MAY 2021

The Magazine and Annual Review of The Stewart’s Melville FP Club

SMC lit up on the National Day of Reflection (thanks to ESMS Marketing for the photo) 2 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club Contents...

3 Editor’s Introduction 3 FP Club Update 4 New Club President - Kenneth Russell 5 Principal’s Report 6 Patrick Tobin 7 Colin Rigby 10 Class of 2020 11 Reasons to Remember 14 James Wight Rutherford 15 Iain Riley 16 ESMS Development Office and Community Update 17 Ross Thompson 19 Melville College Trust Update 20 A School History Lesson 25 Stewart’s Melville College Archives 27 Sports Clubs - Cricket 28 Sports Clubs - Rugby 31 Sports Clubs - Golf 32 Sports Clubs - Hockey 33 Melville Class of 1963 Annual Reunion 33 Tribute - Mike Geddes 34 Tribute - Douglas Wright 35 Obituaries FP News 2021 3 Editor’s Introduction to be so, but I’m quietly hopeful that some interesting material and some great normality will be returned to us sooner photos, and have a look at the piece than we may dare to wish. about the Rutherford building as well. The FP News this year has been a I am very thankful to all the people who welcome distraction, and hopefully contributed as always. My job is really there’s a good variety of content for you made easier by sports captains, features to enjoy. There are the usual updates and updates writers, and everyone else from Principal Moule, the club president who contributes in some way. Thank you (welcome to the new president – Kenneth to everyone who contributed obituaries, Russell), the Melville Trust, our sport which I know cannot be an easy ask. I’d clubs, and from the head of Sixth Form. also thank Bryan Lewis for writing a kind Beyond this, make sure to catch some obituary for Patrick Tobin, who many of the varied features included. I enjoyed interviewing Iain Riley, a headmaster and FPs will remember. As always, a special school director in China, and loved the thank you to Sandra Shedden, at MDPD, contribution from Dave Clarke, part of the who designs and prints the magazine, SMC History department, about FPs in Suzi Squires, of the Development Office, the World Wars. Make sure to read it – and Laura McIntosh as well. Thanks also and also see the piece by David McLeish, to Bob Young, Bert Barclay, Alan Veitch, head archivist at SMC, on the archives Jack Davidson, and John Archer. Hello again, First things first – projects and the work being done there. It’s been a nice project throughout apologies for the lateness of I interviewed a friend from my year at a busy year for me personally – I the magazine this year! school, Ross Thompson, about the graduated from Oxford during lockdown, beginning of his professional rugby career and I’m almost finished a MSc at A better editor might have rattled out at Warriors, and also chatted . Thanks to the club for letting three of them with all this time at home, to Colin Rigby, now the VP at the SRU. me do it again. I love receiving anything but it proved a little difficult to assemble Both interviews give fascinating insights that could end up as content for the with so much disruption. Regardless, into Scottish Rugby from totally differing I hope you enjoy what we’ve put perspectives. Bert Barclay and Alan magazine – please do reach out to me at together. I know it’s been a really Veitch contributed a fascinating history of [email protected]. difficult year for so many, and continues the School playing grounds, uncovering Enjoy!

resolution to transfer the operational management of the clubhouse at FP Club Update from the FP Club to the school. As part of the transfer A summary of the significant due consideration a special resolution agreement the school have undertaken was put to an Extraordinary General that there will be a seamless experience donation the club has made Meeting of the Club on 15th July for users of the clubhouse for the rugby to the ESMS Hardship held by Zoom and the outcome was club, hockey club, cricket club and Fund, and the changes in unanimous agreement among those other patrons. Laura McIntosh, the present that the Club should donate a FP Club’s treasurer to this point and clubhouse management. sum of up to £215,000 from reserves Denise Mitchell, long time bar manager, to SMC’s hardship fund which at have transferred their employment Donation to ESMS times was called upon to assist with to the school and will continue to be Hardship Fund payment of school fees on an ad hoc principally responsible for the services basis. The Hardship Fund is separate offered at the clubhouse along with In July 2020 on receipt of a request and in addition to the Bursary Fund Joyce Waterston of the caterer AJ from a senior member of the club the operated by the school via “Access to Catering. Unfortunately as all members FP Club Council agreed to consider Excellence”. The donation has proved what might be done to alleviate the most helpful to the school in resolving will be only too aware the clubhouse financial consequences of Covid that some of the difficulties put before them. has remained closed since early March some parents might experience in 2020 due the pandemic, so the new relation to meeting school fees and Clubhouse Management arrangements have yet to be tested in thereby allow for the continuance of The Extraordinary Meeting of the Club operation. the education of sons at SMC. After on 15th July 2020 also approved a Bert Barclay 4 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club New Club President - Kenneth Russell emotional challenges we face as a Background result of the Covid-19 pandemic have Ken is the third generation of an provided us with an opportunity for the entrepreneurial Edinburgh family with FP Club to work closer with the school interests in construction, property in supporting each other – helping the and the automotive sectors. After Development Office and Access to Excellence support current and future leaving school he travelled extensively pupils and their families while working throughout the USA before spending a together to make former pupils aware semester at Lincoln Way High School, of the many social and networking New Lenox, Illinois. Ken then spent five benefits of club membership beyond years as a management trainee with the ones associated with the club’s a national construction group before sporting activities. joining his family construction business “I also feel the FP Club and its in Edinburgh. members are well placed to use their Following his father’s unexpected extensive social and business networks death Ken, then aged 25, assumed to seek new donations from the wider responsibility for his family’s business We welcome Ken, our new business community for Access to interests, which under his stewardship club president, and thank Excellence in order to pass on to continued to flourish for the next current and future generations of pupils 40 years, including acquiring one Charles Wilson for his service the benefits of a first-rate education of ’s most award-winning over the last two years. Below they enjoyed while a pupil themselves. motor dealerships and being a co- is a press release for Ken, via I look forward to the support of club founder of the internationally-renowned ASM Media & PR. members in this goal. Howtowdie Restaurant in Edinburgh’s New FP Club President Ken Russell Thanks West End. is particularly keen that the mutual “I’d like to thank Past Presidents A Fellow of the Institute of Directors, support between the club and Charles S. Wilson MBE and Robert Ken has also been a member of The the school increases during the Barclay for guiding the club through Society of Edinburgh High Constables, challenging times we now face. Having a challenging period including Scottish Motor Trade Association, already overseen the completion of successfully managing the Clubhouse a substantial donation by the club Federation of Master Builders (Past and latterly to Robert in steering the President), St Andrews Business Club to the school’s Hardship Fund, Ken Club through the significant challenges will use his presidency to fundraise (Past President), Edinburgh Chamber created by Covid restrictions.” further among FPs and the wider of Commerce and a founder member business community for the fund and Ken’s links with the club and school go of the Scottish Borders Chamber of the school’s Development Office. beyond his own attendance at Melville Commerce. Now resident in North-East In return, he hopes to work with College and membership of the FP Fife, Ken is an award-winning business clubs since leaving – his uncle, Alistair the Development Office to increase mentor, board advisor and is currently Birrell (DSC 1940) was a Past President awareness of and engagement with the is non-executive chairman of two of Daniel Stewart’s FP Rugby Club and club among former pupils, resulting in companies. higher membership. his cousin, broadcaster Mike Russell, was also an FP of Daniel Stewart’s Ken and his wife Ann have a daughter, Opportunity (1959). Ken has also been a member three sons and five grandchildren. Speaking about his plans, Ken says: of The Royal Company of Merchants of His other interests include cycling, “The economic, financial, social and The City of Edinburgh for 44 years. hillwalking and speechwriting. FP News 2021 5 Principal’s Report where both teams gave it their all, it was a truly memorable game. The boys 1st X1 Football team won the Independent Schools’ Cup with a 3-1 win over local rivals George Watson’s College in an entertaining final played at Falkirk . The 1st X1 Hockey team were silver medallists at the National Indoor Championships (a school) first. A group of boys attended the Scottish Schools Aquathlon Championships at the Michael Woods Leisure Centre where they all raced well. In the final race of the day one of our S6 boys retained his Scottish Schools title by running into 1st place An update from the Principal They demonstrated commitment, with the fastest run of the day. of ESMS, Linda Moule. perseverance, and the ability to embrace The autumn term calendar was filled every new challenge thrown at them. with special events and occasions, I am delighted to write a report for the Over the course of the summer boys including Remembrance, The Pipe Band FP News Magazine as the Principal had the opportunity to participate in and Dancers’ Ceilidh and excellent of Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools. various sporting and curricular trips. performances of Alice in Wonderland, This has been a year like none other, These included a cricket tour to The Last Witch and Othello. Musical however, I have never felt so proud Liverpool with two thrilling fixtures, a events included the Award Holders’ of my pupils in their determination to very wet Gordonstoun tour and our Concerts held in The Dean, followed by overcome the many obstacles triggered 1st XI hosted to compete for the David the Senior School Chamber Concerts. by the Covid-19 pandemic. Gray Cup in the annual cricket festival. The Solo Piping and Drumming In 2019/2020 boys were unfortunately South Africa Hocky Tour was truly Competition was keenly fought at all levels from Chanter through to the Senior not given the opportunity to sit their memorable on and off the pitch; 46 events. Keeping with tradition, our Carol examinations as they were cancelled U18 rugby players travelled to Ontario, Party followed by the Senior School due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Pupils Canada for the SMC pre-season rugby Carol Services in St Mary’s Cathedral were genuinely very disappointed tour. CCF camps (Army) to North were the end to a special term. not to be able to demonstrate their Yorkshire and RAF in Hertfordshire; industry and knowledge which they the annual trip to Malawi for S5 boys. We were all hugely disappointed when had acquired throughout their studies. Canoeists enjoyed the river Spey for we had to severely curtail our calendar Instead, pupils were graded on teacher a few days of canoeing and camping of events at the end of term 2 due to estimates based on their demonstrated and our skiers a trip to Sestriere. Covid-19 restrictions. However, our pupils and inferred attainment in each subject. During the October break, the Drama embraced this with many other ways to The pass rate at National 5 was 97.4% department led a successful trip to keep busy and support others: creating with an A rate of 75.9%. At Higher Hollywood, Geography trip to Iceland PPE at home, running a half marathon level boys secured a pass rate of and the History department to Japan. round their garden, taking therapet to 98.3%, with an A rate of 67.4%. At Just before Christmas a group of 45 S2 local care homes, project Linus continued Advanced Higher level the pass rate boys headed to for a weekend by sewing patchwork quilts from home, was 97.7% and the A rate was 63.3%. of history tours and sight-seeing, designing a child friendly hand sanitiser station and many more. Boys not only distinguished themselves On the sports field, the boys Rugby on the academic front but have adapted team won the U18 Scottish Schools This session has marked an and demonstrated great resilience to Cup, the final was played at BT extraordinary time for so many of us. overcome the obstacles of working against George Watson’s Linda A Moule from home and online learning. College. It was a fast-paced match Principal 6 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club Patrick Tobin The SMC Community was to ensure that the schools he left were saddened to hear of the death much more demanding of themselves of ex-Headmaster, Patrick than when he had arrived. The schools owe him a great deal for all that was Tobin. Bryan Lewis remembers achieved during his tenure as he strove his former colleague below. to strengthen the schools’ reputation for academic rigour, for cultural appreciation I remember the and for high behavioural expectations. part of our schools today including day I first met staff appraisal, the use of comparative Patrick Tobin Patrick had joined the schools in statistics, annual reviews with all senior shortly after his August 1989 from the Prior Park school Heads Of Department and Heads appointment School in Bath where he had of Guidance, the structure of the school as Principal of transformed the school into a timetable, an increase in the range and Stewart’s Melville beacon of excellence. Always very number of subjects taught and the College and The courteous with a personally caring introduction of a joint Sixth Year and Mary Erskine and surprisingly shy side to him shared guidance system. The schools School (not yet ESMS!) in 1989. I had which did not always come across without doubt became more academic applied for the post of Headmaster in public meetings with colleagues in their approach and results improved of the Junior School and realised that and parents, Patrick possessed the considerably during his decade in Patrick, who had not yet assumed his steely single-mindedness which charge. The schools also became much new responsibilities, was the person marks out leaders who are willing to closer to each other and during Patrick’s I needed to convince that I should be face up to challenges, and in some tenure the foundations of the future appointed, despite all my previous cases opposition, in order to fulfil their integration into today’s ESMS were laid. experience being as a secondary vision. With an excellent degree from Patrick was deeply involved in school Stewart’s Melville teacher. His Oxford University and a broad teaching independent schools’ education on eyes were piercing, his questions were background which included a spell as a UK wide basis where his views and piercing and I quickly realised that both Head of History at Tonbridge School in opinions were widely sought and were reflective of his intellectual depth addition to his previous experience of valued. His appointment as Chairman and rigour which were also piercing. Headship at Prior Park, Patrick brought of HMC in 1998 was a personal Patrick decided to offer me the post with him wide experience, intellectual highlight. By the time he retired in and for the next 10 years I worked curiosity and and an unmatched ability 2000 he had undoubtedly changed closely with him, latterly as Vice to separate the wood from the trees. the schools and laid the foundations Principal as well as Headmaster. Patrick was instrumental in developing on which David Gray and latterly Linda The clarity of his vision, his single- many of the structures which remain Moule built the ESMS we know today. mindedness and his ability to analyse problems and come up with solutions were extraordinary. My senior colleagues and I enjoyed the intellectual and mental challenges we faced as we worked hard to keep up with the pace of change as he his realised his vision for the schools, a vision which he had explained very clearly to the Management Teams within weeks of his appointment. Patrick believed the schools lacked intellectual rigour and in retrospect he was correct. He demanded more of the academic staff and he demanded more of the pupils. He also demanded more of himself and he worked tirelessly FP News 2021 7

Colin Rigby

I spoke to Colin Rigby (whom MND in January raising over £1m – a their own rugby community are truly many will know from the FP quite remarkable achievement! outstanding. For example, buy a virtual round; virtual dinners with delivered Rugby Club), who was elected One of the major items I campaigned on was the level of transparency given meals and wine with speakers; and VP of the SRU last year. We to clubs to explain the context behind regional fitness competitions including discussed the pandemic, the decisions. The VP Notes are now throwing the welly; and inter-club club game, the national team, published after each Scottish Rugby football leagues to name but a few. and head trauma amongst Council meeting and I am delighted With that in mind, are there new other topics. Thanks to Colin they have been a resounding success. priorities for the leadership of the Going forward, since minutes of our SRU after the pandemic? for being generous with his Council meetings are now also being The pandemic, globally, has led to all time and his answers. published on the Scottish Rugby organisations reviewing their priorities website, my aim is to weave this into You were elected VP of the SRU and strategies for the coming years one document combining the minutes in summer last year. Has it been and Scottish Rugby is no different. The of meetings and the VP notes. difficult to make progress with the priority firstly has to be the wellbeing domestic reform you talked about The Governance review is well of stakeholder, that is the clubs and in the campaign in the difficult under way with already some five their communities and employees. meetings. President Ian Barr and circumstances of your term so far? We responded with a four-stage Stewart’s Melville’s Gavin MacColl QC plan - Respond, Reset, Recover and It’s certainly been an interesting as chairman are driving the review Rebuild, and I believe Scottish Rugby opening six months - effectively three and we remain on track to report back was proactive from the outset in its AGMs as a result of the coronavirus to the clubs by early summer. pandemic, the cancellation of the response to the pandemic. As we progress through the pandemic, competitive domestic season, the We are now in the reset phase and we will start to focus on how domestic start of a governance review, and new various strategies are being evaluated clubs will emerge from the pandemic autumn series – the Autumn Nations and refined, the difficulty on this and reform going forward as the game Cup and new ways of delivering the occasion is the majority of decisions on and off the pitch as we knew it will game to the wider audience, CVC are impacted by items outwith Scottish need to adapt. One of the positives money into Pro 14 now 16 and of Rugby’s control such as government of the pandemic is that I have been course, the win at Twickenham. able to speak to more clubs than I legislation and restrictions. In addition, thanks to and would normally as forum meetings are So, to answer your question, yes, there Rob Wainwright, a lot of us have had via Zoom rather than in person. Some are new priorities, around survival and the chance to do some exercise in the of the positive initiatives clubs are realigning the game for when we can Doddie Aid inter-district challenge for coming up with to keep contact with eventually resume. 8 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

We are grateful for the support we have at least weekly with stakeholders There are a good number of received from the Scottish Government from throughout the game evaluating exciting prospects in Scotland at in the recent weeks by underpinning our scenarios and opportunities so when the moment (including some from plans by the provision of £15 million grant we are given the green light, we are Stew Mel). What is your opinion aid and the option to take an additional £5 ready to re activate the game at mini , on the increasing tendency of million loan as part of a rescue package, midi, schools , and club levels. We will clubs giving opportunities to given the absence of spectators at almost all have to work hard together to retain southern hemisphere talent, instead all matches since restrictions triggered by and ultimately increase the number of of young domestic prospects? the coronavirus pandemic were imposed people playing and involved in other Great question and one that highlights in March 2020. This will help finance roles in our game. the issue of where we stand as a game the game at all levels. Scottish Rugby What are your thoughts, and the on and off the pitch. The reality is we understands the parlous state many of thinking within the SRU, on how the need to evaluate why our domestic our clubs find themselves in and I am Super6 league has operated so far? prospects are not in some cases the sure in the upcoming Council meetings Are there any plans for it to evolve first port of call? And this comes back and Board meetings we will look to build in the future? to where we need to look to invest in on the template of last season’s Club the game at grassroots and create It’s early days with Super6 as their Hardship Fund. a pathway that the best players are first season was truncated by Covid. tested week in and week out for clubs Live sport attendance is something My initial view was it was a positive and schools so as they rise up through a lot of people are looking forward step forward and from a Stewart’s the ranks. These prospects need to after lockdown - how do you see Melville perspective we have seen to have the best coaching, strength crowds being phased back in? many benefits from our partnership and conditioning and understand with Heriot’s. I also appreciate that not We all wish to see crowds back at what is expected of them, but, most all has been plain sailing and Super6 sporting events within Scotland as importantly, that they have been tested has much to do to gain the trust of the soon as possible following guidance in each environment. We as clubs and from medical experts and Scottish clubs and build a working relationship schools have never, I believe answered Government. As the virus continues to with Premiership clubs. that question to any great degree of mutate more and more scenarios are That said, Super6 is here and we satisfaction. We are very fortunate at being planned around how and when need to embrace its conception and Stewart’s Melville over the last few crowds can return whether to Inverleith standing in the club game and perhaps years to have provided several players or BT Murrayfield. Scottish Rugby has there will be consideration in the future to the professional ranks, Scott Riddell a threat management group meeting to increase it to eight or ten teams. at Scotland 7’s; George Turner with FP News 2021 9

Glasgow Warriors and Scotland; Ross We need to be open minded and think of how injuries occur, the game’s Thompson also in Glasgow. And in outside the box, why can’t school laws have adapted and the emphasis the Edinburgh ranks we have Jamie teams play against the best club on player safety must continue to be Hodgkinson, Jack Blain and Connor teams? How do we retain players at paramount. All sports will need to Boyle. Add in hooker Isaac Miller at all levels of the game, irrespective of come to terms and adapt as medical Worcester Warriors, Callum Hunter Hill gender, how do we increase match research evolves around head trauma. at Saracens - we are contributing to official recruitment? The list is long, This is not just a challenge for rugby. the Scottish professional game. but we must all start to understand the A lively debate within Scottish issues before we can apply a solution. This is great news for the school and Rugby surrounds the potential the rugby club and a progression that Sometimes we forget that every player resurrection or creation of a third we should celebrate. At the same time that plays for Scotland, Edinburgh or professional club. Is that something however, it is in the domestic game Glasgow started either at a club or to realistically expect? where 95% of players play, some for school, there were no bright lights and Why not? However, the bigger question competitive rugby, but most for fun sponsors it was Saturday mornings or is how it can be financed. It’s no secret and the social aspect with their friends Sunday afternoons. that Glasgow and Edinburgh lack the and that must be at the forefront of our We must get the girls and women’s financial clout of some of the PRO minds when laying out our strategy for game to dovetail into these deliverables. 14/16 teams and their English and the future. The top 5% of our playing Head safety and concussion is French counterparts. So, before we population need a structure to be as maybe the biggest debate in rugby competitive as possible to drive sucess can look towards a third Pro Team, (and a number of sports) right now. and funding which is then promoted we need to ensure we can adequately The RFU and WRU have had former finance what we already have. and distributed to the 95% of the players raise lawsuits against playing population so we must all look Obviously, the CVC investment in the them, and an increasing number PRO14 will help Scottish Rugby as a at the overall bigger picture as well as of parents have reservations about whole, however it will also aid the other within our own team or club. their kids taking up the game. What countries, so we need to fight hard just can be done to encourage more to stand still. people playing whilst ensuring their safety? And have the regulations Then debate will be where does at the professional level gone far this potential third team play? Borders? enough in your opinion? North? Or even London via London Scottish could be a consideration. This is certainly an area that has become very newsworthy of late. It will take a few years for all forms of For those of us privileged to hear Dr rugby to settle down and get back James Robson speak at the rugby to the levels of financial investment club dinner a few years back, Scotland that were seen prior to the pandemic through James and his medical so I believe our focus at the current colleagues have been and remain time should be to ensure we have the vigilant around all aspects of player strongest Edinburgh and Glasgow welfare. In conjunction with their teams we can afford, with the correct colleagues in coach education, they pathways and infrastructure to support have been prominent in advancing this underneath. The club game is what the importance of safety first around these foundations are built on. concussion, through, for example, Lastly, Scotland are currently 40/1 the “Are you ready to play Rugby” to win the World Cup in 2023 – is and “Rugby Right” initiatives. There that worth a tenner? is undoubtedly much more awareness Surely, you’re not asking me to break of what to look for and how to treat World Rugby regulation 6! head trauma. You only need to look at campaigns across Scottish sport, Professional rugby at International level in which Scottish Rugby has taken is incredibly competitive, especially in the an active lead, such as “If in doubt sit top 10 – most countries on a given day them out” to know the importance we can beat each other so a lot will come attach to this area of player welfare. down to who performs on the day. As we have become more aware Thank you Colin! 10 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

Class of 2020

An update from Jeff Marsh about the class of 2020 – who left SMC in unique circumstances. Perhaps only FPs whose time at That final week saw a mass year group Some have already made their mark, with Daniel Stewart’s or Melville College football match up at MES, a post-it school captain Joe Ewing performing ended during the world wars can truly note memory wall, the traditional lads- well in televised middle-distance running empathise with the newest recruits only final school lunch (see attached events prior to taking up his scholarship to their ranks, the Class of 2020, pictures) and a cheerful determination to Harvard in 2021, and Kieran Ngwenya whose final year of active schooling to make the most of the situation. As making his SPFL Premier League debut was brought to an abrupt halt by the lockdown began, the red blazer team for Aberdeen FC before the year was national lockdown initiated by the swung into action, entertaining the year out. Peter Molloy began his degree COVID-19 global pandemic. One week, group with a series of amusing video in Modern and Mediaeval Languages dissertations were being completed presentations, concerts (this being at the University of Cambridge, whilst and the climax of the sporting season an exceptionally talented year group the ancient universities of Durham, St being prepared for as normal with the from a musical as well as a sporting Andrews, Edinburgh and Glasgow, as distant promise (after exams) of the perspective) and intellectual and well as the colleges of the University of end-of-year traditional events – the physical challenges to keep spirits high. London all featured more prominently Leavers’ Ceremony, the 24 hour dash Sixth Form Tutors guided the boys than usual in the list of destinations of the to Alton Towers theme park and back, through their final decision-making for leavers of a notably academic cohort. the Leavers’ Ball and of course the the future, and all too soon it was time More boys than usual also opted to take final school day and Prizegiving. The for the online Leavers’ Ceremony, an an impromptu gap year, to protect their next week, it was announced that opportunity to mark that final week of schools were to close, exams were to official schooling with the school hymn, future university experience, whilst those be cancelled, as would, ultimately, the the torch ceremony, and a welcome to who had hoped to serve our Australasian inevitable cancellation of all those end- the FP community from Alasdair Seale, partner schools as Gap Tutors instead of-SMC rites of passage. is spite of the continuing lockdown. found themselves patrolling more familiar playgrounds here at ESMS. Showing the same resilience which had Little did those going off to university taken them to the Schools’ Rugby Cup realise at that stage what awaited them Already notable as the first group of in a memorable Murrayfield final against in the autumn, campus lockdowns with students to enjoy Sixth Form under the Watson’s, the national schools’ hockey freshers confined to their rooms under enthusiastic leadership of new Director final and an unbeaten record at football, the watchful eye of security guards, but of Sixth Form Mrs Frances McCrudden, the Class of 2020 shrugged off these with a solid education behind them and the Class of 2020’s final year was disappointments and left at the end of the with the school motto and ESMS Nine memorable for many more reasons year knowing that their contribution to the Values as their guiding principles, they than they could have imagined, but their school was equally as great as those who again bore the additional challenges stoicism and collegiality will help them to had enjoyed the good fortune of seeing with good humour and can look make a major contribution to both the their final year through to the end. forward to a brighter future. FP Club and the wider community. FP News 2021 11

Reasons to Remember As has become a tradition, and Crematorium here in Edinburgh- so shot down wholesale but, against all Dave Clarke of the History let us uncover a few of their stories… the odds, swept into the Ottoman Warriston is now a rather rambling lines and, caring nothing for artillery Department has provided a and neglected site but is slowly being and musketry, carried three lines of deeply moving piece about reclaimed from nature by a dedicated trenches and put all those who resisted some of the young Melville band of volunteers. Buried there is to the bayonet. Casualties amongst our Stewartonian William Ross, a rising star FPs were terrible- eight Stewartonians College and DSC men who in RBS whose career was cut short and five men from the Institution lost their lives whilst serving in by duty and war. At the outbreak of were killed that day, including James Henderson and Arthur Sanderson (both the World Wars. the conflict, he enlisted as a private soldier in the 4th Royal Scots- he could of 7th Royal Scots Majors) and John The 2020 Service of Remembrance easily have waited for a commission Peebles, B Company commander and was, needs must, rather an odd one as an officer but divined (correctly) brother to the commanding officer this year- not least for its dramatic that the fastest route to the front William Peebles, another EI FP. Badly setting on an atmospherically foggy was in the drab serge of an enlisted wounded in the assault, William Ross and floodlit Monday evening. Given man. Dispatched to Gallipoli as part was evacuated to Graylingwell Military the hundreds of names on the of the 52nd Lowland Division in May Hospital in Chichester where he died Stewart’s and Melville memorials, it 1915, the 4th were nearly lost to a on Boxing Day, 1915. His body was is an automatic assumption that all man when their troopship accidentally returned to his native Edinburgh for the men thereon lie in some ‘foreign rammed a hospital boat in the dark burial. Resting nearby is the Institution’s field’- that all our FPs were killed in of a Mediterranean night- but their Robert Lamb- a Royal Naval Division battle and were buried where they fell luck held, and the 4th landed on the officer who saw service on the Somme in one of over a million Commonwealth fated peninsula on 8th June. They and also died of his wounds in 1919. War Graves Commission plots in 2500 had been in the Dardanelles less than It is easy to imagine how a wounded cemeteries worldwide. It may come three weeks when they were thrown serviceman like William Ross might end as something of a surprise (as it did into a hastily arranged attack on the up under a Commonwealth Graves to me) to discover that a significant Ottoman positions at Gully Ravine Commission stone, but the sad tale of minority of our FPs are either buried or on the 28th of the month- an assault James MacNaughton (DSC) reminds commemorated here in the UK- 29 of that was, paradoxically, disastrously us of how precarious life could be them from the Great War, and 53 from successful. Launched at a series of before the NHS and the medical WWII. Ten alone are either buried or enemy trenches with no preparatory advances we take for granted today. commemorated in Warriston Cemetery bombardment, the Royal Scots were James was unusual in that he was 12 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

Alistair Eric Gus Robert Robert William Robert Leslie Gibb Hogg Waterson McCallum Weir Lamb one of our very few Regular soldiers, four months later. Accepted onto the before joining the RAF and qualifying as enlisting straight from school on 23rd pilot training course in the final month of an observer. At this stage of the war, Air January 1914 into 1st Northumberland the year, his progress to active service Observers were tasked with navigation, Fusiliers. It is clear that he had his heart was derailed somewhat by his transfer photography and dropping the weapon set on soldiering, having completed to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, load, and were, in some quarters tacitly his training with the Black Watch as a presumably with a view to his eventual accepted as being more skilled than schoolboy. A strapping lad of 5ft 10ins, acceptance into the Royal Naval Air pilots! Joining 35 (Madras) Squadron he was nevertheless retained in the Service. It mattered not, as in April of on twin engine Wellingtons in June depot at Portsmouth on the outbreak 1918, the two forces merged, and 1940, Gibb immediately embarked of war where ill health intervened. He Robert found himself as a flight cadet in on a service career that would see reported sick in January 1915 with the newly fledged RAF. By October of him rack up 225 hours of operational a persistent cough, which worsened that year, and no doubt feeling dreadfully flying over an incredible 33 missions. to such a degree that in May 1915, frustrated as the war was drawing to In November of that year, the elite 35 he was found to be suffering from a close, McCallum was posted to 37 Sqdn (which was staffed by Bomber advanced tuberculosis- his left lung Training Depot Station in Yatesbury, Command legends such as Leonard being almost completely destroyed Wiltshire. As a finishing school for pilots, Cheshire VC) was nominated to bring by it. Though James was adjudged to it operated a rag-bag of training and into service the Handley Page Halifax, having been suffering from TB before ex-service types- none with a worse a veritable leviathan and the second enlistment, the Army took responsibility reputation than the RE8. An ungainly of the RAF’s four engine bombers to for his condition on account that the two-seater used for reconnaissance, see action. Gibb continued to take the illness should have been picked up in in the words of one pilot, it ‘flew like a fight to the Nazis, ranging out in broad two medicals on his enlistment. On steamroller’ and had a nasty reputation daylight to bomb Scharnhorst at anchor the 17th July 1915 he was honourably for irrecoverable stalls. With an upper in La Pallice- the sort of operation an discharged to pension as permanently wing of much greater span than the insurance salesman wouldn’t look unfit. His medical records make for lower, the long wing extensions were twice at. His mettle was tested on sobering reading- when asked to structurally suspect if the aircraft was June 30th, 1941 in another dreadfully assess James’ chances of recovery, pressed into a dive, so much so that a risky daylight operation to strike at the colonel presiding over his medical squadronmate of McCallum’s, Richart harbour installations at Kiel. Gibb had board simply wrote ‘None’. He died at St.J Hartley, confided in his diary of just released the bombload and was home surrounded by his family on 7th the terror he faced going aloft in ‘those setting a course for home when an March 1916, aged 19, having never deathtrap REs’. Though docile enough in anti-aircraft shell turned the fuselage of fired a shot in anger. It is sad to relate level flight, RE8 pilots were also required, the Halifax where he was stationed into that Melville College’s Alastair Leslie when needed, to intervene to help the a colander. Worse was to come- they died from the same illness in 1947, infantry on the ground with divebombing were attacked by three Me.110 fighters after contracting it in a POW camp. He and strafing attacks on enemy positions. which shredded the aircraft’s wings and is also buried in Warriston. On the afternoon of the 8th October reduced the starboard outer engine to To peruse the schools’ Rolls of Honour is 1918, McCallum took C2677 aloft to a flaming wreck. Still- Gibb got them to be forcefully acquainted with the truly practice such an operation. Predictably home. It was only after landing that eyewatering mortality rates suffered by for our Stewartonian, the inherent he revealed that he had been hit by our flying services in both world wars- weakness of the RE8 wing struck and shrapnel but had carried on regardless. especially so in training. On entering in a steep dive, the whole top plane This incredible work was immediately Warriston Cemetery and walking directly collapsed, bearing the 19-year-old to his recognised by a commission to south from the gateway, one is quickly death. His distraught family established Pilot Officer and the award of the arrested by the imposing granite Celtic the R.P.F. McCallum Trophy for Cricket in Distinguished Flying Medal, his CO cross of the McCallum family. Robert, a his honour. opining that he was ‘an observer of very promising cricketer and a junior staff A few paces away from Robert’s outstanding ability, possessed of a high member in the Leith office of the North of grave is the last resting place of a order of courage’. Rested after an over- Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Steam bona-fide Melville College hero, Eric long operational tour, he was posted to Navigation Company, he went up to Fawns Gibb- his valiant life marked by 28 Conversion Flight at Leconfield to Edinburgh University OTC from Stewart’s a very unprepossessing recumbent pass on his skills. The events of 22nd for basic training in May 1916, before stone. Strikingly handsome, he was December 1941 are still as murky as transferring to the Royal Flying Corps apprenticed to Rosebank Ironworks the weather that day. Officially slated FP News 2021 13 as a flight to deliver Halifax L9522 to Malta. Further success in the air came blank range and tore his opponent out Handley Page’s HQ at Radlett, possibly with the conversion onto the even of the sky for his first credited solo kill. for refurbishment, the aircraft took off more potent Hurricane. Posted back The next morning RAF Hornchurch with- unusually- a full crew and an extra to the Deck Landing School at HMS was the target of a devastating attack. passenger. Whether there was any Condor at Arbroath to train new pilots, Bubble amazed his pals by coolly intention to visit Radlett (due well south he, by pure chance, found himself a sitting in a slit trench as the bombs and on the outskirts of St Alban’s) is passenger on an Avro Anson on a fell all around, joking and generally unknown- and can never be known. short hop from Prestwick. The Anson, unfavourably comparing his chances L9522 collided with the high ground of never overburdened with power, lost on the ground with those in the air! He the Terrace Hills to the north of Melton a Cheetah engine on takeoff and flew three gruelling sorties that day- his Mowbray in thick fog, with the loss of all gravity rapidly reasserted itself. Staff at last in the late afternoon. Nobody is onboard. Rumours persisted to make Ballochmyle Hospital did all they could sure what occurred in the air above the loss doubly sad and poignant- for the 20-year old- which was nothing Woolwich that early evening of 31st though officially bound for Radlett, the more than to make him comfortable. August 1940, but a memorial today plan had been to visit RAF Grantham, He died the day after the accident marks the spot where Waterston’s to the east, to collect turkeys for the on the 18th March 1942. Thus, fate Spitfire came to earth. He was 23. station’s Christmas lunch, just 72 hours accomplished what the entirety of the There are over 2500 Commonwealth later. Christmas in the Gibb household Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica could War Graves burials in Edinburgh- that year does not bear thinking about. not- dared not- do. men and women claimed by illness, Nearby the cemetery is Warriston Also remembered on the memorial is accidents, or simply just broken by Crematorium, and a handsome war one of that immortal band ‘The Few’- their war service. Taken from the memorial with no less than five Melville an RAF fighter pilot who defended context of the battles they fought in, College FPs remembered on it, all of these isles during the Battle of Britain- the people they served with and dotted whom were in the flying services. Both Robin ‘Bubble’ Waterston. Like Gus around our civilian cemeteries miles William Weir and William Taylor were Hogg, he was another fine Melville lad from the seat of war, it can take some killed in training accidents before they and a pre-war Volunteer Reserve pilot digging and a lot of time to uncover ever reached operational squadrons- or in the socially exclusive 603 (City of their stories. This rather begs the their potential. Tom Ainslie’s death was Edinburgh) Squadron, based at RAF question- does a man need a story to particularly cruel- after completing four Turnhouse, the site of today’s airport. be remembered? Is it not what he was peril-fraught missions as the second pilot Initially a bomber squadron, in the willing to do when called, not what he of a 75 Squadron Wellington, he lost run up to war the unit’s Hinds were did, that really counts? Irrespective control of his motorbike near Cambridge swapped for Gladiators, and then, joy of what their service and sacrifice on the night of 26th February 1941. of joys, for brand new Spitfires. Posted had on the outcome of the war, it is Also remembered here is the to Dyce, on 20th June 1940, Bubble with great pride and real affection redoubtable Fleet Air Arm ace, Gus Waterston shared in the destruction that we remember each of our FPs. Hogg. Posted to 806 Naval Air of a Dornier 17 bomber, which his It goes without saying that their spirit Squadron at the tender age of 17, he patrol dismissed headlong into the of willingness to put service before could little know that his unit would sea off Aberdeen. Moved south into self runs in no less a vein right down become the Navy’s ‘top guns’ of WW2, the heat of the battle, he could little through the years to the incredible and he himself would go on to carve know he had just 72 hours to live. On young men of today who have the a swathe of destruction through the 30th August high above Canterbury he pleasure and privilege to call Stewart’s enemy above the Mediterranean with attacked a Messerschmitt 109 at point Melville College their home. twelve confirmed victories and the Distinguished Service Cross and Bar. His war started inauspiciously- defending the Orkneys with an outdated Gloster Gladiator biplane! Converting onto the Blackburn Skua divebomber, he took part in the legendary raid which saw the sinking of the Konigsberg in Bergen harbour, though Hogg commented with habitual modesty in his journal that his 500-pounder fell well wide of the mark! Posted south into the heat of the Battle of Britain, he had the misfortune of being shot down over the Channel by RAF Hurricanes- his gunner being killed. Shipping out to the Med on Illustrious and ditching the lumbering Skua for the sleek eight-gun Fulmar, Hogg and his squadronmates made short work of the Italian seaplanes, flying boats and bombers menacing 14 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

James Wight Rutherford David McLeish gives a short had been assumed he would leave a Government Bonds. biography of James Wight small donation but when the letter from Once invested he left the money there Rutherford – one of the the lawyer arrived, the Bursar showed and never touched any of it, so that the letter to the Principal (and Bryan most generous benefactors by his death it had become the large Lewis) who miscounted the zeros and fortune that he donated to his old in school history. The new read it as five thousand five hundred school. Rutherford Building was pounds… the Bursar pointed out it It is especially fitting that the first was actually five million five hundred finished in recent months. building on the Queensferry Road site thousand pounds. The new building at Stewart’s Melville to have a Melville College connection College is named after James Wight How did he end up with this should be named after such a Rutherford (1908-1978), who attended amount of money? generous benefactor. In keeping with Edinburgh Institution (later Melville He lived in a very average bungalow his quiet and unassuming manner College) from 1913-1925. in Craigleith and had never given any we can find no photograph of him despite his being a governor of the He was a loyal supporter of the school indication of his wealth. He was a wise Melville College Trust for many years during his lifetime and donated several investor and did not spend money prizes for sport and the Boarding unnecessarily. Just prior to WW2 he and having been a supporter at literally House. Following his death, the entire told his wife that war was imminent thousands of school and FP, rugby and proceeds of his estate were left to the and therefore he would invest in 6 cricket matches at all levels. Melville College Trust to be used for pairs of good brown brogues (these He always stood quietly on the the benefit of the school. The story he wore until his death - never needing touchline, beautifully attired in his kilt goes that the size of his estate came to buy any more pairs) and that all and, of course, never without one of his as a great surprise to the school. It of their money should be placed in 6 pairs of brogues! FP News 2021 15 Iain Riley

I interviewed Iain Riley, a school number of years ago which changed director and principal in China, the face of education. China looked at about the education sector in the leading countries across the world using the PISA results and external China, the Chinese response to organisations including the IBO to the coronavirus, and mistaken create a hybrid curriculum that is European assumptions about creating individuals for the rigour of the Chinese society. 21st Century and the changes in the job market. China also has an ageing population so again something needed Do you think the China is politically to be done quickly to create the ever and culturally misunderstood as a changing workforce of the future. nation from a British perspective? How would you explain Chinese Yes. China is one of the most diverse countries that I have ever lived and success at managing the virus, worked in. They are indeed run by a beyond the simple Western answer communist government that likes to of ‘fewer liberties in general’? standardise across the board, however China was smart. They locked down in reality this is not possible. Shanghai the whole country and had support for example has its own municipal infrastructure in place in 48 hours. government and the city along with Everyone followed the rules as the those of Shenzhen and Guangzhou are Chinese government was clear on extremely internationalised. In terms how serious this could be. The UK of culture, you can go 30 minutes in would not be going through such a the car and see something completely First of all, can you briefly explain hard time with the second wave if they different. The people from the north your role in the education sector? had followed some of the rules from certainly live differently to people of the China - for example hotel quarantine south. They even look different and I am very fortunate of having multiple is coming in a year after that of China. speak a different dialect. roles across my company and also The smartest move was closing their with the IB. I am currently the Head If you could pick one, what would borders to lower cases and stop the of School for a very large IB school you say is the biggest challenge spread. and also the General Principal for 7 facing China as it moves past Kindergartens and the Director of A lot of Chinese parents continue the pandemic? Feel free to give IB for the company. I also hold the to value UK universities - do you multiple answers! post of workshop facilitator with the think this will still be the case Trust in the government. People are still International Baccalaureate and Visiting a decade from now? Will China not convinced how the virus started Team Member with the Middle States emerge as the global standard for and many of the people still believe that Schools Association for the American higher education? the government did not tell them the High School Diploma. Finally, I am also China is not really known for its truth. a consultant for a famous UK boarding universities presently. However certain What are your thoughts on British school that is owned by a Hong universities such as Fudan and East schools launching Chinese Kongneese and is expanding into the China Normal University are changing operations? Will they stay viable? Chinese market. this. Parents are wanting a more In certain cities yes. Fettes and In your experience (having taught internationalised education system so Merchiston both have representation in Scotland and worked in China) in many respects the UK and the US in China. Harrow, St Bees and other what can the UK primary education will never miss out. However with the English names have a clear presence sector learn from China? rise of Chinese education system, we also. It is interesting to see these Adaptability. The Second Educational will see in time that less students may schools adapt with the East meets Reform Act in China was introduced a apply to the UK. West philosophy. 16 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club ESMS Development Office and Community Update

An update on ESMS • A weekly photography competition community activity during the • We linked pupils with alumni to exchange letters in a pen pal type unique year, from Suzi Squires scheme and the Development Office. • We shared jokes, baking, recipes As with all parts of the school in the last and generally positive news from 12 months, the Development office has the ESMS Community, including had to adapt and change its planned a lockdown wedding, several activities for the year. The usual promotions and new roles for alumni schedule of family ceilidhs, quizzes, • We facilitated a couple of special reunions and career-based events were digital events, like the Peboryon set to one side whilst we worked out bakealong! the best ways to support the wider Life started to open up as we went ESMS community through various into the summer, we paused the lockdowns and restricted access. coffee mornings, singalong and weekly We firstly launched a neighbour helping children’s quizzes. The community/ family quiz remained very popular and scheme, predominantly in Edinburgh but November also saw the first ever digital in demand so we ran this monthly also looking to assist elderly or isolated Inspire Lecture. Attendance was up during the summer and autumn to give alumni wherever they were in the world. and we had alumni tune in from around We had lots of young alumni, parents families an opportunity to spend some time together on a regular basis and the world to hear leading female polar and pupils volunteer their assistance explorer, Felicity Aston, talk about in fetching groceries and essentials for have some fun. We also continued the photo competition and introduced an some of her experiences exploring those who were elderly or shielding. art competition for the summer break in extreme climates and leading We spent a week or so looking into how to help parents keep children occupied. expeditions too. we could help to support our community During the autumn term, a large amount in various ways during the lockdowns, of our time was spent preparing for our tested various different technologies Remembrance Day. This was supposed which could help us to bring activities to have been an exhibition of school, to the community and spoke to a wide alumni and family memorabilia in the range of teachers and other school staff Dean on the weekend following the 11th to see what they could help us to bring but due to the restrictions on gatherings, to the community. we had to change our plans and launch We then launched a blog (www. this digitally instead. We owe a great esmscommunity.org) to be a hub for all debt of thanks to both School Captains, our planned activity. This was initially a Lily Burgess and Conrad Derbyshire, and their friends as they spent much of their temporary website but it’s been such We also found time to start a new October break recording themselves a success and so popular that we’ve initiative in the autumn term – video reading out transcripts of testimonials decided to maintain it all year round now. interviews with alumni in a range of from alumni and from our archives for We launched several initiatives that ran the montage. Thanks are also due to careers. The first two videos were with throughout lockdown: our amazing archivists and the MES alumni whose businesses had been • Twice weekly digital coffee mornings Guild archivist who spent a lot of time significantly impacted by the lockdown featuring a wide range of speakers researching some interesting stories from – a baking company and a magician! from the ESMS parent and alumni the archives to bring to the community. Christine Jensen, MES 1992 leaver, community. The end result was a stunning tribute to owns and runs Peboryon Cakes with her husband Phil. They usually provide • A weekly quiz for children during the those who served in the war and those wedding and celebration cakes, not daytime who served to support the war effort at home. It gave context to their efforts just for people in their local area but • A weekly community/family quiz for whilst paying tribute to their sacrifices. they also undertake large sculpture everyone The video can still be viewed here: cakes which are sometimes featured • A weekly singalong https://youtu.be/R5o7zaogIPI. on TV programmes, such as Extreme FP News 2021 17

Cakes. In addition to their interview in which they discussed how they’d pivoted their business to deliver letterbox cakes and online tutorials in baking, icing and sculpting, they also ran a bakealong session earlier in the year for our community. 2012 leaver Cameron Gibson may be a familiar name to those who live in Edinburgh as he has been a magician at all sorts of events in the area, including our own May Fantoosh ball a couple of years ago. Cameron embarked on a new initiative which saw him moving to Toronto in the middle of the pandemic to be the Lead Magician at James Allan’s Illusionarium, an experimental magic exhibit featuring Penn and Teller Ross amongst others. And finally, lockdown 2 has seen the return of our popular coffee mornings, children’s quizzes and photo Thompson competition. We now run our family/ community quiz fortnightly on a Friday And the was good… evening and have been receiving over I recently caught up with 50 teams entering each time. Ross Thompson, who’s now It was great in a way – it meant playing professionally for getting proper gametime, but the . standard wasn’t similar to pro rugby. It’s not an equivalent to domestic Since school, he’s been studying professional leagues elsewhere, but at Glasgow Uni, and was playing it’s a great start and a really promising in the Super 6 prior to a call-up to development for Scottish Rugby. I the Warriors playing squad. We think I was also getting frustrated spoke about what comes next, his being close to playing for the Warriors adjustment to professional rugby, and but not getting gametime. the journey up to this point. Thanks to Ross for giving up the time, and Were you at all close to walking congratulations also go to fellow away? FP Jamie Hodgson (who we spoke There were times throughout last to last year), who signed another year where I remember speaking to contract with Edinburgh in January. people and saying I wasn’t sure if I We are looking forward to our March FM: Congratulations on the wanted to do rugby next year, and Inspire Lecture which will feature young contract. Does it feel any different? just training with no opportunities was Scottish Science and Technology writer RT: Thanks – no it doesn’t really. I obviously not what any player wants. Gemma Milne talking about experimental don’t feel like things have changed I remember speaking to a few people science and how it will apply to our that much, but I suppose there’s though, including Mr Edwards (from future, including lab grown meat, maybe now some more expectation SMC), who encouraged me just to go going forward? genomic therapies for cancer and fusion for it – I know I’d have regretted not energy, amongst other innovations. What has the journey to this point trying and seeing what comes of it. This will take place on 22 March from looked like since school? 19.30pm – all are welcome to attend! Well after school I went to Glasgow If you would like to talk to the for university and played with the Development Office, perhaps you (Glasgow) Hawks for two years, want to share a memory or you have then moved to the Ayrshire an idea of something you think may for the 2019-20 season. During work well for our community, please lockdown, playing obviously stopped don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can – so getting that first gametime for contact Suzi on development@esms. Glasgow was the first live rugby I’d org.uk or on 0131 311 1131. played for about ten months. 18 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

But it came eventually – were there was in the Glasgow practice squad about getting as much time playing as nerves? and thinking it was mental. There possible – I’m enjoying getting out and It did! There were a few, but it was were a whole bunch of guys who had learning. There’s a bunch of younger mainly just exciting to be able to get been playing for Scotland for years. guys coming through, and everyone It’s still weird now to think about, but it playing again after so much time. It just wants to play. feels pretty normal. The speed of the was also good to start alongside a It must be funny seeing other Stew game was immediately noticeable – it couple of other younger guys like Rufus Mel guys at Edinburgh. was so much quicker than rugby I’d (Maclean), because at the team line-up played before. The other thing I noticed Yeh it’s pretty funny – obviously I played announcement it meant there were a was just how good the international with Hodgy in the 1st XV during his few of us coming on together. guys are at the basics. They’re just last year and we toured together, and And then the match was postponed so consistent, it’s a been a good I played with Jack (Blain) and Connor for a frozen pitch. environment to learn in. (Boyle) at school It was actually pretty That was actually quite lucky – it was So even if it’s harder to get weird seeing them on a different team, annoying for it to be called off so close, gametime, you able to learn a lot? but it’s great they’re getting to play. but it definitely helped with everything. Yeh exactly – I’ve had Adam Hastings George Turner is also at Glasgow as I knew exactly what it felt like to be and Pete Horne around, and I’ve well, so there’s a lot of Stew Mel across starting, which helped when it came been picking their brains and learning. the two clubs at the moment. around for real – it was like a good We signed as well, who’s And what about the degree? rehearsal. played for Ireland, and he’s been great. Glasgow have actually been quite So it definitely goes both ways, there’s It must be weird to play with guys decent about it – I went to doing it more competition, but the experience who have been internationals for a part-time during the last couple of at the club is pretty impressive. decade. years, and have a year to go, which I’ll I really remember looking around a And what’s plan from this point? just do along with rugby for a year. It couple of years ago, the first time I For the next year or two, I think it’s just might be something to use after rugby. FP News 2021 19

Melville College Trust Update

An update after an unusual basketball club, 2 rowing machines for of Melville College 1832-1973. Some year from Alan Veitch, Chair of the Rowing Club and a video tripod plus years ago, the Trust published a book the Melville College Trust. camera stabilizer for the Film-making covering Edinburgh Institution WW1 Club. In Stewart’s Melville College the and Melville College WW2 roll of The Covid 19 pandemic has obviously Astronomy Club received support and honour and it is great to this this has impacted all our lives in recent months across the Erskine Stewart’s Melville also been digitised and available on-line and in these times of great uncertainty Senior School there was the purchases at https://archives.esms.org.uk/ of a canoe trailer for canoeing/kayaking it is good to report much has happened Recently the Trust received exciting in the work of the Melville College Trust trips plus Duke of Edinburgh expeditions news from the School that their new over the last 12 months. Along with most and Challenge Scoreboards for the building for Modern Languages and organisations we continued our regular Middle School. Classics is to be officially named the Committee meetings and our Annual The Trust is formally registered for Gift Rutherford building in memory of General Meeting via Zoom technology. Aid and this is now helping to attract James Wight Rutherford a former The main purpose of the Melville College new donations from not only Melville Governor of Melville College and a very Trust is to promote the advancement FPs but others with connections to generous benefactor to the Melville of education through the provision the extended ESMS family. Recent College Trust where income from his of school bursaries and grants to donations helped the purchase of bequest goes to assist the School perpetuate the memory of those Former a defibrillator now available at the bursary funding. Pupils who lost their lives during the two entrance to the Inverleith clubhouse. World Wars. We are an Independent At our Annual General Meeting last Trust set up in its current format in 1976 November, Julian Scott our long and registered as a Charity under OSCR serving Clerk and Treasurer stepped (The Scottish Charity Regulator). The down after some 25 years of service. Trust has formally elected Trustees all Julian and Grant Macrea, who also from the ESMS family. retired as a Governor and former During the School Year (2019/2020), Chairman were elected Honorary the Trust provided £230,000 in Members of the Trust in recognition of bursaries to the Erskine Stewart’s their outstanding service. Melville Schools, which has enabled 26 The elected governors of the Melville pupils to enjoy the excellent facilities Trust are currently – Alan Veitch (Chair), and education available. I am pleased Stephen Patterson (Vice-Chair), Andy to say the bursary provision covered Scott, Ken Richardson, Christine 11 boys at Stewart’s Melville, 13 girls at Collingwood, Malcolm MacColl, Steven Mary Erskine and 2 pupils in the Junior Newlands, Victor Coltherd and Tommy School (primary 7). Bryson. David Dunsire has been Alan Veitch (Chair of Melville In addition to the bursaries, the Trust appointed as the new Clerk and Treasurer. College Trust) with Charles Wilson has donated £10,000 to a diverse (FP Club) For further information about the Trust number of School clubs and societies. or perhaps you are considering a In the Erskine Stewart’s Melville Junior The Trust again acknowledges the donation then do visit our website: School we supported the purchase of fantastic work now being done by the http://melvillecollegetrust.uk photographic equipment for School School Archivist David McLeish and trips, play materials for the Queensway in the past year with further donations and follow us on Twitter: House playground and equipment we have been able to support the https://twitter.com/melville_trust for the primary 7 Netball Club. Mary digitisation of the History of Edinburgh Alan Veitch Erskine School received funding for their Institution 1832-1932 and the History Chair Melville College Trust 20 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club A School History Lesson... Time for some history as Alan Veitch, Bert Barclay and John Archer take a nostalgic trip around the sports grounds of Daniel Stewart’s College and Edinburgh Institution / Melville College.

We are all of us used to the superb sports facilities at Inverleith and the older among us will fondly remember playing at Ferryfield. I can guarantee, however, that no one reading this will remember games being played at Warriston or Gorgie or the other venues Map of Warriston ground in 1878 and is still there today being used as Edinburgh Council School Playing fields used before both Daniel Stewart’s College and Melville College settled on the club won the unofficial Scottish opposite sides of Ferry Road. championship. Brewis also skippered the Institution FP cricket and golf teams Edinburgh Institution/ and later captained the Scottish rugby Melville College team. However in 1890 the London and North Eastern Railway Company The Edinburgh Institution, established bought the land at Coltbridge for the by Rev Robert Cunningham in 1832 purpose of developing it by erecting in 59 George Street, lacked any sort engine sheds and railway sidings and of facilities for sports until 1867 when the Institution was once again on the search for a new location. ground was rented from the Orphan Institution, later the Dean Orphanage Edinburgh Institution FP CC first th and now the eastern building of the home match at Warriston on 4 May 1878 National Gallery of Modern Art. This ground was rented in 1867 and 1868 The Edinburgh Institution (FP) Football but in 1869 a piece of land in Warriston club which had been founded in 1871 by RM Neill played at Warriston as situated between Eildon Street and did the FP cricket club (founded in Warriston Terrace was taken for the 1877) but conditions there were far purpose of school sports. from ideal. The pitch was both damp and short and changing facilities were under canvas in a tent which, even Map of Coltbridge ground replaced for these days, some clubs found by the Engine Shed in 1890, very unsuitable! In view of this, and in part close to the due to the generosity of a father of two main entrance pupils, the club was given use of a A return to Warriston was not on the pitch at Coltbridge almost opposite the cards but an excellent pitch was found at main entrance to Murrayfield, and this Lady Napier’s Park in Portobello on the was used from 1878 for some years. land now occupied by Southfield Square. This move to a new pitch brought While the ground was ideal the location great success and in seasons 1880- most certainly was not! The ground was Edinburgh Institution School 81 and 1881-82 under the captaincy virtually inaccessible with the nearest Sports at Warriston in 1895 of NT Brewis and latterly R Ainslie transport being Portobello Station, a FP News 2021 21 good 15 minutes walk away. This caused great problems for players and spectators alike and the club was on the verge of going out of existence when in 1902 it was forced to give up Lady Napier’s Park and had to return to Warriston. Proposals to acquire and enlarge Warriston to better suit the needs of both school and FP Club were unsuccessful but in 1906 the school and former pupils were able to lease ground in Ferry Road directly opposite the Scottish ’s ground of Inverleith. In 1924 a 3 day bazaar was held in the Music Hall in George Street and the money raised by this was used to purchase Ferryfield for the sum of £5700.00. It must have been some bazaar!

Map of Lady Napier’s Park in the Edinburgh Institution FP Rugby Club Scottish Club Champions in 1880-81 grounds of cottage in 1901. Now occupied by Southfield Square, close to Milton Road West

The first FP cricket match played at Ferryfield on 20th July 1907

Picture of cricket at Ferryfield in the 1920s North Inverleith Mains Farm buildings are visible on the left side Photograph showing the original pavilion at Ferryfield in 1920 22 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

Pavilion at Ferryfield, 1963

Opening of Memorial Gates at Ferryfield, 15th October 1965 FP News 2021 23

Daniel Stewart’s College Albeit Honeyman’s Field was in an In 1870 Daniel Stewart’s Hospital excellent location geographically for the became a day school and changed its school it was being somewhat rocky and name to Daniel Stewart’s Institution. undulating, not an ideal playing surface. There were no organised sports under In 1895 the governors of the College the auspices of the school but Daniel were again induced to purchase a parcel Stewart’s Institution had an advantage of land at Inverleith from the Rocheid over the Edinburgh Institution in that the family. This land was situated at the school boasted a playground! It cannot Ground at Ravelston around 1900 north west of the present ground where be said that the playground was ideal for the artificial cricket wicket is located. organised sport in that not only was the surface in the main composed of clinker but it also ran down a slope towards the main school building. Despite this a XX was organised and captained by James Gibb and a challenge duly issued to George Watson’s College. The result was in Stewart’s favour and the school won by a drop goal. It was not until 1875, however, that an FP team was formed and again its first match was against Map from 1894 showing location of George Watson’s FPs. This was very Ravelston ground Map of Inverleith from 1898 much an ad hoc game and the Stewart’s College FP Football Club was not formed until 1885. Early matches were played at Gorgie, although it has not been possible to establish exactly where these took place. Before Heart of Midlothian moved to their present ground at Tynecastle they too played elsewhere in Gorgie from 1881 at a ground now occupied by Wardlaw Street and Wardlaw Terrace. It would be pleasing to think that they may have shared a ground!

The first FP cricket match played at The first FP cricket match and formal Ravelston on 28th May 1887 opening of Inverleith on 18th May 1895

The clinker is clearly visible in this Daniel Stewart’s College team photo The formation of the Stewart’s College Athletic Club in March 1886 brough together all sports and the Merchant Company was encouraged to take up a lease on Honeyman’s Field from the governors of Trinity Hospital at £8.00 per annum. This field and its three cottages was at the junction of what is now Ravelston Dykes and Queensferry Terrace and is of course now built on. The school sports of 1887 were held there and were organised by the FP Club, a tradition which lasted until 1970. Photograph showing the original pavilion at Inverleith in 1895 24 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

Shortly thereafter in 1897 the Scottish Football Union purchased a field at Inverleith from the Fettes Trust for the sum of £3800.00, paid for by the sale of debentures. (Plus ca change…!). This was used as the Scottish international ground until, after the purchase of land at Murrayfield from the Edinburgh Polo Club in 1922, the last international was played at Inverleith on 25 January 1925 with Scotland beating 25–4. Once again the Merchant Company, this time with the aid of the FP Club, was willing to supply the funds with The grounds of Stewart’s Hospital, the Scottish Football Union and which to buy the international ground. Edinburgh Institution in 1912 Now possessed of one of the finest grounds in the country the first match took place on 2 October 1926 when Royal High School FP was defeated by 8 points to 6.

Scotland v at Inverleith on 7th February 1920 Result Scotland 9 Wales 5

Just prior to this in 1920 plans were drawn up for a sports field for the Edinburgh Ladies College at that part of the ground bounded by East Fettes Avenue and Ferry Road but separated from the Stewart’s pitches by a low wall. The headmistress, Miss Clarke, opened the ground by hitting the first tennis ball in 1923 and senior pupils would travel by tram from Queen Street to make use of the facilities although it was not until 1929 that junior pupils were allowed to use this facility. When the new Mary Erskine school was opened at Ravelston in 1967 tennis courts and hockey pitches were Large crowd for the opening match at Inverleith included on the site and this enabled Stewart’s to expand into the furthest into an all-weather hockey pitch and a still a slight banking showing its original west corner of Inverleith. First of all new pavilion has been added to serve location. As for the Union Field the press the existing tennis courts were taken both hockey and those playing cricket box which stood for many years atop over and then the hockey pitches were on the “arti”. The wall which ran north – the banking on the east side of the field converted into a further rugby pitch south separating the Stewart’s and Mary all but demolished itself during a bout during the winter and for the summer an Erskine parts of the ground, acting as a of severe weather and the banking itself artificial wicket for cricket was laid. The cordon sanitaire separating the sexes, was used as infill to level up the ground tennis courts have now metamorphosed was demolished although there exists where the cricket nets now stand. FP News 2021 25

Following the amalgamation of the schools in 1973 the Ferryfield ground was sold by the Merchant Company for housing for a price which at the time was the highest price ever paid for land anywhere in Edinburgh. However, the Ferryfield Gates were re-erected close to the entrance at Inverleith as a reminder of the importance of Ferryfield to the history of the schools.

Inverleith development plan in 1966 after Mary Erskine School had relocated to Ravelston Stewart’s Melville College Archives

David McLeish gives an insight into the work of the SMC Archives. In August 2018 Ian McKerrow passed on the baton of SMC Archives to me after sterling work in the Archives and dealing with countless inquiries. For those who do not know, I retired as Assistant Head in the Junior School after 37 years. This had included some “three school” responsibilities as well as involvement in organising events such as the Robert Cunningham 200 Anniversary Service in 1999 and the Daniel Stewart 200 celebrations. Hopefully before too much longer the Archives will once again be able to welcome visitors, but in the mean time I thought it might be useful to give an overview of who we are, where we are and what we do. 26 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

Who? We hold memorabilia, records and as the budget allows. SDS Heritage - In addition to myself we are extremely photographs from Daniel Stewart’s College Specialists in digitisation of rare, precious fortunate to have Mr Dave Clarke as and the Edinburgh Institution / Melville and priceless archives (sds-heritage. part of the Archives Team. Mr Clarke College, and Stewart’s Melville College. co.uk) have just completed scanning is an inspirational teacher of History We also hold materials from Dean Parish and digitalising Collegian Magazines at SMC and has a particular interest Church and John Watson’s School 1945-73 to add to the already available in and knowledge of World War 1 and Former Pupils. Included in the store are 1910 -1945 editions. We aim to have all the role of our Former Pupils in it. His Collegian School Magazines 1910 – Collegians available within the next three knowledge is encyclopaedic, and he is present, Melville Chronicles 1919-1974, years. Once complete we will then aim currently involved in researching every some Merchant Company information, to start the same process with Melville former pupil from Daniel Stewart’s along with Committee minutes and College Chronicles College and The Edinburgh Institution some trophies no longer awarded. Follow the Archives on social media; who took part in the War in any way. The office has space for the Archivist Facebook: We have an SMC Archives Once the current restrictions ease, we and Assistant Archivist to work as well Facebook page: @SMCArchives will be extremely excited to welcome as to host visitors and those Senior Twitter: We have an SMC Archives two knowledgeable volunteers to help boys wishing to research the archives. Twitter page: @smcarchives us on a regular basis: In addition to the above: • Miss Lydia Lawson who was Online and Digital formerly Mr Gray’s P.A. Presence An email is sent to all SMC and JS staff once a week including a photograph • Mrs Barbara Wood who was Perhaps the most important recent from archives and covering an aspect formerly P.A. to the JS Headmaster innovation is the presence of SMC of the history of the schools so that we and JS Admission Secretary Archives on the internet. Anyone who increase knowledge amongst staff. wishes to, can access our digital Location? archives at: Each S1 class has a tour of archives and Old College and we give a resume We are situated in the West Attics https://archives.esms.org.uk of Old College. We have an attics of the history of the schools. Archives Store which was refurbished The Digital archives are searchable so if Please do take the time to investigate during 2019 as well as an Archives you are looking for a particular name just the Digital Archives and we do hope office / reading room which we moved type it in, and all mentions will be listed. to be able to welcome visitors to the into in May 2020. We are adding to the Digital Archives Archives again before too much longer. FP News 2021 27 Sports Clubs... CRICKET The lockdown imposed by the Scottish Government in March ultimately led to competitive league and cup competition being abandoned for the season when it became apparent that even 50% of the organised programme would not happen with August 1st being targeted by the cricket authorities for some kind of resumption. The first difference for the club was lockdown preventing the normal importation of overseas players and coaches to assist the club so that arrangements made with Alex Ranson (school), Shaylen Pillay (mens/junior cricket), Hannah Short (womens/ junior cricket) and gap student players including Hayden Sweet had to be cancelled. Unfortunately the club For the 1st XI a programme of for senior players the club found incurred the expense of renting a flat Saturday 40 overs a side matches and it administratively easier and more for Shaylen Pillay for the Summer midweek 16 over a side matches were productive to continue playing intra without the opportunity of running the introduced involving Carlton, Grange, club matches which ran throughout the Summer schools which usually helped Watsonians, , Heriot’s abbreviated season. meet the costs involved although the and ourselves. That meant no games costs were mitigated when President For the senior teams external games with Stoneywood-Dyce (Aberdeen), Lawrance Reilly took over the lease for started on Tuesday 11th August Forfarshire (Dundee), Arbroath and the last few weeks. when the 1st XI played Watsonians at Meigle. Inverleith 16 overs a side with a 6pm Eventually the playing of matches The East of Scotland Cricket start. Further “T16” matches followed against other clubs was permitted from Association (“ESCA”) split their 70+ against Grange (18th August), Heriot’s 8th August with “Covid safe” rules participating teams into pods based on (20th August), Carlton (1st September). introduced meaning no pavilions to location and ranking so that our 2s, 3s The wet weather endured mostly post be open, no seating around grounds and 4s had games arranged centrally lockdown prevented the match against and no spectators allowed with for every Saturday once a start was Corstorphine being played while a numbers at any match restricted to 28 made. In addition the club continued deluge brought an early conclusion including players, umpires and scorers, the practice of playing intra club to the match with Grange. We were matches played within local areas matches both midweek and Sundays on the wrong side of the result in the only and no car sharing on the way to open to all seniors and older juniors as matches with stronger Heriot’s, Carlton matches. Special match conditions well as some midweek external Trojans and Watsonian selections. were introduced to encourage social matches (pretty much involving 3s and distancing on the field of play. Each Saturday the club fielded four 4s players). full teams in senior mens cricket and A small number of womens cricket on Sundays weather permitting intra matches were arranged again in club cricket took place. In Saturday conjunction with our “partner club” matches, planned for 40 overs a Edinburgh South. side for the 1st XI, Carlton, Grange From the beginning of July practice and Heriot’s and Watsonians ran out nets were allowed for young cricketers comfortable winners and Corstorphine subject to pre booking, restricted were defeated. numbers and limited access to Following the July resumption of The mens 1st XI (above) defeated RH coaches. While similar practice practice 97 juniors (75 boys and 22 Corstorphine on Saturday 5th August arrangements were later introduced girls) took part in junior club activity 28 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club while 27 boys and 14 girls played in subsequently abandoned “Super defeating E=MCC twice. Their final senior mens or womens cricket in the Six” 16 over match. In the Saturday three matches were rained off. period from 8th August. match Chris Miller batted through The resurgence of Covid over the all 40 overs v Watsonians for 23 not Winter months has to date prevented out. Adam McHoul (40), Mikey Miller any indoor practice and may impact (37) and Vishal Shah (35) helped put on what kind of season we may have a winning score of 164 on the board v this Summer. Looking forward it is Corstorphine after difficult start. Ollie anticipated that some junior practice Rees with 80 runs from two innings (HS will be allowed indoors subject to Covid 50 v Marchmont) was top scorer in the compliance while the form of outdoor 2nd XI (won 3 lost 2). Leading wicket cricket in the Summer remains an taker was Ben Jamieson who played unknown. all 5 matches taking 9 wickets (ave 4.67) in 19 overs. The 3rd XI played The club was sorry to hear of the 4 matches (won 1, lost 3), highest losses of Hon Vice-President Ian Notably the Womens joint team with run scorer was Victor Coltherd with Adam, and significant past players Edinburgh South (pictured above) 71 runs (ave 23.6) and most wickets Dougie Morgan and Ron Scobie in the defeated Carlton on Sunday 16th were taken by Simon Edgar with 5 (ave past year. August, Carlton a second time and 6.4). In the 4th XI (won 1, lost 4) Rory Last year I intimated I would stand Watsonians in the three matches Anderson played all 5 matches and down as Secretary at this time and arranged for them. finished both equal top run scorer (63) Lawrance Reilly having completed two The opportunity for noteworthy (ave 15.75) and leading wicket taker years as President is also retiring. I am individual performances was much with 10 (ave 9.6). Aly Wallace also sure everyone wishes the successors a reduced. In the 1st XI Kris Steel scored scored 63 runs in his 2 innings with 54 better cricket season than 2020. most runs, 80 at an average of 13.3 not out v Boroughmuir 2s. Robert Barclay with a top score of 41 v Corstorphine. The Trojans played 2 matches - Secretary Adam McHoul scored 74 at an average of 14.8 with a highest score of 40 (his best in the 1st XI) and maybe regrets missing out on a fifty (having been comfortably run out). Steven Parker scored 69 at an average of 17.25 with 21 not out his best. Callum Steel (ave 8.3) and Joe Newman (ave 31.9) each took 7 wickets. Individual high points were Callum Steel achieving his second hat-trick (and 4 wickets in 5 balls) for the club v Grange in the RUGBY

When lockdown hit us in March the Stewart’s Melville RFC 1st XV was sitting top of National League Division 2 with only four games left to play. We had a seven point advantage with a relatively straightforward run-in, having already played our close rivals both home and away. We were also in the semi-finals of the National League Cup. The growing belief that we would be playing in the second tier of Scottish club rugby came to an abrupt halt when the SRU called the season ‘null and void’ due to the unlikelihood of remaining fixtures being fulfilled. A FP News 2021 29

heart-breaking end to the season, Accies, amongst others, helped the our vulnerable members by running although I do recognise that, for many team finish third in East Reserve errands for them. They would happily people, there are far more important League Division 1. The fact that many pick up groceries or medication things to worry about than club rugby! players represented both our sides and deliver them to the door. Our The lack of promotion (or silverware) shows there is good strength in depth committee also kept in regular contact at the club. should not, however, take anything with certain members to ensure they away from what was a pretty The Ferry Road Wanderers, our social were coping with the difficult situation. sensational season. The grit, side shared with Heriot’s, is on hiatus I could not be prouder of everyone determination and skill shown by the at the moment. Playing numbers in involved with these initiatives. The bond players was nigh on faultless. Some clubland have continued to drop which holding the Stewart’s Melville Rugby of the games will live long in the has led to a number of teams pulling Club family together is a strong one. out of league rugby. We are hopeful memory, particularly away wins against A quick note of congratulations to our Kirkcaldy, GHK and, in particular, we can restart the project in the near very own Colin Rigby, who was recently Dumfries Saints. The fact that no-one future. Please get in touch if you fancy voted in as Vice-President of the SRU. ended up frostbitten after the Dumfries a run out! Very well deserved! game mystified many, but the ability of To off-field matters. When the country our boys to defend the line in the last was in lockdown the players came to Simon Breeze 10 minutes was simply phenomenal. A me with the idea that they could help Club President, Stewart’s Melville RFC real team effort if ever there was one. Not to be outdone, the newly branded Development Team (formerly the 2nd XV), also pulled off some rather impressive results. Wins against Boroughmuir, Heriot’s and Edinburgh 30 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

Stewart’s Melville RFC wins Lions award Stew Mel RFC was named the first They had been inspired by a market to date – Finlay and Jim Calder, Sandy ever Lions Origin Club of the Month stall they saw on holiday in 2019 and Hinshelwood, John Douglas, Doug in February, thanks to innovative began producing the recycled products Morgan and Doddie Weir. Well done to fundraising by the Graves family. Twin in summer last year. They began selling the Graves family! brothers William and Thomas Graves, them in September and enjoyed a lot and dad Adrian (P7 Stew Mel Lions of attention – leading to the award early Head Coach), came up with the idea this year. The British and Irish Lions, to turn old rugby balls into pencil cases in conjunction with Canterbury, were and wallets, and sold them to raise suitably impressed. Stewart’s Melville money for the Wooden Spoon Charity. has produced six British and Irish Lions FP News 2021 31 GOLF Like the activities of so many during 2020, the Former Pupils’ Golf Club’s golfing and social year was sadly abbreviated (as, consequently, is this report). The year nevertheless started promisingly, with another well-attended AGM at which, alongside the earnest constitutional business, the assembled members were – in what is becoming something of beloved tradition – entertained and informed by resident oenophile Jim Preacher. Alas, that was to prove the last of the Club’s revelry for some time, the Annual Dinner and Spring Meeting to Panmure falling victim to lockdown. When restrictions did finally lift, it was at the Autumn Meeting at Lanark, on a convincing win over Heriots, Edinburgh Muirfield that members assembled for wonderfully sunny – if rather breezy Academicals and Watsonians in the the Summer Meeting. The otherwise – Sunday in September. Alasdair Edinburgh Cup (albeit unfortunately not untrammelled joy of a return to the McLeish (86) and Donald Lowe (31 repeating that success in the under-35 links on a lovely midsummer’s evening points) prevailed. version of it). The Glasgow Club took was tempered only by rough that the spoils in the latest instalment of that suggested that nature had not only One of the favourite outings of the year ‘healed’, but had gained superpowers. – that of the Rabbits – also took place, fixture. There was also defeat to the But even especially fierce rough proved with George Bee running out a worthy schoolboys at Murrayfield. If nothing no obstacle for perennial winner, Alan winner at Ratho. else, we can perhaps take comfort Anderson (74). Victor in the handicap The Club had mixed success in that in these times of unprecedented competition was Euan Robertson (35 external competitions, beating Heriots disruption there at least some points). FPGC in the Grand Match / Volvo constants… Happily, we also managed to hold Trophy, and recording a pleasingly Other competitions regrettably succumbed to the year’s turmoil. We therefore look forward with hope and extra enthusiasm to those competitions (the Spring Meeting, new ‘1887 Trophy”, Gilbert Archer and Summer Singles and Foursomes) in the coming season. A global pandemic achieved what tempests and the odd hangover could not - and forced cancellation of 2020’s Retreat. But that no doubt merely means that Retreaters shall be like coiled springs ready for the competition and camaraderie of this year’s excursion to Morayshire. So 2020 was a fitful golfing year, but one undoubtedly brightened by the resilience, enthusiasm and conviviality of the Club’s members on the occasions on which we could gather. 32 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club

FP pair named first: Scott Gill & Euan Robertson v Alistair Adam and Tom Blain (both of S6)- pupil win. Bert Barclay & David Arthur v Chris Black (S5) & Jake McGlynn (S4) - pupil win. Hugh Jackson & Scott Noble v Harry Cusiter and Harry Hawthorn (both S4) - pupil win. So a 3-0 victory for the pupils extending their winning streak going back to 2014 since the last FP’s victory.

of lockdown restrictions during the Following a further change in the covid summer, we played club & local guidance, we are hoping to return to HOCKEY friendlies and maintained regular the pitch before Easter with socially training from July until matches were distanced fitness and training once In general, whilst the pandemic again placed on hold in September. has halted our ability to play senior more. In addition to this, we will be able competitive matches since February Throughout this same period, our to hold our annual Easter youth camps Youth section did very well as we 2020, the atmosphere within the from the 12th-16th of April. I hope were able to provide continual youth hockey club is very positive. that this is a good indication of a more hockey training sessions since the Although we were able to play some start of school term in August 2020 active 2021! league matches at the start of 2020, until December, with most of our age Moving forward, several of our youth once lockdown was introduced it groups at capacity. We were also able became clear that hockey would not players have been forward for East resume for some time, although at the to hold a back to hockey camp in of Scotland Development Squad and time missing a whole 2020/21 season August, and an autumn training camp for the East Academy series. For the in October. Feedback from several would have been unthinkable! During next playing season our adult teams parents has so far been very positive, the height of the lockdown in March, hope to capitalise on successes of the April and May, our Club President, Ian particularly that we were able to 2019/2020 season, with our Ladies Moss, helped to keep spirits up by continue to provide safe training during kindly hosting a ‘virtual clubhouse’ on testing times. 1s competing as a new entry in the Saturday afternoons via Zoom, giving Moving past the festive period and Scottish Hockey Premiership, and members the chance to catch up in a through the lockdown during the 1st the Mens 1st team competing for a social setting. quarter of 2021, things are certainly top spot in National League 2 after Following on from the initial easing looking up for ESMHC as a whole. previously finishing 3rd place. FP News 2021 33 Melville Class of 1963 Annual Reunion Having met religiously every year since the meeting and Mike Wheeler carried there was plenty to talk about. By a 1963, it was not an option to miss out out what chairmanship organisational little careful planning, the timing of the in 2020 despite the pandemic. duties that were required. However, as meeting was set so as to allow Iain For all our advancing years, a bunch of guys who were brought up McCrae in New Zealand and David technology has not entirely bypassed at Melville under the influence of Miss Wallace in Canada to take part at a us and we were able to convene a Stewart and her slipper and latterly civilised time for them. Zoom meeting. Most of the population in the CCF under the command of Generally speaking everyone was in is depending to a large extent on Arthur Bain, we were well behaved good form and there were no reports Zoom for keeping in touch with family and disciplined and everyone (there of anyone specifically affected by the and friends and so we all had some were 17 participants) had the chance virus. Let’s hope it stays that way experience of what is involved. to contribute. We used up three and that a return to our convivial Doug Scott was the technical host of 40-minute Zoom sessions, and so gatherings will be possible in 2021. Tributes Mike Geddes (1951 – 1985) While a scout Mike was introduced to hillwalking and took to it like a duck – An Appreciation to water completing adventurous DSC 1956 -1969 and challenging solo hikes in the Cairngorms and the western highlands. I make no apologies for penning this His skill and stamina were phenomenal appreciation of the late Michael George Geddes so long after his untimely and I can remember in particular one death in 1985 from oesophagal cancer, instance when, in the course of a but it is only recently that a fresh batch competition hike and in pitch darkness, of information has come to the notice Mike led a trio of us on a compass of those who knew him at Daniel bearing course of a little over two miles Stewart’s College. over mountain and stream from a dam on the Bruar river to a fisherman’s hut Mike was a bright person and most near the foot of Beinn Garbh. After definitely of the scientific and practical about an hour of walking and stumbling bent, best evidenced perhaps by him Mike stopped and said, “Well, I think but this was a style of life not conducive building his own working television set this must be it but I can’t see it.” At to academic studies! while still at school, (and remember precisely that moment a shaft of light that this was in the days of valves While still at Cambridge Mike, either appeared about a hundred metres and cathode ray tubes), as well as solo or with a variety of climbing away as someone fortuitously opened sweeping the boards at the prizegiving partners made first or 2nd ascents of the door of the hut. I still don’t know in his final year by taking not only the awesome climbs as Hadrian’s Wall how he managed that feat! Daniel Stewart’s Prize and the Daniel Direct, North Post, Orion Face Direct, Stewart’s University Bursary but also At the age of 17 Mike completed the full Point Five and many others and tales the Alan Stoddart Mathematics Prize set of Munros and tops over 3000 feet, of these launched him as a star into the and the Dr George Nisbet Cup for being only the 100th individual to have climbing fraternity. He also climbed in Sailing. However, Mike’s great love managed this and the youngest ever by the Alps making the first British ascents some distance! His choice of Cambridge lay in the outdoors. He was a keen of Zapelli-Bertone on Mont Maudit and for university was probably not his best member of the scouts in Blackhall, the first winter ascent of the Rebuffat decision. It was too far away from his headquartered firstly at St Columba’s route on the Pointe du Domino, church, and latterly in the Venture mountains and Mike spent a great deal and after graduating he took part in Scouts whose HQ was in a wooden of his university time either in Snowdonia expeditions to Patagonia and Peru, building in a field at the west side or, preferably, the Cairngorms where he although the first was a disappointment of Ravelston Park, now built over, perfected his ice climbing. It was not with a handy quarry to the south unknown for Mike to hitchhike the 900 to him as the team’s equipment was which provided opportunities for miles return trip from Cambridge to the “lost” in the docks. climbing, abseiling and canoeing. Cairngorms in the course of a weekend The 1970s were not particularly good 34 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club years for Mike when he taught in Mike intended to start work as a incessantly as if “his” mountains were London but was away from his beloved self-employed IT consultant. Sadly, shedding tears for him. mountains. However, in 1977 he however, tragedy struck in late 1983 Mike was taken far too early from all started his first “real job” as a chemical when he contracted a severe form of of us. Had he lived longer he would engineer at the pulp mill in Corpach oesophagal cancer. Having survived undoubtedly have been hailed as in the shadow of Ben Nevis and from the operation Helen and he made a the leading Scottish ice climber of there he was able to trail blaze climbs move to Boat of Garten where they had his generation. But it was not just his such as Galactic Hitchhiker, Five Finger plans to combine mountain guiding and climbing that made Mike remarkable. Discount and Route II to name but a running a guest house along with his His accounts of his climbs, his few. It was in Fort William that he met computer consultancy. After a slow but Helen Wood and they married in 1980. doged recovery fate intervened and his hillwalking and ski touring were poetry Helen was herself an experienced cancer returned, eventually defeating in themselves and his conversation climber and walker and the pair of him. On the day of his death it was only sparkled with erudition, wit and humour. them moved to Aberdeen from where fitting that in the Highlands it rained John Archer

Douglas Wright a bit of a medical background at student at the time, in his Austin A35 (17/1/1946-8/2/1970) lower-level games. There are also van. Douglas was later transferred physiotherapists in attendance for to the Royal Infirmary. He was kept There has been much debate muscle injuries etc. However this was in hospital for weeks until the tragic recently in the media about the not always the case as many of us news reached the Club that he had damaging effects of concussion in well remember the days when the died on 8th February 1970. His Death sport with particular attention on only “medical” attention available was Certificate stated that the cause of soccer and rugby, be it Union or a bloke on the sidelines with a bucket death was “Head Injury”. It is thought League. The devastating impact on a and wet sponge……and that was that Wright had previously suffered a family having to cope with the illness just for the 1st XV. The lower sides head injury but was so enthusiastic cannot be under-estimated and to see had even less, relying on a committee about rugby that he refused to miss loved ones disintegrate over a period man be he a surveyor, lawyer or bank a match. He had clearly suffered of time must be heart-breaking. In manager! In those days you were concussion in an earlier match or soccer the Astle family have bravely expected to shake off a knock and matches, had come back far too soon made public the tragic case of Jeff just get on with the game. and suffered another ultimately fatal Astle who played for West Bromwich Before the merger Melville FP head knock. Nowadays of course Albion for many years but died at Rugby Club was having one of its he would not have been permitted age fifty nine from Chronic Traumatic best seasons for many a year, with to play for at least three weeks as a Encephalopathy (CTE) caused by four fifteens turning out and young preventative measure. heading the heavy leather footballs men keen to join the Club to play The Rugby Club and the FP Club used in his day. ’s football the game. In 1969 a young student were devastated as of course were his World Cup winner Nobby Stlies is named Douglas Wright turned up parents David and Marion. A clock in also reckoned to have had advanced at Ferryfield looking for a game and Wright’s memory hung in the Ferryfield dementia again contributed to by very soon made his mark as a hard- clubhouse then Inverleith for very heading footballs. Studies are ongoing tackling wing forward quickly forcing many years before eventually falling and it is hoped that the advent of the his way into the first fifteen. However apart but those of us old enough still lighter football may reduce damage in December of that year the worst of remember the tragedy. Thankfully as from heading in the long term and all possible tragedies occurred. The stated lessons have been learned of course medical attention is much first fifteen was playing either Glasgow and it is hoped that such an event better than it ever was but the University or Hutcheson’s Grammar will never happen again. Despite importance of recognising concussion School at Ferryfield (nobody can quite the bulking-up of players and bigger in sport is vitally important and remember the exact opposition!) when “hits” the number of deaths in rugby possibly life-saving. Douglas was badly injured following is thankfully remarkably few although Rugby Union is now beginning to a tackle. He was seen to have been one is too many. It is generally investigate the long term effect of hurt at the bottom of a ruck and at accepted that the benefits of playing head injuries following disclosure the next line-out had to be virtually sport seriously outweigh the risks but that the England World Cup winning held up by team-mates. It appeared we never wish such an unfortunate hooker Steve Thomson has been to be a serious injury and he was event to be repeated. diagnosed with early onset dementia. carried from the pitch on a duck- Other former players are also coming board by amongst others Alan Veitch Apologies if some of the information forward to reveal their own problems a ball boy at the match and currently contained here is inaccurate but the caused by head injuries. The FP Chairman of the Melville College Trust. incident happened a long time ago Rugby Club now has a doctor on The injured player was driven to the and those of us who remember it are site at every first fifteen home game by Richard getting on a bit! and if at all possible someone with De Soldenhoff, a young medical Bobby Clark FP News 2021 35 Obituaries...

Paul A Caton in Scotland, among many other topics. Rugby 1st XV, Cricket 1st X1 and 1940-2021 He had a unique ability to make Athletics teams. He also represented random subjects, like Nor Loch or Edinburgh Schools at rugby. After Paul Caton, former mathematics Calton Jail, intensely captivating. School he went to Edinburgh University teacher and deputy principal at SMC, His photography graces many a to study medicine. After qualifying as died age 81 in January this year. He postcard – and his focus was showing a doctor he worked as a GP in the was born in Lancashire and was Head Scotland’s beauty in landscapes of Farmilehead and Morningside areas of Boy at Audenshaw Grammar School both rural and urban settings. He is Edinburgh. In later years he lived in the in 1959, where he was a standout survived by his sister Marion, and is Carrbridge area. cadet, and captained the 1st XV. He greatly missed. Tommy was a School Governor of proceeded to Edinburgh University, and Melville College 1968 to 1973 and was later Moray House, before starting at a Life Governor and Past Chairman of Melville College. the Melville College Trust. Paul was a well-liked Mathematics Tommy was a loyal Melville man who teacher at Melville College, and was Eric Lindsay Revell Crichton put time and energy into working on head of the middle school at the time behalf of the Melville Trust. He had a of the merger – a transition in which Eric died peacefully, at Edinburgh Royal huge number of contacts and was able he played an important role. He was infirmary, on April 30 2020, aged 86. He to use many of these to further support heavily involved in the CCF, serving was the beloved husband of Bridget and The Trust. He gave calm leadership as contingent commander from 1978 loving father to Angela and David. Eric and listened carefully to suggestions beyond even his retirement in 1996, was in the insurance world, firstly with from other members. Tommy was a and was appointed Deputy Principal the Royal Exchange Group in Edinburgh, tall, gentle, likeable, man who had a in 1987. He was also a coach with the and moved to be a loss adjuster with lovely sense of humour. During his 1st XVs at the school and FP club. John Cruickank just down Castle Street from the Royal Exchange, and then work with the Melville College Trust he He was awarded an MBE for his moved to Toplis & Harding. He will be was one of the driving forces behind services to the cadets in 2002 and had greatly missed by his loving family. the publication of the ‘red book’ – the a number of leisure pursuits outside of History of Edinburgh Institution and his work. He was a keen gardener and Melville College 1932-1973. The Trust enjoyed DIY projects – like renovating owes a great deal to him. his entire family home in Perthshire. He is survived by his wife Sue, sister Michael Robert McPhail-Smith Jackie, niece Lisa and her family. 1942-2020

Michael attended Melville College from Dr Andrew Fraser 1950 until 1959 and was a well-liked 1937-2020 member of the FP Golf team. He Malcolm Fife represented the Club many times at the After being educated at Daniel 1954-2021 Dispatch Trophy at the Braids, and will Stewart’s, Andrew graduated with be sorely missed by family and friends. a First-Class BSc in Bacteriology Malcolm was born on 1954, attending in 1960. Only 7 years later, he was Melville College before going on to appointed lecturer at the Edinburgh the , where he Royal Infirmary in the Department of studied Geography. Bacteriology. He became a senior He worked for Edinburgh Council Tommy Manson lecturer in the University after the award before becoming a full-time writer and 1929-2020 of MD in 1984. In his spare time, he a freelance photographer. He wrote was involved in Architectural history, well-regarded books on the history of Tommy Manson was educated at editing the journal of the Architectural Edinburgh, works on military airfields, Melville College. He was an excellent Heritage Society of Scotland. He was on the Leith docks, and on civil aviation sportsman and was Captain of the chairman of the Conservation Panel at 36 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club the University as well. across Hong Kong to Lingnan met Fiona but it has to be said that she Andrew was a keen rock-climber and University in 2017 to lead the research spotted him first and spent considerable mountaineer and made headlines department on cities and social change. time and effort helping him to come to in 1958 after an accident in which He is survived by his wife Jacqui and the realisation that she was the girl for he narrowly escaped death. He his children, Hana and Robert. him! Stuart left school without many summited every Munro – completing academic qualifications and starting with HJ Heinz as an office boy, he worked the set of 282 in 2001. He married a fellow adventurer, Marguerite (Bobbie) his way up over many years to the Cocker, in 1962, and they had three dizzy heights of Scottish Regional Sales children – Simon, Sally, and Vicky. He Stuart Sinclair Manager. There were a lot of beans died peacefully in March 2020, after a 1937-2020 and cans of soup eaten in the Sinclair fighting Parkinson’s for six years. He household, especially in the early years! will be missed. Stuart and Fiona had two wonderful children, Karen and Michael, as Stuart always called him, and they in turn added to the Sinclair family by marrying Colin and Cath and producing the Donald Macgregor best grandchildren in the whole world, 1939-2020 Megan, Elis, Ronan, Magnus and Isaac. We, as a family were always proud Donald was born in Edinburgh in of him and the good news is he was 1939 and attended DSC as a young proud of us too. But more importantly man. He was a brilliant long-distance he loved us and told us both of these runner, competing in the 1972 things frequently. Perhaps not fully Munich Olympics as a marathon realising that he was a husband, father, runner for Great Britian, and finishing Stuart was born on the 22nd of grandfather and great-grandfather to seventh with a time of 2:16:34. October 1937, seven years after be equally proud of and dearly loved. He competed for Scotland at the the birth of Alex and Jean’s first son He will always be in our hearts. Commonwealth Games in 1970 Alastair. His mother, Jean, was an and 1974. In 2007, he was elected accomplished seamstress who sewed to the Fife Council, and in 2010 he for . She was a gentle published his autobiography, Running woman and looked after her sons My Life (Pinetree Press, St Andrews). kindly, even accompanying 16 year Maurice C. Murphy Donald and his former wife had three old Stuart down to Leith for his first 1924-2020 children, and he is greatly missed. job interview at Salvesons - he got the job! Stuart’s father, Alex, owned a fishmongers’ shop in Morningside for which he worked tirelessly from dawn Ray Forrest till midnight! He was a lovely gentle person with a droll sense of humour! 1951-2020 He began, age 5, at Flora Stevenson’s Ray was born in 1951 and attended Primary School at the bottom of his DSC. He attended Heriot-Watt, and own street, Craigleith Road, but quite then did a master’s in urban and soon moved to Daniel Stewarts. regional studies at the University There he excelled at cricket and rugby of Birmingham. After working as reaching the much-coveted status of researcher for seven years, he moved First Team in both. to the University of , where he As a teenager he gave his life to God, got his PhD in 1988. He became a for His service, and spent many years professor in 1994 and was appointed working as a Sunday School teacher, head of the school for policy studies a youth leader, a deacon, an elder and seven years after that. He left Bristol church secretary in various churches: in 2012, and became head of the Charlotte Chapel, Ward Road Baptist department of public policy at the Church and Barnton Baptist Church. Maurice was a pupil at Melville College City University of Hong Kong, moving It was in Charlotte Chapel that he first from 1929 (joining when it was called FP News 2021 37 the Edinburgh Institution) until 1942. Clonakilty and ultimately Kinsale in pipe in the haggis as well as helping He was one of the school’s governors County Cork. He and his wife have with the speeches. After he and Sheila from 1957 to 1973. His two sons been residents of Haven Bay Nursing moved to Ballater, Alistair continued to Grahame and Malcolm were also pupils Home in Ballinacubby for the last five lend his piping expertise to the Ballater at Melville College for their full 13-year years. They had been married for 67 and District Pipe Band into his eighties! primary and secondary education. years. He will be greatly missed. Although living in Ballater, Alistair took a In the sporting field, he is known to keen interest in what was happening at have won awards for the 100-yard the club and it was a delight to meet up sprint and throwing the cricket ball. with him and Sheila and reminisce with him He also was a member of the school’s over a cup of coffee and multiple biscuits!! boxing club until, as his memoirs Alistair C Skene declare, he realised his big nose was 1934-2020 a liability!Prior to leaving school in April It is with deep regret that the club has 1942, in the midst of the Second World to announce the passing earlier today War, Maurice enlisted into the Territorial of a great ‘Shire servant, Alistair Skene. Murray McGrath Army. Just three days after his final Alistair had been ill for some time but 1936-2020 day at Melville College, he commenced dealt with his situation with remarkable Born in June 1936, Murray McGrath his training with the 9th Field Training fortitude. Our sincere condolences go was educated at Melville College where Regiment. Although noticeably young out to Sheila, Andrew, Hamish and Iain he was a keen swimmer and won the when joining, Maurice served overseas, as well as the extended family. annual Crombie Cup as best swimmer from 1942 until 1947. By the time of of his final year. He carried on that love his release from service, just after his Alistair’s connection with the club of swimming throughout his life as a 23rd birthday, he had been promoted started in season 1965-66 and, as a member of Drumsheugh Baths where, to the honorary rank of captain. player, playing in the same side as the legendary Scotland and British Lions even in his late 70s, he was able to After training to become a Chartered full back K.J.F. Scotland who played swing on the rings from one end of the Accountant with the firm of Robertson stand-off for ‘Shire. Also in the same baths to the other without so much as & Maxtone, Maurice ultimately became side was the future Scotland stand- a wet foot. a partner in his father’s C.A. firm, based off, Ian Robertson, who went on to He started work as an ophthalmic in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh. For have a long career in broadcasting. optician in the long-established nearly 30 years that was his place of Alistair gave great service to the club as practice of his father W M McGrath in work, moving steadily up to take on Secretary, Vice-President (for ten years) Queensferry Street. After a few years the senior position in the business. and President from 1980-1982. he started to see contact lenses as Maurice was a member of the C.A. the way of the future for him and he However, it was his willingness to Institute for 69 years. During his C.A. grew that business until it became his help out with all the unsung tasks that career, was a Director of Scottish Tea full-time work. He was an innovator, need to be done in any rugby club that and Lands Company of Ceylon (now often designing little devices to achieve made Alistair, ably assisted by the ever Sri Lanka) and made visits there. He a particular end and always he would enthusiastic Sheila, a real ‘Shire man. was also the auditor for the Carlton strive to improve on what everyone else As an example, through his printing Cricket Club and remained a member was doing at the time In 1981 he joined business, Alistair was responsible for right up until his death, ultimately Donald Cameron as an equal partner the production of the annual Fixture having a perpetual ‘Most Improved in McGrath & Cameron and it is said Cards, Function Menus and not least Senior Player’ quaich named after him. that on conclusion of that financial deal the two Centenary Booklets that were In 1951, Maurice met his wife-to-be, Murray bought his Ferrari Quatrovalvoli! produced in 1975 and 1993. Beryl Muir, at a dance while on holiday He never married although he came Andrew, Hamish and Iain were brought in the Isle of Man. They married in 1953 close to it more than once and he and went on honeymoon to the Isles down to the club at an early age with was never short of having a lady on of Scilly off Cornwall. They revisited Andrew and Hamish playing for the his arm when the occasion required this part of the U.K. nearly 60 years senior club. Hamish is now President it. His most endearing feature was his later and it is believed they stayed in of Lismore R.F.C. in Edinburgh while optimism and decision to see the best the same hotel and in the same room! Andrew keeps in regular touch with in everything. One day he announced They went on to have three children – what is going on. he was driving his 1200cc Kawasaki Grahame, Lynda and Malcolm. It is no co-incidence that Alistair shared to France to have a 14-day holiday For the last 20 years of his life, home his birthday with our national bard. with a female friend. Four days later he for Maurice and Beryl has been in Alistair was an enthusiastic supporter appeared in the practice with the story Ireland, initially Mitchelstown, then of the club Burns Supper and would that when he arrived after the two-day 38 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club trip, things had not gone as expected Drumsheugh and I of Ravelston. Ronald Scobie and the relationship ended rather George joined the Royal Insurance abruptly. So, he set off for the two days group on leaving school but continued trip home. Donald commiserated with his participation in sports. It was not him over the waste of the journey but long before he was playing at full back he said how wonderful the journey had for the FP first XV rugby team, following been with the stunning sunset, the in the footsteps of his friend Fred warm driving in the sunshine and the MacLeod, who died in 2019. George views in France. He never mentioned was a keen Sevens player and won that event again and never seemed to several medals. No doubt he would wallow in distress over anything. have won more, had he not decided in Murray was a keen jazz enthusiast, his early twenties to take advantage of amassing a huge collection of his a career opportunity with Sime Derby in favourite recordings, and played the the Far East, with spells in Hong Kong, guitar in a band. Murray also fancied Malaya and Sabah. himself as an artist - though his art On his first home leave after 4 years, teacher was slightly less convinced! he met and married Kate, who was a He had always been an animal rights nurse in Great Ormond St Hospital. campaigner long before that was a What a marriage that turned out to be trendy thing to be, and he worked with – full of joy and laughter, with over 50 Ron, who passed away in May 2020, Advocates for Animals for many years. years of caring for and supporting each was a pupil at Stewart’s from 1951- Murray passed away on 27th December, other. It was an honour to be Best 63. School activities were such an 2020 after a stroke. He is survived by his Man at their memorable wedding in important role in his school life, followed brother David, who lives along with his Canonbie in 1967. by playing both rugby and cricket for wife, Karen, in Richmond. George and Kate settled well into the FPs. Ron had to give up rugby due the Aussie way of life, and George’s to heart problems but continued to be involved through his role as Secretary of business in insurance broking prospered. Their two sons, Stuart and the FP Rugby Club. One of his fondest James, were born in Australia, as were memories of this time was making George Will their four grandchildren. He continued to all the arrangements when the team By Grant Ballantine have contact with former pupils of DSC, played in the prestigious Middlesex 7’s tournament at Twickenham in 1982 Former classmates of George Will, and and welcomed visits from them. Two of which they won. many others who knew him, will be his classmates, John Wright from Kelso saddened to learn of his death on 31 and Colin Furnival from Brisbane, were Ron was a very accomplished cricketer, January 2021, in the city of Melbourne, regular visitors to his Melbourne home, as was his father (Charles S Scobie, who Australia where George had made his and also spent some time in his house also attended Daniel Stewart’s and was home for some 50 years. by the beach in Point Lonsdale. George capped several times for Scotland). Over was President of the Melb Stewartonian 5 seasons playing for the 1st XI (1964, Virtually all of George’s schooling was Society for some time. ‘65, ‘69, ‘70, and ‘71), Ron topped the at Daniel Stewarts, and for most of figures for most wickets in the season. that time he lived in a top floor flat in In spite of living so far away from He was also an accomplished tennis Comely Bank with a wonderful view the UK, George was very diligent in player and good golfer. of the Edinburgh Accies’ rugby pitch. maintaining contact with friends. Every This may have incited his interest in 3 or 4 years, George and Kate would Ron always appreciated the education sporting matters -- he certainly became make a pilgrimage back to the UK for and sporting experience at Stewart’s an enthusiastic participant in many a month or two. This was partly to and was very happy to support sports, excelling in several, including visit Family, not least his younger sister “Access to Excellence” so other pupils rugby, cricket and golf. He was captain Elizabeth (GWLC - 1963), but also to could have the same opportunities that of the rugby first XV (and selected for meet up with old friends from the South he was lucky to have had. Edinburgh schoolboys), as well as a of England to the North of Scotland – Ron and his wife Peppy moved ‘down demon bowler for two seasons in the sometimes arranging lunch at Inverleith south’ to Buckinghamshire in July cricket first XI. He played his sport for the Edinburgh contingent. 1983 and in the October their only son competitively, and our friendship did George was a good and true friend, Andrew was born. Ron missed his not prevent him from clean bowling and will be greatly missed by his family life and friends in Edinburgh but never me for a golden duck in a House and all who knew him. George made lost that pride in being Scottish, hailing cricket match, when he was captain of life so much better for so many people. from the city, and being affiliated to FP News 2021 39 the school and its FPs. He continued Charles was known to all his friends Jim Calder recalled, ”He was a very to keep up personal relationships and for his friendly nature and his highly- inspiring figure with total self belief who always checked the FP rugby results developed sense of humour. He had to set high standards which everyone on a Saturday. take early retirement from his teaching bought into. A natural captain, he After leaving school he became a duties in his early fifties because of prepared well for every game and was qualified Chartered Accountant and health issues which seriously affected a great influence on all of us.” had a very successful career, mainly in his mobility; latterly he was confined to In 1982, aged 35 and against the the food and drink sector. a wheelchair. However his spirit never odds, he led ‘Stew-Mels’ to victory wavered, and he remained good- He was well known for his wicked sense in the Middlesex ‘7’s at a packed humoured and in good spirits through of humour (always the life and soul of the Twickenham against favourites many difficult years. Very recently, he party), but he was also a loving, caring, Richmond, celebrating the final whistle was diagnosed with cancer, and died kind, loyal and generous man. with a spontaneous handstand. He peacefully in his sleep on Saturday 20th also played in the Melrose final in 1983 Family was all important to Ron and February. but lost to the French Barbarians, he was so proud of his son Andrew, Serge Blanco and all. He began daughter-in-law Jen and grandchildren coaching initially with Edinburgh then Charlie, George and Olive. He will be became involved with the national set sorely missed but remembered with love up contributing to the 1990 Grand and fondness by all his family and friends. Dougie Morgan Slam and Scotland’s 1991 World Cup 1947-2020 semi final place. In 1993 he became By Jack Davidson Scotland coach initially with limited success but in 1995 led the team to a Douglas Waugh Morgan was born Charles W. Morton decider after overseeing in Edinburgh, eldest of three sons Scotland’s famous win in , their 1942-2021 of George and Catherine nee Lamb. first in 26 years. The family lived in Duddingston, Charles was born in Hawick and On 28th March 1970 in Edinburgh and between 1952 and ’65, Dougie attended a local primary school. He he married Doreen Cowper, originally attended Melville College where he was attended Melville College in Edinburgh from Montrose, a chiropodist, whom Head Boy. where he received his secondary he had met socially through rugby. education. He was a boarder for six He was in the 1st XV for three seasons They lived mostly in Barnton and had years in the Class of 1960. He showed and was captain in his final year two daughters, Mandy and Nicola. considerable musical talent, both in his when he also captained the cricket Dougie became a chiropodist himself, singing and piano playing, and he was and hockey XI’s and won awards for based for many years in Jenner’s also a keen member of the school’s swimming and athletics, a sporting where Doreen replaced him while he Combined Cadet Force. polymath. Adding to his laurels he later was away on tours. They were a great became a single handicap golfer at the On leaving school, he entered partnership, family and rugby being his Royal Burgess, having begun playing Edinburgh University to study dual passions. during North Berwick family holidays. Mathematics; he graduated with a He is survived by his wife, daughters, B.Sc in Mathematics in 1964. During In 1972 he captained the combined brothers, sons in law, Graham and academic year 1964-5 he attended Edinburgh/Glasgow team against New David and grandchildren Charlie, Lois, Moray House Training College and Zealand followed by his international Josh and Nathan. gained his teaching qualification. In debut against Wales a year later, the the summer of 1965 he joined the last Melville F.P. to be capped. Earning Maths Department at Robert Gordon’s a cap out of a weak club side was College in Aberdeen, where he taught eloquent of the lofty standard of his until he retired. own play. In direct opposition that day Throughout his career, he was a was Gareth Edwards - the world’s best staunch member of the congregation scrum half whom he harried relentlessly at St Machar’s Cathedral in Aberdeen, to help secure a memorable victory. singing in the choir and playing the After the 1973 amalgamation he was organ, apart from being actively pivotal in the club’s rise to top league involved in the life and work of the status along with fellow international parish. For many years he acted as Ian Forsyth and several sets of brothers secretary/treasurer of the Aberdeenshire including Brewsters, Calders, and association of church organists. Scotts.