AGS Magazine October 1915

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Engagement

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Rings.

MILITARY WRIST WATCHES LUMINOUS IN DARK,

21/-, 30/-, 40/-, 50/-, 60/-, 70/-.

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Signet Rings.

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AND

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Telephone 1991.

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DELICIOUS SWEETS, 54 Union Street.

Wait at RIGBY'S for Beach Car. ELLIS &

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Importers

of Household and Steam Coals.

Delivered by CareIV and Experienced Drivers.

Telephone 2881.

Telegrams

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BY

PURVEYORS TO HIS MAJESTY.

APPOINTMENT.

The Unprecedented Demand for our I

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44 BRIDGE STREET (Near Station), Telephone 1358.

ABERDEEN.

Stores

-

8

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COLLEGE STREET.

W. & J. HAY, litainc

459

UNION

Cigar Importers Telephone 2274.

STREET.

and Cigarette Specialists.

LEARN TO SHOOT -

with a B.S.A. Air Rifle. Not a toy, but a serious weapon.

(Guaranteed accurate up to 50 yards.) Made in various Weights and Bores.

" Junior" Model, for Boys and Ladies.

Heavy WOO for Adults.

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Inspection Invited.

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Intending Purchasers can Shoot Rifles on our Underground Rifle Range in Aberdein.

ALEXANDER MARTIN, Gunmaker, 128 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. Tel. No. 480.

Telephone No. 1524.

Telegraph

Martin, Gunmaker, Aberdeen.

Established 1884.

Telegrams : Bruce. Cycles, Aberdeen, Holburtt Motor and Cycle Works,

GEORGE BRUCE & SONS,

18

HOLBORN STREET, ABERDEEN.

Blacksmiths, Engineers, Motor and Cycle Agents.

Agents for the Ariel, Ivy, Hum. ber, Radco, Rover, Connaught, etc., Cycles and Mol ors Cycles.

-Gas & Oil Engines Repaired.

Lawnjdowers Sharpened. etc.

Works-1 ALFORD LANE.

CITY GOLDSMITHS' CO. (A. FIOLDSWORTH),

98 Union Street, ABERDEEN. Second-hand Diamond Jewellery a Speciality.

ENGAGEMENT

RINGS.

Finest Selection and must Reasonable Prices in the North of Scotland. Latest London Designs. Set 18 carat Gold and Platinum. From 60/- to 1330. Other Prices from 10/6 upwards. Inspection and Comparison Invited. Ring Size Cards Free.

Note,—Owing to limited window space we hold a large Reserve Stock inside which we shall be pleased to show to intending purchasers.

For really reliable India rubber and Waterproof Goods, try the Actual

Makens,

Campbell & Company, 18 Bridge St., ABERDEEN.

Telephone No. 157.

Eatab.

1878.

Telegrams : " RUBBER.'

Established

1847.

togalf$ fibusic Zatoon$, 349 Union Street, Aberdeen.

----"@1@"Egt@..rd, PIANOS and ORGANS.—A Large and Varied Selection of

An Inspection Invited.

Models always on hand.

Instalments.

the Best Cash or

Examination MUSIC.—Up-to-date Music of all kinds always on hand.

Any kind of Music sent on and Educational a Speciality. approbation. Music specially ordered delivered in Three days.

MI SCE LLANEOU S.—Violins, Bagpipes, Mandolins, Strings, and all Musical Accessories of the Best Quality.

6E0.

Proprietor.

T. CANTLAY,

CONTENTS.

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PRO PATRIA MORTUI (WITH PORTRAITS) NOTES ABOUT OLD BOYS

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IN THE NAVY SIXTY YEARS AGO

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AN ADVENTURE IN MEXICO

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THE SCHOOL ATHLETIC SPORTS THE LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY

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THE MUSEUM THE FORMER PUPILS' CLUB

PAGE. 1

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Telephone 2309.

WEST END CAFÉ, LIMITED,

154 UNION STREET. BREAKFASTS, LUNCHEONS, TEAS, DINNERS, Finest in City.

Prices Moderate. Everything First-Class.

Concerts, Dances, and At Homes Purveyed in Cafe.

GENTLEMEN'S LUNCHEON AND SMOKE ROOMS DOWNSTAIRS.

G. & W. FRASER, Wholesale and Manufacturing Stationers, Printers, and Lithographers,

BELMONT WORKS, 10 Belmont Street and Gaelic Lane.

Office and Show Room—8 BELMONT STREET.

Every Description of School Stationery always in Stock.

Established 1871.

Telephone 408.

NEAT. CHEAP. QUICK.

Printing.

ESTIMATES GIVEN. **

THE CENTRAL PRESS (John Milne), GENERAL

PRINTER,

LITHOGRAPHER,

AND STATIONER,

61 BELMONT STREET, ABERDEEN. Telephone No. 809.

Telephone 431.

130WIVIA1\1 & SON, Picture fframers, 187 UNION STREET, AND 79 HOLBURN STREET. GET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC REQUIREMENTS AT

D. SOUTER ALLAN'S PHARMACY, tfutionurn) lb 35 Holburn Street (Ney Jun Photographic Department.

A Large Stock of Cameras, Plates, Films, Papers, and Accessories.

Depk for Kodaks and Kodak Supplies.

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Telephone 1624.

LETTERPRESS AND LITHOGRAPHIC PRINTING

THE A A

ROSEMOUNT PRESS FARMERS' HALL LANE ABERDEEN 012.

NG I REASONABLE TERMS. ESTIMATES ON APPLICATION TELEPHONE No. 1035

LIFE AT A NORTH ERN UNIVERSITY A New Edition of Neil Maclean's well-known work has recently been published, with Notes and Illustrations, at the Popular Price of 3s. 6d. net ; post free 3s. tod. (home), 4s. id. (abroad).

OF ALL BOOKSELLERS, OR DIRECT FROM THE PUBLISHERS,

1

A1 II•vmmeml nm.

The Rosemount Press, Aberdeen.

abetbeen Orammat School Maga3ine.

Vol. XIX.

OCTOBER, t9t5.

No. 1

The School Muster Roll.

Fourth Instalment.

The Muster Roll continues to grow. To the 750 names published in the First, Second, and Third Instalments, between 80 and 90 new names, as given below, have to be added. There can be no dOubt that the Roll is still far from complete, especially as regards Old Boys living abroad, and Old Boys who are not members of the Former Pupils' Club.

Information about these will be most welcome.

It is intended when the War is over to bring together all the names that have appeared and to issue an indexed draft of the Final Muster Roll as a supplement to the Magazine. All readers will then be invited to revise and supplement the Roll, but meantime any additional names will be gladly received by the compiler, Mr. Theodore Watt, 10 Moray Place, Aberdeen.

NOTE.—Those whose names hare c prefixed hare been mentioned in a previous instalment of the Muster Roll, but have since recPired commissions.

Royal Navy and Royal Marines.

Duncan, Lieutenant Alexander Benzie (1898-99)—Royal

Naval Reserve.

Lieutenant Charles (1881-82)—Royal Reserve.

Forbes,

Naval •

2

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

The Army.

REGULAR FORCES. Royal Regiment of Artillery.

ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY— Mutch, Private James Gibson (1902-05)—City of Aberdeen

Brigade.

Corps of Royal Engineers.

Irvine-Fortescue, 2nd Lieutenant William Grenville (1910-

1914).

Smith, 2nd Lieutenant Ewan Ross (1894-95)-86th Field Company, 11th Division, British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

Watson, Lieutenant Douglas C. (1892-1900).

Macdonald, Corporal David Ronald (1895-1903)—Motor

Cyclist Dispatch Rider Section.

Scott, Sapper William Gelman (1899-1902).

Infantry.

NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS— Gunn, Captain (temporary) Hugh-22nd (Service) Batt-

alion (3rd Tyneside Scottish).

ROYAL FUSILIERSSpence, Private William Kenneth Mackay (1904-05 and

1910-12)-28th Battalion.

EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT—

c

Stuart, 2nd Lieutenant Cyril G. Johnston (1904-09)— attd. 3rd Battalion.

BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT— Brodie, Lieutenant John (1906-11)-4th Battalion.

c

LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS— Robertson, 2nd Lieutenant Fred Percival (1902-06)-20th

c

(Service) Battalion.

CAMERONIANS (Scottish Rifles)— McGregor, Captain Harry

Hume

(1886-89)-12th

(Service) Battalion.

EAST SURREY REGIMENT— Selbie, 2nd Lieutenant William Philip (1901-06)-10th

(Service) Battalion.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine. .

3

KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS—

Wilson, Private Douglas Russel (1910-11)-17th (Service) Battalion.

HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY—

c

CIII, 2nd Lieutenant Arthur William (1909-13)-13th (Service) Battalion, c Ross, 2nd Lieutenant Launcelot Hugh (1898-1901)18th Battalion.

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS— c Booth, 2nd Lieutenant John Lyon (1904-10)-2nd Battalion. c Conner, 2nd 'Lieutenant Frederic Attenborrow (19051913)-2nd Battalion.

GORDON HIGHLANDERS—

Davidson, 2nd Lieutenant William Adrian (1904-06)-Reserve, attd. 3rd Battalion. c

Pirie, 2nd Lieutenant Patrick Taldo (1906-07)-from the

c

Robertson, 2nd Lieutenant Stuart Miller (1893-1904)-

c

Thom, 2nd Lieutenant Alfred Marshall (1900-01)-1st

Royal Military College.

3rd Battalion.

Battalion.

QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS—

Macdonald, 2nd Lieutenant Malcolm Donald (1902-04)7th (Service) Battalion.

Royal Army Medical Corps.

Lieutenant (temporary) Henry (1882), M.B. Beattie, Lieutenant-Colonel James Forbes (1852-55), M.D. Beattie, Captain (temporary) James Walker (1868-69), M.D.—H.M. Hospital Ship " Asturias."

Brown, Lieutenant (temporary) Alexander Middleton (1894-1904), M.D.-2nd London Sanitary Company.

Collie, Honorary Major (temporary) Sir John (1873-76), M.D. Dunn, Lieutenant (temporary) Naughton (1891-1902), M.B. H utcheson, Lieutenant (temporary) David Albert (18821894), M.D. Jameson, Lieutenant (temporary) William Wilson (18921902), M.D. Adams,

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

I

Laird, Lieutenant (temporary) James (1882-83), M.B. Mackay, Lieutenant (temporary) James Davidson (1899-

1903), M.B. Milne, Lieutenant (temporary) Mearns Alexander (18961898), M.B. Simpson, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel and LieutenantColonel (temporary) Alexander (1874-75), M.D.--Administrator, Lord Derby's War Hospital, Warrington.

Skeen, Lieutenant (temporary) Donald Trench (1895-99),

M.B. Wilson, Lieutenant (temporary) Andrew Stuart (1896-

1897), M.B. Army Chaplains' Department. eauId, Rev. William Wallace (1893-98).

Indian Army.

Stewart, 2nd Lieutenant John Alexander (1897-99)—

Queen Victoria's Own Sappers and Miners.

Strachan, 2nd Lieutenant (temporary) Arthur William

(1893-1901)-79th Islands).

Carnatic

TERRITORIAL

Infantry

(Andaman

FORCE.

Yeomanry.

2ND LOVAT 'S SCOUTS—

Webster, Trooper Peter (1898-1902)--Motor Section.

HORSE— Murray, 2nd Lieutenant Alexander (1896-1900).

SCOTTISH

Walker, Trooper Alexander William (1906-14)-3/2nd

Regiment.

Royal Artillery— ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. 1ST HIGHLAND BRIGADEc Begg, 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Thomson (1909-10). c Bisset, 2nd Lieutenant Victor Ogilvie (1903-12).

Daniellson, 2nd Lieutenant James Gordon (1896-1901).

Dunningham, 2nd Lieutenant Douglas A. (1886-90).

Fenton, 2nd Lieutenant Edward Wyllie (1895-1908). c Webster, 2nd Lieutenant William (1882-93).

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

5

Chambers-Hunter, Gunner Alexander Jopp (1911-14)2/1st Brigade.

2ND NORTHUMBRIAN BRIGADE-

c

Savege, 2nd Lieutenant Ronald Maclure (1913-14).

SPECIAL RESERVE OF OFFICERS-

McBain, 2nd Lieutenant John Mortimer (1903-13).

Royal Engineers— DIVISIONAL ENGINEERS. HIGHLAND GROUP— c Allan, 2nd Lieutenant George Joseph (1897-1902).

Deuchar, 2nd Lieutenant Louis S. (1901-05).

Hunter, 2nd Lieutenant Stephen James (1889-99).

Jamieson, 2nd Lieutenant Douglas (1895-1903).

Milne, Lieutenant (temporary) Arthur P. (1881-83)-2nd Field Company.

Rennett, Lieutenant (temporary) James Barclay (1878-83).

Wilson, 2nd Lieutenant William Davie (1899-1907).

Lance-Corporal Company.

Reid,

William

(1900-07)-1st

Field

SIGNAL SERVICE. HIGHLAND DIVISIONAL SIGNAL COMPANYc

c

Thomson, 2nd Lieutenant Charles Ferguson (1912-14).

Walker, 2nd Lieutenant James Frederick (1902-14).

Infantry.

KING'S OWN (Yorkshire Light Infantry)—

c

Thomson, 2nd Lieutenant James Oliver (1899-1900)3/5th Battalion.

4TH GORDON HIGHLANDERS-

c c

Davidson, 2nd Lieutenant Arthur Gerrard (1901-07).

Duttus, 2nd Lieutenant James Logie Lyall (1912-14).

Finlayson, 2nd Lieutenant Robert Boyd (1900-07 and 1911-12).

c

Jameson, 2nd Lieutenant Walter George (1874-75).

Knox, 2nd Lieutenant Edward Wilson (1908-11).

Kynoch, 2nd Lieutenant Douglas John (1908-11).

6

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

c Leith, 2nd Lieutenant Douglas Meldrum Watson (19031910).

MacGavin, 2nd Lieutenant John Drummond (1902-06).

Rose, 2nd Lieutenant George Douglas (1902-11).

Smith, Lieutenant (temporary) James Cruickshank (18821883).

Stephenson, Lieutenant (temporary) Art. Frederick Vere (1894-99).

Thain, Captain (temporary) Alexander John Ramsay (1873-80).

Wisely, 2nd Lieutenant Alfred Douglas (1909-14).

Cray, Private Patrick Moir (1903-11).

Monro, Private William Sturrock (1905-11).

5TH (Buchan and FOTIllartill) GORDON HIGHLANDERS— Duff, Lieutenant (temporary) Charles Williamson (18771878). c Hendry, 2nd Lieutenant Allan Cruickshank (1907-14). c Reid, 2nd Lieutenant Leslie Scott (1902-05). c Wishart, 2nd Lieutenant Edward George (1902-13).

6TH (Banff and Donside) GORDON HIGHLANDERS— c Cammie, 2nd Lieutenant Alexander Edward (1907-13) Macbeth, Private Charles James Savory (1905-11)-3/6th

Battalion.

7TH (Deeside Highland) GORDON HIGHLANDERS— Rcbertson, 2nd Lieutenant Andrew S. (1904-07).

GORDON HIGHLANDER S— c Beath, 2nd Lieutenant George Christian (1901-06). c Buyers, 2nd Lieutenant William Nicoll (1906-10). c Patterson, 2nd Lieutenant James (1906-12).

QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS—

c Morrison, 2nd Lieutenant (Rev.) John (1902-03)-4th Battalion.

Doak, Private James Kidd Robertson (1898-1902)-5th

Battalion.

14TH (County of London) LONDON REGIMENT (London Scottish)— Smith, Private Alexander M`Kenzie (1904-1).

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

7

Territorial Force Reserve.

Runcieman, 2nd Lieutenant John Warrack (1894-95).

Army Service Corps.

HIGHLAND DIVISIONAL TRAIN— Clark, Lieutenant William Laird (1892-1903).

Royal Army Medical Corps.

1ST SOUTH MIDLAND MOUNTED BRIGADE FIELD AMBULANCE- Mitchell, Lieutenant Alexander (1903-04), M.B. HIGHLAND FIELD AMBULANCE— West, David (1883-84)-1/3rd Ambulance.

1ST LOWLAND FIELD AMBULANCE— Milne, Private James Mathewson (1895-1902).

1ST SCOTTISH GENERAL HOSPITAL— Bell, Captain Clifford Thiselton (1881), M.B. Richards, Captain Robert (1899-1904), M.B. LOWLAND CASUALTY CLEARING STATION— Cleghorn, Lance-Corporal Harold Barrows.

Officers Training Corps.

ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY CONTINGENT, SENIOR DIVISION— c McKinnon, 2nd Lieutenant (temporary) William Calthorps (1906-10).

British Red Cross Society.

Riddell, John Scott (1876-79), M.V.O., M.B.—Commis,,,ioner for the North-East of Scotland.

Morrison, Arthur Andrew (1870-73), M.D.-In charge of British Red Cross Hospital, Alexandria.

Clarke, James Bryce (1896-99)—Registrar, British Red Cross Hospital, Alexandria.

COLONIAL AND OTHER TROOPS. A SSAM—

R On, Trooper George (1898-1906)—Assam Valley Light Horse.

8

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

CANADA—

.

Private Roderick Mackenzie (1912-14)-4th Canadian Mounted Rifle Regiment.

Fleming, 2nd Lieutenant Robert (1891-98)-51st Sault Rifles.

McDonald, Private Eric Douglas (1909-13)-3rd Canadian Contingent.

Scroggie, Lieutenant George Everett (1901-05)-33rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

Walker, Private Charles A. P. (1894-1902)--49th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.

CEYLON— Ross, John (1898-1906)—Ceylon Planters' Corps.

INDIA— Leith, Private George Seton Simpson (1903-11)—Eastern Bengal Volunteer Rifles.

SOUTH AFRICA— ROSS, Finlay George Macleod (1898-1904), M.B. WEST AFRICA— Findlay, Lieutenant (temporary) Alexander John (189.91904)—West African Frontier Force.

Ferguson,

Our Contemporaries.

The Editor begs to acknowledge receipt of the following magazines, with apologies for any omissions :—" Edinburgh Academy Chronicle " (2), " The Fettesian," " The Herioter," " The Watsonian," " Stewart's College Magazine," " Sligo Grammar School Magazine," " Glasgow Academy Chronicle," " Glasgow High School Magazine," " Boltonian," " Olavian," " Erasmian " (2), " Portmuthian " (2), " St. Andrew's College Magazine " (2), " School Times " (Londonderry), " Courier " (2), " School News " (Belfast), " South African College Magazine," " Grey College School Magazine," " Nelsonian," " Scotch Collegian." " Ours " (Penang) (3).

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

9

Wounded at the Front.

The following are some of the Former Pupils whose names appeared in the Casualty Lists in the earlier months of this year :— Major H. J. KINGHORN, commanding 2nd Highland Field Company, Royal Engineers (T.F.).

Captain KENNETH H. CRAWFORD, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 4th Battalion (attached 2nd Battalion).

Captain ALEXANDER MORICE WILSON, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Lieutenant GEORGE A. LEDINGHAM, 2nd Highland Field Company, Royal Engineers (T.F.).

Second-Lieutenant W. G. COCHRANE, Royal Scots, attached to 3rd Battalion.

Second-Lieutenant OLAF E. GRAY, 3rd Gordon Highlanders.

Corporal GEORGE CHRISTIAN BEATH, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Corporal ARTHUR J. HAWES, 4th Gordon Highlanders (T.F.).

Corporal ARTHUR P. SPARK, 4th Gordon Highlanders (T.F).

Lance-Corporal GEORGE W. W. SCHOLLE, Highland Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers (T.F.).

Private ARTHUR M. BARRON, 4th Gordon Highlanders (T.F.).

Sapper JAMES ALEXANDER MORGAN, 2nd Highland Field Company, Royal Engineers (T.F.).

Private STEPHENSON BROWN, 4th Gordon Highlanders (T.F.).

Private CHARLES A. DEAN, 4th Gordon Highlanders (T.F.).

The following are some of the Former Pupils whose names have appeared in the Casualty Lists since the last issue of the Magazine :— Wounded in France in June.

Lieutenant WILLIAM ADAMS, 7th Gordon Highlanders.

2nd Lieutenant IAN A. K. BURNETT, 3rd Battalion East Lancashire Fusiliers, attached to 1st Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancashire Regiment).

Lieutenant IAN A. CLARKE, 4th Gordon Highlanders (also wounded in October).

Lieutenant ALEXANDER McK. JOHNSTON, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), attached to R.E. Highland Divisional Signal Co. (T.F.).

Private THOMAS MACKAY, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

2nd Lieutenant ALEXANDER J. F. Moioto, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Lieutenant WILLIAM SHEPHERD, 2nd Highland Field Company, Royal Engineers (T.F.).

Major GEORGE A. SMITH, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

10

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

Sergeant GEORGE T. SMITH, Honourable Artillery Company.

2nd Lieutenant ALFRED M. THOM, 1st Gordon Highlanders.

Wounded in France in July.

Lieutenant PERCY JOHNSTON-SAINT, 128th Pioneers, attached to 34th Sikh Pioneers.

Wounded in France in August.

2nd Lieutenant JAMES ELLIS, 7th Gordon Highlanders.

Wounded at the Dardanelles in August.

2nd Lieutenant JOHN L. CHALMERS, 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Wounded in France in September.

•

Lieutenant CHARLES RONALD BRANDER, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Private JOHN H. BELL, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Private GEORGE G. CAMERON, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Captain CHARLES F. G. CRAWFORD, 1st Worcestershire Regiment (also wounded in July).

Private GEORGE DAVIDSON, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Private JAMES K. R. DoAK, 5th Cameron Highlanders.

Lieutenant GODFREY P. GEDDES, 11th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.

Captain EDWARD GORDON, M.B., R.A.M.C. Corporal ANDREW PATON GRAY, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Private PATRICK MoIR GRAY, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Captain WILLIAM T. HENDERSON, 7th Seaforth Highlanders.

Lieutenant WALTER INKSTER, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Sapper THOMAS R. JOHNSTONE, 2nd Highland Field Company Royal Engineers (T.F.).

2nd Lieutenant CHARLES G. MACKENZIE, 3rd Battalion Gordon Highlanders—attached to 2nd Battalion.

2nd Lieutenant ALEXANDER G. MACNEILL, 2nd Highland Field Company Royal Engineers (T.F.).

Captain CHARLES D. PETERKIN, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Captain CHARLES REID, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Lieutenant EDWARD M. C. TENNANT, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Captain JAMES I. WATSON, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Lieutenant HUGH N. B. WILSON, 6th Gordon Highlanders.

Missing in France in September.

2nd Lieutenant DONALD MCCALLUM, 10th Cameronians.

Lieutenant WILLIAM J. C. SANGSTER, 4th Gordon Highlanders.

Lieutenant JAMES BRUCE TuRNBuLL, 6th Gordon Highlanders (subsequently reported prisoner in Germany).

Wounded In France in October.

Captain JAMES HECTOR EDMOND, Royal Field Artillery.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

11

Pro Patria )flortui. * Indicates Member of the Former Pupils' (

"Irk

Charles fowite (1885-89), Major, 1/5th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, was killed near Festubert on 30th May. He had gone out with one or two other officers to look at some trenches which had to be taken over from the Canadians, and while in the open was struck by the bursting of a shell and died almost instantaneously. He was tenant of the farm of Mains of Bogfechil, Whiterashes, Aberdeenshire, and was well known as an agriculturist and breeder of sheep. He was about 40 years of age.

12

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

'Robert (Bugg* (1911), Lieutenant, 1/2nd Highland Field Company Royal Engineers (T.F.), was killed in France He was on duty in a trench on 19th July, aged 20. when a shrapnel shell burst in its neighbourhood. A piece entered his breast and killed him almost immediately. Before the outbreak of the War he was in the service of Messrs.

Glegg & Thomson, Ltd., iron and metal merchants, Aberdeen. Although he attended the School for only a short time, he was an enthusiastic member of the Former Pupils' Club.

A FELLOW-OFFICER'S TRIBUTE. The officers of the 1/2nd Highland Field Company Royal Et.gineers, which joined the 7th Division in January 1915,

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

13

were all Old Boys of the School. Three of them have returned wounded, another has been killed, while the remaining two are carrying on in a dogged and persevering way, so that ten months' hardships and fighting seem only to have whetted their Scotch appetite.

The day that word came to us of Robert Glegg's death was one of the saddest I have ever known—on that day the Army lost one of its bravest and most efficient officers. He was loved by us all, and his men were devoted to him. From the day he joined the Royal Engineers he was a demon for work, and he certainly came into his own when we were mobilized in the eventful month of August last year. He was the cheeriest in the Company, because he knew there was hard work ahead. The job that was alloted to him then was to check all the war stores of the Company, and whatever was short to indent for or buy immediately. To the average man this sounds easy and straightforward, but it is the worry and trial of every ordnance officer and quartermaster in the Army, as a field company war store varies from a wire nail to a pontoon wagon.

However, when Glegg got going he was as happy as could be, and in a few days had everything complete and was able to tell us how many nails went to the pound or the exact weight of a pontoon fully loaded. It was a common sight to see him dash off on his motor cycle and return in a very short time loaded up with stores of all kinds. He was a daring and skilled rider, and spent all his spare time tuning up and testing his machine. He was a member of the F.P. Motor Cycle Club and the Aberdeen and District Club—both of which will miss him sorely.

Everyone who took part in our week-end runs will always remember Glegg—ready at any place and at any hour to lend a helping hand to the unfortunate individual who happened to break down. One night, in peace time, a party of us set out from Stonehaven to climb the Cairn o' Mount— it was a pitch-black night and very foggy. Everyone except Glegg had change-speed gears to his machine, which made the ascent more or less easy, but Glegg's Imperial was a singlegeared and a high-compression machine—certainly not a bicycle for the Cairn at any time even under the best conditions. The way he handled that machine through the various fords and climbed the Cairn, running alongside at the very steep places, coaxing and pushing it, was the pluckiest performance we had ever seen. This showed his splendid grit and was very characteristic of him—the stiffer the job, the more pleased he was to tackle it.

During the latter part of last year, Glegg had a constant grievance--every day he asked the same question, " Any word of France yet? " When word did arrive that our

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Company was under orders, he was in great form and emphasised the fact by slapping everyone heartily on the back, and I assure you his touch was no light one.

In the diary which I kept in France I have many entries about Robert Glegg, little episodes which I read over and over again and which bring to my mind my happiest recollections of him. He was known to us all as " Billy Boar," and always referred to as " Billy." An entry of 15th February reads :—" Nearly lost Billy to-night—shell burst 10 yards from him at Croix Blanche, but he managed to flop in time."

This was only one of the many narrow escapes he had, but which he always made light of, coming up smiling. He was without exception the bravest and most fearless man I ever met. He looked after his men like a nurse and would never allow them to expose themselves needlessly.

On 8th March (two days before Neuve Chapelle) another entry runs : —" Had my hair cut by Billy—painful but successful proceeding." He was our official barber, as he had sent for a clipping machine, and although he had by no means a fairy-like touch, he always got his job done, with much gnashing of teeth on the part of his patient.

On the third day of Neuve Chapelle I came across Glegg walking in his sleep beside the memorable haystack which was used as Headquarters during the battle. Like the rest of us he had been without sleep all through the three days' fighting, and being in a state of collapse with overwork and privation, he had gone to sleep on his feet but seemed perfectly happy though weary. He did grand work during that advance, and although many of his men were laid low, he himself was not touched. He had a splendid brain and a remarkable physique, both of which helped to carry him through. At the battle of Festubert when his corporal was wounded, Glegg took him on his back and dragged him along under heavy fire to a place of safety. This was only one of the many heroic things he did and thought no more of than of a hard game of " rugger." Only those who fought with him in France will ever be able really to understand and appreciate all the sacrifices he made daily and the constant energy and bravery he displayed. By his death the Royal Engineers have lost a brave and efficient soldier, and his brother officers a very dear friend.

IlLewis Le9Lte Grant (1898-1902), Private, 1/4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, was killed by shell fire in Flanders while leaving the trenches, on 22nd July. He was 22 years of age. Prior to the War, he was an apprentice engineer with Messrs. William McKinnon & Co., Ltd., Aberdeen.

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D.P.H., Major, artbur 'Rain* (1896-1901), M.B., 89th Field Ambulance, was killed in the Gallipoli Peninsula on 6th August, aged 31. He was hit in the head by a sniper while making final arrangements before an action, during which it was his turn to take charge of the advanced dressing station of the Ambulance.

Major Kellas graduated in Medicine at Aberdeen University in 1906, and received his D.P.H. in 1907. In the latter year he obtained the post of Junior Assistant Physician to the Royal Asylum, Aberdeen, and in 1908 he was appointed Senior Assistant Physician. This position he continued to occupy until the commencement of the War, when he was called up for service with the 1st Highland Field Ambulance, of which he had been gazetted a Captain in 1912.

He was promoted to be temporary Major as from 14th January, 1915, but the promotion was not gazetted until about

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three weeks after his death. " To every one in the Ambulance," wrote his Commanding Officer, " he had endeared himself by his excellent qualities of head and heart, by his devotion to duty, and by his keen interest in everything that pertained to the good of the Ambulance as a whole. The men of his own section adored him, and there was no bettertrained or harder-working unit on the Peninsula. Amongst a group of excellent officers, I regarded him as outstanding. . . . He had a great capacity for work, was an excellent organiser with a firm grasp of detail, of cool and sane judgment and a high sense of discipline, which was an outstanding example to all."

lberbert Ilbatber 3ainteson* (1894-98), M.B., Lieutenant, Royal Army Medical Corps, died on 26th September, aged 32. He graduated in Medicine at Aberdeen University in 1904, and for some years prior to the War was a surgeon in the Mercantile Marine. When war broke out, his ship was taken over by the Admiralty and used for transporting troops from Australia. He was wounded at the Dardanelles and was brought to this country. On recovering he joined his ship at Liverpool for further service, but died at Malta.

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•

Cecil (Mattes Blegatiber 'IllatcliffoCiaplarb (1898-

1900), of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade, Australian Expeditionary Force, was killed in action (bullet wound in the forehead) on 19th May, during the great attack by Turks on the Australasian forces at Gabe Tepe. He was 25 years of age. For some time he was assistant overseer on pain.' oil plantations in the Southern Pacific, and at the outbreak of the War was assistant manager on a " station " in New South Wales. He was among the first 200 who volunteered for service, and went to Egypt, and subsequently to the His parents Dardanelles, with the 1st Infantry Brigade. have received letters from his Adjutant and from several of his comrades testifying to his ever-readiness to help, his sunny good nature, and to their feelings of per;mial loss by his death.

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ante Si1111)9011* (1902-06), Second Lieutenant, 1/4 th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, died on 21st June from wounds received in action in France, aged 25.

In the evening of 4th June he was out along with a few picked men in front of the British lines near Ypres, when he was struck 'n the right leg by a bullet. Owing to blood-poisoning the leg had to be amputated, and ultimately he died of hmmorrhage. On leaving the School he served an apprenticeship as architect with Messrs. D. & J. R. McMillan, Aberdeen, and thereafter he became an assistant in the Valuation Department, Inland Revenue, Aberdeen.

When the days shall come—if such days ever come—when the men that went out from the School in this last decade

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gather together and talk of the men that were and the deeds they did, one name will surely be mentioned with pride and affection, but sorrowfully—that of Jimmie Simpson.

What the School meant to Jimmie, only those who played and soldiered along with him know. For years the F.P.'s " Rugger " team leaned on him, and he led the pack through good fortune and ill with all his splendid physique and boundless energy. He played hard, and played clean.

Among his opponents he was respected and honoured as nc one else. Had he gained his " cap " for Scotland, as year after year we hoped, our joy as F.P.'s would have been shared by every team in the City. Just the lack of another stone in weight robbed him of the honour, after climbing to the final trial each year.

He had served as a trooper in the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry before Captain (now Lieutenant-Colonel) Ogilvie raised the School Company of the 4th Gordon Highlanders.

But he drilled in the first recruit squad of that old " D " Ccmpany. His promotion to sergeant was almost immediate, and he laboured to make of " D " a company faultless in drill, discipline, and deportment.

The Battalion went to its war station at Bedford. Transport was a grave difficulty in a city battalion where few men had knowledge of horses : and Simpson was made transport sergeant. It was a huge wrench for him to leave the School Company, but it seemed his duty, and he smilingly tackled and mastered a task which had defeated all his predecessors.

On the re-organisation of the Battalion on the doublecompany system he was promoted to company-sergeant-major of " B " Company, and though he was now further separated from his beloved School Company, he took up the heavy duties with all his might. Shortly after crossing to France he received his commission. It was while leading a patrol in front of our lines that he was wounded fatally.

He was the perfect soldier. Erect, square-shouldered, smart of step, and crisp of command, he knew every detail of the letter and spirit of the great game, and his men would follow him anywhere. Probably no one knew better his work and worth than did the late Sergeant-Major Buick, a man wonderfully slow to praise. He said of Simpson: " The finest N.C.O. and best soldier in the regiment, sir."

Trusted by those he served, respected and loved by his peers, he was the adored hero of the Schoolboys, who counted him their comrade-in-arms. The bullet of a German has taken the life, but cannot rob us of the memory of a modest and gallant gentleman.

A. McK. J.

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zl(Ailliant artbur 13aprorb Itirwan Illaarb* (18951902), Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, died of wounds on 2nd August at the Dardanelles, aged 27. He was the son of Rev. W. H. Kirwan Ward, formerly an assistant master in the Grammar School. He became an apprentice of the National Telephone Company in London in 1907, and was a member of the London Signal Company (Army Troops), Royal Engineers, from 1907 to 1912, when he went to Constantinople as a member of the staff of the Constantinople Telephone Company. He was there during the Balkan War, and returned to England in November 1913, having been offered a post in the Relay Automatic Telephone Company. In June 1914, he received a commission in the London Cable Signal Company, Royal Engineers, and was transferred to the

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Regular Forces in December last. He went out to Flanders in January, attached to the Headquarters of V. Corps Signals and was present throughout the second battle of Ypres. He returned home at the beginning of June, having volunteered for service at the Dardanelles, in the belief that his local knowledge of Constantinople and district might render his services of more value to his country. He sailed from Devonport on the transport " Manitou " on 9th June, and after being a short time at Alexandria he proceeded to the Dardanelles and was attached to the General Headquarters. He was on duty in the signal tent on Beach W (commonly known now as " Lancashire Landing ") when at 12.30 a.m. Sunday morning, 1st August, a Turkish 4.1 highexplosive shell burst in the forward part of the tent, killing seven and wounding the remaining seven of those in that part of the tent. A piece of the shell flew back and struck Lieut.

Ward, who was sitting on a deck chair right at the back of the tent, on the head, rendering him unconscious. He was at once taken to the Beach dressing station and bandaged up and then removed to the hospital ship " Assaye," where he was operated upon. But it was found to be a hopeless case, the fragment being too deeply embedded in the brain. He passed away at midnight, 2nd/3rd August, never having regained consciousness, and was buried at sea at 10 o'clock on the morning of 3rd August. He was promoted Lieutenant on 11th July.

Blexanber George

(1907-10), Private, 8th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, was killed in France on 8th August, aged 20.

Before the War he was in the employment of Messrs. W. Leslie and Co., Ltd., shipbrokers and herring exporters, Aberdeen. He had been stationed at most of the herring fishing ports in Scotland and England, and had also spent some time in He was a most conGermany. scientious and industrious soldier, and was a great favourite with all his companions.

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/Lebingbam Matson (1902 12), Private, 1/4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (T.F.), was killed in Flanders on 30th May, aged 18. On leaving the Grammar School, at which he received all his education, he became an apprentice engineer with Messrs. Barry, Henry & Co., Ltd., Aberdeen. He was a member of the Signal Company of the Gordons, and while he was employed at his work in a " dugout," this was hit by a shell and he was buried, along with two companions, in the debris. When extricated, he was found to be dead, having been struck on the head and instantaneously killed.

•

tbomas Mate (1886-88), Sergeant, 1/6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, was killed in action in France on 25th September, aged 44. He enlisted as a private in the 2/6th Battalion, and after being promoted to be sergeant, left only a short time ago for France. He served in South Africa with the 1st Service Company of Gordon Highlanders (Volunteers) in 1900-01. For many years he was a clerk with Messrs.

Mitchell & Rae, Ellon and Newburgh, and remained in the employment of this firm until 1911. He became tenant of the farm of Mains of Birness, Logie-Buchan, in 1903, and of the farm of Hillhead of Ardlethen, Ellon, in 1911.

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The dates given in parentheses after names indicate the sessions of attendance at the School.

Military Honours and Rewards.

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Ogilvie (1884-87), who commanded the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders (T.F.) from August 1914 to June 1915, and has recently resumed command, was in June appointed by the King to be a Member of the Third Class or Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (C.M.G.).

He was present at the School Prize Distribution on 30th June, and delivered a memorable speech.

Captain Ceorge Alexander Ledingham (1894-1905), of the 2nd Highland Field Company, Royal Engineers (T.F.), was in June awarded the Military Cross. He went to France with his Company on 1st January, 1915, under Major H. J. Kinghorn, and went unscathed through the fighting at Neuve Chapelle, but was wounded by a rifle bullet in the knee on 16th May. He has now recovered, and is again on active service.

Second-Lieutenant Alfred Marshall Thom (1900-01), 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, was in July awarded the Military Cross " for excellent reconnaissance work on many occasions, notably between May 12 and 20, north of ' Hill 60,' between May 26 and June 8 in front of Hooge, and also between June 14 and 16 near Hooge. He has since been severely wounded." Previous to the War he was engaged as an engineer on a rubber estate in Sumatra. On the outbreak of hostilities he came home and joined the Gordon Highlanders as a private. He left for the Front with one of the early reinforcing drafts, and while there was promoted Second-Lieutenant.

Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Skeen (18811886), Indian Army, was in June promoted to be Brevet Colonel. He entered the Army in 1891 and was appointed to the Indian Army in 1893. He passed as a general staff officer, 2nd grade, at the Staff College, Quetta, in 1912.

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Mentioned in Dispatches.

The following names appeared in Field-Marshal Sir John French's Dispatch of 31st May, published on 22nd June:— Major Robert McPherson Barron (1882-88), 113th Indian Field Ambulance, Indian Medical Service.

Lieutenant (temporary) Rudolf William Galloway (1902- ?), Royal Army Medical Corps (Life Guards Cavalry Ambulance).

Lieutenant George Alexander Ledingham (1894-1905), Royal Engineers (T.F.).

Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Ogilvie (1884-87), 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.

Major Patrick B. Sangster (1884-88), 2nd Lancers, Indian Army (on the General Headquarters Staff).

Captain and Adjutant William Samuel Trail (1896-1901), 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force), Indian Army.

The following names appeared in General Ian Hamilton's Dispatch of 12th June, published on 5th August :— Lieutenant George Davidson (1879-80), M.D., 1st Highland Field Ambulance (T.F.), 89th Field Ambulance.

Brevet Colonel Andrew Skeen (1881-86), 24th Punjabis, Indian Army (on the Staff of the Australian and New Zealand Forces).

Major ALEXANDER LYON (1893-1902), 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, in the absence of Lieutenant-Colonel THOMAS OGILVIE (on leave) and Major GEORGE A. SMITH (wounded), was in command of the Battalion in France from June to October, with the temporary rank of LieutenantColonel. It is understood that he is one of the youngest officers in the Army to fill such a responsible position. He was in command of the Battalion during the great British advance in Flanders at the end of September.

JAMES HINDMARSH (1893-95), M.Sc., is at present acting as manager of a National Shell Factory in the central area of South Wales. After serving as an apprentice with the Palmer's Shipbuilding and Iron Co., Ltd., Jarrow, he built up a very successful business in Cardiff as a consulting engineer and surveyor, and marine expert.

FRANCIS GRANT OGILVIE (1872-74), C.B., was recently appointed one of the panel of experts in connection with the Munitions Inventions Branch of the Ministry of Munitions.

The Branch has the duty of considering projects for inventions relating to munitions for warfare on land, -

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WILLIAM A. CAMERON (1882-87), solicitor, Aberdeen, spent several weeks of the past summer on duty in the first Boys' Brigade Hut in France. He had many interesting experiences.

Captain ALEXANDER MACGREGOR ROSE (1883-94), M.B., of the Royal Army Medical Corps, who was made a prisoner of war at Ypres on 4th November, 1914, was repatriated at the end of June. He is now again on active service in France.

THOMAS A. MACKAY (1903-06), now a non-commissioned officer in the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, was in Konigsberg as English manager to a German firm when the War broke out. He had to remain there for some time until an opportunity to leave the country occurred. Thanks largely to his knowledge of German, he managed with two others to escape to Copenhagen, and thence to Bergen, from which he On arriving in this got a steamer across the North Sea. country he at once joined the 4th Gordons, and later went out to the Front with that Battalion. He was seriously wounded in June.

SIMPSON SHEPHERD (1890-97), who saw service with Botha in the German South-West African Campaign, has come home from South Africa to volunteer in the Royal Engineers.

JAMES OLIVER THOMSON (1899-1900), M.A., was in June placed in the First Class of Part II. of the Cambridge Classical Tripos, his special subject being Greek and Roman History.

He is one of the most brilliant classical students ever sent out from Aberdeen. Since finishing his course at Cambridge, where he was a member of the University O.T.C., he has received a commission in the 3/5th Battalion Yorkshire Light Infantry.

GEORGE S. S. LEITH (1903-11) is now acting as assistant on a jute estate in Eastern Bengal.

FREDERICK GEORGE SPRING (1904-05), Government Agriculturist, Federated Malay States, has been admitted a Fellow of the Linnean Society.

JOHN CHARLES MURRAY LIGERTWOOD (1903-06) has been elected a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba.

GEORGE LESLIE SMITH THOMPSON (1906-10), M.A., who has been studying at the Congregational Theological Hall, Edinburgh, has been awarded the Baxter Scholarship of £100.

GEORGE A. R. PATERSON (1900-02) was in July admitted to the degree of B.A. at Cambridge University. He studied at Jesus College, and now holds a commission in the 2/7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.

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GEORGE TOn WRIGHT (1901-06), M.A., B.D., has been appointed assistant minister at St. Michael's, Dundee.

DAVID COOPER REES (1897-1907), M.A., who was Dux and Gold Medallist of the School in 1907, was licensed in July as a probationer by the United Free Church Presbytery of Aberdeen. He is at present serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps (T.F.).

Bishop ANTHONY MITCHELL (1882-86), M.A., D.D., is the author of a recently-published volume entitled " Biographical Studies in Scottish Church History, being the Hale Lectures for 1913-14."

Rev. WILLIAM S. BRUCE (1862-64), M.A., D.D., of Banff, is the author of a volume of local stories published a short time ago by Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton under the title of " The Nor' East."

GEORGE HERBERT MAIR (1899-1902), M.A., of the Home Office and Press Bureau, was one of the Government officials who recently conducted a party of French visitors through the arsenals and manufacturing centres of this country.

Before the War he was joint London editor and political correspondent in London of the Manchester Guardian.

CHARLES WILLIAM BEATTIE (1888-89), who has been engaged in tea planting in Ceylon for the last nineteen years, has now retired and taken up residence at Hazeldean, Insch, Aberdeenshire. He says that he will always be glad to give any boys of the old School advice about going out to Ceylon.

Rev. JOHN ROBERTSON (1833-38), M.A., New Brunswick, is now the oldest graduate of Aberdeen University. He graduated at Marischal College in 1842, and studied theology in Edinburgh under Dr. Chalmers, joining the Free Church in 1843. He was for many years minister of Black River, Nova Scotia.

JAMES ALEXANDER MORRISON (1896-1902), M.A., classical and English master of Fortrose Academy, has been appointed head master of Culter-Cullen School, Aberdeenshire.

GEORGE MARR GILES (1895-1900), M.A., who has been for some years a journalist in the London office of The Pioneer, Allahabad, India, has received an appointment in Reuter's Agency to take charge of the Indian news service.

WILLIAM ELDER LEVIE (1889-93), solicitor, Aberdeen, has been assumed as a partner in the firm of Messrs. L. Mackinnon & Son, advocates, Aberdeen.

LINDSAY Ross OGG (1902-04), who is in the service of the Bank of Bengal, is now stationed at Murut, Upper Provinces, India.

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Captain ARTHUR SHEPHERD (1891-1902), R.A.M.C., is now stationed at Mandalay, and Captain ANous M. URQUHART (1892-94), R.A., at Ferozepore, India.

Captain WILLIAM G. CRA IGEN (1894-1902), who obtained a commission in the Highland Field Artillery at the commencement of the War, was after nine months' service appointed Gunnery Instructor, and is now stationed at Kettering. He will be remembered for the active part he took in the work of the Club, and more especially in the Dramatic Section.

JOHN RAE (1892-1903), who has been for several years in Assam, has returned to this country.

ROBERT D. FENTON (1887-89) has received an important appointment in the Kinta Kellas Rubber Estates, Ltd., Batu Bajah, F.M.S. EDMUND W. DANSON (1887-92), of the Royal Indian Marine, is Assistant Transport Officer at Bombay dockyard.

Dr. THEODORE G. GRAY (1895-1901) is now on the staff of the Mental Hospital, Seacliff, New Zealand. He mentions in a recent letter that he is doing all he can to provide a man to take his place, so that he may get away to the Dardanelles.

KENNETH S. HECTOR (1893-1901), who is in the service of the Bank of Madras, is now stationed at Cocanada, Madras Presidency.

WILLIAM A. ALLAN (1904-10) has been appointed Secretary for Aberdeen and District of the British Crown Assurance Corporation, Ltd. FRED PERCIVAL ROBERTSON (1902-06), who was for eight months in the trenches with the London Scottish, recently received a commission in the 20th (Service) Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers, and is in training on Salisbury Plain.

He came scathless through the fighting at Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, Givenchy, Richebourg, and Vermelles.

JOHN LOCKE IRVINE (1908-12), M.A., has been awarded the Fullerton Scholarship in Classics at Aberdeen University.

Professor ALEXANDER FALCONER MURI SON (1860-63) , M.A., LL.D., at one time English master of the School, has been appointed for one year Deputy Professor of Civil Law at Oxford.

Rev. ALEXANDER G. CATT0 (1895-99), M.A., B.D., minister of Inverkeithny, has just received leave of absence in order to join the Royal Army Medical Corps as a private.

Other School ministers on active service are Rev. ALEXANDER J. MONRO (1899-1902), of Ancrum U.F. Church, Roxburghshire, who is a lieutenant in the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, Rev. JOSEPH R. FRASER (1884-88), of Kinneff U.F.

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Church, Kincardineshire, who enlisted in the 7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and Rev. JOHN MORRISON (1902-03), M.A., B.D., of Kincraig U.F. Church, Inverness-shire, who became a private in the 8th (Service) Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, and subsequently received a commission in the 4th Battalion of the same regiment.

Rev. ALEXANDER F. THOMSON GRANT (1847-52), in sending his subscription to the F.P. Club from The Red House, Wemyss Castle, Fife, says :-" I am not particularly interested in the modern Grammar School.

It was a severe blow to me when the School was removed from its ancient site, and I have never once gone to see the new buildings. I spent five happy years within what Dr. Melvin called its ` sordida tecta,' and its ' sordida tecta ' were very dear to me. Every year at the Annual Exhibition in October, when the revered Rector made his Latin oration in the ' Public School ' to the Magistrates, Clergy, and Professors, beginning ' Viri Honorandi, Reverendi, Eruditi,' with a bow to each, he invariably introduced an appeal for new buildings, but I doubt very much if he would have liked them to arise away from the ancient site."

At the Summer Graduation of Aberdeen University degrees were conferred on the following Old Boys:— Master of Arts (M.A.)— DAVID GLASS LARG (1905-11), with First Class Honours in Modern Languages.

GEORGE DOUGLAS ROSE (1902-11), with Second Class Honours in Economic Science.

WILLIAM ROBERT TENNANT (1904-10), with Second Class Honours in Economic Science [M.A., 19141.

HERBERT ALEXANDER DARG ALEXANDER (1906-12).

JOHN LOCKE IRVINE (1908-12).

SYDNEY CARDNO STILL (1904-10).

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)— MIDDLETON BROWN (1894-1904), M.A., M.B., Ch.B., with Commendation for Thesis.

ALEXANDER

Bachelor of Medicine (M.B.), and Bachelor of Surgery (Ch.B.)ROBERT SCOTT CUMMING (1905-10), with Second Class Honours.

ROBERT FERGUSON COPLAND (1906-09).

ALFRED SCOTT MACKIE (1905-09).

JAMES MELVIN (1904-10).

THOMAS MENZIES (1905-10).

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The John Murray Medal and Scholarship to the most distinguished graduate in Medicine of 1915 was awarded to ROBERT SCOTT CUMMING (1905-10) ; the Senatus Medal in Modern Languages was awarded to DAVID GLASS LARG (1905-11); and the Lyon Prize to the most distinguished graduate in Law of 1915 was awarded to JOHN MACKINTOSH (1904-10), M.A., LL.B.

MARRIAGES. BELL (1881).—At Woodside Congregational Church, Aberdeen, on 23rd July, CLIFFORD THISELTON BELL, M.B., Captain, R.A.M.C., 1st Scottish General Hospital, to Williamina Urquhart Rennie, eldest daughter of William Broadbent, Bridgeport, Mass., U.S.A. SMITH (1882-84).—At Knox Presbyterian Church, Montreal, on 18th August, THOMAS SWAN SMITH, fourth son of the late James Smith, Pittengardner, Fordoun, to Jemima Helen (Nellie), youngest daughter of the late James Milne, stationmaster, Fordoun, and Mrs. Milne, Castle Terrace, Bervie.

MICHIE (1885-91).—At Locksley, Bridge of Weir, on 25th September, FRANK W. MICHIE, H.M.I.S., Dumfries and Galloway, third son of Charles Michie, M.A., Aberdeen, to Helen Hendry Bruce, youngest daughter of the late John MacDougall, M.D., Greenock, and Mrs. MacDougall, Locksley, Bridge of Weir.

BISSET (1886-88).—At St. Andrew's, Colombo, on 21st September, ARTHUR WILLIAM BISSET, manager, Passara Group, Passara, Ceylon, to Jeannie, only daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Silver, Wyndings, Stonehaven.

LESLIE (1891-93).--At St. Cuthbert's, Psolo, on 7th Julie, (district surgeon), LESLIE ANDERSON LOUIS WILLIAM youngest son of the late Dr. W. B. Leslie, of Stonehaven, to Dorothy Balleine, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Balleine Payn, of Paolo, Cape Province, S.A. DAVIDSON (1891-1902).--At Colombo, Ceylon, on 6th July, DOUGLAS DAVIDSON, manager, Rosehaugh Tea and Rubber Company, Ltd., to Constance, eldest daughter of the late James Aymer, M.B., Bervie, and of Mrs. Aymer, Ravensby, Stonehaven.

MILLER (1894- ?).—At the United Free South Church, Aberdeen, on 15th July, WILLIAM MILLER, Colonial Civil Service, to Edith Ann, second daughter of John Ellis, Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen.

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CAMPBELL (1894-95).—At the Imperial Hotel, Aberdeen, 011 11th October, WILLIAM T. CAMPBELL, to Frances Beswick,

second daughter of the late James Scott Monro and Mrs. Monro, 41 St. Swithin Street, Aberdeen.

CLARK (1894-99).—At Victoria, B.C., on 23rd September, JOHN CLARK, Provincial Rules Inspector, British Columbia,

son of the late Wm. Clark, bridge builder, of Aberdeen, to Agnes Hunter Douglas, daughter of Mrs. Douglas and the late Robert Douglas, compositor, Glasgow Herald.

BRANDER (1894-1901).—At Aberdeen, on 23rd September, Captain ERIC W. H. BRANDER, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, to Winifred Agnes Duff, younger daughter of George J. Riddell, 306 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

M`DOUGALL (1894-1902) .—At First Congregational Church, Norfolk, Nebraska, U.S., on 24th June, ROBERT M`DouGALL (of John M`Dougall), grain merchant, Aberdeen, to Maude Ethel, eldest daughter of David Rees, Norfolk, Nebraska.

Ross (1895-96).—At Aberdeen, on 4th August, WILLIAM Ross, of Annesley, Torphins, to Sophie Victoria, only daughter of the late Alexander S. Macintosh, telegraph superintendent, G.P.O., Aberdeen.

GILLIES (1895-1904).—At St. Ninian's Church, Aberdeen, on 12th August, JAMES BROWN GILLIES, advocate in Aberdeen, Captain, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, to Rhoda, third daughter of Alexander Ledingham, advocate in Aberdeen.

PORTER (1895-1906).-At Beechgrove United Free Church, on 16th September, Lieutenant RICHARD R. M. PORTER, Indian Medical Service, to Elizabeth Garvie, daughter of A. B. Robertson, 6 Moray Place, Aberdeen.

STEWART (1897-99).—At the Scots Church, Rangoon, on 26th June, JOHN ALEXANDER STEWART, I.C.S., to Kin Le, youngest daughter of the late U. An, R.S.M., E.A.C., Bassein.

WILLIAMSON (1897-1902).—At St. John's, Watford, on 18th August, ALFRED JOHN WILLIAMSON, M.A., M.D., D.P.H. (Camb), Captain, R.A.M.C., eldest son of John Williamson, Aberdeen, to Cecil Isobel, only daughter of Dr. J. D. Burnett, Faithlie House, Watford.

ROBERTSON (1897-1906).—At St. Michael's and All Angels', Southfields, S.W., on 11th September, CECIL V. ROBERTSON, 2nd Lieutenant, 10th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, to Irene Marie Maud, daughter of the late G. H. Bartleman of Napier Avenue, Hurlingham, S.W. RAE (1898-1904).—At Kirk-Knows House, Wishaw, on 19th June, HARRY JAMES RAE, M.A., M.B., Ch.B., D.P.H.,

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Tuberculosis Medical Officer for the County of Aberdeen, to Mary (Pollie), daughter of the late William Watson, of Rainnieshill, Newmachar, Aberdeenshire, and of KirkKnowe, Wishaw.

LAWRENCE (1898-1905).—At St. Peter's, Upton Cross, London, E., on 23rd June, JAMES TAYLOR LAWRENCE, M.A., of the Indian Civil Service, second son of the late Rev. W. Gordon Lawrence, to Gladys Irene, third daughter of J. P. Parsons, of Upton Manor, Essex.

DUNCAN (1899-1903).—At All Hallows Church, Gedling, Nottingham on 5th August, ERNEST PAUL DUNCAN, M.B., Ch.B., Kirkby-in-Ashfield, son of the Rev. James B. Duncan, Lynturk, to Stella Annie Laver, daughter of Alfred Laver, Gedling.

LITTLEJOHN (1901-02).—At Rubislaw Parish Church, Aberdeen, on 15th June, WILLIAM MILNE LITTLEJOHN, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Line City of Aberdeen (F.) R.E., to Dorothy Henderson, only daughter of the late John Henderson Begg, Sheriff-Substitute of Aberdeen, Kincardine, and Banff.

HENDERSON (1901-04).—At Hampstead, on 16th October, HUBERT DOUGLAS HENDERSON, B.A. (Cantab.), son Of John Henderson, of Glentower, Glasgow, to Faith, daughter of P. H. Bagenal, of Harrogate.

HENDERSON BEGG (1901-06).—At St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Callander, on 7th September, Captain JOHN 1/4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, HENDERSON BEGG, B.E.F., youngest son of the late John Henderson Begg, Sheriff-Substitute of Aberdeen, Kincardine, and Banff, to Dorothy Eleanor, daughter of the late William Spinks, M. I . C.E . , Leeds.

SELBIE (1901-06).—At the United Free Church, Cults, on 26th June, WILLIAM PHILIP SELBIE, M.A. (Abdn.), B.A. (Oxon), 2nd Lieutenant, East Surrey Regiment, son of Professor Selbie, D.D., Aberdeen, to Beatrice Anna MacCulloch Morrison, youngest daughter of Rev. Hugh Morrison, D.D., Cults.

PHILIP (1902-07).—At the Grand Hotel, Aberdeen, on 28th July, JAMES D. PHILIP, journalist, Dundee, to Marie Jane, eldest daughter of Alfred Gibb, granite merchant, Ellenlea, Ashgrove Road, Aberdeen.

LOWE (1903-05).—At Lochboisdale Hotel, South Uist, on 12th July, DONALD NEIL LOWE, M.A., Whitehill Schoolhouse, New Deer, to Margaret Ferguson, eldest daughter of A. C. MacLean, Carnan House, South Uist.

JOHNSTONE (1903-07).-At St. Benet's Church, Tufnell Park, London, N., on 2nd August, Lance-Corporal CHARLES S. JOHNSTONE, London Scottish, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew

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Johnstone, 22 Great Western Place, Aberdeen, to Nellie Ethel, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dawe, 137 Brecknock Road, Tufnell Park, London N. ADAM (1907-08).---At Melbourne, Australia, on 25th June, HUGH GRANT ADAM, M.A., son of Dr. Adam, Brechin, to Elizabeth Margaret Watson, M.A., daughter of Rev. John Watson, Amoy, China.

OBITUARY. * Indicates Member of the Former Pupils' Club.

WILLIAM DuiIN* (1837-43), advocate in Aberdeen, and proprietor of the estate of Murtle, Aberdeenshire, died at Murtle on 29th June, in his 88th year. He became a member of the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen in 1856, and engaged in legal practice for about 40 years. He was keenly interested in the Grammar School, and contributed handsomely to the fund recently raised by the Former Pupils' Club for the new Recreation Ground.

DAVID MCHARDY* (1848-52) died at Aberdeen on 23rd July, aged 77. On leaving the School he served an apprenticeship with his father as an ironmonger and general smith, and eventually succeeded to his father's business. He was one of the most noted hammermen in the North of Scotland. He is survived by his brother, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander B. McHardy (1853-57), B.C.B. Rev. ANDREW MELDRUM (1854-56), M.A., late minister of Logierait Parish, Perthshire, died at Pitlochry on 14th October. He went to Logierait in 1876 and retired two years ago.

ALEXANDER COW IESON (1854-55), retired teacher, died at Banff on 1st October, in his 88th year.

Rev. JOHN WILSON, M.A., senior minister of Victoria Park U.F. Church, Partick, Glasgow, died at Edinburgh on 13th September, aged 73. He graduated in Arts at Aberdeen in 1862, and studied divinity at the Free Church College, Edinburgh. His active ministry extended over forty years.

JAMES ELSMIE FOWLER* (1855-57), M.A., M.D., died at Aberdeen on 10th June, aged 75. He graduated in Arts at Aberdeen University in 1861 and in Medicine in 1865. In the latter year he commenced medical practice at Woodside, Aberdeen, and continued there until four years ago, when he retired.

Rev. DUNCAN COLVIN (1859-60), senior minister of Alves U.F. Church, died at Nairn on 15th July. He was appointed to Alves in 1869 and was minister there until his retiral last year.

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JAMES GARDEN LAING (1863-66), R.S.W., died at Glasgow on 22nd August. He served an apprenticeship of five years with Mr. James Souttar, architect, Aberdeen, and thereafter took charge of an architect's business in Cardiff for two years.

From 1883 he devoted himself entirely to painting, and became very well known as an artist in water colours. Among his favourite subjects were seascapes and interiors of churches and cathedrals. He was a prominent member of the Royal Scottish Water Colour Society.

JAMES JEFFREY (1863-65) died at Aberdeen on 6th August, aged 67. He was engaged commercially for some time in Birmingham and from 1876 in Aberdeen. For over thirty years he acted as district manager for Messrs. John Somerville and Co., Ltd., wine merchants, Edinburgh.

Rev. GEORGE WATSON CUMMING (1864-65), ministeremeritus of Charing Cross U.F. Church, Grangemouth, died at Torquay early in October. He was appointed minister of Whiteinch Free Church, Glasgow, in 1874, and was translated to Grangemouth in 1881. He retired in 1909. It is worthy of note that he began life as a gardener at Huntly Castle.

JOHN PEAT (1867-69) died at Uki, New South Wales, on 5th March, aged 61. He served a law apprenticeship, passing For a short period he engaged as a law agent in 1877. in practice as a solicitor at Inverurie. In 1885 he went to New Zealand, and thence, three years later, to New South Wales. From 1889 he was conveyancer to a firm of solicitors in Sydney. Before going to Australia he was an occasional contributor to Punch, and in later years he was a regular contributor to the Sydney Bulletin.

ALEXANDER MACKIE (1870-72), M.A., Principal of Albyn Place School, Aberdeen, died at Aberdeen on 25th June, aged 59. He entered Aberdeen University from the Grammar School as sixth bursar in 1872, and graduated M.A. in 1876, being awarded the Seafield Gold Medal for English.

For the next three years he studied at the Aberdeen Free Church College and at the same time acted as assistant in Having English and Logic to Professor Alexander Bain. given up the idea of entering the ministry, he taught for some time in various private schools in Aberdeen. In 1881 he became associated with the management of the Albyn Place School for Girls, and six years later it passed entirely into his control. He was a recognised authority on English literature, and was the author of various works relating to Other published works were the teaching of English. " Nature Knowledge in Modern Poetry," " Aberdeenshire " in the Cambridge County Geographies series, and " The Art of Worm Fishing." In his later years Mr. Mackie became widely known and highly appreciated as a public lecturer.

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His paper on Dr. William Alexander's " Johnny Gibb of Gushetneuk," which was delivered over and over again, did much to revive interest in the Aberdeenshire Doric, and will be long remembered in the North-East of Scotland. As convener of the Editorial Sub-Committee he was largely responsible for the success of the Aberdeen. University Review, which was started two years ago.

CHARLES FRASER DAWSON (1878-79) died at Thabina, Transvaal, South Africa, on 18th June, aged 51. For some time he engaged in farming at Mains of Williamston, Insch, Aberdeenshire. Later he went to South Africa and for many years he had been engaged in business at Thabina. During the South African War he served as an officer in a colonial volunteer regiment.

WILLIAM S. DAVIDSON* (1882-89) died at Aberdeen on 17th June, aged 41. On leaving the School he entered the office of Messrs. James Meston & Co., C.A., Aberdeen.

From 1893 to 1912 he was in the service of the Scottish Employers' Insurance Company, and of the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company, in which the former company became merged. From 1912 he was resident secretary for the North of Scotland of the Scottish Union and National Insurance Company.

JAMES ROWAN THOMSON* (1882 and 1889-91), C.A., died at Kirkcaldy on 4th September, aged 40. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Marquis & Hall, C.A., Aberdeen, and was admitted as a chartered accountant in 1897.

For over three years he was in the service of Messrs. Brandon and Co., Belfast, and from 1901 was in practice in Kirkcaldy, his firm being Messrs. Rowan Thomson & Gibson.

EDMUND REID McBAIN (1895-1903) died at Montreal on 6th October, aged 29. Shortly after leaving the School he went out to Saskatchewan, Canada, and took up farming, engaging mainly in the cultivation of flax.

JOSEPH PIRIE CAMERON* (1897-1904), M.B., Ch.B., died at Savage Island, New Zealand, on 13th March, aged 29.

He graduated in Medicine in 1910, and was an assistant at Bonnyriggs, near Edinburgh, for about two years, and afterwards at Harleston, Norfolk. He went to New Zealand in 1913, and latterly was a medical officer under the Government, having offered his services on the outbreak of the War. He was -stationed at Savage Island from September, 1914.

Many will remember that he acted for some time at the School as Rector's clerk. His widow died at sea on her way home from New Zealand on 31st May. JAMES RIDDOCH (1905-09) died at Tarryblake House, Rothiemay, on 18th October, aged 22. He engaged in farming at Mains of Mayon, Rothiemay.

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With the 4th Gordons at the Front.

Some Experiences of an F.P. For the following vivid narrative we are indebted to a wellknown FP. who went to France with the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders early this year, and served there until September, when he received a commissim and returned to Aberdeen. He has put the narrative together from letters he wrote while at the Front, and from a diary he managed to keep even when under fire in the trenches. It will be found a singularly interesting and illuminating contribution.

Arrival in France.

5th March, 1915.

As you know, we had rather a hurried departure from England, and it was not very long before we arrived within hearing of the guns. The passage across the Channel was accomplished in safety. An escort of about 15 destroyers saw us over from Southampton to Havre. At the latter place we spent two or three quite pleasant days under canvas. On the way to the camp a crowd of French youngsters yelled at us for souvenirs and made amusing remarks about our " skirts." The skirl of the pipes afforded them huge delight.

It was very cold at night, and we slept fully dressed. In fact, for a fortnight after my arrival in France I had not off my clothes. We got served out with sheepskin coats, and look like a battalion of teddy bears. Under my tunic I wear a rabbit-skin vest, and while I was washing one morning, a little French girl came in about and, holding my vest, remarked as she pointed to a herd of goats on the road, " Frere, Frere."

It was very funny watching some of our fellows who knew little or no French trying to flirt with the French girls with the aid of phrase books. They seemed to get on quite well in spite of their limited vocabulary.

A coffee and cigarette shop stood close by the camp and in the evening we refreshed ourselves in it. One Scot was anxious to procure cigarettes of which two kinds were being sold. To his request for cigarettes the French girl answered, " Ce paquet-ci ou ce paquet-la ? " " Well, I'm d—d," said he to his chum, " I never heard them called by that name before."

One Sunday afternoon we saw a hearse draw up at a house and depart empty. It had done this twice before on the same day, and on our asking the reason why, we got the astounding answer that someone was dying inside and that the hearse was calling on the chance of the person being dead.

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Approaching the Firing Line.

From Havre we had a 26 hours' train journey to a place about 10 miles from the firing line. It was a slow and wearisome journey. One would have thought the train had square wheels. We were billeted in a vineyard in hot-houses. They may have been hot once on a time, but I never slept in a colder place. Snow and hail, thunder and lightning, sleet and rain, all had their turn, and the place was a perfect sea of mud. At Havre there was not much to suggest that a war was going on in France, but at Bailleul ambulance trains and Red Cross wagons, aeroplanes hovering overhead, mudstained soldiers returning from the trenches, the roar of the big guns, and on a still calm day, the crack of the rifle fire, brought the whole thing vividly before us, and we knew that before very long we would be right in the thick of it too. • At certain hours we got leave granted into the town and I visited several " Estaminets," and once had a shot at roulette when I had the good fortune to win 24d.! Every evening just after turning in for the night we got served out with rum, like the Regulars.

From Bailleul we advanced 7 miles still further on our way to the trenches and arrived at La Clytte, where we are billeted in huts, 20 men occupying one hut. These huts are ever so much better and warmer than the so-called hot-houses.

Each hut has a brazier, and in the evening, with several candles for light and the brazier for warmth, we are quite jolly and comfortable. We have been attached to a certain brigade of a certain army division of a certain army corps, and are now doing our turn in the trenches with the Regulars. The 4th Gordons have been going into the trenches in companies.

The company I'm in, " A " Company, received its baptism of fire about 10 days ago. We spend 48 hours in the reserve trenches and another 48 hours in the firing line. The former are about 1,200 yards behind the latter and are fairly immune from rifle fire, though easily within the range of shells.

Bullets occasionally find their way past. While in the reserve we are billeted in a barn, and when shells begin to fall round about we have to rush out into the trenches close by.

First Experiences in the Trenches.

I shall always remember our first tramp from the huts to the trenches. It is a distance of about 4 miles and we have to start at dusk so as to get into the trenches at dark. None of these movements, of course, are carried out during the day.

Preparatory to starting we were inspected by the Brigadier and by that famous soldier who saved the British Army at Mons, General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien. Our Captain then

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gave us a cheery lecture on the crimes punishable by death on active service. The most trivial offences seem to come under that category.

At 6 o'clock we joined the Regulars who were to be with us in the trenches, and all marched off in the gathering dusk as quietly as possible. It was rather an eerie journey— marching, two deep, silently along between the hedges.

Snipers' bullets occasionally pinged overhead. The landscape was often lit up by the light balls which the Germans send up at night to show any movement. For the first 48 hours I happened to be in the reserve trenches, and we formed up in the moonlight in the orchard of a shelled farm. Nothing was left standing except the barn, where we spent the night among the straw. At 7 a.m. the next morning we took our place in the trench, as the Germans start shelling about that time; but they seemed to be resting that day, so after four hours of it we got back to our more comfortable quarters and did some cooking and sleeping. In the afternoon our neighbourhood was shelled but no damage done. Next morning we had to bolt into our holes like rabbits. Shrapnel shells began to burst overhead. One burst while I was rushing from the barn to my part of the trench, and I can tell you it was not long before I flopped in the mud. One is not particular about clothes on such occasions. The Germans kept up the game till late afternoon, and all that time we had to remain huddled up in the mud at the foot of the trench.

At 8.30 that evening we set out for the firing line. We marched on our way through a village which had been destroyed by shells. Never in all my life have I seen such It was just the a scene of desolation and devastation.

The walls had gaping holes torn skeleton of a village. in them; above them stuck up the beams and rafters.

That was all that was left. A stretch of about 800 yards of open country had to be crossed before we got into the firing line.

This expanse was scarred by trenches no longer required, pitted and dug up by shells—" coal boxes " and " Jack Johnsons," as the Regulars irreverently call them. Some such holes are several feet deep and full of water. Bullets whizz about all over the place and you have simply to trust to luck to get safely across that fire-swept zone. The fellow in front of me got hit in the leg, but he was the only one hurt. Victor Bisset was immediately behind me carrying his mess-tin on his back. Next morning on taking it out for his tea, he found to his amazement that a bullet had passed clean through it. Narrow squeak, wasn't it ? I must admit that I felt decidedly shaky going across these fields for the first time, but at last it was over. The trench where I was, was

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only 80 to 100 yards from the Germans, and their snipers were constantly potting at us, but as long as we did not pop our heads over the parapet, it was quite safe. At night one man watched an hour, while the other sat under his rifle and then took his turn again. No sleep was allowed. During the day we saw the British big guns making a sorry mess of the German trenches. They in their turn sent over a few souvenirs to us, but the nearest one to me was fully 50 yards away when it burst. Our spare time was spent in filling sandbags, improving our trenches and cooking our grub.

All that has to be done by oneself.

I dug up three French rifles and a bit of a French tunic.

They lost a great many men in the trench where we are. In a field 200 yards to our left I saw quite distinctly the bodies of about 50 Frenchmen lying in extended order (about two yards between each), who had been mown down by the Germans who were defending a wood against them. There they have lain for three months with their officer in the rear. No one has been able to bury them. Dead horses and cattle lay near the farms. The only living thing in those ruined farmhouses seems to be the cat. Such is war.

I was heartily glad when the 48 hours were over. We left the trenches in the dark.

Roll was called in the ruined village, and we marched our 4 miles to the huts—oh, so weary, and footsore, and irritable. It is a bit trying on the nerves for the first time, but I suppose you get accustomed to it.

We got four days of rest and received all our letters.

There are three things I look forward to out here—the home mail, a commission, and peace. The first is an absolute certainty ; the second is still a remote possibility ; peace seems a long way off. The home letters give me huge enjoyment.

Our four days of rest are now over and I'm back again in the firing line, where I now write this.

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Experiences near Hill 6o.

Friday, 14th May. Since last I wrote the brigade of which the 4th Gordons are a unit has been moved northwards to a most important part of the line. The town, from which we are distant only half a mile, is too well known to mention, besides the censor would be on my top for it. Suffice it to say that the British call it the Kaiser's key. Fighting here towards the end of last year was tremendously severe, and heavy fighting took place again not very long ago. We were addressed a few days ago by the General of another Division, who told us he wanted us to relieve for a week his Division, which had been

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in the trenches, fighting hard for long. I hope we are not here longer than a week ; things seem a bit too lively. However, that remains to be seen.

Anyway, we marched the few intervening miles that afternoon. We halted for tea in a lovely grove where an Indian It was a most picturesque native battery was stationed. scene. Overhead there was leafy greenery, while underneath were the small, but scrupulously clean " dug-outs " which the Indians occupied. We " parley-vous-ed " with them till night-fall, and watched them preparing their own grub, which looked most appetising. Belgian cavalry were exercising their horses in the next field and great numbers of troops were moving about. When a Division shifts and another takes its place, you can imagine the vast numbers of troops on the move.

We arrived at our destination about 11 p.m. We, being the only Territorial battalion, were put into the supports.

Our 1st Battalion went into the firing line. Being supports, we are not in the firing line but about three-quarters of a mile distant and are liable to be called forward if a severe attack is made. But we get the hard work. We rest through the day but whenever darkness comes down we are sent off to dig trenches, carry rations, water, sand bags, respirators, etc., down to the firing line. This goes on until dawn. We have to carry all the food and stuff which our 1st Battalion requires and which comes up from our base with the transport after dark. I don't expect we shall go into the firing line this time, as so many of our men are wounded, etc. We have had a lot of killed too, and sick, so we have not nearly a full battalion.

Our men are not exactly in trenches but in " dug-outs " along a railway embankment, which is just like a rabbits' warren. It is all tunnelled with " dug-outs," and you see the men crawling in and out like rabbits from their holes.

Some are comfortable, some not. Booth, Victor Bisset and I occupy quite a comfortable one with room for three. We crawl into it on our hands and knees and can't stand up inside. It has rained fairly heavily for a day or two and the place is a fearful sea of mud (not inside the " dug-outs," I mean, but outside). The ground is almost as bad as it was in February, but with good weather it would soon dry up.

The town was in flames when we arrived, and has been burning for days. It must be quite uninhabitable by now, but three church spires remain upright, although pierced with shell holes. We saw the Germans shelling the place with incendiary shells. Through the day they shell it inI am awfully cessantly with shrapnel and big " Jacks." curious to see inside that town, but no one is allowed.

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After a Oas Attack.

Last night, one party went from our lot to dig trenches at Hill 60. Another lot, of which I was one, visited the firing line twice with rations. We started at 8 p m. and got back at 3 in the morning. We had to hurry back for all we were worth, because day-light was coming in. It was rather a gruesome journey. Behind us the town was in flames.

The recent hot weather has made a most unpleasant and " dead man " smell. There must be heaps of dead lying about, some buried a few inches under, and others lying exposed, or at the bottom of shell holes and on the surface. If one side does not move soon, there's bound to be pestilence here in summer. Our road to the firing line lay along a railway track, and we passed about a dozen dead lying in various attitudes. The Germans had been using that frightful gas of theirs here about ten days ago, and these poor fellows had come tearing along the track but had been overcome by the fumes. One lay with his jacket pulled over his head as a shield. His hands were both gripping his collar. Dead and wounded men's equipment was lying all over the place. I can imagine now what a place would look like after a big retreat.

On each side of the line crosses and mounds mark the graves of those whom our men had had time to bury. One gets accustomed to these sights. At first I was horror-struck; now-a-days I am simply curious. But these things make you realize what an awful sin and what a horrible delusion war is.

To-day I visited some " dug-outs " in order to get some wood for ours. They were 200 yards distant from our own at the side of a wood and were most elaborate. Our men had been shelled out of them, and the stuff left lying about would almost have equipped a battalion—rifles, ammunition, equipment, personal belongings, bayonets, etc. Shell heads and fragments were lying about thick, and a souvenir hunter would have a profitable time there. When we get back to our huts in, I hope, a week's time, we shall need a couple of days, I'm afraid, to clean ourselves. It is next to impossible to get shaved or washed here and we shall be worse than navvies in a short time. However, in a way it is all interesting, and an experience which, in happier days, we shall all think much on.

A Ruined Village.

Sunday, 16th May. I was called away on Friday afternoon to visit, with our officer, a village close by, behind the firing line. Never have I beheld such a scene. One dead man was lying in the street : dead cows and horses lay scattered about the square. The houses were in ruins. In one I saw a table with wine glasses

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on it untouched. Shells and shell noses lay thick. In most of the houses were little odds and ends just as the people had left them. The church interior was full of debris. The vaults in the graveyard were torn and rent by shell fire and the coffins and bodies exposed. Curiously enough, the big crucifix at the door was untouched. This is no exaggeration or hunting after effect on my part. It seems marvellous how these things escape. I saw one at Waterloo, and the same thing happened at Neuve Chapelle, according to Eye-Witness's story.

In the evening I was twice at the firing line. Two fellows got slightly wounded on the way, but it's a wonder no more get hit, for the bullets are fairly numerous.

Tuesday, 18th May.

I have had very many interruptions in this letter, but I hope to get it posted to-day. Yesterday afternoon we were cleaning debris out of a church, and I visited some ruined houses and managed to get some drinking-glasses for Booth and myself.

A Visit to British General Headquarters.

From Monday, 24th May.

•

It was last Sunday night that the Germans made a big . Our Battalion was having attempt to gas our troops at a few days' rest in the huts several miles away, but several of us felt the effects of the fumes, chiefly a soreness of the eyes.

On Monday night we should have occupied our usual trenches, but owing to this attack we got urgent orders to move where the Germans had pierced the line. All of us had been provided with respirators. For two days and nights we lay in an open field a few miles from the spot. We slept in the open, but luckily the weather was fine, and cold was not felt.

On Wednesday night the Battalion moved into the trenches at a very warm place.

That forenoon I received orders from the Deputy Director of Transport and Supply of the Second Army to appear So next day for an interview about my commission.

I left the Battalion and set out on my journey. It's fine to get off on one's own at times. You can take your own time and enjoy yourself. The town I had orders to reach was about thirty miles down the line, further and further away from the firing line. But no trains were available until I had walked six miles. These six miles were thoroughly enjoyable. The countryside was beautiful and the roads all lined in usual Flemish fashion with big trees. Single soldiers,

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and battalions of soldiers, soldiers of all nationalities were moving about, while wagons, ambulances, motor cars flew to and fro without end.

Soldiers are all " hail fellow, well met " here. As I trudged along I never lacked company. They come in about and chat away, after the usual salutation of " Hullo, Jock ! " Do you remember a book you and I once read, Sandy—a book of Henty's or Strang's—" Harry Rochester " ? He decided to try his fortunes in the Low Countries, enlisted, fought and had adventures. I just felt like him as I entered the inns and had beer or coffee or eggs from a Flemish peasant. Little did I think when I read that book that I would some day be in like circumstances.

At the end of the six miles was the town with the station— a town a good deal shelled but with little appearance of damage.

Most of the inhabitants had fled, however. After some difficulty I found an inn, ordered coffee and eggs, bread, jam, and butter. It was great, sitting in civilized fashion again on a chair at a table with a white cloth. The hostess had fled from Ypres and had set up house in this less lively town.

I managed to chat away in French with her quite well. I really feel my French has improved, because at the station I was complimented very much. As I was waiting the train, two officials came in and spotted the kilt. French and Flemish have a great affection for the kilt, and bestow lots of little favours on the wearer, unbestowed on those with the " breeks." For instance, one French woman pressed sandwiches on me for my journey; another gave me a big glass of coffee and rum, and I simply had to drink it to please her, although the stuff made me almost sick. Well, the two officials spoke away for some time and I chatted back, every now and then excusing my French. " Dear monsieur," I was amazed to hear one say, " you speak French fluently, with the right accent. Some English officers speak very well, but with such an English accent." I was greatly " bucked " about it. All the same I do not suppose Max Mackie would agree ! I used to sit very near the bottom of his French class.

Once again I travelled in a cushioned carriage and not in a horse-box. Two French soldiers were in the same carriage and we shared souvenirs. They gave me French buttons and bullets. Two hours later I reached my destination and slept the night with the Artists Rifles, who kindly took me in.

Once again I slept with my boots off.

Next morning I took a stroll round the town, which is the Headquarters of the B.E.F. It is a beautiful town, of course untouched by shell fire, being so far away from the firing line.

At 11 I had my interview, the usual thing—another signature to my paper. At 12 I resolved to have a decent dinner again,

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so I entered a restaurant and had soup, roast, potatoes, vegetables and wine. There is nothing like doing oneself well in this sort of life when you have the opportunity.

A Meeting between Generals Joffre and French.

At 2.30 I had the great good fortune to witness a meeting between Generals Joffre and French. British General Headquarters was a big white building in the square. In front of the building a bodyguard was drawn up composed of officers and men of the Artists Rifles. A group of Staff Officers stood in the doorway, and the smallest of these in stature was Sir John French. He wore the usual field service khaki. Two motor cars arrived. Out of one came Joffre in blue tunic, red knickerbockers, and brown leggings.

He shook hands with French ; both stood chatting for a few minutes, and then entered a motor car and drove off together for a tour of inspection, I suppose.

At the Battalion Headquarters.

I left for my own Headquarters about 4, and arrived at 9 p.m. Next evening I expected to be sent to rejoin my company in the trenches, but no ; and I am still at Headquarters. It consists of the Battalion sergeant-major, the office staff, tailor, shoemaker, etc., also some pioneers, etc., about 20 in all, who seldom go into the firing line but stay a mile or two or even more (it is six just now) behind.

The transport is also here, and there were not enough men left this time, so I suppose that is why I am here. We have had to shift once or twice. At present I am in a wood ; five of us are in a small tent made of a waterproof sheet, and life is quite pleasant here. When you wake each morning the birds are singing for all they are worth in the greenery above.

The cuckoo I have heard every morning between 3 and 4. On Sunday last, 30th May, an English regiment gave a band performance, and it was most enjoyable.

We hear the pipes often enough, but that was the only brass band I have heard.

I do not know if ever I told you about the church near which we tidied up. It was a fearful mess, with the graveyard torn up. Most of the walls of the church were standing, but the roof had fallen in. The floor was piled high with debris. At one time the Germans had occupied the church, then the French. Their bullets were lying underneath. Bibles, prayerbooks, candles, were scattered everywhere. In the Vestry were some gorgeous velvet vestments with gold and silver facings which had been cut out by looters.

In the churchyard I noticed the small cross marking the grave of Major Lord Bernard Gordon Lennox, killed in action near this spot, and three other officers of the Grenadier Guards.

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Back to the Firing Line.

Saturday, 5th June.

I spent four or five very pleasant days in the wood I have previously mentioned. We went for eggs, loaves, etc., to the neighbouring farms and lived well, but two days ago I got orders to rejoin my company in the trenches.

I reached the firing line at 10 p.m., and was immediately sent off with a digging party. Getting back at 1 a.m., I was on sentry till the " stand to arms " at 2 a.m. From 2 to 3 I had a snooze, and then we were wakened by a most fearful din a little to our right. The Germans had begun to bombard our trenches. Shells of all descriptions, big, small, high explosive, and shrapnel came hurtling over at the rate of five or six per minute. There was one half-hour when about 300 came. About 3,000 came over during the day, and still they say the Germans are short of ammunition.

Our First Battalion had about 100 casualties. The shells landed right in their trenches about 70 yards from us. They fell all round us, in front, above, behind; the whole ground heaved, and the debris and fragments were flying all around.

Two or three little bits struck me, but several of our fellows were wounded; not one was killed. It was simply perfectly marvellous. A kind Providence must watch this Battalion.

Some of our fellows got half-crazed with fear, but we stuck to our trenches and got congratulated on it later.

It is one's desire to get out of the trench and bolt as far as possible, but discipline prevents that. Booth and I managed to keep cool. I suppose the Germans meant to drive us out of our trenches, but they did not manage.

About 7 at night the bombardment eased off, and I was truly thankful. It had lasted 14 hours. Just imagine sitting huddled up in the trench all that time with death flying all around; but all's well that ends well. The next two days in the firing line were quiet in comparison, and we began to enjoy ourselves again. Last night we were relieved, and are now in reserve trenches about 800 yards behind the firing line.

The weather has been beautiful and life quite pleasant, barring bombardments.

There is one thing we have all learned since coming out here, viz., to look after No. 1. There would be little fear of my being unable to look after myself now. It is ludicrous seeing us, on entering a new trench, hunting about in the " dug-outs " for any braziers, sticks, coke, etc., which may have been left behind. There is little here that we don't make use of. Water is our chief difficulty and it is very scarce.

Booth went out one night to search for some, and got shelled.

For about an hour he had to lie in the bottom of a ditch. * * * * * * * * * *

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A British Attack at Hooge.

From Sunday, 13th June.

One hundred years ago we were on the eve of great events in Belgium. The same thing seems to be happening again Along with the company I left for the trenches to-day. to-night, and one cannot help noticing that there is something to be doing soon. The Battalion, along with others in this vicinity, has been hard at work digging communication trenches, hidden trenches, carrying trench boards, trench and parapet ladders, boxes of ammunition, grenades, etc., and all the hundred and one things that soldiers need in attack.

Why ? We shall see soon.

Well, on Sunday night we entered the trenches. Most of the company went out digging, but I was put in charge of a rifle battery. This consisted of eight rifles set on a stand, 7 or 8 inches between each rifle. All were aimed at a crossroads in the German lines, 1,800 yards away. My duty was to load and fire these rifles pretty frequently all through the night and once or twice during the day. It was a nice soft job and interesting. I managed to scare quite a lot of fatigue parties, as I rattled off the eight all at once when a fatigue party approached. The noise was rather startling when close in. I had charge of the battery for three days and nights.

On the fourth it was dismounted. Till the night of the 15th things were quiet and I slept most of the day and ate well of the grub that arrived from home.

At 7 p.m. on the 15th it was read out to us in orders that to-morrow was the anniversary of Quatre Bras, that two British brigades were coming up to make an attack, that we were to be in the reserve, that it behoved us to be courageous and accomplish what British soldiers accomplished 100 years before.

As I was sitting at my battery between 10 and 11 p.m. the attacking brigades moved up to prepared positions in front. They streamed over our parapet in the moonlight, all bright and cheery, though all of them knew it would be the last night for many. He's a wonderful cheery person, however, the British Regular Tommy.

The attack was going to begin with an artillery bombardment, timed to start at 2.50 and last to 4.15 a.m. 160 twentyto 200 guns were to fire rapid for an hour and 2.50 advance. to were soldiers five minutes, then our a few was drawing near, and one or two guns put in We waited with our watches—the grey ranging shots. in the sky dawn was beginning to break and•there were signs in the wood Germans the of thought We day. glorious of a of death which and trenches beyond, all unaware of the hail

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was soon to be launched on them. Bang! bang! ! bang! ! ! and the shells were screeching through the air. Prompt to the second the guns had started. The din was something terrific.

Never in my life have I heard anything like it. You can imagine 150 big guns firing all together, many of them not half a mile behind you. In front of us the wood was hidden by smoke and flame. A regular line of flame showed over the German trenches as our shells burst. Soon we could see nothing for smoke. There was a lull for a few minutes until the guns shifted their range. The last 15 minutes arrived and the din increased. 4.50 came and only a few guns kept firing. Then out of the ground our men seemed to jump.

Line after line we could see advancing through the smoke to the German trenches with bayonets fixed—and it was all done so coolly. The British just walked into the first German trench. One man lost something on the 'way and went back for it, others were smoking cigarettes. In the reserve we were so excited that many of us jumped on the top of the parapet and cheered and cheered. One of the officers was hit while doing this. The first trench was carried with little or no opposition.

Half an hour later we heard that two lines of trenches had been captured, and three-quarters of an hour later, the word was passed that the British had advanced 2 miles and were still going strong, so Booth and I settled down to make breakfast. At 8 a.m. the first batch of about 30 German prisoners and an officer, in their grey-blue uniforms, were escorted through our lines. The fellow next to me was handling his rifle, and some of the prisoners, thinking he was going to shoot, held up their hands. Some were wounded, but all, I expect, were jolly thankful they had escaped with their lives. It seemed an irony of fate that these fellows had to dodge their own shells.

Naturally, however, once through our lines they came within the danger zone of their own guns, and one shell landed very near them.

About 9 a.m. we heard that the British had captured five lines of trenches, and our own wounded were passing us now, those able to walk, I mean.

At 9.50 the order came along to us to fix bayonets and file out of the trench. We thought we were in for a charge.

Led by an officer we went on to the road, and wading through a trench full of water were posted in an advance post or " redoubt " much nearer the German lines. The .Germans were shelling like fury. We had simply to stay there and await their counter-attack, which was sure to come.

All around shells were landing. The bricks and slates from a house 10 yards in front of us came rattling about us. One big shell burst on our parapet and half buried us with

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debris. We had to lie very flat. The bombardment increased in fury and the strain was very tense. I got some little relaxation in watching what was going on in the grass park in front. Before us were the German trenches and our men now occupied the first two. They were quite easily seen strengthening the position they had gained. The park was like a ploughed field, so torn up with shells was it. Shrapnel was bursting all over the place, and the big shells were coming in fours : one, two, three, four, all in a row.

Through that inferno we could see our own soldiers, some advancing to augment the lines, others in ones and twos carrying messages, the stretcher-bearers rushing hither and thither to pick up the wounded. " D " Company of our Battalion suddenly appeared in the midst of it and advanced nobly to do their bit, which was to dig trenches and strengthen our new position. They lost 4 killed and 27 wounded, but they did not flinch. " A " Company were really worse off in the trenches than those in the attack, as we got all the shelling and none of the excitement, while the latter had the excitement of the charge to keep them up.

About 3 p.m. the counter-attack came. It was heralded by a fiercer burst of shelling, during which gas shells were used and some of us had to use our respirators ; then we heard the crack of rifle-fire getting louder and louder and then dying down. Later it was passed down to us that the British had repulsed the attack and were still holding the gained ground. It was magnificent. The way our men stuck in was grand. Evening was now coming down and we were longing for relief. 9 p.m. had come and there was still no relief, so our officer called me out to go with him to Headquarters to make enquiries.

We had a mad rush down the road, over shell-felled trees, and through mud. Several times we had to throw ourselves flat to lessen the risk of getting hit, but we escaped and gave our message. 10 p.m., and the shells were coming nearer and nearer our trench. There had been a slight lull but the row started again. It was most nerve-trying to hear these big shells coming toward you, their droning noise getting louder and louder as bursting point approached.

At 3 a.m. we got orders to shift, and right gladly did we do it. Reaching our " dug-outs " in the reserve about 3.30, Booth and I made some breakfast, then slept till 4 in the afternoon, when we had to bolt for it again. A shell landed about ten yards behind our " dug-out." For two days this for a sort of life continued, then we were relieved from rest. A march of eight miles took us to this rest camp, and here we are now I noticed in the daily papers for 17th June the following in Sir John French's Official Dispatch :—

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" The British succeeded in taking two lines of trenches at near . All counter-attacks were repulsed."

Such was the bald report. What a lot was never mentioned ! How very little does the public really know !

21st June, 1915. *

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A Lucky Escape.

Tuesday, 20th July, 1915.

The Trenches.

I have been unable to write for a day or two as postal arrangements in the trenches are not so convenient as in the Rest Camp. Besides, I have really had no time, as I've been on the move most of the time since Sunday night when we came in.

However, I'll write this and chance its getting posted soon.

Sunday.—The Battalion moved from camp at 3.30 in the afternoon, reached a spot behind the firing line at 6, and had tea there. At 7.55 we marched off again through woods, fields, and I think a moor (it was not distinct in the moonlight), reaching the reserve trenches somewhere about eleven or midnight. " A " and " B " Companies are in reserve in a wood, whilst " C " and " D " Companies are in the firing line 300 yards away. I am in the wood at present.

Once into the wood we commenced looking for " dug-outs," and having found one suitable, we took off our packs and left them there. We were called out at once and formed up with rifle and fighting kit, got a spade and set to work at filling sand bags. This stopped at dawn, when we fell out, and Matheson (he and I share a " dug-out ") and I went to our " dug-out," tidied it up, and slept till 10.

We made our breakfast there and pottered about till 1 o'clock, when twelve of us got orders to take a day's rations and . get on our equipment and rifle. I happened to be one of the twelve and Matheson was another. (They all had to be men who had been in the trenches before.) Unfortunately we had no rations but a bit bread, a water bottle, and some tea. It had to do, however.

This party was under the charge of Lieutenant S .

He told us a regiment close to ours was to attack on our left in the evening, that probably there would be a lot of wounded, and that our duty would be to show them the way from the firing line to a dressing station in the town of Ypres.

We marched off through some fields which had been

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cultivated once, but which were now scarred all over with trenches and shell holes. Rank grass and wild poppies formed the growth above. A few hundred yards away there were fire and support trenches, but whether German or British did not know. He resolved to risk it Lieutenant S and walked on in the open. A few bullets did whistle over our heads but did no damage. After wandering about over fields and through a maze of trenches for a couple of hours we reached our destination in the firing line. A Major, on being informed how we came, remarked, " Well, you are cool devils, you were asking for bullets by walking there."

From the firing line to the town the road lay by a communication trench and a railway line, a distance in all of about three miles, taking into account the twists and turns of the trench. The twelve of us were posted in twos at various spots along this distance. Matheson and I were close to the dressing station, and one or two errands led us into the town.

We were the pair furthest away from the firing line and from our own Headquarters. It was now about 7 p.m. The bombardment started and finished. We heard the charge was successful, and we settled down to wait for the wounded.

There were some of our own Artillery close to us and one of their men invited us into his " dug-out," where we took turn about of resting through the night.

We had tea there and jam and a jug of boiling rum. The Germans had now started to shell us. The hours were passing and still no wounded had arrived, but several German prisoners passed us. Unfortunately they had no helmets by the time they came our length. Otherwise you might have been receiving a souvenir from me.

My spell of duty came about midnight and I took a walk down towards the firing line to see what had happened. 1 could see none of the 12 fellows we had posted and very few wounded. Two hours after dawn we started for our own " dug-outs " in the woods three miles away. We went down the way we came up the previous afternoon. The communication trench had been blown to pieces in several parts and we had to get out and sprint along the open. In a wood we lost ourselves for a time, but ultimately, about 5 a.m., we reached our " dug-outs."

There we learned the reason of the non-arrival of wounded.

To our sorrow and surprise we heard that two of our twelve had been killed and two wounded. The communication trench was blown in and the wounded men had to go by another road; thus none passed us. We also heard that our own Battalion had taken part in the attack on the previous evening and had done very well. One or two men were lost, but not many. Taking everything into consideration, I

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deemed myself exceedingly lucky to have been posted where I was.

In a Wooded Graveyard.

At present, as I mentioned before, we are in " dug-outs " in a pretty wood with rather a pretty name. There are small ravines here and there, and a burn trickles through.

There is an undergrowth of ferns and young trees. The wood is a regular warren of " dug-outs." In fact you are hardly safe to walk in places for fear of falling through a roof. Bullets crack and bang on their way through. The wood gives an explosive sort of crack to the bullet sound: they don't whistle through.

You can see them knocking splinters out of the trees, chipping off branches, and occasionally striking a man. Two of our own fellows got slightly wounded on Sunday night before they had been half an hour here. There is an open space in the wood, a sort of grove, with mounds dotted about, most of them marked by simple little wooden crosses. It is an ever-growing graveyard.

There are so many round about here, but this is the prettiest I have seen. As I write here in my " dug-out " I can see an officer reading the service over some poor chap. I meant to write a bit more, but I've just been called out to go with Lieutenant S— to a trench a good bit away, so you will get the rest later.

We had a very stiff time in the trenches the last four days.

The new draft and the new officers had a hard breaking-in, as we took part in an attack and the shelling was terrific. One night as I was going through the wood with a party to the firing line, shells were bursting by the dozen round about, bowling over trees and knocking down branches. It would be a grand sight if it were not so dangerous—the flash over the trees and the terrific explosion. There was hell on earth that night with a vengeance, only the good as well as the bad had a glimpse of it. 1 was thankful I escaped all right.

Under Heavy Shell Fire.

29th July, 1915.

About ten days ago we left for the trenches and did a spell of four days. A mine was exploded in front of us and the regiment on our left did the charge afterwards. Our company supported them and helped them to bomb back and shoot down the approaching Germans.

I happened to be directing wounded that night so missed the scrap, for which I was sorry in a way. But I had the safer job. Several fellows got German helmets and souvenirs.

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Next day or two the Germans shelled us terribly. It was perfect hell while it lasted.

One night this platoon was carrying up rations to the firing line to the other two companies, and the shells were roaring and screeching through the wood, lighting up the whole scene with their flashes. Many burst perilously close.

The trench was blown-in in several places, and the dead and wounded were still lying about.

After four days we were relieved, had a day and night in rest camp, then left for different trenches. We did three days there, and were again relieved two nights ago, reaching this rest camp.

We lost about sixty men killed and wounded during our first spell. During our second the only casualty was one man very slightly wounded.

An "Enjoyable" Spell in the Trenches.

4

This last spell of three days in the trenches was quite enjoyable. " A " Company occupied the firing line for two days and the supports for one day. The German trenches opposite me were only 25 yards away. In one part of the line the opposing trenches were as close as 15 yards. We could hear the Germans shouting and singing and could see the smoke rising from their cooking fires. We have never before been in trenches in such close proximity to the enemy.

There is one advantage in being so close—shelling cannot be effectively accomplished.

The only excitement happened on the third afternoon, when the Germans threw over trench mortar bombs. These are beastly things, but in the day time they can be seen falling. So we had some warning of their approach and could dodge. One chap in this platoon was sitting a few yards away from me making tea. A mortar bomb landed beside him, blew the mess tin from the fire, wrecked his equipment and buried his rifle. The fellow himself was not scratched.

There are some really marvellous escapes. On the afternoon after the mine explosion four members of this battalion were standing chatting together. A big shell landed in the middle of them and two were killed, one died of wounds later, while the fourth was absolutely untouched.

We were in ripping trenches the last three days. They were all named—Bond Street, Regent Street, Shrapnel Corner, Whizz-Bang Avenue, etc. At one corner there was a small sign-board sketched out on a white sand bag. One finger pointed up the communication trench which led to The other finger pointed to the behind the firing line.

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German trench. Written on the first finger were the words, " To Blighty "-Blighty is the soldier's nickname for England and home. On the other finger were the words—" To Hell."

Several weeks ago the 4th Gordons dug some fire and communication trenches which we occupied for 26 days. The main trench is called Union Street, while a smaller trench off it is called Union Terrace.

We saw rather an interesting sight the other day—a German aeroplane brought down by one of our own airmen.

Our airman either dropped a bomb or fired a shot on the petrol tank. The aeroplane burst into flames, and a man fell out from an enormous height. Then the machine turned upside down and descended, a mass of flame, flashing on its downward journey. * * * * * * * * * * Camp Life.

July, 1915.

After our spell in the trenches we return some distance behind the firing line to what is called our rest camp. There is really little physical rest, because we are kept busy with platoon and company drill, musketry, bayonet fighting, and all the odds and ends that annoy a soldier out of the trenches; but there is a great relief for the nerves. There is no longer the unpleasant sensation of hearing shells and bullets, and wondering if any of them are for you. There is not the " stand to arms " at daybreak. In short, we have not the same worry. Our tempers improve, and once more we begin to enjoy life.

The rest camp may be a collection of huts, such as we were in during winter. Darkness came down then about 6 p.m., when most of us were inside; and the huts were far from cheerless habitations, with a bright brazier blazing away in the middle, and' the fellows, maybe a score, occupying themselves according to their inclinations—some resting, some reading, others writing, many attending to the wants of the inner man and cooking grub over the fire.

But summer is with us now, and for some time past we have not been in huts. On one occasion we simply spent the night in an open field with no cover whatever except a waterproof sheet. On another occasion I spent several days in a wood, in a " bivouac " composed of five or six waterproof sheets laced together, thus affording cover. Five others were inside, and we spent a very pleasant time.

At present we are in a field in " bivvies." These are canvas erections in rows. They are about three or four feet high, and are open to the front and sides, but covered at rear and above. Each " bivvy " is capable of holding 20 men lying in a straight row. * * * * * * * *

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In the Navy Sixty Years Ago. With the Flying Squadron in the Baltic. r

alt

Dr. David Littlejohn, who was a pupil at the School from 1850 to 1854, is widely known as the Sh,erill Clerk of Aberdeenshire, but many will be surprised to learn that he was at one time a cadet in the Royal Navy. While serving in this capacity he kept a lag book and sent home numerous letters which are still extant. With the aid of these he has very kindly put together the following account of his experiences in the Navy.

The Editor of this magazine, in his quest for " copy," has called upon the writer to put on paper some of his boyish experiences, when after the summer holidays of 1854—the youngest of his class bar one—he joined the Royal Navy as a naval cadet, instead of going on in ordinary course to the 5th Class of the Aberdeen Grammar School. Entrance to the Navy was in those days by nomination, and nominations were not easy to obtain, unless the applicant's friends could pull some Government or Admiralty string. The age limit was 12 to 14, and if successful in passing an entrance examination in English and arithmetic, the boy was at once appointed to a ship and sent afloat without any further preparation or training. The whole system is very different now, as everyone knows : but little change, in that respect, had been made 60 years ago from the days which Captain Marryat has 80 vividly portrayed.

Most boys, before they faced the entrance examination, were sent for a time (in the writer's case, a very short time) to a school or " crammer's " for special preparation. One of the writer's most outstanding memories of the school he was sent to was the remarkable diligence of the boys in competing with each other for a second helping of bread and butter at tea time, and their heroic efforts to qualify for a second supply of sucking pig at dinner on Sundays. There was no real stint, but not enough to go twice round, and any boy who foolishly indulged an inclination for talking had to be content with what he got to begin with.

A single incident which occurred at Devonport, where the writer's ship was in dock, and the crew in a hulk in Hamoaze, may be noted here, by way of illustrating the early age at which responsibility was imposed, and had to be accepted.

There is also a laughable side to it, as readers will doubtless see, if they try to conjure up the picture. Every night after dark, a boat and boat's crew with a junior officer rowed guard in the harbour (say between 10 p.m. and 12 midnight). ThK. formula was something like this :—As the boat approached a vessel, the look-out or person in charge of the deck

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challenged " Boat ahoy—What boat is that? " On receiving the answer " Guard boat," the " All's well " from the vessel closed the conversation. On one night when the writer, in default of anyone older, was in charge of the boat, there was no challenge from the guardship carrying the Port Admiral's flag, not even after she was hailed. What was to be done ? After consideration, the little boy, fresh from the Grammar School, but impressed with a sense of his responsibility, boarded the Flag Ship, and finding a petty officer, lectured him upon the heinousness of not keeping a look-out. Discipline prevented the man speaking back, but he doubtless laughed in his sleeve, as the writer has often done inwardly since.

The next picture or succession of pictures which impressed themselves on the boy's memory occurred in connection with the gradual assembling at Spithead, during the first three weeks of March 1855, of the men-of-war destined for the Baltic, and the visits of Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort to review them. These were briefly noted at the time thus :—" 15th March, 9 a.m.

Dressed ship.

11.40, fired Royal Salute. Man'd yards and cheered on Her Majesty passing the ship. 19th March, — p.m. Fired Salute of 21 guns, Prince Albert passing the ship." Again on the day on which the Flying or Advanced Squadron sailed for the Baltic :—" 20th March, 2.40 p.m., fired a Salute of 21 guns, Her Majesty coming to Spithead. 3.30, weighed, per signal, etc., etc. Cheered as Her Majesty passed up and down the line."

Modern Naval Reviews, with the overwhelming sense of destructive power which they convey, are wonderful ; but oldfashioned folk may be pardoned for thinking that those of the days of Britain's wooden walls were more picturesque.

Almost exactly two years before the dates noted above, the s.s. Duke of Sutherland had been wrecked at the pierhead of Aberdeen, while H.M.S. Archer was in the harbour.

Both the wreck and the visit of the ship of war had been of engrossing interest to the writer, and the presence of the Archer as one of the Flying Squadron brought the catastrophe vividly to his memory.

It ✓ has already been noted that there was no preliminary naval training 60 years ago. A word may now be said as to how that process was begun and carried on at sea. Theory and practice had both their share. For the former there was the Naval Instructor (on the writer's ship this duty was combined with that of chaplain), while the latter consisted partly of doing things, but chiefly of seeing hourly how things were done. For a certain not very prolonged time daily, the youngsters not on duty were with the Instructor, being At noon they were taught the science of navigation.

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instructed how to " shoot the sun," and so on. Such entries as the following point to another kind of teaching—" Exercised the young gentlemen at small arms." Seamanship was learned mainly by observation, and as a considerable part of every 24 hours had to be spent either on deck keeping watch or on boat duty, there was ample opportunity for this educational process. At the risk of wearying the reader, quotations from MSS. written at the time will be given later by way of showing how sharply what he sees is mirrored on a youngster's mind. It must be kept in view, however, that the Grammar School " loon " who penned these descriptions had been used to spending his half-holidays at the " Shore," as the Aberdeen Harbour was then called, and had thus acquired some familiarity with ships and their make up. An inland-bred boy might think of his suspenders when " braces " were mentioned ; not so a coast-bred laddie.

It is a " far cry " from the study of navigation and seamanship to instruction in mixing grog, but in his early days at sea the writer had the following experience which he has never forgotten. Grog for the ship's company was mixed in a large tub on the main-deck somewhere about noon, and from it served out to the various messes. For this purpose a cask of rum was hoisted out of the after-hold and when the necessary quantity had been drawn off and mixed with water, was again lowered into the hold. During the whole time the cask was supposed to be under the eye of a midshipman or cadet. On the occasion of the writer's first experience of this duty, and after the rum and water had been mixed in the tub, the presiding genius (a petty officer) handed a pannikin of liquid to him that he might drink it and say if the solution was right. Thinking it all part of a serious duty, the young greenhorn put it to his head and gulped it down. Result! a choking, spluttering boy, and a good-humoured, grinning, chuckling circle of seamen. Raw rum had been handed to him by way of carrying out what was doubtless a time-honoured and well recognised practical joke.

Boys will be boys in ordinary life, and boys in uniform are no exception, and so on board ship their peccadilloes had to be dealt with. By way of correction " mastheading " was at one time resorted to but had been abolished, as the writer had been informed, before 1855. To send a youngster to the main-top-mast cross-trees one day to look out for and report the appearance of a vessel which was not due until the following day was, of course, not " mastheading." To one whose fate it might be to spend a great part of a long summer day in that exalted position, the distinction was, however, not particularly obvious.

Two four-hour watches on deck on end allowed room for

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repentance, and the writer has never been able to forget how his first watch from 8 p.m. to midnight on a night of cold driving wet was prolonged until 4 a.m. by way of a gentle reminder of some small sin of omission or commission. A third method of correction was the stoppage of shore leave when in port. There was great room for the exercise of tyranny on board ship and some vessels were known as " happy " and others as " unhappy."

The latter class may be passed in silence; but the " happy " character of H.M.S. Hogue was so universally known throughout the Fleet as to merit special mention.

The name of Captain William Ramsay (of the Balmain and Banchory Lodge Ramsays), who commanded the Hogue, was always mentioned with respect and affection, as one whose rule was beneficient to all on board his ship, and who acted the part of a father to the youngsters who had the good fortune to serve under him.

Perhaps, however, something a little less personal, and a little more relevant to the part the Baltic Fleet played in what is known as the Crimean War is wanted by the Editor.

To all except elderly people Britian's alliance with France and Turkey against Russia is now a matter of history. To enter upon the causes leading up to that war would be out of place here. Suffice it to say that although the Army had the most of the actual fighting, the Navy was not idle. H.M. ships in the Black Sea both gave and received some hard knocks, and in the Baltic performed the less exciting but far from unimportant duty of bottling up the Russian Fleet and Mercantile Marine. In one or two cases, places of arms were bombarded and destroyed ; but of fighting at sea there was practically none. As in a great battle, a man in the ranks or in the trenches can only describe what happens in his immediate vicinity, so a sailor—much less a sailor laddie— cannot be expected to speak of general operations, but only of what he actually saw happening about him. This, therefore, must be the character of the remainder of these notes, in which the old boy has tried to let the young boy speak for himself as far as possible.

The Flying Squadron, or a portion of it, sailed from Spithead, as already noted, on 20th March, anchored in the Downs on the 21st, and after being joined by several other vessels and completing coal supply, finally proceeded on the 28th. After getting fairly clear of the land, the squadron continued the voyage in three parallel lines, the Imperieuse 51 guns (senior ship), followed by the Tartar, 20, Conflict, 8, and Amphion, 34, in one line; the Euryalus, 51, Esk, 21, and Desperate, 8, in the next; and the Arrogant, 46, Cossack, 20, and Archer 14, in the third. According to the writer's recollection the Conflict and Desperate were steamers, all

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the others sailing vessels with auxiliary steam power. Sometimes fog obscured everything and the vessels lost sight of each other ; but all reached safely the entrance to the Cattegat on Saturday, 31st March, when the two large frigates Imperieuse and Euryalus, accompanied by the steamer Conflict, made for the Great Belt, while the frigate Arrogant and the others shaped a course for Elsinore and the Sound.

At this point, the narrative may be continued as the present writer indited it at the time : — Shortly after we parted company we passed through a long, narrow strip of ice extending in length as far as the eye could reach. After we passed through, it became rather colder. On Sunday (1st April), we were never out of sight of land ; as soon as one island was out astern, another came in sight ahead. We were rounding the Island [sic] of Reefness in the wake of the Imperieuse, when I, being on deck, heard our master (navigating officer) say, " The Imperieuse will go on shore in a minute, she ought to be half-a-mile further off the land." In a minute afterwards we saw her stop all of a sudden, and we immediately put our helm hard a-port and came off all clear. The Conflict followed our motions and came We off clear also. This was about three o'clock in the afternoon. then began to make preparations to help her to get off. In the first place, we came to an anchor, and hoisted out our large boats, and began getting our sheet cable on deck up from the cable tier. The sheet cable is about the thickness of my body. Then it was agreed upon that the Imperieuse was to send the end of her sheet cable, and that we were to do the same, so that the two cables should meet in the middle between the two ships, where they were to be made fast to each other, and when the people in the boats had done so, they were to burn a blue light, on which signal we were to let go our sheet anchor and then steam away to another place and come to an anchor. She was then to heave in the cable and try to haul herself off. Next morning she was still in the same place.

She then started all her water, and began sending her guns on board of us. We had taken in about a dozen of them, when we observed her slipping off the sand bank into deep water. We had then to hoist out her guns again and send them on board of her. She then sent the Conflict away in the direction of Kiel to bring back the officer whom Captain — had sent to give an account of the Imperieuse going ashore ; but the Conflict, before she was well out of sight of us, came to the edge of the ice and found she could not get farther on. She therefore anchored here (i.e., off Reefness).

The next anchorages were Seiro Bay and Nyborgh Fiord.

Progress through the Belt was much interrupted by ice and also by fog, e.g. (12th April) :— I had the 4 to 6 watch in the afternoon. It was raining very hard all the watch. . . . A little before the middle of the first watch, every one was roused up by feeling some heavy shocks. We immediately rushed on deck and found that we were making attempts to get through some large fields of ice. We saw the Imperieuse stuck hard and fast on the top of the ice. - We tried to break through the ice by backing astern and then going full speed ahead into it. We succeeded, but the Imperieuse was not so fortunate. We were obliged to send a boat with a hawser to her, and we hauled her off the ice by it. We had one man hurt in the course of the night in the following manner :--We were steaming astern and the rudder came in contact with a large lump of ice. The moving of the rudder made the wheel whiz round and pitch one of the men at it to the other side of the deck.

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Two days, 13th-15th April, were spent at Biel, then part of the Danish Duchy of Holstein, but stolen by the Prussians some ten or twelve years later. It is spoken of in the notes to which we have been referring as " a very nice place " with " a very intricate channel leading to the harbour."

The next few days were spent on an easterly course, making for the Russian coast north of Memel. The only variety to the daily routine was the occasional chase, stoppage, and examination of merchant vessels—both steamers and sailing vessels, but alas! no prizes. All had to be allowed to go on their way. On 19th April land was sighted at Libau, and then when 7 or 8 miles off, " Hoisted the colours and established the blockade, running along the land."

The following somewhat fuller description must suffice to cover not only the week from 19th to 26th April as regards Windau, but also the greater part of the whole summer and autumn, when the cruising ground was mainly the Gulf of Finland from its entrance eastward as far as Cronstadt:— Thursday, 19th April, 1855. This morning it was blowing pretty fresh and we, for some time, were going at the rate of 10 or 11 knots an hour. In the afternoon about half-past four we saw the land at Libau. It was a dreary-looking shore, being all covered with snow. In the evening we stood off the land till about daybreak next morning, when we stood in again, and about 6 in the morning came into sight of Windliu, our cruising ground. We continued tacking off and on all day long. There is a town, but we cannot see much of it as we do not go far enough inshore. We continued all (lay cruising about.

Between 26th April and 11th May, when Nargen, where the main body of the fleet had assembled, was reached, there had been weary monotonous cruising under sail from Windau, passing outside the entrance to the Gulf of Riga northward.

Up to 29th April ice had been a feature occasionally, and sometimes troublesome, but from that time until the surface water began to freeze over in the end of autumn, no more was seen. One very exciting scene was witnessed on the day before Nargen was reached, to wit:— On the forenoon of that day (Thursday, 10th May) an accident occurred, the like of which I perhaps will never see again. Li the morning we were in company with the Imperieuse, Cossack, Esk, Tartar, and Vulture. In the course of the forenoon the Imperieuse made the signal to close. The Tartar had got near the Imperieuse and had hove to. The Imperieuse came quite near to the Tartar and tried to wear, but in the middle of it she ran straight into the Tartar, struck the main-mast of the latter with her flying jibbootn and snapped her main-mast by the board ; she carried away all her own bowsprit and cutwater, and before getting clear of the Tartar, carried away the latter's mizen-top-gallant-mast and all the shrouds of her mizen-mast. When they got clear of each other we saw that the Tartar was cut down nearly to the water's edge.

It was said at the time that one or two of the crew of the Tartar, who had been aloft, lost their lives. Nothing could serve better to emphasise the extraordinary change in

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the material, construction, and rapidity of movement of fighting ships, which less than half a century had brought about, than the contrast between the result of the disastrous collision between the Victoria and Camperdown in 1893, when hundreds of lives were lost, and the foregoing.

From the anchorage at Nargen, Revel was visible, and so it is noted " We can see the steeples quite distinctly with the naked eye, and we can see the forts and everything with a glass."

Then follows a description of a reconnaissance of Helsingfors and Sweaborg by the Admirals, and the .writer's(!), and their( ! ) opinion of the defences of the place.

It is quoted here chiefly as an amusing illustration of the ex cathedra confidence of the boy regarding the strength of the place, and the impossibility of a successful attack by the Fleet :— At four o'clock in the morning Captain Hope of the Majestic, along with the Master, came on board and we, along with the Cossack, got under weigh and steamed away across the Gulf to Helsingfors to reconnoitre the place. In the course of the morning the two Admirals joined us in the Merlin paddle-wheel steamer. She led us into Helsingsfors, and when we were about two and a half miles off we came to an anchor. . . . I saw six Russian men-of-war in different places in the harbour. They all had their top-masts struck. We saw what seemed to be the flagship, as, when we first saw her, she carried a flag at the main. She then began making signals. I think it would be humbug to attack it, as we would be sure to get the worst of it. The mouth of the harbour is all surrounded by enormous forts, and I also saw a large spar sticking up right in the centre of the entrance to the harbour. There is a large cathedral in the place with a large dome in the centre and a small one on each side of it. The dome is splendid. The dome is blue and is streaked with gold gilt, and when the sun shines upon it it looks very beautiful. There is also a fine, large hospital on a hill overlooking the sea just outside the town. We saw an enormous number of people standing up on the hill beside the hospital. They looked like soldiers, I thought. They were looking down upon us with amazement. I suppose we were farther in than any ship has been since the war began. I believe the Admirals have pronounced it impregnable.

The description of a little bit of boat duty at Nargen may suitably be given here :— In the course of the forenoon it came on to blow, and I, having been sent away at breakfast-time to the Royal George with our doctor and two men who were to be examined to see whether they were to be invalided, I had to wait there for two hours in the boat astern of the Royal George and it blowing a gale of wind. Well, at last the doctor finished the examination, and we took an hour to go a quarter of a mile against the wind with twelve men pulling, and before we got to the ship the boat was half full of water.

Shortly after the visit to Helsingfors the Fleet left Nargen to have a look at Cronstadt, and until the middle of July the writer's ship was either cruising or at anchor in the neighbourhood of that great naval fortress, which it was obviously hopeless to attack with the means at Admiral

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Dundas' disposal. During this period, gunboats and mortar vessels had been arriving from England, and by the end of July matters were in train for the bombardment of Sweaborg.

War vessels and flotilla of gunboats and mortar vessels left Nargen on Saturday, 4th August, but owing to unfavourable weather conditions returned to their anchorage and did not cross the Gulf until Monday the 6th. On that date the youngster wrote : — We came in here by a new passage, and are at anchor in a very snug anchorage. I suppose we will commence bombarding this place to• morrow, if the weather is fine. It is a very pretty place, and it seems a pity to burn it, but it cannot be helped. There are a great many batteries and forts, and I have no doubt they will do us a good deal of damage. I do not think they will send the ships in, only the gunboats and mortar vessels, and I believe they are going to send in the rocket boats belonging to the ships every night. I hope we will soon commence operations. We will not be able to take the place, but we will knock the town down and then leave it. I hear that the floating batteries are not going to come out this year. I have long ceased to expect them myself, and I am not at all surprised that they are not coming up.

It would seem that the pious Finns were fully persuaded of the truth of the apostolic dictum that " faith without works is dead," for not content with offering up prayers to the Almighty in their churches for the safety of the town of Helsingfors (as appeared in newspapers seen afterwards), they addressed an appeal to the same effect to the Fleet, in the form of a huge placard like a signboard, conspicuously displayed on an eminence, and quite visible from the decks of the ships.

The sequence of events from 9th, when the bombardment began, until the 11th, when it ceased, are briefly noted in the next paragraph, but it is hardly necessary to say that there was no bombardment of the beautiful residential town of Helsingfors. The fortress of Sweaborg alone was the object of attack.

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9th August, 1855.

7.25 a.m. English mortar vessels opened fire.

7.29 a.m. French mortar vessels opened fire.

7.30 a.m. French battery on island opened fire.

7.35 a.m. Russians returning fire.

9.15 a.m. Gunboats ordered to engage.

9.50 a.m. Observed the town on fire.

10.20 a.m. Observed an explosion in the fortress.

11.55 a.m. Observed a large explosion take place in the fortress.

12.15 p.m. Observed a large magazine blow up in Sweaborg.

8 p.m. Gunboats recalled.

10.15 p.m. Rocket boats opened fire. Observed interior of fortress on fire in several places.

10th August.

12 noon. A large fire in the fortress.

9.35 p m. The whole of the interior of the fortress on fire.

11th August.

3.45 a.m. Admiral made signal to cease firing.

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The scene was intensely interesting to watch during the day, and during the darkness of the night very fine.

Two days later the writer's ship towed four mortar vessels back to Nargen, and on 18th August started for the entrance to the Sound with five of these craft in tow. After getting clear of the mortar vessels the Euralyus returned to Nargen, and thereafter joined part of the Fleet under command of Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour off Seskar, the actual date being 5th September. From that time until 26th October, dreary blockading in the neighbourhood of Cronstadt was the work of the vessels composing Admiral Seymour's command. When not actually cruising in the neighbourhood, they were anchored off Seskar or Tolboukin or Cronstadt itself.

To compare small things with great, the remembrance of those months—April to December—of dreary cruising and blockading from Libau to Cronstadt in all weathers has enabled the writer to sympathise with and appreciate to the full both the hardships and the inestimable value to us and our Allies of the unceasing vigil of our Navy, both regular and auxiliary, in the North Sea and around the coasts of our beloved land since the beginning of the present war.

On the 20th and again on the 21st September, the Russian Fleet in Cronstadt were observed to dress ship, whether on account of some belated or some manufactured good news from the Crimea, who could tell ? On the evening of Monday the 24th, H.M.S. Geyser arrived with mails, and on Tuesday morning (and now the boy's account is quoted) " we weighed and stood in for Cronstadt. At noon, being pretty close to Cronstadt, we dressed ship and fired a salute of 21 guns in honour of our success in the Crimea. I have no doubt the Russians felt rather vexed when they saw us defying them in that open manner." The success referred to was doubtless the fall of Sebastopol, which had taken place on 8th September.

Among the defences of Cronstadt were what were called at the time " infernal machines " sunk under water, an embryonic form doubtless of the modern mine. The only harm that came of them at that time, so far as common talk went, was to one of Admiral Seymour's hands when he was examining the mechanism and construction of one which had . been fished up.

We took a small prize the other day (4th October) when, with the Orion; we went in to reconnoitre Cronstadt. We went in pretty close and caught a small vessel, or large boat, whichever you like to call her, laden with charcoal, and 7 Russians on board. We accordingly took her to Seskar with us and distributed the charcoal among the different ships in the squadron. When it was mostly gone, we set her out as a target, for us to fire at, and accordingly one forenoon all the 1st and 2nd captains of the guns manned 5 main-deck guns. Each man fired three rounds and

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then took up another place at the gun. We were obliged to take up our numbers at a gun and had two shots each. We knocked the vessel all to pieces and knocked her masts down. We put the Russians ashore at Seskar.

When November came, things were getting dull and dreary, and eyes turning homewards. For example on 6th November : — I hope — will get on well at Mr. Anderson's in Old Aberdeen.

Has he begun Latin yet? I have forgot most of mine. I wish now I had brought some of my Latin and Greek books to keep it in my head. It would be something to do of an evening. We are rather dull here.

Except keeping watch, boat duty, and school in the forenoon, we have little or nothing to do. . . . Most of the colliers have left this place now, and I think they all ought to be gone. We have completed our coal, and I don't suppose we will coal again unless at Kiel on our way home.

Then on 16th November :—" The weather is very cold now. This morning, when we washed the upper deck, the water froze. . . . I am getting tired of the Baltic for this year."

After about a week at Hango, during which the weather was getting colder and colder and ice beginning to form round the ships, good-bye was said to the Gulf of Finland by the last of the Flying Squadron.

24th November. This place is almost surrounded by small rocky islands. On three of these there are the ruins of the three forts which were blown up last year. I have been ashore at one of the forts which is entirely in ruins, but it seems to have been a very strong one when complete.

A temperature of 9 degrees at noon is noted on one of the days ; but before that, on the 25th : — The water tank was frozen over this morning, so that we were obliged to put a lot of hot water amongst it to thaw it. I think if it continues as cold as it is at present for a day or two we will be frozen in. . . . It is very cold turning in at night and turning out in the morning. I am very short of warm clothing. For instance, I have not got anything but thin cotton socks.

But these notes are already too long for all their worth, so they must take end.

After encountering a frightful gale of wind, during which the ship's quarter-boats were washed away, sails split, and other damage done, Faroe was reached, and thereafter, in due time, England and Plymouth.

Not very long afterwards, the tragedy of a painful, prolonged, and crippling illness brought the boy's sailoring to an end, and altered his whole career, so that now in his old age, instead of being the Admiral of his childish day-dreams, he may be looked upon as a kind of modified, but quite contented, Dr. Dry-as-dust.

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An Adventure in Mexico.

Recently I received a letter from my old School chum, William A. Mackie, 1903-08 (" Cubby " his nickname was), the first personal news I had had of him since the West swallowed him up in 1910. He is full of breezy stories and reminiscences of the States and Canada, up and down which he has travelled these five years, braving the frost and snow of the north and feeling the torrid sun of the south. I have his permission to publish his Revolution experiences of 1914 : so here is the story, mainly in his own words :— " Europe, it seems, is at present about as bad as Mexico, where on the average there is one revolution per month with plenty of scrapping and gun-work. By the way, I was down there myself a year ago. We left Vancouver on 3rd January, 1914, on a 1,000 ton freight and passenger boat, on which I stayed for six months, trading between 'Frisco and the Mexican ports, going as far south as Salina Cruz. It was a great time, though I nearly lost my life on several occasions. " One of these was at Manzanillo, at the time when the States had the trouble at Vera Cruz. The first we heard of it was at Mazatlan. The news came through that the States had declared war on Mexico, and that they had taken Vera Cruz. The town was quiet enough, quieter than it had been for months. You see, at that time all the ports from Guaymas to Salina Cruz were being besieged by the rebels, Villa's troops in the north and Carranza's in the south.

General Obergon had been pounding at Mazatlan, but meantime they were forming a truce in order to unite against the States. " Most white people had ' pulled out ' on a U.S. transport that had been hurried from 'Frisco, and I assisted in taking off a good number of them. One, a fat Yankee, who could speak Spanish and figured he owned the earth, came bustling up while I was lying alongside the pier waiting for the chief steward, who had gone ashore about provisions. I was sitting in the launch in my ' uniform '—a pair of overalls rolled above the knee, a thin sleeveless undershirt, and barefooted; the sun and salt winds had tanned me until I could pass for a Mexican boatman. Anyhow this Yank came along and started to jabber to me in Spanish. I caught his drift—he wanted to know how much I would take to row him to the transport. Holding up five fingers, I said, ' Cinquo Pesos, Senor.' He hummed and hawed or a few minutes and then climbed down, handed me the money, and away we went.

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" The transport was lying some two miles out in the open sea. Just outside the headland we struck as nice a cross-sea as ever open boat could wish and not be swamped. Mr. Yank bepn cussing—myself, the boat, the weather, and himself for being such a confounded fool as risk his life. Well, I started laughing and josing him. You should have seen his face when he heard me speak: it was a picture. For fully a minute he sat staring at me and then burst out with, ' Good Lord, kid, I guessed you for a greaser! '—by no means a compliment, but I let it pass at that! " That night we sailed south for Manzanillo, and just before reaching San Blas we picked up an American in a little ' dug-out ' canoe, sitting in the stern with a revolver in his hand and forcing two Mexicans to paddle him along.

He was a mining man from Tepic, who had made his ' get away ' after his two partners had been butchered. Making his way downstream he had come across these two greasers and their boat and compelled them to take him to the open sea. " We reached Manzanillo late the next afternoon and pulled in alongside the pier—a long wooden structure jutting out some 500 feet into the bay, with a corrugated iron roof over the whole pier, while some 200 feet at the shore end were completely covered in, forming a warehouse. On this pier was encamped the whole of the Federal army from the town, while the Rebels were in the town plaza. They had joined forces, however ; of the two the Rebels were the better men, more intelligent, better disciplined and equipped. " The only other boat in port when we arrived was a little brig, which, as we afterwards found, was the American brig ' Geneva.' The Mexicans had captured her and made the crew prisoners on board. They were not allowed to communicate with us. They signalled for the port doctor, however, and when he arrived one of the sailors bluffed him that The bluff he had plague and wanted to see our doctor. succeeded, and on coming aboard us he stated his case to the captain. It was finally arranged that when we pulled out we would pass close to them, keeping their brig between us and the shore, so as to let them get off safely in the boats. " Towards evening the ' General E. Pisquerie,' a Mexican passenger ship, came in, closely followed by the ' Herrias,' a Mexican troopship with convicts from an island prison to us make soldiers of them. The ' Pisquerie ' berthed opposite right lay ' Herrias ' the while on the other side of the pier, side behind her. She had, however, dropped anchor at our This place. her into end the round of the pier and backed to pull move, as appeared later on, was to enable her quickly out, getting from us prevent and pier round the end of the

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The scene was intensely interesting to watch during the day, and during the darkness of the night very fine.

Two days later the writer's ship towed four mortar vessels back to Nargen, and on 18th August started for the entrance to the Sound with five of these craft in tow. After getting clear of the mortar vessels the Euralyus returned to Nargen, and thereafter joined part of the Fleet under command of Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour off Seskar, the actual date being 5th September. From that time until 26th October, dreary blockading in the neighbourhood of Cronstadt was the work of the vessels composing Admiral Seymour's command. When not actually cruising in the neighbourhood, they were anchored off Seskar or Tolboukin or Cronstadt itself.

To compare small things with great, the remembrance of those months—April to December—of dreary cruising and blockading from Libau to Cronstadt in all weathers has enabled the writer to sympathise with and appreciate to the full both the hardships and the inestimable value to us and our Allies of the unceasing vigil of our Navy, both regular and auxiliary, in the North Sea and around the coasts of our beloved land since the beginning of the present war.

On the 20th and again on the 21st September, the Russian Fleet in Cronstadt were observed to dress ship, whether on account of some belated or some manufactured good news from the Crimea, who could tell ? On the evening of Monday the 24th, H.M.S. Geyser arrived with mails, and on Tuesday morning (and now the boy's account is quoted) " we weighed and stood in for Cronstadt. At noon, being pretty close to Cronstadt, we dressed ship and fired a salute of 21 guns in honour of our success in the Crimea. I have no doubt the Russians felt rather vexed when they saw us defying them in that open manner." The success referred to was doubtless the fall of Sebastopol, which had taken place on 8th September.

Among the defences of Cronstadt were what were called at the time " infernal machines " sunk under water, an embryonic form doubtless of the modern mine. The only harm that came of them at that time, so far as common talk went, was to one of Admiral Seymour's hands when he was examining the mechanism and construction of one which had . been fished up.

We took a small prize the other day (4th October) when, with the Orion, we went in to reconnoitre Cronstadt. We went in pretty close and caught a small vessel, or large boat, whichever you like to call her, laden with charcoal, and 7 Russians on board. We accordingly took her to Seskar with us and distributed the charcoal among the different ships in the squadron. When it was mostly gone, we set her out as a target for us to fire at, and accordingly one forenoon all the 1st and 2nd captains of the guns manned 5 main-deck guns. Each man fired three rounds and

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then took up another place at the gun. We were obliged to take up our numbers at a gun and had two shots each. We knocked the vessel all to pieces and knocked her masts down. We put the Russians ashore at Seskar.

When November came, things were getting dull and dreary, and eyes turning homewards. For example on 6th November : — I hope — will get on well at Mr. Anderson's in Old Aberdeen.

Has he begun Latin yet ? I have forgot most of mine. I wish now I had brought some of my Latin and Greek books to keep it in my head. It would be something to do of an evening. We are rather dull here.

Except keeping watch, boat duty, and school in the forenoon, we have little or nothing to do. . . . Most of the colliers have left this place now, and I think they all ought to be gone. We have completed our coal, and I don't suppose we will coal again unless at Kiel on our way home.

Then on 16th November :—" The weather is very cold now. This morning, when we washed the upper deck, the water froze. . . . I am getting tired of the Baltic for this year."

After about a week at Hango, during which the weather was getting colder and colder and ice beginning to form round the ships, good-bye was said to the Gulf of Finland by the last of the Flying Squadron.

24th November. This place is almost surrounded by small rocky islands. On three of these there are the ruins of the three forts which were blown up last year. I have been ashore at one of the forts which is entirely in ruins, but it seems to have been a very strong one when complete.

A temperature of 9 degrees at noon is noted on one of the days ; but before that, on the 25th :— The water tank was frozen over this morning, so that we were obliged to put a lot of hot water amongst it to thaw it. I think if it continues as cold as it is at present for a day or two we will be frozen in. . . . It is very cold turning in at night and turning out in the morning. I am very short of warm clothing. For instance, I have not got anything but thin cotton socks.

But these notes are already too long for all their worth, so they must take end.

After encountering a frightful gale of wind, during which the ship's quarter-boats were washed away, sails split, and other damage done, Faroe was reached, and thereafter, in due time, England and Plymouth.

Not very long afterwards, the tragedy of a painful, prolonged, and crippling illness brought the boy's sailoring to an end, and altered his whole career, so that now in his old age, instead of being the Admiral of his childish day-dreams, he may be looked upon as a kind of modified, but quite contented, Dr. Dry-as-dust.

D. L.

A berdeen Grammar School

.1/er!pi: iht .

63

An Adventure in Mexico.

Recently 1 received a letter from my old School chum, William A. Mackie, 1903-08 (" Cubby " his nickname was), the first personal news I had had of him since the West swallowed him up in 1910. He is full of breezy stories and reminiscences of the States and Canada, up and down which he has travelled these five years, braving the frost and snow of the north and feeling the torrid sun of the south. I have his permission to publish his Revolution experiences of 1914 so here is the story, mainly in his own words :— " Europe, it seems, is at present about as bad as Mexico, where on the average there is one revolution per month with plenty of scrapping and gun-work. By the way, I was down there myself a year ago. We left Vancouver on 3rd January, 1914, on a 1,000 ton freight and passenger boat, on which I stayed for six months, trading between 'Frisco and the Mexican ports, going as far south as Salina Cruz. It was a great time, though I nearly lost my life on several occasions. " One of these was at Manzanillo, at the time when the States had the trouble at Vera Cruz. The first we heard of it was at Mazatlan. The news came through that the States had declared war on Mexico, and that they had taken Vera Cruz. The town was quiet enough, quieter than it had been for months. You see, at that time all the ports from Guaymas to Salina Cruz were being besieged by the rebels, Villa's troops in the north and Carranza's in the south.

General Obergon had been pounding at Mazatlan, but meantime they were forming a truce in order to unite against the States. " Most white people had ' pulled out ' on a U.S. transport that had been hurried from 'Frisco, and I assisted in taking off a good number of them. One, a fat Yankee, who could speak Spanish and figured he owned the earth, came bustling up while I was lying alongside the pier waiting for the chief steward, who had gone ashore about provisions. I was sitting in the launch in my ' uniform '—a pair of overalls rolled above the knee, a thin sleeveless undershirt, and barefooted; the sun and salt winds had tanned me until I could pass for a Mexican boatman. Anyhow this Yank came along and started to jabber to me in Spanish. I caught his drift—he wanted to know how much I would take to row him to the transport. Holding up five fingers, I said, ' Cinquo Pesos, Senor.' He hummed and hawed for a few minutes and then climbed down, handed me the money, and away we went.

64

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" The transport was lying some two miles out in the open sea. Just outside the headland we struck as nice a cross-sea as ever open boat could wish and not be swamped. Mr. Yank began cussing—myself, the boat, the weather, and himself for being such a confounded fool as risk his life. Well, I started laughing and josing him. You should have seen his face when he heard me speak: it was a picture. For fully a minute he sat staring at me and then burst out with, ' Good Lord, kid, I guessed you for a greaser! '—by no means a compliment, but I let it pass at that ! " That night we sailed south for Manzanillo, and just before reaching San Blas we picked up an American in a little ' dug-out ' canoe, sitting in the stern with a revolver in his hand and forcing two Mexicans to paddle him along.

He was a mining man from Tepic, who had made his ' get away ' after his two partners had been butchered. Making his way downstream he had come across these two greasers and their boat and compelled them to take him to the open sea. " We reached Manzanillo late the next afternoon and pulled in alongside the pier—a long wooden structure jutting out some 500 feet into the bay, with a corrugated iron roof over the whole pier, while some 200 feet at the shore end were completely covered in, forming a warehouse. On this pier was encamped the whole of the Federal army from the town, while the Rebels were in the town plaza. They had join& forces, however; of the two the Rebels were the better men, more intelligent, better disciplined and equipped. " The only other boat in port when we arrived was a little brig, which, as we afterwards found, was the American brig ' Geneva.' The Mexicans had captured her and made the They were not allowed to comcrew prisoners on board. municate with us. They signalled for the port doctor, however, and when he arrived one of the sailors bluffed him that The bluff he had plague and wanted to see our doctor. succeeded, and on coming aboard us he stated his case to the captain. It was finally arranged that when we pulled out we would pass close to them, keeping their brig between us and the shore, so as to let them get off safely in the boats. " Towards evening the ' General E. Pisquerie,' a Mexican a passenger ship, came in, closely followed by the ' Herrias,' to prison island an from convicts Mexican troopship with opposite us make soldiers of them. The ' Pisquerie ' berthed ' lay right Herrias ' the while pier, on the other side of the at our side anchor dropped however, had, She her. behind her place. This of the pier and backed round the end into quickly to pull move, as appeared later on, was to enable her getting out, from us prevent and pier round the end of the

e

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

65

and so turn us and our passengers at the pier. It was all a put-up job, though we did not know it then. The plan will make things clear.

SHORE

I

-

SHORE

"PISQUER/E"

OUR BOAT

"H ERRIA5*

011 ,, SCHOONER *4

0 <21)

BREAKWATER BLOWN UP AS

I,

:'HERRIA5.

P -'<::.

"q EN EVA'

-

PLAZA I

WE. PASSED

/

OUR

• U.S.S. <72) "RALEIGH" ----* " Some 50 refugees from inland reached us about 8 o'clock that evening, and another 100 were expected from Mexico City and along the line by morning. This is the only reason that kept us from pulling out before, for we could not unload our cargo because there was no one to look after it on shore.

About 9.30 a ship was sighted coming in and great excitement prevailed in the town. All lights were put out on the pier, and down the centre of it were placed bales of oakum 15 yards apart, and between them cans of coal-oil—ready to kindle. " Still we stayed. Two of us were on the pier standing by the ropes ready to cast off. I was one, and, believe me, I was almost shrieking with fright. We had heard that the pier was mined, and we knew for a fact they were preparing to burn it. Can you imagine my feelings, then, standing there not knowing what minute I was going to do the ' skyrocket ' act? This tension lasted a good hour, though it seemed like ages. You see, they thought that the ship sighted was an American warship, coming to blow up the town; so they intended to beat them at it, blow up the town, burn the pier and us with it. But she turned out to be an American steam schooner (wooden) captured by the Mexicans. Goodness knows what became of her crew—fed the fishes, I guess. She was loaded with coal-oil, just the very thing the Mexicans

66

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wanted. They tied her up right astern of us, so close that we could jump from our stern on to her fore-deck. This fixed us from making a quick get-away, for we should have to swing clear of the pier, close to the breakwater, to get out. " Things quietened down after this, and when a watch had been set, most of us rolled in. Soon after 8 o'clock next morning another batch of refugees arrived, thus making our number over 200 souls all told. Most of them had nothing but what they stood up in, and they slept where they could, on deck or even in the hold. The cabins were all given up to the women and children, the captain gave up his cabin, and even the fo'c'sle, that sacred domain of the common sailor, was invaded by women. " The German consul, Carl Kaiser, who also looked after British and American interests in that port, asked us to stay on as he had news of two or three stragglers that were expected before night. So we stayed on. About 11 a.m. the U.S.S. ' Raleigh ' was sighted making port ; great excitement once more. The Rebels beat it for the hills behind the town, while the Federals on the pier hurriedly fell into line and marched off, followed by the wives of the married men, carrying their beds and cooking utensils in a bundle on their heads.

They took all the convicts with them off the ' Herrias ' that they could liberate. " Then came the denouement. The ' Herrias ' was pulling herself round to block us in (as per sketch), and we wasted no time in beating it. As it was, we had to run close up against the breakwater to miss being rammed by her. Meanwhile the pier and the steam schooner were a sheet of flame. When they saw that the ' Herrias ' had missed us, they blew up the breakwater, which, therefore, had also been mined. Being so close, we got the full shock; our sides were dented and shivered; saloon windows all smashed, as were two of the boats. The forward rigging was a pretty mess of broken cables and ropes. That no one was killed was a miracle. " Still backing we soon got to the lee of the ' Geneva.'

Her crew and passengers were in their two boats ready to pull off to us, and when we were nearly abreast of them, they made off ; believe me, the Oxford and Cambridge race was a funeral compared to this! There were about 50 yards between the two ships. When they had covered about half the distance th3 soldiers on the ' Herrias,' which was moving after us, sighted them, and at once opened fire. Luckily their aim was wild, and though a veritable hail of bullets dropped round them, our ship was reached without any damage being done. We were standing by ready to help them aboard. Among the party were two women and a three months old baby, refugees from San Bias. Everything living

A berdeen

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had been brought off the brig, even to the cat and two pet dogs ! It was while helping one of the dogs, a pet bull, over the side that I was hit by a stray. I didn't notice it much at the time; the excitement was too great. Having made the boats fast, we were now heading out to sea at full speed towards the ' Raleigh,' and when we were under the protection of her guns, we dropped anchor. The excitement was over for a time at least. The town by this time was a wreck ; the breakwater a reef of rocks ; the pier, what was left of it, an inferno. The steam schooner was ashore to the left of the town, having drifted from her moorings with the tide.

She was burning grandly, and did so to the water's edge, as did the pier. The power-house (electric), the station, shops, a Standard Oil warehouse, the railroad track and cutting into the town had all been blown up. Small fires started in various places, and all night the shore was lighted by them.

Next morning what had been a picturesque little town was a heap of charred ruins. " The only building on the water front that escaped was the German Consulate, strange to say. In that building the consul had stayed on, refusing to leave so long as a refugee might chance along from the interior. This was not duty, for no one could have blamed him for leaving under the circumstances. It was sheer bravery, a dogged determination to win out, and he made good for he brought out three refugees next morning. German he may be, but he was a man."

Such is but one part of a letter that for length and interest is more like a book of adventure. He bids me give his " chin-chin " to all his old pals of the School, and I think the best way of doing so is to make the wish known through the Magazine. He is now in business in Seattle, U.S.A., and feeling " comparatively " domiciled. But, like Stevenson, he may have pitched his tent but for a brief sojourn, and may be off again by the morrow.

A. M.

•

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•

The inclemency of the weather during the summer months of this year was a rather serious drawback to a thorough enjoyment of the holidays, although it had the effect of bringing most of the pupils back at the proper time; in fact, the attendance record for the first few weeks of School reached a very high percentage, several classes not having had one absentee during that time. The long spell of hard work from August to Christmas is now to be broken by one or two days' vacation between the first and second quarters.

We hope that this will prove so great a success that it will be continued in future years, although, alas ! we, personally, shall not be there to reap the benefits.

K.

✓Pa

This is the time for resolutions for hard work during the new session. Practically every member of the Higher School resolves, sometimes mentally, and very often audibly, to work harder than he has ever worked before, even at the cost of burning the midnight oil ; and we see how well these resolutions are carried out (we can't answer for the oil) by the success of the Christmas examinations and, later, by the " Leavings " and " Bursary Comp." Which reminds us that very few people seem to realise that the School did exceedingly well in the Bursary Competition last session, considering the number of members of the higher classes who were on active service " somewhere."

It is hoped that the School Clubs will be as successful as usual, notwithstanding the very meagre attendances at all the meetings for electing office-bearers. Everyone will rejoice to hear that the School Literary and Debating Society has been revived. Last year, for some reason or other, it fell into abeyance. An exceptionally good syllabus has been made out—one which will give golden opportunities to the numerous youths who, as several members of the staff are aware to their cost, are gifted with singular oratorical powers.

A Judicial Night has been arranged for, and we trust that it will be far better attended than it has been in past years ; it is disappointing that such a prominent feature in the

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69

Society's syllabus should not be more generally patronised.

The office-bearers and committee intend to make it the success it deserves to be, and this it will be if they are backed up by a large and enthusiastic audience.

0 Last year the Library had less than thirty members, and this out of at least three hundred pupils who are old enough to appreciate the various kinds of literature contained in it.

By the time these lines are in print the tickets will have been issued and, if you belong to the School and are not at present a member, any of the librarians will be pleased to give you a ticket in exchange for one shilling—a small enough sum, surely.

The Treasurer of the Swimming Club is now Mr. Macrae, in place of Mr. Mackie, who has so capably filled that post for a very long time. If all goes well, Swimming Sports, another customary event which the School missed last year, will be held towards the end of the session.

The Athletic Sports were held this year on Friday, 17th, and Saturday, 18th September. On Friday the rain poured almost unceasingly from morning till evening. More people were present than one might have expected, taking into account the state of the weather. Saturday, however, proved a better day, and a large crowd visited the grounds and witnessed an excellent display. In all the events there was close competition and more than once, in the longer races, two of the competitors passed the finishing post exactly level.

The usual laughter was caused during the obstacle race by the " greasy board " and the " ducking " for apples.

All encroachments on the field attempted by the younger and, therefore, rowdier boys, had hitherto been successfully checked by an enthusiastic member of the Sports Committee who, with the aid of a watering can, considerably damped their ardour. The sight of the apples, however, was too much and, hurling a few derisive epithets at the unfortunate Committee member, they charged the tub and subsequently plundered it. We indulge in the above levity because we have more than one reason for believing that our friend the Literary Editor has not inserted any note concerning the Committee member.

0 The football season has now commenced and will soon be in full swing.

On the 2nd and 9th October practice matches for the selection of the School XV. were played between teams got up by J. T. Sorley, the captain, and

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P. D. Lawrence, the secretary. Although most of the players have not had any practice for more than a year, there is plenty of good material to choose from. We know our readers will join us in wishing the XV. all success during the season, if, as is hoped, matches can be arranged with local teams.

Two pupils who were still at the School with us less than two months before the outbreak of the War, have lately been reported wounded. These are 2nd Lieutenant Hugh Norman Blackett Wilson of the 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and Private John Hamilton Bell of the 4th Gordons.

We hope that they will both have a speedy recovery.

The School is doing its duty in the matter of comforts for the soldiers. At the end of the holidays several of the pupils brought back gifts which were afterwards forwarded to Miss Stewart of Banchory. The weight of the gifts was 69 lbs. ; and the money contributions, amounting to 30 shillings, were put in the bank to accumulate, along with other small sums.

CIO The " Moderns " are at present occupying their manual hcurs in making wooden articles such as splints, book-troughs, etc., for use in the military hospitals.

Before the next number of the Maga:ine is published, We many incidents worthy of record will have occurred. hope, by then, to have survived the Christmas examinations, not to mention the cruel and, let us hope, unwarranted criticism on Magazine night of our literary efforts; and now, having said our say we at length lay down our editorial quill.

The Library.

The most valuable single contribution received in the last twenty years comes from Mr. Louis Wilson, F.P., consisting of 108 volumes in Literature, Biography, Travels, Art, etc., and including a number of works of special interest to local history ; 22 vole. of the Mermaid Series of our Old Dramatists, Gordon's Monasticon and Scotichronicon, Extracts from the Burgh Records of Aberdeen (2 vole. Spalding Club), Mayo's Medals and Decorations of the British Army and Navy, Chambers's Book of Days, 2 vols., Edgar Allan Poe's Works, 3 vols., works by Emerson, Fielding, Motley, Carlyle, Hallam, Prescott, George Borrow, etc.

Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine.

7.1

Random Notes.

For a long time we have wondered how it has come about that there should be such a thing as an attempt at humour in a school magazine.

What is there in school life fit for laughter? Those delightful Sunday evenings, when one suddenly remembers, about nine o'clock, that there is an essay, a Latin Version, Mathematics, Demosthenes, and a few other trifles yet to be done for the morrow ? Or the crowd of ravenous youngsters at the interval, struggling madly for the frugal bap, or some succulent sweetmeat to stave off the pangs of starvation ? Or the wan looks of the seniors, due to overwork and a too great conscientiousness for their many tasks? Surely these are not subjects for mirth.

On looking into back-numbers of the Magazine, we find that the Sports are generally made an occasion for jest, and the person singled out as the especial butt for shafts of malicious wit is the gunnery expert, the very gallant gentleman who manages the pistol. Never for an instant would we dream of holding up to ridicule the hero who endangers his life with this lethal weapon.

The obstacle race appears to be a most profitable affair.

After the competitors have safely negotiated the stumblingblocks cast in their way, they find themselves richer firstly by a thick coating of the finest soft soap, and secondly by a number of apples, obtained from a tub of water by the intricate process known as " ducking." The number of apples is in direct proportion to the cubic capacity of the competitor's mouth.

Fond parents may feel exceptionally pleased this year with the beneficent influence under which their young hopefuls pass their days. No less than five members of the highest class will some day adorn pulpits in various parts of the country. What school is there but would benefit by the presence of these noble youths? As the " Debater " has been started again this year, the fiery eloquence of these gentlemen may be heard any Friday evening in Room I. No collection will be taken.

There was once a student who translated " Vere novo gelidus canis cum montibus umor liquitur " by " Strange but true, he was left on the mountains by way of a joke, the cool dog." Although the " Grammar " cannot lay claim to that " gem of purest ray serene," more or less curious translations do occasionally crop up. For example, " plurima nux " was recently construed as " The abundant ' nut.' " A significant line came immediately after this: " magnaque cum magno veniet tritura calore "—" and there will come a mighty thrashing, with great heat."

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One Saturday morning a few weeks ago, we went down to watch the first " Rugger " match of the season. We were in search of " copy," be it said. The full-back of one team proved rather a nuisance to his opponents. He was of such diminutive stature as to be invisible except at point-blank range. The consequence was that everyone was continually tripping over him. We strongly deprecate this unsportsmanlike method of defence. Why not have barbed-wire entanglements on various parts of the field ? They could at least be seen.

At the end of the game we approached with humble mien the Great Man, the Omnipotent, the Referee. Meekly we asked him whether he could tell us of any humorous incident he had observed, such as an attempt to steal the ball, or the whistle. Taking our arm in a most cordial way, the AllPowerful replied, " My dear fellow, the whole game was humorous ! ' We still commence our day's work at the heathenish hour of eight in the morning. Though this is by no means pleasant (euphemism) on cold, winter mornings, we console ourselves with the reflection that we suffer in the noble cause of charity to our neighbours, to wit, our friends of the " Central." We regret to say that they, however, are somewhat apt to look their gift-horse in the mouth. How ! sharper than a serpent's tooth We were recently inspired to perpetrate the following gem of poesy :— THE BALLAD OF THE EARLY BIRD. One dark and frozen early morn I was roused in sudden fright, By ghastly clamour, ringing wild, On the breath of dying night.

The ne'er forgotten clash of steel !

From my couch it drew me forth With anger fierce 'gainst that alarm, I smashed it in my wrath !

Returned unto my downy couch, 'Neath blankets there I cower. * * * * * * Hear batt'ring at the door ! " Arise !

Eight lacks but half-an-hour." " Let lie poor sleeping dogs," I cry, Yet out to the cold I crawl— No " worm " for me, though an " early. bird," But " lines " if I'm late for Hall.

•

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Aberdeen

Grammar School Magazine.

73

The School Athletic Sports.

The School's Annual Athletic Sports were held on Friday the 17th, and Saturday the 18th of September. The forenoon of the Friday was very wet, but while the sports were taking place in the afternoon, it dried up considerably. The jumping and the heats were held on Friday as usual, with the following results :—Open high jump-1 W. R. D. Glennie (ht.

4 ft. 8 ins.) ; 2 (equal) J. M. Sleigh and J. A. Spark. High jump (Class II.) 1 J. H. Peters (ht. 4 ft. 6 ins.) ; 2 N. A. Sinclair. High jump (Class III.) 1 R. D. Strachan (ht. 4 ft. 7 ins.) ; 2 (equal) J. Marr and E. R. Sorley. High jump (Class IV.) 1 S. Duffus ; 2 W. Smith. High jump (Class V.) 1 I. Munro. Broad jump (open) 1 J. M. Sleigh (distance 17 ft. 3 ins.) ; 2 C. V. Spark ; 3 A. Argo. Broad jump (Class II.) 1 A. Angus (distance 16 ft. 7 ins.) ; 2 J. G. Stewart. Broad jump (Class III.) 1 J. Marr (13 ft.) ; 2 A. G. Walker ; 3 J. Lawrie.

On the afternoon of Saturday the weather was splendid for racing, and the finals of the heats run on Friday were finished off, along with the races for Saturday only. Hurdles (open) 1 J. M. Sleigh ; 2 J. A. Spark.

Hurdles (Class II.) 1 A. Angus (time 17 sec.) ; 2 J. G. Stewart. Hurdles (Class III.) 1 J. Marr (time 20 sec.) ; 2 C. Moir. 60 yards Race (under 6) 1 W. M. Davidson ; 2 J. N. Thom ; 3 (equal) F. J. S. Marshall and G. W. Bowes. 80 yards Race (under 7) 1 N. G. Taylor ; 2 E. Jamieson.

100 yards Race (Class VI.) 1 J. L. Rennet ; 2 E. G. Abercrombie ; 3 J. L. I. Wilson. Throwing the Cricket Ball (open) 1 F. R. Sleigh (distance 84i yards) ; 2 3. A. Spark. 100 yards Race (Class V.) 1 R. Irvine (time 14 sec.) ; 2 C. Thomson ; 3 E. Munro. 100 yards Race (Class IV.) 1 J. C. Fraser (time 14 sec.) ; 2 H. Gunter ; 3 N. B. Wright. 100 yards Race (Class III.) 1 K. Thomson (time 13 sec.) ; 2 J. Marr '• 3 M. G. Gibb. 100 yards Race (Class II.) 1 A. Angus (time 11 sec.) ; 2 J. G. Stewart ; 3 E. Watt. 100 yards Race (open) 1 J. M. Sleigh (time 1ljf sec.) ; 2 A. Argo.

300 yards Race (Class V.) 1 I. Munro (time 57 sec.) ; 2 F. Black. 300 yards Race (Class IV.) 1 H. Gunter (time 52 sec.) ; 2 J. C. Fraser ; 3 A. A. Barnett. 300 yards Race (Class III.) 1 R. Gray (time 47 sec.) ; 2 C. Scott ; 3 C. Moir. Throwing the Hammer (open) 1 J. A. Spark (74 ft.

1 in.) ; 2 C. V. Spark. Half-mile (Class II.) 1 J. G. Stewart (time 2 min. 30i- sec.) ; 2 J. H. Peters ; 3 (equal) K. M. Robertson and A. Tait. Half-mile (Class III.) 1 J. Lawrie (time 2 min. 55 sec. ; 2 S. Wood. Half-mile (open) 1 A. Argo (time 2 min. 38 sec.). Sack Race (Classes IV. and V.) 1 K. Finlayson ; 2 I. Munro ; 3 P. Wood. Sack Race (Class III.) 1 C. S. M`Leod ; 2 A. Henderson ; 3 W. Rose. Putting the Weight (open) 1 C. V. Spark (distance 28 ft. 1 in.) ; 2 J. A. Spark.

Quarter-mile (Class II.) 1 J. G. Stewart (time 6l sec.) ; 2 (equal) N. A. Sinclair and E. Watt. Quarter-mile (open) 1 J. M. Sleigh (time 61 sec.); 2 J. A. Spark. Drop-Kick (open) 1 J. 11. Sleigh (distance 129 ft.) ; 2 J. L. Riddell. Egg-and-Spoon Race (open) 1 C. Hendrick ; 2 J. H. Greig 3 G. J. Hall. Tug of-War—won by Classical. Obstacle Race (Class III.) 1 M. G. Gibb ; 2 J. Marr; 3 P. Jamieson. Obstacle Race (open) 1 A. R. Gray ; 2 K. M. Robertson ; 3 W. R. D. Glennie.

The prizes were presented in the School Hall on Friday, 22nd October,

by Major Edward W. Watt, commanding the 3/4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders.

The Literary and Debating Society.

This Society fell into abeyance last session, so many of our leading pupils having enlisted in His Majesty's Forces. This year an endeavour has been made to continue the good work of the Society by holding the usual meetings. To ensure a successful session the co-operation of the members is absolutely necessary, and as this is the oldest Club in the School, it is the duty of each member to take a particular interest in its welfare. Thus only shall we be able to maintain the high respect and

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reputation which our Literary and Debating Society has earned for itself in former years. 6th September, 1915.—The General Meeting of the members of the Society was held on the above date in Room I., at 1-30, for the purpose of electing office-bearers for the session. Mr. Murison, The patrons and honorary officeHon. President, kindly presided. bearers remain as before. The following were elected as acting officeMr. Eric R. :—President, Linklater bearers ; Vice-Presidents, Messrs.

P. D. Lawrence, and D. S. Walker ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. A. R. Gray ; Committee, Messrs. R. A. Milne, H. Ritchie, A. A. R. Smith, J. R. Sutherland, and G. J. Taggart.

The following is the attractive syllabus which has been arranged :—

to

SYLLABUS. 1915.

Oct. 15.—Debate—" Is the present Cinema-craze detrimental to public welfare?"

Linklater; Aff.—Mr. E. R. Neg.—Mr. D. S. Walker.

• 22.—Lecture—" The Historical Topography of Aberdeen." G. M. Fraser, Esq. • 29.—Magazine Night.

Nov. 5.—Lecture—" Borrow, the Gipsy." W. Munson, Esq., M.A. „ 12.—Debate—" Is the Barbarian happier than the Civilised Man ?" Aff.—Mr. P. D. Lawrence; Neg.—Mr. A. R. Smith.

• 19.—Lecture—" A Tour in India" (Illustrated). Rev. Robert Fagan, B.D. • 26.—Lecture—" Browning's Paracelsus." Rev. A. Austin Foster, M.A. Dec. 3.—Impromptu Debates. „ 10.—Lecture—G. Middleton, Esq., B.A. (Cantab).

17.—Judicial Night. „ 24.—Sing-Song.

1916.

Jan. 14.—Lecture—" Art Treasures of Rome " (Illustrated). Rev. Lucking Tavener. „ 21.—Debate—" Should the Coal Mines be taken over by the Government?" Aff.— Mr. H. Ritchie; Neg.—Mr. G. J. Taggart.

• 28.— Lecture—" Some Continental Experiences." C. Davidson, Esq., M.A. Feb. 4.—Lecture—" Some Experiments." C. McLeod, Esq., M.A., D.Sc. „ 11.—Debate—" Are Athletics Overdone?" Alf.—Mr. J. R. Sutherland ; Neg. — Mr. R. A. Milne. „ 18.—Heckling Night.

• 25.—Lecture—" Devils." John MacKenzie Forbes, Esq., M.A. Mar. 3.—Impromptu Debates. „ 10.—Lecture — " Belgium — Past and Present" (Illustrated). Rev. A. Duff Watson, B.D. „ 17.—Readings. „ 24.—Sing-Song.

15th October, 1915.—The first meeting of the Society was held in Room IV., at 7 o'clock. Mr. Lawrence, Vice-President, presided over an attendance of about seventy members. After the minute of the General Meeting had been read and approved, the business of the evening commenced.

Is the present Cinema-craze detrimental to public welfare?" was keenly debated by Messrs. Linklator and Walker. Both gave witty and admirable papers, which showed much careful preparation.

Mr. Walker, who supported the negative, won by a large majority. Mr. Linklater then took the chair, and a "Hat Night" was proposed, seconded, and unanimously carried. The debates were poor, though the members were very enthusiastic. The chief debate of any interest was, " Should we have a Hockey Team in connection with the School ?" proposed by Mr. Ritchie. This was well sustained by Mr. D. Thomson—one of the promising young members. Further discussion was carried on to 9 o'clock, when the Chairman terminated the meeting.

0

The Museum.

101 Birds' Eggs presented by Mr. R. Hay Fenton, namely, 6 varieties of Black-headed Gull, 1-3 Common Gull, 1-5 Barn Owl,* 1-3 Spotted Eagle,* a beautiful set; 1-5 Sparrow-hawk, 3-5 Kestrel, 1-4 Kestrel (clay coloured), 1-5 Lesser Kestrel,* 2-3 Arctic Tern, 1.3 Robin (large), 1-3 Blackcap (red variety), 3-4 Dunlin, 2-5 Tree Sparrow, 1-5 and 1-4 Flycatcher, 1-6 Thrush, and 1-6 Blackbird (a rare number), 1-6 Nuthatch, and 13-1 Razorbill. Those marked * are new species in our collection.

Also a young shark's jaw, and a chameleon preserved in spirits.

Watt & Milne,

J{igiz-ckaSS OressmakerS, Costumiers,

I72

I

Union Street,

frlaqtlemakerS,

Furriers,

craales'

Aberdeen.

Outfitters.

ARGO'S

STORES,

81 el 83 GEORGE STREET.

Men's, Ootiths', &

Zuits.

Best Value in Town.

Tel. 2540V2.

GILL

& SON.

lallatcbtnaliers, 3eweliers, & Opticians, 12 BRIDGE

STREET,

ABERDEEN.

(Established over 50 Years.)

Fashionable Wrist Watches—Gold, Silver, Gun Metal—Best Value.

Silver Cigarette Cases, Match Boxes, Fashionable Signet Rings, in great variety.

Spectacles and Eye Glasses. Boys' Watches 5/- to 20/- each.

You will find our Repairs either in Watches or Jewellery promptly executed and quite satisfactory.

OFFICERS' UNIFORMS A SPECIALITY. Mr. Watson has had unique experience in this class of work. Cutting, Fitting, and Making-up personally attended to.

Note the Address--

WILLIAM N. WATSON, COMPLETE MILITARY OUTFITTER,

UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

347

Telephone No. 994.

'Phones—I59i and i5Qra.

WM. SMITH, HIGH-CLASS

FRUITERER, FLORIST, and CONFECTIONER. THE

SHOP

FOR

LUCKY

WEDDING

BOUQUETS.

Only Address:

HOLBURN

JUNCTION

(TOP OF UNION STREET).

Greenhouse and Vineries—I2 HUNTLY STREET, Tetegraphic Address —Smith, Aberdeen, 159i.

Aberdeen -

Grammar

School

figas.ine .

75

The Former Pupils' Club.

Notes.

The Membership.

A list of New Members is published on another page, and although under the grave circumstances in which the Nation is at present placed, it cannot be expected that the membership will increase to any great extent, it is gratifying that a few more members are always being enrolled. It is hoped that those pupils who left School at the end of last session, and who have not yet become members of the Club, will see their way to do so now.

The Secretary will be glad to receive the names and addresses of any Old ;Boys who are likely to join the Club, and will forward to them particulars about membership.

Those members whose subscriptions are due for the year ending isth April, 1916, are reminded of the fact by a notice which is affixed to the outside cover of the Magazine, and the Executive trusts that they will fill up the Form enclosed with this issue, and remit their subscriptions by return of post, so that the additional work and expense involved in sending out further notices may be reduced to a minimum.

The fact has to be emphasised that in these times, when the finances of the Club have not the advantage of donations from the Dramatic or other Sections of the Club, the chief source of revenue is from subscriptions, and if the Magazine is to be kept up to its present standard, these must not fall away. It will be a great favour if members will see to it that subscriptions have not to be asked for a second time.

The Recreation Ground.

Members of the Club in Aberdeen have been surprised with the rapid progress that has been made in the laying out of the Recreation Ground, and those who have not yet seen the Ground will scarcely recognise the waste area which has been laid out to so good advantage. There is no doubt that the Club has secured for the School and for its own members a Ground which will in course of time be second to none in Scotland.

To the List of Subscriptions published in the previous numbers of the Magazine, the following have to be added :— - £10 0 0 Dr. John F. Christie, 10 Alford Place, Aberdeen Lieut. A. J. MacNeill, 22 Osborne Place, Aberdeen 2 2 0 A. Murray Scott, c/o U.F. Manse, Collieston, Arbroath 0 10 6 Lieut. Arthur W. Strachan, 79th Carnatic Infantry, . . .....

• Andaman Islands 0 10 6 A. J. Findlay, B.Sc., Department of Agriculture, Nigeria 0 10 0 .

-----Sums under 10s.

0 5 0 £13 18 0 Further donations, large or small, will be gladly received by the Treasurer, Mr. James W. Milne, C.A., 154 Union Street, Aberdeen.

The attention of officers and men serving abroad will be greatly appreciated.

76

Aberdeen

Grammar School Magazine.

List of New Members.

Life

Members.

George H. Mair (1899-1902), M.A., Whitehall House, Whitehall, London, S. W. James H. Sim (1901-06), Inspector's Department, Canadian Bank of Commerce, Toronto, Canada.

Alex. Gordon Grant (1904.06), c/o 1 Bouverie Avenue, Glasgow.

A. W. Strachan (1893-1901), 79th Carnatic Infantry, Port Blair, Andaman Islands.

Douglas Graeme Robertson (1904-15), 87 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

James Wallace Crombie (1907-15), 18 Rubislaw Den North, Aberdeen. lain D. Forrest MacLennan (1908-15), Wolverkrantz, Woodstock Road, Aberdeen.

Ordinary Andrew Robertson (1904.07), Invercoyle, Bridge of Dee, Aberdeen.

James W. Walker (1894-96), 42 Belgrave Terrace, Aberdeen.

A. Douglas Wisely (1909-14), 447 Great Western Road, Aberdeen.

Edward Petfield (1908-14), 61 Devonshire Road, Aberdeen.

Charles F. Thomson (1912-14), 128 Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

James F. Thomson (1913.15), 128 Osborne Place, Aberdeen.

Cecil H. Aiken (1911-14), Ruthven House, RuthrIeaton, Aberdeen.

Dr. Robert Richards (1899.1904), 61 Braemar Place, Aberdeen.

A. Murray Scott (1900-02), U.F. Manse, Collieston, near Arbroath.

W. Nicoll Buyers (1906-10), 2 Alleyn Park, Dulwich, London, S.E. W. Shepherd (1889 - 99), Laukavele, QuairadIng, W. Australia.

Alfred Williamson, 20 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen.

Members.

Maxwell C. Wright (1902-14), 123 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

Alexander Anderson (1911-15), North Loirston, Nigg.

Nenion Elliot (1909-15), 6 Gladstone Place, Aberdeen.

James Ross (1910-15), 14 Claremont Street, Aberdeen.

Alexander Aitken (1909-12), 37 Beechgrove Terrace, Aberdeen.

George Crabb (1858-64 32 Howard Court, West Hampstead, London, N.W. David C. Milne (1911.15), 3 Baltic Place, Aberdeen.

John McLeod (1903-15), 120 Hamilton Place, Aberdeen.

Douglas D. .T. Patterson (1909.15), 76 Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen.

Alex. C. Simpson (1909.15), West Bungalow, Cults.

William J. Johnston (1903-15), 71 Fountainhall Road, Aberdeen.

John J. H. Anderson (1910-15), 26 Braemar Place, Aberdeen.

Club Office= Bearers. lion. President—H. F. MORLAND SIMPSON, M.A., LLD. President— Vice-President—CHARLES WATT ( 1894-98).

Secretary and Treasurer— JAMES WM. MILNE, C.A., 46A Union Street.

Assistant Secretary— STODART M. CHRYSTALL, M.A., B.L., 21 Bridge Street, Aberdeen.

NOTICE.—Articles, letters, notes, verses, photographs, etc., intended for the February, 1916, issue of the "Magazine" should be sent, not later than 31st January, to MR. THEODORE WATT, 10 MORAY PLACE, ABERDEEN.

TELEPHONE

No. 1891.

ARCHIBALD McKELLAR, family Grocer and Wine Merchant,

456 UNION STREET, gBEFtDEEN. —*— Invalid China Tea in I lb. packets.

Harris's Wiltshire Bacon in tins, 1/1 and 1/6 each.

Harris's Wiltshire Sausages in tins, 1 2 each.

(Suitable for sending to our soldiers and sailors.)

Medicinal Wines—Yibrona, Hall's, Wincarnis, Glendenning' s.

MEN'S GALASES, Price 2/- per pair.

Made by GUYOT, Paris.

To be obtained from

W. 251

J.

MILNE,

UNION

STREET,

ABERDEEN. (Opposite Royal Northern Club.)

Telephone 1293.

Messrs. MORGAN, II)botograpbtc Artists, Miniature 'Minters, anD Makers of Artistic frames, . .

•

•

393 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

Special e'er:77s to eranmar School Students.

s.

10 A.M. TILL 5 P.M.

Telephones : : ra

:

TELEPHONE No. 603.

Telegrams :

" Power, Aberdeen."

CLAUD HAMILTON, LT°9 ABERDEEN and ABOYNE. Automobile Engineers.

Electrical Engineers.

Official Repairers to the R.A.C., S.A.C., M.U., and A.A., also to the leading Insurance Companies.

Contractors for all kinds of Elec-

Expert Mechanics and modern tools.

trical Work, including Admiralty Battleships, Country Mansions, Private Houses, etc.

Large staff of

All sizes of Tyres in stock.

Experienced Electricians.

ENQUIRIES SOLICITED.

ESTIMATES GIVEN.

GEORGE ANDERSON, " THE" IRONMONGER,

19 BROAD STREET, Opposite "Journal"

and "Express"

Office.

The Store where you can get anything in Household Ironmongery at most Reasonable Prices.

SPECIALIST

IN

KERBS

for PARLOUR, BEDROOM, or KITCHEN.

Endless Variety; all

Sizes and Prices to suit every requirement.

Bedsteads and Bedding in great variety.

Cutlery by

best Sheffield makers, at Lowest Prices.

Incandescent

Fittings, Mantles, Globes, Beaded Shades, etc., etc.

'PHONE 2174.

A VISIT WILL REPAY.

Grammar School Essentials -

Cream Flannel Shorts, 316, 311, 4/6.

Navy Serge Shorts, Correct \Vide Cut, 2/11, 3/6, 3/11, 4/6.

Cream Knitted Sweaters, Polo Collar, 3/11.

Coloured Cashmere Jerseys, all Leading Self Colours, 3/6, 3/11, 4/0, 4/11.

Cream Viyella Jerseys, Buttoned Shoulder, 3/11, 4/6, 4/11.

White Wincey Shirts, Detachable Collar, 3/6, 3/11, 4/6.

Aertex White Cellular Underwear, Shirts, 1/6; Knee Drawers, 1/9.

Navy Serge Eton Caps, Piped Red, White, Blue, or Self Navy Serge, 1/-.

Grammar School Cap Badges, Sid. each.

Red, White, Blue Striped Knitted Ties, 6?,-d. each.

Elastic Belts, 6d. each.

011N FALCONER°Co FAMOUS FOR A CENTURY& QUARTER FOR QUAUTWVALUE 1

HE ROYAL ARCA2y ABERDEEN

Established 1859.

Telephone 1750.

FOR -

MILK and CREAM, BUTTER, EGGS, TEA CAKES, SCONES, & OATCAKES, TRY

FINDLAY'S DAIRY, 457 UNION STREET, & BRANCHES, ABERDEEN;

Also, THE SQUARE, CULTS. Established over a Century.

DAVIDSON BROTHERS, cabinetmakers anb 'Clpholactere, CARPET WAREHOUSEMEN,

Removal Contractors & Complete House Furnishers,

131; UNION STREET, RBERDEEN, Works-45 and 47 CHAPEL STREET.

. .

Visit

Moir's Hairdressing Saloons, 5 DEE STREET (Just off Union Street).

First-class Assistants always in attendance Business Hours-

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

MEMBER

OF

THE ABOVi

Saturday, 8 a.m. to i•30 p.m.

FOR

.

.

.

Drawing Instruments and Materials, picture framer aub 9 Colourman, SCHOOLHILL, ABERDEEN.

TAYLOR Telephone 2870.

-

J. GEDDES, 15

tobacco & Cigar liSercbant.

All High-class Tobaccos, Cigars, and Cigarettes in perfect condition may be had at

fel

• All kinds of Smokers' Requisites.

A large and varied Stock of Walking Sticks by the best London )fakers.

66

Agent for Loewe Pipes.

Union Street, Aberdeen.

478

NO ONE SHOULD BE WITHOUT AN

ELECTRIC POCKET LAMP A LIGHT WITHOUT DANGER OF FIRE. The cost is small, the convenience great. Come and see our large selection, from 1/- to 7/6.

George St., MILLER BROS • 5 249/251 ABERDEEN. Telephone 2304.

All Fresh from Ellon Daily.

The Fountainhead for

Fine Buchan Butter, Fresh Farm Eggs Fine Home-made Cheese, Fowls, Chickens, Rabbits, Ducklings, Jams (all own make), Honey (in Supers, lib. and 2 lb.), Honey (in nice Tumblers).

MILNE Ellon Stall, New Market ; TELEPHONE 746.

And Branch-404

UNION STREET -Tel. ?51.

JAMES FYFE & SON, PAINTERS & GLAZIERS, OFFICE & SHOWROOMS, 11 DEE ST. Tel.: Fyfe, Painters.

'Phone 304.

Best Quality of DRUGS, etc., at Lowest Cash Price.

JAMES D. DUNCAN, M.P.S., CbcintLIMPbarmacit3t,

231

UNION STREET---231 Telephone 311.

D.

WYLLIE

&

SON,

247 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. Agents for Ordnance Survey Maps.

Booksellers, Army and Navy Stationers.

Circulating Library in connection with Mudie's, of London.

Engraving, Bookbinding, and Printing of every description.

Fountain Pen Emporium.

Premier House in the North of Scotland for the sale of Scottish Publications.

Publishers and Proprietors of " The Aberdeen Book Lover."

Telephone 402.

Established 1814.

Telegraphic Address : " Wyllie, Booksellers, Aberdeen."

CAST=OFF CLOTHING. Mrs. M`CALL, 50 UPPERKIRKGATE, ABERDEEN, (Established over quarter of a century)

will wait upon Ladies and Gentlemen, and give Extreme Value for all Kinds of

LEFT-OFF CLOTHING,

OLD GOLD AND SILVER,

WORN-OUT JEWELLERY, SHEFFIELD PLATE,

TRINKETS,

FALSE TEETH,

FURS,

FURNITURE, etc., etc.

BANKERS —North of Scotland and Town & County Bank, Ltd. Telephone No. 3002.

BUSINESS STRICTLY PRIVATE.

M. GERARD, JEWELLER

AND

SILVERSMITH,

411 UNION STREET (WEST).

Engagement and Wedding Rings.

JEWELLERY OF EVERY DESCRIPTION: ALSO

Watches, Clocks, Silver and Electro-Plated Goods in Newest Designs, and Large Selection to choose from.

Telephone 2533Y&,

•

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR SCHOOL. (Founded previous to 1256.)

Rector—H. F. MORLAND SIMPSON, M.A. (Cantab.), LL.D., F.S.A. Scot.

The School, which is one of the Secondary Public Schools of Scotland, provides for Boys a complete course of study—Elementary and Secondary, Classical and Modern. The Lower School receives Boys of the Infant stage and upwards.

The School contains excellent Laboratories—Chemical and Physical, Art Room, Workshop, Botanical Garden, Gymnasium, Library, and Reading Room.

The situation of the School is open and healthy, within ten minutes of the Railway Station.

There is a Cricket Field, and there are separate Playgrounds for the various departments.

Boarders are received by several of the Masters.

Information as to Fees, Scholarships, etc., is given in the School Prospectus, which may be had free on application to the CLERK of the Scuoor. BOARD, 22 Union Terrace, or to the RECTOR.

ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. Head Mistress—Miss LUCY L. WARD, B.A. (Loud.)

The School, which is one of the Secondary Public Schools of Scotland, is organised in Three Departments—a Junior, an Intermediate, and a Secondary—the last combining Modern and University Sections. The Art and Music Departments are under highly qualified Masters and Governesses. Pupils are received from the age of Five Years. The recent additions, consisting of an elegant Hall, Cookery and Laundry Rooms, and a Suite of Laboratories of the most approved description for the teaching of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, make the School one of the best equipped in the country. A Library and Reading Room and Luncheon Rooms are provided. of The School occupies a spacious site in the West End of the City, within twelve minutes the Railway Station.

The Head Mistress can arrange for the Boarding of Pupils from a distance.

Information as to Fees, Scholarships, etc., is given in the School Prospectus, which may be had free on application to the CLERK of the SCHOOL BOARD, 22 Union Terrace, or to the HEAD MISTRESS.

• • 4

CAST-OFF CLOTHING AND OLD JEWELLERY WANTED.

Mr. and Mrs. D. McKAY, 15 SCI-400W4Ilalz, Give Highest Prices for Ladies' and Gentlemen's Cast-off CLOTHING, OLD JEWELLERY, FALSE TEETH, OLD PLATE, &C. Either Mr. or Mrs. McKAY will call at your residence on receipt of Post Card or Telephone 2612.

BUSINESS STRICTLY PRIVATE. BANK REFERENCE.

TELEPHONE 2612.

Note Address —15 SCHOOLHILL. Bringer send your Cast-off Clothing to MoNay's, 15 Sohoolhlli.

When you are in need of ANYTHING in the Chemist's line Telephone 1784,

or call at

476 - UNION

STREET

(12ctwc.ca ivied SLreet and Hoiburn Junction) when your requirements will be attended to.

WILLIAM

Cbeintst

F. HAY,

(From Duncan Plockhart & Co., Edinburgh),

476 UNION STREET, ABERDEEN. (Near Holburn Junction.)

FRED HARDIE, linotoorapbic Ertist,

416 UNION ST., RBERDEEN, For every style of In- and Out-door Group, Composite Groups, and General Portraiture, etc., relephorts 851.

At

Popular Prices.

Complete House Furnishers.

Largest Stock in North District at

R. J. MACKENZIE, Ltd., 419

UNION STREET, ABERDEEN.

KEEN PRICES.

BEST WORKMANSHIP.

'NaRtiliaqv •ssatia iNaoK;:isou RILL

'N33131:11381/

NOINI1 gLI V 9Z `NINflil 'V Mt ..A2112,ZA77.9 V a7VII 213,dt) TOd (7311SPIIVIS2

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• 9178 04 9;91 'soo!Jd aNif.l. aO )1101710 NI

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„•usepaeqy . pulanolo„—sureLlete/

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