Number 26 Winter 2015

Celebrating 150 years of the Glasgow Academical Club Editorial Contents It’s good to celebrate anniversaries. They help us to remember – and they encourage 3 Opening of the Saunders Centre us to put things in perspective. 4 Their first 100 years Take the Glasgow Academical Club, for example. It’s 150 years since a group of young men asked permission to use the school gym for sport – and a club that has 5 A special honour for an spurred many on to feats of great sporting success was born. You can read about how exceptional Academical members of the Club have been celebrating that anniversary on pages 13 to 16. 6 Anecdotage But the comradeship of joint sporting endeavour also found its expression in another way as, in 1914, young men encouraged one another to enlist in what was to prove 10 Favourite teachers remembered a far bigger – and far more deadly – contest. In a simple but poignant ceremony in June of this year members of the Academical Club remembered the events of a 13 Academical Club century ago when no fewer than four members of the same team were killed in a 18 Westbourne Section single battle at Gully Ravine in Gallipoli. You can read more about ‘Our Longest Day’ on page 17. 20 An enduring friendship

While we commemorate those brave men who have fallen, we don’t forget to 22 Events and reunions celebrate an equally brave Academical who survived against the odds. Iain G Neilson’s bravery is more than evident on page 5 in the almost matter-of-fact way 23 Updates he recounts his part in the fight against Nazi Germany. He thoroughly deserves his appointment, by the President of France, to the rank of Chevalier in the National 26 Announcements Order of the Legion of Honour. 28 Obituaries In this edition we also celebrate a couple of important milestones as we mark the 100th birthday of two Academicals – Perry Harrison and Hasie Young. I count 30 Picture Post myself fortunate in that I regularly meet both of these remarkable gentlemen at the annual Gasbags lunch at New Anniesland. We warmly Do we have your e-mail address? congratulate them both. It’s how we communicate best! It would be wrong to finish without mentioning another Keeping in touch remarkable Academical The External Relations office is situated whom I first got to know as in Colebrooke Terrace. Former pupils are he was approaching his 100th always welcome to pop in for a chat and look birthday. Frank Saunders did round the school. Just give us a call to arrange not make a will until he was a time. Our address is Colebrooke Terrace, 106 years of age – much to Glasgow G12 8HE and you can contact us on the frustration of his lawyer! 0141 342 5494 or at [email protected] – perhaps because he was looking for a worthy project The Glasgow Academical Club in which to ‘invest’ his life 21 Helensburgh Drive, Glasgow G13 1RR savings. He found it in the President: John Beattie ‘SciTech’ project at his old E-mail: [email protected] school, Glasgow Academy. Secretary: Stuart Neilson Tel: 07771 845104 On 26 October of this year E-mail: [email protected] the Saunders Centre was The Academical Club pavilion opened by Lord Strathclyde. is available for functions. We think Frank would have Academical Club’s London Section approved. Secretary – David Hall, 20 Cadogan Place London SW1X 9SA Tel: 020 7235 9012 Hasie Young at the recent Gasbags lunch wearing a poppy made E-mail: [email protected] by children at Glasgow Academy’s Nursery Like us on Facebook; join us on LinkedIn [email protected]

Cover: The 150th Anniversary Dinner at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on 6 November

2 Etcetera Opening of the Saunders Centre Science for today and the days to come… Drawing his inspiration from the opening of the Saunders Centre, former pupil Emeritus Professor Roy Burdon FSB, FRSA, FRSE considers the importance of science and the scientific method.

he opening of the Saunders Centre It is the wellspring of all knowledge of be subject to peer review and, in any for science and technology presents the real world that can be tested and event, they are always provisional, Tan opportunity to highlight the fitted to pre-existing knowledge. It can susceptible to being overturned by role of science. These days, scepticism distinguish between true and false and it future experiment. Uncertainty is about science is unfortunately on the belongs to everybody. inevitable at the frontiers of knowledge. rise and it is vital that scientific thinking Science will always find the truth but Importantly, science is not a mere be assiduously promoted simply because its provisional quality causes difficulties body of facts but a method of deciding science tells the truth rather than what for many. Nonetheless it builds and whether what we choose to believe has we would like the truth to be. tests competitive hypotheses to generate a basis in the laws of nature or not. It is reliable knowledge of the real word. Our lives are now permeated by science not merely ‘another way of knowing’ and technology as never before. This – it generates pure knowledge about Yes, vaccines really do save lives, GM new world is wondrous, comfortable ourselves and about the environment foods are safe, the strange behaviour and rich in rewards. For instance we live in – knowledge that has to of the subatomic world can only be biotechnology is a route to new continually reshape our thinking. We revealed through quantum physics – and medicines and foods, particle physics all have trouble digesting randomness – the study of biology is incomprehensible provides insights into the origins of our brains crave patterns and meaning, without evolution. Science has had a the universe, supercomputers allow but science warns that we can deceive long track record of getting things right us to handle big data and facilitate ourselves. in the end. Indeed modern society is communications, and engineering creates built on the things it got right. Doubting The ‘Scientific Method’ is a hard new ways of harvesting renewable science has its consequences, possibly discipline and does not come naturally; energy and exploring space. Science global and enduring, such as global it is always susceptible to ‘confirmation compels us to push the boundaries of warming! The humanities are about bias’ – a tendency to look for and see what is possible and, although this can what makes us human, but science is only evidence that confirms what we be complicated and unnerving, it should committed to fact, without reference already believe. Any results must always be at the centre of everything we do. to ideology or religion, and cut paths through the bewildering complexities of human existence on Earth. Current ‘scientific’ evidence indicates that it is our responsibility to manage this planet and its resources: hopefully pupils, experiencing the Saunders Centre for science and technology and its teachers in future years, will come away properly equipped to confront these very daunting issues in one capacity or another.

Roy Burdon (1955)

As our guest of honour at the opening of the Saunders Centre on Monday 26 October we were delighted to welcome the Right Honourable the Lord Strathclyde CH PC. Lord Strathclyde, whose grandfather was a pupil at Glasgow Academy, spoke of the esteem in which his family have always held the school and how delighted he was to return to open this wonderful new building.

Etcetera 3 of Scotland. He’s a member of the Their first 100 years… Milngavie and Bearsden Art Clubs. He has also had a lifelong interest in the Perry trained as a doctor in 1950 and, art of Heraldry. He designed a Coat Perry Harrison (1933) after practising in Dumfries, he became of Arms for the RCGP and this was Born 21 November 1915 a single-handed GP in Blanefield in officially accepted in 1962, along with Former pupil of the school, Herbert 1959, where he served the widespread his inscription ‘Cum Scientia Caritas’. Cooper Harrison (known as Perry) village and rural community for 35 He was elected to the Fellowship of celebrated his 100th birthday on 21 years. Perry was a founder member the College in 1977 and, in recognition November. He and his twin brother, of the Royal College of General of his services to the profession, Perry Ronnie, attended Glasgow Academy Practitioners which was formed was invited to the 2013 New Members’ between 1926 and 1930. Amongst his shortly after the inception of the NHS. Ceremony of the RCGP as the memorabilia, Perry has some pages While practising as a GP, Perry realised honoured guest. During his life, Perry from the Academy Preparatory School that there was a need for student has designed around 20 other Coats booklet, session 1927-1928. At that doctors to receive more practical and of Arms for Colleges, Councils and time, he was in Class 1A and was realistic training in preparation for Burghs. mentioned amongst the prize winners, their lives ‘outside medical school’. Perry’s two daughters, Kathleen and receiving a Special Certificate for Therefore, in 1953, Perry presented a Sheila, attended Westbourne School in Writing. He also has a photo of Class paper to the college on ‘The training the 1950s/60s. His son, David, attended 2A of 1928 along with the teacher ‘Bob’ of undergraduates by GPs’ and this Glasgow Academy in the 1960s. The Runciman. resulted in his proposal being adopted. photo below is of Perry with his For 17 years following this, he arranged Although he and his brother were sent children, daughter-in-law, grandson and the attachment of students to practices off to board at Mill Hill School in 1930, great grandson. throughout the West of Scotland. Perry has always kept up his association At the age of 100, Perry maintains with Glasgow Academy through the Perry has always had an interest in an active interest in art, heraldry, his Glasgow Academicals, particularly the Art and, over the years, has produced growing family and his one-acre Gasbags (Glasgow Academicals Slightly hundreds of beautiful watercolours garden! At present, he is busy organising Biased Against Governors), regularly depicting his love of the landscapes an Art Exhibition of some of his work attending their annual lunches. from the past few decades. From those early days at Glasgow Academy, Perry has achieved so much and, in doing so, affected the lives of many in a positive way. He is an inspiration to all those who know him. He is essentially a modest man and would say that his early school days at the Academy gave him a sense of worth and a strong sense of duty to help Left: Perry Harrison others in his adult life. and family

Below: Hasie Young Hasie Young (1934) and friends Born 23 September 1915 J Haswell Young BL FCIBS, known as Hasie to his friends, attended Glasgow Academy between 1930 and 1933. In our photo, he is flanked by his two daughters at a (100th birthday) cocktail party in his honour given by the Glasgow Golf Club and attended by many of his friends and golfing pals. Before he retired, Hasie was manager of the Queen Street branch of the Bank of Scotland. He played cricket for the Academical Club before the war alongside three Scottish international cricket players and he was an enthusiastic supporter and committee member for many years.

4 Etcetera A special honour for an exceptional Academical

The party consisted of Captain Keen and five other ranks, both Royal Artillery and RAF. Leaving the others at a sheltered spot, I took my motorcycle to reconnoitre three possible ALGs selected from air photos. Two were unsuitable due to obstacles and mines, but the third – near Plumetot – was suitable. I returned to bring the others, and we demolished all the obstacles (my explosives training was very helpful). On D+1 we were “operational” and a radio message was sent to the squadron at Selsey Bill. The first five Auster Mk 4s arrived early on D+2. Plumetot was a splendid ALG. Were we shot at? Yes, mainly by German 88mm guns. The moral was never to fly straight and level for more than a few Ian G Neilson (1935) – who served in the Air Observation Post during seconds. From D+2, I rejoiced to be World War II – being presented with the Order of the Legion d’Honneur flying again. By 20 July I had flown 55 by Colonel Olivier Fort, on behalf of the President of France on 15 sorties and conducted 30 shoots. During July 2015. The presentation – which took place in the Great Western one, I was surrounded by a dogfight Hospital, Swindon – should have been made at the dedication of a new between four Spitfires and three Focke war memorial marking the wartime service of the Air Observation Post Wolfe 190s, who were all much too squadrons. In Ian’s absence, his son, Hamish, gave the following speech busy shooting at each other to worry at that event on his father’s behalf... about me. Because of Air OP activity, movement by enemy tanks or troops was limited in My memories of the Air Observation Post daylight hours, because we could observe it and bring down heavy gunfire very am sad that I cannot join you today. I ashore. That was to be my task, with a quickly. was looking forward to this event, but small ground party. I recently had a fall and I no longer We, who survived, were extraordinarily I We went to Normandy on a Landing bounce as well as I once did. fortunate in Air OP. Unarmed Craft from Portsmouth. When loaded, aviation, particularly our low flying, I have many memories of my time in the ship moved out, and went down the demanded 100% concentration and skill. the Air Observation Post, and what Solent to anchor. We waited until late Controlling the various Marks of Auster happened in Normandy. on 5 June; it was blowing a strong gale. at high engine revolutions and just above Fortunately, I was not the least seasick. In 1940, I was one of 15 volunteers, all stalling speed required endless practice Gunners, who learnt to fly and form the Towards evening, we weighed anchor and smooth handling. Air Observation Post. I recall the joy and and the huge armada moved southwards, We had expected to lose many Air OP sheer exhilaration of flying, even in the but there was no opposition, and at dawn Officers in WWII and we were very Auster aircraft. In 1941 we formed 651 there were many aircraft above, some fortunate to lose only 67. A total of 128 Air OP Squadron, based at Old Sarum. towing gliders. Near the Normandy coast Officers were decorated. They were an Other squadrons were formed as we our ship had to wait until enemy troops exceptional body of men. approached the invasion of Europe. I was within range of “Sword” Beach were in B Flight, 652 Squadron. silenced. Our landing should have been I feel that there is no doubt about at noon, but we were four hours late. the major contribution of all the Air We trained intensively, observing shoots, OP Squadrons during WWII. I am also landing and taking off from aircraft Our turn finally came; I was one of the particularly proud to have been part of it. carriers. We took part in Combined first off the ship and I got very wet in Operations with coastal landings, and about 4 feet of water. We were ushered In 2015, I am honoured and very directed fire from naval ships. In 1944 off the beach with our waterproofed appreciative of my appointment, by though, it was clear that the invasion truck. It was heavily laden with the President of France, to the rank of would not include aircraft carriers, so we explosives, small arms, aircraft spares and Chevalier in the National Order of the would not be directing fire on D-Day a small motorcycle for my use. I still felt Legion of Honour. itself. We would have to establish an very damp as we went up the road to the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) south. Lt Colonel Ian G Neilson DFC, TD

Etcetera 5 Anecdotage

what horrors they were returning to. In things are done. Using his contacts Central Station – 1915, Lord Reith (who presented the with Netrail, a plaque funded by public Platforms 1 and 2 prizes in my last year) returned to the subscription, placed on Platforms 1 and Scottish Rifles after his leave and in the 2, was unveiled last Armistace Day by When I saw, in the last Etcetera, the great autobiography of his two years in the Minister of Transport and Veterans photograph of the eight Academicals the trenches wrote that he said good-bye Affairs. Alan and a group of cadets from who were killed on the same day at to his parents at home and would not the Academy were in attendance. Gallipoli, I was again reminded of the allow them to come with him to Central huge loss of life in two world wars. Station. Platforms 1 and 2 “On these platforms, Only two of the eleven Academicals in in two World Wars, hundreds of that photograph survived the war. 327 What sadness and emotion these thousands of men and women said Academicals lost their lives in WW1 and platforms must have seen as families and good-bye to their families, some for the 170 in WW2. servicemen and women said good-bye. last time.” A few years ago I read the diaries of a Shortly afterwards, I read a book about Jimmy Murray (1950) Canadian officer who survived four years the history of Central Station and in the trenches. He benefited from a realised that, despite all the changes My first ski trip week’s leave in London every six months over the years, Platforms 1 and 2, which and wrote that non-commissioned ranks the London trains use, are unchanged An article in the last edition – ‘Norrie’s got a leave after a year. They could leave over the last hundred years. The same Lorry’ – reminded me of my first ski trip. the trenches at dawn, cross the Channel platforms, which saw so much sadness Norrie loaded a number of us in the in the afternoon, be in London that and courage, are still in use today. On lorry on a Friday afternoon to go skiing evening and Scots could get the night reflection, I felt that future generations in Glencoe. It was snowing most of train north. should be reminded of such sacrifice. the way and the road was closed at Serving in the trenches called for A plaque would be appropriate, but how Crianlarich. Norrie arranged for the courage, but it must have required even best to achieve this? Living in Montreal Youth Hostel to be opened for our greater courage to get on the London this would be difficult.This is where accommodation. The next morning the train after five days at home, knowing my old classmate Alan Carlaw came in. road was still closed, so we decided to Alan has an interest in the armed services ski on a local hillside. In those days all the skis were wooden. I was the first to Alan Carlaw and Jimmy Murray beneath the plaque and in railway history and knows how break the tip off my ski as I crashed into a well-placed boulder. By the end of the morning, two more of my friends had had similar results. That afternoon we were able to proceed to Glencoe. In the evening, unsupervised, we were able to attend a local hostelry, where I tasted my first beer. On the way back to our accommodation, the fourth of our little group, David Goodall, fell and broke his collar bone. Norrie had to take him a considerable distance to the closest hospital. So, our little group of four managed three broken skis and one broken collar bone in one day! This, of course, made David’s skis available the next day. By mixing and matching we nearly had enough for everyone, but the slope had no tow for beginners. We skied to the bottom, took off our skis and trudged back to the top. Resting and sharing were in order. I don’t know if Norrie ventured back on any future ski trips.

Graeme Young (1963)

6 Etcetera Dinny diss Dodo!

n the latest issue of Etcetera (photo acronym SUNWAC? (OK, that’s Swale, unrelieved relief rain over Renfrewshire of Ken Waine on the cover) I came Ure, Nidd, Wharfe, Aire, Calder – to the leeward). Iacross Jim Cunningham’s article about rivers of north-east England, don’t you Our year might have been mildly ‘Dodo’ Ogilvie, and should like to add know?). mischievous, but – if we glanced up my own reminiscences of a fine teacher. I also recall a geographical study of at the ceiling in Dodo’s classroom – I attended the Academy between 1957 Sweden – a European country I cannot we could spy the antics of previous and 1965 (Primary 5 to first year 6th), say I find of great interest. Yet I can bored schoolboys. It would appear that and so was taught by ‘Dodo’ for several recall that Orebro is famous for boots; blotting-paper soused in ink and (maybe) of my years in the senior school. Why, I that there are towns called Norrkoping sputum had cohesive powers when even got a Higher grade B in Geography, and Jonkoping; and that there is a rail flicked with force up to the ceiling, a so some of it must have stuck... route north of the Arctic Circle from good 12 feet above our heads. Dinny diss Dodo... and yet what Narvik (Norway) to Lulea (Sweden) Let’s turn to Dodo the man, insofar as a temptation to cheeky teenage via Kiruna. Maybe there’s more to an immature school-kid could appreciate schoolboys! For a start, our man was a oft-maligned rote learning than we him. He was way ahead of his time, cartoonist’s dream: his bright red ‘dodo’ admit? in the smoggy Glasgow preceding the beak being offset by a monocle – surely Clean Air Act, in pointing out how the only such optical aid I have ever we wasted coal by burning it instead seen worn outside slapstick theatre. of extracting the coal tar, which could be made into all kinds of more useful Incidentally, his nickname was a most ingenious double pun, as his initials were products. I think – but can’t recall for sure – that he spoke out against South ‘D D O’, in addition to the subject’s passing likeness to the legendary flightless African apartheid. His choice of car – a little light blue Austin A35, often Mauritian bird. In this, Dodo was in a league with ‘Baggy’ Aston, with his nicknamed the ‘Noddy car’ – reflected a modesty behind his often bossy manner. initials ‘B G’ and (by the time he taught us) his fashionable ‘Oxford baggy’ Finally, I should mention his choice of belt, a flimsy strip of thin leather trousers exchanged for bags under the Dodo also was a great man for weather, eyes. – maybe suede? – which he seldom and statistics. How could it be otherwise wielded. The rumour was that he had No recollection of Dodo’s classes would in Glasgow? We were informed that inadvertently strapped a lad on the wrist be complete without reference to his “in Glasgow, rain falls on average two with a classic leather tawse, and was so method of mass issue of outline maps in days out of three”, and that the average dismayed at the damage done that he our hardback jotters. He had acquired annual rainfall in the grey city was forswore further use of that ultimate a number of such maps embossed on a 40 inches. I wonder by how much weapon. Like Baggy with his 12-inch rubber cylinder, which received ink from these statistics are exceeded now? He ruler... an ink-pad liberally dosed with black explained to us the difference between ink. The cylinder was housed in a frame convectional and relief rain – the latter In conclusion, a brief salutation to a like a brush roller for painting ceilings, more typical in Scotland – and was few teachers whose Academy careers spring-loaded to return to start position offended by my silly comment that were short, but who made learning after a print. At the start of a new topic, both were so common, might they not exhilarating: Dodo would line us up by the table/desk be termed ‘conventional’ rain? Let me 1. ‘Teddy’ Jenkins – our introduction to bearing the ink-pad, while he clutched regale – or remind older Accies – with senior school. He decided to challenge the loaded and inked roller. ‘Top to Dodo’s poem to explain relief rain: our orthodox beliefs by introducing us to Norse gods (‘Old father Odin, from his tummy!’ he would bark, as we had to The sun heats the earth; the earth heats high seat’), and asked us to find rational hold our inverted jotters on the table-top the air; explanations for Biblical miracles. while he ran a map print on the blank The warm air expands and becomes less page. Being mischievous wee pests, dense; 2. ‘Spike’ Pender. His recreations of some of us would invert our jotters, so The light air rises; the rising air is cooled; Paris cafe scenes, passable Gallic shrug, receiving an inverted map – if Dodo The water vapour in the air condenses, and (can this be?) exposing us to saucy didn’t spot the trick! and falls as rain. French songs by Brassens made all things French ‘cool’ to us. We need more of his Well, somehow our year dodged the Whaur’s yer Genesis 1 noo? I hear you all ilk in this Eurosceptic age. Trans-Siberian train stations – instead, exclaim. May I also point out to anyone Dodo must have been on a transatlantic still confused as to how any rain could be 3. Mr Whittaker (now what was his roll that year. Guess what this list could a ‘relief’ – silly boy, back of the class! – it nickname?). He made that dry subject, be? is the topography, the hills, which are the Latin, fun – I remember our creating a St Lawrence, Connecticut, Hudson, relief. (This may account for my dad’s Latin daily newspaper, complete with Mohawk, Delaware, Susquehanna, Potomac, ambition – never realised – to dynamite cartoons. James? No prizes... How about the short Goatfell on Arran, and so reduce the Graeme Orr (1965)

Etcetera 7 Anecdotage – letters

Back row: ? Harrison, Cameron Main, Peter Manson, Scott Bisland, Barry Latham, ?, ?, ? MacInnes Fourth row: ?, ?, Kenneth Gilchrist, Brian Wilson, ?, Campbell McNiven, Sandy Macintosh, ?, Peter Graham, ?, ?, David Calder, ?, ?, ?, ?, ? Third row: ?, ?, ?, ?, ? Walker, ? Dingwall, Ronald Handford, ?, ?, ? Wilson, Roger Scott, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ? Second row: Forrest Pender (half hidden), ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, girl?, dinner lady, Lady Nancy Bailey? (with child on her lap), Sir Derrick Bailey, Mrs Scougall, Jimmy Scougall, Farquhar Mackintosh, Flo (dinner lady), Bobby Low, ?, ?, ? Front row: ? Walker, Johnny Urquhart, ?, ?, Ronnie Low (holding dog), John Young, ?, ?, ? , ?, Gordon Finlay, ? Apologies for all the question marks. I am surprised at how many boys’ names I have forgotten.

Dear sir We now live within three miles of Brinsop Court and recently celebrated I have very much enjoyed reading the our 21st happy year in the county. We memories of Academicals, especially Dear Malcolm took our family, with us from Dubai, those concerning Jimmy Scougall’s on a ‘Grandad’s Reminiscences’ visit Herewith a possible entry for the next summer camps. The most memorable there this summer, and were pleased edition of Etcetera. camp for me was that to Brinsop Court to be given a warm welcome by the in Herefordshire, which I think must I feel so humbled and honoured reading current owner who was interested to have been in 1954 when I was 12. recent editions of Etcetera, which hear of the school’s connection with Jimmy Scougall was a Herefordian and continue to include photographs and the Court and who was delighted his mother visited the camp. references to my father. to receive a copy of the photograph I recall wonderful summer weather, below. Brinsop Court is now a It is now over six years since he passed in which we camped in an orchard. I conference centre and venue for away. He attended the Academy as a remember an enormous Hereford bull weddings etc, as can be seen on their boy, became Captain of the School, which was occasionally led past our website www.brinsopcourt.com Captain of rugby, won the Indian camp site. It was idyllic and, as a result Trophy and two scholarships to St When Jimmy Scougall brought of these very favourable impressions, Andrews University. us down, Brinsop was owned by I have always had a great affection Sir Derrick Bailey who had South After being held as a POW, he returned for that part of the world – and it is African roots. His godfathers were to the Academy as a master, retiring in entirely possible that the day at Brinsop Cecil Rhodes and Louis Botha. the late 1980s as the Head of Modern was what initiated our move down Sir Derrick Bailey won a DFC in Languages. He is survived by my mother, to Herefordshire. Perhaps none of the Second World War and played Marion, now in her 94th year and the summer camps resulted in such first-class cricket for Gloucestershire in fighting fit. Many older colleagues may a life-changing consequence for any the 1950s. Does anyone know what remember her as an invigilator during of the other participants. There were the connection was between Jimmy their exams in the Cargill Hall. other, more practical, reasons for Scougall and Sir Derrick, and Brinsop moving south – amongst them the I and all my family would like to wish Court? fact, that for many years, I was joining our very best to all Academical friends and leaving ships in Southampton, and Yours faithfully who may remember us. when our younger daughter went up to Yours, as ever, an English university the die was cast. Peter JR Manson (1960) Graham Black (1967)

8 Etcetera A fine body of men – but what are their names?

Dear Malcolm I read with interest the article in the A highland cycle tour remembered… previous issue about the Prefects’ Dinner at Lake of Menteith in June n 5 April, 1957, the first day Monday was a short day ending at 1954. I’m sure I missed an excellent of the Easter holidays, seven Inverness Youth Hostel. The next evening. I want to make amends for OAcademy boys aged fourteen morning we turned southwards being absent on that occasion and and fifteen set off on a cycle tour stopping for photographs at The John enclose a photo of members of the of the Highlands. Our bikes were Cobb Memorial by Loch Ness and Boarding House of a couple of years five-speed, dropped handlebar The Commando Memorial at Spean earlier, which brings back memories “racers”. Old bangers by today’s Bridge. of 12 Belmont Crescent under Mr standards, but our pride and joy. Unfortunately, David and Robin had and Mrs Coleman Smith. The south-siders, namely Colin suffered a couple of spills during the Rattray, Jimmy Milne, Alan Bewick Yours previous days and slowly fell behind and myself met up with west-enders the “peloton”. Somewhere north Archie Shearer (1954) Dixon Brown and David Buchan of Fort William we were passed by at Anniesland Cross to be joined by a flat-bed truck on which reclined Dear sir Robin Morton. The first afternoon the jeering laggards and their bikes took us to Crianlarich Youth Hostel I was interested to read David Dow’s en-route to Glasgow the same day. piece about Tony Richards and the 1969 with a long, arduous ascent from Aultbea CCF camp, and honoured to Ardlui to the Hostel. The remaining five set off the following morning from Glen Nevis see my name in the lyrics of the song. On Saturday morning, after our Youth Hostel aiming for a last night Tony was right to put his trust in the cornflakes, we were on the road by at Crianlarich cycling on the A82 judgement of responsible sixth formers: 9 am. When we reached Killin an through Glencoe. Progress was swift I should have expected the song to be a hour later, the weather was so hot in spite of having to wait for the great deal more scurrilous than it appears that we stripped off and took a dip in ferry at Ballachulish so we decided to to have been! The Falls of Dochart. We stopped for press on via Loch Lomond to reach lunch at The Fearnan Hotel on Loch My memories of that camp include time journey’s end at Glasgow – a pleasant Tay where we enjoyed seven bottles aboard one of the anti-submarine “Boom 120-mile spin. Defence” vessels (surely the very last RN of cider. No ‘RU18?’ in those days! All things considered, our cycle tour ships to be powered by coal-fired steam A fearsome climb took us to the was a great success, given that it was reciprocating engines), and some very Queen’s View at Tummel Bridge on the first time we had left the comfort exciting sailing in 24’ and 27’ whalers. the B8019 and on to the Strathtummel of our family homes. Also a brief unintentional immersion Youth Hostel where we spent our in Loch Ewe: I still possess my CCF second night. As far as I am aware, we are all still in Officers’ authorisation card, seriously the land of the living apart from Colin The following day, we joined the water-damaged, to prove it! who tragically drowned in a boating A9 and reached Aviemore Youth accident at Tighnabruaich some Yours Hostel after battling against a strong twenty odd years ago. Sandy Small (1960) – left GA in 1957 headwind for 64 miles and a hard returned as staff member 1968-74 struggle through the Drumochter Pass. Peter Bannatyne (1960)

Etcetera 9 Favourite teachers remembered non-teaching staff, parents, academicals A cherished colleague Tributes to and pupils. He was without humbug and Ken Waine respected by all. I had not long started at GA fifty years ago when Ken invited Margaret and I knew Ken Waine before arriving at Through his strong connections with me to join the Thursday evening staff Glasgow Academy. If you were teaching Anniesland many Academicals reading badminton group in the old gym. It in a rugby-playing Scottish school the this short appreciation of Ken will count proved a welcome opportunity to meet likelihood is that you would know Ken. him as a friend. For Ken the move from other members of staff and their spouses To bring a visiting team to Anniesland school to the club was seamless and his informally and contributed much to was always a pleasure for the welcoming continued activities for the club brought my feeling at home here after years of reception you received from Ken and his the much deserved accolade of club exile from Scotland. Elspeth was an team of rugby staff. He was a fantastic president. ever-cheerful regular as were other new ambassador for the game, and equally As I write this (late August) the main colleagues, including Margaret McNeill/ so for cricket in the summer. It is never headline in today’s Times is “PE teachers Tindall. Fortunately competence with easy running a games programme when give maths lessons in school crisis”. Ken the shuttlecock was not a pre-requisite, the playing fields are a mile or so away, was fulfilling that role 50 years ago and as I had reason to fear that I might be especially when you have to contend the Academy was not in crisis. He was judged below standard, as incompetent with capricious weather. The knock on extremely versatile and could step into in the gym as on the rugby field. That effect of cancelling involved alternative a variety of roles without difficulty: in played no part in Ken’s thinking; he was arrangements at school, bus cancellations this he was not alone, most teachers have a good friend from the start and the most and keeping parents informed. Ken subsidiary subjects they are quite capable tolerant and understanding of colleagues. coped with all of this without any fuss. of teaching. Others will tell of Ken in PE classes, as I also knew him before joining The I have very fond memories of Ken a rugby coach or as O/C the CCF, but Academy through CCF activities and Elspeth who were very kind to not all could be privileged to know Ken when Ken would represent the RAF Priscilla and me and we enjoyed many and Elspeth also as host and hostess for section at various functions within a convivial visit to Arran with them and many years of convivial gatherings in Scottish Command. I commanded The their many friends. their home following the last evening of Edinburgh Academy contingent of the the Christmas Entertainment – not only CCF and overlapped with both Gordon He ranks among the best of the for those who had strutted the boards to Carruthers and Ken Waine as contingent Academy’s staff. many a laugh. commanders, although the two schools Colin Turner (Rector 1983-94) never met at camp because of the earlier At his moving funeral service in St finish to the school year at The Glasgow Mary’s Cathedral, filled to capacity as far Academy. as I could see, one of the speakers related an incident that occurred Known for his fitness and general once as Ken addressed the Corps good health which belied his age, parade. He was rudely interrupted Ken could have easily seen his by one of the boys in uniform teaching career out as head of PE who must have had personal and Games, but I felt there was a problems; ignoring it at first, bigger role for him to play in the Ken then dismissed the parade general running of the Academy and hurried to follow the boy and I was more than delighted to a classroom, where a fatherly when he accepted the role of chat ensued, disarming the boy’s Senior Master (the first holder of hostility. I found that an admirable the post), within the leadership illustration of the kind of person team. Ken was, the stern manner belying Ken fulfilled the role with the warm-hearted, generous, authority, diligence and a profoundly human individual. dedication for the school which F G Little (former Academy staff) he served for the greater part of his teaching career. He was greatly …As a young teacher, I learned respected by all the pupils for his much from Ken and I am sure fairness coupled with an energy that over many subsequent years, to get things done. Ken had the my teaching benefited by having unique capacity to form friendly perhaps inadvertently absorbed and meaningful relationships with many of Ken’s techniques of all who make up the body of the control, organisation and sheer school, governors, teaching and professionalism. He was a superb

10 Etcetera role model for young teachers and I by surprise. I can’t recall the opposition Very sad to hear of the passing of this count myself extremely fortunate to but a scrum was set and one of us made legend to generations of Academicals. have spent almost 12 years watching and the rallying call of ‘C’mon Accies’ as An inspiring leader whether in the gym, learning from The (Senior) Master. we set to take ‘one against the head’. the playing field or the parade ground. I Immediately Mr Waine, refereeing, blew had the privilege of meeting him a few Pat (Paddy) Dorman (Academy staff his whistle and awarded a penalty against months ago when he remembered more 1968-1980) us. Not quite sure of the infringement, I about me than I did! took it upon myself to enquire as to why One of Ken’s many responsibilities was Duncan Gilmour (1972) the organising and supervision of team we were penalised to which the reply came ‘You’re not The Accies, you’re photographs. One of my activities, after My strongest memory of Mr Waine The Academy!’ A true gentleman whose a GA education, was the taking of these was his wearing of shorts, both for education went much further than the photographs. Thus our paths crossed rugby training and matches, no matter daily curriculum and right through our yearly on these occasions. the weather. He was one those special later years. Always Mr Waine and rarely individuals who had immediate respect My one overriding memory of Ken was ‘Ken’. a perpetual half smile lurking there ready from everyone he came in contact with. Andrew Calder (1989) to break out. During the sessions taking Ian McAslan (1992) these team photographs, we maybe had different objectives. While his was the I have many memories of Ken Waine. To add my message to the numerous protocol of important people in the right Two that stand out were the first and you’ll have received, like many I place, I had the objective of symmetry last time I saw him. The first time was imagine, I regard Ken Waine as my and appearance. Sometimes this would at Anniesland at the first rugby practice rugby mentor. Although from a rugby put us at odds. of his first term. He was kicking some family, it was playing for Ken’s 3rd XV prodigious goal kicks which had us at school in the 70s when I was 14 that If a player sitting next to the captain in awe. On a very rare visit back to fired up a lifelong passion for the game (holding a rugby ball or whatever) had Glasgow at least 35 years after I had last finishing my playing days back at Accies stockings which were at odds with seen him, I ran into him at a Glasgow aged 33. He and his booming ‘Come On his neighbours, initially I would try Hawks game. Not only did he recognise Accies!’ voice will certainly be missed by to rearrange the group and replace me but he immediately quoted my a huge number of people. him with someone with the correct initials ‘G T G Young’. What a memory! attire (from the back row probably). What a man! Phil Reid (1977) Unfortunately this did not go down well with the protocol, where the offending Graeme Young (1963) I was at the Academy from 1956 to stockings belonged to the vice-captain, 1969 and remember Ken well. He or someone of similar status, who – Ken will be sorely missed by all. It was was the epitome of the Sports Master. no way! – should be consigned to he who vetoed my option to play golf In hindsight, I am sure many of his anonymity in the back row. at the Academy when he heard that I techniques have rubbed off on me in my played junior cricket at Ferguslie. The coaching days here in Canada. He was Ken, in his inimitable way, pointed out result was 48 years of playing cricket for a large personality. One incident that to me that – although symmetry and Accies [to date] of which 43 as Junior comes to mind was when my friends and appearance were important – protocol Convener!!! Curses! I decided Badminton was the game and could not be ignored. Thus we came to commandeered the gym one Saturday. Colin Dawson (1967) a working agreement – after everyone Quite how we got the keys I cannot was in their appointed place, if I had remember. We were happily playing any reservations about the overriding End of an era. Can still hear him saying ‘Tackle low boy!’ when in walks Ken, caught between appearance, I would mention this to outrage that we were doing this without Ken and he would take it in hand to Colin Sinclair (1970) permission and enthusiasm that we were tell the offending player to change his playing sport in our own time. No more garb, double quick, to let proceedings I’m sorry to hear of Ken’s death. He was was said about the incident but I did continue. a wonderful man, really fair and very leave with more insight. encouraging. I’m glad that I had a chance Such was Ken’s authority and demeanour to meet him again at one of the Old Iain Begg (1969) that never did I see any adverse reaction Boys’ dinners. to his requests. From this I deduced that It was with great regret that I received he was held in high regard by the pupils, Derek Neilson (1969) the news of Ken’s death. Ken was my and that they respected his wishes, as gym master for the last four years I was I was saddened to hear of Mr Waine’s being reasonable. at the Academy. Although in the first passing and although I have not seen him year I was forced to sit on the side-lines Jim Cunningham (1949) – and somewhat in many years it brought back some old due to ill health, thereafter he was kind later memories of him. I probably wrote him enough to award me the PE prize three a book’s worth of punishment essays but By third year we were very aware of years running. Ken was also in charge of I always respected him and thought of the ‘boundaries’ with Mr Waine but it the RAF section of the CCF of which I him as a good and decent man. was a 3A rugby match which took me was a member. He had a large influence and my fellow eager rugby colleagues Donald Reston (1991) on me at school and after I joined the

Etcetera 11 Academical rugby and cricket sections. I have not met him since the late sixties but I have not forgotten his influence. James Bull (1964)

Ken Waine was a national treasure, as they say these days. Notwithstanding the fact that my elder brother was a good rugby player, and I was not, Ken Waine was never judgemental and was always a most decent character. I still recall his regular admonition after PE “get all these sweaty bodies through the showers”!! Micky Hirst (1963)

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mr Waine. I will remember him fondly: he was a true gentleman cut Phil Beattie from a cloth rarely seen these days. He always remembered the boys that passed I was very sad to hear of the passing of Phil Beattie reported in the last edition. He through the school and was genuinely was one of my school rugby coaches in the junior years and I remember him fondly. interested whenever you bumped into Just as a small aside to that – I was very proud to be the 1st XV Captain at the him at the rugby club. Academy many years ago and have since been to Anniesland to visit and it was great Matthew Smith (1994) to see my name on the Honours board upstairs. I have been a PE teacher for many years now in South London and my school Sad to be informed on the passing of happens to play against Whitgift where Phil Beattie was Head Boy. I made a point Kenny Waine – he certainly was an of finding the school’s Honours Boards and have attached a picture of Phil’s name. I influence in my life! Solid authority at know he would have been very proud to see it again. a time we were all getting hold of Mao Tse-tung’s “Little Red Book” as a show W Fraser Thomson (1974) of rebellion! But with Kenny (“Sweaty”) Waine you knew exactly where you Miss McEwan stood and that is exactly what a good, balanced, education is all about. (Other When I was at the Academy, Miss A J McEwan was the headmistress of the junior teachers you could work around!). school. She was a natural teacher who actually made learning exciting. She was also a most caring individual. Ronnie Veitch (1972) However, for me there was a definite downside to Miss McEwan. She was a Ken was Senior Master when I was neighbour of ours and consequently I lived under the microscope of 72 Novar Drive. Captain of School and we worked very Woe betide if I didn’t doff my cap or if I failed to take the outside position on the closely on ‘disciplinary matters’ and sidewalk if I was out walking with any member of the opposite sex. There was no I always remember him emphasising direct punishment if I was found wanting; however, the next morning I would be the need to instil the concept of summoned. She would just look at me from above her spectacles and say something ‘self-discipline’ in the boys! He also along the lines of, “I saw you out walking with your mother yesterday.” The message insisted I ensure the prefects led by was quite clear. My actions were unbecoming of an Academy boy. It is interesting example. He was very involved at Accies that six decades later I still take the outside of the sidewalk when in public with my at that time and used to get me playing wife or daughters. for the school in the morning and on the bench for Accies in the afternoon. I I also remember on one occasion she gave our class a homework exercise. It was ended up playing against Colin Deans of to draw a warship. Drawing could never be offered as one of my strong points and Hawick and Scotland on an afternoon even today stick men provide an overwhelming challenge. However, I managed to following a school game – all great con my father into drawing a corvette and promptly presented the sketch to Miss experiences that would never be allowed McEwan the following day. She looked at it approvingly and with a knowing smile these days! said, “Sandy, please inform your father that he has received a star.” Wilf Sinclair (1985) After I immigrated to Canada and returned to Glasgow on vacation, visiting 72 Novar Drive was one of the “must things to do” on my agenda. We would sit with a cup of tea and possibly a biscuit and she would bring me up to date with the happenings at Colebrooke Street and I in turn would bring her up to date with my travels. It was always a most enjoyable afternoon. Her appointment as a school Governor was a well-deserved recognition.

Sandy Ferns (1960)

12 Etcetera Academical Club

President’s introduction I am honoured and delighted to be the honorary president of the club in this its 150th year. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone involved and making many new friends. 150th Rugby Celebrations at New Anniesland We want to make this A lunch was held at New Anniesland in September to mark the first league game of the rugby a special year, with the section’s 150th season. In attendance were SRU President Eddie Crozier, past internationalists emphasis being “what we John Beattie and Brian Simmers, and many other notables including senior past president, can do for our city” and Andrew Howie (91), and senior past rugby captain, Colin Guthrie (85), as well as many past I have been grateful that players and friends. so many Accies have been The match was against one of our kindred clubs, Kilmarnock, who themselves celebrate volunteering on projects, their 150th season in two years’ time. There was a good representation at the lunch from raising money for the the Kilmarnock Club and the Accies team players were present to acknowledge the club’s disadvantaged, and helping outstanding history, and to celebrate the cutting of the ‘150th’ Anniversary cake by SRU our most needy. President Eddie Crozier. The aim is to do one or two That initial match against Kilmarnock was won by Accies, and the team has continued the things well and I must thank season with ‘bonus point’ victories, playing some outstanding rugby and displaying a real the many willing helpers who commitment to making it a successful season for Accies rugby. The club is most fortunate to are making this happen. have ex-Academy pupil Andrew Jackson as coach, assisted by past pupil and past club captain As I write this, the rugby Ross Chassels, with another past club captain Tony Smith coaching the backs. Andy, now a season is well underway and teacher at The Academy, is an ex-Hawks player, and an Accies past-captain. He has brought a the hockey players have real enthusiasm and energy to the team’s play, and is producing a team we can all be proud of. ambitious plans. As you’ll read Your support of the team is encouraged. Keep in touch with all team news and fixtures on the here, the golf section had a club web-site www.glasgowacciesrfc.com hugely successful competition and dinner in August – and We congratulate coach Andy Jackson on another our other sections have their successful ‘match’ – with fiancée Amy Workman. own events. We’ve just had Rugby reminiscences 450 attending the Dinner at Anyone with stories or photographs Kelvingrove art gallery and of past club news is encouraged to get museum with Jackie Bird in touch with Gordon Wilson at the and Brian Moore, and a civic address below to enable items to be reception with Glasgow City included in future ‘Newsletters’, or in council is planned to take club archivist Hugh Barrow’s 150th place in the new year. Anniversary production which will be We are being supported by taking us on a pictorial journey through Glasgow Warriors and the the rugby club’s long and outstanding SRU and my thanks to them history. Hugh’s publication is being for this. funded by the outstanding generosity of John M Watson OBE and the Watson 2015/16 is shaping up to be Foundation and will be available in the a great year and I am glad we summer of 2016. are all part of it.

John Beattie (1974)

Etcetera 13 ‘California Reunion’ at London Section September at the Graphic Bar, Soho with a large number attending. This Rowallan Castle It was another busy summer for the event has now become a fixture in our London Section. The London Scottish Survivors from Accies’ 1980 rugby calendar and an announcement will be Schools’ Golf Society Day was held tour to California, augmented by a forthcoming with regard to a date for at Denham Golf Club and won by few team-mates from that era, enjoyed next year. Kelvinside Academicals. Sadly, neither a day’s golf and celebration of Coach Talking of next year, the Annual Dinner of the two teams fielded by the London Guthrie’s 85th in the magnificent of the London Section will be held at Section featured in the prizes. Please surroundings of Rowallan Castle on The Caledonian Club on 4 March and note that next year’s Golf Day will be Saturday 19 September. plans are already in place to make this held on 28 June 2016. With the passing 35 years reflected another successful dinner. We look The London Section hosted a dinner in receding hairlines and increasing forward to receiving the Rector and for the visiting School Shooting Team waistlines, at least there was some the President of our parent body at this at Bisley on 9 July and – with 13 in consolation that the fun and laughter of dinner. the school party and 9 members of the the day attested to everyone remaining As always, we look forward to hearing London Section attending – there was a young at heart! from any former pupil relocating to the most enjoyable evening had by all. Iain Jarvie (1972) London area. Please contact David Hall A summer drinks party was held in on 020 7235 9012 or [email protected]

150th Grand Match Mark the Anniversary 1866-2016 and Dinner – Saturday 23 April The two Anniversary items 2016 pictured here can be There is a celebration rugby match purchased at the Bar at taking place at Anniesland on 23 Anniesland, or by sending April which will include players from an order to kindred clubs, and other notable Gordon Wilson, players from Scottish rugby. ‘Kilbrannan’, Gryffe Road, KILMACOLM, PA13 4BB It will be followed by a Celebration or wilsongb@btinternet. Dinner in the school’s Cargill Hall, com when the SRU President Eddie Ties £10 and Anniversary Crozier and other Internationalist Oak Shield £30 (includes personalities will be present. All club postage) past-captains will be contacted in Cheques payable to due course to organise re-unions that ‘Glasgow Accies Sports evening for members of their teams. Club’ Please put the date in your diary!

14 Etcetera 150th Golf Day As part of the Club’s 150th anniversary celebrations, Glasgow Academicals’ Club held a golf day at Killermont, organised by John Watson. After completing 18 holes, more than 80 guests were treated to an excellent three-course meal in the clubhouse where they were superbly entertained by after-dinner speaker Sandy Strang. Special guest at the day was Kylie Walker, arguably the finest golfer The Academy has produced. A Ladies’ European Tour professional, Kylie added both the German and Dutch open titles to her collection in the last 12 months. Grateful thanks must go to John Watson for his generous sponsorship of the event. That it was one of the most popular golf events on record with a huge waiting list may be due – at least in part – to the fact that the first of many prizes was a trip to the Masters in April!

Many congratulations to David Stirling (1968) who claimed he had the round of his life to win the much-coveted first prize. Despite numerous offers of friendship on the day – many from people David had never met! – he is adamant that he will be taking his wife to Augusta as it is a long-held dream for both of them.

Dear Malcolm The 150th Golf Day last Friday was great fun, helped in no small part by the weather. No wonder it has been a constant topic this summer. John Watson must have been delighted by the way the day flowed and we all owe him an enormous debt of gratitude – not only for Friday, but for all he has done for the School and the Club. Finlay Watson, Angus I was tickled pink to receive a prize. I Watson, Kylie Walker, did say to that young whipper-snapper Sandy Watson and John Gordon Wilson that I thought I had Watson OBE been on the prize list at Troon Portland celebrating the Centenary of the Club fifty years ago to which he replied: “You weren’t around fifty years ago!” Sadly I was – and it is confirmed on page 85 of “Glasgow Academical Club Centenary Volume 1866-1966” that I was second equal in the competition for the higher-handicap players. Donald Just in case anyone McIvor playing off 1 had a net 72 on is tempted to doubt the Old Course. A fellow member of Douglas Mack’s Prestwick, I sadly attended his funeral last involvement in the 150th Golf Day, here month. On a positive note, my handicap he is (extreme right) has improved but it is unlikely that I will with (l to r) David Blair, feature in 2066! Patricia Simpson and Jennifer Mack With very best wishes, Photos by John Hendry Kind regards, Photography (www.jhphoto.co.uk) Douglas Mack (1962)

Etcetera 15 Cricket section 2015 saw the wettest and coolest summer for several years with the outfield at New Anniesland akin to a bog! The new covers had little effect due to the amount of rain that fell relentlessly throughout the summer. Many midweek and Sunday matches were cancelled, which mainly affected the juniors in the section. This proved frustrating although there were a few highlights. Accies’ U11s had a superb season finishing top of their section following an undefeated run. Unfortunately Finals Day did not take place due to the weather and so Accies were adjudicated joint winners of the league Congratulations to the unbeaten Accies’ Under 11 team with Poloc. The other junior and senior teams all string of wins after the end of June and standards with many low-scoring affairs. reported mixed results which mainly they remain in Division 1 for next year. reflected mid-table standings. Accies’ 1st It can only be hoped that the weather XI, under the continuing captaincy of Slow and damp pitches did not help in Season 2016 will prove more Richard Andrew, managed to perform the cause with both batters and bowlers accommodating! its now customary recovery act with a struggling to perform to their usual

GAC 150th anniversary polo shirts

INTRODUCTORY OFFER: His and Hers polo shirts (in a choice of colours) £40! DON’T MISS OUT!

To celebrate Accies’ 150th anniversary, we have a limited stock of polo shirts featuring our special anniversary crest. The shirts – which proved a hit at August’s golf day – are available in white (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) and pink (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL). If you’d like to add one of these to your wardrobe, they are priced £25 and can be purchased from the Glasgow Academy External Relations team by emailing [email protected] or calling 0141 342 5494. Alternatively you can just drop into the office.

Christine Abercrombie and John Beattie show off the new polo shirts.

16 Etcetera Remembering the 1st XV of 1914 On 28 June 2015 a simple ceremony of remembrance took place at the Glasgow Academy War Memorial on Great Western Road to recall the events of exactly 100 years ago. Representatives of the Glasgow Academical Rugby Club paid their respects to the team of 1914. Among those in attendance was Lt Col Sandy Fitzpatrick MBE who has played for Accies for many years and recently commanded the 52nd Lowland Division Royal Regiment of Scotland – the Division that suffered so much at Gallipoli. soldiers of the 156th Brigade lacked artillery support and were massacred by Ottoman machine guns and bayonet Our longest day – 28 June 1915 attacks. Despite the opposition, they Gallipoli is usually portrayed as an were ordered to press the attack – and so ANZAC Campaign, but the losses the support and reserve lines were sent sustained by the Scottish 52nd Lowland forward but made no progress. By the were enormous and at times have been time the attack was halted the Brigade overlooked. was at half strength, having suffered 1,400 casualties of which 800 had been The Gallipoli Campaign had a massive killed. Some battalions were so depleted impact on the Glasgow Academy, they had to be merged into composite particularly those serving with the formations. When the rest of the 52nd 52nd Lowland Division.156th Brigade Division landed, the commander, Major 7/8th Cameronians The Scottish Rifles. General Granville Egerton, was enraged The Academical relationship with The at the manner in which his 156th Rifles goes back to the very birth of the Brigade had been sacrificed.’ Club in 1866. Our first President, HE Crum-Ewing, was an officer with the When the Accies played their final First Lanarkshire Volunteer Rifles who match of the season on 28 March 1914 shared their drill ground at Burnbank they little knew that by 1918 eight of with Accies when the Club was formed. the team would have made the ultimate This ground was to become famous sacrifice and six would have sustained in the early days of cricket, rugby and terrible injuries. Only one of the team soccer providing Rangers with a home got through The Great War unscathed. en-route to Kinning Park. Four of that team – Eric Young, William Church, both capped for Scotland, In 1872 Lt Col Crum Ewing then Tommy Stout and Archie Templeton – helped form Third Lanark (Volunteer fell at Gully Ravine. They had played Rifles) FC, a club that survived until together, signed on together, served 1967. The Volunteer Rifles became The together and on that morning died Scottish Rifles in 1881 and it was for this together. Regiment many Glasgow Accies signed on in 1914. A relationship that had started on a pitch ‘In the ravine the 1st Battalion, Border at the side of Great Western Road some The most concentrated loss of life for Regiment did not advance as far as 200 metres from the War Memorial Glasgow Accies was not on the Western those troops on the spur since Ottomans at Kelvinbridge had reached the final Front but at Gallipoli. A year before the there were somewhat sheltered from whistle. Somme on 28 June 1915 an action took the deadly bombardment from the sea. place known as Gully Ravine. On that Their final position was fortified with On 12 July Hawick Rugby Club laid day some 27 Academicals – Glasgow and rocks and boulders and became known as a simple wooden cross on the Gallipoli Kelvinside – fell in the fighting as they “Border Barricade”. battlefield on our behalf. The term faced the Turks. ‘kindred club’ takes on deeper meaning On the right of the advance, along when you share a War Memorial. A summary of the action does not make Fir Tree Spur, the battle did not go so for pleasant reading: well for the British. The inexperienced Hugh Barrow (1962)

Etcetera 17 Westbourne Section

gradually to a close. Eventually with Class of 1960 great reluctance we set off in our various Updates Reunion directions, already anticipating our next Kay Harrison (1980) gathering. Kay has been appointed Head of On Monday 5 October, nineteen of Strategic Planning for schools in us from the class of ‘60 met up at the Grateful thanks to all those who were Northamptonshire. This involves the Strathblane Country House Hotel to prepared to go that extra mile, in terms planning of new schools, admissions and celebrate 55 years since leaving school. of distance or difficult circumstances, in order to come along. Your being there school organisation. In spite of a week of glorious sunny added immensely to the enjoyment of Fiona Kennedy (1973) days, our weather grew increasingly the day and to its undoubted success. I’m in New York and very thrilled to be “dreich” as the day wore on but that receiving the first Cultural and Heritage made no difference to the warmth of the Davina (Struthers) Booth (1960) award by The Saint Andrews Society of atmosphere, as we talked, quite literally New York on Thursday 1 October. 19 to the dozen, exchanging news and Eleanor (Wood) Bremner, who was awarded the reminiscing incessantly. British Empire Medal earlier this year for her work with Macmillan Cancer Support over many years. Veronica A McBurnie (1985) I am a GP in Glasgow who has started Nine of us first set eyes on each other Congratulations from all her friends of Class ‘60. a brand new company called SINGFIT in Miss Hastwell’s Preparatory Class on UK... Something for everyone to 7 September, 1947 and have remained promote health and enhance wellbeing in contact throughout the intervening through singing and dance fitness. You years. In spite of life’s challenges and our can see a lot of what we do on the differing experiences, we still count each Facebook page SINGFIT uk and also other amongst our closest friends – and our website: singfituk.com all this without the help of Social Media! How well this illustrates the ethos of We had an exciting launch with a free Westbourne. workshop at the Western Baths club on 2 December. A toast to Westbourne was proposed by Marjory Kirkwood and a Vote of Inez Murray (1969) Thanks was given by Judith (Naftalin) I recently was nominated then short- Gillis – both entertaining and laced listed to 20 of the most influential people with humour, after which our excellent, in childcare in Britain. I was amazed and if somewhat protracted, lunch drew humbled by this recognition of what I

18 Etcetera do. I attended the awards dinner on the top floor of Barclays head office. Not Letter Deaths the winner (hardly surprising!) but had a Dear Liz, J Herriot (née Tillotson) Cameron great time. (Westbourne, 1943) I am at my daughter’s in Christchurch, Herriot died peacefully at Balhousie Care My nomination was linked to the work NZ until 28 Oct – my second trip this Home, Pitlochry, on 27 August 2015, I have done in Scotland both at local year!! authority level and with the Scottish aged 89 years. A much-loved wife of Government in relation to childcare. I En-route I stayed in Sydney with a long- the late Frank and dearly loved mother, have sat on many committees, promoting standing Westbourne classmate, Maris grandmother and great-grandmother. the private sector which is so important Rea, for five days. I was thrilled to watch Morag (née Armstrong) to the current political debate. I even had her at work in a recording studio as she McLaughlin to give evidence, twice, to committees did her weekly broadcast for two hours (Westbourne, 1954) on Radio1 heard by many who are print at Holyrood – a fairly scary experience Morag, beloved wife of the late Bob handicapped. She starts every broadcast with very well-briefed MSPs. McLaughlin, died peacefully on 3 August with a Scottish song, followed by a wide 2015. Gillian Waddell (1978) range of recorded music and news items. Gillian is Managing Director of Fuel PR, Elizabeth Pamela (née Muir) Mill one of the UK’s leading public relations The rest of the time enabled us to (Westbourne, 1966) reminisce about ‘the old days’ and a consultancies, and Vital Life which 10 May 1948 – 10 September 2012 chance to catch up on the latest news of provides sales, marketing and distribution Darling daughter of Mr and Mrs JS our classmates. services for brands targeting the UK/ Cameron Muir, Milngavie. Loving wife Europe. For further information, please None of this information qualifies as of Stuart and devoted mother of Adrian. contact Gillian on [email protected] an article, but might interest some who Special rates for old mates! Ann (née Duckett), Gardner remember us from pre-1955!! Young (Westbourne, 1943) Jan Chisholm (1955) Ann Hedley Gardner Young (née Duckett) died peacefully at The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, on Thursday 17 September 2015, aged The Glasgow Academy Summer Ball 90. Beloved wife of the late Stuart Young and of the late James A Gardner, Saturday 18 June 2016 much-loved mother of Elizabeth (Galt) We are delighted to announce that the next and Carol (Mundy), grandmother to Viki Glasgow Academy Summer Ball will be held and loving stepmother, step-grandmother on Saturday 18 June 2016 at the Crowne Plaza and step-great-grandmother to the Hotel on Glasgow’s bustling riverside. Young family. Tickets priced £75 will include reception During the Second World War Ann drinks on arrival, a fantastic three-course dinner, served in the Wrens, based at the St entertainment throughout the evening and music Enoch Hotel. After the war she travelled to dance the night away. ALL proceeds from the to Manila in the Philippines with evening will benefit Children 1st and a fund to her mother. She married there, later refurbish The Academy’s Cargill Hall. returning to Glasgow. Her daughters, Elizabeth (Mrs Galt), Carol (Mrs Mundy) This event will sell out quickly, so we recommend and granddaughter Victoria Gault all you book your table(s) now. For advance booking, attended Westbourne School. further information and sponsorship enquiries please contact Janice McCaffer via exrel@ A special lady sadly missed by all her tga.org.uk family and friends.

STOP PRESS… The next Westbourne School for Girls Grand Reunion Dinner is in the pipeline for May 2017. Details will follow in due course, but if you’d like to note your interest in attending or perhaps find out about others in your year group who are planning to go along, contact Liz McGowan at the Academy’s External Relations Department (exrel@ tga.org.uk or 0141 342 5494).

Etcetera 19 then later to the Bahamas (where he An Enduring Friendship met his Scottish expat wife Mandy), to California and finally to England. Alastair avid Hall, our London Section Alastair his university degree in Glasgow, married a Canadian girl, Jeanne, and set Secretary, joined Glasgow together they set sail for Canada in down roots. DAcademy in Class 2x in 1950 and October 1966 on the Empress of Despite the distances then separating Alastair Fleming started in Mrs Crosbie’s Canada. Alastair recalls a rough passage them and before the advent of the Class 1 in 1949. For a remarkable on the North Atlantic with pitching internet or even cheap long-distance sixty-five years they have remained close decks, which, in the evenings, unsettled telephone calls, the two maintained friends – quite a challenge when one David’s normally faultless moves on steady contact with Alastair managing considers the huge geographical distances the dance floor. David remembers, visits to David in the Bahamas and in often separating them! But a challenge during the day, the two were often the California. In 1971, Alastair completed overcome with a friendship forged by a only ones outside on the upper decks, his CA training in Windsor with Price significant shared early history: first in valiantly playing deck tennis until the Waterhouse and joined a client – Hiram the classroom, then on the rugby pitch rope rings were blown overboard! Walker, a major player then in the (until David’s skills took him to the First international wine and spirits industry. XV and Alastair’s to the Second XV), on David had a job lined up with McDonald His work tended to take him to the the school golf team and even competing Currie, Chartered Accountants, in UK every year or two and invariably in the Donald Cameron junior golf Windsor, Ontario and Alastair, nought he found time for a visit with David. league – David for Kirkintilloch and but his degree, his Glasgow Academy David’s work meanwhile often took him Alastair for Douglas Park. education (and his golf clubs). Why to North America and almost without

Windsor? Well, it sounded very attractive The two of us forty nine years after David and Alasdair on the Empress of Canada near Greenock.from Go3,000 west, miles away – automotive Empress of Canada – cherishing a young men! capital of Canada, same latitude as North lifetime of friendship They often spent summer holidays California and a stone’s throw from together as well: in Elie, where the Hall Detroit, Michigan – a city, at one time, fail he’d find time to place a call to family rented a house for the summer renowned for its architecture, described Alastair. as the Paris of the west! For the two and to which they kindly invited Alastair. Prior to this year, they last saw each immigrants, the reality was somewhat In the early 60s, the two hitchhiked other in 2004 at David’s son, Andrew’s different with cyclical booms and slumps and youth-hostelled through Belgium, wedding in Virginia, USA. Although common in the automotive industry, Luxembourg, Switzerland and France. Alastair and his family had visited very cold winters in northern latitudes They even spent one summer holiday Scotland in 2007 and indeed enjoyed in the interior of a large continental land in Cornwall with fellow Accie, the late the comfort of David’s holiday house in mass and a major Midwestern US city Willie Kirkwood. They drove there in Elie, they did not meet then since David experiencing the first deleterious effects Willie’s Triumph Spitfire and en-route was out of the country. Alastair, on that of its population moving to the suburbs the three frugal lads spent a particularly occasion, consoled himself with a round and beyond, hastened no doubt by riots uncomfortable but ‘price is right’ night of golf at Muirfield, kindly offered by in 1967 which set parts of Detroit afire sleeping in the car. What you can do fellow Academical, Alistair Brown. when you’re young! and closed the international border. And now, in June 2015, the two have In 1968, David moved on to Montreal, When David completed his CA and met again. Remarkably, they found

20 Etcetera Alasdair with his brother, Jock, who has lived in Canada since the 1960s. themselves in London, Ontario in the gracious surrounds of London Hunt and Country Club. David, as a member of the Senior Golfers’ Society (SGS) team and Alastair as a member of the Canadian Here is a photo that might be of interest to some readers. It is of the Glasgow Seniors’ Golf Association team, both Academy athletics team of 1973. In it are several pupils who still to this day hold competing in a biennial event, involving athletics school records. teams of Senior Golfers representing Mr Mike Patterson is flanked by (on his right Robert Waine – who still holds the Senior Golfers Associations of the USA, 100m record) and on his left Alan McCulloch (who won the 100m at the Scottish UK and Canada. schools in the younger age group). Also somewhere should be Tom Dowie who During David’s visit to Canada, Alastair holds the 110 hurdles record. arranged a golf game for him with yet Alastair Douglas is sitting in the front middle. Five years later in 1978 he set the another Academical – none other than 1500m record which I think still stands. Also of note on the back row left is Derek Alastair’s brother, Jock (circa 1958) who Thomson who went on the be Scottish 400m hurdles champion in 1980. emigrated to Canada in 1964 and now lives in Oakville, Ontario. Hope it is of some interest.

So, David and Alastair say: ‘Try hard Alastair Douglas (1978) to hang onto your school friends for a lifetime, it’s well worth the effort, and no matter where you travel (and play We were delighted to meet A L Henderson (1947) who paid golf) keep your ears open and your tie us a visit recently. A former school captain, Alistair had not handy, because you are likely to run into been back to his old school for 68 years! a Glasgow Academical.’

Douglas Anderson (1944) has sent us this photograph, bought at auction in Glasgow. It seems to have been taken at Bisley in 1938 and the gentleman in the felt hat appears to be Major Batchelor, who was a Latin Master. (Another photograph in the auction lot referred to the Boys’ Brigade 130th (Broomhill) Company’s 50th anniversary.)

If anyone has any more information about the Glasgow Academy boy shooting – or if it spurs memories of other Bisley occasions, do get in touch.

Etcetera 21 Events and reunions

20-year Reunion We were delighted to welcome the Class of 1995 for their reunion at the end of October. After meeting in the Rector’s Study early in the afternoon of Friday 23 October, they toured The Academy in the company of our S6 pupils and discovered at first-hand how much had changed in 20 years. Two of the group, Sarah (Butler) Flanagan and Laura (Brown) Conetta, were delighted to find first of all the Junior School Dux Cup they shared in 1989 and, later, the Westbourne School Junior Dux noticeboard. still prominently displayed at the entrance to Westbourne House.

Save the dates February 2016 – GA 100 Business Breakfast Friday 4 March 2016 – London Section dinner Friday 3 June 2016 – Class of 1996 reunion – details to be confirmed October 2016 – IVth Form 1966-67 Reunion Dinner For those who have attended the above Dinner in the past or those who were in IVth form in 1966-67, we are now approaching our Golden Anniversary Dinner! It is planned to have it in October 2016 probably on the first or second Friday evening. The exact date is not yet confirmed but it should be known by the beginning of 2016. [An email will be sent at that time.] Gasbags Lunch

The annual Gasbags Lunch took place this year on Friday 30 October. Peter Brodie, the Rector, addressed the group on the latest news from The Academy while John Beattie, this year’s President, gave the Academical Club update during which he drew particular attention to the incredible contribution over many years of Jimmy Smith. Our two centenarians, Hasie Young and Perry Harrison are regular attenders. See if you can spot them at the back right hand side of our photo.

22 Etcetera the order of St John and my name will Updates be appearing in the London Gazette. I have been President of the local St John Ambulance in Finchley for the last Jonathan D Adams (2005) 25 years and have been doing duties – Jonathan left the Academy in June including the London Marathon. 2005 and, following a year out (which included a part-time role coaching Karin Belch (2012) rugby with the Academy PE Staff), he Many congratulations to Karin who read Estate Management at Heriot Watt was selected to play hockey for Scotland University for two years. against Ireland on 3 and 4 November at Glasgow Green in her first senior During his time at Heriot Watt he was international cap. Karin is at Dundee invited to join the UK “World Class Start” rowing programme. Having never University, in her fourth year studying rowed previously, Jonathan excelled medicine. She plays hockey for Grove winning the Scottish Indoor Rowing Menzieshill in Dundee, as well as for Church, was described as a ‘great asset Championship, the Scottish Double the university team. to the town’ by a group of 14 Labour Billy Campbell (2004) and SNP MSPs including Labour MSP Mary Fee who applauded his My business, Blind Spot Gear, has just ‘outstanding’ community work. closed its first round of investment. We manufacture lighting equipment for the Douglas Maitland Gibson (1962) film and television industries in China Douglas has published a second book, and I actually lived out there for three Across Canada by Story: A Coast-to-Coast months. About 70% of our sales are to Literary Adventure (available worldwide). the USA. From his Toronto base, the former Samuel Cohn (former parent) publisher is now roaming the country to promote the new book about In May I was inducted as a Fellow of roaming the country! Canada is a very the Royal Society of Edinburgh and large country. in August an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Studies in the He has turned the new book into a Humanities [IASH] at the University of stage show, as he did with his 2011 Edinburgh. memoir, Stories About Storytellers: Publishing Alice Munro, Robertson Davies, Jonathan D Adams being presented with the Louise Creevy (2001) “Top Student” award by Sir Bernard Hogan I recently set up my Sales and Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Trudeau, and Howe, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Marketing Company, Creevy Sales and Others. That show ran more than 100 September 2014 Marketing – CSM Ltd. We specialise times, from coast to coast in Canada. Sculls, a national Championship medal in supporting businesses within the In Beijing, when he gave the show in representing Scotland at the Home Food and Drink industry, assisting April, 2015, he was astonished to be International. He was then asked them in growing their business and recognised as an Academical by his to move South to train full time at developing their brands. With over 10 interviewer, a former master at Fettes! Reading Boat Club, and be part of years working across the food industry, Gilles Graham (1986) the GB Development Sculling Squad. my experience encompasses a diverse I graduated from Glasgow University After two-and-a-half years’ rowing range of manufacturers. From seafood in 1991 with an Honours Degree in Jonathan reached top 20 single sculls to major bakery brands, I have worked Law and Diploma in Legal Practice. I in the UK and was in contention for a across the spectrum drawing upon this am accredited by the Law Society of GB Rowing vest. Unfortunately, injury knowledge, experience, and my passion Scotland as a specialist in Personal Injury prior to the Olympic Trials curtailed his for food and drink, to help brands with Law, and I am currently a partner and rowing career and he decided to return all aspects of supplying the retailers. solicitor advocate with Clyde & Co. I to his first love, History, at Reading was recently elected Dean of the Royal University. Mark W Elliott (1982) It’s not much, but in summer 2015 I Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow. Jonathan graduated last year with First was appointed Professor in Historical Colin Ingram (1987) Class Honours and was selected to join and Biblical Theology, in the School Colin Ingram has been appointed a last year’s intake of the Metropolitan of Divinity at the University of St Non-Executive Director to the Board Police. He is now about to enter his Andrews. I’ve been teaching there since of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. second year with the Met. 2003. Douglas Keighley (1996) He is based at Southwark and hopes not Jonathan C Fleming (1999) In September I was part of a five-person to meet any old school chums during Many congratulations to Jonathan cast for the West End debut of My Life the course of his duties! whose work as a Church of Scotland as a Hooker at the Museum of Comedy. (contributed by David Adams) minister in the town of Erskine has The play is an adaptation of Steven been recognised with the award of Gauge’s book about the adventures and Gordon Bannerman (1950) Citizen of the Year 2015. Jonathan, kinship found in amateur rugby. It is a I have been admitted as a Member of who is minister of Erskine Parish fabulous read for all oval ball enthusiasts.

Etcetera 23 Memorial House, Katrina Mather (2003) Tony is a member I’m really delighted to share that my of the Scottish highland health retreat, The Body Parliamentary Toolkit, is officially award winning! Cross-Party Group Scottish Women in Business announced on Poland and me as the winner of their ‘Most continues to coach Enterprising Business’ 2015 at their National Panel Awards dinner in August. referees for the www.thebodytoolkit.com Scottish Rugby Union. Graeme Mitchell (1995) Graeme Mitchell has recently been Emma Latimer promoted to Senior Technical Manager (1996) with St George Developments Ltd at their flagship residential development site Emma’s recent There is a picture attached, and I am in Chelsea Creek… Just in the nick of time exhibition at Art Village, Shawlands was glasses for the Class of 1995 20-year reunion. opened by Nicola Sturgeon, the First Phew! David Kernohan (1965) Minister. The exhibition of photographs Many congratulations to David who of the Shawlands area, which took place John Monaghan (1972) was made a member of the New throughout the month of November, In June of this year my company Atut Zealand Order of Merit for services to was well-received by members of the Rental based in Warsaw, Poland was architecture in the Queen’s Birthday visiting public. awarded by ERA (European Rental Honours List in June 2015. Association) the title of European Rental Bill Law (1985) An architect and academic, David Company of the Year in the category Bill Law has been appointed Senior Vice small/medium size firm. Atut Rental has contributed to the development President, Corporate Communications of world-leading practices for user which is a plant hire and sales company is at Volvo Construction Equipment. Bill jointly owned by my partner Malgorzata participation in building design and brings over 20 years of experience in management and methods for evaluating Felicka and myself and is 25 years old corporate communication roles. As part this year. buildings in use. He is twice a recipient of the senior executive management of New Zealand Institute of Architects team, Bill will be responsible for Malgorzata and I will be married later President’s Award – in 1990 and 2011. leading the development, coordination this year – so 2015 has been a year to Antony Kozlowski (1962) and delivery of Volvo CE’s corporate remember! If we can be of any assistance Tony Kozlowski, current vice-Chair communication strategy both internally to any Academicals interested in this part of General Sikorski Memorial House and externally. of the world, please contact External Relations for my email address. Polish Social and Educational Society Stewart Maclean (1992) in Glasgow, has recently been co-opted Stewart has set up his own coffee Gail Ritchie (2003) to the Board of Directors of the West micro-roastery company in Dollar, hand Gail Ritchie Course Director of Ardmay of Scotland Regional Equality Council. roasting and blending coffee beans from House International Summer School, has The Council works with established his own Roast HQ. This is a big step been named as a finalist in the ‘Regional minority ethnic communities, new away from the world of accountancy Young Ambassador’ category of the migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers that Stewart has been involved in for 2015 Scottish Thistle Awards, organised across all protected characteristics. the past 18 years – needless to say, he’s by Visit Scotland. The prestigious It provides services that help people enjoying the new job more than the awards (billed as Scotland’s ‘Tourism achieve their rights and challenge old! Visit counterroast.co.uk for more Oscars’) celebrate excellence in the discrimination. Apart from his work information. Scottish Tourism Industry. The Regional with the Council and with Sikorski (contributed by Alastair Brown) (Left to right) Diane Holden (SWIB President), David Kernohan Bill Law Katrina, Liz Taylor (SWIB Vice President)

24 Etcetera Young Ambassador Award highlights an individual who shows real promise The Munro Hunter as a rising star in Scottish tourism and a passion for their future and the future of the industry. Andrew Robertson (1960) On 17 June, Andrew Robertson had conferred on him by The University of Glasgow the honorary degree of Doctor of Science. On 3 July, in his capacity as Chairman of Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board, he welcomed HM the Queen, along with HRH Prince Philip, when HM officially opened the new ‎Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Royal Hospital for Children, and related Glasgow University Teaching and Learning Centre. The total investment on the campus was in excess of £1billion, and represents the largest Health development in the UK, if not in Europe. ack Campbell left the Life Guards attack the second week with newfound Greg Stark (2011) and Gillian vigour. Stark (2004) in March 2015 to ‘pursue a life of adventure’ but didn’t expect to be The latest news from the Stark family J I distinctly remember thinking in the embarking on a life-changing trip – climbing is that Greg Stark has graduated with a early weeks that this was all good fun but all 282 of Scotland’s Munros – only a few BEng Honours degree in Mechanical that interest would wane and I would go weeks later. Here is an extract from his Engineering from Heriot Watt home in a few weeks’ time having given account of the trip… University and has secured employment it my best effort… Little did I know as a Specialist Graduate with Scottish “After deciding on the trip I saw a great that public interest was building daily, Water, and Jillian (Stark) McAulay who opportunity to raise some money and my first video blog had received 14,000 is a Chartered Accountant has just been awareness for two fantastic charities, views, the money was pouring into both promoted to Manager of Corporate Tax the Household Cavalry Foundation and charities and I had even had interest with EY (Ernst and Young). Parkinson’s UK. Both are very close from local and national press. It was at this point that I knew there would be Alastair Taylor (1987) to my heart, having worked with the foundation and seen the great work that no way of not completing the challenge In April Alastair was elected as Chairman they do and also having witnessed the unless I went down with a serious injury. of Glasgow Local Medical Committee aggressive and heartbreaking affect that (which represents the interests of GPs Having never done a challenge like this in Glasgow) and Chairman of the GP Parkinson’s has on people’s lives. I cannot describe how powerful the Subcommittee of the Area Medical When I say that no planning or training support of friends, family and complete Committee (an advisory committee to went into the trip I really mean it. Day strangers can be. At every low point, the Health Board). He is also Vice Chair one was a baptism of fire (without the of which there were many, I drew on of the Area Medical Committee and sits heat). On 1 June I set off from home to that support to keep me going. Before on various other committees including the banks of Loch Lomond only to be I knew it I had done 82 and then there the Scottish General Practitioners confronted by freezing temperatures, gale were only 200 left and so on and so on, Committee. He continues to work as force winds and more snow than I had breaking the trip into small digestible a GP Partner at Kessington Medical seen all season in the Alps; I should have chunks makes the psychological element Centre in Bearsden. packed my skis! This trend of weather bearable. This is a very important lesson Alastair’s three children are enjoying did not improve for over a week, at for life, anything is achievable if you just attending the Academy: Iona (S2), Angus which point I genuinely thought that I put one foot in front of the other and (P6) and Callum in (MP2). had bitten off more than I could chew. keep going, you WILL reach your goal eventually.” Stuart Wallace (2007) I didn’t have a guidebook, I wasn’t following paths, the whole thing was I am now Senior Sales for Mercedes Jack did complete his challenge and – to Benz Glasgow and AMG Specialist for very ad hoc and incredibly hard work. date – has raised just short of £25,000 split Mercedes Benz, West of Scotland. After the first week when I had only evenly between both charities. You can follow managed to complete seven Munros, my the whole trip at www.themunrohunter.org legs were killing me and I was in a pretty where donations can still be made. poor mental state. However, after a few gentle words from family and friends I Jack Campbell (2003) was able to buck up my ideas and

Etcetera 25 Announcements Engagements Ross Aitken (1995) My brother Ross Aitken (class of ‘95) got engaged on Saturday 26 September 2015 to his girlfriend, Lindsay Lawson. I’m sure he would love to be in Etcetera (after he was on the cover a few years ago on the back of a Polo pony!) I attach the photo of the moment they were engaged! Gary and Katy Thomson Andy Aitken Ross and Lindsay

Ladi Smrcek (2003) Caroline and Peter Scott Katie and Paul Howell While island-hopping in the Caribbean – starting on Barbados then Martinique and finishing on St Lucia – Mike, my partner, asked me to marry him so we are planning a wedding for 2016.

Marriages Dominic Aviss (1999) I was married on 23 May – to my now wife, Carly Aviss (née Nielsen). Katie Macaulay (2006) Katie married Lance Corporal Paul Heather (Williams) Duff and friends Howell on 27 June 2015. David and Sarah Veitch Heather and Gordon Caroline (Clark) Scott (2000) I married Peter Scott, an Accie (although an Edinburgh Accie!), on Saturday 18 July in Fortingall, Perthshire, near our home in Aberfeldy. I was delighted that three of my fellow Accies made long journeys to be with us; from Australia, Morven (Cameron) Rae and Colleen (Anderson) Toner and, from Qatar, Jennifer (Bruce) Stirling. It was a very happy day filled with sunshine and smiles!

26 Etcetera Gary Thomson (2002) fine – although it’s taking a while getting Lesley (Bloomer) Stuart-Gammie On 1 August 2015, I was very privileged used to the sleepless nights! (1998) to be able to marry Katy Shaw in Completing the trilogy, James and I have Portmeirion village on the north west Chris Sockalingam (1999) welcomed Callan John Stuart-Gammie, coast of Wales. We had a fantastic time Helen and I are delighted to announce born 19 September 2014. Aulay and Jess with friends, family and even some the birth of our second son, Daniel are delighted with their baby brother! former pupils who brought a little bit Robert Sockalingam, born on 11 June of tartan to an already colourful venue. 2015. He is welcomed by his proud The day was a great mix of Scottish and parents and loving big brother, Matthew. Welsh festivities rounded off by a ceilidh in the evening. Unsurprisingly to those who know me (and my wife) there was a subtle tennis theme running throughout the day which added to our immense enjoyment. David Veitch (2003) David married Sarah Rachel Batty at St John Baptist Church, Low Bentham, Lancaster on 12 September 2015. Fraser Campbell (2003) was a best man. It was a Martin and Georgia Findlay wonderfully happy day. Heather Williams (2004) Heather married Sgt Gordon Duff on 11 Callan John Stuart-Gammie April 2015 at The Cruin, Loch Lomond. As you can see from the second photo, many of Heather’s Academy friends were present to wish Heather and Gordon every happiness in their new life together. Births Harry Bannatyne (1994) In Prague on 22 February to Harry and Klara, a son, Sebastian Ben. A brother for Max and Sara. Samantha Kay Findlay (2003) Freya Madison Kynoch Samantha’s twins – Martin and Georgia Findlay – were born 21 August. Georgiana Catherine Leggat Alison (Woods) Kynoch (1993) Ali and Michael are delighted to The announce the birth of Freya Madison a Glasgow sister for Marni. Freya was born at St Mary’s Hospital, London on Academy 27 July 2015. 2016 Art Chris Leggat (1998) Calendar Cara and I welcomed little!! (9lbs 13) A perfect Georgiana Catherine Leggat to the world seasonal gift on 3 June. Georgie is loving life and both her and Mum are doing great.

Sheraz Ramzan (1999) £5.00 each or 3 for Most recent news is my wife and I £10.00 (plus p & p) becoming proud parents. We were blessed with a healthy baby boy – Mikail Orders can be placed by telephone on 0141 342 5494 Ramzan – who was born three weeks early on 22 July. Baby and mum are both or by email: [email protected]

Etcetera 27 yet another merger, Bill decided to set occasions. His love of golf was also Obituaries up his own firm Aiton & Co. rekindled when he joined The Glasgow Golf Club, which in many ways became At the time of his death, Bill was still his second home, until a troublesome hip active as a trustee of the Jenny S Gordon forced his retirement from the game. Memorial Foundation, Chairman of the Glasgow and District Heritable After his National Service he studied Investment Company, and as a director weaving and textiles, thereafter spending of IGRS (Incorporated Glasgow many enjoyable and successful years Renfrewshire Society). He had also in the textiles industry. When the served as a director of Scottish Friendly textiles industry declined he used his Assurance Society (previously City Of management skills to keep the wheels Glasgow Friendly Society). In addition to turning in a small transport firm before this he performed a stint as a Governor retiring in 2000. at Glasgow Academy and maintained an Once retired, David thoroughly ongoing interest in supporting the school enjoyed spending time with his two and attending events as a former pupil. William (Bill) E Aiton (1948) grandchildren, taking to his babysitting 21 March 1931 – 16 August 2015 Bill enjoyed walking, swimming and duties with great delight – although it sailing. He was also a keen golfer – has to be said that, as the boys grew up, William Elder Aiton was a pupil at initially at Cathcart Castle and then at it became less clear who was looking Glasgow Academy from 1939 to 1948. Pollok Golf Club. Much of his spare after whom. He spent many enjoyable During this period he won two prizes in time was spent at the family holiday holidays with his son David, daughter in prep school and one in senior school for retreat at Cardoness near Gatehouse of law Stephanie and their boys, Max and history. On leaving school he became Fleet. Sam. an apprentice Chartered Accountant deferring his National Service until after Bill died peacefully with his family by David died after a short illness, peacefully he had qualified in 1954. Bill had hoped his side at Queen Elizabeth University in his sleep. He was a caring, gentle man for an overseas posting, but his time Hospital having suffered a stroke. He is whose thoughts were always for others in the RAF was spent in Lincolnshire. survived by Zena and children Douglas before himself. He will be sadly missed. Although his talent as an accountant was (1977), Stuart, Sandy (1982), Eileen and Dr Brian D Keighley MBE (1966) seven grandchildren. He was known as evident, he chose to be trained as an 21 May 1948 – 9 November 2015 armaments fitter. a true gentleman and his death leaves a great void in the lives of those who had Brian died suddenly and unexpectedly at On completing his National Service the privilege of knowing him and loving home. Beloved husband of Lesley, loving he joined his father’s office of McLean, him. father of Douglas and Andrew, son of Gardner & Aiton, where he became a David T Christian (1951) Win and the late Jeff Keighley, brother partner. The firm eventually merged of Michael and Alan. A memorial service 15 March 1935 – 25 August 2015 with Nairn, Bowes & Craig and became took place in Killearn Kirk on Monday part of the national firm of Chalmers David Thomson Christian was a pupil at 14 December. Impey. When later proposals emerged for Glasgow Academy from 1944 to 1951. A full tribute to Brian will appear in the next While at the school he made a number edition of Etcetera. of lifelong friends and never lost his feeling of belonging to somewhere rather Donald H McIvor (1953) special. He was a natural sportsman 24 September 1936 – 11 July 2015 excelling in golf, rugby and athletics – Donald died suddenly in July. A winning a number of prizes, particularly dearly-beloved husband of Irene, loving in the high jump. When he left school father of Nick, Zoe and Steph, much he joined his father’s business for a short loved grandfather of Bryony, Roanna, time before heading off to Egypt to do Aidan and Cameron. his National Service, where he saw eight days of active service but admitted he T Murray MacQuaker (1949) was pretty far from any action. 22 September 1931 – 15 July 2015 During his time in Egypt he never Murray died peacefully at his home in missed an opportunity to continue his Olney, Buckinghamshire, aged 83 years. sporting activities competing for the Dearly loved by his late wife Jane, son Army in athletics and was very proud Simon (Joe), daughter-in-law Anna, to have represented the Army in the grandson Duncan and all of his family. last-ever inter-forces match played on William (Bill) F Morrison (1946) Egyptian soil. On his return to the 26 September 1927 – 27 October 2015 UK he enjoyed many years of rugby at Accies, captaining the 1st XV as Bill was born in Airdrie and brought up William (Bill) E Aiton well as representing Glasgow on many in Cambuslang. He left the Academy

28 Etcetera in 1945 to join the Royal Navy. He Ken had many and varied interests from and Elizabeth (all Westbourne girls). The finished his officer’s training but – as sport to wildlife, music and culture. family continued sailing on the Clyde WWII had ended – he was demobbed He attended and supported St Modan’s and West Coast of Scotland until 2001 relatively quickly and in 1947 he started Church at Rosneath and worked when he suffered a stroke which ended at what is now Strathclyde University to hard as a committee member for the his sailing days though not his passion study non-ferrous metallurgy. local Multiple Sclerosis branch over a for anything nautical or his love of the number of years. A keen tennis player Scottish West Coast. Robert passed away On qualifying, he went out to Northern in his younger days, Ken met his wife in Glasgow Royal Infirmary after a short Rhodesia to work in the copper mines Elspeth at Kelvinside Tennis Club. A illness. He is survived by his wife, three then switched to the uranium mines regular golfer, Ken was a member of daughters and three grandchildren. in South Africa. In 1958 he joined Buchanan Castle, Drymen and Dunskey a uranium mine in Canada before Golf Club at Portpatrick where the returning to work with Gold Fields in Ronald S Walker (1938) family holidayed for many years. He also the UK. After a few years he started 6 August 1919 – 15 September 2014 enjoyed fishing both locally and on the his own business which was extremely Conan. He had an enthusiastic thirst for Ronald Stuart Walker MBE ICD – successful. In 1985 he closed it down and knowledge and a remarkable memory or Ronnie Walker as he preferred to retired to live in Spain, but returned to for people, places and facts! Ken was a be called – was educated at Glasgow the UK in 1996. regular attendee at the Gasbags lunches. Academy and briefly at Glasgow He died in Suffolk in October. His wife University. Ronnie saw six years’ war He died peacefully at home and is Elspeth (Millar) had travelled out to service with the Signals in Africa, Italy, survived by his wife Elspeth, daughter South Africa to marry Bill in December Egypt, Palestine and Greece. He rose Ann (1979), son Alistair (1981) and five 1955 – so they just missed their to the rank of Major, and then escaped grandchildren. Diamond Wedding. They have two sons, from the discouragement of post-war Norrie and Graeme, a daughter, Elspeth, London by emigrating to Rhodesia, as it and six grandchildren. Robert S Sharp (1948) then was. 30 November 1930 – 7 June 2015 During the next twenty-five years, he became head of RTZ’s operations in Dr Kenneth B Scott (1939) Robert, never Bob, was born in Glasgow Rhodesia, President of the Chamber 29 July 1926 – 5 June 2015 and lived in Pollokshields. He was of Mines, a member of the University educated at the Academy, leaving in Ken was born in Alexandria, Council and Executive Committee and 1948. Throughout these years he kept a Dunbartonshire where his father was Chairman of The Rhodesian Banking low profile. In his time there were few a General Medical Practitioner. He Corporation. In the mid-seventies he extra-curricular activities and rugby and attended Glasgow Academy from 1935 went on to head up Rossing Uranium in cricket held little attraction for him. His until 1939. He moved to boarding Namibia, the largest uranium producer in huge interest was sailing, encouraged by school in Kilmarnock when war broke the world at that time. He then returned post-war crewing on his father’s Scottish out and attended Gresham House from to London as mining director with RTZ Island class yacht ‘Bernera’ from their 1939 until 1943. Group and became a member of the weekend house at Strone. firm’s main board. Under his aegis, RTZ That year, Ken began studying English Robert was one of a three-man Academy mining operations expanded in Brazil, and Natural Philosophy at Glasgow crew that won the Clark Challenge Cup Portugal and many other countries. University, as he was too young to start in the 1948 regatta. Organised by the He also revived the Cornish tin mines, studying medicine. He was called up to Mudhook Yacht Club for competition although this sadly proved to be a the Navy in 1944 where he qualified between Scottish and Irish schools, the temporary reprieve. In 1985 he became as a Writer and worked in various races were held over five days in the a non-executive director of RTZ and in shore-based locations in the south of Gareloch using Dragon OD class yachts 1988 was elected Vice Chairman of the England. With no possibility of going courageously lent for the occasion by International Uranium Institute. to sea, he moved with Combined their owners. The Academy crew was Operations to Rosneath on the Gareloch Ronnie Walker’s life-long interest was skilfully skippered by Robert’s classmate, in 1946. the development of peoples and their Ian Scott. The third, and surviving, crew backgrounds. He created the Rio Tinto Ken started studying Medicine at member was Alasdair McKichan. This Foundation in Zimbabwe and the Glasgow University in October 1947 may indeed be the last time the Academy Rossing Foundation in Namibia. Both and qualified in 1952. After a couple of won the Clark Cup. have made and still make fundamental hospital jobs, he joined the Merchant On leaving school, Robert served two contributions to education in their Navy, becoming a ship’s doctor with the years’ National Service in the Royal homelands. Later he founded The Anchor Line and twice sailing to India. Navy: he then joined the Scottish Boiler Zimbabwe Technical Training Trust and When he returned home he joined his and General Insurance Company before the Lovar Foundation for the Protection father and brother in general practice in joining the family business – the Scottish of the Environment. the Vale of Leven where he remained Lubricating Oil Company – where he until he retired. He continued to live in In 1990 he retired with his wife to live remained until retirement. the area and was always happy to chat to near Bath. He published two books: his former patients and catch up on their Robert married Mavis in 1956 and they Rhodesia, the Zimbabwe of Southern Africa family news. had three daughters: Catriona, Heather in 1975 and Solar Blue in 1991.

Etcetera 29 Picture Post Dear Malcolm I was intrigued by the photo of the little lads in Form 3A you published on page 9 of Etcetera 25. I got some of them, mainly as I see several every few years at the Sixth Form dinners. For the rest I appealed to my good friend Anthony Wells (also in the photo) who has a detailed memory of his school days. Over the phone we worked out almost all the names, but one stumped us and there are some first names we were not sure of (many lads had nicknames at school in those days). Dear Editor It was intriguing checking out details for I write to correct John Crombie’s letter some I knew less well. in Etcetera 25. I did NOT state in my So here is our attempt. book that Mary Queen of Scots fled to London after the Battle of Langside Back: David Martyn, Calum Alexander, Howard Miller, ?Grahame Ferguson, Graeme Young, David in 1568 and was beheaded there. Mary Webster, Alistair Fotheringham, Neil McGregor was never in London. She was made a prisoner after reaching Carlisle. On Middle: Michael Hirst, Hugh Ross, Kenneth McCluskey, Roderick Anderson, Peter Jensen, Paul Robert Warnock (1951) pages 147-148 I gave a brief account of 15 April 1934 – 6 March 2015 Bacsich, Norman Lees, Peter Petrie her long imprisonment in various places Robert grew up in Newlands and in England, culminating in her trial and Front (seated): David Orrick, Anthony Wells, David Blair, Mr Parker (‘Fess’), John Shaw, Chris Macnay, attended the Glasgow Academy from execution in 1587. ?? 1945 to 1951. He gained a prize for English in S4, was in the Naval section A E MacRobert (1945) On ground: David Kay, Graeme Laird, Lothian Watson of the CCF and played in the school tennis and rugby teams. He then studied I hope other former Form 3A types can at Glasgow University, graduating with a fill in the gap and correct any mistakes – BSc (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering. it was a long time ago! National Service followed where he I am sending it as Anthony is not on was commissioned with REME and email. served in North Africa. On his return, Best wishes Robert joined the firm of J&T Boyd (manufacturers of Textile Machinery) Paul Bacsich (1963) until a serious fire resulted in the closure [Thanks to Graeme Young (1963) for adding of the business. Robert then applied his his ‘2 cents worth’] skills and knowledge of his trade to set up in business. His naturally likeable demeanour, together with his knowledge of the products, combined to make this into the excellent business of Warnock Textiles. In 1960 Robert married Muriel (Findlay) and they had three children – Graham (who also attended the Glasgow Academy and very sadly died in 2005), Gillian and Karen. Robert was a keen and proficient golfer, a member of Western Gailes, Whitecraigs, and the R&A. Although usually reluctant to concede an 18-inch putt, Rob (as he became known), was universally liked on and off the course. Robert was always proud to be a Glasgow Academical and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

30 Etcetera Dear Malcolm I have received the latest edition of Etcetera which, as always, is of considerable interest. I believe I can be of some help with the class photograph at the foot of page 7. This is Preparatory 1B of 1944/1945, indeed my own first class. I appear in the bottom right obviously taking a pretty glum view of proceedings!! The form mistress is not Mrs Crosbie but a much-loved gem of a lady, Miss E Gilmour. She had joined the staff in September 1944 but left in June 1945 to marry Bob Runcieman of the Maths Department. They had one son, Graham, who attended the school in the fifties. I think, but am not sure, that Mr Runcieman was a widower. This view is supported by the evidence of an A F Runcieman in the Honour List for June 1943 who won the Maths prize in Form IVA. However, I append a note of the names of the members of the Class as I recall them and hope this Hello! might be of help and interest. I arrived home this evening to find the latest copy of Etcetera. Glasgow Academy Preparatory Class 1B 1944/1945 I am sure that I will be only one of many who will respond in respect of Back row: Richard? Young, Neil Anderson, Nigel Morrison, Miss “Someone out there must remember who they are” in the photo on page Gilmour, Sandy Macpherson, David Thomas, Kenneth Macrossan 6 of Miss Ritchie’s class of 1964/65. Middle row: Kenneth Dawson, David Hardiman, Hamish Miller, Ian? MacDonald, --Rennie, Kenneth McKellar. [That is indeed true. We also had responses from Charles Lewis, David Sellyn and Sandy Gemmill. Everyone has contributed to the list of names below.] Front row: Colin Gemmill, Alan Milne, Chris Classen, Duncan Hoey, Craig Henderson, Bobby Low Thank you for the magazine – always enjoy it. On ground: Duncan McKenzie, Billy Blanche, David Thomson Regards

Kind regards David Lyle (1972)

David L Thomson (1958) Back row: Gordon Bennett, David Primrose, Jonathan Markson, Charles Lewis, John Millar (who sent the photo), Richard Gunn, Robert White, Geoffrey Crerar, Ian Edgar Sue Barker, daughter of Maths Master Third row: Drew Young, Peter May, John McNaught, Campbell Boyd, Nigel Lamb, Robert Mike Page (who sadly died on active Pattman, Martin Anderson service at Arnhem in 1944) visited The Second row: Duncan Cunningham, Graeme Bryson, Graeme Cousland, Martin Strang, David Academy in the summer. While here, we Sellyn, Kenneth Gerber arranged for Sue to meet one of Mike’s pupils, Alan Diack (1945). Front row: Drew Ralston, Donald McDonald, Graeme Fyffe, David Lyle, Michael Curtis, Laurence McAlpine, Geoffrey Sweet.

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