Old Fettesian Newsletter 2020 by Fettes_College

Old Fettesian Newsletter Old Fettesian Association

No.65, July 2020

Contents

8 THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

President’s Message

Message from the OF Office

Matrons’ Memories

Fettes and Pandemics

Creating our forthcoming book, ‘Fettes: Our Place’

Keeping Old Fettesians connected

Fettes Career Partnership

Finding Future Fettesians

Fettesian Succession

The Watt Memorial Trust

The Iain Macleod Award

Remembering the Missing

Regional Engagement

OF Regional Representatives

OF Golf Society Review

OF Shooting Report

First Girls at Fettes

Commemoration Weekend 2019

A View from the Common Room 2020

Old Fettesian Events 2019-2020

OF News

Sadly Departed

OFA Office Bearers

The Fettesian Trust

39 1

President’s Message Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984)

One hundred and fifty years ago this year the Post Office introduced the post card, allowing the first Fettesians to write to their parents and reassure them that their new school, although a bit chilly, wasn’t all bad, and please could they send a postal order for the tuck shop, thank you. A few years later, Alexander Graham Bell came up with a prototype for a telephone. One hundred years after those first postcards, a young woman’s name was inscribed for the first time on the College register; the following year, the first message was sent from one computer to another, marking the beginning of email messaging. (It was mostly gobbledegook. Plus ça change). I’m writing this, sitting dutifully isolated in my own home, hoping that the virus which is currently proliferating throughout the world will eventually abate and allow me to speak personally to my neighbours – from a distance which doesn’t have to be calculated in multiples of metres. Welcome to the infinitely adaptable world of Old Fettesian communication! Our school has weathered tumultuous events ever since its inception, and those events have shaped and formed the community we are today. This year, the Old Fettesian Association greets a unique new cohort of OFs whose last weeks on campus were a mêlée of hasty arrangements and hurried farewells. The leader of that extraordinary era in the school’s history was Helen Harrison, whose first year as Head of Fettes College has been a testament to the school’s values of industry and tenacity. Her appointment was widely welcomed, and her track record so far has been heartening. As the OFA President, I have been glad of her support for our endeavours, and welcomed her empathy and unfailing good cheer; it was on a typically cheerful day that Iain Jack (Ki 1979-1984) took the photograph of us both for this issue of your Newsletter. Her confirmation 2

Amanda Forsyth and Helen Harrison

in post by the Board of Governors has been widely welcomed, not only by the Old Fettesian Association but by the wider Fettes family. To the Fettes Class of 2020: we are delighted to have you join our ranks, and hope that you will join us in celebrating your time at Fettes as thoroughly and as often as possible. You must understand that the nature of your departure means we will have to party much, much harder in future, to make up for lost time! We will all be assisted in that endeavour by the tireless energy of the Development team. Sadly, Victoria Shearer, the OF Co-ordinator will be leaving the team at the end of August, to move to London with her partner. We must thank you Victoria, for the care you have taken in all you have done. I am sure OFs who have had dealings with Victoria will be very sorry to see her go. Given all the uncertainties at the moment, we are seeking a temporary replacement for Victoria for

a year to support the OFA and Karen Jones (née Houston) (Ar 1989-1991 and Development Manager 2012-present) throughout the 150th anniversary year in 2020-21. Thereafter, once things are a little clearer in the world, we will seek a permanent replacement. I must also thank Karen for driving the production of Fettes: Our Place, the book that is at the centre of the Old Fettesian contribution to the 150th celebrations. It is a thing of beauty, and the pre-ordering stage is going well. Please don’t miss out and risk having to wait for a reprint! Details of how to order are in the enclosed flyer. This is the last of my Newsletter messages; in October, I will hand over the OF President’s baton to Henry Cave (SH 1980-1984) who will carry it high over the celebrations planned for our 150th Anniversary year. I thought I knew my school, when I took on this role; I’ve learned, though, that I only really knew my own year, and the joy of involvement in the OFA has broadened my horizons wonderfully. Thanks are due to the invaluable network of Regional Representatives around the world who serve as a linchpin for their local OF communities. Between their sterling efforts, and those of the Development team here in Edinburgh, there is a certain welcome for you in many of the world’s major cities; turn to page 21 of this book for the contact details of the Regional Representative nearest you. And having done so, please send an email, or – social distancing permitting – say hello in person. We’d love to hear from you. Floreas Fettesia

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Message from the OF Office Victoria Shearer, Old Fettesian Co-ordinator

Since first writing this message, I have recently taken the decision to move to London with my partner at the end of August to undertake a master’s in Heritage Management with Queen Mary University and Historic Royal Palaces. For me this message is therefore one of reflection, and when I reflect on the last 12 months there is one word that springs to mind: support. I would particularly like to thank Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984), who has supported the OFA in her role as President for nearly three years now, having served on the Committee for many years before that. I am so pleased to have had the chance to work with Amanda. It has been wonderful to have someone who knows and cares so much about Fettes and the OFA guiding me. Amanda will step down as President in October, when she will be succeeded by Henry Cave (SH 19801984). I know my colleagues in the Development Team are looking forward to working with Henry, who will lead the OFA through Fettes’ forthcoming anniversary celebrations and beyond. It won’t come as a surprise to OFs to learn this this year has not turned out to be the year I had envisaged. I am deeply grateful to the OFA Committee, my colleagues and the many OFs I have been privileged to meet and speak with for their support and encouragement during these challenging times. It’s so heartening to see how connected OFs of all ages are to Fettes. It really is a unique and special community and I feel lucky to have been able to play my part this year in keeping OFs connected and informed. As you will read on pages 6 and 7, Fettes is no stranger to pandemics, but COVID-19 is the most extreme in recent times. The unfamiliar challenges of lockdown are difficult, but, in true Fettes form, our motto ‘Industria’ is exemplified by OFs helping and supporting those in need. Perhaps with limitations on travel and the cancellation of many regular OF THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Victoria Shearer

events, you would assume connecting with other OFs and Fettes may be difficult. On the contrary! This time has not only allowed OFs to keep old connections alive, but to develop new ones. I have seen this first-hand, working with Tim Blackburn, the son of OF Michael Blackburn (Gl 1951-1955), who knew little of his father’s time at Fettes. Michael sadly died young and with him went his memories of Fettes. Tim got in touch and, with the help of Donald Steele (Gl 1950-1956), we contacted Michael’s best friend, Glyn Longstaff (Gl 1951-1956), who not only knew Michael at Fettes, but grew up with him, living 200 metres from one another. For both Tim and Glyn, the opportunity to learn about Michael’s life at and after Fettes, respectively, was invaluable and a connection both had wanted but not imagined possible. Connections like this are being established and re-established all the time in our community, and now, with the launch of our new portal, Fettes

Community, in April, this is easier than ever. We have been bowled over with the amazing number of OFs who have signed up so far and with the range of year groups getting involved too. At this time when we cannot be together in person, we hope that this fantastic new resource has provided OFs who use it with a link to Fettes and other OFs. You can read more about the portal on page 10. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign up! For Fettes itself, we are looking forward to marking two special anniversaries from October 2020 – the 150th anniversary of the first boys arriving at Fettes in 1870 and the 50th anniversary of the first girls arriving 100 years later in 1970. Understandably, the School’s focus over the last few months has been planning our pupils safe return in September, in line with Government guidelines. During this time, plans for the 150th anniversary celebrations have been at the forefront of our minds, as we want to ensure that we can celebrate this momentous occasion whilst adhering to whatever restrictions are in place. We are currently looking at the possibility of postponing events scheduled for October to later in the academic year and thinking creatively about other initiatives that will allow us to celebrate the 150th anniversary virtually. The Development team will keep you up to date as things become clearer over the summer. As we look ahead to the anniversary year, we hope that you partake in the celebrations, whatever and wherever they may be, adding to your Fettes memories and strengthening your connection to the school. After all, the story of Fettes would not be the same without you.

Matrons’ Memories

Former Carrington Matron, Mrs E

Current Carrington Matron, Miss D

We know many OFs have special personally, I would consider it a memories of their Matron and we great compliment if even a proportion are delighted that two Matrons from of my charges remember me with Carrington House, past and present, affection. namely Sandra Edwards (Staff 1985-present) and Diane Davidson Miss D: A few years ago, I started (Staff 2011-present) have taken the collecting positive phrases that I could time to answer our questions, giving hang on the walls in my office. One their perspectives on this important of my favourites is ‘what I love most role and sharing their memories with us. about my home is who I share it with’. Sandra was appointed as Bursar’s According to one of the boys this is Secretary at Fettes in 1983. Then after grammatically incorrect, however, it 15 years she moved a few hundred puts into words exactly how I feel about yards to take up the post of Matron, being a Matron. This means that you firstly in Glencorse, then in Carrington. are there for the boys, to both rebuke Diane joined Fettes in 2011 and and encourage, share highs and lows, hit the ground running. Before coming and give them food! Living life in a to Fettes, Diane worked for Heineken boarding house is all encompassing, (formerly Scottish & Newcastle) for but I love it! almost 11 years doing a variety of roles, lastly as a Contracts Analyst. All a bit “Miss D is the backbone of Carrington. different from being a Matron! She does everything possible to live up to the Carrington motto to ‘make a It’s clear that the bond Matrons difference’ and she goes the extra mile have with Fettesians is very special on everything she does in looking after indeed. What is it that really makes the all of us.” relationship a lasting bond? Aidan D (Ca 2016-present) Mrs E: I loved my time as a Matron at Fettes. It is probably true to say that Matrons do form a special bond with their charges because the very nature of matroning requires a great deal of day-to-day contact with them from their very first day and throughout their time at Fettes. Boarding does not suit every child and Matrons become very good at recognising the signs. They can become a very important emotional ‘prop’ for some children, whilst building up an equally good relationship with their charges in the rest of the House. The lasting bond between a Matron and her charges is understandable in view of the very nature of the job. Speaking 4

We know that you can’t possibly have favourites, but have there been any year groups that have stuck in your memory and why? Mrs E: It is possible to be more connected with a particular form and, for me, it was with the Third Form as they were entering a whole new world. The transition from Prep School to Middle School can be quite daunting and an understanding Matron can become the next best thing to a parent. However, without neglecting the middle years, I also became attached to the Upper Sixth Form and delighted in watching them mature and grow ever eager to ‘escape’ to the outside world.

“Mrs E’s door was always open, and her office would become of hub for people seeking a chat or her wise advice. As I was about to embark on a life outside of Fettes, I found her advice on the realities of the world invaluable.” Charlie White (Ca 1995-2000) Miss D: The friendships that are formed in a boarding school environment are very special and one year group stands out in my mind by the commitment they have shown to continuing this bond long after their days at Fettes have passed. The final 12 months in house presents the opportunity to become House Prefects, an honoured and respected position that comes with responsibilities. It is so rewarding to see the boys step up to these positions and those who come to mind now are the boys who managed to gain respect from the younger years as approachable authority figures who set great examples of leadership in how they engaged with those in house while maintaining the balance of working hard and getting the most of their time at Fettes. In your time as a Matron you probably signed/have signed many an ‘Off Changing’ slip for genuine reasons and probably dealt with some less genuine reasons too. What have been the most creative excuses you have dealt with? Mrs E: In my matroning days it was not part of my duties to sign ‘Off Changing’ slips – this was the responsibility of the nurses in the Sanatorium (affectionately referred to as ‘The San’). However, I did have an amusing experience when, on the day of the annual compulsory College Steeplechase, I saw a notice pinned to the San door which simply THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

read: ‘Don’t even think of asking!’ Also, it was relayed back to me that one of my more flamboyant charges completed the Steeplechase walking the course reading poetry!

while maintaining the role of a person who may have to bring them into line if necessary can sometimes present a challenge.

What’s your most memorable moment Miss D: On the whole I would say the as a Matron? boys are usually keen to keep active, so it more often follows that instead of Mrs E: I have many happy memories of them looking to miss games I am telling the years I spent matroning at Fettes. the boys they are off changing due to I lost count of the number of birthday an injury or an illness that they need to cakes I baked. I have especially fond recover from etc. memories of break times, when I used A few years ago, a boy came to to open up the day-room door and me saying that he had been running welcome the boys in to chat about through the trees and a squirrel this and that, whilst they enjoyed the had bitten him. The evidence was various homemade tray bakes which questionable as he hadn’t actually I made daily! I also remember frequent seen the squirrel bite him, only one trips to the Cash and Carry to stock up nearby (you are never far from a squirrel the very popular Tuck Shop, together at Fettes!) and the wound looked with happy times spent sitting outside more like a scratch from a twig in the chatting with the boys in the summer undergrowth rather than a bite mark. sunshine eating strawberries. However, due diligence was followed; the wound was cleaned thoroughly, “Knowing that we had Sandra looking tetanus vaccination record checked and after the boys’ wellbeing brought a all was well! tremendous sense of calm amid the unpredictable upheavals of boarding What were/are the biggest challenges house life. She counselled and advised you faced/face as a Matron? them, she listened patiently and unjudgementally to their grievances about their Housemaster, she mothered Mrs E: When I was matroning in the them, she taught them how to launder late 1990s and early 2000s I remember and fold their clothes and then she spending many an hour with some did it for them anyway, she baked for of my charges listening to particular them: in short, she spoilt them rotten. problems they were facing either at But her day-room was, I always felt, the home or in school. To my mind helping warm centre of the House where the them was one of the most satisfying Carrington boys could most truly be and life enhancing aspects of the job. themselves.” The challenge was to attempt to keep a balance between ‘soft love’ and ‘tough Robert Harrison, (Staff 1991-present), Former Housemaster, Carrington love’! I mostly failed the tough love aspect I am afraid, but my excellent Housemaster, Rob Harrison, and his Miss D: Whenever there is a birthday wife Helen, who is now Head of Fettes, in house the Housemaster mentions it were always on hand when I needed in morning Area (registration), which them. I have to say it was wonderful is followed by a pizza bash for the working in Carrington with Rob and birthday boy’s year group later. A few Helen. The relationship between a years ago, I celebrated a significant Matron and her House Parents is very birthday and while the whole day was special, with everyone playing their part special, with lovely presents, a huge in keeping the House going. Between cake and lots of well wishes from the us, I believe Rob, Helen and I ran a very boys, there is one moment that day fair and happy House. that stands out. After my birthday was mentioned in Area there followed a rendition of happy birthday. As Miss D: Life is often about balance. the singing started the Upper Sixth I am regularly encouraging the boys to boys, who had somehow sneaked eat something healthy along with the into Carrington (from the Upper Sixth snacks they buy on their trips up town! House, Craigleith) without me seeing, I find this with my role too. I am neither all appeared out of the upper study the Housemaster nor am I one of their room doors and joined in the singing! peers, so striking the chord between I also had my very own pizza bash that someone the boys feel they can chat to THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

evening too, with all the House. I was quite overwhelmed! “One of the great joys in my job as Housemaster is to work with someone like Diane. She is quite simply one of the most amazing people that I’ve had the great fortune to meet in my life. Totally selfless in everything that she does, she is always caring, patient beyond belief and utterly calm in a crisis. The motto of Carrington is ‘Make a Difference’ and Diane is the best example that I can think of as someone who makes life better for everyone else.” James Weatherby (Staff 2007-present), Current Housemaster, Carrington If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give to yourself on your first day as a Matron at Fettes? Mrs E: Times have changed so much since I was a Matron. However, looking back the one piece of advice I would give myself, which is as true today as it ever was, is be prepared for a lot of hard work and a lot of fun. It really is such a rewarding role, which I loved. When I look at the fantastic Matrons Fettes has today, I see a dedicated bunch of good people with the wellbeing of their charges always to the fore. Miss D: First days in any job are tough and when, within your first week, you find yourself in a room with several boys and their parents who are also new and need answers to questions because their Fettes experience is also just beginning, my advice would be that it is fine to not know all the answers and that you can all learn together. Having been here a few years now, a warning that I would give would be to expect the unexpected and to accept that there will be surprises along the way. Sometimes the wheels come off and boys get it wrong, but when that happens, accept it, put the wheels back on and move forward – a smooth sea never made a great sailor! Both Sandra and Diane are wellrespected and much-loved members of the Fettes community, as are all Fettes hard-working Matrons past and present. If you have any special memories of your Matron at Fettes, please do let share them with us by emailing ofa@fettes.com.

Fettes and Pandemics

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, School returned proper drains were put OF Brian Cameron (CE 1956-1960) in to replace the earth closets originally contacted us as he was reminded of the used. time Fettes faced the Asian Flu of 1957 “It was in 1918, before the end of and how College East, in particular, had WW1, that the world suffered badly coped. Brian pointed us in the direction with an outbreak of an unusually of George Preston (SH-CW 1944-1950; deadly influenza known as the 1918 flu Staff 1955-1991) for more information. pandemic, later known as Spanish Flu. Early discussions caused us to think Lasting from 1918 to 1920, it infected not only how Fettes had handled 500 million people—about a third of the Asian Flu but other pandemics the world's population at the time. throughout its 150-year history, and The death toll is estimated to have even before. Here George provides a been anywhere from 17 million to 50 history of Fettes and Pandemics: million, and possibly as high as 100 “Perhaps you may remember why million, making it one of the deadliest Fettes College exists at all. pandemics in human history. “In February 1815, Napoleon “It appears – from the Fettesian managed to escape after two years in magazines – that Fettes got off lightly, Elba and landed in Marseille. Here he possibly due to the timing. In the early gathered followers to start the ‘100 day’ 1918 editions there is some talk of campaign to regain what he had lost matches having to be postponed due to in 1813. He marched north, singing the ‘infection’ in other schools. But in the latest pop song ‘The Marseilles’ and Editorial of the July 1918 Fettesian, it gathering followers as he went. was reported that: “By chance, the only son of Sir William Fettes, also William, had been ‘As the new Sick-house is unavailable, admitted to the Faculty of Advocates as it has been for some time past, we five years previously in 1810 and was have been remarkably lucky in escaping doing a well-earned ‘grand tour’ of for so long the affliction of a “plague”. Europe. In June 1815, he got to Berlin But our luck has broken at last, and only to be caught up with the masses we have been visited by the “Spanish fleeing east from Napoleon’s army. Flu” which has been so fashionable Such was the panic and lack of drains lately. Some of our professional rumourthat there was a major outbreak of spreaders have had real field-days, and typhoid in Berlin from which, sadly, we have been positively assured more William died at the age of 27. than once, on the best of authority, “More than twenty years later, when that it has been definitely fixed that Sir William died in 1836, three weeks the School is breaking-up to-morrow. after his wife, with no surviving children, However, we have managed to carry on he left the bulk of his estate to found somehow, and, in spite of all rumours, a school to assist children with their we can definitely assure our readers education. His Trustees invested the that we are not likely to break up until money wisely for 30 years before the first day of the holidays. One of the putting his wishes into action. first principles of journalism is, never to “This is how Fettes College opened commit oneself. So far so good.’ in 1870. In 1883 Fettes College faced a serious outbreak of diphtheria due to “As mentioned previously, it was drain problems – two earth closets to the Asian Flu of 1957 that prompted east and west of the tower. this article. It was a fairly severe flu “The School moved to Windermere epidemic. The San. – now Prep School with Second-Master, C.C. Cotterill, in – was full and wards were created in charge. Very sadly Mrs Potts and their Houses. Dining Halls and Kitchens youngest child, Joseph, died. When the were in College, so College East and 6

College West Housemasters agreed that anyone hungry could dress and go downstairs to be fed. Any too ill to do this were given food in bed by Matron, Doris Jones (née Shaw). Outhouses had to collect food “suitable for the sick” and carry it down to their houses. Out-Housemasters had resident staff, so one expects that ‘Cook’ supplemented it – shades of Oliver. “Throughout the 1970s, there were several minor epidemics when nursing was required in Houses. They were fairly short, and a routine was established with food being carried down to houses by volunteers after lunch.” With each pandemic, Fettes found a way to adapt at the time. This current pandemic is no exception, with teaching continuing to take place remotely online, something that no doubt would be difficult for those in the early pandemics to imagine. We asked OFs what they have been up to during this pandemic. Here are some of the responses we have had:

Major Angus Millar (Ca 1987-1991) writes “Following a significant career change aged 30, I joined the army as a soldier and began my nurse training 16 years ago. After six years in the ranks, I commissioned as an officer in 2010. Now a Major in the QARANC, I am currently embedded with Portsmouth Hospitals Trust, supporting the NHS with their COVID-19 response. It is a privilege to be part of the contribution military staff are providing this NHS trust at such a difficult time.” THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

With home visiting currently suspended, Professor Robin McWilliam’s (Ca 1970-1974) RoutinesBased Model for providing early intervention for young children with disabilities has proven to be easily applicable to working with families through tele-intervention during the COVID-19 lockdown. Ian Robinson’s (Ca 1960-1965) company, The Alnwick Brewery Company, didn’t want the beer they’d brewed in preparation for Easter to go waste so they offered beer to loyal customers, asking for a voluntary donation to the NHS. This was covered in a BBC News article which went viral. Ian ended up giving interviews to many news outlets including CNN, The Sunday Telegraph and Asahi TV in Japan. Since the article was written, they have now collected over £1,600. The story was picked up by a retired member of the forces in Washington DC, who donated £400 for them to put together gift packs for some of the unsung heroes of this dreadful pandemic. Ian Couper (Mo 1957-1961) writes “Sue and I were on MS Braemar during early March, in the Caribbean, when it was found that the Coronavirus was on board. We became a pariah ship! After several interesting experiences, and following the intervention of the UK Government, we were rescued by Cuba. They allowed the ship to dock, and charter planes in, to repatriate the passengers to the UK. Our luggage stayed on board. We were reunited some four weeks later. “The number of confirmed cases stayed constant. The passengers followed their version of social distancing, and the worst part was the closure of the poolside bar!” Professor John McKean (CE 19571962) writes “I am keeping a Journal of the Plague Year – a series of A3 albums in which I draw or paint at least one page every day during lockdown but not a single word – nearing the end of volume two as I write… where will it end?” Colin Fisher (Mo 1996-1998) is a professional freelance photojournalist mainly photographing political occasions and live music, including proceedings inside the Scottish Parliament and well-known artists performing live to large audiences, as well as the Royal Family, including Her Majesty, The Queen. THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Colin has been extensively covering the COVID-19 Crisis in Scotland and writes “I have been doing this for two reasons: Parliament has been locked down so all photographers except for the resident snapper have been chucked out for the duration of the lockdown and the COVID-19 story is huge. As a photographer it is my duty to provide story coverage as this will be a story which the future generations will all be told.” Barbara Graham (Gl 1975-1977) has been continuing her volunteering with Orkney Children’s Panel, the Reel Life Foundation and Home-Start Orkney in various roles helping to adapt services for remote situations, overcoming the barriers of lockdown and ensuring that all those who need it are still receiving assistance from these charities at this time. Colin Gilchrist (Ki 1980-1984) has adapted one of his entrepreneurial businesses to support the control of COVID-19 in society by critically supporting the ability to test, control, understand and help to support the return of social and economic stability. Anthony Gilbert (Gl 2001-2005) put his PhD studies on hold to return to full time clinical physiotherapy as a deputy physio lead at NHS Nightingale in London during COVID-19. Callum Scott (PS-MO 2004-2012), who is the youngest blood biker in Scotland, has been covering Blood Bikes Scotland shifts during lockdown.

Lin Tan (PS-Ar 2007-2014) writes “I’ve recently started as a new doctor in intensive care in south east Scotland to help with the COVID effort. “Myself and my peers had our graduation brought forward whilst we were on our elective placements, just after our final exams. I was in New Zealand at the time, so it was a challenge to get home. I landed back just in time to celebrate our virtual graduation in the airport carpark

with my flatmate. Since then, many of us have volunteered to start our foundation years now, three months earlier than planned. This was an exciting yet daunting prospect to begin with, as it is a unique experience to be joining the NHS at such an unprecedented time. Everyone has been so supportive, which has made the transition much easier. It feels a privilege to be a part of the team and it is nice to be able to get out the house!”

Lauren Douglas (Ar-Da 20102015) works at Boots UK Support Office (Head Office) in Nottingham, working with the Digital Pharmacy team, supporting stores throughout the UK with digital pharmacy requests. This also involves supporting the Online Pharmacy in Leicester deliver medication country-wide to your door. Not only did requests for homedelivered prescriptions increase fivefold during the COVID-19 outbreak, but their packaging supplier shut down during this time, resulting in a lot of pressure and frantic calls to other suppliers to try and source interim packaging until their suppliers reopened. Lauren writes “Our pharmacy teams across the country are working extremely hard to ensure medication is being supplied on time to all our patients and I thank the whole team that has helped with this process. These have been some of the most stressful times during my career at Boots UK thus far but also some of the most rewarding, learning a lot and being able to step up and demonstrate my capability.” Dr Taiwo Fasoranti (SH 19801982) has been assisting the Nigerian government, providing a professional response and logistics during COVID-19. OF and staff volunteers from Fettes have been working with Scran Academy to create over 20,000 freshly prepared meals to distribute to the most vulnerable in Edinburgh during the COVID-19 lockdown. 7

Creating our forthcoming book, ‘Fettes: Our Place’ At the heart of our 150th anniversary is our beautiful illustrated book, Fettes: Our Place. With this book, we hope to bring Old Fettesians a piece of Fettes as it was for them. Given the 150-year history Fettes has, this has been no easy feat. It was a challenge readily accepted by the wonderful team working behind the scenes. They are Ralph Hughes (Staff 1985-2017), Craig Marshall (College Archivist 2014-present) and Karen Jones (née Houston) (Ar 1989-1991 and Development Manager 2012-present). We asked them five questions about creating the book. Why did you want to be involved in the book? Craig: It always seemed to me that an appropriate way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the College, and the 50th anniversary of girls being admitted, was to create a new publication. However, when the format of having a book which is predominantly image-led was agreed, I became far more enthusiastic as it offered us a fantastic opportunity to showcase some of the wonderfully rich and varied items from the College archives. Ralph: Ever since starting teaching at Fettes in 1985, I have been interested

Ralph Hughes and Craig Marshall 8

in the origin of the College. The relatively humble origin of its Founder and his fortunes and misfortunes, together with the fortuitous choice of its architect and the character of its first Headmaster is a fascinating High Victorian story. Karen: The Fettes community is so dispersed across the globe, so a book is a wonderful way for those OFs and their families, wherever they are, to be able to hold and own a part of Fettes. To make this part of the 150th anniversary celebrations seems very appropriate. The large format photography and light captions make the book very appealing. I am proud to have been part of a team to bring a beautiful dose of Fettes nostalgia to every household who buys the book and to have been able to discover and disclose facts that Old Fettesians will not have come across before. What has been your favourite part of the book process so far? Craig: Without doubt, it has been the camaraderie of the core team. Karen, Ralph and I have brought different skills and attributes to the project, but our friendship and synergy has made the process enormously rewarding, and great fun!

Ralph: That’s easy to answer. Working with Karen and Craig has been invariably interesting, productive and great fun. Karen: For me, I have thoroughly enjoyed the creative process, working closely with Ralph and Craig. We have become quite a team, each with our own complimentary perspectives. The College archive is immense and such a treasure trove. It has been very rewarding to work out how to use interesting archival items with a story to portray all that is and has been so special about Fettes: Our Place over the years. I am no historian and have benefited hugely from being able to ask the experts (Ralph and Craig) practical questions such as how did the early rugby teams travel to away matches and how long did it take a pupil to travel from India to school? The answers to these questions revealed fascinating insights into the lives of Fettesians throughout the Fettes story, such as the length of journeys some pupils took to get to school, including maverick boat journeys and early flights with intrepid connections and the often truly tragic family circumstances of early Foundationer pupils. I also thoroughly enjoyed learning how the history of Fettes sits in the

Fettes: Our Place THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Ralph: Given the purpose of the book – celebration and nostalgia – I do not feel the lack of anything. It was difficult to resist wanting to include more on the architectural design of the building and the reason we have such a spectacular structure, but for those interested this can be found elsewhere. This is not an official history anyway – that’s been done superbly well already by Robert Philp (Staff 1959-1996).

context of the social history of the times, such as understanding the significance of Bryce painting women in Crinoline skirts (high fashion of the time) in his painting to propose his successful design for Fettes College. What is your favourite piece in the book? Craig: This is a tricky question as there are so many amazing images in the book, all of which have fascinating stories to tell. However, one of the most evocative for me has to be the handwritten note dictated by Dr Potts to the College Medical Officer shortly before his death. The more time I have been able to spend researching our first Headmaster, the greater the admiration and respect I have for him has become. His dedication to the care and well-being of his students, his unparalleled sense of duty, particularly in the face of deep personal tragedy, and his determination to realise his progressive vision for the College, undoubtedly account for the early success of the school and gave his successors a firm foundation on which to build. Ralph: It wasn’t an original find but the photograph of the ‘patriarchs’ with Dr Potts and masters outside of College is absolutely enthralling. It is a disarming and thrillingly direct link across time. Karen: I love the personal letters from pupils. Their descriptions, tone of voice and the beauty of their handwriting is absolutely spine tingling. Thinking of them writing in places we know, but in a very different time in history, and being able to read their personal thoughts is very special indeed. The other wonderful part of this is realising the significance of these letters. The fact that these letters were kept by their families and eventually passed to us for publication says it all. What was the most interesting thing you discovered while making the book? Craig: Unlike many of my College Archivist predecessors, I'm not steeped in the history of the College, and so to be honest there have been a huge number of discoveries for me, both in terms of factual details, but also physical artefacts. However, one fascinating discovery is that the words THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

of the chorus of the Vive La, which has been sung since the very first Founder's Day in 1871, have mysteriously changed over the years. In 2021, we may well reinstate the original words. Ralph: There were too many small but fascinating details to single out one. The most interesting thing that I personally discovered was that the College has such a rich and interesting archive. Karen: When reviewing photographs from the very early athletics matches, it was eye-opening to see quite how tough early school athletes had to be. The hurdles are like horse jumps and the crowds seem to be willing steeplechasers a mishap. The high jump pit was a mere dug ‘flowerbed’. All very insightful and so different from today, yet all taking place on Bigside amidst the familiar surroundings of the Pavilion and the Turf. Which piece are you sad did not make the book? Craig: Fortunately, I think it is a testament to the range and quality of the material we have been able to provide, that so much of what has been submitted has been included in the book. There are many marvellous items and images which did not make the cut, but very often this was because we felt their story would not resonate with a broad range of our readership, or they would require lengthy textual explanations. However, they can all be featured at some point in the future as part of an archive display or showcased online, so I have no reason to be sad.

Karen: We really wanted to feature some original rugby boots from 1870 in the book and had envisaged a beautiful photograph of the old leather, laces and studs, with a poignant early rugby at Fettes caption. This idea was, as it turned out, impossible. A first look in the archives revealed old boots, but upon further analysis they turned out to be boots that had been (very effectively) made to look old for a school play and were in fact from 1990… Next, we went to OFs with a rugby family lineage to find out if they kept any old boots. Sadly, all had deteriorated and been discarded years ago. Then we tried the SRU. They had great photographs of players wearing old boots but no physical boots. We then tried the Oxford and Cambridge colleges, as we knew a historical rugby expert there, but alas no boots. His suggestion was to go to the World Rugby Museum at Twickenham but there were none there either. They recommended a contact who specialises in rugby relics, but sadly this was another dead end. Finally, we tried National Museums Scotland but to no avail. So, instead we went for a beautiful Fettes Rugby Cap with a poignant caption! Now, if anyone does have a pair of rugby boots from the 1870s, we would still love to see them, even if it will be too late to feature them in this this book. Fettes: Our Place is available to pre-order at a discounted rate of £35.00 until 28th July 2020. After that date, the price increases to £45.00. You can order your copy at profileeditions.com/fettes-college-hb.

Keeping Old Fettesians connected fettescommunity.org

Many friendships and connections have been built through Fettes and the spirit of warmth and generosity within our globally dispersed community is exceptionally strong. As is evident from these pages, Old Fettesians are on hand to offer support to OFs arriving in a new place in the world or to offer careers support and advice. We are thrilled that, with support from Ryan Li (Gl 2010-2015) and his family, we are now able to offer greater

digital connectivity for OFs across the globe via our new Fettes Community portal, which launched in April. As well as the careers and mentoring opportunities referred to in the next article, those who register can connect with others via the portal and contribute to the Fettes Community feed by commenting on posts or by posting themselves. They can access exclusive content and photo albums as well as join groups linked by a specific region or interest.

In due course portal membership will increase to include parents and Sixth Form pupils. Its content will extend to include access to newly digitised Fettes archives, including searchable back issues of the Old Fettesian Newsletter and the Fettesian Magazine, and some 1300 scanned photographs. We are so pleased that over 1000 OFs have registered already and we hope that many more will join them.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Without the generosity of Ryan and his family, the simple fact is, we would not have been able to launch the Fettes Community portal. Their gift means the world to us and will enable us to keep our community connected, informed and supporting one another for years to come.â&#x20AC;? Nicola Pickavance, Director of Development Ryan Li (Gl 2010-2015) 10

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Fettes Career Partnership

Fettes really is a family for life, perhaps demonstrated most strongly by the willingness of Old Fettesians to support one another with their careers across the globe. A shared education makes connections easy, whether generations apart or from the same era. Support has also been provided to Fettesians still at school through events to explore careers, practice networking or develop career pathways. The Fettes Career Partnership programme can now be facilitated digitally through our new Fettes Community portal. To sign up to help or seek help please visit fettescommunity.org There are over 1,000 OFs across the globe signed up already and 40% of them are willing to help the Fettes Career Partnership programme in a number of ways, including: General help with Careers ʜ Answer industry specific questions ʜ Facilitate introductions to connections ʜ Meet in person (when safe to do so!) Mentoring Relationship ʜ Consider internships ʜ CV or job application review ʜ Offer career advice

Before the effects of the global pandemic prevented events and gatherings, several Fettes Career Partnership events took place and we are exceedingly grateful to the OFs who helped us with these. The first was a Lower Sixth career discovery lunch on Commem Saturday in October, supported by over 30 returning OFs. Then, in November, over twenty OFs and parents came together to support a very valuable lunchtime chat on careers and volunteering opportunities in the not-for-profit sector for the Lower Sixth. OFs included: James Tulloch (Ca 1987-1991), Research and Evaluation International Development Consultant; Angie Alexander (Inv-CW 1993-1999), Chief Operating Officer of SANDS Lothian, and Lorna Duff (née Bennett) (Ar 1988-1993), Manager of the Sandpiper Trust. Later in November, we were extremely grateful to Stuart Hendry (JS-GL 1986-1991), Founder and Senior Partner at MBM Commercial for hosting a business networking event for current pupils, OFs and parents. In February Alexander Holt (Ki 1991-1996), Head of Emerging Opportunities and Partnerships at The Scottish Government, was one of

Within the Directory you can search and filter for OFs who are either offering help or seeking help

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

the keynote speakers at Careers Day at Fettes. He got everyone thinking about his message of ‘the ability to reinvent’, using his wealth of experience to explore the dynamism required for today’s multi-career lifecycle. You can read more about all of these Fettes Career Partnership events at www.fettes.com/familyforlife/news In April we were all set for an OF technology panel event to be generously hosted in London by Eileen Bruce (Ar 1990-1992), Partner at Trowers & Hamlins, with the panel chaired by Tim McEwan (Gl 1987-1992), Fellow in Management Practice at the Cambridge Judge Business School. However, our plans were thwarted by the effects of COVID-19. Watch this space, as we fully intend to re-arrange this event when we can! In the meantime, we would like to collate a series of interviews with OFs about their careers and to offer careers advice. If you would be willing to participate, please email fettes.community@fettes.com to arrange a short Skype video interview.

OFs are situated all over the world

Finding Future Fettesians

A strong foundation for the future, a family for life “Fettes produces well-rounded young men and women who are ready for the fiercely competitive outside world that awaits them today.” Old Fettesian

Nearly 6,000 OFs are still in touch with us for one very compelling reason: being educated at Fettes was one of the most important and beneficial aspects of their lives. Fettes is where your confidence was built, horizons broadened, talents nurtured and life-long friendships were made. To this day, a Fettes education is an incredible start to life. We know that it is our collective belief in Fettes College, its history and its ethos that gives this wonderful community such strength. A Fettes education is and should remain a currency that really matters to every pupil who receives it. As Old Fettesians, you have experienced all that Fettes has to offer and we hope that Fettes plays just as important a part in your present and future as it did in your past.

“I look back on the sense of community and togetherness that the House system fostered in each of us, and appreciate how lucky we were to grow up in such a fun and thriving environment.” Old Fettesian

Our Succession Families If you are considering Fettes for your children or grandchildren, you will join an exclusive group of succession families who, over generations, have chosen Fettes. These families hold a very special place in Fettes history and their contribution to school life is so very valuable to us. We appreciate that there may have been many physical changes since you were at Fettes but we hope you will be able to feel that the unique ethos of the school remains true today. It makes us proud that we have a significant number of current parents and grandparents, as well as prospective families with an existing Fettes connection. Admissions Information Wherever you are in the world, our Admissions Officers will happily guide you through the admissions process,

answer any questions you may have and update you on all that has been happening at Fettes since you left. When you come for an admissions visit, current pupils will take you on a full campus tour so you can show your family where you grew up and relive some of your school memories. Your tour will of course include a visit to your House and an opportunity to meet with the current Housemaster or Housemistress so you can reminisce and rediscover. Our Head, Helen Harrison, would be delighted to meet with you to discuss the Fettes of today and what a Fettes education can do for your child. For all OFs who visit, our College archivist, Craig Marshall (Staff 2014-present), will find some treasures from the archive reflecting your Fettes journey as a memento too.

“A sense of independence, the ability to “A good education is about lasting talk confidently to any age group and to impressions that shape and help you be able to effectively communicate your in later life. Fettes provided me with ideas are life skills which set OFs apart.” those impressions and has largely Old Fettesian made me the person I am today, both professionally and socially. I sometimes wonder where and what I’d be if I hadn’t gone to Fettes.” Old Fettesian

Although, as we go to print, visits to Fettes are not currently taking place, our Admissions Officers remain available to answer any questions you may have. Please email them on admissions@fettes.com and they will be happy to help. We look forward to welcoming you to Fettes in the future but, until then, Skype calls can easily be arranged and fettes.com holds a wealth of information for prospective families.

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

The Philip Family It is incredibly special for the Admissions Team when they speak to a prospective parent who is also an Old Fettesian as it reaffirms that the connections you made at Fettes still resonate with you and your family today. One such example is the Philip family. Doug Philip (Inv-Mo 1999-2005) visited Fettes with his wife Sarahâ&#x20AC;&#x2039;and six month old daughter, Olivia earlier

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

this year. The first of the Philip family, James (Mo 1905-1910) attended Fettes in the early 20th Century and the most recent generation of Doug and his brothers Edward (Mo 1999-2006), Henry (Inv-Mo 1999-2008) and William (Inv-Mo 2000-2010) attended as the fourth generation in the 21st. Craig Marshall was able to find a House photo for each generation at Moredun, over a 100 year period. While

there were some changes in photo quality and indeed hairstyles, the family connection remained. We are delighted that a fifth generation of the Philip family may be joining Fettes, although the House photo will not be a Moredun one, with Olivia being the first female member of her family to join the school!

Fettesian Succession Academic Year 2019-20

On Founder’s Day 2019, some OFs with descendants currently at Fettes and their families gathered at the Pavilion for photographs. Our records show the following Old Fettesians currently have descendants studying at Fettes College and Prep: Great Great Grandfathers: John C Arbuthnott (SH 1870-1876) (Deceased) Great Grandfathers: 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) Alexander I Cumming (Ca 1922-1925) (Deceased) Grandfathers: Thomas C McCreath (SH 1944-1947) Patrick I Barty (Ca 1945-1950) Robert S Waddell (Ca 1945-1950) (Deceased) John G Cumming (Ca 1949-1954) William T Carnegie (Ca 1950-1955) Robert D Ferguson (CW 1953-1958) David G Johnston (Ca 1953-1958) Fathers: Richard Atkinson (CW 1966-1971) Roderick D Watt (SH 1973-1978)

Roderick Miller (SH 1975-1980) David A Cumming (Ca 1979-1983) Charles D Letts (Ki 1978-1983) (Deceased) Stuart H Buchanan-Smith (JS-Mo 1976-1984) 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) Christopher D Johnston (Ca 1983-1988) 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) Mothers: Joanna M Prosser (Ar 1983-1983) Louisa M McEwan (née Greatrex) (Ar 1983-1984) Cordelia E Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982-1984) 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) Lorna C Duff (née Bennett) (Ar 1988-1993)

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

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 Memorial Trust was set up in 1983 in memory of Rob Watt (SH 1911-1916) and his wife Barbara. A distinguished OF, Rob’s 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 Trust aims to give financial assistance to pupils and alumni from 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.’ Last year, a former Fettes pupil Charles McGlone (Ca 2008-2013) applied to the Trust, to assist funding his Masters in Vocal Studies at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. After completing his undergraduate studies in History at the University of St Andrews, Charles worked in London for another OF, Ella Robertson (CW 2006-2010), at One Young World. Having been a music scholar at Fettes and being heavily involved in the music scene at St Andrews, auditioning for the conservatoire was still a daunting challenge so Charles was delighted to accept an offer in April 2019. THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

The Trust awarded a grant of £950 towards Charles’ course, which is the first step on the path to becoming a professional opera singer. Before starting the course, Charles was fortunate to perform Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro at the New Generation Festival in Florence for HRH The Duke of Kent. As part of the programme, Charles has weekly classes in Italian, French and German alongside singing, coaching, and acting sessions. Twice a term there are performances of opera excerpts to expose the students to an array of opera and to work with directors from theatres across the UK. There are also business and marketing lectures alongside academic modules on music psychology, composition, music history and the role of music in modern politics. Public performances and masterclasses are a vital component of a performance degree. Charles has been fortunate to be selected to perform for directors from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden and Opera Holland Park as well as Nicky Spence, a young opera singer enjoying an international career. Charles has started to perform as a soloist across London, but COVID-19 has of course led to the cancellation of

some fantastic opportunities, not least a debut with the British Youth Opera. But like many organisations, Zoom has become a vital tool to maintain progress. Not only have regular sessions moved online but there is an increasing emphasis on the importance for artists to record and produce their own material as opera venues adapt or sadly close. This crisis has forced many to re-evaluate their aspirations but, in the spirit of Italians singing from their balconies at the beginning of the crisis, Charles believes that music must continue to entertain, connect and inspire. 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

The Iain Macleod Award

Aurora, Storms and Fermented Shark Evan Li (Ki 2014-2018)

In the days leading up to Christmas, my sister Jade and I travelled to Iceland to hunt for the northern lights. Initially, I had planned to go by myself and to trek through the country by bus whilst sleeping in tents. If I had done that, I would probably not be alive to tell the story today. We arrived in Reykjavik in the early evening and were immediately transported into a Christmas wonderland. The island had just been hit by the biggest snowstorm in nearly a century, which meant that every car, building and street was covered in snow. Everywhere you looked, families had put up Christmas lights to counteract an otherwise dark Icelandic winter. Two days later I found myself in the northern part of the island in Myvatn, a town situated by a frozen lake. We arrived in the afternoon, by which point it had already become pitch dark, so we decided to visit the local thermal baths. Unbeknown to us, there was a storm brewing in the northeast. This had driven away the visitors and left behind the two of us and an equally oblivious group of Korean tourists. In the crisp of the night you could see the ominous clouds flying past, but the tranquillity and warmth of the baths masked their true meaning. The next morning, we travelled to a frozen lava field known as Dimmuborgir. It is here where Mance Rayder, from the popular TV show Game of Thrones, set up his wildling camp. The black volcanic formations in contrast with the otherwise bleak and desolate landscape made for a truly surreal experience. At this point, the wind started to pick up and forced us back into our SUV. At the local tourist information point we were told that the wind would be a ‘little bit stronger’ this afternoon, but that it was safe to travel 200 kilometres eastwards to our next destination, Egilsstaðir. It is important to note here that between these two points there was nothing but snow, Icelandic ponies and (according to myth) trolls. The first half of the 16

journey went smoothly, but when the road led around a mountain into a steep valley, things started to change. The wind started slapping icy snow against the shaking car. Indeed, you could see little further than five metres. Only a few brave Scotsmen would venture out into this weather, but I am neither brave nor a Scot. The question we were faced with was whether we should follow the storm’s direction back to where we came from or push through the storm for 100 more kilometres. We decided to do the latter. The next five hours were intense, but if there is one pearl of wisdom I have gained from the experience it is this: do not open your door in high winds. I was made to understand this when a car appeared behind us. This was the only sign of life we had seen since the beginning of the storm, so I felt the desire to ask how they were getting on. As I pulled the door handle, the wind ripped me out of the car. Somehow, I managed to scramble back into the car and suffered only one casualty: my hat (see picture of me at diamond beach with my turban-like scarf). The second half of the trip was much more relaxed. In the eastern and southern part of the island, the road (not roads, as there is only one road available in most parts of Iceland in winter) and weather is much more forgiving. This is, in my opinion, the

most beautiful region. To the left of the road you can see black sand beaches and former Viking villages. To the right you can see Europe’s biggest glacier outside the arctic circle. At Jökulsárlón these two landscapes combine. The glacier’s molten ice spills into a glacier lagoon. This ice gradually floats into the ocean and is then washed up onto a black sand beach. Due to the icy water and weather, these blocks of ice don’t melt, but rather create a unique contrast with the black sand. Quite fittingly, this place is known as diamond beach. Close to this beach we stayed with an Icelandic family. Our host Heida insisted that we eat some Icelandic delicacies. Hákarl is Greenland shark that has been cured using a fermentation technique and hung up to dry for months. I can say a lot of good things about Iceland: the landscape is dramatic and beautiful; the people are kind and helpful; its Viking history is compelling. Try to do everything in Iceland, but don’t eat Hákarl! The main purpose of my trip to Iceland was to see the northern lights. Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough this time round. However, the search for these lights introduced me to one of the most beautiful regions of the world and missing the Aurora only gives me more reason to go back.

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

The Iain Macleod Award

Trip to Estonia Rory Bathgate (PS-Ca 2012-2019) and Isaac Abson (PS-Ki 2012-2019)

During our week-long trip to Estonia, we explored the country with the specific objective of investigating the influence of the former Soviet Union on Estonia’s culture. Our proposed plan for the trip was to visit six major Estonian towns and cities, with many of these towns situated in close proximity to the neighbouring countries of Russia, Latvia and Finland. We started by exploring the capital city of Tallinn. Through visiting museums, admiring medieval buildings and speaking to locals, we noticed the city to be considerably influenced by both its neighbour Finland and its former rulers Sweden and Germany. That said, an Old Fettesian living in Tallinn informed us of some of Tallinn’s other landmarks outside the Old Town that were constructed or made famous by the Soviets during their occupation of more than 40 years. An example of this was the Sokos Hotel Viru, another imposing structure which was the first high-rise building in Tallinn, but more importantly a KGB listening post on the 23rd floor. This building was situated near the Tallinn ferry port, where neighbouring Finns often arrive as part of the ‘booze cruise’ across the Gulf of Finland for a day trip to stock up on Estonia’s cheap alcohol. From standing on the viewing platform at the top of the 125-metre tall St Olaf’s Church (also used by the KGB as a radio tower and surveillance point), we were able to see the many ferries arriving and the many visitors disembarking on foot with large backpacks on. After a day in Tallinn we then headed to Narva, the easternmost town of Estonia, via Sillamäe, a former ‘closed city’ where the highly sensitive Soviet uranium enrichment operation took place during the later stages of occupation. The town’s long avenue, from the town hall to the sea, was built in a neoclassical style reminiscent of the imperial buildings in St Petersburg to make the town more appealing to relocated workers. However, turning left or right at the end of the avenue THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

immediately had us instead drawing comparisons with other post-Soviet industrial ‘monotowns’. Narva had the same industrial feel as Sillamäe, but without the government-created attractiveness: it was a grey concrete jungle set in a rigid grid lined with trees. All the signs in the town were in Estonian. However, from looking closely at the more temporary signs in the shop windows and overhearing the locals converse, the town was unmistakably dominated by native Russian speakers. In Tartu, the second city and cultural capital of Estonia, we spent time walking through the quaint town centre close to the University of Tartu, the only classical university in Estonia which managed to preserve its Estonian culture and free spirit amidst Soviet repression. Nonetheless, a short walk across the town to the KGB Cells Museum revealed the plight of Tartu students, amongst others, against Soviet repression. The tour of the cells featured sinister images, statistics, newspaper extracts and artefacts detailing the brutality of the KGB against individuals, as well as the shocking maltreatment of the Estonian people as a whole. The second-last place we visited was the town of Valga/Valka – two towns separated by the Estonia/Latvia border. Unlike the beauty and vibrance of Tallinn and Tartu, this twin town featured rusting trains and abandoned buildings with smashed windows. What was most interesting about this town was the fact that, despite the open border

being marked only by a striped post, the differences between the Estonian and Latvian side were clearly visible, with the scenery changing very quickly from semi-detached houses and shops to five-storey Soviet-style planned housing. It swiftly became clear to us that Latvia was much more of a Russified country than its self-proclaimed ‘nordic’ neighbour. After a 5am departure from our B&B in Valka (the Latvian side) we headed for Pärnu, the summer capital of Estonia with its huge beaches and seaside resorts. We stayed here for two days to make the most of the blazing sun, before returning to Tallinn for our flight home. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Estonia was a truly fascinating country to visit because our experience was completely different to what we had envisioned an eastern European, post-Soviet state to be like. Despite its dark past, we noticed Estonia’s massive transformation through its seamless transport, clean city centres and high-tech services. As well as this, we were captivated by the ancient architecture of the charming cities of Tallinn and Tartu, along with the beautiful pine forests of the north east, and the stunning Baltic beaches of the south. We were incredibly happy with how the trip panned out, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Trustees of the Iain Macleod Award in awarding us the funds to make this trip possible.

Remembering the Missing

Last year, the OFNL featured an article by David McDowell (Staff 2005-present) looking at the research conducted to determine those OFs and employees missing from Fettes war memorials. The dedication of the resulting new memorial plaques, funded by the Fettesian Trust, was due to take place in May 2020, but unfortunately it had to be postponed. It is clear from last year’s article that a lot of work went into finding these individuals. Here, Andrew Murray (Staff 1983-2014), who started the project, shares an insight into what the project meant to him and the stories of some of those OFs: To have put together a comprehensive list of Old Fettesians, missing from our memorials, who gave their lives in conflicts from the late 19th century to the early 21st century is wonderful achievement. It is due principally to the outstanding research and

indefectible energy of David McDowell (Staff 2005-present) who has devotedly corroborated every little detail. Immediate assurance for the authorisation of memorial plaques to honour the formal pupils was given by the Headmaster, Michael Spens (19982017). As a boy at school I had often sat in our Memorial Chapel, on whose walls were listed names of almost three hundred former pupils, who had given their lives in the Great War. It was always deeply moving to be confronted by the colossal loss, and enormity of the sacrifice. Equally so at Fettes, where our unique and remarkable memorial draws the eye, and all the inscribed names leave one in awe at the number who perished. However, what was missing for me in the first case, and indeed initially in the latter, was any real knowledge of the individuals so named. In my day, the First World War didn’t come into the school history curriculum or

knowledge of the school, yet having had a father and two uncles who served in it, one was more aware than many. What had prompted a greater awareness of those involved was having been asked twice to give the Remembrance Day address in Fettes Chapel. It provided an opportunity to become more familiar with those who had given their lives – six heads of school between 1909 and 1915; the memorial panel in the Sandhurst Chapel to the four Anderson brothers (William Herbert Anderson (Mo 18951900), Alexander Ronald Anderson (Mo 1898-1901), Charles Hamilton Anderson (Mo 1902-1906), Edward Kerr Anderson (Mo 1910-1913)); Norman Macleod Adam (Ki-SH 1902-1909), the first senior cadet in the OTC whose name determined the tartan of the Pipe Band; John Argentine Campbell (Ki-Mo 1887-1897), who returned in his late thirties from Argentina to do his duty; Samuel Grant Mellis-Smith (SH 1899-

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Eric Templeton Young (Gl 1906-1910), who went missing at Gallipoli.

Edward Kerr Anderson (Mo 1910-1913), one of the four Anderson brothers all killed in the war.

1905), the uncle of a friend, having left in 1905, was by 1914 a Professor in a College at Lucknow in India, and Richard Phillipson Dunn-Pattison (Gl 1889-1893), a former soldier and author who was teaching at Magdalen College, Oxford. Here are but a few of the remarkable men on our War Memorial. On becoming the College Archivist, my attention was very soon drawn to the sole surviving ‘Register of Fettesians’ who had served in the 19141918 war. It is wonderfully detailed, but in the preface the authors comment on how difficult it had been to elicit a comprehensive return from all the enquiries for information which they had sent out. This inferred that, despite its length and their efforts, there were omissions. Being published quite soon after the war it meant also that those who were yet to die from their wounds would not be listed. For example, George Preston (CW 1944, Staff 19551991) who many of you will remember, once told me that his Uncle, The Revd Bruce McEwen (SH 1888-1893) had succumbed to his wounds in the early 1920s. To me there is no difference between dying from your wounds in a CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) in the immediate aftermath of a battle, to your own home a little later. The fate of some was not known until those taken prisoner returned from captivity. Eric Templeton Young (Gl 1906-1910), who played for Scotland in the last Calcutta Cup match before the war, went missing in Gallipoli during 1915. It was not until he failed to THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

return after the war that his death was confirmed. Fortunately, his name made the war memorial list. Some of you may remember how during the 1980s our Chaplain, The Reverend (Dr) David Weekes (Staff 1974-1994) twice in morning chapel used the service and sacrifice of G.G. Smith (SH 1875-1890) to illustrate the theme for the day. Dying at the Battle of Spion Kop in 1900 during the Boer War, his name is not recorded on the Memorial in Chapel. Talking with Miss Alexia Lindsay (1987-2007), my predecessor as archivist, a fount of knowledge, did much to increase my awareness and knowledge of Fettesians and their service, as indeed she did for my Third Form historians whom I would ask her to address. So, sitting in the Archivist’s chair as the centenary of 1914 approached, one was progressively learning more about the individuals involved. Requests from outside for information on Fettesians and their service was to enhance this, for example from Magdalen College, Oxford, who were producing a booklet on their graduates who had served and died, also from (Sir) Anthony Seldon and David Walsh who were seeking detailed information and source material for their book Public Schools and The Great War: The Generation Lost (Pen and Sword 2013). What particularly stirred me to start a list of Fettesians missing from our Memorials was finding that Kenneth

McKenzie (SH 1906-1913), who had been killed in 1914 serving in the London Scottish, was not on the War Memorial, but that Kenneth McKenzie (Gl 1896-1901), a Royal Scot, dying in 1918, was included. Before moving away from Edinburgh in late 2014, and thus closing my chapter at the archives, a list of some twenty names had accrued, dating from before 1914 to post 1945. Amongst these was a grandson of Dr Alexander Potts, our first Headmaster (1870-1889), Ronald Alexander Hendy (SH 19061911) who was killed at Cork in 1922. This list was passed onto David McDowell, who did truly magnificent work, testament to that being the plaques which have now gone up on the War Memorial wall containing forty-eight names, and an additional board in Chapel with a further thirty-six. Amongst these are listed eight College employees who had been killed on the Western Front. It moved me greatly also to see that a pupil of mine from the 1980s, who had been killed in a war zone in 2004, was included. The Inscription on the Fettes College plaque in St George’s Church, Ypres comes from the Chapter ‘Fettes and the Great War’ written by Major General John Hay Beith CBE, MC, (pen name Ian Hay) (Ca 1890-1895, Staff 1901, 1906-1912) in Fifty Years of Fettes 1870-1920, and is concluded in the book as ‘a record of devotion and duty second to none’.

Regional Engagement We are in touch with 5996 OFs from 83 different countries. There are 29 OFA Regional Reps around the world:

South America (2) North America (2) UK (9) Australia/New Zealand (2)

Africa (3)

Europe (5)

Asia (6)

Outside the UK, the largest number of OFs can be found in: 1 USA 2 Hong Kong 3 Australia 4 Canada 5 Germany

*All figures correct as of June 2020 20

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

OF Regional Representatives

Regional Representatives – UK

Regional Representatives – Overseas

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

Australia (Victoria) David Davidson (Inv-Ki 1961-1965) ddavidson1@optusnet.com.au

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

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

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

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

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

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

North East England Alastair Ross (JS-Gl 1981-1990) alastairross33@hotmail.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hong Kong Alice Stevenson (Ar 2006-2001) Aice.stevenson@HKland.com India Duncan Watkinson (Ca 1961-1965) duncan.watkinson@turbocam.com

Japan Shizuka Harada (née Okamoto) (Inv-CW 1993-2000) shizy999@gmail.com Middle East Luke Daly (Ca 2001-2006) luke@moosa-daly.com New Zealand James Purves (SH 1980-1985) jamespurves@mac.com Philippines Neil Kindness (SH 1974-1979) neil@vertigofilms.com Republic of Ireland David Baxter (Mo 1983-1988) neil@vertigofilms.com Singapore & Malaysia Rosie Thompson (SH 1984-1986) rosiethompson68@gmail.com South Africa (Gauteng) Stephen Fish (SH 1980-1981) fishman@iafrica.com South Africa (Kwa Zulu-Natal) David McLennan (Ki 1959-1962) davemclennan@sai.co.za Switzerland (Suisse Romande) Christopher Milne (SH 1974-1979) christopher@camilne.com United States of America Davidson Gordon (Gl 1957-1962)

We would love you to get involved as a Regional Representative – especially in areas lacking one. If you think you can help, please email ofa@fettes.com.

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

OF Golf Society Review Andrew Soulsby (JS-Ar 1973-1980)

The Stenhouse Quaich at Elie is the traditional foursomes’ warm-up for the Halford-Hewitt amongst the Scottish Schools. This year, Fettes were third, behind a resurgent Edinburgh Academy. Captain Douglas Philip (Inv-Mo 19992005) invited 12 golfers to participate in the event, all of whom attended dinner on Friday night at Richard Philip’s (Mo 1976-1981) house and then the Saturday night dinner at the Elie clubhouse. A good showing on Saturday had Fettes in contention, but the howling gale on Sunday blew away the team’s form and chances of winning. Gordon Archibald (Ki 1994-1999) and Scott MacLennan (Ki 2001-2006) remained unbeaten for their matches. At the Halford Hewitt in April, six of the team arrived at West Sussex on the Monday, to be greeted by OFGS President Richard Smith (CW 19651969) and Life Member Donald Steel (Gl 1950-1956). After last year’s rain, we were treated to a fine day on a beautiful course before moving on to Deal. We were drawn against Bishop’s Stortford at Royal Cinque Ports in the first round, whom we were widely expected to beat comfortably. Two matches won before the 12th green, but the other three matches were 3-down, 3-down and 4-down at the turn. However, Stan Morrison (Gl 1990-1995) and Ramsay Wilson (Gl 2001-2002) rallied to win 2&1 for a 3.5-1.5 victory. We faced King's Canterbury in the second round, and eventually fell to a 4-1 loss. As Senior Scottish Wayfarers Defending Champions, Fettes had high hopes of retaining the trophy and finished second in the qualifying stableford on the Saturday afternoon. Following the excellent black-tie dinner that evening at Western Gailes, we played Glenalmond on Sunday morning. While Francis Clark (Gl 1966-1969) and Chris Mather (SH 1973-1978) won, the other two couples succumbed on the 18th green. Glenalmond went on to win the tournament. In our other spring matches, we lost 6-4 to a Strong Marlborough 22

side at Sunningdale, with notable contributions however from debutants Angus Robertson (Gl 2007-2010) and Malcolm Watters (JS-Gl 19751982). The OFGS hosted the School at Bruntsfield Links, with the Secretary buying lunch for Gordon MacLeod (Ar-Mo 1978-1983), James Tulloch (Ca 1987-1991) and Jonathan Dunn (Mo 1989-1994) before the match. Unusually, all the OF pairs won, resulting in a 3-0 victory on a blustery day of 4-ball better ball, reversing last year’s 3-0 loss. As ever Worplesdon in June was in splendid condition for the Cyril Gray tournament, and the weather lived up to the occasion. Richard Dickinson (Mo 1966-1971) last played for the Fettes team here 17 years ago; Graeme Matheson (Gl 1975-1980) had never played in the event; and so, it was a mixture of youth and experience that faced Whitgift, who beat us last year, in the first round. This year we prevailed 2.5-0.5 but then lost 2-1 to Edinburgh Academy on the Friday morning. Our annual triangular match at Panmure in August was back up to six a side and Fettes retained the mythical trophy beating both Merchiston and Glenalmond. We were represented by David Paterson (Mo 1959-1963), Alastair Paterson (Mo 1960-1964), Alastair Cuthbert (Ki 1949-1953), Dale MacLennan (Gl 1986-1990), Allan Hogarth (SH 1981-1984) and Jonathan Dunn (Mo 1989-1994).

On a crisp September day, Royal Burgess was in tremendous condition for the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Cup. Fettes went further in the tournament than we had for a number of years, beating Perth Academicals and Royal High before losing on Sunday afternoon to a Glasgow High side that had already defeated 3-time defending champions, Stewart’s-Melville. The final match of 2019, between Lorettonians and Fettesians based in the south east, took place at Worplesdon in October (where it has been held since 1981). This year’s match resulted in a tie – 4.5 points each. Fettes trailed 3-2 at lunch but rallied in the afternoon to force a half overall. Many thanks to Hamish Irvine Robertson (Inv-Gl 1997-2003) and Tom White (Ca 1989-1994) for taking over organising this match going forward, replacing Stuart Murray (Mo 19611966) who has done sterling service over the years! As with so many societies, the golf season has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many fixtures cancelled, and major uncertainty over the others. The regular tournament organisers will be looking for participants nearer the time, once we have confirmation that the events are going ahead.

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

OF Shooting Report David Hay (Ca 1991-1996)

It seems a lot of people were busy this February and as a result numbers were a little short at the OF shoot with three OFs at the range. However the low numbers didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put a dampener on proceedings as there were some supportive pupils present. With Alastair Readman (Gl 1981-1986) and Allan Jardain (SH 1976-1980) on the rifles, it was a matter of quality over quantity! Dr Rob Concannon (Staff 2014-present), presumably impressed THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

and somewhat proud of the progress of his OF shooters made the proposal that we might take the OF shooting team to the next level and start to take part in official competitions such as the prestigious Watsonian Open. With this ambitious goal in mind Rob was running a tight ship at the shoot to ready the team for the formality and regulation of competition shooting; the laid-back sandbag props were replaced by the binding constraint of

the shooting jackets and slings and the results were very encouraging. If there are any hot shots out there keen to take part causally or competitively at the OF shoots (all OFs welcome!) please submit your interest and email address to ofa@fettes.com and we will ensure you are kept up to date with any OF shooting opportunities in the coming months.

First Girls at Fettes

Early girls in 1974/1975

11th September 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of the first girl arriving at Fettes. What began as an ‘experiment’, considerably enriched life at Fettes with the school roll now fully coeducational across the College and Prep. In 1969, Amanda Mackenzie-Stuart (Gl-Ca 1970-1972) was a pupil at a girls’ day school in Edinburgh. She was unhappy there and wanted to move elsewhere for her final year of school. Her Father, Lord Jack MackenzieStuart (Ca 1938-1942) was a Governor at Fettes. He asked Ian McIntosh (Staff 1958-1971), the then Headmaster, whether Fettes would take her on. Amanda became, in her own words, the ‘experiment’. Instead of following her father into Carrington, it was decided that she would be attached to Glencorse due to her family’s existing friendship with the Buchanan-Smiths who ran the House. Amanda joined Glencorse for Area and made use of the Day Room but was granted permission to ‘use the facilities’ in the BuchananSmith’s home, attached to Glencorse. Less than a month into Amanda’s time at Fettes, the Queen Mother visited the campus to open the 24

Amanda Mackenzie-Stuart (Gl 19701971) presenting a bouquet to the Queen Mother

Science Block as part of the Centenary celebrations. To avoid the complexities of agreeing which Housemaster’s daughter should present the Queen Mother with a bouquet, it was decided that Amanda should take on the duty. This act unknowingly became an advertisement. The press photograph of a female pupil at Fettes giving the Queen Mother a bouquet was widely distributed. Just several weeks later a second girl, Nicola Fairlie (Gl-Ca 19701972), came to Fettes with several more registering to come in the subsequent academic year. Girls at Fettes were no longer an experiment. As Ann Leslie (Ca 1971-1972), daughter of Carrington Housemaster, Michael Leslie (Staff 1951-1985, HM of Ca 1960-1975), was to become a pupil in September 1971, it was decided that all the girls should be attached to Carrington. This remained the case until 1975. Interestingly, the first girl boarder came in 1972. Nikki Cooper (Ca 1972-1974) was the daughter of OF Thomas Cooper (Gl 1940-1945). Although she lived in Moredun with the McMurray family, she was still officially a member of Carrington House. She recalls clearly how the arrival of a

boarding girl was clearly an additional challenge for the school. At the start of her first term, when the Day Girls went home, she would go back to Moredun during CCF or Sport and ask the McMurrays what she should do. David McMurray (Staff 1964-1976, Governor 1994-2012, Chairman of the Governors 2006-2012) would always say ‘join the boys’. So, this was how, without a plan, Nikki was the first girl to join the CCF and to take part in skiing at Hillend and Sub-Aqua. Retrospectively, she sees that Fettes really tried to make admitting girls work. Joining in was actively encouraged. It was only once when a girl, Victoria-Louise Happer (Ca 1972-1975), wanted to play rugby with the boys that staff declined, for fear perhaps that she might get seriously injured. But, so as not to disappoint, soon enough Victoria was trained to run the line and became a highly adept member of the ‘Rugby Team’ with her flag. Victoria was the first Fettesienne to go on to Oxford, where she read Classics at Brasenose. Girls were involved in drama, music and debating from the start and then in CCF, but it wasn’t until 1976-77 that Fettes girls played team sport. Alison THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Black (Gl 1976-1978), daughter of OF Colin Black (Gl 1945-1948), came to Fettes in 1976 with her friend Jane McGregor (Ca 1976-1978). Both had been at a girls’ school together in Aberdeen and both were keen young sportswomen. They were keen for competitive sport to be available for girls at Fettes and pushed hard to be allowed to participate. Alison tells us, “we tried to create what opportunities we could, including playing rugby which

was short lived! There were no sports facilities for the girls, and for many academic girls, in particular, there was little appetite. We did get a hockey team going, which I am delighted to hear has continued to this day.” With the Fettesian reporting on girls hockey in 1978: “It was a team full of trepidation that set off, escorted by Mr Holmes, to play Cranley but a jubilant team that returned to Fettes to a cheering reception at tea from

Arniston House Photo Summer 1985

the astonished male members of the School. In this match I felt that we were hampered from increasing the score from 2-0 by our scanty knowledge of the rules (a free hit for us being a rarity indeed). The aggression which tends to creep into our game is perhaps as a result of watching too many rugby matches.” To see some of our video interviews with the early girls, visit fettescommunity.org

Girls wearing the new girls blazer in 2016, with Debbie Spens (Staff 2007-2017)

KEY DATES Fettes First Girls 1970 First Girl, Amanda Mackenzie-Stuart (Gl 1970-1971) 1972 First Girl Boarder, Nikki Cooper (Ca 1972-1974) First Girl in CCF, Nikki Cooper (Ca 1972-1974) 1976 Sport for girls was not made compulsory until 1981, but matches were played from 1976-77 against other schools – firstly in hockey and tennis and then lacrosse and athletics. 1977 First Girl School Prefect, Stella Manzie (Ar 19761978) 1981 Girls in the Junior School 1982 Girls in Third Form 1992 First Girl Head of School, Julia Close (CE 1988-1993) 1993 First Girl Head of CCF, Ashley Graham (Ar 19891994) 1993 First Girl Pipe Major, Rhona Cousin (CW 1991-1993) 1994 First Girl Head of RAF Section, Kate Workman (CE 1990-1995) 1999 Establishment of Head Boy and Head Girl instead of one Head of School 2012 Parity between the genders could be said to have happened when Dalmeny opened in 2012. At that point there were only 30 more boys than girls, a narrowing of the gap from over 60 more the previous year. Girls have not as yet ever outnumbered boys…

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Girls’ House allocations 1970-71 Glencorse 1971-75 Carrington 1975-80 Carrington, Glencorse, Arniston and Kimmerghame 1980-82 Carrington, Glencorse, Arniston, Kimmerghame and Moredun 1982 Arniston opened as a Girls’ House 1982-88 Dalmeny House, then part of the College, was the Day Girls’ House 1984 School House became a Girls’ House 1988 School House was split into two Girls’ Houses, College East and College West 2012 Dalmeny House was built near the West Gate and opened as a fourth Girls’ House Girls’ uniform ʜ At the start there was no uniform, the girls were merely advised to come to school ‘sub fusc’ ʜ Up until 1982 girls wore any skirt, any blouse and any jersey ʜ In September 1982, uniform was introduced in the College, namely a kilt and V neck jumper of choice with a white blouse ʜ In 1984 a formal uniform / summer uniform was introduced for girls which consisted of the school blazer, white blouse and a brown cotton skirt ʜ In 1990 House jumpers were introduced: green for Arniston, red for College West and burgundy for College East ʜ In 1997 the Fettes tartan was introduced, at which point all girls began wearing the uniform tartan kilt ʜ In 2016 a blazer was added for the girls, to complement the uniform of today 25

Commemoration Weekend 2019

The weekend of 4th-6th October 2019 saw the 67th Annual Commemoration Weekend take place at Fettes College and with it, the return of many OFs, not only from across the decades but also from across the globe, including Donald (CE 1949-1952) and Eric Filishill (SH 1976-1979) flying all the way from Chile to take part! We kicked off the weekend on Friday evening, with a drinks reception in Callover Hall. Around 40 OFs and their guests joined us, reuniting with each other and also with staff. For some, despite having left slightly more than a few years ago, entering through the main doors into Callover Hall still felt like they were breaking a School rule. On Saturday morning, the OF flag flew high alongside the School Flag from flagpoles on top of the College. In keeping with tradition, the day began with the OFA Committee Meeting,

followed by the AGM. Before the AGM, OFs gathered in the Old Music Room for coffee. In the AGM, Helen Harrison, attending her first Commem as Head assured OFs their School was in good heart and in safe hands moving forward. OFs then joined together for an impressive ‘school lunch’ in the Dining Hall, where many were heard to comment that “Lunch wasn’t like this in my day!” – a fact demonstrated in some style in the week following Commem, when Fettes won the Healthy Eating Category at the Independent School of the Year 2019 Awards. Recent leavers joined us in the MacLeod Centre for a Hog Roast as they took part in the first the ‘Lifting the Lid’ session of the year. We are incredibly grateful for the fantastic show of support from OFs who spoke to the L6th about the different career paths they were on. Many who took part knew first-hand how valuable these

sessions are to students, having been some of the first L6th to experience them when the programme first started. At the same time, a very special reunion was going on. The winners of the Cock House 1964 had returned to Fettes for Commem and to celebrate the 55th anniversary of their triumph. Five of the College West boys (Peter Close (CW 1959-1964), Andrew Mitchinson (CW 1960-1964), K Riddell (CW 1961-1965), Sir David Reid (CW 1960-1965) and David Lyle (1960-1964)) from the winning team gathered at the Pavilion, alongside their Housemaster, George Preston (SH-CW 1944-1950 and Staff 1955-1991). Complete with the cup, they recreated the moment, 55 years on. Later the group from College West were joined by their teammate, Campbell Watson (CW 1961-1965). It was not only sporting fixtures of the past being celebrated by OFs at Commem. Not dampened by the rain,

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

OFs stood stoically on the side lines, supporting Fettesians playing in hockey and rugby matches as they made their own sporting mark on Fettes. No Commem would be complete without House Visits and this year was no different. All Houses were open, with many OFs going to look around ‘the best house’. For some, this was the first time they had been back since leaving School, and the first time their loved ones had seen this part of their lives. There was a particularly special reunion for Carrington with Housemaster, James Weatherby (Staff 2007-present) welcoming back 2014 leavers Rory Hardie (Ca 2012-2014), Rory Martin (Ca 2010-2014), Jamie Eedle (I-Ca 2004-2012), Ruaridh Gale (Ca 2009-2014) and Peter Lee (PS-Ca 2008-2014), who suffered a lifechanging accident whilst on holiday in Portugal shortly after leaving the school in 2014. Many Old Fettesians and Fettesians were involved in fundraising to get Peter home after the accident. THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

It was very special that Peter was able to join us for Commem. With the evening’s activities approaching, the Dining Hall was transformed with Fettes’ colours into a venue fit for the highlight of the weekend, the Commemoration Dinner. Guests arrived and had time to look round photographs and other materials from the Fettes archive in the Dining Hall Foyer, featuring reunion years and other Commem guests. These displays spanned from our oldest OF in attendance, Harper Cuthbert (Ki 19481951), to the five year leavers from 2014. Led by the President of the OFA, Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 19821984), the top table were piped in by current Fettesian Will Farquharson (Ki 2018-present). Despite only being in the Fourth Form, this was not Will’s first encounter with OFs as many in his family have attended Fettes, including his cousin, Kirsty Haslam (CW 20042009), who was at Commem as a 2009 Leaver.

It is clear from the photos that the Fettes spirit was alive and well at Commem. Even after a rousing rendition of Floreas Fettesia brought the formal proceedings to a close, guests mingled and chatted before continuing their celebrations in town or heading home. Despite the late night, it did not deter Chapel attendance and there were an impressive number of OFs present and ready for Chapel the following morning at 11.00am. Richard Davies (Staff 2006-present) delivered a meaningful address that expertly provided thinking points for all members of the congregation. Anyone present at any point during Commem Weekend 2019 did not have to look far to see evidence of wonderful Fettes friendships and happy reunions amongst the OFs on campus, leaving guests in no doubt that Fettes really is a family for life.

A View from the Common Room 2020 Neil Ward, President of the Common Room (Staff 2008-present)

Writing this review feels daunting in many ways. To start, I am writing this having just taken over the role of President from Yvonne Mitchell (Staff 2006-present) this Summer Term. Yvonne has achieved so much since taking over from Rob Harrison (Staff 1991-present) at the start of the year but quickly came to the conclusion that the post was incompatible with her role with Fettes Guangzhou. Under her watch, we have seen many welcome developments, the most fundamental of those being the opening up of the Common Room facilities to the whole staff here at Fettes. It feels like a significant step forward. The second reason writing this feels so daunting is to do with its last author. Rob’s previous editions have so eloquently summarised the influence key changes within the school have had on the Common Room over the years while reminding us of the things that have stayed so reassuringly familiar. In his eight-year tenure, Rob made the role of President seem so effortless and we feel incredibly lucky to have had someone of his talent and experience in the post for so long. The final reason this feels so daunting is the situation we are currently in with the global pandemic. Social isolation is not something that Fettes staff are used to and any slight 28

anxiety I might have had about writing this piece has been amplified by the impact of months living in a world that feels much smaller and less familiar than before. So, I aim to follow the common theme to Rob’s previous reviews. Change. There have been two key events that have had an impact on the Common Room in the last twelve months. The appointment of Helen Harrison (Staff 1996-present) as Head and the global pandemic. As I write, we have no idea how the pandemic will affect the school over the next year. It has been an incredibly stressful time for all and one which will be remembered for many years. When contingency planning for ‘learning from home’ first began in the Spring Term, it seemed like such an unlikely outcome. It was reassuring, however, to know there were plans in place. As the news of the virus’ spread intensified, trips were cancelled and the first few Fettesians started to make arrangements to leave early to get home for the Easter holidays. The thought of how we were going to deliver our lessons, never mind the rest of the Fettes experience, from behind a computer screen was all a mystery and one which none of us wished to experience. Easter holiday plans were cancelled and our time under strict

lockdown was spent adapting lessons to make them deliverable in a digital format. The IT team, led by Jason Pitt (Staff 2017-present), went into overdrive. So Summer Term arrived, and we rose to the challenge. Timetables were adapted, lessons were delivered and meetings were carried out, all through the portals of our computer screens. Houses were brought together digitally for social events and we were all inspired by the work being done by so many of the Fettes community, raising money or aiding those in need at this time. With all the uncertainty brought by the virus, the news of Helen Harrison being confirmed as Head was all the more welcome. It couldn’t have come at a better time. If there was one person to lead the school through this most challenging of times, it would be her. One thing the events of the last few months have highlighted is just how lucky we are at Fettes to be part of such a cohesive and caring community. Fettes has wonderful architecture, history and reputation, but it is that community that makes it the place it is. Helen’s appointment will undoubtably continue to strengthen that most important of assets and when we finally get to the other side of this, we will appreciate it all the more. THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Old Fettesian Events 2019-2020

It’s fair to say that OF events this year have faced challenges beyond our control, from protests to pandemics. We remain incredibly grateful to all our Regional Reps who organised events, whether they went ahead or not. For those events that were cancelled in Yorkshire, Central Scotland, London, Hong Kong, New York and Dubai, we would like to thank everyone who worked hard organising these gatherings and hope we will be able to reschedule soon.

Isles OFA lunches and was a very proud OF, a loyal supporter of both FetLor and the OFA, could not join this happy gathering, as he sadly passed away in April 2019. Barbara said, “Thanks to all who joined the event, it was great fun and a pleasure to host, Floreas Fettesia. All locally based OFs are invited to join these very relaxed and enjoyable annual lunches, don’t be shy, just do it! I’m happy to host, but I need your support please.”

Old Fettesian Northern Isles Lunch

London Old Fettesian Drinks Party On Thursday 5th September 2019, some 60 Old Fettesians and guests, ranging in age from 19 to 79, gathered in the Clive Room at the East India Club in London for a reception kindly arranged by James Macpherson (Gl 1997-2002). They were joined by the Head of Fettes, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996-present) and the Director of Development, Nicola Pickavance (Staff 2015-present). OFs shared fond and happy memories of their respective times at Fettes and reminisced about members of staff who had had meant so much to them. So much so that Helen and Nicola came away with messages for colleagues still teaching at Fettes, which they duly delivered on their return to Edinburgh. In her address, Helen shared her vision for Fettes which is clear and uncomplicated. Her vision is that every Fettesian should receive the best allround boarding education the College can deliver, whilst never forgetting what a privilege it is to attend Fettes. She thanked the Fettes community in London and the South East for all they do for Fettes and highlighted our upcoming 150th birthday. It is Helen’s hope that OFs, wherever they are in world, are able to remember what Fettes means to them at some point between 5th October 2020 and Founder’s Day 2021. Everyone present was left in no doubt that Helen is extremely honoured

On Sunday, 18th August a group of Old Fettesians gathered on Orkney for the annual Northern Isles lunch. The event was kindly hosted by Northern Isles Regional Rep, Barbara Graham (Gl 1975-1977) who proudly displays the OFA flag in her garden welcoming Old Fettesians to her home. After gathering at the OFA flag, lunch was held at the Kirkwall Hotel, where all agreed the food was most enjoyable. Barbara was joined by the late Ian MacIntyre (Ca 1953-1958), Nichola Lyons (JS-CE 1984-1990), Jason Lyons (Gl 1988-1990), Ali Ross (JS-Gl 1981-1990), Andrew Rhodes (JS-Gl 1981-1989), Justin Lyons (Gl 1994-1997), along with non-OFs Sarah Ross, Jeremy and Alexandra Brown and, possibly a first for an OF event, the fantastically well-behaved future Fettesians (2021) Izzy Lyons (age 9) and Jamie Lyons (age 4). The only sadness was that Barbara’s brother, Eric Graham (Gl 1970-1975), who had attended all previous Nothern THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

to lead Fettes, a school which, after 20+ years on staff, is in her DNA, and she is excited about what the future has in store. There is one thing we all know – Fettes will not stand still! Eurozone

Old Fettesians and spouses made their way to Dresden from six different countries, by land, sea, road and rail to take part in the 2019 Eurozone weekend on 13th-15th September organised by Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982-84). The highlights were many – historical, culinary, musical and visual, not to mention the wonderful weather. The weekend started with a casual dinner in the Augustiner bar and restaurant, known for its traditional Bavarian beer and cuisine. Needless to say, the party took full advantage of the opportunity to sample such delights as Wiener schnitzel, spaetzle, roast duck and goulash, before turning to the more serious business of pudding. And of course, there was some liquid refreshment as well. On Saturday morning we met our guide next to the statue of Martin Luther in Dresden’s main square and 29

enjoyed a wonderful walk through the city, seeing such highlights as the Frauenkirche, Semperoper and the Zwinger gallery. We learnt lots about August the Strong as well as the innovative spirit of Dresden – Dresden citizens were responsible for some critical inventions including the teabag, the coffee filter and – ladies take note – the brassiere! We transferred to a bus to see some more of the city, including some beautifully restored villas, and then took a ride in the funicular railway, opened in 1895, for lunch and some wonderful views over the city. After lunch it was back down the hill and a stroll across the ‘Blaues Wunder’ bridge, so named for its original colour when it opened in 1893. We then transferred to our next means of transport and travelled back to the city centre via boat, sailing past further examples of Dresden’s impressive architectural history, the Albrechtsberg Palace, Eckberg Palace and the Lingner Palace. The rest of the afternoon was free, and spent variously shopping, sightseeing and snoozing. We met again in the evening for our formal Old Fettesian dinner. This was held in a magnificent private room in a restaurant on the bank of the Elbe. We enjoyed Sekt on the terrace before being piped into dinner by Anthony Orr (CE 1964-1968) – much to the delight of the tourists wandering past. Our delicious dinner was accompanied by excellent wine from a local Saxon vineyard and ended with an enthusiastic rendition of Floreas Fettesia – accompanied by Anthony Orr, now on the guitar. Benjamine Giovannoni sang a beautiful solo for us and then after some more group singing, we returned to the hotel for a nightcap and discussions about next year’s event. The weekend was attended by 18 OFs and partners, many of whom took the opportunity to take their time journeying to Dresden and back home, visiting cities such as Meissen and castles such as Colditz on the way. OFs in attendance were Chris Anderson (CE 1957-1962), Jeffrey Giovannoni (Ki 1989-1994), Norval Gough (Ar 1976-1980), Charles Jeffrey (Ki 1965-1969), Christopher (SH 1974-1979) and Nina Milne (Ar 19831985), Anthony Orr (CE 1964-1968), Alexander (Sandy) Orttewell (Ca 19541959), Cordelia Pilz (Ar 1982-84) and Peter Rockwell (CE 1957-1961). 30

Central Scotland The Central Scotland Lunches, kindly hosted by Sandy Park (Ki 1965-1970), take place in Linlithgow with good food and great OF company, and a warm welcome to any who join. Although COVID-19 disrupted the spring run of lunches, three Central Scotland Lunches were held and well attended in the second half of 2019. Looking ahead, we are hoping the next lunch will be held on 9th September 2020, with two more lunches scheduled for 21st October 2020 and 25th November 2020. If you would like to join, please email ofa@fettes.com or Sandy directly broich.52@btinternet.com.

1991-present), still displays a photo of the Petra family on a shelf in his classroom! It was lovely to see Old Fettesians from across several school generations share their common Fettes experiences, and parents (past, present, and prospective) renewing friendships and making new connections.

Kuala Lumpur and Singapore

In the middle of November 2019, Director of Development, Nicola Pickavance (Staff 2015-present) and Director of Marketing and Admissions, Gemma Gray (Staff 2006-present) set off from Fettes to visit Old Fettesians and parents, past, present, and prospective, in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Sadly, their plans to visit Hong Kong were cancelled shortly before the trip because of a rapidly increasing number of demonstrations taking place the region. Undeterred, they travelled first to Kuala Lumpur where they were honoured to attend an event for the Fettes community, kindly hosted by the Petra family in their lovely home. They were warmly welcomed by Tengku Ibrahim and Nariza Petra and three of their Old Fettesian children, Dhamiri (Ca 2001-2006), Muzzy (Ca 20022007) and Mikey (Ca 2010-2015). Guests were treated to a fantastic supper prepared by Nariza and her two friends, also Fettes past parents, Halena Razak and Ramilah Kamarul Bahrin. Nicola and Gemma were able to share lots of positive news from Fettes, but the story that was greeted with the most enthusiasm was that English Teacher and former Carrington Housemaster, Rob Harrison (Staff

Leaving Kuala Lumpur behind, all too quickly, Nicola and Gemma then travelled to Singapore where they were again honoured to attend an event for the Fettes community, this time kindly hosted by Rosie Thompson (SH 1984-1986), the OFA’s Regional Representative for Singapore, in her lovely home. Rosie was joined by her husband Alistair and their three children, as well as another very welcome visitor from Scotland, her Mum, Rosemary Leckie. Conversations full of memories, stories of Fettes today and plans for the future flowed amongst the guests. Nicola spoke of how lucky Fettesians are to benefit from being part of the warm and caring community that surrounds them both when they are school and after they leave. On their behalf, she thanked the OFs and parents present for the part they play in this. Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes (Staff 1996-present), was disappointed not to be able to join these very special gatherings and sent a message to everyone in attendance. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in making these events such a success and are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to return in 2020-21 to celebrate Fettes 150th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of girls joining the College. Old Fettesians of British Columbia Old Fettesians of British Columbia held a dinner on 7th November 2019, once again at Amici’s Restaurant in West Vancouver, complete with menus printed in the OF motif, and a selection of grilled salmon, braised chicken, rack THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

of lamb, or penne gusto. At last we had an Old Fettesienne in attendance, Becky Ewart-White (Ar 1993-1997), a welcome change from all the curmudgeon talk. Also in attendance was our 95 year veteran, Andrew Milligan MBE (SH 1938-1941). As usual, a good evening was had by all. If there are any new ‘Old’ Fettesians and Fettesiennes in British Columbia, please make your presence known to Regional Rep Nigel Grant: pngrant35@shaw.ca Nine OFs attended: Andrew Milligan MBE (SH 1938-1941); 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); Denis Morris (CE 1967-1972); Mike Robertson (Ca 1967-1972) and Becky Ewart-White (Ar 1993-1997). Edinburgh

On 29th November, 23 Old Fettesians gathered for the bi-annual Edinburgh Old Fettesian Lunch at the Royal Scots Club. A regular event in the OF calendar, this time was particularly special. While a wonderful occasion for friends to gather, there was a notable absentee. The late Ian MacIntyre (Ca 19531958), long-standing organiser of the lunches, passed away in September 2019. As OFs gathered, Ian was fondly remembered by those in attendance, with President of the OFA, Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984), sharing a few words. Despite Ian’s absence, the spirit he had instilled in the lunch continued, and a good time was had by all. THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

The lunch was the first attended by Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes (Staff 1996-present). Helen provided all those in attendance with the latest news from the school and beyond, providing an update on Fettes Guangzhou. Running through all things Fettes, Helen gave OFs a summary of a typical week at school. It was a great example of how some things never change, and others do: while the busy and varied schedule was familiar to OFs, some of the activities were new, including mountain biking! London Old Fettesian Carol Service

Over 250 Old Fettesians gathered in London on Tuesday 17th December for the London Old Fettesian Carol Service at St Michael’s, Chester Square. The congregational singing was at true Fettes volume with the additional treat of an excellent reformed Chapel Choir led by David Goodenough, Director of Music (Staff 1998-present). The Service was led by Revd Simon Downham (Gl 1975-1980), with an address from Duncan Watkinson (Ca 1961-1965). Traditional readings were heard from Amanda Forsyth (née Baker), President of the OFA (Ar 19821984), Mark Peel (Staff 1983-2007), David Simpson (Mo 2001-2006) and Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes (Staff 1996-present). The atmosphere after the Carol Service was one of complete friendship as OFs enjoyed meeting and greeting old and new friends over mulled wine, with mince pies very generously provided by Leakers Bakery, courtesy of Jemima Hastings-Dasent (CE 19881992). As we go to print, it is far from clear if we will be able to gather for the London OFA Carol Service this year on 16th December, but we will keep OFs informed. Newcastle On 17th January 2020, Old Fettesians gathered at the Northumberland Golf Club for the Newcastle Old Fettesian

Dinner, an event which first took place in 1953. They were joined by Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes (Staff 1996-present), who received a very warm welcome from this year’s Dinner President, Nick Steenberg (Mo 1969-1973). Helen spoke after dinner of how honoured she was to be Head of Fettes. She shared some recent school highlights with the assembled company. The President of the Old Fettesian Association, Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984), led a toast to Helen and spoke of how proud the OF community was that Helen was leading the school. Phil McAndrew (Ca 1969-1974) replied on behalf of the guests and summed up the mood of the room when he spoke of Helen’s obvious passion for Fettes. We were also delighted to be joined by John Rodgers (Mo 1974-1979), who, having reconnected with his old school chum, Ed McNaught (Mo 1974-1979), at Commem last October, promised to travel from his home in Dubai to attend the Newcastle Dinner with Ed. What a brilliant effort! Gauteng, South Africa

Regional Rep for Gauteng, South Africa, Stephen Fish (SH 1980-1981) writes “On 23rd February 2020 the Gauteng Branch of the South African OFA was 31

graciously hosted to lunch by John Rollason (CW 1962-1966) and his wife Fiona, ably assisted by children Sophie and Peter, at their home in Benmore, Sandton. “It was a lovely warm Sunday with an abundance of Mediterranean starters served with pre-lunch drinks on the patio. As per tradition, the Fettes Grace was delivered by Andrew Spence (Ki 1957-1961) as the most senior OF which was followed by a hearty lunch with an excellent selection of wines. A variety of superb desserts accompanied coffees and fine Scotch. “Attendees this year included Andrew Spence (Ki 1957-1961) and his wife Lorna, Willie Rankin (Gl 19671972), his wife Maureen and their son Chris (Staff 2009), Hitesh Desai (SH 1976-1981) and his wife Sonia, Stephen Fish (SH 1980-1981) and his wife Maria, Elena Kachkova (Staff 1993-2002) and her husband Nigel Wilkes, Fleur Rollason (Staff 2005) and her partner Nick Hodgson. “The Gauteng OFA wishes the organisers of the 150th anniversary of Fettes College, all the very best of success with their plans for the celebrations in 2020. “Should there be any OFs in South Africa, who would like to be part of our annual lunch, please do not hesitate to contact me: fishman@iafrica.com.” North West Dinner On Friday 28th February, a very happy gathering took place in Little Bollington at the Swan with Two Nicks, courtesy of Richard Robson (CW 1957-1962) owner of the establishment. Richard joined us with his wife Maggie, his son James (JS-Gl 1985-1993) and his partner Lisa. We are very grateful to Richard for his continued support of this event. In total some 17 OFs and their guests attended to catch up and reminisce about their shared memories of Fettes College. The event was ably organised once again by Norman Rowbotham (Ca 1963-1968), for which the guests were very thankful. They were also joined by Fettes’ Director of Development, Nicola Pickavance (Staff 2015-present), who addressed the assembled company to update them on all things Fettes. She brought with her a message from Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes (Staff 1996-present), as well as news of the many things our 766 current Fettesians have been getting up to lately. 32

Guests were also treated to Allan Paterson (SH 1975-1979) addressing the haggis with great aplomb. It was especially lovely to welcome some new and returning faces to this dinner, but sad that some regular attendees were unable to join this warm and welcoming gathering this year. We do hope that next year OFs can gather in the North West to celebrate Fettes special birthday and take a moment to remember what Fettes means to them. USA Virtual Catch-up

On 23rd May 2020, Old Fettesians based in the USA gathered online for our first ever virtual event, ‘Coffee & Catch-up with the Head’. OFs were keen to meet up after the annual New York gathering, due to take place in April, was postponed as a result of COVID-19. We are hoping to reschedule the New York Drinks Reception to Friday 13th November 2020, circumstances permitting, so please save the date. The Coffee & Catch-up was attended by OFs located over 1000 miles apart in the USA, from New York to Alabama and Florida. It was brilliant to have a wide range of the Fettes community represented, with OFs who had attended school in the 1940s all the way up to the 2000s, and most decades in-between. We were delighted that Fred Graham-Yooll (Gl 1946-1950) chose to join us on his 88th birthday. OFs were given an update from Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes (Staff 1996-present), and had the opportunity to ask questions about the school, which is delivering a Learning from Home programme to pupils during the COVID-19 outbreak. Technology is also being used to connect the OF community with the launch of the Fettes Community portal, and attendees were encouraged to join the 1000+ members who have already registered. Jones Pharr (Ca 1995-1996), President of Friends of Fettes College Inc., outlined the activities of the

Fettes community in the USA, adding that we are keen to organise more regional events across the country. Amanda Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 19821984), President of the Old Fettesian Association, confirmed that plans for the 150th anniversary of Fettes are in progress, and reported that she was excited to have seen a special preview of our forthcoming book, Fettes: Our Place which sits at the heart of our plans. We would like to thank all attendees for taking part in our first virtual event which was a very enjoyable way to catch up with OFs. Please email ofa@fettes.com if you would like to arrange an online gathering for your region or class. Presentation of Rae Family Medals In November 2019, the Rae family’s Military Crosses and other medals were presented to the McManus Galleries, Dundee. David McDowell (Staff 2005-present) shared the story with us: In the long history of Fettes’ military connections, one of the most impressive records is that of the Rae family. Stanley (Gl 1926-1931), Ian (Gl 1929-1934), Douglas (Gl 19311937), and Bruce (Gl 1935-1938) from Broughty Ferry, served with distinction in the Second World War, and in a ceremony in November, their medals were presented by Stanley’s son, Ian (Gl 1961-1965) to The McManus, Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum. The brothers were keen members of the Fettes Corps, and by the time Bruce left school in 1938, it was clear that their military training would be necessary. As international tensions mounted around the Munich Crisis, the Spanish Civil War, and Kristallnacht, OFs were joining the Territorial Army in great numbers: ten members of the London Scottish were pictured in the November 1938 Fettesian. Douglas Rae, who gave some memories to the school archive, remembered that most of his friends were in it, and “we used to meet at their headquarters in Buckingham Gate at weekends and drink much beer”; Stanley was in the Honourable Artillery Company, again with many old friends. When war broke out, Douglas was the first to see action in the Blitzkrieg of 1940, as signals officer in the 1st Gordon Highlanders. Seven OFs were THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

killed and nine captured in May-June of that year as the Germans swept into France. Douglas was one of thousands of officers and men of the 51st Highland Division taken prisoner by Rommel’s 7th (‘Ghost’) Panzer Division at St. Valéry. In his memoir in the school archive, he recorded how the captured Scots were marched from France through Belgium to the Rhine: “We carried a few of our possessions – I carried some books – but later we became exhausted and let them drop. The German guards with rifles wouldn’t let us pick them up, though afterwards they send a truck and gathered them up and returned them to us. In the French and Belgian towns people in the streets watched us pass in silence, and some brought us hot soup and poured it into our tin mugs. When we reached the Rhine we were put on boats which took us into Germany down to near a town called Laufen, near Nuremberg, where we were locked up in an ancient castle.” So many OFs had been rounded up in the BEF’s defeat that Douglas was one of nine recorded as attending a Fettesian-Lorettonian dinner at Laufen Castle (officially Oflag VII C/H) that November. One of the OFs present later died of appendicitis but Douglas survived, and it was a great privilege at the Dundee event to see the actual letter he sent to his family when he was liberated after five long years in captivity. The other Rae brothers saw action later in the war and were all decorated for their courage. Stanley was involved in the heavy fighting in Italy, and was awarded the Military Cross following THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

an engagement near Perugia, when his guns each fired 600 rounds over two days in an advance through the enemy German defences. Ian, commissioned into the 76th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery (Dundee Gunners), set sail for war at D-Day in 1944. In his own letter to the school’s war archive, he recorded that as his unit set sail from Newhaven, they sang so enthusiastically that an observer would have thought they were all going on leave. The choppy seas soon put paid to that jollity as seasickness set in; Ian had taken medicinal precautions and was “almost the only officer able to serve out the maps which were unsealed on the afternoon of 5 June.” For about 90% of the men on the landing craft, he remembered, “it was the first time they knew for certain where the landing was to take place.” Ian served with the British armies which liberated north-western Europe in 1944-5 and was awarded the Military Cross in October 1944 “for his outstanding leadership and courage under sustained and intensive fire” following fierce fighting at Venray, near the Dutch-German border. Bruce Rae, who had joined the Gordon Highlanders in 1940 to avenge the defeat of that regiment by Rommel in 1940, when Douglas was captured, was one of only three officers in his battalion to have made it from their first deployment in 1941 to the liberation of the Netherlands. In North Africa, he saw action at El Alamein and in the advance on Tripoli, and was wounded twice; he was awarded the Military Cross for “cool and selfless courage”

in leading his men in a daring bayonet charge. In 1944, he was again wounded in an attack on a country house near Boxtel in the Netherlands. Shot twice in the chest and once in the jaw, he was lucky to survive; his last words before passing out were “Don’t forget, whatever happens, C Company must take their objective.” A comrade’s post-war memoirs noted that he “nearly always led his company himself, and rarely deigned to take cover.” He won a bar to his MC, but was tragically killed in an accident after the end of the war whilst on duties with the British occupation forces. The brothers’ Military Crosses and other medals were presented at a ceremony at The McManus attended by local historians, McManus staff, members of the Fettes community, and 25 members of the Rae family. Stanley’s son Ian Rae (Gl 19611965), who has put together a detailed account of the brothers’ war service and was instrumental in organising the event, said “We are delighted that the medals are remaining in Dundee, just a street away from where the family business of McIntyre and Rae operated from. We are also proud that these medals are coming under the expert care of The McManus staff to enable future generations to learn of the courage and sacrifice of the Rae Brothers.” By a special arrangement, the Rae family have asked that the school will have special access to the medals, and Ian has kindly given his book of research about the brothers to the Fettes library. 33

OF News

We love it when OFs contact us. Please do keep us up to date with your news and contact details throughout the year by emailing ofa@fettes.com. 1940 William Hogg (Ca 1944-1947) saw the Fettes logo on a school minibus at the foothills of Ben Nevis by chance and told Rhys Rowlands (Staff 2014-present) and Kitty Synge (Staff 2016-present) his memories of his time at Fettes. Jamie Robertson (Gl 1947-1951) writes “I act as a Fund Manager for a local Investment Club which is fun although not always very remunerative. I belong to the Signet Group, which is largely composed of Chartists, but you have to do business presentations which is good for the mind. My youngest daughter, Fiona Petheram, launched her Drift Jewellery business recently, based on things found on the beach. The family finally got the book about the early days of MI5, written by my grandmother, Constance Kell, in 1942, published. For security reasons

it could not be published earlier. It is called A Secret Well Kept and was the untold story of Vernon Kell, the Founder of MI5. I still play nine holes of golf at The Springs Club near Wallingford and walk the dog! Life is still fun.” 1950 Roderick Watson (CW 1951-1956) is a founding trustee of Mvumi School Trust that supports the Diocese of Central Tanganyika’s boarding school at Mvumi. He visited the school for its 25th anniversary celebrations. The school of over 600 has more than 20 blind and visually impaired students. They can arrange for gap year volunteers (info@mvumischooltrust.org.uk). Sheriff Colin Scott Mackenzie (CE 1952-1956) was awarded an OBE at Buckingham Palace in 2019 for services to the community in the Western and Northern Isles. Paddy McFarlan (Gl 1954-1959) writes “I matriculated the arms of McFarlan of Keithtoun, a cadet branch of the clan, in my own name, Patrick Iain McFarlan of Keithtoun.

“The process through the Lyon Court took several years and involved proving my lineage back to the first person who matriculated the arms in 1693, ten generations. That was the easy bit, I then had to prove that all other lines had ceased without male heirs. “Unfortunately, I started the project after my contemporary, David Sellar (Gl 1954-1959), retired as the Lord Lyon and I was sad to see has since passed away.” Douglas Bruce (Ca 1955-1960) writes “Probably the most significant event that I can report from the last year was the invitation to play an organ recital in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Moscow (on 25 September 2019). I had some 40 years previously played the same instrument in its former home, Basel Cathedral Switzerland, so it was something of a reunion. “In October 2019, I played further recitals in Ayr Town Hall (where I met Alistair Pickles (Ca 1955-1959), who shared a dorm with me in Inverleith, and a study while in Carrington), Rugby Parish Church, St. Mary Redcliffe

Rhys Rowlands, William Hogg and Kitty Synge 34

THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Church Bristol, and St. Michael’s Church, Highgate.” Professor John McKean (CE 19571962) writes “I have had another solo exhibition of photographs in Italy in 2019 and have a planned two-person art exhibition in Lewes, England for late 2020. Otherwise kept busy with two books on architect Walter Segal currently in the publication process.” Alastair Sharp (Gl 1957-1963) writes “Since retiring from my full time job as an Immigration Judge in London I returned to Uni to become the oldest student at Strathclyde for my Mediation Masters and at Loughborough for my Diplomacy and International Security one (basically spying!). Met a wide range of fascinating people from all over the world with who I remain in regular contact. Future Prime Ministers, Ambassadors, Presidents and the like all on Chevening Scholarships. I felt most humble but pleased to invite my group to such British experiences as the Scottish Highlands and Carol Services in the village square in Highgate. “I have taken up keeping Bees, in particular Scottish native Black Honeybees and am inter alia a Board member of the SBHBS. I have become an Independent Prison Monitor and a Member of the Childrens Panel and I am a Board Member of the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust. “I spread my time between the Highlands and London where my

wife Ann maintains her practice as a QC specialising in high net worth divorce. We are currently isolating in the Highlands together with two of our daughters and are finding it increasingly easy to maintaining contact and in Ann’s case her practice, by Zoom and the like. As to my ‘work’ I have returned to my old Chambers in the Temple as a Mediator and am also the founder and sole proprietor of my small mediation business ASMediation which I conduct from London and Scotland where I am a member of Scottish Mediation. I am also a Board Member of the Strathclyde Mediation Clinic where I conduct Pro Bono Mediations. “OFs in London and Glenlivet are always welcome to visit for a chat and taste my honey. My mobile is 07774325944.” Lt Colonel Grenville Johnston (Mo 1958-1963) retired as Lord-Lieutenant of Moray on 28th January 2020. He was made a Freeman of Moray by unanimous vote of Moray Council to recognise his service to Moray. He went for a well-deserved holiday to the Nile and Red Sea and returned just as the COVID-19 era started. He was asked by his successor to create, chair and manage The Moray Emergency Relief Fund which he did, and it has raised £130k in donations. His retirement was short lived! Nobel Laureate, Professor Sir Angus Deaton (Gl 1959-1964), was

awarded an Honorary Degree from Cambridge University in 2019. 1960 Ian Stuart (Gl 1962-1966) writes “I have lived the past 46 years in Sydney, Australia. I am now mostly retired and a Rotarian. Each week I present Rotary Matters, a one-hour programme on local community station, Triple H 100.1 FM. We tell stories about Rotary causes, projects and people. I’d be interested in interviewing on air any OFs with an interesting Rotary story to tell.” Ian Macmillan (Ca 1965-1969) writes “I live in the east of France as I approach my 69th birthday. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1974, I came to Paris aiming to improve my French language skills. I hadn’t bargained on meeting my wife and today, 46 years on, we have four children and are awaiting the birth of our fifth grandchild in two months.” Willy Morgan (Mo 1967-1970) writes “I just retired last year to Asheville, North Carolina after nearly 10 years as a Foreign Service Officer with the US Department of State. I served as a diplomat in Germany, Slovenia, Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba.” 1970 Dr Alison Brown (Ca 1973-1975) has been elected to the National Academy for Engineering in the United States of America and will be inducted in October. Election to the National

Ian Stuart THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Paul Sowerby

Colin Cunninghame-Graham

my adult life as a Junior Navigational Academy of Engineering is among the Officer with the Ben Line when I was highest professional distinctions in the field of engineering and Alison is one of nineteen!” Andrew Lownie (Mo 1974-1979) only 20 women selected this year. published his highly talked about book Chris Fleming (Mo 1973-1978) The Mountbattens: Their Lives and has co-founded, alongside his sons, Loves in August. a digital mentoring platform to help members with career guidance 1980 and up-skilling. mentorxchange Robin Sperling (Gl 1977-1981) writes (www.mex.network) is an open “The main news is the birth of my son, access platform enabling users to Artùr Hugo, born 22nd November 2019. book sessions with experienced Artùr is my fifth child but the first with professionals. The platform will also my second wife, after the passing of my have content to inform and guide first wife seven years ago. Otherwise people along their career path. He is all well in Hungary with the art and the happy to hear from all OFs wishing to farm.” step change their careers. Sue Glanville (née Watson) (Gl Paul Sowerby (Ki 1973-1978) 1982-1983), daughter of Roderick suffered a cardiac arrest while playing squash in February this year. Due to the Watson (CW 1951-1956), is co-founder and director of a PR firm called Catalyst fast response, Paul thankfully survived. Comms. As an active man, Paul did not expect Professor Angus Watson (Ar-Gl this to happen to him. Since recovering, 1980-1984), son of Roderick Watson Paul was asked by the British Heart (CW 1951-1956), is now on the Council Foundation to write an article, Under of the Royal College of Surgeons of Arrest, explaining what happened, Edinburgh. looking at potential reasons for why it President of the OFA, Amanda happened and what to do if it happens Forsyth (née Baker) (Ar 1982-1984) and to you. We are pleased to say that her daughter, Sandy Forsyth (PS-Ar Paul is on the mend, as you see in the 2009-2018) were both shortlisted for picture! the 2020 Edinburgh International Flash Colin Cunninghame-Graham (SH 1974-1977) writes “In April I received my Fiction Awards. Guy Rutherford (Ki 1982-1987) Captain’s and 100-ton Master’s licence. writes “I am married, to Tatiana with I will be Captaining a 60 ft luxury motor two children, Eliza and Sebastian. I am yacht and doing Captaincy work for a trading equities from home.” local bespoke charter company. This Emma Bettany (née Watson) (Da is coming full circle for me as I started

1985-1987), daughter of Roderick Watson (CW 1951-1956), is a chef and owner of a restaurant and small hotel in Leek called Peak Weavers. During the COVID-19 lockdown, she is distributing her gourmet meals to clienteles’ homes. Jamie Burnham (Ca 1984-1989) writes “I remain in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with service in Africa and the Middle East. I am undertaking a research fellowship at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University from this autumn, looking at how data technologies can support foreign policy decision-making.” Kirsty Watson (Ar 1987-1989), daughter of Roderick Watson (CW 1951-1956), successfully climbed Mt Everest in May 2019 via the North Ridge route. Her previous attempt with the armed forces (Kirsty is a reservist and has served in Afghanistan) in 2015 was aborted due to the Earthquake. She is the lead clinician in an urgent care centre in Cumbria, with a ward of 28 COVID-19 patients.

1990 Barbara Jones (née Laing) (CE 19901991) writes “Alongside teaching French part-time, last year I made my first solo recording as a singer and have been giving song recitals and performances in Edinburgh and London in recent years. Find me on Facebook @BarbaraJonesMezzo.” Tanya Mayne (née Taggart) (CE 1990-1992) writes “Since I last sent THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

an update, I have changed career and returned to my place of birth, Northern Ireland. After 12 years as an expat, where I qualified as a teacher of English as a Foreign Language, I am now Head of EFL at Campbell College, Belfast, where I help many of our international boarders perfect their English and pass iGCSE and IELTS exams in order to be able to apply for UK universities. “I now live with my family in Holywood, and whilst schoolwork continues courtesy of lots of Zoom classes, we have also been busy making cotton masks for those in need, including several nursing homes here. My daughter and I have made close to 200 masks on her sewing machine! We’ve also been enjoying making stables at our house so we can bring her pony home for the rest of lockdown and we’re doing lots of gardening and home-baking. We have tried to avoid supermarkets and do the weekly shop at our local farm shop instead and are all hoping this quieter, calmer life will continue for the sake of the planet! I would love to meet up with other NI OFs. Chania Carr (née Harris) (Ar 19871992) has got a group of us together on Whatsapp and it has been lovely catching up on everyone’s news.” Gemma Douglas (CW 1993-1998) writes “I had a baby girl with my partner Barry Gow on 12/2/19 – her name is Poppy Lucia Gow.”

boys and we feel very fortunate, despite Wai-Shin Chan (Gl 1993-1998) the inevitable chaos and noise!” writes “I head up HSBC’s Climate Change Centre of Excellence and was 2000 delighted to be invited to give a lecture James Macpherson (Gl 1997-2002) on Climate Change at Fettes on 20th married Elise Midelfart on Saturday 14 September 2019 – coincidentally, the September 2019 in Vence, France. day of the global climate strikes. Pupils Kay Chan (Mo 1999-2003) is studying Geography, Science and serving his last year on the Board of Economics attended. It was a pleasure Directors of the International Academy to meet and interact with current of Collaborative Professionals. He teachers and Fettesians. Afterwards, writes “Collaborative Practice is a I was given a tour of my old house – multidisciplinary team-based dispute Glencorse. Much has changed over the resolution method that helps people past quarter century, but it is still oh experiencing relationship break downs so familiar! Many thanks to Victoria to find their way forward. It has been Vardy (Staff 2013-present), for her an honour and privilege for me to serve kind hospitality. I even managed a little with this organisation for six years. reunion with Jamie Thomson (Ki 1993I hope my work has and will indirectly 1998).” help families experiencing relationship Lorne Balfe (JS-Gl 1987-1995) break downs to go through less trauma composed the score for the BBC show and give children better futures.” His Dark Materials and will score George Biagi (Gl 1999-2004) was Hamish Grieve’s upcoming animated selected for the Barbarians match sports comedy Rumble from WWE against Wales and choose to wear Studios and Paramount Pictures. Fettes rugby socks for the occasion Ursula Anastasia Aring-Dinnis, Olly Lang (Ca 1999-2004) writes (CW 1994-1996) is leading Public Affairs efforts in Brussels and Europe at “After eight years together, I finally Swiss-based medical science NGO, The pulled my thumb out and proposed to my partner, Ruth, on her birthday in European League Against Rheumatism. March. We have made the (maybe crazy) Alison Freshwater (née Graham) decision to hold a modern, COVID-19 (CW 1993-1998) writes “My husband friendly wedding on our rooftop on the Duncan and I have welcomed our third 13th of June! So, with a month to plan son, Magnus Lachlan Clive Freshwater, a wedding and all of our family abroad into the world as a brother to Archie (5) (as well as lots of friends), we are and Innes (3). They are a happy trio of

Magnus, Archie and Innes Freshwater THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

working hard to create a live stream setup of the event while figuring out what works for the many time zones to which we want to broadcast. “I’m learning a huge amount about the advantages and challenges of A/V and live streaming, including trying to not break the bank, dealing with relatively slow internet and for those who can be there in person, the challenges of living in a remote location. We are also trying to have a sustainable wedding with nothing disposable, no cut flowers and sustainably sourced food and drinks. “In the end, weather permitting, we hope to have somewhere between 4060 people on our rooftop and almost 200 watching the live stream, including a couple of ‘digital bridesmaids and groomsmen’ who will, hopefully, be able to take part from afar. “In a way, the restrictions make things a little simpler and it has highlighted to us that if someone can’t go to a wedding, there’s no reason to miss it if a little extra work goes into setting up a live stream. Technologies’R’Us!” Andrew Shearer-Collie (Ki 20002005) married Charlotte Tansill 15th July 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Alistair Paul (Ki 2000-2005) and Craig Shearer-Collie (Inv-Ki 2001-2005) were his best men and Jamie Kelly (Ki 2000-2005) and Ned Carpenter (Ki 2001-2005) were his groomsmen. Andrew is a Senior Vice President – Corporate Communications at FleishmanHillard in New York City.

Andrew Shearer-Collie 38

He travelled to Edinburgh in 2019 for the Edinburgh Festival, meeting up with Alistair Paul (Ki 2000-2005), where they visited Fettes and showed his wife and parents-in-law around.

“OFs Daniel Park (Inv-Gl 20022008) and Victor Terziev (Inv-Gl 2000-2008) also attended the event in Bucharest. Andreea and I enjoyed planning both our weddings so much that we decided to help others with advice and pencilled down our notes into what is now fast becoming an online wedding magazine, Wedding Wow Factor.”

Dhamiri Petra (Ca 2001-2006) writes “During these unusual times of COVID-19 with entire countries going on lockdown, our little bundle of joy brought some light to our lives. Our daughter, Tengku Iona Lily Petra (pictured at one month old), was born on the 19th of March (the first day of lockdown here in Malaysia).” Mihnea Gamulescu (Gl 2006-2008) writes “I married my fiancée, Andreea Gherasim, in the summer of 2019. She is also an OF but in her case an Old Felstedian. We met while studying for our undergraduate degrees at Aston University and eight years later we got married, not once, but twice in one year, gathering friends from all over the world in both Kidderminster, UK and Bucharest, Romania. We held a civil ceremony in the UK and had a relatively small party, while in Romania we had a religious ceremony followed by a larger party.”

Hamish Archie Alec Young born 11th January 2020. A lovely little brother for Evie (5th October 2017). Blessed with two OF parents Hannah Young (née Clarke) (Inv-CW 1996-2004) and Alastair Young (Mo 1997-2002), one OF uncle, Edward Young (Ki 1998-2003), two OF aunts, Lucy Clarke (Inv-CW 1999-2007) and Amiel Clarke (Inv-Ar 2000-2008), and delivered by two OF midwives (Al Young and Lucy Clarke strike again!). Surely a first?! Rosha Fitzhowle (Ar 2005-2009) has joined the opera ensemble of Theatre Aachen as a soloist.

Mihnea Gamulescu

Ali Waugh THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

2010 Ella Robertson (CW 2006-2010) featured in The Telegraph’s ‘35 Women under 35’ and in Vogue as one of seven inspiring One Young World Activists. Arabella Hamilton (Inv-Ar 20022012) was nominated for the Douglas Smith Prize at the PRCA awards for best young public affairs practitioner in the UK.

Jack Mackirdy (PS-Gl 2005-2012) writes “At the beginning of the year our company ‘John Mackirdy Ltd’ was asked to write a piece for the Parliamentary Review’s Transport Publication. We were very honoured and humbled to have been given such a prestigious invitation. The piece was mostly focused on local issues which we face as a business, but also provided a little bit of background and history of our company. A history that has something in common with Fettes as John Mackirdy Ltd is celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2020, something we are very proud of and look forward to. “In November we were also awarded ‘Scottish Haulage Company of the Year 2020’ at the Transport News Awards. It was a very special moment for all involved.” Jake Wightman (Gl 2008-2012) has had a fantastic year, coming 5th in the 1500m at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, setting a personal best. Gabie Lang (Inv-CW 2005-2013) was shortlisted for the We Are The City Rising Star Award 2020 Top 100. James Watson (Mo 2012-2014), son of Angus Watson (Ar-Gl 1980-1984), and grandson of Roderick Watson (CW 1951-1956), got a First in Chemistry in his master’s at Heriot-Watt and was awarded the Dr James Sandiland prize. James starts his PhD in Sydney. Ali Waugh (PS-Da 2009-2016) writes “When I left Fettes in 2016, I went to Aberystwyth University to study Veterinary Biosciences. I worked on two brilliant farms during my time there. Unfortunately, due to personal circumstances, I made the decision THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

to drop out six weeks before my graduation. “That turned out to be the best thing I ever did. Dropping out allowed for my career as a farm worker to blossom into one as an assistant farm manager, managing a dairy herd of 500-head of spring calving cattle on the Welsh border. I’m up at 4.30am every day to milk the girls, before commencing other tasks like grazing management, fencing, vet visits etc. I document much of it on my social media in a bid to be more transparent about farming practices, and to bring the farm closer to the British public. “My right-hand girl is my little collie, Pip – my first working dog of my very own. She’s turning out to be the best investment myself and my partner Dan have ever made. “I’m very much looking forward to the next half of the year as silage starts, we approach the breeding season and Pip develops in her training. I may not have graduated yet, but I am exactly where I need to be. Sometimes, happiness is found in the simple comfort of a sunlit tractor cab with the company of a dog at your feet, knowing you might be home after dark, but you’re doing your bit in Keeping Britain Fed.” David Sinclair (PS-Ca 2013-2018) and Mark Bushby (Mo 2013-2018) hosted the British Run from Home Festival, including the aforementioned Jake Wightman (Gl 2008-2012), doing a live warm-up, to raise money for four charities: Masks 4 NHS Heroes, Access Sport, Cancer Research UK and Meningitis Research Foundation. Many from the Fettes community joined in from their homes. Former Staff The Revd Dr David Weekes (Staff 19741994) has published another book, John Buchan’s Kid Brother, from his rural fastness in north east Fife. Mark Peel’s (Staff 1983-2007) book Ambassadors of Goodwill: On tour with the MCC 1946-71 [Pitch Publishing] was shortlisted for The Cricket Society and MCC Book of the Year Award 2019 and his Playing the Game? – Cricket’s tarnished Ideals from Bodyline to the Present was shortlisted for The Daily Telegraph Cricket Book of the Year. His Cricketing Caesar – A Biography of Mike Brearley has just been published and his The Hollow CrownThe Cricket Captains of England from 1945 to the Present is due out in August.

Keeping up to date with news from the College and the Fettes community As ever, Fettes is a very busy place. To keep up to date with news from the College, please keep an eye on this page on our website: www.fettes.com/news-events News articles this term provide information about what Fettesians have been up to whilst learning from home. From eco-modelling and set design to weekly academic round-ups and remote coffee concerts, we hope you will agree there is little doubt that Fettesians have been kept as busy as ever in these unprecedented times. They have risen to the many challenges they are facing right now, as have their teachers. They are all keeping fit, being creative and, importantly, helping others. The student-led Fettes Equality Society published a news article sharing the resources they have collated, in response to recent events across the US, to help the Fettes community understand more about the Black Lives Matter movement and to learn how to make a difference. OFs who we are in contact with via email will have received an email in this regard from Helen Harrison in June. To keep up to date with news from the Fettes community, please keep an eye on this page on our website: www.fettes.com/familyforlife/news Throughout the year, this page is where you will find news relating to OFs and OF events as well as significant news from the School, such as the announcement in April that Helen Harrison had been confirmed in post as Head of Fettes. This term’s news articles include an excerpt from the Fettesian in 1949 on the anniversary of VE Day, news of OFs volunteering and working for the NHS and a report from a virtual ‘Coffee and a Catch Up’ with OFs in the US on Zoom! From time to time, and especially recently during lockdown when we are working from home, we have been communicating significant updates via email. If you are not receiving these updates and would like to, please email ofa@fettes.com and ask us to add your email address to our database or simply sign up to the new Fettes Community portal at fettescommunity.org.

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 and former staff listed in this edition of the Newsletter. This list includes news of deaths we have been made aware of up until 1st June 2020. If you know of any omissions, please do let us know by emailing ofa@fettes.com. Throughout the year, when we are notified of a death, we update the following page on our website: www.fettes.com/familyforlife/alumni/ sadly-departed. 1930s James ‘Jim’ McNeill Lester (Gl 19341938) passed away at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, on 15th October 2019, aged 98. At Fettes, Jim was a member of the Literary and Dramatic Society, the Debating Society, the Natural History Society and the Chess Club. A box of memorabilia from Jim’s time at School, affectionately known by our Archivist, Craig Marshall (Staff 2014-present), as ‘Lester’s Box’ was donated to Fettes. Some of this will feature in our forthcoming 150th Anniversary publication, Fettes: Our Place. Our thoughts are with his son Eric. Ian Grant Henderson (Ki 19361939) passed away on 24th April 2019, aged 96. In 1943 Ian joined the RAF, serving in Bomber Command as a navigator. During his service, Ian received the Distinguished Flying Medal. He remained a member of the Bomber Command Association throughout his life and attended the opening of the Bomber Command memorial in June 2012. After the war, Ian studied Law at Edinburgh University before joining his father’s firm, Henderson & Mackay, which together they built into a successful practice. While working as a lawyer, he met Elizabeth and they married in 1951. Ian was also involved in the Lockerby Trust, a charity providing subsidised housing for those in need. He is survived by his 40

wife, Elizabeth and family members. Philip John McDouall (Mo 19381942) passed away peacefully on 26th March 2020, aged 95, at Chelston Gardens Nursing Home in Wellington, Somerset. At Fettes he was Head of House, a School Prefect and enjoyed cricket and the High Jump. He was a member of the Music Club and involved in the CCF. The family hopes to arrange a memorial later in the year to celebrate his life.

Neil Irvine (Gl 1938-1940) passed away peacefully, at Thornlea Nursing Home on 12th June 2019, aged 95. Brother to Patrick Irvine (Gl 1934-1938) and James Irvine (Gl 1936-1940), Neil was the dearly beloved husband of the late Cathie, much loved father of Robert, Christian and Victoria and a loving grandfather of Nick, Tim and Neil. Neil regularly attended the Old Fettesian Central Scotland Lunch Club and Remembrance Sunday at Fettes, where he gave the toast each year. Iain F. MacLaren FRCS (SH 19391944), a former President of the Old Fettesian Association, passed away on 3rd October 2019. The following obituary was printed in The Scotsman on 12th November 2019: “Iain MacLaren was a distinguished surgeon who honed his craft under two of 20th century surgery’s towering figures – Professor Sir James Learmonth in Edinburgh and, across the Atlantic, Korean War veteran Dr John M Howard. “Like his mentors, he went on to be respected both internationally, as a surgeon, examiner and lecturer, and at home, where he was vice president of the Royal College of Surgeons in

Edinburgh, where a research centre bears his name. “Yet, as a young graduate, MacLaren’s life hung in the balance when he contracted tuberculosis just as he was hoping to establish his career. Fortunately another Edinburgh physician, Prof Sir John Crofton, had recently developed a ‘triple therapy’ for the potentially fatal infection and the pioneering treatment was a key factor in his recovery, though the illness cost him 18 months of his working life in recuperation. “The son of a GP, it was perhaps unsurprising that he would gravitate towards medicine after leaving the city’s Fettes College, which he attended on a scholarship. Just 17 when he started as a medical student at Edinburgh University, MacLaren graduated MB ChB in 1949, at the dawn of the NHS, and immediately did an internship as house surgeon to Prof Learmonth. He would later return to work with the renowned Scottish surgeon, a man he much admired. “National Service interrupted his career when he served as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps. A proud Scot, he sported his kilt on selection day but his hopes of being attached to a Highland regiment were dashed when he was drafted into the East Lancashire Fusiliers, going on to serve in Egypt and Cyprus. “Then, after a short period as a demonstrator at Edinburgh University’s anatomy department, he went into general practice working with his father, Dr Patrick MacLaren. Although he enjoyed the job, a year later he took the difficult decision to become a surgeon – a choice he never regretted. “The move took him back under the wing of Prof Learmonth at Edinburgh Royal infirmary (ERI), where he became registrar before going on, in the same position, to the surgical unit at the city’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children and later returning to ERI as senior surgical registrar in 1959. “During an eight-year spell there THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

he spent a year in the United States as a fellow in surgical research in Dr Howard’s department at Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr Howard had been a battlefield medic in a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War of the early 1950s. He ran the US Army’s surgical research team in Korea and was reportedly the inspiration for Hawkeye Pierce in the US hit TV series on the conflict’s medics, M*A*S*H. MacLaren fondly remembered his time working with Howard, by then a renowned expert in vascular and pancreatic surgery, and they became lifelong friends. “From 1967 until his retirement in 1992, MacLaren was consultant surgeon to Edinburgh’s Deaconess and Leith Hospitals and the city’s Royal Infirmary, enjoying the contrast between the more informal atmosphere of the former and the great history and heritage of the latter. “Throughout his career he had served the Royal College of Surgeons in the capital, being elected vice president from 1983-86. He also spent many years as an inspector of hospitals, examiner of surgical students, in the UK and abroad, and guest lecturer. That work took him to Iraq, Libya, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Nepal and Myanmar, among others. Latterly he was head of the Professional and Linguistics Assessment board of the General Medical Council, ensuring that doctors who qualify abroad have the right knowledge and skills to practise here. “He was the author of numerous publications but is probably most widely known for his work with coeditor Iain Macintyre on Surgeons’ Lives, an anthology of figures from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh’s illustrious 500-year history. “An immensely sociable, hospitable man and accomplished public speaker, MacLaren also held office in various clubs and societies, including as president of the Harveian Society of Edinburgh, Old Fettesian Association and Edinburgh University Graduates Association. “Outwith medicine he was enthusiastic and impressively knowledgeable about Celtic history, traditions and folklore. Both his parents were Gaelic speakers, something that had rubbed off to some extent. He was a member of An Commun Gaidhealach, THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

chaired the Clan MacLaren Society for many years – one of his proudest moments was leading the march of the clans at the Highland Gathering at Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina – and chieftain of Clan Labhran. “One of his other great passions was music, particularly the bagpipes. He’d been involved with the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society since 1945, serving as honorary pipe-major and secretary, and had been known to pipe the turkey into various Edinburgh hospitals on Christmas morning. “He is survived by his wife Fiona, daughter Catriona, son Patrick and four grandchildren.”

John Cook Ch.M. FRSE FRCSE (Mo 1939-1944) passed away peacefully on 19th April 2020. His son, Andrew, shared the following with us: “John was born on 9th May 1926, in Calcutta, India. From a young age John was sent home to the UK for schooling at Sandown, Bexhill until his father retired to Nairn. There he attended Alton Burn before winning a scholarship to Fettes, where was Head of Moredun House. It was at Fettes that John began his lifelong love of piping. He was Pipe Major when Fettes won the Schools Pipe Band Competition in 1944. “In October 1944 John enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at Edinburgh University together with another Fettesian, sadly also mentioned in these pages, Iain F. MacLaren FRCS (SH 1939-1944). Whilst they knew each other at school, especially through the Pipe Band, it was as medical students that their friendship grew. “In October 1950 John Joined the RAF for his National Service. During this time he was posted as the MO of the flying station at RAF Khormaksar, Aden, which he enjoyed. It was in 1951

in Aden that John met a nursing sister, Flying Officer Patricia (Pat) Bligh and they were married in 1953 in Kent. Iain MacLaren was their best man. “When he came out of the RAF, John was set on a career in surgery. He returned to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and his studies resumed. He passed his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and took up a post as Research Assistant and Surgical Registrar at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford. Then in 1955 John was appointed as 1st Assistant in the Department of Surgery at Makerere University College, Uganda. “Whilst on leave in Scotland John was encouraged by Sir James Learmonth to write up his fascinating research on Kaposi’s Sarcoma as a Ch.M. thesis. He returned to his University to be examined on his thesis by Sir John Bruce and Sir Michael Woodruff who recommended that the University award him a Gold Medal for his work. In July 1963 he graduated Ch.M. at that time one of only seven Masterships conferred in Edinburgh since the war and in which time Gold medals had been awarded to only four people. “In 1964 John was appointed to a post of Consultant Surgeon at the Eastern General Hospital, a position that carried the status of Honorary Senior Lecturer in the University Department of Clinical Surgery in Edinburgh. “In 1969 John was elected the Secretary of the Royal College of Surgeons and served in this role until 1972. After his term as Secretary he was re-elected to the Council of the College of Surgeons and served as their representative on the General Medical Council from 1982-86. “In 1970 Prof Alex Haddow proposed John as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. “Through Iain MacLaren, he became a member of the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society and continued to enjoy a few tunes and a dram with old friends at Rose Street Lane when he lived in Edinburgh. “John retired from surgery in 1986 when he and Pat moved south to Clehonger, a small village on the outskirts of Hereford. Even in deepest Herefordshire John was able to continue his interest in piping with the newly formed Kinnersley Castle Pipe Band. 41

“John was devastated when Pat died suddenly 7th June 1998. He continued to live in Clehonger in close proximity to two of his daughters, Christine and Katherine. He also travelled frequently to visit his other children Janet, Diana and Andrew. “In February 2005 John married Judy Hill, the widow of Keith Hill, Headmaster of Hereford Cathedral Prep School. Iain MacLaren again acted as his best man and the happy couple were piped out of the Church by John’s son, Andrew. They lived at Dorstone, near Hay on Wye, where John and Judy ran a very happy home dispensing generous hospitality. During winters they migrated south to Altea in Southern Spain to escape the ravages of British weather and from where they set off on numerous travelling adventures.” 1940s Charles Herzberg (Ki-Gl 1940-1942) passed away on 13th June 2019, aged 95. Many of Charles’ contemporaries will remember his extraordinary experience during his time at Fettes. This account of his experiences is a summary based on Charles’ autobiography: With the rise of Nazism in Europe, Charles and family moved to the United Kingdom. On the advice of his father’s friend, Charles and his brother, Hans Herzberg (Ki 1940-1945), came to Fettes. Until he was 16, Charles was spent his time at school like all other Fettesians. However, a few months after his 16th birthday, while on a Corps Exercise in the grounds, Charles was summoned back to House where the Head, Dr Ashcroft DSO (Staff 19101945) met him with two policemen. They informed him that as an enemy alien over 16, he was to be interned. Having been taken from Fettes, Charles spent time at Donaldson’s Hospital, which had been turned into a prison camp. One day, Charles and a number of other prisoners were transported to Liverpool and the next morning loaded onto MS Windsor. They set sail into the North Atlantic that night, one of three prison ships to leave the port that night. One of the ships, the SS Arandora Star was sunk by a U boat, with all crew and prisoners lost. Charles’ ship successfully made it to Canada where he was set outside work lumbering. Whilst in Canada, Charles met prisoners from all walks of life, 42

including the cousin of WW1 flying ace, ‘the Red Baron’. Almost as suddenly as Charles was summoned to his boarding house, he was summoned by a British Colonel. Realising he was not from a U boat crew but as Charles explained “from the playing fields of Fettes!”, the circumstances surrounding his internment became clear: having been interned, Charles’ papers were lost and the War Office informed his parents that he no longer existed, even presuming he had drowned on the SS Arandora Star. There had been many attempts to find Charles and it was only by chance that he was found, a fact no one had told his parents. Charles began the long journey home which, like the rest of Charles’ experience, did not go smoothly. On arriving back to the UK, Charles was rearrested as no one had informed the British Authorities that they would be arriving. Once released, Charles made his way home. Walking down the road, he saw his father’s car coming towards him. His father, not knowing that his son was alive, went white. Charles wrote to Dr Ashcroft and was soon back to Fettes, although this time to Glencorse as Kimmerghame had been taken over by the Admiralty. After leaving Fettes, Charles went on to study at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, but continued to experience restrictions as an enemy alien.

Michael Gray (Mo 1941-1945), grandfather of Michael Gray (Inv-Mo 2003-2010), passed away on 12th April 2020, aged 92. At Fettes Michael was a House Prefect a member of the First XV. Professor Malcolm Lyons (SH 19411946) passed away on 18th December 2019, aged 90. After leaving Fettes, Malcolm attended Pembroke College with a Major Scholarship in Classics. Reflecting on his life, Sir Roger Tomkys, former Master of Pembroke, said: "Malcolm came up to Pembroke from Fettes with a Major Scholarship in Classics in 1946 at the age of 17, a

schoolboy entering a College full of war veterans. After graduation he did National Service before returning to Pembroke in 1951 to take Arabic in the Oriental Tripos in two years, and join a long tradition of distinguished Pembroke Orientalists. I first met him and his then new bride Ursula in Lebanon in 1961 when he was teaching for an academic year sabbatical and I was trying to learn Arabic at the Foreign Office’s Middle East Centre for Arabic Studies. “For the rest of his long life Malcolm was based continuously in Cambridge and in Pembroke. Elected to the then small Fellowship in 1956 he covered for Tony Camps, in many ways his mentor, as Director of Studies in Classics as well as for Oriental Studies. A long spell as Admissions Tutor gave him great satisfaction and in more easy going times, brought the College a fair number of good golfers as well as Scholars. In the University he rose to become, from 1985 to retirement in 1996, Sir Thomas Adams's Professor of Arabic, a seventeenth century foundation and one of the most eminent chairs in the world of Oriental Studies. His scholarly output was substantial, focussed on medieval Arabic epic and Romance; most accessible is an outstanding translation of the Arabian Nights, to which Ursula contributed translation of the ‘lost’ Nights, for which no Arabic but only early French texts are preserved. He was still working on translations up to his death, but always said he read Classics for pleasure and worked on Arabic because so much basic groundwork still had to be done. “He was of mixed Scottish/Irish ancestry, the son of a Church of Scotland Minister who died when Malcolm was young. His widow settled in St Andrews where golf and membership of the R&A Club from 1962 provided for Malcolm the cement binding many close friendships in Pembroke and outside. He was himself a notably strong player who won major competitions at the R&A off a low handicap despite a notably idiosyncratic method. He had been a mountaineer in younger days, once rescuing his Pembroke climbing companion from high on Mont Blanc when Ray Dolby, then a Research Fellow was overcome by altitude sickness. He and Ursula loved walking in Suffolk, skiing in her native Switzerland and music festivals in THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Salzburg. His last years were sadly Classics for three years. blighted by her death and his increasing “On leaving Cambridge he failed the physical disability; he was effectively medical for National Service and went house and wheelchair bound for the back to teach at Craigflower where he last three years. But Pembroke, with his had taught for a year before he went Pembroke friends and pupils, remained up to Cambridge. This blossomed into a major part of his life to the end.” a long and successful career teaching Professor Lyons was predeceased at West Downs, Bellhaven, Umtali in by his wife, Ursula, in 2016. Rhodesia. He returned to England in Professor James Alistair 1970 to teach at Bilton Grange, near Macfarlane Inglis, CBE LLB (Ca 1942Rugby, where he was appointed Deputy 1946) passed away on 8th November Headmaster in 1984. 2019, aged 90. Known as Alistair, he “He retired to Chetnole, near was a graduate of the University of Sherborne in Dorset, where he had a Glasgow, where he went on to become large garden and took a very happy and Professor of Conveyancing from 1979 to active part in the village.” 1993, and of Professional Legal Practice, Alexander Hay (Mo 1944-1949), from 1983 to 1993. (Sandy to many), sadly passed away on Born in Kilmarnock in 1928, he 10th May 2020. The following words was the son of a lawyer and a doctor. were written by Richard Determeyer He attended Kilmarnock Academy (Mo 1980-1985), his nephew, and before Fettes. He first graduated from sent to us on behalf of the family: the University of St Andrews, before Born August 1930 and brought up in studying at Glasgow for an LLB and the farming community of Perthshire, graduating in 1952. Sandy joined the Fettes community In addition to his work at the in 1944. He was the second in a long University and at McClure Naismith line of family and relatives to attend from 1956 until 1993, Alistair took on the school with his wife Katie’s father voluntary roles, including as chair of attending (W A Watson (Ca 1902-1906) the Rent Assessment Panel; serving (Deceased)), his brother S A Hay on various hospital and health boards; (Mo 1946-50), his brother-in-law M A acting as a general trustee of the Church Watson (Ca 1947-1951) (Deceased), his of Scotland, a patron of the Royal nephew R E Determeyer (Mo 1980College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1985) and of course, his son Peter J Glasgow; a director of the Merchants Hay (Mo 1982-1987). House of Glasgow and many more. He For those that knew Sandy, they will was also Dean of the Royal Faculty of remember him as a kind, gentle, proud, Procurators Glasgow from 1989 to 1992. fit and sporty man who epitomised He was made a CBE in 1984. the very essence of what it is to be a He was first and foremost a family gentleman. There is no doubt that this man, marrying his wife, Elizabeth, in was nurtured during his time at Fettes. 1958 with whom he had five children, Sandy was an all-round sportsman who including OF Alexander Inglis (Ca 1973- excelled in many sports, but it was his 1978). love of cricket where his early passion Gerald Potts (SH-Ki 1943-1949), was evident gaining his place in the brother of Alan Potts (Ki 1950-1955), Cricket XI in only his second year at son of Dr C.L. Potts MRCSE (SH Fettes. He was in the Cricket XI four 1915-1920) (Deceased), grandson of Dr years in succession culminating in his W.A. Potts (SH 1879-1885) (Deceased) captaincy of the XI in 1949. Looking back and great grandson of Dr A W Potts in some of the old registers he featured LLD (the first Headmaster of Fettes prominently in all the write-ups but it is 1870-1889) (Deceased), died on 12th the following excerpt of 1949 that sums August 2019, aged 89. We are grateful up his cricketing prowess. to his brother Alan for providing the following: “Gerald went to Fettes on “A S Hay, the new captain was in a a Foundation Scholarship from West class by himself as a batsman, and House School in Edgbaston in 1943. He when he came out the rest of the side was an outstanding games player at was horribly apt to collapse… But not Fettes: 1st XV three years, 1st XI Cricket, against Watson’s when Hay made 81. Captain of hockey, Captain of fives and The Stewart’s and Loretto matches school champion of squash. He won a were drawn, the latter being a personal Crabtree Exhibition to St Catherine’s triumph for Hay, who made 32 and 61, College Cambridge, where he read bringing his season’s total to 500.” THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

He was not only a proficient batsman as his bowling was just as potent. From those records two matches in 1949 stand out when “Hay had the excellent analysis of 6 for 10” against Stewarts and then followed this up with 5 for 15 against Royal High School. This love and passion for cricket was something he passed on to his son Peter, who also excelled at cricket as seen on their respective boards in the Pavilion. Sandy hooked for the Rugby XV, according to the records was an accomplished ‘flicker’ for the Hockey XI, was in the Fives Tens, was an accomplished athlete winning the Javelin on Sports Day in 1949 and he won the final of the school squash competition that year, 3-1. It was not only on ‘Bigside’ or ‘Turf’ that Sandy excelled. He debated during his time at Fettes and was heavily involved in the CCF. He was the Signals Sgt in charge of all signal training that was an integral part on the points system of cadet grading. A small but relevant personal recollection, was back in the days before the Moredun refurbishment was completed. Sandy, after dropping his son and nephew off at school, found his old dorm cubicle and managed to complete an infamous ‘bar’! It is safe to disclose now the cubicles are no longer, that whilst at school he had dug a small hole in the overhead where he kept a piece of paper with the number of bars he had completed during his time in Moredun. Paper was gone – hole was still there! After Fettes he completed his National Service and was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Signals before returning to Perth where he joined the family business at Hay and Co Ltd (Livestock Auctioneers). He was an excellent single handicap golfer. He was a member at Blairgowrie and enjoyed nothing more than nine holes at the Glenalmond course when harvest permitted. He also played cricket for Perthshire CCC and rugby for Perthshire Academicals and it was here that his most notable sporting achievement was almost realised. He caught the Scottish selector’s eye and after trials became the second-choice hooker for the Scottish XV. Sadly, he was never capped but remained an avid supporter of rugby at Fettes and at Murrayfield. He continued farming in Perth for the rest of his life and was a well-respected member of the Scottish farming community. 43

However, Sandy was never far from the late Mrs Jane Macpherson. He education or Fettes and served as a was born on 1 September 1931 and his Governor of Craigclowan, a local prep childhood was spent in the village of school in Perth. But it was Fettes that Tong in the Isle of Lewis. He maintained Sandy always had close to his heart strong links with his many relatives and keeping in touch with many of his peers, friends in Lewis throughout his life and attending rugby and cricket matches always enjoyed opportunities to speak whenever he could, both at Fettes and Gaelic, which he had spoken since away games. childhood. Sandy was a true Fettesian. He is After the family moved to Edinburgh, survived by his wife Katie, daughter Angus became a pupil at Leith Academy Wendy and son Peter. in 1943, where he spent the next two Professor Roderick Lemonde years achieving distinctions in all MacFarquhar (Gl 1944-1949) passed his school subjects. In 1945 he was away on 10th February 2019, aged awarded a place as a Foundation 88. An article in The Guardian spoke Scholar at Fettes where he spent about Roderick’s career after Fettes. five very happy years and made lifeOn leaving Fettes, Roderick completed long friends. He had a successful his National Service before going on to academic career at Fettes, winning Oxford University to study Philosophy, three Governors’ prizes and an Open Politics and Economics. Roderick Scholarship in History at Worcester continued with his studies at Harvard, College, Oxford. completing his master’s degree which When he left Fettes in 1950, he was would go on to influence his life’s work. called up for National Service in the Working under John Fairbank, a leading Royal Artillery and was commissioned scholar with a focus on the study of as an Artillery officer at the age of China, Roderick also gained an interest nineteen, after which he served in the in China. He published many books on Territorial Army for ten years. China throughout his life and educated In October 1952 he went to Oxford many on the topic. He is considered to study Modern History, where he was one of the most significant sinologists also very happy. He represented his of the last 100 years. College in athletics and cross-country Iain S S McGlashan (CW 1945and was a member of the Oxford Bach 1950) passed away on 1st September Choir. In fact, singing brought him 2019. At Fettes Iain was a House much pleasure throughout his life. He Prefect and a member of the Literary sang in several choirs, including the and Dramatic Society, Debating Society Palmerston Place Church Choir for an Honorary Member of the Science fifteen years where he met Bruce Rae Society. He was the Treasurer and (Gl 1960-1964) who remembers: Librarian for the Music Club and was a member of the Choir, the Orchestra “Angus was a great chap who always and the Dance Band. He won the had time for everyone. It was a privilege Governors’ Music Prize in 1948. He to have known him. His time at Fettes won a Choral Scholarship to St. John’s was well before mine. I first knew him College, Cambridge. Iain left his as a member of the choir at Palmerston body to the University of Glasgow. A Place Church. Indeed, he asked me to musical celebration of his life was join him in the ‘Old Fettesian Choir’ held at Glasgow Cathedral on 9th and we rehearsed in the Music School November 2019. A keen supporter of (he as a Bass and I as a Tenor). Angus the Arts, The McGlashan Charitable was instrumental in inviting me to come Trust was set up in 1992, providing to the Old Fettesian lunches which at grants to postgraduate students and the time were held in the Bridge Inn at organisations in the Arts. Bridge of Allan.” Angus Macpherson (CE 1945-1950) passed away on 10th April 2020, aged From 2005 Angus sang in seven 88. Angus was a well-known figure successive Royal National Mods with in the OF community and a regular the Lothian Gaelic Choir. attendee at the Central Scotland He graduated in 1955, and after a Lunches for over 25 years. The following short spell in industry, he returned to has been compiled from information Oxford for a further year to study for supplied by the Macpherson family: a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Angus Macpherson was the only child and Social Administration, which he of the late Dr Eric Macpherson and gained in 1956. During this time, he 44

passed the examination for entry to the Administrative Class of the Home Civil Service and met his future wife Una. Angus always said that meeting and marrying Una was by far the most important consequence of his time at Oxford. They were married in Peebles in September 1961. After their marriage, they lived for ten years in India Street in Edinburgh's New Town and had two children, Ranald and Catherine. Angus entered the Scottish Home Department in October 1956 and served in the Scottish Office from then until 1987. He was seconded to the Cabinet Office in 1972 to be secretary of a committee to advise the Government on the preparation of legislation. When the committee reported two years later, he was appointed to the Cabinet's economic secretariat and became secretary to the three main Cabinet committees dealing with the government's economic policies. He returned to the Scottish Office in 1976 and was put in charge of schools’ education. He was moved in 1979 to administer acute medical and mental health services. He took early retirement in 1987 and was appointed Chairman of the Management Board of the State Hospital, Carstairs. After he retired, he enrolled as a student in the Open University to study geology, and graduated Bachelor of Science in 1997. He became a member and then President (2010-12) of the Edinburgh Geological Society. He was Treasurer of Palmerston Place Church from 1993 to 2000 and represented the congregation as Presbytery elder from 2002 to 2008. Between 2010 and 2014 he was Edinburgh Presbytery’s representative on the General Assembly’s Committee to Nominate the Moderator. He was for four years Convener of the General Assembly's Central Services Committee. Angus will be sadly missed by his much-loved wife, Una, his children, Ranald and Catherine, his grandchildren THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Lucas, Milo, Amy and Alice, his niece Sarah and nephew, Robin, and their families as he will be by his many friends within the Fettes community. William ‘Billy’ George Martin MBE (Gl 1946-1951) passed away on 2nd December 2019. The following was written by his son, Geoffrey Martin (Gl 1982-1987): “William George Martin known to everyone as Billy was born in Dublin in on 24 April 1933 the son of Herbert and Sheelagh Martin. Herbert had moved in 1915 to Dublin from Belfast to become Managing Director of the family building firm H & J Martin Limited. His first wife Meg McConnell tragically died and Herbert later married Sheelagh who was the daughter of Brigadier General Geoffrey Downing of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Billy has a younger sister Shirley Coburn. Following the death of his father Herbert, Sheelagh married Commander Maurice Church who was Managing Director of Cadbury’s in Ireland. “Billy was educated at Aravon Prep School in Bray and at the age of 13 years attended Fettes College in Edinburgh. After leaving school he worked for a year in Cadbury’s, Bourneville, England. In 1953 he came to Belfast as an opportunity had arisen to join the family business as a trainee manager where his uncle Howard Martin was then Managing Director. At this time he also studied building construction and quantity surveying at the Belfast College of Technology where he made many long lasting friends. It was through the social scene he met Gina whom he married in 1961 and they had three children, Joanna, Timothy and Geoffrey. Billy rose to Director in 1961, Managing Director in 1982, Chairman in 1995 and NonExecutive Chairman in 2005 and retired at the age of 82. During Billy’s extensive career, he was actively involved with the Chartered Institute of Building and was Chairman of the Belfast Centre from 1979-1980, and of the Irish Branch from 1984-1986 and was awarded Honorary Life Membership in 2006. He also served on the Construction Industry Training Board from 1993-1998, and from 1996-1998 was President of the Construction Employers Federation. He was appointed MBE in 2009 ‘for services to the Construction Industry’. In 1989 Billy received the Freedom of the City of London which enabled him to be invested as a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Paviors. THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

“H&J Martin was founded in Belfast in 1839 by Henry Martin. Over the following 176 years the Martins ran a very successful family building and civil engineering business, until its takeover in 2015 by the Lagan Specialist Contracting Group. “During this time, Martins built some of the most iconic buildings in Ireland. As well as buildings many civil engineering projects were undertaken in Ireland such as harbours and the Main Drainage and Pumping Stations for Belfast and Dublin. The Jewel in the Martins crown is still considered to be Belfast City Hall, the design of which was based on a cathedral in Venice and which remains one of the most beautiful municipal city buildings in the world. Billy was well known throughout the construction business as a man of great affability and integrity. He was regarded widely as a “gentleman, and one of the old school”. “He was an accomplished sailor and a lifetime member of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club serving as Commodore 1979. Billy enjoyed many cruising holidays with members of RNIYC to Scotland and further afield. A memorable cruise was to Norway via the Caledonian Canal. By all accounts it was a very stormy crossing where the North Sea was in full cry. Billy was so impressed by how the Contessa 32 he was sailing on handled the crossing that he bought it from the owner some time later. The boat was called Mitigator and the family enjoyed many years of cruising to the West coast of Scotland in her. “Brought up with parents who loved hunting and regularly rode to hounds, Billy became a keen follower of the Sunnyland Beagles Hunt Club. He took an active part in the construction of new kennels for the hounds and became Chairman of the club for a number of years. Together with his family they enjoyed many memorable meets. Billy was greatly liked and respected on the hunting field. As the Beagling season ended the cover came off the boat and preparation for the sailing season began; the two sports dovetailed perfectly. “My father was a family man who had many interests and lived life to the full. With his warm smile, unassuming manner and wise counsel he will be greatly missed by so many.” Nigel Ward (Ca 1946-1950) passed away on 13th April 2020.

We are grateful to Nigel’s daughter Julia Finlay for providing these words: “From Newcastle upon Tyne, Nigel arrived at Fettes in the summer term of 1946. He did his school certificate the following year, then stayed for sixth form and Cambridge entrance (Emmanuel College). He went up in 1952 following National Service. His happiest memories of Fettes were of playing rugby which he did both for Carrington and the College. He went on to play at university and then at Northern Rugby Club in Newcastle until he was 32, retiring after one too many injuries. He kept in touch with Fettes throughout his life via the OFs. “After university he toured and worked in Canada and Australia for 5 years before coming home to help run the family butchers firm in Newcastle, RA Dodds. Nigel was sworn in as a Freeman of the City of Newcastle in 1972 in relation to this. He married Angela Towers in 1962 and they went on to have four children together. In his later career he became a financial adviser. “He was a gifted gardener, talented musician, avid Scottish country dancer, life member of Northumberland Golf Club, and a sharp bridge player, but ultimately a much-missed father and grandfather to his nine grandchildren.” Dougal W H Dick (Gl 1947-1952) passed away on 25th November 2019, aged 85. At Fettes he was a House Prefect and a member of the 1st Cricket and Hockey Teams. He was in the Science and Photographic Societies and a Corporal in the Army section of the CCF. After Fettes he went onto study Agriculture and became a wellknown figure in farming world. Dougal was an award-winning Shetland pony breeder, judge and breed president, a position previously held by his father and grandfather before him. For over 65 years, he bred top Shetlands, winning many awards. In 2010 Dougal was awarded the prestigious Sir William Young Award for his lifetime's work promoting and supporting one of Scotland's native breed, the Shetland pony. With his wealth of knowledge, Dougal was a sought-after judge. Dougal’s father William Dick (Gl 19061910) (Deceased) and brother Colin J M Dick (Gl 1936-1940) (Deceased) attended Fettes before him. Dr John Hellewell (CE 1947-1952) passed away on 5th November 2018, a much-loved brother of James Hellewell 45

(CE 1956-1961) (Deceased), Michael Hellewell (CE 1953-1959) (Deceased) and Harry Hellewell (CE 1959-1964), husband of Joan, father and grandfather to Jonathan, Andrew, Joanna, Jack and Rose. At Fettes John was a House Prefect, played in the Pipe Band and was involved in the CCF (RAF). After Fettes he went to London University, Guy’s Hospital to study Medicine. Christopher J G Grant (Gl 19471951) passed away peacefully on 25th October 2019, aged 86. At Fettes he was a School Prefect and the Editor of the Fettesian in December 1950. He was a member of the Rugby 1st XV, the Debating Society, the Music Club and the Paramecium. His father, James (Gl 1918-1922) (Deceased) and his Grandfather, Ernest (Gl 1892-1895) (Deceased) attended Fettes before him and his brother Alexander (Gl 1951-1956), two sons, Matthew (Gl 1979-1984) and Edward (Gl 1981-1986) and two grandchildren, Archie Gibb (Gl 2014-2019) and Flora Gibb (Da 2019- ) followed in his footsteps. Ludovic ‘Ludo’ Ronald Charles Stuart (Ca 1947-1952) died on 24th June 2019, aged 84. The following was written by William Carnegie (Ca 1950-1955): “Those who were in Carrington on the night of 28th/29th March 1952 will always be grateful to Ludo. He returned from an authorised visit uptown to the theatre at about 11:30pm and chatted briefly to Peter Wang (Ca 1948-1953), who occupied the first cubicle in Upper Big. He then went down the dormitory to his own cubicle but came back immediately telling Peter to ‘come and look at this’. They both then rushed to discover at the far end of Upper Big orange flames roaring up the wooden grilled ventilator there and immediately raised the alarm. The whole house got out of bed (dressing gowns and bed rugs only) and the dormitories were emptied without casualty. A combination of slow smouldering in the end of a massive wooden beam jutting into the chimney whose lining had worn away and a westerly gale that night had caused the smouldering to burst into flames. The upper floor of Carrington was out of action for the subsequent Summer Term and, apart from 25 or so boys who occupied the Lower dormitories, the rest of the house slept in Malcolm House. Mr and Mrs Cooper (Staff 1941-1955) also remained in Carrington and the ground 46

floor rooms were kept in use. After Fettes, Ludo studied Law at Glasgow University where he won a ‘blue’ for rugby; he also played for Glasgow and had a trial for Scotland. He spent his working life in both England and Scotland as a commercial property developer and was involved amongst other things in building supermarkets for leading retail companies and two whisky distilleries. He had three daughters and four grandchildren. From 1983 he lived with his wife, Christine, in Birmingham and for the last nine years of his life at Altass in Sutherland where he enjoyed a happy and peaceful retirement with her. However, Ludo will always be remembered by his fellow Carringtonians of 1952 as the man who saved their lives in the house fire. What would have happened if he had got back to the dormitory even a few minutes later does not bear thinking about.” Iain Buchan (Ca 1949-1955) passed away on 8th November 2019. The following was written by Rob Cowie (CW 1953-1958) and William Carnegie (Ca 1950-1955): “The last link with a distinguished early Fettes family was broken with the death on 8th November 2019 of Iain Buchan (Ca 1949-1955) at the age of 83. Iain Francis Wauchope Buchan came to Fettes from Edinburgh Academy as a scholar, following the footsteps not only of Patrick Don Wauchope (Ca 1877-1882) (Deceased), the stepfather of Harry Buchan, Iain's father, but also those of his then late elder brother, Patrick (Paddy) Henry William Wauchope Buchan (Ca 19361941) , who had been killed in action in Italy in 1944. Iain was in the Classical VIth, a School Prefect and a hard tackling and determined wing forward (flanker) in the First XV. Encouraged, indeed perhaps over-encouraged, by the Fettesian support in the Academy match of December 1954, he showed these qualities to such an extent that in Chapel the next day, the Revd Bill Aitken (Holy Willie or Holy Bill as he was known) felt obliged to lecture us on the need for moderation and sportsmanship in our cheering for what nowadays would be called ‘Big Hits’. After Fettes, Iain was commissioned into the Ninth Lancers (now 9th/12th Lancers), his brother's former regiment, serving in Germany, before proceeding to Balliol, again following Paddy, where his degree was in Law. He then joined London stockbrokers, Grieveson

Grant, where he spent his working life looking after private clients. Iain married Annabel Buxton in 1979. They lived in Fulham from where he pursued his interest in the Turf, breeding racehorses with a fair amount of success over fences. In retirement they enjoyed travelling climbing in the Himalayas, fishing in Scotland and a thrilling ten days in Antarctica. Iain was a considerable character, a man not easily forgotten. To have known him was a pleasure and a privilege. Also, he was generous benefactor to both Fettes and Edinburgh Academy, paying for the restoration of the War Memorial at the former and giving money to the Shooting VIII at the latter in memory of his father who had been its Captain in 1911 when it won the Ashburton Shield for the first time.” William Malcolm Borland (Gl 1949-1954) passed away peacefully on 27th March 2015, aged 79 years. He was the beloved husband of Margaret, loving dad of Cailinn and Kirsten and much-loved Papa of Hazel, Katie, Emma and Hannah. At Fettes, William was a member of the Music Club, the Orchestra and the Choir and he was Leading Seaman in the CCF. 1950s Christine, the wife of John Blunt (Mo 1950-1955), has written to us from their home in Hexham with the sad news that John died on 24th February 2020. David Christie (Ca 1952-58) passed away on 7th September 2018, with his family by his side. The following information is a summary of an online obituary: Born in Buenos Aires, David joined Fettes in 1952. He got involved in all aspects of school life as Head of School, member of the XV, Chairman of the Debating Society and as a member of the Pipe Band to name but a few. On leaving Fettes, David attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. Thereafter David began his career in 1964 at A.E. Aames & Company. Continuing with the company through several mergers and acquisitions, David moved to Toronto with his wife and children in 1973. In 1991 David began a role within the Latin American department of the Royal Bank Investment Management. David and his wife, Valerie, supported many organisations in Toronto, particularly in education, healthcare and the arts. James ‘Jim’ George Andrew Hamilton (Ki 1953-1958) passed away THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

on 14th May 2020, aged 80. At Fettes he was a House Prefect, enjoyed cricket and rugby and was Secretary of the Chess Club. He won the Governors’ Prize for Mathematics in 1958 before going on to study Engineering at Peterhouse, Cambridge. In his working life, Jim became a computer software consultant. He was an active member of the international community service organisation, the Lions Club, which he joined in 1983. Over the years he served as President of the Surrey Borders Lions Club, the Ross-on-Wye Lions Club and the Hereford Lions Club. The latter paid tribute to Jim in the Hereford Times after his death, noting his President’s projects in 2018 devoted £25,000 to several vital projects at Hereford County Hospital. The tribute also mentioned that Jim was particularly proud of his Scottish ancestry and would wear his kilt and sporran at official Lions functions. He is survived by his wife Louise, three children, James, Nicola and Maria, and two grandchildren Toby and Poppy. Michael Stirling Hynd (Gl 19531958) passed away on 26th April 2020, aged 80. At Fettes he was the Secretary of the Model Railway Club. His father George R Hynd (Gl 1923-1927) (Deceased) and brothers Neil R Hynd (Gl 1958-1963) (Deceased) and Richard J Hynd (Gl 1961-1966) also attended Fettes.

Ian Malcolm Grant MacIntyre (Ca 1953-1958) passed away suddenly in Edinburgh on 26th September 2019, aged 79. His son, Duncan MacIntyre (Ca 1987-1989) writes: “The MacIntyre family has attended Fettes for four generations. Ian was Head of House, played for the 1st XV, where he was nicknamed ‘The Gentle Giant’, and was in the athletics team. During a Fettes trip to the Soviet bloc in 1958, he was THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

briefly arrested for wearing a kilt and accused of ‘impersonating a woman’ – a garment clearly unknown there! “After school, to further his skills in Modern Languages, he attended Geneva University for a year followed by Trinity College, Dublin and Christs College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the Footlights Comedy Club acting alongside the likes of Ian Mckellen, John Cleese and Trevor Nunn. Until recently, he acted in amateur productions at the Edinburgh Fringe. “His first job was with the prestigious wine merchants, Hedges & Butler of Regent Street. This ensured that he was a knowledgeable connoisseur of wines thereafter. “He moved to Somerset in 1968, where he worked in marketing for Morlands of Glastonbury, who made sheepskin coats and boots. As well as covering France and Germany, he also covered Norway and had a coup in selling fur-lined boots to the Norwegian Police. “Whilst in Somerset, he helped run a successful restaurant with his then wife, Angela. As an offshoot, he ran the backstage bar for the ‘stars’ at the Pilton Pop Festival now better known as the Glastonbury Festival! “After Morlands, Ian worked as Sales Director for Aquascutum in London travelling all over the world and using his many languages to great effect. Before retiring, he had a spell with the Department of Trade and Industry, as a Special Adviser in marketing to Europe. “Ian moved back to Edinburgh and was with his long-term partner, Anne Dunmore for the last 30 years. He is survived by her and his three children, Duncan, Annabelle (CW 1989-1992) and Abby, and by nine grandchildren. “Ian was latterly the OFA Regional Representative for Edinburgh and was a genial host at the bi-annual OF lunches. He also enjoyed his allotment in Leith and was Chairman of the Regent Terrace Garden Committee. At the weekend he could be heard commenting at the Heriots Rugby matches and was known as ‘The Voice of Goldenacre’. “Ian was the 17th Chieftain of Camus-na-h-Erie of the Clan MacIntyre and the representative of the Clan at the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. He was to be seen resplendent with kilt, eagle-feathered bonnet and cromach, leading the 10 yearly Global Clan Gatherings at Taynuilt and opening the

highland games in Argyllshire in both 2008 and 2018. He also led the Clan at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. “A great character who is sorely missed by all who knew him.” The following obituary was published last year with an error in the name, for which we apologise greatly. 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. Colin Ross (Gl 1954-1958) died in Elie on 10th January 2020, aged 79. The following was written by William Carnegie (Ca 1950-1955): “Colin was highly intelligent, talented and popular with an individualistic outlook on life. Over 35 years he built the American Trust, a modest investment trust with a small staff run from a lawyers’ office in Charlotte Square, into a large business with 200 employees and managing considerable funds under the name ‘Edinburgh Fund Managers’. He was born in September 1940, a few months after his father, a territorial officer in the Argylls, was killed in the German army’s defeat of the Highland Division at St Valery-en-Caux in France. Colin was brought up by his mother in Elie and for the rest of his life maintained the family house there for holidays and eventual retirement. After leaving Fettes and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in Glasgow, he joined the American Trust in 1963. There he showed considerable flair for investment although, as the firm grew, he gave his colleagues complete authority in managing their clients’ portfolios. Each morning however he did see a list of the previous day’s transactions, thus keeping himself apprised of what had been going on. 47

Colin, in his day, was a low-handicap golfer. He was Captain of Elie, a Member of Muirfield and Secretary of the OF Golfing Society. He and Elaine, his wife, also fished enthusiastically taking a lodge in the Highlands each year. His other recreation was Bridge which he played to great effect. He was a devoted Old Fettesian and was the first Chairman of the Fettes Foundation and a keen supporter of the Fet-Lor Youth Club. His sons, Hamish (JS-Gl 1978-1985), Simon (JS-Gl 1979-1987) and Alastair (JS-Gl 1981-1990), the last-named a future President of the Old Fettesian Association, went to the Junior School followed by Glencorse and Sally, his daughter, to the Junior School. Elaine was a Governor of Fettes for ten years in the early 2000s, taking a particular interest in the by then Preparatory School. Colin was one of my most interesting and entertaining friends. It was a great pleasure and privilege to have known him.” John ‘Ian’ Dunn (Ca 1955-1958), father of Jonathan Dunn (Mo 19891994) and Lois Bayne-Jardine, passed away on 1st January 2020. Ian was a regular at many OF events until recently, including the Edinburgh and Central Scotland Lunches, the latter of which he was the second secretary of the group. Richard Hewart-Jaboor (Ki 19551959) sadly passed away on 22nd March 2018, aged 75 years. His brotherin-law Brian Cameron (CE 1956-1960) writes “After leaving Fettes Richard went to Liverpool University and qualified as an Architect. Returning to Edinburgh in the mid-sixties, he married my wife’s sister, Marie. Richard’s true bent turned out to be in architectural conservation and they moved to Cambridge where he had ample scope for his interest. In the mid 70’s they moved to Shrewsbury where he became heavily involved in the preservation of the town’s Tudor buildings. “Our families regularly met in Shrewsbury or Edinburgh. He had a fulfilled life doing something he greatly enjoyed and is survived by his wife, children and grand-children.” His brother, David Hewart-Jaboor (Ki 19561961) (Deceased) also attended Fettes. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Cardwell Moore MBE (Mo 1955-1959) died on 12th December 2019 following a stroke. His son, James (JS-Mo 19831988) writes “By today’s standards, my father had an unconventional early 48

General of FIABCI in Paris, France. childhood. He was born in Burma in Outside of work, Andrew enjoyed rugby 1941, whilst his father was commanding and his later passion cycling. the Chin Hills Battalion. When the As an OF, Andrew attended Japanese invaded in 1942, his mother, Eurozone weekends in Como and Oslo. with my father in tow and one other British family, trekked 150 miles to India Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 19821984) remembers on these occasions whilst the soldiers fought a rear-guard how Andrew entertained OFs with his defence of Burma. They then spent the guitar and stories of being mistaken for rest of the war in India before returning home. My father came to Fettes in 1955, his more famous rugby namesake. Alastair Rae MRCVS (Ki 1957leaving in 1959. He was Head of House 1962), brother of Martin Rae (Ki and a School Prefect. He was a fine 1961-1966) and Douglas Rae MRCVS sportsman with an exceptional eye for (Ki 1961-1966) (Deceased) and mucha ball playing in both the 1st XV Rugby loved husband of Sally, passed away and 1st XI Hockey teams. Having left suddenly on 3rd February 2020, aged school, he went to the Royal Military 76. At Fettes he was a House Prefect, Academy, Sandhurst in 1960 and was a member of the Choir and a Lancethen commissioned into The Royal Corporal, C.C.F. After Fettes Alastair Scots, The Royal Regiment where he became a vet, and in due course spent 27 years. His service included became Senior Partner at Rae, Bean & tours and postings to Tripoli, Aden, Partners, Boroughbridge. Malaya, Northern Ireland, Germany, Lord Westwood, William Gavin the Falkland Islands, three years with (Ca 1957-1962) - The following was a Gurkha regiment and a spell at the written by his son Fergus Westwood: Ministry of Defence in London. His “Lord Westwood, William Gavin service included being awarded the (Ca 1957-1962) died on 28th July MBE in 1977 and commanding The 2019. Born on 30th January 1944 in Royal Scots in the mid 1980s. Sadly, a Newcastle upon Tyne, to Bill and heart problem brought a premature end Marjorie, he entered Carrington House to his military career. In 1987 he joined at Fettes in 1957 and represented the the civilian world as the Administrator school at rugby, hockey, swimming and at Glamis Castle working for the 17th cricket. He also held the javelin record. and 18th Earls of Strathmore and “He pursued a career in accountancy Kinghorne. Under his leadership the Castle underwent a significant period of after leaving school and was Finance Director of an insurance company modernisation and commercial growth. and Walter Wilson, a supermarket He retired in 2001.” Patrick’s daughter chain operating mainly in the North Emily Cardwell Moore (Ar 1984-1985) of England. He was also Chairman of also attended Fettes. Jemerton, a London based reprographic John Hatton Davidson (Ca 1956company. 1960) passed away on 5th December “He became Lord Westwood on the 2019, aged 77, the much-loved brother death of his father in 1991 and attended of Peter (Ca 1961-1965) and Trish. the House periodically. At Fettes John was a House Prefect, “Away from work, Gavin was a keen Leading Cadet in the CCF and he supporter of Newcastle United and won Governors’ Prize for Physics and Gosforth RFC, which later became Chemistry in 1960. He then attended Newcastle Falcons. He also spent a Magdalene College at the University of great many nights at Gosforth Squash Cambridge. John’s father, Ian Davidson Club. He had a wealth of friends (Ca 1922-1926) (Deceased) also through these associations that he kept attended Fettes. throughout his life. However, most of Andrew Irvine (CE 1956-1961) sadly his favourite stories were of the capers passed away on 28th June 2019, aged he enjoyed at Fettes. 76 years. At Fettes he was a House “His funeral was very well attended Prefect, a keen sportsman and a Lanceand our family was deeply touched that Corporal in the CCF. After leaving several of his old friends from Fettes Fettes, Andrew attended Amherst were there (Robin Lind (Gl 1957-1962), College, Massachusetts for his B.A., Tony Torrance (Ca 1957-1961), Tony before leading a very fulfilling life in Alston (Ca 1957-1962), Tom PictonMexico City. Whilst in Mexico, Andrew Phillipps (CE 1957-1962), Ian Robinson attended a university in Monterrey, (Ca 1960-1965) and Peter Muirhead where he obtained his Masters. (Ca 1957-1962)). Andrew was later named Secretary THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

“He is survived by his wife Penny and their two sons.” Henry Martin Ricketts (CE 19581962) passed away on 27th March 2020 in Monaco after a long-term illness. At Fettes he was a House Prefect, the Secretary of the Music Club and played in the Orchestra. He was also Secretary of the Chaplain’s Group and a LanceCorporal in the C.C.F. He won the Governors’ Prize for German and went up to Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1963.

moved to Elie where he led an active social life and made many friends.”

Martin Barkla (CW 1961-1966) died 1960s on 12th August 2019 at the age of 71. Neil Scroggie (Ki 1960-1963) died on His close friend, Harry MacDonald 18th February 2020, aged 72. He was the son of Alan Scroggie (Ki 1925-1929) (CW 1961-1966), wrote the following: (Deceased), nephew of Dr Ian Scroggie “Martin was one of those quiet, loyal and dependable people who was (Ki 1934-1938) (Deceased), brother of always willing to help. After he left Euan Scroggie (Ki 1957-1961) and uncle Fettes, he studied in Newcastle but of Fiona Scroggie (Ar 1994-1996). We illness meant he left before finishing are grateful to Euan for providing these his course. He then found a temporary words: “While at Fettes Neil made job at the St Andrews University Library many enduring friendships and was a and left 41 years later as deputy head of drummer in the very successful Pipe cataloguing and as a much sought after Band. After leaving school Neil worked source of advice for all aspects of life at in Newcastle, firstly for a shipping company and then in insurance. He was the Library. “He showed great interest in railways an enthusiastic member of a rowing and the summer after he left Fettes club. He joined the Territorial Army went by train from St Andrews to and was commissioned into the Royal Istanbul. There followed several train Northumberland Fusiliers. He moved themed holidays and he was a leading to London to join the Headquarters supporter of ‘Starlink’, the campaign to Staff of Securicor. He continued his TA service with the London Scottish. When restore a railway link to his home town of St Andrews. Martin also shared his a promised posting with Securicor to father’s love of the sea, helping build Malaysia fell through, Neil moved back boats for the local Coastal Rowing Club to Newcastle, returned to the insurance and serving in the Coastguard Service world and re-joined the Fusiliers. His for 34 years. firm wished to expand into Scotland, so “Martin was always a modest man Neil was selected to set up an office in and never let on that his grandfather Edinburgh. A recession set in and the had won the Nobel Prize for Physics in expansion was cancelled. Neil decided 1917 or that his father designed yachts to remain in Edinburgh and his career for the America’s Cup and pioneered followed a less conventional path. He hydrofoil sailing craft. Those that knew employed students to decorate New him best described him as a gentleman Town flats. Then he had an interesting and a gentle man.” time promoting the highly competitive James ‘Shaun’ Hamilton Dillon but entirely bogus sport of Haggis (Gl 1961-1963) passed away on 23rd Hurling. He was part of the small November 2018. At Fettes Shaun was team that organised competitions at the Vice President of the Debating Highland Games, Game Fares and Society, a House Prefect and the County Shows in the UK and abroad. Secretary of the Music Club. He was Neil became the Secretary of the in the Choir and the Orchestra and Ombudsman’s Panel for C R Smith, the he won the Governors’ Prize for Music windows and double-glazing firm and in 1963. He went on to study at the then, surprisingly for someone who did Royal Scottish Academy of Music not drink whisky, he ran whisky tasting and became a respected composer, sessions for the Scotch Malt Whisky musician and wind teacher. He was also Society at their vaults in Leith. Neil a long-term member of the Musician's married three times, but each marriage Union. ended in divorce. After retiring, Neil THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Ed (Edwin) M Todd III (Gl 19611966) sadly passed away peacefully on 6th July 2019. Ed was a former Trustee of Fettes US Charity, Friends of Fettes College Inc. and enjoyed attending US gatherings with Fettes friends. He will be sorely missed by his wife, Nancy Anne North (aka Berry Todd), daughter, Alexa, son, Ian and daughter-in-law Mackenzie, as well as his brothers and his many friends. The following information has been summarised from a published obituary on legacy.com. Ed’s life began November 18, 1947 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, the first of four sons born to EM Todd, II (19202015) of Philadelphia and Adeline Bowman Todd (1926–2008) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1954, at the age of seven, Ed contracted polio, while living in Cleveland where his father was in residency at The Cleveland Clinic. Six months in hospital receiving the new, revolutionary Sister Kenny treatment sponsored by The March of Dimes saved him from becoming disabled. In fact, Ed became a lifelong fitness devotee and athlete. In 1957, the family of five spent a year living in Edinburgh while Ed’s father was on exchange at the Royal Infirmary. Ed attended Daniel Stewart's Day School and absolutely loved it. Although the family moved back to the USA when the exchange ended, Ed and his brother Jeff were sent back to Scotland in 1959 to complete their early education. Ed spent two years at Blairmore Prep School in the Borders; then six years at Fettes College in Edinburgh. Underlying all his academic and professional interests was rugby. In 1966, having played the game since the age of 10 as a Scottish schoolboy, Ed was a natural choice to become captain of the varsity team at USC, the only USC team to win the Monterey Tournament (aka National Championship) in that era. He met his wife, Berry, when they were students at USC. They were married in 1974 in North Hollywood. A six-month European backpacking adventure followed. They enjoyed too many travels to mention. In 1972, finding something missing as a law student, he co-founded the Hastings Rugby Football Club, while simultaneously volunteering as a referee for the Northern California Rugby Referee Society. Ed felt it was 49

important to contribute to, not simply benefit from, the sport he loved. He eventually became NCRRS President for five years. Ed valued learning more than most. For example, in 1978, he earned a Masters in Environmental Studies and never bothered to receive his final diploma; satisfied with the knowledge he needed to start a new path in passive solar design. Soon Ed built an award winning, poured adobe solar home with his Antioch College professor, Lynn Nelson, then established his own company, Invisible Sun, in 1981. In 1983 Ed moved into commercial construction where he made his mark as a project manager for Lincoln Properties and Westfour Corp. He established his own firm ET3 Associates Construction in the early 2000s. In 2005 Ed and Berry moved to Boulder, Colorado where Ed accepted the position of Director of Referee Development for USA Rugby. He finally got paid for his hobby! Ed became certified by the International Rugby Board as an elite coach, trainer, and match magistrate, and even in semiretirement continued to grow as a rugby official. Having grown up in post-war Britain in the 1950s, Ed had a fascination with World War II, which eventually led to writing two novels: The Nibelungen Hoard, set between World War II and the fall of the Berlin wall; and another, The Legacy of Honor, still unpublished at the time of his death. There are many family and dear friends who are grieving the loss of Ed Todd – husband, father, friend, teammate, coach, mentor, golf partner, smart, witty, humble and patient leader. Richard Lendrum McKean (CE 1963-1967) born 1949, died on 14th February 2020. His brother John (CE 1957-1962) wrote the following: “We had a funeral and good celebration of his life attended by many he’d known since Glasgow University – where he got a first in Civil Engineering and in which city, apart from a few years in Dubai where he met his wife Carol, he spent his life directing his family business of civil engineering contractors.” At Fettes Richard was the Secretary of the Photographic Society, in the Sailing Club and Team, in the Choir and in the Orchestra. Iain Ramsay (Mo 1964-1968) passed away on 11th January 2020. Iain 50

was the beloved husband of Wendy and much-loved father of Catriona and Shonagh. At Fetters he was Sgt. i/c of the Armoury, C.C.F. Miniature Range Captain in 1967 and the Open Range Captain in 1968. He won the McLeod Cup in 1967. Alistair Catto (CW-Ar 1965-1969) died peacefully at home on 11th April 2020, aged 68. The following information has been summarised from a published obituary on legacy.com. Alistair, brother of Drs. Christopher (Ar 1967-1971) and Colin (Ca 19751980), and Anthony, was born in Forfar. At Fettes Alistair played squash and rugby. He continued to play squash at Amherst College. Whilst at Amherst, he met Bonnie and they married in 1975. Later in life Alistair discovered his love of Golf. As well as starting golf-related businesses, Alastair became a keen player, becoming a member of several golf clubs through the years, including the Old Fettesian Golfing Society. His accomplishments in Golf were many, including three US Amateurs, nine holes-in-one and two double eagles. Alistair was kind and generous and friends with people from many walks of life. Llewellyn ‘Chippy’ Watkins (Gl 1965-1969) died on 18th December 2019, aged 68. At Fettes he was a House Prefect, a Lance-Corporal in the Royal Signals Section of the CCF, on the Chapel Committee and Shelter Committee. He was a member of the Debating Society, the Chess Club and the Motor Club and took part in the School Play in 1966 and 1968. Fergus Bruce-Watt (Gl 1968-1973) passed away on 26th August 2018, aged 62. The following was written by his brother Hugh Bruce-Watt (Gl 19721976): “Fergus always said he would never wear a suit or work in an office. He didn’t. That would have been too restrictive for a man who loved the open air, had many diverse interests and most of all a strong desire to live life on his own terms, a life that was independent, simple and true, with time and space to be generous and thoughtful towards his family and friends. Self-employed and selfmotivated throughout, he chose a home and a career path that suited him well. “Born on an East Lothian hill farm before moving to Edinburgh in the early 1960s, Fergus went to Clifton Hall and then on to Fettes at a time when change in the public school system was

rightly on the cards. Something of a rebel, he wasn’t alone in absorbing the legacies of the Summer of Love, Paris 1968 and the burgeoning underground press in the shape of Oz and the International Times. With a quick wit he was more disposed to opting out of traditional ways and poking fun at the system than being destructively anarchic and therefore enjoyed a fairly undisturbed time at Fettes with only one or two disciplinary highpoints. He became an accomplished drummer in the Pipe Band and also enjoyed climbing and shooting, competing at Bisley in 1971. Fergus and Desmond Begg (Ki 1968-1973) (Deceased) made up Fettes’s first A level Spanish class taught by Kate Eveling (Staff 19711996), brought in by the Headmaster, Ian McIntosh (Staff 1958-1971) (Deceased), to inaugurate A level Spanish at Fettes. “Although he may at one stage have been in two minds about going to university at all, following a nomadic year travelling in Europe and North Africa, Fergus arrived at Newcastle University to read French and Spanish. He enjoyed the academic side of things and in his third year was Social Secretary. With a longstanding interest in contemporary music and a vast collection of LPs, he was able to bring his musical knowledge to bear as a regular DJ and when booking bands for the University: the Bonzo Dog Doodah Band whose eccentric Viv Stanshall became something of a hero, Colosseum II and Last Exit (with a then unknown Gordon Sumner on bass). “His year abroad was spent in Foix in the foothills of the French Pyrenees where his linguistic talent very quickly made him fluent. He was to become entirely bilingual, enabling him to integrate fully into the French way of life, where he settled for most of the rest of his life. “On graduation, he married and returned to Foix to work with French friends on a small farm where he began to learn the practical skills of farming and the outdoor life and it was here that his first daughter Rachael was born. “In the early 1980s, the family returned to Scotland to work on a farm near Dunbar. His son Jake was born and other opportunities presented themselves, leading to such entrepreneurial ventures as rabbit farming, at which he was very successful for a time. His interest in THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

agricultural fencing began to develop and he completed a course in land based engineering at Oatridge, then part of the Scottish Agricultural College. “Returning in 1983 to a small rural community in Galinagues in the Pyrenees where his second daughter Alice was born, he set up Clôtures Fergus and introduced the region to the use of high-tensile steel wire fencing with wire imported from Sheffield. Contracts came in from across France and he became known for the new (to France) type of wire and durable, stockproof fencing that did not have to be replaced every other year. “One of these was a government contract to erect a fence along a large section of the French-Spanish border high up in the Pyrenees, essentially to keep cattle from wandering over the border. Fencing on top of the Pyrenees is an arduous business. Access was always difficult and ferrying equipment and materials to where they were needed was often problematic. Mules and 4x4 vehicles were used and on one occasion a helicopter, which did the job in a fraction of the time. Fergus came to be known locally as ‘le fou Irlandais’ or ‘l’homme fil de fer’ in recognition of the extreme nature of the task. “Stiff competition from much larger fencing concerns moving into the area and the challenges of business expansion under French employment law meant he eventually had to call it a day in the mid-1990s but his fence along the top of the Pyrenees is still there and talked about locally, serving as a navigational aid for visiting trekkers. “He subsequently took up translating, another job he was ideally suited for, and worked for many years with clients and agencies from all over the world. There was an occasion at a local feria where a band of Aborigine musicians was finding it difficult to engage with their French audience as they couldn’t speak French. They were grateful when Fergus saved the day as on-the-spot interpreter. “He kept his interest in music and for a time hosted a weekly music show in the style of John Peel on local Radio Ballade in Rousillon and encouraged his son Jake who now works as a professional musician across France and Italy. Completely naturalised in France, he maintained however that he would always be Scottish and was always proud of his Scots heritage. THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

“Well-read and well-informed, witty, often irreverent, always loyal, kindhearted and considerate, Fergus died of cancer in Laroque des Alberes after a short illness in August 2018 and is missed by all who knew him.” He is survived by his French partner Claudine and her two daughters, three children and four grandchildren, mother Claire, brothers Hugh and Adam (Gl 1972-1977) and sister Lucy. Peter Ryden (CW1969-1974) passed away on 15th December 2019, aged 63. He is survived by his wife, Carole, daughter, Orlaith and brother Nick Ryden (CW 1966-1971). At Fettes Peter was a member of the Photographic Society, the Debating Society and was in the Paramecium. 1970s The following obituary was published last year with an error in the name, for which we apologise greatly. Nicholas Millar (Ar 1972-1976) died unexpectedly in November 2018. Born in Glasgow he was the second of five children, who all attended Fettes: Charles (Ar 1969-1974), Jonathan (Ar 1975-1979), Caroline (Ar 1980-1982) and Victoria (Ar 1983-1988), following in the footsteps of their father, William Millar, OBE (Gl 1940-1943) (Deceased). 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 much loved figure within his church. James Stuart Maguire DenleghMaxwell (Ca 1972-1975) died suddenly and unexpectedly 10th June 2019. The following words have been provided by his friend David McAllister (Ca 1972-1977): “The first time I met Stuart was back in 1972 on the first day of the Michaelmas term. On the second day he and I stood side by side in the second row in the Junior Rugby trials. He was the man of vast experience;

I had never played the game before. With all the aplomb of a British Lions Rugby Captain returning from a successful tour came those immortal words that will haunt me forever, ‘follow me and you’ll be fine’. I have to say it was one of the most painful games of rugby I ever endured and, in the end, I had to leave the field before full time. “I don’t know what it was with playing sport with Stuart. I would never accuse him of being a finely tuned athlete or of being a natural born sportsman and yet I always seemed to walk away in pain. “Our salad days were school days in Carrington House. We shared a study in the second year. I was learning to play the guitar and he suffered my constant repetition of the same tunes, particularly the first Spanish piece I learned. Where other boys I’m sure would have thrown me out he carried on quietly with whatever he had to do. It was only later that I realised how effective my water torture treatment had been when he’d hum the first few bars when we met – just banter. Poor man, he must have been humming Malaguena in his sleep. “His trunk-cum-tuck box was also a point of note, not just by me but with other boys too. We had similar trunks, he and I. His was red, mine was blue. My trunk was empty. I used it to bring clothes and school uniform to the school and so it was stored out of the way upstairs during the term. His was full of cakes and treats and he stored it in the study – under lock and key. Smart move on his part. I don’t remember him being particularly generous with the contents but he certainly knew about the finer comforts in life. “Strangely, and perhaps because it was so long ago, I have few recollections of anything he got up to at school. We were rarely in the same sets from what I can remember and team sports were not his thing really. Cecilia, his childhood sweetheart and loving wife, reminded me that he fenced and I’m sure he represented the school at the relevant age groups, but generally he wasn’t ‘mainstream’. His sports were those that didn’t require hand-eye coordination. He ‘voluntarily’ sang in the Choir. I was chain-ganged into it. In the school Cadet Corp, where most of us were conscripted into the army and square bashed our way through Wednesday afternoons, he worked 51

his way into the rather more exclusive few, it seemed, who went sailing in the Firth of Forth, which might loosely be referred to as the navy section. “I think Cecilia would accuse him of indolence. She was angry at him for walking out of a French exam early having written only a single sentence. I pointed out that he wouldn’t be the first person to have done such a thing. He did better than Winston Churchill who walked out of his Latin exam for Harrow having managed only to write his name. An appropriate comparison, I felt, as Stuart also became involved in politics although work commitments and a family of four children kept him on the periphery, which he broke through twice to become Councillor Denlegh-Maxwell of Claines in the City of Worcester serving between 1988 and 1994 and then re-elected in 2018. “His rich tapestry of life experience included serving with the Army, to ‘inventing’ the security envelope while messing around one day when working for a legal stationery company, to being one of the earliest governor members of St Richard’s Hospice, to working on some of the largest and most complex IT projects in the country, and, more recently, to pouring his heart and soul – and much else besides – into an exciting software company start-up. He was involved with the church from being an altar boy at the age of three to being a member of the church choir for most of his life, clearly influenced by his father and grandfather who were both parish priests in Worcester. There really wasn’t much that he hadn’t seen, groups of people he hadn’t met or types of individuals to whom he hadn’t shown some form of unconditional kindness. “In 2016, his son, Harry, married my daughter, Rosie. On June 18th 2019 they became parents to Frederick Stuart Maguire Denlegh-Maxwell. A very grand name indeed.” 1980s Gordon Revill (Ki 1979-1984) passed away suddenly on 16th August 2019. He is lovingly remembered by his entire family. At Fettes Gordon was a House Prefect and keen sportsman. He was in the XV for rugby, Captained the Squash Team and was in the firsts for tennis. 1990s Paul Junior King (Ki 1993-1996) passed away Sunday, March 15, 2020, aged 41, whilst enjoying one of his favourite 52

pastimes, cycling. Paul was born on 3rd June 1978 in London, to Paul Arthur King and Edwina Attard King. He is survived by his parents; wife of 16 years, Vanessa Marie King; daughters, Imogen Marie King and Lucia Violet King; sister, Janine Spence (née King) (Ar 1994-1999) and husband Tom; motherin-law and father-in-law, Marie and Alan Richmond; sisters-in-law, Danielle Hume and husband Andy, Louise Smith and husband Andy; Nieces and nephews; Noa Spence, Alfie Hume, Oliver Hume and Eleanor Smith. After Fettes, Paul attended University College London where he attained his master’s degree in chemical engineering. He spent his entire career with Transocean, and was hugely respected and successful, becoming Senior Manager of Operations and Efficiency. He met Vanessa at university and they married in April 2003. They moved to Houston, Texas, where Imogen and Lucia were born, and travelled extensively with his work, making many lifelong friendships along the way. Paul lived life to the full. He was an avid sportsman, playing rugby for the national team of Malta. He enjoyed soccer and was a dedicated fan of Tottenham Hotspur. He also enjoyed coaching his daughter’s basketball team. Paul was a kind, generous, and truly lovely person, who adored his family, and they adored him too. Paul’s passing will be a huge loss to all who had the privilege to meet him, however he most certainly will never be forgotten. Former Staff Sir Eric Anderson (Staff 19591970) passed away on 22nd April 2020. Robert Philp (Staff 19591996) remembers Eric’s life: “Eric Anderson was without dispute one of the outstanding schoolmasters of his generation. His teaching career began at Fettes, after a chance meeting in 1959 with the then Second Master and doyen of the Fettes staff, Freddy Macdonald (Staff 1925-1962) (Deceased). He soon made his mark as an inspirational teacher of English and a deeply committed House Tutor in Carrington and College East. Since ‘the East’ was still a bachelor house, the charm and dynamism of Eric’s wife Poppy was an immense asset. They made a formidable partnership. In 1964 he was tempted northwards to

Gordonstoun, where he taught Prince Charles and cast him as Macbeth in a successful School Play. Gordonstoun, however, did not offer the same pastoral challenges as Fettes, and when in 1966 the building of a new Fettes boarding house was given the go-ahead, Ian McIntosh (Staff 1958-1971) (Deceased) contacted Eric and asked him back to become its first housemaster. The challenge of assembling and forging a new boarding community was one Eric could not resist, and in 1967 Arniston House opened with him as its first housemaster. “The chance to start from scratch and create a new house structure not tied to long-held boarding conventions was a rare one which Eric took up with relish. Volunteers at each level were recruited from the existing houses to achieve the necessary spread. House cleaning chores, for nearly 100 years the preserve of third-formers alone, were now democratically allocated across all the years, and initially only four prefects were appointed. Beating, still prevalent elsewhere, was not on the menu. As some things worked better than others, the conventions were fine-tuned accordingly as time went on. Eric and Poppy’s friendliness and warmth were ideal for the start of a new community. Arniston was soon winning games cups and Governors’ Prizes, and in the first year Eric opted to stage a House Play, Julius Caesar. With its large cast it was a great bonding exercise, and its great success marked Arniston out as a creative unit. His casting of a fourth former, Tony Blair (Ki-Ar 1966-1971), as Mark Antony (‘Friends, Romans, Countrymen…’) was maybe a signpost to the future, as Tony’s first taste of the hustings in the play clearly suited him. Eric managed at the same time as running the House to complete his exemplary edition of Sir Walter Scott’s Journal, and the great man’s bust in Eric’s front hall was THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

an inspiration. It was also useful as a yardstick for judging hair length. In the late 1960s, the main badge of protest was to wear your hair as long as you could get away with. Eric’s rule was simple. If your hair was longer than Sir Walter’s, it was too long. Even though Arniston was to become a girls’ House in 1980, Eric’s achievement in launching this brave new community was crucial, and he was able to use the lessons he drew from it in the stellar career as a headmaster he embarked upon in 1970. “After Fettes, he took up in succession headships at Abingdon, Shrewsbury and finally Eton, where he was to stay for 14 years. It was a golden age. ‘For all Eton’s ancient history,’ wrote the Vice-Provost, ‘few, if any, have made as great an impact on the College as Eric Anderson.’ The popular image of the school was still that of a bastion of privilege. Eric, however, was the most un-snobbish of men, never likely to seek distinction in exclusivity. He and Poppy did much to break down inherited social barriers, and he made Eton a more meritocratic, ambitious place. His natural air of authority gained instant respect, but he wore it lightly. In handling discipline he never over-reacted, and employed reason rather than diktat. Crucially, the boys felt he was on their side. But then again, so did the staff (or ‘beaks’ in the school’s weird lingo). Quite an achievement. It was all underpinned by a strong ethic which came from his Presbyterian background. His influence was extraordinarily wide. He taught three future Prime Ministers and the heir to the throne, to whom he became a confidant, even tutoring Princess Diana in letter-writing and recording the Queen Mother’s memories of her long life. In time he became a Knight of the Thistle. “His next appointment was to be Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford, but after six years he was asked back to Eton to become Provost. He carried this role with distinction for nine years, fronting a campaign for scholarships to widen entry which raised £50 million. “In 2017, Eric hosted a reunion at Fettes to commemorate 50 years since Arniston opened. As he recalled at the dinner their first House Play, Julius Caesar, one of the original cast suddenly broke into the lines he had spoken 50 years before. Suddenly all round the table different cast-members chimed in with their own lines, perfectly THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

recalled. The memories over 50 years were still fresh. Fettes, like Eric’s other schools, owes him much.” Ronnie Guild (Staff 1950-1981) has passed away at the age of 98, on December 29, 2019. He was the beloved husband of the late Julie, and much loved father of Marion, Alistair and Shena (Ca 1974-1976). Robert Philp (Staff 1959-1996) writes: “Ronnie’s death last December deprived Fettes and the city of Edinburgh of a notable character. He arrived at the school in 1950 after a colourful period of War service, mainly in India, and Oxford, where he met his future wife Julie. He was to stay at the school for 31 years. His speciality was Geography, but he got by in a number of subjects. He took charge of form 3C, in days when each level was divided into forms (A,B,C) rather than, as today, into sets by subject, and for many years he toiled away on this lowly rung of the Fettes ladder. He used idiosyncratic methods to make difficult topics digestible, employing different media and sometimes inviting in external speakers. He wanted above all to give those he taught a concern for the lived environment that surrounded them. His classes could be unpredictable, however. At the end of one term in the 1950s, when the Headmaster was doing a round to check on the classes, he discovered Ronnie playing the bagpipes to his demob-happy class. Headmagisterial displeasure was expressed. “In the early 1960s, Ronnie took over the ‘waiting house’, Inverleith, as Housemaster. This was where new arrivals spent one or two terms, to give them a gentle introduction to Fettes life until there was space for them in their senior House. Ronnie’s avuncular style was well suited to this role, though there were touches of eccentricity. After a fire practice one night, as all the boys were going wearily back to bed, he suddenly decided that it hadn’t been realistic enough. ‘I know!’, he exclaimed, ‘We’ll have a better one, now.’ Placing a metal container at the foot of the stairs, he put some newspaper and bits of rubber in it, and set light to them. For 20 minutes the rather toxic smoke drifted merrily upward, seeping quietly under the dormitory doors, until a boy rushed out in genuine panic and started shouting. The boys were less than thrilled to be woken up twice, but Ronnie was satisfied. He had discovered a new recipe for a Fire Practice.

“In time he took over command of the C.C.F. which he ran for several years, and he then moved on to the ‘Outside Service’. This was an alternative to the C.C.F. involving various kinds of community service. Ronnie’s instinctive kindness and concern for other people meant that this suited him down to the ground, and members of the school were sent out to visit old people, to do gardening, to entertain in Care Homes and generally lend a hand. This did much good, and the uptake for the Outside Service steadily grew. It also strengthened the link between the school and the local community. One episode illustrates Ronnie’s approach. On ‘Field Day’ larger jobs could be tackled, and on one such he took a group to Glasgow to clear up some derelict buildings in the Gorbals. When the job was done and the tired boys were ready to go home, Ronnie suddenly saw a sea of rubbish in the backyard of Abbotsford Place. An instant decision was made to clear it up, and he asked for volunteers on the bus. ‘It’ll only be half an hour!’ One or two reluctantly came to help in the clearance operation, then as it went on more trickled in, watched by a group of Gorbals children, providing helpful (!) comments. In the end it took closer to two hours. To spread the environmental message, he alerted The Glasgow Herald, Radio 4 and the Lord Provost of Glasgow to the story, and the episode generated highly favourable publicity. “In parallel with his teaching career, Ronnie was heavily involved in local politics. His idealistic instincts had impelled him towards the Liberal party, but their banner was never likely to bring success in elections. He stood a number of times for City Council 53

and Parliament, his enthusiasm not blunted by failure. His nickname was ‘Cocker’, and when election time came round the boys ‘encouraged’ him by coining the slogan ‘Off your rocker? Vote for Cocker’. He cared deeply about the lived environment of the city, and seemed almost to feel physical pain at the sight of, say, a pile of litter. Over many years he campaigned strongly against the forces that degraded Edinburgh, peppering The Scotsman and politicians with letters about the latest environmental atrocity. His city owes him much. He had an inexhaustible interest in people, and would start a conversation with almost anyone he passed in the street. The fact that he shared a pavement with them was introduction enough. In cafes, if he was being served by someone from abroad, he would find out from them everyday phrases in their language. These he stored in a notebook, so as he went round he could brighten the day of, say, a Bulgarian or a Pole with ‘Have a good day!’ or ‘Thanks a lot’ in their native tongue. “Ronnie never really lost his youthful enthusiasm. His honesty shone out in a political world of compromise and spin. He continued to look after his wife Julie when she contracted Alzheimer’s and after her death had a long widowerhood, not made easier by increasing deafness, but he still took an interest in what was going on until his death at the age of 98. Today, in an age of educational targets and greater parental input, fewer ‘characters’ survive in the classroom. Ronnie was such a one, and we should be grateful for the colour he added to the Fettes scene.” Marie Simmons (Staff 1975-1977) passed away on 9th January 2020. The following was written by Robert Philp (Staff 1959-1996): “Fettes took girls for the first time (starting with one) in 1970. There were so few girls to start with that no real structure was laid down for them. The Headmaster in the early 1970s was Anthony ChenevixTrench FRSE JP (Staff 1971-1979) and it was his splendid wife, Elizabeth, who became a confidante for the girls, an ear for their worries and a shoulder to cry on. They did get assigned to Houses, but harassed Housemasters had too little time to keep tabs on them properly. Their turn-out was colourful and showed dazzling variety, and in general the boys started to feel that the latitude they enjoyed was unfair. 54

At this point it was noted that Marie, wife of John Simmons (Staff 19601977) of the Music Department, had been a housemistress at St George’s. She was asked to take over the oversight of the girls, to introduce guidelines and a degree of uniformity. Although no martinet, Marie managed this skilfully, and, granted that girls were in time to make up 50% of the school, the standards she introduced were important in setting the tone as the number of girls grew rapidly. She was only able to do this for two years, as in 1977 John took up a post in Taunton. She was not idle for long, though, and was soon to embark on a series of headships, first at Cranborne Chase, Dorset, and later schools in Libya and Saudi Arabia. Marie’s directness, enthusiasm and sheer energy were always a tonic, and carried her through many challenges. The girls she piloted through the angst of adolescence will long remember her cheerfulness, her charm and the standards she set.” Isobel Wilson (Prime, as was at Fettes), (Staff 1988-92), died suddenly in her home of COVID-19 on 2nd April 2020 after only briefly showing symptoms. We are grateful to her son Richard (Gl 1977-1982) for providing the following information: Born in Dundee she spent her earliest years in Calcutta where her father worked for Thomas Duff jute merchants, before returning with her mother by troopship in 1942 via Suez Canal and Mediterranean, a hair raising journey by all accounts; educated at Beacon school (Bridge of Allan), Dundee High School then Queens College Dundee, she worked hard throughout her life and achieved great things whilst being an interesting and engaging person: a Botanist, Chemist, Primary and Secondary school teacher, Dyslexia teacher, Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher, Housemistress, devout Christian, pianist, singer and even a drummer in her 70s! World traveller, mentor, passionate RNLI fund raiser (her grandfather George Easson Kidd owned Dundee’s Victoria Dock and built the RS Discovery), friend to many and always interested in other people’s opinions and stories. Dearly loved wife of Russell Prime (d. 1987) whom she met in Jamaica in 1959, together they worked as expats all over the world for his postings until 1985 before returning to Dundee then buying a house in

Edinburgh; and in later years of Charles Wilson (d. 2005) in St Andrews; mother to Richard, Alison and Graham. Isobel spoke proudly of her time at Fettes, the hard work as she taught Biology and ran College West, whilst still coming to terms with our father Russell’s death. Even recently in 2020 she continued to speak proudly of her College West girls, their university and life events she read in the Fettesian. Toni McMurray, the wife of former Moredun Housemaster and Chairman of the Governors, David McMurray (Staff 1964-1976), passed away on 17th January 2020. The following was written by Nikki Cooper (Ca 1972-1974) who was the first Girl Boarder at Fettes and lived with the McMurrays: “Toni, mum to Ginny (Gl 1979-1981), Phosey and Susie, was born in Hong Kong, the daughter of Commander of the Royal Navy, Alexander Dalrymple Stewart Murray and Sylvia Gladys Dawson on the 20th October 1940. “Alexander Murray worked for British West Indian Airlines so Toni had an international childhood moving from Portugal to Trinidad to Singapore, South Africa and Australia. Toni was proud of her Australian nationality. “Toni left for Lillesden Boarding School in Cranbrook Kent at 15. She met the dizzy heights of being awarded the Coronation Cup for Drama and one A level in Art. Both skills useful when making her home look beautiful and being able to put anyone at their ease. Perfect attributes for a future headmaster’s wife! “Toni and David were married on 25th August 1962. Toni was always bemused by the unquestioned expectation of having to leave her job now that she was married, how times have changed! “David took up his first teaching post as English Master at Stowe, Buckinghamshire. In 1964 they moved up North to Fettes College where they soon took on running Moredun, David as Housemaster and Toni as Matron. “In September 1972 I went to Fettes as one of the first girls. With no local family to live with, the McMurrays very kindly took me on a boarder into their own home. “The first thing I learned was that no two families are alike! Toni and David created a wonderful, lively, warm household with their three girls, Gypsy the dog, the Moredun boys, and now me. Toni had the ability to make me THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

feel as if I was one of them; a ‘fourth daughter’ as she called me! Toni was generous, warm, hospitable, flamboyant, fun loving and colourful and I loved her for it. “In spite of following David to Loretto, then Oundle, Toni remained an ardent and life-long supporter of Fettes, helping me convince my husband that it would be the best place for our own children! “Toni managed to make anywhere she was feel like the ‘place to be’. I, along with many others, will miss hearing her cheerful voice brightening up my day.”

Jamie Frost (Staff 1992-1997) sadly passed away on Thursday 19th September in St Columba’s Hospice. The following was written by Peter Coshan PhD (Staff 1972-2005): “If one needed evidence of the deep affection and high regard felt for Jamie Frost, you only had to attend the service in St John’s Church on 30th November last year held in Celebration of his Life – assuming, that is, you could get in, for it eventually became standing room only! They came from near and far, representing every stage of his tragically shortened but still richly full life. Colleagues and those he taught and coached at the London Oratory School, Fettes and Dollar were there in force, as were his University of Exeter contemporaries and a host of friends from Edinburgh, where he was educated and where he lived with his family. “Head of Rugby at Fettes, Gregg Davies (Staff 1989-2004), could spot a good thing when he saw it, and Jamie joined the Fettes staff in 1992. He proved himself to be an exceptionally gifted and competitive coach of cricket, rugby, hockey and PE. He was instrumental in establishing PE as an academic subject and went on to coach the 1st XI Cricket with notable success for three seasons. He also taught Science and Geography and was looking to add Art to his repertoire THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

by attending Life Drawing classes – as an artist! He also threw himself wholeheartedly into extracurricular life at Fettes: he climbed mountains in Nepal, took on the Western Isles Challenge and was a regular on Third Form Field Week. He appeared as No Good Boyo in the staff production of Under Milk Wood and he was Romeo serenading Judy Campbell’s (Staff 1995-2007) Juliet in The Shakespeare Revue, an altogether much lower-brow staff contribution to the Middle School Drama Festival. “Jamie will perhaps be most fondly remembered for his sociability. As Resident House Tutor in Carrington, he struck up an instant rapport with the boys under his charge and they in their turn felt a protective concern for him. His nickname of ‘crash and burn’ reflected their solicitude for him after yet another failed romance. He was the ultimate party animal; his parties were the stuff of legend, with Jamie often making his appearance in fancy dress as Frosty the Snowman. But what he really needed was a wife to cool his fevered brow. He failed to find her at Fettes (though not for want of trying); nor was she to be found during his time at the International School in Kuala Lumpur after he left Fettes in 1997. But on his return to the UK, he took up a post Dollar Academy and it was there at last he met the future Mrs Frost, English teacher Sandy Gabriel. The daily commute to Dollar and the arrival of his son Jonty and daughter Gabby certainly curbed his partying ways, but the old Jamie was still simmering below the surface, as we saw at his 50th birthday party in 2016.

“It may have seemed odd to have followed Jamie’s memorial service with a fancy dress party in the Grange Cricket Club with the theme of anyone or anything beginning with the letter F. There was a Flat Pack and Flappers and even Pope Francis appeared. It was an inspired send-off to a much-loved and hugely missed friend and one is certain Jamie will have wholeheartedly approved and been with us all in spirit. “Our sympathies go out to Sandy, Jonty and Gabby, and to Jamie’s Mum and brothers Donald and Graham, who have borne their tragic loss with enormous dignity.” Diana Henderson (Staff 20012004) passed away on 10th April 2019, aged 72. She had a wide-ranging career that spanned the military, the law and fundraising for public schools, universities and stately homes. She was Development Director at Fettes from 2001 to 2004, having been in a similar role at the University of Edinburgh. Whilst at Fettes she worked with committed Fettes Foundation Trustees to raise funds for projects such as Westwoods Sports Centre. After Fettes she moved on to a similar role at Queens’ College Cambridge. Diana was also a military historian and her book on the traditions and customs of the Highland regiments from 1820-1920, The Highland Soldier, was published in 1986 to wide praise. She married Peter Jones (Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Edinburgh University) who was director at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities at Edinburgh University (1986-2000) in 2011 and they retired to Norfolk.

OFA Office Bearers

The Fettesian Trust

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

Trustees Amanda Forsyth (née Baker), President OFA, Secretary and Treasurer (Ar 1982-1984)* Henry Cave, Vice President OFA (SH 1980-1984)* Eric Young, OF Governor (Ar 1969-1974)* Nichola Lyons (JS, CE 1984-1990) William Carnegie (Ca 1950-1955) Ian Gardiner (Mo 1963-1968)

Vice-President Henry Cave (SH 1980-1984) OF Governor Eric Young, OF Governor (Ar 1969-1974) Hon Secretary Georgie Hill (CW 1990-1993)

*Ex-officio Trustees (OFA)

Hon Treasurer Richard Llewellyn (Mo 1987-1992) Auditors Messrs Chiene and Tait, CA Committee Brian Cameron (CE 1956-1960) Cordelia Pilz (née Harrison) (Ar 1982-1984) Daniel Thain (JS, Mo 1983-1991) David Hay (Ca 1991-1996) Abigail Gliksten (Ar 2009-2011) Carla Bannatyne (Inv-CE 2005-2013)

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE OLD FETTESIAN ASSOCIATION

STOP PRESS: OF NEWSLETTER 2021

By connecting with the Old Fettesian Association, you will stay up to date with news and upcoming events. Letting us know your preferred postal details helps us to ensure that this newsletter will reach you every year. The law relating to data protection changed in May 2018; we have worked diligently to ensure full compliance with these new regulations. We will continue to contact you in the ways in which we have previously, understanding that you have control over your communication preferences at any time. You can view our privacy notice here: www.fettes.com/familyforlife/development/ privacy-statement

Albeit that, as we send this 2020 Newsletter to print, some of our Fettes 150th anniversary plans are likely to be postponed or altered, there is no doubt that academic year 2020-21 will be a year of celebration for Old Fettesians across the globe. In order to have sufficient time to report on all celebrations up to the end of the summer term on 2nd July next year, we will be finalising the 2021 Newsletter over the summer and aim to distribute it to OFs towards the end of August. If you would prefer to receive your copy by email, please let us know by emailing ofa@fettes.com.

Email: ofa@fettes.com Phone: +44 131 311 6741 Fettes Community portal: fettescommunity.org Facebook: facebook.com/fettescommunityfb Twitter: twitter.com/fettescommunity Twitter: twitter.com/oldfettesians LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/fettes-college Instagram: instagram.com/fettes.college

Designed by Kenneth Gray www.kennethgray.co.uk Printed by Lavenham Press For information about life at Fettes College, please visit fettes.com THE OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER, JULY 2020

Old Fettesian Association

Old Fettesian Newsletter 2020

Articles inside

Sadly Departed

OF News

Old Fettesian Events 2019-2020

A View from the Common Room 2020

Commemoration Weekend 2019

First Girls at Fettes

OF Shooting Report

The Watt Memorial Trust

Remembering the Missing

OF Golf Society Review

The Iain Macleod Award

Fettesian Succession

Keeping Old Fettesians connected

Finding Future Fettesians

Fettes Career Partnership

Creating our forthcoming book, ‘Fettes: Our Place

Fettes and Pandemics

Matrons’ Memories

Message from the OF Office

President’s Message