AGS Magazine July 1953

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CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS Facing page

Facing page

F.P. Rugby Section ist XV— School Prefects-1952-53 Season 1952-53 William Douglas Simpson, M.A., 79 School Rugby 1st XV— D.Litt., F.S.A.(Scot.), F.S.A. Season 1952-53 .

154 1 55

. Page 79 . . . . .

The Club's Diamond Jubilee Year .

8o Centenary of Dr. James Melvin's Death. Annual School Church Service . . . . . . .

81 The George Watson Trust .

82 School Pipes and Drums Our Rugby Internationalists. Our I-jockey. Internationalist. Proposals. . . . . . .

83 for New Club Blazer .

Notes about Old Boys 84 Proposed Swimming Section of the Club. Annual Dinner and Annual . . . . . . . . .

Ball . .

96 . . . . .

• . .

University Notes .

97 , . . . . . . . . .

Books by F.P.s 98 . .

A Holiday in the Yukon and Alaska. By Bernard H. Smith 99 . . . . . .

105 Down from Darwin. By F. K. Sellar . . . . . . xo9 .

Marriages . . . . . . . . .

Ito Obituary . . . . . . . .

Dr. A. G. Hutchison Memorial Fund . .

I17 11 SP

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School Section— . . . .

School and Random Notes .

Mist . . . . .

Presenting the Prefects . . . . .

Mr. George E. Hay . . . . . . . . .

Changes in the School Staff . . .

The Trip to Switzerland . .

Disparate Twins . . . . . . . . . .

Twentieth Century Blues . . . . . .

Lower School Notes . . .

Literary and Debating Society . .

Dramatic Society. Film Society. Arts Club . . .

Music Notes. Scripture Union Scout Notes . . . . . . .

Combined Cadet Force Notes. Pipes and Drums House Notes . . . . . . .

School Sporting Activities— Athletics. Swimming. Tennis Rugby . . . .

Hockey . . . .

Cricket . . . .

School Office-Bearers, 1952-53 •

Former Pupils' Club— Annual General Meeting . . . .

Bengal and Assam Centre. Glasgow Centre . .

London Centre . . . . .

Edinburgh Centre . . . . . .

Malayan Centre F.P. Golf Section. F.P. Tennis Section .

F.P. Rugby Section . . .

F.P. Cricket Section .

• F.P. Hockey Section. New Membersof the. Club Club Consuls . . .

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Club Office-Bearers, 1953-54 . . . .

Club Subscriptions . . .

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156 1 57 159 16o

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e

•

•

School Prefects—r952-53

Strachwn Bath Row—A. S. Hunter, J. Pacitti, J. A. M. Holloway, I. W. D. Buxton.

Middle Row—D. S. Wood, L. J. C. Rennie, J. F. R. Bowie, D. G. Crichton, I. A. Moir, I. S. Smith, D. V. S. Williamson, C. S. A. W. Levitt, Front Row—R. W. Duncan, A. F. Florence, A. D. C. Grassie (Senior Prefect), Mr. J. J. Robertson (Rector), E. G. Anderson (Dept) Senior Prefect), J. G. Cruickshank, A. G. Littlejohn.

Strachan

M.A., D.LITT., F.S.A.(ScoT.)., F.S.A.

WILLIAM DOUGLAS SIMPSON,

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 691h year, No. r72 (New Series, ifoth year, No. 163)

Vol. LVI

JULY 1953

-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., 12 Bon-Accord Crescent, Aberdeen.

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

The Club's Diamond Jubilee Year

•

Dr. W. Douglas Simpson appointed President On i i September 1953 the F.P. Club will be sixty years old.* At the inaugural meeting in 1893, to quote from the Magazine of April 1894, " the warm earnest eloquence of Mr. Morland Simpson found its response in a meeting of some Old Boys and brought the Grammar School F.P. Club into being ". Dr. H. F. Morland Simpson was Rector of the School from 1893 until his death in 1919 and it was within one month of his entering upon his duties as Rector that he brought about the formation of the Club. He was its first president and occupied that office from 1893 to 1902.

At the fifty-first Annual General Meeting of the Club held on 24 March 1953 Dr. Morland Simpson's son, William Douglas Simpson* (1901-13), M.A., D.Litt., F.S.A.(Scot.), F.S.A., was appointed president for the year 1953-54, the Club's diamond jubilee year.

Dr. Douglas Simpson has been Librarian to the University of Aberdeen since 1926 and he is one of the leading authorities in Britain on historical and archaeological subjects, particularly old castles. He has directed excavations at many ruined castles in the North-East of Scotland and has written a large number of books, pamphlets and guides. Two of his more recent works are The Province of Mar (published in 1943) and The Earldom of Mar (published in 1950). He has agreed to write a history of the School for publication in 1956.

Dr. Simpson is a member of the standing Royal Commission on the Ancient Monuments of Scotland and is chairman of the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland. He is also -a member of the Scottish Records Advisory Committee and the Scottish National Portrait * Editor's Note.—It is hoped that the December 1953 issue of the Magazine will be a special F.P. Club Diamond Jubilee Number.

8o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

Gallery Advisory Committee. He is an honorary fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and honorary vicepresident of the Deeside Field Club.

He was one of the principal speakers at the Viking Congress arranged by the British Council and the University of Aberdeen in Orkney and Shetland in 1950 and in September of this year he is going to Norway to participate in another meeting of the Congress to be held there.

He was a member of the Executive of the F.P. Club for many years and vice-president of the Club and chairman of the Executive from 1934 to 1936. His services to the School have been mainly in connection with the Boy Scout Movement, in which he has been one of the leading figures in Aberdeen for many years. He is vicepresident of the City of Aberdeen Scout Council.

Dr. Simpson is eminently worthy in his own right of the highest honour which the Club can bestow and the election of Dr. Morland Simpson's son as president is particularly fitting in this diamond jubilee year.

Centenary of Dr. James Melvin's Death The centenary of the death of James Melvin, M.A., LLD., one of the most distinguished in the long line of Rectors of the School, falls on 28 June 1953. Dr. Melvin was a pupil at the School ffrom 1804 to 1809, an under-master from 1[821 to 1826 and Rector from 1826 to 1853. He was appointed Rector after the Magistrates and Town Council of Aberdeen had held "a trial and examination of such persons as may think themselves qualified for the situation." He was then aged only thirty-two. During his rectorship he was also for ten years lecturer in Latin at Marischal College before the Chair of Humanity was established there.

In a tribute to Dr. Melvin (which is re-printed in Dr. H. F. Morland Simpson's Bon-Record) the late Professor David M. Masson (1831-35), Historiographer-Royal, wrote :—" I have known no one, and I expect to know no one, so perfect in his type as Melvin." In another passage he wrote :—" As a born ruler of boys Arnold himself cannot have surpassed Melvin. . . . His influence was so high-toned and strict that even had he taught nothing expressly, it would have been a moral benefit for a boy to have been within it."

The inscription on Dr. Melvin's gravestone in St. Nicholas Churchyard contains the epitaph—Vir Eraditissimus Latinitatis in Patria Sara.

To mark the centenary of his death an oration in his memory is to be delivered at Morning Assembly in School and a wreath will be laid on his grave.

Annual School Church Service The Annual School Church Service will be held in Rubislaw Church, Aberdeen, early next session. The date will be intimated later in the press. F.P.s, pupils, members of the staff, parents and all others interested are invited to attend.

The George Watson Trust

I

+'

Scholarships for Potential Business Men Under the Will of the late GF.ORGE WATSON (1873-77), a former president of the F.P. Club, who died on 3o June 1952, 25 per cent. of the residue of his estate was bequeathed for the setting up of " The George Watson Trust ". It is expected that between £i5,ooo and _Ci6,ooo will be available for this purpose.

The Trust Fund is to be applied and dedicated in perpetuity for the better equipment and training of boys intending to enter on a commercial career in accordance with, inter alia, the following provisions :— 1. The Fund shall be under the control and management of four Trustees, all of whom shall, so far as practicable, be resident in Aberdeen. These trustees arc to be the Rector of the Grammar School, the Vice-President of the F.P. Club and two other persons who shall, whenever practicable, be F.P.s of the School.

Mr. Watson nominated as the first two individual trustees, DR. EDWARD W. WArr* (x883-94) and MR. J. C. DUPFUS* (1897-59o4), advocate in Aberdeen.

2. The Administrator of the Fund shall, so far as practicable, be a practising solicitor in Aberdeen and an F.P. of the School. Mr. J. Scott MacLachlan, the Secretary of the F.P. Club, was nominated as the first administrator.

3. The Trustees shall apply the income from the Trust in awarding such grant or grants as they may from time to time think fit to such boys who have completed their secondary or equivalent education and who are proved to the satisfaction of the Trustees to be destined and suited for commercial life (preference being always given to a boy or boys who have been educated in whole or in part at the Grammar School) to enable such boys to make themselves proficient in a foreign language by residence abroad for a period of not less than twelve months, during which time they may also as a subsidiary object take the opportunity of studying business methods as practised in the country whose language they arc learning.

4. The Trustees shall select as the holders of such scholarships those who in thcir opinion have shown by their school career distinct promise of being good business men in the United Kingdom or any other country.

5. The grants shall be awarded at such intervals and as the result of such examinations (if any) and in such manner and shall be held and enjoyed for such period or periods and upon and subject to such terms and conditions as shall from time to time be prescribed by regulations to be made by the Trustees.

6. The 'Trustees shall have absolute discretion as to the time and manner of the expenditure of the income of the Trust and shall not in any year be bound to apply the whole or any part of the income of that year for purposes of the Trust, but may hold over and retain the whole or any part of the said income, the Trustees being entitled in their absolute discretion to decide whether a suitable student can be found and whether the income available is sufficient to send abroad in any year any suitable student, and any income so held over and retained shall be held by the Trustees as a reserve fund for the purposes of the Trust in any future year or years.

The George Watson Trust has now been formally constituted but it will be some time before the Trustees are in a position to make any grants from the Trust Fund. It will be noted that Mr. Watson stipulated that Grammar School boys should not benefit exclusively from the Trust but that preference should be given to them.

In his speech at the Annual Dinner of the Edinburgh Centre of the Club held in February, the Rector referred to Mr. Watson's munificent bequest and said how gratifying it was that, since adequate financial assistance was already available for boys entering one or other of the professions, help was now to be available for those intending to embark on a commercial career.

81

School Pipes and Drums The Executive of the Club feel that members may be interested in an extra-curricular activity at the School which has grown up during the past ten years—the School Pipes and Drums.

This activity was started in 1943 by the late Mr. W. P. Stewart and by Mr. J. S. M. Eddison. Instruments were purchased from money provided by School funds and uniforms were borrowed, mostly from the University O.T.C. After a successful start the Pipes and Drums unfortunately lapsed but they were resuscitated in 1947 when Mr. D. M. Armand became Lower School Master and was appointed to command the School Contingent of the Combined Cadet Force. In 195o the piping and drumming classes were opened to non-cadets, as training takes a considerable time and as it is desirable to give opportunities of tuition to boys who are not old enough to join the C.C.F. The obtaining of instruments, equipment and uniform has presented many difficulties but the School Pipes and Drums now have five sets of pipes, one bass drum and four side drums of their own and three sets of pipes and two tenor drums on loan. Kilts and glengarries have been purchased from School funds and other uniform has been acquired from various sources. During the past two years an annual grant of £1o (which has paid for the maintenance of instruments, etc.) has been obtained through the Education Committee.

The School Pipe Band, nine pipers and five drummers strong, has appeared on several public occasions and at the conclusion of a ceremonial parade of the School Contingent of the Combined Cadet Force held in June, the Band beat " Retreat '. Almost all the present pipers and drummers are returning to School next session, there are nine beginners in the class for pipers, and the prospects for the future of the Pipes and Drums are very bright.

It is certain that the Pipe Band will be called upon to perform during the Sept-Centenary Celebrations at the School in 1956 and it is the earnest wish of all associated with the School Pipes and Drums that as soon as possible, and in any event within the next three years, the Band will be adequately provided with instruments of its own and distinctive uniforms.

The Pipe Band is a School organisation which is largely dependent for support on the generosity of those who are interested in its welfare—among whom there must be many F.P.s. At least six more sets of pipes are required and, in due course, bugles for the drummers.

So are a drum major's staff and sash, three leopard skins, pipers' waist-belts and cross-belts, buff drum-slings and a smart set of uniforms to replace the existing makeshift apparel which has been collected piecemeal. At present the Band has a School Pipe Banner (presented by Mrs. Blair of Ferrar, Dinnet), but four pipe banners (one for each House) are desirable.

Any F.P.s who may be able to help this young School organisation are asked to get in touch either with Mr. Armand (Housemaster at the School Boarding House) or with the Secretary of the F.P. Club.

8z

Our Rugby Internationalists

i

•

To the growing list of F.P. rugby internationalists falls to be added the name of Bruce Ewan Thomson (194o-43) who was "capped" for Scotland this year in the matches against France, Wales and Ireland. He was leader of the forwards on each occasion.

Having recorded these facts, however, we must in fairness add that Bruce Thomson left the School before his rugby-playing days began and that it was at Glenalmond that he learned the game. He is at present at Keble College, Oxford, and gained his Oxford Blue in 1951 and 1952. He has been appointed secretary of the Oxford University Rugby Football Club for 1953-54. (During vacations last season he played on one or two occasions for the F.P. 1st XV.) Douglas William Cumming Smith* (1929-41), M.B., Ch.B., who previously had seven " caps " to his credit (1949 and 195o), played again for Scotland last season in the match against Ireland.

Doug. Smith was a member of the British Isles Rugby Union Team which toured New Zealand and Australia in 195o and in addition to his eight official appearances he also played for Scotland in three unofficial international matches against New Zealand, Wales and Ireland in 1946.

Our Hockey Internationalist Eric Douglas Watt* (1937-5o) gained three more hockey " caps " last season, in the matches against Ireland, England and Wales. He also played for Scotland against Holland in an international match at Amsterdam. Previous to last season he had been " capped" on seven occasions. He is a member of the Aberdeen University Hockey Club.

Proposals for New Club Blazer

6

The present F.P. Club blazer is so obviously unpopular, owing to its colour and style, that the Executive recently considered the adoption of a new one. It was generally agreed that the new one should be of a more sedate colour, so that it could be worn on occasions when the purely sporting one was somewhat out of place.

One suggestion was that the colour should be " School blue ", so that a School blazer would be easily adaptable by the removal of cord or braid, and the substitution of an F.P. badge for a School one.

Another suggestion was that the blazer could be made in any style the wearer chose (i.e. single or double-breasted), provided that it was navy blue, and carried specially designed F.P. buttons.

Yet another suggestion was that the blazer should be black, carrying an F.P. badge on the breast pocket.

The Club Executive invite further suggestions on this matter, and will be grateful to any interested F.P.s who forward ideas to the Secretary.

83

*** 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 CORONATION HONOURS Three Knights Bachelor (K.B.) John Frederick Ferguson* (1904-09), C.B.E., Chief Constable, Kent County Constabulary, was created a Knight Bachelor in the Queen's Coronation Honours announced on i June 1953. After twenty-five years in the Army he joined the Metropolitan Police Force as a chief constable in 1933. From 1938 to 1940 he was Commandant of the Police College at Hendon and he was thereafter appointed a deputy assistant commissioner at Scotland Yard. In 1943 he took over the six amalgamated police forces in Sussex but two years later he returned to Scotland Yard as assistant commissioner.

In this capacity he was in charge of the whole of the uniform branch of the Metropolitan Police Force and in June 1946 he was responsible for the police arrangements for the Victory Parade. Later that year he took up his present appointment as Chief Constable of Kent, a position which was especially onerous earlier this year at the time of the disastrous floods on the East coast of England. In 1949 he was a member of a Mission appointed to investigate the present and longterm problems connected with the organisation and administration of the Malayan Police Force.

Arthur Landsborough Thomson* (1899-1908), C.B., O.B.E., M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.E., F.R.G.S., was created a Knight Bachelor in the New Year Honours. He has been Second Secretary of the Medical Research Council (under the Committee of the Privy Council for Medical Research) since 1949. He is also one of the leading ornithologists in Britain, being president of the British Ornithologists' Union and president-elect of the Eleventh International Ornithological Congress to be held at Basle next year.

The eldest son of the late Professor Sir J. Arthur Thomson, LL.D., Professor of Natural History in the University of Aberdeen, he graduated M.A. at the University in 19 i r, B.Sc. (with distinction in Zoology) in 1914, and D.Sc. in 19zo. In 1919 he was awarded the O.B.E. (Military Division) for services in France on the staff at G.H.Q. and he was demobilised later that year with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was assistant secretary of the Medical 84

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83

Research Council from 1919 to 1936, principal assistant secretary from 1936 to 1946 and under-secretary from 1946 to 1949. In 1936 he was appointed secretary of the Tropical Medical Research Committee; in the following year he was appointed a member of the National Radium Commission; and he has been chairman of the Public I-Iealth Laboratory Service Board since 1950. During the last war he was mainly engaged in the organisation of emergency medical services and of special investigations both for the forces and for civil purposes.

He has written several books on ornithology, the first of which, Britain's Birds and their Nests, was published in 1911, when he was a student. His Problems of Bird )l'Igration appeared in 1926.

George Alexander Williamson* (1904-I 2), B.L., D.L., advocate in Aberdeen, was also knighted in the Coronation Honours, " for political and public services in Aberdeenshire ". He was president of the Scottish Unionist Association in 1951-5z and is an honorary president of the South Aberdeen Unionist Association. Since 195o he has been Scottish Area Commandant of the Royal Observer Corps, having joined the Corps in June 1939. During the war he was the first centre controller of the operations room of No. 38 Group in Aberdeen. At the end of May it was announced that he had been awarded the R.O.C. medal for twelve years' service or more. He is also honorary colonel of 5or (Mobile) H.A.A. Regiment, R.A. (T.A.).

In 1916 he was commissioned in the Indian Army from Wellington Cadet College, South India, and he served in India for seven years, reaching the rank of Captain in the 2/23rd Sikh Pioneers. In 1923 he returned to Aberdeen and three years later he graduated B.L. at the University. After a short time with Messrs. Wallace & Guthrie, W.S., Edinburgh, where he studied Investment Trust management, he entered the family firm of Messrs. Paull & Williamson, advocates, Aberdeen, becoming a partner in 1928. From 1934 to 1937 he was a member of Aberdeen Town Council and convener of the Plans and Town Planning Committee. In March of this year he succeeded his father, ROBERT MOIR WILLIAMSON* (1882-83), C. B. E., M.A., LL.B., LL.D., as chairman of the Committee of Management of Aberdeen Savings Bank.

ACADEMIC HONOURS Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) Sir William Robert Tennant* (1904-10), C.I.E., M.A., is to receive the honorary degree of LL.D. from the University of Aberdeen at the Summer Graduation in July. In April he retired from the post of secretary of the Scottish Universities' Entrance Board—an appointment he had held since 1948. Prior to 1947 he had been in the Indian Civil Service for thirty-one years, latterly as Deputy Auditor-General of India. He is a graduate of the University of Aberdeen, where he obtained first class honours in Classics in 1914, and an honorary vice-president of the Club.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) David Cairns (1912-16), M.A., Professor of Practical Theology at Christ's College, Aberdeen, since 1947, is to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Edinburgh on 3 July 1953. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Aberdeen in 1931 and, after spending a year on the continent, became assistant to the Rev. Dr. G. F. MacLeod at Govan Old Parish Church. From 1935 to 1939 he was minister of Trinity Church, Bridge of Allan, and at the outbreak of war he resigned his charge and became a Chaplain to the Forces. After the war he was at Oriel College, Oxford, and secretary of the Student Christian Movement before returning to Aberdeen.

Archibald Clive Irvine (1908-Jo), M.A., M.D., is being honoured with the degree of D.D. by the University of Aberdeen this summer.

He is head of Chogoria Hospital and senior missionary of the Church of Scotland Mission in Kenya, where he has been since 1919. As reported in the last issue of the Magaine, he graduated in Medicine at the University of Aberdeen in 1917, took his M.D. in 1925 and was ordained as a minister of the Church of Scotland in 1933.

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature (Hon. D.Litt.)

Robert Lindsay Graeme Ritchie* (1894-99), M.A., D.Litt., LL.D. (Aberd.), Docteur de l'Universite de Paris, Officier de la Legion d'Honneur, Laurdat de l'Acadernie Francaise, Docteur (Hon.) de l'Universite de Caen, who was Professor of French Language and Literature in the University of Birmingham from 1919 to 1946, received the honorary degree of D.Litt. from that University in July 1952. From 1946 to the end of 195z, when he retired, he was Professor of French in University College, Exeter.

In the course of his oration at Birmingham the Public Orator recalled that Professor Ritchie had been the University's first Public Orator and that his " elegantly witty and polished orations " had been published by an admiring University. He went on to say:— The twenty-seven years that he spent in Birmingham as Professor of French Language and Literature gained renown for himsrlf and credit for our French Department. He was the first in this country to bring the dignity of the classics to the study of modem languages. Having enjoyed a classical training at Aberdeen and an apprenticeship at Paris in the methods of research in medieval and modern French literature, he set out to make French a humane study in Britain as it was in France, and French prose as exact and exacting a discipline as Latin prose had so long been. The expression " French the third classic " sums up one aspect of his achievement. It is hard for us now to realise that he made the subject. . . .

A master of style, urbane, witty, humane, choosing the exact word, he unites with native Scottish qualities, modified by long residence in England, a fine irony, clarity of vision and tolerance which he owes to France.

Charles Ernest Anderson* (1912-24), B.Sc.(Eng.), was appointed last year to be assistant to the Chief Electrical Engineer, The Bowater Paper Corporation, and now lives in Gravesend. From 1945 to 1952 he was electrical engineer at the Bowaters Mersey Paper Mills.

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87

Alexander Elder Anton* (1932-33 and 2935-40), M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen and a partner in the firm of Messrs. C. & P. H. Chalmers, Aberdeen, has been appointed a full-time lecturer in Law at the University of Aberdeen. He graduated with distinction in 1949 and has since been a part-time assistant in the Department of Law. Ch.B., Aberdeen, has Logie Samuel Bain* (1919-31), passed the examination for the Diploma in Physical Medicine awarded by the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Thomas Blair* (1934-44), who has been in Malaya for four years, is now Officer in Charge of the Police District at Kulai in Johore, about fifty miles from Singapore. Kulai is one of three Districts comprising Johore Bahru Circle, which is part of the Police Contingent for the State of Johore. He is responsible for all matters concerning crime and a great variety of administrative matters within his district, and has to keep in touch with the local Army unit and provide information with regard to the location, movement and activities of bandits. Under him there are at present 150 regulars and 68o special constables.

Henry Jackson Butchart* (1890-99), D.S.O., O.B.E., T.D., B.L., LL.D., D.L., who retired last September from the post of secretary of the University of Aberdeen, is continuing as law agent to the University for a period of five years. He was organising secretary for the Coronation celebrations in Aberdeen.

James Durno Chalmers* (1933-40), M.B., Ch.B., D.C.H., is now assistant in a medical practice at Insch, Aberdeenshire.

James Michael Findlay Chalmers (2942-5o), who was a member of the 9th Troop of Boy Scouts when he was at the School, has won the Queen's Scout Badge, the highest Scout honour, and is to be invested with his badge at Hampton Court Palace in July. Since his family moved to Berkshire in 2950, he has been a member of the Scout troop attached to Reading School.

Andrew Clark* (1895-1902), M.A., who is Town Clerk of Keiskama Hoek, Cape Province, South Africa, has given us some interesting information about local government in his part of the world. Kciskama Hoek is "a tiny village in a sequestered nook, twenty-five miles from the nearest railway station and lacking in most of the amenities which make life pleasant ". It is, however, unique in South Africa as a municipality, embracing as it does an area of twenty-six square miles on which there are small farms owned or occupied by the descendants of German settlers. Owners' rates amount to lid. in the £ I Bramwell William Harold Cook* (1936-39), A.R.C.M., L.T.C.L., who, as reported in the last issue of the Magaine, is now principal master of music at Brechin High School, is also master of the choristers and organist at Brechin Cathedral.

Aberdeen Grammar School Afa,gazine Sir Patrick Ashley Cooper* (1896-1901), B.A.(Cantab), LL.B. (Aberd.), who retired last year from the position of Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, was the Company's thirtieth Governor.

A tribute to his services in this capacity over a period of twenty-one years appeared in the December 1952 issue of The Beaver, the Company's quarterly magazine. There it was stated:—

88

The tall, soft-spoken Scot who left Aberdeen as a young man to carve a distinFuished place for himself in the world of international finance, was a frequent visitor to Canada and knew at first hand, more than any other Governor before him, Canada's great northland.

In 1934, shortly after his appointment, he travelled aboard the Company's ship Narcopie to the posts in the Arctic and along the shores of the Bay, the first Governor to do so. In 1939 he boarded the Company's twin-engine plane CFBMI at Edmonton, and in one week covered 3,ooo miles, visiting posts down north as far as Aklavik. In 1944 he again flew the length of the Mackenzie and through the Athabasca territory. His interest in the Arctic and the northland generally went far beyond his business associations.

There was a whole series of firsts in his career with the Company. In a colourful ceremony before old Fort Garry Gate in Winnipeg in 1939 he paid to His Majesty King George VI, the lawful rent of two elks' heads and two black beaver skins laid down by Charles II in the charter granted to the Company of Adventurers in 167o.

During his long term in office Sir Patrick saw many changes. He came to the Company in the depths of the depression when serious difficulties confronted all corporate enterprises, and he carried it successfully through those unhappy times and through the serious dislocation of the war period. In the long line of Governors the achievements of his term of office stand high. He leaves the Company not only immeasurably stronger than on his arrival, but equipped to cope with the swift changes now taking place in the world.

George William Cressy* (1944-47) is now a constable in the Metropolitan Police Force.

George Edmond Crombie* (1916-21), C.M.G., M.A., has since 1951 been Deputy High Commissioner for the United Kingdom at Madras. He was Deputy High Commissioner in Burma from 1947 to 1948 and Counsellor at H.M. Embassy, Rangoon, in 1948-49.

From March 195o until he went to Madras, he was Assistant Secretary in the Commonwealth Relations Office in London, in charge of the Western and United Nations Department, which deals with the Commonwealth aspect of Foreign Affairs. His brother, Peter Crombie* (1919-zo and 1922-24), M.B.E., M.A., who was in the Indian Civil Service at Madras from 1934, is now a member of the Advisory Board of the Indian Tea Association, with headquarters in Calcutta.

Roy Alexander Crombie (1932-4o), who has been the winner of various cycling championships, is now in business as a cycle agent in College Street, Aberdeen.

Douglas Scott Cruickshank* (1918-23), B.Com., C.A., is now a partner in the firm of Messrs. Dunstan Adams & May, accountants and auditors, Nairobi. Before the war he was with Francis Peek & Company Limited in Batavia and F.P. Club Consul for Java. He was interned during the war in Java and returned to the Far East in 1946 as acting general manager in the East for his old company.

89 Notes about Old Boys John Alexander Cruickshank (1926-29), V.C., was unable to attend a special reunion dinner to which the seven surviving V.C.s of Bomber Command were invited in London last February. He joined Grindlays Bank Limited in July 1952 and went to the Bank's Bombay office last November. He was formerly with the Commercial Bank of Scotland Limited in Edinburgh.

Lawson Douglas Davidson* (1934-4o), M.B., Ch.B., has been awarded the Diploma of Anaesthetics by the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

He is assistant anaesthetist on the staff of the Aberdeen Special Hospitals and the Aberdeen General Hospitals.

Thomas Forbes* (1918-28) was the producer of " Byegone Aberdeen ", the Coronation pageant presented at Pittodrie Park, Aberdeen, on 2, 3 and 4 June. In April he produced his seventh Students' Show, " Pick o' the Pack ", in His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen.

Archer Irvine-Fortescue* (1892-97), D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B., B.Com., D.L., had some interesting comments to make on the £25 travel allowance in a letter which he wrote last December to the Editor of The Times. He stated that, at the age of seventy-two, he had recently returned from a two months' holiday in Spain with £4 of his La, unspent. He went on:— One can live far more cheaply in Spain, Italy or Greece than in France, Belgium or the Netherlands, if only one has a smattering of the local language and is willing to mix on equal terms with the local manual workers. Anyone can acquire an adequate command of a Mediterranean tongue, if only he will make the study of the language his principal hobby for nine months or a year, and he will then possess a key to the door of many an enchanted palace, hitherto undreamed of. Much wandering in many lands has taught me that one learns far more about a country by lodging in a lane off the local market-place and eating in a working class café than by living in . . . " a moderate hotel ".

Colonel Irvine-Fortescue's recreations, according to Who's Who, are the study of foreign languages and travel.

James William Irvine-Fortescue* (1928-30), M.A., C.A., has retired from the firm of Messrs. Bower & Smith, chartered accountants, Aberdeen, on account of pressure of estate work at Kingcausie, Kincardineshire, and other duties.

George Sutherland Fraser (1924-33), M.A. (St. And.), poet and critic, has been appointed by the Arts Council to serve on its Poetry Panel for a period of three years.

James Edward Fraser* (1936-49), who is in his final year of Classics at the University of Aberdeen, has won a major scholarship in Classics at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. After graduating at Aberdeen this summer he will undergo his period of national service before proceeding to Cambridge.

Edgar Norman Gauld (1923-32), M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P. (Lond.), left this country at the beginning of January to take up a post as a specialist in Internal Medicine at a hospital in Hamilton, Ontario.

After graduating at the University of Aberdeen in 1937, he held

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 90 hospital appointments in Aberdeen, at Hackney Hospital, London, and Bolingbroke Hospital, London, and then joined the R.A.F. During his service he was for some time in America and was one of the first members of the staff of an R.A.F. hospital at Nassau in the Bahamas. After demobilisation in 1946 he became a medical registrar at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Hamish Brown Grant* (1918-30), M.A., LL.B., Town Clerk of Forfar since 1946, has been appointed Scottish Secretary for the Federation of British Industries in Glasgow. He graduated in Law at the University of Aberdeen in 1935 and, after holding a commercial appointment in India for two years, returned to Aberdeen and became a legal assistant on the staff of Aberdeen County Council.

Iain Scott Grant* (1941-5i) has completed courses of nautical training at the School of Navigation, Robert Gordon's Technical College, Aberdeen, and the Outward Bound Sea School, Aberdovey.

He has now commenced his apprenticeship as a midshipman with Messrs. Alfred Holt & Company (Blue Funnel Line), and left in March on his first trip to the Far East.

McGregor Thom Grant (1940-47), who went to Fettes after leaving the School, competed in this year's Scottish Boys' Golf Championship at North Berwick in April. Having reached the " last eight ", he was beaten in the sixth round. His elder brother, John Philip Grant (1937-45), who is now a student at the University of Aberdeen, competed in the same championship in 1950 and reached the fourth round.

John Greenlaw* (1884-93), T.D., H.C.F., minister of the North Church, Buckie, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination on 6 May 1953, and at a dinner given in his honour many high tributes were paid to him and to his work for various public bodies in Buckie and district. He was ordained at Holm, Orkney, and in 1908 he was appointed to the charge at Buckie which he still holds.

During the first world war he served for almost four years as a Chaplain to the Forces and he was awarded the T.D. in 1920. It has been reported that he has officiated at 2799 christenings, 971 weddings and 1732 burials.

At the bi-centenary dinner of the Lodge St. Machar (No. S4), Aberdeen, held in April, Mr. Greenlaw was the oldest member of the Lodge present. He has been a Freemason for fifty-five years and from 1926 to 1946 he was Provincial Grand Master of Banffshire.

James Howie Herd* (1929-42) is now farming at Shanzie, Myth, Perthshire.

James Gilchrist Innes* (1932-39), M.A., LL.B., was admitted to the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in March of this year. He is a partner in the firm of Messrs. Wilsone & Duffus, advocates, Aberdeen.

Arthur Roy Handasyde Kellas* (1926-32), M.A., who was appointed First Secretary (Information), or Press Attaché, at the

Notes about Old Boys

91 British Embassy, Cairo, in January 1952, is now working in the Foreign Office in London. In reply to a question in the House of Commons on z April 1953 with regard to the circumstances surrounding Mr. Kellas's departure from Egypt, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs stated:-

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Mr. Arthur Kellas was not recalled. The facts are that H.M. Ambassador at Cairo was told by the Egyptian Foreign Minister on 17 January that Mr. Kellas was persona non grata on the grounds that his activities were against the interests of the regime. No evidence was produced by the Egyptian Government in support of this allegation, although H.M. Ambassador has repeatedly pressed for it. Her Majesty's Government cannot therefore accept the validity of the Egyptian Government's allegation. Mr. Kellas left for the United Kingdom on leave on 55 January. He has now been transferred to the Foreign Office, since it would obviously be impossible for him to continue to carry out his duties in Cairo.

According to the Daily Express, the reason for Mr. Kellas's banishment was that he offered comment upon a bellicose statement

by Colonel Abdel Nasser, second-in-command to General Neguib, threatening fire and slaughter of British troops, to the effect that " the Dog barks but the Caravan moves on ". It seems that this remark was used by the Egyptian Authorities as a pretext for getting rid of a press attaché who may have been explaining too effectively to press correspondents the British point of view in the Anglo-Egyptian dispute.

Robert Sangster Kemp (1876-78), M.A., D.D., minister of Deer Church, Aberdeenshire, since 1899, continues to make history in the annals of the Church of Scotland. He celebrated his ninetieth birthday on 6 December I95z and on 5 May 1953 he completed sixty-five years as an ordained minister. At the beginning of June it was announced that Dr. Kemp had decided to retire.

Lindsay Kilgour* (1940 and 1943-52), a patrol leader in the 1st Troop of Boy Scouts, was Aberdeen's first Queen's Scout. He received his certificate bearing the Queen's signature last December.

In 195z he was one of the Aberdeen representatives at the World Scout Jamboree in Austria. He is meantime engaged in practical training at Banchory, and intends to study Agriculture at the University of Aberdeen.

Angus William Lindsay* (1935-38), B.Sc.(Eng.), who has been in the Colonial Engineering Service since 195o, holds the post of Executive Engineer in British Honduras, Central America. He has been in charge of the construction of the largest road project in Central America—the Humming Bird Highway which now links El Cayo in the West to Stann Creek in the South. In addition he has been in charge of municipal works in the capital, Belize, and has performed various other duties throughout the colony. On several occasions he has been acting Director of Public Works. Prior to 195o he was with an oil company from Texas in the Middle East.

Barry MacDonald 0945-50 and Ian Richard McPherson (1945-5 1). both second-year Arts students at the University of

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 92 Aberdeen, have won Stevenson Spanish Scholarships of the value of Li5o and are to leave this summer for Spain where they will study for a year at the University of Seville. The scholarships are two of eight which are offered annually to Scottish students by the Stevenson Exchange Scholarship Executive Committee in Glasgow.

The Hon. Lord Mackay (Alexander Morrice Mackay)* (18821891), Q.C., M.A., LL.D., completed twenty-five years as a Senator of Her Majesty's College of Justice in Scotland on 3o May 1953. He has the longest service on the Bench of any of the present judges of the Court of Session and High Court of Justiciary.

Brian Walter Whyte Mackay* (1913-14 and 1922-23), M.C.S.P., left the staff of Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, Carshalton, Surrey, at the beginning of this year to take up an appointment as physiotherapist in the Moncton Hospital, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.

Donald Hugh James Mackay* (1912-18), B.L.(Edin.), W.S., has been Town Clerk of Dornoch since January 1952. From 1931 to 1940 he was Procurator-Fiscal Depute successively in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen and in 1948-49 he was Town Clerk of Pitlochry. Thereafter he spent some time in Canada.

Basil Gordon McLellan (1887-89) was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in March 1953. He was formerly Director of the Scottish Seaweed Research Association, having been appointed to that position in 1945, and before that he was for forty years chief chemist with Rowntree & Company Limited, York.

George Alexander McNab* (1936-44), A.R.I.B.A., A.R.I.A.S., was one of this year's successful competitors for the annual prizes and studentships awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

He was awarded the Institute's Silver Medal and Do in books.

William Ferrier Mayor* (1923-3o), M.A., has had to retire from the Colonial Service on account of ill-health. Since the beginning of this year he has been Principal of Skerry's College, Nicolson Square, Edinburgh. He joined the Customs and Excise Branch of the Civil Service in Malaya in 1934 and he was in Singapore from 1948 to 1952. During the war he was commissioned in the Malayan Intelligence Corps and attached to an Australian division. He was a prisoner-of-war from 1942 to 1945. After the war he was F.P. Club Consul successively in Pahang and Singapore and in 1946 he was responsible for the revival of the Malayan Centre of the Club.

William George Melvin* (1888-96), M.Inst.C.E., F.R.I.C.S., has returned to Aberdeen. From 1948 until March of this year he was with Messrs. Ward, Ashcroft & Parkman, consulting engineers, Liverpool, as resident engineer at the Worsley Sewerage Scheme in Lancashire. He held various posts in the Government of Bengal between 1905 and 1927 and thereafter he was for three years with the Lake Copais Company in Greece as chief engineer. From 1931 to 1935 he was engaged on various projects at home, including the construction of the Priscilly Dam in South Wales. From 1935 to

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Notes about Old Boys 93 Burma and from 1942 to 1947 in company mining with a 1940 he was he was resident engineer for the Ministry of Agriculture on the Mattraeth Marsh Drainage Scheme in North Wales.

Harold James Milne* (1904-07), M.C., was re-elected Provost of Fraserburgh in May of this year. He has been Provost since 195o and a member of the Town Council since 1933. He has also been a member of Aberdeen County Council since 1935 and convener of the County Planning Committee since 1947.

James William Milne* (1884-95), O.B.E., C.A., retired from practice as a chartered accountant on 3o September 1952. For thirty-two years he was a partner in the firm of Messrs. Cooper Brothers & Company, C.A., London, Liverpool, etc., and latterly he was second senior of the firm's fourteen partners. From 1906 to 1919 Mr. Milne was honorary secretary and treasurer of the F.P. Club in Aberdeen and was one of those mainly responsible for the building up of the Club. He was captain of rugby and cricket at the School and at the University of Aberdeen and he won the mile at the first Scottish Inter-University Sports. He is at present living in Edinburgh.

John Maxwell Milne* (1934-46), M.A., returned from Malaya in March 1953 after undergoing one of his two years' national service there. An officer in the 1st Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, he was in command of a patrol which in January killed one of the senior bandit leaders in Malacca State, at a point Soo yards from a road used shortly before by General Sir Gerald Templer, the British High Commissioner. John Milne is now working in the bookshop of James G. Bisset Limited in Broad Street, Aberdeen, being at present a director of the company. After his return from Malaya he resumed playing rugby for F.P.s.

Charles Albert Morrison* (1938-44), M.A.(Aberd.), B.A. (Oxon), has been called to the English Bar by the Inner Temple, London. He graduated at Aberdeen with first class honours in History and at Oxford with honours in Law. In December 1952 he was awarded a scholarship of zoo guineas per annum for three years by the Inner Temple and he has been lecturing in Law at the University of Southampton. He intends to practise as a barrister in England.

Thomas Patrick Edward Murray* (1907-18), O.B.E., T.D., M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, Colonel, Royal Corps of Signals (T.A.), retired at the end of April from the command of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Divisional Signal Regiment (T.A.). He was in command of the 51st (Highland) Divisional Signals in France in 1939-40 and was a prisoner-of-war from 1940 to 1945. In 1947 he was appointed to command the 51st/52nd (Scottish) Infantry Divisional Signal Regiment, which became the 51st (Highland) Infantry Divisional Signal Regiment in May 1948. A few days after his retirement it was announced that Colonel Murray had been appointed an Aide-de-Camp (additional) to the Queen with effect from 25 May 1953.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

Alan Fowler Niven* (194x-44), M.A., is in the service of Lloyds Bank Limited, London.

Richard George Paterson (1937-47), who went to Fettes after leaving the School, has been awarded a Stevenson Scholarship and is to study for a year at the University of the Sorbonne, Paris. He is at present a second-year Arts student at the University of Aberdeen.

James Reid* (1924-34), messenger-at-arms and sheriff officer, Aberdeen, was appointed in January to be president of the Scottish Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers. The appointment is for two years. His father, Mr James Reid, Senior, with whom he is in partnership, was president of the Society from 1933 to 1935 and this is the first occasion upon which a father and son have figured on the list of presidents. Mr. Reid, Junior, is a member of the Executive of the F.P. Club, and a founder member of the Aberdeen Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Kenneth Reid* (1901-04), J.P., who has been in Tobago, British West Indies, for over forty years, sold King's Bay Estate (which he had purchased from his father soon after the 5914-18 war) in 1950 and acquired a smaller estate at Concordia, near Scarborough, the capital of Tobago. His brother, Alan Reid* (1911-14), retired from the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China in 5948 and is now living in New South Wales. Both brothers are F.P. Club Consuls.

Norman Keith Bonner Robson* (1933-40), B.Sc., has since November 195 2 been an assistant lecturer in the Botany Department of the University of Edinburgh. He is studying for his Ph.D. Simon Douglas Ross* (5914-20), B.Sc.(Agri.), who retired from the Colonial Agricultural Service in 1951 after twenty-two years' service, having been latterly Director of Agriculture in the Gold Coast, is now chief Agricultural Executive of the Western Regional Production Development Board at Ibadan, Nigeria. The Board is a statutory body charged with the economic development of the region and for this purpose it has received grants amounting to £9 million from the Nigerian Cocoa and Oil Palm Produce Marketing Boards.

George Taylor Simpson* (1910-20) was appointed staff manager of the Civil Service Stores in the Strand, London, at the beginning of March. From 5948 to 1950 he was with John Lewis & Company Limited and thereafter he was a director of Dri-Vapour (Diffusers) Limited. For six months prior to taking up his present appointment he was in the Planning Department of Hawker Aircraft Limited at Kingston-on-Thames. • Arthur Skene (1921-33) has been appointed general manager of a new factory belonging to the British Tabulating Machine Company Limited at Castlereagh, near Belfast. His brother, Ronald Fraser Skene* (1958-26), is manager and accounts officer for the National Hostels Association at Castle Donnington, near Derby.

Bernard Hooper Smith* (1932-35), M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.P. (Lond.), who received an appointment in the National Hospital for

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Notes about Old Boys 93 Nervous Diseases, Queen's Square, London, in 1947, went to the U.S.A. in 1950, having been elected a Fellow in the University of Cincinnati. There he worked on the problems of psychosomatic disease. Since September 1951 he has been working in the Montreal Neurological Institute under Doctor Wilder -Penfield. He is also lecturer in Neurology at McGill University, Montreal. An article on a holiday he spent in the Yukon and Alaska appears elsewhere in this issue of the Magazine.

William Garnett Smith* (1922-30), who has been with the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China since 1934, is now in Djakarta-Kota, Indonesia. He was formerly in the Bank's Bombay office.

Robert Clement Steven* (1933-41), M.A., LL.B., who has been with Messrs. Mackenzie, Innes & Logan, W.S., Edinburgh, for the past few years, was admitted as a member of the Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet in April of this year.

Alastair Harry Tawse* (1930-43), B.Sc.(Eng.), is engaged as a civil engineer with William Tawse Limited on the roadmaking part of the Hydro-Electric Scheme at Kiffin. His marriage is reported on another page.

Edward Robert Hector Tennant* (1945-46), M.B., Ch.B., is undergoing his period of national service. At present he is at H.Q., Far East Land Forces, Tonglin, Singapore.

James Oliver Thomson (1899-1900), O.B.E., M.A. (Aberd.), B.A. (Cantab), Professor of Latin in the University of Birmingham, delivered the oration at the Robert Gordon's College Founder's Day Service in Aberdeen on 24 April 1953. After a short time at the School he went to the " Other Place ".

Horace Walker (1922-28), M.A., B.D., Secretary-Depute of the Church of Scotland Home Board, was appointed by the new Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Very Rev. Professor J. Pitt-Watson, to be secretary of his staff at the Assembly in May of this year.

Donald Elmslie Robertson Watt* (2932-43), M.A., has been appointed lecturer in Medieval History at United College in the University of St. Andrews. He graduated at Aberdeen with first class. honours in History in 195o and since then he has been engaged in research in Medieval History at Oriel College, Oxford.

Harold Murray Robertson Watt* (1926-38), M.A., has been appointed president of the Aberdeen Junior Chamber of Commerce.

He has also been appointed chairman of the Federation of Scottish Junior Chambers of Commerce. He is joint managing director of The Aberdeen University Press Limited.

Robert Moir Williamson* (1882-83), C.B.E., M.A., LL.B., LL.D., advocate in Aberdeen, resigned as chairman of the Committee of Management of Aberdeen Savings Bank on 29 March 1953

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine —the twenty-fifth anniversary of his appointment to that office. He had been a member of the Committee of Management for sixty years.

At a complimentary dinner he revealed that his first account in the Savings Bank was opened before any other member of the Committee was born and went on to explain that, to mark his birth, an aunt had made his first deposit for him in 1867. During Mr. Williamson's connection with the Bank the deposits rose from L6 million to £39 million and the number of offices from twenty-one to fifty-two.

Shortly after Mr. Williamson's retirement his eldest son, George Alexander Williamson* (1904-12), B.L., D.L., advocate in Aberdeen, was appointed to succeed him as chairman. (See page 85.)

James Fenton Wyness* (1915-20), F.R.I.B.A., F.S.A.(Scot.), is honorary editor of The Deeside Field, the magazine of the Deeside Field Club which was published recently after a lapse of sixteen years.

Prior to 1937 the magazine was published annually under the editorship of the late Mr. J. Bentley Philip.

James Smith Yule* (1915-19 and 1926-28), B.A., has taken up fruit farming in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. At present he is working with another fruit grower but he hopes to purchase his own orchards in the not-too-distant future.

96

ABERDEEN TOWN COUNCIL

At the Municipal Election held in Aberdeen in May of this year David Sinclair Hay* (1907-I1), B.L., stood as a Socialist candidate in Terry Ward and was elected. Two other F.P.s were re-elected to the Town Council, namely, Alan McIntosh Morrice (1941-4z), Socialist candidate in Woodside Ward, and Harry James Rae* (1898-1904), M.C., M.A., M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., Q.H.P., Progressive candidate in Rubislaw Ward.

Proposed Swimming Section of the Club A number of F.P.s are anxious to establish a Swimming Section of the Club. A preliminary meeting has been held and a further meeting is to be called in the autumn. The date and time of this meeting will be announced in the Aberdeen press and all members of the Club who are interested in the formation of the proposed new Section are asked to attend.

Annual Dinner and Annual Ball This year's Annual Dinner, which will be a Diamond Jubilee Dinner, is to be held in the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, on Friday, 23 October 1953. The Annual Ball is to be held in the Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, on Monday, 28 December 2953. Details will be sent later to members of the Club whose addresses in the Club Register are in the United Kingdom.

tor A Holiday in the Yukon and Alaska Seattle, a Thousand miles north, to Dyea and Skagway, and then proceeded overland. They had to carry their packs across the infamous Chilkoot Pass or the easier White Pass, when it was discovered, to the headwaters of the Yukon. There they constructed rafts, boats, or scows from whip-sawed lumber and set off on the long journey by lake and river to Whitehorse From there they continued a further 460 miles down the Yukon to Dawson City Just above Whitehorse on the s river are Miles Canyon and Whitehorse Rapids which took their toll of the lives of some of the more ardent stampeders who tried to save time by shooting their turbulent waters.

Near the Yukon-Alaska border is Snag Airport which won fame in 1947 when it registered an all-time record for Canada of 83 degrees below zero. (The highest summer temperature recorded in the Yukon was at Dawson City and measured 95 degrees.) Fairbanks is 646 miles beyond Whitehorse and 1568 miles from the zero marker at Dawson Creek. It is a town of 1o,ooo people which had its birth in 1904 when gold was discovered in the neighbourhood. It is the site of the University of Alaska and of two important Army airfields.

TO THE ARCTIC OCEAN

For a large part of Alaska, air travel is the only feasible method in the summer, and it is said to the the most air-minded country in the world. Non-scheduled flights are available to most of the larger villages and private planes carry passengers to the most inaccessible parts. I flew to the Eskimo village of Kotzebue, on the Arctic Ocean north of the Bering Strait. The annual boat bringing supplies arrived during my stay there and the little town was a hive of industry.

Pure stock Eskimo do not appear to exist any longer. I asked one group of children their names, and was surprised to hear: Adams, Booth, Mitchell and Keats—a legacy from the Scottish and English whalers who used to visit the Arctic. Other children had German, Scandinavian and Russian names. I was surprised also at the enormous number of dogs which are supported in such a village. They are, of course, the motive power of winter transport Eskimo dancing provided an interesting spectacle but its symbolic significance was difficult to understand. There is a Quaker mission in the village and I attended one of the services. The hall was packed and the joyfulness of the congregation and their eagerness to sing solo or in small groups was somewhat startling to one raised in North-East Scotland. In early August the climate was delightfully mild and it was pleasant walking along the Arctic shore without a coat or riding its waters in a skin boat.

I returned to Fairbanks via Nome, another town famous because of its gold rush, and proceeded to Anchorage on the Alaska Railroad.

This route runs through McKinley National Park and offers magnificent views of Mt. McKinley (20,300 feet), the highest peak in North America. Against a changing foreground of forest, river and ravine with its dazzling glaciers and sparkling whiteness, it presented a picture of remote majestic splendour.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Anchorage with its 14,00o people is the largest town in Alaska, with an exquisite situation on Cooks Inlet. Around it are snow-clad ranges with the great McKinley peeping up to the north. It is another boom town and already has two daily newspapers, three commercial radio stations, two fourteen-storey apartment buildings and an airfield on which the traffic is said to be heavier than in La Guardia Airport in New York. I carried away from it a lingering memory of a northern sunset when sky, earth and water were a blaze of slowly changing colours. A quality of eeriness was added as the light faded and a pale crescent moon rose and appeared to be suspended over the mountains.

102

THE GOLDRUSH TO DAWSON CITY

From Fairbanks I flew, to Dawson City, surely one of the most romantic spots on earth. To me, it was surrounded with the same aura of mystery and magic as Santa Fe and Peshawar. It was near here in August '896 that George Carmack and two Indian companions, Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, found gold in Bonanza Creek.

There followed one of the most thrilling stampedes in history when red-blooded adventurers of all classes and nations set out for the goldfields of the Klondike. Feats of superhuman courage and endurance were performed against a malignant nature; in their lust for gold men released their primal instincts and often descended to the level of the beasts. " No spot on the map in so short a space has hustled more souls to hell." A few huts along the Yukon mushroomed into a town of 40,000 people. Day and night a stream of humanity poured into Dawson City. Most came up from Skagway and Whitehorse along the Yukon River. Others took the Edmonton Trail and the long water route via the Great Slave and the Great Bear Lakes and the Mackenzie River to the Porcupine River and to Fort Yukon and then up the Yukon River to Dawson City—a journey which took two years.

In eight years ;loo million of gold were taken from Eldorado, Bonanza, Hunker and the other creeks of the Klondike. Dance halls, saloons and gambling places ran open for twenty-four hours. The ballads of Robert Service recapture something of the riotous atmosphere of those days and revive such character types as Dangerous Dan McGrew and " his light o'love, the lady that's known as Lou ".

Dawson City and its neighbourhood to-day has less than Soo inhabitants. The famed Flora Dora Dance Hall still stands as does the old Palace Grand Theatre where celebrities once trod the boards, but they are now ramshackle and in decay as is much of the rest of the place, which already has the air of a ghost town. Great gold dredges still work in Bonanza and some of the other creeks and there is still some private panning. But the glory has departed. Now of as much interest as the gold are the occasional tusks which the dredges bring up—witness of the mastodons which roamed the country thousands of years ago. From this ivory local craftsmen make jewellery which when decorated with gold nuggets has a particularly Yukon flavour.

Behind Dawson is the 1,5oo feet Dome, a hill from which the sun can be seen for a whole twenty-four hours in June and early July.

To; A Holiday in the Yukon and Alaska The chief attraction of the town now is Robert Service's log cabin which still has the moose antlers over the door and the epigrams on the walls which it bore when occupied by him in 1910.

Dawson City has a haunting quality. One does not need to be imaginative to re-live the atmosphere of half a century ago when men so greatly dared and endured and also plumbed the depth of despair and greed and licence; when fortunes were lightly won and recklessly lost; when weeks of drudgery were followed by nights of abandon; when the whole gamut of human emotions was run; when only the strong survived.

WHITEHORSE TO SKAGWAY

From Dawson I flew to Whitehorse, passing over, on the way, the historic Lake Lebarge, scene of the Service ballad " The Cremation of Sam McGee ". Instead of retracing my steps along the Alcan Highway, I took the train to Skagway on the Pacific coast, and from there went by boat to Prince Rupert. The journey to Skagway on the small gauge Whitepath and Yukon Railway lay through magnificent country. For twenty-six miles it hugs the shores of Lake Bennett whose waves almost lap the rails. Mountains rise from the edge of the lake to tower a mile above it. At its north end lies Carcross, a name contracted from the older one of Caribou Crossing, because great herds of those animals used to cross a natural ford there. Seventeen miles from Skagway at an elevation of 2,40o feet is Inspiration Point which offers a fine panoramic view. To the south-east lies the Sawtooth Mountains, to the south-west the glacier-topped Mount Pinnacle, and to the south glimmers the Lynn Canal, a Pacific fjord.

At this point a monument to the 3,ooo pack animals which " laid their bonei on these awful hills during the gold rush of 1897-1898 " has been raised by a group called the Ladies of the Golden North. Below the railway can still be made out the " Trail of '98 " which the stampeders followed across the White Pass. An impressive spectacle on this route is the 215 feet high cantilever bridge which spans Dead Horse Gulch.

Skagway is a hamlet nestling at the head of the Lynn Canal in the shadow of ice-clad peaks which tower 4-6,000 feet above it.

In the spring of 1898 it grew to a city of 15,ooo people lured to the north by its gold. It was here and then that the notorious " Soapy" Smith and his gangsters terrorized the community until he was finally shot by a member of the vigilance committee. It is an odd quirk of human nature that his grave is more visited by tourists than that of the local benefactor who shot him and was killed in so doing.

From Skagway I took the Canadian National Steamship Prince George which runs between Vancouver and Skagway as far as Prince Rupert. The route lay along the Inner Passage, among the lovely islands off the coast of the Alaska Panhandle and British Columbia.

The channel is at places very narrow and requires careful navigation.

Great chunks of blue ice, broken off the glaciers, float by, crowded with gulls; the mountains rise from the water's edge and streams

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine cascade into the sea. The boat touched in at Juneau, the capital of Alaska, with an impressive site against a mountain background, and at Wrangell and Ketchikan. In the Ketchikan Creek salmon by the hundred were trying to leap a waterfall; the river was in spate and none seemed to succeed. But it was thrilling to watch the flash of fins as they hurled themselves against the torrent or were thrown back against the rocks.

From Prince Rupert the old Grand Trunk Pacific Railway follows the valleys of the Skeena and Nechako rivers to Prince George.

This region was unknown except to the Indians until 1865, when the Western Union Telegraph Company decided to lay the Overland Telegraph from America to Europe via the Bering Strait. Work began simultaneously in Siberia and North-West Canada and much progress had been made when the announcement came in August 1866 that the Atlantic cable had been laid. Work ceased immediately in Canada and in Siberia; the project was dropped; and vast stores and supplies were abandoned in the wilderness. Several place-names commemorate this venture such as Telegraph Creek and Telegraph Mountain.

To the south of the railway lies Tweedsmuir Park, much of which is now being flooded to supply water power for the vast aluminium deposits in this part of British Columbia.

Prince George is a boom town in a rich lumber district and to spend Saturday night there is to savour the atmosphere of the old frontier. From Prince George south I followed the old Caribou Trail through regions which became famous overnight with the gold discoveries of a century ago. To-day it is a hunter's and fisherman's paradise. The road is still poor in parts but it must be a big improvement on the trail over which the mule trains and covered wagons and even camels tracked in the not-very-distant past.

From the Fraser I crossed to the Thompson River, passing on the way through the picturesque lake-studded region around Kamloops, orchards. and then down to the Okanagon Valley with its teeming irrigation with only possible is however, The fertility of this area, In and there are still large belts where only the sagebrush grows.

Ranch, Coldstream the and Farm the Okanagon Valley are Guisachan formerly the property of the Aberdeen family.

Having previously crossed the Rockies by the Big Bend Highway

by Trail, and Banff, I took on this occasion the southern highway and Lethbridge McLeod, to Pass Nelson, and the Crow's Nest this In Montreal. to back and Winnipeg to on then Regina and the by itself impressed America journey the vast extent of North Atlantic on the is Montreal crossed. were that belts time number of Mountain, Standard Time and travelling west one passes Central, the last belts, Time Standard Sea Bering and Alaska Yukon, Pacific, wandering month's a In Time. being six hours behind Montreal and air.

I must have travelled over io,ooo miles, by rail, road, water BERNARD H. SMITH* (1932-3S).

104

Down from Darwin Some Impressions of Australia Darwin—the capital of the Northern Territory of Australia and the first stop of the Kangaroo Service of the Qantas Airways on that great continent—suddenly appeared below us in the form of straggling lines of white houses dispersed among vivid green tropical foliage. The Constellation in which I had made the trip from a cold and dreary Britain swung gracefully into her landing circuit. A Union Jack was hanging limply on a flagstaff, a few houses built on poles (to beat the white ants, which can gnaw through your shoes overnight) flashed past the window, the engines spluttered and there was a sudden rush of moist warm air as the door of the aircraft opened—.

I was " down under". A quick Customs inspection followed but the rumours which had assailed me during my trip regarding the barbarity of the Australian Customs were quickly dispelled and, after a few cheerful remarks from a bronzed and bearded officer concerning the beautiful weather in Scotland at that time of the year— January, I found myself seated in a taxi, being driven into the heart of this seemingly prefabricated city on stilts.

Due to a hitch in 'plane times I was forced to stay over in Darwin for several days before travelling down the west coast, some 1,6oo miles to Carnarvon, my final destination. It was with some misgiving that I learned of this change in plans. Certain rather uncomplimentary sayings regarding Darwin had been prevalent in H.M. Forces during the war and from the first impression there appeared to be some truth in the barrack room gossip. The general atmosphere of the town and the remains of the Japanese bombing, which, unlike the damage in our own blitzed cities, was still in evidence, gave the streets a desolate air, and in no way forecast the very enjoyable few days of my stay.

The first incident showing the kindness and hospitality which I was to receive throughout my trip came early the following morning when, due to a chance remark, I found myself being escorted by a Scots-Australian born in Leith some fifty years ago, and the editor of one of the two local papers. Our destination was Vestys Meat Plant, a well-known landmark in Darwin. Built at the beginning of the century when new industries were being fostered in the Territory, the plant was one of the largest of its kind in the Continent: to-day it stands an empty shell, its last occupants being the American Forces billeted there during the last war. At least, the G.I.s were the last official visitors but Darwin, like any town in the U.K., has its housing problems and squatters had taken possession of the plant.

Our business completed, we once again returned to the town, this time to interview a hunter who was in the process of clearing the Darwin Harbour of crocodiles, whose numbers had now been reduced to a mere three or four.

With my two new-found friends I visited many interesting places including a Chinese gambling den where what appeared to be a game I05

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

of dominoes was the main form of play. I was, however, informed that the opium dens which had been prevalent in the town at one time were now completely out of existence. My informant was a young Chinese boy who, on being told that I was Scots, calmly informed me that he intended to spend his summer holidays in Stonehaven. This information seemed more credible when I was informed that an employee of his father was a Stonehaven man.

Since Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory and the only part of the country administered by the Federal Government direct from Canberra, it was not strange to find that seventy-five per cent. of the population were civil servants, who were only stationed there for periods of up to three years. The chief Government official is called the Administrator and is at present an ex-Prime Minister of Western Australia. There are many Government projects in this sparsely populated part of Australia—it was interesting to note that amongst them is one for the cultivation of groundnuts —but by far the most important is the Rum Jungle project which, it is hoped, will supply Australia with all the uranium needed for the defence of the Empire.

THE ABORIGINES

The aboriginal population of Australia numbers approximately 6o,ooo, the majority of whom have their homes in the Northern Territory and the northern part of Western Australia. In Europe knowledge of the native Australian would appear to be scant but he is far more intelligent and capable of civilisation than is usually believed. Many aborigines play a useful part in the life of the Territory and the North-West, acting as stockmen on cattle ranches and providing the vast majority of the labour on the large sheep stations. This adoption of the white man's way of life is, however, still broken by native instincts and many pastoralists have found that the native habit of " walkabout ", i.e. the leaving of the Station without reason and remaining in the bush for long periods, is still very common. In the Northern Territory, too, the aborigines still build platforms on which they place the bodies of their dead, having wrapped the corpse in leaves and bark, although I believe the natives have at least six entirely different methods of treating their dead.

This information about aboriginal life was culled from a chance visit to one of the Reserves in the Territory.

My short stay in this tropical city was soon over, and boarding a Dakota I took off for Carnarvon. The vivid green of the jungle soon passed beneath us to be replaced by a panorama predominantly red. In a short time we had entered Western Australia and landed at Wyndham, in the heart of the cattle country where the horse comes into his own and the men wear sombreros and high-heeled riding boots in the best traditions of the American West. Here, too, one could catch a glimpse of some hills, probably the Durack Range, in the distance but very soon the country beneath was going to enfold in one long stretch of sandy desert. On now to Derby where a further short stop was made. The sun had risen high in the cloud-

Down from Darwin

107

less sky and the heat rose from the landing strip completely engulfing the unwary traveller. At Derby I had my first glimpse of the varied races which populate this part of Australia. Chinese, Afghans, Malays and native Australians live and work side by side in these small towns. At Broome, the next port of call, the pearling luggers lie in the mud of the tide-drained harbour and it is here that the majority of the Malay crews and divers make their home. Broom; like Darwin, was one of the few places blitzed by the Japanese in 1942.

The red dust spurts beneath the plane's wheels and we are off again heading south. Beneath us in the Bay the colour of the sea changes quickly from a deep blue to the sapphire of the tropics.

Approximately two hours later the plane again touched down at Port liedland, the railhead for the short line to Marble Bar some miles inland. This railroad is the only one between Geraldton in the south and Darwin in the north. Neither from the ground nor from the air was it easy to realise that in what appeared to be a red barren desert completely devoid of water, there are some of the world's richest wool-producing sheep stations.

CA RNA RVON

Now for the last hop of the long journey by air as we crossed the Hammersley Range and flew steadily southwards across the neverending, rusty red plain. The sheep were certainly inconspicuous from the air but now and again one could pick out the flash of the sun on the galvanized roofs of the station homesteads and woolsheds. The first hint of the approach of Carnarvon is provided by the bright green patches of the banana plantations, nearly 140 in all, which surround the outskirts of the town. In the distance a glimpse can be caught of Babbage Island where the Commonwealth Government have installed a large whaling station. The bed of the Gascoyne River, like all the rivers in the North-West at that time of the year, was completely dry.

In Carnarvon I first stayed on one of the banana plantations and again I was struck with amazement that such abundant verdure could be cultivated from a seemingly barren soil. Not only are bananas cultivated on these plantations but runner beans and pineapples are steady exports to Perth, the State capital, some Soo miles to the south. Carnarvon itself is one of the centres of the wool trade and beasts of several hotels, garages, and up-to-date shops.

Sitting on a verandah in the main street, one capture, the hustle of activity which heralds the shearing season. Although motor transport and also, in the case of cattle, aeroplanes are now used to convey the wool and carcases to the port, the appearance of some turbaned Indians reminds one that only thirty years ago camels were one of the main forms of transportation.

An invitation by my host to visit a sheep station quickly dispelled any ideas of the easy and extremely profitable life that one imagines a sheep farmer leads, especially on reading the latest price of wool at the Sydney Sales. Completely isolated, usually by sixty or seventy

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Aberdeen Grammar School MagaVne

miles, from his nearest neighbours and having to control areas of ground which seem immense to the eyes of any stranger, the pastoralist has a never-ending battle against the elements and the frailties of his stock. The red, dusty plains are covered with nothing more than sparse stretches of spinifex and dotted here and there are some mulga trees. At one time one of the greatest menaces was the everincreasing number of rabbits and one of the famous rabbit-proof fences, stretching for hundreds of miles, can be seen in the Gascoyne district. Strict preventative measures have very greatly reduced this menace but a new one in the form of an increase in the number of foxes in the district is assuming dangerous proportions. Kangaroos, best known of all the Australian animals, add further worries with regard to feeding stuffs for the sheep.

The final lap of my journey was from Carnarvon to Perth. The red dusty plain took on a new aspect as we travelled south towards Geraldton, the overnight stop on the journey. As luck would have it, the day we had chosen for our journey was one of the hottest of the season and the temperature rose to ire) degrees. The choking, blinding dust was everywhere in the car and it was impossible to touch any of the metal parts of the vehicle. The road itself seemed endless, and the monotony was relieved only by clumps of spinifex and the peculiar cone-shaped homes of the ants.

Some ten miles north of Geraldton we arrived at the main road, which had a tarmacadam surface, and it was here that the first signs of real grass and trees could be seen. Geraldton itself is a prosperous coastal town on the site of the landings of the first Dutch and Portugese traders. It is also a holiday resort for the pastoralists and their families from the bush and the white sands and beautiful coral were a delight to the eye of a travelling Scotsman. After a short stay there we pushed on through wide plains of wheat fields and pleasant undulating countryside. Small villages, some of them constructed by the first convict settlers of the State, relieved the passing scene and I thought that the journey was to end pleasantly but uneventfully. However, this was not to be. In the gathering dusk, outside Moora, a small town on the main Geraldton-Perth railway line, a large black object suddenly hurled itself in front of the car and smashed the radiator. Until then I had been fortunate enough to see the ordinary brown-coloured kangaroo but there, lying on the road, was a beautiful specimen of a species known to the Australians as the blue kangaroo. Unfortunately, it was an introduction I could have well done without as the kangaroo had smashed the radiator and water was pouring on to the road. We had some difficulty in having the car towed to the town and a long wait while it was being repaired, but the following day we crossed the main bridge spanning the Swan River and reached Perth, the capital of Western Australia.

The sight of this metropolis in the early dusk, with its many thousand lights competing against the wonderful stellar effect of the Australasian sky, was a fitting climax to a memorable journey.

F. K. SELLAR* (x933-4.5).

Marriages Anderson (I932-46).—At St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen, on 18 March 1953, of Mr. and Mrs. George P. Anderson, 6 Kingshill Road, Aberdeen, to Mildred Lilias Valdon Anderson, only daughter of Councillor and Mrs. George A. Anderson, 99 King's Gate, Aberdeen.

Bell (1934-46).—At Rubislaw Parish Church, Aberdeen on 4 April 1953, WILLIAM GRAEME HAMILTON BELL,* son of Mr. W. S. Bell, Friendville, Mannofield, Aberdeen, to Pauline F.1i7abeth Abercromby, daughter of ANDREW RIDDEL ABERCROMBY * (1903-13) and of Mrs. Abercromby, Piltochie, Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

Crozier (1931-43)At Salem, Massachusetts,. U.S.A., on 21 March 1953, THEODORE JAMES CROZIER, M.A., B.A., elder son of Mrs. Theodore Crozier, 46 Bon-Accord Terrace, Aberdeen, to Annie Lawrie Fabens, daughter of the late Mr. C. H. Fabens and of Mrs. A. P. Usher, Salem, Massachusetts.

Irvine-Fortescue (19z8-3o).—At Kirk Andrews-on-Esk, Longtown, Cumberland, on 16 May 1953, JAMES WILLIAM IRVINE-FORTESCUE,* M.A. C.A., SOH of Colonel ARCHER IRVINE-FORTESCUE * (1892-97), D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B., and of Mrs. Irvine-Fortescue, Kingcausie, Maryculter, Kincardineshire, and Swanbister, Orkney, to Margaret Guise Yates, daughter of Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. G. D. Yates, Todhillwood, Canonbie, Dumfries.

Geddes (1897-1903).—AI the West Church of St. Andrew, Aberdeen, on 3 March 1953, ALEXANDER MARR GEDDES,* M.D., Craigentoul, Murtle, Aberdeenshire, to Mabel Lilian Wilson, 116 Queen's Road, Aberdeen.

Horn (i925-32).—At Middlefield Church, Aberdeen, on 15 December 1952, PETER HORN, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Horn, 51 Argyll Place, Aberdeen, to Betty Walker, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. Walker, 535 North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen.

Innes (1932-39)At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 8 May 1953, JAMEs GILCHRIST INNES,* M.A., LL.B., third son of the late Mr. R. A. Iimes, Wrangham, Insch, and of Mrs. Innes, Kininvie, Countesswells Road, Aberdeen, to Agnes (Nancy) Ironside, 6o Rosebery Street, Aberdeen, younger daughter of the late Mr. George Ironside and of Mrs. King, Aberdeen.

Laing (1931-43).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 3o March 1953, ARTHUR GORDON LAING,* M.B., Ch.B., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Laing, 15 Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen, to Isobel Ann McKenzie, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William McKenzie, 1 Granitehill Place, Aberdeen.

McIntosh (1932-45).—At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 14 May 5953, ALEXANDER WILSON McINTosH,* M.B., Ch.B., son of the late Mr. Alexander McIntosh and of Mrs McIntosh, 7 Forest Road, Aberdeen, to Mona Fraser Stewart, only daughter of Mr and Mrs A. G. Stewart, North Lodge, Logic, Dunphail, Morayshire.

Matheson (1942-45).—At Beechgrove Church, Aberdeen, on 24 December 1952, JAMES GODSMAN MATHESON, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Matheson, youngest daughter of Mr. 154 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, to Elva Bettine West, H. West and of the late Mrs. West, Stone.

Mercer (1929-38).-At St. Bride's Church, Edinburgh, on 4 February 5953, NEIL SHILLINGLAW MERCER,* only son of Mr. J. Mercer, Beredewella, Ballater, and of the late Mrs. Mercer, to Dorothy Glass, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Glass, Deecastle, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire.

Oliver (1932-33)At King's College Chapel, Old Aberdeen, on 3o March 1953, WALTER RANKINE OLIVER, C.A., only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Oliver, Springbank Lodge, Countesswells Road, Aberdeen, to Isobel Fraser, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James G. Fraser, II Craigievar Place, Aberdeen.

Simonsen (191o-I4).--At Fraserburgh, on I January 1953, LUDVIG GEORGE STEPHEN SIMONSEN,* son of the late Mr. and Mrs. L. Martin Simonsen, Sandefjord, Norway, to Muriel Batchan, youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stuart L. Batchan, Fraserburgh.

GRAHAM MACDONALD ANDERSON,* younger son

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Smart (194z-45).—At Rubislaw Church, Aberdeen, on 14 February 19S3, Wn.z.mat KEITH SMART, son of the late Mr. William Smart, Samnuggur, Calcutta, and Drumblair Lodge, Forgue, and of Mrs. Smart, 46 Woodend Place, Aberdeen, to Mary Malcolm Thomson, second daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Atholl Thomson, Benview, Udny Station, Aberdeenshire.

Tawse (1930-43).—At Perth, on rso january 19S3, ALASTAIR HARRY TAWSE,* B.Sc. (Eng.), younger son of Colonel anci Mrs. H. S. Tawse, 74 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen, to Moyra Johnston, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. Johnston, 21 Huntly Terrace, Paisley.

Turnbull (1939-42).—At West Church, Kinross, on 31 January 1953, ALEXANDER CUTHBERT TURNBULL,* M.B., Ch.B., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Turnbull, 16 Whinhill Road, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth Paterson Nicol Bell, M.B., Ch.B., eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Bell, Coldon Farm, Kinross.

Warrack (1937-44—At St. Matthew's-Blythswood Parish Church, Bath Street, Glasgow, on 3t March 1953, JOHN HYSLOP WARRACK,* M.B., Ch.B., son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Warrack, 73a Crown Street, Aberdeen, to Margaret L. J. Binnie, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Binnie, 8 Howard Park Drive, Kilmarnock.

Obituary George William Bruce (1887-90) died at Aberdeen on 14 May i953, aged seventy-eight. Until about 1934, when he retired, he was engaged in farming at Myreton, lnsch, Aberdeenshire, where his father, the late Mr. Peter Bruce, had farmed before him. Latterly he lived at The Neuk, Bieldside.

Two of his brothers were also at the School and both predeceased him: ROBERT BRUCE (1886-89), C.B., D.S.O., T.D., M.A., M.D., died at Cults, Aberdeenshire, in 1949; and EDWARD _IAMBS BRUCE (1892-95), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., died at Huddersfield in 1932.

James Alexander Butchart (1889-95), D.S.O., J.P., Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Field Artillery (retired), died at Winchester on 13 May 1953, aged seventyfive. He was the eldest of five sons of the late Mr. James Sylvcr Butchart, advocate in Aberdeen, and entered the School from Mr. MacMillan's School in Bon-Accord Terrace, Aberdeen. On leaving the School he entered the Arts Faculty of the University of Aberdeen and, while still an undergraduate, be was granted a University commission in the Royal Horse and Field Artillery (19o0).

He was promoted Captain in 1911, Major in 1914 and acting Lieutenant-Colonel in 1917. After a short period of service at home, he was posted to India, where he served until the outbreak of war in 1914. While in India he was A.D.C. to the Governor of Madras in 1906 and again from 1912 to 1914. In the 1914-18 war he served continuously in France and Belgium from October 1914 to March 1919 and commanded an Army Brigade of Field Artillery. He was awarded the D.S.O. in 1917 and was twice mentioned in dispatches. After the war he commanded a unit of the British Force in Ireland during the disorders there. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in 1921. On the outbreak of the 1939-45 war he took up an appointment dealing with security, for which he had been previously selected by the War Office. This post he held until the end of the war, first in London and then in Glasgow.

He was a keen sportsman and was a life member of the Aberdeenshire Cricket Club. While still at the School he was a member of the original Former Pupils' Rugby XV, as was his brother, W. R. He played in several international trials and while serving in England, played for Blackheath. He was also an oarsman.

He represented his regiment at rugby, cricket, hockey and polo. He rode to hounds with most of the packs in Hampshire. He was a Justice of the Peace for the Winchester Division. He took an active interest in politics and was chairman of the Winchester Conservative and Unionist Association for nineteen years.

WILLIAM ROBERT BUTCHART * (1889-94) has retired from the post of engineer to Fraser's Mills, Vancouver, and now lives at Seymour Heights, near Vancouver ; ALEXANDER BRUCE BUTCHART * (1889-97), who was with the Prudential Insurance Company of America in Ontario, has also retired and lives in East Hamilton,

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Ontario ; HENRY JACKSON BurcilAav* (5890-99), D.S.O., O.B.E., T.D., B.L., LLD., D.L., was secretary of the University of Aberdeen from 1919 to 1952 ; and REGINALD ERROL BUTCHART * (1894-1906) has been rector of St. Michael's and All Angels' Episcopal Church, Inverness, and a canon of St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral, Inverness, since 1936.

James Stuart Gorham Collie* (1905-1o), M.A., B.L., only son of the late JAMES YOUNGER COLLIE (1869-72 and x873-75), died at Sonmserset West, Cape Province, South Africa, on z April 1953. He was aged sixty-one and had resided in South Africa since 1920. At the University of Aberdeen, where he graduated in Arts in 1914 and in Law in 1919, he was a distinguished athlete. At the InterUniversity Sports in 1913 he established a new Scottish amateur record of zz seconds for the zzo yards (a performance which equalled the Scottish all-corners record) and a new Inter-University record of to.z seconds for the too yards. At the University Sports in the following year he set up a new University record of 22.4 seconds for the 220 yards—a record which still stands. During the first world war he served with the 1st Highland Brigade, R.F.A. (T.A.), in France in /915-16 and then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps with which he also served in France. From 1917 to 1919 he was a flying instructor and he reached the rank of Group Flight Commander.

Before the war he had worked for a time in the office of the family firm, Messrs.

James & George Collie, advocates, Aberdeen, but after demobilisation he went to South Africa to take up fruit farming in Cape Province. He retired shortly before the 1939-45 war.

Alexander Mitchell Duguid (1889-90) died at Bishopmill, Elgin, on 8 December 1952, aged seventy-seven. He was the elder son of thc late Rev. James Emslie Duguid, Ncwmachar, and was a retired sea captain.

Alexander Spottiswood Duthie (,88o-86), last surviving son of the late Robert Duthic, shipbuilder, Aberdeen, died at Glasgow on 29 January 1953. An artist by profession, he resided in Aberdeen until 1907 and then went to live in Glasgow.

George Dalrymple Hay Ferguson* (1885-88), retired bank manager, died at Montevideo, Uruguay, on 15 October 1952, aged eighty-one. His banking career began in the Royal Bank of Scotland at Aberdeen in 1889 and five years later he joined the London office of the London & River. Plate Bank Limited.

In 1895 he was posted to the Montevideo branch of the Bank and in 5914 he was appointed manager at Paysandu, Uruguay. From 1917 until he retired in 1929 he was manager at Salto, Uruguay. He then came back to this country and lived in Aberdeen for six years before returning to Montevideo. There he took an active interest in the ranch of his late father-in-law, was a member of the St. Andrew's Society, a mason and a keen church worker. His recreations were golf and tennis.

His elder brother, JAMES CASSIE FERGUSON (1882-84), died in 1938, aged seventy-one. He was head of the old-established firm, Messrs. Robert Ferguson and Sons, dyers, Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen, and resided at 3 Carlton Place, Aberdeen.

Louis Findlay* (179-80), second son of the late Mr. William Findlay of Messrs. L. Findlay and Sons, Aberdeen, died at 95 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen, on to January 1953, aged eighty-seven. After completing his apprenticeship with Messrs. Hall, Russell & Company, Aberdeen, he served at sea, eventually gaining the certificate of chief engineer. Thereafter he was for several years with a shipping firm in Glasgow and at the turn of the century he started business on his own account as a consulting engineer and marine surveyor. He retired in 1936 and returned to Aberdeen in 1937. He was a very kccn churchman and was an elder from 1896 to 1937, and also treasurer, of Claremont Church, Glasgow.

He was one of four brothers who attended the School, two of them now being professors emeriti of the University of Aberdeen: ADAM FYFE FINDLAY* (18791885), M.A., D.D., LL.D., held the chair of Christian Ethics and Practical Theology from 1935 to 1947, and ALEXANDER FINDLAY* (1882-91), C.B.E., M.A., D.Sc., Ph.D., LL.D., was Professor of Chemistry from 1919 to 1943. His other brother, WILLIAM FINDLAY (1879-84), M.A., M.D., died at Aberdeen in 1904.

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George Henderson Fyfe* (1882-84) died at 29 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, on 2 May 1953, aged eighty-five. All his life he was associated with the firm of Messrs. James Fyfc & Son, painters, Dee Street, Aberdeen, of which he succeeded his father, the late Mr. James Fyfe, as proprietor about forty years ago. Before the late war he was a regular attender at F.P. Club Dinners.

His son, JAMES HENDERSON FYFE (1908-to), died in 1910 when still at the School, and he was also predeceased by two brothers who were F.P.s: JAMES FYFE (1877-80) died in 1905; and THOMAS HENDERSON FYFE (1877-82), M.B., C.M., who was formerly in practice at Forres, died at Aberdeen in 1926.

William Percival Garbutt (1910-13) died suddenly at 47 St. George's Square, London, S.W.1, on 17 January 1953, aged fifty-eight. He was a twin brother of ALFRED GARBUTT (1910-10 and served with him throughout the 1914-18 war in the 4th Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders. Alfred died in 1918.

Percy served his apprenticeship with Sizaire-Berwick Limited, Park Royal, London, and then joined the Standard Motor Company with which he remained until 1947. He then entered the Civil Service. After leaving the School he played rugby for F.P.s and when he went to London he was a prominent member of the 1st XV of " The Wasps " for about fifteen years. After his playing days were over he maintained a great interest in that club.

George Edward Hay (1895-1902), M.A., a member of the School staff for forty years, died at Edinburgh on 2 February 19f3, aged sixty-eight. He graduated at the University of Aberdeen in 1906 with first class honours in Classics and returned to the School as a member of the staff in 1909. He retired four years ago. (See page I25.)

His two sons were also at the School—IAN KENNEDY HAY (1920-33), M.B., Ch.B., and WILLIAM TULLOCH HUTTON HAY (1928-38), Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F. William Hendry (5885-90), M.A., Dip.Ed., formerly headmaster of Walker Road School, Aberdeen, died at Foresterhill, Aberdeen, on 3o January 1953.

He was aged seventy-four. After graduating at the University oAberdeen in 1900, he held temporary teaching posts in Walker Road Public School, Westfield Public School and the Central School, before being appointed second master at Ferryhill Public School, Aberdeen, in 1914. In 1925 he was appointed headmaster of Kittybrewster Public School and he held the same position at Walker Road School from 1932 to 1944, when he retired. His teaching career in Aberdeen extended over a period of forty-four years.

A keen golfer, he was champion of Murcar Links Golf Club in 1912 and captain of the Murcar team which won the Maitland Shield competition in its first year (1913). He was also an enthusiastic fisher and among his achievements was the landing of a 54 lb. salmon from the Don in 1939. In 1945 he stood as an Independent candidate for Torry Ward at the Municipal Election of that year.

His younger son, WILLIAM GARDEN HENDRY (1925-29), M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S., is now consultant surgeon at Highlands Hospital, Winchmore Hill, London, N.I. He is also survived by a brother, ALLAN CRUIKSHANK HENDRY* (1907-14), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., Bucksbum: his other brother, GEORGE FREDERIC JOHN HENDRY (1889-91), M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H., died at Voe, Shetland, in 1947.

William Alexander Johnstone (1896) died at Aberdeen on 22 May 1933, aged seventy. Captain Johnstone entered the service of the Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners in 1921 and from 1940 to 1948, when he retired, he was harbourmaster at Aberdeen. He served his apprenticeship with the Loch Line and was later in the service of the Lord Line. During the first world war he was twice torpedoed and on one occasion he returned to his ship and was instrumental in saving it. For this he was awarded Lloyd's Medal.

Robert Leslie King* (1912-24), the eldest of three brothers who attended the School, died at Cairo on 30 October 1952, aged forty-seven. He was on the staff of the Anglo-Egyptian Oil Company Limited and was about to take up a new post as chief accountant and assistant manager at Owerri, Nigeria, when he contracted typhoid fever and died. He joined the Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Company in London in 1926, and later the same year he was transferred to Sarawak Oilfields Limited at Miri, Sarawak. Ten years later he received an appointment with

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another subsidiary company of the Shell group, the Caribbean Petroleum Company Limited, and went to Maracaibo, Venezuela, where he remained until he joined the Anglo-Egyptian Oil Company Limited at Cairo in 1946.

His two brothers arc both bankers: CHARLES FORRESTER KING* (1912-23) has been with the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China since 1925, and is at present manager at Surabaya, Indonesia; FRANCIS I-IENRY KING* (1916-26) has been with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank since 1928. He is now chief accountant at Bombay.

George Officer Lawson (1893-95) died suddenly at i2 Bracside Avenue, Aberdeen, on 21 February 1953, aged seventy-one. He was in the service of the Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners for over fifty-one years and retired in 1947.

Latterly he was cashier in the office of the general manager and treasurer. For many years he was captain of the 18th Company of the Aberdeen Battalion, Boys' Brigade—the company attached to East St. Clement Church.

Allan Fraser Macdonald* (5879-80), M.B.E., M.A., solicitor, Elgin, died at Elgin on 4 April 1953, aged eighty-eight. He graduated in Arts at the University of Aberdeen in 1885 and qualified as a law agent in 1888. He was in practice in Elgin for over sixty years and became senior partner in the firm of Messrs. Wink & Mackenzie. He was also the first agent of the National Bank of Scotland in Elgin. During the 1914-1918 war he was secretary of the Morayshire Territorial Force Association.

His elder brother, PATRICK JAMES MACDONALD (1871-74), who was in India until 7953, was later engaged in farming in Morayshire and died at Elgin in 5939.

His younger brother, WILLIAM MACDONALD (1880-82), was a tea planter in India until 1914, when he retired. He died on 29 December 1951.

Robert Pearson Masson* (5903-04), M.A., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, died at Aberdeen on 31 December 1952, aged sixty-five. Son of the late Mr. C. G. Masson, solicitor, Peterhead, he attended Peterhead Academy for eight years before coming to the School. At the University of Aberdeen he graduated M.A. in 1906, B.L. (with distinction) in 5909, and LL.B. (with distinction) in 191o.

In 1909 and 191o respectively he was awarded the Edmond Prize and the Lyon Prize for the most distinguished graduate in Law of the year. He served his apprenticeship and was an assistant with Messrs. C. & P. H. Chalmers, advocates, Aberdeen, from 191o to 1915 and then joined the ist Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders, as a private. He was commissioned in the and Battalion in 1917 and was wounded at Passchendale in October of that year, having served throughout the Somme offensive. From 1920 to 1929 he was a partner in the firm of Messrs. Lumsden & Davidson, advocates, Aberdeen, and thereafter he returned to Messrs. C. & P. I-I. Chalmers, of which firm he remained a partner until his death.

In 1912 he was appointed tutor in Law at the University and in 1913 he became lecturer in Agricultural Law at the North of Scotland College of Agriculture.

In 1919, on his return from the Army, he became assistant to the Professor of Law and he was the first holder of the lectureship in Roman Law, a post which he held from 1926 to 1945. He was for some years a member of the General Examining Board of the Chartered Accountants in Scotland and an examiner in Civil Law for the General Council of Solicitors in Scotland. In 1948 he was appointed a member of a special committee of inquiry, under the chairmanship of the late Lord Macmillan, which was set up by the Secretary of State for Scotland in connection with the passage through Parliament of the Public Registers and Records (Scotland) Bill.

From 1919 to 1949 he was secretary of the British Herring Trade Association and from 1923 to 1929 he was secretary of the Aberdeenshire Unionist Association.

He was a member of Lodge Aberdeen 1 ter for thirty-three years and from 1944 to 1949 he was Provincial Grand Master for Aberdeen City. In 1946 he was appointed an honorary sheriff-substitute at Aberdeen.

Alexander Milne* (1876-79), M.B., C.M., who served with the Hudson's Bay Company from 1886 to 1910, died at his home, 4z Carlton Place, Aberdeen, on 6 March 1953. He was aged eighty-eight. After graduating in Medicine at the University of Aberdeen in 5886, he took up a medical appointment with the

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Hudson's Bay Company and went to Canada. Later he transferred to the commercial side of the company and became successively chief trader, factor and assistant commissioner. In the last of these capacities he was stationed at Winnipeg. After resigning from the company's service in 191o he resided in Aberdeen.

During his years in Canada he became well known as an explorer and surveyor and travelled thousands of miles. In the February 1911 issue of the Magazine it was reported that there were few, if any, men who had seen so much of Canada.

To that issue he contributed an article entitled " Life in the Canadian Wilds ".

He was the eldest of four brothers who attended the School and two survive him. BRUCE W. MILNE (1881-83), C.A., has been in Vancouver since 1913; and BENJAML-'1 DISRAELI MILNE* (1893-97) retired three years ago from the position of managing director of Spencers (Melksham) Limited. Since then he has looked after the company's interests in the North of England and Scotland and lives near Wirral, Cheshire. The fourth brother, ALFRED EDWARD MILNE (1893-94), advocate in Aberdeen, died in 1949.

Frederic William Morgan* (1903-09), eldest son of the late Mr. George Morgan, builder, Aberdeen, died at Toronto after a brief illness on 1 December 1952, aged sixty. On leaving the School he joined the old Traders' Bank, which was absorbed in the Royal Bank of Canada in 1912, and apart from four years in Montreal his forty-two years' service with that Bank was spent in Toronto. He was manager of the Coxwell & Gerrard branch there from 1929 to 1932 and thereafter, until he retired in June 1952, he was at the Bank's head office. For his last thirteen years he was a foreign exchange expert.

Throughout his long banking career he took a keen interest in staff affairs, having been secretary-treasurer of the Toronto " Roystaf " Association, secretary of the Toronto Social Club, and secretary-treasurer of the old Bankers' Hockey League and of the Curling Club. He was also treasurer of " Capex " (the Canadian stamp exhibition organisation) and honorary secretary-treasurer of the Scottish Club. He was president of the Fairmount Park Community Club and a former treasurer of the Gerrard Business Men's Association.

From 1925 he was correspondent in Toronto for the Royal Bank's magazine and in a tribute in that magazine published at the time of his retirement, it was stated that the unselfish devotion of his time and talents to so many activities within the Bank's social sphere would long be remembered and greatly missed.

He had two brothers who are also F.P.s and bankers: EDWIN MORGAN* (1906-12) is special representative in the head office of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, Toronto; and HUGH MACKINTOSH MORGAN* (1914-20) is with the Clydesdale & North of Scotland Bank Limited, St. George's Cross Branch, Glasgow.

M.I.Mech.E., Magnus Mowat* (1882-84), C.B.E., T.D., F.R.S.E., F.C.I.S., Brigadier-General, died in London on 19 January 1953, aged seventyseven. From the School he went to Blackheath School and thereafter he studied Engineering at King's College, London. His apprenticeship as an engineer was served with the North British Railway at Cowlairs, Glasgow, and after being assistant engineer in the construction of the Leicester section of the Great Central Railway's extension to London, he went to India to become assistant engineer and officer in charge of roads and bridges with the Indian Midland Railway at Jhansi.

Later he was resident engineer for the Great Indian Peninsula Railway on the construction of the Agra-Delhi Chord Line. On returning to this country he was contractor's engineer with Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons for the Glasgow main drainage scheme and then was appointed chief engineer to the Millwall Docks Company. This was merged in the Port of London Authority in 1909 but he was retained as engineer in charge of the East and West India and Millwall Docks Division.

During the 1914-18 war he was C.R.E. of a division in France, commandant of the School of Heavy Bridging and Pontooning, staff officer to the Chief Engineer, Command Roads Officer and Director of Roads and Bridges at the War Office.

He was demobilised in 1919 with the rank of Brigadier-General in the Regular Army Reserve of Officers and in the same year he was created a C.B.E. (Military Division). In I919-20 he was deputy chairman and administrative member of the Joint Roads Committee, War Office.

From 1920 to 1938, when he resigned on account of ill-health, he was secretary

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of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and was then appointed the first honorary secretary of the Institution. In 1934 he attended the International Road Congress at Munich as an honorary delegate of the British Government. He was a Fellow of King's College, London, a member of the Council of King's College from 1923 to 1927 and from 1929 to 1930, a Freeman of the City of London, a member of the Worshipful Companies of Clockmakers and Founders and a member of the Council of the City Livery Club. From 1935 to 1938 he was president of the London Centre of the F.P. Club.

His brother, WILLIAM A. MOWAT (1882-84), M.A., B.D.(Edin.), minister at Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire, from 1904, died on 14 November 195 1.

James Brown Nicol (1881-83), died as the result of a road accident on the Aberdeen-Ellon road on 25 January 1953. He was aged eighty-five. He was in practice as an architect in Aberdeen from 1891 until he retired in May 1952, and he designed the new Royal Infirmary at Foresterhill which was opened in 1936.

For about thirty years he was in partnership with the late Dr. William Kelly and two outstanding examples of the work of the firm of Messrs. Kelly & Nicol are the head office of Aberdeen Savings Bank and St. Ninian's Chinch, Aberdeen.

Mr. Nicol was president of the Aberdeen Society of Architects in 1925-26.

He studied architecture with Messrs. Matthews & Mackenzie, architects, Aberdeen, and thereafter he was an assistant architect in Edinburgh. He returned to Aberdeen in 1891 and was assistant to Mr. Kelly until 1902, when they went into partnership.

He was a past president of the Aberdeen Business and Professional Club, and a governor of Robert Gordon's College from 1931 until his death, being particularly interested in the School of Architecture.

His elder brother, ROBERT GORDON NIcoL (1871-73), O.B.E., M.Inst.C.E., Harbour Engineer, Aberdeen, died at Aberdeen in 1934 and his younger brother, GEORGE ANDREW NICOL* (188z-83), M.Inst.Mcch.E., M.I.Mar.E., lives in Hull.

Until he retired over twenty-five years ago he was superintendent in the Hull district of the British Corporation for the Survey and Registry of Shipping. Mr. J. B. Nicol had two sons who are F.P.s: ANDREW NICOL* (1903 and 1904-15), M.Inst.C.E., was Director of Public Works in Hong Kong until 1950 and is now Resident Engineer to the Borough of Morecambe and Heysham; FRANCIS KELLY NICOL (1908-21) lives at Longniddry, East Lothian, and is planning superintendent with a firm which produces steel frames for buildings.

William Balfour Smith Pigge (1914-21), died, as reported in the last issue of the Magazine, at Chertsey, near Woking, on I() August 1952, aged fifty. " S. D. R." writes:— To his many friends at home and abroad the report in the December Magazine of W. B. Pigge's untimely death came as a profound shock. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife and two daughters.

A gregarious Grammarian who designed the F.P. tie, Baffle's flair for friendship and zest for life characterised his whole career which professionally was devoted to town planning, in which sphere he became a well-known figure.

Forbidden rugger at School because of the death of a brother following a school match, Balfie became a keen player in later years in Singapore, where he was also an enthusiastic yachtsman and F.P. Club Centre member. He had many and varied interests. Whilst training professionally in Aberdeen, he joined the Royal Engineers (T.A.); later the Singapore Volunteers, and during the i939-45 war he served with the Royal Observer Corps. Typically, he established a record in never once being absent from his post throughout the whole of the war. An ardent Conservative he was first secretary and later chairman of the Knapshill Branch of the Conservative Association as well as secretary of the British Legion.

Those of my vintage will remember him as one of the most popular figures of the 1914-18 war school-days and as the organiser of a series of highly successful reunion dinners of "C.D's" wartime Forestry Camps which extended into the early 'thirties. Baffle's sentimental interest in the School and in its F.P.s earned for him a host of friends and a reputation as a biographical authority. In his passing many have lost a good and staunch friend.

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George Barclay Pink (1894-97) died at Kingston-on-Thames Hospital on 8 December 1952, aged seventy. While training in the Commercial Bank, Aberdeen, he volunteered to serve with the Gordon Highlanders in the South African War and in 1906 he served with the Irregular Cavalry in the Zulu War. I-le held banking posts in South Africa and spent a number of years with the P. and O. Company in London. During the 1914-18 war he served with the Royal West Kent Regiment in India on the North-West Frontier and in Mesopotamia and held various staff appointments. In 1919 he was with the 1st Baluchis in Kurdistan. On returning to London he was a foreign exchange broker in the City for some years and was later in a stockbroker's office. Latterly he was an export agent dealing mostly in steel, barbed wire, etc.

His brother, JAMES MASSON PIRIE (1885-92), formerly managing director of N. F. Ramsay (London) Limited, died at Hove, Sussex, in 1929.

Alexander Reid (1885-86), M.D., died at Arbroath on 28 April 19f3, aged eighty. He graduated M.B., C.M. at the University of Aberdeen in 1894 and M.D. in 1904. From 1898 to 1911 he was in practice in Bradford and thereafter he was in Eastbourne. In 1913 he was appointed honorary consulting physician to Inverness Royal Infirmary and he also became medical superintendent of Culduthel Fever Hospital. He practised in Inverness and district for thirty-four years until he retired in 1947. On attaining fifty years' membership of the British Medical Association a few years ago he was elected an honorary life member.

In his younger days he was a very keen swimmer and he played water polo for the University. In later years his favourite sport was fishing and he was a very keen gardener. Soon after he qualified as a doctor, he made several voyages as a ship's surgeon and visited many countries.

George Keith Reid (1905-06), youngest son of the late Mr. James Reid, shipowner, Aberdeen, died at Aberdeen on 5 December 1952, aged sixty-two. He was a member of the firm of Messrs. Richard Connon, Reid & Company, shipping agents, Aberdeen, until he retired. He lived with his brother, ROBERT SALMOND REto (1903-04), retired marine engineer, at 458 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Robert McKimmie Robson (1902-06), a director of W. Smith & Son Limited, seedsmen and nurserymen, Aberdeen, from 1932 until he retired in 1951, died at Foresterhill, Aberdeen, on 26 January 1953. He was aged sixty-two. On leaving the School he studied gardening at Kcw Gardens and in Chester before returning to Aberdeen in 1914. He became assistant manager at Burnside Nurseries, Aberdeen, and latterly he was in charge of the firm's Hazlehead Nurseries. His son, ROBERT ALEXANDER ROBSON* (1932-44), is also a nurseryman.

He is survived by two brothers, THOMAS OGILVIE ROBSON* (1902-11), M.B., Ch.B., anaesthetist, Aberdeen, and NORMAN KEITH ROBSON* (1900-13), B.Sc. (Agri.), a director of W. Smith & Son Limited. His other brothers, JAMES FRASER ROBSON (1883-95), ALEXANDER ROBSON (1899-1900) and FRANCIS KELLY ROBSON (1900-07), died in 1452, 1936 and 1909 respectively.

Charles Edward Smith* (1921-32), M.B.E., son of CHARLES EDWARD SMITH (1889-92), died suddenly at Johannesburg on I May 1953, aged thirty-six. After leaving the School he entered the service of the North of Scotland Bank Limited and he held a commission in the 51st (Highland) Infantry Divisional Signals (r.A.).

During the war he took part in the evacuation from Dunkirk and returned to France with the assault troops on D-Day. Later he served with the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Divisional Signals in B.A.O.R. and held the rank of Major. In 1948 he went to South Africa to join George Mackenzie & Company Limited, chartered accountants, Johannesburg, and he became managing director of a company of haulage contractors in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia.

Laurence Arthur Smith (1891-94) died at 248 Clifton Drive, St. Anne's-onSea, on 11 December 1952, aged seventy-three. He was in the service of Messrs.

Brebner & Grant, tea merchants, Aberdeen, from 1895 to 1897 and for the next three years he was with Messrs. James Ingles & Company, Sydney, Australia.

From isioo he was with A. & M. Smith Limited, fish curers, Grimsby, being appointed a director of the company in 1905. He retired from active management over thirty years ago and went t.) reside at St. Anne's-on-Sea. In 1930-31 he was captain of the Royal Lytham St. Anne's Golf Club. During the T914-18 war

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he was commissioned in the Oth Battalion, The King's Liverpool Regiment, and after being invalided home from Belgium he was employed in the Ministry of Shipping and at the Naval Transport Office, Hull.

His brother, JOHN GILBERT SMITH (1891-1900), steam trawlowner, Fleetwood, died in 1931: another brother, ANDREW Smrrn (1897-1905), was engaged in farming in New Zealand and thereafter became a garage proprietor and motor car importer at New Plymouth, New Zealand. He died in Australia in December 1930.

Ian James Allan Stewart (1907-12), M.B., Ch.B., died at Olney, Sandy Lane, St. Paul's Cray, Kent, on 7 February 1953, aged fifty. He graduated at the University of Aberdeen in 1928 and after two years at Wigan and two years in London he commenced practice on his own at Welling, Kent. He was seriously ill during the war but returned to work after three years' absence and continued practising until a few days before his sudden death. His wife is a daughter of the late LEWIS AULDJO LAMB MIDDLETON (1888-94).

Douglas Haig Symon (1922-31) died suddenly at Aberdeen on 15 March 1953, aged thirty-six. He was chief clerk in the Rates Department of Aberdeen County Council.

John Gibb Strachan Thomson * (1927-33), who was employed in a civilian capacity by the Air Ministry in the Canal Zone, was stabbed to death in a suburb of Ismailia on 2 January• 1953. Ile was aged thirty-eight, and had been in Egypt since May 1952, when he took up a three-year appointment as an architectural assistant with the Superintending Engineer, Air Ministry Works Directorate, Kasfareet.

After serving his apprenticeship as a civil engineer with Messrs. Walker & Duncan, Aberdeen, he was engaged for about eight months with William Tawse Limited on the new Aberdeen sewer scheme. In April 1939 he joined the staff of the Air Ministry and worked for a time at Lossicmouth Aerodrome. Thereafter he was stationed at Aberdeen.

Alexander McKay Watt * (1895-1903) died suddenly at 8 Abbotshall Crescent, Cults, Aberdeenshire, on 5 April x953, aged sixty-six. I-Ic was managing director of Watt & Grant Limited, Aberdeen, from 1954 until 195o.

He received his training with Messrs. Esslemont & Macintosh, Aberdeen, and in London and returned to Aberdeen to join his father's business in 1910. He succeeded his father as managing director four years later, and when Watt & Grant Limited was amalgamated with the Scottish Drapery Corporation, he continued as managing director and became a director of the Corporation. He owned Balnastraid Farm, Dinnet, and in 1943 he presented the lands there to the North of Scotland College of Agriculture.

Dr. A. G. Hutchison Memorial Fund As intimated in the last issue of the Magazine, a group of F.P.s is sponsoring a Fund in memory of Dr. A. G. Hutchison (1909-21), B.Sc., Ph.D., who was accidentally killed in August 1949.

Contributions to the Fund have amounted to about £350 and the sponsors arc anxious that this sum should be increased to about £5oo. Arrangements arc in hand for the erection of a climbers' hut as a permanent memorial to one who was an expert mountaineer and a sincere devotee of the hills.

Contemporaries of " Hutch," those who had scouting associations with him and others interested in this memorial scheme are asked to send their contributions forthwith to the Honorary Treasurer of the Fund, Mr. Robert L. Milne, 9 North Silver Street, Aberdeen.

SCHOOL SECTION School and Random Notes How sweet a thing it is to wear a crown, And all that poets feign of bliss and joy.

Much as we would like to imagine ourselves as poets of bliss and joy. . . . Well, we'll do our best not to disappoint you! With exams. and Coronation activities, the two scribes here have had the devil's own job getting this much. If our note is one of levity, please join in our celebration—and why not come to our dance!

This being the year of all years, we are especially glad to have Ian Moir going to the actual Coronation. For ourselves we're determined to go gay. . . . Wake up Toby! * * * There was a stir in the School. Strange squeals and rattlings were to be heard in the corridor. Yes, the students had arrived complete with the monster " Marilyn ". As usual they did not receive an abundant harvest of shekels, but this annual opportunity to shake cans within these revered walls was not to be missed. * * * The Border Rugby Tour in the first week of the Easter Holiday followed in the footsteps of its predecessor and was enjoyed by most and too much so by the rest. What a whale of a time—of course, we didn't win a match! * * * Although there was some misunderstanding about the seating arrangements, the Christmas Dance was as successful as usual. There was also some disagreement as to the intensity of darkness required to call a waltz " twilight ", and here authority took a hand. It became " High Noon ", and argument went underground.

The A.G.S. Coronation Ball in Fancy Dress promises to be a great occasion. A very royal programme in purple and gold has been printed and lavish decorations are under way in the Art Rooms.

Fun is the keynote and we are promised dancing and games till twelve o'clock—What licence! What decadence! Streamers, banners, a huge crown and a royal portrait are the highlights for the Dance. * * * Two collections have been taken during the past term. The first was for the King George VI National Memorial Fund, the other for the Lord Mayor's Flood Relief Fund. We have to include this note, in case anyone was wondering about the number of Boarding House boys to be seen carrying bulky holdalls towards Alexander Hunter's establishment, while others break rules to sneak out and play musical instruments to cinema queues. * * * Mr. George Hay's death so soon after his leaving us for retirement has been a blow to the School. To his family and friends the boys i x8

119 School Section who have known him extend their sympathy. " Doddy " was probably the greatest favourite with the boys in recent years. His classroom was joy to be in and his anecdotes a delight to hear. More stories are told of his classes than any other. In between he found time to teach us—and teach us well. We older boys will never forget his send-off from the School. The warmth and good-feeling was overwhelming.

At his funeral service in Rubislaw Church on 6 February, the boys of the School were represented by the Prefects and the Sixth Year. * * * that a whole year might pass without a time one We thought at Staff Change. That would have been history. This was not to be and we are glad for Mr. Russell's sake.

Mr. A. B. Russell, Head English Master, has been appointed Rector of Kelso High School. We shall be sorry to lose one who has done much for the School, especially in his care of Debating and Dramatic Societies.

On his promotion we congratulate Mr. Russell and share the joy of his success. * * * We do humbly apologise for the little dots between these notes.

We know you expected little crowns this issue, but the Earl Marshal's Committee wouldn't sanction unnecessary expenditure. * * * Some senior boys had decided that it was time the feud with the " Other Place " was settled once and for all; therefore, it was with delight that they heard Mr. Forbes's plans for the Aberdeen Coronation Pageant. The possibilities they found were enormous. Apparently one of the first scenes to be " pageanted " was to be the storming by the Vikings of some castle or other, and the castle was to be defended by one school and attacked by the other. However, we insisted on being the defenders, as we objected to being called Vikings with a soft " i ". Blood flowed freely, staining the yellow and blue, while boiling oil and pitch soon sent the enemy back to mother. But then, as this happens twice a year anyway, when an oval ball (and a little red round one too), and not a castle, is the centre of attraction, we see no merit in't.

Just as this is held out as a dainty to attract the rougher element in the School, so they proffer something for the romantically-minded.

In re-enacting a scene from history, some young blood will be asked to take a coin from between a Duchess's lips with his own. However, we advise nobody to rush into this without waiting till they have picked their Duchess. . * * * In the sanctums at the top of the School, senior boys who have finished or are about to finish the Leaving Certificate course in Art, have been hard Et work since the beginning of the session.

To see the results of this labour we fortified ourselves with chips and mealy-puds, until we felt so thoroughly unaesthetic that our young minds would never recover their " impressionability ", and

Aberdeen Grammar Sehool Magazine crossed the threshold of the Art Gallery. In the Schools' Service Room, where the work was being exhibited, we found a number of magnificent murals, and after carefully reading the notice at the door (We can,you know!), we decided that they were designed as aids to digestion. These murals are for the dining hut and, if anyone can think of a place where such aids are more urgently required, other than the Boarding House where we already have pictures of House Captains (ugh!), they have been having a really horrible nightmare. * * * The new Library tables have been cut in half and re-varnished.

For once the Pontoon Players and the Shove-ha'penny Society are both pleased. * * * An event of importance in the recent life of the School was the T.B. Inspection—or, to be less sordid about it, " Mass Radiography ".

The photography part was quite a lark—and such a nice colour of yellow that caravan was. Then the fun started when the two mystic charmers smeared jelly on to our backs—and it wasn't sherryflavoured either. Oh the itch! The injections were deadly serious— and more than half of us fell victims. The nurses were particularly callous about it all—picking all the handsomest specimens for the job.

They left by saying they'd be back to see us in six weeks.

We'll be waiting for you, girls. . . . Our turn next time, dears. . . . * * * Congratulations to the Bullfighters! We warmly congratulate Ian MacPherson and Barry Macdonald, now in their second year at 'Varsity, on being awarded Stevenson Scholarships in Spanish, value £t 5o. They will study for one year in the University of Seville.

Four of these Stevenson Scholarships are awarded to the Scottish Universities each year.

We also congratulate Edward Neilan, Upper VI, on gaining third place in the under-seventeen class in the Spanish Examination of the Hispanic Council of London. This examination is open to all schools in Great Britain professing Spanish. * * * Anni.ally the School's intelligentsia go forward with trembling hearts for the Bursary Comp. This year our week's swotting was unfortunately and unavoidably punctured by two Cup Finals, Prefects' Photograph, Maths. Oral, etc., etc. . . . and such weather! The beach is not a bad place for a bit of quick revision—neither's Hazlehead. . . . Sergeant, here we come! * * * It is interesting to note that among the Prefecture we have an amazingly cosmopolitan group. Holloway, Williamson, Levitt, and Crichton come from England ; Pacitti has roots in Italy; Cruickshank and Anderson have connections with Malaya and Australia; Duncan with Venezuela—and Smith with Inverness!

The visit of Jaroslav Drobny to the School courts went off without rain or any important hitch—which greatly pleased the ios. stand 120

School Section in particular. Boys of the School acted as ball-boys and stewards.

Mr. Drobny was seemingly so delighted with himself that not only did he see fit to marry immediately afterwards, but, stranger still, he said he would like to come back again ! * * * Something must be said in appreciation of the great work Mr. Tyson has done at Rubislaw this summer. Much of the turf had to be replanted—and this in itself involved considerable effort, but the preparing of the courts for the Drobny match was his greatest task.

The time he spent and the patience he showed were remarkable—and we are sure he would not welcome the said gentleman back too soon I On rainy afternoons he has had to do lecturing, and even over the Coronation holiday the field was only closed for one day. * * * The School Coronation service was held in Rubislaw Church on the Friday morning before the Coronation. The whole School visited the church and the service was very impressive. As usual, the Rev. P. D. Lawrence officiated.

Afterwards eager EnR hands reached for their Coronation gifts.

We were forced to appreciate that the numbers involved diminished the size of the present. All were pleased with the taste of chocolate, but EIR men were disappointed in the other part of the gift. * * * In conclusion we can only say how happy we are that we are leaving. . . . Despite pressure of business, we still enjoy ourselves reading The Times in English, doing heats after school—or alternatively, in the rain—and doing a multitude of other end-of-term tasks.

The School has taken on a lively air with decorative banners in the passage and other elaborate emblems in the hall—produced for the Coronation Ball and the Six Schools' Debate. Yes, there's a lot to be happy about . . . and we're determined to find it !

Mist A thick white cloud rolls over the hill Coming in from the sea.

It comes from the East and goes Westward, still Veiling the woodland and lea.

'0 •

The horizons we know, now all disappear.

Only a blur can be seen, And the brazen-voiced fog-horn drones in our ear, In the midst of the enveloping screen.

The pansies are drooping, in seeming distress: Mist weighs down the frail little things.

The white mist, however, has failed to impress; For the blackbird still lustily sings.

ROBERT FALCONER (Middle Is).

122

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Presenting the Prefects Alexander D. C. Grassie. A year's training has made him quite an expert at getting out of tight corners. The School's most expensive pupil causes many a smell by breaking more test tubes than the rest of us ever use. When not chasing a hockey ball or Bursary Comping, he's sure to be flogging Coronation decorations. There never was a nicer chap to bear the trouble of so many—our thanks! . . . where angels fear to tread.

i

Mary call the cattle home.

Erroll G. Anderson. Undoubtedly the nurses' favourite T.B. spec.—and the healthiest too. He leads in every imaginable sport.

We never hear much from Erroll but hear plenty about him. A pillar of the MacRob., he is recognised as the A.G.S. Fred Astaire. Was a sponsor of the Border Incident. That bus will make Hall some day soon—don't make it too soon!

Silence is the safest role for the man who distrusts himself.

James F. R. Bowie. A dab at photography but can't compete with the rest in the Howff. Efficient in the extreme—has been seen on milk duty more often than most of us are seen in Hall. Tries to impress us by being a bit of a quack—those eyebrows have the bedside manner already.

The silent doctor shook his head.

Ian W. D. Buxton. A soft ball enthusiast—not the American Game, but A.G.S. soccer—who spends his weekly allowances on an occasional corruption jaunt to Glasgow. (It couldn't have been to see the Dons.) Plays hockey in winter but we have yet to discover his summer occupation. A cheery lad to have about the place.

His smiling eyes with simple truth were stored.

David G. Crichton. David—poor lad—can't spell his own name yet—the result of an English school no doubt. Makes up for a lot he can't help by growing crops of curls. An R.A.F. type who has been nearer to heaven than any of us—and is so light, it's a wonder he ever came down. Can open his locker without blushing.

The handsomest message boy ever.—Crichton.

Close at my side, an uncouth shape appeared.—Wordsworth.

James G. Cruickshank. A fine loon who puts his heart into everything. Mr. Gray observes that recently he has been dreaming or deep in thought—perhaps dreaming of Huntly and thinking of his new bike which he chains to everything immovable. A real " cathanova " who can be seen any night outside the B.B.C. but has yet to be heard on the radio. Seldom seen without his David.

I'll take you home again Kathleen.

I

4

School Section

123

Ronald W. Duncan. He's known in most places and talked about in all the others. If most of us don't follow him to Venezuela, we'll never go anywhere else. A stalwart of the 1st XV and a catch on the Borders. Many a conquest has been made by braid and blazer but being a long-timer, a certain silence must here be observed.

0 Romeo, . . .

Alexander F. Florence. The Grammar's sole classics reference is longing for another lady across the water. Mummy discovered Sandy doing what he shouldn't—bad lad that he is I A serious corrupter in the Howff since he last worked on the trams. Will entertain with a " Paasie " sketch any time. His hair has been on end ever since Winnie got in.

Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen.

John A. M. Holloway. A Sassenach who appears weekly in a kilt for a certain dance. One of the most lovable superior types ever known. The terror of the kids from III down—a great laugh for everybody else. In all respects, he's an equestrian champion. John's only happy on a Thursday, but oh those boots do something cruel to the Howff table l Sandhurst, here I come!

Altogether upon the high horse.

Archibald S. Hunter. Archie is one of the most athletic types, who can be seen performing graceful paces in the usual establishments; is currently appearing on ice. Would like to estimate the ultimate velocities of the Zephyrs but can't afford the time. His associations with tropical fish have led us to doubt his sanity. . . . dv mrr00t yAngSvpotat /700E/Aaiun payncra.

Charles S. A. W. Levitt. A quiet lad—frequently commanded to go to " Hull ". Plays such typically English sports as cricket and jiggin'. Bears daily the weight of the Jovial One's ire—for which we are grateful. Conjecture is rife as to the meaning of S. A. W.—had you wondered too?

Be silent and safe—tmilence never betrays you.

Alistair G. Littlejohn. This lad always seems to be in some tangle—and usually the old one. For one reason and another, his private affairs are usually made public—poor Peter I A popular member of the 1st XV, he might be better of some padding under those stockings. He's an athletic type—when he likes.

Who from the dark and doubtful love to run?

Ian A. Moir. We hoped Ian would represent the A.G.S. Prefecture as well as the B.B. at the Coronation. After touring the Highlands, would that boneshaker make the capital? He always keeps us on the right road and we were almost becoming impressed until we heard he was an apiarist—he loves honey. A dog's a good excuse for a walk.

Soldiers of the Queen we are.

Aberdeen Grammar Sebool Magazine 114 John Pacitti. Answers to John, Jean, Juan, Giovanni or Jeanie.

Our own exponent of the art of Greek Terpsichore in its present form.

Displays a distinct frigidity towards the opposite sex except for someone who calls him " Guzzi ". His favourite chassis are lightweight motor-racing models.

He with a smile made answer.

Lessel J. C. Rennie. The founder of the Spangles Club and one of " Eccles' " men! The only prefect to have been ejected from Room 14 —congratulations! Quite a master at belting in and out to Kintore before tea—thoroughly enjoying his Bursary hols. Refer to this para. again for Annie'S. Swan song.

Alas! my child, where is the Pen That can do justice to the Hen?

Ian S. Smith. Economy boy Zac is the B.H. big business boss.

Does some slick (Ach 1 cynic Smith) advertisement by constantly sucking oranges. On Sundays and holidays definitely a hi'lander— the rest of the time just an E i R menace. We do hope the female population of Inverness proves as inexhaustible as Aberdeen's.

One of the Sheila brigade.

Fate tried to conceal him by naming him Smith.

David V. S. Williamson. Mr. Prosser's problem child is learning to dance himself—just as he has done everything else. The only ball-boy to have stopped a Drobny match. A " happy " loon is he, and a fine one, but has been the subject of some " consobrinal" scandals. The Huntly road takes detours for somebody's fair-haired blue-eyed boy. Another of the Sheila brigade. Seldom seen without his Jim-athon.

One unguarded look betrayed David.

Laurence A. Williamson. We have seen him so seldom this year, we have little to say. What there has been has been pleasant —and we hear it is even more so in his extra-mural activities. Come back again some day 1 There was a lover and his lass.

Douglas S. Wood. Many critics have commented on " Sirnpson's" readings—the " Hall-marks " of a good elocutionist we feel sure. Waxes eloquent at Debater meetings and gives lectures on Goethe to enduring ist year boys. Tries, with some success, to be Bohemian in his dress. A small prize may be won by finding Douglas in the Prefects' Photo.

It is most embarrassing for a teacher or inspector to have an elocutionist in his class.—D. Prosser.

School Section

125

Mr. George E. Hay Mr. George E. Hay, M.A., with whom the School parted as colleague and master just four years ago, passed away early last February in Edinburgh, where he was taking a course of treatment for impaired health. His connection with the School spanned a full half-century, first as pupil, then as member of the staff in the Classics and English Departments. Both in classroom and staffroom he was apt to show a sprightliness of wit and humour that tended to brighten the day's work and leisure. He was endowed with a penetrative insight into the dodgeries and machinations of the genus boy, especially the Grammar boy. His whimsicality of comment and criticism upon the world's passing show was balanced by a surprising firmness of principle in some of the deeper things of life. At the funeral service in Rubislaw Church the School was represented by emeritus members of the staff who knew his qualities over many years, by senior members still serving who long enjoyed his cheery colleagueship, and by boys in the Upper School who can still recall his teaching with great affection. Deep sympathy is extended to his widow and family.

A SCHOOL TRIBUTE *

It was always an experience to have Doddy as a teacher, for we regarded him as the rearguard of the Old School of masters most of whom had disappeared from our ken. He seemed as much an integral part of the School as the Clock Tower or the old carved desks, so much so that he generally passed along the corridor unobserved. But it was in Room 4 that his personality expanded and he displayed those traits which endeared him to us.

Doddy was at his best when telling anecdotes—his dry wit was most effective when, with twinkling eyes and twitching mouth, he revealed some oddity of human behaviour. But on the other hand, his next most appreciated performance was when he got annoyed. Every schoolboy likes seeing his teacher in a rage, and Doddy's exhibition was well worth watching. He first glared over his spectacles at the unwitting offender, and then began to expostulate in a low rumble which rose to a roar of exasperation. Then more muttering—for Doddy was always charitable enough to cloak his frankest opinion of some obstreperous youth. Finally the Hay humour prevailed and both spectacles—the removal of which marked the peak of his wrath—and smile, returned to his face. Some sly epigram or sarcastic epithet then marked the cessation of hostilities. Doddy was, however, difficult to provoke, and efforts to arouse his anger were often baulked by his long patience.

Our last meeting with Mr. Hay was a happy affair, and it was a spruce Doddy —looking scarcely more than the forty years he had served the School—who entertained us with a discourse both interesting and humorous. His final " Exit Doddy I " was a cry of victory, and victory over forty years of Grammar School pupils is hard won.

* This appreciation of Mr. Hay is reprinted from the Magazine of July 5449.

i z6

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

Changes in the School Staff Appointment MR. ALEXANDER NISBET, M.A., assistant in the English Depart-

ment for two years, has now been confirmed in his appointment to the staff. His schooldays were all spent in the " Other Place ", from which he passed to Aberdeen University in 1942. Being called to national service after one year's studies, he entered the Army and was successively in the Scots Guards, the Royal Engineers and the Army Educational Corps, mainly in the Middle East areas. After demobilisation in 1947, he completed his interrupted course, graduating in 195o with first class honours in English. During his teacher training he also gained the Diploma in Education, and he was a most acceptable recruit to the staff in August 1951. On the games side he favours tennis and an occasional bout of squash racquets, along with golf on a strictly " social " plane. He also finds an absorbing interest in drama, both as actor and producer; furthermore, he is not at all averse to a sederunt at Contract. We trust that he has already found, and will continue to find, keen happiness and satisfaction in his work and recreation at the Grammar.

Departures MR. ALEXANDER B. RUSSELL, M.A., head of the English Department for over six years, has recently graduated to the hierarchy of the profession by being appointed Rector of the High School, Kelso.

Not only has he been a most original, energetic and enthusiastic teacher of his subject, but he leaves a deep impression of his manifold personality upon other aspects of School life. The Library, which was already acknowledged to be second to none in Scotland, has greatly benefited by the untiring and unstinted attention he has bestowed upon it during the recent period of alteration, addition and refitment, so that it is now in every respect an exemplar to the country at large.

The Literary and Debating Society accords him full praise and thanks for help and encouragement of many kinds. The Dramatic Society has had its standards of achievement sharpened and heightened under his vigorous ideas of training and production; no one who saw T. S. Eliot's " Murder in the Cathe.dral" enacted at St. Machar's can easily forget the polished qualities and solemn grandeur of the whole performance. Mr. Russell also took an active part on all occasions in the sporting activities of the School. As a colleague, he has from the outset shown a most affable and friendly disposition, willing and ready to help by word and deed in any doubt or difficulty.

While greatly regretting Mr. Russell's departure from cur midst, the School unites in wishing him full success and happiness in the new work he undertakes in the Border Country.

MRS. ANNIE CAMPBELL. In January 1953, Mrs. Campbell retired after thirty-eight years of very faithful, self-effacing service to the Grammar School. She came first as a school cleaner on the death of her husband in 1914; then later became maid to the Kindergarten

School Section 127 Department, and finally, in 1942, Nursery Class Assistant. Her sterling qualities and her great love for children have made her contributions in all these capacities of outstanding value both to those who worked with her and to the many generations of boys who will remember her with affection. Staff and pupils alike wish her length of days and quiet happiness in her retirement.

Miss I. R. Courrs (Mrs. A. G. Beattie). We would extend to Mrs Beattie our sincere congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of her marriage to Dr. A. Gordon Beattie. The ceremony took place on a April 1953, before Dr. Beattie proceeded to Germany for his army service. Mrs. Beattie is remaining with us until the summer.

The Trip to Switzerland This Easter a company of boys from the School, with Mr. Cunningham in charge, spent twelve days in Switzerland under the auspices of the Scottish Secondary Schools Travel Trust. The Aberdeen party joined up at Edinburgh with the main contingent, which numbered over four hundred.

For most of us it was our first visit to the Continent, and we were amused, on our arrival at Calais, by the volubility of the French porters who invaded the ship and, laden with luggage, barged their way through the ranks of protesting Scots boys. By special train we travelled through Northern France to Basle, where we enjoyed our first Continental breakfast. The station there is completely free of smoke, and it is even possible to have tables outside the buffet on the platform.

An electric train took us across Switzerland to Wilderswil, near the famous health resort of Interlaken, in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. We spent five days in Wilderswil, which is an attractive, little village with a magnificent view of the Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger mountains, all over 13,000 feet. We had excursions by train and funicular to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Marren, all famous ski resorts. The journey by funicular to Miirren was most spectacular, as the gradient rises 1 in a and there is a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains with their glaciers. We also had a very pleasant steamer trip to Thun on the lake of the same name.

The last five days we spent at Brunnen near Lucerne, on the Vierwaldstattersee. Brunnen is set in the heart of the William Tell country and we visited many places associated with him and learned something of the early struggles for Swiss independence. During a trip to Andermatt, we saw the entrance to the St. Gotthard Tunnel and walked five miles through the narrow St. Gotthard Pass, where we saw the remains of many avalanches. Another day we went to the Rigi by boat and funicular, and enjoyed a view which is one of the most impressive in Switzerland with its wide panorama of mountains and lakes.

Brilliant sunshine, except on one day, good food and accommodation and the variety and interest of our excursions, all contributed to make this a mernor4bic and thoroughly enjoyable holiday.

IAN MURRAY (Lower VI).

z z8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Disparate Twins Although these intimate revelations have been rfjected by Lilliput, Men Only, Woman's Journal, Readers' Digest, the Editors of this Magazine have decided not to withold the usual payment.

In other words the said gentlemen, Pacitti and Presbaw, have unconsciously come to the rescue of two in distress; and rather than disappoint them, you or us, we have made an exhibition of reluctantly passing their lines of nonsense to add to the generalfrivolity . . . if nothing else I Variations on a Theme of Pacitti—by Preshaw " The various holdr and rolls and throws and breakfalls which one may sometimes meet." " Ever fall in love with a bearded lady ? " " No," I said, " but have another drink."

"It was in Birmingham in 'thirty-six. Met a fellow called Jackson who had a pig-farm. Ever herded pigs on a bicycle ? " " No," I said, " how did you manage it ? " " Easy. Rode no hands and used a lariat. Watched pigs for three years and then was sacked. Walked to London with a girl Lucinda. Got a job in a gasworks. Ever been in a gasworks ? " " No," I said, " but what about the bearded lady ? " "What a girl I Never forget her if I live to be sixty. Fiftythree years, six months ago." " Oh." " D'you know a gasworks ? Shovelled coke into Number Three furnace for six months. Lost interest and hitched to Dulwich. Middle of night went up to a house and knocked. Old boy came out with a sawn-off shotgun. ' What the hell d'you want ?' says he. ' What the hell do I want ? ' says I. Took me in to watch his museum. Ever seen a shrunken head ? " " No," I said, " but have another drink." " Thanks. Kept mice off the old boy's flowerbeds till all the flowers were dead. Used to shave him every morning with an Indian razor. Fine and sharp it was. Often wish I still had it.

Long blade—fifteen inches. One morning nicked his ear and was thrown out. Ever been to Dulwich ? " " No," I said. " Seaside spot. Got a job as a promenade guide and lifesaver.

Saved two old women and a dog. Remember the Dulwich hurricane of 'twenty-eight ? " " No," I said, " there was no hurricane at Dulwich in 'twentyeight or any other year." " Wrong again. Distinctly remember leaving Dulwich on a roof going north-west." " North-west ? " I said.

"Came down near Chester. Funny, never been to Chester before. Went in and saw the sights. Jumped on a train north and

129 School Section got off when it stopped. Didn't know where I was. Ever been to a small place with a statue of Robin Hood or Francis in the middle ? " " No," I said.

"Worked for three months as town clerk. Never found out where I was. Swept streets when it wasn't raining. When it was, totted up the accounts. Small rates. Plenty money in the book.

Resigned and went by plane to France. Ever been in Paris ? " " No," I said, " but have this one on me." " Thanks. Met a girl name of Amandile and we went and saw the sights. Left her crying and walked to Brussels. Ever been on Belgian railway ? " " No," I said. " Curious railway. No steam. All electricity. Worked in restaurant car every day except Thursdays—day off. Expert at sole mignons. Learned salads as well. Used to make vegetarian salad every second Monday for Herr Geher—Austrian gent who ran all railway restaurant cars. After a year put in chopped cheese and was thrown out between Brussels and Ostend. Got a job in a circus and held up tight-rope every night. Dangerous job. Last two men killed by wire when it broke." " Oh," I said, " was the bearded lady there ? " "Bearded lady ? No. Top-class show. Two lions and one tiger. Lion-tamer fell ill and shot the lions. I got the tiger.

Tamed her for four months and put on my act. Jumped through hoops, ran along a tight-rope, swam beside sea-lions. Sacked after a week—large head, and tiger had small jaws. Walked to Ostend with tiger. Very small job called Ranee. Put her up for sale. No bidders for two weeks. Sold her to a chap named Smith or Jones or Brown who said he knew me. Sailed back to Dover and bought a derelict shop. Stocked it up with goldfish. Came the slump and and no one thought of goldfish. Emptied them all into the river.

Ever fished in the Dart ? " No," I said. " Strange mixture of carp and goldfish. Studied them for two weeks and wrote a book on genetics. D'you know what would happen if you crossed a golden-black goldfish with a brown carp ?

They'd produce blue-spotted youngsters. Amazing thing was, they were all sterile. Two professors and four students came to watch, so I bought some of the river. But fish swam out of my part into neighbours'. Raised two court actions and lost them both.

Came home and took up farming and growing mushrooms. Ever tried to grow mushrooms ? " " No," I said, " but have another drink." " Difficult job. Too much water and they all die. Too little water and they don't appear. Grew toadstools instead. Sold them at half the price of mushrooms and was forced out by the Trade Union. Ever been to Russia ? " " No," I said. " Neither have I. Somebody told me the Unions were better there. Wouldn't mind trying to grow mushrooms in Georgia.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 130 Very fertile soil. Ever been . . . No. Of course not. There met a woman who said she threw the discus. Can't imagine why. Told her I'd never seen a whale. Funny, the very next day . . ." " Listen," I said, " Have you ever fallen in love with a bearded lady ? " " Who ? Me ? Never." " Oh," I said, " Then let me tell you all about it."

ROY PRESRAW (Upper V(1)).

Variations on a Theme of Preshaw—by Pacitti " The ever-important question of human balance " Giuseppe is a fool: I know that now, but I wish I'd known it before. You see, he was the type of man who knew what he was doing—and people like that are always either fools or geniuses (and Giuseppe could hardly be called a genius). He was an officer in the Luxemburg Army and, as such, had access to the fertile minds and intellects of his youthful protégés, and the cook-house. But, most important of all, he was the instructor in Judo, Ju-Jitsu or the Gentle Art of Self-Defence.

But Giuseppe added more to the game than mere wrist-snapping and neck-crushing: he developed self-defence to within an iota of downright dastardly attack and thus made human life a more precarious risk than ever.

He himself was quite an imposing figure of a man: he was at least five feet tall, had beautiful bow-legs and cross-eyes and had size nine socks. In addition, he had all his hair, all but five of his teeth, a wife and six children.

But despite his physical greatness, he had acquired an extensive knowledge of unarmed combat, by which to enlarge his scope as a deadly messenger of Death. (He was rather morbid about such things and used to call himself " letifer Nemesis ".—Everyone else called him something different.) " All men are mortal," quoth he, as he quaffed a quart of Quinteponte in quarter of an hour in the quadrangle, " and I, the great Giuseppe, am the man to prove it."

The first exercise he used to demonstrate to his luckless pupils was what is technically known as the "Jugular Lock ". This necessitates the rapid application of the forearm to the neck of the victim (usually from a dorsi-ventral location) and the resulting continued pressure is guaranteed to break the victim's neck or the attacker's arm. This exercise usually took about six months and four thousand victims for complete mastery.

Lesson number two was for the more advanced survivors and Giuseppe used to take great delight in this manoeuvre, playfully cracking off the digits of " that-private-over-there-on-the-left-whoisn't-looking-this-way ".

By the time lesson three came along, the ranks of the eager students were sadly depleted and, to encourage further support,

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Giuseppe did his "Centre of Gravity" act. Gravely he would mount the rostrum and, assuming a ballet-like poise, would demonstrate the advantage of keeping perfect balance while in the throes of executing a half-Nelson. This is a difficult feat and is recommended only for advanced pupils or suicides.

But those days were pleasant days and, well remembering that " None but the brave deserve the fair ", he would gallantly escort any winsome young lady home on a dark night, murmuring dire threats if any foot-pad approached or if any cheeky young private was bold enough to practise army slang within earshot.

More and more lessons were added—all for the mighty purpose of developing the human body. One of Giuseppe's frequent clichés was Mens Jana in corpore ,nano. But, alas I the body became musclebound and the mind developed a tendency for classical poetry and chlorophyll. . . . At any rate, "the various holds and rolls and throws and breakfalls " always come in useful. " By the way, I am Giuseppe."

JOHN PAcirrt (Upper V(i)).

Twentieth Century Blues The Twentieth Century was famous for wars, over-population and Radio Luxemburg.

In the Nineteenth Century there had been the Pax Britannica which had been awfully boring; in addition, people had principles and starched collars. But then came the Pax Americana and everybody made a lot of money and had two really good wars before they remembered that this was civilization. So they got back their principles and started fighting about them in Korea. This wasn't very successful; so warfare was left to Radio Moscow and the Voice of America. This resulted in phenomenal sales of cotton-wool and ear-plugs.

Meanwhile, the International Association of Fools had been busy inventing airplanes, automobiles, radio, television and over-population. Finally it was discovered that the graphical equation relating population to food supply had no real roots. This terrifying discovery led to the invention of chlorophyll, which left the world very pleased but much worse.

Then, since more people were breathing, the carbon dioxide content of the air increased. People became more lazy and sluggish.

All attempts to arouse interest failed—Johnnie Ray and Marilyn Monro had brief periods of glory.

In the end, people began to look like frogs; marriage declined rapidly in popularity (who would marry a frog ?). Population decreased, carbon dioxide ratio decreased and the result was the Twentyfirst Century and more history books.

In addition, the Twentieth Century had one hundred years.

THE TWENTIETH-CENTURY Fox.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Lower School Notes Lower School activities, in and out of the classroom, have continued successfully during the past half-year.

Yet another change in staffing took place after Christmas, when Mr. Weighand departed to a post in Edinburgh, handing over his charges in Lower IVA to Mr. MacKinnon.

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It would be wrong to recount some of our accomplishments since Christmas before referring to the plays and music presented in Hall by boys of Lower V and the Lower School Choir just before we broke up for the Christmas holidays.

The programme of nativity plays and Christmas music was of an extremely high standard, and we are indebted to those members of the Lower School staff and of the Music Department who made such an enjoyable experience possible.

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During the Spring term the much-delayed triennial inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectors took place, an event which the boys of the Lower School took in their stride with their usual aplomb.

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In the musical field we have to record two experiments, the first being the Lower School Choir's competing at the Music Festival, at which they sang very well indeed. Another most welcome innovation has been the introduction to the instruments of the orchestra and the playing of the organ, given by Mr. Norris and Mr. Wilkins during the Summer term in Hall on Monday mornings. Such forms of education and entertainment are most enthusiastically received by staff and boys. * * * Miss Jessie A. M. Mackie's legacy of £5o to the Lower School Library has now been spent, and the reference books purchased will provide a very useful nucleus for classroom libraries. These new books will be a source of great interest and much information to the junior seekers after knowledge.

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The choice of the Lower School building for use as a polling station during the Municipal Election in May was very much appreciated by approximately 5oo small boys, particularly as the weather on Polling day was ideal for outdoor activities. * * * On the sporting side, a poor winter, as far as playing conditions were concerned, resulted in a very limited programme of football being carried out. The Lower School XV played one game only, against a neighbouring school, the result of which was satisfactory from our point of view. A full cricket fixturelist has been compiled, and it is to be hoped that the weather will be kind enough to allow all games to be played off.

Lower School representation at the Swimming Gala was again of high quality and considerable quantity. A close finish in the individual championship events necessitated a swim-off, to determine whether Bill Stevenson, Ian McLean or Colin Preshaw was to be awarded the medal. Bill Stevenson produced that little bit extra to win. * * * This session secs the end of the designation of Lower School classes as Lower I to V. Because of much confusion resulting from our retention of the old terms, it has been decided to conform to the titles in use in other schools in Scotland.

Henceforth, a boy will start his career in the Lower School in Primary III and finish in Primary VII. It will, no doubt, afford some small boy pleasure to jump from Lower IA this session to Primary IVA next session I D. M. A.

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Literary and Debating Society Although we cannot truthfully say that we adhered strictly to the syllabus this year, we can at least say that " we did our best". Both the amount and quality of speaking have been reassuring and the Society should manage to last out for some years yet—we hope I Since the last issue of the Magazine, there has been only one inter-school debate, when we were hosts to the Central School Society. The debate, " That Scottish Nationalism is a stupidly romantic and retrograde movement", produced some lively and impassioned speaking on both sides, but finally commonsense must have triumphed over patriotism, for the motion was carried by a large majority.

The debate, " That the cinema deserves more credit than the priests and pedagogues give it " proved a topical subject, due to the introduction of the 3-dimensional film, and brought to light the contrasting views of several members of the Society. The speaking, led by Mr. Pacitti and Mr. Williamson (V), proved to be vehement, if not of an exceptionally high standard. The motion was defeated by a very narrow margin.

Then came one of the hardy perennials of the syllabus—the Short Story Competition. This time a large number of entries had to be sifted out before sixteen were finally chosen to be read to the Society. The judges, Messrs. Nisbet, Taylor and Coulthard, selected "La Bicyclctte de Luxe " by Mr. Ian Smith (VI), as the best entry, while " Red for Danger" by Mr. Stephen Pacitti (III), and " Murder at Midnight " by Mr. Gordon Chcyne (III), received second and third prizes respectively. A great number of those who entered had rather bloodthirsty tales to tell, which perhaps accounts for the selection of three humorous short stories as prize-winning entries.

The next meeting of the Society took the form of a Staff Discussion Group.

A panel of " experts "—Messrs. Walker, Gray, Prosser and Norris—discussed questions put to them by members of the Society. Subjects ranged from the restoration of Provost Ross's House and Hogmanay to jazz and the suitability of crown pieces as Coronation presents.

The next debate in the syllabus was " That General Strikes are justified in our democracy ". In this debate, there was a regrettable outburst of rather diffuse speaking with little or no foundation on facts. Perhaps this was due to the somewhat specialised nature of the subject, but one redeeming feature was the speaking of Mr. Henderson (IV) who, unhappily, is prominent only in debates with a political tinge.

The Society wound up its programme of actual debates with one on entertainment—" That entertainment risking human life should be prohibited ". Although the attendance was low, due to the imminence of the " Highers ", the standard of speaking was high, but even the excellent speech of our President, Mr. Cruickshank, failed to convince the Society that the motion should be defeated.

Then the officials tried an experiment, which, we arc glad to say, proved a rousing success. The Society staged a version of the B.B.C.'s parlour game, " One Minute, Please ". In this, a team of non-Prefects was resoundingly defeated by a team of Prefects. Shall I say that it was luck or superior intelligence that did it ? Even so, the rules of the game are now recorded for posterity in the minute book and we hope that this feature will become a regular item.

We are at present preparing for a visit to the Sheriff Court and are trying to arrange other visits for both senior and junior members of the Society. The Six Schools' Debate, after a lapse of many years, will be held in the School Hall soon and the subject, " That Aberdeen should have a single co-educational centre", should produce some verbal fireworks.

As this is the last year that the Society will have Mr. Russell's name figuring on its syllabus card as honorary president, since he is leaving our ranks to take up a headmaster's post in Kelso, we should like to thank him for everything he has done for the Society. He has been invaluable to the Society on matters of procedure and has always been ready to lend a helping hand when things have gone wrong. The Society hopes that he will be able to carry some of our enthusiasm about speaking to the pupils of his new school and not be left without a "Debater".

ALEXANDER GRASSIE, Secretary.

134

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Dramatic Society Just after the Magazine went to press last December, the Dramatic Society presented three performances of " Tobias and the Angel ", by James Bridie, in the School Hall. The School's opinion of the play was, as usual, not very high, but the production seemed to be received very favourably by the others who saw it. The general opinion was, I think, that the production was well up to our usual standard.

The play, for those who are unfamiliar with the works of James Bridie, is, in the author's own words, " a straightforward account of the charming old talc in the book of Tobit". In the well-furnished little plot are lyrics, dances and mime, all mixed with touches of Bridle's opinions on the state of the human race.

Douglas Wood took the title role, playing it cleverly and suiting the part admirably in every way. Nicholas Phillipson's Raphael, while commanding as befitted an angel, conveyed that freshness and Bohemian quality that Bridie aimed at. David Bonavia, a charming heroine, headed a group of very promising young " ladies " who should be a great asset to the Society in years to come.

The variety of theatrical devices contained in the play gave Mr. Bell, Mr. Hemingway and their respective helpers quite a headache. But in both cases the result produced aroused a considerable amount of favourable comment.

Perhaps then we may be pardoned for dwelling rather fondly on our moderate success.

Prospects for next year are very bright. We look for great things.

A. STEWART HUNTER, President.

Film Society This year saw the founding of yet another School society—the Film Society.

Its aim is to encourage interest in the film as an art form in the School, mainly by the showing of films of high quality.

We made a good start by showing Flaherty's magnificent film, " Louisiana Story ". After the film a discussion was held. Considering the natural hesitancy of some of the boys and that this was their first attempt at constructive film criticism, the results were quite good.

Our next film was " Jour de ate ", a slapstick comedy by the French clown Jacques Tati. This was very favourably received by the boys, and the discussion showed a marked improvement. At our next session we showed a programme of short films—the film of the harbour made by Mr. Hemingway, our Art master, with the help of some of the boys of the School, a film of special interest to us; an Italian film " Geometry Lesson "; two Swedish films, " Rhythm of a City " and " Divided World ", and to end the programme, the British film, " Song of Ceylon ".

With still one film, John Ford's " Stagecoach ", to show, we feel we have made a good start and are confident of even greater success in the years to come.

DOUGLAS WOOD, Secretary.

Arts Club The Arts Club has continued its good work throughout the session with consistently high attendances. The main activity has been centred on the painting of a set of decorative panels for Room 6 and, although work proceeds on them but slowly, it is hoped that they will be completed and installed before the summer.

At the time of writing the accent seems to be placed on the preparation of Coronation motifs for the School Dance; a number of decorations of a quite ambitious nature are now under way.

The Club has also joined forces with the Film Society, and members have attended the film shows of which details are given in the report of that Society.

ALASTAIR A. R. HENDERSON, Secretary.

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Music Notes Evidence of the various musical activities going on both in and out of School will be forthcoming at the School Concert to be held on 16 and 17 June. This year it will be on the more modest scale suitable to our own Hall.

The Orchestra, which will be making its only public appearance of the year at this concert, has put in a good deal of rehearsal; perhaps the brightest spot is that most of its members are younger boys—which augurs well for the future.

It is a pity that so many seniors find it necessary to stop their instrumental lessons on the approach of " Highers"; even a fortnightly lesson would maintain progress and afford the necessary stimulus to practise.

The Senior Choir gave a successful recital of Church Music in Rubislaw Church in January, under the auspices of the Scottish Ecclesiological Society. They did not warm to their best at once, but Charles Wood's " 0 Thou the Central Orb ", and Quitter's " Non Nobis Domine" were splendidly sung and suited the boys admirably; they deserved a larger audience. The programme was subsequently repeated at Bccchgrove Church and was warmly appreciated.

The Junior Choir is having a busy time, having just won second place for Primary Department Choirs in the North-East Music Festival, and having ahead the annual festival of Primary School Choirs which we are attending for the first time, as well as our own School Concert. Recruitment and attendance have on the whole been satisfactory. The Recorder Classes begun in the Lower School have proved popular, and many boys of Lower I and II are anxious to join.

This year we had groups taking part in the Music Festival for the first time since the war. In addition to the Lower School Choir already mentioned, Class Middle Is won the Section for Secondary Boys' Choirs, Under 15, and deserve our congratulations. We should also record the congratulations offered by the Rector to the following boys who acquitted themselves honourably in the Festival:— R. Mackie (V(1)), G. Lees and J. G. Christie (ILIA), D. Milne (tic), D. Bruce (Ha), A. Nicol (IID), D. Gall (Is), LeRoy Cowie (IG), P. Milne (Lower VB), and A. Wyllie (Lower Ilia).

The organ in Hall has recently been improved by the substitution of some new pipes for old ones, and by an overhaul of the action. The singing at Assembly seems to have benefited already, and it is now possible to include some organ music in the informal recitals which the Lower School is enjoying this term.

The number of boys taking Music for " Highcrs " remains small but the quality is good. Gatt has played his bassoon in the National Youth Orchestra in Brussels and London and is to play first bassoon at the Edinburgh Festival—a rare honour.

Kellas shows an undoubted flair for composition and has given the School Orchestra some " Festive Music" to learn, very appropriate to Coronation year, in addition to the carols he arranged at Christmas. There are boys in the present third year who might follow his example.

W. N.

Scripture Union Activities in 1953 began with a Boys' Camps Rally held in the West Church of St. Andrew Hall in January. About sixty Grammar boys were present to see coloured films of the Camps and hear about them from the Rev. J. W. Meiklejohn, S.U. Scottish Secretary. As an outcome of this Rally, twelve Grammar boys attended Dounan's Camp, Aberfoyle, for a week at Easter.

Up to the time of the Coronation holiday, we had had six School Branch meetings. The speakers were the Rev. J. W. Meiklejohn, the Rev. J. Dcy, minister of Woodside Congregational Church, the Rev. D. Brian Thompson, minister of Carden Place Church, and three members of the staff, Mr. Cunningham, Dr. MacAndrew and Mr. Miller. The introduction of a Bible Quiz as a regular feature of our meetings has been popular, especially with the younger boys.

I should like to express my personal thanks to Dr. MacAndrew and Mr. Miller for their splendid support of the Branch and for the work they have done to increase our membership, which now stands at seventy-seven.

IAN A. MOIR, Secretary.

136

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Scout Notes ist Troop Our annual Easter camp was held during the second week of the holidays at Clinterty. It was attended by twenty scouts and the weather was perfect.

Summer camp preparations are, as always, well ahead under the able supervision of A.S.M. P. Brown. He will be assisted by A.S.M. D. Kilgour. The site this year is near Aviemore and the Troop will no doubt thoroughly enjoy themselves in surroundings that arc perfect for a summer camp.

Our Christmas feed was, as usual, very successful and in March we held our annual open night. A short play, " The Luck of Penwithen ", was the highlight of the evening. Our thanks for this are due to all the " First Troop Players " and also to P.L. Stewart Wilson who produced the play.

The Pack still continues to flourish in the capable hands of Miss Hutchison and Miss Edmonds. The membership is at present in the region of fifty. In June the cubs will be holding their annual outing to Clinterty.

In conclusion we would take this opportunity of welcoming back John Blair to the Scouting fold—good luck, John, from us all I RONALD WALKER, Scoutmaster.

9th Troop At the beginning of 1933 the Pack unfortunately lost both Akela Jim Buchan and Assistant Sandy Brown, who are now serving with H.M. Forces in Malaya.

We take this opportunity of welcoming Bob Cromar, who has very kindly taken over the Pack, and is proving very popular with the boys.

Several promotions have been made as a result of some of the older cubs having gone up to the Troop. The Pack is still at full strength but there should be some vacancies at the end of term when some more go up.

With the Christmas party over, the Troop meetings have been relatively quiet.

The Troop is, however, still as large as ever, and the weekly full attendance has necessitated the formation of a new patrol, named the " Swifts ", under J. Robb.

D. Cook has been promoted to the rank of Patrol Leader. First Class badges have been gained by L. Nicol and F. George, while G. Glennie has now gained his Scout Cord.

The approach of summer, usually indicated by a change in weather from snow to rain, has this year been heralded by many welcome days of sunshine, and the P.L.s have turned their thoughts to their patrol camps. As is usual at Easter, a dozen boys went with A.S.M. D. Gibson to Feughside, and then to Braemar, where full use was made of the short days, whether it was in the ascent of Ben Macdhui, or in the descent of the nearest snow slope on a tin plate.

W. A. STEELE, Assistant Scoutmaster.

I. ESSLEMONT, Assistant Scoutmaster.

i7th Troop The Troop has passed through a somewhat unsettling year. Since Christmas we have had regretfully to accept the resignation of Hugh Wynne-Edwards, but we are now very fortunate in having John Blair, of ist Troop fame, as our S.M. P.L. L. Hay is to be congratulated in gaining his First Class Badge and Scout Cord. B. Bruce and I. Milne have been promoted to Scouter and Troop Leader respectively; I. Gordon and L. Cowie are now P.L.s and K. Duthie and G. Duthie have become Seconds.

Templars Park has been the scene of various successful week-end camps for the Troop and for patrols. This year, summer camp is to be held at a site near Kingussie which has been highly recommended.

In the hands of Cubmistress A. Merson, the Pack is being steadily brought up to strength.

With a competent parents' committee forging ahead with arrangements for the triennial Café and with the Troop under the leadership of an experienced scoutmaster, we look forward to a year of successes.

F. R. PATERSON, Group Scoutmaster.

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Combined Cadet Force Notes The outstanding feature of Contingent activities since Christmas has been the period of annual training spent during the Easter holidays at Strensall, York.

Sixty-two cadets of the Army and Basic Sections enjoyed an instructive and pleasant week in barracks there, and are grateful for the hospitality shown by the Depot K.O.Y.L.I, and the Light Infantry Brigade Depot to which we were attached. With all the facilities of a modern Army depot made available, training and living conditions were idea]. Much use was made of the rifle ranges, and two outside visits were arranged. Of the visits, that to the R.A.F. Station at Lintonon-Ouse certainly proved the more thrilling and entertaining. It was a happy coincidence that on the day of our visit a wing of Meteors from this fighter station was taking part in a fly-past over Manchester. Taking-off and landing (both operations being completed in incredibly short times) presented a magnificent spectacle, as also did the wing flying past in formation. A long road trip by T.C.V.s to Cattcrick was made to look over Centurion tanks, and cadets had the experience of making a short trip as tank-crew.

Training continues steadily for Certificate A examinations, and arrangements are being made for approximately to cadets to sit Part II and 40 cadets to sit Part I of the examination in mid-June. It is to be hoped that last year's too per cent. success in these examinations will be repeated.

Two teams were entered for the f_qclet Wapinschaw at Blackdog Ranges, but an improvement on last year's znd place was not obtained.

This year's Annual Inspection of the Contingent took the form of a Ceremonial Parade on ft June when Lord Provost Graham was Inspecting Officer and took the salute at the march-past.

The R.A.F. Section recently visited the R.A.F. Station at Leuchars, where an excellent day was spent. A Tiger Moth and an Oxford were at the disposal of the cadets for flying training.

Sergeant Crichton successfully attended a Selection Board in connection with his nomination for a Flying Scholarship, and should learn to fly solo this summer.

During the summer holidays the Section will be carrying out annual training at the R.A.P. Station, Hullavington, where training of aircrew is at present carried out. Arrangements have also been made for three cadets to attend Wireless and Navigation courses at R.A.F. Stations during the holidays.

Approval has now been given for the use of Rubislaw Field for elementary glider training, and we are meantime awaiting delivery of our primary sailplane.

Flt. Lieut. Watt will attend a Glider Instructor's course during the summer break, and it is expected that next session will sec elementary flying instruction begin at Rubislaw.

Lance-Corporal K. Campbell and Cadet D. Kinnear attended the Coronation as C.C.F. spectators of the Procession, and had a really excellent view from the Queen Victoria Memorial.

In conclusion, we should like to record our thanks to those senior cadets, in particular, and to the various local T.A. units whose help has made Session 5952.1953 a successful one for the School Contingent If next session's recruitment is as big as this year's, our numbers next September will be the highest in post-war years.

It is to be hoped that the parents of boys in Middle III and the Upper School are fully aware of the facilities for pre-service military training available to boys who enrol in the School Contingent, C.C.F. D. M. A. Pipes and Drums Piping and drumming continue satisfactorily in School, and every effort is now being made in preparation for the playing of Retreat before the end of the present term. The fact that the Pipes and Drums are now judged fit to attempt such a programme indicates the steady progress that is being made. There is

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evidence that pipers and drummers are practising regularly and conscientiously but, as usual, much credit for the improvement is due to their instructors, Peter Cromar and Mr. Couper.

Recruitment of non-cadets to the School Contingent, C.C.F. and their attendance at annual camp at Strensall, York, during the Easter holidays, have also done much to get pipers and drummers together. Apart from spending a useful week of combined practice, the Pipes and Drums distinguished themselves, under Pipe-Major John Harper, by being awarded the prizes for the best-kept barrackroom. It is also of interest to note that certain members of the Pipes and Drums created military history by accepting the Depot R.S.M.'s invitation " to get out on the barrack-square, if they had nothing better to do than hang out of a window watching him put a squad of recruits through their paces ". (It is much regretted that it is not permissible to quote verbatim the words used by the R.S.M. when he found that the culprits had taken his " invitation " literally and gone out to join his recruits on the hallowed square I) The practice chanter class, meeting on Mondays, has made excellent progress, and it is to be regretted that it is not possible yet to up-grade at least three members of this class, there being no bagpipes available. It is to be hoped that before 1956, more instruments and accessories such as drum-major's staff and sash, pipers' cross-belts and waist-belts, leopard-skins and House pipe-banners, will be obtained to make the School Pipes and Drums as worthy in appearance as they are proficient in playing ability. As practically all the present pipers and drummers will be returning to School next session, we shall undoubtedly go from strength to strength.

We are pleased to record that the School Pipes and Drums combined with those of Robert Gordon's College to head the pre-service section of the Empire Youth Sunday Parade on 17 May. It is hoped that this joint excursion will be a forerunner of others.

We are grateful to all those who have contributed to making this session a successful one, and are gratified that the F.P. Club, through its Executive, are showing a lively interest in our doings.

D. M. A.

House Notes Dun

Byron

Cricket Captain—

Keith

Melvin

G. Murray

R. R. Comber

J. B. Rennie

W. W. Hutchison

J. G. Lindsay

D. E. Baird

N. R. Johnston

J. D. M. Nicholson

E. G. Anderson

I. McLeod

A. G. Littlejohn

R. W. Duncan

K. N. Fraser

R. R. Comber

J. B. Ramie

S. C. Banks

I. D. Robertson

R. S. McKay

R. R. Robb

M. S. Webster

Cricket Vice-Captain-Athletics Captain— Athletics Vice-Captain— Junior Cricket Captain—

pasior Cricket Via-Captain--

A R. Webster J. C. Jamieson B. J. Hadden J. S. Raitt The inter-house rugby competition resulted in a victory for Dun, who narrowly defeated Keith in their final match. The inter-house hockey matches ended with Dun and Byron sharing first place. In a match between these two houses to decide the championship Byron secured the trophy by winning a x-o victory.

At cricket, Byron, with five of this year's tat XI, were surprisingly defeated by a comparatively weak Dun side, and in the only other inter-house cricket match played so far, Keith defeated Melvin.

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School Sporting Activities Athletics It is too early to forecast an outstanding year for the Athletic Club but several of the individual performances in the eliminating heats for the Annual Sports indicate that a few Group a and Group 3 records will be broken on 52 and 13 June. The general standard is fair, but enthusiasm, as shown by the biggest-ever entry, is good, especially in the Lower School where there is the usual 99f per cent. participation.

A representative team of nineteen boys has been selected to compete in the Scottish Schools' Athletic Championships at Goldenacre, Edinburgh on zo June.

Ronald Duncan in the Senior Group Shot Putt is the athlete most likely to gain a medal, whilst Robert McLeod and Robert Miller in Group 2 Hurdles, and Murray Bywater in Group 3 Hurdles and Broad Jump, should give a very good account of themselves.

This year's captain is Errol G. Anderson and Alistair P. Littlejohn is vicecaptain.

Although the Athletic term has been a short one this year, both organised training and preliminary heats for the Sports have been carried through without mishap. This can be attributed to the competence of Mr. J. C. Hunter and the able assistance of Mr. E. Hunter and Mr. W. D. Allardice. Now, we only hope that the weather will be kind to us and help to make our Athletic Sports as successful as in former years.

Swimming This year has been one of the most successful on record for School swimming.

The Middle School relay team provided an outstanding contribution by gaining sixth place in Scotland in the Sladcn Trophy competition. Their time of 2 min.

10.7 sec. for 4 X 5o yards was an excellent one. The following results in the R.L.S.S. tests pay tribute to Mr. Allardice's enthusiastic coaching:9 Elementary Life-saving Certificates, 9 Intermediate Life-saving Certificates, 9 Bronze Medallions and 1 Bronze Cross—awarded to T. C. Dutton of Middle Ills. In the Beginners' Classes 24 boys passed the 5o yards Elementary Certificate.

The Gala, the main event in the swimming year, was as usual a great success in spite of the fact that it was held on Friday, 13 February. Keith House won the Championship with Byron as runners-up. Errol Anderson, as becomes the Swimming Captain, won the Rector's Cup. Melville Watson and William Stevenson won the Middle and Lower School Medals respectively.

The general standard has not been high but the enthusiasm of the 169 members of the Club has been great and augurs well for the future. All that's lacking is the Pond I As always, thanks are due to the Messrs. Hunter, who seem to find time to take a keen interest in every individual boy, to Mr. Allardice for Life-saving classes and guidance in diving, to Mr. Gordon for his interest in the Beginners, and to all the other members of the staff who have helped to make it a good swimming year.

Tennis At a meeting of the School Tennis Section the following officials were elected:

Captain—H. McPherson; Vice-Captain—J. B. Rennie.

The outstanding feature of the season was the visit of the International Club of Great Britain on 13 May. The exhibitions given by J. Drobny must have been the finest tennis ever seen in Aberdeen. Drobny later paid our groundsman, Mr. Tyson, a great compliment by saying the courts at Rubislaw were " very good and very true ".

The School Tournament was again held during the May exams., when only boys of V and VI were able to compete. The tournament was won by J. B. Rennie, who defeated H. McPherson 12-1o, 7-5 in the final.

The School has already defeated the Boarding House and is looking forward to more matches before the all-important Masters v. Boys match. The F.P.s have re-formed their Tennis Section and we have had to give up the use of some of the courts at certain times.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

1 40

Rugby Once again weather conditions put a damper on the major games of the season which would certainly have extended the ist XV. Among the cancellations were the games against Heriot's and Watson's, two of the strongest Edinburgh teams.

Although the earlier part of the season was marred by injuries to players in the three-quarter line, the ist XV successfully weathered this period and completed the winter term on a triumphant note with meritorious wins over Paisley Grammar, Glasgow High and Morgan Academy.

Unfortunately, the majority of the ist XV boys are Sixth Year pupils, and reserve strength is comparatively weak. In future years therefore the School will have to look to the younger lads to maintain the high rugby standard and already many of them have proved themselves to be very capable players. This is due to the great ability of our three games masters, Mr. E. Hunter, Mr. J. C. Hunter and Mr. Allardice, in bringing the best out of a boy and we hope that their coaching will reap its just reward. tat XV Inter-School Results 1952 Sept. 27.

Oct. 4.

P9

"

•

8.

Nov. N "

If.

P9

22.

v. Dundee High School at Rubislaw v. Glasgow Academy at Glasgow . . v. Gordonstoun at Gordonstoun . . v. Dollar Academy at Dollar . v. Robert Gordon's College at Rubislaw v. Abbey School at Fort Augustus . . v. Perth Academy at Rubislaw •

•

•

•

•

•

•

• • • •

• • • .

• .

•

47-0 6-6 9-o 54-26 15-3 12-13 12-3

Won Drawn Won Lost Won Lost Won

Won . . 14-1o Feb. 321. v. Robert Gordon's College at Seafield 8-o • Won . „ 28. v. Paisley Grammar School at Paisley Won 11-3 .

Mar. 7. v. Glasgow High School at Rubislaw Won . . 27-6 „ z8. v. Morgan Academy at Rubislaw Played 11 ; Won 8; Drawn I; Lost 2; Points for, 175; Points against, 70.

• •

•

•

•

Who's Who in the not XV E. G. Anderson (Captain). 5 ft. i s i in.; i 1 st. 6 lb. Full back. Unassuming yet stylish. His powerful accurate kicking raked down the touchline to win many a game. Calm and unperturbed in face of the most ominous opposing attacks, he often attacked in defence with his exasperatingly excellent kicks or with his attempts to start a movement. He inspired the team with confidence by his consistent example which prevailed in the most anxious moments.

W. W. Hutchison (Vice-Captain). 5 ft. 8 in.; 1 i st. 3 lb. Well built and extremely determined runner with deceptive acceleration. Was moved from serum-half to centre during the season. Although he began uncertainly in this position, being inclined to run those few yards extra instead of passing the ball, he gradually gained confidence and added punch to the three-quarter line.

R. R. Comber. 5 ft. 8 in.; II st. 7 lb. Utility member of the team who moved from the scrum to centre and then to the right wing. His very powerful running often upset opposing wing men but his defence was not always secure as he indulged in reckless flying tackles.

J. B. Rennie. 5 ft. 8 in.; so st. 7 lb. Right centre three-quarter who was always dangerous when in possession. A speedy runner with a clever " dummy " ; many tries came from good openings he made for his wing man. On occasions, however, he had a tendency to kick ahead when a pass would have proved more profitable.

I. McLeod. 5 ft. to in.; 12 st. 8 lb. Left wing three-quarter who made a welcome return to the team after an unhappy lapse. Although he was not exceptionally fast, he always ran and played to the best of his ability and brought his man down low and hard. With a little more speed he could become a dangerous winger since he possesses the necessary weight and power to hand-off opponents.

School Section

14!

J. G. Lindsay. 5 ft. lx in.; 9 st. 8 lb. Stand-off half. Suffered an early mishap at the start of the season but on resuming in this position he continued to serve his three-quarters in his usual unselfish manner. Has an extremely safe pair of hands and always ready to cut through when the opportunity offered itself.

H. McPherson. 5 ft. so in.; io st. ; lb. Scrum-half. Moved into the team near the beginning of the season and so successfully filled this position that he remained there. His greatest asset was a long, accurate service. His slowness off the mark often involved him with opposing forwards but he was not afraid to tackle boys twice his size.

J. S. Milligan. 5 ft 1 r in.; x s st. 9 lb. Although not often to the fore, this front row forward was perhaps the most hard-working member of the pack. He was always up with every forward movement but sometimes tended to rush headlong into the fray instead of looking for a real opening.

R. W. Duncan. 6 ft. al in.; 14 st. 7 lb. Lock and leader of the forwards.

His height and weight proved a great asset in set scrums and line-outs. Was very fast for a forward and often forced himself over for a try but he was inclined to die with the ball instead of passing to a team-mate.

J. C. Chalmers. 5 ft. toi in.; 12 st. Powerful, thrustful front row forward who was exceptionally good in the loose. He surprised many people with his speed off the mark and gained many yards with strong, spirited runs from the midst of the scrum. His passing, however, was sometimes rather erratic.

S. R. Petrie. 5 ft. x1 in.; ix st. 7 lb. A young player whose rugby has improved with every game. Although still inexperienced, he has the makings of an excellent forward for next year. He is perfectly fit, a superb jumper in the line-out and always ready to "mix it" in the scrum.

L. A. Williamson. 5 ft. xojj in.; ix st. 8 lb. Very capable hooker who played intelligent, open rugby. Unfortunately he missed several games through illness but this did not affect his play and he continued to tackle and run in a wholehearted manner.

A. C. Reed. 5 ft. is in.; 12 st. 41b. Rather slow, ponderous prop forward who possessed the necessary weight for the scrum but was rarely outstanding in the loose. He would prove a much better player, were he to exert a littk more energy in line-outs and forward movements.

N. R. Johnston. 6 ft.; 12 St. 5 lb. Swift-footed wing forward, who was one of the more outstanding members of this year's team. Always ready to back up three-quarter and forward movements but he was inclined to hang about on the fringe of the scrum instead of helping to shove.

A. G. Littlejohn. 5 ft. si in.; x1 st. 6 lb. Speedy wing forward. Although rarely prominent, often thwarted opposing forward rushes with timely tackles and by fearlessly falling on the ball. With a little more dash he could be a very handy player.

Hockey The most striking feature of the season was the marked improvement in the play of the 1st XI from January onwards. This improvement sprang from a strengthening of the team's morale, which had been rather undermined by a series of defeats in the first term.

The team played some fine games against the " big guns"—notably a 2-2 draw against Aberdeen and an exciting holiday match against Ruthrieston in which the senior club just managed to snatch victory. Comfortable wins recorded against weaker senior clubs were 4-2 and ;-z victories over Training College and Robert Gordon's Technical College respectively. Against F.P.s " A ", the School forwards struck top form, scoring seven goals against F.P.s' one.

Interesting inter-school games were the matches with Abbey School, Fort Augustus (a new fixture), Fettes College and Gordonstoun School. In a drawn game with Abbey School at Rubislaw, the home team found difficulty in coping with their speedier opponents, and did well to hold them to a 1-1 draw in an enjoyable game. Against Fettes College, the Grammar forwards failed to penetrate

142

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

the powerful defence of the Edinburgh team and, though they played the more stylish hockey, the School XI were defeated by two goals. At Gordonstoun, as always, our team found difficulty in adapting their normally studied play to the bumpy, uneven pitch, and we had no answer to the hard, first-timing play of the Gordonstoun team, who piled on seven goals. The score, indeed, would have reached double figures, but for the performance in goal of Urquhart, who heroically stemmed the furious stream of shots which flashed in towards goal from all angles.

The Boys v. Masters match provided a rousing finish to the season, the latter maintaining their unbeaten record in a 4-4 draw.

Honour was brought to the School by the inclusion of J. S. Banks in several inter-district matches. We offer " Stu" our hearty congratulations and best wishes that he may further distinguish himself next season.

The Hockey Section can look forward with confidence to next session, when a lively Colts' team will provide good material for our znd XI, and when the present Fourth Year XI will bring some stylish recruits to the 1st XI. Thanks are due to Mr. Tyson, whose skill lay behind the preparation and care of our fine pitches.

Thumb-nail Sketches of Hat XI Personalities G. A. F. Urquhart.t His fine play inspired confidence in the whole team.

Displays a fine sense of judgment.

J. M. Holloway. A steady, consistent defender who is never flustered.

A. D. C. Grassie.* A cheerful, unassuming captain who always plays like a lion. Capable of mighty clearances.

R. M. Logan. A sound, reliable half with good positional sense.

A. Bremner.* Shows skilful generalship in the strategic centre-half position.

Shrewd in ball-distribution.

M. G. Dow. A stylish left-half with terrier-like tenacity.

J. S. Banks.** The " flying" winger with a devastating shot. When on top of his form, is up to international standard.

W. E. Lamont.* The " brains " of the forward line. A clever inside forward

who can score smartly as well as scheme.

A. F. Pringle.t A bustling centre who plays at full throttle all the time.

D. D. Morrison. An artful dribbler who excels in snapping opportunist goals.

J. R. Wight. A natural left winger with a most artistic style. Lost his selfconfidence in the last weeks of the season. ** Awarded Cap ; *Awarded Full Colours; t Awarded Half Colours.

S. B. H.

Cricket In keeping with tradition, a wintry start was made to the season and many of the early practices had to be abandoned. However, the square was firmer than expected and all games to date have been played without any interference from bad weather.

The cricket square, after a section of it had been re-turfed last year, has turned out perfect this season, and without boasting we can say that it is the finest square in Scotland, due entirely to Mr. Tyson's expert groundsmanship.

We are indebted to Aberdeenshire Cricket Club who kindly loaned us several excellent instructional cricket films. The effect of these films was clearly seen in our fine victories over Aboyne and Gordon's College.

We are very grateful indeed to Mr. Morrison and to Mr. Tyson for their sound advice and efficient umpiring.

The znd XI and the other School teams, although at times most unlucky, have been playing fine, attractive cricket.

School Section

143

sat XI Matches The first game of the 1953 season took place at Rubislaw on 25 April against A. J. M. Edwards's XI. R. H. E. Chisholm, the Aberdeenshire and Scottish opening batsman, gave the schoolboys a perfect exhibition in the art of batting in his stylish innings of 44 not out. Mr. Edwards's XI, a very attractive side, made the necessary 84 runs with only one wicket down.

School—83. (G. Murray, 33; E. G. Anderson, 14; G. Lindsay, rz.)

A. J. M. Edwards's XI-87 for x. (Murray, 1 for 36.)

The following week, School paid the usual enjoyable visit to Aboyne. They scored 1S7 for 4 wickets (declared). (J. Rennie, 47; D. E. Baird, 36 not out; I-I. McPherson, 3o; G. Lindsay, 28 not out.) Aboyne offered little resistance and were all out for 21, mainly due to our captain, G. Murray, who took 8 wickets for 5 runs, including a hat-trick with the first three balls of the innings. Lindsay took two wickets for no runs.

Our first inter-school match was with our rivals, Robert Gordon's College, at Rubislaw. School lost the toss and took the field in fine cricketing weather.

Gordon's started off well, and with some luck managed to add 42 for the first wicket before McKay, their captain, was run out. The score progressed slowly till it reached 95 for 5 wickets at 4.45 p.m., when the players went in for tea. When play commenced again, Gordon's lost their remaining wickets for very few runs despite a fine knock by A. Keir who scored 38. They were all out for t ra runs.

Murray was again in fine form, taking 6 for 38 in 24 ovcrs, while the remaining wickets went to Lindsay and Anderson.

School started brightly with Rennie and Black putting on 25 for the first wicket before the former played a ball from Johnston on to his wicket. School lost another two wickets cheaply, then a stand between Murray and Lindsay added 36 runs before the latter was out l.b.w., and after a few more runs had been added, Murray was also out I.b.w. Baird and Watt continued well bringing the score into the 9os before Baird was bowled. Watt followed soon after and this brought Anderson and Nicolson together. At this stage in the match there was great excitement, but with a few lusty hits Anderson took our score past that of our rivals to end a thrilling and keenly contested match in a victory for Grammar by i wickets.

Robert Gordon's College—xis: School—rr4 for 7 wickets. (Murray, 17; Rennie, 15; Lindsay, 15; Baird, 15; Anderson, 15 not out.)

University XI-5o (Anderson, 4 for 16); School—S; for 2 wickets (Rennie, 24).

The week after the University match the 1st XI travelled to Perth to play the Academy team. Perth decided to bat first and between several showers, which greatly reduced the playing time, made 6z for 8 wickets (declared). School were left with 38 minutes to score 63. They started brilliantly with an opening partnership of 42 runs in 50 minutes, Rennie scoring 34 of these with fine lusty hits.

Although 4 wickets fell, we won the game with ten minutes to spare.

This year Trinity College, Glenalmond, travelled to Rubislaw. This is always the match of the season, and the Grammar always look forward keenly to the game.

Murray won the toss for School and decided to bat first on a rather wet, but very well prepared wicket. The School batting was poor until Anderson and Watt came together in a fine stand of 49 runs. Watt made r 3 runs, and Anderson's fine knock ended after a brilliant Glenalmond catch. He scored 41 runs, including several fours and one six. School were all out for 85 runs.

Glenalmond commenced with an opening stand of 9 runs, but after this, the Grammar followed up their advantage well with good bowling and attractive fielding. Lindsay's fielding at cover was very good, and he took a brilliant catch to dismiss Mather, the Glenalmond captain. Murray's accurate bowling was well rewarded, his figures being 8 wickets for 39 runs in 21 overs. Lindsay's leg breaks and googlies were bowled accurately and he took 2 wickets for 24 runs.

Glenalmond were all out for 74 runs, and School won a keen and exciting game by 1 i runs.

Up to the time of writing School have won all their inter-school fixtures.

1

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

44

School Office-Bearers, 1952-53 E. G. ANDERSON D. G. CRICHTON A. F. FLORENCE A. S. HUNTER I. A. MoIR I. S. SMITH

Byron E. G. ANDERSON

Prefects ALEXANDER D. C. GRASSIE (Senior Prefect) I. W. D. BUXTON J. F. R. Bowin R. W. DUNCAN J. G. CRUICKSHANK J. A. M. HOLLOWAY B. D. M. Gaassicx A. G. LarmajonN C. S. A. W. LEvrrr L. J. C. RENNIE J. PACITIT D. V. S. WILLIAMSON L. A. WILLIAMSON D. S. WOOD House Captains Melvin Dun Keith B. D. M. GRASSICK A. G. Lrrri.EjoHN R. W. DUNCAN Rugby Football

Vice-Captain

. W. W. HUTCHISON

Vice-Captain

. J. G. LINDSAY

Captain

. E. G. ANDERSON

Captain

. G. MURRAY

Captain

. E. G. ANDERSON

Captain

. B. D. M. GRASSICK

President

Literary and Debating Society Vice-President . I. S. SMITH . J. G. CRUICKSHANK Secretary . A. D. C. GRASSIE

President

. A. S. HUNTER Via-President . A. F. FLORENCE Secretary . A. D. C. GRASSIE

President

. A. BREMNER

Cricket

Athletics

Vice-Captain

. A. G. LITTLEJOHN

Swimming

Vice-Captain

. E. G. ANDERSON

Dramatic Society

Rambling and Mountaineering Club

Vice-President . R. M. PRESHAW Secretary . D. S. WOOD

Scottish Schoolboys' Club

School Representative . E. G. ANDERSON Scripture Union

Secretary . I. A. Mout School Editors of the Magazine

Editor

Assistant Editor . J. C. CHALMERS . J. G. CRUICKSHANK Sports Editor . A. G. LITTLEJOHN

Former Pupils' Club Founded is September 1893

Annual General Meeting The fifty-first Annual General Meeting of the F.P. Club was held in the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, on 24 March 1953. Mr. Ian G. McPherson, VicePresident of the Club and Chairman of the Executive, was in the chair, and there were thirty-one members present.

Executive's Report for the Year The Secretary read the Report by the Executive for the year 1952, from which the following are excerpts:— MEMBERSHIP The following is an analysis of the membership of the Club as at z8 February 1953 with the corresponding figures as at 29 February 1952:-

29/2/52 z8/z/S3

Life Members Fully Partially Paid Paid 7098 221

1176

94

Ordinary Members 872

Honorary Members I2

871

II

Stab Members

Total

8 8

216o

221I

— —5 1 mow, The number of boys joining the Club on leaving School has decreased slightly.

LOSSES BY DEATH During the year the deaths of fifty-five F.P.s, of whom thirty were members of the Club, were reported. Among those who died were Mr. George Watson, a former president of the Club, and Sir Hubert Henderson, an honorary vicepresident. The Executive also regret to report that Thomas Scoular Campbell died on active service in Korea.

Three former members of the School staff, Miss Margaret J. Ledingham, Mr. James W. Collie and Mr. James C. Souttar, also died during the year and Mr. George E. Hay died early in 1953.

THE CLUB AND THE SCHOOL At the School Prize-giving in July 1952 the Club presented silver medals as usual for Geograhy, German and Spanish. The winner of the Club's All-Round Trophy and the John No Dawson Prize was Andrew S. Noble.

THE MAGAZINE Although the cost of production is high, the Executive are of opinion that the majority of members wish the Magazine to be retained in its present form and to be published twice yearly. They have decided accordingly.

CLUB CENTRES AND SECTIONS The various Centres and Athletic Sections continue to flourish. There are official Club Centres in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Yorkshire, Bengal and Assam and Malaya. Several meetings of F.P.s have been held in Southern Rhodesia and it is possible that an official Centre may be established there.

During the year the Executive approved of the formation of a Boarding House Section, membership of which is open to members of the Club who, when attending the School, resided in the Boarding House. The Section has as its principal aim the fostering of the interests of the present boarders.

SOCIAL The Annual Dinner was held in the Northern Hotel, Aberdeen, on Friday, 7 November 1952 when 154 members and guests were present. Sheriff J. A. Lillie, President of the Club, was in the chair. The Annual Ball was held in the 145 +78

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—1

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL Abstract of Revenue and Expenditure Account 1951 £106 13 0 183 5 0 39 16 0

REVENUE Ordinary Subscriptions received prior to January 1952 . .

Ordinary Subscriptions received m 1952 . . . . .

Arrears recovered in 1952

£329 14 113 5 26 18 236 10 6 6 444 16

. . .

Revenue from Investments (Gross) Surplus from Entertainments Account . . .

Member Capital Fund at 4 per cent. on Life Interest . . . .

Sales of " Roll of Honour " . . .

Deficit for year . . . . .

0 9 1 7 9 7i

•

. . .

£89 18 6 147 10 0 46 11 0

. .

• . .

£283 19 225 19 16 10 314 1 3 15 68 17

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

£1,157 11 91

6 6 3 2 () 1

£913 2 6

Balance Sheet as AND

CAPITAL £549 0 6

I. GENERAL. CAPITAL FUND

.

•

LIABILITIES • • •

.

•

£549 0 6

II. LIFE MEMBER CAPITAL FUND—

.

Amount at credit at 31 December 1951 Life Members' Subscriptions received in 1952 . . . . and Special Appeal Less—Transferred to Revenue and Expenditure . .

• . . .

Account 5,676 13 4

£5,676 13 4 2,174 17 0 £7,851 10 4 314

1

2 7,537

9 2

25 0 0

III. ENTERTAINMENTS SUSPENSE ACCOUNT• • • • Amount at credit

a

25 0

0

10 0 0

IV. CLUB DEVELOPMENT RESERVE ACCOUNT—Amount at credit .

10 0

0

.

•

V. ORDINARY SUBSCRIPTIONS PAID IN ADVANCE— Balance of Subscriptions received prior to 31 December 1951, applicable to future years Subscriptions received in 1952 applicable to • • . . . future years .

•

£60 16 6 142 0 0 202 16 6

150 15 0 4 3 8

VI. FUNDS OF CLUB SECTION IN ABEYANCE—Motor Section VII.

410 0 0

2 17 6 329 8 5

VI I 1 MAGAZINE— . . .

Advertisements prepaid Account due for December 1951 Magazine

100 0 0

IX. HONORARIA — Amount due to Sec. and Treas. and Editor of Magazine .

20 0 0 £7,277 18 5

3 8

£10 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 20U 0 0

10 Shares in Boarding House Co. Ltd. . . . . .

Legacy from Miss Alice Lamb . .

Legacy from Miss I. A. Anderson . .

Legacy from Miss Jessie A. M. Mackie .

125 Shares in Boarding House Co. Ltd. from . . . .

Wm. Paterson . .

125 Shares in Boarding House Co. Ltd. from . . . .

W. M. Alexander .

410 0 0

4

•

GIFTS AND LEGACIES-

X. POSTS—Amount

.

•

.

due to Secretary and Treasurer

.

•

•

7 0 0

•

• •

-

•

•

100

0 0

•

20

0 0

£8,865 9 10

FORMER PUPILS' CLUB for year ending 31 December 1952 EXPENDITURE 1951 . . . . . . . . . £144 1 9 Working Expenses 906 18 64 Magazine—Cost for year, less revenue from advertisements and sales . . .

• .

• • • 107 11 7 Miscellaneous Expenses

£246 12 0 558 14 0 107 15 6

£1,157 11 94

£913 2

6

at 31 December 1952 ASSETS £6,101 9 54

I. CASH IN HAND AND IN INVESTED FUNDS

. £7,688 8 64

.

.

II. CAPITATION GRANT-

46 7 6

Grant for 1953 paid in advance to London Centre

12 10

.

-

III. ADVANCE TO LONDON CENTRE-

5 0 0

Balance outstanding .

.

•

0

IV. 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 Deficit in Revenue and Expenditure Account for . . . year ending 31 December 1950 Deficit in Revenue and Expenditure Account for . . . year ending 31 December 1951

£217 19 10 143 13 7 224 3 5 26 12 0 444 16 74 £1,057 5 54

A dd—DEPtcrr in Revenue and Expenditure Account for year ending 31 December 1952 .

68 17 1

1,057 5 64

1,126 2 61

V. MAGAZINE-

42 16 0 25 0 0

Stock of Envelopes in hand Cash in Hands of Editor .

.

. .

.. ....

.

.

. .

13 8 9 25 0 0

ABERDEEN, 2nd March 1953.—We have examined the foregoing Revenue and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 December 1952 and relative Balance Sheet as at 31 December 1952, compared the figures with the vouchers, and found the Accounts correct. We are of the opinion that the annexed Balance Sheet correctly states the position of the Club as at 31 December 1952. 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 Auditors.

245 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

£7,277 18 6

£8,865 9 10

148

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, on Friday, z6 December 195z and was attended by 397 members and guests.

Arrangements have been made for the 1953 Dinner to be held in the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, on Friday, 23 October and for the Annual Ball to be held in the Beach Ballroom on Monday, 28 December.

LIFE MEMBER CAPITAL FUND APPEAL The response to the appeal to Life Members of the Club to make a donation to the Life Member Capital Fund of the difference between the subscription which they paid and the sum of Lxo, so that the Club might derive considerably more benefit annually from the interest on the Fund and from capital redemption, has been quite successful. To date a sum of £1876 1 zs. has been contributed by 375 Life Members.

GIFTS TO THE CLUB During the year two members of the Club, Mr William Paterson, Abington, and Dr. W. M. Alexander, Aberdeen, each donated to the Club their holding of 125 shares in the F.P. Boarding House Company.

Reports from Section Representatives Mr. N. I. W. Mcldrum reported that the Rugby Section had a record membership of eighty-two during season 195z-53. He stated that the pitch facilities at Rubislaw were now quite inadequate in view of the large number of F.P.s who were playing rugby in addition to the many School teams. Use had had to be made of pitches at Hazlehead and elsewhere. For the Hockey Section Mr. R. P. Wishart stated that they were having great difficulty in obtaining recruits from among the boys leaving School. The report of the Cricket Section was read by Mr. A. J. M. Edwards on behalf of Mr. A. M. Davidson. He stated that, as a result of the Fair held in March 1952, the financial position of the Section was satisfactory in the meantime. During the 195 3 season one team would be participating in the Strathmore Union Competition and another in the Aberdeenshire Grade. Islr. G. A. C. Walker stated that the average number attending the meetings of the Golf Section was about fifty. It was reported that the membership of the new Boarding House Section was fifty-three.

Treasurer's Report The Treasurer submitted the Accounts of the Club for the year ended 35 December 1952. He reported that for the sixth successive year there had been a deficit in the Revenue and Expenditure Account but that the effect of the contributions during the year to the Life Member Capital Fund had not yet been fully felt. These contributions were being invested and the revenue from investments in 5953 and future years should be considerably increased. There had also been one or two non-recurring expenses during the year. The Accounts (see pages 546 and 547) were approved.

Office-Bearers for r953-54 The honorary president, Mr. J. J. Robertson, was unanimously re-elected.

On the call of the chairman, Mr. Robertson was sincerely thanked for all his good work, not only for the School but also for the Club, and special mention was made of the invaluable assistance given by Mr. Robertson in bringing the activities of the Club to the notice of boys leaving School. All the surviving honorary vicepresidents were re-elected and the retiring president, Mr. J. A. Lillie, was added to their number. The Secretary was instructed to express to Mr. Lillie the Club's high appreciation of his services as president during his year of office.

Dr. W. Douglas Simpson was unanimously appointed president for the year 1953-54. It was stated that the Club's diamond jubilee fell to be celebrated this year and that the appointment of Dr. Simpson to the office of which his father, the late Dr. H. F. Morland Simpson, bad been the first holder, was particularly appropriate. Tribute was also paid to Dr. Douglas Simpson's distinguished

Former Pupils' Club

149

contribution to the study of local history, archaeology and allied subjects and also to his enthusiastic service in the Boy Scout Movement over a period of many years.

Mr. Maurice Cramb was appointed vice-president of the Club and chairman of the Executive, and Mr. Cramb then took the chair. His first duty, he said, was the pleasant one of thanking his predecessor, Mr. Ian G. McPherson, for all that he had done for the Club during the past two years and throughout his service on the Executive. Mr. Joseph R. Carry was appointed vice-chairman of the Executive and Messrs. J. Scott MacLachlan and Alan C. R. Watt were re-appointed honorary secretary and treasurer and editor of the Magazine respectively. It was intimated that the three members of the Executive who retired by rotation were Messrs. M. C. Ross, I. L. Smith and W. G. Thow. To fill these vacancies and also the vacancy arising from Mr. Cramb's appointment as chairman, Messrs. G. E. C. Barton, Ian G. McPherson, J. S. G. Munro and Douglas G. Patterson were elected after a ballot. (The full list of office-bearers is given on pages 159 and r6o.)

Messrs. Bower & Smith, chartered accountants, were re-appointed auditors of the Club Accounts and it was unanimously agreed that the secretary should write to them on the occasion of their having completed fifty years as the Club's auditors, expressing high appreciation of their services. Colonel J. P. Jeffrey was re-appointed auditor of the accounts of the Sections.

Proposed New Sections Mr. A. M. Hardie asked whether the Tennis Section could be revived and it was explained that, if a sufficient number of members of the Club were interested, the Executive would strongly support the proposal. It was stated that facilities at the Rubislaw Tennis Courts could be made available for F.P.s as soon as a properly constituted Section had been re-formed. The formation of a Swimming Section was proposed by Mr. James Rcid and it was suggested that he should gather together any members who were likely to be actively interested in this new Section, and that a meeting should thereafter be held with a view to drawing up a constitution and electing officials.

The Rector's Remarks The meeting was then addressed by the Rector, who referred to the complaint made by Mr. Meldrum of the Rul5by Section with regard to the increasing inadequacy of playing space at Rubislaw. Mr. Robertson said that similar difficulties were being experienced in many schools in different parts of Scotland.

The problem at the School was eased to some extent by the Education Committee's obtaining facilities for hockey at Mannofield but, he stated, there was no doubt that the problem would have to be faced in the near future and that efforts made on behalf of the School would certainly require the backing of the Club. Mr. Robertson also referred with gratification to the very generous bequest from the late Mr. George Watson (see page 81) which would be of very great benefit to certain boys at the School.

Bengal and Assam Centre The annual golf match of the Centre was held over the course of the Royal Calcutta Golf Club on Friday, 3 April 1953, when the following took part:— I. C. Barclay (1921-23), R. H. Duguid (1918-23), W. G. Macmillan (7916-22), A. L. Simpson (1916-25), and H. B. Scott (1905-08). The competition was against bogey for a beer tankard presented by the president of the Centre, R. H. Duguid, who very cleverly won it himself 1 Thereafter the company, together with Peter Crombie (1919-24), R. M. Bonner (1922-28) and C. M. Young (19341936), were the guests of the president at tiffin.

Glasgow Centre The Annual Dinner of the Centre is to be held in the Grosvenor Restaurant, Glasgow, on Friday, 20 November 1953.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

15o

London Centre The Annual Dinner of the London Centre was held in Brown's Hotel, W.t, on II December 1952.

The toast of " The School and Club " was proposed by MR. ERIC LINKI.ATER, who said he would not take a nostalgic view of his schooldays, as was all too commonly done. Instead he pointed ahead to the School's seven hundredth anniversary, due in four years' time. " Let the Former Pupils make the School a birthday present of freedom ", he suggested.

Earlier he had abhorred the present tendency to uniform impersonality in the Town Council's management of the School. He thought it might lose thereby its influence and mission throughout the whole of the North of Scotland. He claimed that the working of the School was not the business of parents, ratepayers and town councillors but of the Rector and the masters. He reminded us that this was not the first time in the School's long history that the Town Council had robbed it of its rights. In the seventeenth century the Gilcomston Lands had been plundered and, if former pupils agitated for the return of the accumulated dues on that property, the School could be re-endowed and its proper status in the North of Scotland re-established. That could be our birthday present of freedom, and a fitting crown to seven hundred years of achievement.

SIR ARTHUR LOTHIAN deputised at very short notice for Mr. J. A. Lillie, president of the Club, in replying to the toast. He paid a tribute to the Rector who was, he said, dealing admirably with the difficult problem of relations with the Council.

LORD ALNESS, president of the Centre, in replying to the toast of his health proposed by Ma. A. G. ESSLEMONT, announced that he would resign his office at the end of his present period of tenure (October 19S3). Recognition that Lord Alness's long and distinguished service to and for the Centre had more than earned him relief from his duties as president could not still the regretful voices of members, reluctant to part with their much-loved friend.

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 :F. P. Morton (1882-94).

1884. Lord Alness (1884-85), Robert Inkster (1884-88).

1892. Sir Arthur Lothian (1892-94 and 1898-1904).

1899. A Landsborough Thomson (1899-1908).

290o. R. D. Lawrence (1900-09).

1905. H. G. Edwards (1905-14), A. B. Valentine (1905-II).

1906. D. S. Stewart (1906-18).

1908. Gilbert J. Anderson (1908-21), J. H. Bell (1908-14), Sir James Crombie (1908-21), A. G. Esslemont (1908-20), C. S. McLeod (1908-20).

1909. F. S. Anderson (1909-12).

191o. G. T. Simpson (1920-20), E. S. Willow (1920-17).

1911. A. A. Bamet (1911-19), W. A. Mitchell (1911-22).

1922. J. W. Benzie (1912-19).

1913. Eric Linklater (1913-16), Thomas Robertson (1913-29), P. C. B. Shirreffs (1913-16).

1915. G. W. Bowes (1915-28), L. Don Robertson (1915-16).

1916. Walter Graham (1916-19).

1918. J. C. Bell (1918-24).

1919. J. H. L. Innes (1919-23), D. S. S. Mart (1919-32).

192o. W. P. Smith (192o-25).

1921. George J. Anderson (1921-28), E. B. Bright (1921-31), I. H. Storrie (1921-

188z.

1926).

1922.

1923.

2926.

1927.

1928.

1929.

D. J. G. Sherman (1922-26).

J. R. W. Catto (1923-36), A. H. K. Slater (1923-35).

J. K. Colley (1926-35).

D. J. Calder (1927-31), Ninian Mackie (1927-37).

K. M. Bell (1928-34).

D. P. Bruce (1929-35), G. L. McEwen (1929-35).

Former Pupils' Club

15 I

The fourth Annual Dance was held in the Paviour's Arms, Page Street, S.W.S. on 6 March 5953. As in former years this function was run in conjunction with the London Branch of the Aberdeen High School F.P. Club but for the first time F.P.s of the School and the " High" were joined by the London Gordonians.

The Dance was attended by about forty-five couples. * * * The Annual Dinner next season is to be held on Thursday, so December 5 953.

The principal guests are to be Sir Patrick Ashley Cooper, Dr. W. Douglas Simpson (the new president of the Club) and the Rector.

Edinburgh Centre The Annual Dinner was held on Friday, 27 February 1953 in the George Hotel, Edinburgh. The president of the Centre, MR. DOUGLAS JOHNSTON, Q.C., M.P., was in the chair and the principal guest was MR. R. C. WATT, Rector, The Edinburgh Academy, who was himself at the School in 19°8-09. MR. J. A. LILLIE, president of the parent Club, and two former presidents, LORD MACKAY and MR. J. G. KYD, were also present and Mr. J. J. ROBERTSON, Rector of the School, was among the guests. Other guests included Lord Birnatn, Sir James Fiddes and the Rev. Dr. Alexander Irvine Pine, president of the Edinburgh Gordonians. " THE SCHOOL AND THE CLUB " The principal toast was proposed by Mr. R. C. Watt, who said that he had recently returned to Scotland after a long sojourn in England [he was a master at Rugby for twenty-five years] and that it was not for him to pontificate about Scottish education in the presence of the master of the subject (Mr. Robertson).

He had, however, been immensely conscious since his return of the admirable quality of the teaching—by which he meant the quality of the teachers as persons rather than the abstract expression " teaching ". He recalled the old class-masters, who took boys from the age of eight to the " advanced" age of fourteen or fifteen and then handed them over to the Rector, and regretted the passing of these old class-masters who had had to give way to specialist masters. There was a danger in specialisation that the subject tended to loom larger than the general process of education. " The boy goes from subject A to subject B and from master A to master B and there is nobody to him make realise that these things are linked together.

That is a pity. Just whose job it is to make the boy realise that they arc linked together is hard to discover and apply in practice."

Mr. Watt went on to say that it was important that everyone, whatever type of school he was attached to, should do his utmost to prevent any injudicious infringement of academic freedom. In his opinion, helping to ensure the independence of the rector and his staff should be one of the chief functions of a former pupils' club to-day.

In the course of his reply for the School, Mr. Robertson reported that last session had been marked by great scholastic success and quite exceptional prowess and triumph in the realm of sport. The year had also seen much improvement in the fabric and furnishing of the School. Paradoxically, the Corporation of Aberdeen seemed to have spent more money on the Grammar during the past five years than for about a generation before, with the result that parents were getting remarkably good value in staffing and equipment for the fees they no longer paid I rhc Rector went on to say that in the course of a recent inquiry into educational endowments in Aberdeen, two unfortunate impressions might well have been conveyed. One was that the Grammar School was now almost wholly bereft of high scholastic ability, an impression which, in view of the School's excellent showing both in the Bursary Competition and in final examinations at the University, was simply nonsensical. Such a distorted picture could emerge only because the inquiry was concerned with recruitment at twelve and took no account of our own Lower School which, as in the past, was still the main source of our academic strength. Aberdeen folk might have been left, too, with the impression that boys coming to us at the secondary stage from the primary schools were not

152

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

welcomed, because they were not in general of the highest intellectual calibre.

Of no school could that be less truly said than of ours. He himself could think of few things more appalling than a school consisting solely of highly selected pupils, and it would indeed be a bad day for the Grammar, if the warmth of its welcome ever became delicately adjusted to the height of the I.Q. I Referring to the very generous bequest by the late Mr. George Watson (see page 81), the Rector applauded the direction that the money be used to promote higher education in commerce rather than academic studies, since the latter had been so much more adequately endowed in the past. It was a weakness of Scottish education that it had been so prone to direct every lad o' pairts to one or other of the professions, when all the time the higher reaches of commerce and industry gave the really able boy great scope not merely for personal advancement but also for the service of his generation.

SHERIFF LILLIE replied to the toast on behalf of the Club. He suggested that at the time of the School's Sept-Centenary Celebrations there should be published a volume containing a record of the achievements of alumni of the School in the many walks of life in which they were prominent. Such a book would be an inspiration to the present and future generations of boys.

The toast of " The Guests" was proposed by DR. A. B. DONALD and Ma. ALAN WArr replied. MR. F. S. TAYLOR proposed the toast of " The Chairman ".

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 (1882-91).

1884. J. W. Milne (1884-95).

1891. J. G. Kyd (1891-98).

1893. J. A. Lillie (1893-1903).

1903. D. S. Walker (1903-16).

1908. R. C. Watt (1908-O9).

19ii. J. Lindsay Duncan (1911-24).

1913. D. H. Johnston (1913-26).

1914. J. H. Davidson (1914-19).

1922. A. B. Donald (1922-28).

1923. W. F. Mayor (1923-30), F. S. Taylor (1923-28).

1924. J. R. Fiddcs (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), L. S. Rusack (19261937).

1932. D. K. Cameron (1932-35).

1939. W. 0. Pattullo (1939-41). lion. Member. J. J. Robertson (Rector). * * * At the Annual General Meeting of the Centre, held during the course of the Dinner, the following office-bearers were appointed for 1953-54:— President—E. Ros Birkctt.

Vice-President—F. S. Taylor.

Secretary and Treasurer—Allan C. Frazer.

Committee—D. K. Cameron, J. R. L. Cruickshank, J. H. Davidson, D. M. C. Donald J. R. Fiddes and W. 0. Pattullo.

Malayan Centre W. FERRIER MAYOR (1923-30), M.A., the secretary of the Malayan Centre since its resuscitation in 1946, has had to give up his career in the Far East for reasons of health (see page 92). He has accordingly had to give up his post as secretary of the Centre and he has been succeeded by W. Scorr GiLcimisr (1929-36), B.L., of Messrs. Bannon & Bailey, solicitors and advocates, Laidlaw Building, Kuala Lumpur. He reports that a very small unofficial " reunion" was held earlier this year at which Captain George F. Esson (1894-1903), Master of the Lan Tao (which was then discharging at Port Swettenham), acted as host to James B. F. Smith (1928-37), a customs officer at Port Swettenham, and himself.

The new secretary hopes to arrange an official Reunion Dinner later in the year.

Former Pupils' Club

15 3

F.P. Golf Section The 1953 season of the Golf Section opened with the usual full day's golf at Ballatcr, and for the seventh year in succession we were favoured with beautiful weather. Some excellent scores were returned and some familiar faces appeared at the prize table, despite the constant vigilance of the handicapping committee.

The morning round consisted of Medal Play for the usual prizes, which were won as follows:— E. Buthlay .

Best Scratch Score— . . . . .

• 72 Bert Net Scores— W. Bryce . . . . .

Handicaps s-is— 7=67 . 74— H. J. Stewart . . . . . 74— 6=68 Handicaps Ix and over— D. G. Patterson .

J. S. G. Munro .

A. Gray . .

R. R. Russell .

Guests' Prize--

J. Argo

.

.

. . .

•

. . .

•

. . .

•

. . .

•

.

.

.

. 95-22=69

85-22=63 87-20=67 93-24=69 93-2 4=69

In the afternoon the Stableford Competition was held for the Tankard presented by Dr. Allison and Dr. Fowlie, and we are again indebted to these gentlemen for providing the prizes for all the other winners in this Competition:— zst J. G. Kilgour 46 points 44 points znd G. E. C. Barton 43 points 3rd E. Buthlay J. S. G. Munro 4th 41 points Our best thanks are due to Mrs. M. G. Gibb for presenting the Stableford Mug to J. G. Kilgour; no doubt our Insurers are quite relieved to hear that the Mug successfully survived the tortuous route from the Northern Hotel to Queen's Road 1 A second meeting was held at Aboyne on 7 June, and further outings this season have been arranged as follows:— Aboyne 13 September Ballatcr 4 October I should like to take this opportunity of reminding all F.P.s home on leave that they will he very welcome at any of our outings.

H. G. STEPHEN, Hon. Secretary.

F.P. Tennis Section The Tennis Section has officially been re-formed after a lapse of many years.

The opening meeting was held at Rubislaw on Saturday, 16 May x953, and since then the membership has increased satisfactorily.

At a meeting held on 6 April, the following office-bearers were elected:— Captain—James W. Howison; Hon. Secretary—Brian D. M. Grassick; Hon. Treasurer—Alexander M. Hardie; Committee Members—J. Fenton Wyncss and George L. Fraser.

It is hoped to arrange fixtures with clubs in Aberdeen and outlying districts.

So far the response is youthful and enthusiastic and the Section would welcome F.P.s who have not yet been notified of its re-formation.

The Singles Cup Championship will be held during June and, as the courts are in excellent condition, the Section should have a very pleasant summer session.

The secretary's address is 395 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

B. D. M. GRASSICK, Hon. Secretary.

15 4

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

F.P. Rugby Section The season just finished could well be described as a " might have been ".

I indicated in the last Magazine that I considered there were the makings of a very good side in the 1st XV but that only experience was lacking. I looked forward to good results in the second half of the season. My forecast proved true up to a point and during the early part of the month of December a first class victory was achieved in Aberdeen against Glasgow Academicals and, on the following Saturday, Glasgow University, who have had one of their best seasons for many years, were held to a draw in Glasgow. Unfortunately thereafter, owing to the fact that several 1st XV players were forced temporarily to give up playing on account of examinations and injuries, a full strength side was rarely fielded and there were some disappointments, especially the game against Glasgow High School F.P.s, when the Section was forced to send an exceptionally weak side south. As a result the team was, of course, heavily defeated.

On the bright side of the picture, however, I have to record the biggest victory over Gordonians for several seasons, a good victory over Musselburgh and the overwhelming of Midland opposition on the two occasions on which it was met.

The and XV naturally suffered from the many alterations which had to be made in the ist XV and accordingly it is pleasant indeed to report that they had victories over Moray, who were the winners of the Brin Cup competed for by all teams in the Highland area, and also Centralians, who had earlier in the season claimed a victory over Gordonians. They also overwhelmed Gordonians and XV. The 3rd XV were equivalent in strength to the and XVs of Aberdeenshire and Wanderers.

In the seven-a-side tournaments the Section met with mixed success. The Elgin trophy was won again, for the fourth successive season, but only after an exceedingly close game with Aberdeenshire in the semi-final, where the F.P. Seven were behind on three occasions before winning by it points to 9. At Inverness the Seven completely failed to hit form and were beaten in the second round by Highland. At Aberdeen, however, the F.Y. Seven looked winners right from their first appearance and, playing beautiful rugby, went on to retrieve the trophy which had been lost last season for the first time since the war. In the final Perthshire Academicals were easily beaten by 19-o.

The record of the Section in the North of Scotland tournaments since the war has been remarkable. They have won is and been finalists in 2 other of 17 tournaments in which they have competed. Such success has not come by accident but by hard work and training. A remarkable feature is that they have not been beaten in seven-a-side tournaments by any Aberdeen club since 1945.

As I have said, the season 1952-53 has not quite reached expectations, but there was a considerable improvement on the previous season. The Club finished eighth in the unofficial Scottish Championship, compared with bottom place in 1951-52. The Club is the only one north of the Tay included in this championship and a percentage of approximately 34 per cent. was obtained in games against the senior south clubs included in the championship. Hopes are too often unfulfilled and I do not like to prophesy, but there seems to be really good hope of a good side next season.

The Annual General Meeting was held on 15 May 5953 when the following officials were elected for season 1953-54:— Hon. President—Colonel H. S. Tawse; Captain—D. N. George-son; ViceCaptain—J. S. Sutherland; Hon. Secretary—N. I. W. Meldrum; Hon. Treasurer— J. M. Melvin.

Fixtures are being arranged for four teams for the season and it is hoped that there will be a good recruitment of members from School and also from among F.P.s on demobilisation. The 1st XV fixture-list is similiar to that of last season: owing to the cost of travel, it is not at present practicable to arrange more fixtures with teams from the south. The 2nd XV fixture-list has been strengthened and a notable new fixture for them is with Edinburgh Northern 1st XV. The following colours awards were made for season 1952-53:— Full.—W. D. Allardice, E. Craig, E. H. Cruickshank, D. N. Georgcson, I. Stuart, J. S. Sutherland.

School Rugby 1st XV—Season 1952-53

Itraeban Standing—Mr. E. Hunter (Games Master), J. C. Chalmers, A. G. Littlejohn, K. R. Petrie, R. W. Duncan, N. R. Johnston, L. A. Williamson, I. McLeod, A. C. Reed.

Siiting—J. G. Lindsay, R. R. Comber, W. W. Hutchison (Vice-Captain), E. G. Anderson (Captain), J. B. Rennie, H. McPherson, J. S. Milligan.

F.P. Rugby Section 1st XV-Season x 95 2-5 3

Strarban

B. Nicolson (lion. Treasurer), W. M. Brown, 1. Stuart. VG. D. Brooker, C. D. Mowat, M. G. Lyall, P. B. Forbes, D. R. Grieve, S. McPherson, N. 1. W. Me!drum (Hon. Secretary).

Sitting—T. G. Smith, J. S. Sutherland (Teams Secretary), E. H. Cruickshank (Vice-Captain), D. N. Georgeson (Captain), W. D. Allardice, S. Monro, B. S. Gray.

Standing—G.

Former Pupils' Club

5 55

Half.—W. M. Brown, P. B. Forbes, B. S. Gray, M. G. Lyall, S. McPherson,

S. Monro, C. D. Mowat, T. G. Smith.

The teams' records last season were as follows:— 1st XV and XV 3rd " A " XV • 3rd" B"

P. z6 18

18 7

W. sz so 7 5

D. 4 1 — —

L.

For

Points Against

so 7 11 z

373 273

2 36 zoo

rat XV Results 5952 Dec. 6. v. Watsonians at Rubislaw . . . .

53. V. Glasgow Academicals at Rubislaw „ • • zo. v. Glasgow University at Westerlands . .

11 27. v. Boroughmuir F.P.s at Rubislaw . . .

1953 Jan. 57. v. Hutcheson's Grammar School F.P.s at Rubislaw 24. v. Morgan Academy F.P.s at Rubislaw . „ .

35. v. Aberdeen University at Rubislaw . . .

Feb. 7. v. Centralians at Chanonry . . . .

I. V. Glasgow High School F.P.s at Old Anniesland Mar.27. v. Aberdeen Wanderers at Rubislaw . . >, 14. v. Gala at Netherdale . . . . .

Pf zit. v. Dundee High School F.P.s at Rubislaw .

28. v. Musselburgh at Rubislaw . . . .

Apr. 15. v. Gordonians at Linksfield . . . .

.

• . .

3-so Lost 9- 3 Won 3- 3 Drawn 6-17 Lost

. .

3- 5 Drawn 43- 8 Won 6-io Lost 57- 3 Won 6-44 Lost 54- 6 Won 6-zo Lost 51- o Won 6- o Won 3o- 5 Won

. . . . .

N. I. W. MELDRUM, Hon. Seeretary.

F.P. Cricket Section At the Spring Meeting held on z9 March, the following officials were elected:— Strathmore XI Captain—A. M. Davidson; Vice-Captain--I. Stuart; Grade XI Captain—A. H. 'ruses; Via-Captain—C. Clark; Hon. Secretary—A. M. Davidson; Hon. Mateb Seeretary—C. Clark; Hon. Treasurer—C. H. Webster.

It is with pleasure that I have to report that both the 1st and znd XIs have started the season with great promise. In the Strathmore Union we have played four games to date, of which two have been won, one drawn and one lost. We have yet to face the " big guns " in the Union, but it is hoped that this encouraging start will prove to be an incentive for future successes.

The znd XI have now been re-admitted to the Aberdeenshire Cricket Association and, although it has been necessary to place the XI in Grade III, we have been fortunate in that the majority of fixtures have been arranged at Rubislaw Field. Our XI have won all three League games played to date, and under their indomitable captain, A. H. Innes, they go from strength to strength each Saturday.

If this standard is maintained, the side should have no difficulty in winning promotion to Grade II next season.

It is too early in the season to comment on individual performances, but it is gratifying to see our regular players again with us this year, although unfortunately we have lost temporarily the services of K. J. Peters, last year's captain, due to business commitments.

Enthusiastic support has been given to the Section from all players this season, which no doubt is due in part to the participation of both XIs in competitive cricket; nevertheless a cordial invitation is extended to all Former Pupils who enjoy an afternoon's cricket to join the Section. They are assured that, whether they play in the 1st or and XIs, they will have excellent wickets, and that their added support will help greatly to make this season a most successful and enjoyable one.

A. M. DAVIDSON, Hon. Secretary.

15 6

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine

F.P. Hockey Section The second half of the season was less successful than the first. The 1st XI finished third in the local league. At one point it looked as though they might run out victors, but an unexpected but well deserved defeat at the hands of Centralians made that impossible.

In the local six-a-side tournament F.P.s " A" were defeated by F.P.s " B " in a marathon semi-final. The latter then went on to be beaten by University.

There is hope, however, that an F.P. team will go forward to the Scottish six-a-side tournament to be held in Edinburgh on 27 June as part of the Coronation celebrations.

The and XI have given us much anxiety this season due to a shortage of players, but towards the end of the season they showed much more enthusiasm due to the advent of some new players. If the improvement is maintained next season, the team should meet with more success.

Colours have been awarded to the following:— T. Craig, R. L. Cromar, W. Dick and D. Nelson.

R. P. Wisnaar, Hon. Secretary.

New Members of the Club 15 November 1952-15 May x953 ORDINARY MEMBERS Crockham Hill, Eden Bridge, Kent.

(5895-1907), Greig William Bannochie, Brebner, Clive (1943-52), West Sefton, Bieldside, Aberdeenshire.

Bruce, Brian Mitchell (1947-52), 13 Chapel Street, Aberdeen.

Bruce, Irvin (1946-52), zr Devanha Gardens East, Aberdeen.

Cay, David Robert Bellamy (1935-46), M.A., LL.B., Sunnyside House, Hazlehead, Aberdeen.

Chapman, Douglas Harry (1936-48), 49 Catherine Street, Aberdeen.

Christie, Francis George (1948-52), 5 Canal Street, Mounthooly, Aberdeen.

Clark, Charles Alexander (1932-37), M.A., 52 Salisbury Terrace, Aberdeen.

Craigmyle, Roy McKay (1946-52), 38 Thistle Street, Aberdeen.

Davie, Ian George (1948-50, 36 Fauld's Gate, Aberdeen.

Donald, Michael Kilgour (1941-52), 48 Momingfield Road, Aberdeen.

Duffus, Harold Watt (1908-14), B.Sc., 274 King's Gate, Aberdeen.

Freeland, Brian William (1942-52), 105 Oscar Road, Aberdeen.

Gre.ig, James, Junr. (1945-48), 84 Holburn Street, Aberdeen.

Hay, Major John Rae (1950-13), 5 Cheam Mansions, Cheam. Surrey.

Henderson, Terence George (1944-50), 25 Murray Terrace, Aberdeen.

Herd, James Howie (1929-42), Shanzie, Alyth, Perthshire.

Hunter, Alasdair Grant Walker (19w-52), 7o Main Street, Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada.

Jack, Ian Patrick Strain (1948-51), 33 Grampian Road, Torry, Aberdeen.

Laing, George Skene (5938-49), 74 Thomgrove Avenue, Aberdeen.

McBain, Alan Gordon (1941-50), 7 Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen.

Milne, Ian McDonald (1938-52), S7 View Terrace, Aberdeen.

Milne, Jack Norman (1946-53), 15 Ashley Park North, Aberdeen.

Munro, Hamish McDonald (1940-51), to Oakhill Road, Aberdeen.

Robertson, George Reginald (1921-22), Misty Acres, Winterskloof, Natal, South Africa.

Scott, Neil MacCallum (1942-50), Demcleugh, Cults, Aberdeenshire.

Wilts, Denys James (1933-41), 6 Croft Gardens, Ruislip, Middlesex.

Young, Colin Macpherson (1934-36), c/o Andrew Yule and Company Ltd., 8 Clive Row, Calcutta, India.

OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS OF SPORTS GOODS TO SCHOOLS AND YOUTH CLUBS

CRICKET or

BADMINTON Or

anything you require in Sports Goods can be supplied from our comprehensive selection

Badminton and Tennis repairs or re-stringing completed within 24 hours also

Golf and Cricket repairs EXPERT WORKMANSHIP

Open Saturday 6.30 p.m.

imp,sons' SPORTS ' EMPORIUM 28. BRIDGE'ST

4 BERDEEN

(Corner of Bath Street)

'Phone 21094

Aberdeen Grammar School F.P. Club Boarding House Co. Ltd. GRAMMAR SCHOOL HOUSE JUNIOR HOUSE

SENIOR HOUSE 8

QUEEN'S

6

ROAD

QUEEN'S

ROAD

ABERDEEN

The Houses arc 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 it 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

Mr. DUNCAN M. ANNAND, M.B.E.

Under House Master

Mr. JAMES D. MORRISON

Matrons MISS HELEN OGILVIE

Miss MARGARET T. HEGGIE

For Application Forms and further particulars apply to the Secretary of the Company, Mr. JAMES C. DUFFUS, Advocate, 7 Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Former Pupils' Club

1 57

F.P. Club Consuls There has been the following change in the roll of Club Consuls since December 1952:— Resignation Singapore—WILLIAM FERRIER MAYOR (1923-30), M.A. (See page 92.)

The full roll is now as follows:-

AFRICA Egypt—ALEXANDER GEORGE WALKER (1906-20), cfo Northern Assurance Company Limited, St. Mark's Building, P.O. Box 1695, Alexandria.

Gold Coast—EDGAR REUBEN GAULD (1917-23), M.B., M.R.C.P., Medical Specialist, Sekondi Hospital, Sekondi, Gold CrNst, B.W.A. Kenya--GRAEME GEORGE SUTHERLAND (1903-09), P.O. Box tooz, Nairobi, Kenya Colony.

Northern Rhodesia—JouN MANSON SLEIGH (1914-16), B.Sc., M.Inst.C.E., c/o John Howard & Company (Africa) Limited, Great North Road. Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia.

Portuguese East Africa—MARSHALL KEITH DUGUID (1919-29), c/o 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 (1895-190I), M.A., B.A., Drumoak, Greenfield Road, Kenilworth, Cape Town.

Cape Province (East London)—JAsaus MELVIN (1904-1o), C.B.E., M.C., T.D., M.B., Ch.B., 44 Queen Street, Cambridge, East London, Cape Province.

Natal—FRANK BRUCE FARQUHARSON DUGUID (1919-26), 8 Lambert Road, Durban.

Transvaal—JOHN EWAN HENDERSON (1884-87), P.O. Box 4466, Johannesburg.

AMERICA Canada Alberta—DOUGLAS HARPER (1888-98), M.A., B.L., 609 Tegler Building, Edmonton, Alberta.

British Columbia—WILLIAM ERNEST Mn..NE (1881-90), c/o Milne & Middleton.

137 West Pender, Vancouver, B.C. (Private address—I837 19th Avenue West, Vancouver.)

Manitoba-JOHN DUGUID CRUICKSHANK (1899-1904), The Canadian Bank of Commerce, Personal Loan Department, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Ontario—ROBERT FLEMING (1891-98), Wood Fleming & Company, Royal Bank Building, Toronto 2, Ontario.

QUebeC—NORMAN MACKINNON (1907-16), B.Sc.(For.), 4095 Cote des Ncigcs Road, Montreal, Quebec.

Falkland Islands ROBERT STEWART SLESSOR (1917-29), M.B., Ch.B., S.M.O., Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Mexico PATRICK JOHN MILROY WALKER (1914-20), C.A., Apartado 38 Bis., Mexico, D.F.

South America Brazil-JAMES IRVINE MELVILLE (1917-21), The Royal Bank of Canada, Rua t5 de Novcmbro, 240, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Colombia—ROBERT WILLIAM YOUNG (1914-21), Embotellaclora Tropical, S.A., Calle 9 del y Carrera Eugenio Macias, Barranquilla, Colombia.

158

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 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.

Illinois—JAMES BRUCE SMITH (1918-25), The Bruce Smith Insurance Agency, zo8 South T agolle Street, Chicago, Illinois.

West Indies British West Indies—KENNETH REID (1901-04), Concordia, Tobago, S.W.I. Dutch West Indies—GEORGE FERGUSON RITCHIE (1917-24), Lago Oil & Transport Company Limited, Marine Department, P.O. Box 643, Aruba, D.W.I.

AUSTRALIA Australian Capital Territory (Canberra) —CHARLES OGILVIE WILL BOWMAN (191o-15), Manager, Capital Hill Hostel, Canberra, A.C.T. New South Wales—ALAN REID (1911-14), 3 Iona Avenue, West Pymblc, Sydney.

Western Australia—IAN THOM (1912-25), Wydga Station, Mount Magnet, Perth,

Western Australia.

EUROPE Channel Islands—Wm/1Am MILLER (1894-?), Beaufort Hotel, St. Helier, Jersey.

Russia.—IA1N JOHNSTONE McBETIi SUTHERLAND (1933-41), M.A., B.A., British Embassy, Moscow (c/o Foreign Office, London, S.W.1).

Switzerland (GCIleVill)—JAMES LAWSON MOWAT (1913-x6), M.A., Ph.D., C,0 Bureau International du Travail, Geneva, Switzerland.

Switzerland (Zurich)—ROBERT ALEXANDER ESSLEMONT /VIENNIE (1924-36), M.A., B.P. Benzin and Petroleum A.G., Handelshof. Uraniastrasse, Zurich, Switzerland.

Yugoslavia—Professor Dr. DRAGOSLAV MILETI.TCH (1916-18), Medicinsk i Fakultet,

Skoplje, Yugoslavia.

FAR EAST Hong Song—FRANK CHARLES BRISCOE BLACK (1914-17), c/o Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation, Hong Kong.

Malaya (Selangor)—WILLIAM Scovv GrLcHRIsT (1929-36), B.L., dkr, Messrs.

Bannon & Bailey, advocates and solicitors, Laidlaw Building, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya.

INDIA and CEYLON India (Madras)IAN CUMMING (1907-14), C/O Vernon & Company, 36 Second Line Beach, Post Box 79, Madras.

India (West Bengal)—HERBERT BREBNER Scorr (1905-08), C.B.E., M.C., The Royal Insurance Company Limited, 3-7 Netaji Subhas Road, Calcutta.

Ceylon—CHARLES JAMES STRACHAN (1917-2I), Anglo-Ceylon General Estates Company, P.O. Box I;, Colombo, Ceylon.

NEW ZEALAND ANDREW ALEXANDER MAAR DUCAT (1924-28 and 1929-34),5 Scaforth Terrace, Karori, Wellington, New Zealand.

Former Pupils' Club

1 59

Club Office-Bearers, 195 3-54 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 : Sir ARTHUR LOTHIAN (1892-94 and 1898-1904), K.C.I.E., C.S.I., LL.D. President, 1948-49.

The Hon. Lord MACKAY (ALEXANDER ISA ORRICE MACKAY) (1882-91), Q.C., M.A., LL.D. President, x931-32.

The Right Hon. 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 (1880-88), D.S.O. President, 1926-27.

WILLIAM CLARK SOUTER (1893-98), M.D., D.O. President, 1949-50.

Sir WILLIAM ROBERT TENNANT (19041910), C.LE., M.A. Sir JOHN MACKAY THOMSON, C.B., M.A., F.R.S.E. Rector, 1920-21.

EDWARD WILLIAM WATT (18 8 a-94), T.D., M.A., LL.D., D.L. President, 1936-37.

The Right Hon. Lord ALNESS (1884:885), P.C., G.B.E., LL.D. President, 1928-29.

Sir ANDREW GOURLAY CLOW (1896-98), K.C.S.I., C.I.E. Sir PATRICK ASHLEY COOPER (18961901), B.A., LL.B. President, 1937-38.

CHARLES DAVIDSON (1882-86), M.A. President, 1947-48.

JAMES CArro DUFFUS (18 97-1904), O.B.E., M.C., M.A., LL.B. President, 1951-52.

Colonel ARCHER IRVINE-FORTESCUE (1892-97), D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B. President, 1939-46.

Sir ROBERT LYALL GRANT (1884-O, T.D., M.A., LL.B. Sir WILSON JAMESON (1892-1902), G.B.E., K.C.S., M.D., LL.D., D.Sc., F.R.C.P. JAMES GRAY KYD (x891-98), C.B.E., F.F.A., F.R.S.E. President, 1950-51.

JOHN ADAM LILLIE (1893-1903), Q.C., M.A., LL.B. President, 1952-53.

President : WILLIAM DOUGLAS SIMPSON (1901-13), M.A., D.Litt. F.S.A.(Scot.), F.S.A. Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive : MAURICE CRAMB (1916-29), M.A., LL.B. Secretary and Treasurer : JOHN SCOTT MACLACHLAN (1922-32). M.A., LL.B., 220 Union Street, Aberdeen.

Editor of Magazine : ALAN CROMBIE ROBERTSON WATT (1925-37), M.A., LL.B., 12 Bon-Accord Crescent, Aberdeen.

Secretaries of Centres : Bengal and Assam—H. B. Scorr (:905-08), C.B.E., M.C., The Royal Insurance Company Limited, 5-7 Netaji Subbas Road, Calcutta.

Edinburgh—A. C. FRAZER (1925-3o), M.A., W.S., i o Athol! Crescent, Edinburgh, 3.

Glasgow—J. G. M. EIRSS (1926-38), M.C., M.A., 99 Essex Drive, Scotstoun,

Glasgow, W.4.

London—A. H. K. SLATER (1912-55). M.A., 2 Newton Grove, London, W.4.

16o

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Malaya—W. S. GILCHRIST (192916), B.L., cio Messrs. Bannon & Bailey, Laidlaw Building, Kuala I-umpur.

Yorkshire—W. F. DuNNErr (1919-22), B.A., C.A., Grey Gables, Old Park Road, Leeds, 8.

Secretaries of Sections t Boarding House—F. K. SELLAR (1933-45), 220 Union Street, Aberdeen.

Cricket—A. M. DAVIDSON (1937-45), B.L., 18 Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Golf—H. G. STEPHEN (1920-30), 252 Union Street, Aberdeen.

Hockey—R. P. WLSHART (1919-31), 21 John Street, Aberdeen.

Rugby—N. I. W. MELDRUM (1925-37), M.A., LL.B., 13 Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Tennis—B. D. M. GaAssicx (1938-52), 395 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

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

JOSEPH R. CARRY (1918-3o), M.B.E., Vice-Chairman.

The Secretary and Treasurer, and Editor of Magazine, ex grails.

The Rector of the School, ex officio.

GEORGE E. C. BARTON (1923-26), M.A. DOUGLAS G. PATTERSON (1929-36), B.L. ERIC BUTHLAY (1928-40), B.L. ALAN J. PETERS (t920-30), C.A. WILLIAM L. CONNON (1930-40), B.L. JAMES REM (1924-34).

ALEXANDER CROMAR (1944-34 . LENNOX RIDDELL (1907-16).

ALFRED J. M. EDWARDS (1908-2I), HENRY G. STEPHEN (1920-30).

M.A., B.Com. JOHN S. SUTHERLAND (1935-48).

DOUGLAS N. GEORGESON (1929-39).

One representative from each of the IAN G. McPHEasoN (1910-17).

Sections.

JAMES S. G. MlUNRO (1922-28), B.L. Hon. Auditors : Messrs. BOWER and SMITH, C.A.

Club Subscription Rates ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP. IOS. per annum (5s, for those under 2I years of age on z January).

LIFE MEMBERSHIP. £15.

CORPORATION

OF

ABERDEEN -

ABERDEEN

EDUCATION

GRAMMAR

COMMITTEE

SCHOOL

(FOUNDED BEFORE 1256)

RECTOR .

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

HE GRAMMAR SCHOOL provides a complete course of Primary T and Secondary Education for Boys.

The School is organised as follows :—Kindergarten (5-7), Lower School (7-12), 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 Ball with Stage, a spacious Library and Reading Room, five well-equipped Laboratories, three Art Rooms, two Music Rooms, four 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 Religious Education, Music, Physical Exercises and Games), English, History, Geography, Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Art and Crafts, Technical Subjects, and Commercial Subjects.

Boys are 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 Grammar School.

ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (ALBYN PLACE)

HEAD MISTRESS . MISS B. M. ROSE, M.A. (OXON.), ).P. HE HIGH SCHOOL provides a complete course of education for girls between the ages off and 18 years. It is organised in three Departments—Infants, Primary and Secondary.

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 Hazlebead.

T

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,

,AsBank

ikbetdee0SaVI

There is no recognised text book on Thrift, but in many pass books of the ABERDEEN SAVINGS BANK excellent examples of Thrift will be found.

-

-

-

TENNIS

AND

GYM SHOES

correct fitting by X-RAY pedoscope

JOHN A. DUNN LTD. FAMILY BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS

46 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN also at PETERHEAD, ELGIN, FORFAR, TURRIFF Phone 20158

PRINTED AT THE ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS