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xi i

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 7f tb year No. 184 (New Series 65tb year No. 175) JUNE 1959

Vol. LXII

No. 2

The Magazine is published under the auspices of The Former Pupils' Club twice during the year, in December and June.

The Magazine Committee Rector of the School

. Sir James J. Robertson, O.B.E., M.A., B.D., F.E.I.S.

General Editor

•

LL.D.,

F. R.S.E.,

. Campbell Connon, M.A., LL.B., 58 Dee Street, Aberdeen.

Editor of Notes, Obituary, Marriages

Ian G. Shinnie, 7 Burns Road, Aberdeen.

Editor of the School . Alexander Tait, ILA. Section . Chairman of the F.P. Club Executive . G. E. C. Barton, M.A. Secretary of the F.P. Club J. Scott MacLachlan, M.A., LL.B., 220 Union Street, Aberdeen. Advertisements

. Frank C. Connon, M.A., LL.B., i a Golden Square, Aberdeen.

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

CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS Reproduction of Sir James Robertson's portrait . . . . . Sir John Taylor . The late Charles Davidson (" C. D. ") . . • . . " Daily " Allardice in action .

. . . .

. • •

General Section— . Farewell to Sir James J. Robertson . Mr John Vass Skinner, The New Rector . . . . " The Bursary Comp." . Burns, Byron and A' That—Eric Linklater . . " Sixty Years on"—T. G. Gray . " Hyslopiana " . . . . . The Dr. Patrick Dun Bequest (1631) . . . . The Waters Tribunal

Facing page 66 142 ; 2 , • ,,, 43 • 143

. Page .

65 7

•

School Section—

. . . . . . School Office-Bearers . . . . . The Rector's Rctiral . . . . School and Random Notes . . . . Who's Who in the Prefecture . . . . The Guinea Pig—Poem by A. Wyllie . . In Search of Culture—John B. Menzies . . . School Holiday Arrangements, 1959-60 . Film Society. Film Study Group. Scientific Society • . • • • • • Staff Changes Dramatic Society's Play—" The Shoemaker's I Ioliday " . . . . . . A Game for Kings . . . Changing Emphasis in Religious Education • • • • Literary and Debating Society The Orchestra. The Choir. Photographic Society . . . . Evening—Poem by K. Thomson . . . . . . Lower School Notes . Scripture Union. Hill Walking Club. Arts Club . . . . . . . House Notes . . . . . . . . Scout Notes . . . . • • . . C.C.F. • . . . . Meet " Hawk " Wilson . . . . . . The New School Janitors School Sporting Activities— . . . . . Rugby . . . . . . . . Hockey . . . . . . Swimming. Tennis • . . . . • • Cricket . . . • . . . Badminton . . • • . . Athletics .

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99 lot IO2

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103 103 104 105

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I o6 1o8 109 I1O

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114 I16 117 15

119

83 86 88

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92 93 94 95 97

9 8

III

Former Pupils' Club Section—

. . • Club Office-Bearers . • • Annual General Meeting Accounts for year to 31 December 1958 . Sir John Taylor—President 1959-60 Edinburgh Centre. Yorkshire Centre. London Centre . . . . Rugby Section . Hockey Section. Golf Section . . . . Notes about Old Boys . . . . . . New Members . . . University Notes . . . . . . . Marriages . . . • • . . • • Obituary •

•

• •

•

12O 121 122 125 126 127

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129

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130

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136 137

37 139 1

Farewell to Sir James J. Robertson Our tribute to

" The Rector " [We reproduce here the toast to Sir James given by Allan C. Frazer at the Edinburgh Section's Dinner on 6 February i959. It is to be borne in mind, of course, that it was intended for an audience who had just dined and wined well; nevertheless we believe its whimsicality veils much serious appreciation and that its ingenuity and subtle use of language merit its reproduction as our " farewell " to Sir James, to whom, it will be recalled, we paid personal tribute in our editorial on his "double honours" in June 1956 issue.—Ed.]

" Three times a year there issue from The Grammar School of Aberdeen a series of documents which, except in a few cases, are calculated to poison the sweet wells of youthful enjoyment and to raise parental blood-pressures to dangerous levels. Many of these productions contain highly actionable allegations—of incompetence, of sloth, of negligence and of other offences said to be criminal but which are unknown to the Law of Scotland. "For the uttering of these documents (and I calculate upon conservative statistics that since 1942 there have been at least forty-nine thousand), one man and one man alone must accept personal responsibility. Yet he sits in front of you, smiling, benign, gracious and apparently wholly unashamed. " Mark you, the resilience of the Grammar School boy is occasionally equal to the impact of this terminal calamity. I am credibly informed of an incident when one of the more obnoxious of these productions arrived a year or two ago in an Aberdeen home. The family were, of course, sitting at breakfast—a delicious, indigenous meal of Aberdeen haddock and poached eggs. Father opened the envelope and glanced through the contents of the document. His brow darkened. He pushed the egg and the fish from him and passed the paper to mother. A mother knows that there are times in every home when the parental ranks must close. Her lips tightened to a thin and sinister line. No word was spoken; indeed as Annie S. Swan used to put it, ' Words were unnecessary: they understood each other so perfectly '. In an electric silence the document was passed to the small Grammar boy who examined it carefully, appearing to study the tail-end where, as you might expect, the real sting was. After a pause, he observed, ' The Rector's writing seems to have improved a little '. " Mr. Chairman, it seems to me that there was in that small boy's observation the germ of an idea. The whirligig of time brings in its revenges and the time has come for the tables to be turned, and for the boys to issue a Report upon the Rector. " Now, of course, a Rector's curriculum is not the same as a boy's. From the point of view of the smaller boy, the advantages of the one appear to be in striking contrast to the drawbacks of the other. It is not only that a Rector is not exposed to the indecencies of semideponent verbs or those tiresome conundrums which involve the 65

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine capacity of cisterns and the areas of garden paths. It is not only that in certain postures a Rector is entitled to illustrate scripture by making it painfully clear that it is far better to give than to receive. He has other privileges. Without so much as by-your-leave, he can cut afternoon school on a Friday and depart to Edinburgh ostensibly on school business but almost certainly in order to travel in comfort to the Welsh match. " But a Rector has duties as well as rights and requires peculiar skills to carry out his functions. It is to these skills that I would now direct your attention, and I propose to go with you in some detail into the Rector's school report, which, by a happy chance, I happen to have in my pocket. You will recognise its familiar pattern. (Let us take it subject by subject remembering that his curriculum has special feature of its own.) " I must, however, set your minds and his at rest by telling you that he is first in his class. . . . But I wouldn't make too much of that. For, of course, he is in a class by himself. 66

r. Municipal Gymnastics Robertson is a natural acrobat. In the competition between the Lower School and the Corporation he put up a splendid performance on the tight rope. Though appearing to lean to one side, his brilliant sense of balance brought victory to the School. 2. Rhetoric His oral work is consistently excellent. 3. Pianoforte Invariably strikes the right note. When he had mastered the whites, the blacks presented no difficulty. 4 Dramatics A sound performer and a boy of strong principles. He refused to take part in the Education Committee's production of ' A School for Scandal '. For his stand in this connection, it is impossible to do James Robertson . . . Justice. S. Languages A Great Grammarian. 6. General Robertson, though exceptionally mature, looks remarkably youthful for his years. He is a general favourite with old boys as well as young. His departure at this time is one of the strongest arguments for the raising of the School Leaving age. " Now gentlemen, we are this evening in loco parentis to the Rector. And while we do not want our pupil to hear anything which would encourage him to slack, nevertheless, I think we are entitled to express

67 Farewell to Sir James J. Robertson a warm degree of parental satisfaction. We don't want to boast about him: but we're uncommonly proud of him. Proud not only of what is in the report and what it standsfor, but grateful for those qualities of heart and mind which make him not only respected and revered, but loved by those who have to do with him. We are here this evening because of our affection for an ancient school which like every other school can only keep alive in each generation if it is constantly renewing and adapting itself. For all that Sir James has done to keep it great and to make it greater, we honour him. " And so, lucky perhaps in getting his report after dinner and not before breakfast, I invite you . . . to take your glasses and raise them to one who takes his place with natural ease, with grace and with authority among the great Rectors of the Grammar School of Aberdeen." [late hem] Arising from the delay in publication of this issue on account of the printing trade dispute, we are able to report the following: Wednesday, 17 June 1959, the new President, Sir John Taylor gave a small private dinner party in honour of Sir James J. Robertson. The representatives of the Club invited voted this function one of the couthiest, and most entertaining. Thursday, i8 June 1959: The Executive gave Sir James a Complimentary Lunch at the Caledonian. This was of an informal nature, but our President in some brief remarks thanked Sir James for his close co-operation with the F.P. Club in furthering the interests of the School, and deplored that when Sir James is young in everything but years his rectorship should be brought to an end " by the inelastic application of statute law ". Mr. George Barton paid fine tribute to the Rector in the sort of finely rounded English (with a dash of whimsicality!) which we usually associate only with Sir James. At 3 p.m. a large company including Lord Provost Stephen assembled in the School Hall for the Presentation to Sir James of his portrait painted by Mr. J. B. Souter (who also did the portraits of Dr. Morland Simpson, Dr. Charles McLeod, Keith Leask and Mr. A. Gray). In presenting the portrait, Sir John Taylor observed upon the School's continuing success being due in many respects to the quality of the boys themselves in " this favoured North-East corner where hard work has not gone out of fashion and there is real enthusiasm for learning ", due, too, to the quality of masters whose aim was " to stimulate the mind, not to pack it in a cramming institution ". Overall, however, the School owed its present standing and success to the Rector who for 17 years had animated it by a noble purpose; and it was because of the Rector's " splendid stewardship " that the Club had decided to manifest its indebtedness and thanks in this public testimonial of the first rank. Sir James's long career of outstanding public service was fully known to all of us, as was shown by the fact that the Queen and the University had already honoured him.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Sir John having unveiled the portrait, and presented to Sir James " an envelope ", Principal Sir Thomas Taylor then presented to Sir James and Lady Robertson a Television set and another gift on behalf of the parents. He remarked how extraordinarily fortunate " The Grammar " had been in having a man of such unusual distinction of mind and character as Sir James to preside over its destinies for so many years. Sir James had been widely acclaimed for the part he had played in shaping educational policy not only in this country but in the colonies, particularly Africa, and in impressing his own stamp on School he had seen to it that the needs of a technical education were harnessed to the best liberal traditions, so that it was possible for a boy to study science, maths, Latin and Greek all the way up the senior school, thereby leaving the door open for him as regards choice of career, right up to the last minute. Sir James Robertson expressed the thanks of himself and his wife in that glorious, flowing, elegant English for which he is distinguished, the inevitable " sadness " of the occasion for him in no way overshadowing his rhetoric. He found it easier, he told us, to discern himself in the portrait than in the verbal pictures of him which had been presented; but then whereas the artist had to observe truthfulness, the speakers were entitled to resort to " words of occasion " I Nevertheless these words did express to him " at the very end of the road, all the wonderful kindness and generosity " which had accompanied him ever since he came to Aberdeen. He especially appreciated the gift of jewellery made to his wife, stressing that in no small measure her being beside him had assisted him greatly along the road. He thanked the artist Mr. Souter with deep respect for the long hours of liberal education he had enjoyed whilst sitting for " that cultivated and witty man ", and Mrs. Souter, too, he thanked for having helped to extrovert him from what might otherwise have been " a too pensive stillness ". Sir James then went on, " Gentlemen of the Club, I know that I am to hang, but where is still your secret. " Beside that small portrait of the great Melvin, I should be all friendliness and admiration, but he might prove just a little reserved over my attitude to certain aspects of classical study. " Or close by Alexander Bain? I should have to envisage the possibility of his saying, ' Doctor, I wasn't averse to a wee bit of rhetoric myself, but did your wife never have a quiet word to say to you about those long, periodic sentences of yours ? ' " Now, with Keith Leask I should, in the contemporary idiom, `get on a treat', for we both have a streak of irreverence and dislike of the pompous, and we should agree that the Grammar is all the better for thinking more about Music and rather less about the Bursary Comp. " Picture a political meeting (any party!) on here, and from the platform there would come rolling across the Hall large, well-rounded pronouncements about nothing in particular, and then from close beside me on the wall I would hear a disgusted and deflating ' Ach I ', and would whisper gleefully to myself ' Gray's at it again I ' " But wherever you place me, I'm sure I should gravitate towards

69 [Late Item] Morland Simpson, for me a master-shaper of this School and its second founder, if it ever had a first. And we would talk much about the ways of bairns and their elders and all the moil of being a schoolmaster. No doubt, too, when this place had emptied of a morning, one of us would often be moved to say to the other, ' Isn't it grand, that they still have the wee chaps around here! ' " If these are fancies, this is sure. When the morning sunlight first falls across the North wall, picking out the golden names there, a silence will always come on the incorporeal presences in this place and those of them who were dominies will be glad they recognised how much more there was to it all than the small round of scholastic successes and failures, and that many a boy of little seeming had in him the possibility of good things, aye and when the hour struck, of heroic things." Sir James then announced publicly the decision of his wife and himself to return a sum of £ioo from what they had received for the establishment of two annual prizes to be awarded for the best entries in the School section of the MagaTine, a piece of news which was happily and gratefully applauded. Next Sir James thanked the F.P. Club for the strength and vitality it put behind him and the School; and he paid tribute to " Theodore Watt's Magazine " and the valuable link it has long provided between School and F.P.s; he also paid tribute to Scottie Maclachlan for his attachment to School and for his being " the ideal go-between ". He thanked Principal Taylor for his remarks and for the gifts received from the parents, and denounced any tendency towards the attitude which looked upon the parent as " in some sort of way an intruder, a distractor of the State's agents in the carrying out of national education " for this would represent a strange land wherein he would never wish to dwell, and would mean that we had passed " the divide which separates the Christian education from the pagan ". Children axe essentially their parents', and a rectos holds them only on trust from the parents. In handing over the portrait to Councillor Colin McIver (representing the Education Committee) for safekeeping, Sir James observed as his closing word in reference to the Grammar School itself " It is not in my brief to say it, but it is in my heart to say it—Guard it well." Accepting the portrait Mr. Colin McIver regretted that the artist himself had not spoken (he was invited to do so, but declined) for he must have been able to tell of some of Sir James's peccadillos which had been revealed to him during the sittings. He recalled nostalgically how he himself had studied at the Grammar under Morland Simpson, and how he had been a contemporary of Theodore Watt; and assured us that the Town Council would safeguard the portrait lovingly for generations to come. The assembly was then brought to a close by an omnibus vote of thanks given by our vice-president Mr. George Barton who did this rather difficult job with aplomb and elegance. The platform party then adjourned to the Library for tea.

The Rector's Final Message to F.P.s The editor has given me a page on which to say a little about the School and to offer a final word to the many Former Pupils with whom I have not had direct contact this past year. When I took over, Middle I in the Grammar School contained 75 boys, of whom 6o were from Lower School: when my successor takes over this autumn, Middle I will have at least 185 boys, of whom only 64 will be from Lower School. In 1942 Middle and Upper School together numbered well short of 40o: now Upper School alone has over 300 boys and Middle School coming on for 5oo. These figures strikingly reveal the swift change from a smallish, homogeneous school into one which, in its doubled size, is at once more representative and more diversified. To preserve in the new the virtues of the old is not easy, but in the measure that it has been done, it is the greater achievement, and for that achievement praise must go to the teaching staff: it has changed continually and yet remained constant to those things in the life of the School, for which we have all deeply cared. If the rector of those years must have a kind word, let it be simply that he had enough sense to know a good school when he saw it, and to leave well alone. ABOLITION OF FEES PREMATURE?

I still think that in the circumstances of thirteen years ago the abolition of our modest fees was ill-timed and that a continuance and expansion of the free-place scheme, introduced at my coming, would have ensured the School a more gradual and less disturbing development, while avoiding untoward consequences elsewhere. But it is no more than honest to recognise that even if fees, boarding house and primary had remained untouched and unthreatened, Aberdeen Grammar School would have undergone profound changes in these eventful years. The major redistribution of national income would have brought much increased demand for admission both at five and at twelve, which with the ever-growing numbers staying on after the age of statutory schooling, would have made a big enlargement of roll inevitable. Moreover, with the tremendous pressure for standards in our ever more complex administrative and technological age, a maintained grammar school like ours would have been compelled, as indeed the direct grant and independent schools have been, to make family connection with the School only one factor among others in selection for limited places, and to take much account of bright promise or proved ability. With no attempt to assess what has gone and what remains, I submit that there must still be something meriting your support and approbation in a school which boys, students, masters, and rector alike are so sweir to leave, because they have been happy there. The unity of School and Club for which I hoped has been realised to the full. With both myself and a staff representative on the Executive, the bonds have been drawn very close: but what matters more than machinery is the spirit that informs it, and I put on record my 7O

The Rector's Final Message to F.P.s 71 deep gratitude for your loyalty, appreciation and practical support, of which your great part in Grammarian Fair was a signal expression. For your kindness to me and mine over the years and especially at my leave-taking, I am heavily and happily in your debt. All else apart, I find in the warmth and strength of your attachment to the Grammar School sufficient evidence that its tradition is something to be guarded, fought for, and loved. Vivat atque floreat Schola Grammatica Aberdonensis I J. J. R.

The New Rector Mr. John Vass Skinner, M.A., B.LIrr., DIP.ED., comes to us from the Rectorate of Alloa Academy, a post which he has held since 1949. A graduate in Classics of Glasgow, he has an extraordinary wide background of interests and qualifications—academic, literary, linguistic, military, educational and humanitarian. He does not take over his new post officially until a5 August, and we shall accordingly be " covering " his installation in our next issue; but in the meantime we would say to him on behalf of the F.P. Club: " We may not know you yet, but we have learned a lot about you and your qualifications, and we confidently welcome you to your new charge, and assure you of our eager desire to give you our best assistance at all times in any manner appertaining to the well-being and progress of ' The Grammar', whose interests are always our anxious concern. " *

" The Bursary Comp." We have this year to congratulate five Grammar boys on their success in the Aberdeen University Bursary Competition. Ian M. Yeats, who has headed his class academic list since he came to Grammar, in this matter too was consistent, being nominated one of the five recipients of the top awards. The list reads: Bursary Art.r: . . • £70 Ian M. Yeats . . . Clement A. Stewart . . 40 Patrick F. C. Milne . . . . 2.5 Robert W. Simpson . . . . so Science: Duncan J. Macfarlane . 3o . . *

•

Burns, Byron and A' That By Eric Linklater * (1913-16) (Reproduced, by kind permission, from The Times of 3 r December 1958)

In Scotland this morning we wake in the shadow of a plethora. On the 15th of this month the zooth anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns will be observed, and over the weekend the whole land from Carter Bar to Muckle Flugga will be awash with pious oratory. There is, of course, an annual celebration of that stormy and portentous dawn, but with the authority of two hundred years behind them the rites will acquire a numinous quality, and to the consumption of an inordinate amount of haggis the threnody for a poet's early death will resound more multitudinously than ever before. Though Burns did not willingly die for his people, like a patriot or the priest of Nemi, there is a general belief that his death was accelerated by a common condition and a recurrent habit: by poverty in youth and an addiction to drink in later life. He can, that is, be regarded as a martyr. TOO PAROCHIAL

The cult has a solid foundation in a body of poetry which, while popular in feeling, is classical in form, and there is no disputing the fact that Scotland is uncommonly fortunate in its possession of a poet who wrote so much that is not only agreeable to all but admirable under the critic's analytic eye. The best of the songs are unsurpassed, the best of the satires are as fresh as when they were written though what they satirize lies forgotten under the autumnal fall of many years. But in spite of his excellence—of his many excellences—it is possible to doubt whether the sentiment he rouses, and the sentiments expressed at a Burns Supper, are really appropriate to a world that is two centuries older than his birthday. Burns's creative sympathy was circumscribed. He was like the Irish airman in Yeats's poem who declared, My country is Kiltartan Cross, My countrymen Kiltartan's poor. And while it is true to say that he kindled his parochial interests to a light that is universally visible, it is fair to add that in the annual celebrations of his genuis the parish boundaries are usually more apparent than the flame. In today's world the area is too small to be significant or viable. Today we think of continents—and by a curiously happy chance we have a major poet, almost Scotch, whose parish is continental and whose birthday falls three days earlier than Burns's. His temper and talent, moreover, are eminently suited to the contemporary scene, in which no one can write epic poetry, but in which it would certainly be possible, if only genius were on loan, to write a comic epic. That poet is George Gordon, Lord Byron, and when Scotland has eaten its bi-centennial haggis in Burns's honour, it would be an agreeable 72

Burns, Byron and A' That

73 and useful change to inaugurate, on 2 z January 196o, a series of Byron Nights. It would, at least, necessitate a new menu. But I am half a Scot by birth, and bred A whole one— So Byron describes himself, and one need not study genetics to see that the potent chromosomes in his ancestral chain were those that his mother gave him. His father was a passing adventurer who, like a fortuitous and self-indulgent bee, pollinated a rich, ungainly, wideopen blossom of Highland girlhood, and having gone off with the honey, took no more interest in her. But Catherine Gordon, silly though she was, was the heiress in more senses than one of the wildest branch of a turbulent family that had stirred and shaped its adopted country since Norman times. Through her, Byron could trace his descent from King James I of Scotland, and of her twelve immediate predecessors in the lands of Gight, it seems that only one, who was in prison at the time, died in bed. The first of that unquiet dozen was killed at Flodden, and of the rest some were murdered, some executed, and one assisted in the assassination of Wallenstein. INCURABLE PREACHER

Byron was born in Holies Street, which German bombers destroyed, but his destiny was hatched by the river Ythan in Aberdeenshire, and he got his early schooling at the Grammar School of Aberdeen— a grim academy that taught Latinity with a leather tawse, and whose preceptors may have implanted in him that "incurable habit of preaching " of which W. P. Ker complained. A preacher of his gifts would be useful, though he might not be welcome, in the contemporary scene. But rarer, far rarer, than even the best of preaching is the comedy that Byron distils, in his irreverant but romantic mind, from his extraordinary intimacy with the world. He had a clinical knowledge of the frailties of human-kind, and a clinician's tolerance of them. Through a perspective glass, he regarded its insensate aims and foolish methods, and preserved the view with dispassionate accuracy and amiable comment. A redoubtable Russian general he catalogued in this way: Suwarrow chiefly was on the alert, Surveying, drilling, ordering, jesting, pondering; For the man was, we safely may assert, A thing to wonder at beyond most wondering; Hero, buffoon, half demon, and half dirt, Praying, instructing, desolating, plundering; Now Mars, now Momus; and when bent to storm A fortress, Harlequin in uniform. The stanza is a fair sample of Don Juan—and that bland enormous, oinni-competent gallimaufry merely expressed Byron's notion of being " a little quietly facetious about everything ". He is the man for our time, for in our time public problems have grown far beyond the scope of tragedy. Only the genius of comedy could touch, define, and possibly solve them.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine NUCLEAR FEARS

In the decent obscurity of our inward minds we ponder the menace (improbable but persistent) of nuclear warfare and a massive destruction of life; and in our more conscious parts wonder whom it would benefit. No one, is the answer—and so our foreign policy is brought down to the level on which a nurse in Broadmoor walks. He must see to it that no one sets fire to the building. He, and the Foreign Secretary, must preserve the roof of the kindly asylum that shelters us: a conservative role indeed, but one that offers no prospect of cure for the inmates, other than the healing powers of time. And time, whether in the convict's definition or ours, is not always curative. First cousin to the menace is the quaint phenomenon of Communism, and in a state of dull bewilderment we watch its Cyclopean efforts to reshape the world. We watch, and in the hinterland of reason—for reason itself can give no answer—we try to see why the Communists put themselves to such trouble and their innumerable victims to such misery, to attain a goal that has no posts or crossbar, and no net to retain the ball. For if, by a miracle of constant endeavour, they succeeded in establishing Communism throughout the world, they would find themselves in a position of supreme power, bur with nothing on which to use it. Behind them would lie such a trail of horror as would reduce the progress of Genghis Khan to a nursery story, and before them only time's consumption of all their world. For man abhors what is static, man must change, and if Communism was established next Tuesday, by Wednesday night the seeds of change would be sown, and Communism would be defeated. Unlike the great wars of religion, Communism offers no spiritual change. STATUE IN ABERDEEN

These are matters not of high comedy but of dark and deep comedy, and if, for example, Dean Swift were to deal with them they would look intolerable. But Byron—perhaps a Byron who had lived till he was fifty—could handle them. Byron was a romantic comedian, and the romantic can always discern the colour of sunrise through the fog. And Byron, though he pretended misanthropy, had the faculty of pleasure. He had a large capacity for pleasure. He found it in romantic views of mountains and the sea, in memories of Marathon as in the caresses of the Fornarina, in wine and wit—and if there should to boo much of these, in the comfort of hock and soda-water on the morning after. There is no long poem in English, that so exhibits a continuous, many-sorted, disenchanted but forever re-enchanted delight in life as Don Juan. Byron could recognize fraud and nonsense, see through them, and discover in the distance a valid excuse for life and a source of hope. He is, perhaps, the ideal poet for our age. Outside the Grammar School of Aberdeen, which he attended for four years, there is a fine statue of him, and the people of Scotland— or some few of them—would make both a sensible and a graceful gesture if, on the zzrid of this month, three days before Burns's birthday, they were to lay wreaths at its foot.

Sixty Years On [Another F.P. has given us the recollections aroused for him by the 1923 Staff photograph which we reproduced in the issue of June 1958, and we are glad to reproduce these.—Ed.]

Mr. Patrick Diack's article in the Magazine of June last on the 1923 School Staff photograph aroused in me such nostalgic memories of that earlier period—now clear over sixty year ago—when I attended the School, that I feel moved to respond to the invitation extended to F.P.s to recall similar incidents in my time. How green still are the memories of the classrooms in which those great teachers, William Brownie, Murison, Pat Edwards, C. " Caesar " Middleton and " C.D." taught us. It was in the middle school that we first made the acquaintance of Mr. William Brownie, M.A., or " Puggie ", as he was affectionately dubbed, who at that stage taught practically every subject in the middle school curriculum—scripture, mathematics, English and Latin—and imparted into everyone of them a fervour of teaching and a lucidity of exposition which compelled the interest of even the least promising of his pupils. " Puggie "—I simply cannot think of him as Mr. Brownie—had par excellence the ingeniumperfervidum Scotorans and there was no slacking in his hour—partly because his rare disciplinary actions were swift and certain, but chiefly because he could arouse our interest in a way I have never seen excelled. Particularly in the matter of Latin translations, the class, under " Puggie ", became a sort of corporate body and a dividend in the shape of a good rotund phrase or a neat construction yielded a pleasure in which we all shared. " Come on, ye can do better than that, Peter ", he would say, or—to the happy author of something good—" That's fine, Herbert, ye're coming on ". One of his favourite exercises was to test our ingenuity by translating very modern and colloquial prose into Latin, and on one occasion the prose was a newspaper paragraph describing the umpteenth appearance in the local police court of one " Toughie " on a charge of being drunk and disorderly. To Puggie's delight one boy got over the difficulty of rendering " Toughie " into Latin by substituting " Cicero " and adding in parenthesis " si ita dicam ". " That's all right, Herbert ", said " Puggie ", " call him anything you like. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." (Those who remember " Toughie " will best appreciate the delicate humour of his comparison to a rose.) Puggie's keen appreciation of the drama found vivid expression when we did King Lear II in class with him taking the title role. I can never forget the look of anguish upon Naughton Dunn's face when " Lear " asked him, " Dost thou call me fool, boy "? and the class completely broke down after Naughton spluttered the reply, " All thy other titles thou hast given away, that thou wast born with ". Into his treatment of delinquents Puggie put as much earnestness as he showed in teaching. For minor offences such as temporary lack of attention, an invitation was extended to a " Levee " to be held for 73

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine an hour after school, during which period the guest would have to do a version! But for those who persistently played the fool in class there was no half measures; they " got it " good and hearty. To make up for the deficiency in leverage caused by Puggie's shortness of stature, the erring one was made to sit down and requested to " haud oot yer laift hand "—for some curious reason preference was always given to the " laift " hand. It is related that on one occasion the first stroke was accompanied by an ominous tearing sound and that Puggie, requesting the fortunate victim to go back to his seat, hurriedly retreated backwards to his own, clutching his nether garment. Puggie's figure was a caricaturist's dream and full advantage of this was taken by our talented class-mate, the late Alan Sutherland. How I should love to see once again that masterpiece wherein the tall " Pat " Edwards and the diminutive Puggie were depicted singing the Hallaluja chorus in duet! The most lasting impression I have retained of Charles Davidson, alias " C. D.", the third of the middle school triumvirate (" Puggie ", " Pat " and " C. D."), is of the great amount of general knowledge which he managed to impart in the course of his teaching, no matter what the subject might be, and from this originated the best " howler " I heard at school. In the course of an English lesson the word " spelt ", meaning " grain ", had cropped up, but no boy knew its meaning, so " C. D." instructed us to look it up in the dictionary in the lunch hour recess. In the afternoon boy after boy confessed that he had forgotten to look up the word, until " C. D." came to one boy who had been hurriedly consulting his neighbours. " C. D.". " Did you look up ' spelt' in the dictionary, Henderson ? " Henderson. " Yes, Sir." " C. D." " And what is its meaning? " Henderson. " Elephants' eggs, Sir." (I recently came across my copy of the .Magazine for November 1936, which contained a brilliant true-to-life account of Pat Edwards by John Minto Robertson which evoked many happy memories.) I was interested to read in the June number that at the Yorkshire centre dinner Professor W. P. Milne—we called him " Piper Milne "— referred to " the Kitts " which Dr. Morland Simpson dubbed the domes rotunda. In my day an invitation to " meet you at 4 p.m. behind the Kitts " was a challenge to fight. Ebeu fugaees. Tilfo. G. GRAY (1896-1901) Labuntur mod. 76

" Hyslopiana " We regret that once again the promised article about Archie Hyslop and his writings has required to be held over, since the preparation of the article is taking longer than anticipated in view of the volume of his works—made available to us by his widow—which it is necessary to go through very carefully. We are very sorry this article is not yet ready but are confident it will be ready for the next issue.

The Dr. Patrick Dun Bequest (163i) —and what happened to it1 As mentioned in our report of the last Annual Dinner, the Secretary of State in 1958, instead of taking away the annual endowment of Li5o (as was threatened) has now recognised a claim to an additional L150 so that the School now enjoys an endowment of £300 per annum—but whence came the original endowment of £150? In the past there have been long dissatisfied grumblings as to the manner in which the Town Council of yesteryear " stole" from School a rich endowment to which it was legally entitled. It may therefore not be out of place to reproduce here an abstract of an article about the "Dr. Patrick Dun Bequest" which Dr. W. Douglas Simpson wrote for the Magazine in November 1934. Patrick Dun was the son of a burgess of Aberdeen. He was probably educated at " Grammar" before proceeding to Marischal College, and thereafter to Basel where he graduated M.D. with great distinction in 1607. x610: He returned to Aberdeen as Professor of Logic. 1619: He was appointed Rector of Marischal College, and to the Chair of Medicine at King's College. x 6z1: He became first lay Principal of Marischal College (which position he held till 1649) and also Marischal College's first Librarian. At the time of his appointment as Principal he was already famous as a practising doctor in the Aberdeen area; and indeed, he apparently prospered greatly because after Marischal was burned down in 1639 he contributed handsomely to the cost of rebuilding. [The original Jameson portrait of him which hangs in the School Hall was done in 1631.] 1650: He died sometime in the early 1650s, and after his death his Will (dated 3 August 1631) disclosed that he had left the Lands of Ferryhill to the Town Council as Trustees "for the maintenance of four masters in the Grammar School ", with certain instructions to the Council to accumulate income until a sufficient sum of additional capital had been secured to enable the Trustees to purchase further lands so that the total trust estate would yield at least i.zoo merks annually. He also gave certain directions concerning poor children of tenants of the lands of Ferryhill being educated free; and empowering the Town Council to carry out regular inspections at School to see that it was being conducted properly and that' the masters were men of good repute. The Will (in Dr. Simpson's words) " concludes with a solemn injunction that the mortification shall ' stand unalterable, inviolable, and unchangeable in all tyme hereafter for ever ' ". Thereby (again in Dr. Simpson's words Dr. Dun) " by providing the four masters with an assured competence sufficient to attract men of good calibre and qualifications, promised to place the School permanently on a sound economic footing, as well as to secure the blessings of free education to boys whose parents could not afford to pay fees ". 77

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine But things did not turn out quite as Dr. Dun had intended! 1653: The Town Council assumed control of the trust estate, the stock at that time amounting to £74 8s. approx. Thereafter rents from the Ferryhill estate and interest on loans were accumulated until 1666: when the Council considered that sufficient money had accresced to permit of their buying further lands as directed in the Will. The total capital sum available at this time was now £583 as. approx. to which fell to be added a further 5oo merks, being a bequest made to the School in 1628, in actual fact anonymously but believed to have been made by Dr. Dun. But (to quote Dr. Simpson again) " now begins the hankypanky " for " instead of buying land, as they were held bound to do, the Council proceeded to lend money out, without adequate security, to various people, including certain of their own number ", some of whom went insolvent with consequent heavy loss to the Trust Funds. The school staff was not always maintained at four as it ought to have been, masters were not paid in full as they should have been, many items were wrongly debited against the trust fund . . . in other words there was a great deal of jiggery-pockery I 1677: The Town Council bought out of the Patrick Dun Beques Funds, but for Aberdeen not for the Trust, the Lands of Gilcomstone (At this time the City Fathers were promoting the expansion of Aberdeen beyond the Den Burn which had for centuries contained Aberdeen on its West side.) The price paid was £1,448 8s sod., mostly out of the Bequest. 1681: The stock of the Trust had at this time a face value of £469 3s. zd. but of this sum over £285 was earning no interest at all; and of this £285, more than half was, for all practical purposes, already irrecoverable. By now the Town itself was freely borrowing from the funds of the trust, although apparently paying the due interest. 1752: The lease of the Ferryhill lands was surrendered by the tenant (in return for an annuity payment), and the Town Council for the first time now came into full vacant possession of these lands. The rental yielded by the lands at this time was L i oz zs. 7d. But "unfortunately the advent of the Town to full control merely prepared the way for further mischief ". Instead of re-letting the lands so as to assure regular income to the Trust, the Council now commenced giving off parts of the lands by feuing, to the great ultimate loss of the trust capital. Had the Council retained ownership of the lands they would have been worth a fortune today. 1753: The masters, whose patience had by now worn extremely thin, petitioned the Council for an increase of salary, claiming that the trust fund was now sufficient to warrant such an increase. After some haggling, the matter was referred to arbitration, the arbiter's decision in 78

The Dr. Patrick Dun Bequest (rpfs) 79 1754: awarding the masters £164 yearly (the value of the Ferryhill feu duties) and also making other findings—which it was quite outwith the arbiter's rights or powers to dol—including: an award of compensation to the Common Good Fund (for certain sums drawn therefrom to pay salaries) the cancellation of the Town's debt to the Trust a direction that the balance in the fund be utilised for the building of a new school and for the establishment of a fund to provide for its maintenance. The building of the school was then proceeded with (being completed in 1757), and the money drawn for this (f514 7s. 6d.) together with other items of dissipation of the trust funds disasterously cut down the capital of that fund. 177o: The stock of the fund had dropped to £100; and by 1775: further considerable withdrawals from the capital of the fund had been made to finance repairs, etc., in connection with the school building maintenance (about which, of course, Dr. Dun had said nothing). Dr. Simpson's comment as to the position now arrived at is that " by the foregoing unhappy series of transactions the masters of our school were deprived of salaries which, had the trust been honestly managed, would by this time have amounted to sums much in excess of those usually paid to dominies at that period. Moreover, the benefit of free education was denied to those for whom the founder had intended such provision." 1796: A Statement was issued on behalf of the masters challenging the legality of the arbiter's findings, and observing as to how these findings were " in direct opposition to the deed of mortification ". This sentiment was taken up and developed by Walter Thom who in his History of Aberdeen published in i 81 r : made very pungent comment about " the mismanagement of Dr. Dun's mortification " stressing that but for this " . . . the means of education would have been accessible to the lower classes of the town and neighbourhood of Aberdeen . . .", and commenting that it . . . the turpitude of the crime cannot be palliated by any plea of ignorance as . . . the moral obligation to do justice . . . ought to have dictated better sentiments ". Notwithstanding this public and angry comment by Thom, nothing was done to change or redeem the position until 187z: When " The Education (Scotland) Act " transferred control of the School from the Town Council to an ad hoc body, the School Board. Furthermore, under this Act the new Board were required to take over administration of Aberdeen's educational endowments. A special committee was therefore set up to inquire into the whole position of the Dr. Dun Bequest, the capital of which at this time now amounted to £3,624 16s. 7d.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine At first the Council of the time refused to allow this committee to examine its earlier records, but eventually in 1874: after prolonged negotiations settlement was reached between the Council and the Board, under which the Council agreed to pay the Board for the Grammar School a sum of £164 annually (representing the annual value at that time of the feu-duties payable from the Ferryhill Lands). In 1929: The Local Government (Scotland) Act restored the School once more to the control of the Town Council, and in

1934: the Educational Endowments Scheme awarded " School " (a) a sum £3oo for providing free education at the Grammar; (b) a sum of £150 p.a. to be regarded as the Dr. Dun " benefit " to be devoted to the assistance of group activities at School. And there " the sad story of the Dun Mortification" appeared to come to an end, at the time when in 1934 Dr. W. Douglas Simpson reported on the history of the fund in the Magazine at that time. But, happy to relate, the story did not in fact end there, for in 1954 : a further review of the position took place, the proposals then

made being that the Dr. Dun benefit of £15o should be withdrawn and reallocated to provide two additional bursaries for the Grammar. However our Rector, Sir James Robertson, made strong representation against such a withdrawal, showing that " the benefit" could still be used in a variety of ways to the School's advantage notwithstanding the free educational facilities, etc. In 1958: the Secretary of State's finding was that the Education Committee no longer required the £300 awarded them in 1934 in view of the disappearance of fee-paying, but that the Grammar School had first claim on these particular funds, and accordingly the £15o granted in 1934 in respect of the Dr. Dun Benefit should now be increased to £300 p.a.

Editorial Explanation This June issue of the Magazine is becoming available only now, at the end of August, on account of the dispute in the Printing Trade which closed the University Press (in common with all other printing establishments), for a number of weeks. We have taken advantage of the delay to bring in some late items, and the Editor would like to acknowledge the assistance given him by Mr. J. Miller of the Aberdeen University Press in connection with the introduction of the late matter into this issue, after in fact, the Magazine had been completed for the printers in mid-June,

The Waters Tribunal Sir James Robertson was a member of the 3-man tribunal set up to inquire into "the Waters incident", when a sixteen-year old Thurso boy claimed to have been assaulted by a policeman. The holding of the tribunal may have far-reaching repercussions with regard to the administration of criminal law in Scotland, and we think it of sufficiently wide interest for us to reproduce here some comments from a leader in The Scotsman of 17 April 1959. One of its concluding observations was that: The whole proceedings have shown how the British system of Government enables the House of Commons to intervene by means of setting up an inquiry into any case of suspected injustice

but it is some of the other observations which, we consider, are of greater interest: ... as the Tribunal conclude, for reasons which should be read in detail, the Crown evidence would not have sufficed to secure a conviction. This is a justification of the Lord Advocate's decision not to prosecute, unless it is maintained that the Lord Advocate should authorise prosecutions which he knows will fail. What has happened in this instance shows how the rights of persons who might be liable to prosecution could be undermined. If the evidence against a policeman is not sufficient to secure a conviction, let enough public feeling be aroused, get questions asked in the House, demand an inquiry and elicit the evidence which would not be admitted in a Court of Law. It may be that this procedure by a Tribunal of Inquiry must be kept in reserve, just in case glaring injustices should be unrevcaled, but there is obviously a danger that it could be overworked to the detriment of justice. .. . It is not satisfactory however, that the individuals should be, in a sense, in double jeopardy. If they cannot be shot down in a Court of Law, they may be shot at before a Tribunal of Inquiry.

School Trips to France 192o-3o A comprehensive account of these trips has been made available to us by Dr. A. A. Cormack who, with his wife, conducted these trips. We had hoped to include a write-up on these excursions in this issue, but, for certain editorial reasons have been unable to do so; we hope, however, to include this account in the next issue. *

" The study of History is like keeping a cat: it preserves one's sense of proportion. Surrounded by dogs, men are tempted to regard themselves as superior beings, whereas one cat supplies the corrective to inordinate self-esteem." ALEXANDER KEITH.

School Section School Office Bearers Prefects BRIAN W. FINNIE (Senior Prefect) DUNCAN J. MACFARLANE (Deputy Senior Prefect) WILLIAM STEVENSON COLIN T. PRESHAW HECTOR M. AIRD IAN STEWART IAN M. REID THOMAS N. DUCAT PETER A. WALKER CHARLES D. RICE ALASTAIR W. DUNCAN MICHAEL J. T. WATT ALAN J. SANGSTER MELDRUM B. EDWARDS GAVIN B. WILSON ROBERT C. SCACE GEORGE P. GRAHAM WILLIAM A. WILSON LEONARD D. SCORGIE DENNIS HAY MICHAEL WOOD ALASTAIR J. C. SMITH MICHAEL G. KING IAN M. YEATS ALASTAIR I. SOPPITT DONALD S. MACKENZIE GORDON G. MASSIE

Dun

Byron GORDON MASSIE

House Captains Keith

Melvin

BRIAN W. FINNIE WILLIAM STEVENSON ALASTAIR W. DUNCAN

Rugby Football Vice-Captain THOMAS N. DUCAT

Captain

GEORGE P. GRAHAM

Captain

PETER A. WALKER

Captain

HECTOR M. AIRD

Captain

WILLIAM STEVENSON

Captain

DAVID A. WOOD

Captain

WILLIAM STEVENSON

President

Vice-President ALEXANDER N. MAIN LEONARD D. SCORGIE Secretary ALASTAIR J. C. SMITH

Hockey Vice-Captain DAVID K. PARKINSON Cricket Vice-Captain PETER A. WALTER Athletics Vice-Captain THOMAS N. DUCAT

Tennis Vice-Captain GAVIN B. WILSON Swimming Vice-Captain GORDON R. SPATE

Literary and Debating Society

Dramatic Society Secretary IAN M. YEATS I TARRY J. C. HILL President Treasurer ALEXANDER N. MAIN Vice-President BRIAN W. FINNIE Film Society President

Secretary DUNCAN J. MACFARLANE

BRIAN W. FINNIE

Treasurer JOHN B. MENZIES Cadet Force

Sen. UIOff.

A LASTAIR J. C. SMITH

Scripture Union Secretary CLEMENT A. STEWART Editors of School Section HARRY J. C. HILL

WILLIAM STEVENSON

IAN M. YEATS

The Rector's Retiral This is the Record, set out for future historians, of one of the most famous of the thirty-nine Grammar School Rectors since Thomas de Bennum first held the office in iz6z: Sir James Jackson Robertson. First Bursar, Glasgow University; Military Service with 15th Division in France, 1916-19; M.A. HOES. Classics, Glasgow, 1919; London, 193o; F.R.S.E. 1941; O.B.E. 1948; F.B.I.& x949; Hon. LL.D. Aberdeen, 1956; Knighted 1956. Assistant Classical Master in Hillhead High School, Glasgow, Assistant and Principal Classical Master in Hermitage School, Helensburgh, Principal Classical Master in Bell-Baxter School, Cupar; Rector of Fort William Senior Secondary School, of Falkirk High _ School and of the Royal High School, Edinburgh; Secretary, Scottish Secondary Headmasters' Association 1936-39 and President 1944-46. Member of Advisory Council on Education in Scotland, 1942-52 and Convener of its Secondary Committee and Vice-Chairman, 19f7; Member of the Executive, Scottish School Broadcasting Council and of the School Broadcasting Council for U.K. 1957— Vice-Chairman of new Scottish Council for the 'I'raining of Teachers, 1959; President of the Education Section of the British Association, 1959; one of the two Assessors, appointed under Lord Sorn, by the Secretary of State for Scotland, in the Waters Tribunal. Member of the Advisory Committee on Education in the Colonies 1946-, and Chairman of its African Sub-Committee, 1956; Examiner and reporter on Achimota School to the Government of the Gold Coast 1951; Delegate the Sth General Conference of U.N.E.S.C.O., Monte Video, 1954; Member of Visiting Commission to Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone to report and advise on future policy, 1958.

When Sir James came to the School in 5942 he was already a seasoned campaigner, with experience in many schools and with the enrichment of three Rectorships. His memorable discourse to the School Staff in private session—a discourse which lasted for two hours, twenty-five minutes—is still vivid in the mind of the writer. Here, patently, was a fresh, independent personality, armed at all educational points, who knew what he wanted, and who had the drive and moral courage to carry through his desire. Very soon this new vitalising force was making itself felt in all the activities of the ancient seminary; there had begun the most invigorating of the four dozen Rectorships in the School's history. From the very beginning Sir James revealed a great width of knowledge and a swiftly moving legal mind which marshalled arguments and drew conclusions with a startling logical power—qualities which were to make him such a valuable member of many committees. And to give persuasive point to these abilities was an incredible gift of language. Like some Peter Lombard, projected from the twelfth into the twentieth century, this " Master of Sentences " could make words flash like swords in the grand salute, and with one gleaming phrase light up a whole controversy, while aspiring orators listened, wondered and despaired at this perfection of language. But this curiesa felicitas of diction, frequently commented on during his seventeen memorable years was no chance by-product. It came from a life83

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine time study of the Classics and Hebrew literature; it is not generally known that while Education was the Rector's vocation, the reading of Theology was his favourite hobby. The conciseness and clarity of the Roman orators, the subtleties and athletic elegance of the great Greek writers, the powerful parallelism and rolling rhythm of the Hebrew prophets become his own possessions, waiting to be called up at will. There was no painful halting among phrases, while he groped for the " just word ". Few know that his technique for casting a speech was of the simplest . . . a locked door, a few turns round his work-table this way, and then that way, hands deep in pockets, chin well down, and the Heads of Discourse were born, ready to be given bodies of flesh, bone and blood, when the time came. What boy will readily forget the talks in Assembly on " The Misuse of the New Library " or the perennial problem of " Smoking"? . . . And how amazing that at countless F.P. dinners, he could play upon a hundred different strings, and keep them all in tune! The work of Sir James on Committees increased as his abilities were revealed. He wrote the Report of the Advisory Committee on Secondary Education in Scotland. Directional lines he has sketched are being followed all over the world. His later years have been an exercise in dedication to world-wide education. He has never been able to eat his bread alone, but has shared it gladly with the white, the black, and (indirectly) the yellow races. Some years ago he opted to decline the offer of the Chair of Education in Glasgow University and remain Rector of the Grammar. Reputable Journals have printed his contributions. Who better, then, to address the British Association on " What are our Schools for? "; or who more fitted to harmonise the new demands of technology in general with the older well-tried disciplines ? But the finest thing about Sir James is that he has remained simple, human, and unspoiled despite the world's acclaim. Many become influential and forget their lesser brethren. Not so, Sir James, who has never lost the common touch. How many members of Staff have secured higher posts because Sir James, whose judgments came to be accepted without question, took the trouble to write or speak the decisive word? We, on the inside, have known his swift help in misfortune and sickness. Who could remain unmoved when he counselled boys at Christmas time to make the season memorable for their Mothers, who would be taking great pains to make it memorable for them, or when he urged his " loveable rascals " not to add to the labours of the school cleaners, " who will be hard at it here long after you have left the building ", or when he told old-timers to make the path of the new and not-so-sure boy as smooth as possible? I4e had no special love for gold-medal diggers, because, as he said, " for every high flier God makes, He chooses to make twenty decent ordinary boys ". Thus were the courtesies instilled and discipline exercised for the benefit of all " likeable rascals " over a period of seventeen years. We recall the words of Dr. Smith in a Glasgow parish 84

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described in the New Statistical Account, 1834: " An able and wellprincipled school-master is one of the most meritorious subjects in any prince's dominions, and a more powerful influence than preachers." So, thinking of Sir James, say we all; and it is a Queen, and not " any prince " who at the end of the day sets her seal upon his lifework, and marks him out as the facile abrinceps among headmasters, by conferring upon him the honour of Knighthood. We think we are right in saying that no school-master qua school-master has ever been so honoured. So we take leave of one of the representative men of this century, whose life-work will remain an integral part of World Education, and we salute Lady Robertson, whose sacrificial contribution has made much of it possible. We noted the frequent and enforced separations, and how cheerfully she kept the home fires burning. We will recall her winsome personality and her gracious presence at many school functions, her service on Sports days and at the Grammar Fair, where her Provisions-stall " drew " more than £l oo. Although hex parental origins are in Washington, D.C., she has given herself generously to seven Scottish schools. To Sir. James and his Lady, we wish many years, much happiness and much reflective satisfaction. R. M. M.

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians iv. 8, 9. *

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

School and Random Notes Random notes, random notes, random notes, random . . . ; how these words haunted the editors until twenty-four hours before the magazine was due to be sent to the printers, at which time we began to write them, burning the midnight and correspondin*ly out-of-licensing-hours spirit. Whether these pages are up to the ridiculously high standard of previous years we do not wish to say: anyhow, here they are. As W. H. Auden puts it: " Here am I, here are you: But what does it mean? What are we going to do? " (Or words to that effect.) * • * The numbers of members of staff taking flight is assuming alarming proportions. The first of them, Mr. James A. D. Michie, for once lived up to his maxim, ' Let's go ". Within a fortnight of his appointment as Assistant Director of Education for Fifeshire, he was taking leave of the School. Mr. Michie is remembered for his enthusiasm in the classroom and on the sportsfield, for his work with the Dramatic Society, and above all for the unfailing regularity with which his native Cove Bay appeared in French Examinations. At Easter the School lost the services of Mr. David Murray, who took up a new appointment at St. Margaret's School. Although Mr. Murray's best work was done with the Choir and Orchestra, and his musical projects with which he was associated were always conspicuously successful, he was ever encouraging and helpful with the most unmusical of his pupils. Also leaving at Easter, Mr. Dallas Allardice goes further afield to Dundee. A famous Rugby Internationalist,' Daily ' did much for Rugby and Swimming in the School and while we bemoan our loss we wish him every success in Dundee. The last to depart was Mr. George L. McGhee. In the last eight years Mr. McGhee fought to improve the standards of the Grammar School. Apart from his work in the class-room, he achieved prominence because of his activities on the sportsfield, his interest in current affairs and the Debater and, of course, his heroic Hall Duty. * * * At the same time we must welcome a host of newcomers,—Mr. James D. Murray, the new Principal Technical Subjects Master, and Mr. Andrew S. Robertson, Mr. George Mortimer and Mr. Locke Nicholson, to the Modern Languages, Physical Education and Music Departments respectively. * * * Flee. All is discovered. Some well-meaning wit let the cat out of the bag, or rather the skeleton out of the cupboard. Bony Charlie took a little trip out through the School gates without authority one sunny day in March. It is publicly believed that he was removed in connexion with Charities Week; the better informed among us, however, know for a fact that he was taken to the Luncheon Huts, dismantled, deboned . . . and the rest of the tale speaks for itself. Enough to say that the customers at the Dining Saloons had soup, yellow soup, lovely soup. * * * No, no, no, no sixpenny bars of chocolate. At least, for one agonising week in April there weren't. Not even the rather more vulgar Crunch-crunch-flake-andmake-a-mess-of-your-jacket-bars for the first form to chew. The Librarian's supply of Mixed Fruit Oddfellows was not sufficient, and so we had nothing to do but starve. This perhaps explains the disappearance of the pregnant goldfish from the janitor's garden, and may also be offered as an excuse for taller members of VI, who were seen late one night during the crisis, munching at the sweet tips of the cherry blossoms. In front of Lord Byron, too. • * * It is distressing to discover how often the Staff now advertises its extra-curricular activities. Time was when only relentless sleuthing could discover the ex-boxer or the astronomer in our midst. Alas! Golf clubs have now replaced the academicbriefcase; Yul Brynner is emulated before an admiring throng of juveniles; permuttations and combinations arc frequently explained in everyday contexts. But that

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is not all. Abandoning propriety and restraint, a prominent member of the English Staff now marks our examination papers with a pencil proudly bearing the name of a local turf commission agent. * * * The framed reproductions which hide the holes and ink-blots in the Library wall and do a good job keeping that bibliothecal draught out, have long escaped the pens of the school editors. Don't get the impression that we're going to splash Royal Blue Washable on them, but we were just wondering what could have possessed Professor Gogh when he painted a swarm of anaemic beetles in a messy pool of blaeberry juice. When we dared to approach the afore-mentioned picture, we perceived a dear little label, ever so much more picturesque than the canvas above it, which reads: " Flowers in a Copper Vase." Copper Vase yourself. * * * The books in the Library want dusting. * * If there are any spelling mistakes this term in these notes, it's because we are writing in a partly painted room, clothed in dust sheets (the room), with the windows tight shut. If you're wondering why the windows should be shut, it's because the pipe band is outside. Does that explain it, do you think? *

•

People have been asking about those puffins and partridges which glare stuffily at one on the way through what used to be the museum. " On what," they ask, " arc they fed? " We have to reply with a polite and understanding smile that they aren't fed on anything special, but that they just seem to sit, hang, or perch there all day long, not doing anything in particular. While on the subject of not doing anything in particular, a certain youth once put forward the theory that 5 times o = 5. If you multiply five by nothing, he said, you really aren't multiplying 5 by anything at all, that is you haven't done anything to it, but left it where it was. Why, he asked, do mathematicians disbelieve him? Shall we tell him? * * * Where, o where is there space? Where is there a room that has not already ;o or 4o boys therein? The editors were compelled by lack of Lebensraum to cower behind two typewriters in Mr. Lynch's cubbyhole, which, incidentally, contains nothing much but a rusty tea urn.

The School has always been remarkable for its musical innovations, and Mr. Wilson is carrying on this famous tradition. His playing of the morning hymn is always eagerly awaited by all and sundry. In spite of a small physique he produces many overpowering tonal excesses and his pedal extremities are pendulums of remarkable motivation; he is noted for his FAUX (bourdons).

We are pleased to announce that as a result of our drawing attention, in the last magazine, to the lack of a notice to indicate the direction of the office, authority has at last remedied the situation. Now everybody walks with complete confidence into Mr. Henderson's English Class.

In conclusion, we would say this: if perchance during your kind perusal of these pages you might just have stretched your lips into one teeny weeny smile, we shall be . . . extremely surprised. " Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill " Macbeth. (We presume you know who wrote that.) CONCLUSION:

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Who's Who in the Prefecture

Brian W. Finnie. This year's " grand fromage ". Not even World Citizenship Conferences stopped him from viewing the on-goings of the world in general, and the Howff in particular, with enviable unconcern. Sports a hairstyle of unknown origin, and a brow of extraordinary serenity and smoothness. " Aequam memento rebus in arduis Scrvare mentem, non secus in bonis Ab insolenti temperatam laetitia."—Horace. Duncan J. MacFarlane. A country yokel who spends his time watching films—of the highest educational value, of course. Although outwardly uninspiring, don't let this disillusion you, he is. Wears spectacles, but we can't think why, because he doesn't miss much, even without them. Studious. " Let me be cruel, not unnatural; I will speak daggers to her, but use none."—William Shakespeare. Hector M. Aird. A B.B. man whose back looks as if it had been moulded by a Bible class pew. Captain of Cricket and an excellent wickety. Has a dummying style in Rugby which appears to confuse him more than the opposition. His books are all neatly covered with brown paper, and he always does his homework tidily—but he's quite a nice chap really. " Ye were not formed to live the life of brutes. But virtue to pursue, and knowledge high."—Dante's " Inferno ". T. Nicholas Ducat. Popped over to India at Christmas to get a sun-tan, but as he doesn't go to the MacRobb we thought it was rather a waste of time. Horribly quiet and restrained, he spends his time training for hurdle races and running hurdle races. Someone should tell him about girls. " But I live For ever in a deliberate bliss A spirit sliding through tranquility."—Stephen Phillips. Alastair W. Duncan. Is outstanding—usually to MacFarlane. Answers to various names, Tiny and Al being two of the printable ones. Played some temperamental games for the xst XV but finds shooting more enjoyable, and epic descriptions of big game hunting in the Forest of Birse are always well received in the Howff. Periodic checks on his " cash " in monopoly usually lead to visits by that man next door. " Simple pleasures arc the last refuge of the complex."—Oscar Wilde. Meldrtun B. Edwards. We have often wondered which came first, Mel or the chewing gum. I Ias been described as one of those, which is infinitely better than being described as one of them. Although the baby of the Howff, he manages to hold the greatest number of House appointments and has a go at everything, with conspicuous success. Like Peter Walker, he doesn't shave but, unlike Pete, he doesn't have to. " A fresh, a free, a friendly man."—John Gower. George P. Graham. Is a big boy now and advertises for female escorts in the Press. Captain of the 1st XV, his repertoire of songs (two) attracts either favourable comment or a volley of Gym shoes. Inability to learn the rules of Monopoly has resulted in quick retreats to the " little room ", where efforts to recover him are nearly always unsuccessful. The unfortunate occasion when he was too late is remembered with amusement both by the Prefecture and the clients of the East End Cloakroom. " There's no getting blood out of a turnip."—Frederick Marryat. Dennis Hay. Another of these sportsmen. Dennis surprised us all during a particularly interesting card game by telling us that he was a Sunday school teacher. We hope the lapse is only temporary. Plays hockey, cricket, and any other game that comes to hand. " What cannot be repaired is not to be regretted."—Samuel Johnson. Michael G. King. Described by his friends as a purist, but extensive research has failed to uncover the reason. Possessor of a running style which looks more conducive to a sideways motion than to a forward one; but is nevertheless an excellent sprinter. One of the khaki gents, unique in that he doesn't shout. " The purest soul that e'er was sent Into a clayey tenement."—Tobias Smollett.

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Donald S. Mackenzie. One would have thought that falling off the cliffs at Cove would have had a restraining effect on anybody. Not so with Donald; he may be found at any time suspended between the Howff walls at an altitude of anything from ten to fifteen feet, where it must be admitted the air is fresher; in fact, at interval, that is the only place where there is any air. Threw an after-Highers Party at his home ; a good time was had by all. " Come up and see me sometime."—Mac West. Gordon G. Massie. Although he has got a concave chest, a sad expression and flax feet like most of today's athletes who have got concave chests, sad expressions and flat feet his prowess on the track is considerable. He has had less success recently Marshalling Elizabeth but we hope that he won't be Aitken for Lorna for too long. Has appeared in the Glasgow Herald. !maw yap &MY µuptwv KO" e.Eklci&a xaKtov any ci0Avraw v4vous.—Euripides. Colin T. Preshaw. The distinguishing quality of this long youth is his accent. thought by some to be a hybrid of Fitter and Kelvinsidc. Plays every game known . . . and football. Has a vaulting style described as pole-assisted but at last is realising that he could probably go higher without the pole. Sports a hairstyle that goes well with his complete lack of taste in music. " There is no index of character so sure as the voice."—Benjamin Disraeli. Ian M. Reid. This long-limbed, red-haired individual spends his time peering at the countryside through a camera lens and at leaves through a microscope, all part of his preparation for a career in a field in agriculture. An ardent student of history, he writes with unfailing regularity on" the spacious days of great Elizabeth ". Has a violent anti-American prejudice and a love of exotic Oriental fare. " Rutilae Calcdoniam habitantium comae, magni artus Germanicam originem adsevenuit."—Tacitus. Duncan Rice. Plays tennis with a " Cynthetic " racket. Musical interest is confined to medium-paced-rockers, a genre of music dispensed by Roll and Rock merchants. Has a low view of Wilson explained by the fact that he is a foot shorter and that the former helped to screw up his locker. Broods. " I am a man more sinned against than sinning."—William Shakespeare. Alan Sangster. Habitually regards the occupants of the Howff with an air of cynical contempt. A prospective engineer, he none the less finds a leavening of Classical culture an advantage in the world of science. Visits Rubislaw only for the purpose of gliding. " He settled en's business—let it be l Properly based oily Gave us the doctrine of the enclitic Dead from the waist down."—Robert Browning. Robert C. Scace. Although he boasts a conical physique he is one of the better fifth year forwards (which is not saying much) and is as good as any of the sixth year forwards (which is saying even less). His botanical sketches arc disgustingly well drawn and he appears to take a ghoulish delight in dissecting dandelions on the School lawn. Rarely takes part in Howff fights but spends his time reading banned novels and combing his hair. " Never shake thy gory locks at me."—William Shakespeare. Leonard D. Scorgie. Irrelevancy and long-windedness are alike damned by his ruthless chairmanship of the Literary and Debating Society meetings. Of a somewhat austere temperament (reconcilable, oddly enough, with gay Saturday evenings), his controversial views make him the fountain of argument and strife. The contents of his pockets would be an admirable gift for Mr. Paul Jennings. " But 'tis the talent of our English nation, Still to be plotting some new reformation."—John Dryden. Alastair J. C. Smith. Alastair LOVES Union Street. It is so quiet, he says, for evening walks ; solitude is good for meditation. While in the German class, he gives an impression of innocence, while in others that of ignorance. A soldier. Whines, especially when tickled. Neoist: tradition, he says, is as dead as the Dodo. " But we are soldiers; And may that soldier a mere recreant prove, That means not, bath not, or is not in love."—William Shakespeare.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Alastair L Soppitt. Awfully good-looking and would add distinction to any wicket if he could stay there long enough. Helps all other fifth year prefects with their homework and occasionally does some himself. Has given more lines than all the rest of the Prefecture put together (what a horrible thought). Possibly due to the fact that most of them cannot read. A keen hill-walker particularly in the Hilton arca. " Too much beauty, I reckon, is nothing but too much sun."—E. B. Browning. William Stevenson. A most sensitive and frequently incoherent musician, who does just about everything in the School. Has strong ideas of right and wrong, but hesitates to demonstrate them himself. Contrary to popular speculation, he does not wear a wig. Never takes the 'bus. " Pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone."—John Keats. Ian Stewart. Driving ability has caused great interest, particularly in Aberdeen Police Court where a plea of insanity unfortunately arrived too late. Plays rugby very well and has recently taken up cricket. Handsome appearance and manly bearing causes many a young lady's heart to flutter—and he has a list to prove it. " You are so witty, profligate and thin, At once we think thee Milton, Death, and Sin."—Edward Young. Peter A. Walker. Has religious beliefs that appal Messrs. Wood and Scorgie and his contributions to Howffite discussions are confined to two : " NO, NO, no," and " Stop griping ". A very capable sportsman he is Captain of Hockey and Vicecaptain of Cricket. Believes that red tape has no effect with girls but finds it useful. Hunts Stevenson in company with Graham, and daily Big-Fight promotions are a feature of Howff life. " J'accuse."—Emile Zola, in a letter to the President of the Republic. " I presume you are mortal, and may err."—James Shirley. Michael J. T. Watt. Now striving " per ardua ad astra " at Cranwell. As befitted a W.O., he was generally to be found where danger was lurking,—i.e. the Howff when his timetable showed English or Mathematics. Indulges, in a bewildering variety of pleasurable pursuits. " Your pleasures spring like daisies in the grass, Cut down and up again as blithe as ever; FfO/11 you, lanthe, little troubles pass Like little ripples in a sunny river."—Walter Savage Landor. Gavin B. Wilson. This slim individual plays hockey and tennis with Albyn. The latter sport with its large number of Fixtures described as " friendlies " give him ample opportunity to meet " her ". As we are now informed that there is another " her we expect an increase in " friendlies " with the High. Is an excellent Driver (q.v. Stewart) and is one of Mr. Davidson's Misheurs. Calls everybody " tool ". " Man is a creature who lives not upon bread alone, but principally by catchwords."—Robert Louis Stevenson. William A. Wilson. A hard muscle man who joined the fray later in the session. One of the few members of the Howff who does not shout, restraining his activities to a gentle moan. Was at the wrong end of a Duncan Special in the first match, and as a result did not play Rugby till the end of the session. Has a Platonic love affair with a quadruped (i.e. two girl friends). Plays football. " The world, as usual, wickedly inclined . . . Whir red he had a mistress, some said two, But for domestic quarrels one will do."—Lord Byron. Michael Wood. A pure boy with a B.B.C. voice and Y.M.C.A. eyes, who talks virtue, looks virtue and is virtue. Takes an active part in religious discussions but is never to be seen in the fights which ensue. " How much folly there is in human affairs."—Persius. " Make less thy body hence, and more thy grace; leave gormandizing."—William Shakespeare. Ian M. Yeats. Seldom seen without necktie, briefcase and the Manchester Guardian. Has most conventional and sometimes appalling tastes in food, Refuses to take part in anything unless (a) it is legal and (b) it involves no undignified behaviour. No time for women. " There are three kinds of speakers. First, the speakers you can't listen to; second, the speakers you can listen to; third, the speakers you can't help listening to." —Archbishop Magee.

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The Guinea Pig We work inside All day. Our tools are those Which many men would like Not to have seen Nor touched. We use them every day; All day; All year: When summer heat seeps down into the room— When summer brightness shimmers in the sky— When summer rain sparkles on all around— When summer foliage dances on the breeze— Inside we work:— The windows opened wide to keep us cool The glassware warm; the apparatus hot to touch The piles of notes stirring there on the bench, Listless in the sweltering summer heat:— Inside. . . . The dog, the cat, The frog, the rat, And the guinea pig We work inside All day. Our work is such That many men would much prefer Not to have known nor seen What we have done. Sometimes our work drags slow And restless nights and long impatient days Heave past, Until the work goes on; Comes on in waves, Threatens to swamp us all. Eight to ten work— The whole long day inside. Outside the winter chill howls cold, Swirling the snow, casting up rain and mud Upon our window pane. Rain, sleet and dark, Chill and foggy frost; Outside the people struggling home, Heads down, umbrellas up; And our heads too, are down, For we are here, and with us here Inside, The dog, the cat, The frog, the rat, And the guinea pig. We work inside All day. But sometime we will find Results. Right out on this frontier, The forward line of research's advance, We will gain ground; And what we have found out Men will find useful

When they fall down ill. . . . But now—till then— Till such a time as when the finding comes— We are inside, and with us here The dog, the cat, The frog, the rat, And the guinea pig. ANDREW WYLLIE (Upper IV).

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine In Search of Culture This summer the senior boys of School had the opportunity of attending one or both of two conferences sponsored by the Counci !for Education in World Citizenship on Friday, zz May, and the Commonwealth Institute Conference on Tuesday, z6 May. Needless to say I, the constant pilgrim to the Pierian Spring, attended both. The first conference with Aberdeen High School for Girls acting as host school was in my opinion the more interesting in that it gave greater opportunity to meet one's fellows. The subject under discussion was East-West relations and the conference was opened by Miss McNab of the High when she welcomed the pupils of Aberdeenshire and Kincardine as well as representatives from the Aberdeen schools in the School hall. The first speaker, Dr. Walton of Aberdeen University, told us in a first class lecture, just about everything concerning Asia but regrettably said nothing which touched directly on the " Reawakening of the East " which oddly enough was the subject of his talk. Nonetheless he gave an excellent lecture. After questions to the speaker from the floor the conference adjourned ostensibly for milk and biscuits! A few of the more virile, hardened cases took themselves further afield for greater enjoyment, but the less said upon that the better. Then the fun really started. If a stranger had poked his head into the High School that morning he would have seen hordes of young men and women tramping the weary miles of High School corridor which all look exactly the same, searching for little eyries of classrooms where they were to get down to discussing the questions set for them. Such were the comings and goings that the High representative of that unshakable corps—the Janny—took refuge in a door discreetly labelled "Gentlemen ". However, Miss McNab's cadre of armbanded Amazons managed to gather together the vagrant contingent and assign them to their appropriate rooms where, as I have said the best part of the conference—the discussion—was to take place. Discussions can be enormous fun or enormous bores depending on the " discussors ". A discussion group has to have one of two things to make it a roaring success—first a couple of Grammar boys or one or two pretty girls. I was lucky in that Patrick Milne and I were together in the divine company of aforementioned pretty girls. The amazing thing about discussions is that the more ignorant you are the better you enjoy yourself. Lunch-time which followed was extended by common consent, for who can digest steak-pud in copious quantities in just over three quarters of an hour? Besides the Aberdeen boys had to locate their girl friends during the lunch break in the myriad paths and by-ways of the High. This had all to be done before they could listen to the after lunch speaker Mr. Mellor, again of Aberdeen University, who spoke on the growth of China as a world power. In his talk Mr. Mellor implied that my beloved North-East is very similar to certain parts of China! Doubtless (Mr. J. R. Allan) of whom I am a great admirer would say with my wholehearted backing, " The puir man! He's lost a' sense o' reason." 92

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93 But then it was discussion time again and happily the groups found their respective corners with far less frustration, and enjoyed them even more, with friendships flowering into conviviality and winking boys lapsing into first name terms with their new found girl friends. The afternoon was rounded off by two films of doubtful calibre and the submission of reports by Kathleen Stewart of the High and Ian Yeats—whose performance in front of those hordes of people was a credit to Grammar School training. Finally came the financial report which I'm sure nobody understood, and the election of new officials which was undoubtedly but perhaps desirably fixed beforehand. On the following Tuesday came the conference promoted by the Commonwealth Institute. [Unfortunately this part of the Report has required to be cut.—Ed.] These conferences are I think invaluable in that they introduce country schools to town schools and facilitate an exchange of ideas among young people. They involve a mountain of work, but I'm sure it is work well worth expending judging by the satisfaction gained by the delegates at the High and the Grammar this year. JoHN B. MENZIES.

School Holiday Arrangements, 1959- 60

Session Commences Autumn Holiday Mid-Term Holiday Christmas Vacation Easter Vacation Sessions ends

Tuesday, 25 August 1959 Monday, 18 September 1959. Friday and Monday, 23 and 26 October 19f9• Wednesday, 23 December 1959 to Monday, 4 January 196o (both inclusive). Monday, 4 April 196o to Monday 18 April 196o (both inclusive). Thursday 3o June 196o. *

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Film Society The Film Society has completed its seventh successful season. The films, differed widely in kind and appeal, the latter being mirrored in the size and kind of audience. " M. Hulot's Holiday ", " Oliver Twist " and " Dam Busters ", were shown to packed houses in which all sections of the School were well represented. On the other hand, the Disney programme, including " The Living Desert " was shown to an audience composed mainly of Middle and Lower School, and the Indian films had a poorer reception. This attitude towards the Indian films, though not altogether unexpected, was unfortunate, since " Aparajito " was perhaps the best film we saw this year. Quite apart from its excellence, it was interesting for its subject matter, showing as it did, a land and people of which we know so little. The discussions at the end of each showing were well attended by boys of all years, and much interesting and intelligent criticism showed that the Society was to some extent achieving its aim of promoting better appreciation of good films among the pupils of the School. We are indebted to the masters of the School for their support, in particular, to the Art Staff for posters, to Mr. Baxter, our projectionist, and to Mr. Hemingway, to whom the Society owes its existence and continued smooth running. DUNCAN J. MACFARLANE, Secretary.

Film Study Group Once again, after last year's initial success, it was decided to provide a Film Study Group for Upper School during the summer term. This year, instead of a season of outstanding films from one country, five films, each of which is brilliant in its particular field, were shown. The films chosen were " The Italian Straw Hat ", a French satire on the social posturing of the 189os, along with Flaherty's " Moana "—a perfect example of documentary film. The third and fourth films were " Umberto D " a Neo-realist film from Italy directed one by Vittorio de Sica, and the American film " Singin' in the Rain " which was was of the forerunners of the modern American musical. The final serious film off " Passion de Joan d'Arc " a brutal masterpiece made in France. To round the 1959 season we saw six short films made by children, which in their way were quite remarkable. Critics of film study have said that showing top-grade films to the fifteen to eighteen year old age group is a mistaken policy because they do not have the experience to understand and profit by what they see. However, we in our own way have proved the critics wrong, judging by the discussion immediately after the film, and more especially after the significance of it has had time to mature. We who are connected with the presentation of these films would like to thank our patrons (if I may call them that), and especially Mr. Walker and Mr. Tait for their support throughout the season. JOHN B. MENZIES

Aberdeen Schools Scientific Society The Scientific Society has just completed another very successful session with good attendances at all the meetings. There has been the usual interesting variety of talks. We were in January The away amid the Antarctic snows with Dr. Macklin of Aberdeen University. lecture " Science and Psychology " by Professor Rex Knight, despite its " heavy " title, was most informative and amusing, and an illuminating lecture on Orthopaedical Surgery by Mr. A. Adam completed the session. As always we are indebted to Mr. Banks for his unfailing interest and help. The Grammar's interests in the Society for session 1959-60 are in the worthy hands of Alastair Soppitt and Gordon Peterson. CLEMENT STEWART, School Representative

School Section

Changes in the School Staff The movement of staff continues, with no abatement in speed or numbers. Since the magazine last appeared four masters have left for other posts, and four new ones have entered the service of the School. To consider all the causes of this to-and-fro movement in schools today were a matter perhaps too deep for philosophy ; the tensions and the instability in the modern educational scene affect schools of all types in all places, and the Grammar School of Aberdeen knows in its own life something of the difficulties facing the educational administrator today. In the name of the School we extend a warm welcome to our new colleagues, and to those who have left our good wishes for success and happiness in their new spheres.

Arrivals . . . Mr. James D. Murray who succeeds Mr. Barron as Principal Technical Master is by background and training well qualified to understand and to instruct the young people of these parts, for he belongs to Stonehaven, his school was Mackie Academy, and he qualified technically at Robert Gordon's Technical College. He comes to the Grammar School after some years as an assistant in Aberdeen Academy. Mr. Murray spent some years, however, in other parts, for in 194o he was with the 5/7 Gordons in France, was captured at St. Valery, and spent five years as a prisoner in Germany. He informs us that he plays golf with more enthusiasm than prowess, and he confesses to an interest in photography—both of them healthful and comparatively harmless pastimes, in which he will find himself not companionless here. He has obviously settled easily and happily into the work of his department, and we wish him continuing success and happiness in it. Mr. J. Locke Nicholson. With the coming of Mr. Nicholson the Music Department is now a fully integrated outpost of England ; Mr. Nicholson, like Mr. Wilson and Mr. Hawksworth is native to the northern shires of our southern neighbour. That he seems fairly conversant with our Doric oddities of speech and behaviour is perhaps really not so surprising for he has lived for quite a number o years now in Aberdeen, teaching his subject with an infectious enthusiasm and playing a full and honoured part in the musical life of the City. We sometimes find ourselves thinking of Mr. Nicholson as a seraph—not fallen, but simply, quietly arrived among us; perhaps it is that aureoled head of his, and his easy uninhibited laugh that brings the thought into our mind, or perhaps he brings with him an unconscious memory of the music of the spheres. That he is the possessor of a fine baritone voice gives a further validity to the impression. Whatever it is, he obviously finds pleasure in his new work. Outside School, Mr. Nicholson is organist in the South Church and an outstanding singer in the University Opera Group. We give him a hearty welcome. Mr. Andrew Robertson, M.A. Ed.B. joins the Modern Languages department in place of Mr. Michie. A native of Aberdeen and a pupil of Robert Gordon's College, Mr. Robertson graduated from Aberdeen University with an Honours degree in French-German. Thereafter the army claimed him for two ye ars, the larger part of that time spent in Germany, and after this break he returned to Aberdeen to train for his chosen profession. There and subsequently he completed his studies for the Ed.B. degree. Mr. Robertson's next step was one that is fairly original in Aberdeen circumstances—he elected to go as a teacher to a Primary School. It will be appreciated from what has been said that Mr. Robertson has a deep interest in the theories and the developing techniques of education; and, in keeping with this interest, he is the enthusiastic secretary of the local branch of the New Educational Fellowship. Now, after two years in Cornhill Primary School, he has come to the Grammar School to instruct in the subjects in which he is particularly qualified, and we wish him all happiness and success here. Mr. George Mortimer replaces Mr. Allardice in the Physical Education Department, and comes to the School with a fine record. Trained at the Scottish School of Physical Education at Jordanhill he was a very promising student, and captained the Rugger team of the College. After two years' service in the Royal Air Force he found an appointment with Aberdeen Education Committee, one of the schools to which he was attached being Aberdeen Academy, the school where he had himself been educated. Those of us who have seen the improving record of the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Aberdeen Academical Rugger team in recent years will appreciate it owes much to the captaincy of Mr. Mortimer. With his skill and pleasant personality to commend him, we are sure that Mr. Mortimer will find himself happy in the Grammar School.

. . . and Departures Mr. James A. D. Michie, M.A., Ed.B. After five years' service in the School, Mr. Michie left in January of this year to take up an appointment as Assistant Director of Education in the County of Fife. In that fairly short teaching span Mr. Michie made a very considerable contribution to the work and play of the School. He assisted Mr. Morrison in the supervision of the Boarding House, played football, cricket and badminton for the masters' teams whenever he was asked, was concerned, as an assistant producer, in the last School play and taught with consistent enthusiasm and success; and above that found time to prepare himself for the examinations for the Ed.B. degree of Aberdeen University and to pass them with First Class Honours in June 1958. Whatever he did he did with zeal: and believing in his separate interests with his whole heart (and eyes, and hands and tongue, for he is given to infectious gesture), he wished others to believe likewise. He was a gifted teacher of French and German and while one may regret that a practising teacher of quality has been lost to the profession, it is good to know that in his new post he will be engaged in work which will give scope to his particular interests. Mr. George L. McGhee, M.A. Mr. McGhee after eight years' service to the School in the French and Spanish departments left in the early part of May for an appointment in Greenock High School. Mr. McGhee will be particularly remembered for his quiet courtesy, for a gentleness in speech and behaviour, and for his interest in the welfare of young people at home and abroad. The Staff will remember with affection his quiet unremitting efforts to raise money for the Save the Children Fund, and his concern for high standards of speech and behaviour in young folk. We wish him all happiness in his new teaching post. Mr. David Murray, promoted to a senior post in St. Margaret's School for Girls, left at the beginning of the summer term. It was known from his work in Turriff and in Aberdeen before he came to the Grammar School, that Mr. Murray was a musician, catholic in interest and sensitive in taste, a talented practitioner and a teacher skilled in the training of choir and orchestra. The School soon discovered for itself that this reputation was a deserved one; it also learned that David Murray would be satisfied with nothing less than the best that a pupil or a choir was capable of. He did not spare himself, and he demanded and usually got a like commitment from the boys of the School. We do not doubt that this living concern for music is now finding expression in Albyn Place, and that he will again have the satisfaction of stirring in others his own love for quality both in the work chosen and in the interpretation of it. He continues his work as organist and choirmaster in St. Machar's Cathedral. We are glad that it will be easy for him to revisit us; he will be always welcome. Mr. Dallas Allardice. The School has long been proud, for very obvious reasons, of Mr. Allardice. As a Rugby internationalist he brought fame to the School as well as honour to himself, but a more modest footballer than Dally Allardice never put on a jersey. It was this combination of superlative skill and disregard for personal glory that outstandingly characterised him. He was a former pupil of the School, and when he came back to it as a master he gave it a full share of devotion. He played a full part in the work of the Physical Education department, was Secretary of the Rugby and Cricket Sections, was primarily responsible for Cricket for a number of years and shared in the coaching of Rugby from First XV downwards. In addition to this he was keenly interested in swimming and lifesaving, and many life-saving awards were gained by boys because of Mr. Allardice's coaching. Leaving the School for a Senior post in Dundee High School he carries with him the best wishes of us all. We are glad that he is going to a school of like tradition to this, where Mr. Allardice's qualities will be recognised for what they truly are, and where he will find opportunity not only to instruct in the technique of games but to pass on the example of his own true sportsmanship.

School Section

Dramatic Society At the end of March the Society successfully presented Thomas Dekker's Elizabethan comedy, The Shoemaker's Holiday. The enormous variety of characters, humorous and serious, drawn from all strata of sixteenth century society, provided opportunities for large numbers of actors to demonstrate their particular bent. The handling of these numbers on the small stage would have been impossible without the theatrical ability and experience of Mr. Norman King, Mr. Iver McGee and Mr. Lewis Grant. Mr. James Michie's untimely departure robbed the society of an enthusiastic and energetic producer. In recent weeks, a new project has been started—the recording for our own benefit, and, if successful, for posterity, of scenes and speeches from Shakespeare. For this purpose the Cinema has been converted on Mondays to a recording studio. IAN M. YEATS (Secretary).

The Shoemaker's Holiday " The Shoemaker's Holiday " the pleasantly humoured Fliv.abethan comedy by Thomas Dekker was an apt choice for this year's production by the School Dramatic Society. It is not, perhaps, a secret that early in the School year some of the players had more tragic ambitions. They would have preferred an opportunity to storm the citadel of tragedy; and even if they were not to carry it, they might, they conceived, have died nobly on the boards powerfully enunciating the blank verse of Shakespeare. But Dekker? To tickle the ribs of the groundlings and jest in the language of the street? However, the wiser counsel prevailed, and this very amusing production was the result. Indeed ' The Shoemaker's Holiday " has much to commend it. It is a sanelyhumoured comedy, not whimsical, not too earthy, has quite a diversity of acting parts, and its appeal is certainly not staled by being too well known. The plot, complicated seemingly by numerous changes of scene, is essentially simple; and Dekker's sympathetic and observant portrayal of the artisans of London gives the impression that it is basically true to Elizabethan reality. "Merry England" we feel, is more accurately represented by the pranks, the jests and the ambitions of Firk and of Simon Eyre and his wife Marjery, than by the modulated cavorting round a maypole which is its usual symbol. The romantic and the comic are well balanced. Jane, losing her husband Ralph to the war, is almost persuaded that he is lost to her for ever, and is consequently, almost persuaded into a bigamous marriage. But Ralph returns of course, and true faith is rewarded. That is one strand. Then Rowland Lacy, young, handsome, generous of spirit, falls in love with Rose—daughter to a Lord Mayor of London, but, in the opinion of his arrogant and bitter uncle no fit match for one of his birth and fortune. That too is pleasantly resolved—by the machinations of the journeymen shoemakers. Which brings us to the "mad Shoemaker of Tower Street," Simon Eyre, who in his process from master shoemaker to Lord Mayor of London is the great, memorable character in the play. The producer Mr. Norman King saw that the production moved with speed, and with a continuous sense of movement on the stage, and the players entered into the spirit of the play. Ian Yeats as the Earl of Lincoln spoke and acted with a new vigour which gave reality to the part. William Clark was very well cast in the part of Sir Roger Oateley—he has a power in his voice and a natural stage presence which made me forget the occasional lapse into a too local intonation. The two journeymen, Gavin Wilson as Hodge, Alexander Main as Firk did well. Hodge registered crude forms of mirth and fear very effectively, but was inclined too often to use the same gestures. It was a pity that Alex Main's voice did not always carry to the back of the hall, for this marred an otherwise fine interpretation. In the part of Simon Eyre Harry Hill acted excellently—he registered the shrewdness, the goodwill, the boisterousness of the Shoemaker. Sometimes on the other hand I felt that the natural energy of Eyre didn't issue from him—as if the actor's bouts of energy were somewhat forced. But this is a small criticism to make of a part which called for a continuous display of vitality throughout the whole play. The girls' parts were again well played. Peter Stewart in the part of Sybil, maid to Rose Oateley, was particularly acrlairned for his pert, bouncing vitality.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

A Game for Kings

My favourite sport is chess; and why not, indeed ? " There's no action ", you may say. Well, you're wrong. In what other game do staid bishops forget their ecclesiastical dignity and scuttle wildly in pursuit of a queen? Where else do knights leap over kings, and castles charge to and fro? The supporters of those barbarous games, rugby and football, defend their sport with cries of " Think of the excitement, the wild charging, the struggle on the line! " Now, looked at objectively, what excitement is there in one of these incidents? After all, it is obvious from the start that the better team will win, and, even if they do not triumph in one particular struggle, the game will be theirs. Now, in chess there is no lack of excitement, genuine excitement. Picture the scene. The king is almost surrounded. His despairing and cry of " A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse! " rings out, queen, the surprise, by Taken knight. but a horse, mere no storms up instigator of the vile plot, flees, leaving her evil minions to the knight's terrible fury. Castles are taken by storm, and the evil brood slowly disappears, some slain, some fled to far corners of the board. The king has been saved. But what is this? Once more the king is menaced. The gallant knight arrives, but he is felled. A breach has been made in the king's defences. The queen rushes forward. Her troops follow, a wild hurly-burly of martial bishops and massive castles. The king is slain. The game is over; the battle's won; the victors are swept off triumphant to their box, while the shattered forces of the kingless ones are gathered in, piece by piece, each bemoaning its loss. Indeed, chess is a game for kings. GEOFFREY WOOD (IIA).

That Sense of Humour

Without a sense of humour we can have no sense of proportion. It is the fourth dimension, from which alone we can conoutlook template the universe with total objectivity. . . . A humorousinfallible one the It is offer. to have gods the gift greatest the is life on solvent of mental tension; and in the present struggle for the souls of mankind it operates on our side. . . ." Lord Boothby in his Rectorial Address to the students of St. Andrews University, April 1959. l4

Changing Emphasis in Religious Education [This article has been written by Mr. Miller at our special request in furtherance of our policy to "do a write up" on different departments and special subjects from time to time—Ed.] In a big and busy School like ours what place, it might sometimes be asked, is there for the Scripture period? By way of beginning to answer the question it might be well to remember that the Scripture lesson is not by any means a recent innovation in Scottish schools. From the earliest times, indeed, the association between church and school has always been of the closest. And even now, within the past hundred years, when the direction of educational polcy in our country has largely passed into the hand of secular authorities, a noteworthy feature of every important piece of legislation affecting the schools is the concern of those responsible to mak provisi on for as adequate a form of religious instruction as the changing situation will allow. The Education Act of 1872 did not itself deal with the provision of religious instruction in school, but the preamble stated that it was expedient that the established practice of giving religious instruction should be continued. In 1918 the new Act repeated this preamble of 1872 and advocated the continuance of the custom, subject always to the provisions of the Conscience Clause. Since that time co-operation between church and school has been evident in the provision in 1930 of a new Syllabus of Religious Instruction for use in Schools, supplemented in 1936 by a teacher's handbook to the Syllabus. More recently the growing interest in religious education is reflected in a further revision of the Syllabus and the provision of very full teaching aids to it. But it is with the Scottish Advisory Council Report of 1945, prepared principally in this section by our present Rector, that we become most conscious of a determined change in emphasis: " Our concern is not to impart something new into the curriculum, but to ensure that what is being done after a fashion should be better done. . . . " Perhaps it is in the suggestions regarding the time, equipment and qualifications considered necessary by the Council for the work of religious instruction that the most significant changes in outlook are apparent. They recommend the allocation of two periods weekly to Religious Instruction at all stages in the secondary school. Education authorities are to be encouraged to provide maps, reference books, commentaries and other aids to scripture teaching as might already be available in other basic subjects in the curriculum. But most noteworthy of all is the need that is felt for " some understanding of the great affirmations of the Christian faith and of the Bible as their basis ". It is this concern for the communication of knowledge that prompts the proposal that some measure of biblical scholarship should be combined with personal conviction if the teaching of Christian Truth is to become effective. Moreover, for "those eagerly disrespectful critics at the top of the senior secondary school " there is recommended the appointment of " a trained teacher and regular member of staff who, while taking a full share in all school 99

Aberdeen Grammar School MagaTine activities and some part in the teaching of secular subjects, will have a major qualification in Theology and will find his main interest in the field of religious education ". Such, then, are the salient features of the Report; and now, about fourteen years later it is possible to consider some of the changes effected by those proposals wherever they have been adopted. In the Scottish Universities, courses in Biblical Studies of M.A. Degree standard have been instituted and to date it is safe to claim that more than 150 teachers have qualified at some level in the subject. In many of the large secondary schools there has been appointed a Scripture specialist to whom, along with other available members of staff, the work of religious instruction has been entrusted. Within our own School some ten to fifteen masters co-operate with obvious advantage to all concerned. In some other instances regular ministers of religion, who have also been trained and certificated as teachers, have taken advantage of religious instruction throughout the whole School. Many such practising teachers are now meeting regularly in conference, where common problems are discussed and methods of greater efficiency are studied. Within the walls of the classroom the reactions of Grammar boys have differed greatly and these might well make a story in themselves. One sixth-former has felt indignant enough to write The Scotsman on the utter futility of Religious Instruction in schools and the complete lack of interest on the part of the pupils! But resentment of this kind is rare. At another time a principal master in School set a questionnaire for some forty senior boys for whose religious instruction he was responsible: the number who claimed to be " bored " was eight; twenty-five were " interested "; five were " more than interested ". Open discussion has become popular, even when only a few of the class do take part, and it is not uncommon for the master to do little more than act as chairman. Where unorganized debate of this kind ensues expression of opinion is usually frank and memorable: " The trouble here, sir ", remarked X, a self-styled champion of the free-thinkers, " is that you believe the Bible, but I don't! " Whatever the reaction, however, the one thing that seems to be manifestly necessary in every instance is instruction—instruction as adequate as we can manage to give within the limits of the present situation. About the future of religious education in our own country it is idle to speculate; but several present considerations seem to ensure the constant relevance of the Scripture lesson in the school curriculum. Time and again Scottish teachers have re-affirmed their conviction that " religious training is of supreme importance in the education of the young ". Growing co-operation between home and church and school bespeaks a common concern, for all realise that this is not an easy world in which young folks have to make their way. Today any generally accepted philosophy of life seems to have broken down; the overcrowding of our cities and towns has aggravated the difficulties of living together; and the depersonalising effect of big-scale industry has created even more acute problems in the social and moral education of Scottish youth. For such a world education can not be the concern of the schools alone. At best the school can do little more than a part, but in that part it may well be that the Scripture ROBERT MILLER. lesson will have a vital, if modest, share. 100

School Section

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Literary and Debating Society Since last term the numbers each week have dropped. The decline, however, was quite gradual and on 31 October the Inter-School debate with Aberdeen Academy had an attendance of 165. Mr. Hill (A.G.S) and Miss Duncan (Acad.)—Affirmative defeated the Negative, comprising Miss Stalker (Acad.) and Mr. Grant, by 6; votes to 24, the motion being " That School Trips abroad are not as valuable as they are made out to be ". The following week saw the first " religious " debate of the session : " The true interests of religion are not advanced by `political' Churchmen." Mr. Matthews and Mr. Mitchell—Affirmative—recorded an easy victory over Mr. Rice and Mr. Gallie, by 39 votes to to. 14 November was the date set aside for the annual " Staff Discussion Group ". Messrs. Tait, Henson, King and Morrison were subjected to a series of questions, all of which they answered most admirably, at the same time informing us that they disliked Rock 'n Roll " Omncs ad unum " and that there was no such thing as the " Perfect Pupil ". The first Middle School Debate followed on 21 November, on the motion that, " The Hydrogen Bomb is a menace to the World, and, as such, should be banned ". Mr. Stewart (II) and Mr. Matthews (I), supporting the motion, were victorious having 51 votes to the Negative's 13. The second talk of the session took place on 12 December when Sheriff J. Aikman Smith gave a very interesting and enlightening talk on " The Scottish Courts of Justice ". 15 December came and the Society were hosts to St. Margaret's for a debate on the motion that, " We should agitate for definite ethical training in our schools ". The meeting was a great success, Miss Clark (St. M.) and Mr. Smith (A.G.S.) being defeated by the Negative speakers Mr. Main (A.G.S.) and Miss Davidson (St. M.)-6o votes to 45. We would imagine that two records were set up at this meeting as Mr. Main's speech lasted for very nearly twenty minutes and Mr. Smith's for about three and a half minutes. The first meeting after the Christmas Vacation was a staff debate, on the motion that, " Britain is too much bound by Tradition ". There were four excellent principal speeches and the debate ended with a victory for the negative, Messrs. McGee and McGhee, defeating Messrs. Galloway and Turnbull by 44 votes to 3 t. 23 January The Society held its first ever Burns Night. It must be said that the committee were rather apprehensive about the evening, but their fears were completely unfounded. There was an attendance of sixty including boys and guests, all of whom enjoyed themselves immensely. A special word of thanks is due to Laings who looked after the catering and to Mr. James A. Michie, M.A., B.A., who proposed " The Immortal Memory ". We are sure that the society will cherish the memory of this particular meeting for a long time to come. On 29 January the Society were the guests of the High School for a debate on the motion " That Personality rather than Academic attainment, makes for success in this world ". Mr. Scorgie and Miss Nisbet (High) recorded a resounding victory, by 54 votes to 34, over the Negative speakers Miss McLeod (High) and Mr. Mitchell (A.G.S.). It must be said that all the principal speakers, especially Mr. Scorgie and Miss McLeod delivered speeches of a standard far above the normal for a School Debating Society. Messrs. Main, Matthews, Vaughan and Smith were prominent in the open Debate and Mr. Main proposed the vote of thanks. On 6 February we saw a situation seldom equalled in the annals of the Society. Messrs. King and Main, Negative, were victorious over Messrs. Gallic and Robb, the vote being unanimous, on the motion that," Britain should be governed on a non-Party Basis ". The following week the Society were hosts to Gordon's College for a debate on the motion, " That the Government should subsidise the arts rather than armaments ". Messrs. Yeats (A.G.S.) and Ellington (R.G.C.) narrowly defeated the Affirmative Speakers Mr. Morrison (R.G.C.) and Mr. Rice (A.G.S.) On 6 March the debate, " That Music hath charms no longer ", took place. Apart from that of Mr. Scorgie, the principal speeches were largely illustrated by gramophone records. Thanks are due to Mr. N. Begg (VI) who operated the

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Aberelim Grammar Sooof Magazitrr

Record-Player. Messrs. Scorgie and Hill, supporting the motion, were defeated by Messrs, Smith and Rice, 44 votes to zo. After a great deal of fuss and date-changing the Six-Schools debate finally took place on 15 May, in the Academy, on the motion that, " There is no place for Individualism in the world of today ". A large turn-out saw the Negative, comprising Mr. Morrice (R.G.C.) and Miss Davidson (St. M.) defeat Miss Morrison (Albyn) and Miss Stewart (High) by an extremely large majority. The standard of speaking from the four principals was very high and the only blot on the meeting was that Grammar speakers tended to monopolise the Open Debate. Mr. Scorgie (A.G.S.) gave the vote of thanks. At the time of going to print there were still two meeting to come, The Musical Soiree and a talk by Sir James J. Robertson. It is hoped that they will take place early in June. In conclusion thanks are due to Mr. I Vaughan (V), who has willingly taken the minutes when the Secretary has been otherwise engaged, to Mr. Wood (VI) for his excellent posters throughout the session, and to Mr. Tait for keeping the peace at each meeting. ALASTAIR J. C. SMITH, Secretary.

Music The Orchestra A successful production of the Christmas Music from the " Messiah " was given at Rubislaw Church by the orchestra and a choir of over two hundred. We must congratulate the Music Staff, headed by Mr. Wilson, who achieved so much in so little time. Work continues for the summer Concert in which music by Mozart (concerto for Violin and Viola), Boyce (Symphony in D) and Capel Bond (Bassoon Concerto) will be heard. Great distress was caused by our attributing the Spring Symphony to Brahms in the last issue of the Magazine. It was, in fact, composed by Schumann. W. STEVENSON, Secretary.

The Choir For the Choir, the close of the Winter term was marked by a rendering in Rubislaw Church, together with the Orchestra, of the Christmas Music from Handel's " Messiah ". Under normal circumstances, the departure from the School of Mr. David Murray, our conductor, would have proved a major set-back, but since in Mr. J. Locke Nicholson, a kenspeckle Sassenach in Aberdeen musical circles, he has a worthy successor, this has not been the case. Meanwhile, under Mr. Nicholson's direction, we are studying several Negro Spirituals and contemporary British songs which we hope to perform, the former as a Choir, the latter together with selected singers from all classes, at a Concert at the end of term. LEONARD SCORGIE.

Photographic Society The Photographic Society has been running now for three years, and although it has not been found possible to hold regular Friday night meetings lately, the members' enthusiasm is such that meetings have been held at other times. It is very encouraging to sec that the Society's enthusiasm has been rewarded, in that six excellent books on photography have been added to the School library. These books are specially welcome now that the scope of the Society is considerably increased. The Society is again deeply indebted to Mr. Will. IAN W. LOGAN, president.

Evening

The air was still, the birds were quiet, Whilst o'er the hill the moon was peeping, A silver orb, serene and silent, And down below the world was sleeping. And still a touch, a tinge of red Lingered, infused in the western sky, Slowly fading and quietly sinking In her bed till dawn is nigh. Far away the night owl's hooting Floated to the listening ear, And the tinkling of a brooklet Sounded from a stream-bed near. The stars above were twinkling gently Perpetually from year to year Pondering o'er this infinitesimal Speck of dust, to us so dear. KENNETH THOMSON (IIA). • Lower School It seems scarcely six months since I was last confronted by an importunate editor of the School Section of the Magazine demanding Lower School Notes but during that period, seemingly so short, much of interest has occurred in Lower School besides the daily round and common task. The Swimming Gala in February was well supported as ever by Lower School boys, and Donald D. M. Mair made a worthy Lower School Champion. In the Spring term rugby and soccer were played with unabated enthusiasm and skill, and triumphs were scored against Gordon's College and Minors ' A ' by the Rugby XV. We have been very fortunate this term in our cricket fixtures in that none have had to be cancelled owing to bad weather, and, consequent upon the additional practice and experience, our team has given a worthy account of itself in the twelve matches played up to now—eight matches won, four lost. Athletics will assume for Lower School senior boys a rather more important aspect this term since, owing to the generosity of Mrs Isobel Fowlie, the Lower School is now the proud possessor of a very beautiful silver trophy—The Fowlie Trophy for Lower School Athletics. Although we had no Lower School Concert this session our Choir and String Group are still in good fettle. Only this week our praise at morning assembly was greatly enriched by their singing and playing. The Choir as in former years took part in both the Music Festival, in which they were adjudged second in their class, and in the Non-Competitive Assembly of Primary School Choirs. A pleasant interlude was provided at the end of April when boys in classes Primary IV to Primary VII presented a programme of Mime, Verse-Speaking and classroom plays in Hall to an appreciative audience of their fellows. This was a preliminary to their taking part in the Twelfth Festival of the Spoken Word. On 17 June a large selection of interesting and attractive work—paintings, designs and models—will be displayed to parents in our Art Room, a tribute to the talent of our boys whose original unaided work it is, and to that of their master who inspires them. This year pictures by two Lower School boys—Michael W. Taylor of Primary VI B and Duncan A. Strachan of Primary III B—have been chosen out of many thousand entries to be hung at the National Exhibition of Children's Art in the Royal Institute Galleries, London. Primary VII classes had three enjoyable outings this term namely a visit to Tillycorthie Experimental Farm, Udny, a tour of the new housing areas of Aberdeen, and a tour of places of historical interest. The la ter was a follow up to this term's study of the history of our city and to the talk given them on that subject by Mr. James Walker, Senior History• Master. I am happy to place on record that this year again one of Lower School boys— Gordon W. Hay of Primary VII B—won the Competitive Bursary open to all entrants to next session's Middle I. J. D. M.

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Aberdeen Grammar Mao! Magaine Scripture Union

During the session our Scripture Union branch has, in a quiet and unspectacular way, fulfilled its fundamental aim, namely, providing an opportunity for Bible Study and fellowship to those who arc interested. There have been the occasional outside speakers. Mr. Ian Moir, an F.P., gave us a very interesting talk, illustrated with colour slides, on his visit to the Holy Land, and from Mr. Elliott of Aberdeen Academy we learned more of the work of the Iona Community. The branch was represented by four boys at the Annual S.U. Conference at Aberfoyle during the Christmas holidays. Interesting reports were given by them. A number of Grammarians have loyally supported the S.U. monthly rallies in Melville Church Hall and contributed to their success. An interesting new development is the formation of the S.U. Fellowship which meets twice a month on Saturday evenings. Membership is open to all boys in years IV to VI. Our most grateful thanks to Graham Caic for his good services at the piano. Lastly, the Grammar School S.U. Branch is to miss very much the guiding hand of Mr. Miller who will be leaving shortly. May we take this chance of thanking him most sincerely for all the help and inspiration he has been to us since he came to the School. CLEMENT STEWART, Sareldly.

Hill Walking Club Since the last report there have been outings to Morven (with the C.C.F.) and to Clochnaben. In the spring the first expedition was to Bennachic, and the three main peaks were climbed. This was, however, but a stroll compared with the Beinn-a-Ghlo Hillwalk undertaken on the Spring Holiday Monday. A separate walk was held for first and second years on the previous Saturday to the Ladder Hills. On the Beinn-a-Ghlo trip we departed at six in the morning for Blair Atholl via Blairgowrie, This was a run in itself. Mist and low cloud prevented us from seeing surrounding area from Cam Leath, the first peak, but we had better luck on the second, and from the third, Cam nan Gabhir (3,671 ft.), our highest point, we had a magnificent panorama of the snow-covered Caimgorms to the north. From Cam nan GabhIr we descended down the steep face of Glen Tilt and set out to walk the last four miles to Marble Lodge, our rendezvous with the 'bus. Little did we know! The 'bus was not at Marble Lodge, and night was falling when we reached it after another six or seven miles. However, we all had a very enjoyable time. Outings are planned to Beinn a' Bhuird and Ben Avon, and later to Loch Callater-Glen Doll. We must thank all members of staff who have helped but especially to Messrs. Hawkesworth and Will who have been the backbone of the club. Mr. Will has started making log books of the different hikes, and these are illustrated by articles and photographs by boys. We would recommend this revived branch of School activity to all interested—and fit! STUART J. MITCHELL. JAMES HAMILL.

Arts Club The Arts Club continued to meet on Friday evenings throughout the Easter Term, the dub meetings being discontinued during the remainder of the School year. Numbers tended to fall away as the evenings lengthened ; but enthusiasm was as keen as ever in the craft section and even in the more prosaic department of drawing and painting. Once again we must thank members of the Art Staff for their services and interest in the Club. Iviaq WISELY, Semidry.

School Section

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House Notes Byron The following appointments were made at a meeting held early in the summer term; Cricket Captain, Peter A. Walker; Vice-Captain, David Auld; Athletics Captain, Edward Walker; Vice-Captain, A. Draper. Although the House did not show up well in the School Gala, it did provide Gordon Spate and John Murray—Rector's Cup Winner and Runner-up respectively, from the Upper School. In the other sports of the winter term, the House teams rather fell below their previous high standard. The prospects for this term, however, arc extremely bright, with a well-balanced cricket team and several promising young athletes. Our thanks, as ever, go to the supporting masters for keeping such a lively interest in the affairs of the House, with Mr. Baxter especially deserving credit. PETER A. WALKER, Howe Captain. Dun

Officials elected for the summer term arc: Atbletirs Captain, T. N. Ducat; Vice-Captain, M. Wood; Cricket Captain, H. M. Aird; Vice-Captain, J. Leiper. At the close of the winter season Dun House had secured a share of both senior and junior rugby championships, drawing in each case with a strong Keith team. In the Swimming Gala also we gained a safe second position, and indeed only the hockey team failed to make a place. We hope this term to extend our success to the athletic and cricket championships. and in both activities we have a strong senior team. However considerable support will be necessary from the junior sections to enable us to gain a good place in the annual sports. BRIAN W. FINNIE, Howe Captain. Keith

The following elections were made at beginning of term: Cricket Captain, K. G. Robertson; Via-Captain, I. Keith; Athletic Captain W. Stevenson; ViceCaptain, C. Preshaw; Junior Cricket Captain, J. Hadden ; Vice-Captain, G. Dorward. We drew for the Rugby Cup with Dun in one of the most exciting £coals for many years. Unfortunately a replay was impossible. Our hockey team did well to finish runners up in the Hockey Cup Competition and our Swimming team. . . . The Cricket Team might win but on the other hand they might not. Our Athletic hopes are very high with a good selection of athletes all over the School; so we hope to finish well up in the Competition as in previous years. Our thanks are due to Mr. Wilson and Mr. Stephen in the respective roles of House and Vice House-Masters. W. STEVENSON, House Captain. Melvin

The officials elected for the Summer term are: Cricket Captain, Brian Henderson; Vice-Captain, Meldrum Edwards; Athletics Captain, Alastair Duncan; ViceCaptain, Meldrum Edwards. The winter season was on the whole successful. Although we met with little success in the Rugby House matches, we were easy winners in the House Hockey matches, and also succeeded in winning the House Swimming Championship, thanks largely to excellent performances in the relay races. We can look forward to a good season in both cricket and athletics, and we should fare reasonably well in both Championships. ALASTAIR W. DUNCAN, Howe Captain.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Scouts let Group Cub Section. Our Cubmaster Ian Wolkoff has left us for National Service. We are happy he is not altogether cut off from Scouting as we hear he is helping with the Pack at Catterick. Robert Falconer has taken over the reins and the Pack continues to flourish under his guidance. He is helped by Miss Eva Slessor and several of the older Scouts. The Pack is very keen and an extremely successful Open Afternoon was held in March. Proficiency badges continue to be won with increasing rapidity and several Leaping Wolf badges have been gained. Scout Section. All five Patrols have entered for the County Commissioner's Challenge which this year is taking the place of the County Flag Weekend. Patrols are busy holding their weekend Camps and badge work is progressing satisfactorily. All success to the Patrol leaders and their Patrols who are putting in a great deal of hard work for this Challenge. Our Open Night was held in March when a good turn out of Parents saw Patrol Indoor Pioneering and many other of the Troop's winter activities. Easter Camp was held at Clinterty and once again owing to the response two camps had to be held. A full programme of activities was held and badge work received a great boost—several Second Class badges being awarded. We are very disappointed that the addition to Clinterty has not materialised as yet. We do hope, however, that by next year the Troop will have this much needed addition to the accommodation. The Group has been enrolled as a House Founder Group of the B.P. Memorial House which is at present being built in London. In response to Lord Rowallan'a appeal for funds the Group has contributed an average of over 3s. per head. We are at present busily engaged in preparations for this year's Summer Camp which is to be held in Glen Esk near Erb..-IL The Troop has not been in this direction for a number of years but we hope the good weather we enjoyed last year will come our way again this year. Five of the Troop—Gordon Milne, Roderick Watson, Alasdair MacLeod, George Nicol and David Millar are representing the Troop at the Danish Jubilee Jamborette. We are sure they will have an enjoyable time and benefit greatly from this trip abroad. We are pleased to welcome back Hunter Cairns as an A.S.M. in the Troop. Hunter who has recently completed his National Service will be a useful asset to the Troop. We are also happy to announce that Hamish Mitchell has received his warrant as an A.S.M. It is with this healthy state of affairs that I myself regrettably resign my position as S.M. owing to University studies. I must thank everyone who has helped me and made my period as S.M. so enjoyable. I know the Troop will be in good hands when I depart. Rover Section. We are pleased to report that in April a Crew was formed attached to the 1st Group. We are quite sure that the Crew will be a useful and strong asset to the Troop and Pack. Although still in the initial stages of formation keenness is not lacking and the whole Crew attended this year's North of Scotland Rover Moot at Banchory. We are indeed fortunate in securing Mr. R. Johnston to lead the Rovers and we wish him all success in this new venture. Four of the Crew—David Black, Tom Paton, Ronald Smith and Richard Youngson arc attending the Explorer Belt run by the International Scout Club. This year it is being held in Italy. W. STEWART WILSON, S.M. for A. W. BLAIR, G.S.M.

Sebool Section' 9th Group

TO7

Since the last edition of the Scout Notes the Troop has gained another two Queen's Scout badges—R. Craig and I. Glcndinning, bringing the total of Queen's Scout badges currently held by the Troop to Eleven, the highest number the Troop have held for a very long time. Well done boys. In the field of football the Troop has made a clean sweep of the Trophies winning —the Scout League, the Knock-out Cup, the Senior and Junior 5.-a-side, and the xi-a-side League Cup. This is a remarkable achievement if it be considered that Grammar is a rugby school not a football one. The camp this year is being held at Glen Gaim by Ballater, and over thirty boys are going. A rather unusual programme has been arranged, and the results will be reported in the December issue. I would particularly like to congratulate A.S.M. Doug. Harper on getting his B.P. Rover Award. This is the Rover " Queen's Scout " badge, and completes a fine Scouting " double " for Doug. The Cubs are still going strong under Oscar and Miss Diack. We give Oscar our very best wishes on his forthcoming marriage. COLIN MACKENZIE, S.M. •

17th Group Being our café year the parents are now in the throes of many money-making schemes which are proving highly successful and we are very grateful for the exceedingly good backing of all the parents and their very sorely tried relations and frienas. A very successful Easter weekend camp was held at Kingswells which was attended by twenty boys. Seven of the senior boys took part in a 24 hours scheme from the camp which, though maybe not quite so successful as we had hoped, was nevertheless thoroughly enjoyed by those taking part. Summer camp this year is being held near Huntly and although numbers are not yet known it is expected that some thirty-five to forty boys will be taking part. The scout junior team succeeded in reaching the semi-finals of the five-a-side football competition. The following promotions have taken place. P.L. Alan Burke and P.L. William Kemp. to A.S.Ms. Second Frank Johnstone to P.L. Curlews and Scout Alistair Thomson to second Eagles. The Cubs are having an extremely successful year. They reached the semifinals of the five-a-side football competition. But to crown all glory they have won that covetted of Cub trophies the Totem Pole. This is the first time the Pack have won it since Miss Merson took charge of them a number of years ago and we are delighted that the patience and teaching of Miss Merson and her assistants should reap such a deserving reward. We extend our congratulations to the Cub leaders and especially to the following who formed the winning six: Sixer John Inglis, seconder Leslie Henderson, Cubs Ian Taylor, Jonathan Anstock, Alastair Watt and Neil McBcath. Well done Cubs. JOHN K. BLAIR, S.M.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Combined Cadet Force The Contingent numbers of over a hundred have been maintained this session, and the application of the new training syllabus has been a success. We are greatly indebted to Major Freeland and his staff for their assistance in the examining of the cadets in the Signals Platoon. We are also indebted to C.S.M. Leslie of the University Training Corps and Captain Maitland and his staff from the 4/7 Gordon Highlanders for their assistance in training and examination work. With the new training syllabus the Army Basic Test has now to be arranged by the officers of the contingent and the examination conducted by Regular or Territorial Army Officers, and in this respect we have been very fortunate in obtaining the services of a member of staff, Major Morrison who is Commanding Officer of the R.A.S.C., T.A. Unit. It must also be noted that the major part of the training has been carried out by the senior cadets themselves, with excellent results. Cadet Under-Officers Smith, Finnic, Macfarlane and Watt have been responsible for the Basic, Proficiency, Signals and R.A.F. training respectively. That is one big advantage of the new training syllabus; it gives the opportunity of instructing to a far greater number of cadets.

Army and Basic Sections The Annual Inspection took place on Friday, 5 June, when the Inspecting Officer was Brigadier H. T. Alexander, D.S.O., O.5.E., from the War Office, London. Annual Camp will be at Cultybraggan, Perthshire, from x to 8 July. Two officers and nine cadets attended a Weapon Training Course at Milton Bridge during the Easter Vacation; all cadets passed the final examinations. Weapon Training Instructors Course : passes, Sgt. Plowman, L/Cpls. Armand, Gauld, Mackland, Mitchell, Smith, Taylor, and Wisely. Signals Training Certificates: Sgt. Plowman, Sgt. Cook, Sgt. Drummond R.A.F., Sgt. Scott R.A.F. Physical Training Course held at York: passes, Sgt. King, Cpl. Preshaw, R.A.F., and R.A.F. Cadets Grant, Denton, and Martin. Field Engineering Course held at Chatham: pass, Cadet Campbell. Army Proficiency Certificates : Cpl. G. Reid, L/Cpls. Armand, Gauld, Keay, Mackland, Mitchell, Smith, Taylor, Wisely, Grant, Hollifield, Johnston, and Young. Basic Certificates: Cadets, Anderson, Andrews, Bibby, Birnie, Bisset, Cameron A.T., Cameron H., Cameron M., Campbell, Dalgarno, Dewar, Dicr, Ewen, Forbes, Fraser, George, Gibb, Grubb, Gunn, Hargrave, Johnston, Leach, Macleod, McDonald, Martin, Middleton, Morrison, Paaby, Petherbridge, Plowman, Rasmussen, Richardson, Robertson, Rodger, Sainsbury, Taylor, Tritton, Whyte and Wilson.

R.A.F. Section The numbers in the R.A.F. Section have now reached a record with forty-five cadets. The contingent glider has been in constant use this term under the watchful eye of Flt. Lt. Brown. Many cadets have learned the rudiments of flying on the glider. With the increase in numbers there will be two camps this year; half the section will attend camp at R.A.F. Station Marham in Norfolk from x to 8 August, the remainder will attend camp at R.A.F. Station Hullavington in Wiltshire from 8 to 15 August. F./Sgt. Elder has been awarded a Flying Scholarship and will commence his flying training during the Summer Vacation. Several cadets will be attending Gliding Courses this Summer. Naval Aviation and Gunnery Course Certificate T: Under-Officer Watt, F./Sgt. Elder, F./Sgt. Lyon, Sgt. Scott, Cpls. Mitchell, Brockie, and Vaughan. Flying Scholarship, Pilot's A Certificate: Under-Officer Watt, Warrant Officer Stevenson and F./Sgt. Fumival. Advanced Proficiency Certificates: Warrant Officer Stevenson, F./Sgt., Wood, Sgt. Drummond. Proficiency Certificates: Cpls. Brockie, Michie, Preshaw, Vaughan, and Cadets Grant, Hollifield, Johnston, and Young. Senior Under-Officer Watt has now joined the R.A.F. and is training as an Officer Cadet in Navigation; also Cadet Tritton has joined the R.A.F. as an Aircraft Apprentice. W. G. W.

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Pipes and Drums The conscientious and sustained practice of both sections throughout the winter months is at last bearing fruit. Outdoor practices have begun, and the Band is looking forward to its first of five public appearances on Wednesday, 3 June. The Band, I am confident, will give a good account of itself at the Demonstration School Sports, School Army Cadet Inspection, Aberdeen Primary School Sports, Grammar School Annual Sports and the Kindergarten Sports. Although Mr. McLeod was off duty during the earlier part of the term, he nevertheless showed his usual keen interest in our activities, and we are most grateful to him for his invaluable assistance and continued encouragement. HECTOR AIRD, Drum Major. *

•

Meet " Hawk " Wilson! " Hawk " Wilson is a Squadron Leader in the R.A.F.; and typical of many others. He got the name " Hawk " at school, partly from his aquiline appearance, and partly because there was something hawklike in his poise, when he ran with a rugger ball in his wiry fingers. It suits him well, and the name has stuck; so I will no longer give it inverted commas. He was born in October 1927 in East Anglia; and it was supposed in the family that, when he left school, he would go up to Cambridge, and automatically join his father's firm as a lawyer. But Hawk had other ideas. He could not see himself going every day to the same office till he was too old to go any more. That was not the life for him. What Hawk needed was an open-air sort of life, where his natural talent for leadership would get full rein. Fifty years ago he would have gone into the Indian Cavalry; but that was no longer possible in 1947, when he had to make a choice; so he had a try for the R.A.F. He was in his element at Cranwell. Those who taught him were the men who had won the Battle of Britain, and flown to every corner of the globe. They were young, enthusiastic and buoyant. They all went " flat out " at work and at play; and Hawk felt instinctively that he had joined a " live " thing. There were plenty of games at Cranwell, and Hawk got into the XV his second term. He went ski-ing with a party of cadets in Switzerland at Christmas, and he took up gliding as a hobby. His father gave him a small allowance but Hawk found— rather to his surprise—that he was paid from the day he joined, and he did not need the allowance. Rugger, ski-ing and gliding were much to his taste; but there was flying too. That was the thing! Alone in the air, free to manoeuvre as he pleased, with goodness knows how many vibrating horse power controllable at the lightest touch. It is a sheer physical delight to fly a good aeroplane. Riding a motor bike, driving a racing car, or sailing a dinghy pale into insignificance beside it. Hawk found he could not only do it, but do it well. Learning to fly, however, is only the beginning; and in 5949 he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer into a Vampire Squadron in Germany. The weather was good in the summer and he flew to his heart's content. He also got ski-ing in the Harz Mountains and rugger in the winter. Then there was the cheerful companionship of the Mess, and the corporate life of the Station, which appealed to his gregarious nature. The Korean war was on; and there was a request for a few volunteers to serve with the Royal Australian Air Force fighting there. Hawk volunteered, and for the next nine months he was flying Meteors in a ground attack role in Korea. This was the real thing, against a brave and well armed enemy. The first time it was exciting to see the flashes of " flak " and small arms fire, and to get back with bullet holes in the wings and fuselage. It was good to talk about. But it did not end there; it had to be done again and again. Sometimes aircraft did not return, and it required real guts to keep it up day after day. One day, towards the end of Hawk's time in Korea, an enemy divisional H.Q. was located, and a rocket attack was directed upon it. Hawk led this. The first attack took the enemy by surprise; but they were wide awake for the second.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

The H.Q. was heavily defended and the pilots could see what was coming to them the second time they turned in. This was a split-second decision, but Hawk was not the one to falter. He led the way as a leader should, and the H.Q. was destroyed. But it was not without loss and Hawk reckoned himself lucky to have got back to base unscathed. For this action he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After returning home in 1952, the Air Officer Commanding a Bomber Group wanted an A.D.C. who could fly well, and had some operational experience too. Hawk was put on the list of " possibles " and, after a somewhat terrifying interview with his new master, got the job as A.D.C. The A.O.C. usually flew the Canberra himself; but Hawk acted as relief pilot under his expert guidance, and they went on many long-distance flights together. In 5952 they went to the South American countries, and the next year to France, Italy, Turkey and Yugo-slavia. In 1954 they visited Singapore, Malta and Cyprus. He would not have had this in his father's business. The A.O.C. was an exacting master and Hawk had his time cut out to produce the goods. It was not all flying; he had a lot of detailed planning and organisation to do as well. But although he got " ticked off " pretty frequently, he was always willing and cheerful; so, after two years as an A.D.C., he was rewarded by being sent on a conversion course, learning the tactics and crew management required before joining a Canberra Squadron. Hawk now had a crew to train and look after besides himself. They were good chaps, and a Canberra is a splendid aeroplane to fly—a real thoroughbred, with a range of 2,ooo miks—and the pilots have a refreshing, global outlook. The Squadron took part in exercises in the Mediterranean; and visited Naples, Gibraltar, Aden, Nairobi and Tripoli. In the autumn they paid a visit to Australia and New Zealand, followed by ten days in Hong Kong; which, as one of Hawk's crew remarked, " was just what the doctor ordered ". In 5956 the V-Bombers were coming into service; and as they have a crew of five (and cost nearly a million pounds apiece) only the better pilots were chosen to fly them. Hawk " cashed in " on his skill and experience as a pilot and was sent to a V-Bomber Squadron in Norfolk. The C.O. was a tiger and kept the Squadron on the top line of efficiency. After six months in the Squadron, Hawk was given command of a Flight. He was now responsible for the well-being and readiness for action of both men and aeroplanes. It was he who set the pace in everything. The carefree days were gone and Hawk was becoming a man in authority. He had learnt the importance of thoroughness in all that he did, and his officers and men became conscious of his leadership and example. Hawk, for his part, worked unsparingly for them. They both liked and admired him; for (as one of his more outspoken corporals remarked) " He's got what it takes ". That is the sort of man you meet in the R.A.F.; a man living a man's life. Would that life suit you?

(Published in co-operation with lb* R.A.F.) •

The New School Janitors We welcome to the School Mr. Alexander C. Mackie and Mr. James Stirling. Mr. Mackie who has been in the service of the Education Committee for seventeen years comes from Victoria Road School to succeed the late Mr. James Ritchie as Chief Janitor. Mr. Stirling was for some years Assistant Janitor in the Girls' High School, and takes the place of Mr. James McNab who has gone to Victoria Road in succession to Mr. Mackie. We wish both of them well in their new work.

School Section

III

School Sporting Activities Rugby 1st XV As only six of last year's 1st and and XV's returned to School, a more or less new XV had to be found. Under the captaincy of George Graham a workmanlike side was formed which, though lacking in experience nevertheless acquitted itself with credit. The pack, under the leadership of M. Brown—its youngest member—improved with every game and, though never attaining complete command in any game, gave some very rousing displays. The back row—Graham, Stevenson and Stewart—was always conspicuous, especially in defensive covering, while the other regulars Burke, Flynn, Scace, Forbes and Brown all put in a power of work. Behind the Scrum the potential was good, but was never fully realised. The loss of Alan Wilson—the outstanding back—early in the season (through injury) was a serious blow to the team. The backs showed flashes of skill in handling when opportunity allowed, and Preshaw and Wood became useful wingers. Mitchell proved himself a reliable Full back. With the exception of Ducat and Aird the backs were weak in defence and this led to a number of easy scores against them. The team had an excellent spirit and attended the training sessions regularly. The boys played hard but they often lacked the maturity and experience of their opponents. Against For Lost Drawn Won Played 76 6 13 1 35 4 3 and XV The and XV had an average season. The pack was sound, but weak tackling by the backs, and an inability to get the threes going often threw away the advantage won by the forwards. Against Lost For Won Played 87 63 5 4 9 3rd XV After a poor opening game there was a steady improvement throughout the season. The forwards were given a vigorous lead by J. P. Jeffrey and responded well, but the backs defence was weak. Against For Lost Drew Won Played 128 I1 1 97 5 5 4th XV Against For Won Lost Played 2 2 38 73 4 Middle School Rugby A healthy state of Rugby has been maintained in the Middle School. The Colts—a well balanced side—were undefeated. They showed tremendous enthusiasm and initiative which if maintained will result in the high hopes for this side being realised. The Juniors though not undefeated had a good season. The forwards when playing as a unit can be very very good, while the backs have a good measure of handling ability. Colts Against For Lost Drawn Won Played 2O 196 — — 8 8 Juniors Against For Lost Drawn Won Played 48 8 145 3 O 5 Minors Against For Lost Drawn Won Played t8 4B o z 6 4

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Who's Who in the 'et XV D. Mitchell. 5 ft. 7+ in.; to st. 4 lb. Full Back. Came into the team early in the season. Impressed throughout by his confident fielding and fine kicking in defence. His tackling was suspect—he was inclined to go high. Was invaluable for his place kicking. M. Wood. 5 ft. to in.; 1 i st. Right wing threequarter. Played in all games. Was a potentially dangerous attacker but was often wasted through lack of support. His tackling on occasion was strong. (Half colours.) T. N. Ducat. 6 ft.; 1 i st 7 lb. Right centre threequarter. Vice-captain. Missed one or two games. Was the most dangerous of the regular hacks. His strong running often made openings and his defence was sound. (Half colours.) M. King. 5 ft. 8+ in.; II st. 2 lb. Left centre threequarter. Missed several games. He was slow to settle in most games and thus his handling was often erratic. However, when well backed up, he could be dangerous. Seldom tackled. H. Aird. 5 ft. 9+ in.; to st. 7 lb. Stand offhalf. Played in all games. Was the tactician of the side. His confident handling and cool distribution inspired confidence. On many occasions he decided all by his apparent slowness! Inclined to rely on his wing forwards in defence. (Half colours.) C. Preshaw. 5 ft. xx in.; to st. 13 lb. L. Wing threequarter. Missed one game. A strong running winger who often had to play in the centre. Did not tackle. Could be dangerous in attack. (Half colours.) A. Wilson. 5 ft. 81 in.; i i st. 8 lb. Centre threequarter. A most promising back who was injured early in the season and missed most of the games. His running and kicking were excellent and he had a flair for breaking through at speed. (Half colours well deserved.) E. Slater. 5 ft. z i in.; to st. 9 lb. Scrum half. Played in all but one game. Slow in his passing at times but fought hard in the loose. Gave his backs an adequate service. C. Flynn. 5 ft. TO in; 72 at. 2 lb. Prop. forward. Missed one game. A solidly built prop. Kept his position by giving his best at all times. He was always to the fore in loose rushes and in defence he could " hit " his man hard. (Half colours.) A. Burke. 5 ft. 91 in.; to st. 1 lb. Hooker. An almost ever-present. Was erratic at the beginning of the season but soon settled to win his share of the ball. Was prominent by his determined work in the loose. R. Scace. 5 ft. 9+ in.; 12 st. 4 lb. Prop forward. Missed several games. Solid in the scrum and hard running in the loose. His handling was inclined to be poor on occasion. (Half colours.) R. Forbes. 6 ft. I in.; is st. 6 lb. Second Row forward. Played in all but one game. Used his weight to advantage in the set and loose. Fought for every ball and once or twice surprised by his speed and penetration in the loose. With more effort and training he could be good. M. Brown. Second Row forward. Missed several games. Was the jumper of the side. Often had to do two men's work in the line out. Followed up hard in the loose. A good pack leader. (Half colours.) I. Stewart. 5 ft. It in.; to st. 8 lb. Wing forward. Played in all games. Was part of a hard working back row. Joyed in unsettling opposition stand-off halfs. Backed up speedily and tackled hard. (Full colours. Well earned.) W. Stevenson. 5 ft. 77i in. ; 12 at. 2 lb. Lock-forward. Was invaluable for his cover defence in that he was always there or thereabouts. Was inclined to dream at times during the game. He tackled very strongly. (Full colours.) G. Graham. 5 ft. tof in.; to st. Wing forward. Captain. An everpresent. An excellent back row player, always on the ball. Led an inexperienced side well. (Full colours.) Games Played :8 November. v. Gordon's College at Rubislaw. An early penalty gave Gordon's the lead. It was soon obvious that the superior speed of the College back division would be dangerous. However safe kicking by School defence kept the opposition out. A penalty award converted by King just before half-time levelled the score. In the second half poor covering by School resulted in free running by the Gordon's backs. School's attacks consisted

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mainly of ill-supported kicks to the wings. Continued pressure resulted in three unconverted tries for Gordon's. School finished with spirited forward attacks, but over all the result was significant of a poor defence and weak tackling. Result: School, 3 points; Gordon's College, rz points. x5 November. v. Abbey School at port Augustus. A firm ground and dry ball produced excellent handling conditions. An early penalty chance near the posts was missed by Preshaw, but good handling pinned the Abbey School in their own half. A push over try was converted by Preshaw. In the second half strong running in attack and good tackling in defence resulted in tries by Massie, converted by Mitchell and Wood. Mitchell also put over a penalty. A strong fight back by the Abbey resulted in them scoring two tries near the corner. Result: Abbey School, 6 points; School, 16 points. 29 November. v. George Watson's at Myrcside. School began this game with the decided disadvantage of playing almost immediately on arrival in Edinburgh. As a result Watson's ran up 15 points within ten minutes. School never looked dangerous, and a speedy George Watson's side had no difficulty in gaining a fine win. Result: George Watson's College, 3x points; School, o points. 6 December. v. Strathallan School at Rubislaw. Good forward handling led to Massie narrowly missing a try, the ball being grounded just short of the line. School forwards fought well and held the Strathallan pack and backs firmly. Midway through the second half School took the lead with a penalty goal by Mitchell. Strathallan retaliated, several attacks being repulsed. However there were gaps in School defence and when the Strathallan winger cleverly cross kicked his forwards took an easy score. The kick failed. Result: School, 3 points; Strathallan, 3 points. so December. v. Royal High School at Rubislaw. Royal High School played without their stand-off and captain J. Blake who had taken ill on arrival in Aberdeen. From the kick-off School were pinned in their " 25 " but rallied, and for much of the first half held High school in their own half. School had several scoring attempts but failed to pull them off. From a line out on School " z5 " Royal High broke wide and the centre sent his winger over for an unconverted try. In the second half, from a strong forward attack Forbes picked up a loose ball and ran on for a fine try, converted by Mitchell to put School in the lead. A finely executed scissors movement from the Royal High centres resulted in an unconverted try. Soon after this the High School stand off was injured, and left the field. Two penalty awards to High School, beautifully taken, gave them a deserved win. Result: School, 5 points; Royal High School, x 2 points. v. Gordon's College at Seafield. In this game School were well beaten. A stronger Gordon's side ran out easy winners. Though the forwards put up a plucky fight, the weak tackling of the backs gave the speedy Gordon's centres freedom to manoeuvre. Result: Gordon's College, z6 points; School, 3 points. 28 February. v. Paisley Grammar School at Paisley. School were considerably under strength due to Leaving Certificate absentees. On an extremely greasy pitch and with a ball difficult to handle School played well. The tackling and strong running of the School backs kept Paisley in trouble and the School forwards kept a firm grip on the game, Burke winning more than his fair share of the ball. At half-time the score was level at 3-3. M. Wood having scored a fine try which was not converted. The Paisley captain converted a very fine penalty. Play in the second half was similar to that of the first but School soon drew ahead by a penalty goal from Mitchell. In a storming finish School forwards handled well but were unlucky to lose the leeway to a fine penalty goal for Paisley. Result: Paisley Grammar School, 6 points; School, 6 points. Regular sat XV team:— D. Mitchell, A Simpson, M. King, W. Ducat, M. Wood, H. Aird, E. Slater, T. Morrison, C. Preshaw, G. Massie, C. Flynn, A. Burke, M. Henderson, R. Forbes, M. Brown, G. Graham, W. Stevenson, I. Stewart, H. Reid, C. Jamieson, B. Finnic, A. Robertson, A. Duncan.

I14

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Hockey

This, undoubtedly, has been one of the finest ever seasons in the hockey section. The following statistics speak for themselves. Goals Played Won Lost Drawn For Against 23 18 z gz 32 3 For the second successive year School won the Division II League Championship beating our friendly rivals F.P.s " A " by a very close margin. The School also reached the semi-final stage of the Senior Six-a-side hockey Tournament. The zst XI were essentially a team with close liaison between half-backs and forwards. In a team where all pulled their weight, Peter Walker was an outstanding captain and Dennis Hay an inspiration to his forward colleagues. We congratulate Walker on his international cap against Irish Schoolboys at Dublin and commiserate with Dennis Hay, who surely lost his cap because of club loyalty and bad selection methods. Season's leading scorers: Hay, 23; Robertson, 21 ; Leiper, 12; Leslie, tr. Colour Awards: Re-award rap, Hay; Award rap, Walker; Re-award Full Colours, Parkinson, Leiper; Award Full Colours, Wilson, Ross, Hampton, Lorimer; Re-Award Half Colours, Leslie; Award Half Colours, Robertson, Wood. Regular Team: Wilson, Walker, Lorimer, Ross, Parkinson, Hampton, Wood, Hay, Robertson, Leiper and Leslie. and XI Goals Against Drawn For Played Won Lost 17 1t 2 28 4 49 This eleven have had a creditable season and were a fairly strong and competent team by the end of the season. They were well led by Jimmy Lyon. Regular Team : Smith, Lyon, Fates, Annand, Ewen, Stewart, Draper, Murray, Campbell, Lawson and Robertson. 3rd XI: The emergence of a playing side at this level has been of immense value in the building up of players for the future. It has also allowed older players, who had plenty of enthusiasm for the game but couldn't gain a place in 1st or znd XI, to get a regular game. We were sorry to lose the services of Bob Young through illness and we wish him a complete recovery. Regular Team: Christie, Phillips, Sinclair, Scott, Lamb, Thomson, Logan, Soppitt, Sim, May and Mackland. Colts: There seems to be an abundance of enthusiasm for the game but as yet little evidence of much skill. Exceptions to this are Swanson, Craig, Davidson and Gauld. Practice boys—that is the only solution! House Hockey: A hard fought struggle between Melvin and Keith ended in the former winning the Hockey Cup. Keith played the better hockey but Melvin's superior strength proved conclusive. Eric Watt. Might we say in passing how proud we are that Eric is the first Aberdonian to captain the Scots Hockey Team against England ; and in gaining his 25th Hockey Cap he has proved himself an inspiration to School hockey players down the years. Well done! Again we are indebted to many masters for helping the section in innumerable ways. In particular we thank Michael Park for his work in painting hockey balls during his father's unfortunate illness.

Matches IO December 1958 : v. University: Score 2-1 This was a real sensation against a strong 'Varsity side who had issued a challenge to our team following their defeat in the early part of the season. In the early stages the School forwards played brilliantly and Robertson scored. At the beginning of the second half 'Varsity equalised but near the end Hay scored the winner for School. This was the best display of the season, so far, with Wilson, Parkinson and Hay outstanding. 13 December: v. Academy F.P.s " A ": Score ;-1. School were knocked off their usual accurate game by a robust and hard hitting side. Academy scored first and it was late in the game before Hay (2) and Leslie brought a hard fought victory. Only Hay played to form.

School Section

I15

27 December: v. Ruthrieston: Score x-3. School lost this match in the first 20 minutes when there were bad faults in all sections of the team, resulting in an early 2-goal deficit. Lawson scored early in the second half for School and they fought hard for an equaliser, but a breakaway goal for Ruthricston gave them a merited victory. It was the usual sporting encounter against a fast playing Ruthrieston side. 7 February, 1959: v. F.P.s A ": Score 3-3. A hard fought draw against a strong F.P.s side. School were leading 3-x until near the end when Norman Johnston (a school stalwart of the past) had the temerity to score from the half back position and so thwart a School victory. It was good to see " old " and known faces again! a February: v. Gordon's: Score 3-0. This was not one of School's good days and the first half was a deplorable exhibition. College with any luck could have had the game won. School recovered in the second half to win easily, through goals from Robertson (2) and Leslie. 21 February: v. Gordonstoun: Score 3-1. A magnificent team effort and the margin of victory could have been much bigger. The team played well, Wood (a) and Robertson scored the goals. 7 March: v. Gordonians "B ": Score 3-1. School only played well enough to win against weak opposition. 14 March: v. Strathallan: Score 3-0. In very bad ground conditions School played very well and scored a merited victory. Wood, Hay and Leslie scored the goals. 21 March: v. Fetus College: Score 3-2 After all these years a School team defeated Fettes. Goals by Robertson and Leiper gave them a half-time lead 2-1. In the second half Hay made it 3-1 and then Parkinson had to retire with a severe eye injury. Despite this School heroically held on to their lead and they gained a well deserved victory. All played their part, with Parkinson and Hay outstanding. 23 March: v. F.P.s 1st XI: Score: 2-4. This was an outstanding match and some really splendid hockey was a credit to both teams. F.P.s superior strength was in the end sufficient to give them a deserved victory, but School fought hard and gave their seniors a fright. 26 March: v. Masters: Score 4-2. The usual enjoyable encounter ended in victory for the boys. The umpires, Sandy Cromar and C. B. Bisset, were not so friendly to the Masters as in past years and a change of officials in charge is most likely according to all reports!! 3o March: v. Aberdeen: Score 2-o. End of the season fare with very little enthusiasm shown by either side. School were lucky to win and quite a few reputations were tarnished. R. McNsv. Results 1959 xst XV Jan. 3 v. Aberd. Accies at Chanonry — — 1958 27-x x W Sep. 6 v. Panmure at Rubislaw „ 13 v. Aberdeen Wanderers at 53-o W Haselhead an v. George Heriot's F.P. at „ 3-16 L Rubislaw „ 22 v. Stewart's Col. F.P. at Inverlelth 3-3 D 27 V. Perthshire Accies at Rub. 2z-5 W 6-3 W at Selkirk Selkirk v. Oct. t 4 xx v. Allan Glen's F.P. at „ 26-6 W Bishopbriggs „ 18 v. Edinburgh Accies at 25-28 L Raeburn Place 2 v. Aberdeen Accies at Rub, RI-3 W 3-16 L v. Aberdeen Univ. at Rub. Nov. • 8 „ 15 t,. Jordanhill College School F.P. 6.5 W at Rubislaw 22 v. Greenock Wanderers at op L 3-9 F'Matilda 29 v. Gordonians at Rublislaw I0-0 W 6.6 D Dec. 6 v. Watsontans at Rublislaw 12-15 L .. 13 v. Glasgow Acad. at Rub. so v. Glasgow University at „ Westerlands 3. 12 L 27

to v. Melville CoL F.P. at Rub. — — 17 v. Aberdeen University at 6-21 L King's College .. 24 v. St. Andrew's University — — Andrew's at St. 31 v. Jordanhill T.C. at Rub. — — — — B'ngh'Im at Accies Feb. 7 v. Trinity 3-o W .. 14 O. Gordonians at Seafield at H.S.F.P. al O. Glasgow „ O-14 L Anniesland 25-o W 28 v. Aberdeen Wan. at Rub. Mar. 7 v. West of Scotland at 15-13 W Glasgow n 14 v. Boroughmuir School 6.16 L F.P. at Rublislaw 21 v. Hutchesons' G.S.F.P. „ W 23-6 Rubislaw at as V. Aberdeenshire at Chanonry 33.9 W „ 9-xo L Rub. at Musselburgb • a8 v. „ ..

I i6

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

and XV 1958 Sep. 6 „ x3 v. Aberdeen W. 2nd at Rub. 41-0 „ zo v. Abdn'shire and at Rub. 69-0 „

Oct.

22 27 4 v. R.A.F. Kinloss at Rub.

w w

r r v. Allan Glen's F.P- and 22.6 W at Bishopbriggs „ 18 v. R.N.A.S. Arbroath rst at Rubislaw 5-x3 L • 25 V. Gordonians and at Seafield o-8 L 14.6 W Nov. 1 v. Panmure and at Rub. „ 8 v. Moray 1st at Elgin 19-0 W „ 15 v. R.N.A.S. Lossiemouth xst 6.23 L at Rubislaw „ 22 v. Greenock W. and at F'Matilda 9-11 L , 29 v. Gordonians 2nd at Rub. 3-o W Dee. 6 v. Aberdeen University 2nd at Kings College 8-3 W „ 13 v. Aberdeen Accies 1st at Chanonry „ 20 v. Aberdeenshire and at Rub. 8-3 W 27 v. Strathmore zst at Forfar 1959 Jan. 3 v. Aberdeen Accies 2nd at Chanonry 70 V. School 1st at Rubislaw 17 v. Aberdeen Un. 2nd at Rub. 24 v. Aberd. Accies 1st at Rub. 31 v. Jordanhill T.G- and at — Rubislaw — Feb. 7 v. Strathmore 1st at Rub. 14 v. Moray 1st at Rubislaw — 21 v. R.N.A.S. Lossiemouth 1st PP x5.6 W at Lossiemouth 28 v. Aberdeen W. and at Hazelhead 57-o W Mar. 7 v. R.A.F. Kinloss at Kinloss 8-3 W 14 v. Panmure and at 1..1011111V0 II-3 11 v. School 1st at Rubislaw 21-3 25 PP 28 v. Perth Accies. and at PS o-26 L Perth „

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3rd XV 1958 v. Aberd. Acad. at Chanonry 6-6 Sep. • 27 v. Perth Accies. 3rd at Rub. x7-6 — Oct. 4 v. Abdn'shire and at Rub. 18.6 „ z 'I V. Gordonians 3rd at Rub. „ 18 v. R.N.A.S. Arbroath and at Rubislaw 12-3 • 25 v. Aberd. Accies and at Rub. 6-6 Nov. I v. Aberdeen W. and at Hazlehead 25-8 32-o „ 8 v. Moray and at Elgin „ 15 v. Aberdeen Aeries. and at 0-9 Chanonry „ 21 V. Aberdeen Un. 3rd at Rub. 26-8 ag Dec. 6 v. Gordonians 3rd at Seafield 3.x 3 „

13 20 v. School and at Rubislaw

„

27 v. Gordonians 3rd at Ruh.

1959 Jan. 3 10 v. School and at Rubislaw „ 17 24

W D W

W L

W I..

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10-5 —

31 v. Gordonians 3rd at Scafield 7 OF 1 4 v. Moray and at Rubislaw „ 21 V. Aberd. Un. 3rd at Rub. „ 28 v. Aberdeen Accies 2nd at Chanoru-y Mar. 7 v. Gordonians 3rd at Rub. 14-9 „ 14 „ 11 v. Abdu'shire zud at Rub. 13-0 — , 28 v. Aberdeen W. and at Rub. Feb.

D W — W

Swimming A very exciting Swimming Gala, in which Gordon Spate set up a new record for the two lengths breast stroke race, was won by Melvin Ilouse. Melvin had been last till a series of relay victories enabled them to take first place. Individual Championships: Senior Champion, G. Spate (Byron); (runner up), J. Sinclair (Dun), J. Murray (Byron). Middle School, J. Brown (Byron); (runner up), M. Cameron (Keith), J. McKechnie (Melvin). Lower School, D. Mair (Keith); (runner up), B. Carrie (Dun). Mr. Allardice left us in the Easter Term and School swimming (particularly Life-Saving) will miss his expert tuition very much. W. STEVENSON, Captain.

Tennis At a meeting of the club held at the beginning of the season the following officials were appointed: Captain, David A. Wood; Vice-Captain, Gavin B. Wilson. The highlight of the playing season has been the School tournament which proved to be as open and exciting as ever. David Wood turned out to be a worthy winner maintaining a consistcndy high standard of play throughout. An extensive programme of inter-school fixtures has been arranged including for the first time a match against Robert Gordon's College and two Second team matches. The following was the regular team: D. A. Wood, G. B. Wilson, D. Bain, D. Cameron, E. Lorimer, D. Auld. G. B. WILSON, Secretary.

School Section

I17

Cricket

•

Cricket throughout the School is of a very high standard. With only two of last year's sat XV back, it was expected that the new " boys " would take time to settle. This has not been so. Instead the team—and a young one too—has settled down well and has played through the first seven games unchanged. It is quite a strong batting side and all have shown their prowess with the bat in one or other of the games played. The brunt of the bowling has been borne by Walker, Auld, Souter and Morrison and it has improved with every game. Some good bowling has been well supported in the field. Aird, the wicket keeper, has been a good Captain, and he has set an excellent example to School Cricketers both on and off the field. The keenness of the 1st—and the other XIs has been shown in well attended net practices. sat XI H. M. Aird (Capt.), D. Auld, D. Bain, M. Edwards, B. Henderson, J. Leiper, T. Morrison, A. Simpson, A. Soppitt, 1. Souter, P. Walker. and XI This XI under the Captaincy of Vaughan has done well. There are a number of talented cricketers in it, with one or two bordering on ist XI standard. K. Robertson, M. Robertson, Matthews and Dempster have all batted well, while D. Milne, Vaughan and Matthew have borne the brunt of the attack. Home—Won v. Inverurie: Away—Lost. v. Inverness: Home—Won. v. Huntly: Away—Lost. v. Glenalmond: 3rd XI After losing the first game of the season at Seafield the 3rd XI has been in winning form. S. Leslie, the Captain, has led the side well. Good fielding and bowling has kept the opponents' scores very low and intelligent batting has allowed the side to reach these totals. Away—Lost v. Gordon's: Home—Won v. Mackie Academy: Home—Won v. Aberdeen Academy 2nd: Away—Won v. Aberdeen Academy 2nd: Middle School XIs All these XIs have done well and have a great amount of very promising material. Fielding has been good, but bowling will require to improve. All XIs have potentially good bowlers who try to bowl too fast, at the expense of length and direction. It is essential in bowling to maintain a good " length" and to bowl at the stumps. Batting has generally been of a good standard. Here the bat must be made to strike the ball (and not the ball strike the bat). Minors Juniors Colts v. Academy: A—W. v. Inverurie: H—W. A—W. v. Gordons: v. Gordons: H—W. v. Inverness: A—L. A—W. v. Inverurie: v. Academy: H—D. v. Gordonstoun: A—W. v. Blairmore: A—L. v. Gordons: H—W. A—W. v. Perth Ac.: v. Gordons: A—L. v. Academy: A—W. v. Glenalmond: H—L. The sides arc once again indebted to the Members of Staff who have given of their time in umpiring matches, and in late practices—tasks which arc often taken for granted. 2, April. v. A. J. M. Edwards XI. On winning the toss, School fielded. J. C. Richardson and H. G. U'ren opened for the Select, and the attractive stroke play and powerful hitting of U'ren seemed to knock the heart out of the School attack. Bain took the two wickets

I'S

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

which fell. School were set to score 1 to runs in 9o minutes and the earlier overs were encouraging. However, by accurate bowling and good fielding on the part of our opponents victory was taken from our strong batting XI. A. J. M. Edwards XI, io9 for 2 dec.; Bain 2 for 25. School XI, 66 for 5; Auld 2-7. 2 May. v. Aboyne. After winning the toss, Aboyne decided to bat on an easy paced wicket, but, with monotonous regularity, the wickets fell to an accurate, hostile School attack. Aboyne's total of 19 was overtaken after a rather slow but steady start. Aboyne XI, 19; Auld 4 for 5; Morrison 2 for 3; Walker 3 for 6; Souter i for 5. School XI, 56 for 3; Aird 3o. 9 May. v. Gordonstoun. This was a most enjoyable and exciting match, and with a little more time School would have recorded a convincing victory. After Gordonstoun had scored rob runs in z hours 16 minutes on a somewhat lively wicket, School were left 75 minutes in which to score the necessary runs. School attacked with gay abandon, and, through a brisk fifth wicket stand of 36 between Morrison and Simpson, were only 14 runs behind when stumps were drawn. This moral victory augured well for the ensuing fixtures. Gordonstoun XI, 106 for 9 (dec.); Auld 4 for so; Souter i for 8; Walker a for z4. School XI, 93 for 5; Morrison 25 n.o.; Auld zo; Bain 17; Simpson 16 n.o. 16 May. v. Perth. Although playing time was restricted to zi hours, Perth, after having lost the toss and having been put into bat, made a sporting declaration in leaving School 55 minutes to score 6o runs. The fortunes of School fluctuated considerably, and it was only off the second last ball that Henderson scored the winning run. Perth Academy XI, S9 for 5 (dec.); Souter 1 for 4. School XI, 6z for 6; Henderson 27 n.o.; Leiper 13. zo May. v. Gordon's. The match against the "Auld Enemy" was keenly contested. Although scoring was low, Leiper batted resolutely throughout the innings. School were all out for the modest score of 69, but with first class fielding and accurate bowling, Gordons had to admit defeat by 39 runs. The most successful bowler was Morrison, who returned the excellent figures of to-8-5-6. School XI, 69; Leiper 3z; Bain 16. Gordon's XI, 3o; Morrison 6 for 5; Auld i for 4; Souter 2 for 8; Walker z for II. 23 May. v. Glenalmond. Although this was a most enjoyable game, the result was rather disappointing Winning the toss, School had no hesitation in batting on a perfect, firm wicket and after a solid but perhaps rather slow opening partnership, scored the respectable total of 126 of which Auld scored 66 n.o.—an excellent innings. With just over a hours left for play, Glenalmond had to fight for their runs, but an opening partnership of 6z laid the foundation for victory. School, however, held out until the second last over, and although beaten, were by no means disgraced. School XI, '26; Auld 66 n.o.; Souter 14; Morrison 13. Glenalmond XI 127 for 4; Morrison 3 for 36; Auld 1 for is.

Badminton In the club this year the enthusiasm of the younger players has blossomed out into much improved skill. This was due in part to the ability and patience shown by some of the seniors in coaching the keen young players. A fitting climax to an enjoyable badminton season was the Staff-Boys match. The standard of play was high and the friendly atmosphere throughout the evening added much to the enjoyment. PETER A. WALKER, Club Captain.

School Section

119

Athletics The following elections were made at a meeting held at the beginning of the summer term: Captain, W. Stevenson; Vire-Captain, T. N. Ducat. Our hopes of winning the Evening Express trophy for the fifth consecutive year were dashed with an early disqualification. Competitions with the Aberdeen Athletic Club, The University and Gordon's College have been arranged. Most athletes are training hard and regularly, particularly the sprinters, but some promising field event boys are conspicuous by their absence on training nights. Promising boys further down the School are also training well and we may expect a very high standard in this year's School Sports. Our thanks arc due to Mr. Paterson and Mr. Mortimer for their help and encouragement. W. STEVENSON, Captain.

The School Sports The School Sports held at Rubislaw on iz and 13 June were favoured with beautiful weather. Saturday was a particularly fine day, warm, and with a freshness in the air which gave conditions ideal for the competitors. A number of outstanding performances have to be recorded. William Stevenson, who in 1958 ran the 88o yards in the then record time of a minutes, cut his time this year to I minute, f9•I seconds, but this does not match his own best time of I minute, 58.6 seconds set up in a match against the University In the mile Stevenson ran superbly to break the 195o record time. In Group a events Andrew Leach broke two records and Meldrum Edwards one; and it was fitting that the Group 2 championship should be shared by these two very fine athletes who competed in so many events and who were in every case so close to each other. Another feature of the meeting was the constant wonder as to which House would eventually win the Athletics Trophy, for Keith and Melvin held leading-place time and time about. It was the relay races towards the close of the day which finally gave Keith the winning margin of points. The following new records were set up. Group i : Mile: William Stevenson (Keith)-4 min. 3o.8 sec. Group 2: 220 yards: Andrew Leach (Keith)—z4-1 sec. Hurdles: Andrew Leach (Keith)—I2.8 sec. 44o yards: Meldrum Edwards (Melvin)—54.3 sec. Discus: D. Auld (Byron)-123 ft. 6 in. Group 3: 88o yards: David Millar (Melvin)-2. mm. 19 sec. Group 5: 8o yards: John Hendry (Keith)—:o.3 sec. Group 8: 150 yards: P. Edwards (Byron)—zr9 sec. Group 3: Relay: Dun House-51.6 sec. The Inter-House Championship: (3) Dun-1o3 points. (1) Keith-148 points (4) Byron-82 points. (z) Melvin— i 36 points. Individual Championship Results: Open Group: x. T. N. Ducat (Duns)—tz points. z eq. W. Stevenson (Keith) 1 o points. D. Cameron (Keith) Group z: 1 eq. A. Leach (Keith) 20 points. M. Edwards (Melvin) Group 3: T. F. N. McKenzie (Byron)—I7 points. 2. D. Millar (Melvin)-11 points. i. D. Fowlie (Melvin)-14 points. Group 4: 2. P. McIver (Keith)-5 points. Group 5: 1. J. F. Hendry (Keith)—i1 points. z eq. G. Davidson (Keith) G. Crawford (Melvin) } 6 Points' Fowlie Cup: John F. Hendry (Keith). E. W. Trail Memorial Trophy for Athletics: Thomas N. Ducat (Dun). Silver Medal for Athletics: Thomas N. Ducat (Dun). House (Athletics) Trophy: Keith House.

Former Pupils' Club Section (Club Founded xx September x893)

Club Office-Bearers, 1959-6o Honorary President : Sir JAMES J. ROBERTSON, O.H.E., M.A., B.D., LL.D., F.R.S.E., F.E.I.S. (Rector since 1942) Honorary Vice-Presidents : HENRY JACKSON BUTCHART (1890-99), D.S.O., O.H.H., T.D., B.L., LL.D., D.L. DOUGLAS PATERSON COCHRAN (1906-15). Sir PATRICK ASHLEY COOPER (1896-1901), B.A., LL.B. JAMES CATTO DUFFUS (1897-1904), O.B.E., M.C., M.A., LL.B. Sir WILSON JAMESON (1892-1902), G.B.E., K.C.B., M.D., LL.D., SC.D., F.R.C.P. JAMES GRAY KIT) (1891-98), G.B.E., P.P.A., F.R.S.E. JOHN ADAM LILLIE (1893-1903), M.A., LL.B., Q.C. ERIC R. R. LINKLATER (1913-16), C.H.E., M.A., LL.D., T.D. Sir ARTHUR LOTHIAN (1892-94 and 1898-1904), K.C.I.E., C.S.I., LL.D. The Right Hon. Lord MESTON (19ox-o2). GEORGE GORDON NICOL (1894-1903), D.S.O., M.I.C.E., M.CONS.E. Sir WILLIAM PETERS (1900-06), C.M.G., M.A. JOHN LENNOX RIDDELL, (1907-16). WILLIAM DOUGLAS SIMPSON (1901-13), O.B.E., M.A., D.LITT., P.S.A.(SCOT.), P.S.A. ALEXANDER GEORGE NICOL SMITH (1880-88), D.S.O. Sir WILLIAM ROBERT TENNANT (1904-10), C.I.E., M.A., LL.D. Sir JOHN MACKAY THOMSON, C.B., M.A., F.R.S.E. (Rector, 1920-2I). Sir LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON (1899-1908), C.B., O.B.E., M.A., D.S.C., P.R.S.E., LL.D.

•

President : Sir JOHN WILLIAM TAYLOR (1906-II), K.B.E., C.M.G. Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive : GEORGE EDWARD COLLEDGE BARTON (1923-26), M.A. Secretary and Treasurer : JOHN SCOTT MACLACHLAN (1922-32), M.A., LL.B., 220 Union Street, Aberdeen. General Editor of Magazine : CAMPBELL CONNON (1926-38), M.A., LL.B., 58 Dee Street, Aberdeen. [Arising from the adjustment with regard to incorporating certain late items, we required to drop the list of Centre Secretaries, of Section Secretaries and Representatives, and of the Executive Committee which usually follows after this. —Ed.] 120

•

Former Pupils' Club

121

Annual General Meeting, 1959 The Fifty-seventh Annual General Meeting of the Club was held in the Caledonian Hotel on 24 March 1959, with Mr. J. S. G. Munro acting as Chairman. Executive's Report, 1958-59 The Secretary read the Report, from which the following information is taken: Membership and Subscriptions The following is an analysis of the membership of the Club as at 28 February 1959 with comparable figures at z8 February, 1958. Life Membership Fully Partially Paid Paid Ordinary Honorary Staff Total 28/2/58 1,189 22 1,004 II 9 2,235 28/2/59 1,180 13 1,058 I0 25 z,z86 -9

-9

+S4

—I

+ 5/

Losses by Death During the year the deaths of forty-six Former Pupils of whom twenty-three were Members of the Club, have been reported. They included Colonel Archer Irvine-Fortescue, Sir Andrew Gourlay Clow, an Honorary Vice-President of the Club, William Ernest Milne, for many years Club Consul in Vancouver, Alexander McKenzie Johnston, and one of our Honorary Members, Mrs. Alexander H. Gray, whose work in connection with the Grammarian Fair is well known. Since the end of the Club year we have to report also the death of two former Presidents of the Club—Mr. Charles Davidson and Dr. William Clark Souter. We would like also to record the sudden passing of the School Janitor, Mr. James Ritchie, in November 1958. Amenities Fund The Amenities Fund continues to distribute Grants to the School as and when required on recommendations from the Rector and the Committee. Club Centres and Sections The Yorkshire Centre has now been successfully resuscitated and is holding a further Dinner early next month. Social The Annual Dinner of the Club was held in the Caledonian Hotel on 31 October when 170 Members and Guests attended. Mr. J. Lennox Riddell was in the chair and Mr. John M. Bannerman, Rector of Aberdeen University, was principal guest. The Annual Ball was held in the Beach Ballroom on Tuesday, z3 December when 348 Members and Guests attended, including over fifty younger Members of the Club with their partners. Primary Department After representations had been made the Education Committee finally decided to rescind its previous decision to abolish the Primary Department of the School and the High School for Girls and for the present time the existing arrangements continue. Staff Member During the year a large number of Members of the Staff took up membership of the Club and they are now represented on the Executive by one of their number, Mr. Alexander Bruce. (Continued on p. 124)

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL FORMER PUPILS' CLUB Abstract

£136 0 166 o 46 15

0 0 0

RECEIPTS Ordinary Subscriptions received prior to January . 1958 . • • • • • • . . Ordinary Subscriptions received in 1958 . . . . Arrears recovered in 1958 .

£348 15 313 19 227 6 i r6 0 0 15 6

0 3 1 3 o o

. . . . . Revenue from Investments (Gross) Interest at 3 per cent. on Life Member Capital Fund . . . . . Sale of Roll of Honour and Roll of Pupils . Surplus of Receipts over Payments on Entertainments Account Income Tax Refund • • • • • . .

1 957

£907

£ 127 5 177 0 46 10

0 0 0 £350 15 317 13

•

223

•

i 5 3 13 o o £896

0 8

0 10

o 8 o 2 1

Magazine Revenue and Expenditure Account £107 18 341 4 384 4

6 6 5

£833

REVENUE Sales . . . . . . . . . Advertisements £326 16s. 8d., less prepaid for 1959, £6 6s. Transferred to General Receipts and Payments Account

•

£115 12 320 10

•

475 1 5

9 8 0

£9r 1 /8

• •

Balance Sheet as CAPITAL £118

AND

LIABILITIES

I. CAPITAL FUND . Amount at credit at 31 December 1957 Add—Surplus in Receipts and Payments Account for Year ending 31 December, . . . . . . 1958 •

£118

cie

5 £143 16

II. LIFE MEMBER CAPITAL FUND— Amount at credit at 3i December 1957 Life Members' Subscriptions received in 1958 and Life Member Special Appeal . Less—Transferred to Receipts and Payments Account . . . • . . 7349 10

£7349 ro

£7434 x6

223

0 to

7211 15 10 III. ORDINARY SUBSCRIPTIONS PAID IN ADVANCEBalance of Subscriptions received prior to 31 December 1957 applicable to future years. Subscriptions received in 1958 applicable to future years . . . . . .

218

8 10

IV. SWIMMING POOL FUND

V. MAGAZINE—Advertisement prepaid

£7094

122

£90 1 5

175 10

0 266

•

£7636 13

of General Receipts and Payments Account for year ending 31 December 2958 1957 £128 SI iIi 7 4 6 127

7 zz

73 23 4 24 384 4 8z z3 99 12 £907

PAYMENTS . . . . . Working Expenses . Income Tax, Schedule D, year 1958-59 • • Income Tax paid by deduction from Investment . Income . . . . . -

£3 10

130 6 6

£126 16 8

135 17 0

Miscellaneous Expenses—Medals, Capitation Grants, Club Development, etc.. • • • • • • • 9 . o Excess of Expenditure over Income on Entertainments Account . . . . . . 5 Transferred from Magazine Account . 5. Depreciation on Addressograph Machine and cost of Plates . . • . . . . . • . . 74 Surplus for year

115 23 2 0 0 o 475 15 0 i6 16 xi 25 9 5

£896

for year ending 31 December 1958 £6rr 13 8 20 9 9

269 16

£goz 2.9 68 I2

£833 7

EXPENDITURE . , . . . . Stock of Envelopes as at 31 December 2957 . Working Expenses including Envelopes and Honor. . . aria to Editorial Committee

£68 I2

173 6

Less—Stock of Envelopes as at 31 December 1958

£241 18 3 35 16 ri

Cost of Printing

£705 17 1

206

£911 x8

at 31 December 1958 £7567 15

ASSETS I. CASH IN HAND AND IN INVESTED FUNDS . Market Value of Invested Funds as at 31 Dec. , . . . ember, 1958 17692 19 9

II. MAGAZINEStock of Envelopes in hand Cash in Hands of Editor . 76 II

. Less—Depreciation to date 0

•

£35 16 II 1 4 II

III. ADDRESSOGRAPH MACHINEPurchase Price

•

20 33 io

£7359 11 24

37 110

8 8

£7636 13

ABERDEEN, 18 February 195g.—We have examined the foregoing Accounts for the year ending 32 December 1958 and relative Balance Sheet as at 31 December 1958, compared the figures with the vouchers, and found the Accounts correct. We are of the opinion that the Balance Sheet correctly states the position of the Club as at 31 December 2958. We have had exhibited to us the various Securities supporting the Funds at the close of the Accounts. BOWER & SMITH, C.A.,

Honorary Auditors.

245 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

£7694 7 Si 123

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

12 4

Swimming Pool Approval in principle for the provision of a Swimming Pool at the School has been given by the Education Committee and it is possible that within the next few weeks more definite details will be known. Members will be advised of any developments. Retiral of Rector The Rector, Sir James J. Robertson, retires in June 1959 after seventeen years at the School. His achievements for the School are well known and reference will be made on a separate occasion to this. I should like to record the Club's appreciation of his continued interest in the welfare of the Club and, in particular, the unfailing regularity with which he attended the various Centre Dinners each year. I know how much the Members of the various Centres appreciated meeting the Rector year by year and getting first-hand information on the work of the School. Office-Bearers for 1959-6o Hon. President—Sir James J. Robertson was unanimously reappointed, he is to hold this office until his retiral, after which it was agreed that Mr. John Vass Skinner, who is to succeed Sir James as Rector, will fill the position for the remainder of the Club year. Hon. Vice-Presidents—All the surviving Vice-Presidents were re-elected with, in addition, Mr. J. Lennox Riddell, the retiring President (to whom appreciative tribute was paid for the manner of his filling the office notwithstanding ill-health during the year). It was agreed that after Sir James Robertson's retiral as Rector he too shall be made an Hon. Vice-President. President—Sir John W. Taylor (1906-It) was appointed. (A full list of the Club's office-bearers has had to be dropped this issue.) J.S.G. Munro's retiral as Vice-President. Mr. Munro, on demitting the vicepresidency, was cordially thanked for a valuable two years' work in that post, special mention being made of his work in connection with the Grammarian Fair and Amenities Fund, and with the Threat to abolish the Primary Department. His " financial wizardry " was reflected in the prosperous state of the Club's capital

a •

resources.

Finance The Accounts (conform to the Abstract reproduced on pp. 122-123) were approved.

Who has been the longest-playing member of any F.P. regular team ? In our last issue we referred to the fact that Ian A. Middleton was then entering on his eleventh consecutive season as a regular member of the F.P. Hockey ist XI, and we asked information about other long-playing F.P.s No-one has replied to this query, but we are still interested in hearing of other F.P.s who have similar long-playing records.*

Social Occasions F.P. Dinner—Friday, 3o October 19S9 in the Caledonian Hotel Annual F.P. Ball—Wednesday, 23 December 19S9 in the Beach Ballroom. • See item re: Patrick John M. Walker in the Notes. [late item]

•

Former Pupils' Club

125

Sir John Taylor

•

President of the F.P. Club (I959-6o) Fifty years ago modesty and approachability were not the most noticeable characteristics of a successful man of affairs. They are more so today, but there can still be few distinguished men of present times who display them so rationally in combination with prolific distinctions and high responsibilities as the new President of the Former Pupils' Club, Sir John Taylor, K.B.E., P.M.G. The Club is indeed fortunate in having a man comprising in himself so many of the qualities essential in the holder of such an office; and no member in search of help or guidance need be deterred from seeking it at the top by fear that his approach may be anything more than welcome. Welcome and fruitful, for in the course of his noticeable career in the various branches of H.M. Foreign Service, and since his retirement from it, Sir John has ranged over many parts of the world and made a host of friends among people of all nations. After leaving the Grammar School in 1911 he took his M.A. degree at Aberdeen University in 1916 and then, like so many of his contemporaries, rendered his first service to his country in the Gordon Highlanders, enlisting as a private and rising to the rank of captain adjutant. After the First World War he entered the Consular Service, where the interests of His Majesty's subjects were his care in countries as varied as France, Czechoslovakia, Austria, the United States and Guatemala. How difficult and exciting those tasks could be is graphically told in the appropriate references to his work in Vienna in Bruce Lockhart's Guns or Butter. Transferred to the Commercial Diplomatic Service in 1945, and after experience in Czechoslovakia and Egypt, he occupied the very responsible post of Commercial Minister in Washington. In 195o he attained Ambassadorial rank as H.M.s representative in Mexico and served there until his retirement from the Foreign Service in 7954. The respect and affection which he evoked in that country, shows in his capacity as Ambassador and in his present post as Director-General of the Hispanic Council were demonstrated last year when the Mexican Ambassador to the United Kingdom invested him with the Order of the Aztec Eagle, First Class, the highest Mexican decoration. More recently, when he was accompanying H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent and Princess Alexandra on their tour of South America, the Government of Chile similarly honoured him by the award of the Grand Cross of the Chilean Order of Merit. His own country has not failed to do him honour, for in 1947 he was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George and in 1954 a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Knowing John Taylor as they do, and realising his warm affection for his native heath and early ties, his friends would not be surprised to hear that, along with those many high honours, he is equally proud to acquire his latest distinction of being appointed President of the Former Pupils' Club of his old school. To that position the Club, for its part, is proud to welcome him.

i26

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Edinburgh Centre

The Centre's Annual Dinner was held on 6 February 1939, the principal guest being Ian M'Intosh, Esq., Headmaster of Fettes College. The speaking on this occasion was voted by some to be the best ever heard at a Centre Dinner, and the attendence (49) was a record for any Edinburgh Section dinner but by a cruel misfortune the reporter who was asked to make notes for the purposes of the Magazine did not understand what was required, and it was not until some weeks later when he was approached for these that it emerged that he had made only very scant notes which were inadequate for the usual write-up being reproduced. (We did, however, manage to get a copy of Allan Frazer's excellent tribute to " The Rector " which is reproduced elsewhere in this issue.)—Ed.

Yorkshire Centre The Annual Dinner and Annual General Meeting of the F.P. Club, Yorkshire Centre, was held in the Senior Common Room, University House, The University, Leeds, on Friday, 3 April 1939. The fourteen Yorkshire Members who attended were honoured by the presence of Sir James J. Robertson, the Rector and Mr. J. Scott MacLachlan, Secretary of the F.P. Club. Professor E. J. Wood, President of the Centre proposed the Toast of " The School ". Sir James in replying told of the changes he had seen in the School during his term as Rector. He assured those present that the changes were by no means all bad and that they had been mostly brought about by changing times and the increase in the numbers of pupils and staff. Mr. J. Scott MacLachlan proposed a vote of thanks to Professor Wood. The Annual General Meeting then followed and the following Officials were elected for the ensuing year: President, Dr. Oswald Prosser; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. A. J. Adams. Committee, Messrs. J. E. Anderson, W. J. Strachan, L. G. Boyd, J. C. Shark. The following is a list of those present in order of seniority: Professor W. P. Milne (1897-99). Dr. Ian G. Innes (1903-08). Dr. O. G. Prosser (1907-18). Professor E. J. Wood (1908-21). Mr. 3. E. Anderson (19o6-2o). Mr. W. J. Strachan (1918-24). Mr. L. G. Boyd (1918-29). Mr. J. C. Spark (1919-21). Mr. A. 3. Adams (1920-30). Mr. J. S. MOCLar-111811 (1922-32). Mr. H. E. Shand (1923-34). Mr. Ian Drummond (1927-33). Mr. 3. A. N. Watt (192 7-39). Mr. W. J. Alexander (1931-43). Mr. R. M. Grant (194o-42). Will Members of the F.P. Club, resident in Yorkshire, who would like to attend future functions of the Centre and who are not on the Secretary's list send their names and addresses to: Mr. A. J. Adams, 483, Bradford Road, Pudsey

London A very successful Cocktail Party was held at the English Speaking Union, 37 Charles Street, Berkeley Square, on Friday, 24 April 1939 jointly with the St. Margaret's School Former Pupils Club, London Branch, the High School Former Pupils Club, London Branch, and the London Gordonians. There were altogether about its people present, nearly twice the number we had at a similar function which was held last year. This increase was partly due to the fact that we had the London Gordonians with us. The evening was generally thought to be a great success and we may hope for an even more successful party of the same kind next year.

•

Former Pupils' Club

127

F.P. Rugby Section Weather once again played havoc with the fixtures at the start of the second half of the season, there being no fixture at Rubislaw until the last week in February.

•

zst XV The team had an average season, recording some good wins, but also having occasional lapses, though there may be some excuse, as under-strength sides were fielded in quite a few away matches, owing to unavailability of key players. Both games against Gordonians were won, but the side had to relinquish the local championship to Aberdeen University, who defeated them twice. The F.P. Seven reached the semi-finals in the Aberdeen and Elgin tournaments, but were knocked out in the second round at Inverness. and XV The 2nd XV continued to play good rugger, and despite the calls of the 1st XV, had quite a successful season. Away matches with R.A.F. Kinloss and R.N.A.S. Lossiemouth ist XVs were both won.

3rd XV Though their programme was drastically curtailed by bad weather, the 3rd XV only lost two games in the whole season, due in no small measure to full sides turning out. Players are to be congratulated on their keenness. Records for the season were as follows : Points Against Lost For Drawn Won Played 257 10 308 2 23 13 1St XV 316 13 — 18 2nd XV 114 5 182 2 2 13 3rd XV 79 9 Since the last issue, the following players were chosen for representative games : North v. Glasgow: I. R. McDonald, R. R. Comber, R. H. Cradock, T. G. Smith, H. W. L. Thomas. T. G. Smith was also chosen as Scottish Reserve Hooker for the Welsh and Irish Internationals. The following colour awards were made: Full—R. R. Comber, E. Sutherland, I. R. McDonald, H. A. Forbes, R. H. Cradock, C. Ritchie, T. G. Smith, D. N. Georgeson, M. Walker, H. W. L. Thomas, D. Grieve. Half—J. B. Rennie, M. A. Gibb, P. Love, S. Leslie. The Aberdeen " Sevens " were held at Rubislaw this year, sponsored by the Rugby Section, and the tournament was won by an excellent Hawick side. A good afternoon's sport was enjoyed by a large crowd and players alike. Two additional fixtures have been arranged for the ist XV next season, against Kelso and Dunfermline and all three fifteens have a most attractive fixture list. Any School players desirous of joining the Section will be made most welcome. Several of last season's School 1st XV were blooded in the senior side with excellent results. Although average gate receipts were up on last season, due largely to the keen interest in the Gordonian match which drew a good crowd, the Section would appreciate still better support at home matches, as income derived from this source helps to offset the heavy travelling expenses necessary to maintain fixtures with all the first class South sides, and I would conclude this report by appealing to all members of the F.P. Club to come along to Rubislaw on Saturday afternoons and support the team. D. H. CHAPMAN, Hon. Serretar,

SIMPSONS' for

SPORTS & SERVICE Tennis

Badminton

Cricket

Golf

Football

Bowls

Table Tennis

Hockey

Swimming

Running

Squash

Games

Skating

Archery

TENNIS AND BADMINTON REPAIRS AND RESTRINGING A SPECIALITY also EXPERT GOLF AND CRICKET REPAIR WORK

'Phone 21094

mps on s s SPORTS EMPORIUM ..4111111

Closed Wednesday 1 p.m.

28 BRIDGE STREET, ABERDEEN (Palace Cinema Corner) 128

Former Pupils' Club

129

F.P. Hockey Section The latter part of season 1958.59 has proved to be a period of rather mixed fortunes for the Hockey Section. Again the weather contributed little to the cause of good hockey, and the 1st XI showed its distaste for the adverse conditions not only by losing three of their six matches played in 1959 but on one occasion by fielding only nine players! It was noticeable that this unprecedented situation occurred when our match secretary Bill Gatt was unavailable, and therefore unable to organise our teams in his usual competent manner. The high expectations held of the 1st XI remained unjustified this season but perhaps too much was expected of a team which showed several changes from an XI which played together for four consecutive seasons. However, the influx of new players who have already appeared in representative games and the undoubted strength of our reserve XIs should ensure some success next year. As far as results are concerned, the 3rd XI, only in existence for two years, won the 3rd League quite convincingly, the and XI were defeated on only two occasions, and once again the 1st XI made its by now almost perennial appearance in the final of the President's Cup. The Smoker, initiated for the first time this year proved highly successful (at least in the opinion of Messrs. Dick and Beattie) and the Supper-Dance despite inordinate lack of support completely justified the commendable industry of its promoter Ian Thomson. Training in the school gym also suffered from the apathetic response of club members but those who did go enjoyed it immensely and wish to express their gratitude to the enthusiastic Sandy Munro. Finally the Hockey Section would take this opportunity to extend a welcome to any new members. Since we run three teams everyone is assured of a game and ample opportunities are given to players of ability to secure a place for themselves in an XI suited to the calibre of their play. How much interest is shown by selectors in F.P. teams is evident from the number of players chosen for representative matches. This season the following received recognition : Scotland—E. D. Watt (Captain). Final Trial—J. R. Wight. North—J. Drummond, S. C. Banks, I. A. Middleton, J. D. F. Thomson. Picts—J. Drummond. Officials elected for Season 1959-60 are: Ist XI Captain, I. Middleton; and XI Captain, M. Webster; Match Secretary, W. Gatt. Results 4-2 W

0-2 L 4-0 W 0-2 L 2-2 D 5-I W 3-3 L 4-1 W 7-2 W

I-2 L 1-2 L 3-o W

2-1 Nov. 25 v. Form x- x „ 22 V. Gordons College 2-/ 29 V. Gordonians A. 2-t Dec. 6 v. University A , 23 v. Gordonians B 3•1 20 V. A.G.S. F.P.s 2-5 Feb. 7 v. Aberdeen Grammar School 3-3 2-1 Feb. 28 v. Gordonians A 3-2 Mar. 7 v. University A „ 21 v. Grove Academy F.P.s A 3. 5 28 v. Aberdeen Academy F.P.s A 4-2

Nov. 15 v. Highland 22 V. Aberdeen Academy F.P.s 29 V. Aberdeen Dec. 6 v. Aberdeen University 13 v. Rutbresston PP 20 V. A.G.S. F.P.s A 3 v. Ruthrieston J a n. 31 v. Ruthrieston Feb. 28 v. Aberdeen Academy F.P.s Mar. 7 v. Aberdeen University 21 v. Grove Academy F.P.s PP 28 v. Whitecraigs

t7e-CI*V

and XI

sat XI

F.P. Golf Section There have been two outings this season. On 3 May to Ballater when z8 F.P.s and guests, and it Gordonians and guests attended and on 7 June to Aboync when 27 F.P.s and guests and It Gordonians and guests attended. At the A.G.M. held after this Aboyne outing the following were appointed: Captain, W. M. Millar; Vice-Captain, G. E. C. Barton; Committee, Messrs. J. S. G. Munro, G. N. Henderson, R. Bain and F. J. Meldrum; Hon. Sec., Geo. A. C. Walker.

William Dallas Allardice* (1 934-39), whose talents on the rugby field need no mention to F.P.s, has left the School where he was P.T. Instructor to take up a similar position at Dundee High School. (See photograph facing page 143.) Alexander Elder Anton* (1932-40), M.A., LL.B., who is meantime a lecturer in Law at Aberdeen University has been appointed to the Chair of Jurisprudence at Glasgow University as from the commencement of next term. Prior to becoming a full-time lecturer he was with the Aberdeen firm of Advocates, C. & P. H. Chalmers. He is well-known for his articles in law journals concerning comparative law, private international law and medieval Scots law. Colin George Marv Angus* (1925-36), Major R.A.S.C., returned to this country in April after a three-year tour of duty in Malaya. He is now a G.S.O. II at Aldershot District Headquarters. Charles Robert Allan Archibald* (1933-45) has been appointed a director of the firm of James L. Archibald Sc Sons, Ltd. He has been with the family firm for twelve years and served part of his early training as a cabinetmaker in the firm's workshops. Later he had a period of sales training with a firm of furnishers in York. Thomas Meldrum Amon* (1937-50) is now on the technical staff of Frederick Braby & Co. Ltd., Glasgow. Robert William Ingram Band* (1924-26), M.A., retired from Malaya in 1957 where his last job was Permanent Secretary to the Ministry for Health and Social Welfare. He is now living in Sutton and is in business on his own account. Alexander Gordon Beattie* (1920-34), M.B., CH.B., obtained his Diploma of Public Health at the summer graduation last year at Aberdeen University. He is in practice in Aberdeen. Norman Robert Beattie* (i921-3i) and Joseph Robert Carry* (I 918-3o) have recently been honoured by being elected to the Chairs of their Masonic Lodges. Norman Beattie to the Chair of Lodge St. Andrew No. 110 for the second time and Joe Carry to Lodge Aberdeen No. I ter. Charles Ross Brown* (1943-46) obtained an appointment in December 1957 with Harrison & Crosfield in London as Managing Agents for Malayalan Estates Ltd., and he is now an assistant on Koney Estate, Kerala State, South India. Robert Douglas Bruce* (1913-22), M.B., CH.B., Wing Commander R.A.F., was senior medical officer on Christmas Island from May 1958 until April this year. He has found being connected with the atomic and nuclear tests a most interesting experience and he and his colleagues enjoyed a visit from the Duke of Edinburgh during his recent tour. Kenneth George Buthlay (1930-42), M.A., was home on leave from Brazil, where he is Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of St. Paulo, early this year. In an article in the Aberdeen Press and Journal he made a plea for the better understanding of the satire of Burns. Malcolm Andrew Bain Christie (1 948-54), who graduated last year is going to Northern Rhodesia in July to take up an appointment in the Civil Service there. He has been attending training courses for overseas civil servants at Oxford and Cambridge run by the Colonial Office and the Universities. David Low Cowie* (1942-44), who was with the Mercantile Bank Ltd., at their Calcutta office has been transferred to their Hongkong office. 130

Former Pupils' Club

T3/

Thomas Gordon Coutts* (1938-51), M.A., LL.B., was this year admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh. He served his apprenticeship with firms in Aberdeen and Edinburgh and later spent a year " devilling " to a practising counsel. One of his first cases after being called to the Bar was the defence of John Ramcnsky, well-known in the North-East for his escapes from Peterhead Prison. David Main Craig* (1937-50), a grandson of Dr. H. F. Morland Simpson, after graduating with First Class Honours in English at Aberdeen University and winning a Fullerton Scholarship, did research work at Downing College, Cambridge, for three years and at Edinburgh for one year. He has just graduated PII.D. at Cambridge with a thesis on " Scottish Literature and its Public ", and has left to take up the post of Lecturer in English in the University of Ceylon. Hugh Mackenzie Crombie (191 i-zo), M.B., L.D.S., had his services to badminton in North-East of Scotland recognised recently when he and his wife were presented with gold shuttles similar to the silver badges presented to winners of the Crombie Memorial Cup. When the Crombies retired from active connection with the game a decision was made to start a presentation fund but they stipulated that the money collected was to be used for the benefit of the game. Accordingly, two handsome trophies were bought for the men's doubles competition. Andrew John Maxton Cruickshank (1919-25), the well-known stage and T.V. actor, made a plea to keep alive the Buchan dialect when he addressed the Aberdeen, Banff & Kincardine Association at their annual dinner in London in March. He was the guest of honour and was received by the president, Sir James Ian Cormack Crombie* (1908-21). James Samuel Dobson* (1925-39), M.A., spent five years teaching in Roxburghshirc before taking up his present appointment as Deputy Headmaster of Wellington Farm School, Penicuik, a senior approved school for 65 boys. He spends part of his time teaching and the remainder in administrative duties and supervision of the boys' leisure time and in visits to boys' homes. So far, he tells us, he has not had to deal with an F.P.I Ship me somewhere East of Suez.. . . James Hugh Duncan* (1941-50), B.sc., is at present a mineralogist in the headquarters of the Geological Survey at Ipoh; Malaya. A keen golfer, he has been lucky to find a good course at Ipoh, since returning from leave last year he reached the semi-finals of the North Malayan Competition and was runner-up in the Perak State Championship. Returning to Malaya last October on the Cbusan, he discovered a number of F.P.s on board, Alistair James McLean* (1933-44) returning to Southern India, Neil Donald Duke Elder* (1938-46) to Malaya and Alastair Gillies MacCrimmon* (1942-49) off to Hongkong. Sir David Edwards* (t9o3-o9), M.A., LB.B., formerly Chief Justice, Uganda, has been appointed, temporarily, Senior Puisne Judge, Cyprus. He was first appointed to the administrative service in Kenya in 1921 and transferred to the legal service in 1928. He served in Palestine from 1935 till 1947 when he was appointed Chief Justice, Uganda, where he served until his retirement in 1933. In 1956 he served on a commission of inquiry in Sierra Leone. Alfred John Meldrum Edwards* (1908-21) has been re-elected President of Aberdeen Exiles—that exclusive Rugby Club which makes its annual appearance in Aberdeen each Christmas against a local select team. James Saddler Finnic* (1934-41), M.B., CH.B., has won a £So prize in a nationwide occupational health competition for an essay on oil folliculitis. The research for this work took place over a period of three years and involved a study of cases concerning over zoo men employed at the Aberdeen factory of the Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Co,, Ltd. James Francis Forbes (1921-27) has been appointed managing director of A. B. Chalmers Ltd., Wholesale Grocers, Inverness. Since leaving the School he has been with A. R. Gray Ltd., Aberdeen, who acquired the Inverness firm in 1952 and appointed him manager. During the last war he served in the army from 1940 and was awarded the B.E.M. Charles William France* ( - ) is now resident in Storrington, near Pulborough, Sussex. For the last two years he has been Company Secretary of Storrington Motors Limited.

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George Sutherland Fraser (1924-33), M.A., the well-known poetry critic, has joined the staff of Leicester University as lecturer on Poetry. Ills recent book, Vision and Rhetoric, a selection of his critical writings over the past twelve years, has been well-received and demonstrates his brilliance as a literary journalist. John Alexander Gray* (1926-30, 1?32-35), who has been for many years with the B.B.C. Monitoring Service in Reading has been appointed Talks Producer for Scotland and is now resident in Glasgow. His new job will involve a fair amount of travelling throughout Scotland and he hopes to meet many F.P.s in his travels. Arthur Grant* (2948-51), Captain R.A.S.C., returned to this country at the end of last year after a period of overseas service and is now stationed at Aldershot. Gilbert Frewin Hamilton* (1921-30), B.SC., M.B., CH.B., is the joint author, along with Professor R. D. Lockhart and Dr. F. W. Fyfe, of a major new textbook called The Anatomy of the Human Body. This work carries no fewer than 965 illustrations, most of them in colour, and it is anticipated that it will become one of the standard works for medical students. William Aitken Brown Hamilton (1921-27), c.m.c., M.A., has been appointed Director of Personnel of the United Nations. Prior to this appointment he had been Director of Establishments and Assistant Under-Secretary of State of the Commonwealth Relations Office since 1949. Walter Henry Haydon-Soutar (1933-40) has been appointed Chief Engineer of Aero Controls Ltd., Northampton, where he will be concerned with development work in connection with the firm's policy to broaden its markets. On leaving the School he served an apprenticeship with Hawker Aircraft Ltd., at Kingston-uponThames and until recently was chief designer of airborne targets and associated equipment with Brooklands Aviation Ltd. Alastair Andrew Ross Henderson (2945-55), a fourth-year Arts student at Aberdeen University, has won a scholarship to St. John's College, Cambridge. He was joint dux of the School in 1955 and gained a bursary to Aberdeen University. In 2953 he was chosen to represent Scotland at a fourteen-day youth forum in New York sponsored by the New York Daily Mirror. Ronald William Hepburn (1936-44), M.A., PH.D., who is at present a lecturer in Moral Philosophy at Aberdeen University is to join the staff of New York University for a year commencing in September. Jeffrey Hyland* (1946-58) is to make banking his career and has started with the Clydesdale 8c North of Scotland Bank at the George Street, Aberdeen, branch. His younger brother, John Gordon Hyland* (1948-58) is with his father in the firm of A. & A. Hyland, Leather Merchants, Aberdeen. Redvers N. Ironside,* H.B. (1922), P.R.C.P. (London), has been appointed Physician to Charing Cross Hospital and Lecturer in the Medical School. He is Physician to the Maida Vale Hospital for Nervous Diseases and Lecturer in the Institute of Neurology. David Tom Kinnear* (1950-56) has now obtained a commission as 2nd Lt. in the R.A.S.C. (Air Dispatch). James Gray Kyd* (2892-98), C.H.E., A.F.A., P.R.S.E., a former president Of our club, was featured in the Glasgow Bulletin a few months ago as " To-day's Scot ". He is chairman of the Scots Ancestry Research Council, a body which helps people of Scots blood from all parts of the world to learn about their great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers. William Alan John Longmore* (2945-51) is still in rubber in Malaya. Next month he moves to a different estate at Baling, S. Kedah. Yuson Loo* (2914-16), a.sc. (Eng.), is now resident in London. Although he graduated in mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota, U.S.A., most of his life has been spent banking in Malaya except for the war years when he was a civilian engineer with the U.S. Armed Forces in India. In a letter to our secretary he recalls his happy years at the School and in particular he remembers with affection one of his teachers, the late Miss C. S. Pink., who as a teacher was so competent and as a friend so kind and understanding. Her sister, Miss H. S. Pixie, was most hospitable as his hostess when he visited the School in 1957.

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Alexander Wilson McIntosh* (1932-40, M.B., CH.B., D.P.H., who was in practice at Barnard Castle, Co. Durham, has returned to Aberdeen where he has been appointed assistant medical officer of health. ' Ruaraidh Wishart McIntyre* (1945-50, M.B., CH.B., Lieut. R.A.M.C., is at present stationed with zz S.A.S. Rcgt., at Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. Donald Campbell McNutt (1939-43) who graduated in medicine at Edinburgh University and joined the Royal Navy for National Service has decided to make the Navy his career. Recently at the R.A.F.'s Famborough Institute of Aviation Medicine he has been an active member of a team who are studying the methods by which pilots who are trapped in an aircraft sinking in water may save themselves by firing their power-ejector seat. As a result of their experiments and tests every Fleet Air Arm Pilot will go through an escape course in a special testing tank, and by the end of this year every naval flyer will have been trained in the emergency procedure. McNutt at present holds the rank of Surgeon Lieut.-Commander. Brian Walter Whyte Mackay* (1913-14, 1922-23), M.C.S.P., is at present engaged in physiotherapy work at St. Joseph's Hospital, Estcvan, Saskatchewan, Canada. Roderick Alexander McKinnon* (1907-12), who has retired from Local Government business is now living in Swansea. Neil Hunter Macdonald (1934-38), who recently joined the firm of Spencers (Melksham) Ltd., as Scottish and Irish representative is now resident near Newcastle. He would like to hear of any F.P.s in that area. William McHardy (1946-50), who until recently was golf professional at Murcar, Aberdeen, left in March for Yorkshire where he is to be professional at the Brough Club. William Soutar Mackie* (1895-1901), M.A. (Abdn.), B.A. (Oxon.), who was Professor of English Language at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, is coming to this country for a holiday in September. Neil Bruce Mackinnon (x93o-4o) has been in Canada for the last three years and resides at Newmarket, Ontario. He is with the McGraw-Hill Company of Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the McGraw-Hill Book Company of New York, his work takes him all over Canada and also to the United States. Colin Campbell Reith Macpherson (1933-44), M.A., B.D., is the sole nominee for the vacancy at Inverurie West Church. In 1955, after a period of study at Gottingen University, Germany, he graduated B.D. with distinction in Church History, gaining the King William Scholarship to Emmanual College, Cambridge, where he studied for three years. He is at present assistant minister at Ayr Old Church. News from India William George Macmillan* (1916-2z), s.sc., PH.D., the secretary of the Assam & Bengal Centre has sent us the following report: " After six months furlough in the U.K. I returned to Calcutta in November last, via the United States, where I spent one month on a business tour which covered 10,000 miles on seven different airlines and embraced twenty different cities in fifteen different states. I also made a short visit to Montreal where I managed to see for a brief spell Robert Hutton Duguid* (1918-23) formerly head of one of the large mercantile firms in Calcutta, a former president of the Centre here and now domiciled in Canada with his family. " Since my return to Calcutta I had a phone call from Dr. Duncan Arthur Hutchison McNaught* (1928-33), who is in practice in the tea gardens, and I hope to see him on his return from home leave sometime in April. I also had the pleasure of meeting Stuart Robert Thow* (1942-48), son of William George Thow* (1911-22), who has come out to India to take up a post on one of the Assam tea gardens. During his stay in Calcutta 1 arranged for him to meet Peter Crombie (1919-24), Calcutta Adviser to the Indian Tea Association, and Robert Mitchell Bonner (1922-28), Secretary to the mercantile group with whom he has taken up his appointment. I propose to arrange for a meeting with Cowie, Crombic, Bonner and myself so that we can bring the affairs of the Centre up-to-date and discuss our future."

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Leslie Deane Mayor* (1923-33), A.F.C., Group-Captain R.A.F., has been made commanding officer of the R.A.F. Station at Lindholme, near Doncaster. He was commissioned at the R.A.F. College at Cranwell in 1937 and thereafter served for five years in the Middle and Far East, later he held several positions in Transport Command before becoming officer-in-charge of flying at R.A.F. Lichfield in 1952. He has just completed a course in advanced flying at R.A.F. College, Manby. Ian Howard Marshall (1946-51), M.A., has been awarded the Carus Greek Testament Prize for 1958 at Cambridge University where he is studying for the Cambridge Theological Tripos at Wesley House in preparation for entering the Methodist Ministry. Walter Neil Menzies (1928-29), M.A., has recently moved from Canberra, where he held an appointment at the Australian National Library, to Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada, where he is assistant librarian at the Library of the University there. Robert Shaw McDonald Milne* (1921-24). F.P.s passing by train from Laurencekirk to Montrose may have noted in May this year a " Little Holland " of lovely hyacinths, daffodils and tulips. This is a new industry in the area founded by this F.P. who farms the neighbouring lands of Dykelands and Monboddo. Ian Andrew Moir* (1940- 53), M.A., who has just completed his final year at Christ's College, Aberdeen, has been sub-warden at St. Ninian's Lay Training Centre, Crieff, since last month. He was the selected representative of the Boys' Brigade from the whole of Great Britain to be present at the last Coronation, shortly after which he travelled as one of the beneficiaries of the Princess Elizabeth Birthday Fund to Southern Rhodesia and Palestine. For the last year he has been student-assistant at the West Church of St. Andrew, Aberdeen. Ian Farquhar Ogilvie* (1935-45) is now with Sir A. McAlpine & Sons Ltd. and is at present stationed at the hydro-electric project at Struy, Inverness-shire. Thomas Benzie Cootie Parkinson* (1937-40), now a flight sergeant in the R.A.F. was on the permanent staff of the Aberdeen University Air Squadron for over two years until January 5959. Since then he has been in the U.S.A. on a guided missile course, and, in fact, was one of the crew who fired the first R.A.F. " Thor ". He is now stationed in England on the Thor Weapons System. Graham Forrest Reid (194G-52) is now in Umtali, Southern Rhodesia, with the Umtali Board & Paper Mills, an associate company of C. Davidson & Sons Ltd., Mugiemoss, Aberdeen with whom he was previously employed. He is anxious to meet any F.P.s who may be near him in Southern Rhodesia. William Ferris Reid* (1925-3z), B.sc., (Agric.), the well-known breeder of Aberdeen-Angus cattle, has just completed a world tour of inspection of the progeny of his breeding. After many calls in the U.S.A., Australia and Tasmania he judged the Aberdeen-Angus entries at the Sydney Royal Show. To produce a higher quality of beef, he urged the Australian breeders to cross their more rugged types of cattle with A.-A. blood, and the refining influence of this breed would, he thought, produce better beef. Andrew Skeen (1880-86). In a recent letter to the Notes Editor Sir David Edwards* (1903-09) draws attention to the tribute paid by Brig. Sir John Smyth, v.c., in his book The Only Enemy to the late General Sir Andrew Skeen. The Brigadier says, " I have never seen a senior commander impress his personality and his will to win on his officers and men in the way he did in times of stress ". Sir David feels that this tribute will give much satisfaction to F.P.s who have served, as he did, on the North-West Frontier of India. Sir John Taylor* (1906-11), K.B.E., C.M.G., M.B.E., M.A., F.R.C.S., our new President, accompanied the Duchess of Kent and Princess Alexandra on their tour of Latin America this year. Sir John is director-general of the Hispanic and LusoBrazilian Councils and was formerly British Ambassador to Mexico. Sir Landsborough Thomson* (1899-1908), C.B., 0.8.E., M.A., D.SC., LL.D., was presented with his portrait, on 25 May 1959 at the Royal Society of Medicine The presentation was made by the Earl of Limerick, chairman of the Medical Research Council, and Sir Henry Dale and Sir Harold Himsworth, secretary of the council, also spoke. The portrait was executed by Mr. Peter Scott.

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Angus Murray Thornley Taylor (5945-46), son of George Angus Taylor* (1916-22), M.B. CH.B., has been doing some outstanding work at Manchester University. Last year he graduated Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Second Class Honours with Distinction in principal subjects, a standard not often reached in this particular course. His father has been in practice in Oldham for many years. George Ferguson Ritchie (1917-24) has left the Lago Oil & Transport Co. Ltd., in the Netherlands West Indies and is now in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A., but is returning to take up residence with his family in this country this month. Andrew Maxwell Scott* (1925-36), B.Sc. (Eng.), has been appointed Chief Engineer of the aero division of Rolls-Royce of Canada, Ltd., Montreal. He was previously Sales Manager, acro, and in his newly created position will have responsibility for all engineering matters in the aero engine division. John Alexander Trager Simpson* (1919-28), D.F.C., is now at the new uranium mining centre at Elliot Lake, Canada where he is chief accountant to the Stanleigh Uranium Mine Co. James Edward Smith* (1916-22), B.Sc., PH.D., who was for many years in Venezuela on behalf of the Shell Petroleum Co. Ltd., is now in their staff department in London. George Tough* (194o-42), s.sc., has given up his post as manager of the Protein Hormones Department of Organon Laboratories Ltd., to take up the position of Development Manager to Midland Counties Dairy Ltd., Birmingham. Patrick John Milroy Walker* (5914-20), c.A., our Club Consul in Mexico. resigned from his position with the American Smelting & Refining Co. in May last year and is now manager of the firm of Kennedy & Hijo, A.P. He would be delighted to meet any F.P.s going to Mexico, to the best of his knowledge there are only two living in the Republic, Robert Bowman* (19o7-o9) and Alexander Young* (1914-21). Patrick John M. Walker* (5914-2o), who is Manager of Kennedy & Hijo, A.P. in Sierra Fria, Mexico, writes: ' Re Ian Middleton's record, which I think is wonderful, and to start the ball rolling for the Rugger record I would advise that after playing as a regular member of the School 1st XV for three years I played as a regular member of the F.P. tst XV during the seasons 1920-21 to 1927-28 inclusive, or a total of eight consecutive seasons for F.P.s. I left Aberdeen for London in September 1928 and played for the London-Scottish during that season. I had the honour of being Captain of the School tat XV in my last year (1919-20) and of the F.P.s ist XV in either 1925-26 or 1926-27. I'm not quite sure of the season as my memory has failed me I ' Ralph Charles Sutherland Walker (1949-55), who, with his younger brother, David Alan Cruden Walker (195o-55), left the school to go to Montreal when their father was appointed Molson Professor of English and Chairman of the Department of English at McGill University, has recently won the top scholarship in the entrance examinations for Trinity College School, Ontario. He has been attending Selwyn House School, a preparatory school in Montreal, for the last four years and is this year Head Prefect of the school and Captain of his house. He is a son of Ralph Spence Walker* (1910-22) and a nephew of James Frederick Walker* (1902-14), History master at the Grammar School. Ronald Warman* (1943-54) has now left Johannesburg and is with Messrs. Telephone Manufacturers of South Africa (Pty) Ltd. The Factory was recently opened and makes all necessary requirements for the South African Post Office. He is now living in Springs, Transvaal. His two uncles, Reginald Mitchell Scott* (1959-28) and John Blain Howitt* ( - ) arc both living in Springs. Mr. Scott is Sales Manager of Irwins Garage and Mr. Howitt is Production Manager at British Waxed Wrappings in New Era. Alexander Watson* (1922-35), M.B.E., attended the investiture at Buckingham Palace in February. He is chief architect with the Ministry of Education at Kuala Lumpur and has been engaged on a government building programme. When he returned to Malaya in March he received a Malayan Decoration. Kenneth Brebner Williams* (5938-46), who was until recently employed by the Royal Insurance Co. Ltd., in Aberdeen, is now with the same fimi in Caracas, Venezuela. Whilst in Aberdeen he played rugby for F.P.s, gaining his ist XV colours in 5957-58. He was at Strathallan School after leaving the School.

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Michael J. Williams* (1936-45) 14.B., CH.B., who is at present a Registrar at Forrestcrhill, Aberdeen has passed his M.R.C.P. (London). His brother Kenneth B. Williams* (1938-46) is now in Caracas, Venezuela, S. America, he having last year received an appointment there with The Royal Insurance Co. Fergus Connon Wilson * (x929-34) retired from the R.A.F. at the end of January this year and has taken up a position as Senior Work Study Engineer to a group of companies sited mainly in the London area. A.C.I.I., has recently published a book Robert Park Yunnie (5925-26), recounting his experiences as an officer in Popski's Private Army during the last war. This book, called Warriors on Wheels, has been well reviewed and great tribute is paid to the descriptive powers of the author, the Sunday Times stating . . . " The war he recalls in a fast-moving chronicle of hair-raising adventures from the Western Desert to the Arno was not the proverbial long period of boredom punctuated with moments of acute fear, but a joyous pilgrimage made more memorable by haphazard dangers and discomforts."

New Members of the Club 55 November I958—I5 May 1959 ORDINARY MEMBERS Barrat, Rowland Dudding (1914-19), 54 Bedford Place, Aberdeen. Bond, Bruce (1953-58), io Clifton Road, Aberdeen. Burnett, Alexander R. (1948-59), 3 Kirk Terrace, Cults, Aberdeen. Clark, James Milne (1947-59), 21 Rowan Road, Aberdeen. Harrow, Andrew Lewis (1942-47), Toftwood, Milltimber, Aberdeen. Hyland, Jeffrey (1946-58), 25 Cail71101111hCal Gardens, Aberdeen. R R1 25 C ....a.maquheen i Gardens, Aberdeen. Hyland, John Gordon (,194--5-,, Ingram, Alexander Donald (1955-58), 85 Momingside Avenue, Aberdeen. Loo, Yuson (1954-16), 3 Westbury Court, Nightingale Lane, London S.W.14- ), Dykelands, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire. Milne, R. S. M. ( Mortimer, Dennis (1945-55), 7o Ashgrove Road, Aberdeen. MacKinnon, Neil Bruce (1930-40), 347 Park Avenue, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. McKinnon, Roderick Alexander (1907-12), 2 Emald Place, Uplands, Swansea. Rennie, Graeme William John (195 5-54), 66 Bedford Place, Aberdeen. Taylor, James Garden (1949-55), 45 Bonnymuir Place, Aberdeen. Tulloch, Ronald Olaf Basil (192,-34), 326 Holbum Street, Aberdeen. Valentine, Bryce (5953-18), Thainstone, Kintore, Aberdeenshire. Walker, Alexander Calder (1955-58), 49 Cornhill Terrace, Aberdeen. Watson, Alexander George (1954-57), 4 Southview, Lammerlaws, Burntisland. Watt, Michael John Taylor (1946-59), 2 Hutcheon Gardens, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. Wolkoff, Michael (1949-59), 37 Leggart Terrace, Aberdeen. STAFF MEMBERS Miller, Robert M. M., B.A., B.D., 72 Mayfield Gardens, Aberdeen. Murray, James D., H.M.G. (Mech. Eng.) Dip. Ed. Handwork, 45 Beechhill Gardens, Aberdeen.

University Notes

GRADUATION CEREMONY ON 5 NOVEMBER 1958 The Degree of M.A. was conferred on John George Nevin Fraser* (1942-55). On the same day the Degree of B.SC. (ENG.) was conferred on John Louis Harper* (194o-54). GRADUATION CEREMONY ON 17 DECEMBER 1958 The Degree of M.B., CH.B. was conferred on Martin McArthur Lees (1947-52) and Ross Langlands Renton* (1947-51). Blue Award John Grant Christie (1948-56) Hock* Half Blue Awards George Nevill Fraser* (1942-55) John Hockey John Collin Chalmers* (1945-53) Rugby Donald Ross Nicol* (1948-56) Andrew Robertson* (1 941- 54) Soccer John Grant Christie (1948-56) and John George Nevill Fraser* (1942-55) were elected Captain and Vice-Captain respectively of the Hockey Club. During the past Season, Christie played in a Final Hockey Trial. Charities Campaign Jon Armistice McCleverty* (1942-51), Chairman. Andrew Lewis Harrow* (1942-47), Vice-Chairman, Finance. James Martin Jeffrey* (1942-49 and 1952-S7), Convener of Lotteries. Arthur Ian Greenwood Davidson* (1943-54), Co-Administrator of Show. Ronald George Wilson (I95o-55), Show Business Manager. Members of the Union Management Committee for 1959-6o Alistair James Mitchell Miller* (1942-55), Honorary Secretary. Neil Edward* (1948-55). Charles Ian Cruickshank* (1945-57).

Marriages

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Allan (1944-5z).—At St. John's Episcopal Church, Aberdeen, on 31 January 1959, IAN WILLIAM JAMES ALLAN,* son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Allan, 79 Polmuir Road, Aberdeen, to Joyce Mason, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Sim, 14 Long Walk Road, Aberdeen. Blyth (1939-5 O.—At the West Church of St. Andrew, Aberdeen, on 14 February, 1959, GORDON WILLIAM Burnt,* younger son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Blyth, late of 84 Angusfield Avenue, Aberdeen, to Hazel, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Thomson, The Gables, Culter. Brooker (1937-5o).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 4 April 1 959, WILLIAM DIXON BROOKER,* younger son of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Brooker, 49 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, to Margaret Laura, elder daughter of Councillor and Mrs. J. T. L. Parkinson, 14 Seafield Road, Aberdeen. 137

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Coutts (1946-5z).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 20 December 1958, JOHN ISBISTER COUTrS, M.B., CH.B., only son of the late Captain Courts and Mrs. only daughter Coutts, 15 Watson Street, Aberdeen, to Violet Thomson, M.B.,

of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Addison, z Victoria Street, Cullen. David (1930-40).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 3o March 1959, IAN A/NSLEY FEARON DAVID,* M.A., B.SC., younger son of Eng. Lt. G. C. David, R.N. (Rtd.) and Mrs. David, Windyridge, West Cults, to Winifred Anne, M.A., eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Craig, Hakka Villa, Stonehaven. Davidson (1937-45).—At St. Luke's Church, Hampstead, on 23 May 1959, ALEXANDER MUNRO DAVIDSON,* son of the late Mr. A. Davidson and of Mrs. B. K. Davidson, / North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, to Anne Pretyman, daughter of the late Major J. R. Hayes and of Mrs. Phyllis Hayes of Leyboume, West Mailing. Davie (1936-51).—At Portlethen Church, Kincardine, on z8 March 1 959, IAN GEORGE DAVIE, only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Davie, 36 Faulds Gate, Aberdeen, to Barbara Strachan, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Shand, Middleton, Findon, Portlethen. Duncan (7941-50).—At St. Serf's Church, Dysart, Fife, on z9 August 1958, JAMES HUGH DUNCA-N,* only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Duncan, 95 Cromwell Road, Aberdeen, to Margaret Diack, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Kirk, late of 134 South Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, and sister of Rev. JOHN FRASER KIRK (193747), St. Serf's Manse, Dysart, Fife. Fraser 0935-40.—At Christ Church, the Quinton, Birmingham, on 9 May 1959, DEREK SHAW FRASER, eldest son of Dr and Mrs. A. Fraser, 141 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen, to Elizabeth Royce, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. James, Quinton, Birmingham. Fraser (1936-49)---At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 11 March 1959, GEORGE LESLIE FRASER,* Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Fraser, 117 King's Gate, Aberdeen, to Frances Christina, younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. Gordon, Larachmhor, Strachan. George (194z-57).—At Ruthrieston South Church, Aberdeen, on 7 February 1959, FORBES ROBERT GEORGE,* only son of Mr. and Mrs. R. T. W. George, 7 Argyll Crescent, Aberdeen, to Mary Forrest, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Baxter, i Ruthrieston Place, Aberdeen. Grieve (1939-5z).—At Wangs, Switzerland, on 3 January t959, DAVID ROLLO GRIEVE, only son of Dr. and Mrs. C. B. Grieve, i Rubislaw Place, Aberdeen, to Madeleine, elder daughter of Herr and Frau Eugen Schumacher, Wangs, Switzerland. Jolly (1951..5 2).—At St. Mary's Cathedral, Aberdeen, on IC, January 1959, ALBERT JOLLY, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Jolly, 406 North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, to Margaret Elizabeth, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Corry, Turramurra, New South Wales, Australia. Lyall (1935-48).—At St. Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen, on 28 March 1959, MALCOLM GEORGE LYALL,* youngest son of Dr. and Mrs. A. Lyall 4 Carden Place, Aberdeen, to Ogilvie Winifred, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Davidson, Micras, Pitfodels. McLeod (1929-41).—At Christ Church, Hampstead, London, on a May 1959, Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander CHARLES MCLEOD,* R.N., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. McLeod, 173 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, to Margaret Ellen, younger daughter of the late Mr. Redman and of Mrs. M. E. Redman, a Waverley Grove, Southsea, Hants. Middleton (192-4-34).—At Rubislaw Church, Aberdeen on 4 April 5959, ALLAN ADRIAN MIDDLETON, 24 Woodstock Road, Aberdeen, to Jean Maclennan, " The Neuk ", Annfield Road, Inverness. Murray (1946-53).—At Mannofield Church, Aberdeen, on 28 March 1959, GEORGE MURRAY,* D.A., only son of the late Mr. G. Murray and of Mrs. A. Murray, Mrs. 45 Salisbury Terrace, Aberdeen, to Sheila Mary, elder daughter of Mr. and A. M'Culloch, 38 Momingside Road, Aberdeen. Mutch (194o-47).—At the North and East Church of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, on z8 February 1959, Jome RENWICK MUTCH, only son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Mutch, 2 Norfolk Road, Aberdeen, to Rhoda, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Argo, 6o Cattofield Place, Aberdeen.

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Salter (1940-5 O.—At Victoria Gospel Hall, Torry, on 3 April 1939, RONALD SALTER, son of the late Mr. W. Salter and of Mrs. H. Salter, 6o Ashgrove Road West, Aberdeen, to Rhoda, daughter of Mrs. H. Buchanan, 256 Springhill Road, Aberdeen. Williamson (I938-47).—At Holcombe Parish Church, Bury on 24 January 1959, JOHN WILLIAmsoN, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Williamson, Caimrua, Cults, to Maureen Winifred, ward of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Castle, Holcombe Brook, Bury. Wisely (19t8-z3).-At St. Mary Abbots Church, Kensington, on 28 January 1959, WILLIAM REID WISELY,* 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, to Diana Durrant, daughter of the late A. G. Rivington and of Mrs. Rivington, 3o South Terrace, Littlehampton, Sussex.

Obituary William MacCombie Alexander* (1887-96), M.A., B.L., LL.D., whose death took place at his home on 16 January 1959, was one of Aberdeen's most noted scholars and authors. From school he went to Aberdeen University where he graduated in Arts in 1900 and in Law in 19oz, thence to Bonn University for further study before returning to join his father and his brother, the late Sir Henry Alexander (1881-91), on the staff of the Aberdeen Free Press, of which his father was editor. After the amalgamation of this newspaper with the Aberdeen Journal in 1922 he resigned his position in order to study subjects in which he had a special interest. His claim to academic distinction can best be illustrated by quoting from the laureation address given by Professor T. B. Smith, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Aberdeen University when he received the honorary degree of LL.D. in July 7952: " His particular claim to academic distinction rests on wide-ranging study both in the Arts and the Sciences. Mr. Alexander has established a reputation for his intimate knowledge of Botany and Geology, especially as they concern the North of Scotland. But it is in the sphere of language study that his chief work has been done. He is conversant with all the chief European languafes, including Russian, and indeed was taken as language expert on Professor Carroll s expedition to Tomsk in 1936. He has travelled widely, not only in Europe but also in Africa and the Americas. " Mr. Alexander's deep interest in the history of his own land and particularly the North-east of Scotland led him to undertake a survey of the place names of Aberdeenshire. Others have broken the ground here, but he has pushed the study much further by field work in collecting and recording the names, many, hitherto unnoted, in accurate, phonetic script and in excerpting their forms from documentary sources. To accomplish this end, he had first to make himself master of Scottish Gaelic, an instrument indispensable to his task. The fruits of this work have just appeared in a volume in the Spalding Club series, and will prove by far the best documented study of the place names of a county yet to appear in Scotland. " Mr. Alexander has given much service to the University on the General Council and its Committees. In this connection must be mentioned his book ' The Four Nations of Aberdeen University and their European Background' which was published as a University Study in 1934. It was acclaimed as an important contribution to the academic history of Western Europe." One must not forget his great interest in his old School and in this Magazine to which he contributed many articles both serious and light over a period of many years. A keen mountaineer, he was a recognised authority on climbing in the Cairngorms and had explored the Andes, climbing the range from North to South. lie was a past president of the Aberdeen Philosophical Society and, until recently, was president of Aberdeen Natural History and Antiquarian Society. He was seventy-eight years old. Eric William Harcourt Brander* (1894-1901), M.A., LL.B., one of Aberdeen's leading advocates died at his home at Stonehaven on 29 March 1959 at the age of seventy. Leaving the School at thirteen he went to Harrow but returned to Aberdeen to graduate M.A. in 191o before joining a firm of Writers to the Signet in Leith for two years during which time he graduated LL.B., at Edinburgh University. In

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

1912 he became a partner in the firm of Brander & Cruickshank, Advocates. Aberdeen and was senior partner with that firm at the time of his death. During the First World War he served as an officer in the Gordon Highlanders and held many staff positions, he was mentioned three times in dispatches and was decorated with the Belgian Chevalier Ordre de Leopold. Much of his work was in connection with the fishing industry where he was regarded as a worthy champion of the interests of fishermen in trade disputes and negotiations. He was the first chairman of the Scottish Herring Producers' Association, a post which he relinquished in 1935 when he was appointed a member of the Herring Industry Board but on account of dissatisfaction with the work of the Board he subsequently resigned and in 5946 he again became chairman of the Association holding the post until he retired in 1957. During the last war he commanded Stonehaven Home Guard for a time and also commanded Stonehaven Air Training Corps Squadron. During his lifetime he had held many important posts including, president and treasurer of the Aberdeen Society of Advocates, chairman of Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, president of Stonehaven and District Ex-Servicemen's Association and he was an Honorary Sheriff-substitute of the county of Aberdeen. Alexander Middleton Brown* (1894-1904), M.A., M.D., D.P.H., F.R.S.1., whose death is reported from Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol on 50 May 5959, was for many years Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hereford. He was seventy-two years old. After graduating at Aberdeen he became assistant to the professor of forensic medicine and public health at Aberdeen University from 1913 till 1955 when he joined the R.A.M.C., and served till 1919 chiefly as a specialist in bacteriology. He was mentioned in dispatches in 1919. After demobilization he was appointed assistant medical officer at Doncaster and subsequently at Chester and in 1921 received his appointment at Hereford which he held until he retired a number of years ago. Leslie Buyers* (1894-1901), the last survivor of seven brothers who attended the School, died at Banchory on 2 March 5959. He was seventy-three years old. Not long after leaving the School he went to Ceylon and spent his whole working life there where he became Manager of the Atherfield Tea and Rubber Estate at Avisawella. On retiring a number of years ago he settled in Banchory. George Gordon Cameron (1889-91), M.A., B.D., who was for twenty-five years minister of Rutherford Church in Aberdeen died at his home in Aberdeen on 9 December 1958 at the age of eighty-four. A native of Glasgow he came to the School at the age of t 5 and thereafter went to Aberdeen University where he graduated M.A., in 1895. He was ordained at Alford in 1901 and became minister of the United Free Church there until 1915 when he was called to St. David's U.F.C. in Bathgate. During the First World War he served for a time with the Y.M.C.A., and was attached to the 4th and 3rd Armies in France. In 1923 he returned to Aberdeen to take over the charge of Rutherford Church and retired in 1948. " C. D." and Charles Davidson* M.A. (1882-86) died at Aberdeen on 17 February 5939 surely with his death there passed away not just a person but an institution, for " C. D." was indeed an institution in himself. After graduating atin Aberdeen for he taught in England for two years then held a post as a private tutorus asSpain a master with a year, returning to School in 1893 to spend twenty-seven yearsSpanish at Aberdeen of English and the Classics. Thereafter he became lecturer in University from 19zo till 1939• and He was the sole remaining link with the Grammar School of the 'nineties which he the first decade of this century, and down the years of the Magazine—of was part-editor at one time, and famous for his " piquant and racy " F.P. "Notes— teaching with a many tributes have been paid him from time to time. His was English— difference " and whatever the subject he taught—French, Latin, Spanish ormeasure of he made it radiate life and interest, just as he himself did, with a great forget the afternoon charm thrown in. What schoolboy who studied under him canBennachie to see the outings to Newtonhill to watch the peregrine falcons or to as shown, capercalzies; or who can forget the great fun and humanity of the man innocently the stage conjurer for instance, at the wartime Scout concert when hundred boyish voices immediasked who would come up and assist him, and several ately shouted in roof-raising chorus " C. D. "I

Obituary

•

141

An article about him in the Magazine when he left in 1920 said of him: "He had the bonhommie of a traveller, and the bearing of a man of the world . . . and withal he retained the dignity of the dominie." He may have been a master of the beau gcste, but this was only " an outward flourish" which covered a shrewd Scotch head, and a warm, friendly heart. During the year 1947-48 the Club paid him its highest tribute by appointing him its President. He was indeed a Man of Culture in the broadest sense: in a sense which, alas, is becoming more and more rare in this age of Materialism, George Tait Duncan (1917-28) died suddenly at the Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen on z8 February 1959. On leaving the School he entered his father's business at The Central Auction Mart but later joined the North British & Mercantile Insurance at their Aberdeen office and was still employed by them at the time of his death. i-ie volunteered for service with the R.A.F. in 1939 and served for the duration, mainly in the Middle East. He was a keen bowler and was area secretary of the IrIverclyde Bowling Tournament. Robert Boyd Finlayson (19oo-7,1911-12) was buried at Sleepyhillock Cemetery, Montrose on 23 May 1959. He was the third son of R. B. Finlayson, treasurer of Aberdeen City Education Authority and was aged sixty-three. From the School he entered the Aberdeen Harbour Engineer's office and when demobilized after World War l he joined another F.P., George Topham Forrest (1879-89), architect to London County Council. When his health failed in London, he retired to Scotland, where he lay ill for many years in a Montrose Hospital. His brother Sidney Knight Finlayson (1896-1909), retired Minister of Ollaberry U.F. Church in Shetland came north from Sevenoaks, Kent to attend the burial. James Rennie Greig* (1882-87), a.m.t.c.E., Colonel R.E., died at his home in London on 12 May 1959 at the age of eighty-three. For many years until his retirement he was sole partner of the firm of Greig & Matthews, public works His services during the First World War—he served contractors in London. overseas both as an O.C. of a Field Company and as a Division Officer R.E.—were recognised by his being admitted to the Freedom of the City of London and membership of the Worshipful Company of Loriners. He was also an Alderman of the City of London. At his death he left a number of bequests to Aberdeen charities and one to the Caledonian Society of London of which he was an enthusiastic member. Herbert Charles Robert Gunter (r9 to-19), M.D., died at Billericay, Essex where he had been in practice for many years, on 9 February 1959 at the age of fifty-four. After graduating at Aberdeen University in 1929 he received an appointment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and in 1932 graduated M.D. the subject of his thesis being " Some Observations on too Cases of Chronic Duodenal Ulcer". In June 1941 he was granted the Diploma in Anaesthetics of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and the Royal College of Physicians. Ernest Newton Hall (1892-95) died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on ro April 1959, aged seventy-nine years. A master mariner, he served his apprenticeship in a sailing ship belonging to G. Milne & Co., Ltd., Aberdeen and then served with various shipping lines mainly on Pacific waters. During the 1914-18 war he enlisted as a private in the Australian Artillery and served in France until 1917 when he became an officer in the R.N.R., and served on the armed merchant cruiser " Edinburgh Castle" until x919. Before his retirement he was sailing for the firm of Glover Bros. of London. Archer Irvine-Fortesque* (1892-97), D.S.O., M.B., CH.B., Loom., D.L., Colonel R.A.M.C., an Honorary Vice-president of the Club died in Aberdeen on to March 1959 at the age of seventy-eight. On leaving the School he entered Aberdeen University where, as a Liddell Bursar and a Duthie Scholar, he graduated M.B., cm.a., with honours in 1904. Appointed Curator of the Royal Herbarium in Calcutta in 1904, he began military service three years later and held many appointments including those of Commander of the 141st Field Ambulance and 9th Casualty Clearing Station, member of he Anglo-Persian Military Mission, Senior Medical Officer with the 7th Brigade in Waziristan, Inspector of Iraq Medical Services and O.C. Military

142

Aberdeen Grammar School Maga.#ne

Hospital at Rawalpindi. In the First World War he served in France, Russia, Iraq, Kurdistan and on the North West Frontier. The Shah of Persia awarded him the Order of the Lion and Sun for the part he played in fighting a typhus epidemic in a prisoner of war camp for Bolsheviks near Earlier in 1919 he was mentioned in dispatches four times and awarded Teheran. the D.S.O. He retired in 1937 but was recalled in August 1939 as D.D.M.S., Scottish Command and later became A.D.M.S. to the Polish Mission remaining with the Polish Forces until he again retired in 1948. He was the fourteenth laird of King causie, Kincardine and in his retirement there he was active as a county councillor, A.R.P. Officer and Public Relations Officer for Territorial Army recruiting in North-East Scotland. Col. Irvine-Fortesque was an expert linguist, possessing a knowledge of at least twenty-eight foreign languages. He started studying Spanish at the age of seventy-two and Norwegian at the age of seventy-seven. Naturally enough his hobbies were the study of foreign languages and travel. " jocker " Johnston John Lees Johnston, M.B., CH.B., died at Blackburn, Lanes., on 14th February, 1 952.

Some thirty-five years ago, John Lees Johnston left School after the Intermediate examination (Middle III) to take a course of study for a clerical appointment with the Civil Service in India. It was after this that he had the routine examination by their medical board, was found to be unfit, and could not be accepted. A big blow to a boy, coming as it did so soon after his mother's death ; but what a challenge to a man like Jocker. For nothing ever depressed him for very long. His answer was to fight back with an extraordinary vigour and determination—and his sense of humour saw to the rest. And this was no mere veneer—for _locker was one of those rare folk who laughed with his eyes as well. In everything he was an enthusiast. He worked for four years in a local office before deciding that he would and could also work for his Prelims (the next challenge)—and then, right through 'Varsity to M.B. CH.B. And somehow during all this time, he managed to fit to a heap of other activities—chiefly Scouting, but rugby, soccer, tennis, boxing, squash and swimming were all real interests to him. In all these activities he was a competent performer, and when he could no longer participate actively, there was no keener or more enthusiastic spectator. Many of us remember him in his scouting days when, as S.M. of the 9th and afterwards, of the 1st, his meetings and camps were classics of organisation, detail and imagination. Some of you will remember the camp in France when he co-opted three of our well-beloved masters (Mr. J. F. Walker, Mr. Wm. Donald and the late Mr. George Farquharson) to check up on us at various steps of the journey. Jocker's French was not his strongest subject. " Un parquet per chappie " was his immediate reply to a rather startled Custom's Officer when asked if any of us (meaning the Rovers!) had any cigarettes to declare, before allowing the party to pass through. We passed through! A chap could depend on Jocker. Although the 1st and 9th Troops had their share of County Flag successes during his terms as S.M., it was to the awkward Scout or Patrol that Jocker devoted his chief attention, and to them help and tuition were always available at any spare hour. During his years in England he still found time for Scouting and derived great pleasure in getting boys out of an industrial town for a while and giving many of them their first taste of the country and of camping. Since 1936 he had been in practice in Blackburn, where his wife and he kept open house (especially for those from the North-East during the war years). Sometimes I accompanied _locker in his car while on his calls. There were occasions when he would come out of a house where he was " one of the family " and fetch me in to meet the folk. " A grand family " he would say afterwards—" Just needing cheering up." He had the faculty of combining a serious and conscientious approach together with that touch of great human informality towards his patients which earned their gratitude and esteem, and their memories of an ideal doctor and friend— who willed himself to carry on despite years of failing health. His was a courageous and useful life and an exceedingly happy one since his marriage in 1937. To Mrs. Johnston and his sisters we offer our sincere sympathy. R. L. M. They are not alone in their great loss.

SIR JOHN TAYLOR PRESIDENT or THE F.P. CLUB (1959-60)

(See p. 1z5)

1.4

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"C. D." (See Obituary Note p. 140)

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Obituary 5 43 Henry Laird* (1882-85), who was possibly the oldest active member of the London Centre of the Club, died in a nursing home in Croydon on 17 January 1959, aged eighty-five. A pupil of Michie's Academy, Robert Gordon's College and the School, he entered the service of the Great North of Scotland in 1889 as a junior clerk and rose through the ranks from then until 1918 when he was appointed Chief Accountant and Cashier. In 1923 he was made Divisional Accountant for the North-East area of the L.N.E.R. at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and in 19:7 Divisional Accountant for the Southern Area. He was always a very keen sportsman and had been playing golf until five or six years ago. He was an expert salmon fisherman and was a frequent visitor to Loch Leven before the war where he very often " Topped the list ". In his younger days he played soccer for Aberdeen as an amateur and stroked a boat on the Dee. Whilst in Northumberland he took a large part in social activities and was Founder President of the Whitley Bay and District Society of St. Andrew, President of the Northumberland Table Tennis Association for many years and also treasurer of the Whitley Bay Presbyterian Church. In the last capacity he gave valuable financial advice to the Presbyterian Church headquarters in London. He retired in 1937 and is survived by his widow and one son and three daughters. John Cosserat MacKenzie* (1893-99), M.B., cx.a., died in Edinburgh on 1 t September 1958. After leaving the School he graduated at Edinburgh University and then went to Singapore to take up an appointment there. Unfortunately his health broke down and he had to return after a short time and in 191o became assistant medical officer at the County and City Asylum at Hereford. In 1913 he moved to the County Mental Hospital in Lichfield and remained in the service of that hospital until he retired. He was seventy-six years old. James Mathewson Milne* (1895-1902), M.A., Docteur-es-Lettres (Rennes), formerly Rector of Nairn Academy, died at Stonehaven on 25 February 1959, aged seventy-five years. Dr. A. A. Cormack writes : " After graduating at Aberdeen in 1906 with first class honours in Classics, he was appointed Lecteur Anglais in the Grammar School and University of Rennes, where he graduated Docteur-es-Lettres in 1912." Professor Marache of the Chair of English, Rennes University writes : ' Jc suis desole d'apprendre le deces de M. Milne, ct la Faculte s'assoire i moi dans cc dcuil.' The French appreciated highly his scholarly teaching in France, and in particular the service he rendered by his text books to the teaching of French in Scotland." During the First World War he served from 1915 till 1919 with the R.A.M.C., and the Machine Gun Corps from which he was demobilised with the rank of Captain. He was appointed Rector of Nairn Academy in 19zo and held that post until he retired in 1947. Thomas Arthur Stewart Milne, (1887-89), M.A., died at Evesham on 27 April [959 aged eighty-five. After graduating at Aberdeen University he went to New Zealand from 1893 till 5899 and from thence to Argentina where he stayed for many years. Norman Munro* (1895-1900), M.A., B.sc., has died at Johannesburg, S.A. on 23 January 1959 in his seventy-seventh year. After graduating at Aberdeen University he taught at Morrison's Academy, Crieff until 19zo when he went to Canada to become mathematical and science master at the Grammar School Vancouver, B.C. In the 1914-18 war he saw service with the Middlesex Regiment and the Highland Light Infantry in this country and in France until he was demobilised in 1919 with the rank of Lieutenant. Peter William Philip* (1915-19), M.B., ma., died at Huntly, where he had been in practice for many years, on 7 December 1958 at the age of fifty-eight. Graduating at Aberdeen University in 1924 he took up an appointment the following year at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary as a Resident Medical Officer and subsequently went into general practice. During the last war he was in charge of two A.R.P. Units and was a member of the Mobile Surgical Unit for Aberdeenshire. Edwin Everard Reid* (1909-18), C.A., who had been in poor health for some time, rhed at his home in Aberdeen on 15 March 1959. During the First World War he went, more or less, straight from the School into the R.A.F. and served in this country in the wireless section until he was demobilised in 1919. Thereafter

144

Aberdeen Grammar Scbool Magazine

he served his apprenticeship with James Henry Reid & Son, c.A., of which firm he was a partner at the time of his death. John Warrack Runcieman (1894-95), M.A., LL.B., who resided at Mansfield, Muckhart, died in a nursing home in Edinburgh on 14 April 1959, aged eighty-two years. He graduated at Aberdeen and served his apprenticeship with Lumsden & Davidson, Advocates in Aberdeen before moving to Dunfermline where he joined the firm of A. Malcolm & Co., Solicitors and ultimately became a partner in 1908. His war service from 1914 till 1919 was spent with the Black Watch and the North Staffordshire Regiment where he was a Courts Martial Officer with the rank of Captain. Charles Edward Saunders* (1902-14), m.s., CH.B., died at Worslcy, Lancashire on zo January 1959, he was sixty-two years of age. In 1914, at the outbreak of war, he was mobilised with the School Company of the Gordon Highlanders. He served in France till December 1915, when he was commissioned, and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1916. He went back to France as a pilot in March 1917, and remained there until February 1918. After his demobilisation in 192o he studied at Aberdeen University and graduated in 1926. One of the finest rugger players ever produced by the North, he captained F.P.s during the season 1922-23 and later played for the University and was capped on several occasions for the North. In 1929 he went into general practice at Atherton, Lancashire, where he gained a lasting knowledge and understanding of the mining community. In 1939 he became medical officer to the Manchester Collieries and on the nationalisation of the coal mining industry was appointed an area medical officer. In 195z he became divisional medical officer, which appointment he held until his sudden death. William Clark Souter* (1893-98), M.D., n.o., an Honorary Vice-President of the Club and a leading ophthalmologist in Aberdeen for many years died in Elgin at the home of his son-in-law on 27 February x959. He was seventy-eight years old. After graduating at Aberdeen University he became surgeon aboard H.M. Antarctic Relief Ship "Terra Nova" which went to the relief of the Scott Expedition in the Antarctic in 1903-4. Returning to Aberdeen he commenced his career as an ophthalmic surgeon which continued for over forty years till he retired in 1946. During the First World War he served for the duration of hostilities with the R.A.M.C. in 1st Scottish General Hospital. Dr. Souter was on the staff of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for about forty years and was a former consulting ophthalmic surgeon at the infirmary and former honorary ophthalmic surgeon at Aberdeen Eye Institute and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital. He was also for many years lecturer in ophthalmology at Aberdeen University. A former president of the Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society he was also a member of the ophthalmic societies of the United Kingdom and of France and was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. His outside interests lay in the Geographical Society, of which he had been chairman of the Aberdeen branch, and in the Aberdeen Business and Professional Club whose chairman he was in 1941. Horace Edward Stroud (1918-29), died very suddenly at his home in Aberdeen on 28 February x959 aged forty-six years. On leaving the School he joined the family business of H. E. Stroud, Ltd., trawl owners and fish salesmen, in Aberdeen but left a number of years ago. A keen cricketer, he played for the Mannofield XI of Aberdeenshire Cricket Club. Alexander Taylor* (1911-15), 0.5.E., senior inspector of taxes at the Board of Inland Revenue, London, died suddenly at his home at Cheam, Surrey only seventeen days after he had been invested with the O.H.E. at Buckingham Palace. His death took place on 3 April 1959 in his sixty-first year. From the School he entered the army serving with the Scottish Horse and the Black Watch in this country and in France. In 1917 he was seriously wounded and lost his right leg and was discharged in 1918. Returning to Aberdeen he entered the service of the tax department of the Inland Revenue, in 1925 he was transferred to Leeds and in 1955 to Sutton and thence to the headquarters at Somerset House.

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"The Complete House Furnishers"

J. & A. OGILVIE UNION STREET

ABERDEEN We can offer you extensive service in the following spheres: •

FURNISHING FOR THE HOME, HOTELS AND INSTITUTIONS.

•

DECORATING AND APPOINTING SCHOOLS, SHIPS AND RESTUARANTS.

0:FURNISHING AND RESTORING CHURCHES AND CHAPELS.

•

CABINETMAKING AND UPHOLSTERY REPAIRS.

•

REMOVING, STORING, SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS.

•

PROVIDING COMPLETE UNDERTAKING SERVICE.

gf-Ivutaitiged THE TUDOR OYSTER PRINCE by "Rolex" No water, dust or mud can penetrate the sealed case to harm the superbly accurate movement of this watch, £35 Ladies' and Men's Watches in Stainless steel, from £6 ; in gold, from £12 Each watch is sold with one year's unconditional guarantee

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for RINGS and WATCHES

142 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN

The first

per annum

of interest in the Ordinary Department is

Free of Inco e Tax ABERDIEE .....=----

TELEPHONE

ABERDEEN 23950

• TELEGRAMS

'GALLOWSES' ABERDEEN

Men's Outfitters I Established 1904

W. J. MILNE, LTD ABERDEEN

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