AGS Magazine June 1956

THE

ABERDEEN GRAM MAR SCHCOL MAGAZINE

ABERDEEN pnntz.d. for-The fol'mu Pupils' Club at-The,University Press Price Volume LIX, No . 2

-

Four Shillings June 1956

20

BON-ACCORD

is the Aberdeen

TERRACE

address of

THE LONDON ASSURANCE The Resident Secretary, MR.J. F.JOHNSTON, will be glad to see you and to talk over any kind of insurance you may need.

Scottish Offices also at GLASGOW, EDINBURGH & DUNDEE INCOAl'OIIAnD A.O. 172()

I 11

Advertisements Without the support of Adverti se rs it would be a financial impossibility to produ ce the Maga=ine. May we suggest that in return you patronize them.

I, I

Enquiries regarding advertising

in the Maga =i11e

should be addre scd to : FRANK

CONNON,

ADVl·RTISEMENT

l __

12 GOLDCN

MANAGI R,

SQUARE,

ABERDCE'I

!MILNE'S11£ PUlt2

.....

X! --...,

___

TEL[PHONE

ABERDEEN

23950

•

TELEGRAMS

'GALLOWSES' ABERDEEN

I

Established 1904

Men's Outfitter

W. J. MILNE, LTD ABERDEEN

I

'

After tl11·ee qu111·te1·s

of a ce11tury Collies-a house of private enter• prise--enjoys

the highest

pub lic

esteem

for the excelle nce and

variety

of

its

services

in the

realms of food and wines

FAMILY GROCERS

AND WINE MERCHANTS

269 UNION STREET· ABERDEEN • TELEPIIO

E 27244

&

BRAhMAR

Also

ut

CULTS

lly Appo in 1mt·nt to ll .M

-----------

I

BALLATER

TI1ca Qul"c.·n Grot.·cr'i

For summer wear thb double-breasted two-piece worsted suit is bot h smar t and practica l. Jn several good co lours

13 gns.

For ~eck-cnd ~car we can recommend our two-piece tweed suit!> at JO gm,. and £12 17~. 6d .

ESSLEMONT & MACINTOSH LTD.

(RETA ILERS) TA ILORS AND O UTF ITIERS

UN IO N ST R EET

ABERDEEN

FOR ALL SPORTS E.QUIPME.NT KE.EP IN TOUCH WITH

THE SPORTS DEPT. OF

JkeJ<uh!JeJt &"/wp

in

GEORG E STR EET

MASON, BRICK and CONCRETE WORKS

"SCOTTIE "

MAKERS OF FINE FISHING TACKLE

The young angler and the veteran, too, find everything they require at Sharpe's - plus helpful advice on all fishing problems

CARPENTRY and JOINERY

CONSULT

WILLIAM J. BROWN (ABDN.) LTD. 43 JUTE STREET

ABERDEEN

J. S. SHARPE (FISHING TACKLE) LTD

35 BELMONT STREET ABERDEEN

Estimates Free

Phone 20163

THE

NORTHERN ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED

'Northern ' by name and 'Northern ' in origin, the Northern Assurance Company Limited was established in Aberdeen in 1836 and takes lasting pride in its Scottish ancestry

For all classes of Insurance

ACCIDENT • ENGINEERING • FIRE HOUSEHOLD • LIFE LIVESTOCK MARINE • MOTOR • PENSIONS You will be on good terms with the' Northern' Head Offices

UNION TERRACE, ABERDEEN 1 MOORGATE, LONDON, E.C.2 Group Assets exceed £58,000,000

JAMES BLAKE LTD. Enquiries courteously solicited

Jolnen and Buildin11 Contractors

30-32 GT. WESTERN ROAD Telephone 24382 Telegrams "Blake Builders"

ALL CLASSES BUILDING

OF

WORK

Establiehed over l 00 yeara

WILLIAM CAY AND SONS (Funeral Directors) Limited Efficient Service Dav and Night

Cremation, Arran11ed

Private Chapel and Rest Room

HS UNION STREET 209 GEORGE STREET ABERDEEN ABERDEEN Tel. 29302 610-12 GT. NORTHERN ROAD Tel. 20054 Tel. 44532

IMPROVED

SUPPLIES

of Typewriters, Desks (wood or areel), Chairs, Filing Cablneta, Cupboards

are available

Come and see me

Everything for the Office

C. H. WEBSTER 489 Union Street, Aberdeen

Agenta for Ordnance Survey Maps

Agents for H.M. Stationery Office

WYLLIES (BoOKSllLLERS

LTD.)

247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN Eetablished 1814 ESTABLISH

THE HABIT

Telephone 25534 OF READING

GOOD

BOOKS

[:be

~opper ltettle modern Tilli EXILES LEA VE BOOKS

COCKTAIL lounge ... there's nothing quite hke it in the North. It's an establis hed Aberdeen custom-<:ockta ils in the Kopper Kettle.

Consult these books in the Kopper Kettle and in the Buffet Loun 1:e. They record the names of exiles home on leave.

llllllW111mutMu

U ION TERRACE

.

ABER DEE

Resident Manaacr: R C. TUCKrR. LH.C.I.

I

ROBERT MILNE AND SON Fellow Institute British Decorators

STRACHAN Co mmercial and

PAINTER

Portraiture

and

Photography

DECORATOR

* 257 HOLBURN

STREET

ABERDEEN Telephone No. 2-4556

13oj UNION STREET

ABERDEEN Telephone 20851

Estimates Free

* * *

* * *

, 1EN'S

'' ARCADE ''

TUNIC SIDRTS with Double Front and 3 Trubenised (Rcgd .) Collars NECKB.\ND SIZES

13!, to 17¼

32'6

ATTH \.CTIVE STRIPED DESIGNS AND SELF COLOURS

* * *

ME 'S * * *

100 ¼ NYLON COLLAR ATTACHED

SHIRTS

49'6

CREAM, WIIITE, BLUE AND GREY

e We cordially invite you to visit our modernised MEN'S AND

Boys' DEPARTMENTS

Direct Entrance by Adelphi

I FALCONERS,UNION ST., ABERDEEN • Phone 52341 I

IS in. EP S

o . 125

- £16

CU PS

15r to £150 TO SU IT ALL OCCASIONS

A. & J. SMITH (JEWELLERS) LT D.

191 UN IO N STR EET

AB E RD EE N ESTABLISHED 1863

ABERDEEN 'S FOREMOST

FASHION

SHOP

Have Morning Coffee, Lunch or Afternoon Tea in-

THE RESTAURANT Good service is one of the salient featur es of our Restaurant on the Third Floor . We use our best endeavours to treat you with courtesy, to serve you with deftness, while the daintiness of the appointments appeals to men as much as to women-and , above all, it is noted for its good food personally supervised by our Chef de Cu isine THIRD FLOOR (Elevator

Direct)

WHERE QUALITY COUNTS

221 UNION

STREET

ABERDEEN

"MASSOLEUM"

..

F OR

THE

P E RF EC T

F LOOR

Easily laid Linoleum Tiles for Bathrooms, Sculleries, Kitchens and Passages. Design your own pattern in colours to suit your taste lN DlVIDUA L MOTIFS CAN ALSO BE CREATED FOR OFF ICES,

SHOPS,

HOTELS

AND

RESTAU RANTS

Full particulars, instructions and prices f rom

J. & A. MASSIE L TD. BROAD ST. ABERDEEN Opposite Marischa l College

Phone No. 29229

flt

a n d a lways of course for st ylish Business a n d Sports wear .. .

~a/If!!.

82 UNION STREET A BERD EEN

Tel . 20426

B US I N ·ESS PRI N TING

T h e Gr eyfr iars Pr ess 6-10 UPPER KIRKGATE, Ttltp lwnt 29124

A B ERDEEN

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 7211dyear No. 178 (New Seriu 62.11dyear No. 169)

• No. :i.

Vol. LIX

The Magazine is publi shed under the au spices of The Former Pupils' Club twice during the year, in December and June .

The Magazine Committee James

Rector of the School

J.

Robertson,

o.n.E.,

\I..... , B.D., F.R.S.E., P.E.I. S.

General Editor

Campbell Connon, M.A., LL.B., 58 Dec Street, A bcrdeen.

Editor of Notes, Obituary, Marriages, etc . .

Tan G. Shinnil', 7 Burns Road, Aberdeen.

Editor of the Section

T . M. Brown, 111 . ...

School

Chairman of the F.P. Club Executive

Joseph R. Carry, M.n.H.

Secretary of the F.P. Club

J.

Scott

MacLachlan, 111. A., :i.:i.o Union Street, Aberdeen.

LL.B.,

Advertisements

Frank Connon, M.A., LL.ll., 11.

Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Printed for The Former Pupils' Club at The University Press Aberdeen

CO TF 'TS l•ti,· Linklater, c.11.1., M.A., t r.. u. l)r. Hon:tl<l 111. \lac.m<lr,·\\, ,r,\., t>,UT'I', (,\herd .)

1-acinl! p:l)!l'

I), ,uble 11011,,ur, for the Rector

l':ig,·

\ :;wimming Pond - at la.st ! . '\c\\ Uub Prcsi<l,-nt L1rcwl'll Jo " The llughouse " The Grammarian Fair To Cut, or not to cut? .

I·,dies' Rcturu T he ruturc• of the Prim:tr) Dqxtrtment " 'J he SchlHJJ's Tradition an<l th<: Present 'l'n:nd " A 'J np to th,· hir !:1,,uch . . lrn1'crsity ,\pp0111t1ncnts .,nd A,uvitics Not,·s about Old ll11ys ·1 h,· t ue Dougl.ts Cordon ,\l tllll, f.s,1.

,~ 7S 79 80 81 81 ~2

s,

A Hcpl)'

~3 l>5 S7

88 95

.\I ,trrta.gc"

96 98

Ob1tuar_,

Schoo l SectionSchoo l OAice-Bearers Retiral of Dr. R. \f. \facan<lrew The School's Tribute t0 the Rector Death ,,f Alistai r Paterson Sch, ol and Random :-Sutes Presenting the Prefects Staff C.hangcs C.I:.. \\ .C. Conference hlm Society. Dram.lttc Society " Silence an<l Slow Tune " a poc:111 Arts Club . . .

Lower Schrn,I. Literal) an<l Dch,u ing S,..:icty \Jusic Scripture Lninn. C.( ,l•, Hou.se ~ot<> .

Scour '-.utes .

School I foli<lays 19s6-17 !,chool !:>porttng .-\en, ttics I lockey .

Rugby Athletics Cricl.et. Swimming hirtner Pupils' <..lub Section Club Ollicc Bearers Annua l General ,\fccring Fdinhurgh Crntre .

Lond<>n C.cnttc . .

Glasgow Centre. <.,;olf Section. r.P. Tennis and Ru{!h\ Sections I .P. lluckcv !:lcction • l'-,ew J\fcml;.;rs. Cluh Consuls

79 104

"

.

lOj

" "

106

"

107 110

"

" " " "

lOj

T TI Ill

113 113 114 1 lj 116 II~

"

119 120 121 122

"

" "

.

103 104

.

llo.mling Jlc;usc S.:ction

.. "

" "

"

12j

126 127 129 132 133 134

'>l 1;7 138

Note: An asterisk* after a name throughout the Magazine indicates that the F .P. is a member of the F.P. Club. The years appearing in brackets after a name indic.ite the years of attendance at School.

.,

Double Honour s for the Rector- A~Doctorate and a Knighthood The School anti tht: Club ha, ing already noted with considaablc ~atisfacurn1th.it \l>lr<lct:n L nin:rsit} ,,ill, on l Jui} 19i6 at its summt:r graduation, confrr an honorary <loctorate (LL.D.) upon Mr. J. J. Robertson, were delighkd to lt:arn mon: recently that in addition a knighthood for :Mr. Roberhon has been announced in the Honours List published on 3 1 May 19i6; and we feel this a fitting manner for Communitr and Crown to acknowlc.:dge his stature not on!} as a headmaster, but, in a wider field, as a contributor to general educational betterment at home and abroad. And these well-merited honours are cspeciallr gratifying for us because when we look at Mr. Robertson in the light of their splendour we can at the same time sec pa~t him down the arches of the \ e.u-s to whrrc, just discernible in the medieval shadows, thal unknown figure the lirst rector stands smiling satisfaction: satisfaction at the manner in which his chool came to earn the Torch of Lcarnmg aloft down the centuries-although whethe'r his contt:mporaries are Illind Harry and John Barbour, or Bishop Elphinstone, we cannot make outl \--Vhen Mr. Robertson came to "The Grammar" in 1942 he had already behind him a distinguished career-as a first bursar in open competition at Glasgow, as a distinguished classical scholar, as a Bachelorof Di\'inity, and as one who had already held three headmasterships, including latterly that of Edinburgh " Royal High " which he relinquished to come to "The Grammar".

Speaking at the Rector's introduction in 1942 Lord Alness quoted a passage which had been wntten by \ fr. Robertson not long before; his "confession of faith " as Lord Alness termed it. Jt ran: "During nearly fourteen years .J.S Head of combined Secomlarv and Primary Schools, l have kept two idt:als before me: first, to secure discipline and efficient work without sacriticing the atmosphere and relations of mutual trust and reasonableness that make a schoo l something more than a mere place of teaching and lcamjng; second, to ~cc all the life of the School as set within the life of a c<>mmunjty ... and to refuse no opportumty of reprcsentini.: my school in the larger world outside."

H ow remarkably that" credo" has revealed itself in Mr. Robertson's rectorship of our Schoo l! He has shown fumness and tact in his discipline; he has indeed made the School "something more than a mere place of teachmg and learning " as the , igorous \ rts and :Music Departments illustrate; and he has brought lustre LO the Schoo l through his own contribution to Edurntinn gcnually- for was he not a Member of the Adv1soq Council on Education 111 Scotland?

Chair man of the Learn which sun cyt>d \'vest \frican educationa l facilities in 1952? And in 19l4 one of the U.K. delegates to the UNESCO general conference in l\[onteYidco? And yet for all his comings and going!> he has always had "The Grammar" foremost in his thoughts, fearlessly pressing its interests-and for long now demanding of the Education Committee that it should make a clear state mem as Lo what in fact it intends to do about our School.

77

Aberdeen Gra111111ar School J.!agazine Above all the Rector excels in arthtry uf expression, the right word invariably dignifying the right place. Lucid and disciplined English is ever at his command; and in hi~ oratory there survh cs the great traditions of Burke and Disraeli, for "whatever his theme he will speak as becomes it; neither meagrely where it is copious, nor meanly where it is ample, nor in lbi.r way where it demands th.il; but eve r keeping his speech level with the actual subject and adequate to it".

We rejoice in ) our doctoratc, Mr. Robertson, the more so since you are the first dommie to receiye an .Aberdeen doctorate since our great and distinguished Morland Simpson; we shall share your pride when you go to receive the accolade, especially since you arc " the first practising headmaster in Scotland ever to be honoured with a knighthood".

And we shall acknowledge that these honours rl'prescnt a fitting tribute to a fine career of achievement in what h perhaps the most important profession of all-that which Jays the allimportant foundations upon which the Youth of Today shall hccorne the Men of Tomorrow.

Jn due course you will become" Sir James"; but to most of u~ you will ever remai n-at least behind your exalted back!-" J. J. R." And we feel that in your innermost heart that is the dubbing with which you will be most satisfied. (h,r recorJ purposes anti general interest we arc scnin!? forth here a note: of rhc: appointments which the Rector has held since he came to Alxrtlccn; .\!ember of the Advisory Committee on EJuc.'ltinn on Scotland (1942-j 1). Chairman ufthc Secondary Committee. \1cmbcr of the Secretary of State's Atl,·isory Committee on Education in the ( .olonics 10 years. Chairman of Suh-Commitke <lc:ahng with African Tcriitorks . .Member ,>t the Secretary of State's \tl\isory Committee on Colonial Colleges of .\rts, Sciencc and Tcchnolog1 J\lcmbcr of the United 1'.ingdom Ddt·gation 10 1hc 8th Ccneral C:onfr1c1Kc,,f UNESCO at '\lontt:video in 1914. \'isit to \\est Africa c,n the: invitJtion of the Gultl Coast (,ovcrnment in 1y12, to report on \chimota S~houl ,mtl 1·isi1 other schc~,ls.

Founder &crctary of the Scottish Secondary Hc:admastt:rs' Assnciatic,n, :tntl Pr~-s1tlem (19+.i-46). ,\(ember of the School Broadcasting Council frn Scorlantl for fi,c years, and 111111 sraning anmhc, term ofti,c ycars.- Ed.]

A Swimming Pond- at last !

The long-projected ~wimming pond (first spoken about before the turn of the century) is at last beginning to take tangible shape.

Not that the first sod has been cut, but the idea has now been approved in principle, and provisional plans are in the course of preparation for a pool to be initially 50 feet by 30 feet. Unfortunatclr the projcct cannot be put in hand yet, as the latest governmental directive on the subjcct of capital expenditure in schools restricts such expenditure to projecb which will increase a school's pupil-potential only; but now that the idea has been committed to the drawing board, it may be a matter of only another ten ... or twenty ... or thirty years before the lads can have a dook within the bounds of the school area itself .

ERH

LINKLATEtt,

Esq.

Eric Linklater President of the Former Pupils' Club, 1956-H lN March of this year Eric Linklater* (1913-16), C.B.E., M.A., LL. D ., T.D., of Pitcalzean House, ' igg, Ross-shire, honoured the Former Pupils' Club by accepting office as President for 1956-57 and so, wmy-nilly, addl:d ano ther honourable (if, by comparison, small and parochial) antithesis to those already entwined, like laurel, round his brow . Time and fame have turned many wheels full-circle for this unique and universal writer, and the revolve which brings the Grammar schoolboy of 1916 to the F .P. Presidency of 1956 can not compete in grave propriety and perfection of proportion with the ,arouse/ which by bis own great worth has carried him to acclaim on the fields of war and literature and within the now quiet groves of his Alma :'.\fater. Rough, then, but not harsh, is the only libation which our rustic wines kins can pour for him -sniper of the Pirst \X'orld War who became in its sequel Commander of the Orkney Fortre ss (an office comparable, sound for sound, only with that of Count of the Saxon ~hore, as one percipient soul has already so enviably observed) and later a Colonel in Korea: student in Medicine and Arts, by whom the chimes at midnight were not, we gather, entirely unheard, who returned in after years as Lord Rector (against the stiff opposition of an admiral, a statesman and another patriot) and who was recalled to receive his Doctorate ho11oris ,a11sa: university versifier and wit of the 192.os (" The bosun's name was Rumbelow . .. ") whose blessing was sought for" Scottish Student Verse 1937-47" and who bestowed it in a penetrating preface : one of the onfie begetters (in "Stella the Bajanella ") of the University Gala Week Show, who descended ex 1JJafhinasome decades later and furnished" To Meet The ~Cacgregors " for presentation during Charities Weck, 1946. The instances multiply like mice.

Dignity, modesty and (,ora111 pop11!0) a basilisk reserve camouflage but fail to conceal prodigious powers of invention and expression; and in his writing "vit and the \X1ykehamist doctrine linking manners and man have always run agreeab ly together. Soldier; student; journalist (from The Times of India to the wartime Orkney Blast); novelist; versifier; traveller; lecturer; military chronicler and historian; dramatist; short-story writer; essayist; dialogician; deviser of films; broadcaster; children's talc-teller; autobiographer; anthologist; Scottish film i1JJpruario (with Sir Compton Mackenzie, Mr. l\foray McLaren and Mr. James Robertson Justice) - the invocation is endless! And, above all, a lover of Scotland and a classicist, hearing, with an Orcadian ear, our Scottish seas breaking upon shores distant in place and time.

Few, however, can be aware of his greatest performance within the spheres of the liberal arts-one unforgettable and unforgotten! \\'hen, about 1922., on the stage in the Hall of the School (or was iL the Training Centre?), as a divertissen1entin" Stella the Bajanella ", and in the 1ole of a student of Divinity, he leaned back against a table with 79

So

Aberdem Grafllmar School .,fag17Z,ine

sinister composure, hypnotised his audience with an uningratiaung stare, and after a terrifying, \\.ebstcrian silence, uttered in sombre and eclectic tones the words, "\\'hen I ... hayc a p<1ri;h ... and church! " thus, need it be said, opening a m:istcdy and unclerical monologue presaging ecclesiastical ,illainy in all directions-from asphyxiation in the font to the toxifica1ion of buns at the Sunday School Saturnalia.

This was a powerful and controllt:d pe1 tormance, n:ceivnl thrnughout in rt:H:n:nt, rapturous s1kncc a ,iknn• shallcn:d at l.,,t l,y r,,ftun:n<ling uproar and hoa1sc demand, ti,r 111tHL \lr. l.inklatlr, with gra ,·c courtesy and a most hccomin~ 1ductance, acquit·sccd; and at least one small boy went home that night convinced that he had sn:n and heard gn:atnc~s.

One other distinction can not be o,crlooke<l. He 1s the grandson of a grandmother who also wrote entrancingly-of the seas and sails which she hersdf had known when the world was younger. \\.hat, then, could our lit1lc hands <ln for one who had been a Carnegie Gold \Icdallist (for the hest hook of the ytar nf award); a President of the Scottish S<.:ction of the P.R.K Club and of tlw Sir Walter Scott Club; a member of the ,\rts Council of Great Britain, and of the Scottish Committee to co-ordinate the arts in Scotland for the Festival of Britain, 19 r; and so much else? \'Q'hat, indeed? It was known, on the one hand, that Mr. Linklater appe.-us to be superseding, as l\lost Venerable (but not, of course, Most Ancient) Former Pupil, one, George Gordon, dlJ111i1111J de Byron, whose sojourn at Aberdeen Grammar School-although no longer, relatively, than a dogwatch on the " Cow~lip "-is commemorated through the piety of an earlier generation in imperishable bronze. \X'as there no guidance to be found in their example? But it was doubtless felt to be improbable that Mr. Linklater would coment to rigid immortality, even chryselcphantine, within the School's curtilage.

On that footing, the Club's modest tribute could never he in doubt . \'i/e would invite \fr. Linkl atn to he President in what was to bt.: tht a11111u 11JirabiliJ of the School, warmed by the knowledge that hi~ ace<.:ptancc would, of Jtsdf, ensure an .-m1111J mimbili.r for the Club.

And we arc happy that it should be so.

Farewell

to "The Bughousc"

.\s 1q,.,11cd in ii,, l.1st i•,su,, 1he ~chool Jl,,arJ ing ll011 <<' 1n <J11«11· ~ Road doses >IS door; for f'",J at chc l'Od nf this ,ummt•r's tc1m. Durin g 11, twtnty eight years of life 11 will have pto11tkd a hnmc from -home lur HO bovs, many of whnm h<,>lllsti r ac-knowk-d~.c that HI h.l\t: hcen at ... the Bughousc ", ,md t•' ha,c 1-x:en • an I ·ddtsun b..>) has bnn a grrnt pr111kgc, and an cJucall<>n 111 itself. It i~ confidmth· cxp~ctc:d that the Boardin g I louse s~ction of the l·. P. Club w11l lnng tlourish, if onlv to nr~isc re-unions from t11n c tn tune; and 1t is perhaps of some consolation to know that thl' property has lx·cn purchasnl hy the Youth Hostels .\lovcmcnt to provide their ,\hcrd een I Iostel, and that accordingly the buildmg will continue its lite of service to the younger generation.

•

The Grammarian Fair- and the " School Purposes Fund " By the time this issue is publishe d the great Giammarian Fair on 2.3 J une will he passed. 1\s at 2.0 J une a sum of £2.,066 had ahead) been rai,cd most I) h) small ploys lw coffeL Lvening~, and bridge drives, as well as h) ~uch no, cities as a Barn Dann: at Rothienorman, and an excellent " Any Questions " session in the Schoo l J fall - with Sir Robert Boothby, Mrs. Barbara Ca,tle, and John Bannerman, :ill M.P.s (this giving the packed hall an 1111pn:ssivc and entertaining illustration of d<.:ft th rust and parry argurm:nt 111 opernt ion).

But it is not to be assumed that the matter ends there. The Fair was not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end , , iz. a de, ice to raise an initial capital sum for the creation of the " !:ichool Purposes Fund"; the Fund itself to be a continuing trust, one which will be put at thc disposal of the Rector-money to take the plan of rhe annual sum of £1 ~o formerly pard to him by the Endowments Trust bur no\\· withdrawn. (At the time of the last issue of the .\f,1c~azi11e going to Press it was not then possible to g ive the true reason for the creation of the Fund because the withdrawal of the annual endowment grant of Lqo had not then been formally intimated, although those " in the know" realised that its withdrawal was inevitable.)

The Fund ,viii be administered by Trustees who will be ex of!iciiJ members of the Former Pupils' Club. It is the present intention that a small committee, representing Staff, Parents and Former Pupils, will be appoi nted; and they, on recommendations from the Rector, will request periodical payments from the Trustees for ~uch purposes as are appropriate for the benefit of the Schoo l generally or of indh·idual pupils. \II those who have the interests of the School and its pupils at heart are carnt.:stly requested to keep the Fund's continuing needs before tlwm especially testators !

Stop Pre ss.- Provisional

result of the F air- £ 5,400.

To cut, or not to cut ?

•

\ye! that's the difficult ques tion with whrch we have h1.:cn parllcularl~ confronted in the preparation of this issue of th1c \lagazine. \Ve are very conscious of the fact that the Ma,e,azine linds its way litera lly to the far corners of the Eart h, and is avidly devoured by many who, notwithstanding the passing of the years, still like to sec a full report about how the School XV has fared this sea~on, and how the Xth Troop of Scouts are doing; and to read ad lollJ!,UIII a report about the dinner which they would so much like to have attended; but financial facts are hard chiels to argue with, and those nf ) ou \\ ho do not automatically flick past the Accounts appearing in the F .P. section of th is issue, will sec there that last year the Club required to subsi dize the cost of the lilag,1zi11e's production (£892. for two issues) to the extent of £53 0. The Executive feel that this 81

Aberdeen Grammar Srhool Magaz.ine sum must be pared down considerably; hence the terse terms in which many of the items in this issue are couched, and the more extensive use of smaller print. To those who have submitted material which has emerged from the editorial hands in a considerablyabbreviated form-or has not emerged at all-we would apologize.

PHOTOGRAPHS

We apologize abo to those whose group or club photograph has not appeared; but the reproduction of a one-page photograph costs the equivalent of roughly five pages of print. Therefore , in the meantime at least, the general policy of economizing in the cost of the Magaz.ine has dictated a seyere limitation of photographs.

Briefly, our aim 1s to maintain the character of the 11,fagaz.ine in a manner which will nevertheless placate the thrifty stewards who manage the Club's finances.

*

*

Exile s' Return It is proposed to introduce in the next issue of the Magaz.ineif space permits-a feature giving news about F.P.s who are to be coming home on leave from overseas, since it is felt that such information wou ld be of interest not only to their F.P. friends here but also to other overseas friends who arc to be home about the same time.

"Overseas" P.P.s who are to be coming home on leave within the next year are accordingly invited to send to the General Editor a note indicating: (a) the approximate period of their leave; (b) the address here at which the}' may be contacted during that period.

Such information for the December Magazine should reach the General Editor b} the end of October.

*

*

*

Some thing here ?

"There ·was never a time when so much official effort was being expended to produc e happiness; and probably never a time when so little attention was paid by the individual to creating the personal qualities that make for it." (A recent candid comment.)

.,

The Future of the School's Primary Dept.

The Executive's Report on this matter to the A.G.:M. of the Club on 2.8 March r956 was couched in the following terms: The Education Comm ittee of the Town raised again the quest ion of the; abolition of the Primary Dcpattmcnt of tht: School. Thi~ matter has bu:n under consideration at frequent intervals since the abolition of fres in the school wmc p.:ars ago. In January of this year by the narrow margin of one \'Ote it was decided that, at least for the meantime, the Primary DLpartmcnt should be retained. The Executive kept closely in touch with the matter and, in fact, a deputation of three consisting of the chairman, Mr. J. R. Carry, the Vice-Chairman, 1\lr. J. S. G. Munro, and Mr. :Maitland Mackie of Rothicnorman, attended before the Members of the:: Education Committee and submitlc::d thL Club'!> \ 11:ws on th<.: matter.

The future arrangements for adm1,~ion to the Primary Depa1 t mc;nt and transfer from th( Pnmary Dcpartrncnl to the Secondary Dcpa1 tmcnt arc still under consideration.

" The School's T radition and the Pre sent T rend "-A Repl y

•

Fducationa l backwoodsmanship still donunates debates about the School's future. One of the worst examples of argumen t by abuse appeared in the last i~sue of this /\!ogazi11,. The author set out to defend the Lower School against the pro po~al that it should be disbanded. Jn orde r to do so, he felt it necessary to eulog 11e the past achievements of the Scbool and its hi~h reputation in the North-East.

He can approve, it appears, of the monstrous regimen of five hours of Latin a day, while sneering at " the exhibitions of tin-srnithlng, pottery and poster-co lour, which now delight modem cducacionaliscs" because, to quote again, "The NorthEast, probably more tban any other area of Scotland, has always set a high value on scholarship." Toe question being begged is how far the North-East, in common with other areas, has now moved away from valuing this kind of achievement, and how appropriate it ever was for more than a very small number of boys to study C>ne sub1ect so intens ively. As a Classics graduate I can only deplore the excessive claims which have been made for Laun .

But ~lr. X was clearly more concerned to attack than to defend in his article.

He lightly libels the Town Counci l in alleging that rnonc}," bequeathed for scholarships and for other admirable purposes"," appt:ars to ha, c hccn gradually absorbed in the civic coRers ". Now, most of us have heard something of this story , but the details are never clear. If true, it could be an important issue. I leave it tr> ;\lr. X to explain to us exactly how we were to understand his remarks. Evidence, please.

(This matter is dealt with fairly exhaustively by Dr. Morland Simpson in his book Bon Record, pp. 109-156 under the heading "Mortificat ions for the School ".- ED.] I le attributes all the School's present difficulties to " those who are most vociferous about 'l~qual Opportunity'" and to "our Classless Idealists".

Indignation leads him into absurd generalisation. "Honest competition", he writes, " and the award of prizes to the most diligent ace no longer popular measures.

There must be no !rivilege gained by str iving which is not available for the asking.•' Tb.is shows a tota failure to understand the new conditions in our schools and the new demands being made upon education not only by those who were previously underprivileged but also by others who believe that the older teaching, even at its best, was inadequate . Comp.;tition and dili~ence are not at all incompatible with efforts to extend the rnnge of a school's activities, to give the child a security which he may lack elsewhere, to allow him to find " values in context", such as freedom, 83

Abtrdten Gran1111ar Schoof ,\lagaz.ine loyalty, disinterestedness: but hy themselves they are not enough, and the rest cannot be taken fnr granted any longer. ~l r. X potnts petulantly to the modem obstacles to educ:i.tion: " the pernicious influence of third-i:ue literature and the gurt<·r pr~-ss", etc. Agreed. Parents have their dut) to fultil, if' Equal opportunit} • ,s to work, in cnsuriniz that such mental pabulum is most strongly discouraged", etc., etc. But this is like asking for the 1111 ,on. I .nvironment.tl mahisc is one of the things tc:1chers ha,·e to work ai..-ainst. ,\ friend ,.f mine wrote t<> me recently: " this term I am beginning co S<:e how much teaching is n.-ally like psychiatry. And all our dim bo)sarc ernocionalh· retarded. One must slowly unfreeze their hate-world and tum ingruwn bewilderment into ... well, into what, I wond<·r." The teacher ha~ to work r i;:iir t all kinds of obstacles. I lis role llt'\"Cr changes, hut tl.c specific demands upon his resources ,, ill chan~c. In the past the Grammar School te,1cher had to pc11ctr;1tc the presuppositions of h<,} s from predominantly middle-class h:ickgrounds, t< persuade them that the cult of material success, orgi.istically cdd,ratc<l at prize• givin1-:sas Scotland's gift to the world, could be o\'crdone. I should be surprised to find that this problem has disappeared, but there will now be others.

The ideal of Equality of Opportunity in education is one which most tc,1chcrs willing ly support. They know 1hat the sir<:n-voice of the private school appeals to the better-off to ignore thl' ditl;culties hy contr:u:ting out, to leave the ,ast majorit; of tl'achcrs and children to make the hcst of meagre resources and littlcinfonnc<l public attention.

Finally, since .\lr. X is being asl.c. l to reply to this a,ticlc, I offer him the following questions to answer: (1) \'\'ould he rctntroduce fee-paying? Ifso, why?

(2) \\ ould he prefer the School to be under a Board of Governors, independent of the Town? Or would he agree th.1t more would be lost than gained?

(3) \\'hat 1s bis answer to the claim that cqu~l opportunity should he a funda mental principle in education?

One last thrust. A boy shou ld be taught " to value what he gets now for nrnhing ", writes .\lr. X. Come now. Everybody pays indircctlr, if no lnn1 er direct!;, for public services. And education 1s a public service: a riizht, n,,t a privilege.

Au.-.; ilALL* (1937-40, 1943-so) Balliol College, Oxford

s.

\\ith ,\Jr. llall's apprornl we invited the writer of the original article on" The School's Tradition and the Prc»cnt Trend" (December r9s j issut·) to submit an .inswcr. He has written as follows: In my own contribuuon I was not attempting to argue anything-by abuse or otherwise. l w,LS merely stat ing certain facts, expressing certain hop,:s and putting fo,w.ud ,1 particular point of ,icw: one with which 1 ha,e little doubt many okkr f'ormer Pupils find themseh cs m aL;rn 11cnt.

I cannot now join issue with ,\h. Hall III th<· 111i1111li<1, of argument, nor dn I w:·h to Jn so. I shall answer his questions · Q. \\ ,,uld l reintroduce fee paying? Ifs", why? '\. Yes. f'or the same reason as the "-ational lle,1lth Scrvtcc now find it necessary to charge four pounds five shillings fur a set , .f fal c teeth.

Q. \\ould I prefer the Scho•l to I under a Board of (,o\cmurs, tndcpcnd<nt oftl1<.:Town? ,\ . It nuners liuk u·hr, govnn, the Sch, ..1I, pro, i<lcd it is not made .1 , ic11m of roltucs, that its traditinns and true funcm,n arc rcspn ·tcd and its governors arc educated men of goodwill.

CJ. \\ hat is tn} ans,wr tn the cl:tim that "equal oppo 1tunity" shou ld be a fundammtal pr1ne1ple in education? ,\. As stated-claptrap.

Let us narrow it down: "equal opportunity w those wh<> wish Jt and who show by attainment and dcm~-anour that they arc probably fit to proht by it: whose parents arc aware of their responsibili11cs in this regard and would even be prepared tn make some sacrifice toward its fulfilment, should this be rcqu red of them."

•

A Trip to the Far S011th Regarding J\fr. Hall's" last thrust". Education may be a public se_rvice--!t has hecn so for a ,·cry long rime--but I prefer to take a less mun<lan~ view of 11. 1 think aU education is a privilege and as such ought to be valued highly. l\s \lr. J !::ill says," e,·erybody pa}S indirectly". The}' certainly do: and those who pay least into the com~U?ity usually a~c most , odfcrous in gctci1!g. the most out of it. '\cw cars, telcV1s1on sets, conrmcntal holidays and subsidised rents appear to me to he incompatible: hut I may he old fashioned.

A T rip to the Fa r South

•

,\ugu~t 19q sa,. tl\t mu1 embark on a 10,000 ton wl1.1l1ng~uppl)~hip en mutt: for South Georgia, a ~mall island on the fringe of the Antarctic, n° South, and 1,~00 milc::s East of Cape Horn, the purpose of this expedition being mountaineering and survey primarily, with Glaciology, Natural 1listory and a general extension of the current knowlc::dgc of the island interior as a secondary object.

All members of the parn \Vere mountainl'ers, the ,enture being called the 1954-55 British South Georgia Expeditio n . Six months (Septembe1 '54-i\larch '15) were spent working on the island.

South Gwrgia 1, one of the f'alkland hland Dependencies and \\.IS first sil,'.htcd and annexed to Britain in 177l hy Captain Cook on one of his southerly crnises. The island is about 1 20 miles in length and anything from 10-2 l miles in breadth, its main feature being a mam back bone of mountain range up to 10,000 feet in height, from which countless glaciers, separated by rock and ice ridges, radiate and find their way to the sea.

Vegetation is sparse, grows only in the thousand feet or so above sea level and consists of Tussock Grass, four varieties of Alpine type flowering plant and a few lichens and mosses. Because of the rich food content (plankton, krill, squids, etc .) in the surrounding seas, bird and animal life around the coast is prolific. Every beach is littned with colonies of elephant and other varieties of st-al, whilst four typ<.:s of penguin, inclt1ding the well known King Penguin, were tncountered in large numbers. It also is one < f the main breeding ground, of that famous sea hird - thc \'\'andering \ lbatross.

South Gerngia is the centre of the land-based \ntarctic \'\'haling Tndustry, on which the economy of the Falkland Island Dependencies is balanced. Three whaling stations, ont :--..orweg1an,one \rgentinian and the third British, operate their catcher fleet, from its shores in the st1mmc:r months. Jn addition, the Argentinian Company holds tht sole license to kill elephant seals and 600 of these grotesque hulls, which weigh about 3 tons each, arc shot yearly, their skins being rendered down to prndde a high gradt 011.

During the summer months the populauon of South Georgia riscs to ahuut 1,200 when the whaling ships arri,·e at the beginning of the new season. This dwindles again in the winter to some 200 pocplc, who consist of a skeleton staff at each whaling station along with the dozen or w permanent British staff un<ler the charge of a resident magistrate, responsible for the goyernment of the island and its affairs.

86

Abtrdun Grammar School Magaz.ine

Our expedition used a small hut at the British colony as a base hut and from here trips into the interior of the island lasting three to five weeks, were made. The scalers and whalers prov<:d most co-operative in this matter and landed us on different parts of the icy and rocky South Georgian shores complete with equipment.

Skis and man-hauled sltdges were used as transport over the glaciers, and on the more broken-up or rocky terrain " back packing" had to be resorted to. Because of this factor all equipment and food had to be as light as possible and kept down to a minimum. Food was the heaviest item and specially-made sledging rations were used, consisting m'.linly of Pemmican and other dried and compressed items high in calorific value. The two-man nylon tents and protective clothing were the same as used on the successful 1Iount Everest Expedition. Radio communication with the l'.K. was maintained via the British Colony's transmitter in South Georgia.

First ascents were made of se\'Cral mountains, the highest bcin g_ a snow and ice peak of over 6,000 feet in the main range. Four weeks were spent in trying to scale Mount Paget, the highc~t peak on the island but we met with no success because of continual avalanches, broken up ice cliffs and terrible weather conditions, for South Georgia weather is notorious. Apart from the cold and perpetual mow and ice in the interior, the wind is the main factor to he overcome. From calm conditions a raging hurricane of 100 m.p.h. or over can develop within a quarter of an hour.

On one mid-glacier camp a follow expedition member and myself had a narrow escape when our tent was torn to pieces by wmd force alone. These tents had been tested previously in wind tunnels to withstand wind of 120 m.p.h. I Luckily this happened during the day so we managed to fight our way down to the coast and safety.

Each different part of the island that we visited was surn:yed for mapping purposes and two glaciers were intemively observed so that their rate of flow might be evaluated. I took a spcnal interest in the bird life and spent many days with a camera and tape recorder.

In addition I took it upon myself to count the island's largest rookery of King Pen guins. This totalled some 2.5,000 birds and the\' had increased threefold in the space of ten years.

However, it was not all work and no play. Christma~ and Nt \\ Year brought the ine, itable reunions at the whaling stations and British colony, the highlight, I think, being a fancy dress party at which there was a treasure hunt, first prize going to the team who procured among other things a penguin and an elephant scall The prize was won in less than ten minutes after frantic searchings along the beach . Ju st before our departure a shooting competition was held with the officers from an Argentinian ship followed by a barbecue at which the personal ration was a kilo of beef (i.e. 2.·2. lh.) and two litres of" vino roso" (i.e. 3} pints) I The homeward trip on a Norwegian whaling ship took one month.

F.P .s' University Appointments

and Activities

Presidentof the U11io11 for 1956-l7 Stephen And rew Co rmack R obe rtson· (1939-51), 11.A. ([t 1, 1ntcrcst1nh co noh: that citht·r "(,rarn1nar"

or "Gore.Ion's"

have pmvid~d the Union President for the last SCYCII years.)

/\,!embers of Union ,\la11agevm1/Comfllitlee Jo hn Low Bre bner * (1938-p), B.Sc. James George Cruickshank (1946-53) John Isbister Coutts (1946-52) Charities Sho111 ld111i11islralor Donald Stirling Young (1940-47) l31fSi11tss .~tanager Malcolm Nicolson Montgomery (1949-~ i) .l'crij1I ./1JJisltmts Ian McD onald M iln e* (1938-52) D oug las Si mpso n Woo d (194r- 54) Designerof sets M ich ael Peter Gill · (1939-52) S11pervisorof111akN1j, Alexa nder P rove n Farquh ar (1940-47) Star of the fhow Stephen Andre w Cormac k Robert son*(1939-5 1) who, as "Dnn Shaw", was the lcadin,.r male.

Sir lf'illia111H01111/l011F_;fe 7 rop0'- Dou glas Simp son Wood (1941-54) (This trophy goes to the must outstanding speaker :tt the last debate of the academic year.)

J.dilorof"Alma l\fater" 1955-56 Gordon Strachan Cowie "' (1937-p) 1956-57 Jonathen M. Daub e ( 19p-~3) Athletic s Half Blues were awarded as follows: Ski-i11g Hug h Robert Wynne-Edwards " (r946-i 1) Squash Andr ew M arshall M cDo nald Steven* (1936-) 1) Jfock~• Charl es L es lie F orbes (r938-j r) l!ockeyCapt. 1956-57 Charl es L eslie Forbe s .. (1938-p) The Dean'.rQ11aich R ob ert D ew ar Murr ay M acLeod • (1941-14) (awarded to the student getting mosL points in pure ath letics)

Rtcord-brtaking

Robert Dewar Murray MacLeod ' (1945-54)

at the lx:ginni,w uf \ fa} L-Stahli,hcd ;1 new ground record for the 12oyards burdks with n tune of I S-7 sec. The prev io us record h ad stoo<l for 21 years.

•

Rl,:g0'. The team for the annua l tour of the London district included six F.P .s: Patrick Gordon Innes* (1935-49); Brian Doug las Miller Grassick " (1938-52); Kenne th Alan Grassick ( 1940-53); Robert Dewar Murray Macleod * (1945-54); John Colin Chalmers"' (1945-53); Patri ck Blake Philip * (1944-) 4).

The London Scottish side against which they drew include d: John Michael Eddi son* (1939-48); Douglas Willi am Cumming Smith * (1930-41).

87

New Year and Queen's Birthday Honours C om mande r of the Or<ler of the Britj sh Empire (C.B.E .)

Charl es Ba rron Bisset (1909· 18), \I \ , l:l.S, ., D.I.C., I (,.S., \I.I. \1 \I., l'.R.C,.S., has hccn awar.kJ the C.B. I:. in the (Jut·cn's BinhJav 110111,ur, Lisi, 191<,.

I le .,..111 t,., recalk<l by his contemporaries ;1s a I ll'lllh:r of the Sch,,.,I Rugbv 1st X \ 1917 18 anJ as Sn,utm,i.,,tcr of the 91h 'l ri>op, Bi>~ Scouts, in thL c.1d1 <l.11s ot lb assc,c,aru,n with thc Sch, ~,t. .\fta ,, f\ ice in th.: \rg1 II an<l Suthcdan<l I li$h lan<lcn: 1918- 19, he attcnJcJ Aberdeen l nl\ersity an<l the I mperial Collcge 111 Scicnn, Lon<lon. lk wa, Grnlog1,t t11 chc British Arctic l•xixd,tion c,f 1921. Suhsequi:ntly he joinc<l the Coluntal Geologic,11 Sun ey Scn·icc an<l wa., appoint.:<l first to 1'yasalan<l, an<l l.itcr to Ug:1n<l.1 an<l Tangany1k:i, whcr.: he is now Dirccmr of Geol ogica l Survey at Do<loma.

During the Second \\orld \\'.1r and post-war reconstruction pcrio<l, h.: '-'as emp loyed as a<lviscr on water supp lies to the Governments of L:gan<la, Tan •.m~1k.1, Ken ya and the Su<lan and be bas been on missions co , i,•eria, ( prus a, <l ,. Africa.

Member of the Order of th e British Empire (M.B.E .)

Norman J o hn Jamie son \Valker• 1893 1902), \1. \., LL.B ., I acu,r an<l Secretary of the S,,c1et\ of \ dvocaks in \hcrdccn s '1cc 1934, was ,1wardcd tbc J\I.B.h. in the Queen's Birth day llo nuurs, \L1y 1956. In 1939 hc was responsible fo r the compilation of the Suppkmcm:tl I listory of that Snci.:ty for thl' ye.1rs 191 1938 contairnng hiogrJphic, 1,f 23v mcmb.:rs ol whom 116 were F.l' .s. :\lr. \\'alkcr is an honorary sheritf-sul1'titute an<l has <lom, .1 cun,11k rabl amount <>I work for the S.ivings.\l<wcmem 111 nonh c,1,t Sc, !land.

Member of the Or<ler of the Briti~h Empire (M.B.E .J Leslie Durno (19 5 8) .,..ho is a l.1vcstock I lusl,an<lr Otliccr with the \linistr) of Agricu lture received the \Lll,E, 111 the 1'.ew Yc.u I lonours List In rccogrnrion of his long scn·ice wtth that ;\ linistrv. 1lis home is in E\anwa), nc.u Penrith.

Henry Gavin Alexander · (19p-36, 1938-40), .\1.A., who was a lecturer in Phil osophy at \1ancbcsccr l.,ni\·crsity, bas hcc1 :1war<lc<l a Commonwealth Fellowship at \hnnesota Umn-rsity, whcrt· he \\ ;11 work for one war in the department of Phil, ,snphy.

Leonard Bir<l (1939-46), • wh11 h:ts h,:cn Ill S111L•,1pn1c sine.: (ktohn 19n with 1--..:I, m & I lughL"', Ltd., \lannc ln,tru t 1cm 1 .,nufacturu,, '-'as home on leave <lunng the'-' mter, .lllU has now ~one to 'ova S«•t1.1,wh1:re he will Ix ,, orking for the same firm in their branch ,It Halifax.

Anot her F.P . Explorer Ian Macintosh Brooker • ( 193-1-45), :\l.13., ( h.B., wbo-,as reported in an earl ier issue of the .\la.Raz.11,e -partic1patc<l in the British South Georgia Lxixditi1,n, w rites in this issue a modest account of his ,·isit to the •.\ntarctic. .Although at the time still in the R ..\.I •. on a four-year commitment, bt: was given special k-a\" of absence to participate in the cxpcdttion, be being (as bis student conkmpor:irics well know) an outs tand ing climber. On bts rerum from the Antarctic he gaH :1 88

•

t,..-o,u abolft Old llr!J.r series of lectures on "winter surrival" tO the helicopter pilots who were later to find a way throu gh to f'uch's ship the Theron, the tin) 850-ton ship which took a subscqurnt party to the Antarctic.

I.in Brooker, now discharged fn,m the R.A. l ., h meantime .1 medical assisran r a1 ,\lfrnd.

Eric Buthla:i, * ( 1928-40), U.L., is now a p.mncr 111 tk kg.ii lirm nf \k-,.;sr,.

I !is br<>thn

C hnst1c & Huthht}, \th ocatL-:; in Aberdeen.

Kenne th George Buthla) (1930-42), 1\I.A., who h.is been ,1ppoimed Profrs,11r of Lni..:hsh Language and Litt·ratun: at thc Uni,crs1ty of Sa1> Paulo, Brazi l, sailed from this e<,unll) early in .\farch to t.tkc up his ncw nppnimmcnc .

Douglas Edward Cruickshank (1942-48), L.R .A. \I., A.R.C. \I. , completed his i\at1onal Ser\'icc with the R.A.0.C. Staff Hand in h1nuary 195 5 and tht·rcaf tcr wurcd with the D'Oyly Carte O()<!ra Cu., as pnnc,pal , 10I., fu, a stasnn. After tempm.1ry 1cach1n~ 1n London County Council schools he has l><:cn appoimcd ,1 1><:rip.ltetk·mu"c teacher 111 :'\ewbury with the lkrkshire Lduc.111011 Crnnmiltce.

L es lie Duffus Cruickshank (19;8-40, 1941-,19), \I.B., ( h.B.," now R"itknt \l«l1c1l Othn·r .11 \\ ard 6, ,\lx:rdccn Roral lntirm.,n. l it, )oungcr hr111hu-, Clifford Adam Duffu5 Cruickshank • ( 1945-5 5), h.,~ s1ancJ his appn,nric,,hip "' 1th \k ,rs. Jct re) & Co., Chancrnl \c,·11un1a111s, \Ix rdccn.

Sydney Cruden• (1939-41) h.,s hccn prom ..tcd to I xccumc Otliccr in ck

I"'" tr, ( :ommiss1011,.u1<l will ·n future Ix: sr 1110111.:J in Lond, ,11.

Eric George Beattie Daddson (1940-47), who went to the l .S. \. 111 19.17, ;snow a 1u111ur cxccuu,c with a fim1 of intcrior dccorators 111 Newark, N.J. Ian Mackenzie Drummond ... (1929-34) 1s now liv111g 111 Lcyburn, 1 orks, and 1s work,nl' on the sales and adminiscraci, ·e staff of 20th Cenrnry Fox Film Co. at 1hc1r Lccds branch .

Haro ld Esslcmont • (1915-19), a hen amateur g.1rJcncr, has won the George l orRSt \lcJal f, ,ran alpine plant which he cxhib:ced .it thl' Scottish Rock C.irdcn C !uh 's Sh, ,,, at Abcrdccn.

0

Loui s Fjndla) • 1924 30), \l.H., Ch.H., who" .1pp<>1t11cdC hicf of tht: hcahh di,i,ion of the U111ttcd :\ations Relit:!" .,ml\\ orks \ 't:11<") 111 the \ lidJk 1 ,ist in 195 3, h.1, lx:en attacking the problem of ')OC, Pale sti ne ,\,ah rdugccs who are ,1ccon11n,i<latcdin tifty-cii..:ht camps in Jordan, G..,,,, Le h.1non and Svri,1. \\ 1cl1 his sufl of more th.111 one hundred doctors and dcmists he has instituted a hc,1l1h nlucaunn programme for young r.:fugces who complete a onc-yc.,r course a~ hulth n lucators anJ return tO rhcir camps co pa,s on rhc knowledge thci h,I\ t' gamed . \\ hen the problem of thcs<: refugees is linally solvcJ it will he in no s111.1ll measure due to thc efforts of Louis Findlay and hi~ associates.

Rober t Wilson Fjndlay * (1934-35), who was head colour technician with the Rank Organisation, is now in Melbourne, Australia, where he is emp loyed hy an acri,11 survey firm.

Ronald Deans Fortune (1944-41), II.Sc., who w:1s on the staff of \letropolitan \ chr; at tll:rncl,,-:;rcr, ha.~ now lx:t·n .1ppo1111nl a ph)s,cist with 1he huropcan

Organisation for t'-.uclear Ill search in Gene, a . . Kenneth\\ iHiam Thoma s Fuldc • (1926-3b) is an A<lministrati,c Assmant with thl' B, ,.1r<l ot .\Janaj.!;cmcnt for the Aberdeen .\lcncal I lospitals. For che past fuur H,lrs he has been President of the ,\bcrJccn I kalth Scr\'iccs Branch of rhe J\:atmnal .mJ Local G1H'cmmcnt Otliccrs ..hsoci.ition and is also ( haim1an of the l1x.·.1l ..\rc.l Cu 1rd111aring Comm1tteL. Michael Peter Gill • (1939-52) has lx:cn awarded a Stcdc Cornwall Scholaiship m Grny's ~hool of Art, Aberdeen, for the session 1955-56 to enable him to study water colour painting and particularly that branch which relates to piccoria l art.

Aberdun Gra111111ar School .\Iagaz.it1e Al exande r For bes Gord on • (1937-42) is now Combustion Engineer in the Power Statton at Georgetown, Penan g. I la,·ing served his time as an eni(inccr, he was 111 the \I.I\.. for several yrnrs. In 1951 he changed to Cable & \'fireless; and was with Singapore .\lunic1pahty hc:forc going to his present post in August 19)4

Steph en Good brand• (1927 40), .\!.,\., had the honour nf lx:in_g :1ppointc·d Chaplain to thl' Lord l ligh Commissioner of the General .\sscmbly ,,t the Church of Scotland th , y~wJ.r.

J ohn Kin g Grant (1914 16), ~I.B., C.h.H., Dip!. Psych. (Edin.), who has been phys1c1an sup<:r ntendcnt of Renfrew ~lental I Iospital since 1939 retired in :\larch this year. .\fter graduating at .\hcr<leen in 1924 he was for a short time in general practice and then was appointed an a.ssistant physician at Aberdeen Rn~al \!cntal J lospital where he remained until he joined the staff of the Royal Asylum, ;\lo111rnsc ,tnd held the post of senior rm·dic-al utliccr there when he left to go to Hcnfrcw.

Sim on F rase r Hutc heson · (1939 -ll), after his army serv1n, attendc<l (;r,1y's Schoo l of Art for five years; therea fter he hct·.m1c a teacher; this he gnvc up, however, in favour of his present job, a juniot dl·signcr with \lcssrs. J. &. J. Crombie Ltd .

Hami sh T h o m as B urns H all • (1927•32), .\LA., LL.il., who w.1~ scn1<>r kgal assistant in t~ c town dcrk ·, Jcp:tnment at Alx:rdccn, has now tJkcn up a m·w appointment a:, Town Ckrk ;ind Tuwn Chamberlain of \[ac<lutf.

D a, id Sin clair H a) • (1907-11), B.1.., who ha.~ taken a great intcrc'St in Aberdeen city aJfa1rs since his n:turn frurn N}ns,11,tnd, and who was wml rn·cmly .1 town counc1U,,r and (., ,nH·ner of the Tnnsp,,n C:11mmittcc, left .-\lx:rdccn in ,\t.1y 1his year tu n akc his home in Guildford.

Red, •ers Noe l Ironsi d e* (1907-17), \I.B., Ch.B., is Physici:in in Charge· of the :t\.cumlog1cal Dcpartme111 at the \\ est London Huspital, and is 11 11t<·mh,·r of the Ho.ud of Governors of the ".11ional l luspitals for Nervous l)is.:,t~cs. I h: is PrcsiJcnr of the Scrti<>n ,,f 1'.curulogy , .f ilu: Royal Society of \lcd1cine, 19l 1-16, and in 19l l l>C,'alllCa \kn lx:r, ,I 1he C.uurt c,f ,\ss1srants of the S •net) of ,\pothe canes.

Willi am Begg J ack· (191;-19), :'II..-\,, at pre-sent Second :'-!aster in C.hapcJwn Pruna~· School, Port C...b.,gow, ha, licen appointed 10 a similar post in t.ndyhurn .Juntor Sr:condar~ School, G1cc·mKk. Jerem y Neil Kemslcy • (19.p-p} l1.1s t.._cn 111akin~ a name f,,r hmi,.df in crkkcung ctrclcs. Smee he 1110,cd u, l:J111hmgh he has been playing fur (,range C richt Club .md last yc,1r got his tir,1 c,1p for Scutlan<l against Ireland when ht· wcnl to Dublin as twelfth man. In ,l rccem march he played for Scotland U)!;ainst the \I.(..( .. ,1ml hcc,une 1hc second 11wmhcr of a Scottish Team tu score a ccntur) against the 1\1.( .. C:. At prcscnl ht· is ,,'1\ln)! his .1ppr~nriccsh1p with a l11111 uf .Chancrcd Accountants and 1s 111 his I 111,11 y-c,11.

D av id Gray Kil gour • (1938-40, 194--1-~o) is now working at Dckh,1ri 'fr.i Estitc, Rajami, Assam. Ills younger broth.:r, Li ndsa y Kilgour (1940, 19.n-p), is on National Service with the 1st Bn. The Gordon Highlanders in Cypru s, Charles Forrehter Kin g* (1912 23) h1s lx:en home on lca,·c forth<. I.1s1 few months. I-le is v,ith the ChartcrcJ Bank of India, .Australia and China, and has recently spent twenty-eight momhs in Suorahaya and twelve months in ;\Janilfa. !le is rcturnin~• this month to M alaya.

Andrew Ross Laing· (1921 -32), \I.B., Ch.B., R.A.\f.C., after a short spell as D.A.D.M .S. to II.Q . 49 Armoured Division (T.A.), has been promoted to the posi t ion of A.D.\LS ., at II.Q. Western Command, Chester, with the rank of L ieutenant-Colonel.

•

Notu abo11t Old BoJ'J Georg e Smith Lawren ce · {1898-1907), \!.C., M.A., M.B., has been a medical practttiooer in Bcwdley, \\ 1 rcs. for the last thirty years. He was Pn.-sident last year of the Bim1ingham br,inch of the Aberdeen .\1cdical Am,ciation, and presided at the annual dinner of the branch, which was attended hy many graduates and F.P.s. Ilis brother Ro bert D aniel Lawrence· (1!)00-9), .\I.A., ,\1.0., F.R.C.P. (London), has been a specialist rn diabetes 111 London for thiny years. lie is Chairman of the British Diabetic As,ociation and President of the International Diabetic l·ederation, both of which he was msrrumcntal in founding. I le 1s at present 111 America on a lecture wur, but says he would prefer co be at Alford fishing the Don. [Doubtless, like " J famcwith ", his sent iment is " And set me where the Lcochd join, th<" Don, With et~hteen feet of grec?heart an' the tackle running free l W:.lflt to have a clean hsh on." of June - with the snaw -brce lingering fate in the Don, beginning date But to .md then with a prolonged drou1,:hr, the fishing lus lx:cn disapputntinl?', the rises have been few, and wc''l'c ht.-ard link of" The plash where the trouts arc loupin'." - Ed.) Kenne th Sinclai r L awr ie (1945•47), A.R.I.B.A., who is a member of a Toronto firm of architects, has ix:L~l awarded the s..:co11d prize of $1500 in an architeetun1I compernion for the dcsi1-111 uf Ottaw.i Town I lall. I le received his award for an" inl,!cnious and dignitied design".

Alexan der Lig htbody • (1922• ,3), D.C '\c.:., B.Sc.(Eng.), now 11'CS in Learn ington Spa and 1s employed with Armstrong\\ huwurth .\ircrafr, Ltd., Co\'entry, which /inn he J<llncd after lc.i, ing the Cranfield ( ollcgc of Aeronautics in 1948.

He is now the Chid" Technical L)cs1gncr of the Ann:unents 01\·ision of the Company .111d last yc.1r spent some t11111: in thc l nucd States visitin1-: tirms and Go\'crnment c,cablishmc.:m, 1 n horh the E.i.:.t and \Vc,1 co.Lsts.

N eil Hunt er Macd ona ld • (1931·38) has been with Cour taulds Ltd., in CO\ entr\' since •9l 3 and is now a,,sistam J\latcrials I l.indlin? Engineer. A former (-'lpuin and Sccraary of thtc Club Cricket Sccti"n, he is still pla} ing regularly for ( .o,-entn \\ andcrcr,, and his hnn 's tc.im. \\ hen III Aberdeen he was organi:,t of St. John's 1,piscopa l ( hurch and he is no-.. a:,si,t.1111 organ i:,t at Covcnrry Parish ( hurch.

Rob ert M cDou~a ll • (189.1-1902), who was ., gr,1in merch.int in Ahcrdcen until 1929 when he left for Canada, has wr1t1en us a nostalgic letter recalling the many happy days he spent at the old Scliool. I le played rugger for the School 111 1901 and wa.s in the l'.P. team for the followmg six yi,ars. He is n,,w hving in .i\lmeda, Sasla tech ewan, where he tdls us there is now intensive dnllmg for oil and he is livinp in hope of scc111g an oil boom in his homctuwn.

Jam es And erso n M acgregor • (1935-44), \I.B., C:h.B., is now in general practice n Sh etland , where he tells us he is " cnjopn~ the acci,·e social life peculiar co island communities".

George Ale xan d er M acn ab * (1936-44), A.R.I.B.A., A.R.J.A.S., has been elected an Associate :\fember of the Town Pl.annmg Jnstitute. He is employed with a firm of architects in fi.dmburgh.

R on ald Du ncan Macrne • (1916-23), :\f.B., Ch.B, D.P.H., r.R.C.S., l.\f.S. (Ret.), has smce rettrtng from the 1.\1.S. become \[cdical Advisee to a group of tea companies at D1brugarh in Assa m . J le intends t<> visit Kenya during his next leave and is anxious to contact any I P.s in airobi so that h1: may sec them when he is thece.

George Mitch ell ( Peter ) M acphee· (1930-.p), after five years with Amalgamated Press in London on the production staff, ha:. taken up the appointment of .Assistant Production Manager of the British Edition of Tbe IvatkrJ DiµJt.

~b1rdem Gra11Jn1ar School Magazine Derek George Marnoch • (1940-p) , who graduated a year ago, has recfrved the North of Scotland Hydro-E lectric Board 's Pri7.e for the mos t disting uished student in Electric E ngineering at Abe rdee n Univ ersity. He is now completin g his l\.ational Service in the Roya l Cor ps of Signa ls.

Jame s Melvin • (1904 10), C.B.E. , :\I.C., T. D., .\LB., Cb. B., who is Cl mical \ ledical Officer in charge of the European Infectious Diseases Hosp ital in Salisbury, S. Rhodesia, is making a study tou r in E urope later this year and hopes to be in Aberdeen during September. Although in his s1xt>·-fifth year, Dr. Melvin has joined a flying club and has succeeded 111 obtaining his full pilot 's licence and is looking forward to domg some Hying when he is in this count ry. His work in !:ialisbury brings him 111 cont,1ct with anothe r F.P., Arthur James Walter Wilkins (19 10--11), who 1s \l cdical Officer of H ealth for that town.

Harold James Milne· {r904-7), \1. C., O.B.E. , D.L., has made histo ry by becommg the first man tO receive the F reedom of Fraserbur gh where be has been PrO\OSt since r9so. Por many years \f r. .\lilne has devoted much of his t ime to service to the community and this was recognised in 19i4 when he was made an O.B.L.; but now his home- town has shown its gratitud e for his hard wo rk for rraserburgh and the north-eas t. Among the many appo intments he has held are Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Aberdeen, honorary she riff-substitute, convener of the Plannini-: Committee of Aberdeen Coun ty Council, chairman of the Aberd een and Kincardine \\ ar Pensions Commi ttee, president of the Area Council of the British Legion and chairman of the North Aberdeenshi re H osp itals Board of Management and others coo numerous to mentio n. Now, actin g partl y on medical adv ice, he is to retire from public life apart from a few appo intments .

The Note s Editor will be glad if F.P.s will send him, from time to time, informatio n for this section of th e Magav11e. News of appointment s, promotion s, etc ., and other items of interest which are not reported in the press, are particularly requested.

Robert Taylor Stewart Millar * (192s-26), M.A., B.D., is at p resent on furl ough in l·.d inburgh from the Chu rch of_ Scotland Missi<>n, Jalna, India. He expects to be m this country for the whole of this year.

William Henry Peter Minto • (1924-27, 1928-36), l\l.D .,D.P.J I., who graduated Doctor of \lcJicinc last Ju i~•, has been appoi nted County Medical Officer anJ Principal School \ leJical Officer for the County of Cumber land from 1 June 19s6.

Rendez-vous Mandalay Alexander K. Ro bertson • (1942-44) at present third Secretary 111 the British I mbassy in Rangoon, but meantime in Aberdeen on leave, repo rts that he had the p leasure of cmcrtammg a fellow G rammar ian and Aberdeen graduate, Eric Robertson ( 1926-w), when they met by chance in Mandalay. Roberts on is Controller of the B.B.C.'s Far Eas tern Services. In Rangoo n he attended the wedding there of John Al exander Cruickshank (1926-29), \'.C. , ro the Ambassador's S<:crcta1,. Cruickshank 1s now 111 Bombay, in the service, of Grindlcy's Bank. Sand} H. also saw anothe r r. P., Bernard Anton (1936-46) in Colombo; Anton 1s now transferred to Bahrain . He is w ith the Eas tern Bank .

Douglas Graeme Robert son • (1904-1 s) returned to the U.K . in No vember 19ll from \ lalaya, where he had been a plante r since 1921. He served in both world wars, and was for a time a prisoner in the hands of the Japanese.

Dougla s Campbell Sang ster * (1906-13) has returned from Glasgow to Aberdeen to become Genera l Manage r for Watt & Grant, Ltd. He has been with The House of I raser for a numbe r of years.

Alasdair Somerled MacDouga ll Scott * (1944-53) bas gained an Ordinary 1'.allona l D iploma rn i\lechanica l Enginee ring and was awarded distin ction in Mathematics and in Principles of Elect ricity. In each of the cwo yean 19i3-54 and

Nott.r about Old Bo)'S

93

I 9S4·SS be was awarded the Jnstitute o f Marine Engineers' Prize for the best student taking the Diploma Course at Birkenhead Technical College. He is now at sea as a third year engineer cadet with Alfred llolt & Co. George Everen Scrogg ie· {t90 1-s), who was back in Aberdeen recentlythe first ttme home since 1919- is now a Stockbroker in Hamilt o n, Ontario.

He created a very favourable impressl(ln upon the Treasurer by giving him an extra " sub." notwithstanding his being a Life 1\lembcr. Ile also subscribed generously to the Fair. His example might well be followed by othe r homecoming F.P.s!

Charles Harvey Simpson (1897-1909), M.A., retired last year from the post of Principal Teacher of English in Hamilton Academ>•, a position which he had held for thirteen years. After qualif ying 11.A. in 19 q he became an assistant teacher of English at the School from 1916 till 1918.

Robert Anhur Smart• (1919-31), \LB., Ch.I3., O.P.JI., returned to this country from Kenya last year and is now directing the Army Health Service at H.Q . Western Command, Chcsu:r, with the rank of Colonel.

Douglas William Cumming Smith + (1930-41), ;\I.B., Ch.B. (alias "Doug.

Smith"), played for London Scottish against the visiting Aberdeen University XV earlier this year. He is now a" G.P." in Grays, Essex, his partner being a Gordonian, J. K. Farquharson, whose brother was, however, an F.P., viz. Harry Farquh arson (1926-27). Anh ur J. Ai tken (1927-38) is also in medical practice in that area.

Murray Ros s Smith• (1937-46) has been elected an Associate of the Instirute of Engineering Tcchno lo!{y, and is now with J. & J. Crombie, Grandholm Mills, Aberdeen.

Herbert Tower Sorley • (1899-1909), C.S.J., C.1.1:-.., i\l.A., D.Litt., F.R.S.A ., wrote from Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, in ~larch chat be had just returned from a month's trip to Pakistan which be visited at the request of the\\ est Pakistan Government in co1mcction with the re-writing of The Goz.tllttrs (last genera l edition 1907). Most of the time he spent in Lahore, the new Sind capital, where he was disappointed to find the records far from satisfactory, particular ly since 1947. W'ich regard to the Geology, he found the existing palaeontological information complecely out of date since recent bor111gs for oil have rc,·caled marine fossils previously unknown; the zoology 1s also out of dare, and there 1s as yet no complete sun ey of the Sind botany. His letter continues that the last 50 years have been remarkable for rwo things which ha, e made Sind world famous" namely the discovery of the ln<lus civilisation of the third millennium n.c. (of which no fewer than sixty-two sites ha,e been found, most!> in Sind, one of them being the famous Mohan jo Daro with the marvellous steaute seals of exqu1s1reworkmanship) and the othe r being the deve lopment of perennial irrigation through the Sukkur and the Kotri Barrages, with a third Barrage at Gudu, in rhe Upper Sind frontier district, fifty miles north of Sukkur in process of being built now. These three barrages toget her will bring almost all the land that can be irrigated by flow irriga ti on in Sind under perennial water, with cont inuous winter and summer crops, over a total area of n ine million acres- probably the greatest thing of its kind in the whole world." The revisal of T!Jl Goz.tetttrs requires to deal also with histOI):, archaeology, folklore, etc., and he reckons that the assembly of the material will take at least a year, and the re-writing a further year after that.

Iain Johnstone Macbeath Sutherland " (1933-4 1), ~LA. (Abcrd.), D.A. (Oxon ), who was Club ConsuJ in Moscow for four years, returned to this country last year. He cells us that his Consular duti es in ~loscow were very light as visitors from this country to Russia were very infrequent. Since returning to London he bas been working in the Far Eastern Department of the Foreign Office but he is taking up the post of Second Secretary to our Embassy in BeJg rade th is year and will become Club Consu l in that city.

John Paterson Sutherland• (1912- q), who until recently was manager of two Bmish Linen Bank branches in Perth, bas had to retire owing to ill-health.

94

Aberdeen Gra11unarSchool Magazine

George Angus Taylor • (1916-22), !11.B., Cb.B., has recently completed twenty-fa c years in medical practice in the town of Oldham and for sixteen of these years he was a mnnlx:r of the Oldham Town Council and latterly an alderman.

I fa son, Angu s Murray Thornley Taylor (194~-46) is m,w a student at Manchester Umversitr, where he is studyin~ for an honour., degree in Economics with a view to cntcrinj! the Colonial Sen ice.

Rona ld Warman • (1943-54) bas cnmplctcd his schoo ling in South Africa and is now workmg in Joh annes burg as .m apprentice draughtsman-designer and is takmg cl;c, ,es at \\ ms Technical Collc~e.

Ian Stewart Wau * (1928-40), who was a District Officer in the Acquisition Sccm,n of the Forestry Commission in 1:dinburgh, is now resident in Perth .md is in charge of the Con mission ·s for<·srs 111 I ifc.

Norman Herb ert Fcmdck Weldhcn • (1934-39) served for a time in the Royal t-,;,1,> before 10111,ng the mu~ J unnd Line and is at pn:scnt studying for a \!aster's Cntihcate . In a long and Hry intcr ..-,,ting letter he tells us of his man1 adventures in the last year or so. lie wa.s Second Officer on a cargo vessel trading between America and the Far East and during his voyages he was at Indo-China during the troubles and also at formosa where they were not permitted to land due t o the anti-British fcelin~ at that time. His ship was in the ,·icinit} of the dan ger area when the Americans exploded their first H ydrogen Bomb but forrunatcly the wind wa~ in thdr favour and they did not suffer the same fate as the unfortunate Japanese fishcnnen.

Alexander Douglas J ohn Westland • (1926-36) is now Resident Secretary for the /unch Insurance ( o., m Aberdeen.

Howard Bru ce Wilson· (1921-2s), \1.8., Ch.B., D.1'. 11., D.A., F.F.A.R.C.S., was appointed two years ugo to the post of Regional Director of Anaesthetic Services to the r--o,th-1 astern Regional Hospital Board and lecturer to the Universitv of Aberdeen in \nacstht:tics. This year he was elected Prcsidcnt of the Scottish Society of Anaesthcti~ts and ddiYcrcd the presidentia l address at the annual meetin g of this Society at Dunb lanc. I le attended the \Vorld Congress of Anacsthcsio1<,eists in I lolland in Scptcmber last year and scn ed as a member of Council of the ,\ ssociation of Anaesthetists of Grear Britain and lrd:1nd and of the 1\n,1cs1hc1ic S,·ction of the Royal Sociu> of ">lcdicinc.

F.P. Golfers J ohn Lennox Riddell • (1907- 16) has, at the request of the Notes Editor, produced the followtnl! rntcrcsting infonnatinn n:garding the activities of F.P.s m the golfing world tn the Aberdeen area: Dceside Golf Club Caplai11--G. E. C. Bart on • (1923-26) Vir1-Cap1ai11- H. G. Stephen' (1920-30) 'ie,rtltzry tznd Trttz1ur"· D. G. Patterson • (1929-36) Me111/;trJof Co1111,il G. N. Henderson • (1926-37), J. L. Riddell · (1907-16), T. F. Robson • (1916-31).

R oyal Aberdeen Golf Club Caplaitt- M. G. Gibb • (1913-22) S"rtltzry and ·1rtarurtr - T. P. E. Murr ay • (1907-rS) Men,btrJ of c~rm,il J . S. R. Cruickshank' (1914-21), J. G. Ems lie • (190413), E. B. Reid • (r902-13) , W. . Stewan (1912-19).

Mu rear Golf Cluh l'urtlary 011d Trttzmr,r- \V. L. Connon • (1930-40) ,\!ember of Co1111til-L. Durnin • (1914-17)

Death of a Former Rector H. G. Stephen * is Secretary of the North East of Scotland Golfers' AUiancc.

W. L. Connon * is Secretary of the Northern Open Golf Tournament.

A. Scott Finnie * (192s-3s) is Secretary of the North East District of the Scottish Golf Union .

J. L . Riddell • and W . N. Stewart are the two Representatives from the l\orth East District to the Scottish Golf Union.

It is interesting to recall that the late James H ay (1883-87) was President of the Scottish Golf Union in 1931-33.

It must have seldom, if ever happened, that so much of the administration of Golf in the 'onh East of Scotland has been in the hands of F.P.s.

F.P. Skiers During the University Christmas \acation, a number of '\'arnity ski-ing cnthu~iasts spent three weeks_ at \X'ange Pi:wl in Switz~rlan<l under in~truct1nn.

Tlicsc included: D . R . Grieve • (1939-12), W. \V. Hutche son (19.12-H), R. M. M'Intyrc (1940-p), A. G. Nicol· (19;9-iz), R. M. Pres haw (19,1!-l')-

Death of a former Rector The late Douglas Gordon Miller, Esq. A-r Manchester on 17 May 1956 there died Douglas Gordon Miller, Rector of the School from 1921 till 1924 . Jie was 75.

Educated at Glasgow Academy and Fettes, he went to Oxford in 1900 where he took a second in Moderations and a second in Greats in 190 4. At Oxfor d he played rugby with distinction and was awarded his Blue. In 1906 and between 1908-II he plared rugby for Scotland, gaining a splendid reputation as an internationa l player.

Appointed Rector of Kclvin sidc .Academy, Glasgow, in 1913, he was there for 8 years before coming to The Grammar in 1921.

The Schoo l prospered g reatly under his benign headmastership; and the growing imp ortance of the School at that time is ~hown by the fact that during his term of office the number of pupils incrcased by about 150.

In early 1924 , he was approached by Manchester Grammar Schoo l, then" the premi er Grammar School of England" who were determined that he was to become their High master. At first, out of loyalty to the Grammar he declined the over tures made to him, but in the end accep ted the new post, for the greater scope it offered. There he remained unti l 1945 when he retired leaving his Manchester charge "alive and active and larger than at any time in it s history".

Marriages Aitken (1934-40, 1942-47). At Cults on 7 Apnl 19J6, \X'1u1AM I IARRY ALBEU AtTKE.'-',• younger son of the late John Aitken, Malaya and of \I rs. Ruth Aitken, \X'indsor, \X'est Cults, to Marjory Ann, youn~er daug hter of \lr. and .\lrs. A. C. ;\Iamoch, Glenmuick, Ballatcr.

A nde rson (1946-48).- At Aberdeen on 24 December 19l), \\ n.r.1H1 Jom,sTO-.;E ANDERSON, eldest son of ;\fr. and :'.\lrs. J. Anderson, 5 Crimon Place, Aberdeen, to Jane, daughter of ;\fr. and .\frs. P. Sinclair, York Strc.:ct, Aberdeen.

Barron (1942-45).- At Torphins on 5 ;\lay 1956, IAN h'IFS BARRO", son of the late John Barron and ;\frs . C. Darron, Darrahill, lJdny Station, to je:lllflie Geddes, daughter of :'.\fr. and Mrs. G. "-· Amlcrson, \\ ester lkltic, Torphins.

Bri ttaj n (1943-49).- \t Aberd~-cn on 29 \larch 1956, DAvrn A'-''T0'1YBRITT\IN,' son of Dr. Jenny Simpson, Cromlethill, Oldmelclrum, to Brenda ,\lairi, dder daughter of Dr. and :'.\frs. Dadd Clouston, Bicl<lsidc llousc, Biddsicle.

Brow n (1935 46). \t Cults on 17 .\1arch 1956, P~nR 51-.;u "" BROWN, son of \lr. and \lrs. P. Sinclair Brown, 1~5 Kin~·s Gate, Aberdeen, to Dorothy :\fay, daughter of Mr. and :-.1rs. J. S. Reid, The L1lac-s, Bicldsidc.

Campb ell ( 19r9-29). \t \klhournc, Australia, on 21 \larch 19j6, RoRFRT HoGG c~\IPRrtr, • only son of the late .\lr. Robert Campbcll and of \ lrs. C:amphcll, 66 Angusficl<l A,cnuc, Aberdeen, to Una Pomory, South Caulfield, \lclbournc.

Dargie (194~-4j).-At ~hcrdccn on 19 \lay 19j6, Do1.:GLA\ DARGU, youngest son of Mr. and :-.lrs. H. Dargie, 39 Dcanslocb Terrace, Aberdeen, to I lclen Chrystal, youngest daughter of \lr. and \lrs. G. I'orbes, 28 Bedford Road, Aberdeen.

Du ncan (1945-49).- At Aberdeen on 3 April 19i6, Alfred Duncan, eldest son of _\1r. and ~1.rs. A. Duncan, 47 \lcnltcs Road, Aberdeen, LO Elsa .\lackenzie, <laughter of Mr. and \lrs. S. Petric, 33 lnchbrac Terrace, Aberdeen.

E sslemont (1915-19). At Aberdeen on 27 April. 1956, llAROlD Essu.Mo~T,* 9 Forest Road, Aberdeen, to Agnes Stewart MacAulay, 2s W'cstbum Drive, Aberdeen.

Ewen (1926-38).- -At Hitchen, Jlcrts., on 17 .\larch 1956, ALAN BuRNE~S EwEN,* cider son of the late Douglas J. Ewen and of \ lrs. Ewen, 43 l\fount Street, Aberdeen, to Winifred, younger daughter of the late i\lr. Charles T. Clements and of Mrs. Clements, Eascwick, Knebwonh, Hens.

Fe rrie s (1933-47). At Dartford on 31 March 1956, GFORGF WILLIAM F1'RRtllS,• son of Mr. and '\frs. \'<'. Ferries, 268 Droomhill Road, Aberdeen, to Brenda Elizabeth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Barnett, 18 lngram Road, Dartford.

Hamilt on (1936-50).- At Aberdeen on 23 March 1956, RONALD THOMAS H AMILTON,* cider son of Professor and Mrs. Henry Hamilton, 33 Hazle<lene Road, Aberdee n, to _\fary Watson, only daughter of l\lr. and \'lrs. Charles England, 14 Balgownic Road, Aberdeen.

Hut ch eso n (1939-45).- At Aberdeen on 3 December 19J5, S1MON FRASPR 28 Bri!J;hton Place, Aberdeen, to Doreen McDonald, younger daughter of Col. and l\lrs. \'fi lliam Philip, 16 Woodburn Avenue, Aberdeen.

IluTCIU:SON, * son of J\1 r. and l\l rs. Simon Hutcheson,

Low (194J-48).-At Aberdeen on 4 rcbruary 1956, Jo11N MArN Low, son of Mr. and l\lrs. J. Low, 77 Girdlcncss Road, Aberdeen, to Anne Lyon, <laughter of Mr. and \ 1rs. A. L. Birnit.·, 47 lnchbrne Terrace, Aberdeen.

L yall (1932-4J). At Edinburgh on 2 April 1956, AtLXAr-,OCR DAVID LYAI r; eldest son of Dr. and \1rs. Ale, . Lyall, 4 Carden Place, Aberdeen, to Prances lsohel, younger daughter of ~frs. C. Macpherson, 11 Rosslyn Crescent, f<.:dinburgh.

96

Marriages

97

M'Lun n933-'7,

1941-44).-At Bombay on 20 December 19H, AuHER JAMES M'LEAN,* th ird son of .Mr. and Mrs. J. J\l'Lcan, Chambong Lstate, Rembau, Malaya, to Maureen Duncan, younger daughter of the lace Duncan \tacdonald and of J\lrs. F. Macdonald, 47 Union Road, Inverness.

Michie (19})-48).-Ac Salisbury, Southern Rho<.fosia, on 14 January 19i6, WtLLIAM DAv10 ,\1rcmE," eldest son of Commodore and \frs. \V. A. \lichie, Whitehall Place, Aberdeen, to \ Iona, eldest daughter of \lr. and \lrs. \'C K Nico ll, South College Street, Elgin.

Parkin son (1942-io).-At Aberdeen on 12 ,\lay 19)6, JOH'< T110~1~0:-. Low PARKIN~ON,* eldest son of Councillor and J\lrs. J. T. L. Parkinson, 14 Scaficld Road, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth, younger daughter of Mr. and \Jrs. Angus :\lackintosh Caberfeidh, Sutherland.

Ritchie (1946-jo) .-At Aberdeen on 3 December t9l 5, Au.XANOCR R1Tc111E, younger son of Mr. and \lrs. A. Ritchie, 223 North Anderson Dri,e, Aberdeen, to Aileen, cider daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I I. '\I. Harper, 10 Gran1pian Road, Aberdeen.

Roben son (1939-47). On 19 ",ovcmber 195), I h "RY lfo»LRT,o:s, f'airview, Devanha Gardens, Aberdeen, to Judith Gafl, Rotnrua Castlereagh Street, Gilgandra, Australia.

Sang ster (19}6-47).- At Aberdeen on 4 April 19i6, HosA1 o G1 OR(,J S \'-G~TJ R, son of \ lr. and Mrs. G. A. San~scer, 43 Ashlc> Gardens, Aberdeen, co Esther Suppitt, elder daughter of \lr. and \lrs. C. Cameron, 16j l11lton .\,cnue, Aberdeen.

Shirtas (1951-52).-At Aberdeen on 21 April 19i6, ALL.XA:SDER \'f1LSO'< SmRRAS, cider son of Mr. and :\lrs. A.\'(!. Shirras, 91 Hilton Road, Aberdeen, to Patricia Mary , elder daughter of Mr. and \ Jrs. J. A. Bccdic, 11 Castleton Crescent, Aberdeen.

Stalker (t9}4-}l),-At Aberdeen on 24 rchruary 19i6. IA., Goaoo-.J STUKFR, youngest son of Dr. and Mrs. A. Stalker, 1 l11lltop Road, Leeds, 12, to Jean Reid, eldest daughter of ~lr. and ,\lrs. J. llalliday, Powis School Ln<l!(e, Aberdeen.

Thomson (1943-i 1),-At Aberdeen on 3 :\larch 1956, D01.,GLAS T11omo:-., only son of the late :-lr. James Thomson and of Mrs. Thomson, Go :-liddleficld Crescent, Aberdeen, to Dorothy, eldest daughter of \lr. and :'llrs. H. Grei@:, p Nelson Street, Aberdeen.

Young (19}8-4j). - At Old Radford, l\ottmgham, (>n 7 April 1956, hi- ROBERT YOUNG, eldest son of Professor and \lrs. J. S. Youn!(, 18 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, to Sylvia Marianne \'v'hewell, only daughter of the Rev. and :\lrs. F. G. Ralph, St. Pcter's Vic:uage, Old Radford.

Obituary John Dun can Argo (1895-99) died after a long illness at Aberdeen on 27 \larch 1956. He farmed in Canada and at Tarvci;. In the First \\ 'orld \X'ar he served in the A.S.C. R obert Smi th Ash er (1898-1903) <lied at his home at Datchet, Bucks on 4 January 1956. After working as an engineer with the latt· Mr.\\ m. Jackson, Thorngrovc, Aberdeen he joined the Aberdeen Burgh Surveyor's office and from r91 1 till 1913 was Permanent Engineer to the Corporation Tramways when he went to Wcybum, Canada, as assistant city engineer. 1 le returned to the United Kmgdom at the outbreak of hosulitics an<l serycd for five years with the Royal Engineers at home and in Frann·, r<·tirin)?with the rank of C~pcain. !·mm 1922 till 1928 he was assistant to the Edinburgh Tr,mW,t) s Manager and was entirel y responsible for the conversion of the Edinburgh cable S)Stcm Ill dcctric traction. In l\lav 1928 he was appointed Transport :\lanager to the Citv c,f York. Dur ing the Sec, ,ml\\ 11tld \\ ar he hccame a (~armnn l'ngmeer with the \\ar D<puunem.

N orman D arroc h Begg· (191)•2.j), .\I .D., D.P.11., who "as regional director for Europe of the \\ orl<l Health Organisati on, died in London on 2:i Ma,· 1956 after a Jon~ illness. After gra<lu,1tmg \I.B., C I I.I!., in 1929 he hccamc a resident medica l otlicer at the .Aberdeen R11yal lntirmar\ and in 193 1 1nined the Lond on County Council lnfccttous llo~pitaJ &nice,. In 19\, he gainnl his \I.D. aL l\berdccn Uni\'Crsitv and later obtained his D .l'.11. 111 l.nll<lon. During 1hc .,.·ar he was appointed ,\lcdical Supcrinttcndant under the l-rt1<·rgc1Ky Scheme in London. After the war in 1946 he was loaned by London County Council to go as epidemiolo~ist in the l.;\;.ll.R.A., .\fission to Poland which carried on un11l the end of 1948 when he resigned his permanent appointment wah the London County Council to continue international health work. I'mm January 1949 he was in charge of the Special Office for Europe of the\\ orld l lcalth Organisation at Gcne\'a and in 195 1 became the Regional Din.:ctor for I uropc, a p<,sit10n which he held until his death.

a

Alli s ter L eslie Bru ce (1914 22) died at his home at\\ est Cults on 13 December 1955. After attcndin~ a course at The School of Phannacy at Ab,,rdeen he served his apprenticeship with his father, the late .\lr . . \. L. Bruce, at his shop in Ferryhill.

Later he movc<l to Glasgow and was manager of a shop in Buchanan Street for a few years. Twenty -three years ago he purchased St. De,enick's Pharmacy in Cults and was there until his death. During che last war and for some time afterwards he was a keen member of the Ci, ii Dcfrncc Corps.

William Ste phen Catto· (1H91•1902) died in E<lmburgh on 23 J,111u.1ry 1916• .\lodern Dux at School n 1901, h.: thereafter took I lonours in \l,tths. /Nat. Phil. at Aberdeen Cnivcrsit\' . After hcinl,! at Dumfries Acadcmv and Kirk wall, he went to George \X'atson's ( .-ollegc, 1.dinhur!!h in 191 \, and spent the rest of his teaching days there until his retiral in 19.19, when he was then deputy headmaster. Like his brmbcr, ALLx .-u,;01 K S'rfW\R r C ,,·ro • (1900-0 3) he was a keen cricketer; and during the 1914-18 war he was commissioned in 1hc Ulack \X atch. In a written Appreciation, .\Ir. I. Graham .\ndrcw, I leadmastcr of c;eorgc \\1/atson's, and formerly of Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen, remarking upon l\lr. Catto's headship of Watson's ;\laths. Dept. from 1926 till 1949, nbscrvc<l that he was " one of the ablest mathematical teachers of his day in Scot land" an<l added that " a true assessment of Scottish education would, I think, award pride of place to heads of departments in our great traditional Scottish secondary schools, and of these \V. S. Catto was certainly one of the greatest".

Sidne y II. Chinn (1891), who wem to Australia many years a~o died at l\laryborough, Queensland on 13 May 1956. llc served his apprenticeship with the Great North of Scotland Hailwav at their Locomotive works al lnveruric and cont inued as a mechanical engineer when he went to Australia. J [c is the last survivor of fou r brothers who attcn<led the Schon!.

Obi111ary

99

Charles M cBeath Dawson (1885-86), ;\LB., C.\L, died in Auckland, '\!cw Zealand, on 5 February 1956 in his eighty-seventh year. I le went to that country shortly after qualifying and joined the j!Overnmcnt medical scrricc; and was appointed medical officer at ,·arious islands in the South Seas. During \'<'orld \\ar I he was a :\lajor in the "'ew Zealand ;\lcdical Corps and was P.i\1.0. of the Samoan Expeditionary Force in 1916.

George F orbe s Esson· (189-1-1903) died at sea off the China coast on 11 February 1956 at the age of s,xry-six years. On leaving the School he served his apprenticeship in sailing ships with the Ahcrdecn \\ hire Star L ine. During \X'orld \\ar I he was a lieutenant R.N.R., was engaged in minesweeping opera tions; during\\ orld \\ 'ar I[ he was aj?ain m th, R.~.R., at Southampton, where he was conncct,J with" Pluto", the oil pipe line across the Channel. I le came out of retirement at his home at Pcterculter and with his wife flew to Hong -Kong to take over command of a passcngu-cargo ship nn the China run, hut within three weeks he had died and was buried at Foochow. He was a keen r.P. and contributed a very interesting article on "Trading with Communist China" in the ,\la.~tr{.i,u for Dcccmhcr 1954. J !is two sons wcrt- hoth at the ~hool, A1 \" F1.o<·1.11.\RT Esso-i (1929-H) , who is now ,1 physica l training 11:acl,crat H untly, and Sn PHI" G1.0RGc I ,,o-i (1929 34), who was killed in action in June 1940.

J ohnston Milne Fyvic • (1897-1'}06) died after a Inn" ,line<~ on \\ 1llowdale, Onrar111, Can."l,i, on 26 l·ehruarv 1956, a,red <ixt)·SIX nars. .\ftn lea, 1ng the Schno l in 1906 he became an apprentice with ,\lt<srs. Lewis Smith & Sc,n, \\ hokSrationer<, .\hcrdccn and on completion of his :ipprcnticcship joined \lugicmoss Papa \!ills as a repres,nrativc.

Durin g his ,ta1· in C:mada he earned on bis connection wah the paper trade and in 1924 joined the Buntin Reid Paper Co., Ltd., in Toront o and was a director of th,1t company for many years, becoming director of saks in 19.iS and vice-president of the company in 1950.

William Walla ce Gauld • (1893-98), .\!..\., D.O., died at Aberdeen Royal lnlirmarv on 4 \lay 1956; he had been in p<)Or health for some time. Afte r i,traduar,ng ~I.A. in 1902, he studied Di,inity at ~cw College, Edinburgh, and then became minister at churches in fairlie, Callander, Glasgow and Ed inbu rgh.

Jn 1927 he became minister of Queen's Cross Church, Aberdeen and held that charge until he retired in 1953. During \\'orld War I he sen·ed in the Am,y Chaplains' Department from 1915 till 1918 in france and in this country. In \\'orld \\'ar II he did, aluable work as Crnl\'enor of the Jewish .\lission Commit tee of the Church of Scotland and in 1945 1 isitcd Palestine to conduct an investigation into the position of the work being carr ied on among th~ Jews by thar church.

I le was \l oderator <if rhe Aberdeen l'reshyten · from 19.p till 1943 and received the honorary dcvree of D.D. fr<>m his Alma \later in 1945.

Robert G. Gibson· ( 18S 1·86), who died on 12 Scptemlx:r 195 5, spent the greater part of his life 111 the r.u Fast. After completing his apprenticeship with the C.rcat Nonhern Railway h<• joined their cnginecrini; staff and in 1899 entered the service , .f the Imperial Railwa1s of ( hina and was engaged in construc tion and maintenance work. I le resigned from this 1wsition in 1916 and returned to this country to become an Jnspccmr of ,\ lunitions. Jn 1917 he was commissione d in the Chinese L'lbour Corps and was demobilised in 1919 with the rank of Captain, Jn 1923 he re-joined the Imperial Railways of China and served with them for many years.

Lawren ce Jaffray • (1909-14), who had been a tea plante r in Assam for many years, died at Chislehurst, Kem, on 18 Dcccmhcr 1955. On leaving the Schoo l he served his apprenticeship as an engineer with ,\lcssrs. Jas. Abernethy & Co., L td., Aberdeen and was a Cadet in the R.A.F. in 1918 during the First World War. In 1922 he went to Assam and remained in that countr} until his retirement. D uring the Second \\"orld War he was a prisoner of the Japanese and had a spell on the making nf the \lanipur Road from D1mapor ro Imphal at \lik 92 Camp.

Joh n Edward Bendelow Jessamine (1915) died at lpoh, \ lalay.1, on 30 January 19j6 Although most of his schooling days were spent at Hobert Gordon's Collej!e

100

Aberdeen Grammar Schol/I .Uagaz.i11e

he spent his last year in \lodern \'l at the Aberdeen Grammar School. After talung a diploma in agriculture at Aberdeen University he weot to Peoang as assistant esrate manager but rctu med to this country in 1916 to join the Seaforth Highlanders, serving with them io .\1esopotamia and elsewhere until he was demobilised in 1918.

On returning to .\lalaya he continued as a rubber planter but took a considerable interest in the affairs of that country. \\ hen the Japanese invasion took place he escaped from Singapore in a sampan and eventually reached lndia where he joined the Indian Army and served on L,ird .\lountbattcn 's Staff where his expert know ledge of the languages of the East wa.s of ~reat assistance. After the war he again took a prominent part 10 .\lalayan affairs and was elected to the Priry Council in .\lalaya in 1953 and was made an O.B.E. in rcco~nition of his services to that country. l le was also at one ume Governor of the Cocos Islands.

J ohn Charles Og g L a wren ce· (1898-99) died on 27 February 1956 and by his death the London branch of the Club has lost a stalwart supporter.

He was for man} years a member of the London Committee aod his assistance and advice were always greatly appreciated br the other members. I le was an enginee r, ha,ing scr,cd his apprentin·ship with .\fessn.. Abernethy, and after having held posts 10 Australia and New Zealand for some years he settled in London. He was an Associate .\lcmber of the Institute c,f .\lcchanical Engineer<:. In partnership with a cousin he founded a transport business which was e,·entually taken O\"er by the British Road Sen ices, and he was a Liveryman of the \\orshipful Company of Cam1cn.

He took a great interest in municipal affairs and until his health failed he was a member of the Homsey B(>rough Council. lie had a great sense of humour and his sterling character endeared him to those of us who knew him so well and who mourn the loss of a loved friend.

Jame s Lum sden (1878-80), \1.A., D.D., died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 9 January 1956 at the a~e of ninct}-onc years. lie graduated M.A. in 1884 aod B.l). in 1887 and then became minister of churches, in Brought}" Ferry, Grange, Edinburgh and in 1917 took charµe of Ratho Parish Church, \ fidlothian , where he remained until he retired in 1941. He was a Chaplain to the Forces during the 1914-18 \"\°ar and was attached ro the Royal Scots and various other units. I n 1935 he was made an h,,norary Doctor of Di"inity of Aberdeen University. For many years he was closely associated with the Church of Scotland Committee on Christian Life and Social Work, being specially identified with the work of the \'foman's Guild and also with the care and direction of the Deaconess Rest Houses.

J ohn R oss Macneill ' (1905-6), \I.A., i\l.B., Ch.B., F .R.C.S., whose borne was in Cro>·don, Surrey, died on 19 February 1956. After v;raduating he went to D undee and became a resident surgeon at Dundee Royal Infumacy. During the First World \Var he served in the R.A.\I.C., in Gallipnli, \lcsopotamia, Egypt and many other places in the :'\fiddle Fast.

H arry Middl eton (1901-02), .\LC., \LB., Ch.B., D.P .H., who was Medical Officer for Pembrokeshire for thirtr-four years until retiring in 1934, died at his home in Havcrfordwest on 26 April 1956. After graduating at Aberdeen University he went to L1\"erpool and was appointed \1.0. H . of Denbigh. During World War I he scn·cd in the R.A. \1.C., aod was awarded the }.[.C. whilst serving with the 55th Division.

Willi a m Hutch eon Pirie (191~-q) died at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 20 Apri l 19, 6, aged fifcy-cight years. 1le had been a Chief Draughtsman for the Aberdeen firm of Barry, Henry & Cook for the last twenty-nine years and prior to joining them had been some years with Alex. \\"ilson Ltd., Ashgrove Engineering Works, Aberdeen. During the 1914-18 war he served with the Cameron Highlanders in this country and in France.

James R e ith (1885-88) died at the Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, on 17 February 1956, aged eighty-four. After leaving the School he became a par tner in the firm of Reith and Anderson, Auctioneers, Aberdeen, and later was associated with other firms in the same line. ln his young days he was well-known as a footba ll player.

Obit11ary

IO J

Launcc lot H ugh Ross" (1898-1901), \J.C., F.R.l.B.A., died at his home in Glasgow on 30 January 19i6 at the age of seventy-one r=• lle had attained great distincr1on in Glasgow as an architect because, along with the late i\lr. Thomas Tair, he was responsible for the erection of the Palace of Engineering, rhe Palace of Art and the tower at the British Empire Exhibition in &llahouston Park in 193 tn leaving the School he received his architectural training in the Glasgow and London offices of Sir John Burnet. In 1912 he began practising in Glasgow and at rhc time of his death was senior partner in the firm of Launce lot I I. Ross and Lindsay. During his professional career he designed many buildings for the services, banks, chu rches and scboo ls and was responsib le for a housing estate in Johnstone.

During the First \X'orld \X'ar he served as a staff officer and was awarded the Military Cross. Later he served with the T.A. in Glasgow . He was a former member of the Council of the Royal Incorporation of Architec1s in Glasgow and was also a member of the Roylll Company of Archers.

James Cruickshank Sm ith • (1882 83), B.Sc., F.R.I.C., \I.I.( hcm.F., died at ( hestcr on 2 February 19i6, aged eighty-six years. I le was the eldest son of the late Rev. Dr. Smith of Newhills and after lcavin1-1 the School he graduated 1-i.~c. ,lt Aberdeen University in 1891 with distincti on in Chemistry and Experimental Physics. From 1894 onwards he devoted his life to the paint industry as Con ~ultant and Tracie Expert, and latterly as director of a large firm in Chester. I lis contributions to the technical press were many, and he published se\'eral hooks. lie was commissioned mto the Gordon flighlanders in 1914 and became chief instructor at the Scomsh Command S.A. and Musketry School.

J oh n Thomas Smith (1883-84), T.D., J.P., died at his home at 1'ewburgh House on 3 January 19i6 aged eighty -seven years. All his life he had farmed at rover-an except for his war service with the Gordon Highlanders during the First \\ orld \\ ar when he held the rank of ~fajor. I le took a great interest in local affairs and was a member of Aberdeen County Council for a number of years and for over sixty-fi, e years was an elder of fovcran Church.

Alexander Thomas Stev en (1906-13) died at Bulawayo on 9 April 19i6. lie joined the Gordon Highlanders immediately on leaving School and passed into Sandhurst in 1916; from there be joined the Indian Army. After the cessation of hostilities he sen·ed for a time with ,·arious Indian reiimcnts on 1he North-W .cst Frontier. On retiring from the Indian Army he settled in Bulawayo.

D oug las Walde n Stott (1900-4) died at Aberdeen on 18 November l9ll· Prior t0 the First \'(,'orld War he was in his father's wine and spirit business in Aberdeen but after serving as a driver in the A.S.C., he returned to Aberdeen and set up in business as a Bus Tour operat0r an operation which he successfully performed for thirty years.

Alexander Walker (i 877-80) died at his home in Aberdeen on 4 January in his eighty-ninth year. On leaving the School he ente red the firm ofGeo. Thompson & Co, shipowners and served in their Aberdeen and London offices. Then for fi,·e years he farmed in Alberta, Canada, but returned to Aberdeenin 189j and became a partner in the firm of Wm. \X'alker & Sons, :\fcrchants, Aberdeen, where he remained till rcming. During the 1914-18 hostilities he was an officer in The Gordon Highlanders and the Northumberland Fusiliers.

l

W illi am Sco lt Wri g ht (1887-94) died ar his home in Aberdeen on ll February 19i6, aged seventy-nine years. He was in business wi th his father as a wholesale and retail merchant in Aberdeen for a number of years after leaving the School but when his father retired he started travelling in the North of Scotland for wholesale merchants and for many years unti l be himself retired he represented the firm of Robert Duthie & Sons. He was a well-known figure in the north where be had travelled for more than forty years.

~II I

I

I

I

i

I

Every young man should consider a career in the Royal Navy IT HAS A GREAT DEAL TO OFFER Writ• / or full dtta/11 to: T H E ADM IRALTY, D.N.R. (DEPT . IV/ 801),

QUEEN ANNE'S MAN SIONS, LOl',DON , S.W.I

....11•1•::·•·--~:......,,,,ll......~h-, .........~W:t.llisit:11&-..:11.I....I 1

101

School Section School Office-Bearer s, 1955-56 Prefects R. NICOL (Senior Prtfut) ALAN K. G. PATFRSON (Deputy Smior Prefect) DONAI.D

BRUCI P. LF.NM.\N ALASTAIR l\1. ;\I ATIII F:SO~ IAIN \ltcmi; JOHN G. \IUNRO

DouGLAS BREMISLR \X' 1LLI..Ul B. BROWN GRAEME F. BRYCL Jo~IN G. CHR1snP. SmcLA1R T. PoRnt-.s

c. s.

L1-.s1.1r-. M . N1COL STPPIILN A. PACITTI ]OIIN S. RAITT

WILLI AM G. G1 F.NNIF. jAMF.S

M . j EFFRF.Y

Byron HucH \V. L. THO~As

R0'1AI.I) R. ROBB \'\'ALTl" R Rose IfLGH \\. L. T110~1AS

s.

\lu.v1u.r I . \\ ATSO:S: Ar AN R. \\ r n~TFR J\1Ar.r OLM $. \VI:BSTl!R Ar.AN

H o use Captain s Dun Keith DoNALU R. :S.1coL GRAF.Ml' F. BRYCE

B. \\tt\lG IIT

M elvin \VALTJ RS. Roso

Captain

Ilucu

Rugby Football W. L. T11OMAS Fite -Captain WALTER S. Rouo

Captain

Jous

S. R.un.

Coplain

STLP II LN A . PAcirn

Cricke t

r 'ice-Captain ]OIIN G. CtrRISTn: H ocke y Vitt•Gaploi11

Athletic s

Captain

w ALTPR s. Roou

Captain

\ l rr VILLL F. \\ ATSON

Pruidmt

ALAN K. G. PAT Lli.!>ON

Swimmin g 1

,a-Captain

llt...._RY A. IIA\IILTON

Lite rary and Debatin g Societ y Vitt-Preiidml RO!'-i.H .D R. ROBB Sttretary and T rtafttrtr STF.PHF.N A. l'ACITrl D ram atic Socie 1y Sttretary TrtaJllrtr

Preiidtnl DoUGLAS R. Knax.11 Via-Prtiidtn l TOM G. C. DUTTON Preiident

J AMES F. r ooT 1

Pruident

DoNALD R. NrcoL

Art s Club St,relary

RoN~LU

R. ROBB

Lt·.SI lli M. NICOL

W1LL1AM STEVENSON

Film Society Surelary

Trtt1It1rtr

C.S.l\f.

DONALD

A1.A:-: K. G. PATFRSON

]OIIN G. C H RISTrn

Cadet Force Flighl-StrJl,to11/ \Xl11.LJM1 G. GLE.NNrn

R. N1co1.

Scripture Uni on J oa,._ G. CHRISTIB

S1trelary

Editors of" School and Random N ot es" in the Maga z ine ALAN K. G. PATE RSON and S Tl!.PH EN A . P ACI TTI 10 3

104

Abedrm, Gra111111ar School Magaz/ne

Retiral of Dr. Ron ald M. Macandrew A. H. Gray, Andrew Milne, Ronald Macandrew-how rarely is any schoo l called on to say its "Ave atque Vale" to three such men, all within the space of a sing le year I Ronald Maxwell Macandrew, who retired at Easter from the post of principal Spanish Master, was educated at Dollar Academy and the University of Glasgow, where he graduated with Honours in Classics in 1913. His acceptance, just after his graduation, of a resident tutorship in Spain was fraught with consequence, for he brought back from his sojourn there the religious convictions and the abiding interest in Spanish studies which gave purpose and single-p ointedness to his whole professional life.

After four Terms in Methodist College, Belfast, he came to Aberdeen in January 19z1 to a conjoint post in Grammar and Gordon's, a post which he held until 1943 when the increasing scale of Spanish in the Grammar School claimed his whole time and energy, and an enlightened Education Committee raised his Subject to full status as a department of study.

By the close of the First World War, Charles David son's advocacy had secured for Spanish a footing on the Modern side of the School; and, as the years passed, Dr. Macandrew's enthusiasm and rare teaching skill made for it a place in our curriculum such as it occupies in very few Scottish schools. Accorded parity with French throughout the secondar}' course, Spanish is now taken by about a hundred boys, of whom some twenty a year are presented for the Scottish Lea"\ ing Certificate with an exceptionally high percentage of passes. Dr. Macandrew's pupils have repeatedly won prizes in the U.K. competitions promoted by the Hispanic Council, nor would the developing Spanish Department in the University of Aberdeen deny a large indebtedness to his labours. One special service of his must not go unrecorded: thanks to the a\'ailability of Spanish and to his superb teaching of it, not a few boys who joined our 4th Year from Junior Secondary Schools with no knowledge of a foreign language were enab led to enter the University and secure the Deg ree which would otherwise have lain beyond their reach.

With experience in many schools, I have never known a teacher more completely dedicated to his work. It mattered little whether my time-table left him six correction-periods or eight or ten: within two or three weeks they were quietly filled up with tutorial help for those who needed it most.

Nor have Dr. Macandrcw's services to Spanish been limited to the classroom. His "Naturalism in Spanish Poetry", for which Aberdeen University awarded the Degree of Doctor of Letters in 1919, and his "Translation from Spanish" are admirable contributions to scholarship, while as editor, writer, lecturer, and Training College Master of Method, he has done as much as any man of his generation to promote Hispanic stud ies in Scotland.

DR. R. M . ..\L.,CANDRE\\ " who n:tirc<l at Ea~tcr after 35 years at Grammar.

School Section

IOj

Ronald Macandrew marked all our doings with a kindly eye, and But he gave the School something more than the sum of many services, for throughout his thirty-five years with us he witnessed steadfastly by act as by word to a strong ly-held evangelical faith, while remaining always serene, gracious-spirited, and singularly free from that rigorist temper which so easily comes between a man and the young life all about him.

Dr. Macandrt:w has great claims on the gratitude of the Grammar School, and in acknowledging them I would add my own thanks to this dutiful and generous man, with whom I enjoyed fourteen years' association unclouded b} the slighte st disagreement or misunderstanding.

J . J . R.

never did any call for his service go unanswered.

[lL is of interest to note that Dr. Macandrew is now full-time Editor of the Third Statistical Acco11ntof Scotlandf or Aberdeenshireand the North-East, and is working at the Uni, ·crsity's Department of Politica l Economy under Professor Henry Hamilton.-Eu.J

*

*

*

The School' s Tribute to the Rector Those pupils and members, present and past, of Staff, who assembled in Hall on the afternoon of Friday, 1 June, will not soon forget the ceremony in which School paid tribute to the Rector on his receiving what was an earnest of a greater honour, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws of Aberdeen Univer~ity. Speaking for the staff, Mr. Walker hailed the Rector as the most distinguished c f a long line of distinguished Rectors, while Donald Nicol, as Senior Prefect eloquently spoke of the pupils' good wishes to him. Gown, Hood and Cap were borne to the platform by representatives of Upper School, Lower School and Kindergarten, and the Rector was invested in them by Miss Gracie. In his speech of acceptance the Rector expressed his sense of the honour he had been done, and spoke of the happiness of living in Aberdeen and working in its Grammar Schoo l.

T he proceedings concluded with a benediction by the School Chaplain, the Rev. P. D. Lawrence.

*

*

*

Dea th of a Gramm a r Boy I t was with deep regret that the School heard of the death, on 3 May 195 6, of Alistair Paterson of Upper l V(4). We should like to

extend our deepest sympathy to his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. George Paterson, of 5 Gaitside Drive, Garthdee, in their tragic bereavement .

106

Aberdeen Grammar School ,Uagazin,

School and Random Note s Jn an eventful session, the m"st stnkm!" event -was pah:tps the appearance of the Rector's name in the Birthday J lnnours List. \\ 'e offer our s:nccrc congratulations to the Rector on his knighthood, and hope that we ma} rcg:ml this not merely as a tribute to his own outstanding qualities as an educationalist, but as an honour to the School which i, pri, ilegcd to ha, e him as its llcad .

•

•

The casual observer may note that the front of the School has been inundated by a sea of jl'eranium-pink chips which washes the bard's pcdesraJ in quite a becoming fashion. 1-'ar be it fr< ,m the humble editors to ca,·il at the j,travd; we even suggest that the School tower be painted in some suitable pastel shades to delight the eye.

To help the work-fat,i!Ued janitor in his exacting dai ly toil, kindly lead any stray or erring chips to their proper positions to retain the aesthetic n:j:t\Jlarity.

•

The summer tcm1 this year h,ts pro, cd to be more than usu,tlly hectic, wh,tt with ante-meridian caffeine sessions, Colcnptcr.L campaif?ns, jumble sales and what not.

There has e, en been an iner~"a."<' in the number of crnss-v.or<ls (seen, not heard) among the stall :tnd pupils.

Achl The Seh,,ol has gone fair mad. * ,.

Despite the counter-attractions of the Grammarian Fair, our budding actors of the Dramatic Society displayed their histrionic talents to three crowded houses, bringing a spate 0f humour with them. ,\part from recalcitrant hcef-earcrs ferociously att.icking tlw scenery, and fusc-1><,xt·s smoking, the produC'tion was , utc<l a ,ccord-brcakcr. + The School, for bcna or for worse, has turned n.-<l not through anr fellowtravelling propensity, but through the 1,:encrosity of the Fducation Department in placing a thick layer of lmolcum over the corridor and Art Room floors, giving them a spect,um -likc nppearann: dcsigm<l H> stimulate our powers of perception .

•

A new band of ams,ms has 111\adc<l these hallowed, dassicu walls, vi,. those skilled in portering, or m the making of pots, from a viscous substJJ1ce whish is not only an excellent material for these messy potters, but imprints neat sboe-shapcd marks on the afore-mentioned linoleums, much to the chagrin <•f the Abigails. * • Still on th<: subject of pots, ,w may nu:ntion in passing that 11 came as a surprise w many that three of our highly esteemed pedagogues were sull able to stand on the first day back after Easter, afu;r copin)! for close on ten days with the problem of keeping a number of juvenile delinquents away from rhe flesh pots of Eg}pt (beer-pots of Austria in modem parlance). We consider this an amazing achievcmmt; what will-powecl what personality! what uprightness! ... hrrrumph!

(Never mind, Ken, it was a good try,)

* ..

Let no uncouth reader think that it is lack of material that leads us to devote this note to the thanking of our masters who ha,·c rendered us so much service this year.

0 Palrts ,onuripti, we thank you sincere!) for all you ha'°c <lone for us, the pupils of the School; for the encouraging smile; for the helping hand, for the congratulatory pat on the back; for that infectious enthusiasm; for the tolcrat1on of our idio tic mistakes, and, of course, for the burning of the midnight oil on our behalf . Long may it continue I * * And lastly, permit us co be smug; we rejoice to think, dear reader, that by the time you read this we shall be beyond reach of your outraged clutches.

Jc/J(Jo/ Section Presenting the Prefects «

Oh, Brave New World, that hath such people in it!"

Donald R. Nicol. Quite a character is Donald, a vcmah!c Tmon among minnows. lJas a bent fo r the pipes and cast.'lncts (or at least, it sounds like that).

Pen odk ally finds his "innamoram" among the scars. \'forrics . l·very inch a Senio r Prefect. " And all the courses of my life do show, I am not in the roll of common mcn ." - Sh.1kesps-arc Alan K. G. Paterson. Donald's right hand man , and perhaps the most sophist icated member of the Prefecture. Quotes Huxley and D . II. Lawrence with out waming; talks intellectual no end, and tells you he's President and Chairman of the Deb. Soc. Likes spo rt. .An amiable chap, though often misinformed. " H is was the lofty port , the distan t mien, That seems to shun the sight, and awes if seen ... _ Byron " 'Aypolxov µ,j 1a1.Ta4'povn f,~Topo;."

Dougla s Bremner. A bonnie curly-headed laddie with, as far as we know, no extra-cu rricu lar emotional associations. Pbys table tennis with anybody who is willing and spouts " Youth Fellowshi p " with mono tonous regularity. P RINTS his botany notes rather prettily (\i icol please note) , and has almost as many pens as Lenmaa. " Of all those am in which the wise excel, 1\ature's chief masterpiece is writing well.•·- John Sbellicld William B. Brown. A happy, innoce nt (?), drummer-boy, who is always piping his whis tle somewhere. Barton has never ,1uitc n:covcred his dignity after an untimely over-exposure on che rugby-field. Goes to the Cowdray I !all, but has far too much on his hanJ s to dance. " I wish T were when: Ilden lies.... " - Scottish H,1llad Graeme F. Bryce. A lung-legged, god- like, ath lete with a beautiful com plexion, G raeme plays w ith javelins and discni, and reads chemistry for pleasure M~ y,vo, To, Never hu rries himself, and is always ready to cnrer reasoned and intelli~ea t discuss ion. Prefers golf, which he plays extraordinarily well, co the opposite sex, and has no kno wn vices.

"A thousand girls do not charm mc." - 0, 1,I. " Science d istinguishes a man of honour from u11c of rhose athletic brutes whom u ndesen·eJ!y we call herocs."-Dryden John G. Christie. S.U. Secretary and tries tu liH up to 1t despite uncncouraging comme nt from his irreligio us super iors. Ho rribly dogma tic on all points (see Mr. Nisbet) . I Ias a bash at hockey and cricket with a high dc)!ree o f success and an eYen greate r degree of unwi llingness. Does not smoke or drink . . . honest! " It is no sin to look at a nice girl."- To lstoy " OU 'Al ynv 6Etv0S', ciM(l a,yUv &Bllva'TOS',"- Epichannus

\

Sinclair T. Forbes. Despite a somewhat odd appearanc e, " Finkd " is qui re an accomplished spor tsman. Hockey and cricke t, we are told, arc among the more 1mpor rant of his spare -tune acrivities. Thouf(h seldom seen on the track at Rubislaw, this inoffensive scientific genius may be seen any Sunday afcemoo n touring the Duthie Park, or heading in the di rection o f Kincorth . . . a magnetic field, perhaps. Also extreme ly interes ted m interesting other people in raffle tickets. " Of science and logic he chatters, As fine and as fast as he can; Though I am no judge of such maccers, l 'm sure he's a talented man."- \X'. M. Praed

108

"/,1rd1 11 (,1a1-n11,,r

\d,,,,/ ,\l,~f!."Zlllf

Willi am G. Glennie . T his comcl~ youth, rather a frail-looking hot-hous e plant, J.Lq of a l,,nl" dynast> of Boarding House Captains, has a linger in manv pies, rcn ntlv found hows and arrows t<>0 t1m1d, and so rurned to a more lethal and sccr,1 w~apon. S,nce d11nb1ng took too long to reach the he11.!hts, he fell to gliding. I fas a Jmu,ct ph) sical a<h antagc in same. " And he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and lxcame :in archcr»-C,cncsis xxi J ames M. Jeffrey. .-\ rather bdlico,c d .It!, alwa\'S in the tluck , f rhe fray.

Devotes t me, howcHr, to more pcacd°ul pu,,-uits, such a~ C·1<kts and ru11ll\". &lrn cs m hard work, and .1 lnt ol play (though he would tr) to make us thmk othc1w1>c).

"If thou he hungry, I 1111 hungry. Let's go fi1Zht." " Is tf ere.: no r<·spcn of place, persons, nor time in ynu? " Shakespear,:

Bruce P. Lcnman . 511II gning st<-ady with hrs old flame la \/ado1111a dr/lo \t11d·n. !\.ow w,,lks with a school-hag inllicccd stoop, which his week!\- game of golf d,,., n< t help to cure Addresses friend and foe alike as crtha" Lout!" ot " Rill R.lll ! " I inds c~an11nHm,ns cxtruncly protitablc, tn more ways than one, and is the invisihle, hut undcniahl) c.:flicicnt.cxponi,nt of the art of field duty. " -\s ., cure for w ,rrving, work is octtcr ch:m whiskey. "-Thomas I •. Edison Ala sta ir M. M a thie son . ,\lastair is one of th, sc competent artistrc types, who is always do1t11 • his •·i's" or eyeing his dot. .-\!ways has a naive, frank, what-wrunµ;-can 1-possrbly-c,·cr-do look, visible despite gog!,.dcs and helmet, when he rs seen 111 fla~r~111e hrc.1king the speed limit. "\X.ithout doubt, macLinery has greatly increased the amount of well-to-do idlers." Karl .\larx "\ iam imcnum aut facum.''-1 lannibal

lain C. S. Michie. Orn: , .f 1he genus I lnm o Canarius. i\. merrv, iron-listed giant, l,1in is alwa)• ,.-,idy co smokc the pipe 11f peace. f-inds ,cho,;l rather dull after the rugby scas11n, bur vrncr.illr manages tu keep thin~,s on the boil, in spire <fa tunporan- cold spdl. S1nl!s bothy-ballads and other dubious ditties. ".-\ f<llow thirteen cubits hi;!li ... " Th<·c,critus "It', all l,v,!" I ( !:,, :-.richic John G. Munro. John would find lifc Juli if he had not himself to chee r it up but somctrmes looks elsewhere for amusement. Althoul!h alien to 1':onh Brrta111, can blow hrs p1J'LS.s wdl as an}onedse.

I lopes to •<•Ill the H.A.f<. tu hum l{remlins.

A credicable winter sf)Ortsn,an who unfurrnnarclv crossed Thornas's path at the end of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the S<'ason.

"J am Sir Oracle: whcn I ope my lrps, let no dog bark. "-Shakespeare Leslie M . icol. -\ hnght lad, "ith ar 1nddinable al'cent. Good at nearly evcrythtng 111 tl•c ac ,dunic spkrc·; likes h1lh,alk1ng, dramatics, and, at times, " \1adame', .. _ Prm,, both unperiphrastic and bomhastiloqucnt at debates; and adores Keats. -\h,olu1d) no relation m Donald chuff! certainly not! " I le has a rage for say in!! something when thc·rc's nothing to be said."- Johnson "Speak in the lan~ua" e of the company you arc in; speak it purdy, and unlarded with any other."-Lord Chesterfield Stephen A . Pacitti. .-\ sawcdleem S<-phist, pomaded and pinguid, who has unfortunately fallen on evil dnys ever since formulating n more congen ial philosophy of lrfe. Tolerates Patcr,;on. Prcquentl) do~matiscs, and pronounces Pacitti-isms utterly incomprehensihle to ,\fr. Brown. \\ as seen at the School Pia} yoked " cum alrera quadam ": so you sec what thin)!S have come to. " .\lar, had a little l:unb."- utS<:ry Song. "'J'hi locks jct hlnck, and clustering round a face Open as day and full of manly daring." Samuel Rogers

I

School Jrc/1011

1 09

John S. Raitt . \ ly, hut John [,qJ grown up <(uickly! In his li!,?htcrmoods, he has been Donald's m/a11t turiblt, but generally keeps the air free from scurrilous rumour. ls a norc<l sportsman when he can spare time from his extra-mura l act1nt1cs. ;\lakes money in ,arious ways, but finds "lhomas most profitable, although he docs quite a roarinit trade in gramophone n:cords. " Damn you r cards, said he, they a,c the dc\'il's books." Swift Ronald S. Robb. An extraordinary character with two large bumps of knowledge on his cxpansi, ·e forehead. Besides taking school work m his stride, he has an uncanny knowkdgc of the back st rccts of Abe rdeen. His sympathet ic heart " feels " for the People, a fact which mav account for the touch of pathos to be found in his <lramat1cally rendered shaggv <log stones. \ lodestly admits co having driven a tra m across the I lowff table" nae bother at a' ... aye, m,tkkie ,,an likt-." This brainy boy with the black locker has indeed a bright future.

"Bes ides, 'tis known he could speak Greek As naturally as pigs s4ui:ak. " - Butler " \n<l all that hair, like an ornamented deformity of the skull."- llu x!e)' Walter S. Robb. \'ice -Captain of rugby, captain of athletics, and grins like a Cheshire cat. \\ alter is a disturbing mixture of Gargantua, Casanorn and Picasso, with litcran· tastes ranging from \lonsarrat to Keats. Spent his hmcr holidays chasini.: the Aus trian Jungfraucn but now seems tv have re-orientated himself south of Aberdeen. l las a sister. (q.1·. "Thomas"). " I never heard she was a naughty pack ." Swift Hugh W. L. Thomas. An ardent worshipp<:t <,f the turf, 1st X\ captain and cap, athlete, strong man, fitful and fistful l luwff saboteur (someone has to gi,·e the joiner work), body crusher and breaker, I lu!,lh (answers also to I luge, I lugo, Taffy, Tummas, Tammas, Fatso, etc., etc.) has indelibly kft his mark on the Gmmmar.

I !as a sccret passion for Robb's sister. rc-ar prevents us from sayini.: more.

"Great gian ts work great wrongs, but we arc sm,tll." 1loo<l "An' I thought of 'Er ~laJcsty's barricks, .m' 1 thought I'd go ,u,• sce."-k1pling Melville F. Wmson. At just over ti,e fi:t:t fi,c inches, this dJshing (always late for Latin), fair-haired, colour-sergeant stands the sma llest of the happy band. l s also one of the most energetic and cffic1cm, with an C}e e,·cr on the kitty. EHn more ,u:tivc in water than on land. :-lay scttk down one of these days.

"She's pretty to walk w11h: \nd witt} to talk with · And plcasanr to think on." Sir _John Sucklin;, A lan R. \-Vebstcr. A grea t, gauche, gang ling, hag-J,?;y laddie with a low -slu ng undercarriage. Al.m P"rforms hl man actions .u Rubisla,, and d,cwherc, and is noted frn throwin g things. R,tthcr hair,, perhaps l>ecau\,· he studies arr, or uses old nt?t>r blades.

•· \ ha11, hod,·, ,1nd .mus stiff with bristles, )!i,cs prvmisc of a m,mlv soul." JU\cnal Ma lco lm S. \Vebs te r. 1\ pleasant fellow with very linlc to s.1y. 1.xpn:ssts his opinions through the medium of art, we believe. \\'alks with the gait of a farmer crossing a furrowed field, and plays hockey and cricket accordingly. Really a nice type, but too retiring to show it. " l 'm shy, nervous, modest, retiring and diffident." \V/. S. Gilbe rt "Scratch an artist and you surprise a child." - James llunekcr Alan B. Wrig ht. One of the more 4u1ct of our body, who opens his mouth only to belly-ache in his soft, wonderinp; ,·oice. A keen cadet and B.B. man, 1h1s attracuvc 1st X\ " player (so few of them arc) ne,cr shouts (cf. J effrey). Has also a ,·cstcd 111tcrcst in" i\ ladan1c.:'s".

"Some of his words we,e not Sunday Schoo l \X'oi•ds."-,\l ark Twain " Lateat scmt11lulafors.m."

I lo

Aberdeu1 Gra111111c1r J'rhool 1\!c1gazim

School Staff-Arrivals

and Departures

Living in a world of perpetual change, the wntcr of thL ,c n, tcs has pknt} to record. Of the departure of Dr. l\facandrcw, more is •·ttin l} said elsewhere.

Rather earlier, in mid-December, School lost the services d Mr. W. F. Tay lor of the Fngli sh D epar tment. ~lr. Taylor did a great <lea! of work w'.th the minimum of fuss. But his quietness of demeanour co\'ered, as his pupils anJ his collca~es alike will testify, a firmness of judgment which would is,uc whm required in a trenchancy of statement, the more effecti,·c if less expcctcc.l. \X c wish him well in his new field of work. At the end of January Mr. Alan\\ ilkins c,f the \fusic staff left us to go to Stirling, where he has taken up duty as on•amst of the Church of the Holr Rude. \lr. \\'ilkins's notable succes, in choir w rk at the G1,1mmar School wil be remembered, and we congratulate I'alkirk Iliyh School, where he is now assistant Music \1astcr, on its acquisition of a musician uf such fine ability, while we send Mr. Wilkins our best wishes for his happiness in his new p<>St. The Grammar School was fortunate in having within its wall, Mr. Ronald Henson, an experienced teacher of Fnglish anc.l other subjcC'ts,who could cake m er :-.lr. Taylor's classes without a break. \'re arc glad to know that :\lr. I lcnson, who caught in several Aberdeen schools, incluc.ling the Gramrn.1r, btforc going South to hold responsible posts in both Grammar and Secondary \lodcrn schools there, is now to stay with us, and we cake this opporrunit} of expr~ ,ng in print, if rather belatedly, our welcome to him.

In our last issue we said farewell to Mr. Andrew \Iilnc, for many years head of the Classics Department. \'vc now salute his successor, Mr. Robert Brown, and wish him well in his new dignity. .\1r. Brown was reared "1 ,1 celebrated nursery of classicists, I lutcheson's Grammar School in Glas~• ,w. Ha, in!-( attempted in vain to escape from the classical heritage to the Law, \ l r. Brown suhmittec.lco the classical course at Glasgow University. His studies there were intaruptcd by service-6rs c in the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and then in the R. \.f"., where he serve d as a pilot in Fighter Command, and notably as llight commander in one of the squadrons giving close supp ort co the 14th Army's ad\'anct' on Rangoon.

D emobilised in 1946, he returned to Glasgow University where he grac.luatcd with First Class Honours in Classics m 1949. Before cominl,( to us, .\lr. Brown taught his subject in Jordanhill College School, Glasgow.

Succeedi ng Dr. Macandrew as Principa l Teacher t,[ Spanish is Mr. S. D. H. McCJcan, a former p upil of the Methodist College, Belfast, in which his disun,<mi>hcd predecessor founded a department of Spanish just after the Fim \\ orlc.l \\ ar. A graduate of Queen's University, Belfast, 1 1r. McUcan servcc.l from 1939 to 1945 in the Royal Artille ry. From 1946 to 1949 he taught hcnch and Spanish in another educational institution in this city, and since then he bas been teachin$ the same subjects at George \\ atson's Boys' College in Edinburgh. \\ e offer 1111n a warm welcome and o ur very best wishes for the future .

The vacancy created by Mr. \\ ilkins's departure was tilkc.l by one whose ability and enthusiasm were not unfamiliar to Grammar boys, Mr. David Murray, and we con$ratulate ourscl\'es on ha\'ing secured the services of one whose services to music arc so well known in the North-East. \Ve greet also Mr. Donald H awksworth, whose reputation as musician and teacher has preccc.lcd him from Brechin . Anothe r happy transfer for '\fiddle and Lppcr School v. as that of Mr. David Ander son, himself a Grammarian anc.l a Geography specialist, from the Lower School co take over J\lr. Henson's time-table. Takinr '\fr. Anderson's place in the Lower School we now have Mr. Alexander P. Farquhar (1940-47), \I.A. While at School he played hockey for the I'irs t Elc,cn for three years and was Captain of the Hockey Team in his sixth year. After graduating in Arts in 19jo he attended Aberdeen Training Centre. Since qualifying as a teacher he has caught at T illydronc Primary School for 6\'c years. \fr. Farquhar is keenly interested in youth work and is ac prescnt Youth Club Leader of a large and flourishing club for children aged 9 to 12 years. A badminton player and golfer, \lr. Farquhar will find many opportunities for taking part in these recreations with other enthusiasts on the staff. \'{Tc hope chat his days here as a master may be as happy as those be spent as a pupil and srudent .

We must also welcome, as first-incumbent of the post of Secretarial Assistant, Miss Ha zel Da, ie. We congratulate her on having already so well adapted

(

herself to these novel surroundings and wish her a happy stay in the Grammar School.

Finally, we offer our thanks to two able deputies to Miss M. T . Ma ckenzie, who came to fill Mr. Brown's place during his absence, and to Mrs. Greig, wbo performed the same service for ~Iiss Gibb. \Ve are happy to see the latter looking so well since ber return from her serious operation and wish her-to look aheada good summer holiday tO complete the cure.

C.E.W .C. Conference During the last Christmas holida}S Srephen Pacitti and myself were selected to represent the School at the Council for Education in World Citizenship Lecrures m London.

At six o'clock a.m. on Boxing Day, Stephen and l boar<lcd the Edinburgh train, and by late that night we wnc ensconced in our austere but comfortable hotel in .Belgrave Road, not ten minutes' wJlk from the Conference meeting place, Westminster H~ll.

On Tuesday lectures did not begin unul 2.15 p.m., giving us time in the morning to pay a quick hut c-omprehcnsive , i~1t to the British ,\luseum. The afternoon began with an opening address by the Rt. lion. Selwyn Lloyd, .\linister of Defence. This WJS followed hy a very general but extremely interesting talk on world peace by Earl .\ttlce whn answered the suh~cqut:nt questions with most unpolitica1 succinctness .m<l intelligence. The au<licnce then split up into prearranged discussion groups, each to di ;cuss a particular aspect of the United Nations' work, and peaceful means in general .

The first lecrure on \\' ednesday took the form of a discussion on the attitude of the United Nations, between Arthur Blcnkinsop, Socialist M.P. for Newcastlcon-Tyne, East, and Nir,cl Nicolson, Conservative \f.P. for Bournemouth, East.

The good intention of this debate was slighcly marred by its descent into a Labour ttrJIIJ Tory battle.

The next lecture on Racial Relations, was gi,·en by a Professor Kirkwo od . It was too academic to he interesting. The afternoon of Wednesday was devoted to a concert of Asiatic and Middle Eastern music. It was fascinating, ranging from Israeli songs and dances to a Thai dance performed by one of the embassy attaches and the daughter of the Royal Thailand Ambassador.

The lectures on Thurs<lay morning were perhaps the most enjoyable of any.

The first was by \lr. J. f I. .\n<lerson, Director of the Eastern Section of tbe .Ministry of Agriculture an<l rishcnes. He ha<l been at one time on an F.A.O. expedition to the ~liddle I·.ast, an<l his <lcscripuon of the team's work there held the audience's rapt attention. The latter part of the morning was occupied by a lectlue by Mr. Ritchie Calder, Science Editor of the ~tlJ-'S Chro11ide. I lis talk, on human knowledge and skills generall~•, was extremely interesting, an<l dcll\·ered with very great originality and vcn·e. The afternoon discussion groups were followed hy an evening concc-rt of international folk-songs and dancing, openc..-d by .\!argot fonteyn.

Friday beg.m with a talk by the wife of the Pakistani ambas~ador and in the afternoon came the pn:sentation of <liscussion group reports, the fmal of a United Nations Quiz, and closio~ speeches. At SC\'en o'clock that night Stephen and I boarded the Aberdeen train at King's Cross.

Both Stephen and myself went down to the lectures with a certain degree o f scepticism; we came back with comp lete faith in their value, and in the sincerity of the C.E.\\ .C. 1 hardly think that a more profitable way of spending six days could be devised. Furthermore, London was not neglected from the sightseeing point of view.

DosALD R. N1COL (Upper VI)

I 12

1/lfrdee11 Grammar School .\!agaz/11e

Film Society Since the December issue of the .Hagazit1t, there have been four meetings of the Sociery. At the first, in December, the much praised ducumentary or epic "Conquest of E,·erest" was shown, together with a "short" concerning the Amazon valley, called "Ai-Ye". The use of colour and skilful editing of the latter provided the main themes of a well-attended discussion after the films.

In January the Film Socierv and Dramatic Society collahoratcd in the presentation of "Julius Caesar", with '\larlon Brando, James :\lasoo and John Gielbrud tn the leading roles. At the February meeting, we enjoyed a varied but easily assimilated programme, composed of the B.B.C. television film, " Go Slow on the Brighton L ine", the novel and fantastic ".\ Iirror of Holland", a panorama of shots photographed h> a camera aimed upside down at reflections upon water, and finally Jacques Tati in his latest film, " \f. l luht's I loliday ". To judge by the merriment this film created, its spontaneous app<:al was as much as, if not greater than, that of" Jour de fttc ". One film that members had expressed a desire to see wa.s "Odd \Ian Out", which concluded the }ear's programme, alonv w1tb an cxhilarattng and naive cartoon " Christopher Crumpet". \\ 11h another successful year o,;cr, it is only fitting that we should acknowledµe the grea t amount of clerical work and organization done bv '\fr. I lcminp;way, aided h, his assiMants, the School oflicials and commmce.

At~-- K. G. P.ff!'RSON, .\t,rtlarJ.

Dramatic Societ y l'he presc111at11,n of 5hendan's exuberant hurlesquc," The Critic'', has absorbed the Society's interests and energies du ring the past two terms, and a polished pcrfonn:ince was a credit 10 the unflagging enthusiasm of the Society's sixty members. The cmics enjoyed " The Critic" and the audience on each successive night chuckled at Sheridan's pointed satire and laughed uproariously at the unbelievable buffoonery of the absurd historical d rama.

To create the atmosphere of the eighteenth century theatre with its artiticiality and its distinct,, cness is no mean task. Ronald Robh as Dang le and Gordon Spate as :\lrs. Dangle set the stage with con,;incing portrayals of a mcdclltng theatrical manager and his charming wife. Leslie r-.icol in the testing role of Sir I retful Plagiary left us with a lasting suspicion of all authors. To heighten the satire Alan Paterson as the caustic Sneer added delicacy by his clear pointed art1culat1on and em·iablc expression. The ripp le on the surface wa.s momentarily Jisrurbed by the Italian singer, his daughters and their interpreter-they delighted with their song. And then came Ptiff, a prince among Puffs Douglas Kynoch was master of the siruatton from the moment he placed a foot on the stage. It was sheer delight to watch his studied mmements, w lmen to the amazing flow of this loquacious cockney roguL~ the confidence trickster of his age.

Puff's play, the " Spanish Traged>• ", was attacked with zeal and enthusiasm.

Tu a,;oid the ridiculous, buffoonery must be carefully bridled. The self-discipline mainta ined throughout and the t imely interjections of Puff, Dang le and Sneer kept a tight rem on this riotous comedy. Bertram Lyon as Tilburina fully mcritt:d praise for movement, poise and articulation in a clusclv studied female characte risa tion only to he matched in clanty of dict1<in and force of personality by Da, id Gallowa,· as Don \\ hiskerand11s. All was swept before the pace of the play, inclur.ling the mercurial Puff, who wa.~ finally lost in the confusion of his sea battle.

The annual production of the Society would be impossible without the cooperation of every department in the School. The inspiration of \ I r. Ilemint,>way, and the work of James hx ,te and the Arrs Club ga,·c us a relevant and colourful background. The fittinJ.: and designing of costumes for tbe ma1orin of the cast gave full rein to .\I r. ,\tkinson's invcnti\'e genius. The intricacies of modem staµ-ecmft ha,;c been more than successfully mastered by Tom Dutton and hts eager assistants, always, howc,·er, under the tagle eye of .\lr. ~,sbet, our stage director, who helped with the planntni; of the production and remained quiet and undi,mayt-d Ix-fore thr most outrageous demands of the producer . . \\. J-..'.t'<G

Schof// f td ir.11

" Silence and Slow Tim e " The air 1s scent, A huttcrflr Is flickering \c ·o"s the pane Of glass ahm·c. ::\h fcvcr'd brain.

A nd \"Ct the whorls I Tr makes make sense: 0 do the\'? Or .\m l so dense" There was the weight That pull'd me down "~o clcme tlut l i\l ust sit and fro\\'n Upon this sheet Of paper \\ hite L nravished :- \nd Behold ! The light I . '\hooLETON. (Upper V (1))

Aghast, I face The L.C. ~!athsMv anguish grows, But thrn, the Paths Of Righteousne ss Arc jmt as hard ..

The sounds of spring In March retard The quick process Of Logs. I seize '\ly pen. Outside The Hall the bets .\n: fumbling now \v'ith polkn'd flow' 1~; I fumble T1ig, And drat! the he u1s Through Luclid's whorls , \nd Grecian 11 ••.

Arts Club During the past two terms the Arts ( lub bas ~ot well unc.lcr way with a fairly reasonable tum-out of hc.,y$ from hoth midc.llc anc.l upper school$. There has been little to c.l1sturb our run of successive Fric.l,1y evenings . .'\luch of our actidr.· has bt:en centred within our nugnificentlv-equippcd new craft room, and the results of our efforts in pottery, modelling: and rrrc:setting arc many and ,aried. Anoe her new plov of the club is photography, which is carried on in our new dark room under the exp,:rt ~'tlidance of ~lr. \\'ill.

In other spheres, model buildings ha"e materialised from the confused heaps of balsa-wood and cardboard cuttings of the winter term. The makin~ of minute In ac.ldition, there 1s a w1Jcly modem fumirure has t>ecupied mhcr mcmlxrs. ,ancd "<election of drn" ings, paintinjlS, anc.l lino-am, hut perhaps the most ambtttous of our projects was the painting of the scenery for the School play staged at the end of the spring term. Some of the older club members assisted in this, workuig on Sarurday mornings as well a) on friday c,cninL'S, and the results of their l.lbours was fa\"ourAbh-rccei,·ed.

From time to rime on Friday evenings, fumier duh members " pop in" to sec how we are progressing, and there is invari.1bly some new project in hand to artrnct their interest.

Our sincere thanks arc due tO the art staff who ,.!1\"C of the r free tune co ensure that our Friday evenings arc being profitably and pleasantly spen t.

JAMI'~ F. FooT~, Surtlary. tr.,· 1 actl\1t1ea and a Report Note : An interesting oompos1te picture •howing the \rt l>tpt: on th~ .\rt D.-pt. were rcc-e1ved for publication . It i:, muc:h rf'grettf'tl that 1t was not found

pos>1l>le to incorporatethem in !bit 1uue.-Ed.l

*

*

Sitting still and wishing Makes no person great; The good Lord sends the fohing hut you must dig the hait.

114

Aberdetn Grafll111ar School Afagaz.im

Lower School It was with a Jeep sense of gratifica tion and relief that we heard the news this spring that the Education Committee h:id decided against closing the Lower School. A repric, l' from a death sentence must always bring happiness to those who regard the condemned with appreciation anJ affection.

Few arc the }cars when we escape with no stalling changes and this session has lx:m no exception. \\ c were indeed sorry to lose \lr. David \nderson to the Upper School but fortunate tn secure \ lr. Alexander P. Farquhar - a former pupil-as a permanent replacement, to whom we otfer a hearty welcome. ror mo111hs now our ladies on the statf have been displaying considerable business acumen in sell in!; an an azing , arierr of fooJsru.tfs to appreciative young men at break t imes in order to raise funds for the Fair . The success of their tlforts is exemplified in their swelling coflers and the rapidly incrcasin)! ,,aistlines of certa in male members of staff who cannot .-sist the. bbndi,hments of sw1ss milk and treacle toffee and pea-nuts!

Jn the realms of sport th,· l.owcr Sch,,nl n11.:gerfiftct·n re iched a high standard of team play and shc,wed g«·at promise for the future. Of the three matchcs plaved agains t \linrns ".'\•·the) W(>n tw11, .tnd in the two games against Gordon's College thev won (,-o and drew ;-3. 'J he P.\ I socccr tean1 bas also proved its mettle this M:ason hy "inning all but one of the s" matches pla,ed against City Prnnary !:->chools.

Swimming has been, as e, er, a fa, ouri rc form of sport with Lower :ichoolboys.

Enthusia m for cla.sscs of instruction has been no less than in the pJst thou~h P.\ ' l boys have been fated to disappointment hy the continued illncss of their swimming instructor, \I •. Pirit\ wh, ,, we hope, will SO< ,11 regain his former health and strength .

Jn connection with the Swimming Gala we must convrnrulau: Andrew Leach and Pe ter \X'illiamson on bcmg Lower Schoo l Swimming Champion and runner-up respccth cly.

Recruitment to the Lowa Sch, ,ol Choir this year has been satisfactory and attendance excellent, and cho, r boys part1c1patcd with ,\ measure of success m the Competitive :-.1usic J-cs1ival 111 the .\lus1c l lall and in the Assembly of Primary School Choirs in the Cowdray I Jail.

Although there will t,c no Parents' Day I.xhibition of Arts and Crafts this term, ,t is hoped that ir will be possible fnr the boys to present a show of glo"c puppets on rhe day of the Fair to which end they arc busily making puppets and conning scripts, Th is )Car again a \fonicipal Election turned Lower School into a polling station on ,\fa y Day and Staff and bop w.crc able to enjoy a gratuituous holiday blessed with sunshine.

J. D. M.

Literary and Debating Society BcH>nd doubt ,,nc , ,t tl.c h1 hi hts ,,f the Socict\ ·, meumv, in the ~econd half of tbe session w.1s the Statl lkhate un the motion· "That world \>cace is thc fond hop<.' uf an idk dreamer". Tbe pr111c1pal spcahrs, \lr. Tay or for the aJlim1at1\<.', and ;\lr. \lcGbec for the nega11vc, supported by \lcssrs. l\1col and Christie, rcspccti, cl), prt•vidcJ tlw lar!,!e audience with much food fur thought and much li,dv humour. D spite an erudite speech by ::\lr. \kC.hcc, who was pre-occupied w1rh the compar.1tiH· harmlessness of the I-I-bomb, rhc cold, hard, mallcr-,,f l.tetness of \lr. Tadnr c,1rried the day b)· 22 votes to 18 • .\n equall) successful m~ding ,,.as held on 16 December, in the fom1 of a talk hy Dr. \bcandrcw of the Spanish Department, whose last appearance with the Society it was, An acknowledged expert on his subject-" Tobcrmory Galleon" he held his audience I rum st:Ht ro lmish, and at the end there was no dearth of qucs11ons.

On I riday, 27 Janu.iry, the Soncty heard a talk by \lr. :\larcus l\lilne, City Librar ian, u111tlcd.. Tht: l'ubl, I 1bmr) :111d Local I hstof}" ". 'J'his w.lS exceedingly interesting anJ inf.. 1111.111\c and 11, also, w.,s mu w1th ,1 barrage of questions .

Ow1ni; ro the unauudablc c.,nccllation of the debate with IJ1gh School there "·" r o n cding for .1 fortni •ht unul :-.1r, \X alker favourcJ us wnh a rcvc,1ling0

Srhool Sution

IJj

and at times hilarious, talk on the" History of the Grammar School", even bringing along with him School Records of 1884 to witness to the existence of our Society at that early date.

On 24 February the parlour game "One .\linute, Please" was held before a For the first large audience on subjects ranging from "Bees" to "Sabrina". time since the game was introduced to the Syllabus two years ago "The Prefects" took a bcatinj! from "The Others" with 5 points to , 3. The best individual scorer was :\lr . Finnie, with 8 points.

In a \liddle School debate held during the Highers the motion, "That the standard of D.B.C. programmes could be higher" was defeated. The speakers were, for the affirmative, :\fcssrs. Smith and \X'ilson, and, for the negative, Messrs.

Finnie and Gallic. The main point of discussion seemed to centre on whether or not the " Goon Show" should be broadcast in Gaelic I A debate with Albyn School at Grammar on the motion that "A Woolworth is of more , alue to society than a W'ordsworth" was the final attraction of the session's debatin~. .\!r. l'atcrson proved co be :t \'Cry livel)', if at times cynical, chairman, while the speakers, \lr. Vicca and \liss Sales for the affirmative, and Miss Duncan and l\ir. Kynoch fur the negative, provided frivolous -and highly irrcle, ant- substance for the Open Debate. t.:nfortunatcly discussion was indulged in c>nlr ton little by the Alhyn members and the dchate grew one-sided, with a t~ndcnl"y to cxh1hitionm11. \I r. Lccper's speech w.Ls about the only sense spoken.

The 111otion was carried hy 26 votes to 17.

And now 11 only r,·111ains for me to express the customary Lb.mks made no less s1nccrc b1 their rqx1111on from year m year- to the various members of the Staff who have ,uded and guided the Society throughout the session. Of these I feel sure it will not he considered invidious to single out for special ment ion \lr. Brown (who keeps us on the r,1ils, so co speak), and .\lr. Nisbet, who so ably deputised for him in his regretted absence.

And a final word of recognition to our esteemed President and Chairman, Mr. Paterson, who, in addition to his normal duties, took it upon himself to provide by his own hanJ those posters, startling and actraccivc (in the purest sense of the word). "ror these, much thanks."

SnPllEN A. P.H.rrn, Jurelary.

Music At the time ot going to press, School music.1.I organisations are working towards the annual concert in Jun e. This will reflect :is far as possible the activities of the orchestra, choirs, and, by a representative selection, certain classes.

Since the last issue we have said goodbye to Mr. \X"ilkins,who has done splendid work in the SchC'OI during the past nine years; u·e arc fortunate, however, to have :\1r. David Murray to succeed him. Another newcomer, too, to our department is l\!r. Donald I lawksworth - hut fuller comment about these gentlemen appears elsewhere m this .\1agazinc.

The orchestra which promised so well a year ago, 1s now afflicted by a lack of balance, as we have not really sufficient violins to balance the much improved 'cellos and the almost full brass section. Contributory factors in this violin malady arc the departure of David Bruce to &linburgh and .'.\iartin Dalby's transfer to the viola section. No doubt the former will have been welcomed with open arras at his new school, and we wish him well, while the latter will, we hope, provide the strings with some" middle" for some time to come. But our shortage of violins is a result mainly of young boys from Lower Schoo l throwing in the sponge just when they should be nearing the competent stage. There is no doubt that young violinists have a long apprenticeship to serve before they reap genuine enjoyment; they need patience and determination - in shore (forgive the pun), guts I The fact remains that they are so important that we can never keep up a really good Schoo l Orchestra without a steady Row of violinists who do 110/ give up on reaching the Secondary Department .

The Choir, which won the "Open" Shield in last year's Music Festival, gave us some excellent carol-singing and a creditable accoun t of" And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel's M,uiah, at the Christmas assembly. This was by way of being a farewell performance with Mr. Wilkins and we hopc it left him with a

116

1!1trdem Grammar School llfat,azint

pleasant memory of "the boys he left behind him". The Choir is now under the expert guidance of \fr. \forray, who, we are sure, will receive the support of regular attendance so essential from all members.

The Lower Sch, ,ol Choir gave ~rcat ddi~ht with its share in the concert given in £'ebruar}' in aid of the Grammarian Fair. Last week the Choir was placed second of the Prima')' Schc,ol Choirs in the .\fusic f'estival, and might have come first but for an unfortunate mishap in starting the second verse of a song. Some came in right, some didn't' :\ext week they go 10 the Primary Choir Assembly in the Cowdray Hall, and arc also busily preparini:i for the School Concert.

The Recorder ( :Jass in Lower School had to be temporarily disbanded with .\lr . \\'1lk1ns' departure, hut it is hoped to resume next session.

YOI '<(, I .P. TO Pl H

\T F:OINBVRGII

I LSTI\

\L

\\ c nn: proud to hear that one of our recent r.P.s, Martin Gatt , now on Nationa l

Sen 1cc is to appear as a si,loist with the !\at" ,nal Youth Orchestra at the Edmburf!h I cs1i,al, taking the bassoon part in I laydn's "Sinfonie C.onccrtantc" for solo ,,nod -,, m<l and orchc~tra. \X'c offer him our congratulations and best wishes for a successful performance. I !is successor at School , Patrick F. C. /11ilne, is now ,I rq,,:ula1 lllc'lllht:r nf the l\.at1onal Youth 0rchestr:i, as is also Leroy Cowie on the' Do11hk· Bass. \\ e likl to thm there ma, he others nn the fringe of this splendid institution. \\.,. ha\"c been , er) pkascd to welcome \I r . .\le( lean tu the School Orchestra, and \\ Ould lik e to render our thanks to l\lr. Atkinson and ',[r. Brown for their ,·ont'nucd help. an,! of course to the peripatetic teachers /llr. \\ illox, Mr, Ramsar, and \lr. Spink, for the spkndid work they arc domµ. At the time of writing /llr.

Rams,1y is in hospital; I know his pupils would wish to join me in sending him our best wishes for a speedy return to health. \'(/. N.

Scripture Union ·1 h" ~car I-a, been marked by the loss to us h~ retiral of Dr . .\lacAndrcw, who ior man~ Hars has been a \'Cry faithful friend of Scnprure Union in the Gr,urnnar Sch<••I. Since l)r, l\lac/\ndrcw first took on the S.U. he has been untiring both in his effort, in recruiting new members each year and in supporting the meetings. b\'Cl)thing he has <lone h.,s been characterized by the same unlimited enthusiasm and cncrgv.

The Easter term has been a fairli succ-cssful one, and we ha\'e bad interes ting speakers in the RCY. ,\, \lcPherson of St. Andrew's Cathedral and the Rev. \'C Still of G ilcon ston Sc uth Church.

The meetings ha,,c l><:cn rather more poorly attended than in past years; it is rather difficult to compete with orchestras, choirs, dramatic societ ies, and, in particular, with pipe band practices. Neverthe less we have had between twenty and thirt~ memlx:rs at each meetml.'.

Jo 11~ G. CHRISTIE, Stcrtlar_J'.

Combined Cadet Force The Contingent continues to forge ahead undaunted by the inevitable succession of wet 'J 'hursdav afternoons, and hopes at the Annual Inspection on Friday, 1j June, to acquit itself creditably before the Inspecting Officer, Brigadie r B. E. Fergusson,

D.S.O,, O.B.l .

There has been a change this tern, among our Contingent Officers. FI. Lt. J. \\. Barron has rcsi!,lncd in order to make wa}· for F.0. R. Brown, our new principal Oass1cs tt-achcr. \X'e shall miss I I. Lt. Barron after nearly nine )·cars <,f scn ice, and we take this opportunity of thankini,: him for the able and willing wa, 111 which he has vuidcd so many R.A.F. cadets towards their proficiency ccri.ific:tlcS. \\ L welcome I .0. Brown, and thank him for putting at our disposal his L'Xpcricncc as a war umc fighter pilot and his ability as a gliding instructor . l\n\s of the R.A.1 . sscllon will he able tu J.,ok forward ro pleasant and instructive nc111ngs under his supavision with our glider at Ruhislaw.

S,hool Section

117

Army and Basic Sections As usual at this time of year, we arc desperately trying to crowd into the l.1st few weeks before the Cert. "A" examinations, all the outdoor suhjects which had to be postponed from the dark winter afternoons. f'iYe :--:.C.O.s and twelve of the Army cadets recently increased their experience of "f'iclderaft" and " \\:capon Training" at an Easter course held at \\'oodhousclee, near Edinburgh.

Cadets of the Army Section have had some practice on Hlackdog Range, shooting with the riAe and Bren gun, and the Basic Section have all attempted the Empire Test with ·zz rifles, even if they did not receive the amount of preliminary coaching desirable. We arc looking forward to our Annual Camp at Culrybraggan, near Comrie. Regular army assistance bas been available most unfailingly this session from R.S.\I. Young of the University 0.T.C., and also from Sgt. Kynoch of 4/7 Gordons.

A. R.

R.A.F. Section Cadet A. \'falkcr left in January of this year to JOlll the Roval Air hiret m a regular engagement and has commenced a three-year technical cour~e. Dunng the l·.astcr holidays, sixteen cadets attended navigation and aero-en gine courses at R.A.F., 1lalt<>n; six c-adets went t0 R .A.f., 1lornchurch ft,r flying sch,,'4r.;h1p sclec11on tests; two cadets succtssfull~ completed a glider rnurse at R.A.F., Hawkmgc.

Congratulations tu I l Sgt. Dutton an<l Cpl. \lunro on gaming their" 11" Gliding Ct:rtificatc. Up to the present, the tntal number of rnd,ts who ha,c g,1incd their " B" Gliding Certificates now stands at ten quite an achievement from a section ~mall in numbers . Several cadets have gained flying expakncc on Saturday mornings with the University Air Stjuadron, through the kindness of the llni\'ersity Squadron C.O. The section wi I he attending R.A.I ., 'J'umhouse for a field-day on 28 J\Jay. Transport co and from Lclinburgh will uke the form of an air-life. The section will attend R.A.F., I lawarden in North \\ ales for summer camp. During the summer holidays, in addition approx1matdy ten cadets arc hoping to undertake "B" Gliding Certificate cC>urscs. Sgt. Bradford will then be attached to one of the Umversity Air Squadrons for a week's Hying and ground training, under a new feature whereby selected sentor cadets may attend these camps. \\. G. \'\.

Pipes and Drum s Pro~ress is being steadily maintained in both classes. ]merest in piping and drummmg has certainly been greater this session than of recent years. The number of beginners in both classes approaches a record level.

Ir is planned for combined practiC<:s of both pipes and drwns to commence at an early date and co maintain, or perhaps improve upon, last year's excellent standard.

Supp ly and maintenance of instruments continues to be something of a financial problem, the problems at present being the rather poor condition of two sidedrums and the small number of pipes available.

A. S. !\I. P., D _\f.

*

,.

,.

Come and get it! or An Opportunit y for Pot ential Busine ss M en In the July I9B issue we reporte d at length about the considerable fw1d made available to constitute "The George Watson Trust "-created under the \'fill of the late George Watson (1873-77). The Trustees of this fund have powers to award grants to enable boys, who have completed their secondary education and have shown themselves sui ted for a commercia l career, to spend not les s tha n o ne year a b roa d learning a foreign language an<l studying the business methods of the country to which they go; and .\fr. Watson's \'\'ill directs that Grammar bors are to get preference over non-Grammarians.

It appears, however, that the provisions of this trust have been overlooked by many who might bendit greatly from it, for to date . no gr,mt has yet been made. J lcrc's a grand chance Jor sume keen lad going Ullo Business or Cotnmcrce. If you want more 1nf urmation apply to the lkctor.

JI8

Aberdem Grammar School Magaz/ne

House Notes Byron The results of the House ekcnons held on Thursday, 10 \fa\, were as follows: Captam ofCrirht, John Raitt; l 'ice-Capta111,Sinclair T. t'orbcs ; Captarn of .Atblttu.r, Alan K. G. Paterson; T ·;a-Capta111,Hugh \\. L. Thomas.

The House must note satisfaction at Thomas gai111ng a 1st X\' cap, a worthy conclusion to his unbounded enthusiasm, cnerg} anc..l skill for the 1,.-.amc. Raitt must also be congratulated on his election to captain of the 1st cricket XI, a notable achievement for a lifth-ycar player. In swimming Tom lloughton played a captain's part hy gaining the Rector's Cup, while Ganh Glcntworth has shown consic..lerablc prowess in hdn)! chosen co r,·prcscnt t'1e :'.\..b.. under-13s in the back-stroke for the Scottish Schouls' Swimming ( hampionship~ at Glasgow. \fv optimi~rn conccrnini-: the Rugby Cup was justlficc..l. il) dint of superior and spirited forward play, fortuitous back-pl.1)' and a capahilit\' to pmlit hy the opposition's blunders, the team <>Hrcame a fom,id.,blc 1-.:cith X\ bi the modest score of 6-o, thus rdaining the cup won h~t 1<·ar. The h<l('key team faik<l, however, to emerge u>vcrcd with glory fro111 1h,· inter-house matchc-, hut put up a surpr1sin1-:ly goo<l light. The Swimming C,ala <lid not sec Byron at her best, since the llou•e was cnntrnt to come m third, in the championship.

The summer tern, offus a grand t•ppnrtun,ty forth<" !lous e to have .1 succcs .ful year. AlthouJ.!h we han· s<•mc line athkks ,n l pp.;r and Lower Sch.,ol,, a frw more, cmhusias11c competitors might wcll t·nahle us to provide .1 keener rha lknvc in the Athletic Sports. I trust _lohn Raitt and his team mana!-!c 111 acquit themselves well in the I louse crkkct matches, since this )T:tr shou-s greater promi:;e than previous years.

As usual, l would like to express our thanks to .\1 r. Eric ~lorrison, as Hou.~c Master, and to all the othl'r members of stan who have assisted the Jlouse in all its activities and who have always shown a lively interest in its progress. ,\1 ~>1 K. G. P.nEa,o-;, liw,e Captai11.

Dun H ouse c-,fncials for the Summer Term arc as follows: \mior Cr, ktt Capta111, R. \.facKay; T '1a-Capta111,A . ~ull; ]1111ior Cricket Captam, JI. Aird; T ·;a-Capta111, B. Cameron; Athlelta Captai11, 0. icol; Vire-Captai11, P. Love.

Although Dun House Senior rugby team was only third in House games, our Junior team had more success and won the Junior ruf,(hy cup. The House hockey team also did not come up to the standarc..l of pre\ ious years, finishing second c9u al with Hyron J louse. The_ Swimming Gala brought some disapp<•intment with Dun House third. Fnthus1as111,howcv<:r, was not dashed.

Despite a certain lack of athletic material in the l 'ppcr School, we k,ok forward to House cricket games and the Annual Sports.

DONAI.U R. Nicor, l lo11sr (opta111.

Keith The officials for the Summer Term were elected as follows : Athltlia Captain, P. T. Barron; Vice-Captom, Gr.1eme f.. Bryce; Cmht Capta111, R. Rl bb, lireCaptain, N. \(unro.

We rcgatne<l the swimming trophy tn the Gal.I in :in interesting contest with Melvin.

The Rughy Cup went to Byron House after a well-fought battle, resulting in their 6-o victory o,·er our inJur, -weakcncd side. In the first round we hac..l beaten ;\[elvin 6-3.

Unfortunately we suffer from lack of numbers in hockey and our team did not put up a very good performance.

Our prospects for this ,car's Annual Sports arc quite promising, and we have \fter our narrow defeat last vear, we a good reprcsenr.1tive 1n all age groups. ha, c high hopes of doing eYcn hcttcr.

Il9

Thanks, as ever, arc due to our Ilouse Master, :Mr. Robert \'qilson, whose unfailing interest has done much to keep up morale among the boys.

GRAL~tL F. BRYD, Tlwst Captain.

M elvin • Four officials have been clecte<l for the summer term. The Cricket Caftain is J Chris/it; vice-captain is A. ll 'tbsltr. This year's Athletic Captain is IP. Robb, with IP. Huubton as vice-aptain.

So far, this session has not shown any outstanding successes in the field of sport.

We look with optimism to the future, for we are strong in both the Cricket and Athletic rcazns and we hope for success throu~hour the summer term.

All the officials for this term hope that fu II support will be giYcn by the rest of thl'.' H ouse when they arc required for teams or relays.

WI. S. ROBB, Hotm Captain

Scouts 1st T roop

Then: has been a lot of changes in the Troop since the lasr magazine report.

W'c said good-bye to our Scout ~faster David K ilgour, who left the Troop in September to go as an en~mccr to a tea plantation in Assam. In October we said good- bye also to A.S.l\L Lindsa y Kilgour, Da\'id's brother, who left for his national service and is at present with the Gordons rn Cyprus. \\ c now ha,e \ltchacl Ikrrow as S. \[. a Ycry Cllpable lad. Jle was a Rover Leader in Hereford, before he came to Aberd een to work and study.

To assist ~I ikc we have Stuart \\'ilson, who knows all the Troop work thoroughly.

Stuart, who was promoted to A.S.M. not so \'Cry long ngo, has been in the Group since a Cub. I le is a very keen A.S.M. and a great help to the Troop .

The following ha,·e been promoted P.L.s: Seconds R. Falconer, H. \lirchcll, l'\. Ducat, D. Blair. Also IJ. Cairns to Acting A.S.:\I. The Cubs ,trc still being run very succcssfull} by \liss r. l·.dmonds and her c:1pablc assist.ants.

We have also co congratularc our 'l'r <K>p Leader Ian \\ 'alkoff who has now got his Cub Instruction Badge. I It- is ,1 rcgul.tr attcndct .11 the ( ub meetings ever}' S.aturday mornmg und a great help to .\liss J:.<lmond~.

At Easter camp we had :1 splendid turnout and 17 boys m,111,1g-cd to pass their 2nd class badge.

'J'he troop is going tv Clcnr innes, DufTtown, for the Summe1 c,1mp. So we arc hoping the wc.1ther will be the same a~ last yc.1r.

A. \\ . H1 AIR, I,, f. H.

9th Troop Since Christmas there have been several changes in the Troop. We are sorry Oscar Brown had to give up the scoutmastersbip, but were fortunate in getting Harry \kPhillips to take over as Scoutmaster. Oscar is still managing to help with the Cubs. Gordon Glennie has been promo ted to A.S.M., I. Stephen to P.L. of the Eagles, and G . Reid to Second of the Wolves. With fott}•-five boys in the Troop, it is meantime full.

This summer's Cllmp will be held at Loch Achility, not far from Dingwall during the first fortnight of July.

The Pack continues to flourish under ).liss Lamb and ~fiss Diack; at presen t there are twenty -six Cubs in the Pack, but there is room for a few recruits (\"l;'edncsday evenings at 6.30 at the Granville Lane Headquarters) .

C. C. B. l\iAcK.E.."IZlll, A.S.M. [At the County rlag Competition held at Tcmplars' Park, :\laryculrer on ? • 10 June the 9th's patrol under P.L. David Galloway took 3rd pL'lce with 217 points, after the 41st (%3 l points) and 6th (230 points), a very creditable performance indce<l.- Eo.)

Aberdeen Gra111111ar School A1agaz.ine

12.0

17th Troop Preparations are wcU in hand for the Group Cafe Chantant which is to be held this year in the \1usic Hall on Saturday , 3 November 19j6.

This session has been a time of reconstruction following the disastrous fire, which destroyed one end of the 1luc. Thanks to the many money raising efforts of parents, the rebuilt hut is now enclosed by a new fence. The boys are at present engaged m painting the outside of their Headquarters, the money for this having been raised by their Bob-a-Job cfforu.

The work of the Troop continues to improve , all P.L.s and three Seconds now holding the Pirst CL'lSs Badge. We take th is opportuni ty to congratu late P.L. R. Kitson and Second A. Burke on gaining their Scout Cords. The following promotions have been made: Seconds R. Kitson, C. Lawson, and S. Leslie to be P.L.s.

Scouts A. Burke, S. Fraser, S. McKenzie and E. Strachan, to be Seconds.

The Pack and Troop were well rcprescmcd in the Swimming Gala, the Pack gaining third equal place.

The Troop has been most unfortunate to lose the services of A.S.M. Tan Sutherland, and Troop Leader Douglas Simpson who arc now working in Edinburgh and London respectively. The Troop extends a cordial welcome-back to Morrison, and Malcolm Brown returned to the fold after a sojourn in the South of hngland.

The Pack continues in a very healthy state under the capable supervision of .\l iss Alice \[crson and her assistants \ liss Vida Ross and i\iiss Norma Ledingham.

These ladies arc to be congratulated on the work they have done d uring the past three years in raising the standard of the Pack to its _present very high level.

JOHN K. BLA I R, Sro11/mo1/tr

A History of the School Scout Groups It is felt desirable that some attempt should be made to put on record a brief history of each of the Groups, including the now-defunct 38th Group which ceased functioning at the beginning of the war. Anyone who can provide any information about particular incidents, can1ps, outs tand mg pcrsonaltties, etc., in the life of any of the Groups, especially in the earlier period, is cordially invited to send a nntc to the General Editor, who w1II arrange chrono logically all information received wich a view to this history being put in band as soon as practical.

1.ach of the Scout Troops have still most of their old records, and the Scout Notes in the ,\loz_azi11,will provide a scaffolding. If any one would undertake to write the history of even one of chc Groups, this wou ld be much appreciated; and he should communicate w1th the Genera l bclitor.

The Rector's Scout Committee I nr sc\'cral

years now this committee has been meeting from time to time.

It consists of thl· Rector himself, rcprcscntati\ cs of each Scout Gro up in the School, and the Rector's liaison officer with the School groups, lllr. :\kGhce. The prime purpose of the committee is to keep the Rector posted about what is going on m thc Troops and Packs a11achcd to the School, but it also serves other useful purpose~ ,n that it !-'Ives the Groups themseh,es an opportunity of taking up personally with the Rector points with which he can assist; and it also gives each Group an oppor • tunity of ukiny up with the other Groups any point of mutual interest

School Holiday Arrangements, 1956-57 Sess ion start s Autumn H olida y Mid -T erm H olida y Christma s and N ew Year Vacation Eas ter Vacation Spring H olid ay Session ends

Monday, 2.7 August 1956.

Monday, 24 September 1956.

Monday, 2.9 October 1956.

11onday, 2.4 December 1956 to Friday, 4 January 1957 inclusive. \.[onday, 8 April 1957 to Monday, 2.1 April 19i 7 inclusive.

Monday, 2.2. April 1957.

Friday, 28 June 1957.

School Section

121

School Sporting Acti vitie s Hockey IS! XI This was, in the playing sense, a most frus tra ting term, since bctu·un January and the end of February no fewer than ti,c Saturdays were impossible for play.

In League matches, however, School were unbeaten, and, w11h the Training College game unplayed, our team was only two points behind the leaders, r.P.s "A".

This was a very creditable pcrfom,ancc, and it was unfortunate that, despite strenuous efforts to play off the Training College match, tht: wt:ather had the last word and 1t was rained off.

Undoubtedly the star player of the team this year has been James Burr, who layed with g reat skill and tremendous zest, scoring cwcnt} five goals for Schoo l. chink he was most unfortunat e not to be included in the final trial for the Scottish Schoolboys ' international team.

Douglas Bremner, at centre-half, was probably the ou tstanding defence man, and certainl y has imprm·cd out of all recognition. The mnst consistent player in the team has been J ohn Chnsuc, who has been a tower of strength m the defence.

Some of the younger players have failed co maintain their promise, and this means that places in next year's team stem co be more open than they have been for several years.

The recognised 1st XI team was: Steph en; Christie, Bell; \\'."ebster or ,\lorricc, Bremner, Forbes (tkt•raplain); Hay, Pacitti (,aplain), Burr , Philip, Dow.

f

2n d XI The 2nd XI gave some really splen did displays. Especially was this true of their matches with Richmo nd Senior XI at Seaton, and with zn<l Gordonsto un at Gordonstoun.

Although they lost 4-5 an<l 1-2 respective!>, in these matches, the boys revealed line teamwork and plenty of spi rit. Another excellent perform• ance was a 2- 2 draw with F. P.s " A". They ha<l much the lx:ttcr of their ex· changes with znd Gordon's College, and scored thrl-c convincing victories, 3-1, 5- 2, and 5- 1.

Players of considerable mer it were t-.css (a ,cry consistent and steady player), Bruce (who will have to curb wild sw,nging with his stick), an<l Robertson (showing great promise, if he can only speed up).

The reeog111sed 2nd X 1 team was: Buxton; Ness (t•iu-,aplarn), :\!organ; Dutton, Durnin, Bruce; Lc~w (raplai11), Lyall, Pirie, Robertson, l\lclntosh.

The fourLh year players arc few in numlx:r, hut we arc plcase<l to sec 1mpro, e• mcnt in stick-work at the end of the season . I t is only hard and con~cicntious practice that will improve a young player's ii,um:. \\ c welcome John Drultlmond back to the playing field, and, a~ his conhdcnce g;rows, we fed th.it hc will be comestmg a 1st XI position next season. Other promising; player., arc Gordon (full-back), Morgan (half-back), Ritchie (full-back), \lilnc (forw.ird), and Shirriffs (fo rward ).

3rd XI The third year team had a good victory m·cr Ruthris-ston Schoo l team, but did not quite fulfil the promise of the earlier part of the season. This is the stage when the keenness and the enthusiasm of the future player must be sustained, and it is unfortunate that outside opposi tion is so difficult to get. This is partly due to the fact that Gordon 's College d o not start hockey till the fourth year. There are, howev er, some excellent players coming forward, and th ey will find no lack of competitive hockey next year. The mos t promising players arc Smit h (goalkeeper), Walker (half-back), and Lyon (forward).

Colour Awards Rt-rm·ard of Full Colours- S. A. Pacitti, J. C. N. W. Burr, J. G. Chrmie. Auard of hill Colours-D. Bremner. R e-a11·ard of IIalf-Colours S. T. f'orbes, A. E. Philip. A Mard of Half-Co/011r1-J. G. Bell.

122

Aberdeen Grof//111ar S,hool Mogazi11e

During Easter many of our players cook part in the Festival of Hockey, and this year a School team, including former stalwarts of the 1st XI \\ ilkie, \X'ight and Mutch, inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Ruchrieston Ramblers. ln the six-a-side tournament we entere d two teams, and both acquitted themselves creditably.

Again our grateful thanks arc due to 1\1 r. Grant for his vociferous and energetic coaching on \X'edncsday afternoons, and the sacrifice of bis own hockey co accompany the 1st Xl co the " far" places. As usual ;\[r. Stanley Hunter efficicmly umpired on Saturday afternoons, and ;\[r, Park p-.iimcd the numerous balls require.I for all our games without a sin~le grumble. l wonder if we e,er give a thought to Mrs. Park, who has shown great toleration of the mess and turm oil which this highly skilled operation must cause in her home 1 R. McNAL

Rugb y Played~ 13, Won--6, Lost - 6, Drawn- 1.

Points for- 1 H, Points against 61.

These statistics would indicate that the 1st XV had a very mediocre scasun, but :1 more detailed inspection of the points for and against gives :i somewhat different picture. Six games were lost, all against strong opposition, :u1d in only one case was there more than three points separating the teams. Jn two of the matches, successful penalty-kicks decid~-<l the issue in favour of the opposition.

On the other hand, a very successful long range penalty-kick by Alistair Forbes won the second match apinst Gordon's College. Much satisfaction was derived on that occasion 1 l'h)sically the team was well-endowed. The forwards we~e big :uid heavy and with adequate speed, but unaccountably only played at their lx:st when they were three points down. At other times their team-work in the set-scrum and line-outs left mucli to be desired. The backs handled well and defended magni • ficcntly, but Jacked a bal:uicc in speed, and the majority of the scores came from individual breaks rather th:ui from combined efforts.

The standard of play in the other X\"s was, as usual, high. The 1nd X\ in particu lar had a good season, only suffering defeat twice in school matches, and with many young pla)ers in their ranks should lay the foundation of a strong 1st XV next year. Colts al~o did well and .,part from a 16-q defeat b) Str.1thall.1n won all their matches.

Bad weather condi tions du, ing January and Fcbruar) again marred the se,1son, but e, en in the worst snow bound conditions players turned uut regularly for practice.

Sincere thanks are due to those members of the Staff who ha,c gn en frcc.:I) of their time in coachmg, refereeing and 1ravcll111g with tc.1ms nnc.J who h.tH' comributec.l in no small way tu the smooth running of games in thl: Sch,~,I. Colo ur A w ards ul XV Cap. Re-award to 11. \X. L. Thomas.

IJI XV 111/1 Colour.r Re-aw:i.rds to J.C. S. Michie, \X. S. Robb. ut XVF11//Colour1-A warc.l to JI. A. u/ XV-llo!f Colour.r-Re-2warc.ls to J. G. Lawrie, A. B. \\ right, Forbes.

D. R. l'<icol, A. K. G. Paterson, K. A. Thoms on.

Who' s Who in the 1st XV Hugh W. L . Thomas . 6 ft.; 14 st. 4 lb. 1nd row forward. Captain of the team and most outstanding player and personality in the side. Hugh 's form sometimes suffered through having the responsibility of leading the pack, a job for wbicli he, being the strong silent type, was not entirely suited. Strong, determined and very fie, he played the j?ame with a Welshman's devotion and thoroughly merited che award of a "cap".

Walter S. Rob b. 5 ft. 9 in.; 11 st. t lb. Centre three-quarter. Vice-captain and the strongest runner in the back division. Originally a winµ; forward, Walter never wholly mastered the finer points of centre three-quarter play but fast, determined running and a sound defence made him a player of Full-colour standard.

School Section

I 2.3

John G. L awrie. 5 ft. 11 in.; a st. 4 lb. 1-'ull back. A competent full-back who inspired confidence in his fellow tcam-mcmb.:rs. Resolute tackler and fearless in going do'l.\·n on the ball. Lacked pace across the field but this was offset by a good positional scn~e. Kickc<l reasonably "'·ell but sometimes permitted himself the luxury of a loose one. \vas awarded half-colours.

W. Barton Brown. 5 ft. 11 in. 11 st. 7 lb. Left win~ three-quaner.

A player well endowed with speed, weight and strength, but, on occasion, lacking the decisiveness to go for the line. Barton's defence was sound, and with experience gained from this yeat's play should have a successful season next year.

Willi am M. R ae. 5 ft. •t in.; 9 st. Centre three-quarter. Willie, the " baby" of the team and the only fourth yeat player commanding a place in the XV at the end of the season. He played in only three games and in each proved worthy of his place. His defence was exceptionally good, although lack of speed marted his attack but, typical of Willie, be never gave up trying.

Ronald M on tgo mery . 5 ft. 9t in.; 11 st. 3 lb. Right wing three-quarter. " \fonty's" play was characterised by his stl-adiness. lie was always the same and despite lack of pace ran well for the line on every occasion. Ilis covering was intelligent and his defence, after a few set-hacks early in the season, was sound.

Jlis positional play was good and handling and fielding outscandm.~.

Alan K. G. Paterson. 5 ft. 9 in.; ro st. 4 lb. Stand-off Half. Probably the best all-round playu in the team. His running was good and he had a good eye for an opening and finally his p,1ssing was well-timed and directed. Alan preferred the greater scope of the "centre" positioo, but had mostly to play at stand-off.

H . Alista ir Forbes. 5 ft. 10 in.; 11 st. 10 lb. Scrum and Stand-off Half. '\listair, a scrum-half, pla1ed well at stand-off and centre in the early part of the season, but undoubtedly his best position is at the base of rhe scrum. Ile is strong, nry fit, resolute in defence and good at backing up. I Ias thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of the game and should do well in senior rugby.

Kenneth A. Th omso n. 5 ft. 7½ in.; 9 st. 10 lb. Scrun1-half. Kenneth is a good orthodox scrum-half with an accurate service. Unfortunately he suffered a serious injury to his hand mid-way through the season and only returned to play in the closiny game. He should baYc gone on his own more often, but with the experience uf a se,\Son in the 1st he should do ,cry well next year.

J ohn G. Munr o. 5 fr. 1 1 in.; 11 st. 1 lb. I looker. John starred off well but Jost his form towards the end of the season. He followed-up strongly and was well to the fore m forward rushes. His tacklin!{ was gocxl and he bas a sound knowledge of the game, bur has nor mastered the specialised " hooking" game comp letely yet.

H enry A. Hamil ton. 5 ft. 10 in.; 13 st. 1 lb. Prop forward. A good, solid, hard-working prop, who often amazed by the power and daring of his cackling. Normally his packing was good but on muddy ~rounds had a tendency to be high. Alan plays the game in the proper spint, neither giving nor asking ,1uarter and should <lo well in senior rugby.

Donald R. Nicol. 6 ft.; 13 st. 10 lb. Prop forward. A hard-working and powerful forwar<l who excelled in line-out play. On the move was surp risin$lY Inst and powerful and very difficult to stop. ll is style of play should make him ,1 ,·cry worth-while player at University level. lain C. S. Michie. 6 ft. 3 in.; 14 st. 10 lb. 2nd Row forward. A line-out spcc1:ilist who was dogged by bad luck all season. llc sustained an injury to his head in a game early in the season and then on his return sustained a rather serious injury to his leg. Fundamentally, he is a good forward who has a bright future ahead of him.

John S. Raitt. 5 ft. 10 in.; 10 st. 7 lb. Wing forward. \Xon his place before the second Gordon's game and fully justified his selection. Tackles and backs-up well and provided he applies himself to keeping fit and mastering hack-row play should be an asset to next year's team.

Alan B. Wri ght. 5 ft. 11 in.; r r st. 10 lb. Lock forward. A go,xl 1ntclligent forward with the ability to be in the right place at the right time. Alan lacks pace, but is forceful, dribbles well and knows where he is going.

Ian B. Kenn away. 5 ft. 10¼ in.; 11 st. 13 lb. \Ving forward. A powerfully built forward who is well suited to the blind-side position. Requires to learn more abou t the open side game, but with a solid tackle and reasonable pace he should be an outstanding player next year.

OFFICIAL

SPORTS OUTFITTERS TO COLLEGES SCHOOLS AND YOUTH CLUBS

Rugby Boots from 24/to 84/,, Shorts, White, 22/"

,,

,, (Palace Cinema Corner)

,, Open on Saturdays until

6.30 p.m.

"

Navy, 15/ 6 to 22, 6 Jcrse}s, Navy, from 13/6 Navy/ White from 151 3 Scrum Caps, 7/4 and J0/5 each I lose, from 8/ 3 to 12/ 11 Balls, size 3, from 40/9 "'

,.

fr1)111

42/ 3 to 62. 4

,,

"

4,

5,

from 47/ 9 to 84 6

* * TELEPHONE 2109-l

Expert Tennis and Badminto n repairs and restringin g 24 HO L R SERVICE

School Section

l.2 5

Athletics This t-:nn has shown an al1t1<>St unpn:cc,kntcd cnthu~iasm for athletics hv .1 ldrge nurnba of hn\S, all Ill whom ha,c trained r<'gulirly despite the hardncs, ,·,i .1 Jn track at Ruhi,1.m . Our first succ ...-ss w.is Ill the l~nni,,g 1-.xpr,u rda, .11 Kmg 's, in ·which eh.: ecan, (Hubb, Brown, I lurch..:on .1nd H.1rron) nncr once h.1,I eh.- tssuc 111 Jnube , and \\llll hand,011,dv fr< 11 "C.orJnns •.

The School Sports The Sports were hdd un h1da) and ::iatunL1y, 8 aml 9 J une. Frida) w.i_s dull ,1nd windy but ncHrthckss ) 1ddcd some outstanding performances: Discus - JI. Thomas threw lH fc. 0l in. thus hrc,1kmg Dnu ,. Snmh's 1941 rccnrd of rz9 ft . ., tn.

High Jum p-(Gp. 2) P. Lo, e sc:t up a flt'\\ ::icho ,I rn-nrd with .1 Jump of j ft. 7 111.

Other noteworthy pc1forn,.u1ns· 220 yd.-\\. Robb 24·2 sec-, 880 yd. - P Barron - z min. ~· , ,cc. (Hccurd \\ . .f. C . \kldru,n·~ z 111111.

3'9 sec. in 193S.) On the ::,,1wrd.1y the weather was .tlrno,t perfect, ap.1rt fru111 a hri,k ,·.1,1nh hrcczc, :mtl results o[ .1 hi gh standar d were .1ch1cvl.'d.

440 yd, (Gp. 2) N. Somerville 55·n sec. (new record).

Hurdles (<.,p. z) '-.. Duncan q·6 sec. (new n:cord ).

220 yd. (Gp.4) \I. Edwards 2ll·Gi sec. (new record) \\. Stcn.-nson 2 min. l2 ' i sec. (new rcc11rJ).

880 yd. (Gp. z) -ll ft. -1½ in. (new rc.:c0 rJ), ::ihot Putt (Gp. 3) (,. Dunbar 220 }d. (( ,p. 5) '\/. \IcKenzic 29.Sj sec. (new record). l lurdlcs (Gp. 5) -\. Leach 12·4 sec. (new record).

13 ft. ti l in. (new record).

Broad Jump (Gp. 5) I . Webster Inter-House Competition: \fclv,n 14;. llyron - 122i. "'-c1th l3l~Dun 73~.

Jndividual Champion s hip result s : Open G Bryce; runnn-up \\. Robb. (;p. 2 's. Sumcndlt·, runm:r-up L Anderson.

C;p, i \J. \X'ood; runner-up G. Dunbar.

Gp. 4 \I. Edward,, runner-up ,\. Draper.

Gp. 5 ls.. \JcKenz1c; rurmer-up .\. Leach. \\ ith this tine Sports D.i, "score board " bchmd us ,n· ,u forward c,,nlidcnth to the Scottish Schools' Championships at GLis1-:uw.

[Jt will be of interest to many l'.P.s co scl.' .1 note of Scho ol Athletic Records, ~tanding as at the commencement of the 1916 Sp,,m,. "l \\ ,, Open rn·ord, hau, however, now been broken as above mentioned.

D.\\. C. Smith 10 sec..

100 Yards 220 Yards \\. J. G. \[eldrum 23 sec.

Quarter ~!tic \\ '. J. G. \[cldrum 51·4_scc.

1lalf J\lile D. 11. I knderson 2 111111. 1·9 sec.

One \lilc 1'.. Coutts .

1 min. n·R sec.

21 ft. I in. \\. T. B. Joss II road •Iump \\. J. (,. \ leldrum \\. D. J.unic,on l It. (,} in.

• High Jump !:,. \lonro . ~ Cricket Ball D. \\. C. Smirh 1 12 yds. 1 ft. 8½ ins.

T. I·. Robson} Pole \'ault J. Dunn 9 fc. 6 ins. { P. \lc.\ndrcw D. \\ . ( . Smith Shot Putt Hurdles R. D. \lcLcod 1i·9scc.

Javelin C. \I. Hall .

173 ft. .

1 D. \\ . ( . Smith Discus 129 ft. 7 in.

• Records Broken 19j6. Ed.j

t

126

Cricket Despite a good start to the season, wtth , 1<·wrks O\"cr I'.P.s aml Aboyne, Sch<xil's standard r,f plar has since fallen .1w.1y. Although the team has onl} hc,n defeated once, at Perth, there ha,·e lxcn two disappomting draws, with Gknalm<Jnd, and Aberdeen Academy. This is surprising since tlw School is quite strong in both batt ing and bowling . A fe-.uurc <•f the batting has hl'l"n one or two tine inmn,:;s

by Ch rist ie, Raitt, and the two \\ ebstc.:rs. The howling, too, has bcrn stLa<ly, the opening attack of Raitt and Hurr being ahl} supported by Dain, Still and I lay.

The 2nd and 3rd X ls have good records to date, winning the majority of their matches, wh ile Colts, J un iors, and \linors have also re turned some good results. \X,'e arc again indebted to M r. Tyson for the perfect wicket he prepares, and for the time he spe nds in coaching boys of all ages. A specia l , ote of thanks is me ritcd by all those masters who often undertake the :mlu11us task ,,f umpiring, and in part icular to J\lr. Allardicc , for the many C\"Cnings he- spend~ tf}lllg tn teach the members of the 1st Xl to play a srr;iight b.11.

J. HAI IT, ( r. l-1I ( Apia II.

Swimmi ng Notes T he spi rit of the Swimmin!! Club ha.~ n n,a1ncJ as strong 111 the sccc,nJ tc rrn as it was in the first, this being shown by the 11u111bu of awards given: there has been much enthusiasm for the School's ,,wn tests, seven boys winning the junior award, two the intcm1cdiatc; the a<lrnnced award being gaim,d by 'Jh,nms Houghton and J ohn Kelly, both of Cppcr l \', I ri,m the lx:ginnc.:rs• classes for the seco nd term, thirty-one boys gained their fifty•)ttrds breast -stroke ccrtific,1tcs.

Mr. Alla rJicc again dcsen·cs special mention fur his 1:,-cdk-nt work with thc Life-sa, ing classes. Since the session began hi~ classLs h.1,c gainLd: 7 rltmf'ntary cc-rtificatf':S. 4 intermediate C'("rtlllcaties.

rs bronze medalhons., with one hut 9 bronze crosses. r instructor's ccrtific.att".

2 awards of inerit.

a br nzc me<!J.lli n.

The Schoo l Swimm in g Gala, under the \c1y ,1hk 111,tn,t~•.cmcntof .\Ji, J Juntcr, was a great success. The standard of sw1111111i1,vwas high, and it 1s notable thar all three inter-H ouse r elays p rodu ced th e fas tes t times } et record ed at an A .G .S. GaJa. Thi s augur s well for future years.

Special ment ion falls to be made nfKeith H ouse who ,von thL' 1 1011,1: Championship.

'Thomas Houghton (B) Rector's Cup .

Ronald Nixon (M) :\lidcllc School J\kdal.

Andrew Leach (K) Lower Schoo l ,\lcdal.

At the area trials for the "Scottish Schools' Swimming Championships", Garth Glcntworth of .\[iddle l ~a111cJ the distinction of goin~ forw.trd to the finals in Glasgow as area rcprcscntati,e in the undcr-13 yt-ars Back Str< kc. l n• happily, illness prc,·cntcd him from competing.

Fina lly, the thanks of the club arc clue to many who have helped u, t,, sucCl'SS but especially to Mr. J. C. ll untcr who, dL·spitc all his other commitments has ' attended to all the business of the club. .\lLLVIL1.1: F. \VATsor..·, Captain.

Former Pupils' Club Section (Club Found ed n September 1893)

Club Office-Bearers, 1956-57 Honorary President :

J. ROBBRT S0N, 0 .B.E., 1f .A., D,D ,, l'. R.S.B., l'.B.C.S .

JA• IBS

(Rector since 1942) Honorary Vice-Presidents : (!FNRY

J \C.:KS0N llurc11 \R'r (1890-99), D.S .O., 0 . U.I'., T . o ., 11.1.., LL.D. , D , L.

Sir .\.-.oRLW GouRL.\Y Cr.ow (1896 98), K.c.s.r., c.r.E. S,r P11HtC:K Asm.EY CooPF.R (1R96-1901), u ..1., LL.D. C:HARLW

O.\V!DS0N

(1882-86), M.A.

J BIL> C1TT0 Dnrus (1897-1904), 0.B.E., ,r.c·., \l,A., LL.B. Colonel ARcm·.R lRVINI -F0Rn.scu1. (1892-97), o.s.o., M,B., c11.o.

Sir W'ILSON J.uri,\ON (1891-1902), G.B.E., K.c.o., ,1.0., r r.. o., sc.o., 1.n.c:. P. J '"', GRAY KH> (1891-,;1,). c .e.,-., l'.r.1., r.R.s.1·. jlHIN J\OA\! l.11.1 IH (1893-1903), ~! ..\., LT .n., Q.C . ::.,r .\RTlll.'R J,onu \N (1892-9.1 ,u,d 1898-1904), K.C:.!.E., c.,.1., LL.D. The Right llon. l.orJ .\lrsro:--i (1901-02).

Sir \\'11 r.IAM Pnrns (1900-06), c:.\l,c,,, \I.A. \\ ILLI.\\I Doi:c;r. \S Snt?SO'< (1 yOI·I 3), O .B.P., ~I.A., D.Lirr., 1-. , ..1.(,cor.), J'.S.A. At rx\NULR GEORGF l\1cor. S\ltTII (1880-88), o.s.o. \ '{'1u1.1,1 CURK Sovrt.R (1893 98), \I.D., D.O. Sir \\ 11.J.[A\I ROBl'RT TI.N:--1 IN l' (1904- 10), C.l . l'., M.A. , r.r . o .

Sir Jo11N ,\LICK \Y 'J'11m1SON, r.11., ,1.A., P , R. s.r-. (Rector, 1920-2, .)

Sir LISIIS0OROl.."Gll T110,1soN (1899-1908), r.e., O.D.1'., M..\., o.,c., l·.R .S.E.

President:

Vice-President

of Club and Chairman of Executive

J OSEPH ROBERT

C \RRY (1918-30), M.B.ll.

Secretary and Treasurer : }OllN

Scorr

\l.H L ACIIL.\.'I

(1922-32), it.A.,

LI..B.,

uo Union Street, Aberdeen.

General Editor of Magazine : C~Ml'BFI.I.

(°()',SOS

(1926 38), \I.\., 11..B.,

)8 Dec Smct, AbcrJeen .

127

I

. !berdnn Grt1llllllllr School ,\ln,~t1zin1'

128

Secretarie1 of Cenues : Ben gal a nd Assam -R. H. Ducum (1918-23), LA . , c/o Duncan Brot he rs & Co., Ltd ., 31 Nctaji Subh as Road , Calcutta.

Cent ra l Africa

(,1 ORCE \I. GROH (1927-4 ), P 0. B<•x, 394, S.tlisbury.

Edinburgh- A. C FRAZER (1925-30), ,1.A., w.,., 10 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh ; , Glasgo w-J. G. ~I. 81RS~ (1926-38), ,, • ., "·'·• A.<·"·'·• Scotstou n, Glasgow W-4,

99 Essex Drive,

London -A. 11. K. SLATER ( 1922-3S), "· ,., 2 New ton Grove , London W.4.

M a laya

1·. 1'. SEI I AR (19}3•-15), e.,., Nunes Building, ~li1l.icca Street, Sin~apore.

Yorkahire-\X

F Dui-.'NPTT (1919 22), o ,., < .,. , Grey Gables , Old Pi1rk RoJd, Leeds 8.

Secretaries of Secti o ns :

Boardin g H o use-P. M. GORDO'- ( 1939-48), ~I.A., Revoan, Station Road, Ellon.

Cricket -A. lll. DAVIDSON ( 1937-45) 0.1 ., 18 Golden Square, Aberdeen.

Golf \X'. S. (;11.c11R1ST(1929-36), n.1., 69 Barclay S1rcet, Stonchavcn.

Hockey -\X'AlTrR l)1cK (1944-48), 1 81111 Accord Square , Aberdeen.

Rugby- C. C \11 .~s (1936-45), t ,., 6 (,olden S<juarc, Ahadccn Tenni s-]. \X. I lowN>N ( 1937-50), n.,, ., 16 Carnegie Crescent, Ahcrdccn.

Executlve Committee : The V ice-President of the Clu b, C hairman .

JA~ILS S. G. MUNRO ( 1922-28), B.1., Vice-Cbair111a11.

T be Secretary and Treasu rer, and General Edit o r of Magazine, 1x offiriu .

The Rector of the School, 1x officio.

GFORCE E. c. BARTON (1923-26), \I.A. I.. C01'1'()N (1930-40), 11.1. \(AlJRICI CR-'MB (1916-29), M. \., 11 .II. Rom RTL. \ROMAR (1944-49).

D0l·G1 "' G. Dn!PSTFR (1924-33), R.<c.,

\\ ii I I Ul

II. I ,( \«.R ).

(,1L111RT F. II.\MlllW,/ (t921-30), 'I

., 'H.n.

11.,, .,

\[ORTUII R (192;-27). ,. \lc.P. \h.,"TCII (1932-45), c.,.

DOUGLAS G. PATTERSON (1929-36), B.I..

ALAN ). I'ErrRS (1920-30), C \. ,x·. \'(All.ACF PoRTf'.R (1911-23). l.\1' (,. S111i-,;z-..11 (1918,28).

IAz-.. J.1wrs S\lnll (1918-30).

1iAR01 n \I. R. \X';.rr (1926-38}, ,, . ,.

]011-,

1·u1,011 Rtprumtatir·n

.f. \(. I TlW.\Rl!S (1908 21) 'I I, JU OM. Cricket K. (, . 1'1 11 11s ( 19211 I') , " I. (, If \\. G. ·111ow ( 1911-22), 1,1,,. llo.J:.ty \. ( "' K ( 19~-1 0).

R11g~y O 1' c,, >HI F"J1' (1929 39) Tr1,11i1 - (. < \11 ,-.. ( 191h- 11 l, , ·"· /!,; ,1,/11(~ Hnt1•(

\ •

H o n. Aud itore : Mc srs. Bo W l'!JI. and Su1TH, c.;..

Former P11pil.r' Club

Annua l General Meeting, 1956 The tifty-fourth \nnual Gener.ii \Iedin • , ,f th<.' Club ,1. 1s hclJ m the Calcdonian llote l on 28 \farch 1956 (J oseph Carry, Chairman).

Execu1ivc's Report, 1955-56 The Sccn.:tarv r,ad this Report, from wh,ch the f.,llowin~ info rmation is t.ikcn • Membership ·1 h,· follnwin,; is .Ul anahsis of the membership of the Club .1s at 28 February 1956, with comparable tigurc'S at 2~ I cbrnar} l9H· Fullv J'arually Pahi

28(2/15 28/2 56

1174 1177

Staff

Total

11

9 7

2217

-I

-2

Or,lmary

H1>norary

<,o

898

12

962

~o

t 64

Paicl 80

21 73

Losses by Death Durini;? the ,·,ar the dc:,11hs of forty-111m· Fo·1m·r Pupils, of whom thirty-one were members ,,f the duh, ha, e been rcportc·d.

'J he Club was p.1rticularly harJ hit during the year 111 its l",s of noted I'ormer Pupils. lncludeJ in the number ,,[ death wdc three fom1er Presidents of the Uuh- Lord \lncss, Lord ~l:tcka, and Dr. 1-.dward \'i,'. \\att. In :tddmon, two well-known ,\lx:rdcc:n law,•ers, \lr. R. \I. Williamson and i\{r. A. i\l. Wilson, <lied; and Shc:riff James Lindsay Duncan of the Lothians and Peebles. There al,o <lied Dr. I larry Rae, former \1.0 .H. for the City of .\ hcrde.:n and Counties of Aberdee n and ls:incardine; \Jr. AR. Cumming, former dux and gold medallist at Schoo l and first ilursar at Aberdeen l 'niYerstt\', ret ired Indian Civil Sen·ant, and the last suniYing original oflice-lx.-arcrof the Ciub forme d in 1893, ex-Provost, A.\\ . Christie of lluntl y. \\"e regret also to repor t the death of one of ou r honorary mcmbns , Colonel James Dawson, former Director of Educati o n for the City .in<l always a good friend co the School and thr Club.

The FutllCe of the Prim ary Department Sec this itrn1 reproduced d\c\\·hc ·" 111 th

r<~uc (p. l!3).

Club Colours Thr new ( uh ,·.,(.,ur, ;1\1pru,nl hy tht· l.,cn111,·c ar_c now complet~ ,m<l th~ new lllazcr, Tic and Scarf ,ccam.: al\atlabll· ,hortly hdurc the end of the year at the ( luh Outhtkrs.

11.nd ot I .wu1 Is fr.,111 I xccutin"s Rrpott.]

Ollicc-Dearers for 19~6-57 11~11. J'rn i,lml. .\Jr. ]. I Rr,bcns• •I' wa, unanimously re eleCLed, ~pccial mcnlH>n hcing maJc of the hono•ir which rh, Sd10o l .ind the Club feel m the doctora te which is to be aw.udcd him tit.is ,ummcr by \bertken Un1'ersi1y. /J,,,,. I "i,e-Pru,Jml.r. ,\II the surr1,·,ng honorary ,·1ce-prcstdents were reckctc<l; Col. I[. J. Jlutcharl was also elected an honor.1ry v1cc-presidcnt, appreciative rcfcrenct:' bcin!; nude to the vij.!orous manner in which he filled the office .,f Prc-sident for '9H •s6 . /lnridml. \lr. l •nc R. R. Linklater w.1, appointed. ( -\ full list of tbe Club's oflicc-bea crs appears on pp. 127 and 128.)

Reports from Section Representutives The usual reports were submitted, hut as each section has its report appear ing elsewhere in the \lugaz/nt the reports given at the A.G. \I. arc not reproduced,

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL FORMER PUPILS' CLUB Abstract 19u £118 I]

0

164

O

O

OJ IO

0

£uo 3

6

:ZJO 1 7 j21 1, II I 10 0

REVENUE Ordinary Sub5criptions received prior co January 1955 . .

• • .

• Ordinary Subscrip~ions received in 1955 Arrears recovered m 195 5 . . .

£126 12 6 l 78 10

0

59 10

0

Revenue from Investments (Gross) . . .

Intere st ac 4 per cent. on Life 1kmber Capital Fund Premium on 3 per cent. Defence Bonds converted into 3i per cent . Defence Don<ls Donation, etc. .

Deficit for year .

175 317

7

7

7

8

0

12

6

Magazine Revenue and Expenditure Account R I' \' E Nu E [,109

0

0

209

0 O

0

JJ8

£876

£u9

o

o (, 0

o o

o

6

Balance Sheet as CAPI1AL AND L IA81L1 T l ES I. GENERAL CAPlTAL FtJND £549 0 6 IT. LTPE \1LMB£R WPITAL FUNDAmount at credit at 31 December 1954 . £7,725 10 9 Life Members' Subscriptions received in 195 5 and Life Member Special Appeal 209 2 0

Less- Transferred to Revenue and Expenditure Account 7 ,7 2 !

f:1 0 7 LI 2 0 3 19 130 13

Sales . .

Advertisements . . . .

• Transferred co General Revenue and Expcndttur~ Account

JO

£7,934 12

9

317

8

7

9

7,617

5

I

41 0

0

0

100

0

0

20

0

0

£8,879

10

7

Ill. ORDL'IARY SuBSCRIPrl0NS

PAID IN AovAN c; I Balance of Subscriptions received prior to 31

December 1954 applicable to future years Subscriptions recei,·cd in 195 5 applicable to future years 181 11

/TO

0

6

IV. C,n rs AND LEGA<:IE, 10 Shares in Boardin~ House Co. Ltd . . .

Legacy fr om Miss Alice Lamb . . .

Legacy from l\lissl. A. Anderson Legacy from Miss cssic A. \f. Mackie .

125 Shares in Boar ing House Co. Led. from Wm. Paterson . . . . .

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

W. M. Al=der j Shares in Boarding House Co. Led. from . . . .

Sir John W. Tay lor 65 Shares in Board ing H ouse Co. Ltd. from A. G. Nicol Smith

£59

5 o

t 24

o o

o o 1 oo o zoo o

J... 10 100

0

TOO

0

0

20

0

0

/ £1,991

0

0

8 9

V. H0!'10RARIAAmount due co Sec. and Treas. and Editor of Magaz_ine VI. Posn,-Amo unt due to Secretary and Treasurer vrr. MAGAZINE-Advcrtiscmc:ots prepaid

o o o o

of Revenue and Expenditure Account for year ending 31 December I9H EXPENDITURE

19},f

. . . . ~ r 33 Income Tax, Schedule D, year r955-56 . . £22 10 6 Income Tax paid by deduction from Investment Income 22 15 o 88 10 6 45 :\1bccllaneous Expenses \ledal~, Capitation Grants, Club D~lf 3 6 . . . . ,·clopment, ccc. .

89 13 2 16 9 I 1I o -I Excess of Expendi ture over Income on hmerrainmcnts Accoum \icmbcr Fund .Appeal Omlays re Life 11 I J 11!

Pn$entation 10 Alan C. R. Wan .

25 0 0 Transferred from .\lagazine Account 530 I 3 0 JJ7 II Surplus for year 17 16 6

£11;

4 11½ Working Expenses

26 11

o 9

0

£858 for year endi ng 31 December I9H EXl' I. NOJTUltE [-1; 0 (} 1.ost of Printing . . )6 0 {I Stock of Envelopes a, at 31st December, 195 1 . \X'orking Expcn,cs including Envelopes and proI.JO O 0 , .sion nf llonoraua lO Eduonal Conunitt,·,· i,889

o

0

lj

0

0

{,!;!_ 0

0

1. 1 i

l 7of, 1 8 o 17

•1

167 9 L180 1 o 44 I~ 6

Ltn Stock of Envdopcs as at 31st December, IYH

~5

8 6 G 6

/842

at 31 Decem ber 1955 (.7,707 , J 101

ASShTS I. C..ASII JN lI ANl) ~NI) tN lNvr-srr.o

l·UNOS

11. GENPRAL ReVU..'UB AND ExPP'IDITURll Ac,:,;our--:I

Deficit in Revenue and Expenditure Account for years 1947-54 . . . . .£1,2b8 o 9~ Deduct Surplus in Revenue and Expenditure 17 1G (.

Account for year ending 31 December 1955 Dtd11<1- B3lanccs on Re,ervc and Suspense Accounts no longer required transferred at 31 December 1954 1,118

//

£i, 2 7o

4

39

3j l!

1,20

/!

, .!

,~ 9

2/

0

0

11 1. \ I AC,AZINEStock of Envelopes in hand r :ish in Hands of Editor JV. ,\DDRE'iSOGRAPII J\IAC:HINL Purchase Price . .

Ltss Depreciation to date

0

7i

14 1R

6

20

0

0

70

0

0

£7, 10 8 3 10 8

ABERDEEN, 8 March 1956.-We have examined the foregoing Revenue and Expenditure Account for the year ending 31 December 1955, and relative Balance Sheet as at 31 December 195 5, compared the figures with the vouchen;, and found 1he Accounts correct . We are of the opinion that the annexed Balance Sheet correctly state,; the position of the Club as at 31 December 195 5. We have had exh.ibiwd to us the various Securities supporting the runds at the close of the ,\ccounts.

(Signed) BOWER &. S,UTII, C.A.,

lTnrtorary Auditnr1.

2 15

Ui-;1os STRFT.T, AnERDfil.N.

£8,9n

s 9

£8,879 10 7

Aberdeen Gran1111ar Srhool Magaz/ne

Edinburgh Centre The Ann ua l Dinn er was held in the North British Hotel on Friday, 2~ \larch 1916. The Principal l_rucst wa.s the Rt. I Ion. \X. R. \ltlliiran, Q.c., Lord \d,·ocatc, and hank S. Taylor was in th<· Chair. " A bsent Friends" was proposed by the cha1rm,u1 who d1sclosc:d tr.at " I lappy H.1rn • • h~d lxcn invited as a guest; bccaus<· of his lr::n iny f, ,r S. -\frica, hnwc,·cr, he c<iuld not ace<:pt, and .tccordingly he was entertained to dinner in I d1nburgh hr rt:prcsc:ntath l'S of thl· C.cntrc shortly hcforc his dcparturt.

--' l II 1

(

If 00 I

\.....; I> I 11 J

< J l .K

J his tc>.L\t \\,1s whimsimlly proposed hy Pet.:r C. :\lilfar who n>nuncnn:J h)

c11nll'nding that the School is not now what it used to Jx,, illustrating h s thum· from incidents during his schooldays lx:twcen 1930 .u1d the rnrly '40s; the "unrepeatable days" were gone and with them the "irreplaceable characters" round whom they turned. Politics now intrude too much into School affairs; payment , ,f rates gives no assurance of peace and quiet, and he sugµ-csted that " a sensible sntem something like the protection system of Al Capone" be substituted, and placed in the hands of a responsible citizen like Joe Carry, who would bc particularly suittd for such a post since he had already tasted power, knew the rackets, ... and the ,alut• of loo t and precious stones; and cou ld well operate from his ccntrall\situatcd premiSt:s which had the advantaµ-,· of bcmg " impregnable from the \\tst".

Replying, \fr. Carry complimented .\fr. \!illcr on the original line of his toast , he t<><>k the npportunit) of making the first public congratulation h} the Cluh t, the Rector 1111 the doctorate which the l,nivcrsit)' is to confer upon him, and then proceeded to give the Centre :1 full report on "the state of the union" as far as rhe C.lub was concerned, this report containing the particularly welcome infnrnution that sanction has at last been given for a School swimming pond.

The toast <>f "Th e Guest s " was gh·cn by Douglas I I. Johnston, Q.C., and Tl'plicd to by the Rt. Hon. \'('. R. ;\1illigan, Q.,., both of whom spoke in dclight full) li!-(ht vein which was a jo) to listen to; but such was rhc gossamcry nature nf their material that it would be hopeless to try and recapture it in this report. "t1)6 A!-.0 ALL THAT"

I rank Taylor made a diverting job of this roast. I'or the benefit of the Quests he explained that this year should have been the om1111 mtrohi/iJ of the: twentieth crntury for the School, viz. it septccntcnary; but in 19)4 when preparations wcrl' alr<·ady afoot, "certain scholars arose in our midst who could read the doµ--to<ithcd L.llin of the mediac,·al scr1bcs" and they pn.ceeded to show that although chut \\ as n !-(rammar school in Aberdeen in 1216, Th, Crammar School did not con1nKncr till 1.p8 and he depl ored the papcr-sahaQing schemes of the Rohert•tht · Hrucc cr,t which had rcmo,cd tht· .11! import.mt dct·<h on which uur 1216 titk rd"d; he d, plored, too, the result of the 1954 scholaiship, because it meant that the sept • n nt,·11an- mus t now be postponed till 211 R; but he full~ expected that nc then som<' other scholars would have appc.trcd who would proceed to sho\\ th.tt .,!though the 19S4 scholars did quite a good jnb with the limited material .lt their dispos:ll, the analytical mechanism and methods would by then have improved grc:ath-, and these new scholars would then pr<.cced to show that in fact The ~eh, -,J w.1s founded at some compktely different dat<·! l le reminded us of the Sa) 1ng " If you wish to preserve reform" but suggested that 111 our ms(' ic should Ix· .tppltcJ in re, erst·. Th, fine trad itions , .f The Gran,m~r have sprung main!) from ;t long line o! eminent teachers and headmasters, and he was sun· th;,t the 11.1111, of i\lr. f. J. Robertson will live wuh that nf the great headmasters of 1h p.t<t ( thought which was v1gnrnusly applauded h~ all present): he fdt, h<1wc,er, that the Scho1>l itself d, "'' not uttlt:te tls heriUgt· ro the full.

TIIF.

R~CTOR',

REPIY

.\Jr. Robcrtson commenced h) acknuwlcdQing .\ fr. C.1rry·s congratulations, remarking that he would be a strange Scots dominie who drd not value a doctorate

Formtr Pupils' C/11b from one of our oldest colleges; but he rejoiced in it on behalf of the School and the profession; the Inst dominie to receive an Aberdeen doctorate but who (like himself) had not been educated in Aberdeen was Dr. Morland Simpson.

The disappointment over the septcenrcnary was one of these tests, like a piece of ethical litmus paper, sent to test uur souls; hut he pawkily pointed out that although rhe Club claims in its notcpapa that the School w.1s " founded prior to 1216 ", the School itself in its Prnsp,:ctus mahs onh the m ore modest claim that it w.1s already in existence in 1418, and from this he went ,,n to conclude tlut in fact the Club is run " by n·rtain fdlows of the b,tscr sort" ! , ~,·en if we ha,e only five and a half centurits ,.f history !><:hind us, J\lr.

Hol,crtson felt chat \\.1S nn.:rthel.:ss 4uitc sullic:icnt fur our purpusc. The Past ,.r hrou11ht to the pupil,' nut ice in that they su: the old School hill ~ate\\ ay c, er} d,l\; there an: the li,t, of 2, o years of dux mcdall1sts "" till' h:ill wall; thcrl' is the old hell, and the archer> medals of old, not forgetting the c.1rly records thc111sch t·s. There are, however, three rn,1jor disadvantaf\l'S: (1) no part of the origina l building remains; (2) there is no proper history, e,en allowing for Ho11 Ruord; (3) therL is nu known founder; hut 11nu1hckss the School might wdl concentrate upon ~11mc of the olJ .iri,10 cratlc , 1rtucs such as Detachment and Intellectual lloncst) wirh advantage. \I r. Robertson then wenr on lo comment on the rd1r.1I of Dr. R, ,nald \laca11d1cw at Easter, he speaking most apprcciathcly of him as a !!rcat t<.td ll't .rnd a dnply religious man.

Turning- then to the manner in which the School has hl·come enmeshed 111 local politics, Mr. Rohcrtson remarked that perhaps "it nucht o' been war"; lor if much h,is been taken, much nevertheless still abides; the centuries should haYe tauflht us some tautness and adaptability, and he cuncluJcd by reminding us ,cry fittingly of the old ballad of Sir Andrew Harton who said " I 'le lay mce downe and bleed a-while, And then l 'Je rise and ffight againe ".

George Macnab proposed "The Chairman".

The following members of the Club were present at the dinner, the list hcing arranged in order of seniority based on the date of entr>· to Sc:hool: 18N4. J. \\". Milne (r884•r15).

1brin. Sir Andrew Clow (1ij9h •Q~);

t8Qt. .J. c:. Kyd (1891•9~). 1893 . .f. A. l.iUlc (1893 •t•1<>1).

Re,·. l lr. John Stewart (18r1b·1905); I{, A. Lillie (1896 1,105) ,

1899. Crnrral 1'. ,\. ~lt:U. Jnmory

(1~•Y1 • J11•·~)-

lfJOJ. 1), ~- \\.ilk1.-r (H)o3• 1h).

190~ . A P.

:Spark (1•ios-10). 19r3, J)ou~I•• John , t•m (1913-06). 191 8. J . I{. rarry (191 8-30). 1•120, I' . R. 1!1rkell (1•1: 0-21). 1,,,., 11. I'. Scr1111~rnur(1921 -30); R. L Scrinig cour (19.,-,, 1. 19• 2 \ , LI. llonald (19:,-,1,); )>. II. ,la11111,so11 (19,=-3.1); Ja1ue,; Craig (r9» 3: ). 19: 3. \\'. I. \larnr (19n-30); F. S. laylor (trpJ •28).

Uougl.,s Rrith (19:4-3 5), 19:5. ,\. C. J-ra. rr (19,5 •30). 19:b. Camphl'II { on non (19:r.-3S); D. M. C. non ,11<1 (r9:6-3z). 19,9. R. U. )), J-:1n.sltc (19:9 35). 193:. ll. K. L1mcron (193:-15).

1933. I'. C. \lillar (1933 14). 1935. Jl. R. Bellamy Cay (r935-46 ). 1936. {i. A. ,1a , 11al, (1,,36-44).

H,, n, Mrml,cr.-J. J. Rolx-1t"'n, N,dor.

London Centre On 2 \larch 1956 a ,en successful dancl' ".is held, run as usual 11,,,, 111 conju11ctu111with the" High"," GorJons ", an<l other north-east schools' fnnnc1 pupil~.

The following arran~cments ha ...e been made for next season; ,s October A .G.M . (preceded by an tnformal supper) at The Scots Hoose,\\'.. 1. 13 December -A nnu al D inne r at Browns Hotel \V/.1.

Aberdeen Gra111n,ar School Magazine

134

Glasgow Centre The annual golf match ag-ainst the 1:.dinburgh Centre will take phcc at Camwath on 1 July. \"\ ill members wi~hing to take part please contact the Secretary of the Glasgow Centre J. C,, \I. Btrss, 99 Essex Drive, Glasgow \\ .4?

The Secretary would also like F.P.s cvming to reside 111 the Glasf:oW area to let him have their names and addresses so that they may he acquainted with the Glasgow Centre's activities; in :-.:uvcmber there will be the usual dinner, and there will also be a Social l ~vening with Gordonian and " I ligh" F. P.s, l,1st year's social with them having been a great success.

\\ h, nut nu~ L ,1 note of these dati:s n

o

w ?

F.P . Club Dinn e r z.6 Octohcr 1956 in the Cakdon1an I lotd.

Annu al Ball

26 Di:nmhcr

1916 in th<. B<.:ach Ballroom.

F .P. Golf Section Thirty -four members and guests attended the opening event of the sc,IS<>n the "two round" visit to Hallater, and despite blustery conditions and heavy rain good scores were returned: H. (, . St•phtn U. <,. l'attN~on G. A. C. Walker J, I<. H all (CU< l)

fl«t Scratch Score llandicap 1-Il

I />ta/ l<faril. Co,npet,t,o,.

SpuUd " GrammariJJ'1 I ,ur •• CoMft<,,hm• i,

Oflicials for the sea~on: Capt.

71

RJ

10

,i.;,

, n-71

7,

7~ -

.1 - 71

\, F. King-

6K

rh

0. H. S. ~til l o. H.~- Still.

n

ro 1111t .

7J

l. L. 51111th; T'i.e-Capl. II. C. Stcphtn. \'i/. Scon· G11.<.11R1,·r, ll~11. .\u.

Boarding House Section A Re-uni on Dinner was held in Aberdeen on 3 r J\larch 19j6. The function \\ as much enjoyed, althoug-h numbers were small, and it is noteworthy that some of tho~e present had tr.tvcllcd a considerable distance to attend. J. S. \1 J"ddison, Esq., rr.:sided. l'rc•rnt. \l~,r-. J . :,. \I, bi,hson, A. J .M. E<hard ,, 1' , II . Ion , \\'. Jl. ,\ll ardi<e, ll. L. Paul, 1. D. Jnne<, <.,;.!:>.Grant, J. \\". Sinela1r, J I. Og1hi<", l. II lluchan, N, \\. 1ayl~r. r. M. ~••den, ,.,th guests-J. !:>. 'lacL.achlan •nd J. D. Mornson.

For,11er P11pil.r' Club

F .P. Tennis Section ,'\t the A.G.M. of the section held in April the following office-bearers were elected for th1. season· Captain-Douglas Chapman; Treamr,r John ~lutch; Jerrefary _),1mcs Howison; Commilftt Colin Allan, Sandy Brown, Neil Simpson, Kenneth Williams and Fenton \Vyness.

The season opened at the beginning of :\fay, and the number of members attending has been Ye!)· good, although any others who are thinking of joining the section will be most welcome. Matches against a University team, Duofomtline College, and Culcs have been arranged, and it is hoped to arrange others ab,ainst a \fasters and a School team.

The courts are in excellent condition at present, and we hope that the summer will not be quite so dry as last year, when at one time we were forced to stop playinl!' tennis.

J.urES W. llow1s0:--i, Ilon . Su.

F.P. Rug by Section For the second year in succession the second half of the rughy season has hcc n l.trgcly SJ>(iilcd by the wc,1ther, in fact on only one Sarurday in January and Fch ruary did the frost and snow relax suflicicntly for the lid<l at Ruhisl.tw to be plaiahle; rwn Saturdays were" lost" during December. Yet the tir:.t fifteen di<l 1101 ~uffer su b.l<ll}• as the junior si<lcs, as on two occasions it w.ts possible to have the matches played by last-minute transfers of ,·enuc, and other two games Wl'IC arranged away from home where the weather was not so severe.

J &t

xv

The lirst fifteen's record was reasonably good and followccl very closely on the lines of season 1954-55. Once again F.P.s were the outstanding side in Aberdeen and defeated all \I i<llands opposition, but they met with mixe<l fortunes in the unofficial champ ionship games. There were some outstanding victories over Allan Glen's and Selkirk at Rubislaw and oYer Hutchison's G.S.F.P. and J\fclv11lc College away from home. On the other hand a plague of injuries, attacked three quarters throughout the season so that on several occasions very weak sidl', travelled fur some of the more important "awar" games, in several of which, vi~.: those against \Vatsonians, Boroughmuir F.l. and Glasgow Acads., if a full tc,un could have travclle<l, the result might well have been different. The forw,1rds mercifully kept fairly free from injury and as a pack played consistently wdl, <111 m,u1y occa~ions having much heavier packs in the scrums and never failing tu gtt a fair share or more of the ball in the tight and the loose. Owing lo constant change, however, the backs were not always able to make the be~t use <>f th..am<1unt <1f I he ball they rcceive<l.

As a po int of int erest it is n ow s ix years s ince Gordoni ans h ave beat en F.P.s. and XV The ,econd fifteen sca.~on was verr much ruined hy the weather; in fact they only played 6 iames after the end of December, a pity, .t~ thete were many promising players who on ly required experience. There were many good victor ies over Strathmore, l\loray and Perthshire Aca<ls. 2nd. The last named club having only suffered one other defeat.

3rdXV

The tbird also had a very good season, but owing to the promotion of some of the more experienced players, they did not quite keep up their early blaze of glory referred to in the last issue of the Magaz.ine, but on t he whole they were very successful.

Records for the season were as follows: J>oi11t.r 1'1Jiflf.t J>/ayed ].,Q.tf IP"o11 Dron-n again.rt for 1St XV 20 I 8 228 29 418 2nd X\' 16 10 142 247 3 3 18 3rd XV I2 121 362 5

Aberdet11 Grammar School Magaz/ne R.R. Comber was selected to play in the three trials at Murray6eld and was a rrnvelling reserve fur the Scottish team for all four internationals.

Colour s for the season were awarded as follows: 1'111/ R. R. Comber, F. C'rnil!, \X' . A. Craig, R. 11. \\. C radock, E. £I. Cru1ck,ha11k, P. B. Porbcs, D. '\i. ( ;<•nrl!cson, S. \fcPhcrson, ( D. \lowat, ( . Rir.-h1c, 'I. ( ;. !:,m1th, I. Stuart I L!f J. L. Brcbncr.

Jn conclus1nn I would n,a~c an appeal tu members of the I .P. Club for be11<r support at home matches. !:,i11,c the war years, the management of the scccion has built up a programme of oC"cptionally attractive matches with opposition inclu<ling all the strongest k.m~, m Ldinburgh and Glasgow: and there is no doubt 11!;,1 the strength o f the opposition encountered has done much to raise the sc,rndard nf plar in the section, as can be seen from the t1uitc frequent successes obtained ,1g,1inst those sides .1nd especially when comparison is made with the fixture list of the section lx:for<•th<: WM. I would also remind Club ml'l!1l'l<:rsthat inter nati ona l st:ind tickers c.111 now only be obtained through tuj!by clubs .1nd any P.P. wish111,._. thc,sc must become:' 11011 plavini; member of the rugby section . .\1 the Annual C,cn<·ral \lntmg hdd on 23 \lay 1916 '-1. I.\\ ..\lcldrum who Ii.LS he.en secretary forth<: pa,t twch" seasons sinC'c 19-1-1. i, tin,atcJ hi5 r<,ignation, Oflwials for sea• 1 1916-p \\cr<e appoinktl .is follow,· f-!~11. l'rui,kn1, N. J. J. W'alkcr; Captain, D. 1'.. G<:or~cson; T'iu-C,p1a111, J..\1. .\1ilnc; Se&rtlarx, C. C. Allan; Tr,anrrtr, <.. Ritchie; Ttam Jtcretary, IJ. I I. Chapman. nl X\'

1955 !\n, 26 r. Gordonians at Seafield 1>, 3 t·. \Vat.soui an!, at ~fyrcsidr.

1 ,,. Glasgow Ac. at Annlesl'd 17 t'. Glasgow Univ. at R'law :, 1·. Abertleen!lhire at R'Jaw 31 •. Hutcheso•L• G.S.F.P. at Auldho11 a 19$6 Jan. ; t ~lelville C. LI'., Ferryl'd 14 r. Aberdctn Acad.

• , t. SL And,e,.-. i.:n., Chan.

1•~b. 4 1·. Trinity Arad1.

11 t'. Gordon1 till'>, H11hi~law

:8•9

w

L 6-17 L ,natch oil 32-6 w 0-10

6·3

w

27·6 w match off

w

14•6 nutrh off

\\"

,.

\\'

31 v. Strathmore, kubislaw 36-0 1956 Mar. 3 v. RN.AS., T.os<iemouth, Rublslaw t:·5 20 1,•. Gordonian, 2nd. Seafield J·l 24 ~. Aberdef'n Wond. 2nd, 4}·0 Rubislaw 31 v. Perthshire Ac:ul. end Rubisl~w 13•9

!)

IV ))

\I \\'

3rd XV

\\'

•~ r·.Glaogow H~.1 .1'.,R'law Match off ..,'\ ,. '.\foray, l.hnn (>-<J \I" 3 , . .,bercJ~n \\ and., H 'head '1·8 \\' \\" Jl•5 7 . Aberd~ll Umv., Kings ,n . Ilorough10u1r F.P., \le,,~otland L 3-6 I. •I . Mu:,;e)hur1th, Stont:,·lull l I 1. Panmurr, Ruliislaw 9·b \\' ..:,,, ,I 7 t'. Re-.t or Abc1·,li-n1,J.'k(.f'd :u-3 \I"

~i~r

1955

!\ov, :t6 ,,... :\(1".Jrax, H.1tbislaw 13 S Der. J v. Aber ccn'llnrc :mrl, Chan. 6·b

19H '\:ov. 26 t. M<Jrav lml. l{ub1:,l3w 35•8 JH'c. J v. . \btrdttn .'\.f'.ad.:rnd, u·trn 3-11

..

:,4

v. School :nJ, Rubl,bw

\\

q,,

I. \I

3 :1 '.\O·h

I> \I

195b

hb.

1 r t•.. \ hcrclttn \ caJ.. ::ml, Chan.

25 v. )1oray 2nll, li1gin ,i:,r. l t'. \ bcrdi·rn \V:i.nrl. 2nd.

Hulti-..J.," II t <,(lrdnn ian s 31t.l, J{'J.l\, 3nl, ~afielJ 31 1. C, nt,,niau

8 1G

I.

17•1

\I J

I

Neil Meldrum 's Secretaryship eil Ian \'fi lson Meldrum • 1925-37 , \! A., I.LB . .11 the recent ,\nnual (,cncral \kctin1 , f •..,<- Ru,:ll\ ~<·c1ion r<·signcd :ts Scc-rctal') :tf1er n,.ch<: vears' ~c•, ,re. 1'cil was snercl1 w, ,undcJ ,luring his ".ir scn ir.: and was nvalidetl out of the I m,es. Notwithst.tn<ling this he ltl.llllt,uncd his interest i11 the Rugh\ !:icction of which he had be<·n an actin, and succ<·ssful member before th< war lie made strenu1111scflorls to h:tstcn his full reco,ery anti sucn·cdcd so well that he was verv soon rcfrrccin)! al.'ain. \s Secretary of the Sect ion he was very successful in obtaining a most attracn,c fr-ture 11st anti, h, pcrsisknt effort and rel,'ular artcndance at Scouish llul.'hy lin1on ;\lcetmgs, he built up Jixtun:s w,1h s, ,uth tc,uns unsurpa.ssed in the Sccu,,n's histol')"• The present members of the S,ct1on haH' much to thank him for in this connection. .\t all times he has been a most enthusiastic and hard workinir Secretary who has tle\'Utcd himself unsparingly to furthering the interests of the Section and its members.

Former Pupils' Cb,b

1 37

F.P. Hockey Section The 195 5-56 sc:15on has been notable for the high standard of play ,md enthusL-ism of all our members.

In all the usual annual fixtures with local and .\li<lfand dubs, onlv one <ldcat \\ JS suffered by the 1st XI, this bein at the han<l, of Ruthncston the ulcima1c League champions, with F.P.s as runners up. Thc rn<l XI met with more success, winning their section of the League and gi,·iny an c,cdlcm account of themselves against senior Alx:r<lccn teams. 'J'hc r onh league defeat was br the Grammar School XI, an<l but for this l.ipsc, thC} would probab ly be playini,, in the senior league next season.

Our annual visn co Glasgow and District <lid not meet with the same sucnss a.s last season . four games in three days agamst some of the strongest south teams proved rather exacting for the small party of players available. This lesson should he noted b} prospcc1i,e touring teams.

The season en<lc<l up on a high note wJth the club wmmng the .Aberdeen six-a-s1tlc tournament held at the Links. The followmg six comprised the winning tcun: \\'. Dick, R. Cromar, A. Cromar, S. Uanks, J. \\ n 6 ht, I. ,\ liddlcton. \\'c are unfortunate thi s season in losing two of our srnlwarrs, Tom Cr.tig, who has been apprnntcd to a position in Glasgow and Tom Arnott, who is lcavin~ for 1',uional Service. \'Cc would like to Lake thts opporlu111ty to l'xtcnd a wclco111~ tu all players leaving School as these vacancies have to be filled I An}11n~ mtcrcstnl ,hould contact \X'. Gatt, 81 Powis Place or come to our prc-~eason practicc matches at Rubislaw.

Colours fo, 19ss-s6 were awarded to T. Arnott and J. \\. right.

I St XI

1955 !liov. 19

o~''"· "

"

"

lb

3 10 17 31 26

Won Drawn v. Centralians 2·2 Drawn Won v. R.A. f. Buchan 5-0 v. Uoiversity .

O·O Ora\\n y.,·on •· Gordo n's College . 8-1 r. Ruthricston Ramblen 5- 1 Won

v. Gordoniafll

v Dundee \ \'anderer., .

2·1

•·•

Results 1956

Jan. 7 o. Rutbriestoo Feb.

11

Mar.

3 IO

"

v. Dundee \-\.andertn

•· R.A.F. Buchan v. Universitv v. Richmond

0·2

LOIi

2·1 lt•O 2·2

\\'on Won Drawn

8- 1

\ Von

2nd XI Res u lts 1•)55 ~ov. l't :h l>t"t"

3

.,

,,

195h

.Ian.

7

r4

7-n

\Von

Feh.

"A" . . . O•I II 11. Grammar School A "-t•o

l.o,t \Von

\far.

Lost

.,

v. Gordoniao!I ' A " . tt. Dundee \Vaude~rs 1

tt. Rutbrieston

.

v. R.A.I·. Buchan

1•.z

••

.

11. lJundec \Vandt1 trs II A" . . ,l-J Lost 3 v. Rutbrieston . \\ou t'. Aberdttn . . , . , Dri'lwu lo 17 .,, lion.lon's CollPge "A" Won . o , l..osl J:4 o. (;rammar School 11

\\'on v. Grammar Scbool O A "2 a Drawn

1956

\far , ,o "

31

"

]J

Apri l

I

Tour Result s . .

v. Anchor at Paisley

Drawn Lost Lost

v. Baboo<k and Wilcoz at Renfrew v. West.em at Glasgow .

1,. I.C.I. nt Grange.mouth .

Lo~t W'AtTrR

*

Die.Jo., Gaptai11.

*

Have we your correct address ?

If your last copy of the Magaz.i11e reached you in Malaya via your o l<l address in Australia (as happened 10 one case which has come to our notice) or even if 1t appears never to have been forwarded from your former address in f'o ggieloan, please keep the Secretary (who dispatches the Magaz.i11tJ as well as all Club cor• rcspondence) posted with your up-to-dare address.

Aberdem Cra,n111ar School ./1,fagazine

New Members of the Club 15 November 1955- 15 May 1956 ORDINARY

MEMBERS

l.larron, George ~lain (1952-55), 41 Huntly Stre<:I, Aberd,..·n.

Cbahacrs, Patrick Edward BnJ<e Lethcaty House, ln,<run• Cook, John Park (1947-55), 3 Brunton Quadrant, Glenrothe>, rife Conntll 1 Graeme }lark (1945-55), 24 Aud!ey Road, London, \\ 5. hdwara, Neil (1948-55), 13 Woodh11J Place, Aberdeen.

Forbes, William Stralh (1952-55), 9 ~lillbank Lane, Aberdeen.

Fowler, Jame. (1953-55), 66 Gknberv1e Road, Al.>erdttn.

Hutcheson, Simon Fraser (1939-45), Jb Belgrave Terr.c.,, Abudttn.

Johnston, \\11Jiam Alexander (1941-44), 96 Cummings Park Cittlr, Abutleen.

Kttnan, David Weh>ter (1927-33), 29 Wavell Crescent , Woods,ue, Abenl...-n.

LawMm, Charles (1945-55), 9 Carden !'lac.,, Aberdeen.

Mackie, William Chark-s Geori;:c (1945-49), Thncpfield, Udny.

Michie, 1:.rn°"t James Stewart (1947-52), 4 Braemo.r Place , Aberdeen.

McGill, Nonnan Lionel (1948-5b), 49 l.lahuoral Road, Aberdeen.

Mc.Koy, F./O. IJerek (1944-50), Ofllcrn1' Mess, R.,\ .i'., Tepcliff,, 11ear 1h11 k, Y ,,k hire.

Mcleod, Neil 1 bomas Kemp (1944-56), 48 Westbolme A,enue, Al.,crdteu.

Pa<illl, Allan (1951-52), 70 (jarthdee Hoad, Aberdeen. l{iddell, William J. (1950-55), J S<latt,e l'lac.,, Buckshum, Ali<,1deenohir, .

Hoger, Derek K1lab 2Z Harlaw Road, Abcrd<'en.

S1mJ>50n, Douglas llruc:c (1950-56), 23 "fontro&e Urive, Aberdeen.

Tas tard, David Leslie Morrison (1949-52), 11 Jamaica Stree t , Abcnlcrn.

Walker, Andrew (1943-45), Ardbcck, Mtlltimbcr, Aberdeenshire. \\'ibion, John JobnSLou (1949-52), 3 Cnulen PI.le.,, Nortbfi~ld, Ah< rdc~ n \\ "°''• G~rge Alexander (1943-55), 44 Hamilton PJa,-,., :\h<,rd,..-n,

Club Consuls Hc,;rriction of space in this issue docs not p.:nnit us to gi\e the full names and addresses of all the Club Consuls throughout the world; hut these consuls ._.111 l,e glad to give all the assistance they can to fellow F.P.s coming to their part of the w,,rld, cspcci.1lly t<> younger l•.P.s. \\ c ha\c n•n"rls in chc f111l11wingci1ics:

airobi Cape To"n East London Durban Johann esburg Edmonton Vancou~er Qu ebec

Mexico Sao Paulo

Chicago

H ong Ko ng Singapore

Madra s Calcutt,, Co lombo Wellingt on

Geneva Zurich W/c have also consula r rcprcscntatiYcs in: Northern and Southern Rhode sia Ontario Falkland )stand s British West Indie s Dutch West Indie s Yugos lavia

The Secrct:try of che l•.P. Club will gladly supply the name and address of any of these consuls to any interested F.P.

THE

NEW

GRAMMAR

F.P.

COLOURS

* PURE SILK TIES

21/-

-

RA YON / WORSTED TIES

16/6

-

RAYON /WORSTED SCARVES

9" x 54"

-

2S/6

14" X 54"

-

37/6

SILK SQUARES -

59/6

The NEW BLAZER with BADGE

-

10 gns .

* ESSLEMONT & MACINTOSH (RETAILERS)

LTD .

TAILORS AND OUTFITTERS

UNION STREET

ABERDEEN

u

I need good food,,

-a nd th is is where you can get it!

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

Main Stockists for

Pot and Pearl Barley

Hay and Straw Poultry and Bird Food

Barley Meal Coal

Moss Litter

and Firewood

WI LLIAM

Manures

SCORG IE

GRAIN AND POTATO

13 RO SE ST REET

•

Phone 23731

MERCHANT

ABERDEEN

NATIONAL COAL BOARD SCOTI JSH DlVlSION

CAREERS IN THE COAL MINING INDUSTRY Modern Coalmining is very largely a new industry. More accurate ly, it is an old and vital industry which is being reconstruc ted to serve the present and future needs of the nation .

While other forms of energy will help, the main source of power in the foreseeable future will continue to be coal.

Tec hnical Careers

Many well-paid and absorbing jobs are available and the Coal Board are ready to train you for them, either t hrough a University Scholarship or- if you prefer to earn and learn at the same time-by taking you into the industry straight from school and providing technical training without loss of pay.

University Scholarships

Highly trained mining engineers are urgently needed. The Natio nal Coal Board offer one hundred Univers ity Scholarships a year: most are in Mining Engineering, but a few are available in Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineering and in Fuel Technology. They are about the same value as State Scholarships and successful candidates receive them in fullparent s' financial position makes no difference to the value of the awards.

Practical Training

When you have qualified-either through the University or through technical college while working- you are eligible for a two or three year course under the Coa l Board's management training scheme. Each trainee has a course mapped out for him personally and a senior engineer gives him individual supervision.

If you come into the industry on the Mining Engineering side, you have a very good chance of becoming, between the ages of 2S and 30, a colliery undermanager at a salary between £900 and £1,200 a year-or even a colliery manager at a higher salary.

Other Ca reers

There are also good careers in the Board's Scientific Department and in clerical and administrative posts. Young men and women of good educational standard (who have preferably spent some time in the sixth form or have attended a university) are also needed in such fields as marketing, finance and indu strial rela tions.

Full deta ils can be obtai ned from the Scottis h Division, Natio nal Coal Board, 2 Eglinton Crescent, Edinburgh, 12

THE PERSONA~OUCH

1111

IS FAST DISAPPEARING FROM THE MODERN WAY OF BUSIN ES S. YOU CAN STILL FIND IT PERVADING THE FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE IN ROB E RTS. WHY NOT CALL ON US NEXT TIME?

ROBERTS

(A BERD EEN)

LT!'

HO US E FU RNI SH E R S

IJNION

419

ST., ABERDEEN

ESTABLISHED OVER 80 YEARS

CAN I HELP YOU? There arc over 400 offices tran sacting Insurance business in Britain .

While it is very true to say there is no such thing as a bad Insurance office, it is equa lly true to say there is no one office that is the best for every type of insurance.

Choosing an office for your insurance ·• because you know someone who works there" can be ,·cry expensive. You consult you r Lawyer on legal matters, your Doctor regarding medical advice, your Banker or Stockbroker on questions of finance, therefore is it not logical to consu lt an Insurance Broker on insurance matters 1 He cltargu you nothing for his urvius. He acts on your behalf, and tries to get you the widest protection at the cheapest rate. Jn the event of a claim, he acts as an intermediary between you and the Company.

Motor Insurance Premiums : For Post War Cars in the majority of cases an increa se m premium is shown from 1st December, 1955.

For good and carefu l drive rs it is possib le to arrange a 33! per cent.

No Claim BonusExample :-1,100 c.c. Car value £500 net premium allowing for no claim bonu~ • £8 6s. 8d.

Please 'phone or write for q11otatio11 without any obligat/011.

J. LESLIE WILSON 34 BRIDGE STREET Tel. 22207

ABERDEE

0 ' SURANCES & FINANCE)

I

EST.UUSHIO

FOR BETTER FOOTWEAR """ OI NTI O HU,T PUil•

JA M ES LORIMER

YIYOllS: AN O ,OutTllllllltS

111 1

TO

J,

HUI.

H.AIHH

T HI Quu ...

and Son (Bootmakers) Ltd .

J. WILLIAMSON & SON Civil and Milita ry BOOTMAKERS

Meat Purveyors, Poulterers and Game Dealers I, 2, & 3 MARKET BUILDINGS ABERDEEN

Phone 28-470 IRANCHES

8 CHAPEL STREET, ABERDEEN

(Late of 162 Union Street)

3S FOUN TAINHALL ROAD

THE SQUARE. CULTS PHONl

r HONI 21 72 4

Auo AT CHURCH SQUARE. IAllATER EsTAIUSHED

18·H

P HONE 20724

,H ON I

II

For everything to do with

REFRIGERATION DOMESTIC COMME RCIAL IND USTRIAL Consult

Spark 's of Aberdeen Ltd. 16-18 ROSE STREET ABERDEEN TEL. 27366 Dist ri b u tors for

PRESTCOLD

• •

For A ccurac y A ROL[X Oy~ter Perpetual, ,,aterproof in its Oyster case, automatically ,,ound by the Perpetual sclf-windrng " rotor" is the perfect servant for those who value accuracy. Let us show you this remar kable ,,atch, or please send for free catalogue.

All our watches are issued with a written guarantee and are tested e/ectro11ically before lumding out

JAMIESON & CARR Y ABERDEEN

UN IO N BRIDGE

SpeciaJists in Engagement Rings and Reliable Watches

The Mt ' of Ser vice ...

For over 100 years we have been acquiring the 'Art • of Service and now-thro ugh our acquisition by that other old family firm of Wylie & Locbbead Ltd., Glasgow- we are able to offer more extensi\'e service in the following spheres :•

Furnishing for lhe Home, l !alls, Hospitals, Hotels, Exhibitions and lnslitutions.

• Decorating and Appointing Schools, Ships, Rest a urants, Recepti on Rooms, Banks and Boardrooms • Beautifying and restoring Chapels, Churches and Calhedrals .

• Cabinetmaking, Joinery, Lpholstery and Bedding .Manufacturer.

•

Removing, Storing, Cleaning and S hipping of all Household effects.

• Execution of Auctfon Sales, Innnlories, Valuations.

• Complete Undertakin g Service.

We continue to be at your service

• •

J. & A. OGILVIE UNION

STR EE T

ABERDEEN

Branch of Wylie & Lochhead Ltd ., Buchanan Sireet, Glasgow

YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT SCOTLAND'S FINEST AND MOST MODERN BOOKSHOP Where you w ill see books of every descr iptionFiction, Biography, Travel, Sport, Children's Books, etc.

We also have a first-class lend ing library with the latest books available at moderate charges Our Stationery and Fancy Goods Department offers you a comprehensive range of Fountain Pens, Writing Cases, Leather Goods, and, of course, all the popular brands of wr iting paper

JOHN MENZIES & CO., LTD. BOOKSHOP

408-412 UNION STREET

I

~~~~~...._.-

l l l l l

l l l

ABERDEEN

.......~--~~~.-....~-~

Tel ephone 29 191

ARCHIBALD

MCKELLAR

Family Grocer, Wine Merchant and Tobacconist We sptrialise in

.Medicinal Winu

PROVISIONS TEAS COFFEES

VIBRONA HALL'S WINCARNIS

WINES, etc.

PHOSFERINE

l

l l

450-456 UNIO N STREET, ABERDEEN

I l l l l

t

i t

l l l t

.............................._....._..,...__....._.~~ .........--...~~..-...... ........-.l

DAJRY : ABERDEEN

FARM: CULTER

Tel. l O}H

Tel. 31o6

For ..

QUALITY and SERVICE JOHN R EITH (Kennerty Farm Dairies) Ll MITED

4~48 ROSE STREET, ABERDEEN

At yo11r service for qutility

FISH • GAME BUTCHER MEAT Whether you shop in person or by telephone your requirements in either or both of our Depa rtments will be loo ked after with care. Our delivery system too exists for your conven ience.

A. & W. ALEXANBEB Butchers

492 UNION

,

Fishmongers

STREET

•

Game D ealers

ABERDEEN

Te le pho n e A berd een 25236

A GOOD

IS

RADIOGRAM

AN INVESTMENT It yields rich dividends in the way of entertainment , year in, year out. A good radiogram is a superb instrument, giving a fidelity In tone rendering undreamed of a few years back. Come in and look around our spacious Radiogram Showroom and see the newest models for yourse lf

C. BRUCE MILLER & Co. 5 1- 53

GEORGE

STREET ,

Phone 20278

ABERDEEN

Bound for the NorthernBound for success

----\

---- Dress Dinner· en1ng Saturday Ev d rn ballroorn the rno e I Dance in . f the Hote the music o to ting Band Broadcas --

KITTYBREWSTER Telephon e 43342

ABERDEEN Manager : R. C. MILBU RN . M .H .C.I .

. . . and clothes won't stay clean for ever. But they will last longer and st ay bright and fresh if you send them period ically to

THE

Gordon C]eaning Co., Ltd. , Huntl y also at 434 Union Street • 505 George Street .

18 Wh itehall Crescent • DUNDEE

ABERDEEN

BR ANCHES

THROUGHOUT

@ It£

CITY

BAKERS OF QUALITY· ABERDEEN

BOOK BI ND ING OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS

WILLIAM

JACKSON

(ABERDEEN)

LIM I TED

Offices:

6 - 10 UPPER KIRKGATE Factory:

FARMER ' S HALL LANE Telep hone 22591

Establish ed 1855

J. GEDDES EDUCATIONAL

IRVINE

CO SULTA TS A D TUTORS

Individual and Pri\.alc Tuition in all subjects for all School, Un iversity, Professional and Civil Service Examinations

9 ALBYN TERRACE, ABERDEEN Telephone No. Aberdeen 29863

COMPLETE POSTER SERVICES IN NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND ·-

The

IHLLPOSllt\G l l.

Company Limited GE'"I\.TERAL

60 U 10

ROW

•

A BE RD EE and al

TELEPIIONP

3 CHURCII STRFET

28194

INV ERN ESS

CORPO RATI ON

OF ABERDEEN- EDUCATION

ABERD E EN RECTOR

,

GRA M MAR

COMMITTEE

SCHOOL

].urns ]. ROBERTSON, O.B.E., M. A., B.D., P.R .S,B., J,P.

T HE GRAMMAR SCHOOL provides a complete: course of Primary and Secondary Education for Boya.

The School is or~aniscd as follows :-Kindergarten (,-7), Lower School (7-u), Middle School (u-1,), Upper School (1,-18).

The School, which occupie1 an extensive site in the West End of the City, has, in addition to amr.Je classroom accommodation, an Assembly Hall with Stage, a spacious Library and Reading Room, five well-eq uipped Laboratories, four Art Rooms, two Music Rooms, four Workshops, two Gymnasia, a Dining Hall, and a Cinema-Projection Room.

While the School bas a Classical tradition, it offen considerable variety of courses, the subjects of the Secondary Department being (in addition to Religious Education, Music, Physical Exercises and Games), English, History, Geography, Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, l\latbematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, An and Crafts, Technical Subjects, and Commercial Subjects.

Boys arc prepared for the Universities, the Civil Service, the Profeasions, Commerce and Industry. The Examinations nocmallJ taken arc t he Leaving Certificate of the Sct·ttisb Education Department and the Bursaries Competitions of the Scottish Universities.

The School bas •r.acious Playing Fields at Rubislaw, the games played being Rugby Foo1bal , Cricket, Hockey, and Tennis.

ABERD EEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (ALBTN PLACB)

HEAn MISTRESS

MISS

M. MCNAB, M.A. (BDIN.)

T

HE HIGH SCHOOL provides a complete course of education for girls between rhe aaes of , and 18 years. It is organised in three Departments-Infants, Primary and Secondary. The girls in the Secondary Department arc prepared for the Leaving Certificate of the Scottish Education Department and the Bursary Competit ion and the Preliminary Examination of the Univcrsitr, and those pupils who take Music, for the Enminations of the Associated Board. The 1ubjccts studied comprise Scripture, Physical Education, Class Singing, English, History, Geography , Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Latin, Greek, German, French, Music, Art and Craft, Needlework, Cookcr7 and Laundry. There is considerable variety possible in the choice o subjects and courses.

At least one afternoon a week and Saturday mornings arc set aside for organised games at the School Playing Field of eleven acres situated at Hazlcbcad.

Accommoda tion in a Boarding House run for the pupils of the School can be arranged.

Information u to Scholarships, Courses of Study, ere., at the Grammar School and the High School for G.irla is given in the School Prospectuses, which may be bad free on application to the Director of Education, Bdua.tion Offices, Municipal Buildings, Castle Sueet, or to the Rector or Head Mistress respectively.

SAVINGS

SIGNS

The habit of regular saving started while at school leads to independence, happiness, and good citizenship

THE ABERDEEN SAVINGS BANK 19 UNION TERRACE

ABERDEEN 51 Brucbff throaabout the Nortb of ScoUaod

RUGGER

AND

FOOTBALL

BOOTS

corrtct fittlni by X-RAY pedoscopc

JOHN A. DUNN LTD. FAMILY BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS

46 UNION

STREET, ABERDEEN

aha at PETERHEAD, ELGIN, FORFAR, TURRIFF Phone 10158