DECEMBER 2017 The Magazine and Annual Review of The Stewart’s Melville FP Club Contents: From The Editor’s Desk - page 2 | President’s Review - page 3 | New President - page 4 Principal’s Review - page 5 | FPs In The News - pages 6-7 | The Millennials - pages 8-10 | Strike-ing Memories - page 11 Life In The Fast Lane - pages 12-13 | Tales of a Whisteblower - pages 14-15 | Peter Mann Golf Challenge - page 15 We Will Remember Them - pages 16-17 | Letter From Oz - pages 18 – 19 | Gavin Park DSMC Boy & Man - page 20 My Hero - page 21 | Branch Clubs - pages 22-23 | Seen Around The Club 2017 - pages 24-25 | Reunions - pages 26-28 School Reports - pages 29-30 | Remembrance Service - page 31 | School Song - page 31 | Sports Clubs - pages 32-38 Obituaries - pages 39-46 | FP Club Council & Contacts - page 47 2 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club Letters to the Editor From the Editor’s Desk Dear Bob Young, his time at ESMS, surely one of the most I was fascinated to read the feature memorable was the visit to the School last in the current magazine about John summer by Sir Garfield Sobers – probably Cruickshank VC and it is lovely to know one of the finest ever cricket all-rounders. he is still around. For your interest I We wish David all best wishes in his enclose a print-out of a piece* about retirement in the years to come. the hero which I produced some time ago. I don’t think it was for the Daily The FP News continues to attract Mail, during my 32 years with the paper, contributions from various sources – some but rather for a military or British Legion completely “out of the blue” (Aubrey magazine. His visit to the school was a Chalmers, for one) and also those who were day I never forgot. “volunteered” and who came up trumps. To you all, my sincere gratitude – the magazine Oh ! That front cover painting of the would be awfully empty without you ! This School by Porteous Wood is worth year has seen a deliberate connection made framing ! Magnificent, and many thanks. between members of School staff, David With kind regards, Clarke and Sandra Frost and members of Aubrey Chalmers Council and I am particularly grateful to David *A copy of the print-out appears on page 21. Clarke, History Master and Assistant School Archivist for his articles relating to School classmates in WW1 on pages 16 and 31 Email received from John Laing which I am sure you will find astonishing. Speedway Memories And now to the Millennials and younger members of the Club. Looking at the Year I enjoyed this article because away back Well that’s 2017 gone. of 2017 destinations of School leavers when speedway returned to Edinburgh on page 30, it is easy to understand why after WWII I went to Meadowbank with Another year of change – wherever you younger members who have left School my parents who had gone to the ‘dirt look – and the Club is no different. This in the last 10 – 15 years can quickly lose track racing’ in the late twenties and year sees Charles Wilson elected your contact with your times at DSMC. You will early thirties. The sights, sounds and new President as Bert Barclay retires; be progressing with your chosen careers the smell of what I suppose was high the Clubhouse has had a facelift and a and starting young families etc. In many octane fuel thrilled me and conjured up new balcony installed; an upgraded Club cases you may have left the Edinburgh memories for my parents. Edinburgh website – [email protected] – is area, or even the Country. So keeping in Monarchs were one of the top teams launched; and David Gray, Principal at touch proves more & more difficult. But it is and as Mike relates their captain, Jim ESMS, has announced his retirement at the also revealing how many of you do gather Young, was World Champion in 1951. I end of the current School year in June with again at Reunions marking significant years recall listening with Jim Rowland, Mary’s Mrs. Linda Moule, currently Vice Principal of since leaving School – 10, 20, 30 years brother, to the radio commentary of his ESMS, succeeding him. and so on. All these seem to have common victory at I think White City in London. David has been a consistently strong themes – the (in)ability to recognise one’s No TV then! supporter of the FP Club and the affiliated compatriots after such a long time, the One of the standby riders for Monarchs Sports Clubs during his 18 year tenure memories that are still as vivid as they in the mid sixties was Alex Hughson and also contributed positively to the many always were and a unanimous agreement and I served in the RAF with his brother discussions at Council meetings. Not only to hold another reunion sooner than later. Bobby (a fellow National Service Air has he been supportive of the Sports So my plea to younger members is it Gunner) who was killed in a plane crash Clubs but also an active participant in the may feel like a hassle but please keep on 8th January 1953 the day before I FP Cricket club – sometimes displaying your contact details up to date with Suzi left the RAF. A few years ago, at a RAF his bruises at the next meeting ! Having Squires at the School Development Office reunion, I got to know Alex who told me said that, amongst the many highlights of ([email protected] ) – because she that he had gone on to make a living can be extremely helpful in years to come out of promoting speedway in Southern should any of you wish to meet up again. Africa. Alex now lives in California and The Club website (smcfpclub.co.uk), I’ve sent him a photocopy of Mike’s Facebook page (smcfpclub) and ESMS article which I think will be of interest to Connect (esmsconnect.org.uk) are all there him. to tell you what’s going on, who’s doing If Mike wishes I can put him in touch with what and helping you to keep in touch. Alex who I hope would be able to share And to all members, don’t forget the his memories of Edinburgh Monarchs Clubhouse will always give you a warm and speedway in general. welcome if you find yourself “back in Town”. All the best In closing, may I wish you all a happy and John Laing successful 2018. Ed: following John Laing’s letter, Bob Young Mike Hunter has indeed been in Email: [email protected] touch with Alex Hughson. David & Gary Sobers Tel: 01506 463536 FP News 2017 3 President’s Review... As I reflect on my two years environment but notwithstanding their as President, I have found one “open” status significant numbers of former pupils populate their playing numbers and of the most satisfying duties is all welcome support to their games and the attending the SMC Prizegiving Clubhouse on match days. All three clubs when all the sixth form leavers are hugely involved in providing competition and practice to School pupils outwith are presented with an FP normal School games. Club tie and then hosting an It would be remiss not to mention the informal reception at Inverleith success of the golf club in retaining for the for the SMC boys and MES third successive year the Queen Elizabeth girls as new former pupils. Coronation Cup for Schools. Also the golf Not many clubs can say they club has to be commended in the range of ages it attracts to its ever popular events. recruit more than a hundred In the past year in conjunction with the new members every summer the School’s annual Sports Day, the School significant refurbishment work has Boarding House’s Christmas Party, the (and that’s just the boys) ! been carried out in the Clubhouse including Merchant Company Court Dinner and The challenge is of course the replacement of the balcony off the the FP vs School debate as well as the to continue to engage with upstairs lounge. Thirty four years on, the Watsonian and Heriot Club dinners and the Clubhouse remains the envy of visiting Melville College Trust AGM. these new members beyond clubs and an attractive venue for functions. that first day particularly when Once again the FP News which was Our branch clubs in Glasgow, Aberdeen, published at the beginning of the year was 80% of leavers continue their the Borders and London continue to hold full of interesting articles telling us of former education outwith Edinburgh. annual dinners and I was pleased to attend pupils’ activities and honours earned both While in the past at different all of these as a guest in my two years as here in Scotland and throughout other President. We have, too, an active branch parts of the World. Bob Young remains times my focus has been on club in Sydney, Australia. Our own Club our Editor and is forever discovering untold the rugby and cricket clubs Dinner was held at Inverleith in September stories of former pupils which reflect well on I see it is to the benefit of all when as well as David Gray attending his the School and Club. last dinner as Principal we had former pupil sections to have a strong and Vice-President Charles Wilson has Gavin MacColl QC and Willie Allan excelling vibrant FP Club in touch with continued to arrange a variety of social as guest speakers while School Captain, activities for members and is pretty much all its members.