe, K.C., I 2I

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J. R. Wardlaw Burnet, K.C., Sheriff of Fife and Kinross, and A. M. M. Williamson.

Of Grammar School boys who practise at the Bar of England, the writer knows only of two. These are Charles Lamond Henderson, K.C., Recorder of Bedford, and Frederick Wishart. Others there are who qualified without practising. One such is Sir Wilson Jameson.

Members of Faculty who are also members of the Bar of England are the Solicitor-General and Sheriff Lillie.

Professor R. G. McKerron, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Witwatersrand University, South Africa, is, so far as known, not a member of any Bar, but deserves notice in this article.

Finally, it is interesting to recall that one Grammar boy attained membership of the Court of Appeal of England. He was the late Lord Justice Stirling.

J. A. L. * * *

The following are the F.P.s referred to in the foregoing article : MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY OF ADVOCATES THE RIGHT HONBLE. LORD ALNESS* (1884-85), P.C., G.B.E., LL.D. .

Admitted . 1893

Member of Parliament, 1910-22.

Lord Advocate, 1913-16.

Secretary for Scotland, 1916-22.

Lord Justice-Clerk, 1922-33.

THE HONBLE. LORD MACKAY (ALEXANDER MORRICE MACKAY)* (1882-91),

. . 1902 K.C. (1920), M.A., LL.D.. . . . . . .

Judge of Court of Session since 1928. . 1903 ARTHUR RICHARDSON BROWN (1884-90), K.C. (1925), M.A., LL.B. .

Sheriff-Substitute of Lanarkshire at Hamilton, 1927-46. . 1903 SIR ROBERT WILLIAM LYALL GRANT* (1884-91), T.D., M.A., LL.B. .

Attorney-General, Nyasaland, 1909-14.

Judge of High Court, Nyasaland, 1914-16.

Attorney-General, Kenya, 1920-26.

Puisne Justice, Ceylon, 1926-32.

Chief Justice of Jamaica, 1932-36.

• . .

CHARLES MILNE* (1893-96), K.C. (1932), M.A., LL.B. . 1904 Member of Parliament, 1931-35.

Sheriff of Dumfries and Galloway since 1939. . 1912 . .

JOHN ADAM LILLIE* (1893-1903), K.C. (1931), M.A., LL.B. Sheriff of Fife and Kinross since 1941. . . 1913 MATTHEW GEORGE FISHER (1896-1900), K.C. (1938), M.A., LL.B. Professor of Civil Law, University of Edinburgh, since 1939.

Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Edinburgh, since 1945. .

SIR DAVID EDWARDS* (1903-09), M.A., LL.B. - 1924 Puisne Judge, Supreme Court of Palestine, x941-47.

Chief Justice of Uganda since 1947.

1931 JAMES LINDSAY DUNCAN* (1911-24), M.A., LL.B., Ph.D. Sheriff-Substitute of Ross, Cromarty and Sutherland at Stornoway, 1940-42.

Sheriff-Substitute of Ayrshire at Kilmarnock, 1942-5 t.

Sheriff-Substitute of the Lothians and Peebles at Edinburgh, 19SI. . 1932 .

DOUGLAS HAROLD JOHNSTON* (1913-26), K-C. (1947), B.A., M.P. Solicitor-General for Scotland since 1 947.

Member of Parliament since 1948. . . 1946 MAURICE GORDON GILLIES* (1923-30), M.A., LL.B. . . . . .

DOUGLAS RErrxt* (1924-35), M.A., LL.B. LL.B. . . .

JAMES RAFFAN FIDDES* (1924-37), M.A., . 1948 1946 •

•

a

•

.

The Bar and the School JAMES SMART ABERNETHY* (1925-26), M.A., LL.B., W.S. . .

Colonial Service, North Borneo, Brunei and Labuan, 1936-48.

Acting Magistrate, 1939.

Acting Chief Justice, 1941 and 1946.

Acting Attorney-General, North Borneo, 1946.

Colonial LeLl Service since 1948.

Additional sions Judge, North Borneo, 1948-49.

Resident Magistrate, Tanganyika, since 1949.

JOHN ROBERT MACKAY* (1926-37), M.A., _LLB. . . .

WILLIAM OGILVY FATIULLO* (1939-41), MA., LL.B. . . . * * * CHARLES EATON LIPPE (1879-81), K.C., M.A., LLB. Advocate. Died 1919.

JOHN RUDOLPH WARDLAW BURNET (1899-1901), K.C., B.A., LL.B. Sheriff of Fife and Kinross, T937-41.

Vice-Dean of Faculty of Advocates, z939-41.

Died 1941• ARCHIBALD MOIR MACRAE WILLIAMSON (1906-16), M.A., LL.B. Advocate. Died 1944.

*

*

123 .Admitted .

1950

.

1950 1951

.

*

CHARLES LAMOND HENDERSON (1909-13), K.C., M.A. Recorder of Newark, 1943-45.

Recorder of Warwick, 1945-49Recorder of Bedford since 1949.

FREDERICK WISHART* (1897-1906), O.B.E., M.A., LL.B. Barrister-at-Law, Inner Temple, 1915.

*

*

*

SIR (WILLIAM) WILSON JAMESON* (1892-1902), G.B.E., K.C.B., M.D., LLD., D.Sc., F.R.C.P., K.H.P. Barrister-at-Law, Middle Temple, 1922.

Chief Medical Officer of Ministries of Health and Education, 1940-50.

ROBERT GORDON MCKERRON (1907-13).

Professor of Law, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, since 1926.

THE RIGHT HONBLE. SIR JAMES STIRLING (1846-5,), P.C., LL.D., F.R.S. Judge of Chancery Division of High Court of Justice, 1886-1900.

Lord Justice of Appeal, 1900-06. Died 1916.

Roll of Honour When the Roll of Honour, containing photographs of and biographical notes on the 194 F.P.s who died between 1939 and 1945, was being prepared, the Executive of the Club arranged for additional copies to be printed as they anticipated that many F.P.s and others connected with the School would wish to obtain copies for themselves.

The price of these is 15s. each (z5s. 9d. post free) and orders should be sent to the Secretary of the Club, zzo Union Street, Aberdeen, or to any of the Secretaries of Club Centres.

Annual School Service The Annual School Church Service is to be held in Rubislaw Church, Aberdeen, on Sunday, 9 September 1951, at 6 p.m. F.P.s, pupils, members of the Staff, parents and all others interested are invited to attend.

The Feckless Chiel N.B.—This poem by the late W. G. Craigen, who died on 18 December 195o, originally appeared in the Aberdeen Weekly Journal of 8 November 1945.

It is reprinted here by permission.

Geordie cam' fae Buchan, he was big an' he was braw, But a foot'rin kin' o' billie that was sweer to wark ava ; He cudna thole the fairmin' an' was tired o' ploo and dreel, Sac he thocht he'd jine the sodgers—he wis sic a feckless chic!.

He daunder'd at the herdin' an' the brin'led coo was lamed, The shaltie thrawed its shackle-bane, an' Geordie sync was blamed, He forgot to hap the girnal an' the mice got i' the meal ; Fegs I he beet to jine the sodgers—he was sic a feckless chic!.

He smoket i' the chaumer fan the lave were at the kirk, An' his dottle brunt the bothy doon and birsled ilka stirk ; Tho' the tinklers got the wyte o't, Geordie thocht it jist as wee!

To gang and jine the sodgers—he was sic a feckless chiel.

He trystit wi' the deemie owre at Hilly's neeb'rin craft, An' fyles she'd lauch at Geordie, but he saw her een were saft, Sae he priggit for her locket an' he vowed he lo'ed her wed ; But he ga'cd an' jined the sodgers—he was aye a feckless chic!.

Throu' poachin' bawds an' pairtricks he was skeely wi' the gun, An' a hantle German birkies Geordie pit aneth the grin ; He'd been swappin' skelps an' fechtin' sin' the day he gaed to skweel An' he made a swippert sodger tho' he was a feckless chiel.

He's beeri't noo at Arnhem wi' a cross abeen his heid ; Roun' his neck's a lassie's locket, in his breist a lump o' leid ; An' a sonsy deemie's greetin', but corn' time her he'rt may heal, For she's prood he jined the sodgers—tho' he was a feckless chiel.

W. G. CRAIGEN (1894-97 and 1900-04

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School Prefects, 195o-51

Slrackan

Standing—I. K. Robb, J. L. Wilkie, C. L. Forbes, R. Bain, K. E. G. Coates, A. S. Noble, H. R. WynneEdwards, D. M. Bright, I. H. Marshall.

Sitting—A. W. Milligan, G. S. Cowie, A. S. Fraser (Senior Prefect), Mr. J. J. Robertson (It/ctor), G. M. NIcAndrew (Deputy Sealer Prefect), J. L. Brebner, S. Monro.

Intel—J. A. S. Belt.

Presentation of the Tawse Trophy

By courtesy of M. H. Gloyer

Colonel ). C. king prcscnis the Tawse Trophy to C.S.M. A. S. Fraser alter the School C.C.F. team had been successful at the Army Cadet Force \VapinschaNt , held at the Black Dog, near Aberdeen, on 20 May 1951.

The other members of the School team arc (left to right) C.Q.M.S. Jack, Sergeant R. \X.. MacIntyre and Corporal A. S. Noble.

See page 177.

Clew to Kew View and 3 - z or

Ten Days En Route to Wembley During a wet morning of School holidays many years ago, I was at a loose end, and was recommended by my aunt to read a story about an Irish clergyman who talked nineteen to the dozen and was for ever telling lies. This book was " Spanish Gold"

by George A. Birmingham, the very English nom-de-plume of a Belfastborn minister, Canon James 0. Hannay.

My aunt's advice was good. The humour of the book fully chased away the meteorological gloom. Since then I have re-read it several times, laughing uproariously on each occasion, and I have also enjoyed many other tales from Canon Hannay's flowing pen.

Small wonder, then, at my wish to visit the prototypes of Moy Bay, Ballymoy and other haunts of " J. J. " and Major Kent. After the lapse of three decades, the prospect materialised when some Irish friends pressed my wife and me to join them in a brief sojourn to their Golden West.

Various modes of transport are available between Edinburgh and Dublin : road, rail, steamer and air provide a pleasing variety.

We decided on an unusual route, for a reason that will horrify trueblue, Too per cent, dyed-in-the-wool rugger men. Although only one of ioo,ooo Scots who wanted tickets for the soccer international v. England on 14 April, I was optimistic enough to hope that one of the 30,000 available tickets would come my way, and if so our Irish trip could be suitably used to combine the journey to and from Wembley. As it happened, only two days before we left home, a friend in London wrote that he had got a stand seat for me, and our plans were made accordingly.

We left Princes Street on Thursday 5th, in glorious sunshine— a good augury—and reached Liverpool that evening. At East Dock customs formalities were simple, but the ridiculous fuss about tariffs and passports makes me a stronger free-trader than ever. You may say I should keep politics out of this, but remember we were about to visit Ireland, where political and religious discussions are tabu, and surely, while still in Britain, that glorious land of liberty. . . .

Our cabin was comfortable, the night was clear, the sea was calm.

After an uneventful crossing, I woke about 6 a.m. and immediately went on deck. We were entering the wide expanse of Dublin Bay, and bright sunshine showed it up beautifully, from the Wicklow Hills to the south, right round to Hill of Howth and Ireland's Eye in the north. Gradually, the spires and towers of Dublin's fair city came fully into view, and punctually at 7 a.m. we berthed at North Wall.

Again customs clearance was easy ; indeed the Irish officer explained most helpfully what we would be allowed to take out on our return.

We had of course heard and read of Irish feeding, yet, although forewarned, we were taken aback at the ample breakfast provided in a Dublin restaurant. Two eggs with a plateful of bacon and tomato— this was only a sample of what we were to eat during the next six days.

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The second item that attracted attention was the immense number of cyclists. Streams of women, men, girls, boys—in and out of motor traffic—no speed limit, but never an accident. My red-tartan kilt evidently attracted attention, and it was amusing to watch successive heads turning round, as the cyclists' eyes gazed on the unusual sight.

We took a bus to Howth, enjoyed walking along the breakwater, and then made for the tram terminus. During the past two years, Dublin Corporation has substituted buses for all its trams, and Hill of Howth tram remains the sole route still running in the vicinity (if not indeed in all Eire). This service, in connection with the Great Northern Railway, climbs up the hill to a height of about 40o feet, giving fine views of Skerries coast to the north, Irish Sea to the east, and Dublin Bay on the south side. We dismounted at the top and lay on the grass for some time, watching steamers and fishing boats far below, and looking across to Sugar Loaf, Killiney Hill and Bray Head. Returning by tram to Sutton station (for Baldoyle Race Course), we got a diesel rail-car to Amiens Street, and spent the hour before lunch admiring the prolific stocks of all goods in Dublin shops. Crockery in particular caught the eye, and we remembered the customs officer's intimation that we might take a half-tea-set out of Eire and also (not necessarily as a matter of course) into Britain, free of duty, purchase tax etc.

After lunch (the main course of which we did not nearly finish) we were met by our hostess, who had motored in from Edenderry, thirty-seven miles west. We called for a mutual friend, near Ball's Bridge, where the world-famous Horse Show is held every August, and then continued along the beautiful coast road past Dalkey Dun Laoghaire, stopping on one particularly attractive brae to admire Killiney strand backed by the dark mass of Bray Head against the blue sky—a grand sight in the afternoon sunshine. On returning to Dublin, we received the full blast of peak-hour traffic. O'Connel Street used to have six parallel tram-tracks for part of its length ; the centre of the street is now largely a car-park, and the sides, at 5 p.m. this Friday, were jammed with buses, push-bikes, commercial vehicles, pedestrians. Fun and games. Our hostess, however, is an excellent driver, and without undue delay we threaded our way past (yes, I said " past ") Guinness's immense brewery, across the Liffey at King's Bridge into Phoenix Park. How fortunate is the Irish Capital to have this wonderful demesne at its doorstep ! Its extent may be imagined when one realises that in one corner is a full-sized Zoo. We admired deer, beautiful trees, Viceregal Lodge, and after three miles or so we rejoined the highway through the spa village of Lucan. One of the numerous Irish yarns with which we were regaled during our week concerned a very pompous man named Hill who lived in this village. One evening he tried to get on to an already overloaded bus in Dublin. The conductor would not let him, and he said, " You must let me on ; I am one of the Hills of Lucan ". Pat came the retort : " I don't care if you're one of the Mountains of Mourne ".

Along the Liffey valley, and then by the Royal Canal, the road is quite attractive, though almost dead level, and we scarcely saw a

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mound until we turned off the main road at Enfield, twenty-six miles west of Dublin. In fact, the only thing higher than trees was the Catholic Training College for Priests at Maynooth—an enormous building in this sparsely populated territory. After an hour's run, we saw Carbury Castle on a hill, and then crossed the head waters of the River Boyne into Edenderry, where our host and his daughters gave us a cordial welcome.

Next morning we spent in leisurely fashion, visiting our friends' furniture factory. In the afternoon we split the party, the ladies staying put, walking and talking (chiefly the second) and my host and I returning to Dublin. He is a rugger enthusiast, and generally spends Saturday afternoons watching games in the Capital. On this occasion the Leinster Senior Cup competition was staging two ties, at 2.45 and 4.15, so that we got over two-and-a-half hours' rugger for our money—an excellent bargain I The games were Wanderers v.

Monkstown and Bective Rangers v. Old Wesley, and the former was particularly interesting. Monkstown had not won a match for two seasons, and had not scored a try that season, so a cricket score for Wanderers was expected. However, after no scoring in the first half-hour, two men collided and were knocked out. The Monkstown man revived and continued ; the Wanderer was carried off. Although Monkstown led 3-o (a penalty goal) at half-time, they were not considered to have much chance of holding even short-handed opposition. But the game continued hammer and tongs—there is nothing pansy about Irish Rugby—and eventually the crowd, stand and terracing alike, started to root for Monkstown. And when, with ten minutes to go, the " Monks " actually scored a try between the posts and converted it, Lansdowne Road re-echoed to a terrific roar. Bective-Wesley ended in a pointless draw, as did the replay, and if their third attempt had resulted similarly, I understand the entire competition would have been scrapped and a fresh draw made. However, such an extreme measure was not needed.

On Sunday afternoon we crossed the Bog to the Curragh, famous military training-ground. We had learned of the Bog of Allen at school, but had no conception of its barrenness. What a povertystricken terrain—the Moor of Rannoch tenfold 1 The Curragh, however, is quite attractive : less flat and more fertile. Near the Aga Khan's racing establishment is an interesting place called Donnelly's Hollow. Donnelly's identity seems to be unknown, but his footmarks are still quite visible on the hillside, a thousand years since he made them.

On to Kildare, a mile outside which is a beautiful Japanese Garden.

Natives of Nippon were specially brought across some years ago to construct it. A feature is the Garden of Life, showing the journey of a pilgrim through various experiences, good and bad, until he reaches the abode of the righteous.

Back at Edenderry, attention had to be paid to the Census, which, by agreement between the respective Registrars-General, was taken in both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland at midnight on Sunday, 8 April 1951. The Scottish form, which I had seen ere

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine leaving, enquires as to our birthplace and our ability to speak Gaelic.

The Irish form is printed in Gaelic on one side and English on the other, and either side may be completed.

Next day we expected to leave for the west about 9.3o a.m., but the Irish refuse to be slaves to a time-table. We were not roused until 9.15, and had been previously told by our hostess that visitors who appear for breakfast before they are wanted are a blooming nuisance ! Hence it was ten to eleven ere we finally set out. Our host had to remain at the factory, but his wife had wangled things so that she could accompany us—an excellent plan from my point of view, as it relieved me of driving and provided us with an excellent courier.

The bog we saw on Sunday was a trifle compared with Monday's.

It is too miles from Edenderry to Galway, and the predominant part of the run was over most barren land, stony and flat.

From time to time we passed a fertile spot, some wooded demesne, an occasional village, but mostly we were aghast at the sterility of the country. The only part really pleasing to the eye was right in the centre of Ireland. After passing Radio Eireann's high-power station at Moydrum, we entered Athlone, and stopped near Shannon Bridge to enjoy the fine views up and down stream, in bright sunshine. East of the Shannon, Athlone is in Leinster, the west bank is in Connacht, and naturally there is great rivalry. A yarn thereanent is . . . but if I repeat all the yarns our hostess told us, I shall be writing till the cows come home.

About two o'clock we saw the sun shimmering in the blue and far beyond the hills of Clare. County town of Clare is Ennis. Here, in 1917, when all Ireland was still part of the United Kingdom, De Valera was making a speech, of presumably seditious import according to English ears. He was collared by police and incarcerated in Lincoln Jail. Escaping a year later, " Dev " returned to Ennis, mounted his rostrum, and began : " As I was saying when I was interrupted . . .".

We reached Galway shortly after two, and lunched in Great Southern Hotel, thereafter strolling round this historic town whose glory has so much departed. One of the most life-like statues I have seen is that of Padruig O'Connor in Eyre Square. We passed Lynch's Castle (the Lynch who gave a word to the English language) on our way to the famous Corrib salmon-leap. Unfortunately the salmon were not leaping at the time of our visit ; perhaps the wind had blown them all away. What a breeze 1 But in bright sunshine the water in flood was a grand sight. After a brief run to the strand at Saithill (Galway's pleasure suburb) we left on the final and finest stage of our journey, through Connemara to western Mayo. For twenty miles the road almost parallels the ill-fated Clifden rail-bed, whose tracks were lifted several years ago on account of lack of traffic.

On our right stretched the wide expanse of shallow Lough Corrib, to our left were rolling moors, and in front the grand mountains of this beautifully-named region towered into the sky. At Maam Cross we turned north from the main highway, and entered the valley between Joyce's Country and the Twelve Pins. At the eastern end of the

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latter is St. Patrick's Bed, contrasting curiously with the Devil's Mother, a finely-shaped peak which commands a splendid view down the entire length of Killary Harbour. To our ears this is a curious name, suggestive of quays, docks, cranes and sheds, whereas Killary is a lonely fiord, up which the late Kaiser sent the German High Seas Fleet forty years ago ; the British Government responded in like manner.

There is great similarity between the scenery in western Connacht and that of our western Highlands. We might well have been motoring along a glen in Morvern or Assynt, and, had time allowed, would gladly have stopped to picnic beside the stream, enjoying the clean air and beautiful scenery.

Suddenly the road dipped steeply to Lionin (anglice Leenaun) near the head of Killary, and we turned right to round the lough, stopping for a couple of minutes to see the attractive cataract at Aasleigh. Then, after hugging the shore for a mile or two, we turned up the Bundorracha River, past the astonishingly named Delphi.

This valley was the most beautiful we saw during our week. At its head, Dubh Lough (anglice Do°loch) nestles between beetling crags.

From the lough the river rushes down a well-wooded glen into a pleasant strath ; on or two small cataracts catch the afternoon sun.

To the west, the grand crags of Muilrea tower well over zooo feet into the clouds.

Our hosts had told us it is generally sunny on each side of Dubh Lough, but almost always raining there. We were therefore well favoured in having bright sunshine on our three journeys through this pass. The north side of it is very barren for five miles or so, but at Louisburgh our eyes were attracted by the views of Clare Island, Achill and Nephin across Clew Bay. We reached Old Head Hotel at 7.30, and without delay sat down to an excellent and very welcome meal.

This place used to be the residence of the Marquess of Sligo, but has been run as a hotel for a dozen years or more. The Dublin lady who runs it had completed the purchase about three hours before hearing the radio announcement of the Dunkirk evacuation, and wondered if all her worldly wealth had gone west figuratively as well as literally. However, the V.I.P.s who arrive from time to time are not German, but British. Among the visitors have been the present Prime Minister and Lord and Lady Mountbatten ; the two lastnamed generally occupied the room which was allotted to my wife and myself. And an excellent room it is, as a viewpoint. The north window looks right over Clew Bay to the hills of North Mayo, and the east window looks over trees to the fine shape of Croagh Padruig (2500 feet), six miles along the " Moy Bay" of Canon Hannay's stories.

Tuesday was a magnificent day. Early sunshine roused me long before the normal Irish breakfast time of 9.3o, and I strolled down to the little jetty at the end of a fine strand—beach, we would call it.

A bathe would have been delightful, but not unnaturally we had not brought costumes and even in this remote spot there is sufficient

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine population for me, an alien Protestant, to deem it wiser to avoid " policerisking trouble with the local guards (" garda siochana " behaviour. indecent of man ") over a question After breakfast the ladies urged me to climb Croagh Padruig, but although very keen to do so, I was lazy and pretended to be too polite to leave them. Instead, we all climbed the small hill to the west of the hotel ; indeed the hotel is situated on a low shoulder of the hill. What a glorious view ! Slight touches of snow on Nephin and the Achill Hills. A white cloud above St. Patrick's mountain (whence he drove all the snakes into the sea, with the result that there has never been a serpent in Ireland since), otherwise a clear blue sky. Clare Island rising abruptly to 1400 feet at the mouth of Clew Bay. We basked for an hour on the hill-top, and took some photographs. I remarked that the view reminded me somewhat of that from Broadford Bay in Skye, looking towards Applecross, Loch Carron and Kyle Rhea. This was meant as praise, but our hostess's attitude suggested it was a left-handed compliment to compare any Caledonian view with one of Erin's beauty-spots !

After lunch we took the road again by Dubh Lough and Delphi, keeping to the shore past Lionan, and then rising to Kylemore Pass for a grand view of the Twelve Pins (or Bens) of Connemara, cre dropping down to Kylemore Castle, now a combined Nunnery and Hotel. Hotel or no hotel, however, married couples do not sleep together ; sexes are segregated at night. There is a small shop in the building run by the sisters ; we bought Black Magic chocolates, camera films and post-cards. Also on sale are rosaries and crucifixes, as one would expect, and also--unexpectedly—rd. and 4d. girls' novelettes. Perhaps the Order's rules are not so strict as we had imagined, as in one of the lounges five packs of playing cards, well used, lay on one table. Two other visitors, young women, were speaking French volubly with a superior nun. Our nun, although evidently intrigued by my kilt, dissuaded us from touring the establishment, but showed us with pride a quarter of a flag captured at Ramillies.

This quarter, about twenty inches square, hangs on a wall and bears a green harp ; presumably the other quarters, bearing lions and leopards, are somewhere in Britain.

The road is beautifully wooded round here, and sunshine through the trees, glistening on the river, made it a delightful run out to Letterfrack and Tully Cross. Here, our farthest west, we turned back along Lower Killary, and picnicked near Salruck, enjoying fine views of Muilrea, white horses in the firth, and the beautiful strand at Tullow Bawn. On that lovely beach, a year or two ago, two whales were washed up, and were likely to become offensive to the nearby crofters. The District Council seemed likely to incur a hefty bill for having the carcases removed, when in walked a man who offered to remove them for ten bob. Offer accepted. Then the wily offerer the cycled thirty miles or so to the County Council offices and soldsoap whales for Lzo, the County Council to convey the bodies to the factory for which they had bought them !

We had another beautiful evening for our run back via Lionan and Delphi.

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15 I Clew to Kew View and 3-2 Wednesday opened in depressing fashion, a drizzle before breakfast developing into heavy rain by noon. We took the road along the south shore, wondering which of the attractive houses was prototype to " Portsmouth Lodge ". Half-way along is a pub, at the foot of the Pilgrims' Path. On the last Sunday in July each year several hundred (or it may be thousand) devout Catholics climb barefoot to the top of Croagh Padruig, worshipping en route at the Saint's statue.

Even more than of Galway can one say " the glory bath departed " from Westport, the Ballymoy where J. J. Meldon was curate, and where Canon Hannay laboured for fifteen years. His memory, however, is not treasured locally, as, after praising the Catholic priest of his time in " Spanish Gold ", he made some tactlessly adverse comments in later novels. From the town station a railway runs down to the quays, covered with derelict sheds, and only an occasional tramp steamer makes use of the harbour. The railway extension to Mallaranny and Achill, also, has joined the Clifden line in oblivion.

We took the south-west road out of Westport, rising steeply on to a desolate moor, with rain teeming down. Not without advantage, as the Erriff River was our companion for several miles, and we saw some fine cataracts and one or two quite high waterfalls on the adjacent crags.

We were now retracing our Monday route for about eight miles, and then turned east into Joyces' Country, rain still falling heavily.

There was a dearth of traffic on the wild road. Suddenly there was a steep drop to the head of Lough na Fooey, and it was most disappointing that the dark day precluded our photographing the very fine waterfall at its western end, or the smaller one about half-way along. Approaching the eastern end, we could see, in the brightening light, that the hills were giving place to flat country once more, and indeed there is scarcely a hill worthy of the name between here and Snowdon in North Wales 1 A causeway carries the road over a narrow neck of Lough Mask, and after a mile or two we passed through the historic village of Cong.

The Cross of Cong was removed some time ago to Dublin ; evidently Ireland suffers as Britain does in having objects of historic interest removed to the Capital instead of being left " on their native heath ".

On the outskirts of the village is Ashford Castle Hotel, formerly a Guinness residence, a truly magnificent building in a wonderful setting at the head of Lough Corrib. Certainly there was no dearth of labour and materials when that luxurious mansion and those exquisite gardens were constructed.

Some years ago, an " expert planner" resolved to join Loughs Mask and Corrib by a canal, and cheerfully dug the preliminary cuttings in the isthmus separating them. Then he let the water flow, only to discover that it disappeared into the chalky soil. The canal embankments are still quite visible.

Now we repeated our Monday morning experience : a hundred miles' drive across the bog. Our route as far as Athlone was farther north, and if anything more barren. Near Tuam (accent on " u ", which is pronounced like " oo ") we stopped at a cottage, and my

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wife requested a cup of water, explaining to the housewife that she never drank tea. " Glory be to God, how do you exist ? " From Athlone we took the southern route via Tullamore and Daingean (formerly Philipstown). While it is not surprising that, having freed themselves from English domination, the Irish dispensed with such names as Kingstown, Queen's County and Sackville Street, and restored the Irish names, it is astonishing that so predominantly Catholic a people have spurned Maryborough and Philipstown as names for towns whose English titles came from two such staunch upholders of the Roman faith as Queen Mary I of England and King Philip of Spain.

Although the Edenderry branch railway has not shared the fate of so many others in being raised, it is used now by only one weekly goods train, on Tuesdays. But it boasts, in addition to buses, another public transport service. I had noticed with astonishment, in the centre of the main street, a " Harbour Bar ", and on enquiry found that Edenderry is terminus of a branch of the Grand Canal between Dublin and the Shannon. The harbour is above the road level, and on going up to photograph it, I discovered a scene of complete inactivity.

Aeroplanes also visit the town on occasion, though there is no regular service.

We finally left Edenderry after lunch on Thursday, taking the route via Prosperous (what a name for a village in the Irish bog l) and the Grand Canal to Dublin. After doing full justice to our last meal in Ireland, we said au repair to our hosts and we passed through the customs again without ado. Punctually at 8 p.m. M.V. Munster steamed down the Liffey. Darkness fell as we passed through Dublin Bay, and in the clear night it was fine to see the myriads of yellow dots all round the shore from Howth to Dun Laoghaire.

A western breeze carried us on at good speed, and we were soon sound asleep.

Next morning dawned brightly, and I awoke about 5 o'clock as we entered the dock at Liverpool. We were not allowed to land until after 7 a.m., as customs and travel permit inspectors do not start work until then. It seemed obvious that we might have left Dublin two hours later (the same time as from Liverpool when west-bound) but I was told docking arrangements in the Mersey made it essential for our ship to berth at 5 a.m. What nonsense I Fancy a port of Liverpool's status not being able to take the Dublin steamer at any hour. The result was that we stood in that dismal dock for two hours.

Eventually we landed, and had quite a good breakfast in Exchange Station Hotel. A Birkenhead friend (a Kincardineshire girl now married to a doctor on Merseyside) then met us and we visited her home for coffee, and to see her family. The brief run by car took us for the first time through Queensway—the wonderful submarine tunnel connecting the two cities. Next we got a train for Manchester, and frankly, desolate though the Irish bog is, we would fifty times rather live there than in the appallingly sordid, drab, industrial flats of Lancashire. After lunch, we separated, my wife going to friends in Bradford, and I travelling to London.

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On Saturday morning my cousin (A. G. Esslemont 907-2o)), with his wife and boys, motored me across to Hampton Court, where we spent an interesting couple of hours sight-seeing in the magnificent palace and gardens. There was no time for more than a brief view of Kew on our way back to lunch at Richmond, after which Gordon dropped me outside Wembley. Before entering, I had a great argument with a Scottish policeman of the London force about the Stone of Destiny. He disapproved of its retrieval, and was glad it had returned to England ; I hold very strong views to the contrary.

So to the Big Match. I had a splendid seat, high up on the north stand, and saw the game in comfort. Scotland started off in great style, pressing England back strongly, then Mannion was hurt and had to go off, and England played far better with ten men. Indeed, it took us all our time to win by the odd goal in five. But it was a game well worth seeing, with some fine football from both sides.

On Sunday, after church, we motored out to St. Albans for lunch, and then did some more sight-seeing at the Cathedral, the Roman Theatre, the Hypocaust, and other antiquities. Both these days in London had been bright and sunny ; indeed our whole holiday was very fortunate meteorologically.

Leaving Harrow at to.48 p.m., I returned to Euston for the tz-zo a.m. via Manchester to Bradford, to rejoin my wife. We had a brief bus ride across to Leeds, admiring the nearby moors and distant hills on another day of strong sunshine. The final stage of our tour started on the finest too-mile stretch of railway in England—between Leeds and Carlisle, across the Pennines. One soon leaves behind the smoke and grime of the industrial West Riding, and ascends past Settle up the Ribble valley to the wild grandeur of Blea Moor. The longest stretch of railway in Britain at a level of over too° feet above the sea continues past Ais Gill summit (1165 feet) and down the Eden valley.

A short stop at Appleby, and we gradually descended into Carlisle at five o'clock. After the summit, where Birkett Tunnel may have had a bad influence, sudden showers of strong sleet alternated with short spells of sunshine, and this variety continued as we ascended Liddesdale, crossed our final border at Kershopefoot, ascended to the bleak ridge at Whitterhope, and dropped down the pretty valley of the Slitrig Water into Hawick—" Queen of all the Borders ". Soon the Eildon Hills (" Trimontium " of the Romans) came into view, then Melrose, and we crossed the Tweed at one of the many beautiful parts of that beautiful river. At Galashiels there was a huge crowd on the platform, as it was the Edinburgh Spring Holiday, but we managed to locate our boys, who had been spending twelve days at a holiday hotel there. " It was super, Mummy." " Can we go back next Easter, Dad ? " And so home.

E. R. B. (192o-22).

Plus ca Change !

Not only at the South Bank, London, have they been face-lifting in this Festival of Britain year ; the old School has been in the throes of alteration and renovation, external and internal, for many moons— and there is still much to do.

It all started externally with a much-needed coat of paint to the woodwork. Barely was this dry when plasterers began a campaign of de-pointing and re-pointing which still continues as we write.

Slaters straddled the roofs in search of leaky joints and faulty ronepipes, uttering lusty Yo-Hos, etc., as they jettisoned the rejects from on high. At the rear of the School, where once there was a passable bit of grassland for the odd game of ball, have sprung up dining halls and a kitchen of most up-to-the-minute efficiency, but with little approximation to the Scottish Baronial style of architecture. Here Grammarians are daily served with an adequate two-course lunch prepared and cooked on the premises by a most capable ad hoc staff.

Two fire escapes have already spidered their way into the Infants' playground, one from the Kindergarten side, another from the outer wall of the Geography department (where Mr. W. M. Henry—Pa to you—used to conduct his world tours). To balance the latter of these, a third escape route has yet to be made from the east wing upstairs, but this one is meantime in suspense pending the complete re-windowing of the east Science Laboratory.

Then the renovation fever became internal. The powers that be decided in their wisdom that " the usual offices " must be within the school buildings. The Janny's box (which, Window in Thrums-like, used to command a vista of the main corridor), together with the adjoining cloakroom, has given place to an establishment walled and floored in utility marble with a sound, yet little sounding, system of watersupply. The same fate has befallen the old lecture-room abutting on the Science Laboratory that faces the east doorway.

Following upon these changes of functional convenience, the old subterranean " offices " have been filled in and overlaid, leaving not a wrack behind. One wonders what will be the wild surmise of the archeologist ages hereafter when his pick and spade get busy on the crumbled site that once was A.G.S. At the moment of writing there is an epidemic of " The Bools ", and devotees are making " kypies" where once was the facilis descensks Averno I And the Janny ? A new Box has been found for him, airier and brighter, and with a window facing his own lodge, by lopping off a substantial portion of the staff ante-room, which now at times resembles a somewhat over-crowded ant-hill.

With the switch-over from D.C. to A.C. mains, the patchwork lighting system has been scrapped and completely replaced by more and safer and better illumination. The old bell-system, so often extended that it provided merely a tenuous tinkle in response to pressure, has also died, and been succeeded by a mains pattern which leaves no doubt in the mind about periodic changes. Stage lighting in the Hall is now almost foolproof—one never knows—and the new proscenium 134

Plus fa Change 1 135 is adorned with hangings in green and crimson and gold that would 'grace a palace.

Internally also the classrooms have suffered change, occasionally, be it said, " into something rich and strange ". Most of them are now level-floored, to allow of what is hopefully termed "free-group activities ". Enlightened schemes of decoration permit us to boast of our Blue Rooms and Pink Rooms and Peach Rooms, as in the mansions of the great. Larger and wider blackboards give fuller scope to our preceptors to indulge in (a) Nine Point Circles, (b) Isotherm Charts, (c) Verb-Schemes, (d) Genealogical Trees, or what have you ? Display boards around the walls are a standing temptation for Pin-ups, but ssh l And the new furniture I Gone are those heavy massive, pitch-pine combination desks with cast-iron frames, on which, as deep-cut initials proved, generations of Grammarians had seen visions and dreamed dreams. In place of these monstrosities we have natty tables of daedal design with light-hearted chairs to match, all in aluminium frames tinted to suit the decoration scheme of each classroom. Could design in industry go further in coating the pill and gilding the gingerbread ? Staircases and corridors are also being transmogrified beyond belief. Visiting F.P.s will have to equip themselves with rose-tinted spectacles-in-reverse if they wish to recognise the School of yesteryear.

Other surprises are yet in store ; but as the caption had it in the days of the silent film, here is END OF PART ONE. ANON.

F.P. Rugby Section Fair On 19 May t951 the Rugby Section of the F.P. Club held a Fair in the Music Hall, Aberdeen. Like all other organisations, sporting and otherwise, the Section has been troubled by rising costs and also by last winter's weather which caused the cancellation of practically all the home matches, but yet permitted the " away" games to be played. The Fair was accordingly held with the object of putting the Section in a sound financial position.

In the mid 'twenties the Rugby Section held a combined café along with the High School F.P. Hockey Club, but on this occasion, greatly daring, the Section asked for no such outside assistance. The Music Hall was hired for the whole day ; coffee and tea were served ; and anything and everything was sold, from old clothes, books, provisions of all sorts, cakes, fruit and fish to goldfish and tortoises, the last item, to the surprise of many people, proving one of the most popular items. By 5.3o p.m., after much hard work by the members of the Section, their lady friends and wives, everything was sold (except three fenders) and a gross sum of nearly £40O had been raised.

The support given to the Fair by F.P.s and their wives and families was simply magnificent. Attempts have been made to thank all helpers individually, but as their number was so great and as several gifts bore no name, some may have been overlooked. I can assure all who contributed that the present members of the Section will not readily forget the great manner in which the Club supported them.

N. I. W. M.

Books by F.P.s.

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

SIR HENRY ALEXANDER (1881-91), M.A., LL.D. (Died 1940.) : The Cairngorms. The Scottish Mountaineering Club Guide.

Third Edition, revised by William A. Ewen, M.A. The Scottish Mountaineering Club, Edinburgh. 18s.

Sir Henry Alexander's well-known guide to " the Highlands east of the Drumochter Pass " was first published in 1928, and a second edition appeared ten years later. For some years it has been out of print and, in preparing the third edition, Sir Henry's successor, Mr. W. A. Ewen, has taken the opportunity of revising the text and incorporating such new matter as has become available since 1938.

The sections devoted to climbing routes have been enlarged and almost wholly rewritten. It is interesting to note the many instances in which F.P.s have been members of parties credited with the first recorded ascents of various gullies, buttresses, pinnacles etc. * * * : The Worker in Industry.

(1925-29) (RICHARD) MICHAEL FRASER A Study of the Workers' Charter and the Practical Application of its Proposals. With a Foreword by the Marquess of Salisbury.

Conservative Political Centre. is.

The author is one of the Conservative Party's full-time research workers. His pamphlet defines Conservative plans for industrial peace and progress. * * * M.C., M.A., B.D.(Edin.), C.F. : JAMES FRASER MCLUSKEY* (1920-31), 8s.

6d.

Parachute Padre. S.C.M. Press.

The title itself is intriguing. There is no snag about it. The Padre parachuted as a Padre—not as a minister turned parachutist for the duration of the war.

When F.P.s realise that the Padre in question is Fraser NicLuskey, himself a former pupil, and that his parachuting was done with the S.A.S. Regiment, when they dropped behind the lines into occupied France to co-operate with the Maquis, they will have a fair idea of what sort of reading they will find in this delightful little book.

As we read we recognise so many of the thoughts and ideas he expresses ; as when he was helped to his decision to join up by reading the " Pro Patria Mori" column in this Magazine, and seeing that the list grew longer and longer (" These were the boys 1 had sat with and played with, the boys I liked and the boys 1 disliked : my generation ") ; or his confusion at parts of the Army set-up when he was first commissioned ; or his reflections on fear, and how he felt before going into action. The author takes us through it all, through training periods, practice drops, waiting times, until the real thing when he bears the heat and burden of the day with his friends. And how modestly, and with what a wealth of quiet humour this parachuting Padre unfolds his tale.

It is fascinating. A man living out his religion among friends, often in the most dangerous and uncomfortably exciting circumstances ; and yet we don't notice the religious angle to the book until we suddenly realise that the way the Parachute Padre lives is his religion.

T. J. T. N. 136

Books by F.P.s

137 Rev. J. F. McLuskey is a minister of the Church of Scotland.

In 1939 he was appointed Chaplain to the University of Glasgow, and during the war served with the ist Special Air Service Regiment as their chaplain. Since 1947 he has been on the staff of the Royal Army Chaplains' Department Training Centre and Depot. * * * ROBERT LINDSAY GRAEME RITCHIE* (1894-99), M.A., D.Litt., LL.D., (Editor) : France. A Companion to French Studies. Methuen.

30S. This is the fifth edition of a book first published in 1937, and it includes several new chapters, including one on French Institutions

by Professor F. C. Roe of the chair of French at the University of Aberdeen. According to The Times Literary Supplement," the recent additions put the finishing touches to a book already invaluable to anyone interested either in France or French culture ". *

*

*

M.A.(Aberd.), B.A.(Cantab.) : I IASTIE SPEIRS (I 911 Chaucer the Maker. Faber & Faber. i zs. 6d.

Mr. Speirs is lecturer in English Language and Literature at the University College of the South-West of England, Exeter. * * * A., F.S.A.(Scot.) : Royal F.R.I.B. FENTON WYNESS* (I 915-zo), Deeside. Mearns Publications, Aberdeen. zs. 6d.

JOHN

This is the latest of Mr. Wyncss's booklets on the history and traditions of the valley of the Dec. It was written for the members of the Deeside Field Club, of which the author is an honorary president, and copies are now available for sale. * * * " AN OLD RETIRED SCOTCH DOCTOR, BARRISTER-AT-LAW "* (1882.-

1891) : Amusing and Interesting Medical and Legal Experiences.

Printed by Messrs. G. Hieatt & Son, High Street, Reigate.

5s. 6d.

The author, who has retired after being in medical practice in London for over fifty years, has set forth in this small book his reminiscences. There are eleven chapters dealing with various phases of his long career, and each is brimful of highly diverting anecdotes.

The first chapter, entitled " Student Days ", contains many amusing reminiscences of the time he spent at the University of Aberdeen in the 'nineties.

Marriages Allan (I936-39).--At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 2x February 1951, ALEXANDER SANDISON ALLAN,* SOn of the late Mr. J. G. Allan and of Mrs.

Margaret Allan, Tillycairn, Cluny, to Margaret M. M. Mortimer, M.A., niece of Mr. and Mrs. William O'Brien, Gounie, Tough, Aberdeenshire.

Barr (1928-4o).—At St. Mary's Church, Shrewsbury, on 3 June 1950, JAMES BARR,* M.B., Ch.B., son of Mr. and Mrs. William Barr, 29 Westburn Drive, Aberdeen, to Mary Beatrice Rick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. V. Rick, 53 Park Street, Cambridge.

Beattie (1931-34 and I935-40).—At Rubislaw Church, Aberdeen, on 9 June 195 I, COLIN STRACHAN BEATTIE,* youngest son of the late Mr. William Beattie, J.P., and of Mrs. Beattie, Selma, Cults, to Aileen Murray, only daughter of the late Mr. George William Murray and of Mrs. Murray, 4o Wellbrac Terrace, Aberdeen.

Brockie (t921-30.—At the North Church, Aberdeen, on zo January 1951, JOHN ALE.XANDER BROCKIE,* A.M.I.Mech.E., son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Brockie, 77 Burns Road, Aberdeen, to Winifred Stevenson Massie, D.A., elder daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Massie, formerly of Cults, Aberdeenshire.

Carson (1926-36).—At Beechgrovc Church, Aberdeen, on 6 January 1951, MARCUS HARVEY CARSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. T. Carson, 115 Desswood Place, Aberdeen, to Jane Home, daughter of the late Mr. Home, New Deer, and of Mrs. J. Gillespie, 32 Marywcll Street, Aberdeen.

Clark (1938-44—At Gordon House Hotel, Aberdeen, on 1 June 1951, ALEXANDER RF.ID CLARK,* Lilydale, Peterculter, to Florence Margaret Coutts, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Courts, 288 Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

Cochran (1942-43)At Hoghton Street Baptist Church, Southport, on 17 March 1951, IAN M'Ircrosn COCHRAN, M.S., Ch.B., son of the late Mr. R. M. Cochran and of Mrs. Cochran, 3 Woodend Place, Aberdeen, to Jean Rimmer, younger daughter of the late Mr. John Rimmer and of Mrs. Rimmer, Southport.

Connon (x928-4o).---At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on zz March 1951, WILLIAM CATTO CONNON,* B.L., solicitor, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Connon, 27 Roscbery Street, Aberdeen, to Marjory Garfield Milne, youngest daughter of the late Mr. Garfield Milne and of Mrs. Mary D. Milne, 42 Rosebery Street, Aberdeen.

Cruickshank (192o-32).—At St. Mary's Church, Henley-on-Thames, on 3 February 195x, ERIC KENNEDY CRUICKSHANK,* M.D., M.R.C.P., Professor of Medicine, University College of the West Indies, son of Professor John Cruickshank, C.B.E., M.D., 46 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen, and of the late Mrs. Cruickshank, to Catherine Ann Burch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Burch, Magdalen House, Henley-on-Thames.

Elmslie (1953-43).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on z7 March 1951, GORDON SINCI.AIR ELMSLIF.,* son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Elmslie, to Hazel Aileen McIntosh, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. P. McIntosh, 5z Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen.

Farquhar (194o-41).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 24 March 195x, ROBERT FORBES FARQUHAR, B.Sc.(Eng.), only son of the late Mr. Robert T. Farquhar, chemist, Inch, and of Mrs. Farquhar, 16 Seafield Drive East, Aberdeen, to Vera Maitland Dunbar, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar, 7 Moir Avenue, Aberdeen.

Goodbrand (1927-4o).—At St. George's Parish Church, Edinburgh, on 28 March 1951, STEPHEN GOODBRAND,* M.A., son of WILLIAM CLOW KNIGHT GOODBRAND (1905-07) and of Mrs. Goodbrand, Upper COrSee, Banchory, Kincardineshire, to Mary Greenshields, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Greenshields, Eliock House, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, and Hatherleigh, Ceylon.

Gore (1925-29).—At St. Mary's Chapel, Aberdeen, on 20 January 1951, HERBERT GORE,* only son of the late Mr. John Gore and of Mrs. Gore, Jesmond, 174 Oscar Road, Aberdeen, to Ella Macdonald, only daughter of the late Mr. Duncan D. Macdonald and of Mrs. Macdonald, 7 Thistle Street, Aberdeen.

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139

Gruer (I927-32).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on t June t95z, KENNETH TERENCE GRUER, M.C., M.B., Ch.B., I27 Broomhill Road, Aberdeen,

son of Mr. H. G. Gruer, Seapoint, Capetown, S. Africa, to Rosamond Beattie, M.B., Ch.B., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Beattie, 13 Cranford Road, Aberdeen.

Humphrey (t9 I 2-I7).-At St. Mary's, Grassendale, on z8 April 1951, REGINALD ALEXANDER MILNE HUMPHREY, M.B., Ch.B., eldest son of the late Mr. James A. M. Humphrey and of Mrs. E. Humphrey, 8 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen, to Vera Doreen Simon, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Simon, to7 Westburn Drive, Aberdeen.

Hutchison (1923-35).—At the Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen, on 9 May 1951, ALAN CRUICKSHANK HUTCHISON,* son of Mrs. F. J. Hutchison, 9 Bccchgrove Terrace, Aberdeen, to Rose Anne McIntosh, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James McIntosh, 131 Western Road, Aberdeen.

Hutchison (1920-31).—At St. Xavier's Church, St. George's Square, London, on 15 March 1951, THOMAS MUNDIE HUTCHISON,* son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Hutchison, to Audrey Margaret Heywood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Heywood, Nottingham.

Jaffray (193o-36).—At the Scots Kirk, Bombay, on 10 February 1951, VICTOR WALLACE JAPER AY,* M.A., LL.B., youngest son of the late Mr. David Jaffray, and of Mrs. Jaffray, 23 Laurelwood Avenue, Aberdeen, to Barbara Alice Mary Wallace, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Wallace, Bombay and Eire.

Laird (1928-40).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 23 December 1950, JOHN ALEXANDER GRANT LAIRD,* B.Sc.(Eng.), only son of the late Mr. Peter Laird and of Mrs. Grant Laird, 4t Richmondhill Road, Aberdeen, to Morag Sybil Smith, youngest daughter of the late Rev. Murdo and Mrs. Smith, Leurbost, Isle of Lewis.

Meff (193x-35).—At Woodside South Church, Aberdeen, on to March 1951, PATRICK NICOL WEE, younger son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Meff, 12 Woodhill Terrace, Aberdeen, to Isobel Gibb, youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. Gibb, 708 Great Northern Road, Aberdeen.

Milne (1939-43).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on I February 1951, LAWRENCE WALKER MILNE,* M.A., LL.B., son of the late Mr. John Milne and of Mrs. Milne, 254 Broomhill Road, Aberdeen, to Muriel Henderson Campbell, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Downie Campbell, Heatherlea, Milltimber, Aberdeenshire.

Morrison (1928-32).—At St. Paul's Church, Nicosia, Cyprus, on at December I95o, JOHN JAMES TODD MORRISON, M.D., D.P.H., Medical Officer, Basrah Petroleum Company, Iraq, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Morrison, Manseford, East Linton, to Elizabeth Saynor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Saynor, Wanabeen, Preston New Road, Blackpool.

Murdoch (194o-41).—At the Parish Church, Monymusk, on 28 December 1950, IAN MARTIN CALDER MURDOCH, son of the late Rev. William Murdoch, M.A., Cluny, and of Mrs. Murdoch, Udny, Aberdeenshire, to Winifred Gregor, daughter of the late Mr. John Gregor, M.A., B.Sc., and of Mrs. Gregor, Aherchirder.

Reid (19t4-x6).—At Aberdeen, on 19 February 1951, ALFRED HERBERT REID, 122 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, to Margaret L. L. Robertson, St Medans House,

by Dyce, Aberdeenshire.

Riach (t932-43).—At St. James's Episcopal Church, Aberdeen, on 27 January 1951, ALFRED EMSLIE RIACH,* youngest son of the late Mr. Thomas J. Riach and of Mrs. Riach, 27 Angusfield Avenue, Aberdeen, to Margaret Duff Murray, D.A., only daughter of Mr. J. C. G. Murray, 13 Gray Street, Aberdeen.

Robertson (1924-32).--At Thornthwaite Church, Cumberland, on 24 March 1951, ALEXANDER ROLLO ROBERTSON,* M.A., LL.B., younger son of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Robertson, 391 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, to Mary Dorothy Simpson, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. Simpson, Greenbank, Braithwaite, Cumberland.

Ross (1923-32).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 7 June 195 t, ROBERT LEWIS Ross, M.A., LL.B., son of the late Captain Robert Ross and of Mrs. Ross, Torridon, Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, to Helen Doris Howie, B.L., elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Howie, Bank House, Methlick.

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Sellar (1924-34—At Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen, on /7 April 1951, JAMES COLLIE SELLAR,* only son of Mrs. J. C. Sellar, 85 Devonshire Road,

Aberdeen, to Helen W. Tosh, youngest daughter of Mrs. M. Tosh, 67 Union Grove, Aberdeen.

Shepherd (193x-O).—At the West Church of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, on 24 April 1951, SIMPSON SHEPHERD,* son of SIMPSON SHEPHERD* (189o-97) and of the late Mrs. Shepherd, 6 Polmuir Road, Aberdeen, to Helen Porter, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Porter, 9 Devanha Gardens South, Aberdeen.

Simpson (19z1-30.—At Dyce East Church, Aberdeenshire, on to March 1951, THOMAS MCBEY SIMPSON, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Simpson, 4 Camperdown Road, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth (Betty) Isabella Bisset Fraser, R.G.N., second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fraser, 6 Berrywell Gardens, Dycc.

Smith (1930-41).—At St. Michael's, Chester Square, London, on 2 June 1951, DOUGLAS WILLIAM CUMMING SMITH,* M.B., Ch.B., Grays, Essex, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Smith, zo Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen, to Kay Druery, twin daughter of Mrs. Winifred Druery, 4o Eaton Square, London, S.W.I. Still (I932-35).-At Bangkok, in May 1951, DOUGLAS STILL,* of Steel Brothers and Company (Siam) Limited and late of Peterculter, to Mrs. Wanda Jane Seth, Singapore.

Taylor (1927-37).—At Torry Church, Aberdeen, on 14 April 1951, JOHN GODSMAN TAYLOR, only son of the late Mr. John B. Taylor and of Mrs. Taylor, formerly of 42 Victoria Street, Aberdeen, to Gladys Catherine Taylor, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Taylor, 118 Walker Road, Aberdeen.

Thomson (19z5-z9).—At St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, on 5 April 1951, KENNETH DRUMMOND THOMSON, C.A., eldest son of the late Rev. and Mrs. J. K. Thomson, 18 West Mayfield, Edinburgh, to Betty Roebuck, only daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Roebuck, i South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh.

Walker (1913-17).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 21 March 1951, JAMES STRACHAN WALKER,* M.D., D.P.H., eldest son of Mr. James Walker and of the late Mrs. Walker, Duncairn, Great Western Road, Aberdeen, to Annita Margaret Henry Lyall, younger daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Lyall, Torbruad, Turriff, Aberdeenshire.

Williamson (193o).—At St. Michael's Church, Highgate, London, on 6 April 195i, JAMES HENDERSON WILLIAMSON, M.A., second son of Dr. and Mrs. W. T. H. Williamson, Marine Terrace, Aberdeen, to Nancy Solomon, younger daughter of Mr. A. J. Solomon and of the late Mrs. Solomon, Somerset West, South Africa.

Obituary James Napier Adams (1895-1901), F.F.A., 23 Meggetland Terrace, Edinburgh, died at Bangour Hospital, near Edinburgh, on 14 November 195o, aged sixty-six.

On leaving the School he joined the Caledonian Insurance Company at Aberdeen and in 1907 he was transferred to the Company's actuarial department in their head office at Edinburgh. He remained with the Company until December 1948, when he retired on account of illness three months before reaching the age-limit. He was elected a Fellow of the Faculty of Actuaries in 1911.

In his youth he was a keen cricketer and, while in Aberdeen, he played for the Free South and the Braemar Cricket Clubs. In Edinburgh he played as an invited member for the Edinburgh Institution (now Melville College) F.P. Cricket Club and later joined the Carlton Cricket Club. All his life he was a regular attender at the leading cricket matches in the Capital. After ceasing to take an active part in cricket, he took up golf and was a member of Baberton Golf Club, Juniper Green.

He was a man of quiet and unassuming disposition and possessed of sterling qualities.

Robert John Anderson (1903-09), M.A., B.Sc.(Agri.), died at Edinburgh on 9 May 1951, aged fifty-nine. Son of the late Mr. William Anderson, Saphoch, Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire, he graduated M.A. at the University of Aberdeen in 1913, and B.Sc.(Agri.) in the following year. In 1914 he was appointed farm manager to Lord Lovat at Beaufort Castle, Beauly, and in 1921 he became farm

Obituarj'

T41

manager to Sir Archibald Sinclair at Thurso. Later he farmed at Placemill, Forguc, Aberdeenshire, and about fifteen years ago he went to live in Edinburgh.

John Hall Barron* (1884-88), M.A.(Aberd.), M.A., B.C.L.(Oxon.), died at his home in Chelsea, London, on 5 January 1951, aged seventy-seven. He graduated M.A. at the University of Aberdeen in 1892, and then attended a summer course at Montpellier University, France. Thereafter he was at Exeter College, Oxford, for four years and he obtained the degrees of B.A. in 1896 and M.A. and B.C.L. in 1899. In 1898 he was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple, and he practised for four years. He was then appointed secretary of the Property Protection Society and spent much of his time in the Lobby of the House of Commons. He had a great deal to do with fighting Mr. Lloyd George's budget on land values, but the campaign was of no avail and thereafter Property Protection ceased to exist.

He was then appointed secretary of an organization for National Trade Defence, and continued in this post until he retired in 1945. For many years he wrote political leading articles for TbeOuilook, and he also wrote a humorous work entitled The Confectioners ".

He had many interests, but philately was his chief interest. He was elected a member of the Royal Philatelic Society, London, in 1910, and served on the Council of the Society from 1917 until 1931, when he became a vice-president. In 1940 he was elected president and in that position guided the Society through the war vears until 1946. From 1929 he was a member of the Publication Committee, being chairman for many years, and from 1931 until his death he was a member of the Expert Committee. He had a magnificent collection of stamps, and was particularly interested in the stamps of Mexico, about which he wrote extensively in philatelic journals. He was joint editor of " The Stamps of Great Britain, Part I : the Line-Engraved Issues, 1840-1853 ", which was published by the Royal Philatelic Society, London, in 1934. Just before his death the Council of the Society paid tribute to the services he had rendered by electing him an honorary life fellow.

William Andrew Baxter* (1916-19), M.A.(Aberd.), B.A.(Cantab.), Rector of Linlithgow Academy, collapsed and died while working in his garden at Willowdene, Bo'ness Road, Linlithgow, on 27 February 1951. He was forty-nine. Classical dux of the School in 1919, he had a distinguished career in Classics at the University of Aberdeen and graduated M.A. in 1922, with first class honours. He gained distinction in Greek History and shared the Simpson Greek Prize and the Robbie Gold Medal ; he was also awarded a Fullerton, Moir and Gray scholarship in Classics. He went on to Caius College, Cambridge, and was placed in Class I of the Classical Tripos, Parts t and 2.

On leaving Cambridge he was for a short time on the staff of Trinity College, Glenalmond, and from 1926 to 1928 he was senior assistant in the Humanity department of the University of Aberdeen. Thereafter he became assistant master in the Classics department of Daniel Stewart's College, Edinburgh, and in 1935 he was appointed senior Classics master at the Royal High School, Edinburgh. From 1945 until his death he was Rector of Linlithgow Academy. He took an active interest in local government and was a member of Linlithgow Town Council.

He was also an honorary sheriff-substitute for the County of West Lothian.

Thomas Duncan Hunter Brown* (1897-1900), as reported in our last issue, died suddenly on 12 September t950. We have received the following appreciation from Mr. A. G. Coombe :— Thomas D. H. Brown, after commencing his professional career, came to London via Liverpool and Leeds. lie took an important position with what was then the Gas Light & Coke Company and it might be imagined that anyone having to control several thousands of workpeople employed at depots from Staines in the west to Southend in the cast, would hardly have the inclination or the time to devote to other affairs. With Tom this supposition would have been wrong, because he never forgot and never hid in any way the great loyalty and the happy remembrances he had of his old School in Aberdeen.

It was about 1927 when he decided that the Old Boys' Centre in London • needed some attention, and took over the secretaryship, doing more for the Centre than any honorary secretary, however interested he might be, could

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be expected to do. The Centre during the years 1927-1933 owed much to his work and to his unpublicised generosity.

He was constant and generous to a degree, not lacking in any way the carefulness which is the birthright of all Scotsmen, but never hesitating if the cause in which he believed wanted help. He was always ready to stand by his own friends and to protect the workpeople who came under his control ; he liked to give another chance to those who endeavoured to take a mean advantage, either of himself or their fellow-workmates.

While he had a large number of acquaintances, Thomas Duncan Hunter Brown had a small group of really intimate friends and took these friendships very seriously. This, of course, endeared him and made the friendship more precious to those few of us who had the privilege of knowing him as he really was, and to those few his going has left a blank which will not easily be filled, David Wood Clapperton (1892-? and 1898-1902), K.C., chief solicitor.

Canadian Pacific Railway, Alberta District, died at Calgary, Alberta, on 22 November 195o. He was aged sixty-five. After qualifying as a solicitor in Scotland, he went to Canada in 191o and was admitted to the Bars of Manitoba and Alberta.

From t9t 2 he was in legal practice at Medicine Hat, Alberta, and later he joined the legal department of the C.P.R. in Calgary.

William Gordon Craigent (1894-97 and 1900-02), M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, died at Aberdeen on 18 December 195o, aged sixty-six. Lawyer, magician, composer, soldier, rhymer, actor and singer, he was also an enthusiastic member of the F.P. Club. For twenty-seven years, from 1912 to 1939, he was an active member of the Club Executive, and he was chairman of the Executive and vice-president of the Club from 192210 1924. For a quarter of a century he was one of the Club's " live wires ", and many of his " brain-waves " were adopted by the Executive.

Son of the late Mr. John Craigen, solicitor, he graduated M.A. at the University of Aberdeen in 1905, and B.L. with distinction in 1908. Two years later he was one of Aberdeen's original LL.B.s, and was the first individual to receive this degree from the University. He served his apprenticeship with his father, was enrolled as a law agent in 1909, and joined his father in partnership in the firm of John & W. G. Craigen, advocates, Aberdeen, in 1913. He was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1920.

He held many public appointments in Aberdeen and gave years of service to several charitable institutions. He was a past president of the Aberdeen Circle of the Catenian Association, and a past grand knight of the Aberdeen Council of the Knights of St. Columba. In 1937 he was pageant marshal for the Aberdeen Coronation Week celebrations. He was perhaps best known as a leading Scottish amateur illusionist, and from its foundation in 1926 until 1945 he was president of the Aberdeen Magical Society. His other distinctions in magical circles are referred to in the appreciation printed below.

His brother, JOHN HENRY NEWMAN CRAIGEN (1894-1905) joined the art staff of the Daily Herald in Manchester in 1931; his two sons, JOHN COLIN CRAIGEN (1925-36), and WILLIAM GORDON CAMERON CRAIGEN (1931-40), M .B., Ch.B., were also at the School. (See page 107.)

G. G. N. writes :— With the passing of " W. G.", as he was affectionately known to his more intimate friends, the City has lcst a worthy citizen and many living in it and beyond will mourn the loss of a friend whose place it will be difficult to fill.

At heart a true Aberdonian, he was always ready and willing to give of his best in the service of the community.

His attitude towards his fellowmen was one of tolerance aided by a profound knowledge of human nature. He rose above petty things and his name was never associated with anything mean or ungentlemanly. He was of easy approach, and, while he did not suffer fools gladly, his mind was large enough to make generous allowances for shortcomings in others.

To all outward appearances the problems of life presented few difficulties to Willie Craigen, but those who knew him intimately were well aware of the great amount of thought and work and care which were the forerunners of his solutions.

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Apart from his profession, he was perhaps best known for his interest in legerdemain, but because of his unassuming nature few arc aware to what great heights he rose as an amateur magician. Many knew him as the founder of the Aberdeen Magical Society, but few know that he was a past honorary president of the Scottish Conjurers' Association, a member of the Committee of Management of the National Association of Magical Societies—an affiliation si over thirty societies in Great Britain and Ireland—or that he attained to membership of that most exclusive of all sections of the Magic Circle, known as the Inner Magic Circle, London.

His own performances as a conjurer were a delight to watch. These was nothing forced about them and no awkward pauses brought feelings of anxiety to the audience. They seemed so easy and one sensed a feeling of apology on his part for asking you to waste your time watching such simple tricks, which, of course, turned out to be masterpieces of his own skill and ingenuity.

But he was not only a master of conjuring. At an earlier stage, and to a more modest extent, he achieved a certain amount of fame as a " Houdini ", and was one of the few men who learned the trick of getting out of a pair of handcuffs without the aid of a key. He used to laugh and say : " But what use has it been to me ? I've never yet been arrested."

The F.P. Club will always remember him as an active and competent vice-president, and as an enthusiastic member of the Dramatic Section from its inception. As actor, producer, and stage manager he piloted many plays through stormy seas to the harbour of success and those who knew him then will remember the thrill as the curtain in the School Hall rose on such old favourites as " Beauty and the Barge ", " The Ghost of Jerry Bundler", " The New Clown ", and " The Speckled Band ". These performances always drew large audiences and owed much of their success to " W. G.'s " untiring efforts, his ingeniousness, his tact, and, most important of all, his unfailing good humour. In more serious vein his performance in Professor Harrower's production of " The Antigone " was outstanding as a feat of memory and a fine example of restrained acting.

On the concert platform, too, he was at one time a familiar figure in certain circles, giving pleasure in his rendering in light baritone voice of settings often of his own composition, and in this connection it is worth recording that although he could write music he could play only by ear.

In the two great wars he played his part with characteristic skill and energy.

For some years a Trooper in the Scottish Horse, he received a commission on the outbreak of the 1914 war in the First Highland Brigade R.F.A. (T.F.), where his organising ability was soon recognised. He was placed in charge of the Artillery Training Schools, first at Kettering and later at Cattcrick, in which capacity he was promoted to the rank of Major and was mentioned in dispatches. It was characteristic of him to devise something original while occupying such a position, and the privileged many will remember " IddyUmpty ", the pamphlet he produced as a valuable aid towards the mastery of the Morse Code.

In 1939 he answered the call for wardens and became one of the leading lights in that service in Aberdeen. Those of the West Division will recall the hundreds of answers he produced to the hundreds of questions in connection with the identification of war gas and many other things, and here again, still on the " aid to mcmory" quest, he produced many verses in amusing and effective doggerel. He did not always write in doggerel, however, and in such poems as " The Feckless Chiel " t he rose to almost " Hamcwith " heights.

But with all his talents and his versatility, amongst the members of his profession and in the wide circle of his other friends and acquaintances William G. Craigen will best be remembered for his great gift of making friends and of holding them. Such men can ill be spared.

Tom Dewar Duguid* (1936-39), son of Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs. T. C. Duguid, Beihelvie Lodge, Balmcdie, Aberdeenshire, died as the result of a motor accident at North Lakhimpur, Assam, on 28 January 1951, aged twenty-eight. lie went to Wellington after leaving the School and was commissioned in the t See page 524.

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Gurkha Rifles in 1941. He was mentioned in dispatches while serving at Kohima in 1944, and reached the tank of Major. Later he went to Malaya and Java.

In 1947-48 he served with the Palestine Police and was wounded. Two years ago he decided to take up tea planting and entered the service of the Silonibari Tea Company Limited in Upper Assam. He was a member of the Bengal and Assam Centre of the Club.

He was very fond of music and keen on football, cricket and tennis ; he loved going out with the gun and was a good shot.

James Findlay (1879-82), formerly a well-known North-East dairy farmer, died at Aberdeen on 12 May 1951, aged eighty-six. For over forty years, until he retired in 1937, he farmed at Balquharn, Portlethen, Kincardineshire, on his own account and before then he farmed there along with his father. He specialised in dairy farming and had a famous herd of Friesians. As a young man he drove his father's milk cart and later was a pioneer in developing the organisation of milk supplies in Aberdeen. He was chairman of the first Aberdeen Milk Producers' Association and for many years was chairman of the Aberdeen Milk Agency.

He was also a prominent member of the Executive of the Milk Marketing Board until less than two years ago. He was a member of the old School Board, chairman of the School Management Committee and a member of the District Council and of the County Council.

His eldest brother, WILLIAM D. FINDLAY (1870-71), a farmer in Australia, died about twelve years ago, aged eighty-six, and his other brother, JOHN MILNE FINDLAY (1870-71), also went to farm in Australia. He now lives in Melbourne and is aged ninety-six.

George Marr Giles* (1895-1900), M.A., died at 9 Wilton Grove, New Malden, Surrey, on 18 January 1951, aged sixty-eight. A journalist by profession, he was on the star£ of Reuter's from 1915 to 1942.

Son of the late Mr. William Giles, bank agent and merchant, Udny, Aberdeenshire, he graduated M.A. at the University of Aberdeen in 1903, and started his career in ioumalism as a sub-editor on the Aberdeen Free Press and the Evening Gazette. From 1904 to 1915 he assisted the London editor of The Pioneer, Allahabad, and The Civil and Military Gazette, Lahore, Kipling's old newspaper, and thereafter he was with Reuter's, first as Indian editor and later as a member of their overseas staff. He retired at the age of sixty in 1942, but for four more years he was a sub-editor in Britanova, a news agency which specialised in providing news services for the Near East and India.

His four brothers also attended the School : Wn.1.1.O4 GILES (1895-97) was killed in an accident at Toronto in 1911 ; ALEXANDER OGG GILES (1897-1900), formerly manager of the Winnipeg branch of the Standard Chemical Company, Canada, died several years ago ; CHARLES INNES GILES (1900-03), M.M., was killed in action in 1918 ; and JAMES STIRLING GILES (IpoI-o6) has been with the Pacific Fruit Express Company, Roseville, California, since 1915.

David Hill Hay (1918-19), M.B., Ch.B.(Glasg.), died suddenly at Lossichall, Liff, Angus, on 16 January 195 t, aged forty-four. He graduated at the University of Glasgow in 1931, and was in practice at Wakefield and Kirriemuir before taking over a practice at Liff in 1937. Ile was also medical superintendent of Dundee Royal Mental Hospital (Gowric House) from 1937 to 1949. died suddenly at Westhoughton, William Ellis Johnston (1917-22), Bolton, Lancashire, on 17 May 1951, aged forty-five. Elder son of the late Mr. W. G. Johnston, it Fcrryhill Place, Aberdeen, he graduated in Medicine at the University of Aberdeen in 1927 and then went to England. For eight years he was a family doctor in Coventry before going to Wcsthoughton, where he practised until his death. In his student days he was a keen all-round sportsman.

His brother, JOHN LEES JOHNSTON (1920-23), M.B., Ch.B., for many years a stalwart in the 9th Group of Boy Scouts, is in practice at Blackburn, Lancashire.

Alexander Johnstone* (1904-10), M.C., M.A., M.D., D.P.H., Medical Officer of Health, Greenock, since 1927, died suddenly at 107 Newark Street, Greenock, on 17 November 195o. He was aged fifty-eight.

At the University of Aberdeen he graduated M.A. in 1914, M.B., Ch.B. in 1916, and M.D. in 1928. He obtained his D.P.H. in 1920. During the first world war he held a commission in the R.A.M.C., and served in Mesopotamia and India,

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being awarded the Military Cross. His first public health appointment was as assistant medical officer of health in Forfarshirc and later he held a corresponding post in Dunbartonshire before going to Greenock. There he held many appointments, being a member of the local medical committee and the Greenock Hospital Board and secretary of the Greenock and District Faculty of Medicine.

In September 1949 another F.P., ERIC HENRY WEIR DUNCAN* (1918-26), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., was appointed to be his assistant and he has now succeeded Dr. Johnstone. Dr. Duncan writes :— As we were both Aberdonians and both former pupils of the Grammar School, we were attracted to each other from the first. Dr. Johnstone was a very loyal colleague and an outstanding personality. His ideals were always of the highest and, when he decided a thing was right and honest, there was no more loyal supporter and fighter than he.

In a tribute published in the British Medical Journal Dr. Hugh F. Kerr wrote :— It is no easy task to write of Alexander Johnstone. As a friend during the past twenty-three years, I came to appreciate his qualities year by year. He was a typical Aberdonian—friendly, cautious and energetic. He started his appointment a young man in his prime, and he soon revealed qualities which made him respected by all who came in contact with him. . . . During the war years he had the task of organising the first aid services of the burgh and in this capacity he became known intimately to thousands of the population.

Many of the former civil defence workers will remember his nightly visits to their posts from 1939 to 1945, for he always had a cheery and encouraging word for everyone. . . . We respected his integrity, admired his industry, loved him as a man.

Alexander Low* (1883-86), M.A., M.D., LL.D. Emeritus Professor of Anatomy, University of Aberdeen, died at Aberdeen on 15 November 195o, aged eighty-two. He entered the University in 1886, was a student until 1894, a junior member of the staff for twenty-nine years, and Regius Professor of Anatomy from 1925 to 5938. Even after he retired he maintained his association with his Alma Mater. In 1940 he was appointed by the Rector of the University, Admiral Sir Edward Evans (now Lord Mountevans) to be his assessor on the University Court, and until his death Professor Low was a member of the University Museum Committee.

Son of the late Mr. Alexander Low, Cothill, Old Machar (a farm on the Grandhome Estate), he graduated M.A. in 1891, M.B., C.M. in 1894, and M.D. with highest honours in 1912. He also studied abroad at Freiburg, Vienna and Zurich.

From 1894 to t9o3 he was a demonstrator in Anatomy and for the next eight years he was first assistant, with the status of lecturer, in Embryology. In 1911 he was appointed lecturer in Embryology and twelve years later he became reader in that subject. In 1925, on the resignation of the late Professor ROBERT W. REID (186566), he was appointed to the chair of Anatomy.

He was an expert on anthropology and became one of the greatest authorities on the skeletal remains of Neolithic and Bronze Age men ; his researches upon the development of the lower jaw gave him an international reputation ; and his records (which have still to be published) of measurements of a large number of children annually over a period of years are unique. In recognition of his outstanding work he was appointed president of the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland in 1938.

Universally known as " Daddy " Low, he was loved and respected by his many hundreds of students now scattered throughout the world, by his professional brethren and his colleagues on the staff of the University. He was awarded the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1939, and presented by his former students and colleagues with his portrait and a wallet of notes.

He was a former director of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, a member of the Scottish Universities Entrance Board and a former president of the Aberdeen MedicoChirurgical Society. By his Will he has left £500 to this Society, the amount to be invested in a fund called " The Emeritus Professor Low Testimonial Fund " and the annual income used to assist students in the Faculty of Medicine who may fall ill and fmd themselves in straitened circumstances.

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GILBERT FREWIN HAMILTON (192I-3o), B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., lecturer in Anatomy, University of Aberdeen, writes :— Some will remember Professor Alexander Low, but generations of Aberdeen medical students will never forget " Daddy ". No suffix or surname was ever necessary for there was, and could be, only one. To be able to inspire a deep affection and at the same time a sincere respect demands qualities of the spirit that arc the gift of very few. Yet these are the strongest elements in my memories, first as a student and then as a junior member of his staff.

While it was only later that I appreciated the fine quality and meticulous accuracy of his own researches, even as students we could feel and appreciate the depths of his knowledge and realise that it came from personal experience and investigation. The sureness, certainty, delicacy and respect with which he would handle a specimen were a lesson—even a revelation—to many a callow medical student. As it should be, we learnt more from his actions and example than from his formal lectures. Yet the latter always carried the illumination of some fresh approach or of some new linking of apparently isolated facts. And it is perhaps worthy of note that with years of medical students, notoriously unruly, he could preserve the most perfect discipline, not by rules or threats but by a simple and sincere personality that aroused a self-discipline from the very best of causes, from the feeling that this was only natural, right and proper.

Threats indeed were foreign to his nature but how much more effective than any verbal castigation could be the quiet " Maybe perhaps it might have been better . . . " for it still left the onus of a decision upon the culprit which, once accepted, was not forgotten.

One memory of Professor Low I treasure as a cameo of his whole nature.

It occurred after he had retired but was continuing his work on the growth of children and it happened that my wife had casually remarked on a difficulty in properly drying some everlasting flowers. A few weeks later Professor Low came into my room and chatted for a while on various subjects, but it was clear that he was looking for an opening at which I could not guess. Then he reminded me of my wife's remarks and suddenly from behind his hack, where it had been concealed all the time, came a great bunch of everlasting flowers. " Maybe perhaps Mrs. Hamilton would like these ", he said, rather embarrassed, and took a few steps towards the door. " I was just passing the Green and saw them "—a few more steps " and I thought maybe she had not managed to get any "—and the door was shut and he was gone before a word of thanks could be said.

So it always was. No worry or trouble of others, however great or however small, passed unnoticed if it was possible for him to help, and if it could be done without recognition the better he was pleased. We have lost a great heart and a great mind, one whom we can ill spare in times such as these. But his influence will not be limited by a mortal span, as long as any of us who were his students or colleagues can pass on a little of the inspiration and kindness which we received from him. " He never yet no vileynye ne saydc, In al his lyf, unto no maner wight.

He was a verray parfit, gcntil knight."

Donald Simpson McConnach* (1933-45). M.B., Ch.B., died as the result of a climbing accident on Beinn-a-Bhuird in the Cairngorms on it March 1951, aged twenty-two. He was with a party of climbers and in thick snow he slipped over a cornice near the North Top (3,924 feet). Search parties were sent out and on the following day his body was found at the bottom of a great corric, the Coire nan Clach.

He graduated in Medicine at the University of Aberdeen last year and was a house physician in Ward 2 of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. A memorial service held on the day of his funeral was largely attended by members of climbing clubs, nurses, medical students and doctors.

ALEXANDER DAVID LYALL* (1932-45), M.B., Ch.B., who was with him on his last expedition, writes :— As a pupil at School and as a student, Donald gained a popularity amongst his fellows which few ever attain. He had an active, inquiring mind and a

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fine sense of humour. None of us will forget his telling of a good story, his quick and couthy remarks and the twinkle in his eye.

His interests were wide and varied and, small and robust in stature, he took naturally to sports of all kinds. He was a member of the 1st Troop of Boy Scouts, the Scottish Schoolboys' Club and the Army Cadet Force.

From mountaineering he gained most pleasure. A keen and experienced climber, his company was sought by many in Aberdeen and elsewhere. He had a wide first-hand knowledge of the Scottish hills, and spent most of his holidays in learning to know them intimately. No matter what the weather or how bad the going, climbing with him was never dull. He was the perfect companion, a careful, trustworthy and forever cheerful partner in any situation, and he had modesty almost to the point of diffidence.

His spirit of adventure was translated into energy and enterprise in his daily duties in the Infirmary. He worked without sparing himself both in the treatment of his patients and in extending his own knowledge. His thoughtfulness and self-sacrifice combined with his cheery manner and ability to perform hard work, marked him as one who had much to live for in his chosen profession.

Many have suffered a grievous loss in his untimely death and the only consolation to those who knew him intimately is to have had the great fortune of simply being his friends. To have worked with him and to have shared as a friend most of his years was a stimulating and unforgettable experience.

His like will not occur again.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs. McConnach and her daughter, Jean, who only a few weeks previously lost Donald's elder brother, Ernest, suddenly in Africa.

Ernest Ian McConnach (193,-43) died suddenly at Nairobi on 57 January r951, aged twenty-four. He had a distinguished career at the School of Architecture, Robett Gordon's Technical College, Aberdeen, where in June 1949 he was awarded his diploma. In 1947 he won a maintenance scholarship awarded by the Architects' Registration Council of the United Kingdom and in the following year he gained a special award in the Rutland Prize Competition, promoted by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland for the best practical working design of a seaside dance hall. Later the same year he was awarded Alexander C. Barker's Legacy Prize in Architecture and the Aberdeen Corporation Medal for the best design in municipal or civic building, which he gained for his design of a model hospital staff home. He was also a Tite Prize finalist and won the Aberdeen Society of Architects' Medal in 1949.

Soon after completing his course in architecture he left for Kenya to join Ernst May, the well-known architect and town planner. He was employed mainly on the design and erection of a group of buildings for the Aga Khan Indian community at Kisumu, including a girls' school, a maternity home and a block of Rats.

A friend writes :— All who knew Ernest McConnach felt that he was marked for greatness.

Perhaps they were not quite sure why they felt this—perhaps, indeed, nobody really understood the height of his idealism and the scope of the artistic ambition which lay behind his creative efforts as a young architect ; but no one could hear him talk of his work without catching at least some of his tremendous enthusiasm for every aspect of it. As he learned to master the essential techniques of his art, his mind was always soaring beyond their mere pedestrian use in his desire to realise by their means the ideal conceptions which inspired him. He won his share of academic honours, and in his work for Emst May in Kenya he was greatly enjoying what seldom comes the way of a newly qualified architect—the planning and erecting of buildings which were all his own. In a short time he went far and showed an ability to go very• far indeed.

At School he led the rather isolated existence of one who specialises in the Art department, where he spent many happy hours. But he entered with great enthusiasm into the work of the Dramatic Society. He had promising talent as an actor and especially that most rare gift, the ability to think himself completely into the character of a part. He devoted much time and trouble to the designing and construction of sets for plays produced by Mr. Charles

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Forbes. Perhaps his enthusiasm inclined him a little to rashness in obtaining his ends—as on the occasion when he unwittingly cut up a large section of the red prize-giving carpet in order to make some padded seats for a railwaycarriage scene ! But his settings for " St. Joan " in 1943 were conceived and built on a scale that was new to School productions at that time. Always he put his whole heart and soul into the work, inspiring his friends with his unbounded enthusiasm. Indeed enthusiasm and sincerity were the qualities in Ernest that first impressed one on meeting him, along with his happiness and his abundant sense of fun. He had a great capacity for friendship, and was himself the kindest of persons.

Like his brother, Ernest was a great lover of nature, of the hills and of the West Coast. He took delight in spending week-ends at the Shelter Stone, at Corrour Bothy or at Lui Beg, and in successive summers he spent several months with a student friend on Iona or at some lonely sheiling further up the coast. It was from his love of the Scottish countryside that he drew much of his inspiration, and he was never happier than when trying to graft modern ideas of design on to traditional Scottish building habits. He was a revolutionary in a way, but a revolutionary who had full and appreciative understanding of the social scene he longed to adorn. He was a dreamer of great dreams, and all of them were noble. Scotland has lost one of her sons who would have served her with distinction. His friends arc proud to have known him, and to have shared a little in his vision.

William Mackay* (1884-94), M.A., B.L., advocate in Aberdeen, died suddenly at his home, The Neuk, Cults, Aberdeenshire, on z8 February 1951. He was aged seventy-three.

Third son of ROBERT WHYTE MACKAY (1857-58), wholesale merchant, Aberdeen, he graduated M.A. at the University of Aberdeen in 1897, and B.L. in 1901. He became a legal assistant with Messrs. Edmonds & Ledingham, advocates, Aberdeen, and then joined Messrs. Hunter & Gordon, advocates, in the same capacity.

Ile became a partner in the firm in 1919 and was latterly senior partner. He had been a member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen since 1905.

Like his two elder brothers, he was in his younger days an all-round sportsman.

He was a prominent member of the School and F.P. rugby and cricket teams and had a lifelong interest in tennis. He was one of the founders of the Osborne Tennis Club, Aberdeen, and latterly took a very great interest in the Cults Tennis Club. Because of his ancillary knowledge and talents in the way of photography, sketching, botany and other things, he was a well-equipped out-door man. lie was a keen walker and was very familiar with the Braemar district.

His eldest brother, ROBERT WHrrE MACKAY (1882-90), O.B.E., died at Aberdeen in 1941 ; his other brother, the Honourable LORD MACKAY (Alexander Mortice Mackay)* (1882-91), K.C., M.A., LL.D., has been on the Scottish Bench since 1928.

William Mackay McLachlan* (1876-78), M.A., W.S., who was for twentysix years general secretary of the Foreign Mission Committee of the Church of Scotland, died at Edinburgh on 9 February 1951, in his ninetieth year. He was one of the outstanding lay figures in the Church, and was described in a tribute in The Searman as a great missionary statesman.

Almost seventy years ago Mr. McLachlan went to Edinburgh and in 1885 he was admitted to the Society of Writers to His Majesty's Signet. (At his death he was senior member of the Society.) It was, however, to the Church of Scotland that he dedicated his life work. From 1908 until 1934 he was general secretary, first of the former Church of Scotland Foreign Mission Committee and from 1929 of the corresponding Committee of the united Church of Scotland, and on his retirement after more than quarter of a century of distinguished service, there was a memorable incident at the General Assembly when a spontaneous tribute was paid to him. As the Moderator was about to convey to him the cordial thanks of the Assembly and of the whole Church, the Assembly rose to their feet as one man.

In Life and Work the late Very Rev. Dr. C. W. G. Taylor wrote :— Turning aside from a business career which offered many favourable prospects to accept the appointment of foreign mission general secretary in the pre-union Church of Scotland, he found himself occupying one of the most important and most exacting posts in the Church. . . . The Committee were fortunate in having a secretary whose business capacity was undoubted,

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whose knowledge of the work was unfailingly accurate, whose advice in matters of policy was reliable, and whose zeal in the missionary cause was contagious.

For sixty-three years Mr. McLachlan was an elder of the Kirk of Grcyfriars. In 1913-14 he was chiefly responsible for the planning and establishment of the Edinburgh Association for the Provision of Hostels for Women Students, and he was a member of the board of management for thirty-seven years and its chairman for twenty-five years. He was an original member of the Edinburgh Provincial Committee for the Training of Teachers and took a leading part in the founding in Edinburgh of an Aberdeen University Graduates' Association.

Charles Fowkes Macpherson (1910-I 0, solicitor, died suddenly at Priestwell, Dufftown, on 29 September 195o, aged fifty-one. Second son of the late Provost Macpherson, Dufftown, he served in the 1914-18 war as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Flying Corps and, after qualifying at Edinburgh as a solicitor in 192I, he went into partnership with his father in Dufftown. In 1922 he was appointed by Dufftown Town Council to be treasurer and collector and, when his father became provost in 1925, he succeeded him as town clerk. He held this post until 1939 when he was mobilised with the Territorial Army, with the rank of Major. After the war he was elected a member of Dufftown Town Council. He held many honorary positions in the burgh and was a keen sportsman, both with rod and gun.

Alexander Dalrymple McQueen (1884-92), M.B., Ch.B., died at Quinton, Birmingham, on 23 November 1950, aged seventy-four. He graduated at the University of Aberdeen in 1898, and then joined Dr. Ellis Mitchell of Old Hill, Staffs., as an assistant. Subsequently, after a voyage as a ship's surgeon in a Holt liner bound for the East Indies, he took over the Blackheath and Rowley portion of the practice and remained there for fifty years. He retired in 1948.

In the course of an appreciation in the Aberdeen University Review, his brother, JAMES MILROY MCQUEE.N (1886-88 and 1892-98), M.A., B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B.(Aberd.), D.P.H.(Oxon.), who was in practice at Halesowen, near Birmingham, until 1948, wrote :— He attended the Grammar School at the commencement of its Augustan

Agc. Dr. James Moir introduced the majesty and humour of the Greek drama, while taking an exquisite pleasure in correcting errors in Geddes's Greek Grammar, though it must be confessed due homage was ever paid to Veitch. Murison brought to the study of English a classical background and an independence of Bain's English Grammar, while H. F. Morland Simpson took Greek History at the gallop with a reverent appreciation of the New Testament in Greek. . . .

My brother had no experience of the latest modem forms of medical practice—a sort of tip-and-run practice that has developed since July 1948.

He retired from active work a few days before the new Health Act came into force and by retinal found an ark to ride out the foreseen deluge.

He rejoiced that he had graduated before the present craze for overloading medical textbooks and multiplying classes,with consequent glorification of feats of memory, though these feats are integrated within the narrowest of time limits.

His other brother, WILLIAM ANDREW MCQUEEN (1897-1900), B.Sc. (Mining) (Birm.), died in Bolivia in 1941.

John George McWillie (1889-92), M.B., C.M., D.P.H., died at his home, 195z. He was aged 4 Eastbourne Road, Linthorpc, Middlesbrough, on 25 January seventy-seven. Son of Mr. William McWillie, sometime grocer and registrar in Old Aberdeen, he graduated at the University of Aberdeen in 1896 and from 1901 to 1922 he was in medical practice at Hull. In the 1914-18 war he served in France with the Red Cross and was engaged in medical work at Hull and in the Ministry of Pensions in London. When he retired in 1922, he went to live in Banchory and was elected a member of the Town Council. After a visit to Pennsylvania in 1937 to receive treatment and instruction from Dr. William Howard Hay of " The Hay System" fame, he wrote a book entitled "The Hay System Simplified : Diet in Health and Disease ". He had lived in Middlesbrough since 1947.

Douglas Marshall (19o5-o7), retired bank agent, died suddenly at Viewbank, Invergordon, on 20 February 1951, aged sixty-one. He entered the service of the North of Scotland Bank at Cluny Square Branch, Buckie, in 1908, was transferred

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to Elgin in 1914, and appointed agent at Portknockie in 1919. Nine years later he was promoted to the agency at Invergordon, where he served until he retired in t948. He was a keen all-round sportsman and in his younger days played football on occasions for one of the senior clubs. He was a good swimmer and an enthusiastic amateur yachtsman. Latterly his chief pastimes were golf and bowls.

John Gray Munro (1920-31), M.A. (Cantab.), Group Captain, R.A.F. (retired), died on 23 January 1951. Aged thirty-seven, he was the elder son of Mr. John D. Munro, M.B.E., advocate in Aberdeen, and after leaving the School he studied at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he obtained honours in the Mechanical Sciences Tripos. In 1934 he was appointed to a permanent commission in the R.A.F. and in the following year he took first place in a flying and officership course.

From 1935 to 1937 he was engaged in flying duties in the Sudan and the United Kingdom and in 1937-38 he attended the long armament course at Eastchurch, again taking first place. For the next two years he was in the research and development department of the Air Ministry and in 194o-41 he was engaged in operations in Whirlwinds. He was then appointed chief test pilot and chief technical officer in the Air Gun Mounting Establishment and in 1942 he became Wing Commander (Fighters) in the Telecommunication Flying Unit, where his duties were concerned with the testing and performance assessment of radar and other electronic equipment.

In the flowing year he graduated at the Senior Army Staff College and was selected by the Air Ministry as first chief armament maintenance officer, South-East Asia.

Thereafter he held various flying and administrative posts including the command of R.A.F. Ranchi, India. He reached the rank of Group Captain and retired from the R.A.F. in 1949.

James Alexander Rhind (1902-04) died at 19 Janefield Place, Maryfield, Dundee, on 4 October 1950, aged sixty-one. He worked in solicitors' offices in Aberdeen for seven years, and in 1912, after an intimation had appeared in the Magazine about opportunities in Chile, he was one of three F.P.s who went out to join the Anglo-Chilean Nitrate and Railway Company Limited at Tocopilla. For five years he worked in the accountant's department at the Company's head office there and from 1918 to 1921 he was accountant at the nitrate manufacturing plant, " Santa Isabel ". He was then accountant in the head office for three years and, when the Company was absorbed by the American Company, Compaiiia Salitrera Anglo-Chilena, in 1925, he was transferred to the accountant's department at the nitrate manufacturing plant, " Coya Norte ", where he worked until 193t.

He returned from Chile in 1932 and for five years had a confectionery business in Menstric, Clackmannanshire. Thereafter he went to Dundee and joined the staff of the city factor's department in a temporary capacity. Afterwards he became cashier with a firm of electrical contractors in Dundee and remained in their service until his death. His chief interests were his home and his garden and he took a great interest in Church affairs, being latterly an elder and congregational treasurer of Baxter Park Church, Dundee.

ERNEST A. BucH.m (1890-97), who was general manager of the AngloChilean Nitrate and Railway Company Limited, Tocopilla, until 1926, writes that he was the most unselfish, warm-hearted man he ever met.

His twin brother, PETER JOHNSTONE RHINE* (1902-04), lives at Peterculter, Aberdeenshire.

John Minto Robertson* (1894-1901), M.A., LL.D., F.E.I.S., Headmaster of Kemnay Secondary School for twenty-five years, Editor of the Aberdeen University Review, and an F.P. who was second to none in devotion to his old School, died suddenly at 9 Woodend Place, Aberdeen, on it January 195t. He was aged sixtyseven.

He graduated M.A. with honours in Classics at the University of Aberdeen in 1905, and in the same year began his teaching career as an assistant master at Forfar Academy. From 1906 to 1908 he was Classics master at Albyn Place School, Aberdeen ; in 1908 he obtained the same post in Turriff Higher Grade School ; and he became headmaster of Ketnnay Secondary School in 1923. He remained there until 1948, when he retired and came to live in Aberdeen. In 1940 he was elected to Fellowship of the Educational Institute of Scotland and in 1945 he received the honorary degree of LL.D. from his Alma Mater.

During his headmastership the fame of the open-air performances of Shakespeare's plays by his pupils spread far beyond Aberdeenshire, and the school library

Obituary

15'

which he founded was a monument to his initiative, his enthusiasm, and his scholarly wisdom. In an article in the Scottish EducationalJournal after Dr. Robertson's death, it was stated that not many Grammar Schools in England have libraries as extensive as the one he established in one of the tamer parts of wild Aberdeenshire.

He was a prolific and erudite writer with a facile and witty style, as readers of the Magazine during the past thirty years may well know, although he preferred on most occasions to preserve the semi-anonymity of "Tertiary John" or "J. M. R.".

Among his many contributions to the Magazine were a tribute to " C. D. " (on his leaving the staff of the school for the University staff), an impression of the unveiling of the 1914-18 War Memorial, thoughts and after-thoughts on the unveiling of the Byron Statue, a tribute to Dr. Charles McLeod (on the occasion of the presentation of his portrait to the School), an Open Letter to " C. D. " (on his election as President of the Club), an impression of the ceremony at which the School was presented with the portrait of Dr. Theodore Watt, his School and University class-mate, and a typically racy chapter of reminiscences entitled " The Sheriff and I Go Back to School ", which appeared in the last issue. He took great delight in writing, and to the Scottish Educational Journal he contributed many articles under the pen-name " Epimetheus ". His appointment as editor of the Aberdeen University Review gave fresh vigour to that journal and the utmost pleasure to himself.

Since his death, the "Record of the Arts Class, 1901-05", edited by him, has been published.

Two TRIBUTES It is just fifty years ago that Minto Robertson was dux of the School.

His contemporaries held him in high esteem, for he not only set the pace in intellectual effort but he was in all respects a good companion, high-spirited and kind-hearted, whose vitality and joie de vivre infected all with whom he came in contact. He retained throughout life an intense loyalty for the School and a profound affection for that great Rector, Morland Simpson, who left so deep an impression on our generation.

It is no exaggeration to say that there was a touch of genius in Minto Robertson. He graduated in Classics and loved the subject well ; but he excelled in English and combined a wide and extensive knowledge with a facility of expression and a ready pen which raised all that he wrote or said in public well above normal standards. His writings were seasoned with a genial wit and a puckish humour which reflected his own cheerful outlook on life and added grace and charm to a lucid and well-balanced style.

He had talents which would have enabled him to make his mark in any and career he cared to choose. These he devoted to the training of youthmany found deep satisfaction in the work in which he was absorbed for so the years. In 1945 the University recognised his merits by conferring on him degree of LL.D. and the choice was widely approved by his professional colleagues, who in their turn met to do him all the honour in their power. outpost On that occasion he modestly described his sphere of labour as " anKemnay, of education ". But it was much more than that and his work in especially the acting of Shakespearian plays by his pupils, which evoked so much admiration, won the commendation of all interested in education.

On his retiral he was appointed editor of the Aberdeen University Review, a post for which he was eminently fitted, and he himself, as well as his readers, looked forward with pleasurable anticipation to many years of useful and congenial work. The few numbers of the Review which he produced, and which bear the distinctive mark of his personality, serve to show how much we have lost by his sudden death.

Throughout life he was a blithe spirit, with a ready welcome, a kindly word the high and a hearty laugh. And underneath were the so-gdfast purpose and imprinciple, the Christian character and the loyal friendship that induced generation, plicit trust as well as affection. Lex est, non poena, perire, but we of his longer and many more besides, could have cherished Minto Robertson much in our midst.

J. M. M. a deep The sudden death of Dr. J. Minto Robertson must have brought innumerable sense of personal loss to many of his former schoolfellows and the

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pupils of Turriff and Kemnay Schools who owe him a debt of gratitude both for the inspiration of his teaching and for the example of his life.

I knew him as a family friend before I was old enough to start Latin under his guidance, but to all his pupils he was a friend and remained one for life.

The fact that we addressed him as " Magister" was an expression of our affection as well as of our respect for his teaching ability. There will doubtless always be many who find Latin a dry and difficult subject, but " Magister " was -full of ideas for making it as living and interesting as possible. I can recall how in 1914 we translated into Latin newspaper extracts on submarine warfare, the departure of the local Territorials from Turriff station, etc.

Roman History was treated in such a way as to give us a real understanding of the way of life of the people. And however slow and stupid some of us might be, "Magister" retained his good humour and livened our studies with constant jokes and leg-pulling about our activities outside school, of which he seemed to have an uncanny knowledge.

He was a frequent contributor to the Magazine, which was undoubtedly his model when he founded the Turrif School Magazine—a publication which flourished for several years before the first war and which, within its narrower limits, did not disgrace its more illustrious model. "Magister" put in a tremendous amount of work on the T.S.M.--threatening or cajoling lazy or timid schoolboys to write contributions, editing the results (and they must have needed quite a lot of editing !), correcting the proofs, persuading local shopkeepers to advertise, organising sales and keeping the accounts. He received some assistance from senior pupils, but most of the work he did single-handed.

It was a great pleasure recently, after having been out of touch with " Magister " for several years, to receive a letter urging me to contribute an article to the Aberdeen University Review, of which he took over the editorship after his retirement from the headmastership of Kemnay School. From his letters, he seemed just the same as ever : there would be references to happy memories of early days in Turriff, sly digs about half-forgotten disreputable exploits in my youth, and an occasional lapsing into Latin, which I am afraid sent me hunting for my Latin dictionary.

No tribute to " Magister" would be complete without a reference to his deep religious convictions. For several years I sat under him in Sunday School as well as on weekdays, and his teaching in both classes was equally interesting and inspiring. He had a real vocation as a teacher, and concentrated on the development of character while at the same time training his pupils to pass the necessary examinations. ' Magister " has passed on, but his work lives in the hundreds of pupils whose characters he helped to mould and who will not easily allow his memory to fade.

J. L. M. George Mackie Stephen (19zo-26), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., elder son of JoHN HERBERT STEPHEN* (1899-1900), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.I1., died at his home in Hampstead, London, on a May 1951, aged forty-one. Ile was dux of the School in 1926 at the age of sixteen and at the University of Aberdeen he also had a distinguished career. He graduated M.A. with first class honours in Classics in 1930, and M.B., Ch.B. with first class honours in 1935, winning many medals and prizes in the Faculties of Arts and Medicine, including the Murray Gold Medal and Scholarship for the most distinguished graduate of his year in Medicine.

After a year of hospital work he was awarded the Philipps Scholarship in Materia Medica and the George Thompson Fellowship. For a time he worked at the London Hospital and from 1938 to 1942 he was a lecturer in the Department of Bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen. In 1943 he was appointed assistant pathologist to Essex County Hospital, with charge of a laboratory at Broomfield Hospital, and from 1944 to 1947 he was assistant pathologist to the L.C.C. NorthWestern Group Laboratory. Thereafter his career was interrupted by ill-health but during the past two years he u as able to return to work and became a consultant pathologist to the North-West Regional Hospital Board.

His younger brother, JoHN Low STEPHEN* (1921-28), M.A., Ch.M., F.R.C.S.E., is now a full-time surgical specialist at Paddington Hospital, London. He had held various surgical posts in London since 1937.

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In a tribute in the British Medical Journal a colleague wrote :— Dr. Stephen was a man of outstanding intellect, but ill-health prevented him to some extent from fulfilling the early promise of a brilliant post-graduate career. . . . A man of culture and catholic interests, he had great fluency in both the spoken and the written word and was an excellent teacher. Many students will remember his witty sallies which drove home the dull facts.

Besides possessing a deep knowledge of music he had a good tenor voice.

He was a devout churchman. His wide circle of friends will miss him sorely, for he was a most likeable man.

Charles Frederick Hayne Stewart (1894) died at Aberdeen, on 28 February 1951 He was aged sixty. He entered the service of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company Limited in 1896 and served the Company in various capacities for forty-two years until he retired in 1938 on account of ill-health.

He was a keen Territorial and joined the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in 1905. He served in the r914-18 war until he was invalided from the Army after Gallipoli.

In his young days he was keen on swimming and water polo. He was an elder of Torry U.F. Church for many years.

Charles Addington Peel Walker* (1894-1902), D.C.M., died at High Prairie, Alberta, Canada, in July 195o, aged sixty-five. He entered the service of the I ludson's Bay Company in 1903.

LEONARD JOHN SMITH* (189o-19oz) writes :— Charlie was a schoolfellow of mine at the Grammar and for many years my closest friend. He was a sterling fellow in every way and endeared himself to all who had the good fortune to know him.

He was a tower of strength in the School cricket eleven for two years, and was, I think, one of the best bats the School ever had. Shortly after leaving School he joined the Hudson's Bay Company at Wabasca Post, Alberta, became manager there and later at Grouard until 1915, when he enlisted as a Private in the 49th Canadian Battalion. He served in France with distinction, was awarded the D.C.M. and rose to the rank of Captain.

On his return to Canada he was in the service of the City of Edmonton, but later rejoined the H.B. Company. In 5930 he entered business at High Prairie and was in addition Postmaster for that town. During the last war he again volunteered, and served as Quartermaster at various Training Centres in Alberta.

The following in a Canadian newspaper is indeed a tribute:— " . . . The entire business section of High Prairie closed down, as town and district residents paid their last respects to the late Charles Walker. Among the great crowd attending the funeral were many Indians, who had long regarded Mr. Walker as their friend. . . ."

John Walker* (1931-43), assistant manager of the Chembong Estate, Negri Sembilan, Malaya, was killed in a road accident on 9 December 195o. He was aged twenty-four. The sports car in which he and his acting manager were returning to their estate crashed into a petrol tanker. On leaving the School in 1943, he joined the Merchant Navy as a Cadet Officer and served for almost three years on a rescue ship which escorted convoys across the Atlantic from the Clyde to Halifax. From 1946 to 1948 he worked as a student farmer on several dairy farms in the North-East of Scotland, and after being a student at the University of Aberdeen for a short time, he went out to Malaya early in 195o. During the last two years which he spent in this country his great interest was gliding He gained his glider's certificate and spent most of his week-ends at Dyce as a gliding instructor to air cadets.

John Lamb Walker (1887-89), M.A., died at Dumfries on 12 November 195o, aged seventy-eight. After graduating at the University of Aberdeen in 1893, he was appointed a master at Gargask School, Laggan, Inverness-shire, and thereafter he was an assistant master at Cullen. From 1903 to 191o he was on the staff of Dalbeattic School and took a great interest in the social life of the town. He was secretary of the Young Men's Guild and of the tennis club. From 1910 to 1916 he was headmaster of Hardgate Public School, Urr, and registrar and session clerk of Urr parish as well as scoutmaster of the 1st Troop of Boy Scouts. In 1916 he went to the Blantyre Mission, Nyasaland, where for four years he was an

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

educational missionary of the Church of Scotland, and having thereafter returned to this country, he re-joined the staff of Dalbeattie School. Later he taught in Dumfries, first at Kirkgunzeon School and then at Southwick front 1924 until he retired in 1 934.

John Montgomery Walker* (1881-90) died at West London Hospital on 27 March 1951, aged seventy-six. From 1907 to 192o he was manager of Bullabarie Tea Estate, Dam-Dim, Dooars, Bengal, and he retired to England in 1929. From 1930 to 1937 he lived at Westgate-on-Sea and thereafter he moved to London.

During the second world war he worked at the Ministry of Aircraft Production.

George Wallace* (1895-1902), late assistant secretary, Department of Health for Scotland, died at Edinburgh on z8 March 1951, aged sixty-six. He was modern dux and gold medallist in 19oz and, shortly after leaving School, he joined H.M. Patent Office where he worked until 191o. He then obtained a post in the Scottish Education Department but from 1915 to 1919 he was seconded to the Highlands and Islands Medical Service Board and helped to found the Health Service which became a model for other lonely and outlying places. In 1920, when the Highlands and Islands Board was absorbed by the Scottish Board of Health, he joined the staff of the Board of Health as head of a section. Later he was promoted to principal in the Department of Health for Scotland and in 1939 he became an assistant secretary in charge of public assistance and local government. At the time of his retirement in 1945 he held the post of establishment officer. For twentyfive years he was a member of the Council of the Civil Service Nursing Association, and for fifteen years he acted as chairman.

John Webster (1881-90), M.A., B.L., advocate in Aberdeen, died at his home, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, on 23 March 195 t, aged seventy-eight. He graduated M.A. at the University of Aberdeen in 1894, and B.L. with distinction in 1897. l le served his law apprenticeship with Messrs. James & George Collie, Aberdeen, and was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1898.

After practising in London and Ireland, where he was chiefly engaged in court work, he joined the firm of Clark, Oliver, Dewar & Webster, solicitors, Arbroath, retiring in 1928.

When his wife, Mrs. Mary E. Bruce-Webster, went on her scientific expeditions in connection with her research work in medical biology, John Webster always accompanied her. They travelled to many foreign countries—South America, Mexico, the Pacific Isles, West Africa, and many distant parts. I Jere, John Webster showed his great organising power and he took charge of the base camps, his tact and wit helping to surmount the many and varied difficulties. Indeed, his great charm and especially his wit made him a delightful companion, and he was credited with being the originator of many an " Aberdeen " story. It is said that he supplied the stationmaster at Aberdeen with the yearly " Aberdeen-latest " for his Majesty's amusement on his annual visits to the North.

Though he never performed himself, John Webster was very musical and never tired of listening to his wife's rendering of Beethoven's piano sonatas. He preferred the old classical composers, Beethoven in particular. His death is a great loss to his many friends.

Alexander Henderson Wyness (1876-8 t) died at 5 Royfold Crescent, Aberdeen, on z8 November 1950, aged eighty-four. In 1889 he went to Ceylon and for seventeen years he was engaged in tea planting. Thereafter he spent six years growing fruit and farming in British Columbia. On returning to this country he became private secretary to Mr. George Davidson, Wellwood, Cults, a post which he held until Mr. Davidson's death. When a young man, Mr. Wyness was a very keen cyclist and was honorary secretary and treasurer of the Aberdeen Cycling Club for several years before and after he left School. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Free East Church Literary Association. About 1922 he became a Roman Catholic and for many years he was secretary of the Catenian Association.

His great interest in life was reading. * * * On 24 June 195o there was unveiled by the Bishop of Rochester a memorial tablet to the late JOHN ARTHUR CUMMING (1876-82), I.C.S. (retired), in the choir stalls of the chapel of St. Peter's Hall, Oxford. Mr. Cumming, who died in July 1949, was the first honorary treasurer and bursar of the college, which was founded in 1928.

SCHOOL SECTION School and Random Notes No doubt what I am writing will require much correction ; but in the main, I think it will do. How little the all-important art of making meaning pellucid is studied now I Hardly any popular writer, except myself, thinks of it. Many seem to aim at being obscure. Indeed, they may be right enough in one sense ; for many readers give credit for profundity to whatever is obscure, and call all that is perspicuous, shallow. But coraggio I and think of A.D. 285o. Where will your Emersons be then ? But Herodotus will still be read with delight. We must do our best to be read too.—Lord Macaulay's Diary (Entry for January is, 1850).

Publish and be damned.—The Duke of Wellington.

We are genuinely sorry to hear that Mr. Couper is to be leaving us this summer. Although he has been back with us for only four years, his connection with the School is much longer, and his going will leave an unusual silence. In particular, we shall miss the regular blessing of boots upon the hockey field. We wish him every success in his new post and hope to see him sometime when the Dons play Raith at Pittodrie. * * * vacancy left by Mr. Collie's the of time, lapse After a considerable departure has been filled. We welcome Mr. Banks to the School and hope that he will be at home among us. He is an expert in botany and we feel this qualification will be a heaven-sent blessing to the scientifically-minded boys of Upper VI during the tedious summer term, when any excuse to get outside into the School garden to sun themselves is welcomed with heartfelt gratitude. * * * F.P.s will be shocked and grieved to hear that the School has suffered the loss of two old and revered friends. True; they had latterly seemed rather off-colour, but after all they silently watched over many a ceremony and wisely regarded the progress of countless generations of Grammar School boys. Moreover they were the only witnesses of all the odd goings-on in Hall every morning. We refer, of course, to the Old Curtains. Their successors, they tell us, are much more tasteful and worthy of the School, but they have no history, these upstarts I * * * term in that we were visited last fortunate extraordinarily We were

by John Lawrie, the well-known Scottish actor, who was appearing at His Majesty's Theatre for a week. The boys of Upper School gathered in the Library and Mr. Lawrie recited to us a number of old Scots ballads and some of the works of Burns. His object, he said, was to convince us all, if we were not already of this opinion, that poetry is not dry and uninteresting, but has a rushing, sparkling life of its own which has a peculiar appeal to almost every temperament.

And certainly none of us who were present that afternoon, and who fell under the spell of Mr. Lawrie's every look and gesture as he delivered Burns's famous " Tam o' Shanter ", will ever forget the grace and freshness with which the poem came to us from his lips.

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In almost every kind of sport, School has been flourishing.

Twice has the " auld enemy" been defeated at rugger, and once already this year at cricket. The Tennis Club (or " Section " as it is quaintly known in official circles, although what it is a section of, and why, is rather obscure) . . . the Tennis Club, we were saying, is on the up-grade and is very fortunate in its enterprising officebearers who are doing their utmost to secure an interesting fixturelist. Over only one event should we like to draw a curtain, for the Evening Express relay race trophy has been spirited away again. Our congratulations are due to the Gordon's team, whom we now warn to beware next year. * * * For the second time in three years the School has been honoured by the sponsors of the Kemsley Newspapers' Summer Trips Abroad.

On this occasion our senior prefect, A. Stewart Fraser, has had the distinction of being invited to join seventeen other North-East boys and girls for a fortnight in Belgium. We take this opportunity of adding our congratulations, and wishing him a most enjoyable and memorable holiday. * * * Throughout recent sessions the number of masters outside the P.T. department who show interest and a degree of aptitude for sport has, we are keen to report, been increasing. Mr. Norris is certainly a vocal addition to the nets and tennis courts, where this year's School Concert is likely to be held ; while the effervescent Mr. Stephen has been seen encouraging members of the 1st XI. Furthermore that titan of mighty swipes and little misses, M r. McLeod, recently turfed his way round Deeside to win a Silver Spoon in the Monthly Medal. An innovation last term was a unique hockey encounter, Masters v.

Boys, which has come to take its place beside the popular soccer and cricket matches. Such amazing progress seems to demand at least a masters' night at Rubislaw on Friday, even if an actual field-day during the week, with, of course, compulsory attendance, cannot be arranged. * * * Ours is a very conservative society and therefore resists all change.

By "us ", we refer, of course, to that stablest of stable bodies, the prefecture. Any departure from the usual routine is quite likely to upset the efficiency of our unit. The sudden disappearance therefore of the lectern during the week of the School play (together with the redness of the new curtains) boded to confront the Reading Prefect with a double problem. How was he to cover up his absent flannel creases, and how was he to explain away the apparently continuous blushing of his cherubic countenance ? In great expectation we heard from those who were present that the senior prefect solved this problem, like so many others, by taking over himself, and reading the lesson for yet another week. * * * There is in our midst, in case you haven't noticed it, Dear Reader, a flourishing philatelic society, or in other words—a Stamp Club,

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15 7

organized, in case you haven't heard, by the effervescent Mr. Stephen— no, we've used that adjective before—the bubbling-over-with-boundless-energy Mr. Stephen : finally, in case you haven't grasped the full significance of these facts . . . we assure you, Dear Reader, that neither have we 1 * * * who helped them in the Masters The Editors wish to thank all the collection of articles and notes, both for this issue and the last, and the boys who by some stretch of imagination (or inspiration) managed somehow to produce something I * * * Our C.C.F. company once again had the inexcusable temerity to enter a team in the annual Cadet Wapinschaw, which was held at the Black Dog Ranges on Sunday, zo May. We say temerity, for we happen to know that the opportunities our Cadets have for practising .5o3 shooting are extremely few and far between, and we somehow feel that to become a good shot is not exactly the most simple achievement in life. But to the surprise of everyone, including the members of the team themselves, the said team accounted for itself so well, that at the end of the day it found itself the proud but rather astounded winner of the Tawse Trophy with a total of 204 points out of a possible z6o. We congratulate the members of th. team—C.S.M. A. S. Fraser, C.Q.M.S. W. Jack, Sergeant R. McIntyre and Corporal A. S. Noble, —and hope that they have quite recovered. * * * Boarding House is a School the We have always known that charitable institution.

It was therefore no great surprise to us when we learned that the Powers that Are in the said institution unearthed their Chivalrous Spirit from somewhere or other, and decided to allow the young ladies of St. Margaret's the use of their tennis courts on certain afternoons in the week. Since this decision was announced, there has been a great increase in the number of inquiries concerning the Boarding House ; the inmates themselves show a much greater alacrity to return home at 4 o'clock ; it has even come to our ears that a certain official resident is actually displaying some outward signs of life : there is now a faint, but just discernible glint in his eye ; his walk has speeded up from a tired, dejected stagger to a gently satisfied amble, and his pipe, like a volcano emerging from a period of relative inactivity, can now be seen spluttering and smoking with merry abandon. * * * Bursary Competition ends the There arc those who believe that the School year, apart from the Sports, Summer Dance and Prizegiving. In normal times they are probably right, but this year (Festival) has brought a difference. Gone is the reputed boredom.

Never before have the boys of classes V and VI been wandering around with such a glazed look in their eyes. The reason ? That old Chivalrous Spirit (or so it has been described by of iv TiAEL) has been

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Aberdeen Grammar School Alagazine

stirred to the rescue of a certain young ladies' establishment in Albyn Place. There our acting talent, fresh from its orgy in the Flood (upon this success we congratulate Mr. Russell), is now being matched with the best of the High in the production of Housman's " Victoria Regina ". * * * At last the long-awaited moment had arrived. Mr. Baxter wearily dragged his way from Room z to the Office, assisted by the three penniless prefects from the Boarding House. One all-time record had at last come to the Grammar School. Fifty pounds (L5o) of lunch tickets had been sold. Everyone, it seemed, wished to taste the fare at the inaugural banquet to mark the opening (it sounded well, anyway) of the School Kitchen. The Science department volunteered to verify our autumn forecasts, but the results so far have been very disappointing. There are only two noticeable differences : the temperature of the pressurized potatoes has increased by .oz° F. ; the time of consumption of meals has decreased by •oz boy-minutes. * * * The true Scot is always expected by Englishmen to perform some ridiculous feat when in London (e.g. the climbing of Eros the night after a Wembley international). So, in accordance with this alleged custom, our Sixth Year Stone-of-Destiny-retriever decided (naturally by accident) to do something while he was in the Capital as a delegate to a World Citizenship Conference. (This is a paradox quite beyond our comprehension.) He became ravenously hungry about i i p.m. one night when our British weather was slightly below normal. Nothing could restrain him; so he splashed out over slushy Tottenham Court Road to his nocturnal dive (featuring Ena Baga at the Hammond Organ), where he gorged himself on baked beans and toast. All the time he was away, his only footwear was a pair of multi-coloured bedroom slippers. * * * During the past months boys of the School have followed with great enthusiasm the fortunes of Mr. Russell's crusade for Standard Scots. A certain rambling member of Upper VI was so tickled at one stage that he felt constrained to write to the Local Press, and gangs of First Ycar boys have afforded the Prefects no little trouble in restraining the shouts of Alastair Revie's war-cry " Let's have Mr. Russell on the radio ". We can divulge, however, that he has already wide experience in this sphere, although not with regard to this particular question. * * * Members of the august Upper Sixth are well-known for showing complete indifference to some of the more serious aspects of their scholastic life. Indeed, they take no trouble to conceal this. It was therefore with a great deal of concern for the poor boys themselves that the more " fatherly "-inclined of the masters noticed the harassed and troubled expressions on these victims' faces when the idea of Summer Exams was first spread abroad. After considerable official calculation and miscalculation it was finally admitted that a grievous

School Sedum

1 59 mistake had been made. The aforesaid exams could surely not concern this year's Sixth, but only its successors. The boys, who have now partially recovered from the initial shock, really appreciated the coordinated efforts of the Staff to correct their own error, and hope that this policy will be continued in the future. * * * Little has been said about the Prefects. Perhaps this is because in our " private " haven we have frequent difficulty in discerning among those occupying the precious space, who are, and who are not, members of our select body. Under Generalissimo Fraser, however, duties take occasional turns of being really well done. But there is usually some hostile activity preventing this, such as interval Club meetings in Room p and team-picking confabs in the Gym. For the information of F.P.s, our celebrated towel-rail can be seen supporting the open window. Whether this is to allow of access to the new fire-escape or to the nearest drain-pipe is difficult to say. * * * By those who are unfamiliar with the extremely complex educational system which holds sway in this grand old school of ours, it may be thought that those fortunate youths who aspire to some acquaintance with Heine, Goethe, Schiller & Co. would study German and only German when they enter that hallowed little room off the Library (yes, Dear Reader, that's what it's meant to be for). But we hasten to assure them that life is never quite as simple as that, and we consider ourselves extremely fortunate if we spend jo per cent. of our time there engaged in the study of German itself. At the beginning of term, to cite only one example of our numerous activities, we have great fun in distributing text-books to the various classes ; at the end of term we are driven almost frantic in trying to collect the said textbooks again and in storing them away for future use (presumably).

This year, however, the Scottish Education Department invented a new game for our amusement. We were gravely furnished with a long tape-measure, equally gravely informed that c = F(s8 — 8) and then dispatched into each classroom to put our new-found knowledge into usc.

At first we were puzzled. We admit it, Dear Reader, we were somewhat puzzled. But after giving the matter considerable thought, we came to the conclusion that since we had been given a tape-measure, well, dash it, it was quite reasonable to assume that we were meant to measure something. To have thought this out all by ourselves pleased us no end, and we set off with much misguided enthusiasm to find out the length and breadth of each room ; but by the time we had completed the operation half a hundred times, our enthusiasm had spirited itself away, leaving us dirty, tired and disgusted. We do not yet know what the mystic characters c ns; 81 mean. Do they give us some advice as to the colour the walls ought to be painted ? Or do they tell us exactly how many floorboards there should be in each room? Or do they perhaps represent the number of

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

British-Workman-Tea-Intervals (an entirely new measure of time we have coined, but one which, we can assure you from personal observation, is equal to a very considerable portion of the normal working day) required to knock each room completely down ? * * * Le.r voild messieurs, les voila.

Presenting the Prefects A. Stewart Fraser. Dramatic President, Secretary of this and that, and Patriarch of the Prefects. Carries books or something around in an official-looking, little, black bag, and watches with dismay the fast decay of the Prefects' Room. Very keen on dramatics, debating and sport and generally disgustingly keen. Rumoured as a possible successor to Mr. Paterson.

There are only two qualities in the world : efficiency and inefficiency ; and only two sorts of people : the efficient and the inefficient.—G. B. Shaw.

Gordon M. McAndrew. President of three Societies and pulls his weight in a number of others, which all goes to show that he doesn't always waste his time. One of Aneurin Bevan's future protégés who, we feel sure, will be his own best patient. Vows that one day he will lead Scotland out of her present slavery, but as yet contents himself with leading frequent parties of gullible little boys up Lochnagar instead.

So the loud torrent, and the whirlwind's roar But bind him to his native mountains more.—Goldsmith.

Gordon S. Cowie. One has to shift " apace " to get abreast of this enterprising youth. Seldom in time for classes, but surprised everyone by reaching the final of the quarter-mile.

If you go so fast, others may go faster.—T. S. Eliot.

Golf ruins the disposition, ties kinks in the nervous system, debauches the morals, and induces progressive mendacity.—Dr. A. S. Lamb.

John L. Brebner. Denizen of a remote and mysterious valley called Strath-Something-or-Other. Employs Forbes as sparringpartner in school and can often be found in a clinch outside. One of the two Upper Sixth boys not entirely lost in the Mathematics class.

He's tough, ma'am, tough, is J.B. Tough, and devilish sly 1—Dickens.

Kenneth E. G. Coates. An unusual but amiable youth who combines an inordinate capacity for assiduous diligence with an insatiable thirst after contemplative quietness—a result, no doubt, of the monastic stillness of his " House ". It was at one time rumoured that he was going to Brazil to persuade the natives (in his fluent Spanish) to turn from coffee-to tea-growing, but he has decided to stay at home and sow wild oats instead.

DUNCAN : MALCOLM :

What bloody man is that ?

This is the sergeant.—Shakespeare.

161 Scbool Section C. Leslie Forbes. A picture of curly-headed innocence—well, curly-headedness anyway. Plays hockey and tennis with enthusiasm and excels in both. His chances of getting Higher Science this year have been estimated at 7 to 3 against, but never mind, Charlie, you got your dynamics after all 1 Frequently accompanies bosom-friend Brebner into the valley of the shadow.

The bloom of young desire and purple light of love.—Gray.

I. Howard Marshall. A ready wit who manages to amuse himself, judging by the raucous laughter to which he not infrequently gives vent. We were all a trifle surprised—and just a wee bit disappointed—to learn that he had only eight (8) Highers.

See Mystery to Mathematics fly !

In vain l they gaze, turn giddy, rave, and die.—Pope.

I'll take you home again, Kathleen.—Popular Song.

Anthony W. Milligan. Tony is quite convinced that the Prefects' Room radiator will make off unless he has a chair tipped back against it, and feet braced against the table . . . he's probably right.

Enjoys an interminable series of " free " periods, but Mr. Cunningham periodically yanks him in to spend his leisure next door.

The dodgerest of the dodgers.—Dickens.

Stanley Monro. A great sportsman whose hero is someone he affectionately calls "Kinny ". We feel this must be P. W. Kininmonth, but we're not sure. . . . Organizes skittleball in the Gym. in his spare time—or part of it—and has always a bright smile for everyone.

Woman 1 when I behold thee flippant, vain, Inconstant, childish, proud, and full of fancies.—John Keats.

Ian K. Robb. A debonair and obliging lad, never in a hurry to go anywhere, except away from classes.

I am happiest when I am idle. I could live for months without performing any kind of labour, and at the expiration of that time I should feel fresh and vigorous enough to go right on in the same way for numerous more months.

—C. F. Browne.

Robert Bain. Difficult to know what to say here : tall and extremely handsome, for which reason, perhaps, he appears to enjoy a good deal of success at the Cowdray Hall on Saturday nights.

Le silence et la modcstie sont qualites tres commodes i la conversation.

—Montaigne.

John A. S. Bett. The bull in the china shop or rather the pleb in the Prefects' Room. His childish imagination has added humour to many a mundane happening and his greatest hobby seems to consist in " discovering " new old Roman towers all over Scotia's fair landscape.

Father, I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet.—George Washington.

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David M. F. Bright. An ardent debater and a chap who manages to do a great deal without seeming to. Follows the Wyllie-Craig tradition in English, which probably accounts for the occasional dazed look. Almost broke Mr. Hemingway's heart.

To be an artist is a great thing, but to be an artist and not know it is the most glorious plight in the world.—J. M. Barrie.

Andrew S. Noble. Andrew works hard—oh, so hard 1 but he still finds time to shine in sports ; his other activities range from first fiddle in the orchestra to leading the remnant of the School Pipe Band. Disclaims all connection with his namesake who instituted that outrageous exam in Scots.

There are epidemics of nobleness as well as epidemics of disease.—Froude.

James L. Wilkie. A fresh-faced youth who has always something (not always very fresh) to say on all topics. Plays hockey in season and engages in dramatics at (all) other times. One of the few boys about whom Mr. Wilson did not have nightmares before the L.C. With patient inattention hear him prate.—Meredith.

Hugh R. Wynne-Edwards. While everyone else cursed the prolonged winter, Hugh could be heard to mutter " Ah 1 better and better ski-ing 1 " Has recently acquired a self-propelled (well, nearly) machine on which he may often be seen "scouting" around.

Always trying to fill some bus for some excursion or other.

No-whey so bisy a man as he ther nas, And yet he semed bisier than he was.—Chaucer. * * * I never saw so many shocking bad hats in my life.—Duke of Wellington.

Aberdeen University Entrance Bursary Competition Nine School candidates—one more than last year—were successful in this year's Entrance Bursary Competition at the University of Aberdeen, the results of which were announced on 13 June 1951.

There was a School representative in the highest grade of the Arts and Medicine sections of the Competition and another Grammarian was runner-up in the Science Section.

In the Arts section, I. Howard Marshall, this year's School dux, was awarded a £70 bursary and Gordon S. Cowie, T. Gordon Coutts and Ian R. Macpherson won bursaries of £40, £zo and Li5 respectively.

In the Medicine section Gordon M. McAndrew was awarded a £30 bursary and Ruaraidh W. McIntyre a £z5 bursary. In the Science section A. Stewart Fraser and Hugh R. Wynne-Edwards won bursaries of £,o and £a, respectively.

School Section

163

Mr. James Davie MR. JAMES DAVIE died on 14 December 195o, after two years of illness bravely and patiently borne. l le was appointed to the Grammar School in 1943, and in 1945 became principal teacher of Technical Subjects. Although his service was short in years, he did excellent work in building up and thoroughly organising a growing department, and at the same time he became a well-beloved member of the staff-room.

He also took a keen interest in sporting activities, and during the war was engineering expert in the School unit of the Air Training Corps.

Easy to meet and know, he was the soul of gentle courtesy and willing readiness to help in word and deed. His handling of material, human and otherwise, was ever a source of wonder to those who visited the workshops and saw the various processes in train, from drawing-board to finished product. His class discipline was one of easy restraint, with the reins ever firm in his guiding hands ; words of criticism and encouragement were given by him not as master to boy but almost as man to man.

He was always ready to oblige in a practical way, either with advice on some knotty point of home-repairs, or with the actual article required. If a Science Lab. gadget failed to function, " Jimmy " would soon " sort it " back to usefulness. Many a memento of his craftsmanship can still be found in various corners of the School ; and there still remain in the hearts of his colleagues, deposited upon the silent shore of memory, images and precious thoughts that shall not die.. . .

During his long illness Mr. Davie maintained the courage and cheerfulness that characterised him at all times. One still recalls the warm smile and the hearty handshake he had for the visitor at his bedside, even to the very last. His passing came as a great shock to his colleagues, whose deep sympathy is extended to his devoted wife and little Moira in their loss, which they are all sorrowfully proud to share.

A SCHOOL APPRECIATION Because of Mr. Davie's long illness, there are many among us to whom he has never been more than a name. But to those of us who knew him personally and who had the unique experience of being instructed at his hand, the news of his death came as a great shock, which lost none of its sadness and poignancy because we had long known that Mr. Davie was a sick man. Mr. Davie's ability as a craftsman was so immediately obvious that it was soon taken for granted among Grammarians. It was his excellence as a teacher that endeared him to us and set him apart in our minds from the common run of humanity. His cheerfulness was ever with him, his kindness and readiness to give a personal word of advice or encouragement to each one of us never failed, and his interest in all our activities was constant in its generosity. It has indeed been sad to lose a teacher of Mr. Davie's worth ; it has grieved us all the more that we have lost such a friend.

A. G. S.

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Changes in the School Staff Departures MR. ROBERT SCOTT COUPER, M.A., after four years of vigorous and zestful teaching in the Classics and English Departments, seasoned with much hectoring of Cadets and nimble activity in the hockey field, is leaving the Staff at the close of this session. He was Classical dux of the Grammar in 1939, and after the war years, during which he saw service in several fields, returned to School as a junior master in April 1947. Both as master and colleague he has won a sure and merited place in our esteem, and we shall miss his breezy personality both in School and field.

From a strong leet he has been appointed to the important post of principal Classics master at Kirkcaldy High School, where his scholarly ability and energetic " classmanship" will find ample scope for expression. Mr. Couper takes with him to Fifeshire the School's sincere thanks for his four years' whole-hearted service, and its best wishes for enterprise and success in his future career. * * * MISS AGNES H. DUFF, M.A., who retired at the end of the spring term, completed almost thirty-four years' service as an assistant in the Lower School. Miss Duff entered the teaching profession in 1909 and, after eight years spent in schools in the City of Aberdeen, was appointed to the staff of the Grammar School in the autumn of 1917. Most of her time was spent with the older classes of the Lower School, including many years teaching " Qualifying IV ", that band of bright pilgrims who, at one time, sallied forth into the Middle School a year ahead of their contemporaries.

Miss Duff will be remembered by many former pupils for her wide knowledge and experience, her proper insistence on precision in work, both oral and written, and, probably most particularly, for the extremely attractive way in which she presented botany and biology to her young charges. Her love of books is reflected in her encyclopedic knowledge of books, authors and publishers—a knowledge which was of the greatest value to her colleagues. Her work as secretary of the Aberdeen Teachers' Library has made her well known to many teachers in Aberdeen.

Each additional year of teaching service appeared to give further zest to Miss Duff's activities in the classroom. It was only last summer, with the end of her teaching days in sight, that she attended a refresher course—a true indication of her continual desire to improve her teaching technique.

The going of Miss Duff has broken yet one more link with the past and has created a gap that will not easily be filled in the Lower School staff. She can assuredly now relax, with the knowledge that an excellent lifetime's job of work has been completed in the service of Grammarians, all of whom will join in wishing her many happy years of retirement.

School Salim

165

MISS ELLA B. ROBERTSON, M.A., after more than fifteen years of very valuable service in the Kindergarten Department, gained well deserved promotion (last January) to the post of Infant Mistress in Smithfield School, Aberdeen. While regretting the loss of such a colleague, we rejoice with her in this increase of responsibility, and also with her new headmaster, Mr. James Eddison, who has now, as the first head of his Infant Department, one so full of understanding of the varied ways of little people, and so experienced and well qualified to guide their development.

Miss Ella (as she was so affectionately called) took every opportunity of improving her professional skill and knowledge, and in 1946 and 1947 added to her University degree special qualifications for work as an infant mistress and nursery school supervisor, thus equipping herself to play a big part in the introduction of modern kindergarten methods and in the establishment of the Nursery Class.

Miss Robertson did not confine her gifts and service to the youngest boys, and will be remembered also for her ten years of keen and inspiring work as Cubmaster in the 9th Group of Scouts, a post which she relinquished to become one of Aberdeen's District Cubmasters.

We wish her much happiness in her new sphere and feel assured that she will inspire the children with the same love, and the parents with the same respect and confidence, as she did in the Grammar.

Arrivals

MR. JAMES BANKS, B.Sc., has joined the Science Department of the School in place of Mr. James W. Collie. Born in Lanarkshire, he was educated at Wishaw High School, and later at the University of Glasgow, where he graduated B.Sc. in 1938 with honours in Botany.

After a year's professional training at Jordanhill, he gave service during the war years as physicist and planning engineer with the Clyde Alloy Steel Co., Ltd., Motherwell. Since 1945 he has been teaching in St. John's Grammar School, Hamilton, and in Trinity Academy, Edinburgh. The Biology side of the School Science Department has been fortunate in securing the services of such a well qualified master, who is also a rugby and athletics enthusiast, and we wish him much happiness and success in our midst.

The Lovyers Tale Prologue to the lovyers tale

Whan that on Saturday all wights and trew Wend with their wenches, they a mottlie crew, Unto ye Madame's Clubbe and there spende The night in wonton revelrie I trow.

Into this place there goed oonce a wight Who on each weekday even wase tight.

And kynde he was a wonton and a merric And had a nose as red as a ripe cherry And him they cleped Eustace Thistlewort.

NOT AS A MAIDS WAS he WITH his PORT.

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Here Bigyneth the lovyers tale Attend me now ye chiels and eek ye quines And all whose feet God made for number nines A tragic tale I now do sing and woe Shall teeres sende from your eyes to flow.

This wicked fellow him to Madame's hente Where all the wenches hise face kent.

And eek his reputation was nat good Because he ate too muche Christmas pud.

This Saturday a winsome lass he spied And searchingly he here over eyed.

'Tis sooth that at the time he wase canned Else had he known that all he did was banned.

This wicked wanton lass lead Eustace on And swift before this tale you could con From subtle gesture and from hidden looks He danced with her and called her his own snooks.

Eek to a seate where they drank the ale And after that tell I no longer tale.

But Eustace pleasure was not long endured.

Although against attack he was ensured, A grim-faced usher ofe him caught sight And straightway cast him to the blacke night.

Is there a wight a lusty and a trew When such y falle knows not what to do ?

Out by the gate he waited, I'll be bound ; And at the eleventh houre was he found.

Then all the wenches do their exit make, And all the lads for theme home to take.

Before poor Eustace' eyes his lass then came, (Alas, alack, I do not know her name) And on her arm there was another wight And in her mouth a fage all alight.

Thus sinfulnesse was well y paid withal.

And let this moral on your eares fall, Let note passion rule your boyish hearts, A maid will only wone be by arts.

JOHN A. BRAND (Upper V(I)).

School Section

167

A Routine Job Lying in the long grass, the boy looked across a mile of springy turf at distant hangars. His interest in the white butterfly forgotten, he twisted round eagerly, his eyes still half-blinded by the brilliance of the sky, and listened to the piercing, mounting song of turbines.

From the cool, shadowed doors was emerging a string of gleaming silver monsters ; his eyes followed them as one by one they rolled smoothly round his horizon, moving like a row of beads towards the squat, distant tower. His cars were filled with a dinning scream, his eyes dazzled by the flash of sun on metal and perspex surfaces.

One more take-off. The line lengthened.. . .

In his cockpit the Red Flight Leader sweated profusely ; his hands were clammy on the stick ; drops of moisture trickled down his forehead under the leather helmet. The sun, striking rainbow hairlines on the perspex, was hotter than he had felt it this year. But the muffled dual scream, the hum of dynamos, the jolting run of the ship across the tarmac were the same—winter, summer, foul, fair— keeping the squadron ready. And the line-up, the field, the flight plan, were the same. Not very exciting. Routine job.

Throttles edged forward ; two by two the line shortened. Now his fist tightened, the note lifted, wheels spun under terrific double urges, faster and faster over racing runway, wind whipped at the canopy, the hangars slipped rapidly past the wing-tip--and the black surface fell away. Beside him the other jet jockeyed, wing-tip to wing-tip ; the horizon dipped and tumbled as the nose tilted steeply to the blue zenith. . . .

They were away, leaving a rumble in the sky. The boy broke off a blade of grass, tickled behind his ear, lay back on his side, chewing the stalk. The sun was warm on his ear and the side of his neck as he stared unwinkingly at a high-up string shifting smoothly into two echelons.

Up there the Red Flight Leader was not sweating so much.

Parallel vapour trails poured from his echelon's tail-pipes and curved a mile behind in a vast sweep ; below Blue Flight swam like a school of silver fish above the distant green-brown floor. He sighed. No trouble. He squinted at the sun, then swift glances scanned his instrument.

Alarm I Alarm 1 The needle was surging round over the red line. The port engine ground, stopped ; smoke flew wide. " Control ! Control ! Trouble ! " The static was a matching background for urgent voices as the plane swung out of formation. In a second it was plunging, reeling down towards Blue Flight. The horizon sloped, climbed ; Blue Flight scattered hastily. The nose swung erratically over hedges and approaching fields. His hand smashed across a red handle. . . .

The boy, half asleep, blinked at the falling splinter in the sky. It spun down upon him, faster, faster, faster. The breath stopped, and with a wincing impact the plane buried itself in a cornfield. Black smoke drifted and flooded across the swaying ears not fifty yards from him.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine He gazed horror-struck. But a white speck was drifting in the blue. Safety.

The other ships came circling in, landing hurriedly, hustling back to home. The boy looked at the flaming shell, then at the parachute sinking below his line of vision, then at the landing jets.

The pilot, sitting at the roadside, pondered the whys and wherefores as he waited for transport. A routine job, but for a minor fault. But luck was with him. A jeep arrived at speed. . . .

The boy sat up as he saw the familiar face. " Hi, Dad." " filo, son." " You're late. Was—was it you ? " " Yep. I don't know the reason. Never will, I should think." " Well, Dad ", said the boy, " you just take these things with the routine, I suppose." He stretched in the sunlight and yawned. " Good show, though. When / fly, planes will be perfect." " No ", he thought, watching his son. " Planes will never be perfect. He doesn't realise that yet. Not that this business will make a difference when he does. Good stuff, he is."

The boy sat watching the burning ship with fathomless eyes.

He looked up at his father and smiled.

DAVID M. F. BRIGHT (Upper V(I)).

Lower School Notes It would seem that the end of the present major alterations and redecoration is in sight, and that the Lower School building will be free of the attentions of workmen when session 5951-51 commences. All classrooms have now had the floors levelled, and new desks and chairs installed, and have been refitted with new cupboards and exhibition boarding. Squads of painters are now busy changing the face of the interior of the building—how pleasant it is to see colours other than the traditional forms of green and yellow I The old wooden with treads hollowed and worn by countless Grammar School feet, are in stairs, process of being replaced by steel-and-concrete stairways.

Once again there are staffing changes to report. It was with regret, and a considerable amount of incredulity, that we realised that Miss Duff, having reached the age of retirement, would not be with us for the summer term. Her has been taken by Mr. Weighand, an Edinburgh-trained newcomer toplace the teaching profession. To him we offer a warm welcome.

The new radio receiving equipment has now been installed in the Lower School and is being fully utilised by up to six classes at a time. To the visual aids have been added two projectors, one for films and the other for film strips.available Apart from the upsets caused by electricians, joiners, painters, slaters and masons, Lower School life has continued uninterruptedly during the past half-year. activities have necessarily been curtailed by the prolonged bad weather, Sporting films have had to be substituted for practical instruction on many and loop" games" afternoons. Lower School swimmers, as usual, helped to make the annual Swimming Gala a great success. The present Lower School swimming champion is Alastair Maitland of Lower Vc. A welcome visitor during May was Mr. Robert Gilchrist, Head House, the junior school of Scotch College, Adelaide. It was found of Gratton that the two schools had a great deal in common, and Mr. Gilchrist's talks on the way of life in Australia were greatly appreciated by those boys with whom he spent some time.

D. M. A.

School Section

169

Rambling and Mountaineering Club In spite of a number of cancellations, the Club has had a most successful session.

Attendances were never large, but always enthusiastic, and it looks as if there is mountaineering blood in the School for some time to come.

Two more indoor meetings were held in December and January : i6 December. The S.Y.H.A. provided a most entertaining evening for about twenty-five boys. Films of Youth Hostelling in the Cairngorms and elsewhere were shown.

17 January. Dr. A. G. Beattie conducted members of the Club round " The West Coast and Western Isles ", with a beautiful selection of colour films and slides.

The lecture was much enjoyed by the twenty-four members who attended.

Several months of inactivity followed, owing to inclement weather and sundry examinations, and an outing was not held until after the Easter Holidays.

21 April. MOUNT BATTOCK. Starting from the Bucket Mill the party of sixteen had a perfect day on the hill. The route was by Glaspits Burn and Cock Hill, and good snow was found on the northern side of Battock, the whole hill still being perfectly white. From Battock a party of six set off along the ridge towards Mount Keen and bagged eight tops before returning to Glen Feugh by the Fungle Road. The remainder of the party descended to Loch 'rennet, and after sundry wanderings (presumably unintentional) in the county of Angus, made their way down the Aven and over the Glespits path.

5 May. CLOCT1NABEN. An outing was held to Clochnaben, when ten members enjoyed an excellent day. Three members hastened along the ridge to Mount Battock and down by the Aven valley, to re-unite with the other party, who had returned to Feughside Inn via Mount Shade and Glen Dyc. Further excursions are planned to Lochnagar and the Cairngorms.

HUGH R. WYNNE-EDWARDS, Secretary.

MACDHUI ?

NEVER

HEARD

OF

IT l

Ever climbed ? I don't mean stairs or even drainpipes. I mean hills—big ones. No ? Well, I have.

My friend, let me advise you. If it really is your ambition to reach the heights why not try Falconer's lift-if it's working that is.

It was in the first year that I thought I would like to do a spot of mountaineering.

I had joined most of the School societies when I found this new one—Rambling and Mountaineering they called it—and so, I joined. Can't afford to miss a club you know. You've got to support the School. Oh, it would be grand I I rather fancied myself hanging on to one of these hair-raising precipices or perhaps being the first to conquer Everest—Well, why not ? You haven't tried, have you ?

The following Saturday there was an expedition to some pimple with a Gaelic name full of hoot and hoochs. Brimming with enthusiasm, I persuaded a fond aunt to buy me a pair of boots and, eager to see the rugged splendour of the hills, I turned out of bed at some unearthly hour in the morning and clattered gaily down to the bus stop. There 1 was greeted by a group of my fellow pioneers who were clad in the same ridiculous garb as myself.

We were duly transported to our hill after a journey of a few short hours and dumped in the middle of nowhere. Now my eyesight is not very good at the best of times but, look as I might, I could not see one single outcrop. " Mountain ? " they said, " Oh, there's a wee bit to walk."

That day my sense of values was definitely enlarged. I learnt that in mountaineering language a wee bit was anything from ten to twenty miles. This time it was twenty and by the time we got there—to use a familiar phrase—my feet were

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

killing me. I hobbled bleakly on in my new boots, wondering vaguely why my heels felt as if somebody was trying to remove the bones.

Having arrived at a large pile of rocks, I was informed with a certain amount of bated breath that this was it. We would now stop to cat before the real work began. I collapsed—not at the thought of the " real work ", mind you, but merely because I was hungry, my feet were sore, my tongue felt like a carpet, my legs ached, and a few other odds and ends. I thought with satisfaction, however, of the iron rations which were in my knapsack. Well, you know, I still don't think strawberry jam goes well with sardines and my bag bears witness to this fact by the application of a thick and rather messy layer of fruit juice and olive oil—but it's a small point.

Time waits for no man, I'm told, and neither does the Aberdeen Grammar School Rambling and Mountaineering Club. In quarter of an hour we were on the move again. Have you ever seen the world through your feet ? Without trying to imitate a jack-knife, I mean ? No ? Well, I have, and it was almost the last time I saw it too. However, by this time we had reached the top and were masters of a glorious view ; the mist had come down—I could hardly see my own bootlaces.

Well, friends, all things must come to an end and at last we were on the downward road. By this time we were experiencing a slightly damp sensation—it was coming down in buckets. " Never mind ", I was told, " there's a pleasure in not being able to get any wetter." I fear I'm rather insensitive to that sort of thing.

Finally, we reached the road and what joy to see that old bus rolling towards us.

Unfortunately, there were slight complications—it was the wrong one. Our one, the last, had gone a short time before. Ah well! Give me the open road.

Anybody want a pair of climbing boots size 8 ?

JABBERWALICIE.

Library Committee At a meeting held early in the session two representatives from each year in the Middle and Upper Schools were present, to discuss the running of the Library.

The chairman, Stephen A. C. Robertson, in outlining the functions of the committee, stressed the fact that the Library was not being used as much as could be desired, and expressed the hope that, with an interested and lively committee, this situation would quickly be remedied. Under the guidance of Messrs. Brand and Haggart the younger members of the committee have gradually acquired during the year a working knowledge of the system of borrowing and returning books. It is hoped that this knowledge will be put to good use in future years in helping Miss Boyd.

BARRY

MACDONALD, Secretary.

Arts Club The Arts Club has completed another most successful session. The main group activity has been centred round the making of the nine masks for the Dramatic Society's production " Noah ". Some little " sweat and tears" flowed over them and their makers.

Mr. J. B. MacDonald of Fraserburgh gave a showing of his colour films at an open meeting which was very well attended ; this show was genuinely appreciated.

Various model projects progress slowly. The unveiling of the model fishing village, " Inverbush ", is awaited with both interest and trepidation.

MICHAEL P. GILL, Secretary.

School Salim

17x

School Sporting Activities Rugby

Rugby in the North during the 1950-5 t season received a bad blow in the form of atrocious weather, which made grounds unplayable during the months of December and January. No game was played during that period, and this was a most disappointing feature in an otherwise outstanding season.

The 1st XV was remarkably good, playing a fine open, well-balanced type of rugby. They had only two narrow defeats, and at the close of the season it was stated by an Edinburgh correspondent that the team was one of the best schoolboy sides in Scotland.

The other six teams maintained a high standard of play, each team being determined to maintain its unbeaten record.

This high standard, combined with the ardent enthusiasm of the boys, should enable the Grammar School to keep well to the fore in Scottish Schools' Rugby.

As formerly, parties were organised to go to each of the Internationals at Murrayfield, and these were enjoyed and greatly appreciated by many boys.

Members of Staff co-operated wholeheartedly and contributed in no small way to the success of the various teams. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking them for their invaluable assistance.

I ST XV INTER-SCHOOL RESULTS

1 950.

Nov. 25.

1951.

Feb. 3.

Feb. to.

Feb. 21.

Feb. 24.

Mar. 3.

v. George Watson's College at Edinburgh . v. Dundee High School at Dundee v. George Heriot's School at Rubislaw v. Gordon's College at Seafield . . v. Paisley Grammar School at Paisley . v. Glasgow High School at Rubislaw .

Played tz ; Won so ; Lost z.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

3-5

Lost.

• 9-0 . 5-6 . I1-0 . 8-6 • 17-3

Won. Lost.

Won. Won. Won.

•

Points for, 186 ; Points against, 37 EDWIN HUNTER, Games Master.

WHO'S WHO IN THE 1ST XV

5 ft. 11 in. ; I t st. 7 lb. Captain and centre three-quarter.

A grand captain who in every game inspired the team with confidence. His handling and tackling were always above suspicion, and he often relieved pressure with fine long kicks for touch. Fast and penetrative in attack, but sometimes inclined to try a little too much when a quick pass out to his wing might have brought more results A. W. Milligan. 6ft. zin. ; 13st. 41b. Vice-Captain and front row forward.

A tall, heavy forward who excelled in line-outs and loose scrums. Was always happiest and at his best in a vigorous forwards' game and often broke away in a manner which was most disconcerting to the opposition. He developed more speed this season and in the last few games often surprised everyone by his quick following up.

J. L. Brebner. 5 ft. 9 in. ; 1o st. 8 lb. Full back. A steady player with a safe kick and a good pair of hands. His speed enabled him to open up play— which he did on numerous occasions, but he was inclined to hold on to the ball too long and thus lose his advantage.

I. A. Cavanagh. 5 ft. 9 in. ; 12 st. 4 lb. Right wing three-quarter. The youngest player in the team with a grand combination of speed and weight. Should try to develop a stronger hand-off. With more experience should be an asset to next year's team.

J. M. Cheyne. 5 ft. 7i in. ; to st. 13 lb. Left centre three-quarter. A deceptive runner, fast and elusive with a clever " dummy ". Made full use of his wing and himself scored some fine tries. His handling and defence were sometimes suspect and he was often loth to back up his winger. Should do well next year.

Stanley Monro.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

D. L. Anderson. 5 ft. 8 in. ; to st. Ix lb. Left wing three-quarter. A sturdy player who combined both a good defence and a strong attack with a fine turn of speed. Possessed a very good kick but handling was slightly uncertain.

J. N. Kemsley. 5 ft. 9 in. ; i t st. x z lb. Stand-off half. A real asset to the team. Has a safe pair of hands and strong in attack. His speed off the mark and ability to foresee openings resulted in many tine tries. Possesses a powerful kick, but his defence is inclined to be shaky.

R. H. W. Cradock. 5 ft. 7 in. ; xt st. is lb. Scrum-half. Struck up an excellent partnership with his stand-off. Took many hammerings from the opposing forwards, but always came up smiling. His breakaways from the base of the scrum were always very effective. With a longer service should do well in after-school rugby.

A. S. Noble. 5 ft. x xi in. ; iz st. 2 lb. Wing forward. A player who goes hard for the whole of the game. Was at his best In loose scrums and in defence.

His tenacious tackling stopped many break-throughs. An experienced forward for next year.

A. S. Fraser. 5 ft. Ili in. ; i 1 st. Wing forward. Made up for his lack of weight by wholehearted and intelligent rugby. In practically every game be subdued the opposing stand-off. Could successfully deputise for any position in the three-quarter line.

M. McL. Farnsworth. 6 ft ; it St 12 lb. Lock. A good, speedy player who was at his best in open play. Was always well up on a loose ball and could control the ball well with his feet. However, often inclined to stay on the fringe of a loose scrum. With a little more experience should be able to use his head more.

I. L. F. Smith. 6 ft. ; r g st. z lb. Second-row forward. A heavy, effective second-row forward, very useful both in tight and loose scrums. Was at his best in heavy conditions. His clever distribution of the ball often opened up play for the backs. Will be a useful member of next year's pack.

A. R. P. Paton. 6 ft. 3 in. ; r4 st. 41b. Second-row forward. A slow, heavy player, whose height enabled him to do invaluable work in line-out play. A useful forward who would be more valuable to his side were he to show more fire. Will be in the pack next year.

J. A. S. Bett. 6 ft. of in. ; is st. 8 lb. Front row forward. A hard-playing forward, always at the fore in foot rushes. Excels in line-out play. Inclined to " die with the ball " rather than pass it. A valuable member for next year's team.

C. Ritchie. 5 ft. gi in. ; r i st. 6 lb. Hooker. Apart from being an excellent hooker, he was also a hard-working forward. Had the ability to control a moving ball with his feet. Always well up on play. Should try to develop a little more speed.

Hockey This has been a most disappointing session for School Hockey. Repeatedly arrangements made for games, some of them new fixtures, had to be cancelled at the last minute because of the savage weather and resulting ground conditions.

We began the season with a 1st XI that had only a small " carry-over " of players from last year's team. The boys were keen and promised well ; but the frequent loss of Wednesday practice and Saturday match experience impaired the standard of their play and made their victories few. The School played best in a drawn game with University " A ", were rather unfortunate on a poor pitch to lose to Gordonstoun, and were well beaten at Rubislaw by Fettes.

Melvin with seven 1st XI players had little difficulty in winning the House Cup. In a new contest the Staff with many raw recruits and slight outside assistance had less difficulty in disposing of the School XI I There is every reason to believe that the young players of Middle III, who have played breathlessly through this exasperating winter, will produce a good team in a couple of years.

1st XI colours were awarded to C. L. Forbes (Captain), G. D. R. Nelson (Vice-Captain), D. N. Annand, I. M. Stewart and D. J. Stephen.

R. S. C.

School Rugby 1st XV-Season 195o-51

Strachan

I. I . F. Smith, M. McL. Farnsworth, E. J. S. Michie, A. R. P. Paton, J. A. S. Beet, A. S. 1 taser, A. S. Noble, I. A. Cavanagh.

37itting—R. H. W. Cradock, J. M. Cheyne, C. Ritchie, A. W. Milligan (Vice-Captain), S. Monro (Captain), J. N. Kemsky, ). L. Brebner, D. L. Anderson.

Atom/Mg—Mr. E. Hunter (Games Master),

School Cricket 1st XI-Season 1951

Strachan

Standing— Nit.. E. Hunter (Games Mader), A. E. Mcllwain, A. S. Noble, T. G. Courts (Scorer), G. D. R. Nelson, D. J. Stephen, Mr. L. E. Tyson (Coach).

Sitting—J. G. Lindsay, R. Bain, J. N. Kemsley, S. Monro (Captain), R. H. W. Cradock, M. McL. Farnsworth, G. Murray.

School Section

175

Cricket

Cold, blustery weather made the start of the cricket season almost impossible. and Indeed for the first few games cricket was a game associated with warm coatsthey scarves. Nevertheless, all teams worked hard under their captains, and have gone on to win most of their games to date. of The only defeat suffered by the ist XI in school games was at the hands could Glenalmond. School played well, and it was incredible that our bowlers bowl so steadily, and yet not take wickets. All other teams have also practically undefeated records, and so with this in mind we face the rest of the season with confidence.

Unfortunately, in the past few seasons I have found it increasingly difficult to maintain a full, attractive fixture-list. Many schools now find that the present high to cost of transport is prohibitive, and so are reluctant to make the long journey Aberdeen. However, renewed efforts will be made, and it is hoped to provide an attractive list of matches for 795z.

I should like to express my appreciation to all members of Staff, who so ably assisted throughout the season, and especially to Mr. Tyson for his work in coaching and in the preparation of very fine pitches.

EDWIN HUNTER, Games Master.

1ST XI MATCHES 14 April 1951.—v. A.G.S.F.P.s at Rubislaw. A.G.S.F.P.s-95. (S. Monro, 5 for 32.) School—84 for 9 wickets. (Farnsworth, 24.)

21 April 1951. r. W. A. Stewart's XI at Rubislaw. W. A. Stewart's XI— " so for 7 (decl.). (A. Noble, 3 for 3o.) School-39 for 8 wickets.

29 April 1951.—v. A.G.S.F.P.s znd XI at Rubislaw. School-1'4 for 6 (decl.).

(Kemslcy 3o ; Bain, 29 not out ; Farnsworth, 26.) F.P.s 2nd XI-9o for 3 wickets. (A. Mcllwain, 3 for 18.)

5 May 1951.—v. Aboyne at Aboyne. School—I53 for 3 (decl.). (Stephen, 56 ; Kemsley, 5z ; Bain, 33 not out.) Aboyne-69. (Murray, 3 for 9.) and 9 May i95z.—v. Gordon's College at Rubislaw. Monro lost the toss only Gordon's decided to bat. Monro took two quick wickets when there werebeing 5 runs on the board but with the advent of Brown, who scored 27 before howled in Noble's second over, the score began to creep upwards. The lower orders eve us a display of some free hitting but Noble dismissed the two mostminutes potentially for the tail. Gordons batted 7 hour 54 dangerous and then Monro expelled of Stephen Only 87 runs. Tea was taken and School started batting at 5.17 p.m. the score the first three batsmen reached double figures and when he was dismissed us a fine read 35 for p. Bain, however, after being dropped at 5, went on to give 36 before being l.b.w. Murray made 1 4 not out and the "auld enemy" was beaten by 4 wickets. Monro took 5 wickets for zi runs. and 12 May 1951.—v. Inverness Academy at Inverness. Monro won the toss and skittlcd put Inverness in to bat. Monro and Mcllwain bowled very well made Inverness out for 27, Monro taking 6 for is and Mcllwain 4 for 8. School the necessary runs in 22 minutes for the loss of Stephen, run out. Farnsworth scored 23 not out.

19 May 5951.—v. Glcnalmond at Rubislaw. School won the toss and batted only first on an easy wicket hut, despite zz from Bain and 21 from Farnsworth, managed to last out till after the tea interval for 98 runs. In Glcnalmond's innings Cornwall-Jones gave School a batting lesson but Noble bowled him when he was six runs short of his 5o. He was ably supported by his team-mates and School were defeated by 7 wickets.

2 June 1951.—v. Central School at Rubislaw. Monro won the toss and put Central in to bat. School bowled well, Munro taking 3 wickets for it, Mcllwain 3 for 5 and Noble 4 for 4. School hit up the necessary 36 for the loss of Stephen and Bain.

174

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Athletics

At the Annual Meeting Robin Donald and William Rennie were elected Captain and Vice-Captain respectively.

It was hoped to arrange an athletic contest between School and the University in place of the usual triangular contest between School, University and the E.P.T.C., but bad weather made this impossible.

The Annual Athletic Sports were held on 8 and 9 June, and were most successful.

The standard of athletics was high and an exceptionally large crowd saw many fine individual and team performances.

Keith won the inter-House championship with 130 points and Melvin were runners-up with 522* points. Stanley Monro won the senior individual championship and Andrew Paton and William Rennie were joint runners-up. No new records were created, but Stanley Monro equalled the High Jump record set up by H. D. Jamieson in 5934 with a jump of 5 ft. in.

Again we must congratulate Mr. James C. Hunter on his efficient organization of athletics in general and the Annual School Sports in particular. In addition we must thank the members of the Staff for their co-operation and help throughout the athletic season.

R. DONALD, Captain. * * * The School will be represented by a large team of twenty-two boys at the Scottish Schools' Athletic Championships to be held at Goldenacre, Edinburgh, on Saturday, 16 June 1951.

The School registered several outstanding performances last year at the Championships and it is to be hoped that this year's team will be as successful.

The team is particularly strong in the 15-17 years age-group, where Ian Cavanagh, Robin Donald, Tom Graham and Roy Reid are the athletes most likely to bring distinction to the School. In the open group Stanley Monro, Robin Glasban, Andrew Paton and the relay team stand a reasonable chance of being successful.

JAMES C. HUNTER. Swimming Swimming maintains a standard as satisfactory as can be expected in a voluntary after-hours activity. For those of any age who wish to learn to swim, generous facilities have been provided ; and skilled assistance is now available from the staff of the Municipal Pond. Mr. Barron gives help and encouragement to advanced swimmers, and many have gained the certificate and medallions of the Royal Life Saving Society through Mr. Allardice's teaching.

In the bleak February days the School Gala provided opportune distraction from Leaving Certificates ; and again Mr. J. C. Hunter contributed impeccable organization. In the North-Eastern area trials for the Scottish Schools Swimming Championship R. Gauld gained 1st place in the breast stroke for boys over 15.

In the same class R. Shand and K. Grassick were and and 3rd in diving. R. Gauld gained 3rd place in the finals at Perth.

The following were the main results at the Swimming Gala : House Championship. 1. Dun, 2. Melvin, 3. Keith, 4. Byron.

Rector's Cup.--s. A Duthie, 8 pts. a. R. Gauld, 7 pts.

Middle School Medal.--1. J. Watson, 2. H. Bates.

Lower School Medal.-1. H. Maitland, 2. R. McKay. R. W.

Tennis At a meeting held early in the term officials were elected as follows : Captain, C. L. Forbes ; Secretary, A. S. Fraser. Although no matches have yet been played, arrangements have been made by our very competent secretary for a full programme of fixtures. This year too saw the revival of a School tennis tournament which is in progress at the time of writing. School tennis appears at present to be enjoying a period of popularity ; let us hope that the boom continues.

C. L. FORBES, Captain.

•

School Section

173

House News The following officials were elected at the beginning of this term :— Melvin Keith Dun Byron A. E. Mcllwain S. Monro A. S. Noble •J. L. Brebner • Captain J. N. Kernsley G. D. R. Nelson J. 13. Rennie Vice-Captain A. R. P. Paton

CRICKET

ATHLETICS

A. W. Milligan W. R. Rennie G. W. Blyth R. W. Donald Captain S. Monro Vice-Captain S. A. C. Robertson B. D. M. Grassick A. W. Paton unusual exciting and rather most took a competition The inter-House rugby turn this year. Instead of the result being clear from the very beginning, as is often the case, a tantalizing uncertainty shrouded the whole competition right to the end, for after the second set of games, each House had won one game and lost another. It was decided that the number of points each House had to its credit at the end of the competition would be the deciding factor, and Byron, who lost to Keith, hut beat both Dun and Melvin, ultimately won the Cup, and Dun, who also won two games and lost one, were runners-up.

There was no such uncertainty in the hockey competition, and a strong Melvin side, which boasted six 1st XI players, routed all opposition.

The annual Swimming Gala was, as usual, an unqualified success. The number of boys who ultimately entered (after a little official prodding) was large, and once again we were left wondering at the remarkably fine standard of swimming which is evident in all age groups in the School. Dun's superiority in this field is still very evident and the swimmers of that House amassed a lead of some zo points to win comfortably from Melvin House, who were runners-up.

The cricket championship has not yet been decided, as there is one more match to play, but the present position is that Melvin are in a very happy state, having won both their matches quite comfortably. Byron and Keith have each won one game, while Dun have lost both matches.

At present, too, all four Houses are preparing for the Annual Sports, which promise to be exciting and evenly contested. There has been a reorganization of the athletics groups and we now have eight groups instead of six ; the age-span within each group is thus reduced from two years to one-and-a-half years.

Dramatic Society The Aberdeen Grammar School Dramatic Society grows yearly more embarrassed at the splendid reputation it enjoys. The start of the summer term of 1931 saw the addition of fresh laurels to our crown with the production in the School Hall of " Noah " by Andre Obey on the evenings of II, 12 and 13 April. " Noah ", we must confess, was long in the making; the stage was being altered, and we were thus unable to present our play at the accustomed time-Christmas; our rehearsals were not a little unprogressive. But once again, when all seemed lost with but a few weeks left till the first night, the magic hand of our Producer, Mr. A. B. Russell, charmed order out of chaos, a play out of a pantomime, so that our histrionic talents, dormant during the winter months, blossomed with the spring. To Mr. Bell, too, who as stage manager took charge of the lighting system and of the scenery, we owe a multitude of thanks. Nor can we forget the satellites of these two chief organisers and all those others without whose help the production could not have taken place; to all, thanks arc due and are once again given.

It is unusual to be able to complete a Dramatic Society note with something definite to say: the next School production lies in the far distant future ; of the last one we have only memories left. This year, however, we end on an interesting note. At the time of writing, several boys from the Society have been asked to play the male parts in the special production of " Victoria Regina " by the Dramatic Society of the Girls' High School, to be presented at the end of June. The idea we commend; its originator we applaud. Let us hope that the production will be as happy as the thought.

STEPHEN A. C. ROBERTSON, Secretary.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Literary and Debating Society The activities of the Debating Society this session, are, for all practical purposes, at an end, and as I review what has been done this year, I find it very difficult to single out any particular item in our varied syllabus which deserves special mention.

The standard of debating has been consistently very satisfactory ; no chairman has had to break an embarrassing silence to appeal for someone to say something and throughout every meeting a fine balance of good sense and good fun has been maintained.

We have had three inter-school debates since the last issue of the Magazine, with the Girls' High School, with Central School and with Albyn School for Girls, all of which proved to be successful in many ways, although the attendance of Grammarians on all three occasions was somewhat disappointing. The Debate with the High School was on the motion " That the professional footballer, like the film-star, has a preposterously elevated status in our society", and although most of the speaking may have followed rather conventional and well-worn channels, there were never any awkward pauses in the speaking, and considerable numbers from both schools took part in the open debate. In the end the motion was defeated by only a few votes.

The Debate with the Central School on a subject to do with class distinction was somewhat less successful, chiefly owing to the fact that the principal speakers took very much too long over their speeches and consequently there was time for only five or six speeches in the open debate. These speeches, too, were inclined to be long-drawn-out. Matters further deteriorated when the chairman conducted the voting in rather a vague manner, leaving us all in doubt as to which side bad actually won the debate.

Our last inter-school debate, however, was extremely enjoyable and laid claim to being the best this year. It was held with Albyn School on the motion " That the higher education of men is more important, personally, socially and politically than that of women." The highlight of this debate was undoubtedly the impassioned speech of our vice-president, Mr. Kenneth E. G. Coates, in which he denounced all women as being worthless in this world, either for use or for ornament, and suggested that the less seen or heard of them the better. He made his declaration with such vigour and solemnity that some of our visitors (who did not know him as we do l) did not know whether to take him seriously or not. But all Mr. Coates' eloquence was of no avail, for the motion was soundly defeated.

Another debate in which the two Art masters opposed one another as principal speakers was very enjoyable. The subject was the architectural merits or demerits of the new housing schemes in the city, and slides were used to illustrate the various points. This was a subject which would certainly have benefitted from being tackled on a larger scale than it actually was ; if something of the sort were attempted next year, there would be scope for a team of boys to do considerable research and take photographs on the sites, which would all help to ensure a well directed and informative debate.

On a March we were fortunate in having Professor Miletitch from Yugoslavia to speak to us. Professor Miletitch, who is Professor of Pathology at Skoplje University, spent two or three years at the Grammar School during the first world war when he came to Scotland as a refugee. He gave us a most interesting hour, recording his memories of the School as it then was, as well as giving us a brief impression of his own country ; he subsequently answered a number of questions which members of the Society put to him.

We regret to say that there will be no combined debate of the Societies of all the senior secondary schools in the city this year, as there has been a number of unfortunate complications which ultimately forced us to abandon the idea for this year; we hope, however, that this senior schools' debate will not be discontinued in years to come, for we feel that such a debate is a potential source of rich benefit for all who take part in it.

During the latter half of the summer term we hope to arrange various visits for both senior and junior members to places of interest in the city, such as the Town Houses the Sheriff Court, the B.B.C. studio, and a newspaper office.

A. STEWART FRASER, Seadary.

School Section

177

Combined Cadet Force Notes This year saw a change from our normal routine in that our annual camp was held during the Easter holidays instead of just after the close of the summer term.

The chief advantage of having an early camp is that boys are thus enabled to have a period of intensive practical training of a type possible only at camp, before they sit their Cert. A examinations, and we feel sure that the confidence they gain as a result will stand them in good stead when the time of the examinations comes. The camp was held at Berwick where we were stationed very comfortably in the K.O.S.B. depot. There was only a very small permanent staff there, and we were left almost entirely on our own, which meant that our N.C.O.s had to take an unusually active part in the training of the younger boys—a state of affairs which most certainly benefitted the company as a whole.

The company .303 team, consisting of C.S.M. Fraser, C.Q.M.S. Jack, Sergeant McIntyre and Corporal Noble, distinguished itself by winning the Tawse Trophy at the annual Cadet Wapinschaw, which was held at the Blackdog Ranges on Sunday, 20 May. The standard of shooting of most of the nineteen teams which took part was very good, and considering the very limited practice which has been possible in the past year, it is little short of astonishing that the team did so well.

At this time. we should very much like to pay tribute to Mr. Couper, who is leaving us after four years of enthusiastic service. His extensive knowledge and experience were a very great asset to the work of the company but we shall most of all miss his whole-hearted enthusiasm which could at all times be depended on.

We wish him every success in his new post.

We are at present preparing for our annual inspection which is to be held on Thursday, a1 June. It will be followed by the Cert. A examinations in which we are confident of a large number of successes.

A. STEWART FRASER, C.S.M.

Pipes and Drums A pleasing feature of practices of the School Pipes and Drums during the past few months has been the interest shown by F.P.s. We have been extremely fortunate to secure the services of Peter Cromar as piping instructor. Under his instruction, beginners—some ten in number—are making good progress with the practice chanter and several boys have graduated to the bagpipes.

Mr. Couper, whom we are pleased to have with us still as drumming instructor, is bringing on young drummers, all of whom should graduate to public performances next session. The existing drumming element of the Pipes and Drums are playing extremely well.

With the assistance of Peter and Sandy Cromar and Kenny Coutts, the Pipes and Drums played at the Demonstration School Sports, and again made a very good showing at the School Sports, with nine pipers and five drummers leading the March Past. The turn-out, again in borrowed plumes unfortunately, was excellent.

Prospects for next session are good, provided that attendance at practices throughout the year is regular. There will be a limited number of vacancies in the piping and drumming classes.

D. M. A.

Scottish Schoolboys' Club •

This year the Club has been enthusiastically supported by the boys of the School.

Successful meetings have been held every week and such games as badminton, basketball, and skittleball have been energetically participated in by the boys.

At the end of the Christmas term the Club held a party in the gymnasium, at which four well-known Aberdeen badminton players generously played an exhibition match. The evening was enjoyed by an especially large attendance.

This year the Club is holding its summer camp at Bruar (near Blair Atholl) and I should like as many boys as possible from the School to attend.

Once again I should like to thank Mr. Lawson for the unfailing interest which he has taken in the Club.

STANLEY MONRO, School Representative.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Scout Notes 1st Troop This year will be a very busy one both for the boys of the Troop and for our parents, as we hold our second post-war café in November. Preparations arc well under way, various committees having been formed. Once again we have to thank Mr. Walker, Forbesfield Road, our secretary, who was convener of our last café, for taking on the job of joint convener along with Mrs. Watt, Seafield Crescent.

A very enjoyable Easter camp was held at our permanent camp site at Clinterty, Kinellar, under A.S.M. P. S. Brown. It will long remain in the memory of the boys as one of the worst for weather in the Troop's history.

Preparations are now under way for the annual summer camp which this year will be held on Glen Tartar Estate, Aboyne.

The Cub Pack, still very strong in numbers, are looking forward to their annual outing to Clinterty. We are very pleased to see Miss I. J. R. Mackintosh back in harness again after an illness of over three months and wish her all the best of health in the future.

Joint K. BLAIR, Scoutmaster.

9th Troop The Cubs, under the leadership of three enthusiastic students from the Dunfermline College, Miss Mochrie, Miss Colquhoun and Miss Elliot, now meet at 6 o'clock on Wednesdays. At Easter ten of the oldest boys went up to the Troop, but their places were more than filled immediately. Neil Duncan has been promoted to Senior Sixer and the other sixes are led by Peter Cairns, James Bothwell, Symon Pratt, Alan Flett and Ian Steven.

The Troop, led by Mr. Beaton and his capable team of scouters, continues to do well. Much scouting work has been accomplished and many proficiency badges gained. John Watt, who is to attend the Jamboree in Austria, has won his Bushman's Thong. P.L. Billy Hutchison has been selected to attend the Jamboree in Denmark.

There arc a number of recent promotions : John Howie, Ian Davidson and John Robb are now Seconds ; Harry MacPhillip has become a P.L.; and Iain Esslemont, Ian Brown and Bill Steel have become Assistant Scoutmasters.

The Troop again came first in the Swimming Gala and were awarded the Cup. Camps arc still important. About eighteen of the Troop spent a very happy time at Easter at Braemar, using the Youth Hostel as a base for excursions. For the summer camp, to be held at Red Loch on the Witchill Estate, near Fraserburgh, preparations are now making steady progress, directed by A.S.M. Bob Tennant.

J. C. Essts.moNT, Group Scoutmaster.

17th Troop Two points call for special mention this term—our café chantant and concert, and our influx of new recruits during the past few months. The café, with its attendant activities, realised about £17o for Troop funds. It has not hitherto been possible to thank personally all the former scouts, parents and friends of the Troop who helped us so energetically, but we take this chance of conveying to them our deep gratitude.

For a time the 17th was very badly off for new members ; at some meetings last year the attendance was below thirty. At the moment, however, we have some thirty-five fully active scouts, one very active Troop Leader (Charlie Ritchie), three valiant A.S.M.s, and an S.M., of whose enthusiasm it would not be proper to comment in these notes I Very few of the Troop are not attending camp this summer. We hope to be able to keep our normal patrol groups, instead of having to resort to the usual unsatisfactory re-shuffling needed at a small camp.

I feel that the Troop is just about as large as we should like it. If any boys are considering joining us in the near future, would they please contact me at 7 Norfolk Road, before coming to the Hut. RONALD W. HEPBURN, SCOM1/1/after.

School Section

179

School Office-Bearers, 195o-51 Prefects A. S. FRASER (Senior Prefect) G. M. MCANDREW (Deputy Senior Prefect) G. S. COWIE C. L. FORBES I. K. ROBB A. S. NOBLE J. L. BREBNER I. H. MARSHALL R. BArN J. L. WILKIE K. E. G. Cosms A. W. MILLIGAN J. A. S. SETT H. R. WYNNE-EDWARDS S. MONRO D. M. F. BRIGHT House Captains Dun Keith A. W. MILLIGAN A. S. FRASER

Byron J. L. BREBNER

Captain

.

Melvin S. MONRO

Rugby Football Vice-Captain S. MONRO

.

.

.

. S. Moo

. A. W. MILLIGAN

Cricket

Captain

.

Captain

.

Captain

.

Captain Captain

Vice-Captain

. J. N. KEMSLEY

.

Hockey C. L. Forbes Vice-Captain

. G. D. R. NELSON

.

.

Athletics R. W. DONALD Vice-Captain

. W. R. RENNIE

.

.

. R. C. SHAND

.

.

. C. L. FORBES

Swimming

Via-Captain

. R. G. GAULD

Tennis

Secretary

.

. A. S. FRASER

Rambling and Mountaineering Club

President

. G. M. McANDREw Via-President . R. W. Mchrrvaa Secretary . H. R. WYNNE-EDWARDS Literary and Debating Society

President .

. G. M. MCANDREW Via-President Secretary . A. S. FRASER

President .

. A. S. FRASER Vice-President . G. M. MCANDREW Secretary . S. A. C. ROBERTSON

President .

. G. M. MCA-NDREW Vice-President Secretary . M. P. GILL

Editor

.

. K. E. G. COATES

Dramatic Society

Arta Club

.

. G. MURRAY

School Editors of the Magazine G. M. MCANDREW Assistant Editors

G. S. COWIE, A. S. FRASER

Combined Cadet Force

Army Section

. C.S.M. A. S. FRASER

K.A.F. Section Sgt. K. E. G. CoAlms Sgt. E. B. KELBIE

Library Committee

Convener

.

. S. A. C. ROBERTSON

Secretary .

Scottish Schoolboys' Club School Representative . S. MONRO

. B. MACDONALD

The Former Pupils' Club Founded z8.93

Annual General Meeting The forty-ninth Annual General Meeting of the F.P. Club was held in the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, on 21 March 1951. Mr. Alexander Gray, VicePresident of the Club and Chairman of the Executive, was in the chair and there were fifty-four members present.

Executive's Report for the Year The Secretary read the Report by the Executive for the year 1950, from which the following are excerpts : MEMBERSHIP

' The following is an analysis of the membership of the Club as at z8 February 1951, with the corresponding figures at z8 February 1950 :-

28:2:5o

Life Membership Partially Pally Paid Paid 1,06o 124

2 8 : 2 :3 1

1,093

+33

Ordinary

Honorary

Staff

Total

13 13

I0

161

1,059 1,008

2,266 2,283

+37

— 51

—

—2

-17

-

The number of boys joining the Club on leaving School is still satisfactory.

A list of F.P.s who attended the School after 1920 and who arc not members of the Club is being prepared and it is hoped that before the summer a circular will be issued to all those whose names are on the list, inviting them to join the Club.

LOSSES BY DEATH

During the year the deaths of fifty-four F.P.s, of whom twenty-two were members of the Club, have been reported. Mr. D. M. Andrew, a former Rector of the School and an honorary vice-president of the Club, died on 23 October 1950.

NEW HONORARY MEMBER

Miss Edith M. Irvine, Liverpool, who presented £1,ooo to the School in 5944 in memory of her father, Thomas Irvine (1829-33), has been elected an honorary member of the Club.

THE CLUB AND THE SCHOOL

At the Prize-giving in July 595o the Club presented silver medals as usual for Geography, German and Spanish. The winner of the Club's All-Round Trophy and the John No Dawson Prize was Alastair M. North.

THE MAGAZINE

The Magazine continues to be published twice yearly. It will be noted from the Accounts that there was a reduction in the cost of publishing the two issues in 195o as one of these issues was reduced in size.

CLUB CENTRES AND SECTIONS

The various Centres and Athletic Sections continue to flourish. Their activities have been reported in the Magazine.

MEMORIAL SCHEMES

The unveiling of the War Memorial in the School Hall to the 194 F.P.s who lost their lives during the second world war took place on 19 May 195o. The Right Hon. Lord Alness, a former president of the Club, presided at the ceremony, as he had done in 1923 when the Memorial to those who fell in the first world war was unveiled. The Roll of Honour was published at the same time and the W. P. Stewart

The Former Pupils' Club

t 81

Memorial Fund has been established. Details of the various Memorial Schemes have bzen published in the Magazine and infonnation about the Appeal Fund is given in the Accounts.

SOCIAL The Annual Dinner was held in the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, on Friday, 3 November 195o, when 199 members and guests were present. Mr. J. G. Kyd, President of the Club, presided. The Annual Ball was held in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, on Friday 22 December 195o, when there was a company of 400. While both functions were successful, the Executive are considering different arrangements for the Dinner and Ball in 1951.

Reports on Athletic Sections Brief reports were then submitted by the Secretaries of the various Athletic Sections. Mr. N. I. W. Meldrum said that the Rugby Section had a playing membership of sixty-six and that they had hopes that this number would be increased.

The weather had seriously interfered with the Section's winter programme, twentysix games having to be cancelled, but the keenness of all players was not affected.

The ist XV was unbeaten by local sides. The number of new members from among the boys leaving School was satisfactory. Mr. R. P. Wishart reported that the Hockey Section had fielded three teams. He stated that more recruits from among the boys leaving School would be welcomed. 'The Cricket Section report was submitted by Mr. N. C. Irvine. The Strathmore Union XI had finished one place higher in the league than in 1949 and the Aberdeenshire Association XI, previously in Grade II, had finished the season in third place in Grade I. He intimated that it had been decided to withdraw the Section's team from the Aberdeenshire Association competitions. Mr. G. A. C. Walker reported that the Golf Section continued to carry all before it.

Treasurer's Report Accounts of the Club for the year. Printed copies the submitted The Treasurer of the Abstract of Revenue and Expenditure Account and of the Balance Sheet (see pages 18z-83) were distributed to members present at the meeting and various questions were answered.

Office-Bearers for 1951-5a The Rector, Mr. J. J. Robesrton, was re-elected honorary president, and the retiring president, Mr. J. G. Kyd, was elected an honorary vice-president. Appreciation of Mr. Kyd's services during his year of office was expressed by the chairman.

He reminded the meeting that Mr. Kyd had attended not only the Annual Dinner of the parent Club, but also the Annual Dinners of the London, Glasgow and Edinburgh Centres. He had also been present at the unveiling of the War Memorial in the School Hall and had handed over the presentation copy of the Roll of Honour to the Rector during the ceremony. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Kyd. Mr. James C. Duffus was unanimously elected president for the year I951-5z, and Mr. Ian G. McPherson was elected vice-president and chairman of the Executive, in succession to Mr. Alexander Gray who retired on completion of his two years' term of office. Mr. McPherson expressed the Club's gratitude to Mr. Gray for his many services and then took the chair.

Mr. Maurice Cramb was elected vice-chairman of the Executive, and Messrs.

J. Scott MacLachlan and Alan C. R. Watt were re-elected to the offices of secretary and treasurer and editor respectively. In accordance with the constitution, Messrs.

N. I. W. Meldrum and G. A. C. Walker fell to retire from the Executive, in addition to Mr. Gray, and Messrs. J. R. Carry, D. N. Georgeson and H. G. Stephen were elected to fill the three vacancies. (The full list of office-bearers is given on pages 199 and zoo.)

Mr. W. G. Thow thanked Messrs. Bower and Smith, chartered accountants, for their services during the year and their re-appointment was unanimously approved. Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Jeffrey was re-appointed auditor of the Accounts 'of the Sections and also thanked for his services.

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL Abstract of Revenue and Expenditure Account 1949

REVENUE

£111 9 6 143 4 6 9 4 0 5263 18 0 78 18 9 92 3 10 226 19 4 224 3 5

Ordinary Subscriptions received prior to January 1950 Ordinary Subscriptions received in 1950 . .

Arrears recovered in 1950 . . .

• '

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Revenue from Investments . . .

• • • • Surplus from Entertainments Account . . . . .

Interest at 4 per cent. on Life Member Capital Fund . .

Surplus from Memorial Funds—sales of " Roll of Honour ", etc.

Deficit for year . . . .

• • .

• •

• •

•

£886 3 4

£91 17 0 215 2 0 26 13 0 £333 12 0 89 13 3 47 16 3 231 5 0 23 13 10 26 12 0 £752 12

4

Balance Sheet as CAPITAL £549 0 6

AND

I. GENERAL CAPITAL FUND

.

LIABILITIES

•

•

•

.

•

•

£549

0

5,550

I 11

6

II. LIFE MEMBER CAPITAL FUND-

Amount at credit at 31 December 1949 .

Life Members' Subscriptions received in 1950

£5,447 334

4 II 2 0

£5,781

6 I1

Less—Transferred to Revenue and Expenditure

Account

5,447 4 11

.

.

•

.

•

•

231

5

0

III. ENTERTAINMENTS SUSPENSE ACCOUNT-

25 0 0 10 0 0

Amount at credit

.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

IV. CLUB DEVELOPMENT RESERVE ACCOUNT—Amount at credit

•

25 10

0 0

0 0

175 I9

0

V. ORDINARY SUBSCRIPTIONS PAID IN ADVANCE-

Balance of Subscriptions received prior to 31 December 1949, applicable to future years Subscriptions received in 1950 applicable to future years .

• • • • '

172 8 0 VI.

£80 11

0

95

8

0

1 149 15 154 11 908 3 120 5 57 5

6 8 7 0 0 8

MEMORIAL SCHEMES-

(1) "Roll of Honour ". . . .

(2) Theodore Watt Portrait . .

(3) W. P. Stewart Memorial Fund .

(4) To be allocated by Executive . .

(5) Copies of " Roll of Honour " . .

Add—Interest on Savings Account

£239

• • • • • •

£1,629 Less—Surplus 1,552 2 7 4 3 8

VIII.

GIFTS AND LEGACIES-

10 Shares in Boarding House Co. Ltd. .

Legacy from Miss Alice Lamb .

Legacy from Miss I. A. Anderson . .

£8,092 17

2

. . .

•

£10 100 100

0 0 0

1,605 8 7 4 3 8

0 0 0 210

0

0

2 17

6

MAGAZINE-

Advertisements prepaid X.

20 0 0

5

23 13 10

FUNDS OF CLUB SECTION IN ABEYANCE—Motor Section

IX.

0

2

Revenue

VII.

2 17 6 0

to

Account

210 0 0

100

transferred

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Amount due to Sec. and Treas. and Editor of Magazine .

•

HONORARI A-

XI. Posrs—Amount due to Secretary and Treasurer

.

.

•

100 20

0 0

0 0

£8,252 11

2

FORMER PUPILS' CLUB for year ending 31 December 1950 1949 £126 13 4 628 3 1 131 6 11

EXPENDITURE . . . . . . . . .

Working Expenses Magazine—Cost for year, less revenue from advertisements and sales . . . . . . .

Miscellaneous Expenses .

£129 7 4 513 0 3 110 4 9

£752 12

£886 3 4

4

at 31 December 1950 £7,086 0 8

ASSETS I. CASH IN HAND AND IN INVESTED FUNDS

•

•

•

.

£6,009 13 9

II. MEMORIAL SCHEMES-

Disbursements to date . .

W. P. Stewart Memorial Fund

380 19 8 III.

20 0 0

•

•

•

•

£1,155 8 7 450 0 0

1,605 8 7

CAPITATION GRANT-

Grant for 1951 paid in advance to London Centre IV.

20 0 0

•

.

.

.

10

0 0

.

.

15 0

ADVANCE TO LONDON CENTRE-

Balance outstanding .

.

.

.

.

.

.

0

V. GENERAL REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT—

Deficit in Revenue and Expenditure Account for . . . year ending 31 December 1947 Deficit in Revenue and Expenditure Account for . . . year ending 31 December 1948 Deficit in Revenue and Expenditure Account for . . . year ending 31 December 1949

£217 19 10 143 13 7 224

3 5

£585 16 10 585 16 10

Add—DEFICIT in Revenue and Expenditure Account for year ending 31 December 1950

26 12 0 612

8 10

ABERDEEN, 8 February I951.—We have examined the foregoing Revenue and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 December 1950 and relative Balance Sheet as at 31 December 1950, compared the figures with the vouchers, and found the Accounts correct. We are of the opinion that the above Balance Sheet correctly states the position of the Club as at 31 December 1950. We have had exhibited to us the various Securities supporting the Funds at the close of the Accounts. The Securities are all entered in the Balance Sheet at cost prices.

(Signed) BOWER & SMITH, C.A., Honorary .4 uditors.

245 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

£8,092 17 2

£8,252 II

2

184

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

It was intimated that the Annual Dinner was to be held this year in the Northern Hotel, Aberdeen, on Thursday, i November, and the Annual Ball in the Beach Ballroom on a6 December. Considerable discussion ensued concerning a proposal that the Ball should take the form of a Dinner-Ball. Several members expressed disapproval of the suggestion and the matter was ultimately remitted to the Executive.

The Rector spoke appreciatively of the co-operation he constantly received from the office-bearers of the Club. He expressed his willingness to assist the Club by doing more, if possible, to encourage boys to take up membership of the Club on leaving School. The chairman stated that the Club was grateful for all that the Rector already did in this connection and explained that all boys about to leave School were addressed by the Rector and the chairman of the Executive and given forms of application for membership. The Secretary undertook to keep the Rector informed as to the number of boys who joined the Club.

London Centre The President of the Centre, LORD ALNESS, was unfortunately prevented at the last moment, on account of indisposition, from attending this season's Annual Dinner, which was held on Thursday, 14 December 195o, in Brown's Hotel, W.z. His place as chairman was taken by MR. J. C. O. LAWRENCE, one of the original members of the Centre and a stalwart committee member for many years. Accompanying him at the top table were MR. J. G. KYD, President of the Club, MR. D. BRUCE RAE, Mr. J. M. Wyllie, Editor of the Oxford Latin Dictionary (who represented the Mackie Academy F.P. Association), MESSRS. J. R. EssoN, G. T. SIMPSON, F. P. MORTON and ALAN C. R. WATT, Editor of the Magazine. There was altogether a company of fifty-three members and guests.

44 THE SCHOOL AND THE CLUB " DR. J. BURNETT RAE (1886-97) was to have proposed the principal toast of the

evening, " The School and the Club ", but, like Lord Alness, he was on account of illness unable to be present. The speech which he had prepared was, however, read in his absence by his brother, Mr. D. Bruce Rae. Dr. Burnett Rae, said that he had perhaps one qualification for addressing the gathering. He had had the privilege the previous summer of being taken round the Old School by the Headmaster, Mr. Robertson, and on that occasion he had seen the War Memorial which was unveiled by Lord Alness on 19 May 195o. That unveiling ceremony was the event of the year ; the address by Lord Alness was such as only he could have given. The six panels bearing the names of those who gave their lives in the last war, added to the previous nine panels, containing in all 437 names of our schoolfellows, bore silent but eloquent testimony to the character and greatness of the School. In life and in death they exemplified the words of William Wallace engraved upon his statue in Schoolhill near where the Old Grammar used to stand : I tell you a truth ; liberty is the best of all things ; my son, never live under any slavish bond. " Is there any value", he went on, " in these reunions ? Would we not be better employed attending to the business of to-day. and to-morrow ? I think it is not only good, but a duty : if we have freely received, we must freely give. We owe it to those who laboured in sweat and toil, and even with tears and blood, to make the School and us more like what we could and ought to be. It is a degenerate people that neglects the graves of its fathers, and it is a fault to forget the days of auld lang sync. " These were the formative years when our minds were like wax to receive and marble to retain. No doubt to most of us—certainly to me—they seem very far off, and we may be able to recall little of what happened then, but we cannot estimate their influence by what we consciously recall. These early impressions arc all part of us, some no doubt more vivid than others, stereotyped upon the plates of the mind and still exercising their influence for good or ill. " I must admit that when I was nearer to my schooldays I sometimes took rather a dim view of my education. It did not seem to have helped me very much to know how many tons of bananas came from the West Indies, or the ability to pass an

The Former Pupils' Club

185

examination on syntax or on the irregular verbs of the French language. I still think that at the Grammar, as at most other schools, too much t ime was devoted to giving us facts and too little to helping us find them for ourselves. " There is a substratum in us that is the mother soil of all our thinking and of all our doing, out of which our ideas and ideals emerge : to feed, to fertilise this subsoil of our lives is vastly more important than to pick up and exploit a few mere random ideas. In fact that attainment is the master secret of life.

Dr. Burnett Rae went on to say that, all the time the school teacher was giving instruction in things his pupils would soon forget, he was unconsciously impressing on them the force of his personality. He paid tribute to Bentley Philip and Charles McLeod, who were born teachers and who used imagination to arouse interest and curiosity in their pupils. Morland Simpson had the same gift, combined in his case with a remarkable dignity and impressiveness. " The real merit of the Grammar ", he continued, " was that it helped you to grow up; and that surely is the aim and end of all education, whether it be physical, mental or moral. The School did so, I think, for two reasons ; first, it recognised the individuality of every boy. They were not lumped together as in some schools.

I think it was this sense of the worth and value of personality which accounts for the distinguished part so many of our schoolfellows have played in after-life. " But there is another factor equally important. A boy developed by the fact that the School provided the right kind of environment in which he could lose and discover himself at the same time. This was, I think, because the School was part of a greater environment provided by the Northern city with its churches, institutions and the homes of the boys themselves. This meant that even in our teens we felt that we were citizens of no mean city. It belonged to us and we to it, and we felt that we would be—and indeed were—in some way responsible for its character and prestige. " How different all this is from the many schools that have no such roots in the traditions of country or city, but just seem to be dumped down in some convenient place and could equally well be somewhere else. The Grammar School is not exotic, but indigenous. One cannot imagine that massive building with its glint of granite anywhere else : in Kensington or Marylebone it would be absurd. " This in some measure is the explanation of its success and influence. Into it for loo years, through its foundation, its masters, its pupils and their parents, has passed the very stuff of that life which has made the North of Scotland and the North-Eastern part of it what it is. " That is what the officers and members of the F.P. Club endeavour to carry on.

The School has a local character and tradition which must be preserved, but it has also an influence which is world-wide and international through its former pupils who are to be found in every part of the world and who take with them something that was bred in the bone and matured by their school life. It is up to us to see that this influence retains its freshness, and lends support to the headmaster and others responsible for the honour and vitality of the School."

MR. J. G. KYD, President of the Club, in replying to the toast recalled that he had been a member of the Centre for ten years, but that he was one of those rather peculiarrsons who had returned to Scotland from England. As RegistrarGeneral for Scotland he had been worried about the number of Scots who crossed the border, and he remarked that the number of Scots born in England was more than twice as large as the number of Englishmen born in Scotland. For years he had been preaching the doctrine that far too many Scots left Scotland, but he had to admit that it was a very good thing that so many Scots had helped to inculcate the Scottish way of life in the Commonwealth and Empire. The School had played a very important part in building the Empire.

He referred briefly to the preparation of the Third Statistical Account of Scotland, a project for which he was responsible, and he remarked on the great assistance he had had from many old school friends, such as Dr. Minto Robertson of Kemnay and Canon Adam of Ballater. " THE GUESTS "

The toast of " The Guests " was proposed by Ms. G. T. SIMPSON, who referred to the old rivalry between the School and Gordon's He said there was now a much healthier spirit between the two schools, and that in London there was a very

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

186

real feeling of kinship and affinity between the Former Pupils of each. There were, he said, one or two hybrid gentlemen who had been to both Schools. He regretted the absence of the president of the London Gordonian Association, Mr. Charles Donald, a speaker of great wit and charm, and he welcomed, among others, Mr. J. M. Wyllie, the editor of the Oxford Latin Dictionary and secretary of the London Branch of the Mackie Academy F.P. Association. He was a man with a keen sense of the Scots tradition.

If proof of this were needed, Mr Wyllie provided it in his reply, which was richly garnished with a truly remarkable series of Scots anecdotes, all of them, as related by Mr. Wyllie, having the ring of indisputable authenticity.

The toast of " The Chairman " was proposed by MR. A. H. K. SLATER, and Mr. Lawrence replied.

The following F.P.s accepted invitations to the Dinner, the list being arranged in order of seniority, based on date of entry to the School :1882. F. P. Morton (1882-94).

1884. Robert Inkster (1884-88).

1886. D. B. Rae (1886-94).

1890. L.J 1891. J. . Kyd (1891-98).

1893. J. R. Esson (1893-97).

1898. I. C. O. Lawrence (t898-99).

1904. . D. Scott (i9o4-15)• 1908. G. J. Anderson (1908-21), J. H. Bell (1908-14), Sir James I. C. Crombie (1908-2,), C. S. McLeod (1908-20).

1910. G. T. Simpson (1910-20), E. S. Willox (1910-17), T. C. Young (1910-17). tor. A. A. Barnet (1911-19).

1912. J. W. &rale (1912-19).

19'3. V. N. Dean (1913-20), P. C. B. Shirreffs (1913-16).

1915. L. Don Robertson (1915-16).

1916. G. E. Crombie (1916-21).

1918. J. C. Bell (1918-24).

1919. J. H. L. Innes (1919-23), D. S. S. Marr (1919-32).

1920. I. H. McLaren (1920-23).

1921. F. E. Hoggarth (1921-25).

1922. C. W. France (1922-31), D. J. G. Sherman (1922-26).

1923. J. R. W. Catto (1923-36), E. D. Mackworth (1923-27), A. H. K. Slater (192₹-35).

1924. David F. Ross (1924-30.

1925. C. W. Matheson (19 2 5-34). A. C. R. Watt (1925 -37).

1927. D. J. Calder (1927-30, Ninian Mackie (1927-37).

1928. K. M. Bell (1928-34).

1929. G. L. McEwan (1929-35).

1931. G. W. Stewart (1931-35).

1933. I. J. M. Sutherland (/933-41).

.

The second Annual Dance with the London Branch of the Aberdeen High School F.P. Club was held on 9 March 1951, again in the Paviour's Arms, S.W.i.

The function was as successful as its predecessor, and plans for next season are being prepared with representatives of the " High ".

The following arrangements have been made for next season :11 October 1951. Annual General Meeting in the Albert Tavern, Victoria Street, S.W. t.

13 December 1951. Annual Dinner in Brown's Hotel, W. T. Guests of honour: Mr. J. C. Duffus, O.B.E., M.C., LL.B., President of the Club, and Principal T. M. Taylor, C.B.E., K.C., LLD., University of Aberdeen.

15 February 1952. Third Annual Dance with London Branch. Aberdeen High School F.P. Club.

The Former Pupils' Club

187

Glasgow Centre The Annual Dinner of the Centre was held in the Grosvenor Restaurant, Glasgow, on 26 January 1951. The President of the Centre, MR. J AMES STIRRAT, presided, and he was accompanied by MR. J. G. KYD, President othe Club, Ma. J. J. Robertson, Rector, SHERIFF J. A. LILLIE, President of the Edinburgh Centre, and Ma. J. S. MACLACHLAN, Secretary of the Club. The other guests included Mr. G. B. Esslemont, City Chamberlain, Glasgow, Mr. George Chessor and Mr. R. Baxter Taylor, President and Secretary respectively of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch of the Gordonian Association, and Mr. W. A. D. Wilson, VicePresident of the Glasgow High School Club. There was a company of twentyfour.

As has been the case at several previous Dinners, a message of good wishes was received for the success of the evening from the senior member of the Centre, MR. JAMES LEDINGHAM (1885-88), J.P. " THE SCHOOL AND THE GLIM"

This toast was proposed by Mr. G. B. Esslernent, City Chamberlain, Glasgow, and a prominent Gordonian. He said that, although he had been educated at " another place", his contacts with the School had been fairly close. In fact sometimes he had been not only closely embraced but thrown over the touch-line as a sort of afterthought. In his day he had been the worst rugby player in Aberdeen and he was sure that few others could claim to have belonged to a team which was beaten by gz points. That was the result of one game in which he played for znd Gordonians against the School. " The physical contacts between our two schools ", he went on, " have been fairly close. Our place was built just behind your place, and some of your buildings did not last very long. They kept on knocking them down and rebuilding them.

I have noted, for example, that many years ago, when the Grammar School was ' neither water-ticht nor wind-ticht ', you acquired a new plot of ground and on it built the present bicycle shed. In those days the bicycle had not been invented, so the place was called the Grammar School l " Referring to the prowess of the School at rugby, Mr. Esslemont said that in these days when F.P.s of the School had achieved very considerable fame in rugby, both as a team and as individual members who had represented Scotland, he did not worry unduly when people said to him that the Grammar School was doing well, because he was always willing to bask in any reflected glory that might come his way.

MR. J. J. ROBERTSON in his reply on behalf of the School recalled that he had on occasions spoken quite frankly about such decisions of the education authority as had not commended themselves to the School. If, however, we were to claim this right of reasonable criticism, it was the more incumbent on us to acknowledge equally freely and publicly what was wise and enlightened in the policy of the local authority towards the School. He wished to remind himself and F.P.s of the many respects in which the School had been generously dealt with in the critical period since fees were abolished. First, there had been no suggestion about making the Grammar School an area school ; its freedom to recruit from the whole city was unimpaired. Again the authority had recognised the essential unity of kindergarten, lower, middle and upper schools, and no boy had been denied admission to the secondary department. The valuable function of the School Boarding House, especially in regard to sons of F.P.s abroad, had been fully admitted, and nothing had been done to prevent the continuance of this service. Due account, too, had been taken of the historical dignity and special status of the School in fixing the salaries for the senior posts. Moreover, the very generous staffing provision the School had always enjoyed remained unaltered, as did the full consideration given to the Rector's recommendations in all appointments to the secondary staff. The equipment of the School was as encouraging as the staffing ; indeed, he could not recall a single occasion on which a need had not been met. He stressed that the scale of renovation and improvement at present being carried out left no doubt whatever of the authority's determination to make the physical background of their labours as good as possible within the limitations of the existing buildings.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

These were much more than trifling benefits and, if it was the mark of spirited men to voice their complaints, it was no less truly the mark of wise men to count their blessings, and of fair-minded men to acknowledge them.

Replying on behalf of the Club Mr. J. G. Kyd said that there were quite a number of difficult tasks which were allotted to the President of the F.P. Club, but he had found that probably the most difficult task of all was to follow after the Rector as a speaker. He went on in humorous vein to say that he had recently heard a wireless talk given by Mr. Robertson, and that there was one remark in that talk which he regarded as a personal insult to himself. The Rector had been dealing with the difference between the boys of fifty years ago and the boys of to-day.

He had said that the boys of to-day were more alert, better looking and better bred, and for proof of this he had asked his listeners to look at a school photograph of fifty years ago and at a school photograph of to-day. An opportunity of looking at two such photographs had presented itself in the last issue of the Magazine (in which there was a photograph of Middle II, 1895-96, in which Mr. Kyd appeared) and having taken the Rector's advice, he said, amid laughter, he now had serious thoughts of taking legal action against him.

Referring to " that wonderful city of Aberdeen in the North-East of Scotland ", Mr. Kyd said :— " I never come back to that city either by road or rail or sea, coming over Nigg, down the brae to the Old Bridge of Dee, and see the steeples, or from the North over Tyrebagger hill, without finding that the sight warms the cockles of my heart.

We are all sons of that wonderful city which has led the world in so many things."

The toast of " The Guests " was proposed by Mr. B. D. D. Emszis. He remarked that this year there were present no less than three gentlemen from the " other place ". One of them—Mr. Esslemont—had already paid the extreme penalty for falling into enemy hands—he had had to speak.

Mr. W. A. D. Wilson of the Glasgow High School Club replied to the toast.

The following F.P.s were present at the Dinner, the list being arranged in order of seniority, based on date of entry to the School :1891. J. G. Kyd (1891-98).

1893. J. A. Lillie (1893-1903).

1895. C. S. Buyers (1895-1908).

1901. George Lawrence (1901-03).

1911. James Stirrat (1911-21).

1912. K. R. T. Matthew (1912-24).

1919. Albert Christie (1919-29).

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

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

1926. J. G. M. Birss (1926-38).

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

1930. A. C. Thomson (1930-4* 1932. H. M. Henderson (1932-40).

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

*

*

The Secretary of the Centre, J. A. N. Watt, left Glasgow in January and was succeeded by J. G. M. Birss, 99 Essex Drive, Glasgow, W.4. (Telephone : Scotstoun 4901.) Members of the Club visiting or coming to stay in Glasgow arc invited to get in touch with him.

The date of the next Annual Dinner has been brought forward to the beginning of the dinner season : this change will avoid proximity to Burns Night. It is to be held in the Grosvenor Restaurant, Glasgow, on Friday, 23 November 1951.

It is proposed to hold another Dinner-Theatre Party in conjunction with the Glasgow and West of Scotland Branch of the Gordonian Association—probably in mid-October.

At the Edinburgh Centre Dinner

By courtesy of "The Scotsman"

Standing—Mr. J. J. Robertson, Sir James Fiddes, Lord Mackintosh, Ret. Dr. John Stewart.

Sailing—Lord Airless, Sheriff J. A. Lillie, Mr. J. G. Kyd.

The Former Pupils' Club

189

Edinburgh Centre This year's Annual Dinner, held on 9 February 1951, had a novel setting.

For the first time the function was held in the Lyceum Rooms, Edinburgh, and those present had a preview of an exhibition of notable portraits arranged by the Scottish Women's Lyceum Club which opened in the Scottish Lyceum Gallery on the following day. On the walls of the two rooms where the reception and dinner were held were portraits by Gainsborough, Racbum, Rubens and many other distinguished artists of other days and of to-day.

Another distinguishing feature of the Dinner was the presence of LORD ALNESS, who was President of the Centre for its first two years, from 1932 to 1934, before he retired from the Scottish Bench and went to live in Bournemouth. The present President of the Centre, SHERIFF J. A. LILLIE, presided, and accompanying him at the top table were three other distinguished members of the Centre, LORD MACKAY, MR. DOUGLAS H. J oHNsTON, Solicitor-General for Scotland, and MR. J. G. KYD, President of the Club. The guests included Lord Mackintosh, Sir James Fiddes, formerly Actuary, Aberdeen Savings Bank, MR. J. J. ROBERTSON, Rector, MR. B. G. McLE11..m.:, representing the Edinburgh Branch of the Gordonian Association (but himself also an F.P.), MR. JAMES ST1RRAT, President of the Glasgow Centre of the Club, and MR. ALAN C. R. WATT', Editor of the Magazine, representing the parent Club. Thirty-one members of the Club were present. " THE SCHOOL AND THE CLUB" The principal toast was proposed by the REv. DR. JOHN STEWART, now principal adviser on Manchuria to the Church of Scotland, and previously a missionary there for many years. After claiming the distinction of being the only Grammar School boy ever to be thrashed in the 7th Classical, Dr. Stewart, the first of five brothers who attended the School, recalled the very outstanding personalities on the Staff in his day. He went on to say that he knew of no school which was so well off in respect of its Former Pupil's Club. He had never seen a school magazine that catered for former pupils as does ours. He described how in the backwoods of Manchuria he had always looked forward to receiving his Magazine, and when it came, he used to dismiss his secretary for the day and spend hours of sheer enjoyment.

In the course of his reply THE RECTOR paid tribute to the work of the women members of the Lower School staff at the School. He referred especially to Miss Jessie Mackie, and described her as " one of the most remarkable figures in the history of the School ". The last annual prize-giving was the first at which she had not been present ; she had joined the staff in 189z, and for over thirty years was the presiding genius of the Lower School. She had been retired for nearly thirty years, but her interest in the School had not diminished : for almost sixty years it had been the centre of her life.

He went on to refer to Miss Ledingham, Miss Reid, Miss Pirie, Miss Tough, Miss Duff and Miss Jeanie Davidson, all now retired or soon to be retired. Between them they had given over zoo years of service. The influence of these women, he said, lasted long after the years had deprived the School of their guidance but not, of course, of their interest and goodwill. What we owed to them was but a little part of what Scottish education in general owed to the character and devotion of its women. " If you have this feeling of indebtedness ", Mr. Robertson went on, " you should not succumb to the present fashion of exalting the official and the administrator at the expense of the teacher. You should remember that, while your feeling about the School may very properly be focused and intense, it could not be exclusive or selfish. You cannot at once attach immense significance to your schooling and the schooling of your children and, at the same time, be indifferent to what is happening in the nation's schools in general. " I would say to you that, if the training of the new generation is as important as you acknowledge it to be, it requires men and women of quality, working under conditions which allow of their full effectiveness."

In replying on behalf of the Club, MR. J. G. KYD referred to the Scots Ancestry Research Society, about which he had written an article in the Magazine. He had been amazed at the number of letters he had received on this subject from the backwoods of Canada, America, New Zealand, and many other parts of the world.

19o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine THE SCHOOL'S PUBLIC ORATOR

In proposing the toast of " The Guests" SHERIFF LILLIE extended a particularly warm welcome to Lord Alness because, he said, the School, the Club and the Edinburgh Centre were very much his debtors. " The School rejoices in the reflected glory of Lord Alness's public career and services, and merely to enumerate these services would exhaust the time at my disposal. Lord Alness has been president of the Club, the London Centre and the Edinburgh Centre, and it is certain that the enthusiastic and active support which he gave to the Edinburgh Centre did much to set it on its feet and to give interest and distinction to our annual gatherings."

He went on to say that most distinctively Lord Alness had been the School's Public Orator, and continued :— " Reflecting upon this matter, I am impressed by the value that attaches to the gift, so outstanding a characteristic of our guest, of clear and articulate speech.

I am the more disposed to underline this quality because in these revolutionary times the prevailing confusion of mind seems to be reflected in a general slovenliness of speech. Clear and articulate speech seems to be largely a lost art and indeed something of a mystery to our public speakers. The platform and the pulpit have, I am afraid, declined in effectiveness in consequence. " From this angle Lord Alness was, I think, fortunate in both his early and his later environments. Growing up in the environment of Victorian manners, when precision and clarity in speech and writing was a highly conscious aim in the home and in the school, and in the highly cultured atmosphere of a Scottish Free Church Manse, this quality of excellence in speech was early to be expected of him. Our present-day educationists would, I feel, do well to renew the emphasis on these things as the basis of a happy effectiveness in life. To do with ease and artistry those things we most commonly do—our speaking and our writing among them— is, I think, a far from negligible foundation upon which our educationists might seek, more than they do, to build. " With these accomplishments also is likely to be acquired a love for the apt word and the memorable phrase. Robert Munro was a pupil at the School in the rectorship of Dr. James Moir, that benevolent headmaster and notable Greek scholar. The Classics were prominent then in school curricula. An appreciation of the beauty of word and phrase and the arresting idiom was, I feel, a normal by-product of the study of the Classics, especially Greek. It is said of the great Melvin, a headmaster of slightly earlier time, that he had a copy of Horace for each day of the week, and I have heard it said—with what truth I cannot vouch, but it has the air of probability—that our guest carried habitually with him at one time a copy of Horace's Odes. " This love of the beauty of words and the intellectual satisfaction of the apt and adequate expression was then, I think, and can still be, one of the most worthwhile satisfactions of the educated man, whether as speaker or hearer. " Then our guest was at the Scottish Bar during one its most distinguished periods. It was a sort of golden age in Parliament House, when men of the greatest personal distinction made their career there. They brought great distinction to Parliament House and gave vividness and vitality to the intellectual commerce of the place. In the matter of clarity and grace of speech and presentation our guest was notable even in such a company. " When the House of Commons claimed him in 19 t o, in the great Liberal Parliaments of the time, so full of outstanding performers in that milieu, it was therefore no matter for surprise when Mr. McKenna, Chancellor of the Exchequer, congratulated our guest, then a little-known back-bencher, on having made the best speech under the Ten Minutes Rule he had ever heard. " These were the invigorating springs at which successively our guest drank deep. Our debt to him consists primarily in this, that he has so freely made his possession ours also."

LORD ALNESS'S REPLY

In replying to the toast LORD ALNESS said that he would like to regard this not as a ceremonial occasion but rather as an intimate family gathering to which by the favour of his hosts he had been admitted.

The Former Pupils' Club

191

He went on to recall the names of some of the masters and boys who were at the School in his day : James Moir, who was then Rector, was a dignified, urbane and adequate holder of the office ; George Harvey was their Classics master, kindly and patient, given on occasion to blush like a shy girl ; Charles Sleigh, complete with his snuff box, his broad Doric and laconic wisecracks, was their Mathematics master ; Alexander Lothian, handsome, affable and debonair, instructed them in the subtler ranges of arithmetic ; while Hugh Campbell was their lecturer in English Literature. He could sec him now striding up and down the platform and quoting Shakespeare—" Blow winds and crack your cheeks "—to a class which refused to be interested in meteorological or literary phenomena. " I cannot look back without a sigh ", he went on, " on these simple, safe and sheltered days of long ago. The age of syncopation and speed had not yet arrived.

The road of life lay before us, glittering in the morning sunshine. Care and responsibility were strangers. To-day some are bowed down by responsibilities of life : many have drunk the cup of sorrow to the lees. To-day many of the travellers who have trodden the road of life have aching feet because of its rough places. For all of us the road behind is lengthening out and the road before is drawing in. But the gift of memory is still ours, and as we face the unchartered future, be it short or long, we can draw inspiration and strength from our recollections of the days spent in the Granite City and in its ancient Grammar School.

When you and I lie beneath the sod, when all the little things which we have done and striven to do are forgotten, I am confident that the Old School will continue to flourish, proud in ambition and proud also in achievement."

The toast of " The Chairman was proposed by MR. J. R. MACKAY, and Sheriff Lillie replied. * * * At the Annual General Meeting of the Centre held during the course of the Dinner, the following office-bearers were appointed for the year 1951-52 :— President—Douglas H. Johnston, Solicitor-General for Scotland; VicePresident—E. Ros Birkett ; Secretary—Allan C. Frazer ; Committee—Lord Mackay, D. K. Cameron, J. H. Davidson, J. R. Fiddes, H. D. Jamieson and Douglas Reith. *

*

*

The following F.P.s were present at the Dinner, the list being arranged in order of seniority, based on date of entry to the School :1882. Lord Mackay (1882-9O. 1884. Lord Airless (1884-85).

1887. B. G. McLellan (1887-89).

1891. J. G. Kyd (1891-98).

1893. J. A. Lillie (1893-1903).

1895. E. W. Fenton (1895-1908).

1896. R.A. Lillie (1896-1905).

1898. John Stewart (1898-x905).

1903. D. S. Walker (1903-16).

1908. A. L. Scott (1908-13 and 19 14).

1911. James Stirrat (1911-21).

1913. D. H. Johnston (5913-26).

'914. J. H. Davidson (1914-19).

1918. A. J. Slessor (1918-30).

1920. E. R. Birkett (1920-22).

1922. James Craig (1922-32), A. B. Donald (1922-28), H. D. Jamieson ( 1922- 34).

1923. Alexander Forsyth (1923-30), F. S. Taylor (1923-28).

1924. A. E. Allan (1924-30), J. R. Fiddes (1924-37), Douglas Reith ( 1924-35).

1925. A. C. Frazer (1925-30), H. E. R. Shand (1925-34), A. C. R. Watt ( 1925-37).

1926. D. M. C. Donald (1926-32), J. R. Mackay ( 1926-37).

1928. G. F. Hendry (1928-39).

1932. D. K. Cameron (1932-35).

1939. W. 0. Pattullo (1939-41).

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

19z

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Club Executive Notes As chairman of the F.P. Executive, I find I am expected to report on the recent activities of that body. My election to the honourable position of chairman is so recent that I hope to be excused if my report is the shortest on record.

The Executive hope in the near future to provide the School with several new inter-House cups, to be competed for annually in different branches of sport.

We hope that these trophies will be readily accepted by the boys and competed for with their usual enthusiasm.

I take this opportunity on behalf of my colleagues and myself of expressing our gratitude to my predecessor, Mr. Alex. Gray, for his services to the Club during the past two years. His extremely efficient and businesslike direction of the affairs of the Club aroused the admiration of all of us and we hope that his invaluable services will again become available to us at some future date.

I. G. McPuritsot4.

Bengal and Assam Centre The Annual General Meeting of the Centre was held on 6 December 1950 in the secretary's flat in Calcutta. The following attended : —I. C. Barclay (now on home leave), R. M. Bonner, Peter Crombie,R. H. Duguid, Ian McIntosh, W.G. Macmillan, H. B. Scott (secretary) and A. L. Simpson. W. M. Milne was unfortunately unable to be present and A. T. L. Mackenzie left Calcutta on home leave a few days previously. Mesdames Duguid, Macmillan and Simpson were invited as honoured guests.

The accounts of the Centre were duly approved and the honorary treasurer " got cracking and collected current subscriptions on the spot". Dr. W. G. Macmillan was elected president and the other office-bearers were re-elected.

F.P. Cricket Section So far the Cricket Section have had a busy but not particularly successful season.

At the Business Meeting held in March, Douglas Stuart was re-elected Captain, and Gordon Nicolson Vice-Captain of the Strathmore Union XI, while R. E. Wetherly was elected Captain and Max Innes Vice-Captain of the Reserve XI, which, having left the competitions of the Aberdeenshire Cricket Association, is taking part in an interesting season of " friendlies ". Neil Macdonald was elected Hon. Secretary, and C. H. Webster Hon. Treasurer, while the arduous duties of Match Secretary were undertaken by David Mitchell. Neil Irvine accepted the important job of " Trebles " Manager.

In the absence of Mr. Tyson, who so far has been too busy to take the field, the Eleven have so far failed to win any of their Strathmore Union fixtures, their form having been really inconsistent, both with bat and ball. There is, however, good ability among the players and an improvement has been shown in the two " knockout " Three Counties Cup games played. In the first match, played at Duthie Park against the Select XI chosen from the Clubs in the Aberdeenshire Cricket Association, F.P.s qualified for the second round, thanks to remarkable bowling by A. M. Davidson and a fine forcing innings by Neil Macdonald. Davidson's fast deliveries took eight wickets for only 18 runs, and Macdonald's lusty hitting brought 40 quick runs to let F.P.s win in the last over before time was called.

In the following round the old enemies, Gordonians, were met at Seafield, and some fine hitting by R. L. Hobbs, T. A. Findlay, and G. W. Youngson saw Gordonians score 127 for 6 wickets in the time at their disposal. F.P.s started slowly, but Neil Macdonald and " Dally " Allardice came together and rushed the score along by quick running and fine hitting until, from a big hit, Allardice was out to a wonderful one-handed catch on the boundary by Findlay. Macdonald, however, continued smiting, and a succession of fours and sixes brought a speedy victory, Macdonald's score being 81 not out. Rarely has Gordonians' internationalist bowler been so unceremoniously treated as by Macdonald, who unfortunately for F.P.s is leaving Aberdeen to take up an appointment in Birmingham.

Much appreciation is felt of the valued services of our umpire, Major Andrews, and our beloved scorer, Miss Heather Innes.

C. H. W.

Aberdeen Grammar School F.P. Club Boarding House Co. Ltd. GRAMMAR SCHOOL HOUSE SENIOR HOUSE

JUNIOR HOUSE

8

6

QUEEN'S

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The Houses are conveniently situated in the west end of the town, and are equidistant from the School and the Playing Fields.

The Senior House, which can accommodate 45 Boarders, is specially designed and fitted for the purpose, having large common rooms, modern dormitories, bathrooms, changing rooms etc.

The Junior House, which has accommodation for about 18 Boarders, is available for boys up to II years of age.

The Company have their own Hard Tennis Courts (3) and large Playground adjacent to both Houses.

Fees, £159 per annum.

House Master Under House Master

Mr. JAMES W. COULTHARD

Mr. DUNCAN M. ANNAND, M.B.E. Matrons

MISS HELEN OGILVIE

Mrs. MARGARET D. ANNAND

For Application Forms and further particulars apply to the Secretary of the Company, Mr. JAMES C. DUFFUS, Advocate, 7 Golden Square, Aberdeen.

SIM PSONS' fo r

SPORTS & SERVICE Tennis Cricket Football Table Tennis Swimming Squash

Badminton Golf Bowls Hockey Running Games

Tennis, Golf, Badminton and Cricket Repairs a Specialty

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Closed Wednesday 1 p.m.

28 BRIDGE ST., ABERDEEN (Corner of Bath Street)

JOHN SIMPSON & SON (S. & T.), LTD.

The Former Pupils' Club

193

F.P. Golf Section The Annual Dinner of the Section was held in the Northern Hotel, Aberdeen, on 3o November 195o, with Dr. Gibb presiding. Over twenty members and eleven guests attended and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, but the honorary secretary was, unfortunately, unable to be present due to illness.

The Annual Meeting of the Section took place in the Caledonian Hotel on at March 1951, and the following office-bearers were appointed for the year : Captain —G. A. C. Walker ; Vice-Captain—W. L. Connon ; Hon. Secretary and Treasurer— H. G. Stephen ; Committee—I. L. Smith, N. R. Wishart, W. G. Thow and W. S. Gilchrist. During May, W. S. Gilchrist left to take up an appointment in Malaya and to fill his place on the committee E. H. M. Stott has been co-opted.

The first outing of the season was held at Ballater on 6 May 5951, and on this occasion the programme consisted of two competitive rounds. The first round was the usual medal competition, and the following winners received the usual prizes :— Scratcb Prize— H. G. Stephen • • 77.

Handicaps 1 to r r1st Equal J. L. Riddell • • 78 less 5 = 73.

E. Buthlay • 82 p. 9 = 73. and Equal J. G. Kilgour .

• 85 " = 74.

I. Flockhart . 84 „ 10 = 74.

Handicaps I2 and over— sat J. I. Scott . and R. Armstrong .

3rd Equal W. Miller J. S. MacLachlar;

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• 86 „ 16 = 7o.

• 89 ,, 16 = 73.

• 93 = 73.

During the afternoon a Staplcford competition was played for prizes gifted by two of our guests, Dr. Ernest Allison and Dr. Herbert Fowlie. Eric Buthlay won the first prize, a silver tankard, with a score of 41 points and J. S. MacLachlan won the second prize of golf balls, with a score of 39 points. A special prize of a pair of nylons was gifted for the married man who, in the opinion of the committee, had had the best score at any one hole : W. L. Connon won this prize with a net z at the difficult 3rd hole.

The usual outings have been arranged throughout the summer and, if any F.P. is home on leave from abroad and would like to attend any of these outings, he should contact the honorary secretary who can assure him he will be made very welcome.

H. G. STEPHEN, Honorary Secretary.

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School and F.P. Rugby Fixtures in the South F.P.s in the South may wish to note that the following School and F.P. rugby fixtures have been arranged for the first half of season 1951-52 :— s5 Sept. F.P.s v. George Hcriot's School F.P.s at Goldenacre.

22 Sept. School v. Dundee High School at Dundee.

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

3 Nov. F.P.s v. Panmure at Dundee.

17 Nov. School v. Perth Academy at Perth.

1 Dec. School v. Strathallan at Strathallan.

8 Dec. F.P.s v. Glasgow Academicals at Anniesland.

15 Dec. School v. Royal High School at Edinburgh.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

194

F.P. Rugby Section From time to time rugby players, in common with most other sections of the community, feel that the clerk of the weather has taken a grudge against them.

As far as rugby players in Aberdeen were concerned, this was particularly so during the season just passed. Winter weather started to interfere with games on the last Saturday of November and continued to do so intermittently until the end of March ; during the months of December and January play was possible in Aberdeen on only one Saturday—and that the one after the Club Ball 1 A very large number of the 1st XV's best matches against senior opposition from the South was cancelled, and this was particularly unfortunate as it deprived the many young players appearing in the team this season of the experience of playing against such opposition—experience of which many are in need.

As regards play during the season, the report is very similar to that of the last two seasons. For the third season in succession the same fifteen players were never fielded on two successive Saturdays. One wonders how many other clubs can boast of or bemoan a similar unfortunate plight. From time to time, when play was permitted, prospects of having a useful side seemed bright, but frequent injuries to players in key positions blighted such prospects and once again well over thirty players appeared in the ist XV. Results since the last issue of the Magazine have not been too bad, as out of ten games played only two have been lost. These two, however, were both against South clubs. Although the Section for the first time since 1946-47 was unbeaten in matches with local clubs and suffered only one defeat from a club in the Midlands (against Panmure on the day of the North v. Midlands trial), the results against the first-class South clubs were disappointing. Musselburgh was the only club we defeated.

The and XV had a good season on the whole until they fell from grace in their last two or three games ; some of their results were very encouraging. The 3rd XV, owing to the weather, played only one match after Christmas.

Prospects for next season seem quite bright, if we are lucky enough to remain free from injuries. It is also hoped chat satisfactory recruitment of players from School will continue. I should like to congratulate the School 1st XV on their very excellent record this season.

The seven-a-sides as usual were played at the end of the season and the Section entered teams at Aberdeen, Inverness and Elgin. The VII was not quite so successful as last season for, although they won convincingly at Aberdeen and Elgin, they were narrowly defeated by Edinburgh University in the final at Inverness by I 3-to.

The team at Aberdeen and Inverness was as follows :—E. H. Cruickshank, J. M. Milne, E. Craig, W. L. Connon, D. N. Georgeson, T. G. Smith and J. H. Warrack.

At Elgin, J. S. Sutherland substituted for J. M. Milne, who had commenced his period of national service.

The fixture-list for next season is complete and new fixtures have been arranged with Dollar Academicals and Kelvinside Academicals. These additions will, I think, make the list of matches the stiffest the Section has ever had. It is hoped that F.P.s will support the important home matches as splendidly as they supported the Fair which is referred to on another page.

Colour awards fur season 195o-51 were as follows :— Full—W. D. Allardice, E. Buthlay, J. S. Calder, J. W. Cradock, W. L. Connon, E. H. Cruickshank, E. Craig, D. N. Georgeson, J. M. Milne, A. H. Tawse, T. G. Smith and J. H. Warrack.

Half—C. D. Mowat, G. 13. Nicolson and I. Stuart.

The playing records of the Section's three teams last season were as follows :— P. 1St XV

.

.

and XV 3rd XV

. .

. 18 . 8

21

W. 13 12 3

L. 6 6 3

D.

Pts. for Pts. against

2

277

200

—

247

129

2

81

109

F.P. Rugby Section ist XV-Season 195o-51

Strachars

Insets—A. H. Tawse, W. D. Allardice, J. H. X'arrack, C. D. Mowat.

Standing—W. Murray, I. Stuart, E. H. Cruickshank, J. S. Calder, J. W. Cradock, B. S. Gray, \X'. D. Michie, N. I. W. Meldrum (Hon Secretary).

Sitting—T. G. Smith, W. L. Gannon, E. Craig (Vin-Captain), I). N. Georgeson (Captain), E. Buthlay, G. B. Nicolson, J. S. Sutherland.

F.P. Hockey Section—Season 195o-51

1 III

I.

SKIPPER

\I, 0-rison.

i iu. )ii Pau. % I)i A. J. Peters, R. P. \Vishari, R. E. \Vetherly.

n 4e, 4r) 14

T. Craig, F. P. Lynch, M. A. A. Inns.

J. F. Kirk, I. A. Middleton.

kro3r.,

I. F. Ogilvie, J. F. Kirk.

T. harrower, T. Craig, G. S. Williams.

Th.e Former Pupils' Club

191

set XV Results 1950 Dec. 23.

v. Ross and Sutherland at Rubislaw

.

.

1951

3. v. Royal Corps of Signals, Catterick, at Edinburgh . . . . v. Gordonians at Seaficld . v. Glasgow High School F.P.s at Anniesland . . v. R.N.A.S., Lossiemouth, at Rubislaw PP 2 4. . .

Mar. 3. v. Aberdeen Wanderers at Hazkhead . . . v. Gala at Galashiels . . . v. Aberdeen University at King's College .

PP .

24. v. Mussclburgh at Seaton. . . . . . . . v. Centralians at Seaton .

Feb. .

10.

.

17.

to.

.

17.

OP

31.

.

.

22-13

Won.

. 8- 6 . i6- o .

5-27 . ;6- o . it 2- 6 3-it • . 25- 8 . it- 8 . 14- o

Won. Won. Lost.

Won. Won. Lost.

Won. Won. Won.

. .

9 6- 3

Won. Won.

28- o 14- o 5- o • 5-21 • 8-22 3- o .

5-16

Won. Won. Won. Lost, Lost.

Won. Lost.

and XV Results 1 950

Dec. a,

9. v. Aberdeen University znd XV at King's College v. Aberdeenshire ist XV at Hazlehead . .

2 3-

1951 .

Feb. to. v. Gordonians znd XV at Rubislaw .

17. v. Centralians 1st XV at Seaton .

• .

24. P. Wanderers znd XV at Hazlehead . . . .

Moray at Elgin . .

5. v.

Mar. . ,,, 17. v. Gordonians znd XV at Seafield . . . . „ 24. v. Centralians at Seaton . „ 3 t. v. Perthshire Academicals and XV at Perth PP

•

• • • •

• •

.

N. I. W. MELDRUM, lion. Secretary.

F.P. Hockey Section This season the Section regularly fielded three teams. Unfortunately, members were not forthcoming in sufficient numbers to allow a complete 3rd XI of F.P.s to be fielded, but with the help of players from School we were able to fulfil all fixtures.

It may be of interest to those who contemplate playing hockey that the playing life of a hockey player is longer than that of a rugby man. This is borne out by the fact that the defence of our 1st XI consists of three players over the age of thirty-five.

Colours were awarded this season to Alexander Cromar and Maxwell Inns.

At Easter the Club went on tour to Glasgow. Four games were played on four days. The weather was extremely unkind but, in spite of it, a most enjoyable time was had by all. Instead of our usual team photograph we arc publishing some snaps taken at Glasgow.

The prospects for next season seem fairly bright. We have a good fixture-list, but we shall be losing some of our players. If all boys leaving School this year who are interested in playing hockey would contact the secretary or any member of the Section, they can be assured of a regular game. The first trial will be held at Rubislaw on 1 September 1951.

Results this season were as follows :— Lost Played Won Drawn 19 13 1st XI 3 3 6 20 13 1 znd XI 10 3rd XI tt I — R. P. WtsitAitT, 1-lon. Secretary.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

196

F.P. Club Consuls AFRICA Egypt—ALEXANDER GEORGE WALKER (1906-20), c/o Northern Assurance Company Limited, St. Mark's Building, P.O. Box 1695, Alexandria.

Gold Coast—EDGAR REUBEN GnuTo (1917-23), M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P., Medical Specialist, Sekondi Hospital, Sekondi, Gold Coast, B.W.A. Kenya—GRAEgE GEORGE SUTHERLAND (1903-09), P.O. Box 1002, Nairobi, Kenya Colony.

Portuguese East Africa—MARSHALL KEITH DUGUID (1919-29), e/0 Duguid & Anderson Limited, P.O. Box 422, Beira, Portuguese East Africa.

Southern Rhodesia—JAMES WYNESS MACGREGOR (1910-23), P.O. Box 91, Umtali, Southern Rhodesia.

Tanganyika—GEORGE ALEXANDER WILSON (1920-23), M.B., Ch.B., Medical Specialist, Labour Department, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika Territory.

Union of South Africa Cape Province (Cape Town)—Professor WILLIAM SOUTAR MACKIE (1895-1901), Drumoak, Greenfield Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town, Cape Province.

Cape Province (East London)—J AMES MELVIN (1904-10), C.B.E., M.C., T.D., M.B., Ch.B., 44 Queen Street, Cambridge, East London, Cape Province.

Natal—FRANK BRUCE FARQUHARSON Duoum (1919-26), 8 Lambert Road, Durban, Natal.

Transvaal—Jot-ix EwAN HENDERSON (18844 7), P.O. Box 4466, Johannesburg, 'Transvaal.

AMERICA Canada Alberta—DOUGLAS HARPER (1888-98), M.A., B.L., 609 Tegler Building, Edmonton, Alberta.

British Columbia—WILLIAM ERNEST MILNE (1881-90), c/o Milne & Middleton, 347 Water Street, Vancouver, B.C. Manitoba—JOHN DUGUID CRUICKSHANK (1899-1904), The Canadian Bank of Commerce, Personal Loan Department, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Ontario—ROBERT FutiatNo (1891-98), Wood Fleming & Company, Royal Bank Building, Toronto z, Ontario.

Quebec—NoRMAN MAcKthiNoN (1907-16), B.Sc.(For.), t6to Sherbrooke West, Montreal, Quebec.

Falkland Islands ROBERT STEWART SLESSOR (1927-29), M.B., Ch.B., S.M.O., Port Stanley, Falkland

Islands.

Mexico PATRICK JOHN MILROY WALKER (1914-20), C.A., Apartado 33 Bis., Mexico, D.F.

South America Brazil—JOHN BLAKE LYON (1900-04), C/0 San Paulo Gas Company, Caixa Postal

19E, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Colombia—ROBERT WILLIAM YOUNG (1914-20, Embotelladora Tropical, S.A., Calle 9 del y Carrera Eugenio Macias, Barranquilla, Colombia.

United States of America Colorado—FRANCIS JAMES MILNE (1924-35), M.R.C.V.S., Assistant Professor of

Veterinary Surgery, Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College, Fort Collins, Colorado,

The Former Pupils' Club

1 97

Illinois—JAMES BRUCE SMITH (1918-25), The Bruce Smith Insurance Agency, 208 South Lasalle Street, Chicago, Illinois.

West Indies British West Indies—KENNETH REID (1901-04), King's Bay, Tobago, British

West Indies.

Dutch West Indies—GEoacr. FERGUSON RITCHIE (1917-24), Lago Oil & Transport

Company Limited, Marine Department, P.O. Box 643, Aruba, Dutch West Indies.

AUSTRALIA Australian Capital Territory (Canberra)—CHARLBs OGiLvtE WILL BOWMAN (1910-15), Manager, Capital Hill Hostel, Canberra, A.C.T. New South Wales—ALAN REIn (1911-14), 3 Iona Avenue, West Pymble, Sydney,

New South Wales.

Western Australia—IAN THOM (1912-25), Wydga Station, Mount Magnet, Perth,

Western Australia.

EUROPE Channel Islands—WILLIAM MILLER (1894-?), Beaufort Hotel, St. Helier, Jersey.

Finland—ARTHUR ROY HANUASYDE KELLAS (1926-32), M.A., H.M. Legation,

Helsinki, Finland.

Switzerland (Geneva)—JAMES LAwsoN MOWAT (1915-16), M.A., Ph.D., cjo

Bureau International du Travail, Geneva, Switzerland.

Swit zerland (Zurich)—RoBERT ALEXANDER ESSLEMONT MENNIE (1 924-36), M.A., B.P. Benzin and Petroleum A.G., Handelshof, Uraniastrasse, Zurich, Switzerland.

Yugoslavia—Professor Dr. DRAGOSLAV MILETITCH (1916-18), Med icinski Fakulter, Skoplje, Yugoslavia.

FAR EAST Hongkong—FRANK CHARLES BRISCOE BLACK (1914-17), c/c, Hongkong &

Shanghai Banking Corporation, Hongkong.

Malaya

(Negri Sembilan)—GRAHAM

HENDERSON

(1906-12),

Sua

Betong

Estate, Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, Malaya.

Singapore—WILLIAM FERRIER MAYOR (1923-30), M.A., c/o Customs I louse,

Maxwell Road, Singapore.

INDIA, PAKISTAN and CEYLON India (Madras)—IAN CUMMTNG (1907-14), c/o Vernon & Company, 36 Second

Line Beach, Post Box 79, Madras.

India (West Bengal)—HERBERT BRF-BNER SCOTT (1905-08), C.B.E., M.C., The

Royal Insurance Company Limited, 5-7 Netaji Subhas Road, Calcutta.

Pakistan (Karachi)—HERBERT TOWER SORLEY (1899-1909), C.S.1., C.I.E., M.A.,

D.Litt., F.R.S.A., Somerset House, Karachi.

Ceylon—CHARLES JAMES STRACHAN (1917-21), Anglo-Ceylon General Estates

Company, P.O. Box 13, Colombo, Ceylon.

IRAQ ERNEST STRACHAN (1923-24 and 1926-36), Squadron Leader, Air Headquarters Iraq,

Royal Air Force, Ilabbaniya, British Forces in Iraq.

NEW ZEALAND ANDREW ALEXANDER MAAR DUCAT (1924-28 and 1929-34), 5 Scaforth Terrace,

Karori, Wellington, New Zealand.

198

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

New Members of the Club is November 1950-15 May 1951 LIFE MEMBERS Anderson, Gilbert John (19011-21), B.Sc.(Econ.), 26 Kepplestone, Staveley Road, Eastbourne.

Bell, William Gracme Hamilton (1934-46), Newtyle House, Foveran, Aberdeenshire.

Calder, Robert Henderson (1921-24), tz Viking Road, Dalkeith, Western Australia.

Cruickshank, Professor Eric Kennedy (1920-3z), M.D., M.R.C.P., University College of West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.

Finnie, James Sadler (1934-40, M.B., Ch.B., 72 Hammerfield Avenue, Aberdeen.

Gardiner, James Martin (1911-23), B.Com., 6o Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen.

Gibb, Alan George (1926-36), M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S.E., D.L.G., c/o 294 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Hall, David John (1946-50), 109 King's Gate, Aberdeen.

Liddell, Leslie Carse (x912-33), M.B., Ch.B., Anthony House, Vicarage Road, Penygraig, Glamorgan.

Smith, John Morrison (1924-32), c/o 58 Hammerfield Avenue, Aberdeen.

Smith, Thomas Johnston (1931-33), c/o Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Stewart, James Harvey (1926-31), M.B., Ch.B., Woodville, Hatton, Aberdeenshire.

LIFE MEMBERS (Under Paragraphs of Constitution) Anderson, Edward Fothergill (1922-29), 175 Broomhill Road, Aberdeen.

Anderson, George Johnstone (1921-28), 4 Warwick House, Worple Road, Wimbledon, S.W. 19.

Bedingfeld, Roger William Lumsden (1940-47), 71 Forest Road, Aberdeen.

Cormack, Geoffrey George (1943-46), Echipara Division, Chemoni Valley Estate, Palapilly P.O., Cochin State, S. India.

Couper, Robert Scott (1932-39), M.A., The Derry, Primrosehill Road, Cults, Aberdeenshire.

Cruickshank, Charles Greig (1925-32), M.A. D.Phil., U.K. Trade Commission, Colombo, Ceylon.

Duncan, James Hugh (1941-50), 95 Cromwell Road, Aberdeen.

Deans, Eric William (1937-41), 23 Oldmeldrum Road, Bucksbum.

Fyfe, George Paterson (1916-24), 55 t Holburn Street, Aberdeen.

Manley, John Simpson (1926-31), 9 Seafield Drive West, Aberdeen.

Robertson, Robert Freebaim (1946-50), 51 Leslie Road, Aberdeen.

Summers, George Noble (1927-39), M.B., Ch.B., c/o Summers' Stores, 4 Barron Street, Aberdeen.

Tawse, Malcolm Harold (1928-40), B.Sc.(Eng.), Hilltop, Kirkton, Maryculter.

ORDINARY MEMBERS Booth, Robert Kynoch (1945-50, Morren, Geoffrey Grassie (1940-41 and 1942-50), 29 Ashgrove Road West, 4 Caledonian Place, Aberdeen.

Brown, Alexander Scott (1939-51), Aberdeen.

8 Granville Place, Aberdeen.

Macdcarmid, George (1941-5o), I Dunbar, James Alexander (1919-23 and Market Street, Aberdeen.

1929), c/o The Lodge, Woodend McKay, William James (1943-51).

Hospital, Aberdeen.

Craigton House, Cults, AberdeenGraham, David Allan (1942-43 and shire.

1944-5 0), Potterton House, Bal- Reid, Arthur Gordon (1930-39), Logie medie, Aberdeenshire.

Lodge, Crimond, Lonmay, AberdeenLivingstone, Rognvald Maitland (1939shire.

5 Hillcrest, Craigton Road, Spence, Colin Mackay (1939-5o), 26 Aberdeen.

Seafield Avenue, Aberdeen.

Middleton, William George Alexander Thomson, Roy Hendry (1941-5o), (1940-50), 19 Queen's Lane South, Alroy, Cults, Aberdeenshire.

Aberdeen.

The Former Pupils' Club

199

F.P. Club Office-Bearers, 1951-52 Honorary President :

JAMES J. ROBERTSON, O.B.E., M.A., B.D., F.R.S.E., F.E.I.S. (Rector since 1942) Honorary Vice-Presidents : The Honble. Lord MACKAY (ALEXANDER MORRICE MACKAY) (1882-91), K.C., M.A., LL.D. President, 1931-3z.

The Right Honble. Lord MESTON (1901-02).

DOUGLAS GORDON MILLER, M.A. Rector, 1921-24.

Sir WILLIAM PETERS (1900-06), C.M.G., M.A. ALEXANDER GEORGE NICOL SMITH (t88o-88), D.S.O. President, 1926-27.

WILLIAM CLARK SOUTER (1893-98), M.D., D.O. President, 1949-50.

Sir WILLIAM ROBERT TENNANT (1904to), C.I.E., M.A. Sir JOHN MACKAY TnomsoN, C.B., M.A., F.R.S.E. Rector, 1920-2z.

GEORGE WATSON (1873-77).

President, 1934-35.

EDWARD WILLIAM WArr (188 3-94), T.D., M.A., LL.D., D.L. President, 1936-37.

The Right Honble. Lord ALNESS (188483), P.C., G.B.E., LL.D. President, 1928-29.

Sif ANDREW GOURLAY CLOW (1896-98), K.C.S.I., C.I.E. Sir PATRICK ASHLEY COOPER (18961901), B.A., LL.B. President, :937-38.

CHARLES DAVIDSON (1882-86), M.A. President, 1947-48.

Colonel ARCHER IRVINE-FORTESCUE (1892-97), D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B. President, 1939-46.

Sir ROBERT LYALL GRANT (1884-91), T.D., M.A., LL.B. Sir HUBERT DOUGLAS HENDERSON (1901-04), M.B.E., M.A., LL.D., F.B.A. Sir (WILLIAM) WILSON JAMESON (18921902), G.B.E., K.C.B., M.D., LL.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.P., K.H.P. JAMES GRAY Kyr, (1891-98), C.B.E., F.F.A., F.R.S.E. President, 195o-51.

Sir ARTHUR LOTHIAN (1892-94 and 1898-1904), K.C.I.E., C.S.I., LL.D. President, 1948-49.

President : JAMES CATTO DUFF1JS (1897-1904), O.B.E., M.C., M.A., LL.B. Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive : IAN GOWANLOCK MCPHERSON (1910-17).

Secretary and Treasurer : JOHN SCOTT MACLACHLAN (1922-32), M.A., LLB., zzo Union Street, Aberdeen.

Editor of Magazine : ALAN CROMBIE ROBERTSON WAIT (1923-37), M.A., LL.B., 12 Bon-Accord Crescent, Aberdeen.

Secretaries of Centres : Bengal and Assam—H. B. Scorr (1905-08), C.B.E., M.C., The Royal Insurance Company Limited, 5-7 Netaji Subhas Road, Calcutta.

Edinburgh—A. C. FRAZER (1923-3o), M.A., W.S., 1o Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh, 3.

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

zoo

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

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

Malaya—W. F. MAvos. (1923-30), M.A., c/o Customs House, Maxwell Road, Singapore.

Yorkshire—W. F. DUNNETT (1919-22), B.A., C.A., 212 Oakwood Lane, Roundhay, Leeds, 8.

Secretaries of Sections : Cricket—G. B. NICOLSON (1938-47), 57 Seafield Road, Aberdeen.

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

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

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

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

MAURICE CRAMB (1916-29), M.A., LL.B., Vice-Chairman.

The Secretary and Treasurer, and Editor of Magazine, ex offieies.

JOSEPH R. CARRY (1918-30), M.B.E. WILLIAM L. CONNON (1930-40), B.L. CHARLES R. CRUICKSHANK (1925-39).

ALFRED J. M. EDWARDS (1908-21), M.A., B.Com. DOUGLAS N. GEORGESON (1929-39).

MAXWELL G. GIBB (1913-22), M.B., Ch.B. ROBERT J. MAITLAND (191z-18), O.B.E. ALAN J. PETERS (1920-30), C.A.

J. LENNOX RIDDELL (1907-16).

MITCHELL C. Ross (1914-21), B.Sc., M.P.S., Ph.C. SMITH (I9I8-3o), B.Sc., IAN L. A.M.I.C.E. HENRY G. STEPHEN (1920-30).

JOHN S. SUTHERLAND (1935-48).

WILLIAM G. THOW (191I-22), L.D.S. One representative from each of the Sections.

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

Club Subscription Rates ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP. IOS. per annum (5s. for those under 21 years of age on 1 January).

Any Former Pupil under 21 years of age has the option of paying the sum of LI is. to cover membership for five years, provided he joins the Club not later than 31 December immediately after leaving School.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP. £8, or eight consecutive annual payments of £I Is.

Addresses Wanted The Secretary wishes to ascertain the present addresses of the following members of the Club :— GEORGE STEPHENSON BROWN (1910-13), A.M.I.C.E., formerly of 80 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

NORMAN JAMES HUNTER DAVIDSON (1926-33), M.B., Ch.B., formerly of 57 Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

THOMAS GiasoN (1874-75), formerly of Board of Trade, Duluth, Minnesota, U.S.A. IAN THOMSON, who recently joined the Club.

A

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little

than

authority

the

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of what

it's no joke these days

you

tastes but you'd be sur-

catering for a diversity of

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We fancy we

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good

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HE GRAMMAR SCHOOL provides a complete course of Pri mary and Secondary Education for Boys.

The School is organised as follows :—Nursery Class (4-5). Kindergarten (3-7), Lower School (7-1z), Middle School (12-15), Upper School (15-18).

The School, which occupies an extensive site in the West End of the City, has, in addition to ample classroom accommodation, an Assembly Hall with Stage, a spacious Library and Reading Room, five well-equipped Laboratories, three Art Rooms, two Music Rooms, three Workshops, two Gymnasia, a Dining Hall, a Museum, and a Botanical Garden.

While the School has a Classical tradition, it offers considerable variety of courses, the subjects of the Secondary Department being (in addition to Religous Education, Music, Physical Exercises and Games), English, History, Geography, Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Art and Crafts, Technical Subjects, and Commercial Subjects.

Boys arc prepared for the Universities, the Civil Service, the Professions, Commerce and Industry. The Examinations normally taken are the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department and the Bursaries Competitions of the Scottish Universities.

The School has spacious Playing Fields at Rubislaw, the games played being Rugby Football, Cricket, Hockey, and Tennis.

There are two Boarding Houses run in conjunction with the Gi ammar School.

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ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (ALBYN PLACE)

HEAD MISTRESS . MISS B. M. ROSE, M.A. (OXON.) HE HIGH SCHOOL provides a complete course of education for girls between the ages of 5 and 18 years. It is organised in three Departments—Infants, Primary and Secondary. There is, in addition, a Nursery Class. The girls in the Secondary Department are prepared for the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department and the Bursary Competition and the Preliminary Examination of the University : and those pupils who take Music, for the Examinations of the Associated Board. The subjects studied comprise Scripture, Physical Training, Class Singing, English, History, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Latin, Greek, German, French, Music, Art and Craft, Needlework, Cookery and Laundry. There is considerable variety possible in the choice of subjects and courses.

At least one afternoon a week and Saturday mornings are set aside for organised games at the School Playing Field of eleven acres situated at Haziehead.

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Information as to Scholarships, Courses of Study, etc., at the Grammar School and the High School for Girls is given in the School Prospectuses, which may be had free on application to the Director of Education, Education Offices, Municipal Buildings, Castle Street, or to the Rector or Head Mistress respectively.

Full savings facilities are provided for present and former pupils of all ages by the

ABERDEEN SAVINGS BANK INTEREST

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2i PER CENT.

ON DEMAND

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