Old Fettesian Newsletter 2019

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER No. 64, July 2019

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

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CONTENTS

President’s Message 2 An Interview with Rona MacVicar (Staff 1984-2019) 4 An Interview with Conrad Irwin (Inv-Ca 2000-2007) 8 Alastair Gunn and The Great Escape 10 Comic Book Capers 12 A View from the Common Room 2019 14 Message from the OF Office 15 OFs in London 16 OF Golfers Captain Two of the Oldest Golf Clubs in Scotland 18 Preparing to Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Fettes College and the 50th Anniversary of Girls 20 The Watt Memorial Trust 22 Honorary Old Fettesians 23 Fettesian Succession 24 The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry 25 Fettes Award Winning Career Partnership Programme 26 2018 Leavers: Where Are They Now? 28 The Iain Macleod Award 30 The New Memorial Plaques 32 OF Shooting Report 34 OF Golf Society Review 35 Commemoration Weekend 2018 36 Regional Engagement 40 Regional Representatives 42 OFA Regional Events 43 OF News 49 Sadly Departed 58 OFA Office Bearers 2019 64 The Fettesian Trust 64

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984)

I am very much looking forward to working with Helen and am pleased to report to OFs that the response to her appointment has been wholly positive

Amanda Forsyth (née Baker (Ar 1982-1984), OFA President

For a school which has a relatively short history (by comparison to, let’s say, the stone from which the Bryce building is constructed, or even the city within which the College is located) we can claim to have had an unusually eventful year.

We have said farewell to Geoffrey Stanford, who has offered strong support to the Old Fettesian Association (OFA) during his tenure as Headmaster, and welcomed Helen Harrison in her succession, for at least the next two years, from Deputy to Head, the first woman in its history to do so.

It is daunting, yet encouraging to note that we now – for a limited period only, at least in my own case – have women leading the past, present and future cohorts of Fettesians, and if evidence was ever needed of the way in which our community has reflected the times in which we live, that must surely be a meaningful example.

It is testament to the depth of feeling from OFs for our school that when Helen’s appointment was announced in May many of you contacted the OFA and the College keen to know more about her. There is no doubt she is a very familiar face to recent OFs, having been Deputy Head at Fettes for the last 12 years and having taught in the Geography department for many more years before that. She is also well known to a generation of Carringtonians. Her husband Rob, himself a long serving member of the Fettes Common Room (and,

as President, a regular contributor to our Newsletter) was Housemaster there from 1999–2005.

Helen and Rob have two children. Their eldest daughter left Upper Sixth on Founder’s Day and is now officially one of us and their youngest daughter is heading into Lower Sixth after the summer.

I can vouch for the fact that Helen is Fettes through and through, despite the fact her own schooling was at St George’s! She has also admitted to me recently that her early loyalties towards schools in the north of Edinburgh were with the Academy, where her brothers attended and where her father taught for 25 years.

I am very much looking forward to working with Helen and am pleased to report to OFs that the response to her appointment has been wholly positive and warm, so much so that she has asked me to share this message of thanks with you all: “It goes without saying that I’m immensely proud to have the opportunity to lead Fettes as its Head and as its first female Head too. I have been overwhelmed by the supportive messages I have received since my appointment, many from OFs I have never met, and I will be excited and honoured to be at the helm as the school heads in to its 150th anniversary celebrations along with the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first girls through the doors. I am looking

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Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes College and her husband Rob Harrison, teacher of English and former Housemaster of Carrington

forward to the prospect of meeting a number of OFs at various events in the years ahead and, more broadly, of taking this great school forward into an exciting future.”

As President of the OFA, I do not work alone. I am grateful to my colleagues on the OFA Committee for their guidance, support and enthusiasm. Two long serving Committee members stepped down this year – Sue Whatmore (née Barnard) (SH 1984-1986) and Barbara Graham (Gl 19751977). Both remain very active OFs. Sue gathers her cohort together regularly and Barbara is looking forward to hosting The Northern Isles OF Lunch, which will take place on Sunday 18th August in Kirkwall, Orkney. In their stead, I am delighted to welcome David Hay (Ca 1991-1996) and Abigail Gliksten (Ar 2009-2011) to the Committee and I am equally delighted they have already started to make their mark by hosting OF Drinks in Edinburgh just as we were going to print!

This newsletter is a something of a ‘bumper’ edition – I had to go back to your Treasurer, the stalwart Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987-1992), to ask for permission for funding for extra pages because you have been vociferous in your response to our request for OF news. If you didn’t respond last time, you may well be in for a treat – and please don’t stick to your peer group news, though I know that’s where I look first, too. There’s enormous energy throughout the OF community, new attendees to existing events, and new

events being organised, from Scotland’s Borders to the cosmopolitan OFs of Sydney; and we’re making a difference to our communities on a local, national and global level.

Some of those stories are in the Newsletter; some are known only to our closest friends.

Some are personal, and will always remain so; but please remember, if there’s a sports club needing a fixture, a choir needing a rehearsal space or a strange city that needs a fellow OF’s guidance, please get in touch with the OFA. We have been sorry to lose Henry Gray, our OF Co-ordinator this year, but delighted to welcome Victoria Shearer as his replacement from August.

From me, for now, in Fettes’ 149th year, Floreas Fettesia

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

AN INTERVIEW WITH RONA MACVICAR (STAFF 1984-2019)

Rona MacVicar joined Fettes in September 1984 as Resident Tutor in Arniston House and to teach Maths. She recalls initially an intense feeling of responsibility for the girls in her care, especially her first Third Form tutees who she remembers included Ann Wright (née Amos) (Ar 19841989), Emily Cardwell-Moore (Ar 1984-1985), Cairene Perrin (née Brown) (Ar 1984-1989), Naomi Hansell (née Forrest) (Ar 1984-1989) and Kirsty Hogan (Ar 1984-1989).

This feeling of responsibility and care continues throughout Rona’s memories of her time over the last 35 years.

What will you miss about the continuum of Fettes life?

As I am about to leave after so long, former staff are at the heart of my reflections. The camaraderie working at Fettes is so strong through a shared sense of “team”. Whether that is teamwork in sport, in the Houses or in congregational singing in Chapel.

A lot of my friends all over the world are former Fettes colleagues. The sheer joy of seeing them again is absolutely wonderful. Just last year former Maths teacher, Keshena Richardson (Staff 2005-2008), returned for a surprise visit on Founder’s Night from the US. The thrill of seeing her unexpectedly walking into the marquee was quite overwhelming. More recently former colleagues came to a BBQ the College held for me, and other retiring colleagues, at the start of Half Term. I had invited a number of former colleagues who live locally and Louise Thrippleton (Staff 1988-1995) and Simon Johnston (Staff 1989-1991) who live in Troon, but I was astounded and very emotional when Marianne Dalzell (née Read) (Staff 1997-2005) who lives in Northern Ireland, Martin Hughes (Staff 1994-2000) from Exeter and Jeremy McCullough (Staff 1996-2007) and his wife Sally (née Knight) (former Head of Girl’s Games 19952001) who live in Bristol all arrived as a surprise.

There are also quintessential Fettes ‘things’ that I will miss such as the Chapel Choir, the 1912, the high calibre of music,

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the annual Arniston Christingles and the moving Anzac Day Service.

You have been strongly associated with Third Form Field Week. What has this experience meant to you over the years?

Third Form Field Week began in 1985, but I didn’t actually go to the first one as I was a bridesmaid for my friend. My involvement began in 1986 and I went every year from then until 2004. Field Week was Nick Ridley’s (Staff 1972-1994) conception. He, Kerr Fulton-Peebles (Staff 1979-1983) and Jim Bellis (Staff 1985-1991) ran it in turn until each of them moved on from Fettes. Den Mather (Staff 1986-2004) and I took it over in 1992. Den and I handed it over to Barry Welsh (Staff 2001-2012) in 2004. You ask what the experience meant to me – I didn’t enjoy being thrown fully clothed into the swimming pool by the Third Form pupils every year!

In the early years I would say Third Form Field Week was Fettes fun outdoors with the kids and with a bunch of very committed staff. In those days we had support from the Gap Year students and from some Upper Sixth Higher pupils who helped for the week and it was particularly rewarding to watch them grow in confidence and take on responsibility, before they left us to go off to University.

In my last few years of involvement, I would say my abiding memory would be the teamwork of the staff. When Den and I handed this special week on to Barry Welsh, I went along for the first three days as part of the hand over. Driving away from Abernethy on that Sunday was like a bereavement in my life, one which at that time of the term recurred for the next few years. It took me a long time to stop being wistful.

I really missed the time spent with colleagues during that Fettes week and getting to know the 3rd Form pupils.

What have been your low points?

I must confess to a couple of low points when I needed support from experienced colleagues.

I care very deeply for those in my care. I have been fortunate at Fettes to have had responsibility way beyond the Maths classroom. I have worked hard and supported Hockey talent, driving pupils all over Scotland for District and National training and match representation. I have also accompanied many a Fettes Tours and Expeditions.

My low points have involved times when pupils, I have known very well, have got it seriously wrong. I have, rightly or wrongly, tended to take these incidents personally and have felt very much let down by those pupils breaching the rules.

I don’t mind admitting these times have been hard to handle.

Another very low point at Fettes was following the death of my dear friend and former colleague, Lucas von Hoff (Staff 2004-2010) (Deceased) in 2011. He died in London less than a year after leaving Fettes.

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And Arniston memories?

I have had an immensely close association with Arniston for 33 of my 35 years, firstly as Resident Tutor, and then as Interim House Mistress (1994-1995, shared with Nicky Steele (née Halstead) (Former Staff 1990-1995)). Since then, I have been a visiting Tutor in Arniston, save for the two years between 2009 and 2011 when I tutored the Upper Sixth in Craigleith.

I cherish the friendship of the Arniston girls and the very place of Arniston. One not so good Arniston memory, for me and all of those who were there, involved a surprise entry by Lucy Colquhoun (née Short) (Ar 1985-1989) into the Prep Room during Mrs Pat Barnett’s (Former Staff) House prayers during my early days.

I also remember very strongly the sound from the Tutor Flat of the pageantry of the Pipe Band touring the Houses at 7am every Founder’s Day for many years as they passed on their way down to Comely Bank.

You will probably hold a lifetime record for the number of Fettes Tours that you have supported with your time, energy and care. What recollections do you have?

I have been on 20 overseas tours and have a tour brochure from every Sport’s Tour that I have been on. I have also accompanied overseas Pipes & Drums Tours, Outdoor Pursuits’ Expeditions, Chapel Choir Tours and Geography and Business Studies Trips.

In 1992 the Outdoor Pursuits’ Expedition to Siberia was particularly memorable. As the weather was bad, I was drying my boots beside the fire when one of them fell into the fire and got quite badly burnt. I had to spend the rest of the trip with no ankle support on one foot walking in some quite treacherous mountain terrain covered in snow and ice.

Things did however get much more dramatic. We were due to summit the main Glacier Peak in the Altai mountains when the weather closed in. Only a small group attempted but failed to reach the top.

Once re-united, we all returned to base camp with our local tour guide and the ‘pet’ sheep, named Albert by two of the group, Becky Hodgson (née Gourlay) (JS, Ar 19841992) and Vanessa Wood (née Hendry) (JS, Ar 1984-1992).

The weather was so uncertain that we were unsure when we would be able to leave. The sheep was ceremonially sacrificed before we left basecamp with Den Mather having to slit its throat much to the complete disgust of the Fettesians present. The sheep then provided necessary food provisions for the group, before we were all airlifted to safety by a former Afghan Army helicopter later that day.

I have been on three very memorable Pipes & Drums Tours and recollect the great support and huge appreciation of the Pipe Band from those around the world. In 2007 we were due to set off for New York the day after Founder’s Day, but plans were almost thwarted due to a Terror Attack at Glasgow Airport. We therefore left four hours earlier than

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Coast Guard to rescue the Fettes rescue boat! planned to make our flights and arrived in the US on time.

In 1994 Fettes undertook the inaugural Western Isles The Americans hosting us couldn’t believe that we had Challenges, a challenge to get from Barra to the Butt of Lewis travelled and gave us THE most incredible welcome during by one of three modes of transport – on foot, by bike or on their 4th July parade in Bristol, Rhode Island. The spirit on water. We took a strong team of athletes and had got unusual that tour and the hospitality we received will remain with permission to allow these sportsmen and women to miss me forever, as will the sheer power of the crowd during the Pipe Band’s parade marching on the pitch in front of the huge their Fettes representation over a weekend. We did not want to let them down. Robert Graham-Brown (Mo 1990-1995), crowd during the Hong Kong 7s.

The first long haul girls Hockey Tour to Japan and Australia Charlie Keenan (Gl 1990-1995), Robert Saade (JS, Mo 19871994), Susie Wilson (JS, CE 1987-1994), Sophia Brown (Ar in 1997 was an epic undertaking. I went as the Assistant Tour 1990-1995), Den Mather, Jamie Frost (Staff 1993-1997) and Manager, but, to my horror, I nearly had to take complete I made up the team. We nearly missed the ferry from Skye responsibility for the Tour when Debbie Gore (Inv, CW due to a puncture, but a lorry stopped with a functioning 1992-2000) lost her passport in Osaka airport. I remember jack to assist us change the minibus wheel just in time. The sitting in trepidation on the plane with the rest of the tour ferry route to Uist was stormy and the boys were very seasick. party when, with seconds to spare, Debbie and Caroline The race organisers decided to cancel Lumsdaine (Staff 1988-1996) arrived the Barra leg. We raced in the minibus on to the plane (after finding the We raced in the minibus to to the bottom of South Uist to begin passport in McDonald’s). Never have the bottom of South Uist to the race but I managed to put the bus I been so relieved! The whole plane begin the race but I managed in a ditch so we had to be rescued cheered with delight. by the Coast Guard! Another disaster On the subject of missing passports, to put the bus in a ditch so I must confess to one of my most we had to be rescued by the happened when we then tried to put the sailing boat that we had towed embarrassing Fettes moments, when Coast Guard! with us from school in the water in I myself, whilst on the girls Hockey Tour Lewis only to realise to our horror that to South Africa in 2004, managed to we had the wrong sail bag. We asked if we could borrow a leave my own bag with my passport, credit card, money and kayak from a nearby outdoor centre and were permitted to phone in a shopping mall of all places. Paul Kesterton (Staff do so. Robert Graham-Brown put in an immense effort and 1999-2004) was very discrete as I had to sneak off during saved the day for us by paddling across the sea loch so we parts of the tour to get a new passport photo and fill out my new passport application which had to be sent off to Pretoria. were still in the race. Under 18 team members needed to be accompanied by an adult in the open running sections.

To my relief my passport arrived 24 hours before we had to At one point Den Mather realised that he was holding the return. Paul’s discretion wasn’t however quite what I had Fettes boy up, so he conveniently picked up an injury at the thought. I was mortified when at the end of tour dinner on time an army team were passing and asked them kindly if the last evening, the girls presented me with an ostrich skin they could support the Fettes boy to the check point. That passport holder for my new passport, so they did know!

I am pleased to say that my passport is still in that ostrich skin too, sped up the team! The team were the winning youth team – an incredible achievement in the face of adversity for passport holder and has not gone missing since. those pupils involved.

What other memories do you have of times at Fettes?

What are you particularly proud of?

Most of the things that really spring to mind are adventures I am very proud of many Fettesians, particularly the or misadventures. I really hate to get things wrong and pride sportsmen and women and the talented musicians that myself deeply on attention to detail. When things don’t go I have seen and heard over the years. The number of according to plan I remember them.

Fettesian international hockey players have been incredible I used to support David Goude (Staff 1978-2012) with for a small school. I have enjoyed playing a part in nurturing the sailing down at Port Edgar. I was not an expert and acted that talent. The 1st XI boys have contested a few Scottish under his guidance. On one such occasion on a very windy Schools Cup Finals. I was very proud when they won against day Mark McKenzie (JS, Ki 1984-1990) got into trouble on Gordonstoun in season 2006-07 when Peter McCosh (Inv, the water. David and I headed out into the Forth in the Fettes Mo 2000-2008) was Captain. rescue boat. Upon reaching Mark, David deemed that with The Girls XI in 2016 in the East Cup was very special the wind, it would be best for David to sail the boy’s boat indeed. The semi-final match had tremendous whole school back and for me to drive the Fettes boat back to the dock support, straight after Christmas lunch, against George (with little instruction). After a few moments, the engine cut Heriots with Head Boy, Hector Halford-Macleod (Ca 2011out and we couldn’t find the anchor. Mark tried to fix it, but 2016) even playing the trumpet. They won which put them we had no joy and started to drift further and further out through, not only to the East Cup Final, when they played to sea. When David got back to dry land, he had to call the

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against a very strong Mary Erskine School side narrowly losing 1 – 2 at the Edinburgh Academy, but also to the Girl’s Open Scottish Schools Cup Semi Finals tournament in Glasgow.

This was the first time for Fettes and the last time that this national tournament was to be played. Great hockey was played by some great girls in all of these matches.

This year, in 2019, there were four terrific cup/bowl/plate runs for a mixture of girls and boys at Fettes including the Boys XI winning the Scottish Schools Bowl at Glasgow Green against the Glasgow School of Sport. All were truly fantastic achievements.

One day I was in the Pavilion for a Retirement Drinks Reception and I realised that the historic boards around me were still being updated but that there were no girls boards displayed. This led to a huge project which I was very proud to instigate. The creation of sporting honours boards for girls.

I am very grateful to Sheena Philp (Staff 1959-1996) for the part she played in helping me to gather the lists of the player names and for us finding a home for these boards eventually above the noticeboards outside the library. I am delighted they will soon join the boys in the newly refurbished Pavilion.

Have there been any times when you have doubted your long involvement with Fettes?

I suffered a few injuries whilst helping with CCF Camps and Field Days in my time. Once I fell when going over a barbed wire fence on Castlelaw Hill during an Army Overnight

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exercise. I had to crawl back to my tent as I couldn’t walk.

I was accompanied by two pupils (one was Laura Boyd (Ar 1996-2001)). I was a fair way from camp – it took hours.

I refused to go to hospital that night as I felt I had to be there for the girls and waited until the next morning. It was a bleak night!

On another occasion on Army Camp at Lochgilphead, Fergus Murray (Staff 1967-1997) and I were watching the cadets doing an Overnight Exercise from a tree. I slipped on a wet branch of the tree and fell on the way down dislocating my elbow. I was ‘medi-vacced’ to the hospital in Paisley that night. Andrew Alexander (Staff 1990-2012) was responsible for running both of the CCF events when I got injured so I always blamed him!

For me Fettes really has been my life for the last 35 years.

Not that it has been mentioned much in this article, but I have taught Mathematics for all of these years too! If it wasn’t for Fettes I wouldn’t have met my long term partner Ian. I met him in 1988 on RAF Camp in Abingdon, he was with the Heriots contingent and I was with Fettes.

I know that my final two weeks of term will be immensely emotional as I try to prepare to move on from this truly incredible place. I will draw strength in the future from the power of my former colleagues and friends and the knowledge that there are OFs who I know in every corner of the world. I also know that Fettes will continue to flourish.

Floreas Fettesia!

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

AN INTERVIEW WITH CONRAD IRWIN (INV-CA 2000-2007)

Conrad Irwin joined T Form at Fettes in 2000. His valete in 2007 noted his love of technology and music and, as you will read in this interview, both these passions played their part in the success he is enjoying today.

‘Conrad Irwin arrived as a quiet, computer loving T former… he is musical, and played instruments and sang throughout his time here. He enjoyed helping others with prep, or fixing computers. His obsession with all things digital led him to study Computer Science at Cambridge.’

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In November, you were named in the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 List for Consumer Technology, making you part of their 600 young revolutionaries and risk-takers who are changing the world. How did it feel to be a part of this spotlight?

Exhilarating, and unexpected! My role in life has usually been a supporting one, at school back-stage in the Theatre, or scoring for the cricket team; and in work as a software engineer building things behind the scenes. It was very exciting to be recognised.

You have gone from strength to strength since leaving Fettes, studying at Cambridge; pursuing your passion for music; becoming one of the Founders of Rapportive (an email related start up) whilst studying for your Finals and then, moving with them to the Tech Hub of California.

It was there, when you were 23 that Rapportive was acquired by LinkedIn. What do you think was the key to this success?

If I had to round it up to one thing it would be: deliberately pursuing opportunities for learning. It was actually through the choir I sang it at Cambridge that I was introduced to another Computer Scientist (Martin Kleppmann). Martin offered me the job with Rapportive. But, it was a big choice — come to California with us and try something completely new, or stay in the UK where your life is currently.

I had a similar question when starting Superhuman — should I continue in my current role, or start something new and untested. In both cases the answer was obvious after reflecting on the question "how do I learn the fastest?"

The answer is "take a leap into the unknown".

What do you remember about your time at Fettes and how have those influences gone on to shape your career?

I remember a lot of things. Two of the most influential were, firstly, that there’s a space for everyone. I’d never been particularly fond of sports, and instead of pushing me in that direction Fettes gave me the opportunity to grow in other ways. I ended up spending time working back-stage in the Theatre, playing in the orchestra, and singing in the choir (I was even the Captain of the Campanology Club for a while!).

Secondly, that working hard to achieve something worthwhile is fulfilling in its own right. My favourite example of this was one day when a friend and I woke up at 5.30am, so we could sneak up and paint the floor of the stage before breakfast. This was the only time we could do it before the dress rehearsal that afternoon. Not only was this a bonding experience for us as friends, but it was great to start the day with a job well done already!

Fettes today offers a very popular Computer Science courses for GCSE, A-Level and IB and coding is integral to the 3rd Form curriculum. There are a number of computer related clubs, including app making and robotics. Gaming is also something that is prevalent in downtime in House. What advice would you give your younger self if you were at Fettes now?

Do more things! I know they keep you busy, but Fettes is a remarkable place — there are more opportunities in a smaller space than anywhere I’ve experienced since. For example, one day I was exploring under the main building and ran into a teacher in the

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costume cupboard, the next day I was helping pick out costumes for the play.

Or, back to sports, I knew I didn’t want to play rugby, so asked if I could fence instead — the answer to asking to try new things was always yes.

You live in California and work to provide global technological solutions, the likes of which the majority of us do not yet understand.

Looking into the future, what are your personal predictions for the ways in which technology will change the world in the next decade.

Ten years ago the Smartphone revolution had just begun, the iPhone was just out. Today I see the start of two major trends: one is Augmented Reality (AR). The vision is a simple as it is compelling. Imagine if you could look at the world with an extra layer of detail — like the X-Ray goggles of old, you’d have a magical power to understand things and interact with them in greater depth.

The second is internet everywhere, it will soon be unimaginable to not be connected to the internet. With those two pieces in place, I can see the world becoming even more invisibly connected and each person in it more empowered to understand how the pieces fit together.

At Fettes, Conrad Irwin also won the Lester-Cribb Music Prize and a Hugo Fraser Prize for his outstanding contribution to the life of the school.

We will follow his onward journey with interest.

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

ALASTAIR GUNN AND THE GREAT ESCAPE Craig Marshall, Fettes College Archivist (Staff 2014-present)

Left: 1936-37 1st XV; A Gunn third from left, back row

Alastair Donald Mackintosh Gunn (Ca 1933-1937) (Deceased) was born in Auchterarder on 27th September 1919. The son of a doctor, he and his older brother Hamish Gunn (Ca 1930-1934) (Deceased) excelled at sports – firstly at Cargilfield and subsequently at Fettes, where they were both in Carrington.

Alastair distinguished himself by robust performances in House Matches. In one match in particular on Wednesday 4th March 1936, played on Bigside, his “good kicking” drove back Kimmerghame and contributed to a decisive 20-0 victory.

He was a member of the XV in 1936-37, being described in the Fettesian as a “good tackler” who “used his weight well”.

He was also a successful cricketer, making it into the XI in 1936 and receiving faint praise in the Summer edition of the Fettesian:

Alastair became a House Prefect in Carrington and served as a Lance-Corporal in the Officers’ Training Corps (OTC), the forerunner to our own CCF. On leaving Fettes in April 1937, Alastair embarked on an apprenticeship to Harland & Wolff shipyards in Glasgow, before taking an academic break to read Mechanical Sciences at Pembroke College, Cambridge.

With the clouds of war looming, Alastair signed up to the RAF Reserve in June 1940.

Carrying out flying training at RAF Ansty, now the Rolls Royce plant near Coventry, Alastair quickly moved from biplanes to Fairey Battle aircraft, before a posting to Blackpool where he flew Avro Ansons for Coastal Command Convoy patrols.

In August 1941 Alastair was selected for a life in the Photo Reconnaissance Unit and within a month he arrived at RAF Benson (see picture) to begin learning to fly the Spitfire.

In January 1942 six men, including Alastair, were seconded to RAF Wick in in the north of Scotland and were tasked with finding the German battleship Tirpitz.

By 23rd January 1942 Tirpitz was found in Trondheim harbour. Having eyes on the battleship was essential, as intelligence indicated that Bomber Command ought to strike fast in order to eliminate the threat.

On 5th March 1942 Alastair was at the controls of Spitfire AA810 flying a lonely reconnaissance mission over Norway when he was attacked by two Messerschmitts.

Lt Heinz Knocke, the pilot of one of the Messerschmitts, which was named Lilo after his wife, later recounted the events of that morning in his memoirs I Flew For The Führer: I open my throttle wide and check my guns as I swoop down upon him. In a few seconds I am right on his tail. Fire!

My tracers vanish into his fuselage. And now he begins to twist and turn like a mad thing. Must not let him escape. Keep firing with everything I have.

He goes into a dive, then straightens out again. He begins trailing smoke, which gradually become denser. I fire yet again.

Then something suddenly splashes into my windshield.

Oil. My engine? I have no visibility ahead, and am no longer able to see the Spitfire. Blast!

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with 75 other POWs fanned out into the forests of Poland.

My engine is still running smoothly. Apparently the oil in Unfortunately, the tunnels did not extend as far as front of my eyes must have come from the badly damaged the tree line outside the camp, and the plan to get over a Spitfire when its oil-cooler as shot to pieces. hundred men out had to be abandoned. Clifford Cooper I veer a little to the right, in order to be able to observe waiting at the end of Hut 5 to be the 77th man to go was the Tommy farther through the side window. He is gradually saved by the sound of gunshots. losing speed, but is still flying. The smoke-trail is becoming On hearing of the breakout, Hitler flew into a rage and thinner.

Then another Messerschmitt comes into view climbing up ordered a ruthless crackdown on British POWs. Around 50 managed to escape from camp, but the Gestapo on my left. It is Lieutenant Dieter Gerhard, my old comrade, immediately got to work rounding up and shooting the and I radio him to say that I am no longer able to fire. fugitives as they found them.

“Then let me finish him, Heinz!”

Alastair Gunn was one of those He opens fire. The right wing murdered in this way; captured at of the Spitfire shears away. Like a The tunnelling took more Görlitz, he was last seen alive on 6th dead autumn leaf, the plane flutters than a year to complete and April when he and five other escapees earthwards. was truly elaborate were shot by Obersekretär Lux of the And the pilot? Is he still alive? My Gestapo in the concentration camp at throat tightens. I had come to like that Breslau, now Wrocław. boy. If he is not dead, why does he not The official line that they were all shot whilst trying to bail out? escape fooled nobody, as 49 sets of ashes from the camp The Spitfire goes down, a flaming torch now, hurtling crematoria turned up at Stalag Luft III. towards the snowfield. It will crash there and be utterly Alastair Gunn now lies, along with 48 other victims of destroyed. And with it the pilot.

I find myself shouting as if he could hear me: “Bail out, lad, this act of cruelty and spite, in the Old Garrison Cemetery in Poznan, on the southern edge of the old citadel. bail out!”

His ashes are buried in row 8D. After all, he is human too; a soldier, too, and a pilot with Gunn’s parents had his grave inscribed with the words the same love of the sky and clouds that I feel. Does he also “May he rest in peace and awake with joy to the Resurrection.” have a wife, a girl like Lilo, perhaps?

Clifford Cooper survived the war and had a successful “Bail out, lad, bail out!” career in the R.A.F., serving with distinction as commander of Then a body becomes detached from the flames and 33 Squadron before his retirement in 1963. falls clear. A white parachute spreads open and drifts slowly His obituary recorded that he never forgot the friends down into the mountains. who were murdered in 1944.

A feeling of pure joy is in my heart now. This is my Alastair Gunn is remembered on the War Memorial at first combat victory in the air. I have got my man and he Cargilfield. He, along with many other OFs, also has his name is alive. inscribed on the Fettes War Memorial.

In November 2018 it was reported that Sussex-based Following his capture, Alastair was taken away to a Prisoner Spitfire historian Tony Hoskins had discovered the main crash of War camp, where he happened to meet up with site of Alastair Gunn’s aircraft, buried in a Norwegian peat Moredun man, Clifford Cooper (Mo 1930-1934), who had bog near the village of Sarnadal, south-west of Trondheim. distinguished himself in both boxing and swimming whilst A major project is now underway to have the aircraft restored at Fettes, winning the Anderson and Bannerman Prizes, and with the aim of having it flying again, some 80 years after it setting records in each. was shot down.

By January 1943 both men were interned in the airmen’s In March 2019, to mark the 75th anniversary of ‘The Great POW Camp ‘Stalag Luft III’ in Western Poland where they Escape’, Tony Hoskins’ account of Spitfire AA810, along with began working on their bid for freedom. This later became Alastair’s life story and detailed research on the other men known as ‘The Great Escape’ and was immortalised on film who flew the aircraft, was published in a new book entitled and in many publications bearing that title.

Sandy’s Spitfire.

The tunnelling took more than a year to complete and Later this year, on 27th September 2019, to commemorate was truly elaborate, with electric lighting and intricate plans the centenary of Alastair Gunn’s birth, the Spitfire AA810 for the disposal of soil and sand.

Project will launch the Alastair Gunn Aviation Skills Clifford Cooper was part of the group responsible Programme, giving successful 14-18 year old applicants the for creating the forged documents, uniforms and other reward of a hands-on engineering skills workshop where accessories necessary for the escapees to succeed. they will learn the skills and processes required to restore a Both the tunnelling and forging processes were laborious Spitfire. and time consuming, but by the spring of 1944 the prisoners A fitting legacy in honour of such a distinguished OF. were ready to make their escape.

On the night of 24th/25th March 1944, Alastair Gunn along

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

COMIC BOOK CAPERS

Captain Britain

Scotland has a long tradition of producing comic books with characters that have lasted for generations, as well as producing seminal, big-name creative talent who have broken the mainstream industry in the USA with companies like Marvel Comics and DC Comics. It’s no surprise then that Fettes is linked to some iconic comic book characters.

Along with James Bond (whose alma mater was first established by Ian Fleming in 1964’s You Only Live Twice), Brian Braddock AKA Captain Britain is among several heroic Old Fettesians of the fictional variety. Scottish comics auteur Mark Millar (writer of Kingsman, Wanted and many more) revealed the hero’s OF status in his series Ultimates 2.

Earlier this year Marvel’s Captain Britain was back in the public eye when he was featured in a collection of Royal Mail stamps, illustrated by the legendary comic artist Alan Davis, alongside other icons of Marvel Comics history. Rumours circulate that Marvel Studios will feature Captain Britain (and therefore Fettes one would hope) in his own TV series in the not-too-distant future.

Some of the OF community took to Facebook to duke it out in a cataclysmic clash of their own over which House Captain Britain would have belonged to. The stakes were high and the battle long but the votes pointed to a Glencorse or Schoolhouse victory.

In June 2018, Dynamite Entertainment announced their latest James Bond comic book would be James Bond: Origin, an ongoing series exploring 007’s adolescence during World War 2. Written by Jeff Parker (X-Men: First Class), with art by Bob Q (The Green Hornet ’66 Meets The Spirit), the comic commences with a 17-year-old Bond in March 1941, when he was a student at Fettes College.

History and fiction collide when Bond visits an old family friend during the Clydebank Blitz, sending the young man into a baptism of fire.

Artistic licence was clearly taken when it came to colours of both uniform and the exterior of the Bryce building, but it’s still a thrill to see Fettes featured like this in mainstream comics.

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

James Bond

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

A VIEW FROM THE COMMON ROOM 2019 Rob Harrison, President of the Common Room (Staff 1991-present)

As I contemplate my eighth and final View from the Common it has been a feature of the Common Room I have known Room as the president coming to the end of his tenure in the since, that long-serving staff members give as much as any role, one of the great pleasures and privileges of that position energetic youngsters while offering also the incalculable value that wisdom and experience confers. has been the induction of new staff into the Common Room A name that deserves to sit alongside those respected accompanied by an often sad duty of saying goodbye to long-serving leavers. The retirement of a significant colleague figures mentioned above is that of Rona MacVicar who approaches her retirement at the end of this year after this year serves as the focus for this final reflection from me. thirty-five years of service to the school. Some longer-serving It was a cliché of my childhood, growing up as I did teachers will recognise that anything over the thirty-three with school-teaching parents and grandparents, that every years ensures your membership of the 100 Club, a centenary Common Room contained, usually sitting in the corner in of terms of service, something very rarely achieved in the chalk-whitened tweeds behind his copy of The Telegraph profession. Whether in the Maths and wreathed in pipe-smoke, at least classroom, as a tutor and stand-in one member of the old guard, the superannuated relic of a previous age Current staff are loving their Housemistress in Arniston, running third-form Field Week, or perhaps in in the profession, out of touch, out to facilities in the bright and her most natural of environments, the pasture, given a few final dead-end shiny new Common Room hockey pitch, Rona has inspired and roles to limit the damage they might been loved by generations of Fettesians. inflict if allowed to interact with too She’s spanned a few generations in many actual pupils, seeing out the gap her time at the College and witnessed all kinds of changes. of time to their pensions in comfortable and complacent She takes with her our very best wishes for a long and happy leisure. At my own school and in the Common Room of the retirement, secure in the knowledge that someone else will first school I taught at, there was a significant representation be checking the hockey-players’ footwear as they step onto of such old-timers, regarded as fairly untouchable by the the McMurray pitch and clearing up the balls afterwards. school hierarchy, harrumphing at suggestions of innovation Current staff are loving their facilities in the bright and and subtly undermining any attempts at embracing progress. shiny new Common Room, situated next to the Queen’s That was very much what I expected to find on arriving at Lawn in what used to be the ceramics studio and the Fettes College in the early nineties. Surely a school of such History of Art room. It’s time for me to settle in comfortably noble and august tradition would be able to boast the very there. I’m delighted to be handing on my role to Yvonne finest representatives of this species, more extreme than Mitchell (Staff 2006-present), the Common Room’s first anything I had thus far encountered. But not a bit of it – as female president. I’m beginning to teach the children of those far as I could see, such hallowed names as Coshan, Rhodes, I once taught and this year’s Founder’s Day Guest of the Day Carruthers, Foot, Eveling and Kennedy were a completely arrived as a new third former on the day I started teaching different breed, showing as much vitality, dedication, here. Now, pass me my pipe. If anyone wants me, you may adaptability and professionalism as the very youngest find me in my seat in the corner. teachers in the place. It was time for me to reassess those clichés. Fettes was obviously different in this regard and

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MESSAGE FROM THE OF OFFICE

fettes.com, the new College website What a busy year!

A thousand or so OFs have gathered at an array of events across the globe, including at Fettes, in Sydney, Hong Kong, Dubai, London, Linlithgow, New York and in Johannesburg.

As the President mentioned in her message, OF Co-ordinator, Henry Gray, has moved on from Fettes to take a step up in his career, joining HIV Scotland as their Events & Communications Officer. We asked him for his reflections of his time at Fettes: “I had a fantastic and formative two years working in the Development Team. I met countless fascinating and inspiring alumni, College staff and friends of Fettes, with whom I shared experiences I will take with me long into the future. A big thank you to all who made my time at Fettes what it was – brilliant!”

Henry’s successor, Victoria Shearer, is looking forward to joining us in August: “Having just completed my undergraduate degree in psychology and business at the University of Edinburgh, I am excited to be joining the Fettes community. For the past year, I have worked at the University of Edinburgh Business School, in their alumni department, working on engagement.

As I begin this next exciting stage of my life, it is reassuring to know that there is an alumni network to provide a familiar and friendly face no matter where I am or whatever I do.

This is something truly evident at Fettes and with the 150th year fast approaching, I am keen to continue to develop and grow this important network for Old Fettesians of all ages.”

We hope many of you will have noticed that fettes.com has been re-launched. There is new section dedicated to the Fettes family for life which will grow and develop over time. This includes the fantastic work of the OFA (www.fettes.com/familyforlife/alumni).

Please do take a moment to explore the new site.

The films in particular are really superb and will take you back to your own school days whilst, we hope, making you proud

Victoria Shearer, OF Co-ordinator of what is being achieved at Fettes today. Do also keep an eye on the news sections for information regarding all aspects of life at Fettes and for reports on OF events.

We are looking forward to another busy year in 2019-20, which already includes the following events: • Northern Isles Lunch: 18th August 2019 • London OF Drinks Party: 5th September 2019 • Commemoration Weekend: 4th – 6th October 2019 • London OF Ceilidh: 30th November 2019 • London OF Carol Service: 17th December 2019 Details about how to book up for these events, and up-to-date listings of all confirmed events for OFs to look forward to, are available at: fettescommunity.com/events.

It is worth keeping an eye on this page as it is updated as and when events are confirmed throughout the year.

We are always delighted to welcome OFs back to Fettes.

To make the most of these visits please do get in touch in advance, if you can, especially if you are keen to visit your House. To arrange a visit please email: ofa@fettes.com or telephone 0131 311 6714.

To keep in touch on social media, follow us here: @fettescommunity @FettesCollegeFettesPrep @fettescommunity @OldFettesians fettes-college @fettes.college To get in touch with us, please use these details: Old Fettesian Co-ordinator Fettes College EH4 1QX Tel: 0131 311 6741 Email: ofa@fettes.com

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

OFS IN LONDON Following this inaugural gathering of London OFs, a London Old Fettesian Association (LOFA) was formed and by 1938 special dinners and gatherings were held on an annual basis

In July 1894 an OF suggested that OFs in London join a Club

London has long been a significant draw for Old Fettesians.

Today we know of 1,000 OFs who either live or work there regularly.

We have been looking in the Fettes archives at the history of the OF community gathering in London.

The first thing we found was the excerpt, pictured above, from the OF Column in the July 1894 Fettesian suggesting that a couple of rooms could be taken at a Club in London for OFs to gather.

The next mention we found was this report in the Fettesian in March 1906 after the Attorney-General had appointed Sidney A.T. Rowlatt (Gl 1875-1880) to be Junior Counsel to the Treasury in the King’s Bench Division: “It was perhaps not generally recognised what a distinguished position this was. Its last occupant only left it for the Bench, and it may therefore be safe to predict that at some time, sooner or later, Fettes will be able to congratulate herself on seeing for the first time one of her sons raised to the dignity of a judge. In view of this, it was felt by some Old Fettesians who knew Rowlatt personally and who were in a position to appreciate this important step in his career.

A career which so far has been one of uniform brilliancy that an effort should he made by his old schoolfellows to mark their recognition of the honour which had fallen to his lot.

“A small meeting was accordingly called at the office of C. W. Boyd, C.M.G. (Gl 1882-1887), and it was resolved that Rowlatt should be entertained to dinner in London by Old Fettesians. It was also suggested that the occasion might lead to the establishment of a periodical O.F. dinner.

“The dinner, the first Fettesian social meeting ever held south of the Tweed took place in the Imperial Restaurant, Regent Street, on the evening of February 23rd 1906. The Rev. S.G. Ponsonby (SH 1870-1876), one of the fifty-two ‘patriarchs’ of Fettes was in the Chair. Forty-five Old Fettesians were present.

“Fettesians were proud of Rowlatt, and they were also grateful to him in that his appointment afforded so excellent an excuse for a gathering of Old Fettesians. A gathering which he trusted might become, if not an annual, at all events a periodical one. Speaking for himself, it was a delight to him to look around and recognise so many familiar faces. Faces that were still familiar, though the last time he had seen many of them was now twenty, and thirty, and even verging towards forty years on. Those faces reminded him, as he was sure they reminded so many of those present that night, of their old Headmaster, Dr. Potts, whose stately presence was one of his most cherished memories, and whose noble influence had left an ineffaceable memory in the hearts of all Fettes boys who had been privileged to come in contact with him. He was certain that their guest that evening would be the first to acknowledge the great debt, both for moral and intellectual guidance, which be and all Fettesians owed to Dr. Potts. In conclusion, he asked those present to drink to the health of S.A.T. Rowlatt, whose appointment as Junior Counsel to the Treasury conferred honour alike on himself and on his old school.”

Following this inaugural gathering of London OFs, a London Old Fettesian Association (LOFA) was formed and by 1938 special dinners and gatherings were held on an annual basis.

As Fettesians rose up the ranks of industry, academia and the Government, the LOFA Dinners attracted a range of eminent speakers. Over time, more social gatherings began to take place, with a London Ceilidh becoming a highlight.

Incidentally, the London Ceilidh has recently be re-instated into the OF calendar and we hope that OFs will come along to the Caledonian Club on 30th November 2019 to join in the fun.

We are so fortunate that care has been taken to preserve our archival treasures. We have the ‘Callover Book’ for the

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London Old Fettesian Association (LOFA) Dinner 1939

London Old Fettesian Gatherings since 1938, with signatures of guests at every event. Some of the guests were clearly good artists as you will see from the pages here. (The dates relate to the school years of the attendees not the date of the Dinner.)

The following events will take place London later this year and there will be more to look forward to in the run up to and during Fettes 150th anniversary in 2020-21. We do hope that those who can, will join us. The Fettes spirit is strong, we really want to build on this in the run up to the 150th year!

• London OFA Drinks, East India Club, 5th September, 6pm – 9pm. To register visit fettescommunity.com/event/LondonOFAdrinks • London OF Ceilidh, Calendonian Club, 30th November from 7pm. To book tickets please visit fettescommunity.com/event/londonceilidh • London OFA Carol Service, St Michael’s Church, SE1, 17th December, 7pm. To register or to join the Chapel Choir, which is being led by Choir Master, David Goodenough this year, please visit fettescommunity.com/event/LondonCarolService And please do save the date for these London events which will form part of the 150th anniversary celebrations: • London OFA Carol Service, 16th December 2020 • Fettes College 150th Anniversary Gala Dinner, London, 21st May 2021

From the LOFA Callover Book

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

OF GOLFERS CAPTAIN TWO OF THE OLDEST GOLF CLUBS IN SCOTLAND

Alistair Campbell (Ca 1967-1971), Captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (‘HCEG’) at Muirfield

The original rules of golf recorded by the HCEG at Muirfield

The OF Golf Society was established in 1957 and to this day We are particularly proud of the recent news that it creates a friendly and useful network of golfers for both currently we have two OFs in very prominent roles at two of informal and competitive golf. the oldest golf clubs in Scotland.

The current membership is £20 for those aged 25 and Alistair Campbell (Ca 1967-1971) has been elected over and is free for under 25s. Upon initial payment you Captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers receive an OF Golf Society tie. Members are invited to (‘HCEG’) at Muirfield for the two years until April 2021. Alistair participate in tournaments and have access to a network of is in fact a cousin of the aforementioned Ronald Carnegie. golfers. Douglas Philip (Inv, Mo 1999-2005) is the Captain of Alistair writes: the OF Golf Society and Andrew Soulsby (JS, Ar 1973-1980) is the Secretary.

“It is a great honour to be serving the members as Captain, In 1957 at the AGM of the Old Fettesian Association, the particularly in this our 275th anniversary year.

President said “that he and the Hon. Secretary had had “The Club wrote the original rules of golf and they, and the various meetings with people interested in OF Golf. As a world’s first golf trophy played for at the Club’s first recorded result a Constitution had been prepared and he moved competition in April 1744, are prominently displayed in our that this be accepted and published in the Fettesian. R.M. newly refurbished clubhouse at Muirfield.

Carnegie seconded, and the Constitution of the OF Golfing “The College has a close connection with HCEG. The Society as tabled was unanimously adopted. The Association Club’s records disclose that a certain William Fettes was unanimously agreed to elect the following office-bearers a member of the HCEG Council from 1797 to 1809, during for one year: R.M. Carnegie (Ca 1920-1925), President; T.G. which time he was knighted. A fellow member of the HCEG Dempster (Mo 1920-1923), Hon Secretary-Treasurer; and C.D. Council during most of those 12 years was Fettes’ friend and Lawrie (Ca 1936-1940), I.M. Carmichael (Gl 1927-1931) and golfing companion, Henry Raeburn who painted portraits of R.B.R. Walker (Mo 1936-1941) members of the Committee.”

Fettes and his son.”

R.M. (Ronald) Carnegie (Ca 1920-1925) (Deceased) was a Governor of Fettes College from 1947 until his death in January 1970. He was a very keen golfer. During his life he was more than President of the OF Golf Society he was also a proud Captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers.

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Exciting announcement for the 150th anniversary of Fettes College As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations we are proposing a global golf competition to take place w/c 3rd May 2021, using the global handicap rules which will then be in place. We will be inviting OFs to take part and to enter scores on-line.

If you are interested in participating please email ofa@fettes.com so that we can start to keep a list. We really want golfers to play courses all over the world, so do let us know if you would like to play.

The R&A Captain's Drive, Chris Hilton (Ki 1963-1967)

Captain of the R&A is Chris Hilton (Ki 1963-1967), the first OF Captain of the R&A since Sir George Cunningham (Ca 19011906) (Deceased) in 1950. Prior to that Rt Hon Viscount John Simon (Ca 1887-1892) (Deceased) was Captain in 1936 and Norman Boase (Gl 1884-1889) (Deceased) in 1935.

“To say that I was surprised to receive the letter of invitation to be Captain from the Past Captains is a monumental understatement. It arrived in December 2017 – some nine months before my drive-in at St Andrews in order to ‘win’ the Queen Adelaide medal. The challenge then was to keep this a secret until the business meeting in May 2018, at which it was announced to the membership – and the golf world.

At that point I was able openly to plan my diary, which is, to say the least, congested!

“In my year I will be privileged to attend most of the major golf competitions in the world (both professional and amateur) – although unfortunately there are a couple that I cannot make owing to diary clashes.

“And in the course of doing so, I am enjoying seeing many of my former friends and colleagues around the world whom I met, and with many of whom I refereed, when I was Chairman of the Rules of Golf Committee. At that time I was fortunate to be able to kick-start the major Rules review that has resulted, seven years later, in the new Rules which were launched in January this year.

“I attended the first amateur championship played under them – the South American Amateur, in Santiago, Chile,

closely followed by the Latin American Amateur in the Dominican Republic. I am pleased to report that they have been very well received, and I hope that all golfers will find them easier to read (especially through The R&A app – free to download!) and that they will encourage an improved pace of play.

“The highlights promise to be our Open at Portrush – the first time in Ireland since 1951 – and especially the Walker Cup at Hoylake in September. If you haven’t experienced the Walker Cup, I encourage you to get there – it’s great.

I shall also be speaking (briefly!) at the Amateur Dinner on the Monday of Master’s week in Augusta.

“Part of my role is to visit members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club around the world, which will take me to such far-flung places as Australia, South Africa, and Hong Kong. In doing so, and in speaking at the numerous dinners that I attend, I emphasise the current initiatives of The R&A, and especially the way that we are investing in golf worldwide (a target of £200 million over the next 10 years), and working to get more women playing golf (and through them, more youngsters). Without this, there is a risk that the game will not meet The R&A’s aim to ensure that it is thriving in 50 years’ time.”

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

PREPARING TO CELEBRATE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF FETTES COLLEGE AND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF GIRLS When Sir William Fettes died in 1836 he left a bequest in memory of his only son, for the endowment of a school for orphaned and needy children. His Trustees invested the money and took 25 years to grow the fund and acquire the land where Fettes proudly stands today.

And so, on the 5th October 1870 the very first pupils arrived to begin their Fettes education. Of these 53 boys, 40 were Foundation Scholars.

The boys soon developed strong friendships; immense pride for their school and considerable respect for the first Headmaster, Dr Potts. Word spread fast and Fettes popularity grew – within just a few years the school roll had almost quadrupled to 200.

One of the ‘Patriarchs’, John W Parsons (SH 1870-1878) wrote: “Wednesday, the 5th October – creta notandus – was a warm sunny day, a good omen for the birthday of a public school. That day, when there was call-over, and we answered to our names for the first time at Fettes, I remember it very clearly.

“There was only one approach from Edinburgh, by a narrow muddy lane, full of deep ruts and big stones, which ran from the east corner of Comely Bank, through what is now Glencorse House, and ended abruptly near where the open fives-courts stand. It had been used for carting building materials during the five years of the construction of the College, so its condition was not surprising. Up this lane we limped in cabs, and I think most of us arrived by three o’clock.

All around the College was rough, unmade ground, littered with heaps of stones, and there were wooden sheds, in two or three places, where masons were still at work. There was

The very first school photograph in 1871

no Gymnasium, nor any of the buildings beside it… no railings round the grounds, no gates, everything was incomplete…

The interior of the College was almost as unfinished as the exterior: everywhere were ladders and scaffolding, poles and planks. “… such was the chaos we met on arrival. We were fiftythree small boys – the eldest fourteen, the youngest a month under ten. On that fine autumn afternoon there was cricket – cricket in October!”

In 1970, Fettes centenary, girls arrived at Fettes into the Sixth Form. They were attached to Glencorse, then to Carrington and by 1979 there were 40 girls. The upward trend continued.

Today, in our 149th year and 49th year of girls, we are fully co-educational with: • Fettes College and Fettes College Prep School educating boys and girls from age 7 – 18 years • 764 pupils (51% boys, 49% girls) • College 80% Boarding, 20% Day • Prep 30% Boarding, 70% Day Three quarters of our pupils are UK residents and one quarter have international addresses all over the world.

There are currently over 40 countries represented at Fettes.

The 150th anniversary of Fettes College and the 50th anniversary of girls in 2020-21 is fast approaching and over the next few months more details will emerge as to how OFs can get involved. Tickets and registration for a series of special events to celebrate will begin from Spring 2020.

To keep up to date, please keep an eye on our website: www.fettes.com/familyforlife

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

The 150th anniversary of Fettes College and the 50th anniversary of girls in 2020-21 is fast approaching and over the next few months more details will emerge as to how OFs can get involved

In the meantime, we are delighted to share the following plans for this very special year with you:

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Volunteer If you would like to help with the 150th anniversary as a volunteer or peer group leader, to gather your Fettes friends or help us with local arrangements, we would love to hear from you. Please email ofa@fettes.com

Update Your Contact Details

An opportunity for Fettesian and OF pipers and drummers to join together at Fettes to beat the retreat in October 2020.

If you think we do not have an up-todate contact details for you please email ofa@fettes.com and we will be sure to update our records. OFs gather all over the world, so if would like to hear about events in any particular geographical location(s) please do let us know.

All female panel event in London, Autumn 2020.

Memories of Fettes

Fettes College 150th anniversary concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, during the evening of Thursday 26th November 2020. There will be opportunities for OFs to join the choir or orchestra.

As an Old Fettesian reading this you will have memories of your time at Fettes with your friends and, of your part in the Fettes story.

In the run up to our anniversary celebrations we will launch a fantastic new resource for OFs to help fuel these memories and reminisce wherever you are in the world. We are currently digitising the complete archival collection of the Fettesian and the Old Fettesian Newsletter, some 27,000 pages in total, which will be made available to OFs next year.

The publication of a beautiful picture book, featuring previously unseen images from the Fettes archive.

Pre-order is now available. See the enclosed leaflet for more information.

Hong Kong Gala Dinner, November 2020 London OFA Carol Service, 16th December 2020 Edinburgh Gala Dinner, Friday 19th February 2021 Global e-Sports challenge, for the Fettes Community, Spring 2021 Fettes Global Golf competition for OFs, Parents and pupils, w/c 3rd May 2021 Members of the College, OFs and Parents summit 150 munros in a day, April / May 2021 Fettes Festival of Sport – an opportunity to come back to Fettes with your Fettes friends and family for some friendly sporting competition and good catch ups by the Pavilion, May 2021.

London Gala Dinner, Friday 21st May 2021

And so, on the 5th October 1870 the very first pupils arrived to begin their Fettes education

Enrich the Fettes Archive Our archivist is always looking to enrich the archives with photographs, letters and diaries and old items of uniform or Fettes memorabilia. If you have any artefacts to share or loan to us we would be very interested to hear from you. We are not just interested in the very old. Items from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s are of particular interest at present as we build the collection. Please email Craig Marshall cw.marshall@fettes.com or phone 0131 332 2281 if you have anything that you think may be of interest to the College archives.

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

THE WATT MEMORIAL TRUST

Rob Watt had had an outstanding career: Head of School, XV, Oxford scholar, double first in Mods and History, played for the university, but too light to get a blue. He became a brilliant teacher of History (with Classics and Maths when needed), a wise and compassionate Housemaster at Rugby and Rector of Edinburgh Academy.

The Watt Trust was set up in 1983 in memory of Rob Watt (SH 1911-1916) and his wife Barbara. He was a distinguished OF, whose teaching career ended with eleven years as Rector of the Edinburgh Academy (1951-1962). In retirement he returned to his old school, where he was Keeper of the Fettes Register until 1979.

The aim of the Trust is to give financial assistance to past and present members of Fettes and the Edinburgh Academy, to enable them to “advance their education or professional training beyond the point at which public funds or university scholarships are available, or when private or family sources alone are not quite adequate for the purpose.”

There have been a strong set of applications from Fettesians during the last year for grants from the Trust, many of them showing a real concern for the most pressing social and international challenges of our time.

Last year, a former Fettes pupil Katherine applied to the Trust, to assist funding her Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Katherine had completed her Foundation Training at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh but was passionate about pursuing a career in infectious diseases and tropical medicine.

The Trust awarded a grant of £1,000 towards Katherine’s course, which enabled her to travel to Tanzania in August 2018. The first half of the course was delivered in Moshi, a town nestled in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. There Katherine learnt how to identify various types of mosquitoes,

diagnose different species of malaria and spot various unpleasant parasites. Katherine also spent some time in a psychiatric hospital.

The second half of the course took place in Kampala, here Katherine attended lectures covering HIV and TB, as well as maternal and child health. Katherine took part in a week of seminars about Ebola, which were delivered by people involved in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The week culminated in a stimulation exercise where she had to run an Ebola treatment centre, dealing with problems such as needlestick injuries. Katherine returned to the UK with a Distinction in her Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Since the Trust was created it has helped OFs in achieving a wide assortment of goals, some exotic, some closer to home, but all important to them in developing their career plans. If you think that the Trust could assist you, please do get in touch.

Deadlines are 1st September and 1st February. All enquiries to the Secretary: Anna Bennett The WS Society, The Signet Library, Parliament Square EDINBURGH EH1 1RF abennett@wssociety.co.uk

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HONORARY OLD FETTESIANS At the 1994 Annual General Meeting of the Old Fettesian Association (OFA), it was agreed that Honorary Membership of the OFA should be offered to staff who have served ten years or more at Fettes. Previously, only staff who acted in a teaching capacity had been awarded membership. On the 7th October 2017, a unanimous decision was made at the OFA Committee Meeting that Honorary Old Fettesian status be extended to include Non-Teaching Staff who have served ten years or more. It was felt by all that the life of Fettes is not invigorated solely by pupils and teachers, but by every individual who dedicates their time and effort into making it a welcoming home away from home. We hope in time that all Honorary Old Fettesians feel welcome, included and connected to the wider community.

Kevin McNab (Staff 1985-present) said: “I am proud to be given the title of Honorary Old Fettesian.

We are all working for the same goal at the end of the day and it is fitting Non-Teaching Staff should be given this recognition.

It is an acknowledgment of all the time and commitment my

George and Kevin McNab

family and other staff members have given to the College throughout the many years.”

Kevin is Head Groundsman. He works alongside his twin brother George McNab (Staff 1985-present). Both are the sons of the late George McNab (Staff 1976-2005) who initially joined Fettes as a Carpenter. Kevin is father to Lauren (PS, Da 2006-2017) and to Holly (PS, Da 2009-present), and is Uncle to George’s son Connor (PS, KI 2008-present). It is Kevin and his team who keep our playing surfaces playable and our grounds looking so wonderful day in day out.

Ed Boulter-Comer (Staff 2007-present) came to Fettes in 2007 as Head of Drama. He has been Assistant Housemaster in Carrington and from August 2019 will be taking up the position of Housemaster in Kimmerghame.

“Becoming an Old Boy of my school made sense. School is often the place where we lay down the foundations of our lives. Becoming an OF as a teacher recognises the truth that we never finish growing. Fettesians shape staff as much as the College shapes them.”

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

FETTESIAN SUCCESSION ACADEMIC YEAR 2018-19

OF Succession families on Founder's Day 2018

Roger Grant (Mo 1964-1969), Susan Grant, Joe Grant (Gl 2005-2010), Jasmine Grant (CW 2010-2014) and Fenella Grant (Ar 2016-2018)

On Founder’s Day 2018 some ‘succession families’, OFs with decendants currently at Fettes, gathered at the Pavilion for some photographs. Our records show the following Old Fettesians currently have descendants studying at Fettes College and Prep.

David E Henderson (Ar 1977-1982) David A Cumming (Ca 1979-1983) Gordon C MacLeod (Ar-Mo 1978-1983) Charles D Letts (Ki 1978-1983) (Deceased) Stuart H Buchanan-Smith (JS-Mo 1976-1984) Peter R Sutton (SH 1979-1984) Andrew M Farquharson (JS-Mo 1978-1985) Charlie B Maclean-Bristol (SH 1980-1985) Christopher D Hodgson (SH-Gl 1981-1986) Tom K Usher (JS-Gl 1979-1986) Christian A Stulz (Ki 1985-1987) Jonathan H Norrie (JS-Gl 1981-1989) Jamie B Macpherson (Ca 1985-1990) Richard A Llewellyn (Mo 1987-1992) Omar Quaba (Ki 1987-1992) Murdo A Maclean (Ki 1992-1996) Alexandros Symeonides (Gl 1992-1996)

Great Great Grandfathers: John C Arbuthnott (SH 1870-1876) (Deceased) Great Grandfathers: Adam D Darling (Gl 1898-1900) (Deceased) John R Burnet (Mo 1901-1905) (Deceased) Robert K Arbuthnott (Ca 1911-1914) (Deceased) William D Lewis (Gl 1912-1915) (Deceased) William E Orr (Ca 1916-1917) (Deceased) James F Carnegie (Ca 1917-1921) (Deceased) James A Grant (Gl 1918-1922) (Deceased) Alexander I Cumming (Ca 1922-1925) (Deceased) Grandfathers: Thomas D Darling (Ca 1932-1937) (Deceased) Thomas C McCreath (SH 1944-1947) Patrick I Barty (Ca 1945-1950) Robert S Waddell (Ca 1945-1950) (Deceased) Christopher J Grant (Gl 1947-1951) John G Cumming (Ca 1949-1954) William T Carnegie (Ca 1950-1955) Robert D Ferguson (CW 1953-1958) Richard E Robson (CW 1957-1962) Fathers: Richard Atkinson (CW 1966-1971) Eric M Young (Ar 1969-1974) Alistair W Darling (Ca 1970-1975) John K Rodgers (Mo 1974-1979) Roderick Miller (SH 1975-1980)

Mothers: Mary Emma Adams (née Baxter) (Mo 1981-1983) Joanna M Prosser (Ar 1983-1983) Louisa M McEwan (née Greatrex) (Ar 1983-1984) Cordelia E Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982-1984) Fiona M Pollock (née Vaughan) (Ar 1983-1984) Fiona M Banatvala (née Davidson) (Da-SH 1984-1986) Seonaid M Macpherson-Raffell (née Macpherson) (Ar 1982-1986) Clare Martin (née Cockburn) (Da 1985-1987) Sheila M Rees (née McGilton) (SH 1986-1988) Leesa M Tulloch (Ar 1983-1988) Amanda A Mair (CW 1985-1989) Mairi Mickel (CW 1986-1990) Katharine C Farquharson (née Macpherson) (CE 1988-1990) Caroline J Lindsay (née Donaldson) (CE 1988-1990) Rachel V Lockey (née Robson) (CW 1985-1990) Lorna C Duff (née Bennett) (Ar 1988-1993)

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THE SCOTTISH CHILD ABUSE INQUIRY The following editorial content and advert has been included at the request of, and in collaboration with, the Scottish Child Abuse Enquiry.

As you know from our previous communications, The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) was set up to investigate the abuse of children.

As part of this, over eighty organisations and establishments, including Fettes and several other Scottish boarding schools, have been approached to provide information. Since our involvement was announced, we have conducted extensive reviews of information we hold on file as well as information from staff both current and retired.

Given the importance of the Inquiry, our review processes have involved members of the Senior Leadership Team, the Senior Management Team and our Board of Governors.

We fully understand that this is a highly emotive and sensitive subject and we are wholly committed to assisting the SCAI with their investigations. We have submitted all the required information to them.

We would, once again, like to take this opportunity to advise Old Fettesians affected by any form of abuse while at Fettes to speak to the Inquiry directly. Below you will find an advert from the SCAI with their contact details.

We have been working with an organisation called the Survivors Trust (thesurvivorstrust.org) who seek to support and empower survivors of abuse. Those who do not wish to speak to the Inquiry may nonetheless find it helpful to get in touch with them on 0808 801 0818.

The Fettes of today is committed to learning from mistakes of the past, ensuring our students receive the very best standards of pastoral care.

Carolyn Harrison Deputy Head / Head of Pastoral Care

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry THE SCOTTISH CHILD ABUSE INQUIRY WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU Were you abused while at boarding school?

Do you have information about children being abused in boarding schools?

Did this abuse happen at any time up to 17 December 2014?

TALK TO US GET IN TOUCH

Call: 0800 092 9300

Email: talktous@childabuseinquiry.scot Visit: www.childabuseinquiry.scot Post: SCAI, PO Box 24085, Edinburgh, EH7 9EA

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

FETTES AWARD WINNING CAREER PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME Karen Jones (née Houston) (Ar 1989-1991), Development Manager, Fettes Career Partnership Programme

Seven years ago the then OFA Committee President, Tom Usher (JS, Gl 1979-1986) asked these three questions with regards to career support: 1 How can we support our young OFs affected by the recession?

2 How can we encourage OFs to engage to support each other across the generations?

3 Can we use careers to bring OFs closer?

Things have come a long way since then and we were delighted in December to gain recognition by winning the 2018 Independent School of the Year award for Best Student Careers Programme.

Thanks to the willingness of both the OF and the parent community we have over 1,000 people signed up to assist with career advice. The support we receive includes young OFs helping those in Sixth Form with University visits; CV advice; attending career discovery sessions on topics such as Finance, Creativity and Problem Solving and taking time out to attend Careers Day to be on hand for Fettesians and visiting pupils in our Meet the Experts

room. There are also those who are willing to offer supportive morale boosting conversations to OFs on the job hunt.

We are a wonderful community, connected by Fettes. That willingness to support is paramount and so gratefully received.

Another strand to the Career Partnership Programme is business networking for OFs, pupils, and parents, utilising the power of gathering together at events for business conversations.

Building on the success of our London event last year, we hosted another Expert Panel event in April, this time at Fettes so pupils were able to join in as well.

The event was titled The Way the World is Growing… and was expertly chaired by Former Scottish Political Editor of the Times and OF, Hamish Macdonell (SH, Gl 1981-1986). One hundred and thirty OFs, parents and members of the Lower Sixth squeezed into the Upper to hear thought provoking sound bites from our Expert Panel.

Current Parent, Professor Francisca Mutapi, Professor in Global Health, Infection and Immunity at the

University of Edinburgh and co-Director of the Global Health Academy began by sharing that day’s global population count, which was in the region of 7.7bn, before discussing world demographics; the effect of forthcoming population shifts on growth and the workforce and the health challenges we will face in the future.

Robert Graham, Current Parent and Managing Director Graham’s The Family Dairy, discussed food trends, consumer demand and the rise of the smaller producer.

Current Parent, Jamie Macnab of Savills brought the transformations in the built environment to life covering changes in property and land use and the shifts in both work and living environments, especially in the domestic rental market.

OF, Ed Stack (Mo 1994-1999), Founder at tech start up SuperRational focussed on the pressures and potential of AI. Could Robots pay our taxes and the Government pay us all a living wage? Surely humans are needed for ethics and creativity?

Stephen Bird, CEO, Global Consumer Banking at Citi, who is also a

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

Current Parent, looked both backwards and forwards providing facts from the previous industrial revolutions and taking us forwards into the current fourth revolution. He touched on the current technological and biological drivers of change, the number of smart devices that we will have, the increase in machine IQ, where the global economies are going and the shifts in business, skills and consumer demands.

There was time for wider questions to the panel from the guests on climate change, employment, education, older populations, sustainable energy and future food sources.

Afterwards we were treated to drinks and canapés, kindly sponsored

by Savills, to further fuel our networking conversations. We are so fortunate to have such a generous community of OFs and Parents who are willing to give us their time and expertise in this way. There is no doubt they inspired all attendees to consider their #FettesNextSteps

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ttes.com To get involved please email kp.jones@fe nership Part er Care es • Could you support the Fett Programme? , could you • If you work in an academic capacity of the come to Edinburgh during the evening ridge Oxb k moc port 15th October 2019 to sup from and es Fett interviews for applicants from local Edinburgh High Schools? from firms • We are looking for representatives hip pathway ices rent App who offer the Graduate on ers to attend the Fettes College Care Day 7th February 2020.

October 2019, • If you are coming to Commem in er Sixth please consider signing up for our Low age any of Careers Lunch. We would like OFs er care r and stage to chat informally about you journey beyond Fettes. / Not for profit?

• Do you work in the Third Sector ember Could you come to Fettes on 9th Nov Form about 2019 to talk to members of the Sixth value based careers? orking or • Could your firm host business netw / Hong Kong? h burg panel events in London / Edin

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

2018 LEAVERS: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Of the 119 Leavers in 2018, 105 went on to University and 14 took a Gap Year. Of the 105 university entrants, four went to the University of Oxford and one to the University of Cambridge. Seven went overseas to the US, Canada, Milan and Dublin.

The top destinations for our Leavers were: University of St Andrews – 8 University of Glasgow – 6 University of Bath – 6 University of Bristol – 5 Durham University – 4 Oxford Brookes University – 3 University of Dundee – 3 University of Edinburgh – 3 University of Newcastle Upon Tyne – 3 The top courses for our Leavers were: Geography – 12 International Relations – 9 History – 7 Languages – 6 Business – 6 Medicine – 4 Sport Science – 3

We asked the 2018 Leavers to confirm where they are now and for their permission to share this information with OFs. We received the following information by the time the Newsletter went to print: Rachel Adie – Criminology, University of Abertay, Dundee James Axon – Architecture, Plymouth University Francesca Beard – Bioveterinary Science, Harper Adams University, Newport Violet Beaumont – History of Art, University of York Teodora Bogatu – Arts and Sciences with Study Abroad, University College London Felix Bolton – Liberal Arts, Duke University, USA Johnnie Brydon – Sports Performance, University of Bath Olivia Burnet – Geography, University of Bristol/Trinity College Dublin Mark Bushby – Geography with Innovation, University of Bristol Louisa Campbell – Modern History, University of St Andrews Xander Clamp – Film Studies/Film Studies and Television, Oxford Brooke/ University of Bristol Ana Condescu – Medicine, University of East Anglia Eleanor Condon – Production Arts for Stage, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School George Conner – Sport (Sports Performance), University of Bath Saskia Cooke – Modern and Medieval Languages, University of Cambridge Emma Crowe – Biomedical Engineering, University of Ulster Ellie Dalglish – Geography, Durham University Bent Diederichs – Law, University of Oxford Archie Dingwall – History and International Relations, University of Exeter Jacqueline Evans – Geography, University of St Andrews Marika Falco – Modern Language Plus (4 years), University College London Sandy Forsyth – English and Classics, Toronto University Finn Galloway – Gap Year Pippa Garden – Business Management, University of Aberdeen Rory Hanson – International Relations, University of Exeter Imogen Hartley – Education: Primary and Early Years, Bath Spa University Anna Kerr – Philosophy, University of York Cecily Lasnet – English Language and Literature, University of Oxford Harry Letts – Geography, Oxford Brookes University Edvard Lie – Computer Science, King’s College London Archie Lochhead – Chemistry, University of Edinburgh Katherine Lorimer – Economics, University of Bristol William Lu – Michigan State University, USA Alexander McBrearty – Social and Political Sciences, University of York

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Lauren McDonald – Animation, University of Dundee Matthew McKenzie – Engineering Design with Study in Industry, University of Bristol Hannah Moore – English and Creative Writing, University of Dundee Finlay Munro – History and English, University of Oxford Jonathan Newman – Property Finance and Investment, Nottingham Trent University Josefin Nilsson – Biological Sciences, Royal Veterinary College Anna-Maria O’Donnell – Gap Year Lily Pattison – Social Policy and Politics, London School of Economics Geordie Petrie – History and Ancient History, University of Exeter Isabella Pickard – Fine Art with Contemporary Cultural Theory, University of Leeds Daniel Reid – Gap Year Max Roberts – English and Art History, Trinity College Dublin Kirsty Rogers – Medicine, University of St Andrews Giulia Sciolla – International Economics and Management, Bocconi University, Milan Edward Selwyn-Sharpe – Van Mildert College, Durham University Tori Simpson – Social Sciences and Quantitive Methods, University College London

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David Sinclair – Liberal Arts, Wake Forest University, USA Honor Soutar – Sociology and Geography, University of Newcastle upon Tyne Grant Sperling – Gap Year Victoria Stelfox – French, Spanish and Arabic, University of St Andrews Grace Tanner – Zoology, University of Nottingham Sarah Tennant – Business and Management, University of York Arran Thompson – Economics and Mathematics, University of Edinburgh Oliver Thomson – Physics, Durham University Denis Tishin – Geography, Kings College London Stefanie Tucker – Spanish and Geography, University of Glasgow Charlotte Vainer – Diamond and Precious Gems, Gemological Institute of America, USA George West – Sport and Exercise Science, University of Newcastle upon Tyne Jacklyn Widjaja – History, University of Bristol Jennifer Williams – Music, University of York Erica Wilson – Geography and Psychology, University of St Andrews

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

THE IAIN MACLEOD AWARD The recipient of the 2018 Iain Macleod Travel Award was Evan Li (Ki 20142018), whose expedition to witness the Northern Lights has not taken place yet as it requires to be taken at a particular time of year. We look forward to reading a report of his travels once he is back. In the meantime, we are taking a look back at the history of this award and are delighted to be able include memories from previous recipients.

In 1974, the Iain Macleod Award Trust formed in honour of the titular Moredun man, who was at Fettes between 1927 and 1934. Iain died on 20 July 1970 at the tragically early age of 56, only a month after becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer following a narrow Conservative Party election victory. He had had an outstanding career and was one of the most brilliant politicians of his age.

Old Fettesian friends including Selwyn Lloyd (Gl 1918-23, Speaker of the House of Commons 19711976) (Deceased) and Lord Fraser of Kilmorack (Mo 1929-1934, Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party 1964-1975) (Deceased) set about raising a small fund to honour Iain’s memory by establishing a prize for the benefit of pupils at Fettes.

The first Trustees decided that the prize should be in the nature of a travel award for unusual and interesting projects involving initiative, enterprise

Justin Holt

and originality. The award is made annually by competitive written application to the Trustees. From the outset, they have looked for a sense of fun in keeping with the ‘impish’ side of Iain Macleod’s character. They also look kindly upon projects involving the pursuit of an applicant’s chosen subject, hobby or interest, or his or her personal development.

A total of about £20,000 largely derived from income has been awarded to support projects in the 44 years of the Trust’s existence. An eclectic range of projects have been selected over the years.

We approached previous winners to capture their memories and reflections.

Here are a selection of the responses we received: Adam Bruce-Watt (Gl 1972-1977) won the award in 1976.

“The title of my proposal was ‘A study of the depiction of animate beings in medieval Moorish art and architecture in Andalusia, inspired by the Courtyard of the Lions at the Alhambra in Granada’. During an eight-week trip to southern Spain, travelling mainly by train and staying on campsites or in pensiones, we visited some of the major Moorish sites of Andalusia (the Mezquita in Cordoba, the Alhambra, the Alcazaba in Malaga and the Alcazar in Seville) as well as

places like Almeria, Algeciras, Ceuta in North Africa, Cadiz and Madrid. A very interesting, enjoyable and memorable experience. I currently work as a freelance translator of Arabic, Farsi and Hebrew.”

Major Justin Holt MBE (SH 1983-1985) won the award in 1985.

“I retraced the third missionary journey of St Paul from Corinth to Jerusalem. Since then I had a 30-year career in the Royal Marines and now work as an Operational Security Advisor for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development.”

Robin Weekes (JS, Mo 1983-1991) and Calum Sutton (JS, Gl 1984-1991) won the award in 1990.

Robin: “Calum and I took six boys from the Fet-Lor Youth Club up the West Highland Way. The boys were 15-years-old and had never been away from home or on an expedition like that before. After a very difficult first few days, the boys rose to the challenge and not only completed the whole trek but actually enjoyed the adventure!”

Robin: “I am now the Vicar of Emmanuel Church in Wimbledon where I have the joy of leading people on the adventure of faith.”

Calum: “I’m now running a cultural communications agency based in Hong

Robin Weekes and some of the Fet-Lor members on the West Highland Way in 1990

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“At Sports Day Mr Thyne was talking to my mother and asked where I was, to which my mother replied she didn’t know exactly but had seen me running off into some trees. ‘Ah good,’ says Mr Thyne. ‘So he hasn’t hired a Porsche for the day on the money!’” W. Duncan Bradley (JS, Ki 1984-1990) (Deceased), from the 1989 Fettesian

Catriona Gardiner (centre)

Kong, New York and London. The Iain Macleod award trip taught me a lot about learning from younger people – the boys we were leading had excellent ideas to share – and one of the joys of running my business is that I can continue to learn every day from the 80 people who I now employ, many of whom are much younger than me.”

Catriona Gardiner (Inv, Ar 1996-2003) won the award in 2003.

“I received the 2003 Iain McLeod Award and used the funds towards a six-month volunteering trip to Mongolia, from March to September 2004. During my time there I was based in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, and taught English to secondary school pupils and to employees of the Natural History Museum. This became a major formative experience for me, and I returned to Mongolia to study, volunteer, and travel several more times as a student. I thought that starting professional life with KPMG in

Poppy Mitchell-Rose

London would mark the end of that relationship, but far from it! In 2012 I moved to Ulaanbaatar full-time as part of a team setting up KPMG Mongolia, and ended up staying for five years. The photograph shows me with two of my Mongolian colleagues, on a visit to a gold mine we were auditing.”

Poppy Mitchell-Rose (Inv, CW 19911998) won the award in 1998 “I taught English to the pilots and cabin crew of Vietnam Airlines, based in Hanoi. Between 2005-2013 I was Special Advisor to the Exchequer and now a Partner at the global communication firm Freuds.”

Christopher Normand (Gl 1950-1954) was one of the original Trustees.

“I was, actually, one of the original Trustees of the Iain Macleod Memorial Trust and helped to raise the initial capital fund from which to award the annual nominated winner. I had the interesting task for persuading Selwyn

Lloyd (then Speaker of the House of Commons) to be the first Chairman.

I am delighted to hear that the award is still being given.”

Rupert Alston (Ca 1987-1992), a current Iain Macleod Trustee informed us that the 2018 meeting started with a minute of silence in memory of Robin Majdalany (CE 1947-1953), Macleod Trustee, who had died recently. The Trustees recalled his good humour in all Trust meetings, and his long service as a Founding Trustee. In particular, one memorable early Trust meeting was recalled at which Robin was present, when the meeting was held in the chambers of the Speaker, with Selwyn Lloyd (then both Trustee and Speaker of the House of Commons) having to interrupt his duties as a Trustee to receive messages from both Margaret Thatcher and Willie Whitelaw, it being around the time Thatcher was appointed Leader of the Conservative Party.

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

THE NEW MEMORIAL PLAQUES DB McDowell (Staff 2005-present)

It all started with G.G. Smith (SH 1875-1880), killed in the Boer War while helping the wounded at the Battle of Spion Kop, literally smashed to pieces by a shell; his commanding officer believed he deserved the VC but although his heroic death was reported in the Fettesian he didn’t make it onto the black memorial in chapel. Nor did several others who died of wounds after it had been cast. Andrew Murray (Staff 19812003), former Head of History, OC of the CCF, and College Archivist, strongly felt that Smith should be remembered.

We have known for some time that there were people ‘we forgot to remember’, as getting onto Fettes memorials was a bit of a hit or miss affair. And so the project started.

Some people we had always known about because their deaths were reported but for a variety of reasons were not included on existing memorials. In some cases, this was because of shifting attitudes; in the First World War, the then Imperial War Graves Commission only recorded military deaths but expanded this to include civilians in the Second.

Thus we add Harold Barnwell (Ca 1993-1997), killed testing a fighter, and William Thomson (Ca 1943-1947), killed when his ship was sunk; he was also a victim of confusion over names, as documents in the archive indicates that he was mixed up with another fatality with the same surname, as was Kenneth Mackenzie (SH 1906-1913), killed at Messines in 1914 but left off the memorial because he was mixed up with another Mackenzie killed in 1918.

Another category to be added was school employees.

The school woodwork instructor and seven ‘college menservants’ as they were called in those days – gardeners, cleaners and waiters – were killed in the First World War. People unlucky enough to be killed in neither World War, and thus not covered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), were added: men like Inspector Tennent McNeill (Ca 1901-1903), killed by Islamic fundamentalists in the Sudan, Lt Ronald Hendy (SH 1906-1911), kidnapped and murdered by the IRA during the Irish Civil War, and 2nd Lt David Browning (CE 1946-1948), killed by Egyptian nationalists in 1951. Those who died of wounds after a war had ended, or as a result of captivity, were also added.

Sometimes, there were already people on one plaque or another who came under these headings; inconsistency, error, and less effective communications about the circumstances surrounding the lost had led to most of the omissions. Now they appear on smart bronze plaques which fit neatly below the Second World War casualties on the outdoor memorial.

It was also felt that those who died on military service deserved recognition, though on discussion with OFs like

Brigadier Ian Gardiner (CW 1954-1959) and parent and military historian Iain Gale, it was decided that they should be put on a separate plaque as they were not war casualties.

Thus we now recognise several dozen OFs killed by accidents or disease in the course of their duties. Some of these men lost their lives in acts of bravery, notably Squadron Leader Christopher Johnson (SH 1926-1928), killed in a plane crash whilst searching for people lost in the New Zealand alps in a blizzard in 1953. They appear on a smart wooden plaque which is to be put up in chapel.

The research process for this was long and involved, but the internet was undoubtedly a great boon; the CWGC website was a first port of call in ascertaining whether someone was considered a war casualty, as this cleared up questions about several OFs who died in 1919-20 and 1946-47 (the existing memorials had been somewhat inconsistent on this point). Genealogical researchers were useful in putting us in touch with families, such as that of R.R. Bisset (Ki, Gl 1907-1910) of the Gordon Highlanders, one of Andrew Murray’s original list, so that they could confirm whether or not a death was due to wartime service.

The internet also helped us identify who should not be added; the digitisation of Australian army records cleared up what happened to Robert Robson (Mo 1888-1893), whose name is on our First World War memorial but about whom there had long been a question mark because the man of that name who appears on the Menin Gate was too young to have left Moredun in 1893, since he was killed at Ypres aged 22. It turned out that our Robson had survived the war and went back to Australia where he lived to a ripe old age. The National Records of Scotland also allowed us to establish whether several men who died suspiciously soon after the First World War had succumbed to wounds or had simply had peacetime illnesses or accidents.

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‘The Lost Boys’

Sometimes research was carried out in museums and archives, and one figure who particularly stands out for me in this regard is Lt. Anker Ellsworth (Gl 1907-1910). He was the only survivor of the six OFs who went over the top in 17th (Glasgow Commercials) battalion Highland Light Infantry’s attack on the Leipzig Redoubt on the Somme on 1st July 1916.

The regimental records state that he was wounded and the school record said that he died around 1923 – a good basis for investigation. His War Office file in the National Archives shows that he was badly shot up at the Somme, and the army recommended that after his eventual recovery he be kept on quiet duties at Edinburgh Castle. However, somehow he got himself back into action, and was hit on the head by a grenade in 1917, which left him even more severely wounded and prone to epilepsy. Invalided out, the records show that he struggled on in a little flat in Glasgow, seeing the medical board for his pension each year, until, a few years after the war, he died. He now takes his honoured place near the

names of five other men of his unit who fought and died on the Somme.

In the research process, Craig Marshall (Staff 2014-present), our Archivist, was extraordinarily helpful, as were Hugh Macrae (CE 1961-1966) and David Weekes (Staff 1974-1994); I am also grateful to many other OFs who helped, whether suggesting names or discussing how we might do the commemoration. The OFA Committee and our Bursar, Peter Worlledge (Staff 2009-present), were of course essential to the process, and I cannot thank them enough. The Fettesian Trust cannot go without mention here.

It is thanks to their financial support that we have been able to commission these new plaques which were in place for Remembrance Sunday on the centenary of Armistice Day. I hope that the OFs who have seen them are pleased with how well they have turned out and I hope that many more OFs have the opportunity to visit them in due course.

The ‘Lost Boys’ are no longer lost – they are here.

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

OF SHOOTING REPORT David Hay (Ca 1991-1996) Winter shooting

Summer shooting

Having recently taken over the organisation of the OF shoots at the Grassie Range from Amanda Forsyth (Ar 1982-1984), who has fulfilled the Bisley role for a decade, I’m pleased and relieved to report that our final 2018 meeting in November was very successful.

As usual, Rob Concannon (Staff 2014-present) kindly gave up his time to open up the range and host a well organised, safe and satisfying shoot, with the calm and precise grouping guidance we have all come to appreciate.

Most scores were of course in the mid to high 90s with Alastair Readman (Gl 1981-1986) demonstrating his steely nerve once again in the sling. The Thomson brothers’ competitive spirit was, as usual fuelled by their sibling rivalry and both put in a selection of double bulls, but it was Ross Gamble’s (Ki 1995-2000) calm style that made the most progress in only his second shoot since leaving school.

Certainly one to watch out for next round!

We are considering purchasing a modest trophy to award to the highest scorer at future shoots. It will be very interesting to see how the potential for glory impacts upon the average scores!

Despite a lower-than-average turnout at the Veterans’ shoot on the Ashburton day of Bisley this year, the standard of shooting was as high as ever between the OFs in attendance.

Amanda Forsyth shot brilliantly to receive the Franks Salver award with an impressive 49.2 — a personal best — although the competition was toughly fought as Ian Brotherston (PS, Gl 2001-2012) and Ros Ramsay (Da 1984-1986) also achieved very commendable scores.

As always, the shoot would not have been such a success without the immense help of the school VIII and Sergeant Watty Burns (Staff 2010-present) at the firing point, providing equipment and register keepers. The day finished with the traditional barbeque at Elcho Lodge thanks to the kindness of Mrs Rosemary Meldrum (Friend of Fettes), where the day’s shoot was celebrated with much delicious food. At the barbeque, Sandy Forsyth (PS, Ar 2009-2018) was awarded both the Old Fettesian Tankard and the Stewart Cup for her 600 yard shoot in the Ashburton competition, complementing Amanda’s shoot in making the day a family success.

Many thanks to all who came to the shoot, and for those interested in OF shooting please don’t hesitate to get in touch at ofshootingclub@gmail.com.

Dr Rob Concannon at the spotting scope, on trigger Alistair Readman, Ross Gamble, Jamie Thomson and at the backup desk Allan Jardine.

Old and new Fettesian shooters after the barbeque – Top row: Caitlin Galloway, Connie Gray, Iona Wardner, Francesca Beard, Sandy Forsyth, Amanda Forsyth, Logan Murray, David James, and James Daly. Front row: Rupert MacDonald, Andrew Hunter, Ian Brotherston, Ros Ramsay, and Rosemary Meldrum.

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OF GOLF SOCIETY REVIEW Richard Smith (CW 1965-1969), President The weather was hot in 2018 but the results throughout the year were more mixed – some things never change!

I would like to thank Andrew Soulsby (JS, Ar 1973-1980) for his hard work in three years as Captain at the same time as being the very competent Secretary who keeps on top of the considerable administration required to enter the various competitions and also the finances of the Society.

Douglas Philip (Inv, Mo 1999-2005) is our new Captain and took over after the Halford Hewitt last year. He is much younger than the Captains of recent years and I wish him well in his quest to bring in younger players to represent the Society in the various events in which we participate throughout the year. We have 188 members of the OF Golf Society and hope very much to grow this representation in terms of breadth and location.

It was a better year in the Halford Hewitt where we progressed to the third round but were then comfortably beaten by a competent Repton side. There is no lack of enthusiasm on the part of the Fettes team, but we need all pairings to perform well in every round to progress to the final stages.

We did not perform well in the Cyril Gray at Worplesdon in 2018 but hope to be back in contention this year in a tournament in which we have a good track record in recent years. The Scottish Wayfarers over 50s at Muirfield was so much better than the previous year and we ran out winners there beating Loretto in the final.

The competition at the Queen Elizabeth is tough and last year we lost to a young Gordonians team in the first round.

Other matches around the country were played in a friendly but competitive spirit and much enjoyed by all.

This year’s players have included: Andrew Soulsby (JS, Ar 1973-1980), Gavin Lawrie (JS, Gl 1978-1985), Francis Clark (Gl 1966-1969), Chris Mather (SH 1973-1978), Richard Philip (Mo 1976-1981), Gordon Archibald (Ki 1994-1999), Graeme Matheson (Gl 1975-1980), Douglas Philip (Inv, Mo 1999-2005), Will Philip (Inv, Mo 2000-2010), Ramsay Wilson (Gl 2001-2002), Stuart Murray (Mo 1961-1966), Richard Smith (CW 1965-1969), Scott Perry (Ki 2008-2010), Grant Gilmour (JS, Gl 1981-1988), Robert Vallis (SH 1970-1972), Donald Noble (Ar 1967-1972), Jamie Lloyd (Ca 1985-1990), Hugh Ross (Ca 1963-1968), Tom White (Ca 1989-1994), Euan Matheson (Gl 1977-1982), Scott Maclennan (Ki 2001-2006), Andrew Hannay (Ar 1970-1975), Andrew Pickles (Ca 1962-1967), Richard Clark (Ki 19891994), Peter MacIntyre (Ca 1959-1964), Alan Breckenridge (Ca 1975-1979), David Paterson (Mo 1959-1963), Alastair Paterson (Mo 1960-1964), Alastair Cuthbert (Ki 1949-1953), Ian McCallum (Ar 1968-1973), Laurence Bax (Ki 2003-2008), Archie Crawford (Gl 2003-2008), Hamish Irvine Robertson (Inv, Gl 1997-2003), Robin Gardiner (Mo 1961-1965), Gordon Williamson (Gl 1953-1958).

OFGS Fixture List for the remainder of 2019 Please find our fixture list below. Contact the Match manager to participate.

Dates Fixture Location 7 July 2019 Match vs Loretto Prestwick 18 Aug 2019 Match vs Glenalmond/Merchiston Panmure 21 – 23 Sept 2019 Queen Elizabeth Tournament Royal Burgess 1 Oct 2019 London Golf Day/Lodge Trophy Denham 4 Oct 2019 Commem Golf Meeting Bruntsfield 20 Oct 2019 Match vs Loretto Worplesdon

26 Nov 2019 LSSGS – St Andrews Foursomes Woking

Match manager Andrew Soulsby (andrew_soulsby@keysight.com) Andrew Soulsby (andrew_soulsby@keysight.com) Douglas Philip (doug.philip@dpsmconsultants.com) Jim Shackleton (japshack@googlemail.com) Andrew Soulsby (andrew_soulsby@keysight.com) Tom White (thomasfwhite@hotmail.com) Hamish Irvine-Robertson (hamishir@hotmail.com) Michael Ferndale (Michael.Ferndale@hpa-advisory.com)

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

COMMEMORATION WEEKEND 2018 Commemoration Weekend is, first and foremost, about fun. This was in no short supply between 5th and 7th October 2018. Andrew Soulsby (JS, Ar 1973-1980) once again represented the OF Golf Society by hosting the opening Golf afternoon at Bruntsfield Links.

Over 80 OFs and staff gathered together for a Drinks Reception in Callover in the evening to start the Commem celebrations at Fettes.

Every year, OFs are encouraged to attend Saturday morning’s AGM of the Old Fettesian Association to learn more about the work of the OFA and to hear from the Head. This year’s AGM saw

the approval of the appointments of David Hay (Ca 1991-1996) and Abigail Gliksten (Ar 2009-2011) to the OFA Committee and also the approval of the motion that Honorary OF status be granted to Non-Teaching Staff who have served for more than ten years. This is a brilliant and inclusive step to ensure all long serving staff at Fettes have the opportunity to become Honorary OFs. A lunch (more than likely an upgrade in quality for most OFs) was held in the Dining Hall, while five, 10 and 20 year leavers had the opportunity to talk about their career journeys in and informal environment over a hog roast

with the Lower Sixth in the MacLeod Centre. The gift of time and advice is sometimes the most precious gift OFs can pass on to a current pupils and this annual gathering is the perfect opportunity for them to do this. If OFs weren’t at either of these events, they were likely trying to outdo each other at the Grassie Shooting Range, supervised by Sergeant Watty Burns (Staff 2010-present).

House visiting is a highlight with OFs thrilled to enjoy and re-live those memories in dorms, studies, common rooms and area. They are delighted to have the opportunity to chat to current

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pupils who act as informal tour guides in the Houses.

Commemoration Dinner on Saturday night is always muchenjoyed. Last year’s celebration was no exception. Two hundred returning OFs and Staff, past and present, were piped into the Dining Hall foyer for drinks and the chance to view treats from Fettes’ archives relevant to the reunion years and other guests present. A delicious dinner then followed in the Dining Hall, decked out beautifully in chocolate and magenta.

The fact that the food served was exceptional is not a surprise to those in

the know, as Fettes now has a Michelin starred chef, but for many returning alumni who had not been back to school for years this was a welcome surprise. In recent years the feedback after Commem has consistently been that the food exceeds all expectations.

The Catering Team at Fettes are magnificent on a daily basis and we are grateful to them for going the extra mile at Commem!

The convivial conversations and catch-ups lasted long into the night and it was testament to the Fettesian spirit that many still made it to the Commemoration Weekend Chapel

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Service on Sunday morning. It was the turn of OFA President, Amanda Forsyth (Ar 1982-1984), to deliver the address, highlighting the inclusivity of life at Fettes and beyond as an Old Fettesian.

Tickets for Commemoration Weekend 2019 are bookable now.

If you and your Fettes peers want to be a part of the celebrations, do not hesitate to book your places online at fettescommunity.com/event/ commem2019. We look forward to seeing you there.

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Five year Leavers

Twenty year Leavers alongside Malcolm Thyne (Headmaster 1988-1998) and Eleanor Thyne

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

Forty year Leavers

Seventy year Leavers

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REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT

82 Canada

4660 UK

205 US

Time at Fettes creates connections for life

Fettesians truly are a global community, a group of people with a shared education, living and working all over the world.

Whether you need a contact, advice or friendship remember that there is a fellow Fettesian not far away.

The supportive group of Regional Representatives on the following page willingly offer their assistance or alternatively email ofa@fettes.com and we shall do our best to put you in touch.

40 South America

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

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32 Russia 344 Europe 154 Asia

38 Middle East

196 Hong Kong

62 Africa 145 Australia and NZ

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REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES We would love you to get involved as a Regional Representative – especially in areas lacking one.

If you think you can help, please contact ofa@fettes.com.

India Duncan Watkinson (Ca 1961-1965) duncan.watkinson@turbocam.com

UK

OVERSEAS

Central Scotland Sandy Park (Ki 1965-1970) broich.52@btinternet.com

Argentina Sean Cameron (Mo 1978-1982) scameron@infovia.com.ar

Edinburgh Ian MacIntyre (Ca 1953-1958) ian_macintyre@icloud.com

Australia (Victoria) David Taylor (Ce 1947-1952) digit@mira.net

Glasgow Andrew Pickles (Ca 1962-1967) andrewpickles@outlook.com

Canada (Western) Nigel Grant (Ca 1949-1952) pngrant35@shaw.ca

Middle East Greer MacLean-Sherman (Inv-CE 1992-1998) greeramac@hotmail.com

London (Drinks Party) James Macpherson (Gl 1997-2002) jfsmacpherson@hotmail.com

Channel Islands Jeffrey Giovannoni (Ki 1989-1994) jeffreygiovannoni@voisinlaw.com

New Zealand James Purves (SH 1980-1985) jamespurves@mac.com

London (Carol Service) David Simpson (Mo 2001-2006) davidmoodysimpson@icloud.com

Brazil Colin Pritchard (CW 1954-1958) colinpri.alp@terra.com.br

South Africa (Gauteng) Stephen Fish (SH 1980-1981) fishman@iafrica.com

North East England Henry Cave (SH 1980-1984) henry.cave@kingswalklaw.com

Chile Donald Filshill (CE 1949-1952) dmfilshill@gmail.com

Singapore & Malaysia Rosie Thompson (SH 1984-1986) rosiethompson68@gmail.com

North West England Norman Rowbotham (Ca 1963-1968) normanrowbotham@aol.com

France Neil Robertson (JS, Mo 1973-1980) neil.robertson@orange.fr

Switzerland (Suisse Romande) Christopher Milne (SH 1974-1979) christophermilne@hsbc.com

Northern Ireland Jason Johnston (Gl 1988-1993) jason.johnston496@gmail.com

Germany Cordelia Pilz (Ar 1982-1984) cordelia.pilz@eu.jll.com

Northern Isles (Orkney) Barbara Graham (Gl 1975-1977) bjmgraham@gmail.com

East Africa Alexis Sarikas (Mo 1978-1982) flexnbi@hotmail.com

Republic of Ireland David Baxter (Mo 1983-1988) dbaxter@algoodbody.ie

South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal) David McLennan (Ki 1959-1962) davemclennan@sai.co.za

Yorkshire Dariel Pitt (née Brown) (Ar 1982-1984) dariel@hotmail.co.uk

Hong Kong Urosh Teodorovich (Inv, Ki 2001-2008) u.teodorovich@gmail.com

Japan Shizuka Harada (née Okamoto) (Inv, CW 1993-2000) shizy999@gmail.com

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

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OFA REGIONAL EVENTS Old Fettesians meet up regularly across the globe. The following are reports from just some of the events held in the past year. Gatherings such as these, no matter how big or small, demonstrate that our warm and engaged community are willing to connect with each other wherever they are and from whenever they were at school. Event listings are updated regularly and can be found at www.fettescommunity.com/events. All OFs are very welcome and we hope that many more of you will join these global gatherings when you can. None of these events can be achieved without support from our OF Regional Representatives to whom we are exceptionally grateful.

Eurozone We are delighted to share this report from Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982-1984) detailing yet another fantastically successful Eurozone gathering.

“Charlie Jeffrey (Ki 1965-69) hosted another wonderful Eurozone weekend in Oslo in September 2018. We travelled to Oslo from seven different countries and met up for a casual dinner on the Friday evening. This was held in Lorry’s Restaurant, memorable for its fish soup and extraordinary interior décor, and set the scene for a great weekend to come.

“Saturday morning started with mist and drizzle as we made our way by private coach up to the Holmenkollen ski-jump and museum. Following a fascinating exhibition about the development of skiing and polar exploration, we ascended the tower (by lift, thankfully) to the top of the famous ski jump. The mist had lifted and we had beautiful atmospheric views over Oslo and the fjord.

“Next stop was Bygdoy, home to three impressive museums, which we wandered between: The Fram, which documented Roald Amundsen’s journey to the South Pole and housed the Fram ‘the strongest wooden ship ever built, breaking all previous farthest north and farthest south records’ as well as a polar expedition simulator and Northern Lights film show. The next was the Kon-Tiki museum, with Thor Heyerdahl’s balsawood raft and fascinating detail about the Kon-Tiki and other expeditions. The third museum was the National Maritime Museum, which detailed Norway’s maritime history.

“Needing fortification after so many examples of adventure and discomfort, we took the ferry to the Laternen restaurant and enjoyed a delicious lunch in the sun, overlooking the water.

Bliss! The afternoon was free and some visited the Viking and Folk Museums, some explored the city centre and some enjoyed the food festival located at Aker Brygge.

“We met again in the evening for our formal Old Fettesian dinner, which was held in the famous Engebret Café, a beautiful restaurant in business since 1857 and boasting a clientele including artists, composers and politicians.

We were treated to a delicious menu comprising the best of Norwegian fare, paired with delicious wine. As is now traditional, we were piped into dinner by the Eurozone resident piper Anthony Orr (CE 1964-68), who also accompanied us on the piano for an enthusiastic rendition of Floreas Fettesia.”

This Eurozone meeting was attended by 32 OFs and partners, with a good mix of ‘regulars’ and newcomers, whom we hope we shall see again.

Sadly, one member of our number and probably the most enthusiastic proponent of this particular alumni group was not with us. Ralph Shabetei (Ki 1946-1949) passed away in May 2018 and we spent a moment remembering him.

Ralph’s wife Gunn wrote a letter to the OF Eurozone gathering, which Charlie read out to us. In this letter she explained how much Fettes and these alumni events had meant to Ralph. She also donated two paintings of Fettes, which she had given to Ralph during his life, to the Old Fettesian Association.

After discussion with the OFA President, Amanda Forsyth (Ar 1982-1984) it has been decided that one painting will hang at Fettes and the other will be loaned to each OFA President in turn, for him/her to hang in their home during the tenure as President.

Other Eurozone regulars who could not be present at the weekend sent some thoughts and memories of Ralph, which are summarised here: Ralph spent the immediate postwar years at Fettes, from 1946-1949; he

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was in Kimmerghame, won an Open Scholarship and the official records reveal very little about his time at or after school other than vague mention of travel agency in Paris…

A man of mystery, even then! However Fettes must have made a significant impression on him, as Ralph remained true to the school all his life.

Neil Robertson (JS, Mo 1973-1980), host of the very first Eurozone dinner in Paris, remembers Ralph’s passionate speech about all things Fettes at the end of the evening, culminating in him whipping out his chequebook and presenting the then Headmaster Michael Spens (who was present) with a cheque! And then encouraging the other diners to do likewise!

His generosity was not only directed towards the school. There are two instances that I know of – and probably more that I don’t – of Ralph enabling OFs to attend Eurozone dinners by ‘helping out’ with hotel bills.

Ralph and Gunn attended the vast majority of Eurozone events over the years, and hosted one dinner in Southern Spain.

I’d like to quote Gavin Peebles (CW 1956-1960) who summed him up best, I think. “My lasting impression is of a very dapper, dignified gentleman with a kindly twinkle in the eye. Never flashy but immaculately turned out, selfeffacing (unless thumping the table for Fettes and friendship!) and unfailingly courteous”. There’s not a lot I can add to that.

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supports us. We draw-in OF’s from all age groups and geographical areas so even if your ‘just visiting’ in the locale or ‘passing through’, you are always most welcome to join us.”

The next Lunches are on: 11th September, 23rd October and 27th November 2019. At present we meet at 12.30 pm at the Star & Garter Hotel, Linlithgow. The Ticket price is £30 pp and £25 for under 25s.

If you are interested in coming along, you can email ofa@fettes.com or contact Sandy directly. (T: 01786 860586 or E: broich.52@btinternet.com)

Japan On 6th October 2018, Shizuka Harada (Inv, CW 1993-2000) gathered OFs together in Japan, near to Tokyo Station.

The photo below shows her with Yoku Ishida (Gl 2000-2005), Tomoko Iwama (née Tanaka) (CE 1989-1991), Hisashi Ide (Ki 1988-1991) and Marie Urasaki (PS, Da 2009-2016).

British Columbia

The Old Fettesians of British Columbia held a dinner on 7th November 2018, once again at Amici’s Restaurant in West Vancouver.

Nine OFs attended: David Hunter (Gl 1948-1953), Nigel Grant (Ca 1949-1952), Sandy Aird (Ki 1955-1959), Jonathan Maillie (CE 1956-1960), Mike Weddle (Ki 1956-1959), Derek Morris (CE 1966-1971), Denis Morris (CE 19671972); Greg Ovstaas (Ca 1967-1972) and Mike Robertson (Ca 1967-1972).

It was particularly pleasing that Derek Morris was able to attend.

Although he lives in Dallas, he had just got off the plane from London about two hours before the dinner and, by the time we finished, it was 6am UK time. He survived!

As usual, a good evening was had by all.

If there are any new OFs in British Columbia, please make your presence known to Nigel Grant at: pngrant35@ shaw.ca

Hong Kong London

Central Scotland The Central Scotland OF Lunches continue to impress and immense thanks are due to Sandy Park (Ki 19651970) who regularly organises these lunchtime gatherings. A tremendous bunch of OFs form what Sandy calls ‘a club that is not a club’, due to its entirely open and welcoming nature!

There is always a friendly face on hand to greet guests and OFs from all over Scotland and of all ages are encouraged to attend.

Sandy notes that: “This year sees our 185th Lunch! So well done to everyone who comes along and

On 11th October 2018 more than 100 London OFs gathered for informal drinks at the Caledonian Club. This was a very happy occasion where some people reconnected with Fettes friends, whilst others made new connections.

All were united by the memories they shared of Fettes. Huge thanks once again are due to James Macpherson (Gl 1977-2002) for organising this event.

We are already looking forward to the next London OF drinks party which will be held on 5th September 2019 at the East India Club. For more details and to register visit: fettescommunity.com/ events

In Hong Kong it was marvelous to see more events for OFs than ever this year, including informal drinks, a New Year celebration on a boat in Victoria Harbour and the first ever OF gathering in Hong Kong for Remembrance at the Cenotaph in November. The success of these gatherings is down to the strong allegiance of the Fettes contingent and to the relentless energy and enthusiasm

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of Regional Representative, Urosh Teodorovich (Inv, Ki 2001-2008), to whom we are most grateful.

In March 2018, Fettes held a Drinks Reception at the China Club, which was attended by OFs and current, past and prospective parents and in November 2018 there was another Fettes gathering at the Hong Kong Club to which OFs were invited.

If you are an OF in Hong Kong and you are not receiving the local event invitations, please let us know if you would like to be added to the list by emailing ofa@fettes.com

Glasgow On 16th November the Glasgow OF Lunch took place within the familiar and welcoming walls of Rogano in Exchange Place. Andrew Pickles (Ca 1962-1967) once again was an excellent host.

Edinburgh

On 30th November 2018 and 3rd May 2019 Old Fettesians filled the Douglas Room at the Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh to enjoy the twice-yearly ‘Edinburgh Lunch’. On both occasions, guests gathered for drinks and then

moved on to enjoy a three course meal.

Convivial conversation flowed, with OFs re-connecting, reminiscing and making new acquaintances through the common bond of Fettes.

We are most grateful to our host Ian MacIntyre (Ca 1953-1958) for once again organising these much anticipated and regular events, enjoyed by all who attend and we hope that next year many more OFs will join us.

London Old Fettesian Carol Service

A larger congregation than ever before gathered together on 13th December 2018 for a wonderful festival service of lessons and carols at St. Michael’s, Belgravia. The service was led by Robin Weekes (JS, Mo 1983-1991), with a Christmas message from Revd Dr Ashley Null (Chaplain 1994-1995).

The organist was Douglas Bruce (Ca 1955-1960) and the choir of Old Fettesians were directed excellently by Richard Brett (Director of Music 19881993). We are grateful to Dr Colin Niven OBE (Staff 1965-1973), Gilly Kyle (Inv, CW 2001-2007) and Poppy McLean (CE, Da 2009-2014) for reading during the service. All thoroughly enjoyed coming together at Christmas time and catching up afterwards over mince pies and mulled wine.

Immense thanks go to David Simpson (Mo 2001-2006) for once again spearheading this most worthwhile and heart-warming of OF

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gatherings. For some OFs, this occasion is the only event they can get to each year – and it’s always a special one.

Newcastle

The Newcastle OF Dinner remained a staple of the OF event calendar in 2019, with over 40 guests in attendance along with Geoffrey Stanford (Headmaster 2017-2019) and the President of the OFA, Amanda Forsyth (Ar 1982-1984). The President of the Newcastle OF Dinner was Lindsay Keith (Ki 1958-1964), who treated us to a brief welcome before his loyal toast to the assembled gathering.

Geoffrey provided an update on life at Fettes and Ed McNaught (Mo 19741979) provided a cheery response on behalf of the guests.

Immense and continued thanks are due to Henry Cave (SH 1980-1984) for all the hard work he puts in to organise this much anticipated annual gathering.

North West We are grateful to Norman Rowbotham (Ca 1963-1968) for continuing to organise the North West Old Fettesian Dinner, which this year took place on 22nd February. It was held again at the Swan with two Nicks by kind permission of Richard Robson (CW 1957-1962).

Norman tells us that “Allan Paterson (SH 1975-1979) entertained us all with his views on Brexit and other matters after addressing the Haggis in his usual enthusiastic manner. The evening was very much enjoyed by

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those who did attend but we all wished there had been more. The guests nearly outstripped the Old Fettesians of which there were only six with five guests.

“Apologies for absence were sent

by Robert Anderson (Mo 1963-1967), Malcolm Currie (Gl 1960-1966), Arthur Laird (Ca 1962-1966), Anya Leaver (CE 1989-1991), Richard Mellor (Ki 19631968) and Euan McMaster (Ki 19611965).

“Those who did attend were Ron Crichton (CE 1955-1960), Chris Faux (Gl 1953-1958), Ian Gilmore (CE 19511956), Allan Paterson (SH 1975-1979), Richard Robson (CW 1957-1962) and Norman Rowbotham (Ca 1963-1968).”

If there are any OFs who would like to meet up with old friends, or perhaps even make new ones, in the North West, Norman would be delighted to see you in February next year. Please email ofa@fettes.com and we will add you to the mailing list.

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1983), Henry Cave (SH 1980-1984), Simone Mallett (Mo, Ar 1981-1983) and Dariel Pitt (née Brown) (Ar 1982-1984).

Our sincere thanks go to Dariel for organising this happy dinner.

Dubai On 15th March 2019, Greer MacLeanSherman (Inv, CE 1992-1998) kindly hosted a Fettes community gathering at Jones the Grocer, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai.

This was the first event held in the region for several years. It coincided with Gemma Gray (Staff 2006-present), our Director of Marketing & Admissions, visiting Dubai and was a wonderful opportunity for her to meet with the Old Fettesians and Fettes parents who attended.

We are lucky to benefit from such a warm and friendly community which enables gatherings like this to happen in Dubai and are looking forward to more get togethers in the coming years.

Yorkshire

The Harrogate Club, with its Victorian heritage, created a charming and relaxed venue for the Yorkshire OF Dinner on 1st March 2019. A fun and high-spirited evening was well supported and we look forward to welcoming more OFs to join us next year.

This year, OF Guests included: Dominic Brown (Ki 1975-1980), Dom Busby (SH, Ca 1982-1986), Robin Shepherd (Mo 1978-1982), Malcolm Scott (SH 1977-1982), Hamish Patrick (Ki 1980-1985), Richard Archbell (Mo 1964-1967), Jamie Edgar (Ar, Ca 1978-

Pictured above are Danielle Determeyer, Luke Daly (Ca 20012006), Christine Daly, Michael Daly, Richard Determeyer (Mo 1980-1985), Joe Morrison (Mo 1988-1990), Greer MacLean-Sherman (Inv, CE 1992-1998), Gemma (hiding in the back), Keith Stephen (Ca 1963-1968), Keith’s wife, Jennifer & Jon Orthmann, Jon Sherman (JS, Gl 1982-1990)

The Battlefields Tour report from David McDowell (Staff 2005present) After many years of off-and-on discussion, the OFA battlefields tour finally set forth in the Easter Holidays, led by current parent and historian Iain Gale and myself, with personnel ranging from current pupils to one with personal memories of the Second World War. Our focus was the Somme, the First World War campaign in which

the largest number of OFs were killed (about 10% of all former pupils killed in action since Fettes opened died there).

We began with a visit to the Somme Museum in Albert, a collection of First World War information, uniforms, equipment, and, frankly, detritus, built into underground air raid shelters. The tableaux of Tommies and Landsers in the trenches might have seemed to the uninitiated a bit lifeless, but the presence of a school group which had yet to discover the joys of Lynx Africa (a product that has made the job of the duty tutor on bedlots mildly less disturbing) certainly recreated at least some of the stench of closely-confined bodies. We were delighted to discover a special reference in one section to OF Hesketh Vernon Hesketh-Prichard, professional cricketer, dinosaur hunter, novelist, naturalist, and pioneer of British Army sniping. The tableau representing sniping could have been in West Belfast, but as the Tommies in the British communications trench a few stages back were wearing Orange sashes, this was probably just ecumenical balance.

Soon we were bowling up the old Roman road, where we made a stop in what is now a car park but in 1916 was no man’s land. As Iain explained, this was where the Tyneside Brigades came down one hill and up another towards the German lines; OF Captain Tullis, commanding one of the Tyneside Scottish battalions who were first in, had probably been in a trench just by that cafe up the road. Ahead of us, the original versions of the houses in that village had mostly been demolished by shellfire, but the Germans had placed machine-guns in the cellars, which cut

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down the advancing troops. Iain then took us to Lochnagar crater, where a giant mine was exploded under the German trenches, and on a circuit round where Macrae’s Battalion of the Royal Scots, recruited from the West End of Edinburgh and especially Hearts FC, suffered heavily.

Speaking personally, one of the most important visits was to Authuile.

This is where the 17th Highland Light Infantry, a battalion recruited from Glasgow’s Technical College and Chamber of Commerce, successfully made it across no man’s land to take German positions. Six OFs are known to have taken part in the attack, several of whom left school after the war had started and were still in their teens.

Their success was short-lived; other units had been beaten back and they were left isolated. They held on in the German trenches they had captured until nightfall. We visited the graves of the two OFs buried nearby, one of whom, Capt. Cassels, lies in the grave closest to the objective. As Iain took us into the wood which has grown up around the redoubt, a dark sky loomed over the fields of wheat which now occupy the front line – a striking image.

As well as the OFs buried near the Leipzig Redoubt, we placed a cross on the grave of Capt. Ernest MacLaren, who was also killed on 1 July 1916; he is buried in Connaught Cemetery, a good point from which to see the contrasting routes up to Thiepval Ridge taken by his Salford Pals and the (temporarily) more successful Ulster Division, in which the OF Barton brothers served. At the huge Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, we placed a wreath in honour of the 18 OFs whose names are carved on it.

Other visits included the restored trenches (and tea room) at Auchonvillers (‘Ocean Villas’ to British troops), the German cemetery at Fricourt, and Devonshire Trench, where Iain treated us to a recreation of army rations in what was once no-man’s-land.

It was a fascinating trip with a super bunch of people; we all learned a great deal from Iain’s expert knowledge, and I look forward to my own next visit with the Fettes 6th form.

USA

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Fettes, who, as a member of the Yale Club, has helped us secure this lovely venue over the years. Gil also very generously hosts guests in the Club Bar, after dinner, for which we are very grateful!

Of course, one evening is never enough time to reminisce and share stories so a number of Old Fettesians enjoyed brunch together the next day.

In Washington on 9th May, hot on the heels of the New York gathering, a group of OFs met up at James Hoban’s Irish Restaurant and Bar. This small gathering included two Trustees from our US-based charity, Friends of Fettes College Inc., Alison Brown (Ca 19731975) and Nick Burnett (CE, Ar 19731975) who were joined by Willy Morgan (Mo 1967-1970) and his wife Suzanne and Doug Poole (Ca 1975-1979). Great fun was had by all!

Our US Trustees are every keen to engage with more members of our community across the United States and are currently reviewing the events they organise. Please do email ofa@fettes.com if you would like to be added to our US mailing list to be kept informed of future developments.

Sydney

On 26th April, 30 Old Fettesians got together at the Yale Club in New York for the annual gathering of our warm and generous US-based community.

Our sincere thanks go to Davidson Gordon (Gl 1957-1962) for his continued support to deliver this event and to Gil Schmidt, a dear friend of

OFs gathered in Sydney to coincide with Roy Leckie’s (Ca 1985-1990) business travels. We were delighted to hear that Louie Skinner (CW 19881993), Carl Longmore (SH 1978-1983) and Nicola Miethke (neé Mackay) (CE 2001-2006) were able to join Roy on 17th May for some fun reminiscences of their Fettes days. We very much hope this will be a catalyst for future gatherings in Sydney.

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The Borders

South Africa

On 24th May a vibrant group of 12 gathered in the Buccleuch Arms in St Boswell’s to firmly re-instate the OF Borders gatherings after a gap of several years. It was a very entertaining evening, culminating in watching the exceedingly high tech Peter Sandison (Gl 1965-1970) stun the waiting staff by paying for his supper with his watch! Huge thanks to the fabulous organisation of Philip Church (JS, Gl 1985-1993) and his wife Alexandra who were joined by Peter Sandison and wife Shirley, Graham Watt (Ki 1950-1955) and his wife Carolyn, Amanda Forsyth (Ar 1982-1984), her husband Adam and their daughter Sandy (PS, Ar 20092018), Jamie Macpherson (Ca 19851990) and his wife Annie.

The Gauteng Branch of the South African OFA enjoyed a delightful reunion lunch at the Glenvista Golf Club, south of Johannesburg on 26th May, kindly hosted by Willie Rankin (Gl 1967-1972) and Maureen Rankin.

It was a beautiful autumn day, overlooking the golf course and the typical South African braai was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thank you to Willie and Maureen for organising the excellent venue and lunch.

They were delighted to welcome three new members to their group, namely Regan Ryan (Ca 1997-1998) and Richard (Mo 1985-1990) and Dorris Simpson. They hope these new members will join them for many more years to come.

The lunch was also attended by Andrew Spence (Ki 1957-1961) and Lorna Spence. As the most senior OF in attendance, Andrew ably delivered the Fettes grace in Latin as has become tradition at this gathering. The other attendees were John (CW 1962-1966) and Fiona Rollason and their daughter Fleur Rollason (Gap Year, Staff 2005 -2005), Hitesh Desai (SH 1976-1981), Elena Kachkova (Staff 1993-2002) and

South Africa

her husband Nigel Wilkes and Stephen Fish (SH 1980-1981) and Maria Fish.

We must also extend our thanks to the hosts’ extensive support team of sons, Christopher (Gap Year, Staff 2009-2009), William and Alistair Rankin.

Melbourne For many years now Regional Representative, David Taylor (CE 19471952), has organised a couple of events each year to bring together OFs who live in Victoria. David is relinquishing this role and we thank him for his considerable efforts. David Davidson (Ki 1961-1965) has agreed to take over as Regional Representative and we would like to take this opportunity to ask if you, if you are resident in Victoria, to respond directly to him via email (ddavidson1@optusnet.com.au) so that he can keep you up to date.

We appreciate that not all folk live in the same part of Victoria, let alone Melbourne, so when responding we would also ask that you indicate where you live what type of event you would be interested in attending.

We look forward to reporting more in the Newsletter next year.

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OF NEWS 1940s

also studied business administration at an American University.

“From 1982 to 2010 I was married to Fred Graham-Yooll (Gl 1946-1950) has Talia Garcia Miro George. We have one just published a new book, The Lost son named Alonzo Francisco Vega de la Story of Joseph, which is available on Flor, who has become an artist.

Amazon Kindle for those interested in His Instagram account can be found the hard evidence and accurate dating @alonzovega2. from ice-cores for much of Genesis.

“In 2011 I entered into civil union with Karin O’nelly San Roman Grijalva, 1950s a register for the Superintendencia Nacional de los Registro Publicos de Jorge Manuel Vega (Ki 1954-1958) has Lima. I have lived with her and her eight sent us this update on his life since year old son since 2011.”

Fettes: H Fergus Macdonald (Gl 1953-1957) “Having studied commerce is mayor of Burton Latimer, having been at McGill University in Montreal, persuaded by his fellow councillors to I began my career by working in the serve two terms without a break. He business department for Price Water mentions that “our largest project at House Coopers and their clients in the moment is the purchase of the local Lima. In 1964 I joined a venture with library from the Northamptonshire Sensormatic Electronic Corporation County Council, who will close it if we for the Peruvian market. This was the do not take it over.” first company in Peru dedicated to Donald Steel (Gl 1950-1956): electronic security products focusing recently won the 2018 Herbert Warren on loss prevention and thief protection Wind Book Award of the United States devices. Today we continue to sell the Golf Association for his biography of same sensormatic products due to an Sir Michael Bonallack, Par Excellence. exclusive distribution agreement with The award rewards “outstanding Johnson Controls Inc in the US. contributions to golf literature” and “In the same year, I formed is considered “the top literary prize Automotriz Vega Motors, an awarded by the United States Golf Automotor dealer of Hyundai and Association”.

Daewoo. The business closed in 2001 Frank Evans (CE 1954-1959): when a Peruvian law authorized the “Last Autumn I joined the South West importation of used vehicles.

Philharmonia and Chorus to perform “In 1998 I started a part-time job at Patrick Hawes’ new work The Great the family business Industria Peruana War Symphony in St Andrews’ Minster, del Acero S.A. and Distribuidora Vega S.A. (www.grupovega.com). Since 2013, Plymouth. The work was sponsored

by Classic FM and I believe ours was I’ve been the President of the Industrial only the second performance in the Reconvention and the National and UK. Later I went with SWPC members International Business Committee of to New York to sing the work on both family companies.

Armistice Day in the Carnegie Hall, in “My first marriage from 1964 to a choir of over two hundred from all 1978 was to Maria Del Carmen de la over the world, conducted by Patrick Flor Calle. We have two sons: Manuel himself; this was the US premiere. An Guillermo Vega de la Flor, who graduated from Harvard University with experience I would not have missed! I a degree in business administration and have great memories of singing in the Fettes Choir, now sixty years ago.” is now married with three daughters and Gonzalo Felipe Vega de la Flor, who

1960s Lt Col Grenville Shaw Johnston OBE TD (Mo 1958-1963) was appointed a Commander of The Royal Victorian Order (CVO) for his work as LordLieutenant of Moray. He retires on 28th January 2020 after nearly fifteen years in office.

Dr Iain McCoubrey (Ki 1959-1964) has written Healing in His Wings, a new book detailing his exceptional life. The book describes experiences from McCoubrey’s tours in Germany during the Cold War; in Hong Kong at the time of the Vietnamese Boat People; on Ascension Island just after the Falklands War; in the USA during the first Gulf War and UK postings.

D. Richard Thorpe (CW 1956-1961) edited the first volume of the Kenneth Rose Journals (Who's In Who's Out, 19441969) for Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 2018.

Volume 2 (Who Loses Who Wins, 19792014) is published in the autumn of 2019.

Alasdair Fox (Mo 1959-1964) recalls Paddy Crocker (Staff 19591965) (Deceased): “He and I arrived in Moredun on the same day. I remember my mother saying that she was not sure who was more nervous, him or me! He never forgot that she had befriended him at the new men’s tea party. He was not only my house tutor but I was in his History VI form. And when I was trying (and failing!) to get into his old college at Oxford, Brasenose, we had many one to one sessions where we discussed twentieth century history and politics and generally put the world to rights.

He became a really good friend with whom I kept in touch for many years and I still remember the wise advice he gave to me – not least on exam techniques which made passing my law exams at Edinburgh a piece of cake!”

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Robert Jamieson (Ki 1961-1965): In May 2018, at the Tolley’s Annual Taxation Awards (popularly known as the Tax Oscars), Robert Jamieson was given their Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to taxation over nearly half a century. This event took place at the Hilton Hotel in London in front of an audience of 700 fellow professionals.

David Lyle (CW 1960-1965) has sent us this update on his life since Fettes: “Having left Fettes in the winter term of 1965 I took up a career in sales in the food industry which has gamefully employed me over a fifty-three year period to date. Starting in Canned Goods and Provisions and ending up in the Dairy and Chilled Product sector I have worked as Sales Development Manager for various companies including The Scottish Milk Marketing Board, Clifford’s Food Group (Dairy Division) and SDF Foods — a food broking company based in Biggin Hill, which was eventually taken over by one of its Belgian principals. For the last ten of the fifteen years I worked for them as a Business Development Manager.

“At the tender age of 73 (going on 63) I now have my own Sales Consultancy Company developing sales in Scotland where I live, in Largs, North Ayrshire, and concentrating on sales of Chilled Foods. It takes me all over Scotland.

Unfortunately, I lost my partner to pancreatic cancer in 2008 — the year I was Captain of Badgemore Park Golf Club in Henley-on-Thames — we lived in Berkshire in those days so I took the bold step in 2010 to sell up and return to my beloved Scotland on the Ayrshire coast. I am currently living my dream up here with wonderful views of Arran, Bute, and Cumbrae, and do a fourgoing-on-five day week looking after the interests of the two companies I represent.

“Any Old Fettesians who might have had anything to do with the food industry will know that it has been a good way of earning a living and, for the most part, ‘recession proof’.

“I have got many happy memories of my time at Fettes, having represented the 1st XV Rugby, 1st XI Cricket and Hockey teams, and gained my Colours

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in all — I did better in that field than academically, I’m sorry to say, but in the fashion of one of the few GCSEs I got (French/English Language): je ne regrette rien. I was also proud to attend five summer camps (one compulsory) with the assistance of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and ran the school library in my last year. I was a ‘House Prefect’ in College West (George Preston (SH, CW 1944-1950) (Staff 1955-1991) was our Housemaster) and we won the Inter House Rugby Cup for the first time ever in 1964/5 — we were treated to a meal ‘uptown’ for that!

“So, in summary of my time to date, what Fettes taught me has stood me in great stead. It taught me about discipline, respect, honesty, and trust, and how to become a team player. It also taught me the values of humility, passion, and faith in my fellow human beings, and for that I will always be eternally grateful.

Some of my housemates went on to become Major Generals, Judges and self-made business men (I met some of them some years ago at a 1st XV reunion organised by David Reid (CW 1960—1965) who at that time was the Chairman of Tesco). My point being you make of life what you will, but the grounding you get at somewhere like Fettes — whether you leave with amazing exam results or not the fact is that the ‘institution itself’ will provide you with the best possible start in your chosen career. Floreas Fettesia!”

George Morgan (Mo 1967-1970) and his wife An organised a dinner with Jack Cowdy (Mo 1967-1970) and his wife Paula on their visit to Thailand in November 2018 and Ian Hamilton (Mo, CE 1967-1969). Ian and Jack, who started in Moredun on the same day

in January 1967, had not met up since 1970. George and An and Ian and his wife, Kornkamon, live in Bangkok.

Unfortunately Kornkamon wasn’t able to be there. The event was a very enjoyable evening which will hopefully result in regular reunions in the UK and in Bangkok.

Neil Jackson (Gl 1965-1969) continues as the Charles Reilly Professor of Architecture at the University of Liverpool in London. He is in his fourteenth year in the post, but only the fifth in London where they opened a base in 2014.

In 2017 he was elected President of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, a position he will have for four years. He also had published this year: Pierre Koenig: A View from the Archive (Los Angeles: Getty Research Institute, February 2019) and Japan and the West: An Architectural Dialogue (London: Lund Humphries, June 2019).

Willy Morgan (Mo 1967-1970): “After serving two tours on the Mexican border in Tijuana, I am just finishing up a stint as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer at the American Embassy in Havana, Cuba. I will then be hanging up my diplomat’s hat at the end of July, when I will be moving to Asheville, North Carolina, to retire. Any OFs in the area will be welcome to drop by, but I can’t guarantee that I will be able to hear them, if they do, on account of possible sonic weapon attacks!”

Michael MacLeod (CE, Ar 19651970) has retired after eight years as Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He now intends to captain a 22-foot C-Dory Cruiser for a seven month voyage on the Great Loop. After the trip, he will be offering his services as a consultant/ project manager in the classical music business — anywhere in the world. His website can be found at www.michaelmacleod.org Neil Whitton (Ca 1962-1966): “I came to Berlin in the autumn of 1973 and have been here ever since. At Fettes, I enjoyed the Chapel Choir and benefited enormously from the support of Mr. Lester-Cribb. Choral singing has always been a major part of

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how communications changed during my life and now in retirement I have the time to be a member of three choirs. my working life. The tone is lighthearted and includes many anecdotes: I am very happy to have been granted about powerboat promotions in German citizenship and in my singing Greece, being arrested in Libya, when here I hope to implement something bottles of whisky became weapons from the British choral tradition. The Berliner Bach Akademie just performed during the Iran-Iraq war, about PanAm’s dining room in the sky and J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion at the much, much more. Should anyone main concert hall, the Philharmonie. be interested, the memoir is available We do three such concerts a year with as a Kindle book, priced £3.49, or as a fine orchestral players and excellent printed book for £10.” soloists. This is a very solid and serious German choir. The aim is very much to obtain a deep understanding of 1970s the music and then to get it right.

The art is then to make it come alive in JN David Gray (Gl 1968-1973) was, from 2000-2018, the Principal of ESMS (The performance. The Embassy Singers is Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools) in an amateur group with a wide-ranging repertoire mostly in English. The venues Edinburgh. In January 2019 he became Principal of Brummana High School, vary from cabaret to cathedrals, with overlooking Beirut on the slopes of events at several embassies.

Mount Lebanon.

“About a third of the members are Professor Mike Griffin (Mo 1968British and most of the others have 1972) was appointed President of the strong connections to the UK. Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh “In the last few years we have given in November 2018. Angus Watson several concerts in support of the (Ar, Gl 1980-1984) reports that at the European Union (not in the British Embassy!).” diploma ceremony there were three Old Fettesian Surgeons on the podium: “Charlie Auld (CW, Ar 1965-1970), Mike and myself – newly elected to council. I suspect that this is unprecedented!”

Mike received an OBE in 2013 for services to cancer healthcare, and in September 2017 was appointed Chairman of the Joint Committee of Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE), which oversees all surgical examinations to allow progression Patrick Anketell-Jones (CE 1965to Consultant status for medical 1969) in the Mayor of Bath’s Parlour with professionals. He is the first Old local OF Nigel Shepherd (Mo 1975Fettesian to hold the position of 1979) President of the largest and oldest K Graham Sanderson (Mo 1962Royal Surgical College in the world.

1967) just completed a memoir: Alasdair McGregor (Ki 1969-1974) Above the clouds and round the world: has retired from the Timber Research & Drinking for Scotland – reflections on Development Association (TRADA) after a life of travel. He writes: “This work is thirty years’ service. During that time he a personal view of my business travel worked extensively in the certification to scores of world markets, 1971-2016, of sustainable supply chains for recollecting the highlights and making commodities such as wood, paper, comment on various topics. I write palm oil, coffee, tea, cocoa, and water. about the places I went and the people Global deforestation, which is the I met, culinary encounters, airlines common thread that runs through all and flights, hotels and business travel of these certification schemes, remains generally, with some reflections upon one of the biggest environmental

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challenges of the twenty-first century.

Alasdair plans to continue to work for TRADA as an auditor / consultant, as well as getting involved in other related projects. He can be contacted at almcgregor56@gmail.com.

Alistair Campbell (Ca 1967-1971) has been elected Captain of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers at Muirfield for the two years until April 2021.

Ivan Clark (Gl 1970-1975) having been with PwC for thirty-six years in Brazil, has now retired to spend time with his children and grandchildren in the UK, where he hopes to continue providing assistance to companies with links to Brazil. He and his wife Terri are presently splitting their time between London and Bristol.

Robin McWilliam (Ca 1970-1974), a Professor and Department Chair at The University of Alabama, has established the Evidence-based International Early Intervention Office (EIEIO), which coordinates the implementation of his model for working with young children with disabilities and their families in different parts of the world. The Office is currently collecting data on barriers and enhancers to the adoption of this model.

Marianne Allday (Ca 1972-1973) achieved her PhD in Health Psychology in 2018, graduating in December at the University of Leeds.

Andrew Ayre (Mo 1974-1978): Andrew has been involved in a project based in his home town of Berwickupon-Tweed to revive interest in Wilson’s Tales of the Borders, a publishing sensation from 1830’s. The Wilson’s Tales Revival Project has been republishing

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the tales in annual volumes, re-written for a modern audience with a companion piece researching the background and authenticity of the tales as well as producing live events featuring stage productions and storytelling to bring the tales alive.

As well as running the project, Andrew has been involved in researching some of the tales and Wilson’s life itself, with his biography being published a chapter at a time.

More information on the tales and the project can be found at www.wilsonstales.co.uk and copies of the revival editions can be purchased via the website.

Ayre states: “It has been a fascinating project to be involved with and it has embraced many of my interests; literature, history with a local and international aspect. The project has also involved a certain amount of organisation and work with other interested people to bring together our live events, publications, and even films. It has also proved to be a project that has grown arms and legs as it potentially is so wide ranging. Our live events and publications have also become something of a platform to let people try out their writing, research, playwriting, acting, and directing skills.

“There are also some great tales.

The adventures of Lancelot Errington and his nephew Mark: a tale of Lindisfarne, tells of the rather comic seizure of Lindisfarne castle as part of the 1715 Jacobite uprising and the subsequent escape of captors dressed as fisherwomen. It sounds a complete shaggy dog story, but is largely true.

The domestic griefs of Gustavas McIver is a more fanciful tale. Think of Taming of the Shrew, but whatever the longsuffering husband tries, things just get worse…”

Alastair Reid (Mo 1970-1975) has just retired after being a Headmaster for the past sixteen years in India and then Hampshire. He and his wife have moved to the Midlands to be closer to family and for him take on a new parttime post as General Secretary of TISCA (The Independent Schools Christian Alliance). He mentions that “we now

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have four grandchildren and as well as time with the family I still enjoy several of the things I first came to enjoy at Fettes – hockey and history!”

Andrew Lownie’s (Mo 19741979) new book The Mountbattens, a biography of Dickie and Edwina Mountbatten, is published in August for the fortieth anniversary of Lord Mountbatten’s murder by the IRA. Lownie was recently awarded his Doctorate by the University of Edinburgh.

Catriona Robertson (Ca 1971-1973) is now Director of the Christian Muslim Forum (CMF), working with leaders of these two religious traditions. The CMF has a church-mosque twinning programme, publishes briefings and tackles current hot topics. It’s a tough environment for this work, but there is also a great deal of goodwill out there.

Catriona lives in London with her writer husband Christopher Moore, daughter Phoebe and son Gabriel (Mo 20092011). They all continue to travel widely, mostly to different places.

1980s Alan Latham-Sumner (Ca 1977-1982) has taken early retirement from a thirty-one year career in education, and will be working as a caddie at Royal Dornoch Golf Club. He writes, “I live five minutes from the eighth hole.

I would be happy for my Carringtonian contemporaries to make contact if they fancy a game.”

Peter Sutton AKC BD MTh PgC Counselling (SH 1979-1984): Upon leaving school Peter became an Infantry Officer in The Black Watch, where he

stayed for ten years. He has since been the School Chaplain of Loretto, The Perse, and Gordonstoun and was also the Headmaster of Ardvreck for a number of years.

He spent time as a Graduate Research Fellow at Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

In 2017 he was ordained and inducted as the Minister of the Parish Church of St Cuthbert, in Edinburgh. At present he is also the Honorary Chaplain of Loretto. His eldest two daughters are both celebrating First class degrees: Olivia (CE 2009-2014) got a First in Geography from St Andrews and Chloe (CE 2011-2016) got a First in Education and Psychology from York.

Chris Sutton (SH 1976-1981): “I run my own management consultancy business, Sutton Impact Ltd, focusing on business process improvement in banks. I am also active in the pro-bono sector, as a trustee of a number of charities including The Heritage Alliance and All We Can, and am a member of the Court of the Worshipful Company of Management Consultants in the City of London. I am also chairman of the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum Trust — please do visit our museum at Hever Castle in Kent, whose CEO is Duncan Leslie (Gl 19831987). I live in Kent, work in London, and am frequently abroad helping charities in developing countries to develop their financial management capabilities, most recently in Rwanda, Malawi, Kenya, and Uganda. I keep tabs with Fettes through a succession of wonderful nieces!”

Donald Greig (Inv, Gl 1979-1986): After twenty years in England and Australia running publishing companies,

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Business Continuity Institutes European Donald is now back in Scotland, Personality of the Year. He has two living in Moffat, juggling various daughters at Fettes, both in College publishing and sales and marketing East, and spends his time outside projects and running a small B&B of work enjoying rugby, squash, and (www.moffatbedandbreakfast. boating. co.uk – there is a discount available Carolyn Casali-Bain (Da 1984for OFs!). He is also a travel writer, and 1985) is moving to Sydney with her his latest book The Dumfriesshire Dales: husband Dr Mark Casali, who has been 40 Favourite Walks was published last appointed Director of the Macquarie year. He is a trustee with the Moat Brae node of Australian Astronomical Optics Peter Pan Trust in Dumfries, creating (AAO-Macquarie).

Scotland’s new National Centre for Patrick J Maclaurin (SH 1981-1984): Children’s Literature and Storytelling “After a 31 year career in a variety of and a non-exec with Barrington Stoke roles with Bank of Scotland, I took publishers in Edinburgh, specialising voluntary redundancy and enjoyed a in books for dyslexic and reluctant year off before joining Heineken UK in readers.

Jane Cowdy (née Farquharson) (SH May 2018 as their Financial Controller – Credit Risk. I can be contacted via 1984-1988), advocate, was appointed LinkedIn. With specific thanks to Bayo Queen’s Counsel in September 2018.

Shoneyin (SH 1980-1984), a number Elaine Halligan (née Little) (Ar of Leavers are in touch via a WhatsApp 1982-1984) has written My Child's Group and we plan to meet up for Different: The lessons learned from one Commemoration in 2020.” family's struggle to unlock their son's Richard Palmer (Ki 1988-1990) potential. is a Director of a software company The book that has developed a workforce explores the management application, which saves enabling role the NHS millions. His son Robbie is that parents can 12 and a keen rugby player, cricketer, play in getting trumpeter, guitarist and woodsman. His the best out of daughter Kitty is nine and enjoys riding, children who are painting, singing and the piano. seen as different or difficult. In My Child's Different, Elaine shares the true 1990s story of her son Sam, who by the age of seven had been excluded from three schools and was later labelled with a whole host of conditions ranging from autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) to pathological demand avoidance (PDA), before finally being diagnosed with dyslexia.

Elaine is a Director at The Parent Practice and has been helping parents Richard Clark (Ki 1989-1994) raise competent and confident children writes: “I won the bronze medal at since 2006, through parenting classes, the Scottish Masters Indoor Athletics private coaching, and keynote speaking Championships (in the V40 category) in schools and corporate settings both on 17th February at the Emirates in in the UK and overseas.

Glasgow aged 43. My time was 58.76s, Charlie Maclean-Bristol (SH which is still six seconds slower than 1980-1985) is the Founder and Director I ran in 1994 as an 18 year old, but a bit of two successful businesses; PlanB quicker than the last two years.”

Consulting and Business Continuity Davina Shiell (Inv, CE 1988-1992) Training, which continue to grow is working for the charity Royal Blind year-on-year. In 2018 he was the as Associate Director of Marketing and

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Communications and very happily living in Fettes Village!

Dr Jo Twist (Ar 1986-1991) is the new Chair of BAFTA’s Games Committee – a prestigious role for the CEO of Ukie, the trade body for the UK’s games and interactive entertainment industry.

Ursula Airing (née Dinnis) (CW 1994-1996) has been in Switzerland since 2001. She is currently in a very dynamic space leading communications for a European medical association focussing on developing frameworks and approaches for full digitisation.

Clare Wood (Ar 1995-1997) is now an Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at the College of Engineering, Swansea University. Pupils and OFs who are interested in studying Civil Engineering or undertaking research collaborations with the College are very welcome to get in touch. Her email address is c.wood@swansea.ac.uk Celestine Cheong (CW 19951997) has embarked on a start-up producing luxury sports underwear called JustFITwear. Gaining traction, the products can be found online and on Instagram at @justfitwear.

Colin Fisher (Mo 1996-1998): “I have been a professional photographer and artist for the last six years. I photograph VIPs, celebrities, music artists, politicians, etc. I cover: Interiors and Architecture; Photojournalism; Politics; Sports; Product Photography; Studio sessions; Portraits. I will be focusing on weddings for this year.” Colin is happy for OFs to contact him by emailing: cdfimages@gmail.com to find out more about his work and to discuss potential commissions – especially any OFs who are planning their weddings!

Janine Spence (née King) (Ar 1994-1999) is a chef in London and Surrey. She and her husband welcomed

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the arrival of their daughter Noa King Spence on 10th July 2017. Janine tells us that Noa, is “every bit as headstrong and determined as her mama!”

Alison Lowe (née Crichton) (CW 1995-2000) daughter of Neil Crichton (CE 1957-1962): “I married Mr Alexander James Richard Lowe on 11th July 2015. The ceremony was held in the Dean Parish Church and the reception in Belgrave Crescent Gardens, both Edinburgh. Many OFs were in attendance!

“I had non-identical triplets on 21st October 2018. One girl (Margaret, known as Peggy) and two boys (Joseph and Henry) are siblings for Alastair, born 13th January 2017.”

Alison wonders if she might be the first female OF to have given birth to triplets! She lives with her husband, Alex, and family in Perth, Western Australia, and works in the energy sector.

Marius Gilmore (Ki 1993-1998) recently completed a term as Councillor for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, acting as Deputy Lead Member for Business Development & Partnerships. He has also worked as Constituency Campaign Co-ordinator for the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP and the Maidenhead Conservative Association.

Currently, Marius is working at Airbus Defence & Space as Sales Director (UK). He is married to Tanya (née Dawson) (JS, Ar 1990-1993).

Together they have two children, Scarlett and Genevieve. They live in White Waltham, Berkshire.

Caroline Hulbert (née Lawson) (CW 1992-1994): “I have been living in Singapore for almost ten years now with my husband Jonny Hulbert and our three kids, who are now twelve, ten and seven. We are really enjoying our

time here as we try to make the most of travelling around Asia as a family. This photo is from when we were in Laos here at an elephant sanctuary!”

been operating as Hannah Cotterell Media, working with numerous highprofile clients around the globe on their digital marketing and PR: from telling the untold story of the team behind the hardware of the Volvo Ocean Race, to being given a logo for Sailing Team Maverick and building the brand that has led people to want to #BeAMaverick. I moved to Amsterdam a few months ago and now that I’ve got my bike skills under control I’m taking on the Dutch language. In addition, I am a commercially licensed drone pilot with recent projects including filming a big wave surf competition in Portugal and flying for a yachting world championship in the UK.”

2000s Chang Ho Yoon (Inv, Mo 1998-2006) upon leaving Moredun, spent six years completing a medical degree at the University of Cambridge. Following that, he spent time in London and Auckland working as an Internal Medicine Resident and Researcher.

He was awarded a Fulbright Award this year and has also been awarded two other competitive scholarships: The BEST Scholarship and The Gavin & Ann Kellaway Medical Research Fellowship. He writes that “all of this funding will be contributing to a Master’s Degree at Harvard University in Biomedical Informatics in 2019-2020.”

Adam Cuthbert (Ki 2003-2005), Urosh Theodorovich (Inv, Ki 20012008), Ryan Black (Inv, Mo 20002009), Arran Black (Inv, Mo 20002007), Matt Travers (Mo 2001-2005) and Tony Wai (Mo 2003-2006) held a Fettes reunion in Hong Kong whilst Arran was visiting.

Hannah Cotterell (Inv, Ar 19972004): “Over the past two years I have

Sarah Peddle (née Hammond) (Ar 1995-2002) has had two daughters; Emilia Gisele Grace Peddle (b. 30th June 2017) and Farley Isla Violet Peddle (b. 22nd August 2018).

Ho-Yee Lam (CW 2001-2002) left Fettes in 2002 to move to Brisbane in Australia with her family. She currently works as a civil engineer for the Department of Transport and Main Roads, working there since she graduated from the University of Queensland in 2008. She notes, “I like being a civil engineer because I like seeing the community benefitting from the road infrastructures projects that I was part of.”

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Angus Gardiner (Inv, Ca 20002008) was commissioned into the Royal Marines in 2012. Following his first initial postings as a Troop Commander in the UK, firstly in Taunton and then up to Helensburgh, he was selected to become a Training Officer to the UK’s Jungle Warfare Division. Having married Francesca Santoni, the newly-weds moved to Borneo at the beginning of 2017 where they enjoyed over two fascinating years. Now, Angus and Francesca have returned to the UK and settled in Didcot. They are slowly getting used to the sensation of being cold again and look forward to catching up with friends and family.

Elizabeth Macneal (Inv, CW 20002007) As we go to press Elizabeth

writes: “What a whirlwind life has been recently. The Doll Factory has spent more than five weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller list, reached number one in The Times, and has sold 10,000 hardbacks. I am stunned and overjoyed, and hugely grateful to everyone who has supported me.

Other recent highlights on my debut novel published by Picador include: The Doll Factory was chosen for Radio

4 Book at Bedtime, broadcast over two weeks, read by Louise Brealey. I myself was very excited to be interviewed on Radio 4 Front Row and on Radio 2 with Jo Whiley. My promotional tour continues apace, having started at the end of April (I included a visit to Fettes), and continuing until at least September, with book signing and attendances at Book and Literary Festivals. I would be thrilled if you would like to come along to hear me – the full list can be seen here elizabethmacneal.com/events

Douglas Reid (Gl 2001-2006): “The past year has seen several changes for our family as I have begun to pursue pastoral ministry more deliberately.

This began with an internship in Washington D.C and now sees us living on campus at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Phoebe is now five and Atticus is two, and they are having lots of fun in the U.S. We plan to return to the UK long-term to help lead a church and are still deciding where this will be."

Nicola Ross (CE 2001-2003) and Dr Marshall Pearce were married at Barnston, Essex on August 18th 2017.

Oliver Ross (Ca 2004-2007): “2018 has been a big year for my wife and I. We welcomed our first son into the world in February – Rory James Ross (perhaps a future Fettesian like his Father and Grandfather!). This year also represents a big change for us as I am moving my family to Devon to take up a new role with the regional airline Flybe, as their new Head of Loyalty.

At Flybe I will be curating their new loyalty programme; building upon my experience at British Airways and their sister loyalty company, Avios.”

Dr Alexander Oldroyd (Gl 20042006) and his wife, Jennifer, are proud

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to announce the birth of their first child, Georgina.

Alexander graduated in Medicine from the University of Liverpool in 2012 along with an MSc in Medical Statistics.

He completed initial hospital jobs in Warwickshire through the Academic Foundation Programme. He married Jennifer in 2014 and they moved to Manchester. He gained membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 2015 and subsequently initiated specialist training in rheumatology in 2016.

Alexander continues both clinical and research work and is currently studying for a PhD as a Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Manchester, funded through Arthritis Research UK. His research focuses include myositis (inflammatory muscle disease) and epidemiology. He also carries out specialist myositis and rheumatology clinics in the tertiary referral unit at Salford Royal Hospital.

Alexander is also a member of the Hallé choir – an internationally renowned concert choir. Recent performance highlights include the BBC Proms (2015 and 2016) and the Edinburgh International Festival (2017).

Alexander can be contacted via alexander.oldroyd@manchester.ac.uk

Ella Robertson (CW 2006-2010) and her mother Kate have written How to Make a Difference to encourage and educate young leaders on how to become leaders of tomorrow. How To Make a Difference will be published in September 2019 and will feature advice and guidance from world-changing campaigners including One Young World (OYW) Counsellors, author Fatima Bhutto, Live Aid founder Sir Bob Geldof, Black Lives Matter and former RB CEO Rakesh Kapoor, who have all

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used their voices, their networks and their abilities to change communities, companies and countries.

Andrew Shearer-Collie (Ki 20002005) married Charlotte Tansill on 15th July 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They both reside in New York City where Andrew is an SVP in Corporate Reputation Management at FleishmanHillard.

Julie Hodge (née Gray) (CW 20002002) and Charlie Hodge (Inv, Mo 1991-1998) have had a baby boy named Angus.

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

Gabie Lang (PS, CW 2005-2013) successfully completed her first marathon in Paris in the excellent time of just over four hours, in amongst about 70,000 other runners. She ran in support of prostate cancer. She was joined by sister Fabienne and father John (Ca 1962-1967).

Elizabeth Burnet (née Budgen) (CW 2001-2003) married Allan Burnet (now ex-Battery Sergeant Major 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery) on 15th February 2019 at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. She is a Police Officer, currently working in Ayrshire.

Fabienne Lang (CW 2003-2006) successfully completed the Berlin Triathlon in just less than three hours with the weather topping thirty degrees Celsius.

years) and I proposed putting a tribute video together from the various corners of the world we now live in.

“The boys were very keen and within a couple of weeks we had the following video, which, with the help of Mrs Du Vivier, was played to Mrs S at her farewell. vimeo.com/275857495 “In addition, we were all so happy to be back in touch for the first time in so long that it actually sparked a meet-up in London a few weeks later, where those of us who could make it got together for a fantastic and very long overdue catch-up.”

Tom Davidson (Mo 1999-2004), Henry Skeoch (Mo 1999-2004), Graham MacKay (Mo 2000-2004), Rory MacDonald (Inv, Mo 1996-2004), Alex Starrit (Mo 2001-2004) and Ian Lamont (Inv, Mo 1996-2004) Charlotte Purchase (née Preston) (Ar 2006-2008) daughter of Nigel Preston (Gl 1969-1974) married Jack Purchase on 6th April 2019 on Bowood Estate in Wiltshire. Both work for the UK Government; Charlotte was recently promoted to Economic Advisor and Deputy Head of Profession in the Home Office and Jack is a Senior Policy Advisor in the Cabinet Office.

Graham MacKay (Mo 2000-2004) writes of a recent reunion: “Last summer, we old Moredun boys got an email saying our dear matron Mrs Stewart (Staff 2000-2018) was leaving after eighteen years of dedicated service.

“Those of us from the class of ‘04 were there when she joined in 2000 and decided that we wanted to pay tribute to this lovely lady who played no small role in our adolescent lives.

“Through the power of social media, we were soon all in touch (in some cases for the first time in many, many

2010s

Alasdair Rae (PS, Mo 2005-2013) graduated with a BA and MA in History from the University of York in 2016 and 2017 respectively and then enrolled at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst,

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

passing out at the Sovereign’s Parade in April 2019. After further training he will join the 17th Port and Maritime Regiment, a specialist unit of the Royal Logistics Corps, based near Southampton.

Callum Yourston (Ca 2009-13) graduated with a Masters in Terrorism and Security Studies from Kings College London and is beginning a new career in the civil service.

George Connor (Ps, Gl 2007-2018): Barrie Lloyd (Ki 1953-1958) writes: “My Grandson and I were at Lord’s on 27th May for the Pakistan Test and saw George Connor receive an award during the lunch break for scoring 100 for Fettes against the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club). George was perhaps one of twenty boys and girls who received an award for either making 100 or taking five wickets against the MCC and it was quite a thrill to hear his name read out, although the announcer couldn’t pronounce Fettes correctly; he pronounced it “Fets”! He also pronounced Marlborough incorrectly, so we weren’t the only ones.”

Alfie (Gl 2014-2016) and Zac Jeavons-Fellows (Gl 2014-2016) have been making good progress in pursuit of a musical career with their band, Lost Tiger. Following a lot of hard graft, they are gaining traction and even appeared on X-Factor in 2018.

Bo Peter Zhang (Ki 2012-2015) is a second-year student reading History and Politics at McGill University in

Canada. Beyond academic pursuit he has founded the non-profit Vision Shapers Forum, bringing people together via roundtables to share their entrepreneurial stories. He is also a Youth Editor at LinkedIn, Strategy Advisor to PETA, and was recently named one of 30 Alibaba Global Dreamers from 8,000 candidates in 2018.

Tom Wright (Gl 2011-2016) tells us that he has been studying for a BSc (Hons) in Real Estate at Sheffield Hallam Uni and has achieved a 2:1. He is currently on the job hunt!

Rory Hanson (PS, Ca 2012-2018) writes on his experiences in Uganda this year: “From mid-October until midDecember, I spent time in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa, teaching English in a school in the rural south-west of the country. I lived with a Ugandan family who adopted me very quickly as one of their own — the oldest lady in the family, Teopista, insisted that I call her mama as soon as I arrived. I came to know her and the rest of the family very well as the weeks wore on. The school that I was teaching at is called St Joseph’s School Nkoni and was established recently by the school’s present director Muwonge Kizito, who saw a need in the area for an affordable school which could accommodate for the needs of orphans, as the majority of children at the school are.

“I was surprised by the children in many ways. Firstly, in how quickly they learned and how eager they were to do so, especially given that they had very long and intense days which would make even the most stoical Fettesian wince. Secondly, in how happy the children were able to be, despite many of them being affected by losses of parents and the afflictions of AIDS and malaria. Thirdly and probably most importantly, I was amazed by the connection I could gain with the children despite the fact that they spoke very little English and I very little Luganda.

“My time teaching at St Joseph’s School was a time which has shaped greatly my approach on how to

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treat others and has enlightened me massively on the capabilities of human kindness, as the generosity that I experienced from people who had so little was incredible. I’ve also become more aware of how suffering that would be totally unacceptable in our society is still prevalent in others.

I mentioned earlier how AIDS was present in some of the children. I was sitting in Haymarket train station in early March when I opened an email from the Director of the school telling me that one of the children who I had helped and grown close to, Christine, had passed away due to her HIV infection.

This truly brought home to me the fact that the people I stayed with and taught truly do struggle every day with their situation and the necessity for people, such as us Old Fettesians, who simply don’t have such fundamental difficulties in our lives, to help those who literally need us to.”

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

SADLY DEPARTED We would like to extend our warmest thanks to those family members, colleagues, and friends who have notified us of the deaths of the Old Fettesians listed in this edition of the Newsletter. This list includes news of OF deaths we have been made aware of this year up until 1st June 2019. If you know of any omissions, please do let us know by emailing ofa@fettes.com or by telephoning 0131 311 6741. Throughout the year, when we are notified of the death of an OF, we update our website, viewable at www.fettescommunity.com/#sadlydeparted.

1930s Dr W H Watson MBE MC (Mo 19341938) died on 29th December 2018 at the age of 97. He was born in Farnborough, Hampshire. He was educated at Fettes and volunteered for the London Scottish as soon as he was 18. After commissioning into the Black Watch in 1941, he volunteered for special service with the commandos, leading to his involvement in the St Nazaire raid, where his efforts resulted in the reception of the Military Cross.

Watson remained a prisoner for the rest of the war, but, having begun preparatory study for a medical degree, he spent much of his imprisonment as a supervised medical assistant.

After his release in 1945, Watson qualified as a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of London.

While studying at Guy’s Hospital, he met Wyn Moncrieff. They married and had a son, Peter, and three daughters: Mary, Fiona, and Alexandra.

After time as a GP, he volunteered to serve in Biafra during the Nigerian civil war. This experience preceded a number of years working for Oxfam in several countries, notably as a part of a relief team working in Ethiopia during the famine of 1973-74, and with refugees in northern Somalia. His wife accompanied him on most of

these missions to work beside him.

Subsequently they served as doctors in Malawi and then Sierra Leone. In 2002 he was appointed MBE for his medical services overseas and for his role as a founding member of a hospice in Shrewsbury.

In 1999 he made use of some surplus funds from the St Nazaire Society for the digging of wells required in Ghana.

Sir Robert Sanders, KBE, CMG (SH 1938-1943) died on 8th May 2019 at the age of 94. The son of A S W Sanders and the former Charlotte McCulloch, he was educated at Dunfermline High School before coming to Fettes and later, in 1943, won a Classical scholarship to Pembroke College, Cambridge. He served in the Royal Scots until 1946, before returning to Cambridge and graduating with a double First in 1948.

He joined the Overseas Civil Service in 1950 and was posted to Fiji as a District Officer. Sanders became the trusted confidant of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Fiji’s post-Independence Prime Minister then President. From 1956 to 1958 he was Secretary to the Government of Tonga, before returning once again to Fiji. His work there included time as Mara’s Personal and Cabinet Secretary and Secretary for Foreign Affairs In 1979 he stood down from his position as Personal and Cabinet Secretary but remained an advisor to the Fijian Government. Sanders also co-wrote Mara’s autobiography, and his further publications include Interlude in Fiji in 1963, and The Fiji Treaty List in 1987.

He was appointed CMG in 1974 and KBE in 1980. Sanders married Barbara Sutcliffe in 1951. They had two sons (and one son deceased).

William ‘Bill’ McKersie (Ca 19361941) passed away on 16th December

2018 at the age of 95. Although resident in the South of England for more than 65 years after war service (Cpl. Black Watch), and then a few years working in India, his Scottish roots were of great importance to him and Fettes was an important part of that. He is survived by sons Michael and Andrew and grandson Robert.

Michael Dawson (SH 1938-1940) passed away peacefully on 2nd December 2018 at the Parlin Hospice Residence in Weyland, Massachusetts, at the age of 93.

Tho Burns (Gl 1939-1943) died in 2018 at the grand age of 91. He followed his service in the Royal Signals with an MA at St Andrews, then studied Law at the University of Edinburgh. His professional career was spent as a solicitor.

Edward Melville Worling (Ki 19391945) passed away on 30th September 2018. Edward was one of the boys who were at Fettes during the whole of the Second World War. On leaving school, he served in the RAF for three years spending most of the time in the Canal Zone in Egypt. All his business career was spent in the paper trade where he held various positions in manufacturing, sales and distribution. He lived and worked in Canada for fifteen years and was Operations Manager for Bunton Reid Paper in Toronto. On retirement, he lived in West Sussex where he was an enthusiastic tennis player and London theatregoer. He is survived by his two sons who both live in Canada.

1940s Major Antony J Harrison, DL (Mo 19421946), much loved husband of Patricia, died peacefully in hospital on Monday,

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

4th March 2019, aged 90. Antony left Fettes for the Royal Military Academy in 1946 and from there joined the Scots Guards. He rose up the ranks to Captain in 1952 and to Major in 1962, retiring in 1971 to focus efforts on voluntary work which included Harrison’s Charity, which he Chaired from 1993.

Iain Elliot (CW 1945-1949) died peacefully in the Edinburgh Erskine Home on 5th May 2018. He was a much loved husband of the late Penny and father of Jamie (JS, Gl 1978-1986) and Charlie (Gl 1983-1988). Iain left Fettes to join the Royal Military Academy and from there served in the Gurkha Rifles from 1951-1976. He then held various roles in the institutions of Edinburgh, including Secretary to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, College Manager of the Royal College of Physicians and at the Institute of Chartered Accountants until he retired in 1991.

Robin Bennet (Gl 1941-1945) passed away on 26th October. After Robin attended Fettes he trained at Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Cameron Highlanders with whom he served in Palestine until 1948, achieving the rank of Captain. Robin then joined his father’s firm in the gas industry and later became Marketing Director with Robinson Willey (Hanson Trust PLC) in Liverpool. He was a founding member and liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Marketors. A lifelong member of the RAC Club, Robin also enjoyed golf, shooting, bridge and socialising. Above all he enjoyed the achievements of his three children and six grandchildren. Robin was immensely proud of having attended Fettes, maintaining interest and contact through the Old Fettesian Association to the end of his life.

The Hon Hugh Arbuthnott (Ca 1943-1947) died on 23rd October 2018.

After doing his National Service with the Somaliland Scouts he read Law at the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh. He then spent his working career with the Shell Oil Company.

Apart from one posting to the Head Office in London, he was continuously abroad supporting Caledonian Societies in Tanganyika, Bangkok, Ghana and the Caribbean. He retired to live near Forfar where he became involved in local government and with other local wildlife and other voluntary bodies.

Robert (Bob) Macdougal (Mo 1943-1946) passed away peacefully at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary on 27th December 2018, aged 89. Bob, the beloved husband of Sheila, the much loved dad of Ian, Neil, and Craig, a loving father-in-law to Emma and Tara, a very dear grandad, brother, and a good friend to many, he will be sadly missed by all.

Sir Alan Donald (SH, CW 19441949) passed away on 14th July aged 87. A career diplomat, Sir Alan married Janet Hilary Therese Blood in 1958. They had four children and now have seven grandchildren. He served as a diplomat in China, Paris, Athens, Kinshasa and Jakarta. He was the Ambassador to Zaire, the Republic of Indonesia and to the People’s Republic of China. During his time as Ambassador to China (1988 to 1991), he and Janet sheltered more than sixty British subjects in the Embassy for days during the Tiananmen Square massacre.

Sir Alan also aided the creation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration when Assistant Under-Secretary of State for Asia and the Pacific. This was instrumental in beginning the process towards the hand-over of Hong Kong to China in 1997.

Rev Sandy Mackeith (Ki 1946-1949) passed away peacefully on 1st August 2018. He was a beloved husband of the late Moira Mackeith, much loved father of Anne and loving Grandpa of Emma, Seonaid and Kirsty.

Wing Commander Harry Dixon (Mo 1946-1951) passed away in January 2019. Harry came to Fettes in 1946, son of Lt. Col Arthur P Dixon (Mo 1914-

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1918). By the time he left in 1951 he was a House Prefect and Flight Sergeant.

He made his career in the RAF from 1952-1988. During that time, the third generation of the Dixon family, Harry’s his own children, Michael Dixon (Mo 1977-1982) and Liz Holland (née Dixon) (Ar 1982-1984) attended Fettes.

James D Innes (Ki 1946-1951) passed away on 13th May 2017 in Denia, Province of Alicante, Spain at the age of 85.

Alistair Elliot (Ca 1946-1950) died on 3rd November 2018, aged 86, distinguished both as a poet and as a translator. In the former capacity, he was widely recognised for his articles in the likes of The Spectator, while as a translator he adapted a hugely successful stage version of Euripides’ Medea (1993). He was the son of a Scottish GP and his mother was a nurse.

He was brought up initially in Liverpool but during the Second World War he was evacuated with his sisters to the Palm Beach home of the industrialist Charles Merrill. After the war he attended Fettes, where he played in the school orchestra, sang in the Chapel Choir, and won the Governors’ Prizes for Latin and English Verse. He won a scholarship to read classics at Christ Church, Oxford. His poetry often returned to his Scottish heritage, particularly with a focus on Highland living and his love for Scottish traditions and hospitality. He was awarded the Cholmondeley Award from the Society of Authors in 2000.

Ian Campbell-Gray (CE 1946-1951) Much-loved husband of Sally for 63 years, Ian passed away on 1st March 2019 at home surrounded by his family. He was a proud father of James, Lucinda, Robert, Toby and Edward and dear Bumper to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A service of Thanksgiving was held at St Mary’s Church, Burnham Market on Thursday 21st March.

Ralph Shabetai (Ki 1946-1949) passed away after an illness on 10th May 2018. A stalwart of the Eurozone Old Fettesian gatherings, he will be greatly missed by many.

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James (Mike) Simpson (Ki 19481953) died on 22nd February 2018, aged 82 years. He worked for the Ministry of Defence as an Engineer based most recently at Woolwich Arsenal in South East London.

William (Robin) T Muir OBE (CW 1947-1948) has passed away, but we have no further information at this time.

John Armstrong Hardman Sanderson (Mo 1948-1953) passed away on 4th October 2018. After Fettes he spent his life in Northumberland dedicated to agriculture.

Major Harold Anthony Pyman (Mo 1948-1954) passed away on 12th July 2018 at the age of 82. At Fettes, where his father General Sir Harold Pyman (Mo 1920-1927) and uncle George Pyman (Mo 1918-1924) had been some thirty years earlier, Tony was in the XI and was a Prefect. Later, he joined the Life Guards for his National Service, after which his varied military career included regimental duties and staff jobs. He left the military when he was 38, despite being offered a lieutenant colonelcy. In 1975 he went to work on Exmoor National Park, where he spent over two very happy decades.

Tony was a good horseman and a good jockey. He was also a Steward at Wincanton Racecourse for a number of seasons, which he enjoyed and where his opinion was respected. Cricket was Tony’s other great pastime and he was a playing member of the MCC from quite early on. He was in the XI at Fettes and played wherever he could.

Tony married Jane Heber-Percy in 1965, they had with two children and five grandchildren, he was a brother to be proud of and who will be sadly missed.

John Borland (Mo 1949-1953) passed away in November 2018, but we have no further information at this time.

1950s Neil Hynd LVO, FRIAS, FSA Scot (Gl 1958-1963) passed away peacefully in the care of Marie Hospice on 4th March 2019 aged 73. An architect whose extensive contribution to Scottish architectural conservation was widely recognised, Hynd was even lauded by

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

the Queen for his work on the Palace of Holyroodhouse with the award of the Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order Medal (LVO). He also worked on the restoration of the Great Hall of Stirling Castle and participated in negotiations to bring Iona Abbey into state care.

He was the loved and loving husband of Sarah for nearly fifty years.

He was the beloved father of Andrew and Antonia, father-in-law to Yvonne and Darren and grandfather to Josie, Riley, Madeleine, Grace and Elsa.

Ian F.C. Hutchinson (Mo 1952–57) passed away in 2015. His daughter Francis Hutchinson (Mo 1977-1982) asked us to share this with you: “It is with great sadness that I inform OFs of the death of Ian Francis Courtney Hutchinson after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. His family is survived by his wife, Irene, and sons Francis and Neil. He is deeply missed and remembered fondly by those who knew him.

“Ian loved his days at Moredun House and represented the college as a member of the 1st XV and the athletics team. He went to the Slade to pursue a career in stage design, but later joined the Royal Air Force as an officer candidate at Cranwell. Ian continued painting throughout his life.

“With the RAF, Ian saw active service in Aden and Rhodesia, and flew Shackletons and the Argosy at Benson.

When he realised he was bound for a desk job at the rank of Squadron Leader, Ian decided to go into commercial aviation and flew for British Airways as a Captain. He later flew private jets for Jet Aviation in Zurich and was the personal pilot for many heads of state and a few A-listers, though we’ve never been a party to their identities.

“As a family man Ian was kind and loving and loved spending time with friends. Ian retired to Florida and then later returned to the family home in Devon. His battle with Alzheimer’s started not long after his return, beginning a slow and painful process for all of us.

“He will be remembered with pride and love.

“RIP Ian. Floreas Fettesia.”

David “Dan” Moutray White (Ki 1953-1958) passed away peacefully on 25th April 2019 aged 78. Schooled at Fettes during the 1950s he was a more than useful scholar, loved sport, particularly rugby and swimming and played in the school orchestra. Beloved husband to Lynette for 54 years, he served as an Analyst & Investment Banker in the City of London for many years specializing in Transportation.

Whilst he counted the Eurotunnel and Lufthansa floats amongst his greatest achievements, he really loved shipping and served as Non-Executive Director of Knightsbridge Shipping Limited until three years ago.

His funeral was held at St. Blaise’s Church, Haccombe, near Newton Abbott in Devon on Monday 20th May. Iain Collinson, his nephew, can be contacted at +41 788252343 for further information.

Ewen C Macpherson (Gl 1955-1960) died on 15th August 2018, aged 76, after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. A memorial service was held on 14th December 2018.

After attending Summer Fields Prep School in Oxford, Ewen went to Fettes, following in the family tradition.

He flourished there under Tom Goldie Scott (Staff 1940-1980) (Deceased), the Housemaster of Glencorse, and became Headboy in his last year.

Fettes helped him develop his passions: he was part of the Navy in the Cadet Corps, spending his final summer at Dartmouth Naval College.

He assembled an old car from scratch for his Duke of Edinburgh award, and drove it from school up to the family’s holiday house at Ardvar in Sutherland. Only recently his brother Roderick (G1957-1962) also revealed that, contrary to school rules, Ewen kept a motor bike hidden with his grandparents at Grange Terrace.

He also developed friendships with Alistair Tulloch (Gl 1955-1960), Duncan Ferguson (Gl 1955-1960), Ian Strachan (Gl 1956-1961), Dugald Barr (Mo 19561961), and Robert Graham (Mo 19561960), that would last the rest of his life.

A fitting tribute to his time at Fettes was that the Headmaster, Ian McIntosh

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

(Staff 1958-1971), described Ewen as ‘the best Headboy he ever worked with’.

He went up to Cambridge in 1961 to read law at Queens’. After Cambridge, he joined Massey Fergusson as a graduate trainee, where his role involved regular travel to Africa and the Middle East.

In 1968 he enrolled at London Business School. He graduated with his MSc (now MBA) in 1970 and joined what was then called, ‘Investors in Industry’, the forerunner to 3i. Ewen spent 27 years there, eventually becoming head of their City office, Finance Director and then CEO of the Group before retiring in 1997.

Ewen’s appointment as CEO of 3i in 1992 came at a crucial period for the Group. It fell to Ewen to organise both a restructuring and a successful flotation of 3i, all within a few months of being appointed. He successfully carried them out and by the time he retired in 1997, 3i’s share price had almost doubled.

After leaving 3i, Ewen joined a number of companies as a nonexecutive director including Scottish Power and the F+C Investment Trust as well as becoming Chairman of the Glaxo-Wellcome Pension Fund. In his retirement he ws also able to spend more time boating and tinkering with cars.

Ewen was married in 1982 to Laura Baring and they had two sons, James (Gl 1997-2002) and George (Gl 19992004).

He was a benefactor of Fettes, supporting the Spens Building among other projects. At Queens’ College, Cambridge, he became an Honorary Fellow and was a principal benefactor of two Fellowships in Law. Those who knew him well will greatly miss his friendship, his sharp intellect and dry sense of humour.

David Gillespie (CE 1953-1957) passed away in December 2018, but we have no further information at this time.

Angus Ridgwell (Ki 1950-1954) passed away on 27th October 2017, aged 81, after a short illness. At Fettes he followed I.S.Bain (Ki 1946-1953) in being the hammer-throwing champion

both at school and in the Scottish Schoolboys Championships in the mid-1950s. After leaving school he went to the Merchant Navy College in Southampton to train as an Engineer Officer. He then spent several years on board the ships of T&J Harrison Ltd, trading around Africa and to the Caribbean, to gain experience before joining his family firm, W.Badger and J.S.Starnes, who were ship repairing engineers on the Thames. He became an accomplished yachtsman. Based in Poole, he sailed extensively along the English Channel ports, the Channel Islands, and the French coast for many years. He is survived by his wife Joan and two sons.

Jim Glendinning (Ca 1951-1956) passed away Monday 21st May 2018 after a battle with cancer. Born near Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 16th 1937, Jim grew up on the family sheep farm, Over Cassock. After Fettes he attended the University of Oxford, graduating in 1961. During a gap between high school and university he took his first extended trip, hitchhiking to southern Europe and living cheaply for several months. In the course of Jim’s long life he visited one hundred and thirty-six countries, always traveling simply and sparely.

Jim moved to the US in 1961, finding work in the travel industry. Moving to Alpine in 1994, he opened the Corner House Bed and Breakfast which he operated for five years. Confounded by too much success, he sold it, switching to travel writing and guiding trips to Mexico and Scotland.

Even in declining health, his passion for adventure was clear. He scoured the internet for cheap flights and spun travel plans to exotic, sometimes outlandish destinations. Ethiopia was his last international sojourn, completed in November of last year.

Gerard (Gerry) J Maratchi (CW 1953-1958) died on 22nd April 2018.

Whilst at Fettes, Gerry was a sportsman, playing for the XV, a swimmer, tennis player and athlete and he was also captain of Basketball. He went on to success gaining an MA in Economics from the University of Edinburgh. He

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then went into business at Marks & Spencer and as Managing Director of Stirling Group plc from 1978-1989 when he retired.

Robin MacGregor (Mo 1952-1956) has passed away, but we have no further information at this time.

William R Anderson (Ca 1952-1956) passed away on 28th March 2019 and we are grateful to his wife for sending us this note: “I am extremely sad to inform you that my beloved husband, Robert William Anderson, passed away on 28th March 2019. He was always most proud to be a part of Fettes, to read and keep all your publications and correspondences. Please keep him alive in your memories forever. Thank you.”

William Gordon Robertson (Mo 1953-1956) of Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire, passed away on 26th June 2018. A good farmer all his life he did not stray far from home. His elder brother, David (Mo 1955-1958), also farmed and is now retired in Forfar.

William David Hamilton Sellar (David) MVO, MA, LLB, FRHistS, FSA Scot, LLD (Gl 1954-1958) died peacefully at home on 26th January 2019, in the devoted care of his family.

The former Lord Lyon King of Arms (2008-2014) and former Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Edinburgh, (from 1968), where he was latterly an Honorary Fellow, has been recognised as the most influential Scottish legal historian of his generation.

After Fettes, he read History at the University of Oxford and Law at the University of Edinburgh, qualified as a solicitor and then worked briefly at the Scottish Land Court before joining the Law Faculty at Edinburgh. He remained there for the rest of his academic career.

His studies in legal history questioned the basis of Scots Law in Celtic, Roman, canon and English law and the extent of the Reformation’s influence upon it. Beside his works on Scots law, as a genealogist, he also published a treatise on Galloway genealogies.

William is survived by his wife Susan, step-son Andrew, and sons Duncan, Niall and Gavin and five grandchildren.

Chris Parker (Ki 1955-1959) sadly passed away on 26th August

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when the school moved to its new site 2018. A beloved husband, father and at Northmuir Primary in 1977. grandfather, Chris was involved in the He retired in 1995 at the age of 52 International Scotch Whisky and Gin and continued to play an active role markets from 1979. in the Kirriemuir community. He was Prior to that he trained with Nestlé, a member of Strathmore Speakers worked in London advertising for Club and served on the Kirriemuir Day Coleman Prentis Varley (then London Care Committee for 17 years, raising No2) and in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and thousands of pounds as bus convener Venezuela for Beecham Consumer for two minibuses.

Products. He pioneered Organic He is survived by Sandra, their Spirits through London and Scottish children Graham and Gillian, and five International where he was Managing grandchildren.

Director; the only company worldwide His son-in-law, Gabriel Radford with an extensive range of organic malt provided the following information: scotch whiskies, London gins, rums “during one match on 7th July 1959, (a and vodka. In 2007 he was honoured to receive the Royal Warrant of HRH the match between Fettes and Stewarts) David claimed all ten wickets of the Prince of Wales.

Stewarts innings. At any level of cricket Michael L Scott (CW 1952-1956) this is an outstanding achievement, has sadly passed away. He came to which Fettes recognised and presented Fettes from India in 1952. He studied David with the match ball engraved to Engineering at the University of Aberdeen before undertaking a Masters mark the event.” at the University of New South Wales.

1960s From there Michael took up a truly global career working several years Douglas Maconachie (Ca 1960-1965) at a time in many diverse locations throughout his life. passed away on 21st December 2017 James Hellewell (CE 1956-1961) after a battle with cancer. He was the died peacefully on September 6th 2018, devoted husband of the late Jackie, a much loved brother of John Hellewell loving father to daughter Katherine, son (CE 1947-1952), Michael Hellewell Charles, five grandchildren and two (CE 1953-1959) (Deceased) and Harry great grandchildren.

Hellewell (CE 1959-1964).

Gregor (WGM) Michie (Ca 1961James A McCluskie (CW 1955-1958) 1965) passed away on 19th October passed away on February 18th 2019, but 2018 aged 70 after 17 years of bravely we have no further information at this battling prostate cancer with huge time. determination and resilience. He was David Affleck (CE 1956-1961) died in a loving husband to Sue and father to July 2018 at the age of 75.

Annabel, Philippa, and Catherine. His Born in Glasgow, he spent his earlier younger brother is Donald (Ca 1969years in Yorkshire before attending 1974).

Fettes. He studied Economic History Aberdeen born, he arrived at and Political Economy at the University Fettes in 1961 where he enjoyed all of Edinburgh, where he met Sandra. He sports and played the French horn in then gained his Diploma in Education the school orchestra. He graduated and began his teaching career at LLB from the University of Aberdeen George Watson’s as a Primary Teacher. and then worked at Graham, Smart & David and Sandra married on 27th Annan in Edinburgh where he became December 1966. a Chartered Accountant. In 1972 he He worked at North Links Primary in moved to London and started a career Montrose before moving to Southmuir as a Merchant Banker with Morgan Primary in Kirriemuir, where he became Grenfell. the school’s first Head Teacher. He He retired in 2001 and took on a then spent a couple of months at the variety of non-exec Directorships but Reform Street School and was Head also devoted himself to charitable

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work, in particular the British Lung Foundation, the Coram Family, The Foundling Museum, The Institute of Child Health and SnowCamp, all of which he enjoyed immensely.

A keen golfer and member at Royal Wimbledon he enjoyed many of the great golf courses in Scotland, with tours regularly linked to rugby internationals at Murrayfield. He enjoyed travel and had a second home in Talloires where he spent much time walking his dog, swimming in Lake Annecy and enjoying having his extended family and grandchildren around him.

A memorial Service held for him in Putney in November 2018 was attended by over three hundred people, testament to the affection and respect former colleagues, friends, and groups he worked with held for him.

David Yool Bremner (Mo 19631968) died on 12th May 2018. Dearly loved and cherished by his family and friends, but most of all by Barbara his wife and his sons Jonathan and Marcus whom he adored. Whilst at Fettes David was Head of House and a Sergeant in the CCF. He left to study Business in Glasgow and from there he had an interesting business career. In his retirement he was a fundraiser for the Crimestoppers Charity Trust.

Ian Clark (Ki 1965-1969) passed away on 3rd August 2018. He enjoyed his time at Fettes, particularly when representing the College on the rugby pitch.

He married Jane in 1975 and had two daughters, Helen and Laura, and four grandchildren.

Having trained as a Graphic Designer, he worked for 20 years in the printing industry as an account manager before developing his passion for sport into a career in health and fitness. This included time as a fitness instructor, a gym manager and an account manager for a company with an online digital health and wellbeing programme. He volunteered as a Gamesmaker in the 2012 London Olympics, wearing his uniform with pride as he drove Olympic VIPS around London. He was an Area Team Leader

OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

at Wembley for England Rugby in 2015.

These activities provided Ian with the opportunity to give something back to rugby in particular, and sport in general.

Ian’s father Mat Halley Clark (Ki 1936-1940) (Deceased) attended Fettes before him.

Fergus Bruce-Watt (Gl 1969-1973) After a lifetime in the Pyrenees running his own agricultural fencing business and latterly working as a freelance translator, Fergus died of cancer in Laroque des Alberes after a short illness in August 2018. Fergus was entirely integrated into the French way of life but always proud of his Scots heritage.

He is survived by his French partner Claudine and her two daughters, three children from his first marriage and four grandchildren, mother Claire, brothers Hugh (Gl 1972-1976) and Adam (Gl 1972-1977) and sister Lucy.

1970s Eric Graham (Gl 1970-1975) On Wednesday 24th April 2019, Eric sadly passed away at the age of 62. He will be missed terribly by all those that loved him.

Eric was born on 10th February 1957 in Edinburgh to Dr Jean McKay Reid and Professor William Donald Graham, spending his early childhood in New York, Johannesburg and Montreal. Upon returning to Edinburgh, Eric attended Fettes College between 1970 and 1975, a proud member of Glencorse House (GL290). Whilst at Fettes he co-founded the Photography Club; his images taken during the Queen Mother’s visit on the School’s centenary saw print in a number of historical publications.

Whilst at Fettes he enjoyed playing rugby on Littleside as well as being a School Prefect.

Friends made at Fettes have been part of his life right up until the end and were tremendously valuable to Eric. He was affectionately known as Ezra by his closest friends Husk, Max and Bug. He found the caring and firm guidance provided by all at Fettes, and particularly by both George and Margaret Buchanan-Smith (Staff 19601981), extremely helpful throughout his

time in Glencorse and for many years beyond.

A memory from Poppy Eveling (Ca 1975-1976) “I will always remember Eric as he was when we were young, full of energy and mad ideas and generosity, his hair often on end and his eyes gleaming with the next plan for fun or adventure.”

Having developed a love of English at school, Eric read English Literature at King’s College, London. Whilst a student he shared a flat with his sister, Barbara Graham (Gl 1975-1977), and embraced the theatre and arts in London wholeheartedly.

Eric married in 1984 and lived with his wife, Barbara (née Bower), in the Stirlingshire countryside; he worked on a voluntary basis as financial adviser to Hidden Secret, a local charity providing support to women surviving domestic abuse (although he would never mention this, his input was extremely helpful to the charity).

Eric loved his family, his friends, his garden and his dogs, he was an avid fan of both rugby and cricket. He leaves behind his siblings Barbara, Mary, Patricia, William and Alison. He was loving stepfather to Niki and Pops and to Miles and a proud uncle to Henry Gray (Staff 2017-2019), Pollyanna, Freddie, Patrick and Graham.

Nicholas Millar (Ar 1972-1976) died unexpectedly in November 2018. Born in Glasgow he was the second of five children. After Fettes he attended Durham University, where he studied Maths. It was in his first year as a Maths Teacher that he met his wife, Kate, who was then training to be a teacher.

They married in 1984 and had four daughters: Abigail, Rebecca, Stephanie and Suzanna.

They moved to Darlington in 1988 and it was there Nicholas became known by many for his epic rides with Darlington cyclists. Having taken up the sport in his forties, he had completed the formidable Cent Cols Challenge six times, cycling up one hundred ‘cols’ or mountain passes in ten days. He was also a keen guitar player, respected wealth management adviser and muchloved figure within his church

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1980s Nigel Harrison (JS, Mo 1980-1986) died unexpectedly on 20th February 2019. His brother Patrick Harrison (Mo 1980-1984) has provided the following information: “After leaving Fettes Nigel tried some different career paths and he spent some time in South Africa. In the mid-90s he discovered the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, in which he trained.

Whilst doing this he met Marleen whom he married in 1997. By then they had moved to Katonah, USA, to develop their careers. Nigel trained to become a eurythmy teacher. He was dearly loved by his students, which was evident by the number who came to the service held for him after his death and spoke fondly of him. He would never have described himself as athletic, but he loved his swimming and skiing. His other passions were music and art; he was a proficient pianist and painter.

He was very charitable to individuals and organisations in a humble way.

His unexpected death in February this year has left Marleen, his family, and his many good friends with a hole in their lives.”

1990s James Cornforth (Mo 1997-1999) has sadly passed away. He was the beloved husband of Ta, son of Martin and the late Margaret and brother of Natalie.

He will be greatly missed.

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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 64, JULY 2019

OFA OFFICE BEARERS THE FETTESIAN TRUST 2019 President Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984) Vice-President Henry Cave (SH 1980-1984) OF Governor Eric Young (Ar 1969-1974)

Trustees Amanda Forsyth (née Baker), President OFA, Secretary and Treasurer (Ar 1982-1984)* Henry Cave, Vice President OFA* Eric Young, OF Governor (Ar 1969-1974)* Nichola Lyons (JS, CE 1984-1990) William Carnegie (Ca 1950-1955) Ian Gardiner (Mo 1963-1968) *Ex-officio Trustees (OFA)

Hon Secretary Georgie Hill (CW 1990-1993) Hon Treasurer Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987-1992) Auditors Messrs Chiene and Tait, CA Committee Sandy Park (Ki 1965-1970) Andrew Soulsby (JS, Ar 1973-1980) Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982-1984) Daniel Thain (JS, Mo 1983-1991) David Hay (Ca 1991-1996) Abigail Gliksten (Ar 2009-2011)

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