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xii

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 8fibyear No. 20 4 (New Series 7fib year No. 19f)

Vol. LXXII

JUNE 1969

No. 2

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

Alistair G. Gracie, 12 Fernielea Crescent, Aberdeen

Editor of the School Section

Bruce Finlayson, Nf.A., M.ED.

Editor of Notes, Obituaries and Marriages

Charles Ritchie, z5 Nethermains Road, Muchalls, Kincardineshire.

Advertisements

J. A. G. Mearns, Mearns Publicity, 7 Carden Place, Aberdeen.

Secretary of the F.P. Club

Brian K. Crookshanks, T.D., M.A., LL.B. 25 Crown Street, Aberdeen.

The General Editor invites contributions from F.P.s for the next issue of the Magazine and requests that all copy, both for him and for the Notes Editor, be submitted by 15 November 1969. Readers are asked to support the advertisers, without whose support publication of the Magazine would not be possible

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

CONTENTS Illustrations— . Mr. Charles W. Hemingway . Lower School Burns Supper . George Edmond Crombie . Interior view of 86 Queen's Road . . . . School Rugby XV . . . School Hockey XI . . F.P. Rugby Section . . . . F.P. Hockey XI .

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General Section— Retirement of Mr. Charles W. Hemingway . An F.P.'s experiences in the Norwegian Army . . . . Christmas Day in Rome . . . The Bursary Competition .

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61 63 68

School Section— . School Office-bearers . . Random Notes . . . Staff Changes . . . . House Notes Who's who in the Prefecture . . The School Play . . Societies' Notes School Sporting Activities . . . . C.C.F. Notes . . Music Notes . Lower School Notes . . • Burns Supper . . . The Shelter Set . •

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F.P. Section— . . Club Office-bearers . New Club President . At last a Club Centre . . . Centre Reports . . . Section Reports . Notes about Old Boys • . • Marriages Special Entertainments Notice Annual General Meeting . . . . Obituaries . . New Club Members .

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101 103 104 I05 107 IIO 112 113 113 117 123

An asterisk * appearing after the name of an P.P. indicates the he is a member of the F.P. Club. Tbe years appearing after the name of an F.P. are those of his attendance at School.

Retirement of Mr. Charles W. Hemingway With the arrival of this year's summer holidays Mr. Hemingway concludes his thirty-three years' service to the Grammar School, in which he has been Art Master since 1936; and another link with the past will be broken, for Mr. Hemingway is one of the only three masters left who were members of the School staff before the Second World War. A native of Strichen, he was educated there during the rectorship of the famous Benjamin Skinner, one of the last of the genuine breed of old country dominies, and one whom Mr. Hemingway has always remembered with gratitude if not with affection. From Strichen School, where he gained the Leaving Certificate with five passes in the Higher grade and was awarded a special prize for Art, he proceeded to Gray's School of Art. Here he graduated D.A. in Drawing and Painting, and then qualified as a teacher of Art. The next few years, as young artists do, he continued his studies in Chelsea and in Paris, working in commercial art studios on book-illustration, poster design and whatever came to hand. In 1934 he returned to Scotland to teach Art, first in Inverness Royal Academy, then at Gray's School of Art and finally at Aberdeen Grammar School, where he succeeded Mr. Leslie Miller as Art Master, the third incumbent of that Office. All septuagenarian F.P.s will remember vividly the first of these three, Mr. Samuel Pope, whose sons, grandsons and great-grandsons have been pupils at the School. In Mr. Pope's day the subject was known as "Drawing", was confined to the Middle School and taken seriously by no one. Changes began in Mr. Miller's time: "Drawing" became "Art", was extended to the Upper School and widened in scope. Mr. Hemingway set out to further this development and to bring a new variety and originality into the Art Department. That shrewd man Mr. David Andrew observed, the first time he saw the work of Mr. Hemingway's pupils on display, that he had never seen so much imagination in a classroom before. Art began to be regarded as something more than a harmless occupation for boys who were of no use at anything else. Meanwhile Mr. Hemingway was continuing to paint in his spare time, exhibiting at the R.S.A. and being "hung" in the R.A. itself. His work included landscapes, both rural and urban, but he inclined more and more to the most difficult of all types of painting—the portrait. His best known picture is the portrait of Mr. Frank Scorgie, late Director of Education, which hangs in the Town House. On Friday, r September 1939, the School reassembled after the summer holidays and Hitler invaded Poland. Presently Mr. Hemingway was called away to serve his country, first in the Royal Engineers and then in the Army Education Corps, ending his military career with a spell in India. In 1946 he returned to the School to find a new Rector, Mr. (now Sir) J. J. Robertson, in command and the winds of change blowing hard. The School was growing rapidly. The Art Department was now the Art and Crafts Department and was also developing rapidly. Instead of one solitary Art Master there were 6i

Aberdeen Grammar Scion! Magatine

two:and later three. Design, printing, weaving, pottery, photography were some of the arts and crafts that were introduced. An Arts Club meeting on Friday evenings was started by Mr. Hemingway, where boys might pursue any art or craft that they chose with his help and encouragement. The Grammar School Film Society, one of the first of its kind in the country and copied by many other schools, was founded by him to show really good films suitable for boys, and to teach them to understand and appreciate this new and powerful form of art. We need not dwell here on this achievement as it is dealt with elsewhere in this Magazine. Besides, scarcely any side of the School's life and activity has not been helped by Mr. Hemingway. The Dramatic Society has continually made use of his ability as a scene-painter. The Athletic Sports have been immortalised by him in the form of a film. He has also conducted holiday tours in Italy and Spain, visiting some of the world's most famous Art Galleries. Mr Hemingway's enthusiasm and devotion have made the Grammar School Art and Craft Department second to none in Scotland. His former pupils are found teaching Art all over the North-East and beyond, and an astonishing number of them have kept in touch with their old Mentor. Masters come and go but the School goes on. As one looks back, a few personalities stand out in the memory, men who have left their mark on the ancient institution. Charles Hemingway is one of these. The building itself bears the stamp of his influence in its internal structure and decoration. No one but he, for instance, would have thought of the Shrine in the Library, a memorial of the long history and an expression of faith in the future of the School to whose service he has devoted his life and many talents. As a teacher he will be remembered by his former pupils for the "evocativeness" with which he drew the best out of them by his understanding and sympathy. They will also remember that he had a temper like a sky-rocket, which fell as rapidly as it rose. Some will remember how, more than thirty years ago, he showed his independence of mind by growing a beard and wearing his hair in a manner that suggested a bush, long before unconventionality of appearance became de rigueur among intellectual and artistic youth. They will all remember that he always said exactly what he thought and stood no nonsense, and at the same time they will remember his kindliness and humour; he could even laugh at himself. His friends also will remember—But this is not an obituary. Though Mr. Hemingway has attained to otium cum dignitate, one thing is certain: he will never be idle. May the years be many in which he will have leisure and freedom to exercise his remarkable artistic and literary talents! We may be sure these will not be buried in a napkin. ANON

An F.P.'s Experiences in the Norwegian Army On a sunny morning in late September, I awoke to face the stark reality of my situation. The previous evening I had arrived at my relatives' home in Oslo after a hiking holiday, to find a letter from Aberdeen University informing me of my failure to attain the requisite number of degree exam passes and politely reminding me that my presence would no longer be required for the forthcoming University session. My future, which up till then had seemed so predetermined and settled, had completely altered and I suddenly found myself a free agent, unshackled by any academic bonds or commitments. Having no wish to exchange my new-found freedom for the confines of some anonymous office and unwilling to entertain thoughts of a new career, I almost convinced myself that I should spend the year at sea, since I had the previous year spent an enjoyable summer as a deckhand on an Atlantic cargo vessel. Yet, since I wished to learn my native language, I decided that the time should be spent in Norway, but in some way which could afford me the chance of adventure and new experiences. It took me only a few seconds to realise that this could only be achieved by joining the Norwegian Army. Since my father had been squadron commander in the Norwegian Cavalry, I was able to contact one of his wartime comrades who is still an active officer, and he arranged for me to have an interview that same morning at Akershus fortress—a large army administration centre in Oslo. A few hours later, having been interviewed and medically examined, I emerged into autumn sunshine as Trooper 18145/67 Gudim of the znd Dragoon Regiment, the first English speaking volunteer national serviceman in the Norwegian Army. Exactly one week later I found myself heading for the cavalry training base at Trandum, some sixty miles north of Oslo, in a bus containing other future cavalrymen, conscripted in the autumn call-up. BARRAGE OF REMARKS

As we stepped gingerly past the guardhouse on our way to our barracks, we became the target for a continuous barrage of cynical remarks and witticisms from groups of evidently experienced soldiers, who viewed our arrival with obvious amusement. However, since my command of the language was almost negligible, these remarks fell on stony ground, and I walked on in blissful ignorance, although my first days as a recruit impressed upon me the magnitude of the task I had undertaken. After being kitted out with a bewildering assortment of equipment and being detailed to our future sergeant/instructors, we were ready to take our first tentative steps in the art of soldiering. Life at recruit school began at 6 a.m. with morning parade at 7.3o, and in the intervening period corridors and rooms had to be washed, bunks made without a crease, boots polished, rifles cleaned, lockers tidied and breakfast eaten. After parade we would then spend the day learning basic army techniques such as square-bashing, learning about camouflage, maps and compasses, the pitching of tents, the digging of fox-holes, the workings of rifles and mines—and of course, more square-bashing. This ceased at 5 p.m., but invariably after dinner we 6;

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

would spend the evening cleaning floors, pressing uniforms or dashing about a wood, putting into practice some of the skills we were meant to have acquired, in simulated combat exercises. At first, my room-mates suspected me of being mentally retarded, as I didn't join in conversation and could only sit and smile in response to any question addressed to me. However, on realising my Scottish background, they immediately put themselves out to help me in every way they could and seemed to derive great pleasure in translating for me the lectures we received on military subjects. One in particular who spoke extremely fluent English gave me whispered translations both at lectures and outside instruction classes, with the result that I managed to execute the simple duties demanded of me without too much difficulty. The same friend also became my Norwegian teacher and since I was eager to learn the language and found myself in an environment in which I only heard Norwegian spoken, my progress astonished me, especially when remembering depressing hours at school spent learning irregular German verbs and Latin declensions—the result of these labours being rather unproportionately insignificant to the high personal cost involved. The Norwegian Army places great value on physical fitness and as a result we went cross country running twice a week as well as being subjected to orienteering, assault courses and normal P.T. training. Despite being in what I considered to be reasonable shape, I quickly found to my cost my lack of fitness and on more occasions than I care to remember, the bellowing of a sergeant rudely awakened me on a cold and bleak November morning when every muscle in my body was aching from the exertions of the previous day. My three months at the Cavalry training school passed with surprising rapidity and almost before we realised, Christmas was upon us and I was on my way home to Aberdeen on leave. By this time I had gained reasonable proficiency in the basic techniques of soldiering and had received specialist training in reconnaissance scouting and machine gunning. Also, since my linguistic proficiency was not enough for me to execute more complicated orderly duties or be responsible for a guard post as yet, I set up an unofficial record for the number of times any recruit was on kitchen duty—however, this enabled me to be one of the best fed men on the entire base! DREADED POSTING

At the beginning of January, I took off from the military air base at Oslo on my way to serve the remaining nine months of my national service some Soo odd miles north of the Arctic circle. To army conscripts, Brigade North is the most dreaded posting of all since it means being sent to an isolated garrison in Lapland, where the winter lasts from October to late April and where, even in summer, the temperature can fall below freezing. Brigade North plays an important role in the N.A.T.O. defence system, being the first buffer against a possible Russian attack through Finland and into Norway round the northern tip of neutral Sweden. In such a contingency, the composite units of the Brigade are to delay an enemy advance by carrying out guerrilla

65 An F.P.'s Experiences in The Norwegian Arno, warfare in this mountainous region. To fulfil such a role, the Brigade must be, and is, a well-trained and practical field force as opposed to a "spit and polish" oriented unit. A few hours later we landed at Bardufoss airbase and after a further hour's bus drive, drove through the gates of Skjold garrison, the H.Q. of the Brigade's second Infantry battalion and Cavalry reconnaissance squadron. The temperature on our arrival at this lonely mountain base not far from the beginning of the Norwegian/Finnish frontier, was —zo° Centigrade. This, combined with the desolate winter landscape cast a black cloud of depression over the newly arrived conscripts and as we disconsolately unpacked our kitbags in our new barracks, there was an uncharacteristic lack of joking and horseplay. For my own part, I had considerable misgivings as to whether I would ever survive the Arctic winter and began to reproach myself for even considering spending a year in the army. My position could hardly have changed more drastically from the sunny day in Oslo when I had so blithely volunteered my services to the Norwegian Defence Department. STRINGENT DISCIPLINE

In early January, the base in which my fellow unfortunates and I found ourselves, had about three hours of daylight per day, and morning inspection, as well as other outside activities, had to be carried out on a floodlit parade ground. We had to attain a relatively high degree of fitness and be subject to stringent discipline before we could act as an effective unit in the harsh, mountainous terrain in which we were to operate. Our first real taste of the Arctic occurred a few weeks after our arrival, when we spent our first night under canvas in -25° Centigrade and the extent of our discomfort did nothing to allay our fears about the winter manoeuvres which lay in store for us. In the first week of February, we spent our first week-long exercise in the mountains towards the Finnish border in which we were to put into practice the instruction we had received in snow warfare, survival techniques be and cross country skiing. This exercise did in fact turn out towere who officers experienced even and endure, the worst we had to conditioned to those northern wastes, described it as "quite hard". The temperature was never higher than -25° and at its worst, when we were at our highest altitude, it dropped to -42° Centigrade. Along with seven other soldiers and a sergeant, I was in a patrol sent out to locate "enemy" positions. Since our main unit failed to make contact with us due to difficult weather conditions, we spent three miserable days on our own with only two tins of meatballs to augment our iron rations. Tempers became short and the little interest in the "enemy" evaporated completely, apart from morbid discussions about the possible high level of his provisions. These were undoubtedly the most depressing and painfully uncomfortable hours of my life, the culmination of which was the last night we spent on the mountain before descending to the foothills, when the wind was so savage we could not set up our small tents and were compelled to/dig ourselves into drifted snow for the night.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

A considerable percentage of the troops were treated for frost bite after this exercise, but I escaped with minor toe trouble. Despite our harsh baptism of the Arctic winter, we now felt more confident in ourselves, while a strong bond of comradeship had been formed in most patrol sections and nearly all the recent arrivals felt a sense of pride in the doubtful honour of being a Brigade soldier. Throughout the long winter we went on other such exercises as well as two-day ski patrols, though luckily never in such arduous conditions. The only other occasion I remember the temperature being exceptionally painful as opposed to being the cause of plain discomfort, was when we were on guard duty in —36°. Never was the stove in the guardhouse such a welcome sight as on that day when, after a spell in a freezing sentry box, resplendent in a fur helmet, ankle length greatcoat and numerous pairs of gloves, one finally reached the warm haven of those glowing logs. N.A.T.O. EXERCISE

The biggest military occurrence of the winter was a N.A.T.0. exercise, aptly termed Cold Winter, in which specialist units from different countries came to Northern Norway in order to learn and practise winter warfare. The star attraction of the year was the Fourth U.S. Marine Regiment who were only fourteen days out of Vietnam. Their expert performance, despite difficulties with the temperature, deeply impressed common military nonentities like ourselves! During this exercise the temperature was relatively pleasant, and during spells of field sentry duty, I was able to appreciate the beauty of the northern landscape. The vast whiteness of the vast mountain is a highly impressive sight by any standards, but especially atterrain night when it stands silver and serene, glistening under the northern lights, or at dawn in the early spring when the mountain peaks are etched with the pink mantle of the rising sun. I cannot deny that when the snow eventually began to vanish from the foothills in late April, I did not rejoice as whole-heartedly as every other conscript in the Brigade since that winter was by far the richest experience in my life in many ways. My most vivid recollections of this period tend to be the humorous ones—remembering our first pathetic attempts to pitch flapping tents in the icy wind and ravenous friends trying to cook over a mutinous primus. Others are of inter-troop exercises which were treated seriously by the conscripts, who deeply resented being forced to less quit the warmth of the barracks in exchange for the snowy wastes, where they would be compelled to leap about in a freezing wind until they had satisfied a group of low-ranking officers. The caustic comments of cold and depressed private soldiers, offering helpful advice in the anonymity of the inky Arctic night to zealous officers who imagined "enemy" attacks in order to test the readiness of the contents of a group of gently snoring tents, will remain indelibly imprinted on my memory. And usually when the "enemy" did arrive, he was as disinterested in the entire attack as the half-awakened sleeping bags, who would remain within their tents, hoping that the shots being fired wereoften only

67 An F.P's Experiences in The Norwegian Ariny snow by imaginary, until they were violently kicked out into the some very angry and very real sergeant. The advent of summer brought not only a welcome rise in temperature, but also an excessive number of route matches which were not welcomed particularly enthusiastically by the other ranks who passionately believed that they had earned some respite from severe physical exertion, after the rigours they had so stoically endured through the long winter. Summer in Arctic Norway is of course associated with the midnight sun—which I saw in all its incomparable glory on only two occasions—but the most distinctive and disconcerting feature of the short northern summer is the continual daylight. At midsummer the sun only sets for a couple of hours and even when it has set, there is no hint of darkness, which meant that we took some time before becoming acclimatised to sleeping in broad daylight—a complete reversal from our arrival in January when the sun was only apparent for about two hours each day. Soon, however, the days shortened again and the temperature began to fall as autumn approached. The summer had passed uneventfully although throughout my nine months up north we were subjected to full-scale practice alarms like all first-line N.A.T.0. units. To be suddenly awakened in the middle of the night or from a pleasant afterdinner snooze by the deafening whine of sirens, and have to throw on one's combat uniform, grab one's helmet and gun, then drive over bumpy roads in a cold and draughty armoured car to a defence position some thirty miles away, was a duty never particularly relished by any of my fellow-soldiers or myself. DEEP REGRET

In September, when I was demobbed a little earlier than my barrackmates in order to resume my studies at Strathclyde University, I felt a deep sense of regret at having to leave the friends with whom I had shared so many experiences, and also a twinge of regret at bidding farewell to the isolated mountain garrison which had been my home for the past nine months. As the plane climbed away from Bardufoss airbase, and headed south for Oslo and civilisation, I admired the wild, barren landscape and rocky inclines of the Arctic mountains for the last time. Yet, as we flew on southwards, towards the tempting prospect of civilian food and soft, dry beds, I was in no doubt that my military sojourn had been a most beneficial experience for me as an individual who found himself disinterested and apathetic academically after leaving school. Perhaps others who feel similarly and who will soon be committing themselves to a career in which they feel no particular interest might benefit as I did from a year's break to avoid a false start. A year invested travelling at sea, or in a job which allows one to broaden one's perspective and meet a broader cross-section of people, is surely not a year wasted if it permits one a breathing space and the opportunity to decide more independently and objectively the direction in which one wishes to make one's way in life. A. HARALD GUDIM (I958-65)

Christmas Day in Rome The death of Mgr. William Clapperton is reported elsewhere in this edition of the Magazine, but it is perhaps fitting to recall an article he contributed to the edition of February, iyo8, while studying at the Scots College, Rome. A band of wild Scotchmen in a city full of the suave and swarthy sons of the South might possibly be looked upon as a thing calculated to attract attention and call forth the comments (if not the fears) of the natives of the place. And so it might do anywhere else; but it is different in Rome, where nothing is unnatural or out of place and nothing causes surprise. All the world has come to Rome, and in the coming has brought along with it all its various ways and manners. Frenchman, American, Japanese, and Arab all meet in Rome, and, glorying in their native dress, swagger down the street as much at home as if in their respective "own and native" lands. And the Scot, too, finds himself at home in Rome. He has grown more patriotic and prouder than ever of his heather and his tartan, and is eloquent on the rich delights of kale and oatcakes and haggis! It is the Romans themselves who excite any interest in Rome, and just because we are a colony from across the seas, we fail entirely to attract notice amidst the crowd of strangers that flock there, and for the self-same reason, forming a little nation of ourselves, we neither know much of the Italian people nor care to fall into their ways, but turn our efforts rather to bringing Scotland into Rome and making ourselves forget our exile. And so, when Christmas-time comes round, we fetch in evergreens and deck the house just as we do at home, and on Christmas Eve, when everything is ready, we congregate round the fire in the common-room, and in good old style spin Christmas yarns and crack time-honoured jokes and raise the never-failing Christmas ghosts, till the air grows thick with tobacco-smoke, and weird, uncanny forms hover round our heads and cling to us unpleasantly. And now it is near midnight, and time to be preparing to welcome in the morn that is hailed throughout all Christendom as the dawn of its redemption. AN UNREAL DREAM

Our little chapel is unsuited to large functions, but it is warm and cosy, especially tonight, lit up as it is and bright with flowers and evergreens and burning candles. The great picture of St. Andrew above the high altar, looking down on the surpliced choir, looks beyond it on many Scotch and English faces come there tonight to be near their countrymen and join their voices to theirs. Here we sing our welcome to the Babe, and when we cease, as God is born in our midst again, the bell peals out overhead, and its joyous note is taken up by another and another till the whole sleeping city is awake and filled with one great cry of joy echoing and re-echoing across the night. It is a thrilling sound, raising one's thoughts above the petty cares of earth, and it all seems like an unreal dream when we look back 68

Christmas Day in Rome

upon it in the cold light of Christmas Day, when the busy world is afoot once more, and the daily round of life goes on as usual. The beggars are especially numerous today, and more importunate than usual. They pluck you by the sleeve, and follow you, persisting in their entreaties. "A soldo, Signore, for the Holy Child's sake! I am hungry, Signore—I am hungry and cold." They cling to you tenaciously, convinced that on such a day as this charity cannot be cold or dead. At the church doors they crowd in numbers—aged, blind and maimed—each with his own tale of sorrow to relate, and each more insistent than his neighbour. WHAT A SIGHT!

Inside the churches, what a sight! From the door inwards a great mass of people stands crowded together, whilst in the aisles a ceaseless stream keeps moving as people go out and come in. The whole building is a blaze of light and upon wall and pillar hand banners and draperies of gold and silk and other festive decorations. The air filled with the smell of incense and the music of the choir, now loud and joyous as it sings the glory of the Lord, now soft and reverent as it whispers the great mystery of God made Man. And at the altar the silent ministers move to and fro, and the sacrifice proceeds, the priest's voice rising now in solemn chant, now hushed in silent prayer, till the Divine Child comes down again from heaven, and the breathless church on bended knee pays homage to its God and its Redeemer. Outside, the clamour of the beggars ceases for a moment, and men as they pass by bare their heads. Here is the "living Church" and it is only here on such a day as this that one can see and realise the meaning of the word. But as we turn our steps back to College, our thoughts drop from the pinnacles round which they have been soaring, as if too heavy to sustain themselves upon the thin air wafted round such heights. We remember that Christmas dinner is in front of us, and at the very thought step out quicker, in case we may be late—as if anyone were ever late for Christmas dinner! That ceremony is the same the wide world over—wherever Celt of Saxon is, at any rate—and the Scots College, Rome is no exception to the rule. To describe it is a task for pens far loftier and more eloquent than mine, and we can fill the gap by turning over the pages to Dickens or Charles Lamb. Christmas letters come at this time, and operations are suspended and the buzz of conversation lulled for a few minutes till each one reads his letters from home. Soon, however, we are at work again, and the talk grows louder than before. Messages from old College friends and school fellows are tossed down the table and back again, old times are recalled and old adventures retold with added gusto, and the day is wearing on before we rise to go. And now the evening is before us, and how can we spend it better than in the good, approved Horatian style, with song and dance and rich Falernian, and logs piled high upon the hearth? A concert is proposed, and a jolly concert it is that we have, when everyone is ready and willing to sing and as ready to applaud. We dispense with

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

bay-wreaths and crowns of honour and many other details that Horace would, no doubt, have deemed essential, but we prolong the evening in our jolly way till several of us, sleepy after last night's vigil, show unmistakable signs of weariness. Then rising all together, we join hands and rend the night air with a lusty "Auld Lang Syne"—doubtless to the serious alarm of poor old Father Tiber—and as we drop asleep, our thoughts go flying over seas and continents, and picture Christmas Day at home. And we think of our friends in the "land of brown heath and shaggy wood" and endorse the sentiment that somehow comes with a familar ring upon our ear, "Excepto quod non simul essent cetera laeti".

The Bursary Competition Grammar School boys have been very prominently placed in the Aberdeen University Bursary Competition in the last few years. It must have been hard for the boys who sat this year, however, since last year's boys were very successful, establishing a fine record by taking the first four places. Yet, less heralded and with a quiet modesty, they have done very well indeed, bringing honour to themselves and well sustaining the reputation of the School in this examination. Out of the seventy-six names published by Aberdeen University, twelve were Grammar School boys. Maths/Science are again predominantly successful as they so often are. The School extends its heartiest congratulations to the successful boys. Their names and the places they gained in the Competition are listed below: 1 Ian L. Mair Alastair J. Smith 4 6 Russell G. Budge 17 Alan W. J. M. Rae 29 David M. Craig Brian E. F. Angus 32 36 eq. Paul D. Begg 4o eq. Brian T. Jones Stuart W. Cummings 46 Jain M. Wesley 52 Richard G. Posgatc 53 61 cq. Neil G. Geddes

( II

I I • \\. • III \I 1`...r .

linver School Burns Supper

School Section School Office-bearers Prefects MARSHALL H. BYRES (Senior Prefect) DAVID S. CARROLL (Deputy Senior Prefect) RICHARD GAMBLIN ALASTAIR M. HARGREAVES SCOTT HENDERSON Rot S. KEIL DAVID F. MCNAY JAMES T. MERSON GRAHAM G. REID ALFRED T. ROBERTSON

BRIAN E. F. ANGUS DEREK D. BAVIDGE PAUL D. BEGG BRIAN S. BOYD JON H. CHRISTIANSEN STUART W. CUMMINGS STEPHEN M. DAVIDSON RICHARD W. DUNCAN JOHN D. FLETCHER

GEOFFREY H. SMITH DIN M. TAIT PETER THAIN WILLIAM S. URQUHART GRAHAM C. M. WATT NIGEI. G. M. WATT IAN M. WESLEY ALISTAIR T. WILKINSON

House Captains Byron

Dun

DAVID S. CARROLL

PETER THAIN

Keith

Melvin

BRIAN S. BOYD

STUART W. CUMMING Rugby Vice-Captain GRAHAM G. REID

Captain MARSHALL H. BYRES

Hockey

Vice-Captain BRIAN E. F. ANGUS

Captain DAVID F. MCNAY

Cricket Vice-Captain

Captain

DAVID F. McNAY

Captain

RODERICK G. SANGSTER

MARSHALL H. BYRES Swimming

Tenths

Captain

STEPHEN M. DAVIDSON

Literary and Debating Society Vice-President GRAHAM C. M. WATT Treasurer ROBERT J. MERSON

President MICHAEL G. SIMPSON Secretary Join.; H. ALLEN

Dramatic Society

President ANDREW G. COOK See/Teary PETER 'MAIN

Vice-President STEPHEN INGLIS Treasurer MICHAEL G. SIMPSON Cadet Force

C.S.M. LAN M. TAIT

COLIN D. ADAMSON MARSHALL H. BYRES

Editors of School Section BRIAN E. F. ANGUS IAN S. FRASER PETER THAIN 71

PAUL D. BEGG ALASTAIR J. SMITH

Aberdeen Grammar School Afagatine

Random Notes Forwhatweareaboutoreceivemaythelordmakeustrulythankful amenorattlingspoonserversuptheoutsidedownthemiddle. At the masters' dinner dance this year, held at the Bush-Bottoms hotel, no exSpence was spared to see that a good time was had by all. Unfortunately, the resident cooks chose to come out on strike that day and the resulting menu had a familiar ring about it. As the wine cellars had already been drained, the company had to make do with Shandy as an aperitif. This was concocted from one measure of Vass export to one measure of Soda Waters. The entourage, having assembled round the creaking tables, proceeded with great relish to the Ord'oeuvres. This was an artistic little dish which prepared one for the gargantuan melee to follow. The soup was Baxter's game, a fowl broth made from Chicken feed as well as Day Old Chicks. Ensuing closely came the main course: a choice of Scotch eggs or steak (which was rather Tough) with Cramberry sauce. It was hoped that Crepe Suzette would have been provided for sweet, but sadly it was off and the ensemble had to make do with ice cream and Gelly. They rounded off this scrumptious banquet with a choice of liqueurs and confectionery including Walker's gin, Watson's Demerara rum, Bradbury's Murraymints, Tarzipan biscuits and After Dinnes Eights. And if you can Swahrell that, good luck to you! It is with envy that we note that Brandy is now being administered to boys suffering from toothache during Higher Engineering Drawing. Mr. Murray no doubt looks forward with anticipation to a sharp increase in pupils next year. With the recent wave of renewed interest in the Loch Ness Monster, sightings of Nessie and his trainer have been reported by both the Dramatic and Debating societies. Why is the new tuck shop placed across from the Medical Room ? Rumour has it that the Laboratory Technician and the head of the Art Department have opened a pub in the staff room called "Down at the Old Bull and Bush." To Mrs. Bruce, "There's plenty of bounce in the old boy yet". David Malcolm seems to prefer Chips with his Crambled eggs. We uncovered a Treasure Chest in the Office the other day—There was nothing in it. Mr. Aitken's favourite literary piece: Mutch Ado about Nothing. On the first day after the exams there was a record number of latecomers. Congratulations to all prefects. Quite a Flett-accompli I Concurrence of English and Geography—Tait-a-Tait.

Staff Changes The pattern of change in the staff of the School continues. This year, however, the task of describing the changes is even more melancholy than it normally is since the School is losing valuable members, "veterans". I might call them. The major loss is that of Mr. Charles W. Hemingway of the Art Department who has served the School for thirty-three years. Mr Hemingway's service to the School is more amply discussed in a separate article of the Magazine and here we wish merely to add our warmest wishes for his continuing activity and happiness in a wellearned retirement. His daily presence will be much missed by his friends on the staff. Another member to leave the staff is Mr. Stanley Hunter who, after fifteen years in the School, is now joining the swelling contingent who have in recent years emigrated to Canada. Douglas McLean writes on Stanley's departure "Time was when most large schools could boast of a considerable number of veterans on the staff, men who had given a life-long service to one school. Nowadays, teachers come and go with vertiginous rapidity, much to the dismay of headmasters and, possibly, to the bewilderment of pupils. "At the end of this session Mr. Stanley Hunter will be leaving us for fresh fields and pastures new in Canada. There he will be the third or fourth master from the Grammar to make his way to that interesting and exciting part of the Commonwealth within recent years. A product of Gordon's College, he taught there for two years before joining the Grammar staff in Igo. Since then he has taught French and Spanish, investing each subject with something that was peculiarly his own. A kindly man, with a touch of humour and humanity in large measure, his was no narrow conception of teaching, limited by the covers of the text book. A love of language there was in pleanty but that was only half the story. Often the book was set aside and by means of his large collection of slides built up over the years he would show the glories of architecture with all the enthusiasm of a boy proudly displaying his stamps. His classroom would reverberate with the sound of music, folk music of sunny Spain or, on occasion, of a more sophisticated variety. All this was healthy and breathed life into the teaching of modern languages. "One cannot help feeling that he will give himself as wholeheartedly to the young Canucks of Sudbury, Ontario, in the same way as he has done to many hundreds of young Grammarians. Our best wishes go with him and his family. We hope they will find a congenial soil into which to set down their roots". After five years in the Geography Department of the School, Mr. Andrew Tait left in May of this term to take up a promoted post in Culter Primary School. The Deputy Rector, Mr. McNay, has written the following on Andrew and our best wishes go to him in his new post. "Mr. Andrew Tait joined the Geography Department almost five years ago as a newly qualified teacher. He very quickly established himself within the department as an excellent teacher and within the entire staff as a most amenable and popular colleague. His interest in things pertaining to the Grammar School showed him to be a teacher who regarded contact with pupils outwith the classroom to be of paramount importance. Hence his keen interest in the Hill Walking Club, whose members remember gratefully his cheerfulness under all conditions and his ready encouragement and help to the younger pupils. He was an extremely capable business manager to the Dramatic Society, School Representative of the C.E.W.C., and connected for some years with the Lower School summer camp. "He was also persuaded! to take up hockey and could be seen, often, playing at Rubislaw or umpiring on a Saturday morning, with the same enthusiasm as he showed in all aspects of his work at Grammar. We shall miss him but, at the same time we are delighted at his promotion to Deputy Head in Cutter Primary School and wish him every success in his new sphere". Another leaving at the end of this session to take up a promoted post is Mr. Alistair J. Aitken who has been appointed Head of Modern Languages at Powis 73

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine 74 Secondary School, Aberdeen. Alistair came to the School in August 1966 straight from the Aberdeen College of Education at which be received his professional training. His teaching activities were not restricted to the classroom and he has conducted three tours to the continent—two to the Loire Valley and one to Brittany and Belgium. Since 1967 he has also acted as Assistant Careers Master to the School. We wish him well in his new post. Mrs. Buchan who has graced the English Department with her presence since last August is also leaving to take up a new post at Trinity Academy, Edinburgh. Our best wishes go with her as she passes on to the south. The Maths Department is losing Mr. Derek Sutherland who has also been at the School since last August. He too is moving to a new post in the south, at Stirling High School. The Lower School is not without its losses since, in keeping with the local authority's policy to run down the A.G.S. Primary Department, both Miss Mayor and Mrs. Mackie are leaving. Mr. Niddrie, the Lower School Headmaster, has written on their departure "Because of the pending closure of the Lower School and the fact that we will have only PVI and PVII next session we must say a regretful goodbye to yet another two valued members of the staff of the Lower School, Miss Pamela Mayor and Mrs. Phyllis Mackay. "I personally can speak for the high quality of Miss Mayor's classroom work and her boys' and their parents' regard for her but she may be better known generally for her outstanding contribution to the musical activities of the School over the past five years. Not only has she sung in many of Mr. Hawksworth's productions but she has also trained her classes for Music Festivals with a high degree of success, having won two firsts in the past two years with the prospect of the hat-trick this year. "We wish Pamela well and congratulate Mile End School on acquiring a teacher of her ability." "Mrs. Mackay who joined us as Miss Phyllis Scott has given us four years of conscientious service. She has always aimed at and achieved the highest possible standard in her teaching, showing a quiet yet forceful approach to her work. "Her activities were not confined solely to her classroom for she was always ready to volunteer for extra mural duties, e.g., facing the double hazard of the elements and the control of a party of boys on arduous hill walks. "Phyllis will be leaving the profession, meantime at any rate, to undertake the responsibilities of running her home. She leaves us with our thanks and our best wishes for her future." Last but by no means least in the long list of departures is that of Mr. A. C. Mackie, the Head Janitor, whose kindness, cheerfulness and typically Aberdeen turn of wit made the administration of the school buildings more apparently simple than at times it really was. The following was written by the school Rector. MR. A. C. MACKIE

"It was with a very real sense of regret that we learned, early this spring, that we were to lose the services of Mr. Mackie, who has been Head Janitor of the School since 1959. "It is, alas, only too easy to teach in a large school and yet have little appreciation of the important place the Janitor holds in the scheme of things. Much of his wl ,rk is necessarily done before and after school hours, at weekends or during the holiday periods, or in recesses of the buildings not much frequented by staff or pupils. It is for that reason only too easily taken for granted and tends, like other indispensable services in our daily life, such as water and electricity, to be appreciated only when breakdowns bring it to our notice. "During his ten years in the Grammar School Mr. Mackie has given ample proof of his efficiency. The task he coped with in these years was not an easy one. The

I louse Noes

School he came to in 1959 was big enough in all conscience and must have presented quite a formidable task to any Janitor coming to it, as Mr. Mackie did, from a much smaller establishment. Even so, he could hardly have anticipated, when he entered upon his duties here that he was destined in the next five or six years to cope with all the upheavals and disturbances to normal routine attendant upon an elaborate programme of expansion and modernisation of the School buildings. That he succeeded in coping with this additional burden on top of his usual duties is a tribute, not only to the efficiency to which I have already referred, but also to those even more sterling qualities of good humour, humanity and common sense, which made him such a popular and respected member of the staff of the School. "That he should decide after having borne the burden and heat of the day to seek a smaller and—we would hope—less taxing post in Beechwood School for his closing years in the service is understandable. However much we in the Grammar School may deplore his decision to go, we cannot but respect it, and we would take this opportunity of thanking him for his many years of service to the School and extending to him and to Mrs. Mackie our best wishes for happiness in their new assignment." The debit side of the staff balance sheet is thus a rather alarming one especially when contrasted with the corresponding credit side which at this time of the year tends to be poorer. At the beginning of the session, however, Mr. Hugh Diack arrived to take the position of a combined History-English Assistant. Mr. Diack had previously been at Glasgow Academy but before that he had taught at the Bridge of Don Secondary School, so that he is merely returning to the North-East, the ways of which are not foreign to him. Mr. Diack has established himself and has made an impression with his gentle but firm assurance, his industry and his essentially human attitude towards the boys of the School. Finally, our congratulations must go to two staff members who have gained internal promotions. Mr. Clement A. Stewart has been appointed Special Assistant in Mathematics and Mr. Ian. C. R. Galloway, formerly an assistant in Classics, has been appointed Principal of Russian.

House Notes Byron The officials elected to represent the House in the summer term are as follows: Athletics Captain, David S. Carroll; Vice-Captain, Colin Fraser: Cricket Captain, Alfred T. Robertson; Vire-Captain, Stephen M. Davidson. The winter season was one of mixed fortunes for the House. A rather disastrous performance in the Swimming Gala was more than made up for when strong, experienced Byron teams did well to win the seven-a-side tournament. The XV-nside teams, however, did little to attain the teamwork and determination of the sevens and consequently gained little success in either the senior or junior competitions. Our strong hockey teams were unfortunate not to win any trophies but I think we can be pleased at being runners up in both the XI-a-side and the newly introduced six-a-side tournaments. This, 1 hope, indicates a profitable season next year on the hockey field. With a strong contingent of players in all years, the House is expected to do well in both the cricket competitions. The School Sports have not proved rewarding for the House in recent years and we hope that with the help of the Byron athletes this year will be our turn for success. Our thanks, as usual, must be given to Mr. Baxter and Mr. Murray for their help in the running of the House. DAVID CARROLL, H0/1O Captain

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Dun At a meeting earlier this term the following officials were elected to represent the House: Cricket Captain, David F. McNay; Via-Captain, Nigel G. M. Watt; Athletics Captain, Alistair T. Wilkinson; Vice Captain, Grant Smith. In the first of this year's main sporting events, the Swimming Gala, the House did exceedingly well in avoiding being awarded the wooden spoon. As was expected, the strong Dun House rugby team won the Senior House fifteen-a-side trophy, but our seven-a-side team flopped very badly. Dun House hockey team won the Senior House Hockey Cup, and I would like to congratulate D. F. McNay on his captainship of the Scottish Schoolboys. Our chances in the House Cricket Championship seem rather remote and it is difficult to estimate how we will fare in the School Sports, but the House will certainly not disgrace itself. In conclusion I would like to thank Mr. McLeod for his advice and unflagging support for the House and its affairs during the session. PETER TRAIN, House Captain

Keith The following officials were elected to represent Keith at the House meeting earlier this term: Cricket Captain, Marshall H. Byres; Athletics Captain, Brian S. Boyd; Cricket Vice-Captain, Derek D. Bavidge; Athletics Vice-Captain, Alastair M. Hargreaves. As expected, the House retained the swimming trophy at this year's Gala, despite strong opposition from Melvin. Although hit by injuries, the House rugby teams performed admirably, being runners up in the XV and seven-a-side competitions. Despite failing to make an impact in the XI-a-side tournament our hockey players distinguished themselves in the new six-a-side contest by winning the Cup in its inaugural year. Small numbers and lack of interest among senior pupils weaken the cricket team and the athletics team. Grateful thanks to Mr. Stephen and colleagues for their help in running the House throughout the session. BRIAN S. BOYD, House Captain

Melvin At a House meeting held at the beginning of the summer term, the following officials were elected: Cricket Captain, Michael J. Milne; Vice-Captain, Richard Gamblin; Athletics Captain, Stuart W. Cummings; Vice-Captain, Alan Hendry. In the annual Swimming Gala we had to be content with second place after a very close battle with Keith, the result being in doubt until the final race. Lack of support was the failing of this year's hockey team who had a rather disappointing season. A little more encouragement, however, will no doubt enhance our chances of success next year. On the rugby field a strong junior side outshone a weaker senior side by retaining the Junior XV Cup. With lack of enthusiasm still prevalent among senior boys our athletic hopes must again rest with the Middle and Lower Schools to succeed where last year's team failed.

Who's Who in the Prefecture

Our cricket team should do well with hope of success largely dependent on the Vth year. Once again I should like to extend our thanks to Mr. Will and his colleagues for their advice and help throughout the year. STUART W. CUMMINGS, Howe Captain

Who's Who in the Prefecture M. H. Byres. This year's Head Prefect, he rules the Howff with an iron hand (he got it from Shirras Laing). Captained the ist XV with great verve and perspicacity (they can't touch you for it). Claims he has always looked up to Mr. McNay. "Much binding in the Marsh". R. Murdoch and K. Horne D. S. Carroll. Marshall's right-hand man, Dave answers to "Caddy" and Mr. Baxter. Spends most of his time in the Rose Street Soda and can be seen exchanging smoke signals with a disreputable Sixth Former called "Forby". "Curly locks, curly locks, Wilt thou be mine?" Nursery Rhyme B. E. F. Angus. "Gus" is a little hard of hearing and so unfortunately misses some of Wilkinson's dulcet phraseology. Spends most of his time studying, playing hockey or listening to one Posgate. "And both were young and one was beautiful." Byron D. D. Bavidge. Derek played for the ist XV—when he arrived on time. This fifth former seems to suffer from a strange malady which affects his body equilibrium. "Too late, too late! Ye cannot enter now." Tennyson P. D. Begg. Spends his time attaining Highers and parts for his beloved motorbike. Paul is usually to be found reading the Motortick Monthly or buying tins of swarfega. "If dirt were trumps, what hands you would hold." C. Lamb B. S. Boyd. Brian is the only lad in the school who is sitting "0" level R.E. and so his only classes in the week are in Room 1z. Athletic type who likes clothes which are Paisley patterned. "What is called religion effeminates and demoralises." Emerson J. H. Christiansen. Jon (no, it's not a misprint) lives up to his illustrious name by regularly attending his classes in Room iz. His effect on the Howff has been somewhat subdued this year, but we're expecting greater things for next year. S. W. Cummings. A keen and active Film Society man, "Stukey" is best described as schizophrenic. His usual sartorial elegance is somewhat marred in wet weather by an unusually large duffle coat with an equally large hood. "Nature delights in punishing stupid people." Emerson

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

S. M. Davidson. Must have been christened after his namesake, Steve Zodiac, as he bears a striking resemblance to him. Our Steve boasts the shortest hair in the school (excepting Mr. McNay). "Yet somewhat was he chill'd with dread And his hair did bristle upon his head." Sir Walter Scott R. W. Duncan. Finished "301" in nine darts, and still failed to get past the first round of the Howff darts tournament. "Tufty" still claims to be a good friends with policeman Badger. "If shape it might be called; that shape had none." Milton J. D. Fletcher. Although John was a late arrival to the Prefecture, he quickly mastered the art of skipping classes, an achievement which many of his more experienced fifth year colleagues have yet failed to equal. "A head that's white To maids brings no delight." Unknown. R. Gamblin. Fair-haired Fifth Former who has an insatiable passion for photography and cream doughnuts. Only part-time petrol-pump attendant in the Howff. "Keep flax from fire, youth from gambling." B. Franklin A. M. Hargreaves. A Fifth Former whose impact on the Howff has been marred by his inability to communicate with his fellow prefects. This however will have been rectified by next term, for Alistair assures us that he is getting a megaphone from Santa. "The English are a dumb people." Carlyle S. Henderson. Fifth year inhabitant of the A.B.C. Bowl, Scott is a quiet lad who received full colours for his performances on the rugby field. Has romantic links with the High and the Wimpy. "But one of these days I'll loose him on to skittles and astonish him." Byron R. S. Keil. This member of the illustrious Keil family has a bizarre taste in music and takes a size 5o in rugby shorts. Captained the znd XV with amazing agility. "Lightly come, lightly go." Anon "Tiptoe through the tulips." T. Tim D. F. McNay. Dave had a great advantage over his fellow prefects in that his mother was not on the staff. Captain of the 1st XIs in cricket and hockey, Dave rather than become a Cadet, became a diplomat in the Senior Service. "O son of God, Our Captain of Salvation." Hymn 36o. J. T. Merson. Jim boasts that this year he is down to three tins of Valderma a day. Jim is a keen scooterist and a stout back for the hockey team. "Bad little boys are nearly always called James." M. Twain

Who's Who in the Prefecture 79 a awarded was Graham our 1st XV the G. G. Reid. Vice-Captain of Cap but unfortunately it was too small. The only engaged member of the Prefecture, he is appearing at the Tivoli week commencing 17th June. Answers to "Pat." "Oh, how many torments be in the sacred circle of a wedding ring." Gibben "See Mr. Duncan" G.G.R. A. T. Robertson. Yet another quiet Fifth Former, Alfred T is strictly a nine-to-four Howffite. His social life is very genteel, but he has been seen at Hazelhead in female company. Adept cricketer. "What's it all about Alfie ?" Miss C. Black G. H. Smith. By far the most accomplished darts player among the Fifth year prefects, Jeff combines a love for hockey with an abnormal liking for duffel coats. Plays football in the playground. "Smith's no name at all." Pope I. M. Tait. Big-shot in the army section of the C.C.F. Ian still hasn't hit double six since September. Awarded the C.D.M. for exceptional bravery in front of Mr McLeod. "A'ternoon." I.M.T. P. Thain. Pete props up the front row of the 1st XV and the bar at the Spa. Was called to the bar at a very early age, but preferred the lounge. Pete would dearly love to see his feet again after all these years. "Lead me to a brewery and leave me there to die." Anon. W. S. Urquhart. Billy has condescended to grace the School with his presence for a seventh year as a "supero numero." Expert darts player—he practises during English periods. Can be seen scurrying down Thistle Lane with a certain "Trampos." "Thyself no more deceive, thy youth hath fled."' Shakespeare G. C. M. Watt. The younger half of the Deadly Duo, Graham has a finger in half a-dozen Society pies. Likes to go mountain climbing, and practises on his brother. "That's my brother." N.G.M.W. N. G. M. Watt. Nige tips the scales at 6 ft. qin., and 13 st. II oz. Pillar of the Chess Club and staunch supporter of 'Spurs Football Club. Forms a Laurel and Hardy act with a certain portly companion at the Queen's. "Walk tall." V. Doonican I. M. Wesley. Ian commutes every day from Kintore. One of the brighter lads in the Howff, Ian is seldom seen chatting to Graham Reid. A lover of classical music and film projectors. A. T. Wilkinson. Friend of Boyd, but we don't hold that against him. Keen golfer and motorist, Beefy often boasts that he can get IS holes in after a hard day at school. Still can't say "statistics." "Some of his words were not Sunday School words." M. Twain

The School Play This year's Dramatic Society production was unusual in that two plays were tackled, "Chips with Everything" by Arnold Wesker, the main fare of the evening, and also a very interesting one-act play, "Dramatis Personae." The one-act play was written by a Vth former, David Cormack, and was written as a result of the Society's policy to vitalise and extend the more creative aspect of drama. A one-act play competition was arranged and out of the six final entries, David's play was held to be the finest. A short play, it dealt with man's relationship to God and the Devil. It was neatly written, avoided the pompous diction so often associated with such a topic and had a most unusual twist at the end which left the audience thoughtful. With its stark and vivid impact, the play had the potential of the Border Ballad; and its attractive ideology cast echoes of Marlowe's Dr. Faustus. This was a very interesting play, well produced and acted and, if incidental to this, also paves the way for the bigger play by leaving the audience intrigued and stimulated. The Society gave a most lively and thoughtful presentation of "Chips with Everything." For a School drama group the play had its difficulties. Wesker's plays are always concerned with the thorny problems of society. Especially, does he like to bring to the attention of the audience the awkward issues of social disunity and class distinction. He likes to challenge our apathy but this type of protestation could become hysterical and could become dated. Further, the play could so easily be heavy and pretentious. To the production team, however, must go full credit for shaping the play and striking a balance between social observations and intrinsic theatricality. Few of the play's punches were pulled; it made its full impact in idea; but it was also an eminently enjoyable experience. The Society has more quality in depth. All its departments showed thoughtful preparation and honest hard work. The efficiency and zest of the production mainly resulted from the efforts of the producers and Mr. Quentin Cramb in particular who sacrificed much time and energy in bringing the Society to its fine pitch. Mr. Cramb also encouraged the Society in its desire to tackle something modem and "Chips with Everything" suited the purpose by having a fairly large cast to employ the whole Society. Above all the play had cohesion and infectious enjoyability; so confident were the players in their interpretation that they appeared to be able to sit back and actually enjoy their work. This was a significant feature of this year's play. Excellent as the play was as a piece of harmonious team work, once ought still to dwell for a moment on the individuals who rose to the occasion. David Malcolm rose well to the very difficult challenge of the part of Pip. Very broadly speaking, he gave the play its weight and complexity while Andrew Cook, as Corporal Hill, gave it its much needed theatricality, apparently more superficial perhaps, but vitally important in the long run for the balance of the play. David wrung all the changes with a character that was very difficult and even at times detestable and dramatically incredible. First he was snobbish and arrogant; then he was protesting and petulant; then he was isolated and earned sympathy; at all times his dramatic impact was considerable. It must have been very difficult to get inside a character who, with all the benefits of position, wealth and education, had yet learned to hate his father, service life, his superiors, and one felt awe as this passion swelled into a condemnation of the whole structure of existing society. His problem was that he could not identify with his comrades whom he appeared to champion. Pip is anything but a sympathetic part to play but David produced a good degree of hysterical protest, with cynicism and scorn hiding Pip's private confusion. The climax of his rejection by Andrew, the blunt, level-headed and down to earth Scot who exposed his sham motives, his "slumming" as Andrew called it, was a powerful scene. This was the last straw and he expostulated to Andrew— 8o

The School Play

"Andy, you're a well-meaning, intelligent person. I will die of well-meaning intelligent people who have never made a decision in their life." David fairly screamed out the hysterical frustration of the man at this point and his performance of this most problematic character had penetration and control. David's performance was most ably supported by the performances of Nicholas Illsley, David Cormack and John Knox who, as Charlie Wingate, Andrew McClore and the anonymous Pilot Officer, helped to realise the central "message" of the play. Nicholas Illsley gave a fine performance of a man who, himself of mediocre intellect and lonely, admires Pip's education, his upper class status, without of course realising the deeper-rooted, less desirable undercurrents of Pip's nature. Charlie is an unsophisticated but sincere man and Nicholas established a fine blend of the sensitive and the pathetic and pointed excellently the character's anguish in the face of Pip's uncaring hardness. A most poignant scent took place when Pip ridiculed his name—"I can't call you Charlie—it's a stupid name." One was made to feel for Charlie at that point— "Now why did you have to say that? Making a rudeness about my name. Why couldn't you leave it alone . . . I don't know how you can be such a barefaced prig and not mind." And then the highly charged emotion thus built up was deflated with the bathos of the realisation that both have been lying about their respective families to cover the fact that they were only sons and to cover their isolation. The whole climax hung on a pause and a half-line—"Tell you what, I'm a liar"—and reason along with the sad acceptance of their positions was restored. This was a moving and sincere part of the play. DIRECT CHARACTER

David Cormack had a more direct character to create but he did it well, drawing out the Scot's logic, his down to earth level-headedness and the way he could be an individual and yet happy in a squad of men. With a casual remark passed in the hut, David well contrasted Pip's hysterical frustration on the one hand and Charlie's sensitivity and anguish on the other— "I like us. All of us, here, now. I like us all being together here. In a way you know, I don't mind it, anything. Old Corp. and his mouth-organ—all of us, just as we are, I like us." However, David gave the character's natural distrust of Pip and his machinations all the force of a man who intensely dislikes those who would be leaders of men when they aren't and those who would shatter the natural order of things when they have nothing better to offer. He puts his view to Pip with powerful indignation— "Who the hell do you think is going to be impressed? Not me. The boys? Not them either. . . . It's your confident cockiness ... How do you know you're right? How can you act all the time as though you know all right from wrong, for God's sake." David's fuming exasperation here was impressive as his earlier rendering of "This ae Nicht" came over strong and blunt as a tacit criticism of the sham nature of the Christmas Party. The last of this group is John Knox who played the Pilot Officer with a cynical suavity and aloofness. Like the other two he played an important part in the play but his was different in that he did not merely play off the central figure of Pip; he also showed us the way Pip was to go and what Pip was to become once he had made the decision. We saw John Knox's Pilot Officer as a cold fish, very self-assured, always in complete control, articulate and exact—inhumanly so. He stood outside Pip's massive struggle patiently waiting for Pip to make the "right" decision. His confidence irritated us as his cynical view of life chilled us; but he is the one who clears the muddle in Pip's mind by dispelling the sham motives he affects and pointing out the real one— "Power, isn't it? Among your own people there were too many who were powerful, the competition was too great, but here, among lesser men— here among the yobs, among the good-natured yobs, you could be king. KING."

Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

John's calculated aloofness and self assurance introduced the feature of inevitability into the play. From the beginning he was so sure that Pip would come over to the leading class and he leant to Pip's protestations and struggles an irony that appalled us into thinking that Pip might well revert to type,which he did. John also drew out a touch of the pitiful since he made us aware that his Pilot Officer had experienced what Pip was experiencing but had long since emptied himself of any humanity by taking the easy way out. The production was not doleful in its seriousness, however, far from it. The play is about the Royal Air Force during the period of National Service—very different from regular war-time service, I might add. Humour abounded especially in the scenes depicting the sad initiation of the recruits to military life. This subject is cliché ridden but producers and actors alike combined to give the proceedings a verve and bounce that fairly swept the audience along, certainly at the beginning of the play. CENTRAL FIGURE

The central figure in this lighter more theatrical side of the play was Corporal Hill most ably played by Andrew Cook who also imparted an atmosphere of the authentically military. Andrew and his gang of recruits were not simply a background to Pip's struggles; their main function was to breathe life, vitality and normality into the play. This really was a colossal task in a play where so much theorising was going on. But Andrew's Corporal Hill was an excellent portrayal and a most memorable figure in the play. With great command he drilled, marched, paraded and lectured his men. He shouted, screamed, roared at them and I for one was made to remember things long since forgotten. Andrew's job was difficult. Interminable lists of military instructions had to be word perfect and with military accuracy. Then he had to say his lines with all the air of a Drill Instructor who has heard it all before and is frankly bored. Andrew's calculated misuse of the English language was a real gem. Later in the play, when the Corporal becomes more "matey" with his recruits, he achieved the correct blend of the officious and burlesque so typical of the person who cannot even in normal friendly contact drop the mannerisms of rank. One could almost smell the boot polish and blanco I The same standard of harmony and proficiency ran right through the cast. Peter Thain's portrayal of the Wing Commander, a blunt, prejudiced and insular man, was very fine. He achieved just the right degree of pomposity and irritation. The part is thin, almost a caricature but Peter certainly brought a sense of presence to the stage. Christopher Sexton's Squadron Leader was an even thinner part but he enlivened the character with an aristocratic bearing—and the most wonderful moustache! Desmond Eggie's Flight Sergeant was another delight. The recruits were a closely-knit team. At one moment they displayed the gormless and lunatic but at another their comradeship was felt. David Stroud, Michael Ross, John Buchan, Craig Clunas and Graeme Salter played smaller parts but they played them well. Edward Ogilvie's Smiler was a real gem. Edward played him as a clown in the Shakespearian sense. He was a poor oddment of society whose farce and buffoonery amused us but who could also arouse real sympathy. If Andrew Cook's throat was sore at the end of the performance, Edward's back must have required medical attention such was the physically improbable stance he adopted when standing to attention! A final word for the back stage teams who were efficient and showed great attention to detail. Stephen Inglis as Stage Manager, Alistair Scotland as props man, the designers under Mr. Ord—all showed obvious satisfaction in their work and were enthusiastic for the production. This was a most enjoyable experience for all concerned, audience as well as players. Even the Business Manager reports satisfaction at the Society's swelling bank balance( We all look forward with anticipation to next year's play. B.F.

Societies' Notes Film Society Once again this Society has maintained its growing popularity and this year boasts a membership of nearly 500. A wide variety of films have been shown enabling the cinemascope screen to be used to the full. Included in this session's programme were "Khartoum", "The Sand Pebbles", "Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines" and "The Great Escape", all of which proved very popular. Regrettably we have to announce the departure of Mr. Hemingway who is retiring after thirty-four years' service in the Grammar School. Although a tribute to him appears elsewhere in the Magazine it is fitting that the Film Society should also express its thanks and appreciation to the master who founded the Society in 1951 and whose unsparing efforts has guided its activities and made it the undoubted success it has become. Mr. Hemingway has an expert knowledge of the history of film and its appreciation as an art form and he cared enough to try to create a real and critical appreciation in others. He devoted much time and effort not only to the choice of programme and its presentation but to every detail in the conduct of the Society to ensure the maximum comfort and enjoyment of its members. In the early fifties Mr. Hemingway began to make his own films with great success. His productions featured the School Sports on several occasions while an historical and geographical account of Aberdeen entitled "Know your Aberdeen" and "The Story of the Bible" were among his other works. The boys showed a keen interest in film making and in 1953 the School Film Production Group was formed under his able supervision. Many outstanding early classics were shown including "The Battleship Potemkin", "Ivan the Terrible", "Man of Aran" and "Louisiana Story" and Mr. Hemingway's great enthusiasm and understanding of films encouraged much lively discussion among pupils. So much interest was aroused among Upper School pupils that in 1958, at the end of the normal Film Society season, they asked him to form a Film Study Group. Under his expert guidance much constructive criticism and argument arose from the films shown. A special performance has been arranged in June when the film "The Agony and The Ecstasy" will be shown and the Society will be given an opportunity to express its thanks to Mr. Hemingway for the way in which he has so ably guided the Society over the years. STUART W. CUMMINGS. Secretary and Treasurer

Literary and Debating Society The debates in the latter half of the year always tend to be less successful than those of the autumn term. At the beginning of the calendar year, meetings were well attended but as was expected the numbers fell off as the term progressed. The debates were always lively and entertaining but particular mention must be made of the very successful debate on "Cannibalism" at which the four principal speakers were two past presidents and two former secretaries of the society. The staff debate drew the largest audience to hear Messrs. May, Walker, Paterson and Duncan debate the pros and cons of bachelorhood. This year's response from the 1st Year has been particularly encouraging, not only in numbers but also in enthusiasm. If handled properly, this attitude could sustain the society over the difficult years of transition which are now nearing. Our thanks must as ever, go to Mr. Tait for his unfailing co-operation in the business of the Society and his equally unfailing interest in us as a Society. We would also like to thank Miss Boyd for her co-operation throughout the year. 83

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

It is hoped that the spirit manifest in the Society this year will be found in the coming years. It is with some concern that we have noted a lack of interest in the Society on the part of the staff, and it is hoped that the support in which they once gave the society will be revived in coming ycars. Their attendance at future debates would, we think, encourage a higher standard of debate than has been evident in recent years. MICHAEL SIMPSON

Photographic Society This year's experiment of having no elected committee to run the Society has proved very successful. Some of the more senior members have instructed the younger members on the basic principles of Photography. Further administration has been carried out by various members of the Upper School with guidance from Mr. Will, for whose assistance we arc very grateful. Considerable use has been made of the darkroom and a large number of prints have been collected, the best of which will be displayed in the Exhibition Corridor for Parents' Day. The orchestra project has produced some interesting, imaginative work, as have the other projects: The Changing Face of Union Street, Sports and Sports Day, New Trends in Hair Styles, Microphotography, Physiographs, Strobe Photography, an Outing of the Hillwalking Club and Swimming. We hope that more work will be forthcoming before the end of term. RODERICK MCDONALD

Railway Society Attendances dropped in the latter half of the year perhaps because of a rather uneventful year in the Society. We have, however, had some excellent Slide shows and talks and thanks must go particularly to our Secretary for these. We have received an extremely generous donation of several valuable Railway books from a former pupil and the Society is extremely grateful for these. We have also recently purchased some of the most recently published books on Railways and the Society now has a comprehensive library of Railway books and Magazines. We hope to put on a small Exhibition and have the model railway fully operational for parent's day. Once again Mr. Bruce's invaluable interest and participation in the society has been greatly appreciated. Office Bearers for 1968-69 were: William A. Petrie, President; William Cormack, Treasurer; Ian Greig, Secretary. WILLIAM A. PETRIE

Stamp Club The first item on the Stamp Club programme this season was a very interesting talk given by Mr. Will on Stamp Design. During the season many talks were given by some of the School staff and invited guests with keen enthusiasm for the hobby. One especially good meeting took place when Dr. Imper came to the Club to show his prized stamp collection. In February the Club paid a visit to the Head Post Office in Crown Street, to see how the Post Office works behind the scenes. The Club owes much of its success to Mr. P. Scott who has been responsible for the organisation of the Club meetings. DONALD F. GEMMEL

Societies' Notes

Dramatic Society On so, is, and sz March of this year, the Society presented "Chips with Everything" by Arnold Weaker, and the size of the audience at all three performances proved that the choice of play was a popular one, and was enjoyed by spectator and actor alike. An addition to the large production was an adventurous one-act play "Dramatis Personae" by a Vth Form pupil, David Cormack. A fine effort by the producers Messrs. Tinto and Northcroft made this a creditable effort and it is hoped these minor productions are to be continued in years to come. The great success of the main production resulted largely from the work of Messrs. Cramb and McAllan, who devoted a tremendous amount of time to producing the play and making it as professional as possible. Again the Society made a financial profit, a promising sign for the future. During the Summer Term we hope to stage a programme of prose and verse extracts on the theme of revolution. So far a decision on next year's production has not been taken and whether the Shakespearian league will triumph is a matter for speculation. A large number of IVth and Vth form pupils will be back next year, and so worries for next year's production should be minimal. PETER THAIN, Secretary

Chess Club This session we have played more matches than have ever been attempted before in the history of the club. After our quick exit from the Sunday Times tournament at the hands of an extremely strong Dundee High School team, we participated in the newly formed Aberdeen Schools Chess League. Although undefeated in all our matches we lost on handicap twice to Gordon's College and once to Cults Academy. We thus finished in second position. In friendly matches we drew with Gordon's and defeated Bankhead Academy with a very young team. At the recent North East of Scotland Chess Congress, Graham Watt, Vth year, did well to finish third in the senior section and all the boys who entered enjoyed the tournament. Nigel Watt, VIth year, Francis Harper and Graham Watt both Vth year, along with four Gordon's College boys and three boys from Cults Academy represented Aberdeen in the Scottish School's Jamboree tourneyin Edinburgh. The team finished fifth out of a total entry of fourteen. Once again we must offer thanks to our Honorary President Mr. I. C. R. Galloway for his help and guidance. NIGEL G. M. WATT, President

Geographical Society This, the first year of the society, has been very successful with a membership of over one hundred. The meetings were well attended throughout the term although numbers diminished towards the end of the year. This year's programme consisted of talks, slide shows and films on a wide range of topics of geographical interest. The guest speakers included two members of staff, namely Mr. Will and Mr. Hawksworth and three lecturers from Aberdeen University who gave talks on "Russia", "The Lapps", "Mountains" and "Donsidc" while a most interesting talk on his experiences in crossing the Atlantic by trimaran was given by Captain Minter-Kemp. Our thanks go to Dr. Smith of Aberdeen University and Mr. Gelly for their help in arranging the meetings throughout the year. Office bearers: Eric G. Byiers, President, lain M. Wesley, Secretary, Michael G. Simpson, Treasurer. E. BTIERS

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine Historical Society

The Society has completed a successful second year. The syllabus contained a varied and interesting selection of topics and attendances were consistently high. The paid membership was over double that of last year, perhaps because the subscription was halved. One of the best meetings was a highly entertaining talk by Mr. Paul Dukes of the University History Department on the topic, "Rasputin and the Russian Revolution". The fact that this talk was not illustrated was possibly a disadvantage. Another speaker was Mr. Paul I larris who gave an account of the life and death of Pirate Radio. This meeting was one of a few which were not truly historical in its subject but which added variety to the meetings. Miss May Thomson was specially asked to return and give another highly enjoyable talk on anecdotes from local history. The Historical Balloon Debate proved to be a welcome and amusing diversion and was won by David Kenworthy. Towards the end of term, a questionnaire was distributed to investigate the ancestry of the members. The response was understandably smalland did nothing except cast doubt over the members of the committee. The efficiency of the Society was greatly helped by Mr. McCombie and members of staff whose advice and co-operation was invaluable, as was the diligence and concern of an enthusiastic committee. The Society can look forward to a successful year, next session. GRAHAM WATT,

President

Senior Discussion Group The attendance this year has been made up mostly of 5th year boys, with only a few 6th year coming along to a very diverse series of discussions. If meetings are to continue as successfully as they have in the past, however, we will require some members from next year's 4th and 5th years. Our thanks must again go to Mr. Duncan whose effort and enthusiasm have made this group possible. ALASTAIR SCOTLAND

Scientific Society After a heartening start to the session, the old ailment of lack of attendance set in again and, despite a wide and varied syllabus, including an evening of films and lectures on such varied topics as design and whisky, the attendances have been extremely disappointing. This, I think, should call for a re-examination of the structure of the Society as it is obvious that good advertising alone is not enough to ensure a healthy interest. ALASTAIR SCOTLAND, President

Scripture Union It is encouraging to see that attendances this term, although not very large, have

at least been consistent.

Our activities so far, which I might say, have included two very interesting discussions with Mr. Duncan on the subject, "What is a Christian?", have not been very many, but now, with the examinations over, we hope to get properly under way with a full programme. Our thanks again go to Mr. Duncan and Mr. C. Stewart for their unfailing assistance. COLIN S. SMITH, SWIM/3

School Sporting Activities Rugby that the The weather made it a frustrating season for all. It was disappointing chance the 1st XV who were having a progressively successful year were deniedis not to say This to develop into the very good side that their potential indicated. the benefits showed and well very did They contrary. the On they had a bad season. of fitness, team work and simple tactics. They are to be congratulated. cancelled. I feel Elsewhere it was the same miserable picture of matches being Junior particularly sorry for the first and second years, not only the Minor and who and improve to keen were they that showed who boys teams, but all those they will have wanted to fight for a place. I hope this attitude continues and that better luck next year. more people With all the enthusiasm of the lads who play, it is perhaps a pity that persuade should play who Those levels. all at matches support do not turn up to should come along their Dads (and Mums!) to come along. Those who don't play welcome at and bring their parents and friends with them. They will be made very It would chat. Rubislaw and any Master would be glad to see them and have a opportunity for certainly encourage the teams but above all it would be a good on. thrives School this that will good the getting to know people and fostering

Ism XV two draws The first fifteen's record since the Christmas break was two wins and severity of the weather, the was victor real the undoubtedly but games, six out of term. This was a which caused the cancellation of half of our fixtures in this second our atrocious have not did south the from teams the tremendous handicap to us since We on the other weather especially in February and were able to keep on playing. Mr. Falconer's of hand were kept indoors and it is to the team's credit, and to that practice, we were match no with lay-off long a such after that, training sessions, Team. School High Glasgow strong a beat able to hit some sort of form to were our fitness There is no doubt that our greatest assets throughout the season rugby ability; natural great any with endowed not were we for teamwork and For these assets but hard graft made up for this deficiency to a considerable extent. express here my to like should I skipper as and we were indebted to Mr. Falconer gratitude to him for his help and guidance. Games Played Since Christmas. v. Aberdeen Academy Won 21-0 teams gained This was a satisfactory start to the second half of the season. Both use of the better made School the but pieces set an equal share of possession from were Byres (try), ball and our loose play was much more fiery. First half scorers and Wilkinson Boyd (I try and a penalty) and Reid (I try); and Carroll, Boyd scored in second half. v. Glenalmond Lost 6-to. blunders; however The School lost ten points early on because of two defensive well on top. Ungetting half second the in especially well back the team fought and Reid. fortunately we could only score two unconverted tries by Christiansen because of bad It was after this game that we had five consecutive cancellations weather. 87

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine v. Glasgow High School Won 11-8. The team, as tended to happen generally in matches, started badly and were soon 0-5 down. A Byres try was converted by Boyd which edged the School ahead but Glasgow scored again to give them an 8-5 lead at the interval. After Reid the equalising try the play fluctuated, both teams coming close to scoring, scored before Boyd kicked a penalty goal following a scrum-half-number 8 play at the back of a scrummage. 88

v. Gordon's College Drawn 5-5. This was the usual hard, bruising Grammar-Gordon's encounter. School deservedly took the lead mid-way through the first half when Thain tried following a lineout. Unfortunately nearing half-time Graham Reid was injured in making a mark and was unable to continue in the game. Reduced to fourteen men School were then forced to play mainly a defensive game. The result was a well-earned draw. v. Morrison's Academy Lost 5-21. This game followed the Gordon's College tussle and unfortunately we were hit by injury, but no blame could be attached to the replacements three of whom making their debut. It was a very disappointing display altogether and the were School allowed the two schoolboy internationals from Morrison's to overcome them and they were allowed to dictate play to a great extent. Thain scored a drop goal. v. Hutcheson's Grammar Drawn 6-6. The conditions on the day of this game were so bad that it was the only match played in Aberdeen. Driving rain and hail, and several inches of mud made almost impossible. Both teams took credit for striving to serve up some play rugby for the brave handful of spectators and a draw was just about right. Byres and Christiansen scored tries for the School. MARSHALL H. BYRES, Capialit Lfi XV Who's Who in the First Fifteen M. H. Byres. 5 ft. 8 in., 8 st. 1 2 lb. Captain. A first class skipper both by and leadership. He read the game well and plotted accordingly. He never example learned, however, to pick on someone his own size! Cap. G. G. Reid. 5 ft. 1 t} in., t z st. ta lb. Vice Captain. A capable leader whose and drive in attack provided both individual scores and openings for power the team. He took on most of the lincout jumping and added some interesting variations to the repertoire. Cap. D. D. Bavidge. 5 ft. i i i in., 12 at. 5 lb. A lusty and effective defender style of attack tended to shorten his neck because of the repeated use of his whose head as a battering ram. Much to be admired because he is never beaten. Half Colour. B. S. Boyd. 5 ft. iti in., is st. 5 lb. He could go and, when he learned to, he went! A prodigious kicker, particularly on a dry pitch. His goal and try made him the side's top scorer. He made good use of the "good ball" the teampoints provided. Half Colour. D. S. Carroll. 5 ft. 8 in., 9 st. 7 lb. A very sound defence man both directly in cover. His lack of tonnage often made it hard for him to run through, and but he comp.msated for this by trying to be adventurous in opening up play. Half Colour. J. H. Christiansen. 5 ft. 8 in., 10 st. i lb. Returned to the team half-way the season after recovery from a broken leg. Naturally a bit introspective through about health, but soon forgot this when in the thick of things. Showed some good his team spirit by turning out when others would not. Half Colour. S. W. Cunnings. 6 ft. ti in., 12 st. 5 lb. The most improved player in the side. He established himself early on in his best position of wing forward. Good at

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

backing up, but particularly effective in cover defence where he stopped many attacking movements with first class tackling. Full Colour. R. W. Duncan. 5 ft. tol in., is st. 13 lb. The most consistent of the "working men". In spite of being in the thick of things, he was very often in evidence open particularly in defence, and, in spite of rumour, he did handle as well. in the His bard head thrived on contact. Full Colour. R. Gamblin. 5 ft. 114 in., to st. 8 lb. The utility team man. I-Ie played he was asked to for the good of the side, even if it was not his preferredanywhere He was always good enough to keep his place on merit, but his willingnessposition. where it helped the team most was a great asset when the side needed it. Half to play I. Goodfellow. 5 ft. 74 in., to St. a lb. Came into the side late in the Colour. season. He showed great promise and a willingness and ability to fit into a team pattern without losing his individual flair. Half Colour. A. M. Hargreaves. 6 ft. o in., 51 st. 4 lb. He emerged as a very sound defender as soon as he realised he could hit them hard. A quiet bloke who was seldom tracked from his allotted task. The second hardest head in the team. Half sideS. Henderson. 5 ft. 7 in., to st. 8 lb. His game showed much more Colour. yet never lost its power. Sometimes, because of circumstances, inclined maturity to do too much by himself in attack, but we were always glad he took everything in defence. Full Colour. A. L. Hendry. 5 ft. II I in., 14 st i lb. He had a lot of "steaming" to do in depth of a light pack and small lineout, which he did nobly. Invented one or the two personal laws during the season! Half Colour. J. S. Lessens. 6 ft. o in., to st. 8 lb. An underrated forward by those who are only attracted by the "flashy". His sound set position play was well his team mates, as was his good covering. He is believed to have appreciated by spoken on one occasion. Half Colour. P. Thain. 5 ft. 94in., t; st. o lb. Although he still hankered after the wild open spaces, he found his niche at prop where he put in a great deal of useful work. early desires for fresh air round his ears sometimes got the better of him as His on the occasion when the dropped a goall Half Colour. A. T. Wilkinson. 6 ft. 4 in., tz st. 81b. A sound "boiler house" man and although one would never say that he played with finesse, his controlled crudity and cavalry chasing were great assets! Half Colour. T. M. Naskret. 5 ft. I in., i 1 st. o lb. Another useful utility man who plugged gaps when required. Unfortunately his season was shortened by willingly injury.

Hockey The hockey side, after an excellent first half of the season, had the galling experience of having to contend with the worst weather for twenty years during February and Match. Seven matches out of ten were cancelled in these two much to everyone's disgust. We did, however, play both matches with months, Abbey but had to give best to them this season. The game at Rubislaw was particularly standing with schoolboy hockey at its best. A last minute goal for Abbey robbedoutSchool XI of a well deserved draw. We were, however, well beaten on the fast the allweather pitch at Fort Augustus. The team was well led by McNay who, along with Urquhart and Taylor, was capped for Scotland against England, Wales and at Bristol. This was McNay's second year as an international and he was Ireland the first Grammar pupil to have the honour of captaining the Scottish side. This is the second year in succession that we have had three caps in the Scottish side. The tat XI lacked the strength of last year's side at half back and in defence, but, as many of these players arc young, they will have benefited from their experience this year and should improve next season. The forward line played brilliant hockey and scored many goals only to find the defence giving away some "easy" goals. However, the results bear comparison with many of our very good sides.

School Rugby XV, 1968-69

Hargreaves, Thomas M. Naskret, Duncan. W. Richard Thain, Peter Lessens, S. James Cummings, Stuart W. Marshall 11. Byres (Captain), ire-Captain), Reid (f G. Graham Carroll, David S. Goodfellow, In right): Ian Borrom (left Hendry. Alan I.. Henderson, Scott Jon H. Christiansen,

To (left to right): Derek D. Bavidge, Brian S. Boyd. Richard Gamblin, Alastair M.

School Hockey XI, I968-6k,

TOP (left to right): Mr. R. McNay,

Alfred G. Brock, James T. Merson, A. Bruce Anderson, Ronald NI. Bartlett, David A. Ritchie, Geoffrey H. Smith, W. Gavin Fraser. BOTTOM (left /o right): William J. Taylor, Brian E. F. .Angus (['ire-Captain), David F. McNay (Captain), William S. Urquhart, James NI. Rennie.

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F.P. Hockey XI, 1968-69

BACK Row (kft to right): S. M. Leslie, C. L. Forbes, I. C. I.7-on, J. P. Drummond, F-. I). Watt, W. Dick. FikoNor Row (left to right): A. Gilmore, J. Leiper, A. K. Campbell (Captain.), F. K. S. Lawson, A. W. M. Hampton.

School Sporting Activities

They did particularly well in the Section 2 of the Senior League to finish runners up to our old rivals Ruthrieston Ramblers. The players who might go far in senior hockey are Bartlett, Augus, McNay, Taylor and Urquhart. Colour Awards. Re-award Caps: David McNay and W. S. Urquhart. Re-award Full Colours: Brian Angus. Full Colours: Ronald Bartlett and Wm. Taylor. Re-award Half Colours: James T. Merson. Half Colours: Gavin Fraser, Geoffrey Smith and James Rennie. Regular team. Bartlett, Brock, Merson, Fraser, Smith, Anderson, Ritchie, Taylor, McNay, Angus, Urquhart and Rennie. Results 1968 Sept. 24 v. Academy F.P. 28 v. Aberdeen "A"

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3o v. University "A" A Nov. z v. Dundee High 9 v. F.P.s "A" H 16 v. Ruthrieston Ramblers A 23 v. Academy F.P. "A" H 3o v. Grove Acad. H Dec. 7 v. Morgan Acad. 14 v. Gordonians "A" H 1969 Jan. II v. H.M.S. Fulmar A 18 v. F.P.s "A" 25 v. Gordonstoun A Feb. a v. Perth Acad. 12 v. University "A" 15 v. Gordonstoun Mar. a v. Abbey School A 5 v. Gordon's College A 8 v. Strathallan 15 v. Fettes 22 v. Abbey 1-I

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Scorers McNay (2) McNay (3), Angus, Urquhart, Rennie McNay Cancelled. Cancelled Angus Urquhart (4), Angus (3), McNay, Rennie McNay, Urquhart Cancelled Urquhart (a), Angus McNay Urquhart Urquhart (;), Rennie Cancelled Angus (z), McNay (a), Taylor Urquhart (a), Rennie Cancelled Urquhart (2), Taylor Cancelled Cancelled Cancelled McNay, Rennie, Urquhart Urquhart Cancelled Cancelled McNay (2) Goals lost 3

For 47

Against 31

and XI. This was probably one of the best znd XI's that School has had since the days of Jimmy Lyon who now occupies left half in the 1st F.P. side. They were enthusiastically led by Sandy Tait and returned some very good results. The team had a sturdy defence with an outstanding discovery in Christie at right back. The forward line played attractive open hockey with Cheyne, Walker and Turner very good prospects for next year. Regular Team. Walker, Christie, Tait, Fulton, Smith, Knox, Cheyne, Sangster, Yule, Walker, Turner and Robertson.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Results Played 14

Iron 6

Goals Drawn 2

lost 6

For 3o

Ageing 21

3rd XI. The boys who formed this group from which the 3rd XI was chosen were very enthusiastic in spite of the bad weather which prevented their playing a single competitive game after 14 December. The policy of giving as many players as possible an opportunity to represent the School meant that the side had to rely more on keenness than on team work. As a result few games were won but one victory that gave the boys particular pleasure was that over Ruthrieston "C" at Links. In goal Archibald maintained a very high standard. Christie at full back and Turner at outside left were deservedly promoted to the znd XI. In the half back line Tease gave strength and drive while Sandison provided the best stick work of the forwards. Levinson proved an able captain and a useful forward. 4th Year XL Although few games were played because of the bad weather, this side enjoyed two encounters with a junior army eleven. In these games, skill with stick and ball showed to the fore, resulting in School victories. Teamwork showed improvement throughout the year but a lack of tenacity was evident on some occasions. This will be overcome with more experience. In Brockie, Cockburn, Nisbet, Park and Rankin the team have keen and promising players. Colts. The bad weather during the spring term caused the cancellation of all but one of the Colts fixtures against other schools. This match, with Torry, ended in a draw. An enthusiastic team suffered through lack of match practice but, it was obvious, that Smith (right half), McNay (centre half), Johnston (left half), Milne (outside right) and Coull (centre forward) have mastered the basic skills and could develop into useful players. Any young player, who wishes to aspire to team status, must practise assiduously at hitting, stopping, reverse stick and flicking. This can be done during the summer months by hitting a tennis ball against a wall with a hockey stick.

House Hockey Dun, under the captaincy of David McNay, won the Hockey Cup for the second year in succession. They just edged out a very strong Byron side by using better tactics and playing better as a team. The new six-a-side tourney for the Lawson trophy created tremendous enthusiasm throughout the hockey section. It involved the 3rd, 4th years and the seniors in separate competitions so that it was an aggregate result that counted. After a very close contest Keith proved to be the winners much to the chagrin of Byron and Dun. Our congratulations to Fred Lawson and Denis Hay (illustrious former pupils) who were once more capped for Senior Scotland. Also congratulations to our own F.P. Team who reached the final of the Scottish Cup only to be unexpectedly beaten by Stepps. Their record of being four times in the final since the inception of the tourney is a great credit to them and their successes do much for the prestige of the School and encourage the School hockey section to set itself high standards of play and sportsmanship. We have to thank many masters for all their work in the section which makes it possible to carryout a five-team fixture list. We arc particularly grateful to Dr. Sandy Innes and Fred Lawson for their active participation in the coaching side—sometimes a dangerous pastime for Fred. R. MCNAY

Moo' Sporfin,p, Artirities

Swimming Notes Although the attendance at the School Gala was notably smaller than in previous years, a high standard of swimming was upheld by all competitors. The House Championship was won by Keith Ilouse for the second year running, while S. Davidson of Byron House won the Rector's Cup. Other group champions were E. Lawrence (Melvin) in Group 2, D. Murray (Melvin) in Group ;, I. Robertson (Dun) Group 4 and in Lower School K. Greig of Dun. The House Championship was never really decided until the final relays and a strong Melvin team just failed to wrestle the trophy from a fine Keith team. After last year's successes in the Aberdeen Swimming Leagues, when the Under 16 and Under 13 teams both finished top of their respective leagues, we are hoping that the School will have similar success this year. Unfortunately, because of lack of swimmers in 5th and 6th forms, we will be unable to field a team in the senior league. In March the School team went to Elgin to take part in an Inter-Schools Gala with Huntly, Elgin and Gordonstoun. The School finished first overall with 59 points with Gordonstoun, 47 points, second. Congratulations to Ranald Fordyce who, in April this year, was capped for Scotland in an International swimming match against Norway. This has proved to be a great morale supportfor several younger members of the Club who have now set their sights on a similar feat. While Ranald was capped, Ewan Lawrence just failed in his attempt at the trials but despite this had the satisfaction of setting up a new Scottish Junior men's 220 yards back-stroke record. It is to be noted that both Ranald and Ewan were Juniors swimming in Senior events so I am sure that we will be hearing a lot more of them in the future as they progress with training. In May the School swam against Robert Gordon's College in what is hoped to be an annual event. The Lower School met a strong Gordon's Lower School team but despite this did extremely well to lose marginally in a very keen contest. Our Junior and Senior teams combined, however, and swam to a runaway victory over corresponding Gordon's teams by to; points to 67 points. Although the Gordon's team swam well they could not quite match the School's strength in depth. I am sure that this fixture will prove to be one of the highlights of the inter-schools galas in future years. At the first Northern District Age-Group Championships held in Aberdeen a number of School swimmers received several honours. From the Lower School, C. Falconer was ;rd in the 4o yards breast-stroke, 1o years, and G. Allan came 1st in the 8o yards breast-stroke, 11 years. In the 13 years age-group, J. Murray was and in the 8o yards back-stroke while J. Wyness and D. Fleming finished znd and 3rd respectively in the 8o yards breast-stroke. In the 14 years age-group D. Murray came 1st in the 8o yards freestyle, 1st in the zoo yards freestyle, znd in the 8o yards butterfly and and in the 16o yards medley. In the same age-group E. Rose came 1st in the tio yards butterfly, 1st in the 8o yards back-stroke, and in the 200 yards freestyle and ist in the t6o yards medley. A. Sim finished 3rd in the 8o yards freestyle and I. Wilson znd in the 80 yards breast-stroke. In the 16 years age-group R. Fordyce came ist in the 120 yards freestyle, 1st in the izo yards butterfly, 1st in the T6o yards medley and znd in zoo yards back-stroke. E. Lawrence came ist in the zoo yards backstroke, and in the izo yards butterfly, znd in the 16o yards medley and 3rd in the 1 zo yards freestyle. The School relay teams also did very well. The 14 years agegroup teams came ist and 3rd respectively in both the 4 x So yards medley relay and 4 x 8o yards freestyle relay, while our 16 years age-group team came first in the 4 x 8o yards medley relay and znd in the 4 X 8o yards freestyle relay. Congratulations to all the boys on their splendid efforts in the Championships. Training will be continuing over the Summer Term and the boys will have plenty to do in between the leagues and inter-school contests. I would like to thank Mr. Spence for the time and vigour he sacrifices for the swimming team and also the

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

other members of the gym staff, Mr. Falconer and Mr. Paterson for their help in she Swimming Club. Colour Awards: Full colours to Ranald Fordyce and Ewan Lawrence. Half colours to Stephen Davidson. STEPHEN DAVIDSON, School Captain

Cross Country Running For the first year in the School's history, we have been able to find a consistent team in this new School sport. Enthusiasm has been increasing for this, the toughest of sports, and we were particularly pleased to see many boys in the lower years participating in the training sessions and races, which take place throughout the winter months. It is also the first year that the School has held its own Cross Country Championships. We had many matches with the Junior Soldiers and in February we had an enjoyable trip to Gordonstoun, where the team took second place in a field of seven teams. At the latter, G. S. Smith was 3rd and B. Kelman 8th. Perhaps our best success was at the North East of Scotland Championship at Hazelhead last March. In the 15-17 age group the team won second place and in the individual event G. S. Smith was znd. A group of runners travelled to Callendar to compete in the Scottish Schoolboys. In the 15-17 age group G. S. Smith was z4th out of a field of 3zo and in 17-19 age group B. Kelman was 5oth out of a field of zoo runners. School Champions are as follows: 13-15, A. McDonald; 15-17, G. S. Smith; 17-19, B. Kelman. Finally I would like to extend my thanks to Mr. Shand, whose help and advice has been invaluable to everyone concerned. GRANT S. SMITH

Curling Club This is a Club which is relatively new to the School and is dogged by the problem of lack of numbers. This is possibly caused by the cost of the weekly practice in Donald's Ice Rink in Spring Garden. The future of this Club appears to be in doubt as most of the senior members of the Club are leaving at the end of this year. Robert Gordon's College, whose Curling Club is run in conjunction with our own, have met with an amount of success in that they won the Caird Sport trophy in Aviemore this season. They, too, are in a similar situation, with no younger members coming up to take the place of the seniors who are leaving. There were several away matches arranged this season, and all but one had to be cancelled because of the snow which made travelling impossible. Thus, valuable match practice was lost and we were beaten byan experienced Kingussie team in the one match which was not cancelled. I must add a grateful vote of thanks to Mr. Waters, whose unceasing support for this Club has kept it together so well through the few short seasons it has been in existence. I can only hope that there will be more boys who will come forward to support this club and participate in what is a most enjoyable sport. KEITII GEDDES

School Sporting Activities Hillwalking Club

The Club continues to thrive and looks forward to a busy and energetic summer. Large numbers attend each outing and it is good to see so many from the younger years. Although they werc held a long time ago, mention must be made of the two parents' evenings. On two consecutive nights the television room was filled with parents and friends who were shown an outstanding selection of Mr. Will's slides which gave a very favourable impression of the activities of the Club and the hills and mountains which we climb. The Club is indebted to Miss Matheson and Miss Boyd who supervised the refreshments. After two months of hibernation, the Club resumed its activities with a first ever ascent of the Hill of Fare from the south cast. The attempt, however was abandoned within sight of the summit, owing to laziness and the imminence of an important football match. Baulked by the heights of the Hill of Fare, the Club was more successful in two traverses—one across Bennachie and another over the Fungle, a little known Mounth Path. Already this term the Club has been on a climb from Glen Clunie to Inverey, via the tops of An Sorach, Beinn Lutham Mhor and Cam Bhac. In the near future there is the prospect of a week-end at Aviemore, the All Nighter on Creag Meagaidh and the long invitation week-end at Cannich Youth Hostel. A small party of seniors will proceed to Glen Affric Hostel, a remote outpost of civilisation where the night life promises to be somewhat limited. The Club must thank the ever growing company of masters who support the outings and finally, a special thank you to Mr. Will and Mr. Stephen. GRAIIANt WATT

Ski Club During the spring term, the Ski Club made nine one-day excursions, five to Glenshee and four to Glenmore. The weather on these excursions was generally good; only one excursion was cancelled because of impassable access roads. The Club had a membership of over fifty school members. The number of skiers travelling each week-end was supplemented by the "enthusiasts" from the High School. A team of four pupils R.Davidson, G.Robb, M. Robb and S. Schwarz took part in the Scottish Schools Race at Glenshee, against opposition from some twenty schools. The team took loth place in the team ratings while M. Robb was placed among the first ten in the individual results. During the Christmas vacation G. Robb and S. Schwarz were fortunate to obtain scholarships to attend a Skiing Course with the Kandahar Ski Club at Marren, in Switzerland. They later took part in the British Schools Race at Brand, in Austria. We extend our congratulations to them and to M. Robb and R. Davidson and hope that they will do even better next season. Our thanks must go to the Masters who so willingly and courageously journeyed with us on our excursions.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magaine Badminton Club

The Club has just completed a very successful session during which the membership has been extended to include all years. This increase in membership has made possible the formation of both "A" and "B" teams, which have played many enjoyable matches, the highlights of these being a 5-4 defeat by an improved team from Gordon's College and a closely fought match against the Masters which ended in a draw. There was also a considerable increase in the number of members who entered the North-East Schools' Tournament at Christmas, and from these emerged Stanley Rae of the 1st Year, who was one of the boys to win the Minor Boys' Doubles. The experience gained by the team members has resulted in a great improvement in the standard of play over the session and a keenness which is accentuated by a request for the continuance of the Club through the summer session. This request has been accepted and now badminton has become an all-year sport at the Grammar. Our thanks go once again to Mr. Shand and Mr. M. Wilson for their invaluable assistance. BRUCE SUTHERLAND, SiTreirfly

C.C.F. Notes General 1969 has been a most interesting year so far in which, in spite of difficulties and meagre attendances during the dark winter months, the training in all branches has gone on quietly and effectively. Results in examinations should prove that this has been as good a year as any although it falls short of being an "Annus Mirabil is." We have, in fact, created one record—viz, never in the history of the contingent have we had eleven qualified glider pilots in the R.A.F. Section. The small number of Cadets in the Army Section is most disappointing but it must be mentioned that they are of very high quality as was shown on Arduous Training at Easter which was as tough as we have ever done since the scheme started in 1960. S.C.E. and School exams has cut down activity since Easter but there is a considerable amount of work ahead of us in the summer term and both Army and R.A.F. camps seem most promising. In two aspects the C.C.F. spread its wings recently—with apologies to the Army Section. It gave us great pleasure to assist the Dramatic Society with its production of Arnold Wesker's "Chips with Everything" and although this was hardly the Royal Air Force that we know, it was a satisfying and moving experience for all who were involved. A large number of Cadets with all the Contingent's Signals Equipment went out on Sunday 13 April to set up communications for the Charities Campaign Walk—a new venture which raised £2,000. Now that we have Mr. Brooks taking a very active part in the R.A.F. Section it is hoped that the School will, in the very near future, turn up an Army Officer and bring the strength up to establishment. R. MCLEOD

C.C.F. Notes

Army Section In January of this year, the Gordon Highlanders "Kape Tour" held a football competition, but because of the entrance of various Youth Club amateur teams, a combined contingent team met with limited success. The Section has been fortunate in having two cadet visits to thc Royal Military Acadcmy, Sandhurst this year. Capt. Galloway also visited the College. Arduous Training this year was held at Kingussie, in the first week of thc Easter Holidays. Cadets lived in the "Adventure Training Centre", now complete with bunks, showers and kitchen equipment. All exercises were successfully completed, although there were some snow showers. No team was entered for the Cadet Wapinschaw this year but many cadets are intending to compete in the Annual Wapinschaw, for the Cadets' Cup and other troph ies. The Section's Proficiency Board has been put back to the 29th May, and with the help of the 22 Training Team, it is hoped that all candidates will pass the examination, which is being held at Seafield. The general programme for the summer term is now in operation and a Weekend Exercise of three days is being organised. A Range/Field Day is hoped for and a much needed renovation of the 5 tonner is to be carried out. Cadet projects have been allocated for Parents' Day and some of the younger cadets arc constructing a "Table Top Exercise". In June Seven Army Section cadets are going on a two week visit to the Royal Scots Greys in Germany. This clashes with the Annual Inspection, but as it is an R.A.F. Inspection, the arrangements arc satisfactory. A combined Section exercise, "Platoon in Attack" is to be mounted, as a display, on Scotstown Moor. I would like to welcome Pilot Officer Brooks to the contingent and wish him many happy years as R.A.F. Section Officer. I would like to thank and congratulate the O.C. Flt./Lt. R. McLeod, for his excellent organisation of all matters concerning the contingent, Capt. Galloway for his support as Army Section Officer, S.S.I. Rogers for his continued support of both Sections, and aid during weekend outings. 1 would also like to thank Major Flemming and his colleagues of the 22 Training Team for his experienced help and advice in all Army Section Training matters. C.S.M. IAN M. TAIT

R.A.F. Section The section continued its success with an impressive pass list in the ordinary and advanced proficiency exams in March of this year. Several cadets attended a week's course of arduous training at Kingussie, during the Easter holidays, and this was very successful with good weather marred only by an occasional snow shower, and some interesting exercises. Also this session, several cadets gained their A & B gliding certificates at HMS. Condor (Arbroath). Unsuccessful attempts were made by several cadets to gain flying scholarships, but hopes are high for future attempts. The annual inspection this year is to be made by Group Captain Fountain who commands R.A.F. Kinloss, and so the R.A.F. section hopes to make a good impression by mounting a display with the contingent's grasshopper glider, which continues to be a big attraction especially with the younger cadets who have only just begun training with it. This section also plans to take part in the "platoon in attack" exercise which is planned for Scotstown Moor. As there is to be an open day this year several displays arc being prepared, including a pictorial history of the R.A.F. and the display of a "Gypsy Major" aircraft engine.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Annual camp this year is to be held at R.A.F. Scampton, from a6 July to 2 August. Three squadrons of Vulcan bombers are based on the station, including the famous 617 (Dambuster) squadron. The section would like to extend a warm welcome to Plt.-Off. Brooks who joined our ranks quite recently, and has already proved his worth with our glider. We hope that Mr. Brooks will enjoy working with us and will remain with us for many years to come. We would also extend our very grateful thanks to Flt./Lt. McLcod, who continues to give us every help and support, without which the Combined Cadet Force would find it difficult to function. Flt./Sgt. K. H. GEDDES

Pipe Band Despite the unusually large number of new recruits this year, the departure of our piping instructor Mr. William Fraser just after Christmas and the lack of tuition since then, has weakened the band considerably. However, the drumming section under the excellent instruction of Mr. Russell Gray is large and flourishing. We must thank Mr. McLeod for his help and advice. STEPHEN C. INGLIS, Pipe Major

Music Notes The Annual School Carol Service took place on 17 December in St. Machar's Cathedral. The main work was Cedric Thorpe-Davie's cheerful pot-pourri of well known carols, "Rejoice and be Meru", in which Mr. Swalwell made his debut conducting a large chorus of treble voices drawn from the Lower School and Senior Choirs. The series of lunch time recitals this year included visits from the Northfield School Band, and from the Aberdeen Consort of Recorders. Our own pupils contributed programmes of music for string quartet, Czech music, Madrigals, Music for Wind Ensemble, and the first performance of "Rhythm in Red" by Eric Crockart, written for the unusual combination of two horns, piano, and guitar. Members of staff helped in some of the recitals—in Mozart's Clarinet Trio, for instance. The Lower School provided one programme, Miss Mayor's singing being a source of special pleasure, and the whole series ended with part of Bach's 6th Brandenburg Concerto. On zo and z I March in the Arts Centre, the School presented a programme of Benjamin Britten's Music for Children, in which the main work was the opera "The Little Sweep". This involved much hard work by those taking part, and proved to be a pleasant and enjoyable family occasion, with the audiences participating lustily in their own special songs. We are very grateful to the adults who helped in this venture, in particular to Miss Elizabeth Izatt of the College of Education who stepped in at very short notice to sing one of the leading parts. The "little sweep" himself, James Crockett of zH, has had a busy year operatically. Besides this work and "The Golden Vanity", he has played important parts in a University production of Weill's "Der Jasager", and in a Haddo House production (later repeated on Grampian Television) of Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors".

Lower School Notes

99 We have three representatives in the National Youth Orchestra at present—Marshall Willox, Ian Anderson, and Stephen Tees. We are pleased that Stephen has gained entry to the Royal College of Music as a viola player. At the time of writing, the Music Department is busily preparing for the Annual School concert to be given on 9 June in the Music Hall, when the main work will be Carl Orff's exciting "Carmina Bu rana".

Lower School Notes Two things in particular have made the past six months memorable—the weather and British Standard Time. Because of the severity of the weather, during the Spring Term our afternoons at field were very few and in fact the P. V's had no games day at all. In January and February the majority of Lower School boys could be seen sporting fluorescent jackets or armbands—very handy articles of clothing when it comes to playing football in pitch darkness at 8-3o a.m. It is a pity that nobody brought along a fluorescent ball. From Christmas onwards our Rugby XV's played four games and that they failed to win even one, was due to the fact that they had so little opportunity for practice. The results were:sat XV and XV

v. Dundee High lost 0-23 v. R.G.C. lost 0-17 lost 0-3 v. R.G.C. v. Dundee High lost o-zo

As usual the Lower School played an important part in making the Annual Swimming Gala a success. The Lower School champion is Keith Grcig of P. VII*, and the runner-up is Stephen Insley of P. VIII. We have had a number of enjoyable and successful outings this year, to the Fish Market and Harbour, Grampian T.V., B.B.C. studios, the School of Navigation and Lochnagar. This last trip was rather disappointing because of the weather —at times the cloud was so low that visibility was reduced to a few yards. This, however, failed to dampen the boys' spirits. We all voted the excursion a success, especially the stop at Aboyne for chips on the way home. As usual there were hitches. One bus developed thermostat trouble which delayed our return. We now look forward to our annual visit to Edinburgh on i t June. One unprecedented event which took place in the Lower School this year was P. Vs's Bum's Supper, complete with Address, haggis and—lemonade. This is something that Miss Mayor's boys will remember for a long time to come, especially since the local press came to take photographs. Primary VII& and Vin did very well in the local Tape Recording and Play Writing Competitions, both winning prizes, P. VITA for a tape entitled "Mexico" and P. Via for a play called "Christopher Columbus." Our cricketers it seems are to be hampered by the continuing bad weather. So far they have had one game, against Hazlehead School which they lost by the narrowest possible margin. At the time of writing, the prospect is that they will register at least two victories, against Fathers and against Masters. We must record our thanks to Mrs. Grant, Mr. Davis and Mr. Aitken of the French department for spending their free periods with P. VI and P. VII ensuring an intake of boys with a sound knowledge of the spoken language for the first year.

zoo

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

We thank also Messrs. Murray, Shand and Brooks for helping the P. VII's with their handwork, and Miss Boyd for allowing P. VII the use of the Russell Bell Memorial Library. The Lower School camp this year is to be held at Tatiana School from 5-12 July. We all hope that by then the weather will have improved so that we can make full use of the golf-course there. J.N.

Burns Supper On the twenty-third of January 1969 class Primary Vs had a Burns Supper in our room, number 38. Miss Mayor and Miss McLean our students at that time bought the potatoes and turnips but we bought the haggis. The first thing that happened was that our Chairman, Leslie Park, welcomed everybody and said he hoped that we would enjoy ourselves. After that the Haggis was piped in. This was done by Graeme Duthie who played, "Ye Banks and Braes" on his recorder. Ian Craig carried in the Haggis and was assisted by Peter Bavidgc. Later on, after Ian Kay had cut the Haggis, we all sat down and ate Haggis, turnips and potatoes—it was lovely. Now it was my turn to entertain. I, John Adam, said the Immortal Memory and before we ate, Graham Dickie said the Selkirk Grace. Those who had kilts, kilt tics and sporrans wore them. By the way, the Robot we made out of cardboard boxes wore a kilt, beret and a paint brush for a sporran which Graeme Duthie very kindly provided. Later on, after the Immortal Memory we all either said a poem, sang, or played the piano. I enjoyed myself very much. I think we all did. It was great! JOHN ADAM

The Shelter Set This is the first year there has been a Shelter Set in School. We had the usual good response from the first year, although in other years, especially the upper School, there are fewer members than we had hoped for. There were organisation difficulties because of the newness of the society. However, despite the chaos we made a little money; the "Halfpenny Appeal" was quite successful and two Middle School boys gave us some money which they made at a jumble sale. We hope to do something during the Summer Term and will be working in conjunction with the Aberdeen Youth Shelter Group. We wish to thank Mr. Duncan for his help and guidance throughout the year. ALASTAIR HARGREAVES

Former Pupils' Club Section (Club Founded Ii September 1893)

Club Office-Bearers, 1969-70 Honorary President: JOHN VASS SKINNER, M.A., B.LITT., DIP. ED.

(Rector since 1959)

Honorary Vice-presidents: ERIC Ros B1RKETT (1920-22), C.A. HENRY JACKSON BUTCHART (1890-99), D.S O., O.B.E., T.D., B.L., LL.D., D.L.

JOSEPH ROBERT CARRY (1918-30), M.B.E., T.D. DOUGLAS PATERSON COCHRAN (1906-15), F.INST.I.B., A.A.I.B. ALEXANDER GRAY (1910-22), M.A., LL.B. THE HON. LORD JOHNSTON (1913-26).

JOHN ADAM LILLIE (1893-1903), LL.D., M.A., LL.B., Q.C. ERIC LiNKLATER (1913-16), C.B.E., M.A., LL.D., T.D. IAN GOWANLOCK MCPHERSON (1910-17).

The Right Hon. Lord MESTON (1901-02). JOHN LENNOX RIDDELL (1907-16). Sir

JAMES JACKSON

ROBERTSON,

O.R.E.,

LL.D.,

M.A.,

B.D.,

P.R.S.E.,

P.E.I.S.

(Rector 1 942-59). CECIL A. G. SAVIDGE (1913-24), M.B.E., M.A. Sir JOHN WILLIAM TAYLOR (1906-11), K.B.E., C.M.G. Sir Joni,: MACKAY THONISON, C.B., M.A., F.R.S.E. (Rector, 1920-21). Sif LANDSBOROUGH THOMSON (1899-1908), C.B., O.B.E., M.A., D.SC., F.R.S.E., LL.D. ROBERT BERTRAM WILLIAMSON (1906-18), D.S.O., M.A., LL.B. EDWARD JAMES WOOD (1908-21), M.A.

President : GEORGE EDMOND CROMBIE (1916-21),

Vice-President of Club and Chairman of Executive : JO1IN MAXWELL MILNE (1934-46), M.A.

Secretary and Treasurer : BRIAN K. CROOKSHANKS (1934-46), T.D., M.A., LL.B.

25 Crown Street, Aberdeen.

General Editor of Magazine : ALISTAIR GEORGE GRACIE (1953-66)

Fcrnielea Crescent, Aberdeen. 101

1O2

Aberdeen 6reim mar School Magazine Secretaries of Centres :

Central Africa—GEORGE M. GROAT (1927-40), 2 Cornwall Lodge, Umptali Road, Beams Station, Salisbury. Dundee—ROBERT S. RILLEY (1946-55), c/o Bank of Scotland, Blackford, Perthshire. Edinburgh—DAVID A. BRITTAIN (1943-49), M.A., LL.B., 2 Circus Gardens, Edinburgh. Glasgow-3mm G. M. BIRSS (1926-38), M.C., M.A., A.C.W.A., 99 Essex Drive, Scotstoun, Glasgow W.14. London—R. A. E. Mennic (1924-36), Rookery Cottage, Duck Street, Wendens Ambo, Saffron Walden, Essex. Malaysia—BRIAN S. GRAY (1943-49), B.Sc., P.O. Box 207, Banting, Selangor. Yorkshire—ARTHUR J. ADAMS (1919-30), "Guyscliffe", Clara Drive Calverley, Pudsey, Yorks. Ireland—ANDREW M. M. STEVEN (1936-50), M.A., LL.B., C/O Secretary's Office,

The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast. Secretaries of Sections : Cricket—ALEXANDER M. DAVIDSON (1937-45), R.L., 18 Golden Square, Aberdeen. Golf—CoLIN C. ALLAN (1936-45), C.A., 63 Gray Street, Aberdeen. Hockey—F. K. S. LAWSON (1948-62), 114 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen. Rugby—CHARLES RITCHIE (1945-51), 25 Ncthcrmains Road, Muchalls, Kincardineshire. Executive Committee :

The Vice-President of the Club, Chairman. V ice-Chairman—IAN LEWIS SMITH (1918-30) The Secretary and Treasurer, and General Editor of Magazine, en officsis. The Rector of the School, ex officio. PHILIP N. LOVE (1952-58) JOHN W. CRADOCK (1940-46) A. J. M. EDWARDS (1908-21) JOHN C. A. MICHIE (1944-59) WILLIAM M. EWEN (1932-44)

W. WALLACE PORTER (1915-23)

DONALD A. FOWLIE (1944-57)

JOHN B. RENNIE (1 947-53)

DOUGLAS G. FOWLIE (1950-64)

A. FROST TAYLOR (1929-35) MELVILLE F. WATSON (1942-56) ERIC D. WATT (1937-50)

DR. DOUGLAS R. HARPER (1944-58) JOHN F. HENDRY (1951-65)

Sec/ion Representatives Crickei—JonN G. N. FRASER (1942-55) GO/f—COLIN C. ALLAN (1936-45)

hockey-JOHN P. DRUMMOND (1947-58) Rugby—CIIARLES RITCHIE (1945-51) Siaff—Roamr McNnv Swimming—H. A. B. HARPER (1950-57) Hon. Auditors : Messrs. BOWER and SMITH, C.A.

New Club President GEORGE EDMOND CROMBIE was unanimously appointed President of the Club for the year 1969-7o at the Annual General Meeting of the Club in March. He must surely rank as one of the few Presidents who has actually been present at the meeting which conferred the Club's principal honour upon him, and following his appointment he joined the Chaitman of the Meeting at the top table. Mr. Crombie, in acknowledging his appreciation of his appointment to this high office, confessed that he had not spent the whole of his school life at the Grammar. The measure of his interest in the School and the Club, however, is that despite being a pupil of the School only between the ages of eight and thirteen he is nonetheless a Life Member of the Former Pupils' Club, and has already shown, in many ways, his loyalty to both School and Club. Mr. Crombie attended the School from 1916-to 1921. After completing his schooling at Fettes he proceeded to Aberdeen University where he graduated M.A. with 1st Class Honours in Classics in 1930. He then joined the Colonial Civil Service and was with the India Office from 1931 to 1942 and again from 1945 to 1947. During the intervening years 1942-45 he served in the Middle East and in Italy with the 1st Frontier Force Regiment of the Indian Army and was mentioned in Dispatches. In 1947 Mr. Crombie was appointed United Kingdom Deputy High Commissioner in Rangoon and during the difficult years 1948-49, following the withdrawal of Burma from the British Commonwealth, he held the key appointment of Counsellor at the British Embassy in Rangoon. There then followed successively appointments as United Kingdom Deputy High Commissioner in Madras 1951-52, Counsellor at the British Embassy, Ottawa 1955-58, a period as Assistant Secretary in the Commonwealth Relations Office and then an appointment as High Commissioner for Kuala Lumpur in 1959. Prior to his retiral in 1967 Mr. Crombie was Counsellor at the British Embassy in Dublin. In 195o Mr. Crombie was created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Over the years our President has taken a keen interest in the affairs of the Former Pupils' Club and in particular was a regular supporter of the activities of the Malayan Centre. With characteristic modesty he assures us that while he is very aware of the honour we have done him he is even more conscious of the distinguished line of predecessors who have occupied the Presidential Chair, and the prospect before him fills him with trepidation. We are confident that he will continue in the high tradition that has been established, and we know that he will be welcome in the various Centres at their gatherings during the next few months. We wish him a happy term of office.

103

At Last a Club Centre 86 Queen's Road As members of the Club will already know from the Brochure recently issued, the Club has acquired the very handsome dwellinghouse 86 Queen's Road, as a permanent base in Aberdeen. Situated at the western corner of Bayview Road and Queen's Road the house is ideally situated for our purposes. It is within a minute's walk of Rubislaw Field, and is not too far from the centre of the city. It is situated in pleasant grounds, a fair part of which will still be laid out as a pleasant garden area even after car parking provision has been made. The Club is fortunate in that one of its members was able to make such an eminently suitable property available for the Club to purchase. Mr. Wisely, the seller, has been very helpful and considerate in his dealings with the Club, and he and his wife have been extremely patient in the light of the very protracted deliberations which had to take place before the Executive was in a position to call a General Meeting of the Club to obtain authority to go ahead with this project. In addition Mr. Wisely has agreed with the Executive very helpful terms for payment of the price, and he has given to the Club a full size billiard table with complete equipment, all of which is in absolutely first-class condition. As this Magazine goes to press, arrangements are proceeding apace, and by the time this reaches you it is hoped that work will have started on the necessary alterations. Again the Club is fortunate that the building as it stands is ideally suited to our needs, and very little alteration requires to be done. It is hoped that the premises will be open to members by early September. The new project is ambitious, but the indications of support, both in membership and in finance, arc very strong. To ensure the economic viability of the project, it is vital that borrowing be kept to a minimum. If members have not yet responded to the Brochure appealing for funds, the Executive urge them to give serious and immediate thought to this matter. The Executive is confident that many members will be prepared to dig deeply into their pockets in support of a project which can be of incalculable benefit to the long-term interests of the Club, and they hope that those who cannot dig too deeply at present will nevertheless unearth what pieces-of-eight they can. Much or little, it will all help! Think of the comfortable chairs—the relaxation—the companionship! (And when you make "Who's Who" your entry under "Club" ought to read well too.)

104

Centre Reports Edinburgh 'Phis year's Annual Dinner was held in the University Staff Club, Edinburgh, on zi February when twenty-three F.P.s entertained fifteen guests plus the official guests of the Centre. The principal guest this year was Professor Michael Swann, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S., P.R.S.E., Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh. Allan Frazer, President of the Edinburgh Centre was in the chair. Allan Frazer gave the loyal toast of "the Queen" to be followed by Professor Swarm who, after a relaxed speech of the highly skilled variety, invited us, following the modern trend, to participate in the toast of "the School and the Club". Replies on behalf of the School and the Club were from the Rector and E. Ros Birkett, the President of the parent club. Allan Frazer proposed the toast of "the Guests" most wittily and was matched in wit by the reply given by Dr. Robert Taylor, Q.C. The final toast of "the Chairman" was given by David Brittain. Our Annual General Meeting took place as is our custom during the course of the evening and our "old fashioned authoritarian" method of dealing with the election of office-bearers for the coming year was commented upon wryly by our principal guest provoking him into giving us the toast of "School and Club" as we have indicated above. We elected James R. Fiddes, Q.c., as President of the Centre for the year 19697o and David Brittain as Vice President for the same period. Members of the Committee elected to that Office were D. I. K. Macleod, M. S. R. Bruce, Robert S. Rilley, and the Rev. T. J. T. Nicol with Allan Frazer as retiring President. Our toasts were to our great and possible future embarrassment recorded live on tape. Our Centre has been pleased to accept a gift of boys' books and books of interest to boys given to the School by William Mortimer an ex-dux of the School. Since the dinner and with great regret we have recorded the deaths of three members of our Centre, Major General K. A. M. Tomory, Sir William R. Tennant and Lt.-Col. Duncan Macgregor.

Ireland The highlight of the Centre's activities during the past months has been the visit of the Club President, Mr. E. Ros Birkett, to Belfast in February. Members met him informally over lunch at the Malone Golf Club. We look forward to another visit by Mr. Birkett, possibly in the autumn. The Centre will shortly say farewell to one of its most active members, Mr. Ivor Sutherland who is returning to Scotland. F.P.s visiting Belfast on holiday or business are reminded that the Secretary of the Centre, Mr. Andrew Steven (whose address appears elsewhere in the Magaine) would be very glad to see them. London of the Centre was held in October. meeting annual general The Mr. G. W. Bowes was re-elected President and Mr. R. A. E. Mennie was elected Secretary and Treasurer. The following were elected to the Committee for a three-year term: Messrs. N. Mackie, J. Benzie, T. Robertson, J. G. W. Jones and Dr. I. Duguid. 105

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Aberdeen Grammar School Afagazine

The annual dinner was held at the Caledonian Club in December, and was attended by forty-six members and guests. Mr. Gilbert Anderson, who had been co-opted as Centre President following the sudden death of Mr. G. W. Bowes (referred to in the obituary notice in this issue) was in the chair. The toast of "The School and the Club" was proposed by Mr. A. H. K. Slater and the President of the Club, Mr. E. Ros Birkett, replied. Malaysia The Centre held their annual dinner in Le Coq D'or, Kuala Lumpur and from a total membership of twenty, the following nine F.P.s were present: D. L. Anderson; B. C. Clew; B. S. Gray; F. C. Kelly; A. S. McLean; N. McLean; M. Milne; V. G. R. Stephen; J. G. Taylor. Some eighteen guests, both Malaysian and British attended. The turn-out was quite good, considering that members are spread over a distance of 3oo miles. Yorkshire The Yorkshire Centre met at dinner in the Queen's Hotel, Leeds, on Tuesday, 25 February 1969, after a lapse of a year. The President of the Club, Mr. E. Ros Birkett, can take the credit for setting the time and place for this meeting. A letter from him to the Centre Secretary suggesting a meeting on this date was the stimulus that awakened members to action, and the call sent out to the regulars. This resulted in a most enjoyable reunion of seven of the displaced persons residing in Yorkshire. These seven spent a most enjoyable evening listening to the President and the Rector, Mr. J. V. Skinner, talking about current affairs in the Club, the School, and Aberdeen. An excellent meal was rounded off with talk and the traditional Birse Tea. It was understandable that this awakened memories of three of the founder members of the Centre no longer with us, namely, Professor W. P. Milne, Dr. I. G. Innes and Dr. 0. C. Prosser.

Section Reports Rugby

Season 1968-69 was characterised by exceedingly mixed fortunes on the field—as witnessed by the statistics. i st XV

P 35

'FL 17 17

D F 1 378

A 486 6 fixtures cancelled

2nd XV

— 39 5

230

3rd XV

— 362

118 io fixtures cancelled

11 fixtures cancelled

In one sense it is sad to note that forty-four players appeared for the 1st XV. This large number was due to several factors—some avoidable, others not. Injury on the one hand, and lack of enthusiasm in September and October on the other contributed to our disappointing form up until Christmas. Unselfish sacrifice by established players will ensure a competent start to next season. The large intake of enthusiastic players from School has given us the capability to run four XV's. We hope to have regular 4th XV matches during season 1969-70. I feel that Roy Falconer's interest has controlled this intake and we are indebted to him for his advice throughout the season. The 1st XV finished the season strongly with good championship wins against Boroughmuir, Hutcheson G.S. F.P. and Musselburgh and ultimately come out on top against Gordonians. In the "sevens" scene we were beaten finalists at Elgin and Invergordon and won the Howe of Fife tournament at Cupar. Notable players during the season were Roddy Macdonald, Martin Jeffrey, Douglas Mart, Peter Collier, and Harry Millar but the outstanding performer on the field was undoubtedly Ian Gray who consistently outplayed the opposition scrum half. The znd XV proved latterly to be a fine blend of youth and experience and all who played now realise the enormous contribution Doug Georgeson makes to the game. The 3rd XV was the mixture as before and its enthusiastic young players will be challenging for recognition next season, having benefited from a year's senior experience. The club had seven representatives in the original under 23 North XV which played the Midlands at Montrose in April. All acquitted themselves well and this fixture will go some way to filling the gap between Club and district standards. Those chosen for representative honours are shown in the table below. It is hoped that the new season will see our fine Club Centre established and that this event will stimulate some interest and friendly support from former players. I would extend a welcome to you by saying that we are always delighted to receive support and even the odd criticism! You in turn will be able to meet the players as they are today and make the inevitable interesting comparisons. 107

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

At the recent Annual General Meeting the Club decided to participate in the Coaching Scheme started by the Scottish Rugby Union this year. Obviously the beginnings of such a scheme have to be on a trial and error basis. With Doug Georgeson accepting responsibility for the coaching aspects in conjunction with the writer we would hope to prove the scheme modestly successful, so that in future years this novelty can become an integrated part of Club policy to the benefit of the players. I would close with an appreciation of the loyalty shown by the committee and Club members throughout the season, by thanking them, and hoping that we can progress to a more successful start next September. District Representatives North v. Midlands: I. Gray, D. G. Fowlie, P. N. Love Aberdeen Select XV v. Exiles: I. Gray, D. G. Fowlie. North and Midlands v. Glasgow: D. G. Fowlie. —North Under 23 XV v. Midlands Under 23 XV: R. A. McDonald, D. G. Fowlie, P. M. Collier, B. Begg, P. Fraser, D. W. Smith, H. R. Millar. D. G. FOWLIE, Captain Hockey This past season the Section has established itself as one of the foremost teams in Scottish hockey although we failed to win the Scottish Cup Final, having been beaten by Stepps 2-1 after extra time. It is indeed an achievement in itself to have represented the District and to have appeared in four Scottish Cup Finals in the six years in which we have been eligible to compete. On our way to the Final we convincingly defeated the Scottish cup holders, Inverleith, in what it may have been termed as the match of the season. Although we were without Eric Watt and had to reposition players to bring the team up to its maximum strength, the skill and team spirit saw F.P.s play magnificently against a very strong Inverleith team which included two Scottish caps. In the local competition F.P.s 1st XI, having played all their league matches, share the David Wood Memorial Trophy with the Academy F.P.s. The first XI results for the latter part of the season are as follows: 1968 1968 a; Nov. v. Academy F.P.s at Rubislaw 7 Dec. v. A.G.S.F.P.'s "A" at Westburn v. Academy F.P.s (Scottish Cup) Links 8 v. Aberdeen at Rubislaw 14 21 v. Ruthrieston at Links 1969 4 Jan. v. Ruthrieston Ramblers at Links 11 v. Ruthrieston at Barracks t8 v. Madras College at St. Andrews 23 v. Aberdeen at Links v. Gordonians at Links 16

2-0 3-0 T-O 3-1

W W W W W

5 -C1 4-0 2-1 o-o 3-1

W W W D W

7-0

Section Reports

109

1 Feb. v. Highland at Rubislaw

1-0

1 Mar. v. I.C.I. at Grangemouth 2 v. Dunfermline at Carnegie

4-2 6-i

2-2 1-2

v. University at Kings 22 1'. Ruthrieston at Barracks 23 v. Inverleith (Scottish Cup) at Links 29 v. Morgan Academy F.P.s at Links v. Kilmarnock (Scottish Cup) Links 50 2 April v. Gordonians at Links it. Academy F.P.s at Links i3 26 v. Stepps (Scottish Cup Final) at Edinburgh sat XI Matches Played 1968/69 and XI 3rd XI SS

•

Won z8 „ 16

„

W W

W D L W D

3-1 o-o 2-1

W W L

4-0 1-o 1-2

Drawn 5 P•

3 6

Lost PP

4 4 3

The and Xl having had a fair season were second in the Second League and the Third XI were runners up in the Third League having been defeated by a fraction of a per cent on the final reckoning. There were no ist XI or Club Colours awarded for the season. Undoubtedly the Section are going from strength to strength, both in local hockey circles and in the National Field, there having been numerous requests from clubs in the south for fixtures. Unfortunately it is not always possible to arrange all the fixtures one would like to play but I feel sure that in the years to come and with a continuing wealth of talent joining us from the School XI's we cannot fail to increase our prestige in Scottish hockey. Some indication of the keenness of the 1st XI players, and indeed the many znd XI players who are called upon is shown in the increase in the mileage travelled throughout the season as compared with say six/seven years ago. The mileage has in fact trebled and involves numerous tours throughout Scotland. The Section has not confined all its activities to the field of play and on many occasions social gatherings have proved most successful. In the field of personal honours the Section have had their fair share of representations and we must congratulate Fred Lawson on having been fit to play for Scotland in the Home International Series as well as many other representative matches. The following have been picked to play for Picts in the current season: J. Drummond, E. D. Watt, F. K. Lawson and A. Hampton. The latter honour is long overdue. Our thanks are due once again to Mr. R. McNay for his continued support of the Section and the interest he has shown in it. Thanks are also due to Mr. Falconer and to Mr. Matthews for assistance in the preparation of pitches although undoubtedly the weather during the past season did not help to make their task any easier. The many team officials, who work more or less behind the scenes, are also worthy of our thanks, especially Alan Esslemont and Douglas Campbell who have retired from their respective positions as Secretary and Match Secretary. The following officials have been elected for next season : ist XI Captain, J. Leiper; Vke Captain, F. K. Lawson. znd XI Captain, M. Miller; Vice Caplan:, A. Prosscr. 3rd XI Captain, G. Cook; Vice Captain, D. Yule: Secretary, S. Forbes. Match Secretary, A. Pink. Treasurer, I. A. Middleton. A. K. CAMPBELL, Captain.

Robert William Ingram Band* (1924-26) is presently Librarian and Careers Master at Stepney Green School, a comprehensive school for boys with about 900 pupils. He joined the staff in 1965 as a French and Physical Education teacher. Kevin C. Carter* (1962-68) who was Senior Athletic Champion at the School in 1967 and 1968, has been appointed Captain of the Aberdeen Amateur Athletic Club. George Gray Cook* (1923-25) has retired from the Clydesdale Bank. Latterly he was Manager at St. Nicholas, Aberdeen branch. Alexander Fraser (1955-58) has won the Royal Scottish Academy's Premier Award—the Guthrie Prize—with his painting "Shankar at the Blue Piggery". He is a former winner of a L300 Scholarship from Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, where he now teaches, and won one of the two Latimer awards for meritorious works by Scottish artists. Garth Wm. Glentworth* (1948-61) has taken up a research fellowship at the Makerere University College, Kampala, Uganda, where he will study for his Ph.D. for the next two years. He has already visited several other countries including the United States, where he worked in the Library of Congress and had the opportunity of meeting and hearing a number of prominent American politicians. Eric Ferguson Johnston (1935-40) who has been Manager for Aberdeen Savings Bank at Bucksburn since 1962, has recently been appointed manager at Southern Branch in Aberdeen. Andrew Marjoribanks* (1952-58) took up a new appointment in April as Liaison Metallurgist with the Technical Sales and Service Department of John Lysaght (Australia) Ltd. He was previously Hot Strip Mills Metallurgist at Ravenscraig Steel Works, Motherwell. Gavin Thomas McEwen* (1958-64) graduated M.A. with 1st Class Honours in Mental Philosophy in July 1968. He is at present studying on an exchange scholarship at Kansas University where he hopes to spend a further year in order to take a post-graduate degree. He is acting as a graduate teacher assistant in Kansas University. Duncan Morison McLellan* (1938-4S) M.B., C H.S., D.P. H., who has for some years been deputy senior administration medical officer to the Eastern Regional Hospital Board, has been appointed medical superintendent to the Board of Management for Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. Dr. McLellan graduated in medicine with commendation at Aberdeen in 1950 and obtained his Diploma in Public Health in 1958. He has served on working parties of the Ministry of Health and the Scottish Home and Health Department in connection with the problems of the capital building programme at Ninewells. I1O

New Club President

GEORGE EDNIOND CROMBIE

peoH s,uzono 98 30 .1\3!A

II I Notes about Old Boys Andrew Milne (1903-9) M.A. principal classics master in the School till his retiral in 1955, has retired for a second time in South Africa, this time as lecturer in classics at Natal University. In February he moved from East London to Bloemfontein to be near his daughter. cn.B., after service His son, Malcolm Ross Milne (1926-35), as a flying doctor in West Australia, is now an anaesthetist in Royal Hospital, Perth, Western Australia. Stuart John Mitchell* (1948-61) B.sc., is working as a scientific Officer at A.W.R.E., Aldermaston. His brother, Gordon David Mitchell (195o-64) is employed as a graduate engineer by the Ford Motor Company in the Dagenham area. Rev. Ian Andrew Moir* (194o-53) B.D., a graduate of Aberdeen University has formed the first Pholela Company, Natal, of the Boys' Brigade. Dr. Alistair E. Philip* (1943-56) 11.A., received his Ph.D. at Edinburgh University's graduation ceremony in the McEwan Hall recently. His findings have been published in several medical journals. Malcolm Rennie (1952-65) was recently appearing in Oliver Goldsmith's "She stoops to Conquer" in Manchester, and will soon have an opportunity to appear in the same play, with the same Company Theatre 69 in the Garrick Theatre, London. A product of the Children's Theatre in Aberdeen, he also appeared in a Theatre 69 production of George Elliot's "Daniel Deronda" in Manchester recently. After leaving School, he went to the Central School of Speech and Drama in London where he won a place in the 68 Theatre Company's production of "Hamlet" at last year's Edinburgh Festival. Iain Johnstone Macbeth Sutherland* (1933-41), M.A., has been Counsellor and Consul-General at the British Embassy in Indonesia since 1967. He was Charge d'Affaires for some months during 1968 during which time he attended the dedication of the Commonwealth War Cemetery at Ambar in the Moluccas, and accompanied H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh on a visit to the island of Bali. Towards the end of the year he spent two months in Europe during which he led the British Delegation at an International Conference on Economic Assistance to Indonesia held at the Hague. David Alexander West (1939-44), a graduate of Aberdeen University, has been appointed to the Chair of Latin at Newcastle-on-Tyne University. He is presently a lecturer at the Department of Humanity at Edinburgh. He graduated in 1948 with ist Class Honours in Classics and received the Fullerton Scholarship. Before graduating he was awarded a major scholarship to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. After National Service with the R.A.F. he graduated B.A. with ist Class Honours in both parts of the classical tripos at Cambridge in 1951. He gained at Cambridge the Craven Studentship, a post-graduate ward for research in classics. In 1952 he was appointed an Assistant Lecturer in Classics at Sheffield University and held this post until moving to Edinburgh in 1956. He has written many articles on Latin poetry and is the author of a book on Horace. A further book on Lucretius is about to be printed by Aberdeen University Press.

11 2

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Norman Richard Wylie* (1927-30) M.A., LL.B., has retired from Government service in Hong Kong He is now living at Ladybank, Fife. Marriages Annand (1 953-57).—At Dyce Parish Church, on 5 April 1969, NORMAN JAMES ANNAND, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Annand, 104 Midstocket Road, to Sheila A. Bennett, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. Bennett, i a Fetach Walk, Dyce. Begg (1955-66).—At King's College Chapel, on to January 1969, BRIAN GEORGE BEGG,• eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Begg, 52 Craigiebuckler Terrace, to Heather L. Stalker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Stalker, 15 Moir Avenue. Charles (t 949-50).—At Ferryhill South Church, Aberdeen, on 9 November 1968, ALAN YEOMAN CHARLES, only son of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Charles, 5 Hutchison Terrace, Aberdeen, to Alison Patricia, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Young, 24 Devanha Gardens, Aberdeen. Chasser (1962-63).—At Ruthrieston West Church, on 8 February 1969, THOMAS MURRAY CHASSER, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Chasser, 28 Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, to Margaret Dunn only daughter of Mrs. Margaret J. Pauline and the late Mr. William Pauline, 16 Mosman Place, Aberdeen. Gray (1943-49).—At St John's Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur, on 24 August, 1968, BRIAN Scorr, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Gray, The Heath, Dyce, to Adele Marcell ine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Surin of Ipoh, Malaysia. Hutcheon (1 95o-62).—At Rubislaw Church, on 15 January 1969, GRAFME, GARDEN HUTCHEON, son of the late Dr. Harry Hutcheon and Mrs. A. Hutcheon, Huntersden, Kingswells, to Sandra, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Davidson, z8 Faulds Crescent. Little (1942-47).—At Craigiebuckler Parish Church, on 4 April [969, JOSEPH HUNT Lirrt.E, eldest son of Mrs. M. Little, Fir Cottage, Pitfodels, and Mr. J. B. Little, Edgehill House, Milltimber, to June Kathleen Rose, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Neish, Gateside Farm, Strachan. Pacitti (1951-52).--At St. Francis of .Assisi Church, on 2 May 1969, ALLAN PAcirrl, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Pacitti, ; Hazlehead Place, Aberdeen, to Dorothy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Thomson, 15d Castle Street, Huntly. Pixie (1957-60).--At Causewayend Church, on r8 December 1968, JAMES PIRIE, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Pink, 5d Manor Walk, Aberdeen, to Sheena Ewen, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Hay, Loch-head, Parkhill, Dyce. Robb (1 943-58).—At St. James' Parish Church, Ayr, on 26 April 1969, RONALD McINTYRE ROBB,* son of Mr. and Mrs. H. P. S. Robb, io Cairncry Terrace, to Ada Stewart, 3 Heathfield Road, Ayr, niece of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Henderson. Sangster (1 953-59).—At King's College Chapel, on iz April 1969, Dr. ALAN J. SANGSTER, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Sangster, 176 Cummings Park Circle, Aberdeen, to Barbara Macleod, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Wilkie, 16 Rosebery Street, Aberdeen. Smith (1946-61).—At Holbum Central Church on 5 April 1969, ALISTAIR RUNCIE SMITH son of Mr. Alexander Runcie Smith• (1900-00) and of Mrs. Smith, ioz Desswood Place to Margaret Gardiner Cowie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Cowie, 32 Springfield Gardens, Aberdeen. Wood (1949-63).—At King's College Chapel, Aberdeen, on 8 April 1969, GEOFFREY EDWARD Worm,• son of the late Mr. Edward Wood and of Mrs. Ellen Wood, 7 Gaim Road, Aberdeen, to Lesley Anne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs George H. Warrington, The Nook, Green Lane, Nottingham Road, Mansfield, Notts.

Special Entertainments Notice The attention of all members is again drawn to the circular enclosed with this issue of the Magazine regarding the Annual Dinner and Ball. In view of the constantly increasing cost of sending out the circular separately, it was decided by the Club Executive several years ago that adequate notice would be given of these functions if the circular were to be sent out with the June issue of the Magazine every year. You are therefore requested to preserve carefully the circular (which is the only intimation which will be given) until you decide to submit your application form to Philip N. Love, Esq., H.A., LL.B., 58 Dee Street, Aberdeen. In addition, you should note these dates in your diary: Annual Dinner—Thursday, 3o October 1969 in the Treetops Hotel, Aberdeen. Annual Ball—Tuesday, 23 December 1969 in the Beach Ballroom. Only members of the F.P. Gab may apply for tickets

Annual General Meeting The Sixty-seventh Annual General Meeting of the Club was held in the Caledonian Hotel, Aberdeen, on Monday, to March 1969. There were ninety-four members present.

Executive Report The Report by the Executive Committee of the Club for the year to 31 December 1968 was submitted by the Chairman of the Meeting, Mr. Gordon H. Henderson, the Vice-President of the Club, and the following are extracts from the Report. Membership The following is an analysis of the membership of the Club as at 28 February

1969 with comparable figures at 28 February 1968. Honorary Life Afenthertbip Ordinary 2912168 2812169

2,134 1,137 -

i-3

8 8 — —

1,265 I,2.84 -

i is,

Staff

Total

24 25 — -! 1

2,431 2,454 +23

Losses by Death During the year the deaths of twenty-three former pupils, of whom seventeen were members of the Club, were recorded in the Magazine. These included James Gray Kyd, sometime Registrar-General for Scotland, and William Douglas Simpson, for forty years Librarian and Clerk to the General Council of Aberdeen University, both of whom were former Presidents of the Club. Dr. Simpson had the distinction of twice occupying the Presidential Chair. Another prominent member of the Club whose death is much regretted was George William Bowes, President of the London Centre of the Club for the past two years, who died very suddenly in November. Social

The Annual Dinner of the Club was held in the Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen, on Thursday, 27 October 2968. It was attended by three Junior and 290 Senior Members of the Club and their guests. The President, Mr. E. Ros Birkett, was in the Chair and the principal Toast was proposed by George M. Burnett, Professor of Chemistry and Vice-Principal of Aberdeen University, deputising at short notice for Lord Bannerman of Kildonan who was unfortunately ill. The Annual Ball was held in 113

Aberdeen Gammar School Magazine

114

GENERAL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 1967 244 273 65 582 630 219 84 11 in

RECEIPTS Ordinary Subscriptions received prior to January 1968 Ordinary Subscriptions received in 1968 Arrears recovered 1965

£203 I 0 314 5 0 zo6 15 o £624

Revenue from Investments (Gross) Interest at 3 per cent on Life Member Capital Fund Surplus on Entertainments Account (after Honorarium to Entertainments Secretary) Miscellaneous Provision for Sundry Creditor in 1966 not required -

633 4 220 5

9 2

1 24 13

£1536

9 0 0

£1607

MAGAZINE REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT REVENUE £11s 303 538

Sales Advertisements Transferred to General Receipts and Payments Account

£ 97 8 0 255 13 2 542 I o

(26 rr

£ 895

BALANCE SHEET as 1067

LIABILITIES I. LIFE MEMBER CAPITAL FUND

£6946 36o

Amount at credit at 31 December, 1967 Life Members' Subscriptions received in 1968

£7306 st9

Less Transferred to Receipts and Payments Account

£7087

£7086 IS 3 255 0 0 -

£7341 18 220 5

3 2

£712, 13

OTHER FUNDS

(a) Legacy—D. J. T. Jamieson (b) Swimming Pool Fund

£loo 0 48 10

0 0

70 8

1 49 III.

148 so a

CAPITAL ACCOUNT

Amount at Credit at 31 December 1967 Add Surplus on Receipts and Payments Account for the year ending 31 December 1969 -

7o IV.

Balance of Ordinary Subscriptions received prior to January, 1968 Subscriptions received in 1968 for future years -

461

314

4 To 384 13

ORDINARY SUBSCRIPTIONS PAID IN ADVANCE

257 15 0 168 15 0

176 2 7 3 4 5 124 13 9

426 10 0 V.

176 521

4846 — 4

ENTERTAINMENTS RESERVE

Balance at 31 December, 1967 Add Bank Deposit Account Interest Transfer from General Receipts and Payments Account VI.

SUNDRY CREDITORS

304 540

£8925 16

ABERDEEN, 25tb February z969.—We have examined the foregoing Accounts for the year ending 3: December the Accounts correct. We are of the opinion that the Balance Sheet correctly states the position of the Club of the Accounts. 30 CARDEN PLACE, ABERDEEN

•

F.P. Club Accounts

I If

for year ending 31 December 1968 1967 £215 so 3 255 24

9 9 44 20

583 44 2 45

PAYMENTS Working Expenses, including Honorarium to Secretary and Treasurer Honorarium to Auditors for Year to 31 December 1967 Corporation Tax to 31 March 1967 Income Tax paid by deduction from Investment Income -

£4 245

School and Trophy Medals Capitation Grants London Edinburgh Glasgow

£30 9 9

0 o o

£268

249

21 15

2 o

0 o o 48 0 0 8 7 6 20 0 0 542 1 0 1 24 13 9 314 4 10

Club Development Sports Prize Fund Transferred from Magazine Account Transferred to Entertainments Reserve Surplus for year

£1536

£1607

for year ending 31 December 1968 769 237

EXPENDITURE Cost of Printing Working Expenses, including Honoraria

£74a 4 3 152 17 11

£ 895

7006

at 31 December 1968 1967 I.

ASSETS £99 0

1 994 18

999 It

884

976

563 8

I £6408 15 i

(Total Market Value £23278 tos.) (t967 £17076 131. 9d.) II.

CASH AND BANK BALANCES

(I) Aberdeen Savings Bank Ordinary Account Special Investment Account

£120 12

o e

642

£1 79 470

7 0 1 6

£762

(2) Bank of Scotland Deposit Account Current Account Deposit Receipt (3) Cash in hands of Treasurer 1502

497

£8464

III.

INVESTMENTS

3110 Ordinary 5s. Stock Units, Standard Trust Ltd. (at cost) (Market Value £4081 171. 6d.) 3665 Ordinary 5s. Stock Units, Aberdeen Trust Ltd. (at cost) (Market Value £6230 ros.) 3600 Ordinary 5s. Stock Units, The Anglo-Celtic Trust Ltd. (at cost) (Market Value £5400) .- Ltd.- )at cost) 270 Class 'B' Common Shares, United Corporation (Market Value £2673) 1645 Ordinary 5s. Shares, Scottish Northern Investment Trust Ltd. (at cost). (Formerly 2194 Ordinary 5s. Shares. Second Scottish Northern — — Investment Trust Ltd.) (Market Value £4318 2s. 6d.) — 250 Ordinary 5s. Shares, Royal Insurance Co. Ltd. (at cost) (Market Value £575) -

id fo9

SUNDRY DEBTORS

850

1499 ri 6 17 7 5

---

2279

15 0

237

6 0

£8925 36

t968 and relative Balance Sheet as at 31 December 1968, compared the figures with the vouchers, and found as at 31 December 1968. We have had exhibited to us the various Securities supporting the Funds at the close BOWER & SMITH, C.A. Honorary Auditors.

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Aberdeen Grammar School Magatine

the Beach Ballroom on Wednesday, 26 December 1968 and was attended by S9o members and guests, The surplus on the two functions amounted to £124 13s. 9d. Magazine The Executive has appointed Alistair George Gracie as General Editor of the Magazine. He took up his duties only a few weeks before the June issue of 1968 and during the latter part of the year was unfortunately working out of Aberdeen. He is young and enthusiastic and the Executive has every confidence that he will maintain the high standard of the Magazine. The Executive views with concern the continuing substantial deficit on the Magazine, and the whole question is to be thoroughly investigated by a Special Sub-Committee. School The customary grant was made by the Club to the School Sports Prize Fund and the usual medals were presented at the Annual Prize-giving. The Executive resolved that in future book prizes, each to the value of La, would be awarded in addition to the medals. Consultations between the School and the Clubcontinue to take place at all levels. Club Premises Since June 1968 the Executive has had under consideration the acquisition of suitable premises in Aberdeen which could be utilised as a permanent home for the Club, providing facilities for social activities and in addition providing a focal point for F.P.s furth of the city. Shortly after the matter was first raised particular premises in the ownership of a former pupil were made known to the Executive and during the remainder of the year the Executive, and in particular the Finance Committee, were very actively engaged in considering the possibility of acquiring this property and enquiring into the numerous implications arising from such a venture. At a meeting of the Executive towards the end of December the stage was reached when a General Meeting of the Club could be called to consider and decide upon this issue. General Business The Accounts for the year, duly audited and certified, were submitted and approved. (They are reproduced elsewhere in this issue.) Reports on the year's activities were submitted on behalf of the various athletic sections, and it was noted that all were in good heart and financially sound, even if their results in some cases were not as good as they would have wished. The appointment of office-bearers then took place, and the Chairman thanked Mr. E. Ros Birkett, the retiring President, for the enthusiastic manner in which he had carried out his duties during his year of office. The meeting then proceeded to consider a number of motions in name of the Executive relative to the purchase of Club premises (as more fully reported elsewhere in this issue). The meeting appproved, after full discussion, an amendment to the Club constitution giving the Club power to purchase or lease heritable property in furtherance of the objects of the Club, and to borrow money on the security of such property and/or on the security of any other funds or investments of the Club. The paragraph in the Constitution dealing with the long defunct Boarding Housc Company was authorised to be deleted. Following these matters, the Meeting then authorised the Executive to negotiate for the purchase of 86 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, and to proceed thereafter with the establishment of a Club Centre there.

Obituaries John Alexander Thompson Allan (1929-39) died on 2 February 1969 at Colombo where he had been employed as a tea planter. John Hamilton Bell* (1909-14) died in London on 4 January 1969, aged seventythree. After leaving School he served with 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders in France during World War I and was taken prisoner in March 1918. After the war, he went to Aberdeen University and graduated in medicine in 1924. He then went into General Practice in Walthamstow, London and worked there until a few months ago. LONDON CENTRE PRESIDENT

George William Bowes* (1915-28) A.R.1.B.A., died in London on 14 November 1968. He joined the firm of T. P. Bennett and Son, Architects, in London before the war, and spent several years in the Portsmouth/Guildford, Wiltshire and North Wales areas as the firm's resident architect before settling at the Head Office, where he became a partner in 1952. A keen rugby follower, he was for many years a member of the London Scottish Club and was a Vice-President of our own Rugby Section. He was President of the London Centre at the time of his death. Rev. James Fraser McLuskey* (1920-31) m.c., B.D., Minister of St. Columba's Pont Street, London, was to have conducted the funeral service but was prevented by illness from doing so. The following tribute, penned by him, was read by his Assistant: "I was a wee boy and George Bowes a big one when we went to school together in Aberdeen—a difference of five years is nothing now but meant much then. I remember well the admiration I felt in those days for George. He could do so well many of the things I wanted to do and he was a fine gymnast and athlete. As we say in Scotland, he had a good head on him and school subjects were no problem to him. This, however, impressed me much less than his prowess on the rugby field. We had an additional interest in scouting, to which, even in these early days, George made such a rich contribution. Some thirty years passed before we were able to resume our schooldays' friendship. When I came to work in London eight years ago I found our Aberdeen Grammar School Former Pupils Club strongly established with George as one of its leading lights. He was our President at the time of his death. I found, too, that George occupied a distinguished place in his chosen profession and that his interest in sport had never waned. When rugby days with the London Scottish perforce were left behind, the Club still had his enthusiastic support. How very wonderful it was to see the boy I remembered so well grown to be a man trusted and respected in the many areas of life into which he entered so fully. Today you and I think first and foremost of his kindliness and goodness, the warmth of his handshake, the loyalty of his friendship. We cannot afford to lose him so soon, but we know well that just as the world is the poorer for his passing, so our lives are the richer because he was our friend. No one cared more for his home. Blessed with a happy home himself in boyhood days, the joys and responsibilities of family life meant everything to him. His loss will be the harder for his wife and daughters to bear, but they will carry on together with the high courage and the steadfastness they knew so well in their loved one." George Stephenson Brown* (191o-13) A.M.INST.C.E., died in Canterbury on 26 April 1968. On leaving School he served with the Port Development Board in Hong Kong. In 1929 he moved to Hull. He was later engaged on the building of a new fish dock at Grimsby. George Alston Buyers* (1906-8) C.A., died in Edinburgh after a short illness on 25 August 1968. He served his apprenticeship as a chartered accountant in Edinburgh and after World War I worked in Shanghai. During the World War II 117

118

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

he was taken prisoner by the Japanese and on his return to this country, became a partner in the firm of Messrs. James Meston & Co., Chartered Accountants, Aberdeen. George Leslie Cassie* (1919-2o) dicd at Banchory on it April 1969. He graduated B.Sc. at Edinburgh University and joined the Inland Revenue in 1926. He served as an Inspector of Taxes in Manchester, Rawtenstall, Workington, Dundee, London and Llandudno. The Rt. Rev. Mgr. William Robert Clapperton* (1899-1901), M.A., PH.D., D.D. (Rome), died at Rome on 19 February 1969. He took an M.A. Honours in Classics at Durham University before going to the Scots College, Rome, in 5907. His association with the college extended over half a century as student, Vice-Rector and Rector. He was ordained in 1913, took his Doctorate in Divinity and was appointed Vice-Rector of the college the following year. He became Rector in 1922. In 1940 he returned to Scotland and was appointed to the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Banff, but went back to Italy when the college re-opened in 1946. In 1955 he was created a Protonatory Apostolic, the highest position open to a priest—short of becoming a Bishop. Mgr. Clapperton was also a Scottish Representative on the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith which deals with missionary activity. He retired in 196o and was appointed a canon of the Archbasilica of the Saviours (St. John Lateran) in Rome. When the Scots College moved to its new. building in Via Cassia, he was an honoured guest at the formal opening by Pope Paul in November, 1964. William Gordon Cameron Craigen (1931-40), M.H., CH.B., D.O., died on 15 February 1969. He graduated in medicine in 1945 at Aberdeen and for two years was in the R.A.F. Medical Branch. In 1950 he joined the staff of Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. He was senior ophthalmic registrar at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a year before moving to Durham in 1953 where he was assistant ophthalmic surgeon to the Sunderland and Durham Hospitals Group till the time of his death. Rev. William Walker Cruickshank (1895-1907), 0.5.5., H.D., died at Saffron Walden on 6 April 1969. He was appointed Vicar of St. Anne's, Smethwick, Staffordshire—a parish with a population of about 5,000 in 1924. Thereafter he was Curate in charge of Hazlewell, Edgbaston and Birmingham. Leslie Durno (5905-8), M.H.E., died in Aberdeen on 20 January 1969. He studied at the North of Scotland College of Agriculture thereafter becoming assistant on his father's farm at Rothienorman. During World War I, he was a private with the Scottish Horse and served with them until 1918 when he was transferred to the ist Battalion Black Watch. He served in France until April, 1918 when he was taken prisoner. After the war he worked as a live-stock Animal Husbandry Officer with the Ministry of Agriculture and in recognition of his long service was awarded the M.B.E. in the 1956 New Year's Honours list. William Ernest Gordon (1913-17) died in Zambia on 3o September 1968, aged sixty-nine. From School, he joined the Scaforth Highlanders and served at home and in France. Following his release from the forces in 1918 he studied medicine at Aberdeen University. He changed his plans after a time, and went out to Northern Rhodesia where he was engaged in tobacco planting. During the Second World War he joined up in Rhodesia, was commissioned and served with the Rhodesian forces, attaining the rank of Major. Edward Gray (1925-27) died in Aberdeen on 24 January 1969. He was a Master Baker and lived in Inverurie. Hamish Thomas Burns Hall* (1927-32), M..A, LL.B., died recently at Macduff. He graduated M.A. from Edinburgh University in 5940 and served as a R.N.V.R. Lieutenant on Minesweepers during World War II. Later he returned to the University and took his LL.B. in 1948. He became a legal assistant in Edinburgh Town Clerk's Department and two years later took up a similar oast in Aberdeen before moving to Macduff as town clerk in 1956.

Obituaries

119

Eric Kennedy, M.A. died suddenly in October 1968. A former pupil of Aberdeen Academy, he joined the School staff in 1963 and remained in the Modern Languages Department for two years before being appointed assistant master to George Heriot's College. In his short stay, the School learned to wonder at and admire his effulgent energy and physical drive. His shrewd Aberdeen humour and obvious aptitude for his chosen profession endeared him to both staff and pupils. His interests were boundless, but perhaps his greatest love, apart from teaching, was surely the world of the amateur theatre where his talents earned him the respect and admiration so rightly due him. With his passing, the School has lost a good friend who retained an interest in all its activities despite his exile in the south. FORMER S.R.U. PRESIDENT

Robert M. Ledingham* (1897-1909), O.R.E., T.D., died in Aberdeen on 27 February 1969. He graduated M.A., in 1913 and LL.B. in 192o and was admitted as a partner to Edmonds & Ledingharn, Aberdeen. During World War I he became a lieutenant with the First Highland Brigade (T.F.) in France and was wounded in 1918. Thereafter he served in Yorkshire and was mentioned in dispatches in April 1919. During World War II he commanded the 297 Battery Royal Artillery but gave up his commission because of ill health. From 1940 to 1945 he commanded the 7th Aberdeen (Works) Battalion Home Guard and in 19S4 became Honorary Colonel of 275 Highland Fd. Regt. R.A. (T.A.). Extremely well known in rugby circles, he had for some considerable number of years been a Vice-President of the Rugby Section and was elected President of the Scottish Rugby Union for season 1961-6z. John Robert Stephen Innes* (1925-25), M.B., cH.B., writes "An illustrious, highly respected and well loved son of the School, he climaxed his distinction in the realm of Rugby Football by being elected President of the Scottish Rugby Union. This richly deserved honour crowned thirty years of ardent service to the game as Committee member, representing the interests and varied problems of the Club in this wide-spread northern district. One does not readily appreciate the consuming interest in, and concern for the game which is necessary to maintain over the years, the enthusiasm to travel long distances, mostly during the cold inhospitable winter months, often at the most uncivilised hours to attend official meetings and games. Bob was able to do this when most would have been reluctant to leave the warmth and comfort of their snug fireside. He was nearing three score years and ten when he was elected President. It was only his remarkable grit and courage which allowed him to be persuaded, so late in life, to accept this onerous and demanding appointment. He believed, too, that the honour would be shared by the whole of North Rugby. When he had completed his term of office, he had the satisfaction of knowing that his conduct of the affairs of the Union had provedwholly acceptable throughout the length and breadth of the land. His ever courteous manner and quiet bearing allied to a warm and friendly personality enlarged his circle of friends in all the airts—and overseas. He had no enemies. North Rugby will not readily find again such an admirably loyal and devoted servant". Duncan MacGregor* (Games Master at the School, 1919-45), M.B.E., died in Edinburgh on 2O May 1969, aged 73. J. S. M. writes: To younger members of the Club, Duncan Macgregor is but a name: but to Grammarians of the period between the two World Wars Duncan Mac was a legend in his lifetime. He made light of wounds received while serving with the 51st Division in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and joined the School Staff in 1919. For a time to played for the F.P. Rugby Section and as wing threequarter played in a final Scottish trial. His enthusiasm and tireless energy made a lasting impact on the boys. A martinet for discipline he never allowed keenness to develop beyond reason.

T 20

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Ile instilled a sense of fair play into us all and was quick to stamp out any signs of pettiness or doubtful tactics. Play to win, by all means, but play the game fair was the essence of his advice. He gave freely of his time and ability to help and advise the Athletic Sections of the Club and did much to further the claims to recognition of rugby in the North and North East. His contributions to the local press in the pen name of "Athlete" were widely read and contained sound advice allied to factual reporting. He was recalled to the Army in 1939 and joined Scottish Command, retiring in 1956 with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He latterly commanded a training camp in Lanarkshire and was awarded the M.B.E. in 1944. He was appointed deputy Civil Defence officer for Glasgow, a post he held until his retirement to Edinburgh in 1965. In March 1947 the Executive invited him to become an Honorary member of the Club. He gladly accepted and from time to time attended the Dinners of the Glasgow and Edinburgh Centres. We were all delighted to have him with us at the Patent Club Dinner in the School Hall in October 1967. His slim erect figure and youthful cheery countenance were the envy of many of his former protegees. When at School he inevitably prefaced any admonition with two words pronounced in the accent of his native Dunoon. But I am sure there must be countless "Silly Boys" scattered around the globe who, like me, have treasured memories of happy hours spent at Rubislaw Field under the watchful eye of Duncan Mac. James Wyness MacGregor* (1910-23) died suddenly at Murambi, Rhodesia, on 1 February 1969, aged sixty-three. He was F.P. Club Consul in Rhodesia for many years and Mayor of Umtali for two years. After attending School, he went to the Engineering Department of Robert Gordon's Technical College where he trained as a Civil Engineer. In 1927 he went to South Africa and two years later moved to Rhodesia. He went to Umtali in 1931 to join the District Engineers office and the following year was appointed Works Superintendent to Umtali Municipality, and Town Engineer in 1933. He served from 1940 to 1945 as Assistant Director of Military Transport at Salisbury and as Garrison Engineer Deputy Commander R.E. in the Middle and Near East. A charter member of the Umtali Rotary Club, he was president in 1956-57 and was made District Governor of the Rotary District zzo in 1960, holding the position for a year. He was elected to the Town Council in August 196z, Mayor from 1964-to 1966 and Deputy for the following two years. His latest appointment was that of Chairman of the Eastern Group of Intensive Conservation Area Committees. Bruce Malcolm McLachlan* (1961-67) died on 8 January 1969 at the age of nineteen. A contemporary writes: The sudden death of Bruce came as a great shock to all those who had had the pleasure of knowing him. His schooldays will be marked by his almost insatiable thirst for activity and though most noted for his contributions to the Hill Walking Club and Ski Club he applied the same infectious enthusiasm to all that he did. These qualities which had so enhanced his life as pupil and prefect, he fully utilised in the short time given to him at the University. For those younger boys at School who had never met him and for those older members of the Club who had yet to make his acquaintance, their loss at not having known Bruce was indeed great for he was always a cheerful lad and perhaps it was this which made his passing that much more of a blow since few could have loved life as he did. To his relations and all those who mourn his loss, the Club, staff and pupils of the School would like to convey their deepest sympathies. James William Milne* (1884-95), O.B.E., C.A., died in Edinburgh on 14 December 1968, aged ninty-one. He captained both the School and Aberdeen University at

Obituaries rugby and cricket and was one of the committee who re-established the Scottish Inter-University Sports. Hc qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1907 and practiced in Aberdeen until 1914 when invited to be one of the chief accountants at the Ministry of Munitions in London. In 1917 he was appointed Controller of the Contracts Department for machine tools and engineering and at the end of World War I, joint Liquidator. In 1919 he became a partner in the firm of Messrs. Cooper Brothers & Co., C.A., and latterly was second senior of the firm's fourteen partners. From 1906 to 1919 he was Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the F.P. Club in Aberdeen. He moved to Edinburgh when he retired. Frederick Peter Morton* (1892-1904) died on to April 1969 aged ninety. He had been resident in London since 1903 and was Principal of a studio for the execution of stone carving. He was involved with the sculpture on the new Lambeth Bridge. Latterly his work was mainly concerned with designing memorials for churches and foundation stones for large building projects. He was a member of the Board of Governors of Hammersmith College of Art and London College of Furniture. John Ramsay* (1893-97), O.B.E., died on x January 1969. He joined the Post Office in Aberdeen in x897 and moved to the Engineer-in-Chief's office, G.P.O. London in 1903. For almost the whole of his service, his duties were concerned with the personnel of the Post Office Engineering Staff of the U.K. He retired from the Office of Staff Controller in September 1945 and was awarded the O.B.E. in the New Year's Honours List of 195o for his services to the Boy Scout Movement. He was Assistant County Commissioner, North London Area, and his connection with the movement dated from 1913 when he helped with a Scout Troop at the Caledonian Church (Church of Scotland) Holloway, London. Alexander Reid (1900-4) died in Glasgow on x6 April 1968. He served his apprenticeship as an engineer with Messrs., David Rowan and Company, Glasgow, before studying mechanical and electrical engineering at Glasgow Technical College. He was later employed with the North British Diesel Engine Company. Charles Reid* (1895-6), D.S.O., 14.A., C.A., died in London on 24 January 1969. He graduated M.A. in 1909 and served his apprentice as a Chartered Accountant in Aberdeen and London, becoming a partner with Messrs. James Meston & Co. in December 1919. He was awarded the D.S.O. in September 1918 and commanded a London Battalion of the Home Guard during World War II. He was admitted a Member of the King's Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers in 1946. Joseph Thomas Riach* (1922-33) died in Aberdeen on 18 March 1969. During World War II he was a Captain in the Royal Artillery and became Chief Civil Engineer with Jenkins & Marr. In 1958 he became an Associate of the Institute of Sewage Purification. George Robb* (1892-97) died in Aberdeen on 19 January 1969, aged eighty-nine. He was apprenticed to the city law firm of Edmonds & Ledingham in 1898 and was a partner for 46 years until his retinal in x963. He was a director for twenty years with the then Royal Mental Hospital in Aberdeen and Chairman of the Hospital's Board for many years. Hc was also a director of numerous companies including the Clydesdale and North of Scotland Bank, The Northern Assurance, Aberdeen, and Canada Investment Trust, The Aberdeen Trust of which he was also chairman and the State of Aberdeen Land Association. He was clerk and assessor to Aberdeen Incorporated Trades from 1925 to 1951. An active Freemason, he was initiated City into St. Machar Lodge and was Provincial Grand Master for the Aberdeen Province from 1929 to 1939. He was for forty-six years an elder of the West Church of St. Nicholas, Aberdeen, being a senior elder at the time of his death. Michael Robert Robertson (1953-59) died on 20 March 1969 at the age of twenty-seven, as the result of an accident. He was employed with the Phoenix Assurance Company as an Inspector and became a fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute in 1962.

121

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine

Alister Rose* (x902-14) died at Muthill, Perthshire, on 17 September x968. He joined the 4th Gordons in August 1914 and was later transferred to the Royal Signals with whom he went to France in 1915. He was commissioned in July 1916 and wounded in 1917. He was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre. After demobilisation he went to Malaya where he joined T. D. Findlay & Sons, teak merchants, in 1925 and became their manager in 1933. After the fall of Moulmein in 1942 he offered his services to the Army and was engaged in the evacuation and later escaped from Burma via the Hukawng Valley. After a time in India, he joined the Burma Intelligence Corps and was in Imphal from 1942 to x945 when he left the army. He returned to Burma for a few months at the end of 1945 but as the timber yard had been destroyed by bombing, the firm did not resume trading. He retired to Creich in Sutherlandshire where he lived until moving to Muthill in 1955. David William Runcie (1954-61) died as a result of an accident in Wick on 13 December 1968. Employed by the Norwich Union Insurance Company, he was appointed Resident Inspector, Wick, in January 1968. A keen sportsman, he played junior soccer and latterly cricket and rugby for the F.P. sections. Cecil Vivian Spark* (1914-16) died on April 1969 at Atherstone, Wilts, where he had been in medical practice prior to retirement. In World War I he served as a Lieutenant in the R.F. Ardllery and on demobilisation continued his studies at Aberdeen University, graduating in 1923. His first Medical practice was at Torphins and thereafter, London. In World War II he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. On his return to civilian life he took up a medical practice at Atherstone. Kenneth Alexander McDonald Tomory* (1899-1908), C.B., O.B.E., If.B.„ CH.B., Major General (retired), died in a motor accident in Edinburgh on 16 December 1968. During World Ward I he served in India, Mesopotamia and Persia and from 1919 to 1923 was in Hong Kong He then served with the Army of the Rhine in India from 1925 to z 93o and from 5933 to 1938 qualifying as a specialist in anaesthetics between his two tours. In the early days of World War II he was A.D.M.S. Sierra Leone and thereafter A.D.M.S., 45 (Wessex) division. He took part in the final invasion of Europe. From 1949 to 1951 he was an Honorary Physician to the King and retired in 1951. Alistair Glass Turner (1936-46), M.B., CH.B., died at a London Hospital on 11 March 1969 aged forty. He was in general practice in Kent. James Maurice Walker (1909-12) died at Aberdeen on az May 1968. He was a book-keeper with William Mitchell, wholesale produce merchant, in Aberdeen until 1915. He was engaged in rubber planting in the Straits Settlements with the British North Borneo Rubber Trust for a number of years. Thereafter he returned to this country and became a partner in Messrs. J. Walker and Son, umbrella makers, Aberdeen.

New Members of the Club (15 November 1968-15 May 1969) Ordinary Members ALEXANDER, William Cain (1962-68), Craigiepark Farm, Whitecairns, Balmedie. ANDERSON, William Henry Kerr (1955-68), 16 Craigic Park, Aberdeen. BROWN, Raymond (1962-68), 512 King Street, Aberdeen. CRANSTON, Robert James (1962-68), 14 Provost Fraser Drive, Aberdeen. FORBES, Michael Stephen (1959-65), 28 Shapinsay Square, Aberdeen. FOWLER, George Graham (1955-68), 25 Greenmore Gardens, Aberdeen. GRIEVE, Malcolm Simpson (1955-68), 5 Ashley Park North, Aberdeen. HOPKIN, lain Stanley (1962-68), 58 Forest Road, Aberdeen. MCBEATH, Neil (1955-68), 15 Seymour Road, Shirley, Southampton.

MAcirmr, Leonard John (1959-64), 47 Springfield Road, Aberdeen. MAcK.Ar, Ruaraidh Donald James (1955-68), Dalladies, Fairley Road, Kingswells. Nicol., Philip Aitchison (1954-65), 8 Devanha Terrace, Aberdeen. SMITH, David L. (1965-68), S3 Argyll Place, Aberdeen. STRACIIAN, Roderick George (1954-65), 15 Bright Street, Aberdeen. TOPP, Michael John (1962.68), 96 Gaitside Drive, Aberdeen. WHYTE, David Clark (1962-68), 42 Bedford Place, Aberdeen. Woon, James 0. (1927-31), 106 Cornhill Road, Aberdeen.

123

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