Number 25 Summer 2015
Editorial
Contents
Ken Waine was one of the first people I met
when I first arrived at Glasgow Academy.
It was May of 1980 and a rather anxious PGCE
student arrived at the school office to await my
interview. The Academy has always liked to ensure
that the responsibility for interviewing potential new
recruits is spread evenly across different departments.
I knew that I had to meet the Rector and Deputy
Rector, the Head of English and so on but it was the
man with the military bearing in the airforce-blue
uniform who made me most nervous.
Ken Waine: former Head of PE and
Games, Contingent Commander of
the CCF, Senior Master and President
of the Academical Club (1985/86)
Rachel Teggart, then Rector’s Secretary, assured me
that day that Ken’s bark was very much worse than
his bite. What she hinted at then, and what I - in
common with hundreds of others - later discovered
was that beneath that sometimes forbidding exterior
lay the most generous of hearts.
3
Favourite Teachers Remembered
4
Anecdotage
10 Anecdotage letters
11 Book review
12 Academical Club
16 Announcements
20 Westbourne Section
22 Working for Vogue
23 Memories of the Great War
26 Obituaries
31 Picture Post
Although I was possibly the least-promising rugby coach he had ever come across, he set
about teaching me all the stuff he knew. And that wasn’t just about rugby. It was about
how to be a schoolmaster, about how to set an example. Many of his phrases still resonate
with me today. When a young member of staff arrived at Saturday games without a tie,
his reaction was classic Ken Waine. ‘We expect the boys to wear uniform on Saturdays,’
he said. ‘If the boys have to do it, the masters have to do it.’
Although Ken and Elspeth both grew up in Lancashire, when they moved here with their
young family in the late 1950s, they set to work to make Glasgow - and in particular
Glasgow Academy - their home. In everything he did, Ken set an example for others –
boys and staff – to follow. As Stewart McAslan, another former colleague, has pointed
out in his tribute, ‘He was in touch with the parent body, Academicals, generations of
boys and staff. He influenced many staff even after he left because he was a strong man of
principle and he provided longevity.’ Ken’s influence was strong because his roots in the
community went deep.
News of his passing at the age of 91 has brought tributes from his former pupils. Ken has
been justly called “a wonderful man”, “really fair and very encouraging”. One former
pupil who discovered the real character of the man was the boy whose father had recently
died in tragic circumstances. As a 12-year-old angry at the unfairness of life, he chose
to take his anger out on Wing Commander Waine, his Contingent Commander, by
swearing loudly at him at CCF parade in front of the whole school. What happened next
took him by surprise.
‘Rather than chastise me, he ran after me to the art department where I had run to hide.
There he showed a sensitivity and kindness that I have never forgotten. He exhibited a
polar opposite to his normal persona that will always stay with me. That day Mr Waine
helped me deal with my grief there and then more than you could possibly imagine. I will
be forever grateful for the kindness and sensitivity he showed me that afternoon.’
Ken was a lovely man and a great school master. He was universally respected by all
with whom he came into contact - whether they were small boys at school or the many
rugby-playing Academicals who helped him celebrate his 80th birthday in style with a
celebratory rugby match at New Anniesland.
As the Chronicle at the time of his retirement said: ‘Ken was everybody’s friend. And we
shall miss him.’
I know I certainly will.
A full tribute to Ken will appear in the next edition of Etcetera. Former colleagues, friends
and those he taught are respectfully invited to submit their reminiscences and memories
for that edition.
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Etcetera
Do we have your e-mail address?
It’s how we communicate best!
Keeping in touch
The External Relations office is situated
in Colebrooke Terrace. Former pupils are
always welcome to pop in for a chat and look
round the school. Just give us a call to arrange
a time. Our address is Colebrooke Terrace,
Glasgow G12 8HE and you can contact us on
0141 342 5494 or at exrel@tga.org.uk
The Glasgow Academical Club
21 Helensburgh Drive, Glasgow G13 1RR
President: Douglas Robinson
E-mail: drobinson@diamondpower.co.uk
Secretary: Stuart Neilson
Tel: 07771 845104
E-mail: stuart.neilson1@btinternet.com
The Academical Club pavilion
is available for functions.
Academical Club’s London Section
Secretary – David Hall, 20 Cadogan Place
London SW1X 9SA
Tel: 020 7235 9012
E-mail: ecj@aralon.co.uk
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Favourite Teachers Remembered
Ernest Dowson
Late in Form 3 I was struggling with
Greek but had been scoring good marks
in French and Latin. Naturally my
parents were concerned and decided to
consult with the Rector, Dr Roydon
Richards, who in turn referred them to
Chris Varley who had been teaching me
French. It was recommended that I drop
Greek and start German from scratch –
bearing in mind that my performance in
French had been good. I was transferred
to the Form 3 German class which was
taken by Ernie Dowson.
He very sensibly asked John Garland,
who was a good friend both at school
and later when we both studied at St
Andrews University, to act as my guide.
Maybe that was where the skills John
possessed as a very good teacher were
developed! Anyway, thanks to Ernie’s
very well-balanced and methodical
approach to grammar, vocabulary,
written translation (both from German
to English and English to German) plus
plenty of reading and oral practice, and
lots of nurturing support from both Ernie
and John Garland, I found myself sitting
and passing Higher German in Form 5
after two years.
Ernie was a firm disciplinarian who
never needed to use the belt in our class
but who willingly lent it out to younger
teachers who needed it to punish
mischievous young boys. He was also
very friendly and followed with keen
interest our progress not only in German
but also in other subjects. He was also
very active in rugby, the Army section
of the CCF, in the Masters’ cricket XI,
and in taking part in the comedy of
Jock Carruthers’ Christmas pantomime.
I recall his playing the Emperor in a
production of Aladdin one year, when
‘Dodo’
This thought was engendered by Hamish
Richardson’s contribution in your last
issue...
I do not know for how many years
David D Ogilvie taught the subject
of Geography at Glasgow Academy,
but according to Hamish Richardson’s
dates he was still teaching 20 years after
the time I left – and he was no spring
chicken when I came under his tutelage.
It is a sobering thought, therefore, that
every one of his pupils left school with
the knowledge of all the stations on the
Trans-Siberian Railway. After 70 years of
learning this vital information, I can still
recite a good part of it – Omsk, Tomsk,
Novosibirsk is one section, and Irkutsk,
Chelyabinsk, Krasnoyarsk and Harbin all
feature somewhere along the line to the
terminus at Vladivostok.
On re-reading this before committing to
memory, it is notable that all the stations
cited – except for the last two, all finish
‘sk’.
his final act was to make Widow
Twankey (played by Jock) the Duchess
of Kelvinbridge!
It was Andrew McMurchy’s photo of
the CCF officers in the mid-fifties which
prompted my very happy memories of a
very good teacher who left the Academy
in August 1958 to take a well-deserved
promotion of Head of Modern
Languages at Walsall Grammar School.
Henry Murray Humphreys (1959)
SciTech Appeal
on course to raise
£1.9m
I cannot speak for others, but I have
never had the opportunity of making use
of or imparting this knowledge.
The success of the appeal in the last
two years means that £1.6m has now
been banked for the Saunders Centre
development. More pledges have been
made and we now expect the appeal to
raise a total of around £1.9m.
And I wonder how many others can
also reel off the names of the three main
rivers of Siberia – the Ob, the Yenesai,
and the Lena, in that order from west
to east? Another pearl of wisdom from
‘Dodo’.
We are hugely grateful to all members
of our community who have generously
donated. The building remains on track
and on budget and will be handed over
by Dunne, the construction firm, in
June.
These remarks are in no way a criticism
of his teaching, as I found the time spent
in his classroom (except for the detention
periods which he administered) among
the most rewarding of my schooldays.
Every gift – large and small – is helping
to make this remarkable facility a reality.
If you would like any information on
how you can support the appeal before it
closes this term, please contact Mark on
M.Taylor@tga.org.uk / 0141 342 5494
Jim Cunningham (1949)
Etcetera
3
Anecdotage
At the equivalent of the end of the
school day, we headed for the bus stop
on Great Western Road to catch the
buses that we would have ordinarily
taken home. No one would know. The
cunning and detailed planning was going
to carry us through! As we stood at the
bus stop we saw one of our fellow art
students waving frantically at us.
An Escapade by a Timid Chap
We thought, “He’s obviously
congratulating us on a smart bit of
skullduggery!”
We both headed off on our buses and
I wandered nonchalantly back to the
house and was greeted by my mother
with her usual, “How was school
today?” I replied, as casually as I could,
“Oh, not bad, you know.”
Colin on a day when he did turn up
for art… and on graduating as an
architect
In my time at the Academy from 1963
to 1974, I was always quite a shy and
retiring chap – or so I saw myself, at any
event.
Never one to be boisterous and never
great at sports, I trod a safe furrow.
Never a step out of place. Never a word
spoken out of turn.
All that changed in my last year. I suspect
hormones played their part too.
I had the exam results I needed
for University but – being born in
December – I was too young. So, my
final year was one of improving my
grades in a couple of subjects and taking
Higher art, at which I was reasonably
good.
The result was that Tuesdays for me
were seven free periods and one period
of art. This was starting to become
boring and so, one Tuesday, John Braida
and I decided to escape to the George
Street Snooker Hall and Emporium to
fill in the day, in what we saw as a much
more useful manner.
We set off, sneaking out of the school
during morning break, successfully got to
the end of Colebrooke Street, turned the
corner and made a run for it.
Ties off and blazers casually draped over
our arms, we pressed onwards, heady
with anticipation at what excitement the
day would bring.
A full day was spent mixing with the
denizens of the snooker hall getting more
than a few strange looks throughout the
day. We played snooker, ate, drank and
generally basked in our day of reckless
freedom.
My mother, never one to mince her
words said, “Where the F*** have you
been!!”
As it turned out, for the first time in
recorded history, there was a fire in the
school – in the art department of all
places. And there had been a roll call.
Guess who were not present and correct?
There then ensued a frantic search
by most of the school staff for two
char-grilled adolescents.
As you can imagine the consequences
were not pleasant and I never played
truant again. To be fair, I was not given
the chance as I left at the end of that
term!
I went on to qualify as an architect and
left for Gibraltar in 1986, after a few
years practising in Glasgow. I have lived
in Spain, in Sotogrande, since then and
ply my trade as an architect, having
qualified as a Spanish architect in 1990.
Colin McLundie (1974)
The Belch Club
I wonder if anyone among the 1968 leavers has recollections of
the Belch Club? I probably lowered the tone of the school by
helping to establish this (admittedly short-lived) organisation,
whose aims and objectives were to promote and encourage the
practice of belching.
The Club awarded qualifications in the art, with clear criteria
of assessment – of which institutions like the Quality Assurance
Agency would have been proud, had they been around at the
time. For demonstrating the ability to produce a basic belch
(deliberately, not accidentally), one was awarded the degree of
4
Etcetera
Bachelor of Belches. For a belch emanating from the abdomen
rather than the throat, one was entitled to the award of Master
of Belches. A more prolonged deep belch enabled one to
become a Professor of Belches – a somewhat rare honour.
Successful pupils were awarded certificates by the Club’s office
bearers, scribbled on a scrap of paper torn from a notebook.
Has any former pupil still by any chance kept one of the
certificates as a piece of memorabilia?
Hamish Richardson (1968)
CCF Summer Camp 1969 – Aultbea
The sad news of the death of Tony (aka Cliff) Richards
reminded me of a conversation I had with him at the end
of the CCF Summer Camp in 1969 in Aultbea. For reasons
which I think were connected to the difficulties of travelling
in that part of the world on the Sabbath, the camp continued
much longer than normal, and there was generous free
time. The senior cadets used some of this time to devise an
end-of-camp entertainment in which the finale was a song
about our officers. As it was a joint army and navy camp, the
RAF officers escaped our attention. It is interesting to note
that we ducked the challenge of writing a verse about our
commanding officer, Lt-Col GH Carruthers, OBE, TD.
I can remember about 90 per cent of the song, which goes to
the tune of ‘Off to Dublin in the Green’. I have made up the
missing 10 per cent, but will be delighted if any reader can
provide the definitive text.
So, what was my conversation with Tony Richards? The day
before the camp concert I spoke to him to say that we had
written a song about the officers – and would he like to vet
it beforehand? I was struck by his response which was to the
effect that he regarded us as responsible sixth formers so would
leave it to our judgement to decide what was appropriate.
For the amusement of anyone who was there, or of anyone
else who gets a kick out of historical documents created on
traditional typewriters on yellowing paper, here are the camp
orders for Sunday 6 July 1969.
David Dow (1969)
Berry Camp memories…
For we’re all off to Glasgow in the green, in the green
Where the cap badges glisten in the sun,
Where the rifles crash and the bayonets flash
To the thunder of the Wilberforce voice.
My name is Mr Plowman, and I like cadets to train,
But when they all get lost in the hills1 I think it’s all in vain.
My name is Mr Richards, and I like cadets to move2,
But when they smoke in the back of trucks, they know I don’t
approve.
My name is Mr Lamont, and I am the adjutant.
I always write the orders out, because the others can’t.
My name is Mr Thomson, and I like cadets to sail,
But when they mess about in boats, they know that I feel pale.
My name is Mr Small, and the organ I can play,
But when there are no hymn books3, the minister has to pray.
My name is Mr Colin Black and I lead the shooting team,
But as there are no rifles here, all I can do is dream.
My name is Mr Ainsworth, and it’s folk songs that I sing.
In Colebrooke Street or army camp, it’s pleasure that they bring.
My name is Mr Dorman, and the tyres I like to burn,
Give me an army lorry, doing a hand-brake turn.
My name is Mr Beattie…
… “By cool Siloams’s shady rill”4
Repeat refrain
Notes:
1 We did.
2 Tony (Captain) Richards was in charge of camp
transport.
3 There weren’t.
4 At this point the tune changes to the hymn that (at that
time) was traditionally sung at morning assembly when a
member of staff had a baby.
I have just received my winter 2014 edition of Etcetera with the
article about Jimmy Scougall. I remember Jimmy well! He was
in charge of the berry camp at Dairsie in Fife, of which I have
mixed memories. He planned the latrine tent there. All the
latrines were arranged in a circle, facing towards the centre tent
pole. All those requiring to move their bowels had to sit facing
each other! Needless to say, many preferred the surrounding
bushes! Not surprisingly, I developed impetigo on my face, and
was condemned to a single-pole isolation tent.
One night I forgot to slacken the guy ropes, and it rained.
Awakening next morning, I heard voices, but it was pitch black.
The tent had shrunk in the rain and the pole had penetrated
the tent roof. The tent slid down the pole, and I was trapped
underneath with a sense of suffocation. I crawled out with some
difficulty, and was glad to reach daylight, and air!
At that time I did not know I was red/green colour-blind.
Picking raspberries meant I missed many berries amongst the
green leaves. ‘Coom back, coom back, and pick all these bloody
ripe berries! They’re hanging’ there like water-melons’ shouted
the irate farmer to me, over and over.
With my impetigo, poor berry-picking ability, and
tent-wrecking propensity, it was no wonder that Jimmy
Scougall rang my parents to take me home. I was more trouble
than I was worth!
John Crombie (1943)
Etcetera
5
John J Miller (1972) sent us this photo of a fine-looking group who made up Miss Ritchie’s class of
1964/65. Someone out there must remember who they are.
‘Norrie’s Lorry’
I found the article about Norrie’s Lorry
in Etcetera interesting, reflective and
poignant – not least because the same
edition carried John Plowman’s obituary.
By the post-Highers lacuna in the
summer of 1974, I was a Sixth Year
leaver and, quite remarkably, the
Warrant Officer and, as such, the senior
cadet in the REME section of the CCF.
How had I reached such dizzy heights?
From an early age I had been interested
in motor cars and their workings with
a particular ambition to be involved in
motorsport. From the age of 12 I had
worked for a few weeks of the school
holidays in the workshop of a local
garage, initially car cleaning and then
assisting the mechanics.
I had enjoyed my time in the REME
section in fourth and fifth year and
learned the theory and operation of
engines, transmissions and other aspects
of motor vehicles from Mr Plowman
and senior cadets which fitted in ideally
with my intermittent experiences in
6
Etcetera
the garage. When those senior cadets
left the school, I suppose I had some
reasonable knowledge of the main
aspects of the subjects to be passed on
to following REME cadets so I was put
in charge! There was no other credible
reason because I certainly had little
knowledge of parade ground procedures
as was evident from the shambles which
occurred when I tried to drill the section
on a Monday afternoon.
It was essential to have an acceptable
extra-curricular project in the period
between the Highers and leaving in June
so as to avoid attending classes. It was
suggested by Mr Plowman that I might
take charge of refurbishment of the CCF
truck; so I hand-picked a crew and work
started.
As far as I can recall, the cylinder head
was cracked so it was removed and
I spent many happy hours in school
time touring scrap yards in Partick and
along Clydeside in my old Land Rover
searching for a replacement. Brush
painting of the body was also undertaken
and I was impressed by the number of
volunteers who wanted to get involved
– most of them so that they could climb
under the rear canvas tarpaulin and have
a smoke! This gave me a dilemma as I
was also a (fairly relaxed) Prefect.
I think summer holidays beckoned
before the project could be completed
and I wonder if the lorry ever saw
the open road again as it was little
used. If anyone has any information I
would be interested to hear at sandy@
williamjohnston.co.uk
Degrees in Economics and Law followed
school and during my studies I continued
to work in the local garage. After over
35 years in commercial law and business,
I have maintained my interest in cars
and enjoyed a varied involvement in
motor racing as a mechanic, driver,
team manager, car builder, driver coach
and spectator in the UK and in Europe
having great fun with family and friends.
Much of what I have applied in the way
of vehicle mechanics and dynamics is
based on my time in the REME section.
Sandy McEwen (1974)
Three men (and some fresh-faced schoolboys) in a boat…
to say nothing of the dog!
Looking a bit like a ‘Where’s
Wally?’ poster, this photo was
taken on a harbour cruise
of Copenhagen, just one of
many activities enjoyed on a
school summer expedition to
Denmark in 1961.
On this, the one and only
foreign school trip I ever
took, we were under the
watchful eye of three
well-known Academy
teachers, Kenny Miles, Morty
Black and Jock Carruthers.
“Scattered throughout the boat are my fellow travellers, most of whom
I could put a name to, I think, but perhaps they would like to identify
themselves?’
These three worthies can be
seen five rows from the stern
of the boat, Kenny in a blazer
and tie, Morty sporting a
racey white ‘bunnet’ and Jock
puffing on his pipe!
I recall that, for the duration
of the trip, we lodged
in an old farmhouse in
Elsinore. I remember sharing
accommodation with several
friends… and the farm dog,
Agus (see photo).
I really enjoyed what was my
first taste of foreign travel.
The educational content was
debatable, but it was a lot of
fun.
Oh… and where’s Wally?
(me). I’m four rows from the
stern on the port (left!) side of
the boat, clutching my new
camera, bought specially for
the trip!
Many thanks to Nigel Morrison (1956) who sent us this photograph of Mrs Crosby’s infants’ class of 1944/45.
Bobby Low (1958) gave us a note of some of the names he could remember, but – since no-one in the office can
read Bobby’s handwriting – we’ve decided to appeal to a wider audience to see how many names we can come up
with. Our only clue is that both Nigel and Bobby are in the photo somewhere!
Jim Shearer (1964)
Etcetera
7
A funny thing happened on the way to the Academy (part 1)
Recently I was watching the programme
’50 top comedy clips on TV’ when
I suddenly thought ‘What were the
funniest things that happened to me at
the Academy?’ So here I am putting pen
to paper. Being a retired teacher myself,
I must emphasise that the Academy
teachers of the sixties were a fantastic lot
- far more pluses than minuses - I salute
you all. You made me what I am today
(gulp!). Anyway, (and in no particular
order) here goes:
‘Boggles Winzer’ - now you see
him, now you don’t
The following incident was witnessed
only by myself and two others. Boggles
ran the bridge club and it was the first
week back in January. No one seemed
to notice that during the holidays, the
floor had been waxed and polished.
We each sat on two desks put together,
north/south/east and west, with a desk
in the middle for the cards. Boggles
was my partner and I had just put him
into a delicate four spade contract. You
could hear a pin drop. He was just about
to finesse the queen of hearts when,
slowly and inexorably, the two desks
that he was sitting on started to move
apart. So did Boggles’ cheeks and in the
twinkling of an eye, right through the
middle, down went Boggles, crashing
to the ground. I can still envisage his
small podgy forearms, flailing about like
windmills in a storm, but to no avail.
Postscript: Boggles actually hurt himself
and the game broke up in stony silence
(although it was anything but stony
when we got down the first flight
of stairs). A real character - I’m still
reminded of him when I see the sinister
gestapo agent dressed in black whose face
melts at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Lurch and the disappearing chalk
Looking back, I was always amazed
in Chemistry classes that lots of
bottles of concentrated nasties were
just lying about. Mr Watt’s nickname
came, of course, from the maniacal,
harpsichord-playing butler from The
Addams Family (even his hands looked
like ‘Thing’). I decided to conduct an
experiment to see if the rate of chalk
disintegration in concentrated sulphuric
acid had anything to do with the colour
of the chalk (what a pillock!). I had just
8
Etcetera
concocted a bubbling brew that even
Macbeth’s witches would have been
proud of, and was merrily stirring the
chalk in acid muttering ‘Well that’s the
end of Lurch’s chalk’ when in walked
Lurch.
Postscript: I can’t remember getting
punished for my misdemeanour - he
really was a gentle giant. I once bumped
into him in 1972, he was mooching
about a very busy Rothesay pier. He told
me that his pet hate was queuing - he
hadn’t joined a queue in over 10 years.
Mind you he probably didn’t need to.
Madame Faid’s Cinderella
moment
I was just a ten-year-old sproglet when
I first encountered Madame. What an
amazing woman! She was affectionately
known as ‘Madam Mim’ after Disney’s
The Sword in the Stone came out in
1963 (‘I have the power - to wither a
flower’). I’ve no idea where she came
from (country, not planet) but we soon
found out that she had a fascination with
shops, castles and salads (‘Ah, la belle
charbouterie’ or whatever). However,
we felt there was a lot more mileage
in this, so, like satan’s imps, we set out
to locate her weak spot. It didn’t take
long. Stained glass windows! She went
crazy over them. We took it in turns
to research a historical building with
stained glass windows, bring it up in
conversation, and she would spend the
rest of the period yattering about it. At
the bell we would all file out grinning
like Cheshire cats. Another period ‘sans
travail’.
Postscript: And her Cinderella moment?
Madame was involved in a right rammy
at 11.45 pm at a taxi rank on the
Champs Elysees. She was refused entry
into her carriage until the bells struck
midnight (when the fares rocketed).
Even the hardened Parisian taxi drivers
were no match for Madame. The poor
hapless driver had to suffer an earful all
the way to Montmartre.
Closer to home, we got French on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
but for some reason our calendars
said French homework on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Fridays. Every Monday
and Wednesday she would say ‘Et
maintenant, mes eleves, are we due a
homework tonight?’ We would sit there
like doe-eyed innocent cherubs, chanting
‘No Madame” in unison.
She never twigged.
Cliff Richards - ‘I know a young
teacher who swallowed a fly’
I don’t know why he swallowed a fly,
but he did! We were all sitting quietly as
he was reading poetry to us when a fly
flew into his mouth. We sat with bated
breath waiting for it to fly back out.
Nothing was forthcoming, however, so
we could only assume that down the
hatch it went. With typical nonchalance
(and a polite cough), he continued
reading as if nothing had happened.
Postscript: Mr Richards was an excellent
teacher, but his pernicketiness now
enters folklore. I always thought that
Alice Richards was his mother (the
woman with the hearing aid in Fawlty
Towers). He was certainly no admirer
of the inventor Laszlo Biro -- in his
classes it was a fountain pen or else. He
had a penchant for tapping little boys
on the forehead with an outlandishly
large device used for opening windows
(sounds better if you say it quickly).
Dodo - river deep mountain high
No one passed through the Academy
in the sixties without encountering
Dodo’s rhythmical memoirs for anything
Geographical (especially rivers). But
even the great teachers sometimes have
to admit defeat. There was a boy in our
class called Rufus (due to his rustic royal
appearance).The lesson was about the
Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Rufus
was not very good at Geography. When
questioned about the rivers, he always
got the words in a fankle and he kept
saying “Mississouri”. After many fruitless
attempts at correction, the bell rang and,
as we all filed out, an exasperated Dodo
yelled back at him - ‘Tell Mrs Oori I was
asking for her!’ Classic Dodo.
Postscript: One Friday night, a tired
and dishevelled Dodo was standing on
a platform at Central station. His heart
sank when a sprightly young man with
a large microphone bounded up to him,
obviously looking for an interview. How
to get rid of him. Suddenly Dodo had
a brainwave. Looking at him straight in
the eye and with his fiercest face (not too
difficult), he bellowed: ‘LENINGRADMOSCOWOMSKTOMSKKRASNOYARSKIRKUTSKVLADIVOSTOK.’
(Connoisseurs of Dodo will of course instantly recognise the
main stops on the Trans-Siberian Railway.)
With a sickly smile, gently bowing and back-stepping, like a
peasant retreating from royalty, he could only jibber the words,
‘Thank you, sir, thank you, thank you …’
John Macnab (1968)
Peter Jensen (1962) and his fellow
classmates in 3A in 1958/59. Perhaps
someone recognises an old friend or two?
Blackwaterfoot
Recently I took my wife on her first
visit to Arran. I decided to take her to
the Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot,
which had been the base some 50 years
ago and more for various CCF courses
run during the Easter holidays under the
command of Major Gordon Carruthers.
Having met the current hotel proprietor,
Robbie Crawford, I enquired if there
was any connection between his family
and Glasgow Academy, to which he
replied that both his father and uncle
were Academicals. Rather to my
surprise, he then asked if I knew Ken
Waine. Having replied in the affirmative,
I then met another member of the
Kinloch team, who introduced himself as
Robert Waine, son of the aforesaid Ken.
He recalled how his father had been
involved in the first of the Easter training
courses back in the late 1950s.
As I recall, the courses were of two
types. On the first, the more junior
cadets were resident in the hotel, from
where they were presented with clues
(akin to those in Scudder`s notebook
in Buchan`s The 39 Steps) that led
over the ensuing days to an appropriate
finale. For example, the final clue in my
year was ‘PG Tips’, a reference not to
a well-known brand of tea but rather
to Peter Gannon (then head of the
naval section and one of the supervising
masters), from whom came the final
map reference for the denouement at
Drumadoon Point.
The second type of course was altogether
more arduous. We were supposedly
on the island of Narra, which by
coincidence had the same topography
as Arran except that much of it had
sunk into the sea, thereby making all
coastal roads inaccessible. To move from
camp to camp therefore entailed some
serious hill-walking, including on at least
one occasion climbing over snow-clad
boulders at the top of Goatfell to get
down to another camp-site in Glen
Rosa.
It seems that no such training courses
have taken place on Arran in recent
years. Of course the Chronicle nowadays
carries reports as a matter of course of
exciting trips to exotic locations far from
Glasgow. I would suggest, however,
that it would be a matter of considerable
regret were such activities to be at the
total expense of wonderful opportunities
for character development and adventure
to be found very much closer to home,
and which – thanks to masters like
Gordon Carruthers and Ken Waine –
came the way of my own generation
those many years ago.
Alexander Pollock (1961)
P.S. Our recent stay at the Kinloch Hotel
was a much more civilised experience,
not least because of the modern facilities
and excellent cuisine!
Editor’s note
CCF camps now need official authority. It is
no longer possible to run trips over Easter due
to the focus on impending exams; however
CCF annual camp and recruit weekend
continue and cadets also take part in several
orienteering and outward bound competitions
across the country throughout the year.
Sadly, since this article was written, Ken
Waine has died.
Etcetera
9
Anecdotage letters
Dear Sir
I have many fond memories of my time
as a Boarder at Glasgow Academy and
enjoy reading the Etcetera magazine very
much.
Whilst at school we used to get up to lots
of pranks, like exploring the foundations
of the main building and the top floor
ducting system, where we could see into
most of the classrooms where lessons
were being carried out. This was the
year before there was a fire in the main
building, after which a few of our lessons
were held in various halls in Glasgow for
the rest of that year.
One thing has always been on my mind:
What happened to the Printing Club?
We used to print letter headed note
paper for those willing to pay and also
Rugby Club fixtures, occasional menu
cards and visiting cards for the teachers.
I was a member and I remember that we
had one large electric printing machine
and a smaller hand-operated one. Our
print and type lead letters and a few
pictures were kept in a large wooden
cabinet, with different size and fonts in
different drawers. Our base was in the
basement under the Junior School.
On looking through the Etcetera
magazine I see very few names that I
remember while I was at school. This is
not surprising as I left the Academy in
1958. I often wonder what happened
to them all. I was always known as
“Hoagy’s brother”. Hoagy was my
younger brother, who excelled at most
things, but soon left and joined Fettes
College in Edinburgh.
With all the best for your next edition of
Etcetera,
Yours faithfully
Thomas Anthony Hogarth (1958)
Dear Malcolm
I was interested to read recollections
(Etcetera 24) of tea with Baggy and Mrs
Aston in 1959 by my old friend, Alex
Pollock.
I was present and remember the
occasion, but it reminded me of another
visit to Kelvin Drive. This took place
in 1962 to mark that year’s Oxford
and Cambridge awards, a record at the
time. This time the generous Astonian
hospitality was dispensed in the evening
and it was a convivial gathering.
Baggy punctuated it by crossing his
drawing-room from time to time to
heave massive chunks of timber, little less
than whole trees, into a cavernous open
fireplace.
He had a wonderful library and my
eye was caught from a distance by
what appeared to be a beautiful but
surprisingly extensive collection of the
works of Racine. When I got close
enough to examine them properly I
found that they were not that at all,
but a calf-bound series of Racing Form
covering at least twenty years. I’d known
something of the range of Baggy’s
interests, and the discovery that he was
a keen student of the turf increased my
admiration for the man still further.
With all best wishes
Walter Reid (1962)
We are grateful to Roy Burdon (1955) for this photo of the School Choir rehearsing for the Carol Service at Lansdowne Church at some
point in the early 1950s. Mr Reginald Barret Ayres, Director of Music, is at the organ.
10
Etcetera
Book Review
prominent figures in the opposition to
Nazism: Käthe Kollwitz (printmaker and
sculptor); Franz Ehrlich (lettering on the
gate of Buchenwald); Ernst Barlach (The
hovering Angel).
A Work of Distinction
Dr Neil MacGregor: GERMANY:
Memories of a Nation
(Allen Lane, £30)
I don’t make a habit of writing book
reviews, but – when you discover a
volume that captivates you – it seems
natural to find a way of sharing your
admiration with a wider audience,
particularly when the author is a
distinguished Academical, OM and
Director of the British Museum.
Few readers of Etcetera may have
been free to listen to a recent BBC
Radio 4 series of talks on Germany
by Neil MacGregor (1964). This
weighty companion volume of 600
richly-illustrated pages constitutes a
unique contribution to the social,
cultural and political history of Germany,
written in a form far removed from
traditional history books. Neil is the
first to acknowledge the debt he owes
to his many collaborators but he himself
deserves great credit for bringing this
enterprise to a splendid conclusion.
He begins by asking: Where is Germany?
Its frontiers have changed so frequently
that it takes eight clearly-drafted maps
to show the borders of the country from
the Holy Roman Empire to modern
Germany. The cover describes the
‘central power in continental Europe’ as
‘inherently fragmented’ but ‘it contains a
large number of widely shared memories,
awarenesses and experiences. Examining
some of these is the purpose of this book.
MacGregor chooses objects and ideas,
people and places which still resonate in
the new Germany.’
The enormity of the task is hinted at by
a collaborator in an early chapter: “The
difficulty in presenting or explaining a
totalitarian state like the GDR is that
the written records are there, but they
are deliberately devious, concealing and
banal.” Then how about approaching
much of his subject through art? We
might have expected this from the
former Director of the National Gallery,
who has assembled an impressive range
of works of art to illustrate the text: the
Hanseatic League’s English HQ in the
late 13th century; a 1493 cityscape of
Nuremberg; a selection of local currency
notes in the post-WW1 inflation
(Hamlin with its piper’s rats!); a range
of what the Nazis termed ‘degenerate
art’ and the Reichstag wrapped in silver
fabric in 1995 to mark Norman Foster’s
transformation of the building.
A selection of chapter headings will
suggest the eclectic nature of the work:
One people, many sausages; the white
gold of Saxony (Meissen porcelain);
One nation under Goethe; A language
for all Germans (Luther’s bible); Snow
White vs Napoleon; Purging the
degenerate – Neil takes a particular
pleasure in rehabilitating the memory of
Most major aspects of history and politics
over the centuries qualify for a mention
– or more – but they are not allowed to
dominate the text; they are often present
as a background to whatever may be the
cultural topic of the moment. Intriguing
details emerge frequently: the red, black
and gold of the German flag is traced
back to the Liberal Parliament of 1848 in
Frankfurt; the bronze 1916 lettering on
the Reichstag was melted from French
cannon captured from Napoleon. Neil
gives thoughtful expression to some of
the enigmas of the nation: “The guilt
(for the horrific crimes of the Third
Reich) is internalised and becomes part
of the German national identity.” In
the final paragraph: “Berlin is (now)
building a dream: this time of a peaceful,
enriching dialogue of cultures... on the
Museum Island... The complex German
past is here once again being reshaped by
its monuments and memories.”
Those of us who have lived through
those crimes are likely to find a cathartic
effect in this honest, imaginative retelling
of a nation’s story. I commend it
wholeheartedly.
Graham Little (Academy staff
1965-1988)
2015 Dates for your Diary
Monday 22 June 2015,The Glasgow Academy, Prep School Roof Terrace
Donor Thank You Reception
3 July 2015
Rowing: Henley Royal Regatta
September/October 2015 (Date TBC)
Kelvin Foundation/Formal Opening of The Saunders Centre
Friday 23 October 2015
Class of 1995 20-year Reunion
Friday 6 November 2015, The Glasgow Academy
The Glasgow Academicals’ War Memorial Trust AGM
Friday 6 November 2015, Kelvingrove Art Gallery
The 133rd Academical Club Dinner
December 2015 (TBC)
Class of 2005 10-year Reunion
If you would like to be involved in organising a reunion for your year group,
please contact exrel@tga.org.uk
Etcetera
11
Academical Club
have offered to take people on work
experience and that is going to start as a
pilot study. If you feel you might be able
to help then please do get in touch.
The school has been superb in this.
In terms of loneliness, we will be
supporting a charity that places
early-morning calls to Glasgow’s loneliest
people. Again, I am honoured that so
many of you have volunteered.
On a wider scale – as our photo suggests
– I’ve been to Twickenham to start the
process of the retrieval of the world’s
oldest rugby cap. We will be holding
two joint events with our friends West of
Scotland. Glasgow Warriors are keen to
help us in whatever way they can and so
is the SRU.
John Beattie and Bill Beaumont shake hands at
Twickenham beside the Calcutta Cup and the two
oldest rugby caps in the world.
GAC President 2015-16
I am thrilled to be Honorary President
of the Academical Club in its 150th
year – and the current President Dougie
Robinson has been wise counsel.
I just want to let you all know that there
are a few projects we will be getting
involved in and I am delighted that the
Accie community has backed our vision
for a year dedicated to what we can do
for others.
In terms of events, please put 6
November 2015 in your diaries as we
hope to fill Kelvingrove Art Gallery
and museum for our dinner which
will include my BBC colleague, Jackie
Bird, and former rugby player, Brian
Moore, as guests and speakers. You
will find booking forms enclosed with
this magazine. You can also book by
contacting exrel@tgaorg.uk
We went to Glasgow City Council and
asked what help they might need, and
we were told that loneliness and lack of
opportunity for the disadvantaged are
key problem areas. I’ve been bowled
over by the number of you who
12
Etcetera
These are early days, but it’s been
fascinating to see how many of you in
our community are so willing to help
and get involved.
I don’t know about you, but there is
more joy to giving than in raising money
for ourselves and I have been very proud
to have had so many offers of help.
As I say, please put 6 November in
your diary, and if you feel you want
to help with work experience for the
disadvantaged then please do get in
touch with me
John Beattie (1975)
Hampden Exhibition
Glasgow Academical Club is currently
working with The Scottish Football
Museum and Queen’s Park FC to put on
an exhibition at Hampden in 2016.
The theme will be the contribution both
clubs made to bringing ‘Football’ and
giving International Football to the world.
The exhibition will trace the birth of
both codes, the start of the international
game and the effect of the advent of
professionalism through to the tragedy of
the First World War.
It will be rounded off with an assessment
of where these two historic clubs now
stand in the modern sporting landscape.
Hugh Barrow (1962)
Men’s Hockey
Men’s hockey is in good shape presently
with a full squad of players available most
Saturdays and some new attire to make us
proud!
Following a poor start to the season, our
results have improved with a 1-1 draw
against Uddingston 3s and a 3-2 victory
over Helensburgh 1st XI. The summer
hockey season is upon us and hopefully
we can attract additional players who may
be interested in joining the squad.
Martin Dawes, a former pupil of Glasgow
Academy, has captained the team this
year.
Paul Harrison
pauljharrison47@gmail.com
Ladies’ Hockey
Glasgow Accies Ladies Hockey Club are
delighted to announce that they have
won the West District 2 League and the
West District Indoor Plate this 2014-15
season.
With promotion into WD1 and a new
development team in WD4, the section
is excited to begin Glasgow Accies’
150th Year in August. We are always
looking for new players and welcome
ladies of all ages (14yrs+), all levels of
skills and experience.
Pre-season training starts at Windyedge
on Tuesday 11 August at 6.30 pm. If you
fancy getting some practice in before
then why not join the Summer Hockey
Team who play friendly games in and
around the West End of Glasgow most
Tuesday and Thursday evenings from
May until July?
The Ladies Hockey section is celebrating
the 150th Year by hosting an 11-aside
pre-season Tournament at Windyedge
on Saturday 15 August. With the
promise of great hockey, fun games,
BBQ, raffle and raising money for local
charities, the 150th Year Glasgow Accies
Ladies’ Hockey Tournament is set to
be a wonderful date for your diary – all
spectators welcome!
www.glasgow-hockey.com
acciesladies@yahoo.co.uk
Stephanie Hermes (Club Captain)
London Section
The London Section would like to thank
all Academicals and their guests who
travelled from Glasgow to attend the
Annual Dinner held on Friday 13 March
2015 at The Caledonian Club. I am not
sure whether our record attendance of
104 was due to our dinner being held
on the eve of the Calcutta Cup match
or because of the array of interesting
speakers – or maybe a combination of
both. A most enjoyable evening was had
by all, with The Caledonian Club full
to the brim as the Glasgow High School
were hosting their annual dinner on the
same evening.
We had excellent fayre served from
The Caledonian Club kitchen and in
between courses we heard from The
Rector, Peter Brodie, the President of
the Glasgow Academical Club, Douglas
Robinson, Ryan Kohli, Tommy Reid
and our main speaker, Professor Mona
Siddiqui OBE. Our President, Cammy
Wilson, and one of our Committee
members, Hazel McNaught, proposed
the toasts to the Club and the school
respectively.
Day being held on Tuesday 30 June at
Denham Golf Club. We also have the
London Section hosting the School
Shooting Team during their annual
visit to Bisley, which this year will be
held on Thursday 9 July. As always, any
Academical visiting from Glasgow is
more than welcome to attend any of our
events.
After two years as President of the
London Section, Cammy Wilson now
retires and will be succeeded by Karen
Greenshields to whom we wish the best
of luck for her years in office – and,
of course, we thank Cammy for his
enthusiastic Presidency.
Any new arrivals in the London area are
encouraged to register with the London
Section by contacting David Hall,
Secretary/Treasurer on 020 7235 9012
or ecj@aralon.co.uk
Some of the speakers at this year’s London Dinner:
Tommy Reid and Peter Brodie (back row); Mona
Siddiqui, Hazel McNaught and Ryan Kohli (front
row)
We hope that this high attendance
will continue to be achieved in future
years. Please note that the 2016 dinner
is scheduled for Friday 4 March at The
Caledonian Club.
As we look ahead to the summer, we
have the London Scottish Schools’ Golf
Etcetera
13
Cricket Club seeks new members
and spectators
Glasgow Accies CC has been promoted to
the Western Union First Division for the 2015
season, taking its place amongst the elite of
Scottish cricket once more.
The club would love to hear from readers
who would be interested in playing, whether
competitively or socially. We also have a Ladies’
team that is actively recruiting.
If your playing days are behind you, you are still
welcome to spend summer afternoons with the
club as a spectator. The Gordon MacKay Bar in
the New Anniesland pavilion has recently been
refurbished and will be open during Saturday
home games from 4 pm, or earlier by advance
arrangement.
In May we were delighted to host a return visit from the Commonwealth Gold medallists,
the South African Sevens Rugby Team. Equally delighted were our S3 rugby players who
received a rugby master class from some of the best players in the world. The South
Africans in their turn were delighted to be back at New Anniesland - where they trained
during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games - and to renew their acquaintance with the
1906 Springbok jersey owned by the Club.
Interesting
Academicals
For information on joining the club, fixture lists,
scorecards and match reports, please see www.
glasgowaccies.cc New members can also email Neil Dowers
(2005) at player_registration@glasgowaccies.cc
characters, though not so familiar with
the social attitudes of late Victorian
Glasgow.
On returning home I decided to research
a little more about McCrone and I
thought readers of Etcetera might be
interested in a summary of my findings.
Guy McCrone
It has always been a pleasure to come
across Glasgow Academicals on our
travels and so it proved in the summer
when we were mountaineering as
usual in the Pyrenees. Not that we
actually met a real live Accie. On this
occasion the Accie was Guy McCrone
(1907-1916) and it was one of his books
that turned up in the selection of novels
bought from a charity shop in Partick.
Like many of McCrone’s books, Aunt
Bel is set in the West of Scotland and
particularly Glasgow, so we were familiar
with many of the places visited by the
14
Etcetera
Guy Fulton McCrone was born in
Birkenhead in 1898 of Glaswegian
parents. When the family returned to
Scotland, and settled near Mauchline,
Guy followed his cousin Osborne Henry
Mavor (better known under his nom de
plume of James Bridie) to The Academy,
and eventually won a place at Pembroke
College, Cambridge in 1916. In an
interview McCrone said that, before
going up to university to read Economics
(contrary to his publisher’s blurb which
has him studying Modern Languages), he
‘went to scrub floors and sell cigarettes
in soldiers’ YMCAs in Normandy
and Paris,’ as he was ineligible for the
Army. He married Jean Armour in
1931 and began writing, but had an
immediate set-back. He sent his first
novel to Michael Sadleir, a distinguished
biographer, novelist and publisher of
the time, who ‘tore my work to pieces,
neither showing mercy nor predicting
a future for it’. McCrone took on
board the criticisms, however, and the
redrafted manuscript was subsequently
published by Sadleir, as part of a trilogy,
initially in America as Red Plush, then
in the UK as Wax Fruit. There is also
a German translation called Phoebe. It
seems a television version of Wax Fruit
was made in 1975 and Antimacassar City,
the first part of the trilogy, was serialised
for Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 in
2010.
With Bridie and others, McCrone
helped establish what became the
Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, and was its
first Managing Director. He wrote plays,
one of which was curiously called Alex
goes to Amulree, first performed by the
Rutherglen Repertory Theatre in May
1944. Another of his plays, Edenbrook’s
Daughter, was performed only once
Henry James (of Turn of the Screw fame)
had adapted it. It was then translated as
Die Tochter for German TV.
Guy McCrone claimed at least one
interesting relative other than James
Bridie. His grandfather’s cousin, a certain
John Macrone (writing the name thus)
became the publisher who encouraged
the young Charles Dickens to collect
his first newspaper pen sketches, and
published them under the Macrone
imprint as Sketches by Boz in 1836.
You can find Guy McCrone’s obituary
in The Chronicle archive (1977-78
edition) on The Academy website.
I am sure there are many other Accies,
including former pupils of Westbourne,
with equally interesting stories. Maybe
Etcetera readers can start a series.
David Comins (Academy Rector
1994-2005)
GAC 150th Anniversary – Golf Day and Dinner
Notice
Academical Club AGM
Tuesday 2 June 2015
GLASGOW ACADEMICAL CLUB
Notice is hereby given to
members that the Annual General
Meeting of the Club will be
held at 6.30 pm on Tuesday 2
June 2015 in the Pavilion, New
Anniesland, 21 Helensburgh
Drive, GLASGOW G13 1RR.
The Secretary will make available
copies of the Report and
Accounts to any member, on
request to the above address.
Stuart Neilson
Secretary
The Glasgow Academical Sports
Club Annual General Meeting
will be held prior to the above
meeting commencing at 6.00 pm
in the Pavilion, New Anniesland.
This fantastic event will be held on
Friday 14 August. A not-to-be-missed
social and sporting occasion, it will
take place at the Glasgow Golf Club,
Killermont, Bearsden.
of the Captain of Golf, John M Watson
OBE. John is organising every aspect of
the event and promises surprises on the
day, as well as an excellent after-dinner
speaker.
The day will start from 11.30 am in
the Tennant Room where an excellent
buffet will be served. Teeing off starts at
12.30 pm. If you have a preference of
who you would like to play with, please
indicate this when booking your place.
To book, please contact External
Relations on 0141 342 5494/exrel@
tga.org.uk to make payment by card.
Alternatively, you can complete the form
below and send with a cheque for £50 –
payable to ‘The Glasgow Academy’ – to
the External Relations office.
Places are strictly limited to a maximum
of 70 and can be booked for the
remarkable price of just £50. This
includes the morning buffet, golf, dinner
in the evening and all drinks, courtesy
We are certain this event will sell out
very quickly. So don’t delay, sign up
today!
GAC 150th Anniversary – Golf Day and Dinner – Booking Form
Name
Address
Class of
The
18
45
G
roup
By making a Founder’s
Gift of just £18.45, you
can become a member of
this special philanthropic
group, exactly 170 years after
Glasgow Academy’s founders
met at the Star Hotel on
George Square – in 1845 – to
make plans to establish ‘an
Academic Institution
in this City’.
The group will be recognised
on the ‘Wall of Thanks’ in the
Saunders Centre and have its
own ‘1845 Group’ seat in the
Watson Auditorium.
Please help to complete
the SciTech building in
this small – but sincerely
appreciated – way.
Telephone
Email
Preferred playing partners
Date
Signed Cheque for £50 enclosed? Yes
No
GAC Events 2015/2016
Sunday 5 July 2015
Cricket Event
Accies XI v Cricket Scotland Select XI
Friday 14 August 2015
Golf Event at Glasgow Golf Club Killermont
Saturday 15 August 2015, New Anniesland
Ladies’ Hockey Tournament
Friday 6 November 2015, Kelvingrove Art Gallery
GAC Annual Dinner
Speakers Brian Moore and Jackie Bird
Thursday 21 April 2016
GAC 150th Anniversary Civic Reception at the City Chambers
Etcetera
15
Announcements
Andrew and Nicola
Engagements
Scott Kershaw (2001)
On New Year’s day, Scott Kershaw got
engaged to Lucy Edwards. Both are
Chartered Surveyors and live in Dore,
Sheffield.
Lydia Milligan (2008) and Emma
Mallinson (2008)
Delighted to announce that Lydia
Milligan (2008) became engaged to
Chris Hawkridge in December 2014 and
Emma Mallinson (2008) to Harry Barlas
in July 2014. All four are now living in
Sydney Australia.
Marriages
Andrew Keighley (1999)
Andrew married Nicola Louise O’Brien
at Culcreuch Castle, Fintry, Stirlingshire
on 14 November 2014. Andrew is a
detective in the Metropolitan Police.
Kirsty McNaught (2007)
Kirsty married Jonathan Dean at Central
Church in Edinburgh on 21 March
2015. It was a very happy day.
Kerr Smith (2001)
Louise (Crush) and I married on 3
October 2014 at St Nicholas’ Church
in Prestwick followed by a reception at
the Western House Hotel in Ayr. We
are now enjoying marital bliss in our flat
close to Kelvinbridge.
Birth
Morna (Scott) Thorburn (2004)
Morna and Craig are delighted to
announce the birth of Emily Janet, born
on 8 April 2015.
(Left to right) Chris, Lydia, Emma and Harry
David WH Morris (1978)
I became engaged to Linda on 31 May
2014 and have moved to Wimblington
in Cambridgeshire. We hope to get
married during 2015.
Russell and Fiona Ballantine
Russell (2009) is now working full time
with a firm of electricians. Fiona (2014)
is currently at Strathclyde University
studying Computer Science.
Etcetera
William Biggart (1971)
Willie recently launched Spoonfed to
the USA market. Spoonfed provides
online catering software for caterers
and restaurants. The Livingston-based
company has a customer base across
the UK. Clients include high street
bakery chains, independent sandwich
retailers, outside catering businesses and
institutional caterers such as universities.
Wille left The Academy for Merchiston
in 1966. He co-founded Spoonfed with
his business partner, Murray McNicol in
2013.
Douglas Moreton Black (1974)
Updates
16
Kirsty and Jonathan
Douglas has relocated from Ottawa
to Doha, Qatar, taking up a new
appointment as a Senior Gynaecologist/
Obstetrician in the new Sidra Hospital
and Research Centre being built
there. He would be happy to meet any
Academicals living there.
Thomas Forrester (1956)
The committee of promotions and
tenure of St Louis University awarded
Thomas the title of professor emeritus
of physiology and pharmacology on 1
December 2006. He was also recently
included in the Oxford University
reference publication “Men of
Achievement”.
Brian Keighley (1966)
Congratulations to Dr Brian Keighley
(1966), former chair of the British
Medical Association, who was awarded
an MBE for services to Healthcare in the
2015 New Year Honours List.
Robert Low (1958)
Well-known Academical Bobby Low is
certainly keeping busy in his so-called
retirement. He is one of only five
Honorary Fellows of the Glasgow
Obstetrical & Gynaecological Society
– an honour conferred for his services
to Obstetrics and Gynaecology in
Scotland. He is the elected chairman of
the Ospreys Gynaecological Society, one
of the oldest such societies in the UK.
Bobby is also Chairman of Champagne
Piaff, a champagne house based in
Epernay France and he has an interest in
a wine company in the Western Cape
which produces exclusive red wine
under licence to the Moulin Rouge in
Paris. In addition Bobby is often seen –
while on grandson collection duty – at
Colebrooke Street!
Scott Massey (1989)
I relocated with my company
(Dimension Data) to California with
my wife Emma and son Eddie (3) and
now work in the heart of Silicon Valley,
about an hour south of San Francisco.
It would be great to hook up with any
Academicals in the area or if anyone is
passing through, please let me know.
I can be contacted on scott.massey@
outlook.com
Andrew Sleigh (1974)
Andrew joined Brechin Tindal Oatts,
Solicitors in Glasgow and Edinburgh
as a partner in the Corporate Team on
3 November 2014. BTO has many
connections with The Academy and is a
leading independent Scottish law firm.
He specialises in sports law and SME
corporate and commercial work.
children, helping bridge the ‘5-a-day’
gap.’
Sporting updates
Colin Gemmill (2009)
After leaving The Academy, Colin
spent four years at Abertay University,
graduating with honours in psychology
and sports studies. He then disappeared
to Slovenia for a year (where he lost
all his hair) and has now come back to
the UK where he has found himself a
job in Oxford as Community Rugby
Coach with London Welsh Rugby Club.
On his first day in the job he had the
‘honour’ to be the Club mascot! Isn’t it
great what an Academy education can do
for you!
Andrew Hosie (1996)
I saw Gareth William’s recent article
in Etcetera 24. It was kind of him to say
those things about my refereeing – who
knows what he would have said had
Toronto Scottish lost that game!
Thought you would be interested in the
attached picture of myself (1996) and
Johnnie Beattie (2004) in the Scotland
v USA Test Match that Gareth referred
to. Johnnie was No8 for Scotland and I
was the IRB TMO representing Rugby
Canada. I had two decisions in that
game (one for each side) but Johnnie’s
‘try’ in that game was so clearly not a try
that the French referee had no need to
call for my assistance! I was also lucky
enough to be selected to TMO for the
New Zealand All Blacks v USA match in
Chicago last November.
Question for Stewart McAslan: When was
the last time two GA 1st XV alumni were
‘capped’ in the same game? Gordon Reid
and Pat McArthur also played which made
for three Ayr RFC junior players appearing
during a test match. Was a great experience!
The two
faces of
Colin Ge
mmill
Andrew with Johnnie Beattie
Philip Tam (1990)
Dr Philip Tam (1990) and family, at the
Grand Final of the NRL competition
Nicole Weaver (1996)
Nicole is currently full time mummy
to her son, Brody, and loving every
moment. She says: ‘I’m planning a
summer wedding for 2016 after a very
romantic proposal from Gary whilst in
the throes of labour (talk about trying to
take my mind off it!). I also own a health
and nutrition company for adults and
PHOTO (Brody Weaver)
Etcetera
17
at Sydney Olympic Stadium. This
pitted the (Russell Crowe co-owned)
South Sydney Rabbitohs against the
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, with
Souths crushing the Dogs 30-6. Keen
league and union fans will be interested
to hear that this was billed as the ‘Battle
of Britain’, pitting English forwards
James Graham against Sam Burgess,
both from North England league
backgrounds. Burgess, who played the
entire game with a smashed face courtesy
of Graham’s head, went on to claim
‘man-of-the-match’, as well as League
World Player of the Year. He has just
moved to Union and Bath Rugby, and
has a chance of making the England
squad for RWC 2015.
Lesley Henderson (2009)
Lesley has just launched a new business
called The Rare Malt Whisky Company.
It focuses predominantly on the sale of
rare bottles of whisky; however, The
Rare Malt Whisky Company can also
host unique whisky tastings and whisky
pairings.
Branching out…
Katrina Mather (2003)
Philip Arnott (2002)
Health has always been a passion of mine
and, although I left Glasgow University
with a first in design engineering, I have
always felt a need to help others having
helped myself with my own health.
After leaving The Academy I did a
degree in Illustration. Since graduating in
2006 I have been fortunate to have been
kept busy – mainly on a self-employed
basis.
Last year the idea came to me to open
a health retreat in one of my favourite
parts of the world, the west coast
Scottish Highlands – and 12 months
later I’m delighted to share that the first
wellbeing retreat of its kind in Scotland
is now a reality.
My recent work includes a commission
in Noepoli, Basilicata, Italy to make
calendars of the local area for the
comune and the artists’ residency there.
The work was illustrated and designed
by myself. This was a great experience
for me as I had to travel down to the
bottom of Italy from Naples. It was an
untouched part of Italy with hardly any
commercial tourism. I will be going back
later this year to do a similar commission
for town called Greve in Chianti.
Apart from that, I have been doing
Illustration work for various whisky
companies, local councils and restaurants.
More of my work can be seen at www.
philiparnott.com
18
Etcetera
Lesley takes up the story: ‘It was a
series of events from leaving Glasgow
Academy that led me to where I am
today. After school, I was able to study at
my university of choice, The University
of Glasgow. Studying at Glasgow
meant I could keep my part-time job
at Glengoyne Distillery. I had been
working at Glengoyne for four years and
it was during this time that I realised I
would really love to develop a career in
the whisky industry. I graduated in June
2014 and it was in September/October
2014 that I decided I would like to
try and make my own start within the
whisky world. Over the past six months
I have been taking the necessary steps
regarding licensing for the business as
well as developing the branding and
having a website built. After much hard
work, the website launched on 9 April.
It can be viewed at the following address:
www.theraremaltwhiskycompany.co.uk
Slàinte Mhath!’
My approach is gentle and consists of
a nourishing juice cleanse, enjoyable
exercise in nature and coaching on
techniques to combat stress and negative
beliefs that may stand in the way of
achieving long-term results.
Since the launch in October, The Body
Toolkit has earned some incredible
testimonials and the combination of the
techniques I use and spending time in
the ‘outdoor capital of the UK’ appears
to be genuinely helping people. www.
thebodytoolkit.com
Duncan Tannahill (1973)
Former Pupil Duncan Tannahill (1973)
is celebrating his 60th birthday with
a series of daring challenges in aid of
Sense Scotland. Duncan, a Trustee for
the charity, which celebrates its 30th
anniversary this year, aims to raise up to
£60,000. He will undertake a 60-mile
walk blindfolded and with restricted
hearing, reflecting the origins of the
charity which originally supported
deafblind people and now supports
people with a range of communication
support needs. Duncan will also swim
Events and
Reunions
Just some of the delegates at our very
successful business breakfast held at The
Corinthian, Glasgow on 26 February.
The first Friday in March is the traditional date
for the Iain Muir Lunch – and this year was no
exception.
across Corryvreckan and spend a night
under canvas.
But it’s not just Duncan who’s taking
on the challenges – Sense Scotland are
inviting everyone to join in. For more
information visit: www.sensescotland.
org.uk/beduncan
As Duncan says: ‘Sense Scotland is
fantastic and my 60-mile walk and
other challenges will raise funds for the
hundreds of children, young people
and adults with communication support
needs. I can’t think of a better cause
to raise funds for during my 60th year
and, of course, Sense Scotland’s 30th
anniversary.’
The Saunders Centre
Westbourne
Appeal smashes
£25k target!
As we reported in our last edition, it was
announced last November that the new
Science and Technology Building will
be named in honour of Lt Col Francis
(Frank) Saunders MBE ERD.
The Saunders Centre will be a
wonderful addition to our sector-leading
facilities. It will also be a fitting tribute
to a remarkable man, who made a truly
remarkable gift.
We are delighted to update you
on the continued success of the
Westbourne Appeal. In recent
months even more generous gifts
have been made, so the appeal has
now raised £36,000 to name a
Chemistry laboratory and sponsor
some of its equipment. Thank you
so much to all of you who have
generously given.
Frank left The Academy in 1923 and
went on to become a successful chartered
civil engineer and see active service in
five countries during World War II. He
also became one of Stirling’s best-known
civic figures and the first person to be
given the freedom of the city.
*The appeal is now on course to raise around
£1.9m but will close this term at the end of
June. There is still time to name your seat
in the auditorium and one major naming
opportunity remains available.
The Westbourne Appeal will close
this term at the end of June; any
further donations will help to fund
more of the equipment for the
Westbourne Laboratory.
If you would like to support the
Westbourne Chemistry Laboratory
while there is still time, please
contact Mark on M.Taylor@tga.org.
uk / 0141 342 5494
Thank you very much again.
Frank remained interested in Glasgow
Academy throughout his life and
regularly visited the school until his
105th birthday. He died in 2013 aged
106 (the oldest man in Scotland at the
time). Just a few months earlier, Frank
had arranged to bequeath nearly all of his
estate (around £750,000) to our building
appeal*.
Frank wanted to give so generously (and
in a most tax-efficient way!) because he
knew his legacy would make a positive,
life-changing difference to many future
generations of Academy pupils.
Etcetera
19
Westbourne Section
Westbourne Class of
‘70 Reunion
In November of 2014, after many
emails flying worldwide, I managed
to collect together 14 Westbourne
Class of ‘70 and off we went to
Newcastle for two days. Our time
there was managed excellently by
Joan Nicklin (Robertson), who has
lived there for many years. We had
a walking tour of this beautiful city,
after a lovely lunch. In the evening
Joan had organised a delicious,
private dining experience in Hotel
du Vin. The following day we
travelled on the Metro to the coast,
where we had a beautiful walk on
the beach, coffee and of course a
little shopping! All in all, we had a
truly fantastic time!
It is always amazing what fun it is to
catch up with our oldest friends. A
great big ‘thank you’ goes to Sally
Jane (Lang) Charlesworth who came
all the way from Canada especially
for this.
Elaine M (Hall) Horner (1970)
20
Etcetera
Death
Helen Lynn Mitchell (Former
staff) 1951-2014
Mrs Mitchell was a member of
the Physical Education and Games
Department both at Westbourne School
and at The Academy. She taught at
Westbourne from 1976 until 1979,
leaving to bring up her sons Colin and
David. When she returned to teaching
she remained at Westbourne and then at
The Academy till 2012, except for a spell
when she was seconded as a Lecturer to
Jordanhill College.
At all times, Mrs Mitchell encouraged
the girls, and then also the boys, to
reach their full potential, whether as an
individual or as a team member. She was
at all times a helpful member of staff and
took an active part in all aspects of school
life.
She was a very good all-rounder in many
sports. She was Sports Champion at
Vale of Leven Academy when she was a
pupil, regularly winning Gold, Silver and
Bronze awards at the Scottish and British
School championships.
Helen Lynn Mitchell
(Former staff)
1951-2014
After school she was for many years a
member of Hillhead Ladies Hockey
team and was selected to play in
Canada for the Scottish team. Later she
concentrated on golf, being a member
of both Gleddoch and Clydebank clubs.
More recently she was in charge of
the Scorers at the Scottish Open Golf
Championship.
She had always enjoyed Art, and later
in life she attended Adult Life Classes at
Strathclyde University and discovered
she had a real talent in painting.
Lynn was a cheerful, positive person with
a great sense of humour. After a long
illness, which she fought with courage,
she died on 29 November 2014.
Awards and Honours
Eleanor (Wood) Bremner (1960)
a volunteer with Macmillan Cancer
Support, was awarded the BEM for
Services to Charity in the New Year’s
Honours list.
Updates
Company, London – in recognition of
her commitment to passing on her skills
and knowledge to college students and
providing opportunities for them both at
home and abroad.
Susan (Climie) Brimelow (1972)
Chief Inspector of Healthcare
Environment Inspectorate, was awarded
an OBE for Services to Patient Care and
Safety in the New Year’s Honours list.
Susanna (Curtis) Horts (1982)
was awarded the Prize for Culture of the
City of Nuremberg 2014, for her work
as Choreographer. The Prize honours
the work of individuals who have made
a significant contribution to the cultural
life of the city. Susanna is also very
involved in the Glasgow-Nuremberg
twinning.
Susanna (Curtis) Horts
Kate Richards (1980)
We congratulate Kate Richards on
her recent success in her election to
the Council of the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Kate
qualified as a vet from the Royal (Dick)
School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh
and has worked in veterinary practice,
the pharmaceutical industry and in
government in non-veterinary roles
as a Senior Civil Servant. She will use
this opportunity with the RCVS to
deploy her skills, breadth, and depth of
experience gained from a diverse career.
Kate is now concentrating on building
up her portfolio of non-executive
appointments.
Penelope Curtis
Penelope Curtis (1979)
Penelope Curtis, Director of
Tate Britain, has been appointed
Director of the Calouste
Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon.
The Telegraph’s arts critic, Richard
Dorment, noted that Penelope ‘did
more to change Tate Britain for the
better than any director since the
great Sir Nicholas Serota.’
Kate Mavor (1980)
Until recently head of the National
Trust for Scotland, Kate Mavor has
been appointed chief executive of
the new English Heritage charity.
Kate has been instrumental in
transforming the fortunes of NTS,
introducing a five-year-plan to
restore its financial stability and
giving it a new sense of commercial
focus.
Nicola Harle (1985)
My life seems to have gone round in a
circle – but in a positive way, I hasten to
add!
After joining Westbourne in P1 all
those years ago and meeting the friends
there that I still have today, I realise the
School gave me much more than just an
academic education.
I left in S5 to go on to Strathclyde
Uni to study Marketing and Modern
Languages and although my subsequent
jobs would take me to 35 countries
around the world and lead me to live in
the South of France, I never lost touch
with my original schoolie friends.
In September 2014, after almost 30
years, I came back to Glasgow however
and my daughter – who was born and
educated in France – entered TGA. I was
amazed at how easy it was to come back
and how well my daughter integrated,
but I wasn’t surprised. In fact with my
four original Westbourne friends in this
photo from the recent Ladies Lunch, we
have 12 children at the school so friends
were never far away for either of us.
I traded the sunshine and rosé wine by
the pool for the rain and coffee in Costa
but you know what? Nothing beats a
natter with good friends! Chatting about
our various escapades on the hockey field
or in the Latin class, and remembering
when classmates were summoned by
Miss Henderson for whatever reason are
among my favourite pastimes now – but
on saying that, I realise things haven’t
really changed that much!
We congratulate both Penelope and
Kate and wish them well, as they move
on to their prestigious new roles.
Anne (Graham) Turnbull (1972)
who works as a Senior Lecturer in
Jewellery at the Cardonald Campus of
Glasgow Clyde College was nominated
in the Jewellery Skills category at The
Creative and Cultural Skills Awards. A
prestigious selection of judges decided to
shortlist Anne – alongside well-known
industry-leading jewellers Brian Hill
and Peter Taylor of The Goldsmiths
Kate Mavor
Etcetera
21
Working for Vogue
While at school, Jennifer Cargey dreamed
of working for a magazine like Vogue.
Little did she think that a sixth year lecture
encouraging pupils to ‘go for it’ when it came
to writing to possible future employers would
help that dream become a reality.
My ambition had always been to work
on a fashion magazine. Between 2005
and 2008 I worked in the job I had
always dreamed of at Vogue House
in the West End of London. I was
Art Coordinator for Vogue Magazine,
published by Condé Nast Publications.
At school I particularly enjoyed
English and Art and photography and
these subjects definitely motivated my
interest in fashion. Whilst in sixth year,
I attended a lecture which helped me
structure my application to Vogue. I
wrote to the magazine in my third year
at Edinburgh Uni (I studied History of
Art) and felt fortunate to get a reply. I
was to contact the Editor’s PA to arrange
an interview for a work experience
placement. Thoughts of elation and
excitement were quickly replaced with
Two of the covers in the special edition Vogue
Covers book that Jennifer worked on during her
time at the magazine.
panic. What was I going to wear?
Entering the revolving doors of Vogue
House for my interview that day is still
a vivid memory. Armed with Edinburgh
University course work and in three
inch heels, I was met from the lift by
the tallest lady I had ever seen, she was
wearing flats. She was also wearing a
sequin-encrusted, union jack t-shirt. This
was the year 2000 and the Spice Girls’
influence was everywhere.
I was lucky enough to be offered the
placement in the fashion department for
September 2001. It was an incredible
experience. It’s true: there is a cupboard
with the most amazing clothes and
accessories inside. It was very special and
I felt incredibly lucky to be there. I was
immersed into the fashion world, taken
to my first fashion show and on a Mario
Testino shoot.
Following the work experience, it wasn’t
until 2005 that I was to be employed
by Vogue as their Art Coordinator. The
placement in the fashion department
at Vogue was invaluable and definitely
helped me get the job.
My first job after the work
experience placement was in a fashion
photographers’ agency around the corner
from Vogue House. I was there for one
year and, as a junior, I learned the basics
in photographic shoot production. One
of the photographers on the books
there was Bryan Adams. Although
better known as a pop artist, he is also a
talented photographer. I was pretty star
struck when my boss took me to a shoot
Jennifer (centre) and the team at Vogue
at his home and the multi-platinum
selling recording artist answered the
door. It was definitely an exciting start to
working in London.
From there, and after a stint in the
syndication department of Condé
Nast, I progressed to the role of Art
Coordinator at Vogue. The job was
everything I hoped it would be: exciting,
busy and varied. It involved liaising with
internationally-renowned photographers
such as Patrick Demarchelier and David
Bailey and coordinating all photographic
material for the magazine. I especially
enjoyed sourcing pictures from the vast
Condé Nast archive (in the basement of
Vogue House) for the editorial features.
The nerve wracking Tuesday morning
‘visual’s meeting’ took place in my
department with the editor, Alexandra
Shulman, in attendance. One of
the purposes of the meeting was to
discuss what stage the photographs for
forthcoming issues of the magazine were
at (we worked three months in advance),
and it was up to me to let the editor
know.
My job also included being the PA to the
Creative Director at that time, Robin
Derrick. I worked with him on his
own photographic projects; I did model
casting, photo shoot production and had
a great time setting up the exhibition in
Paris.
Working for Vogue was certainly a lot
of fun and has been the highlight of my
career so far. I attended fashion shoots
and shows, worked on the special edition
Vogue Covers book, and met many
talented and creative people
from the fashion world.
Vogue celebrated its 90th
birthday whilst I was there
and I worked with the art
department on a three-page
cover which included 90
Vogue covers, for the 90th
edition of Vogue (December
2006). I won’t forget the
cake, or the party!
Life is different now as I
write this from my new ‘job’,
bringing up my two young
daughters. I look forward
to showing them Mummy’s
name in Vogue one day.
Jennifer (Cargey) Stubbs
(1997)
22
Etcetera
Memories of the Great War
Gully Ravine – Gallipoli 1915
Gallipoli is usually portrayed as an
ANZAC Campaign, but the losses
sustained by the Scottish 52nd (Lowland)
Division were enormous and – at times
– overlooked by history. The Gallipoli
Campaign had a massive impact on the
Glasgow Academy – particularly those
serving with the 156th Brigade 7/8th
Cameronians, The Scottish Rifles.
The Academical relationship with The
Rifles goes back to the very birth of
the Club in 1866. Our first President,
H E Crum-Ewing, was an officer with
the First Lanarkshire Volunteer Rifles.
The Rifles shared their drill ground
at Burnbank with Accies when the
Club was formed. It was a ground
that was to become famous in the
early days of cricket, rugby and soccer
and provided Rangers with a home
en-route to Kinning Park. In 1872 Lt
Col Crum-Ewing helped form Third
Lanark (Volunteer Rifles) FC – a club
that survived until 1967. The Volunteer
Rifles became The Scottish Rifles in
1881 and it was for this Regiment that
many Glasgow Accies ‘signed up’ in
1914.
The most concentrated loss of life for
Glasgow Accies was not on the Western
Front but at Gallipoli. A year before
the Battle of the Somme on 28 June
1915 an action took place known as
Gully Ravine. On that day, eight Accies
fell fighting with The Cameronians
as they faced the Turks and they are
photographed here.
A summary of the action does not make
for pleasant reading:
In the ravine the 1st Battalion, Border
Regiment did not advance as far as those
troops on the spur since Ottomans there
were somewhat sheltered from the deadly
bombardment from the sea. Their final
position was fortified with rocks and boulders
and became known as ‘Border Barricade’.
On the right of the advance, along Fir Tree
Spur, the battle did not go so well for the
British. The inexperienced soldiers of the
156th Brigade lacked artillery support and
were massacred by Ottoman machine guns
and bayonet attacks. Despite the opposition,
they were ordered to press the attack and
so the support and reserve lines were sent
forward but made no progress. By the time
the attack was halted, the Brigade was at half
strength, having suffered 1400 casualties of
which 800 had been killed. Some battalions
were so depleted they had to be merged into
composite formations. When the rest of the
52nd Division landed, the commander, Major
General Granville Egerton, was enraged at
the manner in which his 156th Brigade had
been sacrificed.
When the Accies played their final
match of the season on 28 March 1914,
they little knew that by 1918 eight of
the team would have made the ultimate
sacrifice and six had sustained terrible
injuries. Only one of the team got
through unscathed. Three of that team –
Eric Young capped for Scotland,Tommy
Stout and Archie Templeton – fell at
Gully Ravine. They had played together,
signed on together and died together.
A relationship that had started with our
first President and flourished on a pitch
to the side of Great Western Road had
reached the final whistle.
Hugh Barrow (1962)
Etcetera
23
As part of their history studies, some of our P7 pupils entered the Legion Scotland Primary School Competition, the aim
of which was for children to learn about the sacrifices made by men, women and children during World War 1 and the
effect that the War had on families in their local communities. Their submission on the Galbraith family of Colebrooke
Terrace was one of the finalists in the competition. Here’s what they wrote:
The Galbraith Legacy
Introduction
The Galbraith family
It is well-documented that many brave
Scottish men went off to fight in WW1;
what is less well-known is that six of
these men were not only a family of
courageous brothers but that they also
grew up in a house which now forms
part of the Glasgow Academy Prep
School. Our school! Can you believe it?
Squashed into one small house in 3
Colebrooke Terrace, the Galbraith family
grew rapidly. Firstly, Walter and Thomas
came along, then to them were added:
William, David, Norman, Robert,
Alexander and finally a daughter Annie.
William and Annie Galbraith were the
busy parents of these eight children;
luckily with the help from three servants
– Jane Cox, Annie McDonald and
Maggie Davidson, they kept them under
control!
Of the six Galbraith brothers who went
off to war, only three returned. Imagine
how distraught their parents must have
been: they may have wept in the very
place where we now learn about WW1.
Perhaps the house itself still mourns the
loss of such a remarkable family? Or
instead it possibly takes strength from
seeing generations of children being
educated about its history.
Read on to discover more about the Galbraith
family…
24
Etcetera
William (senior) had gone to Glasgow
Academy as a pupil and was obviously
hopeful that his sons would follow in his
footsteps; all his boys were duly enrolled
in the school between 1895 and 1911.
With the outbreak of war, six of the
Galbraith boys ‘joined up’. Alexander
was too young, but he fought with the
Sutherland Highlanders in the Second
World War.
What they did in the war
One of the brothers, Thomas, joined the
Royal Navy. He served as a Lieutenant
on the battleship of HMS Audacious
and also Lieutenant Commander on
the HMS Queen Elizabeth. Another
brother, Walter, was a Captain in the
Royal Army Medical Corps and served
in France and Italy between 1915 and
1918. A third brother, Robert, was
a Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison
Artillery in France before unfortunately
being gassed in September 1918.
All three survived the war
The other three brothers – William,
David and Norman – all joined the
7th Battalion of the Highland Light
Infantry...
Gallipoli and deaths
During the war, William, David and Norman Galbraith were
shipped to Gallipoli in Turkey. Arriving on 7 June 1915, they
were immediately taken to a rest trench. But these were no
ordinary trenches, they were hot and dry. As part of the 7th
Blythswood Battalion, after five days they were taken to the
Front Line. Fighting on scorched sand it took just one month
for William Galbraith to be killed in action after receiving
nasty, then eventually fatal, wounds. Only one month and
eight days later, David’s time was up – sniped in Gallipoli at
only 21 years old. The luckier of the two, Norman, survived
for another few years before finally being transferred to France;
tragically, though, he was killed three months before the war
ended in August 1918.
Even though they died around 100 years ago, their legacy will
be remembered forever. Particularly by the children of the
Glasgow Academy; possibly also by the house at number 3
Colebrooke Terrace.
17th. HLI
26 September 1916
My Dear Wee Willie Boy
How are you getting on at school? Alex says that you are making a
good inside three-quarter at rugby. Keep it up old man and you will be
in the first XV alright. I got Margaret’s letter dated 19th and mother’s
dated 20th. The parcel containing the body shield came the day we
were coming into the trenches so I didn’t bring it up.
This morning there was a tremendous strafe starting at 4am. The
sky was quite light with the flashes and we could not hear ourselves
speaking for the roar of explosives and M.G. and rifles. I was struck
on the arm and back with only a glancing blow unfortunately or I
might have been coming back by now. Shrapnel was flying about all
over the place so that there was always ping ping ping past your ear. It
was simply great sport but we were glad when it was finished.
I am going to B--- for eight days rest now so I’ll be alright when you
get this letter.
Your loving big brother
Alec
Letters from the trenches
… and from home
On 26 September and 26 October 1916,
Alex Murray wrote the following letters
from the trenches on the Somme to his
youngest brother, Willie, aged nine.
After leaving the Academy, Alex was
commissioned in the HLI and was killed
on the Somme on 18 November 1916 –
less than a month after he had written his
second letter. At 18, he is the youngest
soldier buried in the small cemetery in a
French field near where he died. I also
enclose a photograph of this cemetery
which is one of a number scattered about
the Somme near Beaumont Hamel.
Willie was JWR Murray, who became
captain of school and rugby. He played
for Glasgow and got his blue for cricket
and rugby at Glasgow University. Until
his death, he was Treasurer of the
Academicals and auditor of the War
Memorial Trust.
Annie Galbraith’s letter to her son, Walter, written on 12
November 1918, the day after the Armistice.
Sandy Ferguson (1946)
Etcetera
25
Obituaries
John N Anderson (1941)
1 June 1924 – 10 February 2015
A Duncan Baillie (1950)
Ian (as he was known) was born in
Helensburgh. The family moved to
Lenzie when he was a toddler and
he attended the local schools there
before moving to Glasgow Academy to
complete his secondary education.
28 December 1931 – 14 December 2014
Name your
SciTech seat!
As can be seen from the images,
the Watson Auditorium is nearing
completion.
Soon the 178 seats will be in situ.
70% of the seats have now been
generously sponsored by pupils,
parents and staff (past and present).
Seats in the auditorium can be
named for as little as £10 a month
with gift aid, over 4 years.
If you would like to have
your own seat in this stunning
auditorium, please contact
Mark on
M.Taylor@tga.org.uk
0141 342 5494
Apprenticed at the Glasgow firm of
Wilson Stirling, Ian was exam-qualified
in 1946 and became an ICAS member
in 1948. Three years later he joined
Glasgow-based Thomson McLintock
(now part of KPMG). He became a
full partner there in 1958 and, over the
course of a long and distinguished career,
established himself as an outstanding
archetypal Scottish accountant eminent
in the field of mergers and consolidation.
Ian retired in 1986 at the age of 62
though he continued to work as a
consultant for some time.
The gold standards of conduct and
working practices which Ian set himself
were also of great benefit to the world
of performing arts in his spare time and
in retirement; he trained his accountant’s
eye on the finances of leading
organisations such as Scottish Opera and
the Royal Scottish Academy of Music
and Drama. He joined the Board of
Governors at RSAMD and was awarded
a fellowship there in 1993.
In later life Ian and his late wife, Moira,
split their time between their apartment
in the West End and their cottage in
Kinloch Rannoch. He is survived by
26
Etcetera
his Academical sons John (1979) and
Douglas (1980) and grandchildren Ross,
Ellen and Jamie.
Alexander Duncan Baillie (known as
Duncan) was born in Mosspark and
attended Glasgow Academy between
1943 and 1950. There he won prizes in
Science, Latin and General Knowledge.
He was a Sergeant in the Cadet Corps
and a House Monitor during his later
years at Colebrooke Street.
Duncan gained a place to study
Veterinary Science at Glasgow University
and was admitted to the Royal College
of Veterinary Surgeons in 1956. He was
initially employed as a Veterinary Officer
in Skipton, Yorkshire before relocating
to Bridgend in South Wales. In 1971
Duncan returned to his native Scotland
with his family (wife Seona, daughters
Margo and Sandra and son Stuart) to
the Clyde Valley where he took up a
position as a Veterinary Officer with the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Apart from a period in private practice
with Watson & Law in Lanark, Duncan
continued working for MAFF (moving
to Pentland House in Edinburgh in
1987) until his retirement in 1991.
Duncan and Seona moved from Lanark
to Symington in 1987 and became fully
involved in the community. Duncan
was active with Meals on Wheels and in
raising funds for RNLI. Sadly Seona was
diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004
and died that year. Last June, Duncan
suffered a stroke and was left without
mobility on one side and little speech.
He died peacefully, at Greenhills Care
Home, Biggar, in December.
Duncan was a great family man and will
be very much missed not just by his
family but also by his many friends. He is
survived by his children Margo, Sandra
and Stuart, and eight grandchildren.
Philip Beattie (Academy Staff
1962-71)
We were greatly saddened last October
to learn of the sudden death of Philip
Beattie, while on holiday with Ruth
in Turkey. Born in the early months
of WWII in the Borders, he returned
to Surrey after the war, became head
boy of Whitgift School, Croydon,
Dance Society, including visits to
Commonwealth countries. Beyond
school and family, much of Philip’s life
was centred on Wellington Church
where he became an elder at the
unusually early age of 27. For fifty years
he was an integral part of that Christian
community, leading in many aspects
of its work and outreach: Questions of
Faith group, Crypt Cafe for students,
Cosy Cafe at Hillhead High School,
evening services shared with other local
churches. He was greatly valued for his
commitment, his self-effacing nature, his
enquiring mind and his deep faith.
moved on to St John’s College, Oxford,
and at that time met Ruth, whom
he married in 1962 shortly before his
first appointment to teach French and
German at The Academy. When Philip
left, the Chronicle reported: ‘(He) served
in so many capacities in the Academy
that his presence will be missed not only
in the classroom, where his sympathetic
treatment succeeded in encouraging all
levels of pupils, ...’
From the start he threw himself
wholeheartedly into Academy life.
Philip’s soft voice, gentle nature and
sociability helped to endear him to
colleagues without making him an
easy push-over in the classroom.
An accomplished stand-off half and
all-round cricketer, he coached rugby
and cricket, played for Accies XVs and
XIs and was an able opening bat in the
Masters’ XI. His stage work was often
behind the scenes but he readily joined
in choral work and sang for many years
with Bearsden Burgh Choir. He took
responsibility for various aspects of CCF
work, sharing the rigours of arduous
training. He ran the Junior Fellowship
on a varied programme of film-strips
and discussion and many are indebted to
him for this and other expressions of his
Christian convictions. He accompanied
various parties on trips abroad and,
typically, honoured an arrangement to
share leadership of a youth-hostelling
party to Rhine, Eifel and Mosel after
he left at Christmas 1971 to become
Head of Modern Languages at Dalziel
High School, Motherwell, subsequently
at Woodside School, Glasgow, before
semi-retirement at Hutchesons’.
More recently Philip was happy to
support Ruth in her duties as Chairman
of the Royal Scottish Country
A large congregation attended a
Thanksgiving service at Wellington and
later a memorial concert, at both of
which his family (Kenneth, Judith and
two grandchildren) displayed impressive
musical skills. We commend Ruth to the
love and support of friends, who will
greatly miss Philip’s genial presence.
Graham Little
R Alexander S Brown (1945)
The 1970s local government
reorganisation led Sandy to give up
private practice and he became a reporter
to the Children’s Panel. He then joined
the Procurator Fiscal Service as a depute
in Glasgow and later Paisley. In 1977,
Sandy became the Procurator Fiscal at
Cupar, Fife, where he remained until his
retirement in 1991.
On retiring, Sandy and his wife, Mollie,
(they met through Glasgow University’s
Cecilian Society) moved to give them
easier access to Glasgow, where they
were season ticket holders at Scottish
Opera’s Theatre Royal, and Edinburgh,
where they regularly attended festival
events.
Sandy was pre-deceased by his wife and
is survived by his son Ralph.
Dr William Robertson (Rob)
Chatfield (1957)
19 September 1939 – 20 January 2015
Rob Chatfield was one of Glasgow’s
most highly-respected doctors. He
was the younger of two brothers
6 June 1927 – 30 January 2015
Ralph Alexander Stark Brown (known
as Sandy) was born the youngest of three
children in Clarkston. While at The
Academy (1935-45), he started studying
classical music and wrote a piece that his
teacher suggested be performed by the
school choir. His teacher also suggested
Sandy should conduct; it was the start of
a long career as a conductor.
During his national service, his
enthusiasm for music was in evidence as
he played in, and later conducted, the
Royal Marines’ Band. After his military
service, Sandy enrolled at Glasgow
University – where he obtained MA and
LLB degrees – and then joined the family
legal firm of Brown, Mair, Gemmell and
Hislop. During his time there, he kept
up his musical interests, conducting the
Glasgow Teachers’ Orchestra as well as
productions by Theatre Guild Amateur
Musicals.
who attended Glasgow Academy and
an outstanding swimmer; he played
water polo for the Arlington Baths and
gained a water polo blue at university.
As a rugby player of distinction, he
represented the 1st XV with colours
for his last two school years, forming
a dazzling half-back partnership with
Kenny MacCrossan. After school he
represented Accies and Glasgow for six
years in the inter-district Championship,
three at scrum-half and a further three
at wing-forward. In the view of a
Etcetera
27
schoolmate he was ‘the best turned-out
cadet ever’. He was promoted RSM of
the CCF and later joined the TA. His
stage career was perhaps modest but
he appeared for the Globe Players and
in school pantomimes, albeit his finest
thespian role was as one (well nourished)
in-utero twin in the Queen Mother’s
Hospital pantomime of 1969.
Graduating MB ChB from Glasgow
University in 1964, Rob chose to
specialise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Most of his career was in Glasgow where
he became Consultant Obstetrician and
Gynaecologist in the Queen Mother’s
Hospital and the Western Infirmary,
and Honorary Senior Lecturer in the
Medical School. He spent two formative
spells abroad: a year in Kenya when his
home university helped to establish the
new medical school in Nairobi, and a
subsequent spell as Senior Lecturer in
Christchurch, New Zealand. He became
an outstanding authority, teacher and
practitioner of his subject. Countless
students and trainees benefited from his
enthusiastic instruction and mentoring,
but few could match his delightful
approach to the care of his patients and
his skill in labour ward and operating
theatre.
The best measure of a doctor’s clinical
excellence is the extent to which
colleagues seek his or her assistance in
the care of themselves and their families.
Rob was regularly first choice to look
after colleagues and their wives as well
as midwifery and nursing staff. He made
significant contributions in research and
gained his higher degree (MD) for novel
studies in the diagnosis of endometrial
cancer. A Fellow of the Royal College
of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and
of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of
both Glasgow and Edinburgh, he was an
enthusiastic member of the prestigious
Gynaecological Club of Great Britain
and Ireland.
Happily married to Mary (MacArthur)
for 51 years, he was a devoted father to
Guy, Simon and Louise. Rob will be
remembered for his cheerful disposition,
his sporting prowess and his wonderful
care of countless patients and colleagues.
A former President of the Academical
Club and a Governor of the Academy,
Rob was a man of whom his school
and those associated with it can be very
proud.
Andrew A Calder (1962)
28
Etcetera
Peter M Gemmill (1948)
27 November 1930 – 21 February 2015
Peter MacRobert Gemmill was a pupil
at Glasgow Academy from 1937 to 1948.
While at school he won class and Latin
prizes, excelled at sprinting and was a
member of the golf team. On leaving
The Academy he joined the Commerical
Bank before being called up for National
Service – most of which he served in
rather peaceful Devizes!
could appear and cast the winning vote
at the crucial moment.
Aside from running a busy law practice
and the city council – with a very fragile
majority – Peter always made time for
family holidays; many happy vacations
were spent across different parts of the
Mediterranean. Later he and his wife,
Betty, would enjoy several trips to the
USA. He also enjoyed playing golf,
but only in fine weather – and he was
one of the least competitive members
at Killermont. His generally happy
retirement began in 1995. A period of
illness did lead to Peter spending his
last few years at Buchanan House Care
Home (Bearsden) but he was very settled
there, regularly visiting and being visited
by Betty and the rest of the family.
Peter died, unexpectedly but peacefully,
in his sleep. He is survived by Betty,
children Anne and Tommy (1976), and
four grandchildren. A lovely man who
will be sadly missed.
John Guthrie (1945)
24 January 1932 – 25 June 2014
He returned to Glasgow having
resolved to study law, which he did as
an apprentice with Ramsay, Menzies
& Wilson. He then became the fourth
generation of the family to practise
with Carruthers Gemmill, which was
established by his great-grandfather in
1870 and has been based at 81 Bath
Street since 1920. Peter became a partner
of the firm in 1955 and later served as
managing partner for many years. He was
known for his quiet air of authority and
all his clients, which included the Express
Newspaper group, greatly appreciated his
calm, solid support in tough times.
In the 1960s, Peter joined the
Progressives and became an elected
member of the Corporation as councillor
for Partick and Broomhill. He became
leader of the party and went on to be
the last Progressive Leader of Glasgow
between 1969 and 1971. Defeating
Labour with virtually no majority was
no mean task. It often involved ferrying
seriously ill councillors to the chamber
from across the West of Scotland
and even, on one famous occasion,
concealing a Tory Councillor in the
fireplace of the City Chambers, so he
John attended Glasgow Academy from
1937 until 1945 and, after four years
at Glenalmond, he completed a BSc
in engineering at Glasgow University.
He then qualified as a Chartered
Accountant.
During his student years he played for
Accies 1st XV, and along with his late
brother, Peter, was a member of the
Championship winning team of 1955.
All three brothers played in the XV in
subsequent years.
Later, while working in London, he
played for London Scottish First XV
and then for Gosforth RFC while
working in Newcastle. Thereafter he
moved to Woodbridge in Suffolk where
he worked for more than thirty years
and subsequently enjoyed many years
of retirement with time to pursue his
interest in sailing and in music.
He is survived by his son, two daughters
and seven grandchildren.
Ian D Haddow (1943)
12 August 1924 – 17 December 2014
Ian died, aged 91, at his home on
Vancouver Island. He and I, with
Ramsay Dykes and Percy Brazil (in
different years at school) lived beside
J Ronald I’anson (1954)
11 August 1938 – 23 August 2014
John was brought up in Clarkston. He
was a pupil at Glasgow Academy from
1948 to ‘54 and went on to study for a
BSc in Maths and Physics at Glasgow
University. He then qualified as a
Maths teacher and joined the staff at
Shawlands Academy before going on
to become Principal Teacher of Maths
at Kilmarnock Academy. He retired in
2003. Despite suffering a stroke in 2005,
Ronald battled on to enjoy a full and
happy retirement for many years with his
wife, Elizabeth.
Maxwell Park and used to meet at
Nithsdale Cross, whence the No 1 tram
took us to its other terminus, a short
walk from the Academy. We maintained
contact throughout our lives – and, with
the advent of email, increasingly swapped
our latest jazz enthusiasms.
Ian graduated from what is now
Strathclyde University and did his war
service as an Engineer Officer in the
Fleet Air Arm at various UK airfields
including Abbotsinch (now Glasgow
Airport). Post-war he joined Texaco
in Montreal and 10 years later took a
senior job with one of their suppliers.
In 1959 he contracted tuberculosis and
spent a year in a Canadian sanatorium.
By now he was married and had three
children. His father persuaded him to
return to Scotland to develop the family
confectionery business which culminated
in its successful sale and his father’s
retirement.
His heart being in Canada, Ian returned,
this time to Toronto, to head the
Canadian operations of an American
sweets company until 1979 when he
started his own business. In 1982 this was
hit by recession and Ian was bankrupt.
A high-quality chocolate company in
Vancouver Island sought a President and
he was appointed, making his final home
in Victoria whence he and I explored
the magnificent scenery in Ian’s 34ft
powerboat, Kestrel.
At the turn of the century, Ramsay died
in Glasgow. Dr Percy – retired to New
England from his New York practice
– and I near London, remain in touch
– testament to a fraternity born of the
Academy in a different age.
Donald MacLean
Ronald died peacefully, at Hairmyres
Hospital. He is survived by Elizabeth,
sons Mark and Paul and four
grandchildren.
R Finlay Lochhead (1935)
10 June 1917 – 27 November 2014
Finlay Lochhead attended The Academy
from 1928-35 and had an extraordinary
life. Aged 8 he had lived in Switzerland,
Hungary and Bratislava and spoke three
languages. From 11 he attended The
Academy, travelling ALONE to his
parents’ home in Czechoslovakia from
his grandparents’ home in Pollokshields
every summer.
Finlay completed his CA exams and
joined James Scott Electrical. Promoted
constantly, he became Finance Director
overseeing significant diversification as
electricity transformed industry. As MD
he expanded the company throughout
the UK and into France, Israel and with
a massive contract in Iran. He clearly saw
the future of electronics and had one of
the first laptop computers and constantly
moved the company towards electronics.
In 1973, as Chairman, he realised
scale was essential for the ever-larger
international contracts and negotiated a
merger with William Press and then in
1980 facilitated a takeover by AMEC.
Finlay helped many voluntary
organisations in many different capacities,
including being Treasurer of his church,
Glasgow Scouting, Probus, Rotary,
Governor of Langside College, driver
for disabled etc. But most work – and
most fun – was as Secretary of Wengen
Curling Club when 60 friends would
enjoy two weeks outdoor curling in
the most beautiful setting, not far from
where he was born. Finlay was also a
loyal supporter of The Academy and a
regular attender at the October Reunion
and Gasbags Lunch.
Finlay died peacefully at the Victoria
Infirmary after a short illness. He is
survived by his wife, Rona, daughters
Elspeth, Alison and Hilda, and two
grandchildren.
Douglas Kinnaird
David T Reid (1944)
9 November 1926 – 23 November 2014
He won English, Maths and Physics
prizes and left Colebrooke Street to
study accountancy. Called up for war
service two weeks before his final exams,
he was commissioned into the HLI.
The army eventually realised his foreign
experience and languages might be
valuable and he spent time in Ceylon,
Jaffa and, in 1945, was behind the lines
across some of the most sensitive Eastern
European borders.
David Tindal Reid was born in Glasgow
and after a few years with his family in
Bombay, where his father was minister
of the Presbyterian Church, he returned
to Scotland in 1930. David attended
Greenock Academy before enrolling at
Glasgow Academy in 1936. All five Reid
brothers attended The Academy in the
1930s and 1940s.
On leaving school, David served as
an officer in the Indian Army Baluch
Regiment (1944–46) before going on to
study at Oxford (BA Hons, 1950) and
St Andrews (BD, 1953), where he was
awarded the divinity medal.
David joined the Iona Community in
1953 and laboured for the craftsmen
who were rebuilding the abbey cloisters.
Etcetera
29
He was then ‘apprenticed’ to Hugh
Douglas at St Mary’s, Dundee and
on being ordained was appointed to
Castlemilk East, Glasgow, in 1955.
Eight years later, David moved to
Erskine Church, Falkirk, where he also
became a part-time lecturer in religious
education at Callendar Park College.
In 1969 he became associate minister at
St Cuthbert’s, Lothian Road. This led
to him serving as chaplain to two large
West End stores and consultant to the
Cornerstone. He also presented religious
programmes for primary schools for
BBC Radio Scotland. Later, he became
chairman of STV’s Religious Advisory
Committee, on which he served for
ten years. In 1973 David was called
to Helensburgh Old and St Andrew’s
Church and in 1985 he moved to the
rural, linked parishes of Cleish and
Fossoway in Kinross-shire. He continued
his ministry in retirement, conducting
services regularly at Tenandry, near
Pitlochry.
One of five close brothers, David
was a devoted family man. He was
pre-deceased by his first wife, Pamela,
and is survived by his wife, Isobel, two
daughters, a son and four grandchildren.
T Alan Smith (1955)
23 June 1938 – 1 March 2015
Thomas Alan Smith – Alan, ‘TAS’
or ‘Smithy’ to a multitude of friends
and colleagues – was the elder son of
Leslie and Anne Smith and lived in the
Whitecraigs and Newton Mearns area of
Glasgow throughout his life. He started
his education at Belmont House School
and then went to Glasgow Academy, as
did his father before him and his brother,
Ian, after him. Alan was the first to admit
that his academic and sporting prowess at
the Academy was less than distinguished
but he entered enthusiastically into all
aspects of school life and his boundless
energy and irrepressible personality
flowered to become the hallmarks of his
later life.
Alan started his career with stockbrokers
Andrew Gibson & Co, who were
headed by his father. In due course, Ian
joined them. During his training, Alan
spent a year widening his experience
with Campbell Neill, before returning
to the family firm where he built up
an excellent personal clientele. The
1960s saw a number of amalgamations
30
Etcetera
in stockbroking and in 1969 Andrew
Gibson joined forces with Campbell
Neill. In 1972, the Scottish Stock
Exchange was established, merging
Glasgow, Edinburgh and other
Exchanges in Scotland into one trading
floor. The emergent firm of Campbell
Neill was large enough for the partners
to assume individual responsibilities in
the organisation, as well as looking after
their clients and Alan’s role was the
running of the office. While he could
be a hard task-master, Alan’s personal
interest in, and care for, his colleagues,
and his fierce loyalty to those who
served him when times were difficult,
engendered the greatest respect and
affection. These qualities served the
firm well during the dramatic expansion
of the ensuing decade, when branches
were opened in Edinburgh, Perth and
Inverness.
Perhaps the climax of Alan’s career
was his involvement in the successful
development of a shared dealing facility
on the London trading floor. This was
in anticipation of ‘Big Bang’ in 1986
and led in turn to the acquisition of
Campbell Neill by Hoare Govett, a
leading London investment house. There
followed a chain of further transactions,
involving changing ownership by then
household names such as British and
Commonwealth, Tilney in Liverpool,
Charterhouse Bank and Royal Bank. All
of this Alan took in his stride with, at
one point, Campbell Neill operating as
the office for multiple organisations with
a staff of around 150. Notwithstanding
these pressures, Alan’s dedication and
attention to his clients was unwavering.
However, it was a welcome relief when,
with the arrival of Tilney in 1990,
Alan’s administrative responsibilities
were gradually but significantly reduced.
Alan also served on the committee of
the Scottish Stock Exchange and he
was actively involved in the overall
direction of the Tilney Group. To
summarise Alan’s business career: he
served his partners and owners tirelessly
in administration; but his passion was
looking after his clients for whom
nothing was too much trouble and for
whom he gave a truly personal service
until his retiral in June, 2000.
Surprisingly for such an extrovert
personality, Alan courteously shunned
leadership of voluntary organisations and
charities, preferring to work energetically
on committee and as a trustee. Never
imprudent but generous to a fault, there
are many in Glasgow and Scotland who
owe Alan a debt of gratitude.
The story of Alan Smith’s life would be
far from complete without a mention of
the personal side. In 1966 he married the
love of his life, Audrey Scott, who for
nearly 49 years was his steadfast rock and
safe haven from the trials and tribulations
of life. Alan’s happiness was complete
when, first, daughter Julie Emma arrived
and then son Andrew. Happily, in his
last months, his daughter-in-law, Fiona,
presented him with a grandson, Henry,
of whom he was so proud and whom he
adored.
Alan Smith loved life, working hard
and playing hard and in so doing he
gained the trust, respect and affection
of all those who were lucky enough to
come into contact with him. With Alan’s
passing a light has gone out in countless
lives, but there is laughter in heaven.
JB Park
W Kenneth (Ken) Waine (Former
staff 1958-88)
7 March 1924 – 2 April 2015
Ken, a former Senior Master, Head of
PE and former President of the Glasgow
Academical Club died peacefully, at
home in his 92nd year. A beloved
husband of Elspeth, loving father,
grandfather and great-grandfather to the
family and friend to many, Ken will be
sadly missed by all who knew him.
A full tribute to Ken will appear in
the next edition of Etcetera. Former
colleagues, friends and those he taught
are respectfully invited to submit their
reminiscences and memories for that
edition.
Picture Post
Dear Malcolm
Where did poor Mary lose her head?
Dear Editor
In the Spring Edition of Etcetera, I saw
advertised ‘Mary Queen of Scots and her
Escapes’ by A E MacRobert, which I
purchased and read.
In ‘The Greatest Love Stories of all
time’ by Megan Gressor & Kerry Cook,
it states that Mary Queen of Scots was
beheaded at Fotheringay Castle in 1587.
A E MacRobert in his book states that
Mary fled to London after The Battle of
Langside, and was beheaded there by order of the Protestant
Queen Elizabeth. My instinct is to believe A E MacRobert’s
scholarly account.
Who knows the true story? Anyone like
to comment ?
John Crombie (1942)
Dear Editor
I was driving home from a weekend
away and came across this! So many
amazing memories from CCF – sorry to
see it closed now but the memories will
never die.
Boarded the bus on the way, full of
nerves and trepidation. Boarded the bus
on the way back – absolutely black with
cam cream and full of happy memories
with amazing friends.
Nicole Weaver (1996)
Many thanks for the safe arrival of
Etcetera Winter 2014. I enjoyed the
wisdom of Jimmy Murray with whom
I have enjoyed a frequent and brisk
communication since making contact
early in the year through you and
Etcetera.
The photo of Prefects 1953-54 (below)
is easy as I was one of them. On 14
June 1954 we had a Prefects’ dinner at
Buchanan Arms (looking a bit shabby
when we were there recently in your
‘summer’) and I have all their signatures.
Shearer was not at the dinner nor was
the only one missing from the photo,
Colin Colquhoun. The last has been
a mystery to all of us for no one has
heard of him since 1954. Colin (C M)
was a brilliant athlete, rugby player and
cricketer – as was his older brother, Ian.
I still keep in close touch with the
Cannon twins especially Roger with
whom I did medicine in Glasgow.
Ronnie Maclean did medicine in St
Andrews.
May I wish you a safe and healthy 2015?
Kerr Chatfield (1954)
Back row: (l to r) Kerr Chatfield, Roger Cannon,
T M Hunter, Robert Lightbody, Colin McCallien, ?
Shearer, Ronnie Maclean.
Seated: (l to r) Henrik Graham, Chris Hird, Bob
Maclennan, Allan Alstead, The Rector, Ian Guthrie,
Alan Cannon, Douglas Mitchell, Keith Dunn.
Etcetera
31