THE
ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHCOL MAGAZINE
ABERDEEN
print2c1 for The Fortner Pupils' Club aellie. University Press • PRICE ONE SHILLING.
Volume XLVI. No. 2.
;ULe
1943.
EDUCATIONAL BOOKS JAMES
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CONTINUES to supply all the Class Books (New or Second-hand) suited for the requirements of the Higher Educational Institutions in the City, at the Lowest Prices. N.B.—Best Value in Students' Note Books.
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CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS . Facing page . toz Sir Wilson Jameson, K.C.B. . 118 Archibald Forbes Hyslop . Gnr. Signaller Hugh T. C. Forbes. 103 Sergt. Air Gunner John M. S. Moir 103 Sergt. Observer Alastair M. Cockle 119 Sergt. Air Gnr. Henry A. S. Fraser 119 Sqdn. Leader Vernon W. L. Stanion 126 . ,z6 Lieut. (A) Leonard M. Cheer Pilot Officer Alastair I. T. Moir . 127 Scrgt. Obs'rv'r Douglas A. W. Inns 127
Facing page
. 134 . Lieut. John Donaldson Flight Sergt. Norman A. Mercer . 134 Lance-Sergt. Edward M. McIntyre 135 Sergt. Observer Charles H. E. Ross 135 School Rugby Football ist XV . 15o . 151 School Prefects—June 1943 Centre . Lieut. Andrew H. Bruce . Private William F. Milne PP . Lieut. William M. Grant P> Lieut. William S. Cormack . SD
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A Message to Former Pupils. By J. J. R. Escape from Burma. By Sydney E. Dumo . Notes About Old Boys . . . . . . . . . Marriages . . . . . . Prisoners of War . . . . . . . . . Missing . . . • . . . . Obituary . Pro Patria Mortui . Roll of F.P. War Service . . . A Cycle of Cathay. By W. R. Myers Life in an Italian Prison Camp. By Oswald G. Prosser . . . An Army " Cook's Tour." By B. . On the Road to Babylon and Baghdad. By C. A. G. S. School Section— . . • School and Random Notes Thallatta (verse). By Norman Woodman . . Mr. Alexander T. Miller, M.A. . . Mr. William M. Henry, M.A. . • . . . . Spring Song (verse) . The Only True Time. By D. Michael A. Shewan . . Vi et Armis (verse). By Ian Strachan " Time to Stand and Stare." By R. W. Hepburn To China (verse). By George D. Henderson • School Sport in 1942-43 • • • The Athletic Sports • . • The Swimming Sports . . . . Rugby Football . . . Cricket . • Dramatic Society Notes . House Notes . . . • • The Literary and Debating Society . . . Scout Notes . . . . The Army Cadet Force • School Office-Bearers for Session 1942-43 The Former Pupils' Club— • • Report for the year 1942 . • The Club Boarding House • The Rugby Section The Cricket Section . List of New Members •
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SCHOOL OUTFITS ARE A PROBLEM Owing to manufacturers being wholly
employed on
Govern-
ment contracts we are at the moment unable to supply many of
the Grammar
Garments.
We
School
will do our
utmost to fit your boy with a serviceable school outfit.
ESSLEMONT & MACINTOSH (RETAILERS) LTD.
UNION STREET, ABERDEEN
`N. M. McPHERSON Baker and Confectioner
15 FOUNTAINHALL ROAD AND
8
ST.
SWITHIN
STREET
ABERDEEN TELEPHONE ISIS
BARGAINS
1943
1843 Established 100 Years
are difficult to-day
WM. CAY & SONS
but
I
have good value in
still
TYPEWRITERS, SAFES,
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and other
415 UNION STREET
EQUIPMENT.
OFFICE
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209 GEORGE STREET,
I
am very anxious to secure them for H.M.S.O., for
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Army
Units,
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The choice of your
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"THE WOMEN ROSE TO THE OCCASION" Speaking of women's war effort, Mr. Bevin said history would record how they rose to the occasion to help save the nation in its hour of need. But it is not only in munition factories and shipyards that women have given valuable service to the nation. The assistance of the women who look after our homes is just as essential though it may be less spectacular. It is the pleasure and privilege of the House of Collie to offer these women at all times Groceries and Provisions at reasonable prices.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine ,59th year: No. 152 _
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JoNs 1943
Vol. XLVI
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(New Series, 5oth year, No. 143)
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No. z
The " Grammar School Magazine " is issued under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club, twice a year in war-time—in June and December. All communications with regard to the " Magazine" should be addressed to the Editor (the Secretary and Treasurer of the Club), THEODORE WATT, M.A., LL.D., The University Press, 6 Upper Klrkgate, Aberdeen.
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A Message to Former Pupils. My first word must be of greeting to you all, both to those already known to me and to the great multitude with whom my sole link is our agreement as to which school heads the list. I long admired you from afar : now at close quarters I like you well and find the Grammar School a very happy place in which to live and work. Three things especially impress me. First, the extraordinary friendliness of the boys, who without failure in courtesy or respect yet reveal a disarming frankness and a robustness of spirit that are singularly attractive. Second, your unabated interest in and attachment to the School and the strong tug that draws so many back within its walls. And may I add how deeply touched I am that your feeling for the School is generous enough to find place and greeting for a Rector who can claim no part in all it meant for you. Third, the devotedness of the Staff. In the willingness to sacrifice leisure and identify themselves with the multifarious (and exhausting!) activities of youth, the staffs of schools like ours have given a service that has had far less than due acknowledgment. The Grammar School still shares with its fellow-victim, the Central, the bleak distinction of being the only Secondary School in Scotland on part-time education, and the end is not yet in sight. Let no complacent references to the precedent of the last war or specious calculations of teaching periods blind us to the harm that has been done. People outside Aberdeen find the four years' continuance of this situation quite inexplicable, and the educational historian will see in it a dismal page in the records of the City. Despite difficulties, our activities have been wonderfully well maintained : all our customary games, the varied and extensive work of the two Training Corps, Scouts and Cubs, the Debating Society,
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Aberdeen Grammar School Ala,gazine
three Dramatic Performances in fifteen months, and a Swimming Gala—these make up an impressive total. These activities are detailed elsewhere, but a comment or two will not be out of place here. While the continued progress of the Air Training Squadron is very gratifying and creditable to Ft. Lieut. Lynch and his fellow officers, even more remarkable have been the growth and popularity of the Infantry Cadet Company. If there was doubt whether in this Air Age infantry training would attract boys any more, the response in the Grammar School has dispelled it. But you will properly remind me that not every place can have a Major W. P. Stewart at call. If I record that in the present session both the 1st XV and the 1st XI have twice been victors in a certain contest, it is not to induce in us a pagan pride, but just the comforting thought that even in a very bad world some things are sometimes ordered sweetly and well! But, in case the deadliest of the Sins creeps in after all, here is something else to ponder. In 1894 that great and enlightened Rector, Dr. Morland Simpson, had such sense of the unique value of Swimming that he instituted a Trophy for it : in 1943 his School held its Swimming Gala in the Pond of Robert Gordon's College. And it will not do for us just to mutter " What have the School Board and the Education Committee been thinking about ? ", for I must remind you with gentle provocation that Gordon's Pond was not provided by the Governors from the monies of the College. Great changes in education are impending, and in due course I shall try and indicate their significance for our own School. Meantime, I record with satisfaction the setting up in the Grammar School of independent Departments of History and Geography, with fully recognized Principal Masters. Here is a pointer to the greatly increased stress post-war education will lay on those social studies that bear so directly on our fitness for life in a democratic community. Next session will see, too, the carrying back of Spanish into the Middle School, with the happy result of bringing Dr. Macandrew full-time to the Grammar School, and also the provision of a second teacher and a second room for Benchwork, so that the good work done on the technical side by Mr. Strachan these many years may expand into a regular part of our curriculum. If such developments seem strange first-fruits of a Classical Rector's activity, let me confess to very special satisfaction in a bit of news I have just received : that Edward K. Borthwick and J. Sinclair Taggart of last year's Classical VI stand First and Second in the University classes of Greek and Latin. Most of all men, perhaps the Head Master finds it hard to speak or write about the war, but I must not withhold a word of tribute to the spirit of our boys. Neither among those who visit me when on leave nor among the laddies passing straight from the School into service have I found a trace of grievance or self-pity. The light heart they do not have, but something better—realism and resolve. None need doubt their quality or the soundness of the School that bred them. J. J. R.
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
87
Escape from Burma. SYDNEY ELMSLIE DURNO (1935-37), of Pelerculter, Aberdeenshire, was a student of science at Aberdeen University when the war broke out, and later joined the R.A.M.C. as a Private. He was serving in Burma at the time of the Japanese invasion of that country, and has put on record a very full account of his experiences while seeking to escape to India. The first instalment of his thrilling narrative is printed here almost in its entirety. As it must be a considerable time before his story can be " continued in our next," we mqy say that after his wanderings in Burma, be eventually reached the frontier of Assam and was flown from there to Dibrugarh. He is now attached to the laboratory of a military hospital in the Deccan.—ED. You no doubt know where I was in Burma in the beginning of April [1942], but to avoid any possible trouble with the Censor, I will not mention names more than necessary. This particular station was quite pleasant, the climate not so very much warmer than a very warm midsummer spell at home, and I may say a very pleasant change from the weather endured by us in a town which, had a certain song-writer visited it, would never have formed a subject of inspiration. M— was the town I liked best in the " Land of Pagodas," and if you add to the charms of the place the fact that the hospital in which I worked had in pre-war days been a school, complete with a very good library, which was opened for our benefit and from which we could take and keep books at will, you will realize that I was quite content with life. Two of my friends, viz. Felix and Don, of Dulwich and Hampshire respectively, who like myself are attracted to books as a mouse to cheese, joined me in choosing a share of the booty. Amongst my collection were books on trigonometry, geometry, algebra, arithmetic, physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, a beautiful volume of Burns, a lesser volume of the life of Burns. My spoil also included a collection of Byron's poetry and one of Longfellow's, a large folding wall map of Scotland (which I suspended above my bed) and many other odds and ends. However, as the aforementioned bard wrote, " The best laid schemes o' mice an' men, etc.," and I was given but short time to enjoy my library, to continue my notes on botany, or to finish committing to memory the remaining fifty lines of " Tam o' Shanter " ; events dictated otherwise, and now I have not one solitary page of the books of which I was so proud—but more of that anon. My three weeks stay in M— terminated when eighteen of us, including Felix and Don, were sent further N.E. to L—. I am not sure yet what we were sent there for, but we were attached to the civil hospital and commenced evacuating patients by road to a town at a safer distance from the advancing enemy. Very soon our number diminished to six as the others departed with the casualties, so that we consisted of the Colonel, two corporals, and three privates, including Felix and myself. We knew that the enemy were approaching, rumours were rife, and the situation grew a little tense. The Chinese did not wait to see if the rumours were true but got out while the going was good ; but not so our Colonel. He remained at his job,
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
and it was then I realized what kind of man was in charge of us. He didn't appear to be in the least affected by a situation which was now very tense; the place was almost deserted and was looking, or rather felt, ugly and sinister. He worked like a nigger, dealing with any cases, and there were a few operations which he did with scant equipment and, apart from our inexperienced assistance, single-handed— and didn't turn a hair. THE WAY OF A QUAKER.
I shall never forget the evening of our departure. It was cool after a hot, busy day ; the six of us were sitting outside, round a tea table, having enjoyed a little refreshment prepared by our two Indian civilian ambulance attendants. While we were thus pleasantly taking our ease, a friend of the Colonel's approached. He was a Quaker and one of a voluntary first-aid party and also one of the few remaining Europeans in the empty town. The Colonel introduced us all and then the new arrival, with unhurried calmness, proceeded to apologize for interrupting our tea party, but since he had heard that the enemy were four miles down the road, he thought it advisable to inform us. Such news was not unexpected but was somewhat disturbing. After all, four miles is not a great deal between one and a mechanized force. However, trifles like that did not have much effect on the Colonel, who told us to get ready and wait at his house for him, while he did a little reconnaissance. Imagine the coolness of the man calmly walking off to see if the enemy really were about. We in a few minutes had bundled ourselves and kit into our ambulance, on which depended our escape, and when the Colonel returned, he led the way in his car to the next village. I add that he found room for a sick Chinese in his car. The road to K—, our next halt, climbs steeply and puts the " Devil's Elbow " completely in the shade. Our driver, by no means experienced, had to drive on a wet and difficult road and we were glad to arrive safely in K—. In it we found a few bungalows and appropriated two, one for the Colonel and one for the rest of us. We were lucky in having plenty of food and made good use of it, and our luck also held when we encountered a Supply Officer, who allowed us to take what we liked from the ration and cigarette dump, for, said he, the Chinese or local inhabitants will very soon, as soon as we go, break open the building and loot everything. We, i.e. our party of six, were preparing for a stay of indefinite length, but we had only one night there when we got the order to go on. I don't think the Colonel liked that, but orders are orders. It was at K— that I discovered that our Colonel, viz. Colonel Lindsay, is a native of Culter ; by some strange coincidence two natives of a comparatively small place like Cutter had met in one of the most sequestered corners of the Empire and in fact of the whole world. He is a cousin of Stanley and Angus Lindsay.1 When this fact became known amongst us, I mean that of our common place of birth, I felt proud of my country and home, as Colonel Lindsay had certainly made a great 1 Stanley Fredric Lindsay (1930-32), M.B., Ch.B.; Angus William Lindsay (1935-38).—En.
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 89 impression on us all (and the others were Englishmen) ; he showed himself to be a man, a gentleman. He made no attempt to behave as a Colonel when amongst us, and because he made himself one of us, he won our respect more than if he had tried to be a General. We would have done anything for our Colonel. He expected us to work but set the example himself, and I never saw such a worker—he would put his hand to anything and I believe he could have worked us all off our feet. We left K— in a hurry and, because of the lack of room in our conveyances, we did the journey to H— by stages. Felix and I went on by the first load and were dumped half-way on a certain highway once much in the news. We landed near an encampment of Sikhs, who made us tea and chupatees, which we ate and drank while along the road streamed refugees. Eventually we reached H—, where half of us, or rather two of us, Felix and I, remained for the night, and the others went back to K—. We had two patients on our hands—a Chinese malaria case and a Gurkha post-operation case. The latter the Colonel found by the roadside, and (typical of him) rendered him aid and took him along. That night was disturbed by the malarial's groans, which lasted till the small hours, when they sank lower with ebbing vitality and finally ceased—another one of China's millions no more will see Chungking or Shanghai or Amoy or Canton. Little did I think when I joined up that some day I should wash blood off Chinamen's heads or bury their emaciated bodies to prevent their being torn by dogs or slowly eaten by ravening ants. AMATEUR LORRY-DRIVING.
Our next day's journey was started after the others came on, and we reached that night S----, after traversing some appalling roads. The vanguard of the monsoon was breaking, and on these roads that meant feet of mud. Owing to circumstances which discretion does not permit me to put on paper, it was deemed advisable to leave two of our party at S— the following day. Our next stop was B—, a fairly important frontier town, and the mention of frontier reminds me that I was at one point of the journey actually on the Chinese side of it—in Yunnan. Again at B— we prepared to stay on for some time, but after two nights, and when we had made ourselves a very comfortable home, we got a very sudden order to move on. The Colonel and one of the others went back to S— to see what was happening and whether our other two men left there required anything. On the way Colonel Lindsay was told that the enemy was in possession of S.—. How or why I know not, but I do know that I never saw these two men again, and one of them was my friend Felix. Meanwhile in B— two lorries were commandeered for our party; they were six miles from our H.Q., and as time was pressing and our spare native drivers had disappeared except one, we, i.e. Don, Frank, and myself, decided to fetch the lorries, so we set off in our remaining vehicle driven by the Indian driver, and eventually found our lorries. Now, as you know, I never have driven anything but a light car, and a lorry, especially one in doubtful condition, was a poser for me and, added to that, the fact that news of the enemy's
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 90 approach had just come through put everyone into a state of mild panic, so perhaps you can realize that I was in an unenviable position. Numerous people told me " Come on—get out." My answer, inaudibly spoken, was " Am I what ? No fear ; I get this lorry back or die in the attempt!" And, strange to relate, I did. Against a stream of cars I tore my way to B—. I stopped not for bullock-cart and stayed not for Brigadier's car and crossed over bridges where room there was none. The trouble with my lorry was that the engine was liable to peter out at odd moments, so to obviate such an embarrassing occurrence, I just kept my foot hard down, and all Don and Frank saw of me was a cloud of dust! At B— we loaded our vehicles with a cargo varying from condensed milk to an Anglo-Indian family. The journey previous to this had been no joy-ride, now it was a nightmare. The " road " put to shame the best scenic railway I have ever seen. Owing to the discrepancy in the speeds of our respective vehicles and to the density of traffic on such inhospitable roads, the Colonel's car and my lorry lost touch. I hasten to add that I was no longer driving the vehicle. Fortunately our Indian drivers had materialized and so we were able to make reasonable progress with a like measure of safety. I referred to the lorry as mine, as it soon became apparent that no one travelling thereon was keen to take any responsibility, and there neither was I, but in such a situation it was imperative that rested shoulders inadequate my on and generalship should be some the the burden. I thought this odd as I, apart from our driver, was years, mature of men three included which party, youngest male in the one of whom, a doctor by profession, had his wife and three daughters the with him. There was another Anglo doctor, two Indians plus and casualties, sitting several patient, stretcher-case a another, of wife civilian two of my colleagues. The majority of this motley crowd was and travelled because of the Colonel's kindness. The setbacks, have trials, and difficulties we encountered on that journey would was Don except everyone as especially Job, of patience the tried repair to had We helplessness. and stupidity mighty in his or her soft bridges, ford rivers, and release the lorry from the grip of mud or myself found I and of, think care to I than sand on more occasions dictating to men, women, and children—and being meekly obeyed. I shall not dwell on that journey more ; we slept next night at the roadside. Next day we met Colonel Lindsay on his way back to look one, for us, and reached the momentous bungalow at Nazu, where I, for a stretched weary limbs and slept the sleep of the just. I admit I was had little gratified that we got our lorry through where many dozenswhen hands our off patients our got had we this to Previous failed. a company of Sikhs took charge of them. THE JAPS CRASH IN our At Nazu there is a ferry, but we cannot cross to-day with reduced now arc We us. before waiting many vehicles, as there arc crossed on to a party of nine (six British, three Indian), as the rest have It destination. our of town the M—, in foot and are presumably Planes mind. my on foreboding of a weight feel I and sultry, is hot,
91 Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine fly over us, circling low ; we shelter from the expected hail of machinegun bullets but none come. We cook some food. We try to get a little sleep but it is too hot, and I feel that weight of evil in the atmosphere like a load of bricks, it must tumble down soon. Here is the Colonel back from an expedition of inquiry. " We shall have to walk to M—," he says. " We shall cross the river on a small raft. It is about z6 miles : take as little as possible—we may have to walk further." He sits on the verandah drinking a well-earned cup of tea, while we pack a few things. I bid a fond farewell to my library and take only four books, viz. Bible, Burns, Golden Treasury, and a book given me by Jim W—. I am on my knees packing. A few shots in the distance attract none of our attention—it is only these refugee native troops shooting jungle-fowl. "What the dickens is that? " A volley of shots crashes into the bungalow. I take one look at the road about 20 yards away and see a lorry loaded with evil-looking Japs with equally evil-looking sub-machinc-guns. I see that in a split second and realize there is one chance of safety—the jungle behind the bungalow. Never have I covered twenty yards so quickly or cleared a fence so gracefully, or dived into a ditch so expeditiously, or listened and waited so apprehensively. I have heard of people running through a hail of bullets, now I know what it is like. I hear voices approaching and receding, lorries and cars drive past—dozens of them. I have been here about half an hour I think and look my watch—only five minutes! Well, are they coming ? Don't seem to be. Of course, I am well out of sight here ; lucky that ditch is here ; if only we can hang on till dark we can slip away—that will be in about two hours ; better possess my soul in patience and collect my wits. How about " Tam o' Shanter " ? Yes, that's the thing—good old Scotland! —I'm hanged if I'm going to be beat—" When chapman billies —" Darkness very slowly enveloped us, and I admit that I seldom have spent a more uncomfortable two hours than those spent in the ditch at the edge of the jungle. While it was still light, Corporal Hunt, who was lying a few yards behind me, apparently decided that he would try to get away before nightfall, as he crept away towards the thicker jungle and I never saw or heard of him again. He has a wife and little daughter at home. Such is war! He may be a prisoner, and also Felix, who is an only son ; but it makes me think—I was spared to get back to safety, why ? Three of us remained, as far as we knew, and as we could now move without too much risk, we started creeping for the denser jungle. I crept stealthily towards the others and after a whispered consultation, during which I learned that Hopper's leg had received a bullet-wound, we started. The distance was about 3o or 4o yards to the edge of the dense forest and we took about an hour to cover that, as we had to help Hopper, had to crawl all the way, had to remove obstructions, such as branches, from our path ; had to stop frequently whenever we heard J.s about or saw a vehicle passing. Eventually we reached good cover and snatched a few hours' sleep. THE INSTINCT OF SELF-PRESERVATION.
Morning came, and with it the most hopeless feeling one could imagine. None of us said so, but we all knew that our chances of
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 92 surviving to a ripe old age were very slight. My whole being revolted at the idea of doing nothing about it. I had to make some attempt to save my life, as the thought of waiting like a rat in a trap, until we were either caught or forced to give ourselves up through hunger and thirst, did not appeal to me. There was only one alternative and that was to set off walking, and the possible destinations were India and China. I voiced my conclusions and met with opposition. " Very well," thought I ; " I have a mother at home with one son' already a prisoner of war; am I through lack of exertion on my part to add to her worries by becoming another—or even worse ? " I was under no delusions as to the hazardous nature of a trek through strange, enemy-occupied country with no food, no water, and no topee. I left Hopper and Frank in the jungle and they have, as far as I know, never been heard of since. Probably what drove me on as much as anything else was the instinct of self-preservation. I don't know, but what I did realize was that I was in a V-shaped patch of jungle with the arms corresponding to two roads, both used by J.s, which I could plainly see through the trees. I quietly reached one of the roads. It was only a side road and they had lorries parked along it. Creeping forward, I spied out the land, saw no one, and made a dash for it across the road into dense undergrowth. I was heading for the river which I knew I must cross before reaching M—; this I hoped to do before the enemy, as they were held up at the ferry. That jungle was almost impenetrable. I had read about such in books. Now I was myself fighting my way through one. My chief ally was a " kukri," or knife of the type used by Gurkhas. It is a very useful weapon, quite capable of decapitating a man at a blow. My adversaries were heat, thirst, and the vegetation, which contained the most vicious thorns and cruel creepers, hanging from trees, that supported multitudinous needle-points. These soon had my face, hands, arms, and knees in a gory mess. I found some moist hollows with barely a trickle of water, but by the making of an indentation in the soft soil the water gradually soaked in and filled it, and I could then use a little tin box I had in my pocket as a crude cup and so slake my thirst with the unclean water. Of course, that was just asking for cholera and dysentery and blackwater, but I had no option. The heat, even in the shady jungle, was terrific ; the air silent, except for enemy planes and the occasional rattle of monkeys in the branches. "I CAME TO A RIVER, AND
At length, more by luck than good management, I reached the river—a great and formidable foe. My ears told me that the enemy were about, and then my eyes, when I saw the remains of a Chinese— his chest was a mangled mess, the result of a bayonet ; and then I saw a patrol of them and took care they did not see me, but not so much as I should, as I thought at first they were Chinese. I went up the riverside looking for a likely spot to cross. I tried several times and always had to regain the bank—rather a hopeless task trying to cross a river as big as the Dee with no boat and lacking the ability to swim. Time and again I was driven back and so I decided to try further down. 1 Charles A. W. Durno (1927-30, Dispatch Rider, R.A.M.C., prisoner of war in Germany.—En.
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93 On the way I got a bird's-eye view of the J.s from a pagoda on a hilltop —they were, I believe, making a bridge. I struck a path now and kept on it, keeping the river on my right ; perhaps, I thought, it was not very safe, as I might be seen ; and I was, by a Burmese, who after a little persuasion on my part bid me follow him to his hut. On arriving at his temporary domicile I found a small party of them. Most of them spoke English, so conversation was possible. They were hiding for a few days and then intended going to M—, as the J.s would not harm them. There I got food to cat and I offered to buy more to take with me. They agreed to give me some but would accept no money. As I could not stay the night there on account of my incriminating presence had the enemy found the hut, I set off with a bag over my shoulders containing two packets of biscuits, a tin of cheese, a tin of milk, and what is scarcely believable—a full bottle of Ilaig whisky. The last commodity I accepted knowing how useful it might prove medicinally. My meeting with that Burman was one of my many pieces of good luck. I left them in the late afternoon and made for the river again, but whether their directions were faulty (intentionally or otherwise, for the Burmese are a crafty lot), or whether it was on account of my stupidity, the fact remains that I never saw the river that night, and as the sun sank and the jungle deepened in the shadow, I stretched my weary bones under a bush and slept while the rustlings and creepings of mysterious things went on in the surrounding gloom. Morning dawned bright, and the knock, knocking of the J.s building their wretched bridge told me that I must haste ; it was a race between me and them for first into M—. I ate one packet of my precious biscuits and resumed my search for the river. It took me some time to find, but after fighting my way through dense undergrowth, creepers, and plantain groves, I reached my objective. Again I resumed my assaults on the river, which seemed as determined to prevent my reaching the opposite bank as I was to overcome the first obstacle of my journey. After many attempts, ending always in retreat, due to depth or current, I noticed a part of the river which looked fairly easy. There was a sandbank in the middle and the current appeared to be moderate, but in this latter matter my judgment was far out ; nor did I realize it before I was swept off my feet and carried down the river absolutely helpless. I did my best to keep afloat by kicking vigorously and met with some success, as my head bobbed up ever so often, enabling me to take great gulps of air. But I could sec no way of saving myself and made up my mind that my spell of life on this planet was now ending. -
EVENTUALLY GOT ACROSS."
In a state of semi-consciousness I dragged myself out on the wrong side of the river, from my point of view. How I got out I hardly know. I remember my touching something solid and then I remember struggling towards the bank very slowly, just able to keep my feet against the rush of the current. I lay on the bank grunting and groaning and quickly regained a more or less fit state physically, although I could feel the strain on my lungs hours afterwards. Truly I was snatched from the jaws of death. My luck had not deserted me, for as soon as I looked around me, I saw a raft ; in fact several, moored to
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the bank. These rafts no doubt belonged to the inhabitants of the village I could see about half a mile distant. I didn't stop to inquire after the ownership, however, and soon had the nearest free from the bank and pushed out into the stream. My boat I will describe as four or five bamboo poles of some six feet in length lashed together, and one had to propel same with another bamboo pole of similar length. As soon as the current got to grips with my frail craft, I was swept like a cork downstream, but by vigorous manipulation of my pole I kept pushing myself in the required direction and eventually reached the pebbly shore which so long had mocked me across the river. Despite the fact that I had lost my useful knife and my wallet, containing amongst other things 5o rupees, I felt elated at having at last attained my object and having no serious obstacle now between me and the town of M—. Without waiting to dry my saturated clothes I set off at a brisk pace in the direction of the M— road. I think I saw only four human beings before I reached the road. Naturally I was suspicious of my fellow creatures, and when I saw a man in front of me, I took no chances but watched him from behind a bush. He appeared harmless, however, so I went on along the path which I had previously found. It took me to a native village—Shan or Kachin, I am not sure—where the only form of life, apart from a few hens and pigs, was a blind old Methuselah, too weak to flee to the jungle with the rest of the villagers when they had heard news of the J.s' approach. I carried on, and as the path seemed to go in the right direction, I followed it. At length I saw a hut and heard voices, and as I thought I was not far from the road and therefore the possibility of enemy presence was great, I scouted round the hut first before approaching, after satisfying myself that there was no danger. Two Kachin women with a baby or two each confronted me, and when I made plain my want, supplied me with water in a bamboo gourd (a vessel with which I was to become very familiar). Having finished my potation, I endeavoured to convey to them my inquiry as to the direction of the M— road. I met with a certain amount of success, as they indicated the opposite direction from the one I expected the road to lie in. A THIRD ESCAPE FROM DEATH. I had anticipated this, as I saw they were suspicious of me and naturally would do their best to hinder a possible enemy. Despite their directions I proceeded in the way I thought was right and eventually reached the road, is miles from the town. I was now faced with a dilemma. \Vas it safe or not to walk on the road ? If the enemy had got across the ferry, of course it was not, as they would be using this (the only) road in their advance. If, on the other hand, they were still held up, I had a chance of reaching M— before them and joining up with some British party. I took the risk in view of the difficulty and discomfort of jungle travel. It was pleasant walking on a good hard surface, at least for the feet and lower limbs, as there were no branches and thorns obstructing my progress. The heat was unpleasant on my bare head, however ; but my one desire was to get on and I did so—for about two miles. I then heard the
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91 sound of a car behind me, where for the sake of my health no car should have been. Even before I turned my head my heart sank—and it sank further when my unwilling eyes saw and recognized a large round red sun fluttering from the bonnet of the fast-approaching car. Escape was impossible. They were on me. I had a horrible sense of failure. All my efforts had ended in this. Owing to my impatience I was to get a bullet or bayonet or, perhaps, capture. The car stopped, a guard armed with rifle and bayonet jumped out and covered me. An officer questioned me from the rear seat of the car. He spoke very good English in a cultured voice. The upshot of the interview was that I was left standing in the road while the car disappeared in a cloud of dust! Such is war! Here was I, the luckiest man in the Army, safe and sound in mind, body, and limb after three times coming face to face with death, while the next man got killed by the merest chance. I was not going to risk another similar encounter, so I disappeared into the jungle and drank my tin of milk, but shortly after, when the elation of yet another escape had subsided, I drank deeply of the cup of despair. I was now utterly and hopelessly alone. I dare not go to M—. Hundreds of miles of jungle lay between me and real safety. The dice were heavily loaded against me. I wandered rather aimlessly on, not knowing what to do or where to go, until my feet guided me to a hut. Any company was welcome and I was successful in getting food from the Kachin inhabitants. After finishing my repast of rice, eggs, and fish, I felt the weight of depression lift a little, and after a long and vigorous argument with my host, in which neither party understood a single word of the other, I won my point and was allowed to sleep for the night in a sort of general purposes outhouse —very humble, very dirty, but very welcome. Before I slept I had many callers, some were merely curious to see the strange animal in the henhouse (or whatever the hut was for), some brought me food, some news from M—, some comfort both hot and cold, and yet I understood none of their language nor they of mine. Like myself, these visitors, I gathered, were fugitives, and I think my host was not overjoyed at their presence, but they seemed to make free with his house and belongings. Next day an Indian (Garhwali) was ushered into my presence. Again lack of a mutual language for conversation did not prevent his telling me that he had escaped on a bicycle from M—. He was a soldier, a bugler, and had received a bayonet wound in his side, the result of which I saw, and, believe me, eight inches of intestine protruded from the gash and yet he appeared reasonably able-bodied, although (like all Indians) very sorry for himself. Our destination was his homeland, to find which we set out that very day, recrossing the M— road to the east side, and after we had travelled a few miles, it was time for another night's rest, which we took in a deserted Kachin hut. Is,fy idea was to circumvent M , then strike west for I . This I did roughly, but as it took twenty-five days, many of them trying and arduous, I can't give a connected narrative, events not being arranged in connected sequence in my memory.
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***The Editor is glad at all times to receive from any quarter items of information for this section of the " Magazine."
The dales given in parentheses after names indicate the sessions of attendance at the School.
New Year Honours. Sir (William) Wilson Jameson* (1892- i 9oz), M.A., M.D., LL.D., F.R.C.P., D.P.H., Chief Medical Officer to the Ministry of
Health and the Board of Education, who was created a Knight Bachelor at New Year 1939, was promoted to be a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) at New Year 1943. He received his appointment as Chief Medical Officer in 1940, is a member of the Army Hygiene Advisory Committee, a member of the Medical Research Council, and Chairman of the Industrial Health Research Board. In March of this year he was appointed a member of the Industrial Health Advisory Committee attached to the Ministry of Labour. The portrait sketch of Sir Wilson reproduced in this issue of the Magazine was made by his old School friend LEONARD J. SMITH* (1890-1902), of Carlton Studios, Ltd., London, in our Knight's quarters at the Ministry of Health. It is reproduced by permission of both subject and artist. William Maurice Grant Dawson* (19°5-07), M.C., Indian Service of Engineers, who is Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department, Irrigation Branch, United Provinces, was made an Officer of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.). He is a son of the late WILLIAM F. G. DAWSON (1863-67), banker, Insch, Aberdeenshire, and served his apprenticeship as a civil engineer with Messrs. Walker & Duncan, Aberdeen. After serving right through the last war, first as an officer in the 6th Gordon Highlanders and subsequently in the Royal Engineers with the rank of Acting Major, he was appointed an assistant engineer in the Irrigation Branch of the Indian Public Works Department in 1919. Since then he has been almost constantly on tour in the United Provinces, for which he became the F.P. Club Consul in 1939. John Maxwell Stewart* (1925-36), Flight Sergeant, R.A.F., was awarded the Air Force Medal. He later received a commission as a Pilot Officer. * Member of the Former Pupils' Club.
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KING'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS. Robert Scarth* (19 to-i 2), Major, Orkney Home Guard, was
made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.). He succeeded to the estate of Binscarth, Orkney, in 1916, and has been engaged in farming there. When the last war broke out he was a Lance-Corporal in the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (T.F.) and served for a time in Flanders. In July 1919 he was gazetted and Lieutenant, 4th Gordon Highlanders. In the present war he was one of the first Home Guard officers appointed in the Orkney Islands. James Hay (1893-95), advocate in Aberdeen, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.). He is Secretary of the Walker Steam Trawl Fishing Co., Ltd., Aberdeen, and has been one of the leading figures in the fishing industry for many years. During the present war he has given valuable service on the Aberdeen Harbour Emergency Committee. He entered the Town Council as a Socialist in 1937. Robert Stewart Slessor* (1927-29), M.B., Ch.B., Temporary Surgeon Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., was mentioned in despatches. He is a son of ROBERT ALEXANDER SLESSOR* (1887-92), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., Fraserburgh, and is at present Physician Surgeon at a W.R.N.S. Hospital.
SERVICE DECORATIONS. John Grant* (192 i -33), Lieutenant, The Gordon Highlanders,
who has been serving with the British North African Force, was awarded the Military Cross in May. A note about him appears on page ioz. Samuel Boyd Russell* (1919-28), Major, Royal Engineers, has been awarded the Military Cross for his fearless conduct in the Battle of El Alamein, when the 51st Division made its historic attack. On the night of 23rd-24th October our troops were making a four-mile advance and had run into mines and booby traps of every description and calibre. Major Russell was charged with locating the mines and clearing a path for vehicles. Under heavy shell and mortar fire, with disregard for personal danger, he worked tirelessly, leading his company and organising the work so well that it was carried through before daybreak. All the battalions in his brigade received the majority of the vehicles and weapons required for warding off an enemy counterattack. Alastair Ian Taylor Moir (1928-33), Pilot Officer, R.A.F.V.R., No. 76 Squadron, was in May awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The official citation said : " As a Captain of aircraft he has flown on a large number of operational sorties. He took part in a low-level attack on Flensburg through the heaviest and most intense enemy opposition. He has also participated in attacks on Berlin, Duisburg, Bremen, and Dusseldorf. His outstanding ability and fine fighting spirit have contributed in a large measure to the high morale and fighting qualities of his crew. This officer has always displayed the utmost determination and devotion to duty." Pilot Officer Moir was resident in the School Boarding House from its opening in 1928 until 1933. His death is recorded on page 129.
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Edward Mackie McIntyre* (192z-33), Lance-Sergeant, R.E., was awarded the Military Medal posthumously. In the fighting in North Africa, crawling forward under heavy fire, he led a party in clearing a path for the infantry through a minefield, and when the party came under fire from an enemy sniper, Sergeant McIntyre dashed forward and "tommy-gunned" him. His death is recorded on page 128. John W. L. Bain* (1915-22), M.B., Ch.B., Major, R. A.M.C., who has been serving in the 8th Army with a mobile surgical unit, and his younger brother, Robert Duncan Bain* (1915-23), Lieutenant, The Gordon Highlanders, who has been serving with the 1st Army, after gradually drawing nearer to each other in North Africa from the East and from the West, had a dramatic meeting in the town of Tunis very shortly after it was captured by the Allied Forces. They had not seen each other since the doctor brother left this country about three years ago. Robert Bain* (1893-99), M.A., has retired from the Head Mastership of Torry Junior Secondary School, Aberdeen, to which he was appointed in 1927, when it was known as Torry Intermediate School. After graduating M.A. at Aberdeen in 1902, he taught for a short time at Old Cumnock, but returned to Aberdeen in 1903, on being appointed to Skene Square Public School. Two years later he became Assistant Master in the Central Higher Grade Public School ; in 1916 Second Master, Walker Road Public School ; and in 1920 Master of Method in the Central School, continuing in that post until his appointment as Head Master. Wilfrid Philip Shepherd Barron* (1896-1903), M.C., T.D., M.Inst.C.E., M.I.Mech.E., has been elected a member of the Council of the Institution of Civil Engineers. He is Chief Engineer to the Port of London Authority. William Chalmers Bowie (189o-97), M.A., has recently retired from the post of Principal Teacher of Classics in the Central Secondary School, Aberdeen, to which he was appointed in 1905. "HONOURABLE JAP SEWN UP."
Robert Henderson Calder* (5925-24) has been in Australia since 1927, and is at present serving as a Trooper in an Australian Armoured Regiment. Writing in December last, he said that he was then serving in New Guinea, having enlisted at the commencement of hostilities with Japan. " My own particular job is wireless operator cum gunner. It is interesting to note that my regiment is the modern version of the old Australian Light Horse, which performed so prodigiously under Allenby in the Palestine campaign of the last war. In this New Guinea campaign the question of transportation and supplies is a major operational problem, as the fighting is taking place in dense jungle over precipitous mountain terrain where roads are unknown. Tropical conditions, allied to the pestiferous insect life, take their toll of casualties as well as enemy bullets. However, I think honourable Jap is about sewn up here, and it will not be long before
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99 the island is cleared of the enemy." In civil life Calder is associated with Stewarts & Lloyds (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Sydney, as sales manager of their Precision Tube Section. Alfred Gordon Cameron* (1923-34), who was on the Telepara Tea Estate, Dooars, India, is now a Sergeant Pilot in the R.A.F. In a recent letter he says that he has seen far more of the length and breadth of India than he ever imagined he would when he first arrived out there some five years ago. In the course of his travels he has come across many F.P.s, the most recent being JAMES GLEGG MOIR* (1928-34), M.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., who went through the School a year ahead of him. The F.P. of whom he has seen most, however, is JOHN BLAIN Howrrr* (1926-35), also an ex-tea-planter (in Assam), with whom he trained in the R.A.F. and who is now an Observer with a squadron " which by now should know the contours of Burma by heart." Last year Cameron's copies of the Mag. had to chase him round India quite a bit, but they " got there just the same." Norman Stuart Clark* (1919-29), B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., who received his commission as a Lieutenant in the R.A.M.C. in June 1940, now holds the rank of Major. He went out to India in the spring of last year and has been mainly in Bihar. He has been working in a i,ooo-bedded General Hospital, where he is Medical Specialist and O.C. Medical Division. His busiest time was after the evacuation of Burma. EPISCOPAL PRIMUS OF SCOTLAND.
The Right Rev. Ernest Denny Logie Danson* (1892-94), M.A., D.D., Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Edinburgh since 1939, was in February of this year elected Primus of the Episcopal Church in Scotland. He was for fourteen years Bishop of Labuan and Sarawak. John Rhys Danson* (1897-1903), M.B.E., D.C.M., has retired from his post as Electrical Engineer with the Municipality of Georgetown, Penang, where he was also the F.P. Club Consul. From 1919 he was a Company Sergeant-Major in the Penang and Province Wellesley Volunteer Corps, 3rd Battalion, Straits Settlements Volunteer Force. Fortunately his retirement took place and he left Malaya before the Japanese invasion, and he is now in England. Patrick John Diack* (1912-23), who was a tea planter at Nagrakata, Dooars, Bengal, received a commission in May 1941 in the Royal Corps of Signals, India. He had unfortunately to be invalided out of the Army and he returned to tea for a short time, but his health again breaking down, he was granted an exit permit to proceed on leave to Australia. (Thomas) Alan Dick (1919-zo), son of (William)" Dick of Poplar," who was formerly minister of Skenc Street Congregational Church, Aberdeen, has been engaged in journalism in London since 1926, being latterly in the service of the Daily Telegraph. In a book entitled " Inside Story," just published by Messrs. George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., he presents a racy and readable account of some of his experiences as a reporter and a special correspondent. The opening words of some of his chapters give an intriguing idea of his topics, as, for
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instance : " My first important job on a national daily newspaper was to go over to Ireland, where they were involved in one of their usual political muddles " ; " In the first year of war a German mine washed against the piles of Clacton Pier and blew it asunder" ; " Mosley's Blackshirts had just become a byword when I was asked to go up to Diss to see what mischief they were up to there " ; " ' The King : A Cold '—this contents bill on the side of an evening newspaper van was the first any of us knew of the last illness of King George the Fifth" ; " Winston Churchill stood like a fighting bull with stubby legs braced and head thrust forward belligerently. He was addressing a crowded House of Commons from his customary place below the gangway." Several lively chapters are devoted to his experiences as a correspondent from the summer of 1937 in the Spanish Civil War. Shortly after he returned from Spain, at the beginning of 1938, things, he says, went wrong with him. " For weeks I felt ill and miserable. Then they told me I had tuberculosis. I spent the next six months in a T.B. sanatorium." His experiences there he has described in " Walking Miracle," a fascinating book, published last year. Edward H. Marcus Doughty* (1924-31), who was junior technical assistant at the electricity generating station of the Aberdeen Corporation, has recently left to take up an appointment as an electrical engineering assistant with the Admiralty. James Catto Duffus* (1897-19o4), M.C., LL.B., advocate in Aberdeen, who in July of last year was appointed Officer-in-charge of A.R.P. Control and Report Centres, was in January of this year appointed Deputy A.R.P. Controller for Aberdeen and ceased to be Deputy Chief Warden. Douglas Stanley Duncan* (1928-33), M.A., B.Sc., has received a commission as a Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F.V.R. (Meteorological Branch), and is now serving overseas. He was previously a forecaster in the Meteorological Office, Air Ministry. His older brother, THOMAS DUNCAN* (1924-31), M.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., is also serving overseas—in North Africa. Douglas Watt Duthie* (I 9i 5 -2 1), M.A., B.Sc., Ph.D., F.I.C., chemist to the Department of Agriculture in British Guiana, has recently been appointed Soil Chemist at the East African Agricultural Research Station, Amani, Tanganyika. He is in the Colonial Agricultural Service. John Frederick Ferguson* (1904-09), formerly Major, Durham Light Infantry, was in February appointed by the Home Secretary to he the first Chief Constable of the Sussex Joint Police Force, in view of the amalgamation on t st April of this year of the Police Forces of East and West Sussex and of Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, and Hove. Major Ferguson is a son of the late Surgeon-Major Joirx EDWARD FERGUSON (1866-69), M.B., I.M.S., and after 25 years' service in the Army, joined the Metropolitan Police as a Chief Constable in 1933. In 5935 he was promoted to be Deputy Assistant Commissioner and took charge of the Peckham District. From 1938 to 1940 he was
for Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Head of the Police College at Hendon. At the beginning of the present war he served for six months at the War Office. Alexander Findlay* (1882-91), M.A., D.Sc., was in March elected President of the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain and Ireland, and has decided to resign on ;oth September next from the Chair of Chemistry at Aberdeen University, which he has held since 1919. When accepting his resignation with regret, the Aberdeen University Court congratulated Professor Findlay on the distinction of being elected President of the Institute. Alexander Forsyth* (1923-30), B.Sc., M.P.S., who was formerly Transport Liaison Officer, Molasses and Industrial Alcohol Control, Ministry of Supply, is now assisting a Director of Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd. in his work as Chairman of the Chemical Control Board, Ministry of Supply. I-Ie is a Captain in the Surrey Home Guard, being the Weapons Training Officer of his battalion. Allan Cameron Frazer* (1925-30) is a Sergeant attached to a Primary Training Wing, and spends most of his time testing and grading recruits. When war broke out he was the Secretary of the Edinburgh Centre of the F.P. Club. Rudolf William Galloway* (19o2-o9), D.S.O., R.A.M.C., now holds the rank of Brigadier-General and has been in charge of a Medical Base in North Africa. James William Garden* (1886-95), M.A., B.L., advocate, who was formerly A.R.P. North Divisional Warden, Aberdeen, is now Deputy Chief Warden in succession to JAMES C. DUFFUS,* q.v. James Garden* (1930-37), who was an apprentice with Messrs. J. H. Reid & Son, chartered accountants, Aberdeen, volunteered for the R.A.F. at the outbreak of war and flew for many months in No. 602 City of Glasgow Squadron. He is now a Flying Officer in Australia, Lewis Garden* (i930-38)—brother of the foregoing—went out to British Guiana in January 1939 and spent three and a half years there in the sugar industry. He returned to this country last year and volunteered for the Navy. He is now in Combined Operations, with the rank of Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R. John French Gauld* (1919-29) is a Captain in the Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army. Before the war he was on the Sathkyah Tea Estate, Mal P.O., Dooars, Northern Bengal. Charles Robert Gillespie* (1934-38), who before the war was a sorter in the G.P.O., Aberdeen, and became an Aircraftman in the R.A.F., is now a Corporal, and last Christmas sent greetings to the Mag. from Persia. The weather out there at that time was, he said, quite homelike—warm sunshine during the day and rather chilly after sundown. They also had frequent spells of rain " which turned the whole place into a sticky mess of mud." Stephen Goodbrand (1927-40) continues the F.P. succession of Presidents of the Aberdeen University Students' Union, having recently been elected for 1943-44. His immediate predecessors are JAMES W. MCALLAN (1925-32); FRANK N. FORSTER* (1921-25) ;
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A. FRASER Ross* (1923-27), B.Sc. (For.), M.B., Ch.B. ; NEIL C. SHARP (I923-3o); and THOMAS J. T. Nicol.* (19o3-35), M.A. It is rather remarkable that all the men Presidents of the new Students' Union (the first was a woman) have been F.P.s. Charles William Gordon* (i 9 z5 -39), Leading Aircraftman, R.A.F., was in February reported to have been severely wounded in North Africa. In civil life he was with his father in the business of Messrs. Robert Gordon & Sons, packing-case merchants, Aberdeen. James Marcus Gossip (1925-27), B.A. (Oxon.), who in 1935 was appointed a missionary of the Church of Scotland and posted to Rajputana, has been seconded for Chaplaincy service with Scottish troops in India. Douglas Wyndham Maling-Grant* (1937-4 i ), who was a Private in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, has been invalided out of the Army and is at present junior master in a preparatory school at Bromsgrove, Worc. He hopes to study later at Cambridge. Henry Frederick Lyall Grant* (1888-95), D.S.O., Colonel, R.A., now living in retirement at Fleet, Hants, had recently a letter printed prominently in The Times, dealing with the question of the reconquest of Burma. He pointed out that-tropical warfare, like desert and other special forms of war, had its own intricate set of problems. Success in a large-scale tropical offensive, where long land communications were involved, depended mainly on the thoroughness with which certain preparations had been carried out prior to the opening of the campaign. " The chief object of these measures," he wrote, " is to maintain momentum throughout the devil's race against time which characterizes each operational season. Some of them take years rather than months to complete. . . . Errors of judgment in detail or in scale can delay and frustrate action in a surprising way. There are many pitfalls, even for the experienced. The tropics neither forgive nor change. As in North Africa, the way must be hard and long. There is, however, one sure road to failure, and that is to initiate major operations prematurely or with preparations on an inadequate scale. This may sound a platitude, but tropical operations seem to have a peculiar power of inducing self-deception in high places." John Grant* (1925-33), Lieutenant, Gordon Highlanders, was reported in March by a war correspondent to have played his part in defeating the Axis attack on the 8th Army in North Africa. He went out with a carrier patrol to form a screen against Rommel's counterattack from the Mareth Line, and seeing about zoo men advancing, waited until they were within Soo yards before opening up with Bren guns. The enemy, who were without much cover and were supported by mortar fire but not by artillery, were mown down. At least 5o men fell, and the rest made for the north, where they were set upon again by other carriers. Lieutenant Grant is a brother of Lieutenant WILLIAM M. GRANT,* whose death in action is recorded in this issue. John Peter Grant* (1935-36), Captain, R.A., who gave up his appointment as a Battery Commander to join a Glider Pilot Regiment,
Sir WILir": jAmEsoN, K.C.B. (i•rom a sketch 19. I _reward J. .Smith.)
HUGH THOMAS CHRISTOPHER FORBES
JOHN MANWARING STEWARD MOIR
Gunner Signallet, Royal Artillery.
Sergeant Air Gunner, R.A.F.
103 Aberdeen Grammar School Magardne received a severe injury and was transferred to the Royal Engineers. He was commissioned in January 1938 as a and Lieutenant in the East Riding Heavy Brigade, R.A. John Hector Gray* (1917-29), M.A., LL.B., C.A., who was with Messrs. Gray & Kellas, solicitors, Aberdeen, on being " dereserved " last year, was posted as a Private to the Cameronians, in which he was speedily promoted to the rank of Sergeant and his knowledge of law turned to good account. Recently he has been taken out of the Army and his experience as an accountant seized on by the Admiralty for costing work. He is at present stationed in Edinburgh. David Hanna* (1926-22.), who is now an Aircraftman in the R.A.F., was from the beginning of the war Station Sergeant with the City of Aberdeen Special Constabulary. As a " Special " he was awarded the Police Long Service Medal and Bar. George Hay* (2925-35) is a and Officer in the Merchant Navy. He is in the service of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co., Ltd., based on Abadan. Charles Lamond Henderson (1909-23), M.A., barrister-at-law, has, on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor, been appointed to the rank of King's Counsel. He was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in June 2920. Peter Bryan Herd* (2932-39) joined the Royal Artillery as a Gunner in September 2939 and reached the rank of Bombardier. In June 2942 he volunteered and was accepted for the R.A.F., which he joined with the rank of Corporal. He received his training in U.S.A., where he gained his " wings " in August 2942. He is now a Sergeant Pilot. James Alexander Innes* (1922-32), who served his apprenticeship with the Bank of Scotland, Aberdeen, is still with that Bank, having recently been transferred to its branch at Fort Augustus. John R. S. Innes* (2923-3 5), M.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., continues as a Rugby Internationalist. He played for Scotland in the Services Match against England at Inverleith on 27th February, when he was reported to have been one of the two most reliable of the three-quarters; and he played for Scotland in the match at Leicester on tooth April, when England was again the winner, by 24 points to 19. Our F.P. scored two of Scotland's tries, the second one being generally regarded as the best of the match. James Patrick Jeffrey* (1906-18) has 'recently been promoted from Major to Lieutenant-Colonel and posted as C.R.E., z Corps Troops, R.E. He was previously Chief Instructor at Northern Command Tactical School and then went as a student to a Senior Officers School. His old Field Company from Aberdeen was in the Madagascar " show" ; at one stage a party of them lived entirely on bananas and were finally " sick of the sight of them." Edmund George Herbert Lightfoot* (2922-24), L.D.S. (St. And.), was before the war in practice as a dental surgeon in Weymouth, and in 2940 received an appointment in the Public Health Department, Aberdeen. In January of this year he was commissioned as
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a Lieutenant in the Army Dental Corps and he is now stationed in the Midlands of England. John Adam Lillie* (1893-1903), K.C., M.A. (Abcrd.), LL.B. (Edin.), Sheriff Principal of Fife and Kinross, has been appointed by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury a Deputy Chairman and Acting Chairman in Scotland of the Board of Referees, under the Finance Acts. This Board deals with appeals against assessments in Excess Profits Tax and Company Surtax cases. SIR STAFFORD CRIPPS QUOTES LINKLATER. Eric Linklater* (1913-16), M.A., Major, Royal Engineers, supplied a fitting peroration for Sir Stafford Cripps's Rectorial Address to the University of Aberdeen on 6th February, when he said :— " Over and above is the need for higher standards and better living conditions for the common people in every country in the world. Our business is to secure this, first and foremost, for our own people. We have the productive capacity if we like to use it, but we must decide in whose interest that power of production is to be used when the war is over. The time to agree upon the basic principle of priorities is now while we arc still co-operating for the purpose of victory. By so doing we can make certain that victory will not be barren. " 1 have pictured to you the difficulties ; I have pointed the prospect. I throw you a challenge, to your spirit of adventure and patriotism. The meaning of the challenge is nowhere better expressed than by a distinguished son of Aberdeen University, Eric Linklater, who puts into the mouth of Beethoven these words : ' Do not think peace to be a shallow or a placid thing. It is deep and rich. It is full of movement and joy, of work and laughter, and the reaching out of your hands to God. That is the peace of a living soul. Have nothing to do with any thin or idle peace, mere rest from toil and relapse from war. That is the peace of the dying.' " Linklater's recent broadcast play, " The Great Ship," ranks as one of the radio achievements of the war, linking to-day with the heroic ages of the past and portraying human nature struggling bravely against adversity. The Scotsman said that the broadcast was, in its way, flawless. " Major Linklater is a Scotsman using the radio for a high purpose. In "Ile Great Ship ' he rises to new heights of poetic and literary vision. In him the B.B.C. have found a writer who can reach a degree of literary eloquence surpassed by no one." John Bennett McGregor* (1921-33), Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.R., who was with the Straits Steamship Co., has returned from the Far East and has taken up an appointment as Assistant Dock Master at Falmouth, Cornwall. Murdoch McIntosh* (1928-33), B.L., is now Major, R.A. In November 1941 he was seconded to the Indian Army and is serving with an Anti-Tank Regiment of the Indian Royal Artillery. His younger brother, IAN MCINTOSH* (1928-33), was gazetted Lieutenant, R.A., in December last and is also now serving overseas. Ian Sinclair McIntyre* (1920-40), Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., joined the Navy as a Cadet Seaman in September 1941 and is now on Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham's personal staff. Colin John Maclver* (1902-03), M.A., who was formerly Assistant Mathematical Master in the Grammar School and from 1939 Head Master of Kittybrewster School, Aberdeen, was in March appointed Head Master of Frederick Street Junior Secondary School.
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Charles Gordon Mackenzie* (1887-92), M.A., B.D., has resigned from the charge of Logic-Coldstonc and Cromar, in the Presbytery of Deeside, to which he was inducted in January 1934. He began his career as an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland at Methlick in 1906 and was for a number of years Presbyterian Minister in Kandy, Ceylon. Patrick Alexander Bruce McKerron* (1904-1o), of the Malayan Civil Service, was on leave in the United Kingdom just before war broke out. Having been recalled to duty in August 1939, he was appointed Chief Censor, Malaya, and held that appointment until January 1942, when he was posted to the staff of the 3rd Indian Army Corps as Chief Civil Liaison Officer. He took part in the retreat from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, from which he escaped on the night of Sunday, 15th February, after the " cease fire." He arrived in Ceylon, via Sumatra and Java, on 4th March, and is now Political Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, Ceylon. He says he hopes one day to return to Malaya. "SPARE TIME" IN AN ITALIAN PRISON CAMP.
Robert Gordon McKerron (1907-13), Professor of Law in Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, was appointed Assistant Judge Advocate-General, and South African Division. He joined the staff of this division on its formation in South Africa in 1940 and went with it on active service to the Middle East in 1941. He served in Libya and was taken prisoner at Tobruk along with the whole of the divisional staff in June 1942. He is now in a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy, where he is reported to be fit and well. He is spending his " spare time " in learning Afrikaans and conducting law classes in the camp. This helps to make the time pass more quickly. Alan Cardno Mackintosh* (1914-18), who has been a planter in Ceylon for many years, was mobilized with the local Volunteer force, the C.P.R.C., but a number in it were sent back to their jobs and he was required to take over the management of Angroowella Estate, Urugala. His older brother, JOHN FALCONER MACKINTOSH* (1902-11), M.C., holds a staff appointment in the Indian Command. John Scott MacLachlan* (1922-32), LL.B., has recently been promoted Major, R.E., and is at present in command of a Cadet Company in England. Although he finds the work very interesting, he regrets that it is so far from a field unit and " active " soldiering. Douglas Stuart McMillan* (1896-1904), F.R.I.B.A., went to Edinburgh in June 1941 to take up the post of Technical Adviser for Scotland to the War Damage Commission. Alexander Gunn MacNeill* (19o5-09), M.C., A.M.Inst.C. E., Lieut.-Colonel, Royal Engineers, who was C.R.E. of an area in the North of England, joined a field force at the beginning of this year and has gone overseas. Donald Graham McRobbie* (1920-33), M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., after serving in Libya in a field ambulance, was in 1941 transferred to Suez as M.O. of a transit camp. In the autumn of last year he joined the 51st Division, being subsequently posted as R.M.O.
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine to a battalion of the Black Watch, the Padre of which, he was pleased to find, was another F.P., Rev. THOMAS J. T. Nicol.* (1930-35), M.A., C.F. Robert James Maitland* (I 912-I 8), Major, R.E., is in command of a company in the 51st Division which played an important part in the Battle of El Alamein. He is a son of the late Mr. Adam Maitland, Lord Provost of Aberdeen, and in civil life is a director, resident in Glasgow, of Messrs. J. & W. Henderson, Ltd., builders' merchants, Aberdeen. Dennis Trevor Llewellyn Marr* (1930-42) joined the Navy as an Ordinary Seaman in July 1942 and has been serving in a minesweeper since the end of September. In a recent letter he says that the Magazine " is the book I look forward to most of all—a first-class tonic." He is afraid that it will be thirty or forty years before he starts writing his memoirs for it : he has not, he says, done anything outstanding so far, except spending several months at sea without being seasick! Dennis is a son of EDWARD GEORGE MARR* (1899-1901), who retired in 1940 from the Bank of London and South America, Ltd., in Montevideo, and contributed to the Magazine of June 1940 an eye-witness's account of the scuttling of the Graf Spee. Leslie Deane Mayor* (1923-33), A.F.C., Squadron Leader, R.A.F., who before the outbreak of war was stationed in India, was in Burma for a short time in 1941, and then in Iraq, on the outbreak of the rebellion there. After the Iraq armistice and the conclusion of the Syrian and Persian campaigns, he went to the Middle East (Western Desert). Then he was again in Burma, for about six months, and arrived in August of last year in this country, where he is now on Heavy Bombers in Bomber Command. Malcolm Ross Milne* (1925-35), who is in his fifth year in medicine at Aberdeen University, has been awarded the Duthie Scholarship in Medicine and the Strachan Bursary in Therapeutics and Clinical Medicine. He is a son of ANDREW MILNE* (1903-09), M.A., Head of the Classical Department of the Grammar School. James Monro*(z 928-39), after spending several months in R.A.F. training in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, received his " wings " and commission, and returned to this country to complete his training before going on operational service as a night fighter pilot. Johnstone Murray* (1879-85), who was ordained in the Church of England in 1892 and has latterly been Rector of Tacolneston, Norwich, is retiring at the end of June this year and leaving Norfolk. Although he left the School nearly sixty years ago, he has maintained a constant interest in it. i o6
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN A JAP PRISON.
William Robertson Myers* (1895-99), who joined the Chinese Maritime Customs in 1904, spent the opening years of the " Japanese unpleasantness " in Tientsin, from which he was unable later to get out. On 8th December 1941 he was rounded up by the Japanese Army and put behind bars. For eight months he was in their hands, mostly in solitary confinement. To this day he is not very clear as to
107 Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine what his crime really was. " All I know is that the Japs clearly did not like me ; and, to be quite fair, I should add that I neither had nor have any great love for the Japs." His knowledge of passing events from December 1941 to August 1942 has been derived from what he has read and heard subsequently. During the last four months of his imprisonment he was allowed out for exercise only three times, and on each occasion for about ten minutes. When he had nothing but Japs around him and nothing but his own thoughts for company, not being allowed any reading material, he spent hours imagining a motor tour of Aberdeen and Deeside (which he has not seen for close on forty years), recalling the various streets and places as he remembered them. It surprised him how names and glimpses of town and countryside came back to him, and at times he almost mesmerized himself into believing that the four walls had disappeared and that he was back in his old haunts again. He is now in this country and waiting for a call to do some useful work. It is rather ironical that in December 1937 The Times correspondent in Tokio wrote in connection with the taking over of the Maritime Customs in the North of China by the new Peking Government that Japanese press messages paid tribute to the assistance given by the British Commissioner, Mr. W. R. Myers, whose friendly attitude, they said, would prove of advantage to Great Britain. In January of this year Mr. Myers delivered an address on " Thirtyeight years in China " to a lunch-time meeting in London of the Royal Empire Society, with Major-General the Right Hon. Sir Frederick Sykes in the chair. His informative and authoritative article in this issue of the Magazine is a very welcome contribution, for which all readers will be grateful. lain H. Pattison* (1921-30), B.Sc. (Agr.), M.R.C.V.S., has been appointed to the Colonial Veterinary Service as a Veterinary Research Officer in Palestine. He has held a Colonial Veterinary Scholarship for five years. While a pupil at the Grammar School he was in December 1930 awarded the George Ernest Morrison Scholarship of the value of £zoo per annum, tenable for two years at the Geelong College, Victoria, Australia. There he became Captain of the College and then returned to this country, working for a time at the Duthie Experimental Stock Farm, Rowett Institute, Bucksburn. He subsequently studied agriculture at Aberdeen University and then veterinary science at the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Edinburgh. William Mowat Sinclair Phillips (1926-28), who became a journalist like his late father, JAMES WILLIAM PHILLIPS (1881-89), is a and Lieutenant in the Black Watch. He joined up at the outbreak of war, serving in France and escaping from St. Valery. He has recently been wounded in the Middle East. Oswald George Prosser* (1907-18), M.B., Major, R.A.M.C. (T.A.), who before the war was in medical practice at Anlaby, East Yorks, was captured in Libya last summer, and after being for about eleven months in captivity in Italy, was repatriated to this country in April. He has much of interest to tell of his experiences, and has been
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good enough to give some account of these in this issue of the Magazine. James Ogilvy Rae* (1911-zi), who was in the service of the North British and Mercantile Insurance Co., Ltd., mainly in Calcutta, is now Acting Major at H.Q., 21 Indian Corps, P.A.I. Force. He received his commission in the R.I.A.S.C. in November r940. When writing in January of this year he said that the climate in his part of the world was not good. The summer was long, hot, and dusty, and the winter very cold. There were only two pleasant months in the year. Edward Birnie Reid* (1902-13), O.B.E., C.A., Brevet Colonel, Royal Corps of Signals, was in January appointed by Sir Stafford Cripps, Rector of the University of Aberdeen, to be his assessor in the Aberdeen University Court. About a year ago Colonel Reid was released from his appointment as Deputy Chief Signals Officer, Scottish Command, and resumed practice as a chartered accountant in Aberdeen. Robert Richards* (1899-1904), M.A., M.D., Lecturer in Forensic Medicine at Aberdeen University, has been appointed by the Secretary for Scotland a member of a Medical Advisory Committee which has been set up " to advise on the medical aspect of problems relating to the health of the people." Alexander A. Rodger Riddel* (1926-34) is a Lieutenant (A), R.N.V.R. He wrote at Christmas from a port in Kenya acknowledging receipt of his June copy of the Magazine and expressing his appreciation of it. From the end of 1941 till June of last year he was shorebased, and spent most of that time in Libya, where he met several F.P.s, including Captain JAMES CLARK BELL* (1918-24), R.A.M.C. ; the late Major WALTER BENZIE (1917-19) ; Lieutenant IAN H. LAING* (1926-30), R.N.R., in whose celebration of the award of the D.F.C. he shared, and in the same evening met Sub-Lieut. ALAN F. EssoN* (1929-34), R.N.R. Several times he just missed the three BAIN doctor brothers in the Desert. After the June retreat from Libya, in which he had several exciting moments, he came down to join the Eastern Fleet. Before the war Riddel was a flight engineer with Messrs Airwork Ltd. of Heston Airport, and was engaged in survey work for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Co., Ltd., Abadan, Persia. William Murray Ritchie* ( x 922-3 z), M.B., is a Squadron Leader, R.A.F. (Medical Branch). He was called up just before the outbreak of war and has been in Iraq continuously since September 1940. He is in charge of the pathology department in a hospital there. Ian Fraser Roberts* (1925-37) is Corporal, R.A.F., in the Base Accounts Office, Middle East. He was in Egypt from September 1941 until September 1942, when he went to Kenya. There he found things more like home, with green trees and grass, which were so scarce in Egypt. His station is 7,000 feet above sea-level and not so very far from Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, flat-topped and snow-capped all the year round. Kenya, he says, abounds in game of all description, which in the present period of little or no hunting is flourishing. Among the wild animals he has seen are baboons, buck, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, and ostriches. He had been exploring the
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surrounding countryside on a bicycle, and only a few miles from camp could look around and fail to see any signs of human habitation— nothing but grassland dotted with bushes and trees. Kenneth Hood Robertson* (1935-4.1) is a Sergeant Pilot in the R.A.F. IIe received his training in Rhodesia and is now hack in this country. John Hugh Gunn Ross* (1924-31), M.A., B.D. (Aberd.), B.A. (Oxon.), has, since finishing at Balliol College, Oxford, been with the Church of Scotland Huts in the Middle East for over two years. He has visited such places as Damascus, Baghdad, and Teheran. Cecil Arthur G. Savidge* (1913-24), M.B.E., M.A., who is in the External Affairs Department, Government of India, has been serving in Iraq since May 1941 as a Major on special duty. He had a spell of three years as Under-Secretary in the Indian Foreign Office at Delhi, and after that was in Baluchistan for a short time, before he was suddenly sent to Iraq when the trouble started there. He had an interesting job which took him out on all the " shows " that were going, and to this issue of the Magazine he contributes an article describing the expedition which relieved Baghdad in June 194r. After that he saw the north end of the Syrian campaign up to the capture of Deir az Zor, and then had a brief interlude on the Turkish frontier before going to Persia at the end of August in the same year. He enjoyed his time there greatly, and found the mountains of Persia to be a wonderful tonic after the bleak deserts of Iraq. Next he had the good fortune to be on the flying column which went up to meet the Russians for the first time at Qasvin. Thereafter he was sent down to Basra, where he came across quite a number of F.P.s, including several of his own classfellows. When writing in December 1942 he expected to be returning to New Delhi, to another job in the Government of India. John Lyon Shaw* (1917-20), Rector of St. Peter and St. Paul's, Enfield Lock, Middlesex, was in May instituted as Vicar of St. Matthew's, Custom House, London, E. 16. He says that although it is unlikely that any F.P.s may be living in his neighbourhood, it is possible that some serving in H.M. Forces may put into Victoria Dock, and he would be delighted to meet them. Alexander Mackenzie Shinnie* (1896-190o) is in the service of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, Aberdeen. He was clerk to the Court of Referees and is now clerk to the Local Insurance Officer and in charge of the Military Service Hardship Committees and Local Appeal Boards. Alexander Lancelot Simpson* (1916-25), who was in the service of the National Bank of India, Ltd., has received a commission in the Indian Army and been posted to a Punjab regiment. Charles Harvey Simpson* (1897-1909), M.A., principal teacher of English in Biggar Iligh School, Lanarkshire, since 1921, has recently been promoted to the principal English mastership of Hamilton Academy and now resides at Bothwell.
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Frank Douglas Simpson (1879-84), M.A., who retired from the Indian Civil Service in 1930, had a letter in The Times in January dealing with food supplies in India. The Government of India, he wrote, was embarking on a policy which would produce a famine and cost many thousands of lives, and continued : " I served my apprenticeship as a famine officer under that greatest of administrators, Sir Anthony Macdonell. We never attempted to take the place of the trade. We recognized that the ' wicked hoarders and speculators' were our best friends. By raising prices they did the rationing for us. By sending grain wherever prices were highest, they solved our transport problem. Where food was in short supply, prices rose. To take advantage of the high price, grain flowed of itself to the spot and prices fell again. Our task was the limited one of securing that every man, woman, and child had money in his pocket enough to buy food at the current local price. This was within our powers. In a considerable experience, I know of no death from starvation in British territory. But there were many in the native states, which pursued the policy now in favour. There prices were lixed. This simply benumbs the trade. The dealer is accustomed to watching prices. He can forecast shortages. But he cannot foresee the whims of his rulers. Once he knows that prices may be arbitrary, he shuts down like an oyster. And then Government essays the role of graindealer—and fails—and the people die. This is ancient doctrine. Adam Smith asserted boldly that while dearth is due to the seasons, famine is always due to the mistaken efforts of Government to remove dearth."
Alan Douglas Smith* (1929-40), who was trained as a Pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, has transferred to the Royal Naval Patrol Service. In a recent letter he says : " What a tonic it is to get a sight of the Afag. during my very brief and scarce leisure moments." William Alexander Smith (1861-65), who carried on the business of James Smith & Son, wholesale watch and clock makers in Aberdeen until his death (recorded in the last Magazine) at the age of 9z, left estate amounting to nearly Li 2,OOo and bequeathed L300 to Holburn Central Church, Aberdeen, in memory of his father, James Smith, who died in 1889. John Hastie Speirs (1911-24), M.A. (Aberd.), B.A. (Cantab.), is Lecturer in English Language and Literature in the University of Egypt, Cairo. A military correspondent recently described in a dispatch how Cairo had become the gay metropolis of the Middle East, and how, a city wherein luxury and squalor rubbed shoulders, it had in recent years become a notable intellectual capital also, with a vigorous and progressive University which had attracted many well-known British scholars to its teaching staff. John Stewart* (1898-1905), M.A., the recently repatriated Church of Scotland Missionary in Manchuria, is to receive the honorary degree of D.D. from his Alma Mater, the University of Aberdeen. Speaking at a League of Nations Union luncheon in Edinburgh in January, he forecast that it would take at least two years to dispose of Japan and uttered a warning that we should neither underestimate the strength of the Japanese nor overestimate that of the Chinese. As he has spent twenty-eight years in China, his views deserve attention. Robert Andrew Stewart (1922-34), elder son of JOHN A. STEWA RT * (1897-99), C.I.E., M.C., LL.D., I.C.S. (retired), is a Flying Officer in the R.A.F. and has been stationed in Kenya.
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Charles Ian Graham Stobie* (1924-27), M.A. (St. And.), was in November last ordained and inducted minister of Uyeasound, Shetland. Henry James Strachan* (1917-24), M.A., Classical Master, Spilsby Grammar School, Lincs, is now Flying Officer, R.A.F., on special duty. James Strachan* (1885-95), M.A., B.Sc., H.M. Divisional Inspector of Schools to the Board of Education, is the new Secretary of the Friends' Education Council. He joined the Society of Friends while living at Darlington, in charge of all branches of education in the Northern Division of England. William Dixon Swinney (1918-31), M.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., is Medical Officer of the Derbyshire Yeomanry, who were the first troops to enter Tunis on the memorable 7th of May. Alexander Taylor* (I 9I 5), H.M. Inspector of Taxes, who has been on the Chief Inspector's staff at Somerset House, London, for the last six years, has recently had a change in his official duties, and is now taking charge of the Streatham District. John Cameron Taylor* (1904-06), who was for many years in the service of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd., in China, was at home on leave when the war broke out and was posted for duty to the head office at Hongkong. Fortunately, however, he did not get out East, and latterly he has been on the staff of the Man Power Board, Ministry of Labour, Aberdeen. In June of this year he left for London to rejoin Messrs. Jardine, Matheson. His son, ALAN CAMERON TAYLOR* (1938-41), started his apprenticeship in the head office of the North of Scotland Bank, Aberdeen, and was among the prize-winners in the 1943 examinations of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland. He has recently joined the R.A.F. as an Aircraftman (and Class). Alexander McGregor Thom* (1911-22), B.Sc. (Eng.), is now in the service of the Eastern Bedaux Co., Calcutta, where he is a member of the Bengal Centre of the F.P. Club. Alexander Thomson* (1923-27), M.R.C.V.S., elder son of the late Mr. Alexander Thomson, Dalmaik, Drumoak, is in the service of the Rangataiki Plains Dairy Co., Wharatane, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Charles Ferguson Thomson* (1912-14) has been for a long period in the service of Messrs. Haworth & Co., jute brokers, Calcutta. I-Ie received a commission in the Indian Army and was called to Delhi for mobilization work. Thereafter he was posted to Rawalpindi as D.A.Q.M.G. Keith Thomson* (1913-19), who was with the Chrysler Motor Co. in Detroit, U.S.A., is now engaged on war work at Elmira, New York. Leslie Watt* (1923-35), M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., is serving in a general hospital with the Persia and Iraq Force. Charles H. Webster* (1897-1901), who for thirty years has been in business in Aberdeen on his own account as a typewriter specialist,
Aberdeen Crammar School Magazine has recently turned his business into a private limited company, and among those associated with him as directors are his sons DOUGLAS WILLIAM LAWRENCE WEBSTER* (1929-39) and CI i ARLES ANTONY WEBSTER* (1932-40). Herbert H. E. Wiseman* (1896-1903), M.A., Director of Music to the Education Committee of Edinburgh, in December last conducted in St. George's West Church, Edinburgh, the largest choir he has ever directed in his long experience of choir-conducting. It numbered considerably over t,ooo voices and sang selections from "The Messiah." The choir was drawn from choral societies and church and other choirs, who had been invited to " come in and sing " at the highly popular " Sunday at 3 " meeting in St. George's West. George Stewart Wood* (1922-32), according to a Reuter telegram in January, was one of four more members of Dr. Buchman's Oxford Group who remained classified " IA " for military service after the New York Draft Board's reconsideration of their applications for deferment. He has been for a number of years one of the Scottish members of the Oxford Group. ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY DEGREES.
At a Graduation Ceremony at Aberdeen University on 16th December 1942 degrees were conferred on the following :— Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)— Alexander Macdonald* (1921-27), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., with Highest Honours for Thesis—" The Biology of the Staphylococci with an Inquiry into the Nature of Staphylococcal Lesions." Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B., Ch.B.)— Donald Durance Pennie* (1928-37).
At the Spring Graduation Ceremony at Aberdeen University on 1st April 1943 degrees were conferred on the following :— Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)— Alexander John Robertson Murray* (1928-39), with Second Class Honours in Chemistry. Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.)— James Souter Stephen (1919-29), M.A., Ph.D., with Distinction in Church History.
Marriages. Barron (19zo-z8).-At St. George's Presbyterian Church, Noord Street, Johannesburg, South Africa, on 23rd January 1943, GEORGE IIAZELWOOD BARRON,*
son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Barron, Aberdeen, Scotland, to Agnes Jessie (Nancy), younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Dalgleish, Orange Grove, Johannesburg. Baxter (19z8-39).-At Skcne Street Congregational Church, Aberdeen, on 16th April 1943, ALFRED BAXTER, radio officer, M.N., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Baxter, 17 Brighton Place, Aberdeen, to Mary Helen (" May ") Stewart, youngest daughter of Mr. William Stewart and the late Mrs. Stewart, 69 Fonthill Road, Aberdeen. Bishop (1928-38).—At Old Carver Memorial Church, Windermere, on 24th February 1943, DAVID MTEAN BISHOP,* M.A., and Lirut., R.E.M.F., son of
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Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Bishop, 30 Springfield Avenue, Aberdeen, to Mary, A.S.O., W..A.A.F., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. Carson, 4 Inglis Road, Invergordon. Booth (19z2-25).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 74th November 1942, HERBERT Warr Boo-rm, Licut., R.A.M.C., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Booth, Viewtield, Bridge of Dun, Aberdeen, to Eileen Nancy Scott, Sergeant, A.T.S., elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter F. Scott, 162 Brootnhill Road, Aberdeen. Clark (1914-zz).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 6th January 1943, JOHN CLARK, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Clark, 371 Great Western Road, Aberdeen, to Beatrice L. K. Sellar, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Sellar, Aberdeen. Findlay (1953-35).—At the East Church, Petty, Inverness-shire, on ist January 1943, Sergeant Pilot ROBERT WILSON FINDLAY, R.A.F., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Findlay, " Craigmhor," Dyce, Aberdeenshire, to Betty, third daughter of the late Mr. A. James, " The Darnley," Cobham, Kent, and Mrs. James. Frazer (19z5-3o).—At the University Chapel, Glasgow, on ant April 1943, Rev. Alexander and Mrs. Frazer, ALLAN CAMERON FRAZER,* M.A., LL.B., son of Tain, to Charlotte Ella, daughter of the late Mr. David C. Edwards and Mrs. Edwards, i 1 Struan Road, Cathcart, Glasgow. Gilchrist (1897-19o0.—At St. Stephen's Church, Dulwich, on znd January 1943, NORMAN STEPHEN GILCHRIST,* O.B.E., M.D., of z t Harley Street, London, W. 1, and 3 Alleyn Park, Dulwich, London, S.E. 2, to Elizabeth Stockton, of 6 St. Mary's Mansions, London, W. z. Grant (1904-17).—At the Parish Church, Denham, on 24th April 1943, GORDON COUPER GRANT,* son of the late Mr. John Grant and of Mrs. Grant, 7 Hazledene Road, Aberdeen, to Jean Franklin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Moffitt, Denham, Bucks. Gray (x923-35).--At Aberdeen, on 5th February 1943, GORDON GRAY, son of the late F. J. Gray and of Mrs. Gray, 128 Anderson IN-lye, to Louise Watson, daughter of the late Mr. A. Youngman and of Mrs. Youngman, Learney Arms I lute', Torphins. Harrow (t925-36).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 23rd January 1943, JOHN ALEXANDER HARROW,* M.B., Ch.B., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Harrow, " Avondow," Milltimber, to Grace, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Bisset, " The Grange," Cults. Hay (I9zo-33).—At Winchmore Hill, London, on 23rd December 1942, IAN KENNEDY HAY, M.B., Ch.B., son of George Edward Hay* (1895-1902), M.A., and Mrs. Flay, 169 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen, to Evelyn Irene Richards, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richards, Newport, Mon. Hopkins (1921-33).—At St. George's-in-the-West Church, Aberdeen, on 28th May 1943, IVOR LLEWELLYN BOWMAN HOPKINS, A.R.I.B.A., elder son of the late Mr. Isaac Hopkins and of Mrs. E. J. Hopkins, z5 Wellhrae Terrace, Aberdeen, to Doreen Isobel, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hendry, 16 Jamaica Street, Aberdeen. Lines (i92.3-35).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen on 9th January 1943, JOHN ROBERT STEPHEN INNES,* elder son of Dr. John and Dr. Elizabeth Innes, Aberdeen, to Marguerite, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Erskine, 36 Albury Road, Aberdeen. Johnson (x9zo-14).—At Crown Terrace Baptist Church, Aberdeen, on 4th January 1943, LEONARD CLAYTON JOHNSON, second son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Johnson, 4o Thorngrove Avenue, Aberdeen, to Ethel, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Gray, 8 Wallfield Crescent, Aberdeen. Jordan (1924-33).----At Beechgrove Church, Aberdeen, on 24th April 1 943> LESLIE ROBERT DixoN JORDAN,* youngest son of the late Mr. George E. Jordan and Mrs. Jordan, 8o Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen, to Shena Kerr, only daughter of Mr. Robert Aitken and the late Mrs. Aitken, 8z Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen. Killoh (19z7-35).--At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on znd June 1943, Captain RONALD BRUCE KILLOH, M.B., Ch.B., R.A.M.C., son of the late Dr. Bruce Killoh and of Mrs. Killoh, The Brae, Peterculter, to Winifred Mary, daughter of Mr. and Airs. Wilson Marks, Ardyne, Cromarty.
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Laidlaw (1925-15).--At St. Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen, on 4th _January 1943, Lieut. WILLIAM YOUNG LAIDLAW, M..B., Ch.B., R.A.M.C., only son of Mr. and Mrs. John Laidlaw, Dundargue, Craigton Road, Aberdeen, to Mary Brebner, M.B., Ch.B., only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Robb, Winona, Balnagask Road. MacGregor (19o7-18).--At Holy Trinity Church, Brompton, London, on 17th December 1942, Surgeon Lieut.-Commander IAN WYNESS MACGREGOR,* M.B., Ch.B., R.N.V.R., of Hereford, to Violet, widow of John St. Clair Ruthven, 6th Rifles, daughter of the late Mrs. Rose Richards and of Major Rose Richards, the Island House, Laugham, Carmarthenshire. McKay (I92o-23).—At Torry Church of Scotland, Aberdeen, on 22nd May 1943, JOHN FRASER M`KAY, only son of Mr. and the late Mrs. J. F. M`Kay, 161 Bun-Accord Street, to Hannah Bruce, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Walker, 27 Gellymill Street, Macduff. McLaren (192i-30).--At Wellington, New Zealand, on 8th February 1943, WILLIAM HAMISH MCLAREN,* elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McLaren, 46 Murray Terrace, Aberdeen, to Nalda, only daughter of the late Mr. Tocher and of Mrs. Tocher, 159 Queen's Drive, Lyall Bay, Wellington, New Zealand. Matheson (1925-3o).—At Trinity Church, Cambuslang, Glasgow, on 5th March 1943, JOHN COWAN MATHESON,* Merchant Navy, son of Rev. Charles ?Matheson (1892-94), M.A., Dunvcgan, Skye, to Barbara, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Corlett, Childwall Mount Road, Liverpool 16. Meares (1887-90).—At Aberdeen, on 22nd December 1942, JAMES ALEXANDER MEARNS, M.B., C.M., Aberdeen, to Jeannie Allison McPherson, younger daughter of Mr. Robert McPherson, late of Inverurie. Middleton (1919-23).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 26th May 1943, JOHN MIDDLETON,* younger son of the late Dr. James Middleton, Peterhead, and Mrs. Middleton, 42 Fonthill Road, Aberdeen, to Mary Isobel, M.B., Ch.B., elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Forbes, Dallachy, Banff. Miles (1923-3o).--At Ruthrieston South Church, Aberdeen, on 23rd November 1942, ROBERT CHARLES CRUICKSHANK MILES,* son of Mr. and Mrs. Miles, 45 Es ' sicmont Avenue, to Marjorie, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Menzies, 56z Holburn Street, Aberdeen. Morison (1923-3o).—At the Congregational Church, Marple Bridge, Cheshire, on 28th November 1942, Captain IAN GORDON MURISON,* The South Lancashire Regiment, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Murison, of North Harrow, Middlesex, and late of Aberdeen, to Beatrice, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Parkinson, of Longmead, Marple Bridge, Cheshire. Nelson (1914-24).--On 23rd December 1942, WILLIAM JAMES ADAIR NELSON,* C.A., elder son of the late Mr. H. Adair Nelson and Mrs. Nelson, Aberdeen, to Muriel Dorothea Gardiner, only daughter of the Rev. J. E. Gardiner, M.A., I Ion. C.F., and of Mrs. Gardiner, Fittleworth, Sussex. Rattray (i923-35).—At St. John's Church, Hanley, on 16th January 1943, ARTHUR SMITH RATTRAY,* B.Sc., younger son of David S. Rattray (1881-85) and Mrs. Rattray, 24 Whitehall Road, Aberdeen, to Ivy, youngest daughter of Mr. and the late Mrs. Tomkinson, i6 Charles Street, Hanley. Robb (1925-29).—At the Presbyterian Church, Benoni, on 23rd January 1943, JAMES HAROLD RoBB,* eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Robb, 209 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, to Maggie, second daughter of late Frederick Dallas, and of Mrs. Dallas, 6z Newland Avenue, Benoni, Transvaal, South Africa. Smith (1925-35).—At St. Thomas's Church, Dehra Dun, U.Y., India, on 3rd March 1943, Captain JoHN JAMES GLADSTONE SMITH, I.A,O.C., son of the late Mr. A. G. Smith, Assam, and of Mrs. Smith, 16 Rosebery Street, Aberdeen, to Phyllis May, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Groomhridge, Debra Dun. Stephen (191o-a9).—At the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, on 18th March 1943, ROWLAND FRASER STEPHEN, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Stephen, 252 Queen's Road West, Aberdeen, to Frances, elder datwhtcr of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Porter, 158 Ruthrieston Circle, Aberdeen.
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Prisoners of War. Before the war broke out, about a hundred F.P.s were known to be resident in Hongkong, Malaya, and the East Indies, and since the fall of Hongkong and Singapore and the overrunning of those parts by the Japanese, there has been great anxiety about our Old Boys. Fortunately, during the last few months reports have been coming through that a considerable number are alive, but prisoners in Japanese hands. Of others, however, there has as yet been no word. If there are any F.P.s who are known either to have escaped or to be prisoners of war and whose names do not appear in the list below, the Editor of the Magerine will be grateful for information about them. PRISONERS IN JAPANESE HANDS: FOUR CLUB CONSULS.
John Abel Aitken* (1918-22), Captain, R.A., second son of
WILLIAM AITKEN (1 882-87), 7 Hammcrfield Avenue, Aberdeen, and brother-in-law of JAMES OGILVY RAE* (1912-21), before the war was
the Edinburgh representative of H. J. Heinz Co., Ltd. Called up as a Territorial in September 1939, he received a commission in the Royal Artillery in January 1941 and arrived in Malaya only a few weeks before the fall of Singapore. George Anderson* (1914-24), younger son of Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Anderson, 42 Desswood Place, Aberdeen, has been engaged in rubber planting since first he went out to Selangor in 1926. He was latterly on the Kuala Muda Rubber Estates in Kedah. His wife and infant daughter were safely evacuated from Singapore and are now in Aberdeen. Called up as a Volunteer, he fought his way through Malaya to Singapore, where he met his wife and child before they sailed. James Eric Alexander Bartlet* (1922-34), M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., graduated in medicine at Aberdeen in July 1939 and received his commission in the R.A.M.C. in April 1940. Almost immediately thereafter he was sent to the East. Captain Bartlet is the younger son of the Very Rev. Dean Bartlet, formerly of St. James's Episcopal Church, Aberdeen, and now of Kincardine O'Neil. John Richardson Bell (1905-14), son of Mr. J. A. Bell, formerly City Electrical Engineer, Aberdeen, has been engaged in rubber in the F.M.S. ever since he was demobilized after serving in the last war as a Lieutenant in the R.F.A. (T.F.). He was attached to the R.A.F. Observer Corps and is now a prisoner in Java. Douglas Gordon Emslie Benzie (1921-24), D.F.C., Squadron Leader, R.A.F., who is a prisoner in Java, qualified as a chartered accountant in May 1939. He was commissioned in the A.A.F. in 1937 and was awarded the D.F.C. in July 1941. On being posted to the East later in the same year, he was promoted Squadron Leader. Eric Kennedy Cruickshank* (1910-32), M.B., Ch.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., son of Professor John Cruickshank of the Chair of Bacteriology in Aberdeen University, graduated in medicine, with honours, in 1937. In 1939 he became assistant to the Professor of Medicine
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in Aberdeen University and received a commission in the R.A.M.C. in 1940. He was reported missing after the fall of Singapore. Dugald T. Stuart Currie* (1927-34), son of Mrs. Currie, 49 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen, was for a time a member of the Aberdeen Police Force, and then entered the service of the Straits Rubber Co. in Perak. He was in the Volunteer Defence Force. Frederick Alastair Forbes* (1921-34), M.B., Ch.B., FlightLieut., R.A.F.V.R., graduated in medicine at Aberdeen in 1939 and was appointed Resident Physician at a hospital in Sunderland, where he was commended for brave conduct in connexion with Civil Defence. He left for the East in September 1941 and went to Java on the fall of Singapore. Graham Henderson* (1906-12), M.C., Major, F.M.S. Volunteer Force, is a prisoner of war for the second time. The first occasion was when he was wounded and taken prisoner in France in March 1918. He was manager of the Sua Betong Estate, Port Dickson, and shortly before the outbreak of war was appointed F.P. Club Consul for Negri Sembilan. He is the elder son of Mr. William Henderson, 3o Woodhill Terrace, Aberdeen, and a brother of Major WILLIAM LEWIS HENDERSON* (1919-3T), who is serving in the Middle East. His wife was evacuated from Singapore before it fell and is now in Perth, Western Australia. Ninian Mackie* (1927-37), znd Lieutenant, Royal Corps of Signals, a son of the late Mr. C. J. Mackie, advocate, and of Mrs. Mackie, zo Ashley Road, Aberdeen, was sent from India to Singapore just before it fell. He was an arts student at Aberdeen University. James William MacLeod* (1920-31), B.Sc. (Eng.), was an assistant civil engineer at H.M. Naval Base, Hongkong. Information that he was a prisoner was received from the Admiralty in July of last year. W. Alastair Lovie Marr* (1919-23), znd Lieutenant, Indian Frontier Force Rifles, was engaged in tea-planting in the Nilgiri Hills. James Godsman Mearns* (1913-20), B.Sc.(Agr.), was manager of Sungci Choh Rubber Estate, Selangor, and is in Changi Camp. His younger brother, William John Mearns* (1916-zo), who was also engaged in rubber planting in Malaya, is in Malai Camp. Alexander Ross Murray* (1903-13), Major, R.E., a son of the late Mr. A. M. Murray, manager of the Aberdeen Commercial Company, went out to Malaya in 1923 as a civil engineer in Government service, being latterly in the Drainage and Irrigation Department. In 1939 he was appointed the F.P. Club Consul for Perak. His wife escaped from Singapore a fortnight before it fell and reached this country in April of last year. Major Murray is another of the F.P.s who is now a prisoner for the second time. While serving as a Lieutenant with the i /5th Gordon Highlanders in France during the last war he was taken a prisoner by the Germans in March 1918. Charles A. Rankine (1918-30), only son of the late Mr. Charles H. Rankine, H.M. Inspector of Schools, and of Mrs. Rankine, 84 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen, was on the staff of the Federated Engineering Co., Kuala Lumpur.
117 Aberdeen Grammar School 111(1,ga:zinc Arthur Martin Scrimgeour* (1921-27), M.A., Lieutenant, Straits Settlements Volunteer Force, was in the service of the AngloThai Corporation, Ltd., at Singapore. His wife and two children were evacuated to Sydney, Australia, before Singapore fell. Richard Lyall Sharp (1920-37), M.A., Lieutenant, Northumberland Fusiliers, son of the late ALEXANDER $HARP (1889-91), advocate, Aberdeen, was taken prisoner at Singapore very shortly after his arrival there. He graduated M.A. with First Class Honours in Classics at Aberdeen University in 1937 and in 1939 was placed in Class I of the Cambridge Classical Tripos, Part II. George Grant Thomson* (1910-12) is in Changi Camp. After serving in the last war as a Lieutenant in the R.F.C. and the R.A.F., he entered the service of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank. He was doing his second term in Singapore. Alexander James Turner (1907-II), M.P.S., manager of Grafton Laboratories Ltd., Singapore, is in Changi Camp. He has been in Singapore for nearly a quarter of a century. William Clark Warrack* (1898-1909), 2nd Lieutenant, Pioneer Corps, Malaya, was manager of Victoria Estate, Padang Serai, Kedah, where he acted as F.P. Club Consul, after holding for several years the corresponding post in Perak. His wife was evacuated from Singapore at the end of January 1942 and reached this country in April of that year. Alexander George Gunn Williamson* (7914-26), 2nd Lieutenant in a Punjab regiment, is a son of Dr. George A. Williamson, 15 Forest Road, Aberdeen, He was an assistant with the Upper Assam Tea Co., Ltd., at Maijan, Dibrugarh, and joined the Indian Army in 1940. Raymond Graham Wilson* (t 906-i 2 and 1915-17) was in June reported to be in Changi Camp. He was in the service of United Engineers Ltd., and in 1938 took over the duties of F.P. Club Consul there at Singapore from JOHN No DAWSON* (1900- 04), about whom recalled be will It invasion. Japanese the since has been no word that it was largely on the initiative of Wilson that the Malayan Clock the was presented to the School and erected in the Hall shortly after outbreak of the present war. His wife was evacuated in time to Perth, Australia. Daniel Overbeck Wright* (1915-16), son of the late Lieut.Colonel A. W. Overbeck Wright, I.M.S., and of Mrs. Wright, Milfordon-Sea, Hants, was on a rubber estate in Selangor.
Missing. Douglas Harry Mostyn Hoops* (1928-33), A.R.C.M., Trooper, R.A.C., was in March reported missing from operations in North Africa. Alastair David Macdonald* (1923-25), M.A., Lieut., Norfolk Regiment, has been missing since the fall of Singapore. John Maxwell Stewart* (1925-36), Flying Officer, R.A.F., was posted missing in June 1943. The award to him of the Air Force Medal at the last New Year is recorded on page 96.
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..-lberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Obituary. Archibald Forbes Hyslop* (t 897- i 9 to), M.A., Ph.D., H.M. Inspector of Schools for the Border District of Scotland, died in Glasgow on 18th February 1943, aged 5o years. He passed right through the School from the lowest to the highest class and graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University, with First Class Honours in Classics, in 1914. Almost immediately afterwards the Great War broke out, and within a few weeks he received a commission in the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (T.F.). He served at home to July x916 and thereafter in France, being Assistant Education Officer, Third Army, from December 1918 to April 1919, and then Staff Captain, Peronne Sub-Area Headquarters, to November of that year, when he was demobilized with the rank of Captain, having been " mentioned " in July 1919. In 1921 he was appointed an assistant teacher of English and Latin in his old School, and in the same year was awarded the Croom Robertson Fellowship of Aberdeen University. This led to his receiving the degree of Ph.D. of Aberdeen University in 1925 for a thesis entitled " The Magical Element in the Calendar of Numa." In the previous year he had followed his former chief, Mr. Douglas G. Miller, from Aberdeen Grammar School to Manchester Grammar School, and after being four years there, he was appointed one of H.M. Inspectors of Schools in Scotland, being attached to the Western Division. He was in charge of the Kincardine and Zetland District from 1932, and of the Border District from 1938. In addition, he was responsible for the inspection of music in schools and training colleges in Scotland. He was the Scottish Education Department's representative on the Joint Committee of Music and Drama in Scotland, and was chairman of the Scottish Co-ordinating Committee of the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts. " Archie." It is not easy, in the short space available, to paint an adequate pen-portrait of so gifted and many-sided a personality as Archie Hyslop's. Although he was several years senior to me at School, I vividly remember the impression he made upon us younger boys : but I did not come to know him well until after the first World War, when in 1921 he joined the School staff. Of his capacity as a teacher and his ability to inspire his pupils others may speak. What attracted me to him was the immense interest and abounding energy which he threw into the extra-mural life of the School. In particular, he associated himself intimately with the School Scouts. For a couple of years he acted as District Scoutmaster, and became a familiar figure not only at the indoor meetings of the four Troops and Packs, but also at their summer outings and camps. In the actual technical work of Scouting he was too wise ever to interfere. As an intermediary between the Troops and Packs, the Rector, the parents and the Executive, his good nature, tact, and wise judgment were invaluable in piloting Grammar School Scouting round many an awkward corner and past not a few nasty snags. But it was among the boys themselves that his finest work was done. No one who was associated with him during those ful
ARCHIBALD FORBES I IYSLOP
•
•
ALASTAIR MACKENZIE. COCKIE
Sergeant Observer, R.A.F.
HENRY ALEXANDER SHAW FRASER
Sergeant Air Gunner, R.A.F.
119 Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine and strenuous years will ever forget the enormous fun which he distilled out of the various concerts, dramatic sketches, and jamborees that he helped to run. On these occasions his bubbling humour, his brilliant gifts of histrionic and musical improvisation, his skill as a rhymster, his inexhaustible high spirits and unfailing zest, above all his sheer passionate love for boys and delight in all their ploys and pranks found their fullest scope. Many of the Scouting choruses which he composed and set to music will live imperishably in the memories of those who sang or heard them ; they will bring back fragrant memories, not only of joyous shows in the School Hall, but also of grand scenes around the blazing logs at Haddo or by Loch Kinnord, or of merry evenings in that hospitable parlour beneath the grey ruins of old Pitfichie. And underneath all this fun there abided a serious purpose. No one understood better than Archie the high ideals of Scouting, or viewed it with deeper conviction as an asset in the life of the School. But do not imagine that his interest in " Grammar " boys outside the classroom was restricted to those who were Scouts. It extended throughout the School. A keen and practised swimmer himself, he did much to encourage the art, and particularly its open-air cult ; and during the summer months he regularly conducted Saturday morning bathing expeditions to the coast beyond Donmouth. In the School concerts, and in the Debating Society, his vitalizing influence likewise made itself felt. I doubt whether I am likely again to meet a man so variously endowed. To his capacity for music and song I have already alluded. It is common knowledge that he was the writer and composer of some of Harry Gordon's most popular numbers. " Inversnecky " was his invention; "The Auldest Aiberdonian" another product of his ready wit and consummate understanding of the vernacular in speech and ethos. To him also belongs the credit for some of the most entertaining songs and skits that delighted us in the infancy of broadcasting. With the single exception of " C.D." I think he was the cleverest mimic I have known. It is a dangerous gift, but with Archie, as with " C.D.," it was never used in malice, and the victim usually roared with laughter as loudly as the rest. His vitality was prodigious. A weakness in his feet, contracted, I think, during war service, prevented his tramping much, or climbing hills ; but he kept in touch with all his Troops and Packs at their various camping grounds by means of a motor bike. He was anything but mechanically minded, and his adventures with this vehicle provided both himself and others with some uproarious interludes. As a camera man he was outstanding. Many of his photographs taken of Scouting incidents, and at the excavation camps at Coull and Kindrochit, appeared in the Press, or have been shown on the screen. Latterly his qualities of aesthetic appreciation were attracted into the fields of etching and drypoint drawing ; and he had formed a valuable collection of such works by modern artists. His home life in Aberdeen was centred in his devotion to his mother, and their house in Great Western Road was a focus of hospitality which will be long remembered by their many friends.
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And lastly, beneath all his effervescent bilaritas he was a loyal and a steady friend, and a wise counsellor in time of need. Of this trait in his make-up some fine examples might be quoted, did reticence not forbid. When in 1924 Douglas Miller took him to Manchester, regret in the School was universal. I believe his career there was as successful and as popular as in Aberdeen. Since 1928 he had been an Inspector of Schools under the Scottish Education Department. l have heard it said that no one on the Department's staff was able to examine competently in so many subjects. And now he is gone. It is hard to understand why so bright and buoyant a spirit should have been thus early quenched. To his widow, parted from him after only a few months of married life, our very deep and respectful sympathy is extended. W. D. S. William Knight Roberts Boulton (1864-68), son of the late Mr. William Boulton, C.E., sometime Burgh Surveyor, Aberdeen, and the eldest of four brothers who were at the School between 1864 and 1889, died in Aberdeen on zznd February 1943 in his 91st year. Ile was for many years on the staff of the Burgh Surveyor, Aberdeen. Thomas Gordon Cook (1877-80), son of the late Mr. Alexander S. Cook, died in Aberdeen on z8th December 1942. He served as an apprentice with a firm of drapers in Aberdeen and thereafter was in the service of Messrs. Arthur & Co., Glasgow. Later he was agent in London for Messrs. William Anderson & Co., Ltd., manufacturers, Glasgow. David A. Coutts* (1881-91), A.M.I.Mech.E., son of the late Mr. Archibald Coutts, died at Aberdeen on ioth May 1943, aged 68 years. He served his apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer with Messrs. McKinnon, Spring Garden, Aberdeen. Later he acquired the Bon-Accord Engineering Company in Justice Mill Lane, retiring from that to become manager of the North-Eastern Welding Co., Ltd., Aberdeen. Charles William Davidson (1885-86), son of the late Mr. Charles Davidson of Mugiemoss, Bucksburn, died in Edinburgh on 6th May 1943, aged 74 years. He entered the service of Messrs. C. Davidson & Sons, Ltd., paper manufacturers, Mugiemoss, in 1888, and became a director of the company. For a number of years he was manager for the company in Edinburgh and later was its London manager. John Arton Francis Doughty (1914-3o), elder son of Mrs. Doughty, 165 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen, died on i zth May 1943 as the result of a motor accident at Coventry, aged 28 years. The accident occurred while he was motoring to his work at the Coventry Gauge and Tool Co. He served as an apprentice with Messrs. Anderson & Spence, chemists, Aberdeen, and went to the post in Coventry in 1938. He leaves a widow, who belongs to Rhynie, a son, and a daughter. While in Aberdeen he took a keen interest in the
I 2I Aberriten (;ranimar School Magaf,-int 41st of the Scoutmaster Assistant Boy Scout movement and was Troop. Robert George Edwards (1882-85), son of the late Mr. Matthew Edwards, died at Aberdeen on 23rd April 1943, aged 68 years. He entered the service of the Aberdeen Steam Navigation Co. in 1889, and rose to be Chief Clerk and Assistant Manager. He was with the company for 54 years. Alexander Fiddes* (187o-75), M.A., D.D., formerly minister of St. Bernard's Church, Edinburgh, died in Edinburgh on 29th March 1943, aged 83 years. lie was a son of the late EDWARD FIDDES (1830-34), who was for many years Manager of the North of Scotland Bank, Aberdeen, and passed from the Grammar School to King's College, graduating M.A. in 1879 and B.D. in 1882. In the latter year he was appointed assistant in the West Parish Church, Aberdeen, and after a short period as assistant-in-charge of Grassmarket Church, Edinburgh, was ordained to the parish of C,airney, Aberdeenshire, in 1886. He was translated to St. Bernard's, Edinburgh, in 1900 and retired in 1925. After his retirement he rendered great service to the Church as chairman for ten years of the Church of Scotland Ministers' and Scottish University Professors' Widows Fund, before its amalgamation with the Free Churches (Scotland) Fund. He was an elder in St. Giles's Cathedral and acted as chaplain to Edinburgh Academy for many years. In 1936 he celebrated his ministerial jubilee and his golden wedding, having been married on loth February 1886 to the eldest daughter of the late Colonel JAMES ALLARDYCE (1842-44), LL.D., of Culquoich, Aberdeenshire. Dr. Fiddes was possessed of unusual intellectual gifts and scholarship, which he devoted to the service of his people. He was modest, considerate, and warmly sympathetic. it was characteristic of him that in a tram-car only about half an hour before his sudden death he was seen to rise—he, an old man of 83—and give his seat to a lady who had just come in. Dr. Fiddes took a life-long interest in his old School and was a keen member of the Edinburgh Centre of the F.P. Club, making a point of attending all its meetings if he possibly could. He was also deeply interested in the Magazine, and only a short time ago sent to the Editor a fragment of an autobiography by his deceased brother, EDWARD FIDDF.S (1876-81), M.A., LL.D., formerly Ward Professor of History in the Victoria University of Manchester, which deals with his educational experiences and gives reminiscences of his days at the Grammar School more than sixty years ago. It is hoped that this very interesting contribution will appear before long in the Magazine. Robert Duncan Johnstone (1910-14), only son of the late Mr. Robert Johnstone, 23 Church Street, Woodside, Aberdeen, died at Tillicoultry on 5th December 1942, aged 44 years. Immediately after leaving the School he was mobilized in August 1914 as a Private in the School Company of the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), and in June of the following year received a commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery. His service was entirely in this country. After his demobilization in 1919 he received an appointment on the Carron
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Tea Estate, Jalpaiguri, on the borders of Bhutan, among the Himalayan foothills. Writing home some time after his arrival in India he said : " Quite half of the planters in the district are Aberdonians and four of us are F.P.s. In fact the coolies speak with a decided Aberdeen accent. If one keeps one's good health the life on a tea garden is a very fascinating one. The coolies are a very likeable people, except those who possess a small amount of education." Unfortunately he did not long enjoy good health. He came back to this country some years ago, and later found employment with the Forestry Commission. Alexander Adamson Laing* (1877-79) died at Toorak, Melbourne, Australia, on zoth January 1943, aged 78 years. A son of the late Mr. James Laing, Inverurie, he served as an apprentice in the Bank of Scotland, Aberdeen. Thereafter, in 1885, he entered the service of the Union Bank of Australia Ltd., and three years later joined the Royal Bank of Australia Ltd. at its inception. He rose to be the General Manager of this Bank at its head office in Melbourne, and latterly had been living in retirement in the suburbs of that city. Throughout his life he preserved a photograph of his class at the Grammar School—that of 1876-81. This was reproduced in the Magazine of June 1939. William Andrew Mackenzie (1886-87), whose death at Geneva on 18th November 194z was recorded in the last Magazine, was the subject of a notable obituary notice in The Times of 16th December. In this it was stated that he had a considerable reputation a generation ago as a poet and versifier. His " Rowton House Rhymes " won him high praise in print and speech from G. K. Chesterton, Alice Meynell, and other critics ; and during and after the 'nineties he enjoyed to the full the free life of the irresponsible journalist until, in 1914, at the age of 44, he suddenly became fascinated by the spiritual and moral discipline of the Roman Catholic Church. After his submission he wrote nothing; instead, he concentrated upon living a new life after the model of St. Francis of Assisi. In 1919, at the instance of Cardinal Bourne, he went to Geneva and became Secretary-General of the International Union of the Save the Children Fund, and for twenty years he was a familiar figure at international conferences for child welfare in many parts of Europe. His personal friendship with Mgr. Maglione, then Nuntius at Berne, gave him many opportunities to influence Vatican policy in the direction of child welfare. The issue of Pope Benedict XV's encyclical of x9zo commending the nonCatholic Save the Children Fund owed much to Mackenzie's instrumentality. In i9zz the Pope created him a Knight of St. Gregory. He retired in 1939 and continued to reside in Geneva. On 17th December a solemn Requiem Mass was sung at Westminster Cathedral in the presence of Cardinal Hinsley. Queen Marie of Yugoslavia, the Polish Ambassador, and the Swiss Minister were represented. The Pope, through his Secretary of State, sent a message adding his prayers for the repose of the soul of the deceased. James MacNaughton (1874-75) of Edragoll, Aberfeldy, died on 9th April 1943, aged 83 years. He was senior partner in the firm of
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Messrs. McKerchar & MacNaughton, general merchants, Aberfeldy. He took a very active part in the public life of the district. Alexander Middleton (1873-75), M.A. (Aberd.), B.D. (Edin.), minister-emeritus of Gardner Memorial Church, Brechin, died at Brechin on 8th November 2942, aged 84 years. He was assistant minister at the Barony Church, Glasgow, from 1884 to 1892, when he was called to St. Margaret's Parish, Arbroath. In 1899 he became the first minister of the Gardner Memorial Church, and continued in that position until its amalgamation with the East Church, Brechin, in 2936, when he retired. William Shier Morgan (2906-07), son of the late Mr. George 'W. Morgan, photographer, Aberdeen, died at Inverness on 14th January 2943, aged 5o years. In the last war he served with the A.S.C. (M.T.) until the beginning of 1918, when he was discharged as the result of an accident while acting as a despatch-rider in France. He then engaged in civil engineering work until the outbreak of the present war, when he again offered his services and was given a commission in the Royal Engineers. After a time he was discharged on account of ill-health. Latterly he was a civil garrison engineer at Inverness, where he had a severe recurrence of illness, from which he did not recover. James Tough Ogilvie* (1 882-9o) died on 16th March 2942, aged 65 years. He was the younger son of the late Mr. Thomas Ogilvie, Kepplestone, Aberdeen, and from 1896 was associated with the family firm of Messrs. Thomas Ogilvie & Son, woollen merchants, Aberdeen. In the last war he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner in June 1916, and received a commission in August of the following year. His service was entirely in this country. Andrew T. Elliot Rae (1885-91) died at Theka, Kenya, on 12th March 2943, aged 67 years. He was one of five sons of the late Mr. John Rae, Commercial Bank, Aberdeen, who were all educated at the School. On leaving it, he served his apprenticeship as an engineer with Messrs. Clyne, Mitchell & Co., Aberdeen, and then went to India as assistant manager of a tea company, of which he later became manager. In the last war he served as a Lieutenant in the King's Own Scottish Borderers, and when it was over, he went out to what was then known as British East Africa, to become a coffee planter at Theka, near Nairobi. In the present war he joined the Forces in Kenya. While at the School, and after, he was a keen rugby player. John Rainnie (1885-89), son of the late Mr. Robert Rainnie, 17 Beechgrove Terrace, Aberdeen, died in London on 18th January 1943, aged 7o years. Most of his life was spent in Singapore. Donaldson Simpson Rose (1878-80), M.A., advocate in Aberdeen, died at Bournemouth on 25th March 2943, aged 78 years. He was the eldest son of JAMES ROSE (1831-34), M.A. (Mar. Coll.), shipowner and guild burgess in Aberdeen, who formerly owned the estate of Hazlehead. After graduating in arts at Aberdeen University in 2884, he served a law apprenticeship with Mr. John Edmond,
Aberdeen GI aminar ,Schoo/ Maga:zine i z4 advocate (Edmonds & Macqueen), and after being admitted a member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1891, practised on his own account until his retiral in 1926. He was for many years Secretary of the Aberdeen Battalion of the Boys' Brigade. In the last war he served as a Captain in the Royal Defence Corps. James Alexander Shepherd (1896-1901), son of the late Mr. lames Shepherd of Aldie, Cruden, Aberdeenshire, died suddenly at Blackpool on 5th March 1943, aged 6o years. After graduating M.A. with 11, mours at Aberdeen University in 1904, he went to London, where his life was spent as a journalist and writer until the present war broke out, when he retired and made his home in Blackpool. l-lis leaning towards journalism showed itself while he was at the School by the production of several numbers of The Grammarian, a short-lived rival of the illagazine. About 1909, after gaining experience on the Harmsworth publications, he started The Modern Man, " a weekly journal of masculine interest," which, however, did not continue very long. Shepherd, who never married, led a free and untrammelled life. He was a great lover of the country and of every living thing. The kindest and most generous of men, he was always ready to lend a helping hand or give encouragement where and when he could. David Erroll Sinclair (1882-8s), third son of the late Mr. James Sinclair of Ceylon, died on 7th February 1943, aged 77 years. He engaged in indigo and tea broking in Calcutta from 1896 to 1899, and later became a partner in Messrs. Rowe, White & Co., 4 Lloyds Avenue, London, E.C. William Alexander Roger Smith (1920-26) died in hospital at Lagos on sth March 1943, aged i4 years. After graduating M.A., with Honours in Classics, at Aberdeen University in 1930, he became a missionary teacher in the Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar, having been dedicated as a missionary in Beechgrove Church, Aberdeen, in December 1931. Robert Maitland Souter (1888-93), M.A., died at Twatt Manse, Birsay, Orkney, on zist April 1943, aged 69 years. A son of the late Mr. James R. Souter, Lower Middlefield, Woodside, Aberdeen, he graduated M.A. at Aberdeen University in 1897 and B.D. in 1900. After filling assistantships in St. George's-in-the-West Parish Church, Aberdeen, and in Govan Parish Church, he became minister of Sr. Magnus Church, Birsav, in 1908. and continued there for 34 years, until his retirement. William Henderson Stephen (1882-85), M.B., C.M., died at Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on z8th May 1943, aged 76 years. He was successively in medical practice in Rishton, Lanes; Smethwick, Staffs ; and Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. He served for the first two years of the last war as a Lieut.-Colonel in the R.A.M.C. (T.F.). Thomas Chalmers Still* (1872-77), died at West Manse, Pencaitland, Haddingtonshire, on 9th April 1943, aged 8z years. He was a son of the late TIIOMAS STILL (1846-50), M.A., who was for many years one of the Masters of the School. After graduating M.A. at
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Aberdeen in 1881, he studied at New College, Edinburgh, and then was assistant minister of St. John's Free Church, Dundee, from 1886 to 189o. In the latter year he was ordained minister of the Fre...! Church, Pencaitland. This was his sole charge. His younger brother, Dr. GEORGE CARDNO STILL (1874-78), died at Twickenham, Nliddlesex, in March 1931. William Gregory Tulloch* (1876-81), M.A., died at a nursing home in Aberdeen on 16th May 1943, aged 78 years. He was a son of the late Baillie James Tulloch, Aberdeen, and after graduating M.A. in 1885, practised as a solicitor in the city. Later he became a partner in the firm of James Tulloch & Co., cement and lime merchants, Aberdeen. He was the secretary of the Aberdeen University Arts Class of 1881-85 and did much to keep the members of that clas.3 together. John Whamond* (1898-99) died at Meikle Mill House, Kirriemuir, on ist March 1943, aged 57 years. He was managing director of the Angus Milling Co., Ltd., Kirriemuir, founded by his father, the late Mr. John A. \Vhamond. In the last war he served first all as a Private in the Artists Rifles and then with a commission in the Black Watch. Ile was for a time in France with the 9th Division. His younger brother, DAVID MCKAY WHAMOND (1900-02), was for many years engaged in shipping in China and died in Tientsin in 1 932.
Frederick Edward Williamson (1882-87) died in Aberdeen ort zoth May 1943, aged 71 years. A son of the late Mr. Alexander Williamson, Burnside Villa, Low Stocket, Aberdeen, he was for seventeen years in the service of the British Linen Bank in Aberdeen and NIelrose ; then for three years he was an Agency Inspector for the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, and in 1908 was appointed to a similar post in the Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd., becoming later Aberdeen Branch Manager. He retired in 1933. John E. Yule (1874-75) died in Aberdeen on 6th January 1943, aged 81 years. From the time he left the School until his retiral he was engaged in the watchmaking and jewellery business in Corrections Wynd, Aberdeen.
A FORMER MASTER. William H. Kirwan Ward,* whom older F.P.s will recall as a French Master in the School from 1895 to 19oz, died at Ferns House, Rayleigh, Essex, on 3oth March 1943, aged 86 years. After leaving the School he became a priest in the Church of England and was Vicar of Asthall, near Burford, Oxon, from 1904 to 1936. His son, WILLIAM ARTHUR BAYFORD KIRWAN WARD (1895-1902), Lieutenant, R.E., died in August 1915 of wounds received in Gallipoli.
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Aberdeen Grammar School :Magazine
Pro Patria Mortui. " So they gave their bodies to the commonwealth and received, each for his own memory, praise that will never die, and with it the grandest of all sepulchres, not that in which their mortal bones are laid, but a home in the minds of men, where their glory remains fresh to stir to speech or action as the occasion comes 0."—THUCYDIDES, II, 43-
Andrew H. Bruce* (1922-37), Lieutenant, The Gordon High!anders, was killed in action (as briefly reported in the last Magazine) on 3rd November 1942, aged 25 years. He was the youngest son of Mrs. Bruce, 32 Morningside Avenue, Aberdeen, and of Mr. W. R. Bruce, London. He went out to the Middle East with Lieut. WILLIAM M. GRANT* (whose death is recorded below), sharing the same cabin with him, and was killed in the fighting at El Alamein. Leonard Massie Cheer* (1921-30), Lieutenant (A), R.N.V.R., was first reported missing and then officially reported killed on active service in Madagascar on 25th September 1942, aged 28 years. He was buried in Antananarivo. He was the youngest son of the late T. CHEER (1910-12), and of Mrs. A. M. Wiley, 14 Fonthill Terrace, Aberdeen. The family left Aberdeen in 193o for Hull, where later Leonard and his brother VERNON T. G. CHEER (1921-28) conducted a garage business. Before the outbreak of war he engaged in civil flying at Brooklands and Hedon, and when war came, received a commission in the Air Transport Auxiliary. Later he was transferred to the Fleet Air Arm. Vernon Cheer is a First Officer in the A.T.A. Alastair Mackenzie Cockie* (1923-36), Sergeant Observer, R.A.F., who in the last Magazine was reported to be missing, was in January of this year officially reported killed by enemy action in September 1942. Born in August 1918, he was the elder son of Mr. Alexander Cockie, 33 Hammerfield Avenue, Aberdeen. After leaving the School, he went to Skerry's College, Edinburgh, to study for the Customs and Excise. In October 1939 he became a Private in The Gordon Highlanders and in May 1941 was transferred to the R.A.F., in which he rose to the rank of Sergeant Observer. His bomber was lost off Jutland, and he was buried in a cemetery at Lemvig. He was an enthusiastic cricketer, being for some years a member of the Aberdeenshire Cricket Club. He was married on 1st July 1942 to Miss Elizabeth W. R. Middleton, Aberdeen. William Scott Cormack (i928-33), Lieutenant, The Queen's Royal Regiment, was killed in action in North Africa in February 1943, aged 27 years. After studying in Arts at Aberdeen University, he received an appointment with the British Aluminium Co., Ltd., but in the following year joined the Kenya Police, starting his duties in Nairobi. He returned to this country in 1940 and joined The Gordon Highlanders. After his initial training he was commissioned in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and from it was transferred to the Queen's Royal Regiment. He went overseas in the summer of 1942, and was in action with the 8th Army from El Alamein to Sabratha, where he was killed.
VERNON WILLIAM LAMOND STANTON, D.F.C. Squadron Leader, R.A.F.V.R.
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Lieutenant, The Gordon Highlanders
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Lieutenant, The Gordon Highlanders
Lieutenant, The Queen's Royal Regiment
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ALASTAIR IAN TAYLOR MOIR, D.F.C.
DOUGLAS ALEXANDER WATT INNES
Pilot Officer, R.A.F.
Sergeant Observer, R.A.F.
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John Donaldson (1922-27), Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, was killed in action in Tunisia in May 1943, aged 3o years. After leaving the School he studied agriculture at Aberdeen University and then entered the Estate Office at Dunccht. In 1934 he went to Fife to take up an appointment in Wemyss Estate Office. Three years later he was appointed Assistant Burgh Factor of Kirkcaldy, becoming Factor in the following year. Being a Territorial, he was called up at the outbreak of war, and for over two years was a Captain in the Royal Artillery, Coast Defence. In August of last year he was transferred to the Field Artillery, reverting to the rank of Lieutenant. Keen to he in action, he repeatedly volunteered for service abroad, and in March of this year his wish was gratified and he landed in North Africa. He was killed in a road collision while returning with instructions from Headquarters in the early hours of 1st May. He was the only son of the late Mr. Isaac Donaldson, and of Mrs. Donaldson, " Ardross," South Decside Road, Aberdeen. His widow resides at The Neuk, East Links, Leven. Hugh Thomas Christopher Forbes* (1933-38), Gunner Signaller, Royal Artillery, was killed in action in North Africa in March 1943, aged 2i years. On leaving the School he entered the service of the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, and stayed there for three years learning the hotel business. He joined the Army in October 1941 and was posted to a field regiment of the Royal Artillery. His death occurred in the vicinity of the Mareth Line. His commanding officer wrote of him that he was a " most beloved and cheerful member of the Battery." lie was the eldest son of the late Mr. Thomas Forbes, and of Mrs. Forbes, 23 Ferryhill Place, Aberdeen. His brother, THOMAS JOSEPH MACRAE FORBES* (1933-41) is a Wireless Operator in the Royal Tank Regiment. Henry (Harry) Alexander Shaw Fraser* (1918-27), Sergeant Air Gunner, R.A.F., only son of the late Mr. Henry G. Fraser, and of Mrs. Fraser, 384 Hilton Drive, Aberdeen, was officially reported missing, believed killed, in January 1943, aged 33 years. For four years he was employed as a costing clerk with Messrs. A. Hall & Co., shipbuilders, Aberdeen, but left their service to take up a post on a sugar plantation in Jamaica. In August 1940 he left his employment as accountant of Etables Ltd., Kingston, Jamaica, to return to this country and volunteered for service with the R.A.F. While at the School he was a keen member of the 9th Troop of Boy Scouts and also took a great interest in the Dramatic Society. William Mitchell Grant* (1923-34), Lieutenant, The Gordon Highlanders, a son of Mr. William Grant, for many years resident at Braeside Croft, Bridge of Dee, was killed in action in North Africa in February 1943, aged 24 years. I le was employed with Shell Mex Ltd. in Aberdeen, and like his older brother, Lieut. JOHN GRANT* (1921-33), held a commission before the war started in The Gordon Highlanders (T.A.). The two brothers went out separately to North Africa and met in the town of Tripoli shortly before William was killed. The latter was reported as missing at El Alamein, but later
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as having returned to his unit. His death occurred somewhere between Tripoli and the Mareth Line. He was keen on rugby and cricket, in both of which he played for the F.P.s. Douglas Alexander Watt Innes* (1927-39), Sergeant Observer, R.A.F., was lost in air operations in September 1942, aged 20 years. He was the younger son of Mr. James S. Innes, 74 Burns Road, Aberdeen, and on leaving the School entered the service of the North of Scotland Bank Ltd., Aberdeen. He joined the R.A.F. in June 1941. Douglas Innes was a cricketer of the finest promise. A younger brother of JAMES A. INNEs* (1922-32), the A.G.S.F.P. Cricket Captain, he shared the same confident and aggressive style and temperament, which, combined with his great natural ability and enthusiasm, would have taken him far up the ladder of success. Douglas was a correct and punishing batsman, always likely to make a good score by sound forward play and good hard driving. His chief cricketing asset, however, was his medium-paced left-hand howling, which combined a pronounced swerve in the air from the off with a fine " nip " off the pitch. During the cricket seasons of 1940-42 the writer strongly held the view that the bowling of Douglas Innes, if cleverly exploited, might well win for Aberdeenshire the Scottish County Championship in the first normal season after the war. The bright smile on Douglas's face was a veritable tonic. He inspired general affection. C. H. W. Edward Mackie McIntyre* (1922-33), Lance-Sergeant, Royal Engineers, only son of Mr. and Mrs. William McIntyre, Whinnyfold, Bieldside, Aberdeenshire, died of wounds in North Africa in April 1943, aged 27 years. Taking up architecture on leaving the School, he qualified as A.R.LB.A. at Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, and received an appointment in the City Engineer's Office. He joined the Army in March 1940, and arrived in the Middle East in May 1941. The posthumous award to him of the Military Medal for distinguished service was gazetted in June of this year and is recorded on page 98. For a time he was a member of the Royal Aberdeen and Murcar Golf Clubs and of the Thistle Swimming Club. A keen mountaineer, he was one of the founders of the Etchachan Club. Norman Alexander Mercer (1925-29), Flight Sergeant, R.A.F., only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Mercer, 64 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen, is presumed to have been killed in action on 25th October 1942, aged zz years. He joined the 6t2 Squadron of the R.A.F. as a Territorial before the outbreak of war, and was on active service on many fronts, being successively in Coastal, Ferry, and Bomber Commands. He was reported missing on operations over Milan and is presumed to have been killed there. William Francis Milne (i925-29), Private, Australian Imperial Forces, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Milne, 16 Louisville Avenue, Aberdeen, was killed in action in New Guinea in December 1942, aged 3o years. He left for Australia about eight years ago to engage in fruit-farming, and on the outbreak of war joined a battalion
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
12.9
of Australian Infantry. He saw service in Palestine, Persia, and Egypt, and latterly was in the Intelligence Section in the Pacific theatre of war. He was of a very lovable and simple disposition, fond of outdoor life, deeply interested in nature, especially in insect life, and was a clever pen-and-ink sketcher, using his talent in illustrating his many letters home. His padre wrote of him : " He was a fine lad, a great scout, and a favourite with all his chums." Alastair Ian Taylor Moir (1928-33), D.F.C., Pilot Officer, R.A.F., was killed on active service in May 1943, aged 23 years. He was the only son of Dr. and Mrs. John Moir, Long Eaton, Notts, and a nephew of HERBERT RITCHIE* (1905-16), M.B., who is in partnership with Dr. Moir. Although he was born in England, his parents sent him to Aberdeen Grammar School for five years, and throughout this period he lived in the Boarding House. He afterwards attended Badingham College and was studying medicine at St. Mary's Hospital, London, when the war broke out. After the fall of France he decided to relinquish his studies in order to volunteer for the Royal Air Force, and his outstanding service in it was recognized by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross only a fortnight before his death. The official citation that accompanied the award is reproduced on page 97. His favourite sport was yachting, in which he engaged as a member of the Trent Valley Sailing Club. John Manwaring Steward Moir* (1937-40), Sergeant Air Gunner, R.A.F., is now officially presumed to have lost his life on 27th September 1942, aged 19 years. Born at Masterton, Wairapapa, New Zealand, in December 1922, he was a son of the Rev. G. K. Moir, formerly of St. Kessog's Rectory, Auchterarder, and now of All Saints' Rectory, Bearsden, Glasgow, and was a grand-nephew of Dr. James Moir, formerly Rector of the Grammar School. He came to this country at the age of fourteen, when his father accepted the charge of St. John's Episcopal Church, New Pitsligo. On leaving the School he matriculated in the Engineering Faculty of Aberdeen University and joined the O.T.C. As soon as he was 18 he enlisted in the R.A.F., and rose to be a Sergeant Air Gunner, serving in the Middle East. \\'hi!e at the School he was a Prefect and a member of the ist XV. Charles Hugh Eddie Ross* (1920-31), M.A., Sergeant Observer, R.A.F., was reported in February 1943 to have been killed on active service, aged 28 years. He was a son of the late Mr. Charles H. D. Ross, who lost his life in the last war, and of Mrs. Ross, Edinburgh, who formerly resided at zo Grampian Circle, Aberdeen. He graduated M.A., with Honours in English, at Aberdeen University in 1935, and shortly afterwards was appointed to the staff of Thornly Park School, Paisley. There he continued until he joined the R.A.F. in December 1940. He is survived by his wife and one child. John Michael Scott, Ordinary Seaman, R.D.F., who was at the School for five months in 1941-42, was reported missing, presumed killed, when the aircraft carrier Avenger was lost in November 1942 during convoy operations in the North African campaign. He was the second son of the late Dr. W. M. Scott, Senior Medical Officer at
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine the Ministry of Health, London, and of Mrs. Scott, z6 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen. He was in his zoth year. Vernon William Lamond Stanion (1920-23), D.F.C., Squadron Leader, R.A.F.V.R., was killed as the result of a road accident in December 1942, aged 35 years. He was born in China, the elder son of the late Mr. W. K. Stanion, of Shanghai, and of Mrs. J. s. M'Eachran, Wrexham, and after being for some years at the Grammar School, passed on to Fettes College. He then went back to China, where he held an appointment with Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd. Returning to this country, he was employed as a motor salesman until March 1939, when he joined the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve as a and Class Aircraftman. In the following December he gained a commission, and in June 1940, while a Pilot Officer Air Gunner received the D.F.C., being, it is believed, the first F.P. to receive an award for gallantry in the present war. The official citation accompanying the award stated : " Two airmen flew over the North Sea in fog and rain to lay their mines and drop their bombs. While reconnoitring Northern Denmark, one of these officers discovered large concentrations of enemy aircraft at Aalborg. Three days later he successfully bombed this aerodrome under most adverse weather conditions and in the face of intense opposition from the ground." Stanion was the rear gunner who directed the firing. He was " mentioned in despatches " while serving as a Flight Lieutenant, and at the time of his death was Chief Armament Instructor at his station. His widow and only son reside at Upper Boddington, Rugby. Lewis Wilson Morrison, M.A., Sergeant Pilot, R.A.P., was killed in action in September 1942, aged 27 years. He graduated with Honours in Mathematics at Aberdeen University in 1937, and was a temporary teacher of Mathematics in the Grammar School until he was called up. He served for a time with the Royal Engineers before being transferred to the R.A.F. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Morrison, 55 Sunnyside Road, Aberdeen.
Roll of F.P. War Service. Eighth Instalment. It should be noted that the Roll contains the names only of Former Pupils who are members of the F.P. Club. The Editor will welcome additional names for the Roll and particulars of commissions, promotions, decorations, " mentions," etc., etc. BLAIR, John Kinniburgh (1927-37), Aberdeen. Trooper, R.A.C. BOYD, George Wilson (1924-32), zo Woodburn Avenue, Aberdeen. Captain, Royal Garhwal Rifles, Indian Army. BOYD, Percy Stuart (1927-40), zo Witodbum Avenue, Aberdeen. C—rporal, Airborne Div. Signals, with Paratroops. BOYD, William Grigor (19 24-34), 20 Woodburn Avenue, Aberdeen. Flight Sergeant, R.A.F. (M.E.F.). BROWN, Lyall (1931-55) is serving with the R.A.F. in Ceylon.
Aberdeen Grammar School Afagazine BROWN, William John (1921-28), Aberdeen.
131
and Lieut., R.E. Serving in
Gibraltar.
CLARK, Alexander Reid (1938-42), Pcterculter. Leading Aircraftman, R.A.E. CONN, Leslie James (1927-37), Aberdeen. Leading Aircraftman, R.A.F. Training in Canada as a Pilot. COULL, Frederick Eady (192o-23), Royal Insurance Co., Ltd., Aberdeen. Trooper, R.A.C. CRUICKSHANK, Andrew Whyte (1934-41), Aberdeen. Class), R.A.F.
Aircraftman (tat
FRASER, Orville Louis Paul (1923-28), accountant, Aberdeen. Leading Aircraftman, R.A.F. (Accounts Section). In Kenya. FULDE, Kenneth William Thomas (1926-38), local government officer, AberLeading Aircraftman (Special Intelligence), R.A.F.
deco. Ce,
GROAT, George Mitchell (1927-4o), Aberdeen.
Serving in
Sergeant Air Navigator,
R.A.F.
HENDERSON, Gordon Nicol (1926-37), Sirhowy, Cults, Aberdeen. Lieut., R.E.
Serving in India.
Leading Aircraftman, Serving in India in a Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. HENDRY, Gordon Frederick (1928-39), M.A., Aberdeen. Aircraftman (and Clays}, R.A.F. HENDERSON, Leonard Warnock (1933-38), Aberdeen. R. A.F.
HENDRY, John Maddison (1920-31), shipbroker, Aberdeen. Captain (April, 1943), R.E.
HERD, Peter Bryan (1932-39), Aberdeen. Sergeant Pilot, R.A.F. INNES, Francis Lumsden Farquharson (1929-36), M.B., Ch.B., Aberdeen. Flying Officer, R.A.F.V.R. (Medical Branch).
JAFFRAY, Reginald Andrew Baxter (1910-t8), M.B., Ch.B. Licut. (Nov. 1942), R.A.M.C.
LESLIE, Heath Greenlaw (1932-4o), Aberdeen. Marine, Royal Marine Signals. MARSTON, Edwin Roy (1936-39), Aberdeen. In R.A.F.: training for aircrew duties. MICHIE, James Barnett (1924-27), commercial pilot, Kew, Surrey. Flight Lieutenant, R.A.F. MITCHELL, Ronald Duncan (1924-31), Aberdeen. Licut., R.A., Middle East F.,rces.
MURISON, Ian Gordon (1923-3o), Calico Printers' Association, Ltd. Captain (June 1942), South Lancashire Regiment. PATERSON, Robert Edward Mitchell (1919-32), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs. Lieut. (December 1942), R.A.M.C. PATTERSON, Douglas James Cochar (1926-38), Aberdeen. Sergeant, N.A.A.F.I., Egypt. PETERS, Kenneth Jamieson (1929-41), Aberdeen. and Lieut., Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.
ROBERTSON, Alexander Rollo (1924-32), M.A., LLB., Sheffield. Gunner, R.A., Middle East Forces.
ROBERTSON, Douglas (1921-28), Union Castle Line. Lieut., R.N.R. ROSS, David Burgess (1928-36), Aberdeen. Pilot Officer, R.A.F. SCOTT, Alexander Gordon (1925-29), Aberdeen. Lieut., R.N.R. SMITH, Luther Kitson (1928-40), Aberdeen. In R.A.F.V.R. STEWART, George Walker (1931-35), civil engineer, Aberdeen. Licut., R.A.
(M.t.F.).
TAWSE, Malcolm Harold (1928-40), Aberdeen. Pilot Officer, R.A.F., Canada. TRENERRY, Charles Rawson (1923-32), bank clerk, Southsea, Hants. Private, Queen's Royal Regiment. WARRACK, George Clark (1 924-37), B.Sc. (For.), Timber Production Department, Ministry of Supply. Training overseas as Pilot, Fleet Air Arm. WATT, Ian Stuart (1928-40), Aberdeen. Sergeant Air Bomber, R.A.F. WESTWATER, Francis Newton (1930-39), Aberdeen. In R.A.F.: training fur air-crew duties.
WILSON, Eric Moir (1913-19). Driver, Royal Corps of Signals, 9th Army.
13 2
Aberdan Grammar S.chcol Alaxazim
A Cycle of Cathay. Some two centuries or more ago England was stirred to a conscious realization that the far-away, fairy-tale empire of the exclusive and intriguing Chinese people might well repay closer investigation. however, the exclusiveness of the Chinese Court, and the conditions it imposed on those who sought to approach it, distinctly annoyed the English Government ; and it showed its annoyance ; so much so that the Emperor of China, no mere figure-head Emperor, was curious to know more about those stiff-necked barbarians who were not only knocking insistently at the doors of his Empire, but who were also, with equal insistence, demanding to be received as peers and not as tribute-bearers who must approach the Throne with the awe and obeisance which tradition and custom demanded. The Emperor was descended from a stock which had gained the Dragon Throne by conquest, and obviously he did not believe in taking unnecessary chances. So a short history of England was procured and translated ; and every day a chapter was read to the Son of Heaven. The Emperor listened patiently to a few readings, and then he stopped the reader with a weary gesture. " These barbarians," said the Emperor, " seem to have no history but that of war : they must be treated with caution and consideration in order that they do not endanger our peace." Now, we, who are accustomed, from our scanty and very modern knowledge of China, to regard China as rather a war-torn land, may be pardoned for feeling a little surprised at being labelled as the possible disturbers of China's peace ; but China did enjoy comparatively long periods of peace under her early Emperors, so this Emperor was not so illogical as he may appear to be. In fact, the only real exception that we can take to his observations is that he applied an impolite name to us ; though actually we should not be too touchy on this point, as he was merely employing a national and euphemistic way of describing a people who had not been favoured by Heaven and been created Chinese, under the benign rule of the Son of Heaven ; he, quite incidentally, was a Manchu, and therefore was himself a foreigner. As a matter of fact, the Chinese never have been an aggressive people ; but on the subject of being victims of aggression they have little to learn. Mongols, Manchus, and in recent times Japanese— all have had their fling against China. The Chinese overcame the Mongol and the Manchu by the simple process of absorption. They have not the means, much less the desire, to absorb the Japanese : they will annihilate or expel them ; and then it is probable that many years will elapse before a Japanese can dare take up his residence in China with any feeling of real personal security. China's main frontier, that following the line of the Great Wall, was always well manned by regular trained forces ; hut, in general, service in the Chinese Army, up to fairly recent days, presented little attraction to the people, who regarded the mercenary as only one degree, and that with a very small margin, better than the peripatetic barber who plied his daily trade at street corners, shaving and doing , :her things
1 33 Aherdten Grammar School Maga:zinc to the heads and faces of his numerous and exigent clients. Yet, in their wars of defence, the Chinese have invariably shown themselves brave and stubborn fighters, and their defeats may generally be put down to bad leadership and corruption in the higher ranks, rather than to any moral defect in their fighting qualities. On the few occasions that Chinese leaders, for personal ambition, have been tempted to embark on aggression, their armies have invariably been overwhelmed by disaster : which may be explained by one of three possibilities, or by all of them—an inherent distaste for disturbing the hearths and homes of others, the corruption displayed by their leaders and the leaders' general forgetfulness each time pay-day came round, or the magnetic attraction to their agricultural instincts of the land through which they of the armies had to pass. Neither hate nor fear is a national Chinese trait : greater than either of these is mistrust ; and the moment you are mistrusted by a Chinese, you are up against something which is truly formidable. The only way to get on with the Chinese is to be truthful and sincere with them. They admire truth and sincerity, though they do not always practise them ; but if you arc undeviatingly straightforward with a Chinese, no matter how he may twist and turn, the chances are that you will attain your whole object, whatever it may be ; and, moreover, you will gain a lasting regard which will be worth much to you when dealing with other of his compatriots ; for in China a reputation, good or bad, always precedes you, wherever you may go. Many who go to China in various walks of life, and who have learnt all they know of the Chinese from behind the windows of the foreign Concessions, are led by the conviction that the Chinese is a very wily person, and that to meet him one must also be wily. Not a bad axiom in its way : only, unfortunately, desire generally outruns performance. The foreigner trying to " outwily " a Chinese presents rather the spectacle of an elephant trying to outdo the litheness of a panther ; for the art of guile ►s the favourite indoor pastime of the Chinese. No, be straight with a Chinese, and he will try to outdo you in straightness ; and, moreover, you will win his lasting regard and trust : no mean thing. Remember this also : China is the only nation in the world whose civilization has been preserved down the centuries to all intents and purposes in its original form since it was evolved out of the mists of her legendary period. Were a Chinese of say z,5oo years ago suddenly placed to-day in some village in the centre of China, the chances are that his presence would scarcely arouse more than a flicker of interest and a certain curiosity as to the part of China which might prove to be his native place. That he was Chinese such as they, none would doubt : his very clothes, his manner of thought, his knowledge of the same classics which the village schoolmaster drummed into them in their own childhood days, would betray him anywhere. He would fit into the landscape and become an accepted fact : after which only his absence from their midst would cause any comment. Imagine the consternation, not unmingled with a good deal of ribald mirth, which would greet the materialization of one of our 2.,5ooyear-old ancestors in our midst to-day.
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Aberdeen Grammar Scbool Magazine
The Chinese have lost none of their virility by the passage of years. Long, long ago they discovered the art of living and the art of taking what is best for them out of their good earth, for life with them is based on contentment. Their spirit is young, and they are receptive to all the innovations of this age ; but, in recent years, the over-eagerness of the West to modernize China at breathless speed, so that she may take in, in a day, what constitutionally calls for small portions spread over years, has produced a form of national indigestion which, paradoxically, the devastation caused by the Japanese invasion is curing. People have learnt to do without, and they have gone back to their own country cloths and dyes, and are finding satisfaction in them. On the other hand, the Chinese are awakening, in their own methodical way, to the realization that they do want the many useful things which the outside world can give them, and that the distribution of their own products to the world at large is of considerable concern to their well-being. The Chinese are traders to a man, and they are becoming nationally conscious of the fact that the world may be their oyster. They are not impatient, for impatience is not their failing ; but they are looking forward to the day when they can re-enter the field of international trade ; and that is a very healthy sign for the future. The great thing is that the desire arises from within : the cry that they are the victims of world exploitation has largely been stilled. As a race the Chinese are proud ; and they are utterly devoid of what we term "inferiority complex." In this respect they differ entirely from the Japanese, whose complex is one mass of inferiority. That may sound strange, but it is true. The Japanese, do not forget, are of head-hunter origin, whose civilization is merely a veneer acquired by contact with the highly cultured Chinese. It is only necessary to scratch that veneer to lay bare the savage ; and it is the sub-conscious knowledge of this nearness to savagery which produces the surly show of something debased which so many Japanese features exhibit. Both races are Oriental, but there similarity ends. The Japanese is led by the wolf-pack instinct, and he breaks with the dispersal of the pack : his safety and aggressiveness relies entirely on numbers. The Chinese, on the other hand, has an implicit confidence in himself, and is a remarkable judge of character in others. True, individual Chinese are capable of gross brutality, as has been frequently evidenced, but gentleness is a national creed. Here again they differ from the Japanese, who will tolerate brutal acts against others with utter indifference, and commit them as well with the same indifference. China during her past cycle has gone through critical times, from external aggression even to threatened partition, from a revolutionary change in her form of government to civil war ; and she has not yet reached the end. When the day comes and China is freed from the Japanese terror, only a strong central government, which has the approval of the Chinese people as a whole, will save the country from being again shaken from corner to corner by the jealousies of rival factions which are very much alive to-day and are merely awaiting
JOHN DONALDSON
NORMAN ALEXANDER MERCER.
Lieutenant, Royal Artillery.
Flight Sergeant, R.A.F.
EDWARD MACKIE MCINTYRE, M.M.
CHARLES HUGH EDDIE ROSS
Lance-Sergeant, Royal Engineers.
M.A. Sergeant Observer, R.A.F.
Aberdeen Grammar School Ala,gazine
T35 their opportunity. Inside China, at this very moment, the recognized Government of China, which is engaged in a life or death struggle against the Japanese, has to keep a large and well-equipped force doing nothing but face a strong and impatient Chinese Army upholding the tenets of the Chinese Communist Party. And throughout China there arc isolated Chinese armies which are serving their leaders who maintain them, not their country. It is not that these Chinese are not patriotic : in a general sense they are. They possess a deep feeling for their own particular corner of China ; but the further that events recede from their own particular territory, so do their feelings towards the whole situation weaken. China is an immense country, we must not forget ; and though her people are united in the possession of one written language, they are, with that one exception, in many respects as divided in outlook and in speech as we are in Europe. Roughly, China may be divided into four parts : the North, the Central, the South, and the West. In the North and in the West, and in some parts of the Central, it is more or less possible to make oneself understood by using variations of the clear-cut language of the North. The East-Central, however— the Shanghai district for example—has a language peculiarly its own ; while Cantonese, the speech of South China, simply leaves a Northerner gaping. How then has China maintained her unity ; and how can she emerge from all this as a united nation? Very simple : the people are all of strong Chinese blood ; and though their outlook may differ, like their form of speech, they think more or less in the same way, wear the same type of dress, and through their internal commerce and industry they have locked the length and breadth of China into an interdependent whole. And yet the Chinese live, always have lived, and always will live, so far as one may judge, in a state of disunity : in a manner very similar, in fact, to our own British Commonwealth of Nations, only in a much more compact form : perhaps more like the Soviet Republics which make up the Union of Russia to-day. Yet another point must be borne in mind. The present Government of China, of which Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek is the Head, is a self-imposed Government, brought in on the crest of a revolutionary wave. This Government represents certain principles, certain uniting principles, and, as such, it has been largely accepted throughout China as a symbol. There is little opposition to the Government and to all that it represents ; but those who hold office in the Government are certainly not without some very bitter opponents, who would go to considerable lengths to seize the reins themselves. But he who controls the purse-strings in China is master of China. To-day it is that very remarkable leader, Generalissimo Chiang Kaishek ; but to-morrow ?—for we are a.4 mortal. To-morrow must provide for itself, and we must put our trust in the foresight of the leaders of the United Nations. And now a final word about the Chinese and ourselves. We have advanced far towards establishing unity of outlook since the days when we rapped peremptorily at the doors of China and
13 6
Aberdeen Grammar School Alaprzine
demanded admittance ; but we still have much further to go. Both the Chinese and ourselves have made many mistakes in our mutual attempts at approach : the Chinese have been inclined at times to regard us with mistrust—sometimes with reason, sometimes without : we, on the other hand, have been rather too inclined to forget that we are in China, and therefore guests of the Chinese people : in fact, in our own country we would not have tolerated for one instant a similar handling of some questions of import, however strongly we could justify ourselves. But in view of our past relations as a whole, it may be said that we have won the sincere regard of the Chinese, thanks largely to our commercial houses and to many of our more broad-minded business men in the Far East, who have proved themselves true friends and a mainstay to China during her frequent periods of trouble and embarrassment. The Chinese, it cannot be too frequently emphasized, are always open to conviction, provided the means adopted are straightforward, logical, and sincere. It was the Chinese, not the foreigners, who created the Concessions in China, in order to segregate the foreigner in their midst ; and the foreigner gradually came to treat these Concessions as annexations, and to many the Chinese in these areas were regarded as interlopers. The rights and wrongs of the whole complex situation is outside our scope ; but the fact remains that neither Chinese nor foreigners could get over their very petty antagonisms sufficiently to establish basic good relations with each other. Our own position was none too easy, worried as we were by the complexities of the international atmosphere. Officialdom was much too attracted by the glamour of small diplomacy to give more than casual attention to trade and a real, friendly understanding between people and people ; and the business man frequently came to grief through keeping too close to the official shadow so as not to miss being in the social swim. Our troubles have gone deep; for, generally speaking, the British have been the international whipping-boys of the Far East. We seemed to invite this distinction rather than to avoid it. Whenever any trouble loomed, somehow or other and sooner rather than later, whether we were directly concerned or not, an accusing finger would be pointed at us ; and that would be the signal for us itninediately to jump into the maelstrom and submerge ourselves, to the hardly concealed and often harshly critical amusement of other nationals, who, after we had taken all the blows and the trouble had abated, crept in and reaped the benefit of our labours ; and—which is the way of the British—we gave them our blessing. The abolition of extra-territorial rights in China is going to create a number of difficulties for the foreigner in general in China, and our honorary post of whipping-boy will disappear with the Concessions. It is now possible for us, if we wish, to take our own line, untrammelled by international complications, and bring about, in time, that much desired real rapprochement between ourselves and the Chinese, particularly if we see to it that our contacts are strengthened through pure trade ties and our politics and diplomacy are directed entirely to this end. \V. R. MYERS (1895-99).
Aberdeen Grammar School Maxardne
137
Life in an Italian Prison Camp. I was captured in the Libyan Desert about 4o miles S.W. of Tobruk when the dressing station in which I was working was overrun by the 9oth Light German Division. We remained there working for two or three days till the Germans had evacuated all our wounded, when we ourselves were taken away westwards to Tmimi. There we were handed over to the Italians. The Germans were quite apologetic about it, and one said, " You are going to an Italian prison camp. I am sorry for you." There did not seem to be much love lost between the two allies, and the Germans were openly contemptuous of the Italians. After spending a night or two on the way, we reached Barce and after five days there, we were taken to Benghazi and flown over to Italy, where we spent about five weeks in a transit camp. This was the worst period of our captivity. Transit camps are all very uncomfortable, overcrowded, and dirty, and any news we did get was rather depressing. In a permanent camp conditions are better, and prisoners have a chance to organize the camp's activities and so make life much more pleasant. The camp in which I spent the rest of my " sentence " was situated in the north of Italy and in a hilly part—about 700 feet above sealevel and miles away from anywhere. There were a few small hamlets nearby, consisting usually of about one church and two houses, but our nearest town was 15 miles away, so we saw very little of the civilian population—only a few farm workers, when we were out on our walks. The building was, I believe, on the site of an old monastery, but there was little trace of that, and the present building is quite modern. It had apparently been used as a summer resort for students or priests, and was quite a good building for housing a large number of people. It was, however, far too crowded, and there was no place where one could sit except the dining-room. This was a pleasant room with refectory tables and fixed benches, but as we did everything there, from eating to running bridge contests and concerts, it was apt to become stuffy and overcrowded. Built for summer use, our prison was cool in summer but rather chilly in winter. However, for three months of the winter the stoves (stufas) which were installed in the corridors were lit for an hour or two every evening, and formed great social centres, where we would meet to brew up our Red Cross cocoa, etc., and exchange the latest gossip and rumours. There were about 190 officers, mostly senior, in the camp and about Go men, who acted as cooks, batmen, etc. Exercise space was very limited. There were two courtyards—one consisted of a small cabbage patch and a piece of ground equal in size to one and a half tennis courts, in which we played volley ball. In winter there was quite a lot of rain and snow, and frequently the courts were unplayable. The other courtyard consisted of a grass plot with a pathway around it. Thirteen times round it equalled a mile and we knew every bump in the ground. Fortunately everybody did not attempt to exercise at the same time : if they had, the congestion would have been very
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acute. In fine weather we could sit out on the grass or borrow deck chairs from those who had been able to purchase them. The rest of our exercise was taken on walks, which were normally available twice a week. Frequently the weather or something interfered with these walks, but it was pleasant to get outside the barbed wire, even in a long " crocodile" surrounded by guards. We usually went about five or six miles, but we were kept to the roads and not allowed to go across country. We had roll-calls three times a day—morning, midday, and evening, but at irregular times, so that we should never know exactly at what time they would take place. We were summoned by bugle call and lined up in the courtyard, where our names were called and we crossed over to the other side and formed up in fives for counting. Roll-call was sometimes very protracted. The Italian Orderly Officer might miscount, or somebody who was sick in bed had been missed. But there was a lot of humorous chaff, especially at late-comers (memories of " C.D." checking us in at 9.5 a.m. I), in which the Italians would very often join. During the night the Orderly Officer came round and counted us in our rooms, so there was very little " free time " for members of the Escaping Club. There were quite a few attempted escapes from the camp, though only one officer got clear away during the time I was there. When these alarms were given, we were all herded together in the diningroom and personally searched, while upstairs enthusiastic sentries turned the bedrooms upside down and left everything in a heap in the middle of the floor. We always treated this as a huge joke, and the sentries entered into the spirit of things and were very proud to point to any room which they considered had been particularly well done. Lights outs was at ir o'clock and we had to be in our bedrooms by then, but a certain amount of latitude was allowed and we could read in bed for a bit after that time. Shutters in the bedrooms were a sore point. Some rooms had slatted shutters, which allowed some ventilation, but others were of the roll type and had to be opened to allow air in. After much representation and reference to Rome (everything was " referred to Rome ") we were allowed four inches at the bottom for ventilation. If a sentry thought the four inches had been exceeded, he started throwing stones at the shutters till the officer got up and closed them down. On one occasion a sentry scored a direct hit on one officer's thermos flask, which had cost him the equivalent of £2. There was a shopping book in which we entered any article we wished to purchase, and periodically an Italian officer would go to the nearest town and buy the article if it was available and allowed. Most things were very expensive, though some of the articles were of quite good quality. Latterly it was becoming increasingly difficult to obtain things. We had a canteen where we could buy food (mostly tinned) and the usual canteen goods, but latterly there was not very much in the way of food available. A word about food—that and mail being the two most interesting subjects in a prison camp. We were on the Italian civilian
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non-working ration, which by itself left us very hungry. The two main articles were macaroni and rice. We had about 5 4 ounces of bread per day, a little meat once a week, vegetables—cabbage, turnip, spinach—cheese, and in the summer, salads and grapes. Eggs appeared about three or four times and latterly we had quite a lot of oranges. But the bulk of the diet was provided by Red Cross parcels, which were most valuable and very much appreciated. As long as they came through everything was all right, and life seemed very bleak when they failed to turn up—which fortunately was rarely. To pass the time away all sorts of lectures and classes were arranged and we had a very flourishing Education Department, which arranged classes on such varied subjects as Agriculture, Shorthand, Patching, Russian, Law, and Coal Mining amongst many others. There was no lack of educational facilities, though text-books were difficult to obtain. Bridge, chess, and backgammon were very popular, and ludo was played with the greatest of enthusiasm. We even had a competition and a ludo champion—should he have been called " Victor Ludorum"? We had our own News Service and experts (one had been a newspaper editor) studied the Italian press and gave us the news plus their commentary on it. It was remarkable how accurate their interpretation was. I found that, except for detail, there was surprisingly little to learn about the general situation when I returned home. We also had " Letter News," which gave home news from letters—mainly unconnected with the war—social, sporting, dramatic, and so on. The trip home by ambulance train through France and Spain to Lisbon was most interesting. The very first night we ran into what was a very good R.A.F. raid at Spezia. The railway line was hit just after we passed over it and we were worried in case the raid interfered with our repatriation. However, the usual wag in the corner comforted us by remarking, " It's all right—they're ours." The French in the Italian-occupied part of France were most enthusiastic and demonstrative, giving the " V " sign and cheering, obviously not caring what the Italians thought. In the German-occupied territory they were much more careful when the sentries were looking, but contrived in many ingenious ways to give the " V " sign. One man removed his cigarette form his mouth with his fingers forming a " V," another scratched his head with the two " V " fingers, and so on. In some ways my time as a prisoner of war was a most interesting experience, but I felt myself very fortunate in being released after ten and a half months. I felt by that time I had had quite enough of prison life, and I could fully sympathize with all those, amongst them many F.P.s, who have been prisoners for years. No matter how well you are treated, it is a terribly monotonous and boring existence, and everything seems rather pointless ; but the spirit of the " old lags " in our camp was extremely high, and I only hope it will not be so long now before they all follow us home. OSWALD G. PROSSER (1907-10.
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An Army " Cook's Tour." " There's the border I " The chatter ceased, and the few Englishmen in the unit gazed eagerly out of the carriage windows, but the Scots grew quiet and thoughtful. When, if ever, would they see Scotland again? A few days later, as the coast of Ireland disappeared in the distance, a raucous voice was heard from the troop deck : " Here we are on the jolly old Cook's tour." One morning several days later we crowded round the ship's rail, all eager to catch a glimpse of the coastline of that mysterious continent Africa. When the palm trees and surf became visible, everyone began to show his knowledge of Africa by naming all the things to be found there. In the midst of this discussion, we all became aware that the Quartermaster appeared to have awakened from his perpetual daze and was muttering something excitedly : " Witch doctors, you've forgotten witch doctors! " When the coastline of Africa faded slowly away, we all wondered what our next call would reveal, but no one was sorry that our tour was not yet at an end. When a flat, mist-shrouded mountain, overlooking a modern town, was our next sight of land, we knew, without reference to that never-ending source of information, the sailor, that we were to see South Africa. The next two or three days were spent in sight-seeing, and I'm sure we rivalled the most indefatigable American tourist, but the question uppermost in everyone's mind was—" Where next ? " " Ceylon," said the sailor ; " you'll have a few days here." We said goodbye to our sailor friends and moved our kit to another ship, before being released for more sight-seeing ashore. The inevitable Aberdonian appeared in the person of James Donald, who very kindly escorted us around the places of interest. All good things must end, however, and the question was still—" Where next ? " India : that word brings memories of Clive and the East India Company, and we looked forward eagerly to our few days ashore. The F.P. this time was Dick Low, perhaps fatter, but keen to recall school-days and friends. When orders arrived to rejoin the ship, the old question recurred—" Where next ? " As the ship made its way slowly up the Suez Canal, our destination appeared certain—the ancient land of Egypt. Pyramids, camels, and the Nile sprang to our minds, but these associations were soon replaced by flies, sand, and hawkers : not quite as we had imagined it, for all the milk and honey appeared to be stored in Greek grocers' shops. Some months later, a fresh coastline appeared on the horizon— Greece. A day of hurried visits to the famous monuments of Athens, then off to the north. As the journey proceeded, the greenery and mountains made me more homesick than ever before, and visions of Deeside or the Highlands kept replacing the rugged Greek scenery. The change from the heat of Egypt to the mountain snows was trying at first, but soon the first signs of spring began to appear on the plains and hill-sides, overcast by the gathering war clouds. Visits to Jugoslavia and Albania were short, and undertaken under conditions scarcely to be described as " tourist."
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141 The horrors of war faded from my mind as the familiar sight of Alexandria harbour appeared, bur. I must admit I was glad to see Egypt once more, and to hear familiar Aberdeen accents again. Travelling was not over, however, and later in the year, Alexandria harbour faded from the horizon among the thin mists of early morning. No happy greetings at the port of arrival, only the whistle of shells and falling bombs. " So this is Tobruk," said one of my companions : " not my idea of an ideal winter residence! " Next morning, when we left the cave where we had spent a somewhat disturbed night, a different sight greeted our eager eyes. A smooth, dark blue bay, with white buildings nestling on the north shore ; small groups of men in various stages of undress ; a pleasant warm sun overhead. A dull boom was heard in the distance ; as if by magic everyone disappeared, and having " had some," I went to earth in the nearest slit trench. The familiar whine and crash followed soon after, and my companions realized the meaning of the sudden activity. When everything grew quiet again, closer inspection revealed the bay to be seemingly choked with sunk shipping ; the white houses to be, for all practical purposes, mere skeletons ; the small groups of men all wearing steel helmets. " So this is Tobruk! " Some months later I again passed through the docks at Alexandria en route for five days' leave in Cairo, but instead of leave, I had accommodation in a hospital bed. Sick leave was spent very pleasantly by making a short trip to Palestine, including a brief peep at Syria, then back to Egypt once more. It was with mixed feelings that I heard I was to be sent home : joy at the thought of all that home meant to me ; bitter regret at my inability to sec the finish. No more bully and biscuits ; no more of that wonderful companionship, unselfishness, and even tenderness that exists between men who live together under the shadow of Death that hangs over the battlefield. No more burning heat, flies, or perpetual thirst ; good-bye to many old friends. How welcome those barren rocks of Aden after the hell of a following wind in the Red Seal One short step nearer home, and then another to that typical British colony—Kenya. Two calls at South Africa, and now, surely on the last lap for home. Not yet, however ; the dull, sickening crashes that signify the war-time end of yet another gallant ship disturbed all those pleasant thoughts of late summer in Scotland. Work to be done ; women, children, patients, prisoners—all to be dealt with. Hours later, it seemed, the thought occurred to me that this was a somewhat moist and poor end after so many escapes. Was I to drown along with the other unfortunate people whose despairing cries were sounding through the darkness all around ? Were the sharks to be the means of my end too ? No flickering scenes of childhood appeared before my eyes ; no regrets for past sins committed. No I " Only the good die young I " Six days later, I resumed my tour on board a Vichy French cruiser. Dakar, Casablanca, guards, barbed wire—no one can realize the dull, soul-destroying despair of the prisoner behind barbed wire. Nothing
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to do but think, and occasionally eat and smoke. Morocco—burning heat, sand, and the misery of flies and mosquitoes again. Who can even imagine our delirious joy when the Americans set us free ? " Good-bye Morocco, curse you ; America, the land of the free." Perhaps my most humorous experience was to be mistaken for a German prisoner when we landed in America. Justifiable, perhaps, because my sole possessions were a pair of shoes, shorts, and a somewhat tattered shirt, plus a " camp " haircut. Virginia, Washington, New York ; would that last lap never begin ? Christmas passed, and the sole topic of conversation was, " Home for New Year." When planes began to appear over the convoy, we knew our wishes were to be granted, but no one felt secure until the famous Scottish river appeared. Each delay now seemed interminable, each minute an hour, but at last the train steamed slowly into Aberdeen station at ten o'clock on the night of Hogmanay—the tour had ended. B.
On the Road to Babylon and Baghdad. We are on the move at last after tedious days of waiting and preparation at the base. The first day brought the column to Ur of the Chaldees, the birthplace of Abraham, where under the shadow of the great mound which marks the site of the ancient imperial city, our tents are now spread far over the dun-coloured desert. Except to the east, all around as far as the eye can reach stretches a wilderness of sand and waste unbroken by any tree or habitation. On our right, the dull monotony of the scene is relieved by a line of waving palm trees marking the course of the distant Euphrates. Our odyssey is only beginning, and now after a week's halt we are to move again. The camp is astir long before the stars begin to fade, and everywhere there is an atmosphere of quiet efficiency and speed as the column's equipment is packed and loaded on the waiting lorries. By 5 o'clock everything is ready. Friendly sheikhs—tall, keen-eyed Bedouins who have come long distances from their tents to greet us —bid us farewell, with many expressions of pleasure at seeing an Indian column again. One venerable sheikh surpasses all others in showing his delight by bestowing a resounding kiss on the Brigade Commander, at the same time presenting him with a sheep specially fattened for the occasion! It is at once christened " Sati " and henceforth travels with the column as its distinguished and privileged mascot. From her perch on the top of a three-tonner, where she sits chewing cigarette after cigarette—for she has a passion for our Woodbines—Sati surveys her new friends with every sign of approval. These preliminaries are soon over and the head of the column swings through the small railway station to the desert track which is to lead us northwards. Khaki-coloured armoured cars lead the way, followed by a seemingly unending procession of lorries and armoured vehicles of every description. On these are sepoys from every part of India. Handsome Sikhs and "P.M.s" from the Punjab, tall Pathans from the Peshawar and Kohat districts in the North-West, Gurkhas from the mountains of Nepal, and lean, cheerful Marathas from the Deccan and South India. All are glad to be on the move
_4berdeen Grammar School itrapzine 143 with grips get to they can and look forward eagerly to the day when Hitler's hordes. The road follows the railway—the only sign of civilization in all this waste. As the day passes, the hot north wind begins to beat on our faces and the column advances in a screen of dust. Occasionally we pass a Bedouin encampment, awaking memories of Powindah " kirris " on the Indian frontier, from which emerge tall Bedouins in long flowing " zebouns " to line the route and welcome us. An occasional British plane drones past far overhead, followed by many an envious glance from the column. The monotony of the road is broken for a brief period when we reach Al Khidr and catch our first glimpse of the Euphrates. No clear joyful river is this, but a dark and sulky flood hastening seawards to discharge its burden from the melting snows of the distant Caucasus. The country is everywhere under water and our tired eyes drink in the cool green of the grass which grows luxuriantly around us. On the road the populace are selling cigarettes and other odds and ends to the sepoys, and greet us with every sign of friendliness. Alas, we must leave this oasis all too soon and strike once again across the hot and barren desert. After another two hours we halt for the day. Vehicles arc dispersed, slit trenches are dug, and rations appear magically from the depths of mess lorries. The column is to move on the same evening, so we settle down to spend the remainder of the day resting and sleeping in the shade of our vehicles. After what seems an interminable period the order to move is given. Night has fallen and with it the heat of the day has given place to a delightful coolness. The country is flooded with brilliant moonlight and the column moves off without lights under the guidance of the local Iraqi police commandant, who has come out to pilot us through the large town of Samawa, which lies a short distance ahead. A blaze of lights announces Samawa and we enter its brilliantly lit streets lined everywhere by Iraqi police and troops, anxious to assist the column on its way. The road leads through palm groves, which cast ghostly shadows on each vehicle as it threads its way through the town. Dogs bark at the unwonted intrusion on their domain, and a pack of jackals makes off into the distance, howling dismally at the disturbance of their nightly round. Suddenly we turn a corner and come upon the Euphrates. The river has taken on a softer and kindlier mien. Rows of country boats heave gently on the swiftly-moving stream, while on the far bank slender minarets and graceful domes stand out against the starlit sky. Everywhere lights twinkle on the water and the whole scene is bathed in the brilliant light of the moon, which hangs like an immense gong over the town. We cross the river by a bridge of boats. It is a slow business, as only two of our lorries arc allowed on the bridge at a time. However, all are safely over eventually and we continue our way cautiously along a narrow causeway running between flooded fields and gardens. The night is not without its excitement. A big three-tonner goes too near the edge of the causeway and somersaults into the water below. Madrassi sappers leap into the water and the occupants of the
Aberdeen Grammar .School Magazine 144 unfortunate vehicle and its contents arc soon back on the causeway, while the three-tonner is left to be attended to by the break-down unit. Dawn finds us in a more cultivated land, with the Euphrates flowing nearby on our right. At each village we pass through we are greeted by salutes from the villagers, while Iraqi police from the well-built posts which line the route busy themselves in keeping the road clear and showing our vehicles where to go. As the day advances the wind begins to howl again and the column crawls along under a blanket of choking dense dust. At last, after winding for miles through groves of date palms, we arrive at Hilla, where a camp site has been selected for us by the local Iraqi Army Commander. Here in the shade of the palm trees we escape from the heat and dust of the day, and baskets of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers brought to us by the local inhabitants soon wipe out all memory of the discomforts of the morning. Our new-found bliss is unfortunately short-lived. As the evening draws on the wind drops and the mosquitoes come into their own. There are myriads of them, swooping down upon us like dive-bombers and making off before we can vent our wrath suitably. A tall Pathan from the North-West Frontier swears to me that all the " jheels " of Peshawar could never produce such concentrated annoyance. But it is soon over, for the kindly moon brings with it a breeze before which even the hungriest and most bloodthirsty mosquito quails. And peace descends on the camp once more. The next morning we are on the road again early. The first stage of the day lies along the valley of the Euphrates through delightful palm-groves and green fields watered from Persian wheels worked by horses instead of bullocks, for we are now in a region famed for the number and qualities of its horses. We pass rapidly by Hilla, whose " Mutassarif," or Governor, comes to welcome us at our camp, and soon we are passing the ruins of Babylon, in whose courts and hanging gardens King Nebuchadnezzar the Great held sway 4,000 years ago. The road has improved and the column speeds steadily along it. Despatch riders buzz up and down the line, like sheep-dogs herding their charges, and everyone is agog to catch the first glimpse of the City of the Caliphs. Occasional cars pass us bearing coffins to their last resting places at the shrines of Kerbala and Nejaf. The country becomes more populated and we are obviously nearing the Capital. Then suddenly Baghdad appears across the distant plain. Soon we pass the Palace of the Boy King and the column swings to the left along the road to Kadhimain. Our odyssey is nearing its end, at any rate for the moment. By the afternoon the column is once more in camp and a vast sea of tents has sprung up everywhere. The vista opens over the plain to where, in the middle distance, the golden domes and minarets of Kadhimain mosque gleam in the brilliant sun. As evening falls a peace descends over our camp and the countryside. The shadows lengthen, domes and minarets fade in the evening light, and in the stillness the voice of the muezzin seems to reach even to us—" Yusalim Allah Addaula wa asdika' iha "—" God give peace to this land and its friends." C. A. G. S.
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SCHOOL SECTION. School and Random Notes. Once more the scratching of the editorial pens is heard ad Indian; noctem ; once more behind locked doors and by the light of the midnight oil, the editorial brains, such as they are, are seized with the paroxysms of inspirational endeavour. Once more the School, drenched by the annual floods of examinations—term exams., medal exams., Bursary Comp. exams.—turn to the genial witty warmth of these notes to dispel mental dankness. And once more we hope to fulfil their expectation. * * * It was with much regret that we parted with Mr. Christie, whose place has been temporarily filled by Miss Marjorie Milne. Mr. Alexander T. Miller has come from Bathgate to be the first Head of the History Department. Mrs. Margaret Sutherland and Miss Sheila Richardson have temporarily joined the Kindergarten. Miss Mary Benson has left the French Department after her marriage. Another departure this term is that of Dr. Ernest Bcrmann. This cheery Czech, who has been in the Modern Languages Department since the beginning of the war, will be sadly missed as an entertainer and a means of acquiring fluency in French and German conversation. * * * The Christmas holidays this year were of only twelve days' duration. This curtailment was the cause of general indignation. Any further move in this direction is likely to have alarming results ; let us warn the powers that be. Time was, indeed, and may yet again be, when those powers had reason to tremble before the outraged consciences of boys who had been at last driven to the application of physical force. * * * Changes have been made in methods of mark reckoning and recording ; had we the time, space, or ingenuity to give a full elucidation, we should do it. But at any rate we have not noticed any lightening of the task of teachers in completing the blue master mark sheets, those mighty marvels of mathematics, guaranteed to turn any hair grey with sustained labour of compilation. * * * The Christmas reports were changed by the addition of a rating— G., V.G., Ex., or any one of certain others—in each subject. There is as yet, however, no indication that reports will be committed to pupils for delivery by hand to parents. Yet who knows what may come about in a more enlightened and trustful age ? * * * A most successful dance was held in the Kindergarten in December. The buffet was acclaimed the best for many years, and the band looked funny, at any rate. At the time of writing, arrangements arc being made for a similar occasion before the end of the present term.
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Our Zoological Correspondent writes : Great interest has been aroused by frequent appearances this year of the Hall Mouse. He was once observed, at the beginning of Prayers, to emerge from his subterranean quarters near the upper door ; he immediately fled forth into the corridor at the commencement of the hymn. He has made numerous incursions upon the work of classes, and, as the War Office would say, has generally displayed great dash and initiative. We hope to publish after the war a thesis on " The Effect of the Premature Stoppage of Central Heating on the Activity of the Hall Mouse," together with a treatise on " The Methods of Preventing Dogs from gaining Access to Hall during Prayers." Two of these canine entries were effected recently. An attempt by one dog to mount the rostrum was frustrated by a Prefect. On this theme our tame epigrammatist, prognosticating hope for the future, writes thus :— Ne'er say, ye brave Grammarians, he aught your reason clogs Who pessimist declares the School is going to the dogs ; For surely it is manifest, superlatively clear The very opposite is true—the dogs are coming here. * * *
Four Prefects have left School for the Services during the year : William C. M. Lawrence (Senior), Hugh M. Knight, Lawrence W. Milne, and James W. Rogers. Their places have been filled by Ranald F. F. Steven (Senior), Ian M. Cochran, W. Johnstone Alexander, and Bruce M. Cockie. * * * At Prayers one day, during a rebuke on that thoroughly detestable practice, the surreptitious deflation of cycle tyres, the Rector perpetrated (unintentionally, we hope and believe) an unfortunate pun on the word "tiresome," which completely destroyed the grave nature of the subject. It is indeed a thing to be carefully watched, this trick of speech—the pun is mightier than the sword. * * * Just before the Christmas holidays an extraordinarily successful performance of the Dramatic Society was an outstanding event. On the first night only one incident did not run true to rehearsal. This was the unpredictable disattachment and falling to the floor of that part of an actor's equipment which indicates a female character and which in this case was a School scarf—an occurrence which a learned member of the Staff aptly described as lapsus pectoris. * * * Our speakers since Christmas have been five. Miss Helen Maclean, a missionary from China, spoke to us in March about her work there, with considerable interest to her hearers. In one week of May we had three speakers : Mr. Wannop, of the Agricultural College, who explained the system of harvesting under which the senior boys will work during the autumn ; Mr. Miller of the Scripture Union, whose address was followed by a meeting of the School branch ; Major Lennox-Boyd, who explained some of the newer branches of Army service. Squadron Leader Turner, one of last year's visitors, returned to give us the latest information on duties in the R.A.P.
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147 Hymns of action for a while. out recently was organ The School to the sound of the piano were remarkably different, the usual milkand-water singing becoming clearly audible. * * * The nightly guard over the School buildings is still carried on by our inextinguishable fire-watchers, whose task at this season is a much pleasanter and shorter one. They have all received instruction in dealing with incendiary bombs, and when real danger threatened the School recently, they were up and ready to face all emergencies. Happily, their training did not have to be put into practice on that occasion. * * * teacher of Latin and Spanish, Christie, to Mr. School said good-bye at a presentation in Hall. Mr. Christie delivered a jovial farewell address. He has become I lead Master of St. Ninian's Episcopal School, Perth ; we sincerely hope that he will be happy and successful in this new post. * * * For once we have a clear conscience and something to plume ourselves on in the matter of matches between School and the Other Place, and have no need to belittle unfortunate setbacks by circumlocutory flourishes of the editorial pens. Both in rugby and cricket ist XV and 1st XI have carried off substantial victories, and our congratulations are due to those who have brought such honour to the School. * * * : one by the Scottish concerts two attended Large School parties Orchestra, in which the principal works were Mozart's Serenade, " Eine Kleine Nacht Musik," and Dvotak's 4th Symphony ; and the other by the London Symphony Orchestra, playing Mozart's 4oth and Beethoven's 6th Symphonies, and, with Moiseiwitsch at the piano, Rachmaninoff's and Concerto. We are all grateful to Mr. Falconer for arranging these parties. * * * Boys of the School were among contributors to the magazines issued in connection with Russia Week and China Week. A show of Russian films was given in the Hall, and one war adventure film was received with especial enthusiasm. * * * Boys of the VIth did the arranging of Hall tables for exams. The Janny was off owing to an attack of influenza, which he left too long unattended by continuing his work to the last moment. How the School carried on without him we cannot imagine ; we are all glad he is well again and hack at work.
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In March the 9th Scout Troop produced a show in the School Hall. It afforded considerable amusement, and was, we believe, a
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financial success. Several accidents (real or rehearsed) went far to brighten up the performance. * * * On zznd April an Easter Service was conducted in Hall by the Rev. P. D. Lawrence. After the singing of Easter hymns, he explained simply and lucidly the meaning and motive of the Church festival at Easter time. We believe this is the first of a series of visits which Mr. Lawrence will make now that he has been appointed official Chaplain to the School.
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On Thursday, zoth May, to the amazement of the pupils therein, School invaded the precincts of the Other Place in large numbers and seized possession (by kind permission) of the swimming-pool there for our Gala. This was the first for some years, and was well attended —so well in fact that breathing among the huddled mass of spectators had to be regulated lest the ladies in the front row should be pushed (accidentally, biers entendu) into the pond. (Munificent F.P.s please note, and add a pound or two to your cheques for the Swimming Pool Fund, so that spectators at future Galas may not be thus in danger of suffocation by pressure or immersion.) Despite these discomforts, however, the Gala was a great success, and an exhibition of swimming by Captain F. G. Milton, a British Olympic Games representative, added much to the enjoyment of the function.
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The annual Masters v. Boys golf match was held as usual at Bieldside. We deeply regret to record that the Masters won by five matches to four, but some boys at least were happy to meet the Masters on equal terms and beat even the most exalted of them. One of the Masters was unfortunately incapacitated by the breakage of his spectacles during the game. The time-honoured cricket match has fallen into abeyance, it appears ; but it is to be hoped that by next year the Masters will have regained at least enough courage to proffer us a challenge. * * * On our return after the Easter holidays we observed that the chandeliers in the Hall, which had served since the days of gaslight, had been removed. On inquiry we learned that they had been found unsafe and liable to fall on our noble selves. Removal was thus decided on. Several samples of lighting appliances of more modern design have been erected, but none has so far been deemed suitable.
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Upper classes have again been busy killing in the new issue of ration books, and, to judge by reports of staff shortages in Food Offices, the M.O.F. would have been in sore straits without this help from schools ; although, of course, the relief from ordinary work was something for which we should ourselves be thankful.
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Four new publications, each representing one particular political viewpoint, have made their appearance in the Library. They have
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149 been substituted for productions which, it was thought, should be sacrificed at a time when information on national and international affairs should be part of every schoolboy's equipment ; but Punch was never regarded as anything but inviolate even in view of such considerations, and will, we rejoice to say, remain. The new periodicals arc obviously a great success. * * * It is lightly reported on another page that the A.C.F. went on trek from 4th to 7th June. With what carefreeness was this written by one who did not take part! The number of casualties sustained in the course of the forty long miles tramped through the hills and passes around Mount Keen has not yet been ascertained, but it is commonly believed that many corpses are scattered along the path, mangled and lacerated, especially in the pedal extremities. It is similarly reported that the rain actually stopped from 1.35 a.m. to 1.37 a.m. on Sunday, 6th June. Later in the following day those battle- and travel-scarred veterans who survived tottered into afternoon assembly amidst the tumult of the hysterically applauding mob. * * * And now we must speak the epilogue to our creation and the elegy upon our own outgoing. We lament that conditions have forced us to lift our pens only twice as Chroniclers. For we feel that, although we have barely made the acquaintance of our readers, time forces us to break that intimacy, depart from the fraternity of the Present Pupils, and join the paternal company of the Former. If there are any whom we have offended, we ask their pardon ; any whom we have cheered, we rejoice in the ability to give pleasure ; and may those who will take up this task after us be able to record brighter days that will surely see many transformations, radical but welcome, in all schools, the " Grammar " not excepted.
Thallatta. Oh, for a vessel sturdy and strong, Oh, for a sail to blow her along, Oh, for the tang of the salt sea spray, Varnished decks and skies of grey. 'Tis now the sea for which I crave, Though many have found a watery grave. Hark to the seagull's warning cry, As it wheels above us main-mast high. Oh, to be up in the high crow's nest, Day and night with little rest ; Or to be down at the helmsman's side, As we ride out fast with the ebbing tide. To stay at home to sleep or cry ? Nay I 'tis the sea or I would die. NORMAN WOODMAN (Preparatory I).
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Mr. Alexander T. Miller, M.A. Aberdeen Grammar School, with its long history and classical tradition, has given a lead to the rest of Scotland by establishing separate departments in the social sciences—History and Geography, which will now receive a new prominence in the curriculum. A Principal Teacher in any subject has always an onerous task, requiring organizing ability as well as scholarship, but the creation of a new department demands something more—vision and imagination. That Mr. Alexander T. Miller, the first Principal Teacher of History in the School, possesses these " extra " qualities will be abundantly proved within the next few years, for he has been an outstanding figure in Scotland in the furthering of historical studies. Educated at George Heriot's, Edinburgh, where he was School Captain, he graduated at Edinburgh University with First Class Honours in History, and later gained the Diploma in Education at Oxford—in all a record of which anyone might be proud. Most of his teaching has been done at Bathgate Academy, where he became Principal Teacher of History in 5933. No school in Scotland is more renowned for its work in History and for the calibre of pupils proceeding to advanced University study. Outside his classroom Mr. Miller has not spared himself in the interests of his boys, and he has been associated with schoolboy camps, boys' clubs, and rugby football. During the past few years he has done much lecturing on youth welfare work and revealed great ability in dramatic production. We bid him welcome not only to the Grammar School, but also to Aberdeen and the North-East, for he has much to offer to the community, which has been enriched by his coming North.
Mr. William M. Henry, M.A. A separate Geography Department has been created in the School, and Mr. William M. Henry has been appointed Principal Teacher. It is now thirty years since Mr. Henry joined the School staff, and all the time his versatility, originality, and initiative have been devoted to the School's service in full measure, pressed down and running over. An athlete as well as a scholar, Mr. Henry has played in many Staff v. Pupils cricket matches, golf matches, and tennis matches. In former years he spent much time and effort in coaching in rugby and in cricket, in both of which he himself excelled. It was he who originated the annual excursions to the Cairngorms, which have become an established institution, at least in peace-time. Before there was any regular teaching of music except in the Lower School, Mr. Henry, another of his talents being music, organized a School choir and School concerts. Marvellously wellread and up-to-date in his scholarship, he was as able a teacher of English and History as the School ever had. Of latter years he set himself more and more to develop the teaching of Geography in the School, since the nature of that subject appealed to his practical, realistic turn of mind. In the School's name we congratulate Mr. Henry on his promotion, than which nothing could have been more genuinely earned.
School Rugby Football 1st XV—Season 1942-43.
Standing—Mr. A. J. M. Edwards (Interim Gamer Matter), J. A. C. Marr, E. Rogers, I. M. Cochran, G. S. Elmslie, F. W. Alexander, J. W. Rogers, L. W . Milne, I. G. K. Phillips, Mr. W. P. Stewart Off XI/Coach). Sitting—A. D. R. Fiddes, H. M. Knight, A. H. Tawsc (Vice-Captain), 'W. C. M. Lawrence (Captain), D. Stuart, R. F. F. Steven, I. C. McLean. In front—E. A. Alexander, I. M. Duguid.
School Prefects—June 1943•
Bath Row—W. Johnstone Alexander, Bruce M. Cockle, D. Ronald Griffiths, Donald h. R. Watt, Ronald W. Hepburn. Front Row—Eric Rogers, Alistair H. Tawse, Ranald F. F. Steven (Senior Prefect), Gordon S. Elmslie, Ian M. Cochran. (Absent: W. C. M. Lawrence (Senior Prefect), H. M. Knight, L. M. Milne, J. W. Rogers—all in H.M. Forces.)
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Spring Song. And I walked where none will linger on their sightless, head-bowed way, for the chill embrace of January's last bleak, dying day. There by the shivering hedge-row and the hoary, glistening field, by the silver of the silent stream—its laugh now coldly sealed. By the woodland desolation where stricken trees lift high stark, supplicating fingers, as in prayer, toward the sky. By the rude caresses of the gale, in anguished tumult thrown ; as though shameful of their nakedness, they weep and wildly moan. And there, triumphant rising o'er the stormgod's savage blare, a music dim-remembered—sweetly wild—a gay fanfare ; in joyous acclamation of a wondrous ancient thing, the old unbidden rapture in this first mad song of Spring. Primeval as the towering peaks, the torrent's mighty rush, a melody so very old he sings—the errant thrush. A tiny, ruffled silhouette, wild flung from branch apart, no power on earth to dull the fervour of his bursting heart. No doubt but that the new-born earth will waken as before, no doubt that where the wild-rose grew a rose will bloom once more. And in his seeming ignorance of that dark and cheerless day, I felt the message in his song—the inborn urge to say his faith—but not the blind instinct of all his feathered kind, but the tender faith of gentle things—the young of all mankind. And can it be, that those like him, who gaze with guileless eyes, see something long denied to us who masquerade as wise ? " From where to where ? " the cynics cry, " no purpose can we see in struggling with malicious fates, what beauty can there be in this bewildered world where man reverts to savage state, and slaughters little children in a frenzy of mad hate ? " Far better, gladly, to accept this promise made to men ; far better, yet, to strive towards a sunlit world again. For even as the darkest storm must needs, exhausted, cease, so must a weary world, at last, find real and lasting peace. ANON.
The Only True Time. " For that is the only true time which a man can properly call his own—that which he has all to himself."
The fire is beginning to make the room pleasantly hot, it is beginning to spark, splutter and to throw sudden darts of flame through the fresh coal. Now he draws up his chair and in the warm darkness closes his willing eyes. He is tall and in this low chair the firelight passes between his thin knees and toys with the hollows and convexities of his face. He sighs, and by that sigh he is stamped as one who, after a day of mental and manual labour and strict government, has escaped from his fellow-workers and is going to unfetter his mind, and relax his body. For are not these his own few moments in which he may do as he pleases ?
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Yes, there he is, that excitable little man, walking in the park. How the trees and leaves cheer and roar—he must be getting quite an ovation : these lonely trees, these liquid-like trees enjoy his company. The little man sits down on the bench and beside him a lizard crawls wearily on to a stone. He watches it and it watches him. Two pairs of eyes—one deep-set, dark, and the other bulbous and glittering—cross glances, parry and thrust at one another. " Mimicry," mutters the little man, for lizards made him think of chameleons. He turned away from the lizard and watched the insects flitting all around. Occasionally a big fearsome one would flash past his face with that jarring chromatic descent which makes the hand involuntarily cut the air in its wake. He saw all the numberless insects flitting about him and as he watched he saw the beauty of their flight. He could see the architectural shapes of their flight— the minarets and arches, terraces and towers of some ever-changing, exquisite city, such as no man could ever create. An insect was crawling up a blade of grass, he seized it and held it in the palm of his hand. Its tiny stomach glittered in the bright sunlight, but the little man threw it away impatiently shouting, " I don't want to be a naturalist," several times at the top of his voice. Now the leaves on that portly leering oak were bobbing up and down in the breeze which sang as it went about its business, and he thought of his grandfather's piano. How beautiful it had been when he stood on a chair, peering into the open " grand." The shining dampers in a long neat row—the smallest to the top, bobbing up here and there. He was fascinated and delighted with the resonant sound which they made as they bobbed up : the strident " ping" of the little fellows nearest him, and the rolling roar of those away far down the row. How he could stand, wobbling on the chair and look and listen to this sleek row, which would now and then bob up together, to fall back choking the life from the strings, misty in their appearance I Those long shining rows of strings which became dim and hazy whenever its member of the row jumped I The little man was now so happy that he bounced off the seat and with that strange alternate hop and step which all adults use to show that they are happy and nonchalant, he disappeared into the red of the setting sun. As he grew smaller and smaller, he turned into a flicker of yellow light, a flame against the ruddy glow of the fire which still toyed with the hollows and convexities of the tall man's face. Could such a wandering of the tired mind ever occur but when he was alone ? Could he have called the time spent as all his own if he had been in other men's company—indeed, could such a course ever have been traced by a mind which has been allowed to drift at all but under these circumstances ? No, I do not think so. Thus when the tall man is alone by the fire in the lulling, suggestive semidarkness, may he truly call his time his own and free his mind from himself, to wander where it will. D. MICHAEL A. SHEWAN (Classical V).
.Absrdccm Crammicr School Alaga7Ine
Vi et Armis. The sun had ta'en its lowly course, The moon adorned the heavens, And there between two rows of trees Two heads were bent together. And as they wended o'er the lea Between the dim lights playing, It seemed to me as I sat there That hope herself had walked that path, Had come to a world where hope was lost From that famous mythical box. The eye portrays another scene, Another land, another clime, Where over the poppies, field on field, The setting sun her red rays cast, Wrapping the battled blood-red fields In many lights of sombre hue. Misery had cast the dice, Had taken this fair land for herself, Oppression, Tyranny, and Despair, Comrades all the spoil had shared. Would this fair land in misery held Lift its head and see the light From that distant farway path ? The light shines on another land : O'er the snows and icebound rivers, O'er the hills and fertile valleys, Smouldering ashes mark the path Of a hand that none can stop, To the walls of mighty cities Past the fields of Golden Grain, Through the forests, o'er the plains, On to the gates of Moscow. Then the hand like a mighty serpent Feels the thrust of a sword too fiery, Recoils like a dog by his master chastened Back, back o'er the smouldering ashes, Back to the Gates of the Land of Promise, Back to where the mad wolves waited For the spoil they thought was theirs. Free men at last were proving Freedom would not stay in bonds, That such a cause would surely triumph O'er the blackest Stygian Darkness. Past that path on that quiet evening Moves a long, dark-clad array,
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Lips are moving in silent prayer For the dawn of another day, When man from his chains released, Faces a world of reborn hope, When man to man can be Comrades in Faith, not in Arms. IAN STRACHAN (Modern Vs).
"Time to Stand and Stare." " What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare?"
If one were asked to name the most marked and outstanding feature of this era, as distinct from other periods, the reply would most certainly be, " its extreme hustle and ' busy-ness' ". In that respect I feel sure that our age is unique, for never has the earth been peopled with a set of busier individuals. Why do we hurry ? Why do we attempt to cram more things into a day than any of our ancestors have done ? Alas I how few of us ever try to answer these most searching questions. We are content to continue our hurrying without asking ourselves why or to what extent or purpose we do hurry. We need not seek far to find one unhappy result which this practice has on our lives. Every doctor can confirm that nothing has a worse effect on the health of the human body than continued extreme activity. But, even more serious than our physical health, our moral, aesthetic, and cultural lives are attended by great dangers. When we give ourselves no " time to stand and stare," immediately and automatically our national art declines. For what is art but the product of men who " stand and stare " at the sublime, the great, the eternal things of life, and then record their feelings that all men may share them? Religion, of course, suffers in the same way. For we are satisfied with the pleasures of this ephemeral existence, and give no thought to what is behind. So a country which has no " time to stand and stare," although its trade and manufacture may flourish, is depriving itself of all the essential things, all the eternal things that men may appreciate and enjoy. We are like motorists in large stream-lined cars who at high speed career along main roads and main roads always, with never a thought as to what lies off the main road or whether they are enjoying nature to the full. Stopping and staring, then, are very necessary things. When we behold someone behaving in an unusual and ridiculous manner, we invariably " stop and stare." If this thing is so natural when done. to others, should we not practise it on ourselves ? For if we do, then shall we see that we have set our course for a land that never existed, and that all our frantic money-making will carry us no further than the grave I Nothing is better for a country than to stop and stare at itself, and to stare as hard and as critically as others
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 15 5 do. Like the motorists, we are steering for some place that we do not know ; like the motorists, we snatch the petty pleasures we see in passing, but leave the lasting pleasures by the wayside. It would be no easy thing, were it possible at all, for us to slow down the tempo of this reckless living. Nothing is easier than performing the actions of a routine job, once the routine is impressed upon our minds. Nothing again is harder than laying aside the same routine some time later. Have we found that our hurrying is the most efficient way of conducting our lives, or the most happy? Indeed we have not. Were the Ancient Greeks happier than we? Or the Elizabethans ? And yet, although we recognize that these both lived happier lives than we do, and produced art greater than any other the world has seen again, we draw blinkers before our eyes and run at full speed in our hectic course. The Greeks did not know what hurrying meant. In Athens, in particular, a large part of the day was spent " standing (in the market-place) and staring." And our impression of the England of Elizabeth's time is hardly one of a rushing, tumultuous country, like our own. So once more, by another route, we arrive at the same conclusion ; namely, that where hurry and bustle are present, art, religion, and true happiness are absent. What then is this life if we have no time to stop and stare ? An empty, shallow thing, we must conclude, devoid of all the attributes that make life worth living ; devoid of all that which makes a nation strong, solid and lasting ; a headlong rush to the open grave with our fingers in our ears and our hands before our eyes. There is no need for pulling down our factories, for extinguishing our furnaces, or stopping our dynamos. We are too far along the road now to do that. But though it be for a few minutes each day, or an hour each week, let us stop in our tracks and plunge off the main road to investigate and enjoy the lasting pleasures and the glory of that which lies beyond. R. W. I IEPHURN (Classical V).
To China. Let us upon the silver wings of thought Traverse the lonely reaches of the East, And with unfailing speed be swiftly borne To mystic China, now so ruthlessly provoked By war, as all about the measured tread Of conquest's legions may be heard to pass. So proud she stands, and dauntless in that pride, Although the serpent's fangs are sharp and sore, For in her heart, her mind, her soul, there sings A hymn of courage which means so much more Than the reward that long endurance brings. GEORGE D. I IENDERSON (Preparatory I).
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School Sport in 1942-43. The session just ending has been a memorable one if only because of the successful runs of both our rugby and cricket teams. The rugby XV did remarkably well in inter-school games, winning seven of eight played and scoring 168 points in these as against 34 conceded. They maintained this record through team-work rather than through individual brilliance, and in their progress defeated Gordon's College twice, Glasgow High School, Glenalmond, Glasgow Academy, Royal High School, Edinburgh, and Arbroath High School. The only reverse suffered was at Goldenacre, where the undefeated Heriot's XV won by 13 points to nil. In cricket, too, Gordon's College have twice had to bow the knee to School, and the XI's defeat at the hands of the Leys School at the Doo'cot Park, Perth, is the only reverse so far suffered in an inter-school match. School rugby and cricket, however, can scarcely be judged by the performances of the 1st XV and the 1st XI alone, and it must be confessed that the standard of play of the lesser sides in both games, being somewhat below peace-time level, gives cause for concern. This is in part due to other calls upon players' time and to scarcity of fixtures other than merely local ones. In what matters most of all, enthusiasm for games, there is no sign of any falling off, and those boys who do play, play very hard indeed. School swimming appears to be on the ascendant. A quite successful Gala took place in May at Gordon's Pond, kindly put at our disposal for the afternoon by the College authorities. Byron's long record of successes was added to at this Gala, the first held since the outbreak of war, and the Rector's Cup competition was won for the second time in succession by J. Douglas Robson. In no department of the School is enthusiasm for sport at a higher pitch than in the Lower School, a happy augury for the future. The Lower School rugby XV won their first game with Gordon s College Primary Department, the second being drawn. Quite a good showing was made by the " soccer" team competing in the Aberdeen Primary Schools' League, and in the corresponding Cricket League the Lower School have played five games without defeat. A. J. M. E.
The Athletic Sports. The Annual Athletic Sports took place at Rubislaw on the afternoons of Friday, 1 ith and Saturday, izth June. Conditions were excellent, but there were no records broken. The House Championship was won by Keith House with t t8 points, Byron being runners-up with 97 points. Melvin House finished third. The Open Class individual championship was won for the second successive year by Ranald F. F. Steven, of Keith. He finished with is points, two points ahead of another versatile Keith athlete, R. L. Mackinnon. The Class II champion was J. A. Macgregor, of Byron, who gained 1(91 points, his nearest rival being W. K. Smart, with 9 points. Smart, a most promising young middle-distance runner, won not only the Class II mile and half-mile races, but also the Open mile and half-mile. A. P. Farquhar was the Champion of the 1z-13 year old boys, Class III, and Eric Cruickshank finished with most points in Athletics Class IV. One of the features of the Sports was the revival of the Pole Vault event, in which J. C. R. Dawson, of Dun House, came within 9 inches of the School record-9 ft. 6 in., created by T. F. Robson in 1931. Dawson was coached by T. F. Robson, who is gratified at the progress of his protégé. Results of Championship events were as follow: too Yards-1st, R. L. Mackinnon (K) ; and, J. A. Macgregor (B) ; ;rd, A. M. Davidson (K). Time1 t secs. zzo Yards-1st, R. L. Mackinnon (K) ; znd, R. F. F. Steven (K) ; 3rd, A. M. Davidson (K). Time—z5•; secs. 4tto Yards-1st, R. F. F. Steven (K) ; znd, M. T. H. Hamilton (M) ; 3rd, R. L. Mackinnon (K). Time-56.8 secs. 1-Mile-1st, W. K. Smart (K) ; znd, R. F. Carswell (D) ; 3rd, B. M. Cockie (K). Time—z min. 18.7 secs. One Mile-1st, W. K. Smart (K) ; znd, R. F. Carswell (D) ; 3rd, A. H. Tawse (M). Time-5 min. 9 secs. High Jump-Ist, J. C. R. Dawson (D) ; znd, J. C. Smollett (B) ; 3rd, A. A. Dinnic (D). I-Ieight-5 ft. Long Jump-1st, R. L. Mackinnon (K) ; and, E. P. Watson (K) ; 3rd, R. F. F. Steven (K). 18 ft. it in. Pole Vault-1st, J. C. R. Dawson (O) ;
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2nd, D. Stuart (D) ; 3rd, I. G. K. Phillips (M). Height-8 ft. 9 in. Putting the Weight-7st, I. McLean (B) ; and, R. E. F. Steven (K); 3rd, A. M. Davidson (K). 35 ft. 6 in. Javelin-1st, A. M. Davidson (K) ; and, A. D. R. Fiddcs (D) ; 3rd, J. A. Macgregor (B). 132 ft. 6 in. Discus-1st, A. M. Davidson (K) ; and, R. F. F. Steven (K) ; 3rd, B. M. Cookie (K). 96 ft. 4 in. 120 Yards Hurdles1st, I. McLean (B) ; znd, R. F. F. Steven (K) ; 3rd, R. G. Ross (B). Time19•4 secs. Throwing the Cricket Ball—ist, G. S. Elmslic (B) ; and, (equal) A. D. R. Pickles (D) and A. H. Tawse (M). Senior Relay Race—(no x 220 X 11o x 22o) —7st, Keith ; and, Byron ; 3rd, Melvin. Time—t min. 75.6 secs.
The Swimming Sports. By courtesy of the Governors and Ilead Master of Robert Gordon's College, the Grammar School swimming gala took place at the College Pond on Thursday, zoth May. It was the first gala held by the School since the war started and was well attended. The various events were contested with the utmost keenness, particularly the inter-House relay races. The Rector's Cup was won for the second time by J. Douglas Robson. He gained ten points. The joint runners-up were R. W. Strachan and R. B. Taylor, each with six points. In the inter-House competition Byron were clear winners with 5s points, their nearest rivals being Dun House with 76k points, and Melvin House with 75 points. R. W. Strachan was Middle School champion and M. G. Lyall champion of the Lower School.
Rugby Football. Although very few matches took place during the Spring term, the School ist XV, under the extremely able captaincy of W. C. M. Lawrence, their scrum-half, quite lived up to the promise shown earlier in the season. The return match with Gordon's College at Seaficld was played under wretched weather conditions, hut School repeated their Rubislaw success and won by 6 points to nil. They were clearly the superior side on both occasions. A fortnight later, School suffered defeat in their game with Heriot's at Goldenacre. The team took the field without R. F. F. Steven, one of their regular " centres," but quite apart from this handicap never touched their normal form. Heriot's deservedly won by 13 points to nil. In March, in the seven-a-side game with Gordon's College, School again defeated their traditional rivals, and the following Saturday they travelled to ► dinburgh and inflicted a decisive defeat on Royal High School by 15 points to nil. Mr. W. P. Stewart, School's 1st XV coach, was well repaid for his efforts on this occasion, the efficiency of the side being a tribute to his capacity.
Who's Who in the 1st XV. W. C. M. Lawrence. 5 ft. 7 in. ; st. 77 lb. Captain and scrum half. A tireless and inspiring leader. An experienced tactician with excellent technique. Now in the R.A.F. A. H. Tawse. 5 ft. 9 in. ; 72 st. 5 lb. Vice-Captain and leader of the pack. A very skilful forward with boundless energy. Outstanding in all the season's matches. D. Stuart. 5 ft. 8 in. ; to st. 77 lb. An elusive and penetrating stand-off. Gives and takes passes with amazing dexterity. R. F. F. Steven. 6 ft. 2 in. ; 77 st. Io lb. Right centre three-quarter. A menace to the opposition, fast, with a devastating " dummy." Cast-iron defence. H. M. Knight. 6 ft. ; to st. 73 lb. Tall and strong second-row forward ; a line-out specialist, talented and reliable. Now in the Army. J. W. Rogers. 6 ft. 7 in. ; 77 st. 7 lb. Most improved forward in the pack. Speedy, with excellent hands. Now in the R.A.F. F. W. Alexander. 6 ft. 7 in. ; 1 7 st. to lb. Very much improved front-row forward. Hard-working and proficient. Now in the Fleet Air Arm. I. G. K. Phillips. 5 ft. 6 in. ; 10 st. 9 lb. And excellent hooker. Well to the fore in the loose ; tireless, and irrepressible.
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I. C. McLean. 5 ft. so in. ; t 2 st. 2 lb. Right wing three-quarter. The most determined attacker in the side ; very sound in defence. A. D. R. Fiddes. 5 ft. to in. ; 11 st. 1 lb. Left centre three-quarter. Effective in attack, clever at times, and sound in defence. Handicapped by recurring back injury. I. M. Duguid. 5 ft. 8 in. ; is st. 1 lb. Left wing three-quarter, resourceful and determined in attack, though inclined at times to lie " shallow." L. W. Milne. 6 ft. ; so st. 1 lb. Hard-working and reliable second-row forward, clever in the loose. Now in the Royal Navy. E. Rogers. 5 ft. 8 in. ; to st. 9 lb. A smart and skilful wing forward, hard working in the set scrums, and enterprising in the loose. E. A. Alexander. 5 ft. 7 in. ; 1 s st. A proficient and energetic front-row forward. A very useful reserve hooker. J. A. C. Man. 5 ft. 9 in. ; I1 st. Full back. Improved greatly rather late in the season. Amazingly effective though very erratic. Now with the Fleet Air Arm. I. M. Cochran. 5 ft. so in. ; to st. 13 lb. A steady, industrious, front-row forward. A talented dribbler, always doing useful work. G. S. Elmslie. 6 ft. ; to st. so lb. An accomplished back-row forward, who quickly fitted into the second row at mid-season. Excels at line out.
Cricket. The 1st XI have so far had a most enjoyable season and a highly successful one. Several factors have made for this happy state of affairs. First and foremost the conditions for play and practice have been excellent, due to the skilled and untiring efforts of our groundsman, L. E. Tyson, perhaps the most experienced cricketer still playing the game in Scotland to-day. Secondly, School had an exceptionally fine captain in A. Dudley R. Fiddcs, a real student of the game and as promising an exponent of it as has played in the XI for some time. Last and by no means least, the team spirit has been excellent and the standard of bowling and fielding much above average. It is many years since School " completed the double " by beating Gordon's College both at Scofield and at Rubislaw. It is perhaps worthy of record that for the first time in the history of the School the 1st X I engaged a first-class English Public School. The game with the Leys School at Perth was lost, but there was not the disparity between the respeciive teams that the scores might suggest. The season will be continued when School resumes in August, but the XI will then he the prospective 1944 side.
ist XI Matches. 24th April, 1943.—v. Mannofield XI, at Mannofield.—Mannofield batted first and declared when their score was at it 22 for 5. A. R. Webster, with 33, was top scorer. School's batting completely collapsed, Mortimer and Richardson bowling the side out for 35. The team seemed over-anxious to play orthodox cricket and failed badly. I. A. Middleton was top scorer with to. Result: Mannofield, 122 for 5 (dec.) ; School, 35. 1st May.—v. A.G.S.F.P.s, at Rubislaw.—Thc team's inability to settle down and score runs continued. D. W. C. Smith with an average of 5 for 7 gave School's batsmen most trouble. F.P.s passed the School's total of 37 for the loss of two wickets, which fell to I. A. Middleton and IL F. F. Steven. Result : A.G.S.F.P.s, 38 for 2 ; School, 37. 15th May.—v. The Leys School (Cambridge), at Perth.—A full day's cricket was enjoyed at Doo'cot Park on this date. Leys made 524 against a good School attack. A. M. Davidson took 3 wickets for 21 and I. A. Middleton 3 for 29. School's fielding was keen, the high light being the efficient wicket-keeping of D. Makkawi. In two and a half hours' batting School could only muster 68 against the admirable fast bowling of J. II. Dunkerley, who captured all so wickets for to runs. His performance included a hat trick. Top scorer for School was A. A. Lawrence with 22 not out. Ile gave a tine display of defensive hotting throughout the innings. Result : The Leys Scho41, 124 ; A.G.S., 68.
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19th May.—v. Gordon's College ist XI, at Seafield.—Gordon's College won the toss and batted first. Batting was steady rather than brilliant throughout, and the College score stood at 74 by the time the last man was dismissed. Bowling for School A. D. R. Fiddcs had 4 for 25, D. Stuart 3 for 15, and A. M. Davidson 2 for 1o. One wicket was the result of a very good throw-in by R. G. Ross. Highest scorer for the College was one of their opening batsmen, T. Rennie, who made 15. The first four School wickets fell quickly, but Fiddes settled down and began to score freely. It was doubtful if the " tail " could stay long enough to gain the necessary runs, for with only 7 runs required, the last man went in to bat. However, after a few very exciting overt, 77 runs had been scored for the loss of 9 wickets. Of this total, A. D. R. Fiddes made 45 not out, T. A. Middleton 8, and R. G. Ross 7. Fiddes's was a real Captain's innings, one of the best played by a Grammar School cricketer for many years. 27th May.r'. University ist XI, at Ruhislaw.—School were left with less than an hour to pass 'Varsity's total of too for 9 (dec.), Fiddes having taken 5 for 32. School started slowly, but Fiddes (43 not out) and Stuart (;6) brought the total to 94 before Stuart went down bravely while letting loose his heaviest armament in the last over of the match. Result : 'Varsity XI, too for 9 (dec.) ; School, 94 for 5. znd June.—r. Gordon's College ist XI, at Rubislaw.—Once again School fielded first. The best piece of fielding was by A. A. Lawrence, who dived well to the side to catch a hard cover-drive from the College captain. The fielding all over, however, was keen, and this was one reason for the College score, all out, being as low as 56. School bowlers were A. D. R. Fiddes, who took 4 for 22 ; D. Stuart, 3 for 18 ; F. Rogers, i for 5 ; and A. M. Davidson, s for 9. When the School score was 58 for 5 wickets, Fiddes brought in the batsmen. Highest scorers were A. A. Lawrence, who scored 18 not out ; A. D. R. Fiddes, 17 ; R. F. F. Steven and S. M. Davidson, 7 each, Davidson being not out. Total Highest No. of Times 1st XI Batting Averages— score. Average. Innings. not out. runs. 2 138 . . 27'60 45 * A. D. R. Fiddes . 7 • 1 i•oo 36 0 . . . . 77 D. Stuart 7 • 8.66 12 16 . 2 . S. McK. Davidson 5 • 8.40 22* 2 . . A. A. Lawrence . 42 7 • * Signifies not out. pit XI Bowling Averages— , . A. M. Davidson . . . A. D. R. Fiddes . . . E. Rogers . . . . . D. Stuart
. . . •
Overs. Maidens. Runs. Wickets. Average. 7.00 12 84 14 52 7.65 17 53o 36 4 8'oo 6 2 48 14 12. 20 10 132 I1 47
Dramatic Society Notes. Three one-act plays were performed on the t7th and 18th December, namely, " Catherine Parr," " Bureau de Changes " and "'The Little Man." During the intervals Mr. Forbes sang, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Forbes. The Hall was filled both nights, and the sum of f55 was handed over to the Y.M.C.A. The plays were a success owing to the producing of Mr. Forbes and Mr. Eddison. Our President, John A. C. Mart, left at Easter to join H.M. Forces. Ian A. Watt was elected President and Ernest I. McConnach became Vice-President. Donald E. R. Watt was elected a Committee member. The Senior Section of the Society, aided by members of the Middle School Section, arc doing the first and sixth scenes of Shaw's great play " Saint Joan," on the 24th and 25th of June. Two rehearsals arc being held each week under the management of Mr. Forbes. Before the Easter holidays the Society met once a week as a Reading Circle and read plays by various authors. All members are enthusiastic about the production in late June. Not for many years has the Society produced two lots of plays in one season. R. A. K.
a 6o
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
House Notes. Byron House. At the annual meeting held to elect House officials, the following were appointed : I-louse Captain, L. W. Milne ; Rugby Captain, L. W. Milne ; Vice-Captain, I. C. McLean ; Athletics Captain, I. C. McLean ; Swimming Captain, J. D. Robson. At a later meeting I. C. McLean was appointed House Captain in place of L. W. Milne, who left at Easter for a naval short course at Cambridge, and to whom we offer our best wishes while on service. Our heartiest congratulations arc offered to L. W. Milne and I. C. McLean on gaining their 1st XV Caps ; to G. S. Elmslie and I. M. Cochran on their ist XV Colours ; to J. A. G. Elmslic and R. D. Milne on their re-awarded and XV Colours, and to R. M. Grant on gaining his. The rugby team has been very successful this season, being runner-up in both the competition and knock-out tournament. We were rather unlucky not to win the tournament, as it was a hard, close game, with Keith gaining the decision in the last minutes. The junior team has done very well this year, having won all its matches by a good margin, which is an encouraging sign for the years to come. In all the inter-House swimming competitons held this session Byron has remained undefeated, both in the senior and junior events. The honour for this achievement lies with J. I). Robson, our Swimming Captain, whose qualities arc demonstrated by the fact that he has gained the Rector's Cup for the second year in succession. Prospects for a successful swimming season next session arc very bright, as we have some excellent swimmers coming up. It is with great hope and expectancy that we look forward to the coming season, and I, on behalf of all members who are leaving, wish the House the best of luck in all its future activities. I. C. McLEAN, Howe Captain.
Dun House. At a House meeting held in September the following officials were elected : House Captain, J. W. Rogers ; Rugby Captain, D. Stuart ; Swimming Captain, T. Train. We congratulate D. Stuart on the re-award of his 1st XV Cap, J. W. Rogers on gaining his tat XV Cap, A. D. R. Fiddes and E. Rogers on gaining their 1st XV Colours, and D. L. Cowie on gaining his and XV Colours. The rugby season being now over, all inter-House matches have been played. Dun has not been very successful in these games but registered two very fine wins, over Melvin and Keith. The latter victory was gained on one of the few occasions when the House team was at full strength. Dun Junior XV has fared well, losing only two games. This must be attributed to the keenness shown all through the season by the younger members. After Easter we were unfortunate to lose J. W. Rogers and T. Train, who left us to join the Services. To both we wish the best of luck. The office-bearers for the summer term are : House Captain, E. Rogers ; Cricket Captain, A. D. R. Fiddcs ; Athletics Captain, J. C. R. Dawson ; Swimming Captain, A. D. Lyall. Up to date no senior House cricket games have been played but prospects arc very bright. We arc fortunate in having the School Cricket Captain, A. D. R. Fiddcs, and the Secretary, D. Stuart, in the House. Finally, on behalf of those who are leaving, I want to say " Goodbye and Good Luck " to those who will keep the flag flying next year. E. ROGERS, House Captain.
Keith House.
House officials for the present session elected at the beginning of the first and third terms are as follows : House Captain, W. C. M. Lawrence ; Rugby Captain, R. F. F. Steven ; Rugby Vice-Captain, H. M. Knight ; Cricket Captain, R. F. F. Steven ; Cricket Vice-Captain, A. M. Davidson ; Captain of Athletics, B. M. Cockie ; Swimming Captain, A. Gray. We must congratulate the following members of the I-louse on gaining rugby awards : Caps—H. M. Knight, R. F. F. Steven ; ist XV Colours—F. W. Alexander, E. Alexander, I. M. Duguid ; ist XV I lalf Colours—R. L. Mackinnon ; and XV Colours—J, R. Masson, A. G. Kirkland.
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
161
Keith had a very successful rugby season, losing only one of the tight games played. Thus we won the Rugby Cup, which has eluded Keith for so many years. At the end of the rugby season W. C. M. Lawrence, our House Captain, left for service in the R.A.F., while two of our outstanding forwards, H. M. Knight and F. W. Alexander, left during the season for service in the Army and Navy respectively. On behalf of the House I should like to take this opportunity of wishing all three the very best of luck. So far this summer there have been no House cricket matches owing to the weather and School arrangements. In conclusion, on behalf of those who are leaving at the end of the season, I wish the House every success in the future. R. F. F. STEVEN, House Captain.
Melvin House. At a House meeting held early in the session, the following appointments were made : House Captain and Rugby Captain, A. H. Tawse ; Rugby Vice-Captain, J. A. C. Marr ; Captain of Swimming, D. M. A. Shewan. During the rugby season we played six inter-House matches, in which we won two. Against Keith the ist XV were well beaten by z6 points to 3 points. In our next game we carried off a hard-fought victory of 21 points to 17 points against Dun. We then suffered a defeat from Byron, losing by 11 points to 12 points. Each of these games was played again and was both lively and spirited. Against Keith we lost by 17 points to 18 points. Dun next beat us by 10 points to our 9 points, and in our next game against Byron we won by 33 points to 17 points, thus gaining third place in the inter-House competition. Before going any further, we take this opportunity to offer our heartiest congratulations to I. G. K. Phillips on the award of his Cap and to J. A. C. Marr on gaining his 1st XV Colours. J. F. Cowie, A. S. Allan, N. McAdam and D. Makkawi arc also to be congratulated on being awarded their znd XV Colours. At a recent meeting of the House, A. S. Allan was appointed Cricket Captain and D. Makkawi, Vice-Captain ; Athletics Captain, I. G. K. Phillips. Up to the present there have been no inter-House cricket matches owing to the 1st XI matches held on the games afternoon. A. H. TAWSE, House Captain.
The Literary and Debating Society. The Society began the New Year with a most interesting lecture by Mr. Andrew Milne on " The Totalitarian State—Old Style." The lecturer pointed out the parallel between Sparta and Germany in education, soldiering, and civic life. The well-worn subject, " That there is more opportunity for adventure to-day than ever before," was handed over to Messrs. Gray and Millar. The affirmative won. Another successful " Afternoon at Home " was held and various papers were submitted. These have been collected and put in magazine form by Mr. Forbes. The first discussion with the High School was on " The Place of Art in Life." The speaking was spasmodic and difficult owing to the great wideness of the subject, but the general feeling was that art was rapidly losing ground on account of the lack of emotion depicted in it. Mr. A. Milne made a welcome return with a discourse on " Greek Architecture." Some informative views and alarming beliefs emerged from the discussion on " Life after Death." The reasons for a life after death were given and duly refuted by sceptical members. The majority, however, agreed that there must be some existence after the grave. A " return match" was played with the High School when " The Need for Religion" was discussed. Religion was necessary to translate correctly the new knowledge science gave us and also to use profitably the discoveries of Science. The Short Story Competition was won by B. N. Crookshanks, with P. C. Millar and J. Gray coming in second and third. During the summer term we have had two meetings, at one of which Mr. Forbes presented some subjects for debate. Happiness, civilization, education, and literature were discussed. P. C. M.
16z
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
Scout Notes. 1st Troop. Since Christmas the Troop has led an uneventful life. Tests have been passed by the younger boys, while the older Scouts have gained many proficiency badges. Although the number of Scouts has been depleted, we have made up for lack of quantity with quality. The boys have been extremely keen in all their Scouting activities. A successful camp was held at Clintcrty during the Easter vacation, primarily to make minor repairs to our Hut there, but owing to lack of material, full repairs were impossible. Scouting was maintained throughout the camp period. Cubs and Scouts have won the Shield and Cup respectively for Athletics. It is believed that this is the first time that the same Group has carried away both trophies. The Troop will be doing much war work in the holidays. DEAN MAKKAWI, SCOUiMaSier.
9th Troop. It has been unfortunate for the Ninth this winter that their Scoutmasters have been called away one after the other for service with H.M. Forces. In September S.M. George Anderson, only a month after taking charge, in December Frank Alexander, and in April Lawrence Milne have all been called away to serve in the R.A.F., Fleet Air Arm, and Royal Navy respectively. Nevertheless the older Scouts remaining have carried on valiantly, and Troop meetings arc as lively and enjoyable as ever. It says much for the energy and enthusiasm of the Scouts that this year they have staged a most successful show in the School I lall, which realized L25 towards the deficit on their Headquarters. To Mr. Robert W. Watt, who devoted so much time, thought, and energy to the production, the Ninth is very deeply indebted. At Easter some of the hardier Scouts set off to camp by Feughside. On the second day the snow began to fall. Surely this was the real thing—we had often heard that snow on the ground and ice in the pails were traditional at a Ninth Easter Camp. But then the weather clerk repented and for the next few days the sun shone. We were glad to welcome three old Scouters, Campbell Connon, Bill Ross, and George Anderson, who spent a short time with us. The following promotions have been made : 'Co A.S.M.s—P.L.s I. M. Watt, D. E. R. Watt, E. A. Alexander, and A. G. Laing ; To P.L.s—Seconds W. J. Alexander, I. A. Watt, F. C. Connon, and N. C. Bowman ; to Seconds—Scouts G. Anderson, F. Gardiner, and I. Crawford. DAVID .MATIIIESON, SCOld/M1Sler.
rith Troop. This session has been a very successful one for the Troop, no doubt owing to the keenness shown by all concerned, from the senior Scouts to the newest of recruits. At Christmas the membership was at 25, but it suffered a slight set hack in the following months, owing to the fact that most of the P.L.s had their minds diverted towards the gaining of the " Highers." Since then, I am glad to say, the membership has increased, and at the time of writing has passed the 3o mark. During the winter months we held two very successful Whist Drives at Scout Headquarters, the profits being a very welcome addition to Troop funds. I take this somewhat belated opportunity of thanking all parents for their co-operation : their help and enthusiasm added greatly to the success of the evenings. With increased numbers has come increased keenness, and Scout-work and games are going with a greater swing, now that open-air meetings can he held at the favourite haunts of the Troop, on the outskirts of the city. No official Easter Camp was held this year, though several members seized the opportunity and held successful camps. An expedition to Echt was much enjoyed by all who participated, even though the party was somewhat drenched on the way home. We held a camp during the May week-end at Ballogie, amidst glorious sunshine, and all returned looking much bronzed. Arrangements for the summer camp arc well advanced, and it is hoped that this year we shall hold a larger camp than has been held for several years. The Cub Pack, which has been dormant for several years, has been revived and has a membership of i5 meantime. We have been lucky in gaining the services
St. Mar4aret's School for arts (Incorporated)
ALBYN PLACE, ABERDEEN. Head Afistres.I : Miss M. E. HOLLAND, M.A.Cantab. (Classical Tripos). Chairman of the Schaal Council: Dr. E. W. WATT, Ex-Lord Provost of Aberdeen,
T. MARGARET'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS is an Incorporated School, registered according to the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908. It is administered under the management of an eleaive Council of prominent citizens, on lines similar to those of well-known Girls' Schools in other
S
parts of Scotland. The School stands in its own grounds in the best part of the City of Aberdeen, and in all respe&s is well equipped to secure the comfort of pupils and the efficiency of the education imparted. The aim of the School is to provide a first-class education on modern lines, to care specially for the development of charaEler in the pupils, to prepare them for the interests and responsibilities of social life, and to enable those who desire it to proceed to the higher education of the Universities or to train for a career. BOARDING SCHOOL. As a special war-time arrangement, a country branch of the School has been atablished at Blackhall Castle, Banchory. This is organized as a Boarding School, with all the advantages of residence. In this healthy atmosphere, in conditions of complete tranquillity, girls are able to follow the normal School routine and at the same time enjoy the pleasures of an unrestricted country life. Full responsibility is taken by the School if the parents wish, and holidays are arranged for. etc., is Information as to Fees, Entrance Scholarships, Courses of Study, to the HEAD given in the Prospeaus, which may be had on application MISTRESS, 7 QUEEN'S GARDENS, ABERDEEN.
Aberdeen Grammar School F.P. Club Boarding House Co. Ltd. GRAMMAR SCHOOL HOUSE: 8 QUEEN'S ROAD, ABERDEEN. The House is conveniently situated in the west end of the town, and is equidistant from the School and the Playing Fields. The 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 Company have their own Hard Tennis Courts (3) and large Playground adjacent to the House. There are vacancies for both Seniors and Juniors. Juniors (boys up to 9 years of age) have their separate dormitories and as much separate Common Room accommodation as possible. A.R.P. shelter accommodation has been provided in the basement in accordance with M.H.S. standards. Fees, £99 per annum exclusive of School Fees. House Master Matron - -
-
- Mr. J. S. M. EDDISON, M.A. - Miss C. M. R. MAYOR.
For Application Forms and further particulars apply to the Secretary of the Company, Mr. JAMES C. DUFFUS, Advocate, 7 Golden Square, Aberdeen
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
163
of three Guide Cadets as assistant cubmistresses, arid I wish them every success in their new venture. I would like to take this opportunity to send the Troop's greetings to all former members who are on active service, and wish them a safe and speedy return. IAN C. McLEAN, Scoedmosier.
The Army Cadet Force. The School Company literally goes from strength to strength. Numbers are now restricted only by the limitation of the establishment to 12o. Vacancies are filled from a waiting list as soon as they occur and, unless the numbers allocated to the A.G.S. Company are increased, many boys will be deprived of an opportunity of joining. In January, 41 cadets—the first to be presented from any Aberdeen company —passed Part I, War Certificate A, and since then five cadets have passed Part II. The appointment of N.C.O.s from the successful candidates has given a greater reality to the training, and their assistance in the work of the various squads has been most valuable. I. M. Cochran's promotion to be Company Sergeant-Major has been fully merited Squads 5 and 4 will be presented for Part I and squads i and 2 for Part 11 before this is in print, so that by next term the majority of cadets will be out of the recruits' class. Activities are multifarious—so much so that two parades a week are necessary to cover the schemes of work Tuesday's parade is spent in such instruction as can be given on the ground surrounding the School; Thursdays at Hazlehcad or King's College, where squads get an opportunity of putting theory into practice. Enthusiasm rises with progress and time is never grudged when given to the A.C.F. Two week-end camps on Deeside, where cadets were taken under the wing of a regular Army unit, gave an insight into the training of the Army to-day. A ride on a Bren-gun carrier to a range and opportunity to fire Bren guns, anti-tank rifles, and 2-in. mortars are great compensations for long hours spent on the theory of these modem weapons. Further week-end camps arc in prospect. The nucleus of a pipe band has been formed, and already the sound of the chanter—the actual bagpipes are still to come—is heard once a week at School, where Pipe-Major Cruickshank is instructing 1z cadets to make their Scottish nationality unmistakable Any F.P. who has a set of bagpipes for which he has no further use could not do better than present them to the A.C.F. band. Permission to use a miniature rifle range whenever the Company desired came just when an issue of .22 rifles was made, and proficiency in markmanship has developed considerably. "One-inch groups" and "Possible scores" have become part of every cadet's vocabulary and another ambition to be achieved. A change-over from the issued forage cap to the Glengarry, if it limits the jaunty angles of wear, adds colour and security to the headgear and is a more fitting mount for a Gordon Highlander's badge. A joint Church parade with the A.T.C. to Rubislaw Church, where the Rev. P. D. Lawrence, Chaplain to both Companies, took the service, was repeated before the end of the term. An exhibition of films on Army training, a talk by Lieut. Arthur Kellas on " Paratroops," and lectures by the Honorary M.O., Lieut. Alan Cruickshank, provided variety in the regular weekly training. The Earl of Airlie and Colonel Tawse inspected the Company and expressed their satisfaction with its appearance, bearing, and proficiency. cadets under Major Stewart made a trek During the first week-end in June from Aboyne by Fir Mounth to Tarfstde and Loch Lee, returning to Aboyne by Mount Keen and Glen Tanar. Three nights were spent under canvas and all provisions and equipment carried. A commando-like toughness seems to be the aim of modern youth. At the summer camp on a Morayshire site during the first week in July the Grammar School Company will join contingents from Inverness and Keith to extend their training and in addition enjoy an organized holiday. A justified satisfaction in the work of the past year and reasonable hope of continued success in the future give the Company that conceit of itself which is J. M. E. the first clement in true esprit de corps.
164
Aberdeen Grammar School Alagazine
School Office-Bearers for Session 1942-43. Prefects. W. C. M. LAWRENCE and R. F. F. STEVEN (Senior Prefect). W. J. ALEXANDER. D. R. GRIFFITHS. E. ROGERS. I. M. COCHRAN. R. W. HEPBURN. J. W. ROGERS. B. M. COCKLE. H. M. KNIGHT. A. H. TAWSE. G. S. ELMSLIE. L. W. MILNE. D. E. R. WArr. House Captains. Dun. Keith. J. W. ROGERS. W. C. M. LAWRENCE. E. ROGERS. R. F. F. STEVEN.
Byron. L. W. MILNE. I. C. MCLEAN.
Melvin. A. H. TAWSE.
Games Committee.
President - - - THE RECTOR. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer - - THE INTERIM GAMES MASTER. E. A. ALEXANDER. W. C. M. LAWRENCE. E. ROGERS.
I. M. COCHRAN. A. M. DAVIDSON. G. S. ELMSLIE. A. D. R. FIDDES. H. M. KNIGHT.
N. MCADAM. I. C. MCLEAN. J. A. C. MARR. L. W. MILNE. I. G. K. PHILLIPS. Rugby Football. I Vice-Captain
Captain
-
W. C. M. LAWRENCE.
Captain
-
A. D. R. FIDDES.
Captain
-
R. F. F. STEVEN.
Captain
_
R. F. F. STEVEN.
J. W. ROGERS. R. F. F. STEVEN. D. STUART. A. H. TAWSE.
- A. H. TAWSE.
Cricket. I Vire-Captain - R. F. F. STEvEN.
Athletics. i
Vire-Captain - B. M. COCKLE.
Tennis.
I
Secretary
- A. D. R. FIDDES.
Literary and Debating Society. - - - R. W. HEPBURN. - - - J. W. R. GR 1Y. - - - P. C. MILLAR.
President Vice-President Secretary President Via-President Secretary -
-
Dramatic Society. - - J. A. C. MARE ; I. A. WATT. - - E. I. MCCONNACH. - - R. A. KIRTON.
"Magazine" Committee—School Representatives.
T. J. CROZIER. School Editors f D. E.
R. WATT.
I Sports Editors{E. ROGERS. R. F. F. STEVEN.
SCHOOLBOYS
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FORMER PUPILS in after life continue to appreciate
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BALLATER 30
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
16 5
The Former Pupils' Club. Founded 1893.
President : Colonel ARCHER IRVINE-FORTESCUE, D.S.O., M.B., Ch.B.
Vice-President and Chairman of Executive : JOHN LENNOX RIDDELL. Secretary and Treasurer : THEODORE. WATT, M.A., LL.D., The University Press, Aberdeen. Secretaries of Sections : Cricket Section—C. H. WEBSTER, 88 Fountainhall Road. Rugby Section—ALFRED J. M. EDWARDS, 25 Westburn Drive.
Rates of Subscription for Membership : . . . . . LIFE MEMBERSHIP . LS Or Five Consecutive Annual Payments of ft i s. each. ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP— For those of at years of age and upwards at commencement of Club year (1st January) . For those under 21 years of age at the commence. . ment of Club year (1st January) . but for those under a1 a single payment of Li is. will secure membership for SEVEN YEARS. •
o
o
o
5
o
o
1 6
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1942. The Executive now submits its fourth war-time Report. Membership and Subscriptions. The following is an analysis of the membership of the Club :— Total at 31/12/42 Total at 31/12/41
Honorary.
Extraordinary.
Total
257 289
15 14
39 39
2,171 2,161
—32
• 1
0
} 10
Life.
Ordinary— Junior. Senior.
727 692
1,133 1,127
-;-35
6
It should be mentioned that the figures both for 1942 and for 1941 include those members whose annual subscriptions have been in arrear since 1939. There are a very considerable number of F.P.s who, owing to war conditions, have been unable to remit their subscriptions but who certainly have no intention of giving up their membership of the Club.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
It will be seen that the membership has been more than maintained, there having been actually an increase of to during the year. As was the case in the last war, there has been a striking increase in the number of new Life Members, as many as 35 having enrolled. This is believed to be a record number for any one year. In addition, during the twelve months to the end of February 1943, z6 F.P.s have paid the first instalment of £1 ts. towards their Life Membership subscription, the total paying by instalments being now 69. The noticeable reduction of 32 in the number of Junior Members is accounted for (1) by the transference of several of them to Life Membership ; (z) by the considerable number who have died on war service; and (3) by the reduced number of boys of eligible age who left the School in 1942. During or at the end of the last School session only f4 boys of 16 years of age and over left the School, as compared with 90 boys in the previous session. Of the 54, 29 had joined the Club up to 28th February 1943. During 1942, 15 young F.P.s made the single payment of £1 is. each to cover membership for seven years. The corresponding figure in 1941 was 2 5 . With regard to the payment of subscriptions, there are 5o Senior Members and 6 Junior Members who have not yet paid for 1942 ; 37 Senior and 4 Junior who have not paid for 1941 and 1942 ; and 43 Senior and 7 Junior who have not paid for 1940, 1941, and 1942 ; so that altogether 130 Senior and 17 Junior members arc in arrears. Losses by Death. In the twelve months to 28th February 1943 the Club's losses through death have been even higher than in the previous twelve months, the total being 44 as against 40. Of the 44, no fewer than 28 have given their lives " pro Patria." The Aberdeen Grammar School has an unfortunate pre-eminence among schools of its order in the sacrifice of young life arising from the war. Among the older F.P.s who passed away were Mr. William A. Smith, the joint Senior Member of the Club, who died at the age of 92 ; two former Club Consuls —Mr. David Scott (Ceylon) and Mr. John F. Fraser (Travancore) ; and a former member of the School staff, Dr. A. F. Hyslop, H.M. Inspector of Schools. Honours to F.P.s The royal honour conferred in June 1942 on Mr. James T. Lawrence brought the number of F.P. Knights created since January 1939 up to five. One of these is Sir W. Wilson Jameson, Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, who on New Year's Day 1943 received the further honour of Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.). At the same time one of the Club Consuls, Mr. W. M. G. Dawson (United Provinces, India), was made O.B.E. Other awards for civil and war service have, as usual, been recorded in the Magazine. The Club and the School. At the Annual Distribution of Prizes, on 7th July 1942, the Club presented two medals. These were awarded as follows :— Silver Medal for English .. .. Edward K. Borthwick. .. John Peter Grant. .. Silver Medal for Spanish The All-Round Trophy and John No Dawson Prize were awarded to William Davidson. The Executive has noted with satisfaction that at Aberdeen University five F.P.s graduated last year in Arts with First Class Honours. They also record with pleasure the honour that has come to the School through the appointment of the Rector, Mr. J. J. Robertson, as a member of the Advisory Council on Education in Scotland. The " Magazine." Owing to the restrictions on the use of paper only two numbers, of reduced size, of the Magazine were published in 1942. In spite of difficulties each number was made as complete a chronicle as possible. During the year the deaths on active service were recorded of 37 F.P.s, and of these, portraits of 31 were reproduced. Articles and letters for the iletakr<ine, particularly from F.P.s abroad, are always welcomed by the Editor.
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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
167
Club Sections. The Cricket Section had a very successful season in 1942, winning the Aberdeenshire League Championship. In the season 1942-43 the Rugby Section fielded only one XV, but occasionally an " A" XV was got together. The 1st XV's record was highly satisfactory. Finance. td., The Revenue and Expenditure Account for the year shows adeficit of £34 131.1main which compares with a deficit of £103 18s. ltd. for 1941. Again one of theClub's reasons for the deficit was the unavoidable absence of a dividend on the large holding in the Boarding House Company. While the accumulated deficits out since the outbreak of war amount to £164 121. 3d., the Executive would point that during the same period the Capital funds of the Club have increased by £65o, from £3,508 to £4,159, so that the financial position of the Club may reasonably be regarded as satisfactory. Jubilee of the Club. The Executive, in conclusion, would remind members that the Club was founded at a meeting held in the School on 11th September 1893, and that its Jubilee, therefore, occurs in September 1943, A suitable celebration of this event will doubtless take place at the conclusion of hostilities.
The Club Boarding House. List of Boarders. As usual in the June issue of the Magazine a complete list is given below of the boys (45) who have been resident in the Boarding House during the session. By reason of the war the number is below the normal, but shows an increase of nine during the last twelve months. ENTERED IN SESSION 1935-36. Thomas Hill Buchan, s. of Captain J. I. Buchan, Governor's I louse, H.M. Prison Peterhead. ENTERED IN SESSION 1936-37. Alistair D. Fiddes, s. of Dr. John Douglas Fiddes (1896-1902), M.A., B.Sc., " Rubislaw," Hutton, Brentwood, Essex. Patrick Gordon, s. of Sidney Gordon, c/o Bank of London and South America, 7 'I'okenhouse Yard, London, E.C. 2. John Tower Sorley, s. of Dr. John T. Sorley (1904-17), M.A., c/o A.D.M.S., Lagos, Nigeria. ENTERED IN SESSION 5938-39. Ronald A. Kirton, s. of Dr. John Kirton, " Oakbank," Fort Augustus. Peter M. Gordon, s. of Dr. D. G. Gordon, " Revoan," Ellon. ENTERED IN SESSION r939-4o. George F. Durno, s. of George F. Dumo (1909-11), Jackston, Rothienorman. John A. Home, s. of Dr. Elsie Home, Letchworth Lodge, Lossiemouth. Michael P. Littlejohn, s. of Lieut.-Colonel William Milne Littlejohn (19or-oz), Berryh ill, Peterhead. Frederick C. Sleigh, s. of Dr. Frederick R. Sleigh (1914-17), 36 Park Road, Hampton Hill, Middlesex. John C. K. Steele, s. of Charles S. Steele, 8z Bedford Court Mansions, London, W.C. 1.
168
Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine
ENTERED IN SESSION 1940-41. James W. Rogers and Eric Rogers, ss. of Eric W. Rogers, Grinan Estates Ltd., May Pen, Jamaica. Bruce E. Thomson, s. of G. B. Thomson, Dhullic, Mijikajan P.O., Assam. C. Alan W. Ramsay, s. of Hugh G. Ramsay, " Broom Close," Comsland, Brentwood, Essex. John W. Cradock, s. of Mrs. E. M. Cradock, " Kinsley," Banchory. Alan Robson, s. of Lieut. Robson, Nazareth House, Southend-on-Sea. ENTERED IN SESSION 1941-42. Robert M. Grant, s. of Eiger Grant, 88 Ncwlands Park, Hull. Ian G. Rogers, s. of Eric W. Rogers, Grinan Estates Ltd., May Pen, Jamaica. Ian M. Stuart, s. of Dr. J. M. Stuart, 47 Goldington Road, Bedford. John Michael Luxton, s. of Charles E. Luxton, Caimess House, Lonmay. Ronald Cooper, s. of Donald Cooper, Bank House, Auchinblae. Richard H. Durham, s. of Mrs. Nora Durham, 33 Queen's Avenue, Nfeols, Hoylake, Cheshire. Gordon I. Graham, s. of Charles Gordon Graham (1911-r8), Potterton House, Balmedie. Forbes K. Sellar, s. of Mrs. Mary Lumsden, 178 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen. Gordon Hamilton Bell, s. of Dr. J. H. Bell (1908-14), 55 Wood Street, Walthamstow, London, E. 17. Alaister Gillies MacCrimmon, s. of A. G. MacCrimmon, Adcla House, Baleygunge, Park Road, Calcutta. ENTERED IN SESSION 1942-43• William Anderson, s. of Mrs. Anne D. Anderson, The Bungalow, Mcthlick. W. Graeme H. Bell, s. of William S. Bell, 56 Bridge Street, Aberdeen. Alexander Brown, s. of Alex. S. B. Brown, P.O. Box 204, Kampala, Uganda. David L. Cowie, s. of Alex. Cowie, 3 Redlands Road, Montrose. Ian McI. Duguid, s. of John Duguid, Burnbank, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire. Michael J. Fox and Peter J. Fox, ss. of Leslie H. Fox, Milton Lodge, Keith. David A. Graham, s. of Charles Gordon Graham (1911-18), Potterton House, Balmedie. Norman S. Kirkby, s. of A. R. Kirkby, 19 Esplanade Mansions, Calcutta. James Leishman and Richard Leishman, ss. of Mrs. Leishman, Woodend Farm, Banchory. Jeremy Sands, s. of Mrs. Alice R. E. Sands, 13 Forest Road, Aberdeen. Richard D. L. Smart, s. of George M. Smart, The Braes, Bieldsidc. Donald G. Stewart and James S. Stewart, ss. Dr. Donald S. Stewart (1906-18), 41 Hendon Way, London, N.W. a. Allan A. D. Sutherland, s. of Mrs. Beatrice Sutherland, Dorset House, Dorset Street, London, N.W. r. Robert L. Watson, s. of Mrs. A. M. Watson, Holly House, Montrose. John Williamson, s. of William B. Williamson (1900-02), Seafield Cottage, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen.
The Rugby Section. Despite the departure of players to the Forces the Section wound up the season with quite a creditable record. Of 22 games played, fourteen were won, seven were lost, and one was drawn. F.P.s were successful in all three matches played with Gordonians, yet lost twice to University. Honours were even in the tussles with Wanderers, now almost an all-Services side, three games being won, three lost, and one drawn. Both games played with the School rst XV were won, and in eight encounters with Services teams at Rubislaw F.P.s finished winners on six occasions and losers on only two. Much of the credit for the Section's good season goes to its Captain and scrumhalf, Dr. J. C. Lightbody, now in the Forces, and to Vice-Captain J. A. Innes, the team's outside half. These two players held the team together well and
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Sports Outfitters and Golf Club Makers 28
BRIDGE
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ABERDEEN
Business Hours until further notice : 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Wednesday, I p.m.
'Phone 1094.
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UNIFORMS FOR THE SERVICES Army, Navy, and Air Force Uniforms for both Men and Women in Stock Ready to Wear or Tailored to Measure
Price List for Services on request at THE
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LTD. TAILORS
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ABERDEEN
Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine
169
inspired the younger members by their example and encouragement. It is rather a blow to the Section that both are no longer available. Other members of the 1942-43 side unlikely to be playing next season for F.P.s are G. Stephen, D. W. C. Smith, K. G. Buthlay, A. C. Mutch, G. M. G. Robbie, H. McPherson, and K. W. Hunter.
The Cricket Section. Cricket in the fourth year of war is proving rather a difficult proposition, but A.G.S.F.P.s are carrying on in the Aberdeenshire League. A number of 1942 players arc now away from Aberdeen, so F.P.s home on holiday or leave will be warmly welcomed in the XI. Last season's captain, J. A. Innes, is now in Fort Augustus, and Neil Macdonald has so far been a tactful and successful captain. Fixtures for 1943 are as follows :— Lost Rubislaw Apr. 24 GrOlt1O11ilif1S (F) . Won . . Rubislaw . • • . May z School (F) . Rubislaw Abandoned . 8 North (L) . „ Mannofield Lost „ z5 Mannoficld A (L) . Rubislaw Won • „ 22 Crescent (L) • . . Rubislaw Won • • . „ 29 Westgrove (L) Won Rubislaw . • June 5 Cup Tie (North) . Tic • • • • • . „ 12 Balmoral (L) . Rubislaw Lost • 19 Cup Tie (P.A.C.T.C.) 91 • . Bridge of Don • . • . I.T.C. (L) . z • • • • . • July 3 Open . Rubislaw . . • „ ro Open . • . • . . „ 17 Open . Rubislaw • • • • Gordonians (L) SP 2 4 . . • . • . . 31 Open . . Stoneywood . . • • Aug. 7 Stoneywood (L) . Rubislaw „ 14 R.A.F., Dyce . Rubislaw . • • • . „ 21 Naval Base (I.) . . . . Seafield . „ 28 Gordonians (F) • •
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There will undoubtedly be vacancies in the XI as the season progresses, and any F.P.s available are invited to get in touch with the Hon. Sec. (Telephones 5o5 and 2530). C. H. Wass•nza, Hon. Ser.
List of New Members of the Club. LIFE MEMBERS. Allan, George, Jun. (1930-35), 193 Great Western Road, Aberdeen. Cameron, Alfred Gordon (1923-34), Tckpara Tea Estate, Binnaguri P.O., Dooars, India. Chalmers, Alexander (1917-26), M.B., Ch.B., 96 London Road, Sittingbourne, Kent. Clark, Norman Stuart (1919-29), B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., ,6o Bon-Accord Street, Aberdeen. Cruickshank, William (1910-15), 24 West Banks Avenue, Wick. Duguid, Marshall Keith (1919-29), Messrs. Duguid & Anderson, Ltd., P.O. Box 422, Beira, Portuguese East Africa. Duncan, Douglas Stanley (1928-33), M.A., t6 Calsayscat Road, Aberdeen. Gauld, John French (1919-29), c/o Sathkyah Tea Estate, Mal P.O., Dooars, India. Grant, John Peter (1935-36), Craigellachie, 88 Newland Park, Hull. Grant, Robert Malcolm (1941-43), Craigellachie, 88 Newland Park, Hull. Jeffrey, James Patrick (1906-18), B.Sc. (Eng.), C.A., Hallfield, Mid Stocket Road, Aberdeen.
17o
Aberdeen Grammar School Alagaine
Leith, John Henry (1912-23), Thornhill, Cults. McLaren, William Hamish (1921-30), 46 Murray Terrace, Aberdeen. Matheson, Charles Wallace (1925-34), 4 Glasgow Road, Camhuslang, Glasgow. Middleton, Douglas Falconer (5920-25), 12 Viewfield Crescent, Aberdeen. Murray, Ellis Edward Paul (1925-30), B.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., 20 Ilollybank Place, Aberdeen. Russell, James Knox (5957-28), 35 Durham Road, East Finchley, London, N. z. Savidge, Cecil Arthur Grant (5913-24), M.B.E., M.A., I.C.S., c/o External Affairs Department, Government of India, New Delhi, India. Shinnie, Alexander Mackenzie (1896-1900), 24 Thomgrove Avenue, Aberdeen. Simpson, Charles Harvey (5897-5909), M.A., x Northdean Park Avenue, Bothwell. Smith, Archibald Harald (1929-38), 86 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen. Stewart, John Maxwell (1925-36), 17 Avenue Road, Bishop's Stortford, IIerts. Stirrat, Alexander Young (5911-20), 144 Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. Taggart, James Sinclair (1931-42), 47 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen. Walker, Daniel Jackson (1918-22), Inverdee, I Rugby Road, Kilmarnock. Wilson, Roy Alexander (1937-42), 28 Carnegie Crescent, Aberdeen. ORDINARY MEMBERS. Arnaud, Frederick Cooper (1929-36), Mackay, Alexander Murray (1931-42), 1 Kepplestone Avenue, Aberdeen. 14 Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen. Arnaud, John C. S. (1929-40), 1 Kepple- MacPhail, Ian Angus Shaw (t933-4o), stone Avenue, Aberdeen. Ardshiel, Peterculter. Bisset, David Gove (1923-33), M.B., Marr, Dennis Trevor Llewellyn (1936Ch.B., 81 Queen's Road, Aberdeen. 42), 47 Stanley Street, Aberdeen. Boyd, Percy Stuart (1927-40), 20 Milne, Gavin (5930-42), 7 St. Swithin Woodburn Avenue, Aberdeen. Street, Aberdeen. Campbell, Andrew Matthew (1916-27), Millie, James Pratt (1937-42), 19 Dee69 Hilton Road, Aberdeen. mount Road, Aberdeen. Conn, Leslie James (5927-37), 30 Nairn, James Henry Robertson (1929Wallfield Place, Aberdeen. 38), 36 Irvine Place, Aberdeen. Davidson, William (1932-42), 51 Gray Rennie, Peter (1938-42), Fiveholding, Street, Aberdeen. Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. Dcy, George Alexander (1936-42), 68 Stewart, George Walker (1931-35), Hammersmith Road, Aberdeen. 6 Forest Road, Lydney, GloucesterForbes, Thomas Joseph Macrae (193;shire. Tawse, Malcolm Harold (1928-40), 74 41), 23 Ferry-hill Place, Aberdeen. Gordon, Alexander Forbes (1937-4z), Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen. 31 Great Northern Road, Aberdeen. Tough, George (1940-42), Wester Ord, Gray, Douglas (1928-45), 12.8 Anderson Skene, Aberdeenshire. Drive, Aberdeen. Trail, Eric William (1929-41), 46 Haine, David (5930-42), 56o King Street, Springbank Terrace, Aberdeen. Aberdeen. Wallace, William Clarke (1233-38), c/o Herd, Peter Bryan (5932-39), 47 BrighMrs. Wallace, tot Union Grove, ton Place, Aberdeen. Aberdeen. Hunter, Kenneth William (1928-41), 44 Westwater, Francis Newton (5930-39), Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen. 68 Forest Avenue, Aberdeen. Johnstone, Alexander Fordyce (1930-42), Wilson, Robert Campbell (1938-4z), z8 12 King's Gate, Aberdeen. Broomhill Road, Aberdeen. Lawrence, William Calder Macphail Witts, Denys James (r933-41), 18 Louisville Avenue, Aberdeen. (1940-42), 45 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen. Young, James Steel (1932-42), z66 Lightfoot, Edmund George Herbert Queen's Road, Aberdeen. (1921-2.4), L.D.S., 59 Victoria Street, Aberdeen.
Admittedly the best place to Lunch in Aberdeen
Watt & Grant's
RESTAURANT As in all the other sections of the store, Quality is the predominating feature.
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Watt & Grant Ltd., Union St., Aberdeen
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10-11 BACK WYND ABERDEEN
Telephone
1994
REPAIRS OF ALL KINDS EXECUTED ON THE PREMISES
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80 Bedrooms, all with H. and C. Running Water. PRIVATE SUITES.
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Manager, JAMES MERCER.
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OF
ABERDEEN-EDUCATION
ABERDEEN
GRAMMAR
COMMITTEE.
SCHOOL
(FOUNDED PREVIOUS TO r216.) Rector
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JAMES J. ROBERTSON, M.A., B.D., F.R.S.E.
HE GRAMMAR SCHOOL provides for Boys a complete course of TStudy, both Elementary and Secondary, Classical and Modern. The School, which is organized in three Departments—Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools—contains, in addition to the usual classrooms, a Chemical Laboratory, Science Theatre with Physical Laboratory attached, Natural Science Laboratory, Art Room, Gymnasium, Workshop, Botanical Garden, Library, Reading Room, and Museum. Pupils in the Middle School are prepared for the Leaving Certificate of t, passes in the latter evamination being the Scottish Education luti7finirtber examination in the corresponding recognized as exemptinig)efron subjects of the Prel,minary P•arnimition for t3ra(11tarittn in Arts, Science., Law, and Medicine at the Scottish Universities. The situation of the School in the West end of the City is open and healthy. The Class-rooms are large, and the Grounds for Recreation include separate Playgrounds for Juniors and Seniors, Tennis Courts, and a field for Cricket and Football. There is also a Boarding House run in conjunction with the School.
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ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. (AT.BYN PLACE.) Head Mistress - Miss B. M. ROSE, M.A. (Oxon.).
HIGH SCHOOL provides a liberal education for Girls from THE 5 to 18 years of age. It is organised in three Departments—Infants, Primary, and Secondary. The Classes in the Infants and Primary divisions are graded in accordance with the requirements of the Scottish Code. Pupils in the Secondary Department are prepared for the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department and University entrance and Bursary Competition examinations. Pupils, whose parents desire it, can be taught Theory and Practice of Music (Pianoforte, Violin, Singing, etc.) and can be entered, if desired, for the examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music. The School buildings occupy an excellent and spacious site in the West end of the city. A Playing Field of eleven acres, situated at Hazlebead and provided with a suitable pavilion, is used for organised games.
Information as to Fees, Scholarships, Courses -of Study, etc., at the Grammar School and High School for Girls is given in the School Prospectus, which may be had free on application to the Director of Education, Education Offices, or to the Rector or Head Mistress respectively.
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