File - Robert Gordon`s College

Issue 15 Spring 2012
In this issue:
iGnite mentoring scheme
Sports reports
FPs plan 55 year reunion
2
The Pelican | Spring 2012
The Pelican team:
Frances Loughrey, Fiona Reid, Penny
Hartley, Laura Pike
Published by:
The Development Office,
Robert Gordon’s College,
Schoolhill,
Aberdeen,
AB10 1FE.
6
4
Contents
For any enquiries: Tel: 01224 611211
developmentoffice@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
Robert Gordon’s College is a charity
registered in Scotland, No SC000123
What do you think?
We value your ideas for future
issues of The Pelican. Please do
keep sending your news and stories.
You can do this by post to the
Development Office, or
by email to developmentoffice@rgc.
aberdeen.sch.uk
The school magazine, produced as
a record of each school year, is still
available to all members who request
it.
Any views or opinions expressed in
submitted articles do not necessarily
reflect the views of the College.
Front Cover: Duncan Falconer (‘07)
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10
12
Welcome
I write this from
Houston where I am
for the fifth reception
held out here for
G o rd o n i a n s a n d
Friends, sponsored
by
The
Craig
Group during the
Offshore Technology
Conference. The
last month has been a busy one for overseas
events and meetings for me, having met FPs
and visited other schools in Melbourne when
over there on holiday and then in Dubai on
the way home. It emphasised once again to
me the truly global network of Gordonians
we have and their sense of attachment both
to the school and Aberdeen.
It is this connection that inspires much
of what we do for the alumni relations
programme at RGC. The new online
business network, already available to
former pupils through iGnite, is one of the
projects we feel is of greatest benefit to
our community. Already there are success
stories from the mentoring programme,
one of which is featured in this issue of
the Pelican. Our intention to increase the
reach of this opportunity to include parents,
staff and current pupils is central to our
vision of creating a dynamic and sustainable
service for those leaving school, entering
employment, or considering career change.
The wealth of knowledge and experience
within the Gordonian community is a
resource we aim to put to good use.
This links particularly well, we feel,
to the next project coming up in the
redevelopment of the Schoolhill campus.
We have purchased the Technical Building
from Robert Gordon University which will,
over the next few years, become the new
home for RGC Science and Business. With
the Energy sector at the heart of business
in the city of Aberdeen, the combination
of these subjects seems particularly
relevant. This is a unique opportunity for
us to position ourselves within the context
of the plans to regenerate the city centre
and reach beyond the ‘vaulted gateway’ to
develop further links with both universities,
business and the wider community.
Your involvement is not only requested,
but required, if we are going to realise these
ambitions. Please do as Laura suggests and
sign up to iGnite if you have not already
done so. Register on the business network,
volunteer to be a mentor, offer placements,
share your expertise. We look forward to
hearing from you!
Frances Loughrey
Director of Development
Since our last edition I
have been focused on
improving our business
and mentoring links
within iGnite, the
online community for
former pupils. Many
of you have signed
up to our Mentoring
Directory and this is
proving to be a great way of sharing knowledge
and advice to other Gordonians. You can read
about a great success story on page 2. I will be
focusing on our Business Directory and hope
to extend the invitation in the coming months
to current and former parents who would like
to be included in the Gordonian Community.
Following the success of our first official
reunion at the College last year, we have had
many different year groups keen to organise
their own. The next Reunion we have is for
the Class of 1957, further details on page 9.
However watch this space for further details
from the Class of 1982 and 1965. Do remember
that we are happy to help with the administrative
side of the Reunion so don’t worry you won’t
have to organise the whole thing yourself!
I enjoy hearing from you all so please feel
free to pick up the phone and call for a chat.
Although we are delighted with our online
means of communication it is always great to
speak to Gordonians on the phone too! Please
remember it is vital that to get the most out of
being part of the Gordonian community you
keep us updated with your personal details; if
you move house or job let us know, and if you
haven’t logged on to iGnite yet, do it today!
Laura Pike
Assistant Director, Alumni Relations
It is always an inspiring thought that this magazine will be read either physically or online by 7,000 former pupils in all
parts of the world. It is one of the great pleasures of being Head of Gordon’s to know what an enthusiastic community
the school is connected to. I am, as ever, very grateful for the work which Frances and Laura put in to maintaining the
connections, the good humour and the practical usefulness of the Gordonian diaspora - whether that has been to Kingswells
or Kuala Lumpur. It is particularly exciting that iGnite will now have a more effective capacity to create business links to
the benefit of all those who participate at whatever stage in their careers they may find themselves. In due course we
will be encouraging our Sixth Year pupils to make use of the Business Directory. As it is we have already over 150 local
businesses involved in providing work experience for the pupils, holiday employment, mentoring, practice interviews and
visits to the school to give talks to pupils of all ages. Our feeling about this is of course that it is not enough and we would
encourage you to sign up to help our current pupils with their future prospects.
This link between Gordonians and Robert Gordon’s College is of course at the heart of The Pelican and the work of the Development Office
is all about. One of the most common comments I hear from former pupils is regards how much the school has changed for the better. We are
constantly responsive to the context in which we operate: to our competitors, national developments and both political and economic circumstances.
Luckily we have now more than ever an energetic and creative staff who are constantly coming up with new ideas for making the lives of the
children more happy, fulfilling and challenging. In this respect the support of Gordonians for the continuing programme of development of
facilities at Schoolhill is absolutely crucial.
Hugh Ouston
Head of College
Duncan Falconer (‘07) took advantage
of the mentoring scheme available on
iGnite, our online community, to help
his military career move forward in the
right direction.
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Paying it forward
Duncan’s story:
During my time at University I, as many
others, had eventually got round to start
thinking about the career that I wished
to pursue after graduation. At the time I
was reading chemistry at the University of
Glasgow, planning to graduate and try to
find myself a job in the oil industry at home.
As University continued I was put off the idea
and proceeded to apply for, and gain a place
at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to
start my career in the British Army.
Nick Champion (‘90)
“I would advise any
undergrad, graduate
or post-grad to take
a look at the list, as it
is utilising the years
of experience that
Gordonians have to help
the next generation.”
“What you’ve set up
is such a good idea...
sometimes it might
just be enough for
someone to explore an
idea so that they can
discard an option that
they were considering.”
After graduation I went to work abroad
for a couple of months and that is where I
initially received the email to join iGnite, the
former pupil online community. As I have
no family connection to the military it was
quite difficult to get any sort of guidance to
what regiment to apply for or the benefits
of different corps within the Army, so having
a look through the mentoring section of the
website was my first stop.
Luckily I found one mentor that had
actually put down the energy sector as his
speciality but mentioned a military past
so I thought a quick email explaining my
situation wouldn’t hurt. This put me in
contact with Nick Champion, who has a
wealth of knowledge from years of service
in the Army with the Parachute Regiment.
Many emails followed discussing everything
from regimental choices to exercises
Nick’s story:
Just after I signed up to the mentoring
directory last September, I received an e-mail
from Duncan Falconer. I had never heard of
him before but because he is a Gordonian
you instantly have quite a lot in common!
We exchanged a handful of e-mails over
the next couple of months chatting about
the course at Sandhurst, how to prepare physically as well as intellectually - and how
to approach the Commissioning Course when
he started. I was able to give him advice; from
how to progressively physically build himself
up to avoid injuries to how to break in boots
as well as give him the titles of a number of
books which he would find useful to have
read before he started. As importantly, I was
able to dispel a lot of the myths and hopefully
make his preparation more efficient. He
The Pelican Spring 2012
conducted whilst at Sandhurst, filling in a
lot of the gaps in my own knowledge of the
Army. He was also kind enough to put me
in touch with some of his old friends that
are still serving within the regiment I would
like to join, opening up the opportunity to
visit the 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment
of Scotland whilst they were on Royal guard
in Ballater.
Now nearing the end of my first term at
the Academy I am finalising my choices of
regiment and feeling a lot more confident
than I would have without such sound
advice before starting my commission
course. That said I would advise any
undergrad, graduate or post-grad to take
a look at the list, as it is utilising the years
of experience that Gordonians have to help
the next generation.
To register as a Mentor please
go to www.rgc-ignite.com
hadn’t been in CCF at school for example
and I was able to reassure him that a complete
absence of military knowledge was not going
to be a problem.
We met up for coffee and spent a couple
of hours talking through a lot of the things
we had been speaking about on e-mail. We
also spoke about choices of Regiment after
Sandhurst; by this stage it was quite clear
to me that commissioning from Sandhurst
was well within Duncan’s considerable
abilities. I was able to steer him away from
a Regiment which he had been pushed
towards and, recognising the sort of guy he
was, recommend something where he would
fit in and find like-minded people.
My fiancée’s little brother, Clem, had just
commissioned from Sandhurst and joined
the 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of
Scotland. His Company Commander in D
Company had commanded the same specialist
reconnaissance unit as I had several years
previously and is a great friend of mine. D
Company were stationed up in Ballater over
the summer providing the Royal Guard and as I
knew Nick and Clem were just up the Dee Valley
I asked if they would host Duncan for a visit. As luck would have it, they were running
a potential officer’s visit that week, so I
asked Duncan if he could be at the Station
in Aberdeen in 4 hours with a suit and some
running kit. Luckily he could! He did really well
that week and they liked him so much that
they offered to sponsor him to Sandhurst and
discreetly let him know that they wanted to
try and get him once he had commissioned,
not just in to the Royal Regiment of Scotland,
but to the 5th Battalion. Coincidentally, the Commanding Officer of
5 Scots, Neil (the CO commands about 600
men) is another very old friend of mine. He
was up visiting the Royal Guard at the time
and met Duncan and thought he had real
potential. Duncan doesn’t need my help - he
is a quality bloke who will be a great officer
- but a quiet word with someone who is a
good friend who can smooth the path never
does any harm.
The best thing to come from the visit to
Ballater is that Duncan could meet blokes
closer to his age and stage, who can talk him
through the most up to date things. I am
39, left the army two years ago and slightly
out of touch. I think it’s really important for
people to speak to others as close as possible
to their peer group.
Duncan and I have kept in touch since then
and we saw each other at the Exiles rugby
match on Boxing Day. They all remembered
Duncan from the summer and they all went
out together for a beer in Aberdeen after
the match. Links and friendships like this are
invaluable and to have them and be known
as a good bloke before you even turn up at
your regiment is a massive bonus - certainly
something I wish I had had. Clem has been
really cool and good about helping him out
and has offered to meet up with him in
London when all the other officers from 5
SCOTS are there at weekends. Duncan can
meet up with them on his weekends off and
really become part of the Regimental family
and he now has a network of people who
he can call to ask for advice.
When it comes to Regimental Interviews
(half way through Sandhurst) the panel
that makes the selection are made up of
various senior regimental officers. 3 of the
5 Commanding Officers are friends of mine
and so it is highly likely that I’ll be able to call
them up nearer the time and give Duncan a
strong personal recommendation - not that he
needs it; as I said earlier, he is a quality bloke.
What you’ve set up is such a good idea. It
was lucky timing, karma, call it what you
will, but all this came through me putting my
name on the mentoring website and Duncan
having the brain to recognise how useful a
resource like iGnite can be and the motivation
and courage to try and use it. Sometimes it
will work really well like it did with Duncan
and me, sometimes it might just be enough
for someone to explore an idea so that
they can discard an option that they were
considering. Whichever, it’s equally helpful.
One of the reasons I did this is because I
have been given a lot of help by people in
the past. When I have asked how I can repay
them they have all said that all they ask is that
when I’m in a position to help someone in
the future that I do. The Pelican Spring 2012
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4
Glasgow
Gordonian Dinner
Former pupils aged 17 to 70 were entertained
as Dr Colin Gray (‘75) provided a light hearted
account of his time at Carstairs as a Forensic
Psychiatrist. There was a fantastic range of
ages at the dinner and many of the Class of
’85 who live in Glasgow attended this year for
the first time, having met up at their reunion
last year.
The dinner was held at the Millennium
Hotel, George Square which everyone
remarked was a great central location with
easy access from the outskirts of Glasgow.
Thanks to President Derek Buchanan (‘81)
for chairing the evening.
Gordonians get together
Robert Gordon’s College waves the
Scottish Flag in Cyprus
Left: Bob Ruddiman,
Aileen Malone, Douglas
Connon, Hugh Ouston,
Howard Smith
Below: Helen Langlands,
Wendy Welsh, Tracey
Menzies
Aberdeen
Gordonian Dinner
Alastair MacDonald ‘08 and Douglas Blake ‘08
The Highlands
lunch
The fourth Highland Lunch took place at
The Golf View Hotel, Nairn, on Wednesday
21st March, and continued to be a great
success with 34 attending. The weather
was beautiful, an occurring feature of the
Highland Lunch, with the Cromarty Sutors
in the foreground, and the distant hills of
Assynt providing a stunning backdrop.
It was an added bonus to have the
President Howard Smith, and JuniorVice Mike Fraser in attendance, and their
contribution was excellent, and very much
appreciated. The customary obligatory
names were trotted out of those held in
high esteem, "or other", as no gathering
would be complete otherwise.
As regards the Development team,
Frances gave a very informed account
regards the new Technical College, and
everything associated with it, amongst
many other ongoing projects. We were
also told the school was top in Scotland ,
if not Britain , for the amount of Bursaries
it provides, the very essence of what Robert
Gordon wished to achieve when providing
funds in the first instance, all of 262 years
ago. Some legacy.
Many thanks again to Frances and Laura
for arranging an excellent lunch and get
together.
Douglas Brodie (‘62)
The Pelican Spring 2012
A fantastic evening was had by all 187
guests at this year’s Aberdeen Gordonian
Dinner. Aberdeen President, Howard O
Smith provided a personal introduction
for guest speaker Douglas Connon who
gave a fascinating insight to his 29 years
in the army, his time at the College and
what he enjoyed, and how he feels he has
been lucky in so many ways from his time
at Gordon’s and beyond.
Next year’s dinner is confirmed for Friday
1st March 2013 – pop it in the diary!
The College was well represented at the
inaugural Burns Supper of the Rotary Club
of Limassol Berengaria Cosmopolitan held at
the Aphrodite Club, Erimni, Cyprus on 26th
January, 2012. The event was organised
by Rotarian and Gordonian FP Colonel David
Smith (‘51) who now lives in Cyprus after an
illustrious career in HM forces and is the FP
Representative in Cyprus. David is one of
the longest serving members of the Rotary
Club and is regarded as the “Faither o’ the
Hoose”. The Immortal Memory was proposed
by another FP, Hamish Hardie (‘64), who is a
member of the Rotary Club of Inverkeithing
and Dalgety Bay in Fife and but is a frequent
visitor to Cyprus where his son now lives.
The event was thoroughly enjoyed by over 60
Rotarians and guests and raised over €1000
for a local cancer charity.
Hamish said “It was a fascinating
experience trying to explain the mysteries
of Robert Burns to an audience of over 15
nationalities, many of whose first language
was not English, never mind Scots! But they
all entered into the spirit of the occasion and
it is always most gratifying to me as a Scot
that the innate common sense, humanity
and universality of Burns poetry appeals to
a global audience. And the multinational
make-up of the Limassol Rotary Club was a
real indication that ‘Man tae man the world
o’er can brithers be for a’ that’
David added, “There must be other
Gordonians living in or visiting Cyprus and it
would be fantastic if they could get in touch.”
David can be contacted on 0035799978946
or e-mail: lizsmith@cytanet.com.cy
Melbourne
A group of former pupils in and around
Melbourne, Australia, met for lunch on
5th April in a lovely little Italian restaurant
in Toorak. Recommended by David and
Nicola Smylie, it was a fabulous venue with
total privacy upstairs and no shortage of
schoolboy tales (whether tall or not, I am
in no position to say!) Thank you also
to David and Nicola for their generous
contribution towards our bar charge! In
attendance were: Don and Shirley Lorimer,
Gordon and Annette Williamson, David and
Nicola Smylie, David Christie, Jack Pirie and
Derek Russell.
It was great to met you and its nice being
able to put a face to a name. Both Shirl
and I really enjoyed the lunch, we wanted
to stay longer but sadly we had to go north,
Don and Shirley Lorimer
Frances & co organised a wonderful
luncheon today which I thoroughly enjoyed
– pity I couldn’t stay longer due to business
commitments. I hope she enjoys the rest
of her travels Down Under!
David Christie
Friends get together at the Melbourne Dinner
David Smith and Hamish Hardie ‘64
Gordon and Annette Williamson with David and
Nicola Smylie
Above left:
Steph Ker, Stacey
Lamont, Wendy Smith
Dubai
Above:
James Ruxton, Ramsay
Pirie, Frances Loughrey,
Ken Eddie
Right:
Louisa Maddox, Steph
Ker, Sarah Baxter, Nicola
Stephen
The Raffles Hotel, Dubai
On Monday 16th April a group of former
pupils got together for dinner at the Raffles
Dubai hotel. Frances met with Clif Collier,
George Carr, Stephanie Morrison, John
Shirreffs and Matthew Douglas for a very
pleasant evening exchanging ideas about
working overseas and how the school can
support young people through its new
business network. Many thanks to George
for his fabulous hospitality that evening pre
and post dinner!
The Pelican Spring 2012
5
7
6
Fraser Beaton will
say a fond farewell
to Gordon’s this
summer when he
retires after 31 years.
As well as being
a much respected
teacher of Art, Fraser
has also been heavily
involved in many
of the College’s
drama productions
throughout the
years, creating
impressive stage
scenery which
enriched the
atmosphere of the
performances.
Interview by School
Captain, Sean Press
When you first arrived at the College,
how did you feel and, now that you
are leaving, what do you think of that
initial thought?
of pomp and circumstance that goes with
such things as listening to an anthem in
Drum’s Aisle and watching the spectacle of
Prizegiving in the Music Hall.
I felt very privileged to have been employed
in what I knew was a prestigious school
with an excellent reputation. I was of
course impressed by the strong sense of
tradition but slightly intimidated on first
entering the Male Staff Room by a decided
pecking order amid clouds of sticky smoke.
The few female teachers at that time had
a small private staffroom, though I soon
realised that this arrangement was probably
so that the men could retain their privacy!
Today, the ratio of female to male teachers
has been totally reversed with girl pupils
starting in 1989, a welcome change. On
the positive side pupils are more open today
in voicing their true feelings and opinions,
which is generally healthy, and the boys
have definitely benefitted by having girls
around. On the negative side, today’s pupils
tend to be more materialistic and impatient
for results.
I still get a thrill on entering the school
gates every morning and enjoy the sense
What memory do you feel best sums up
your time at Gordon’s College?
I have memories of a number of very
talented pupils in my certificate classes who
have gone on to do very well at art school
or university; this has made my Art teaching
very worthwhile.
I also have happy memories of time spent on
Drama productions, most notably directing
The Importance of Being Earnest in 1997
with an S6 cast of: Melanie Marshall, Angus
Dodds, Heather Greig-Smith, Greig Nicol,
Amanda Babington, Rebecca Gordon,
Stephen Witte, Ross Brechin, Ben Lishman
and Michael Robinson – quite a line-up.
They were extremely talented on stage,
very professional; a joy to work with and
watch. Mrs Lynda Turbet was also strong
support throughout the production. Having
30 additional pupils and staff helping
backstage and front of house made the
whole enterprise a great team effort.
A change
of scenery
You are leaving Gordon’s as a new
age dawns on the school, with the
purchase of the Technical Building and
other long-term projects. What do you
look forward to coming back to see
most?
When I retire, I shall throw away my diary
and shut down my school computer. I
shall say fond farewells of thanks to Mrs
Montgomery and to all the office and
janitorial staff of the College but I shall
keep my wife!
It will be interesting to tour the Schoolhill
site, complete and all belonging to
Gordon’s; to find my colleagues still hard
at work and to view again on the walls
and in the cases, the many cups, shields
and awards both my daughters gained
during their successful school careers at
the College.
What do you envisage doing in
retirement?
After all your work here, what are five
things you cannot live without - do
you think this will be the same when
you leave?
I have happy
memories of time
spent on Drama
productions, having
pupils and staff
helping backstage and
front of house made
the whole enterprise a
great team effort.
I shall definitely spend much of my time
gardening; strangely, I enjoy weeding and
propagating plants of all sorts. I may also
pick up my paintbrush again but first it will
be a 3 inch variety; there are a number of
rooms waiting to be decorated at home.
I also intend playing more bridge, bagging
a few more Munros before my legs and the
rest of my body completely gives way, and
I must start reading the 200 odd gardening
books that I have collected over the years.
Currently, I cannot survive without my diary,
my wife, my computer, Mrs Montgomery
and all the office and janitorial staff of the
College.
The Pelican Spring 2012
The Pelican Spring 2012
8
Do you remember?
9
Can you fill in any of the gaps from this Junior
School photo taken in 1955? The two pupils on
the left of the front row are unnamed - email us
at developmentoffice@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk if you
recognise them. Thanks go to John Alexander (‘61)
for submitting the photo.
Class of 1957
55 Year Reunion
Saturday 29th September 2012
Aberdeen Silver
In November Aberdeen Art Gallery is going to mount an exhibition of Aberdeen silver, a
showcase of the work of Aberdeen silversmiths from the 17th century to the present day. It
will include loaned objects from private and public collections from the UK and abroad.
The curator of the exhibition recently visited the College Archives and we have
discovered that quite a few of the early silversmiths were pupils at Robert
Gordon’s Hospital. When they left the school, these boys served their time as
apprentices and then went on to set up their own business. Some of them
offered apprenticeships in their turn to later pupils, so there is quite a strong
link between Robert Gordon’s and this once flourishing trade.
Do you know anyone who owns an item of Aberdeen silver?
Kate Gillespie at the Art Gallery would be very interested
to discover if pieces exist that are not already known
about. Any information could help to build up
a picture of city silversmiths and their
work. Please contact KGillespie@
The Charles Stewart Mace shown here was made in
aberdeencity.gov.uk
1974 by David Hodge and will be in the exhibition
in November. This mace is still carried at the front of
the Founder’s Day procession every year.
The Pelican Spring 2012
Arrangements are well under way for
the Class of 1957, 55 year reunion. Karl
Linklater, Alec Buchan and Raymond Bowie
would like to invite you to join them at the
College on the 29th September for morning
coffee and tours of the College with a
dinner for you and your partner/wife in the
evening.
You will have the chance to see the new Junior School and the
other major developments such as the Drama and Music Studios.
Hopefully a few old memories will come flooding back when you
visit the pool and the Auld Hoose.
If you left in 4th year of 1955, 5th year of 1956 or 6th year of 1957
you are included in the ‘Class of 1957’ Reunion. We have done a
lot of research to reach as many ‘lost boys’ as possible, however
there are still a number who we are not in touch with at all so
please look at the list printed and please let us know if you know
of their whereabouts.
Tickets are now on sale, and are priced at £42.50. This includes
morning coffee at the College and a three course meal with wine
at the Palm Court Hotel. To book tickets please go to www.rgc.
aberdeen.sch.uk/gordonians/events or contact Laura Pike in the
Development Office for further details
‘Lost Boys’
Left in 6th year
Douglas Atkinson,
Douglas R Barr,
Ronald Fyfe,
Douglas A Hanton,
Ian S Leslie,
Robert R MacKenzie,
Eric McIntosh,
John McLean,
Ian G Meldrum,
Arthur J Milne,
Lewis S Mitchell,
Robert F Philip,
Alexander Robertson,
Kenneth B O Simpson,
Alistair J Whyte,
William Wood
Left in 5th year
David G Alexander,
Ivor E Allan,
James F R Bews,
William J Blackett,
Anthony W Cobban,
Donald Easson,
Douglas A Hanton,
James Henry,
Douglas E Johnston,
James H Kellock,
James S Kelman,
Ian D Knox,
Eric L H Leiper,
Edward J Low,
Douglas E T Main,
Ronald McIntosh,
Thomas A McLauchlan,
Alastair J McLean,
Eric J McLeod,
Alexander Murray,
Colin P Neave,
Alistair Rennie,
David Robertson
Do you know any of our lost boys?
Left in 4th year
John M Adams,
Joseph R Barron,
Ian Burns,
Peter Christie,
James A Cruickshank,
Alastair M Davidson,
James S Dunnett,
Alastair Easson,
Robert J Farquharson,
David Forbes,
Neil M Gow,
Francis A Gray,
John C Gunning,
Alan E Inglis,
Walter Lawrence,
Norman A Macfarlane,
James G Mckay,
Robert S McDonald,
Hector J McKilligan,
Andrew C P Murray,
Ross Robertson,
Alan W P Sim,
Derek J Smith,
Hugh B Smith,
Bruce A Taylor,
Alistair Turner,
Neil R Watt
The Pelican Spring 2012
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10
Mary Symon
Mr I Graham Andrew (centre), Headmaster 1933-43, was responsible for starting the tradition of Founder’s Day
The College and
the Poet
(part 2)
By Ian Olson (Class of ’56) Ian Olson concludes his history of the School play
The play had the Scots title of The Auld written for the first Founder’s Day, recalling that
Hoose. This was the familiar name of the
when he attended Gordon’s in the 1950s the play
original College building, and indeed, on
special occasions previously, Lady Nairne’s was to intended to be repeated every four or five
song “The Auld Hoose” had been the music
years so that every pupil would have at least one
played. Virtually all the play itself was to
be in Scots as well, and this would have chance of seeing it.
presented no problem for the actors, for it
was the language of the pupils (and probably
most of the staff) at the time. But where to
find a good Scots poet?
The then Headmaster, Graham Andrew,
records in The Book of the First Founder’s Day:
1934, that “We are indebted to Miss Mary
Symon for the words of the song at the end
of Scene V, in Part II.” Who was this lady,
and why was she chosen? Mary Symon (18631938) lived at Pittyvaich, near Dufftown, a
noted North-East poet. She had been born
in Dufftown, where her father, a saddler, and
one-time Provost of Dufftown, bought the
estate of Pittyvaich. It was at her father’s farm
with its glorious view of the Cairngorms and
The Pelican Spring 2012
Glen Rinnes, that she spent most of her life.
She was educated at Mortlach Public School,
then entered Edinburgh Ladies College at the
age of 15, later graduating from St Andrew’s
University. She was never to marry.
Mary had started writing at the age of 11
(a poem about the completion of Mortlach
Parish Church), and in the early part of
the 20th century was being published in
the Aberdeen University Review, the Scots
Magazine, the New Century Review and
elsewhere, often under a variety of nom de
plumes such as “Mary Duff’ and “Malcolm
Forbes”. She was one of Hugh MacDiarmid’s
early collaborators in Northern Numbers –
before he decided that only his high Scots
(later called ‘synthetic’ for its dependence on
old dictionary words) was suitable for poetry,
and dropped his North-East Doric writers.
Described as ”a woman of wide culture”,
her conversation was humorous, brilliant,
and charming. She wrote articles on a wide
variety of subjects, such as the Official Guide
to Dufftown in 1927, and was fascinated
by the language, customs and traditions of
her native countryside; these run through,
and enrich her poetry, written in both Scots
and English. From writing humorous verse
she could turn to translating French poetry
into the Doric. But while she was more than
willing to contribute to patriotic fund-raising
publications during the Great War of 191418, she saw all too clearly the way it was
leading to hellish destruction of the country’s
young men, and in February 1916 – even
before the great disaster of the Somme battle
– she published in the Aberdeen University
Review perhaps the most searing account
ever made of that terrible war– “The Glen’s
Muster Roll”.
In 1933, the year before the proposed
Founder’s Day, she brought out her first
collection of poems – Deveron Days –
published in Aberdeen by D. Wylie and
Son. It was dedicated to “That Scot of Scots
William Will” - a then famous journalist and
“illustrious son of Strathbogie”. It sold out
within a week, and a second edition also
sold out rapidly, (although it was not until
1938, the year she died in Pittyvaich, that
a posthumous edition with some additional
poems from her manuscripts, also met with
the same outstanding success).
In the year of her first poetic triumph, 1933,
it is not surprising that Gordon’s College
turned to her. The highly active “good works”
triumvirate of Dr Walter A. Reid, Chairman
of the College Governors, John D. Munro,
solicitor, and William Tawse, builder, all friends
of Mary Symon, invited her to provide the
words for a School Song to be incorporated
the following year into the Founder’s Day play.
Founder’s Day on the 27April 1934, was
to be a great success, with Baillie John D.
Munro, Convener of the School Committee,
giving a moving account in the morning
in the Mither Kirk of the history of the
College, together with a remembrance of
Robert Gordon. This was attended by the
Lord Provost and Magistrates, the College
Governors, representatives of the University
of Aberdeen and many other public bodies.
Wreaths were laid in Drum’s Aisle, below
the Founder’s Memorial Tablet (the exact
FOR WE’RE A’ GORDONIANS HERE
Out from the vaulted gateway,
With the march of eager feet,
The lads of the laughing legions
Fare forth the world to meet;
The world to meet and master –
O wizardry benign!
*Possunt, quia posse videntur
Sings in your heart and mine
Chorus: For we’re a’ Gordonians here,
We’re a’ Gordonians here,
Tho’ far and lang
The road we gang,
There’s ae bield where we a’ belang,
The bield we’ll aye hold dear.
We are the lads of Gordon’s,
And Gordon’s aye we’ll be
Whate’er the fates we follow,
Whate’er the lands we see.
On soldier, sage or toiler
The olden glamour falls –
We’re sons to greet a mother,
Within these storied walls
Set in yon stately city,
O school of memory,
All winds of the world are wafting
Our dream-thoughts back to thee,
Where aye the turf is green, lads,
And youth will clarion still,
And the morning stars be shining
Above the old Schoolhill.
* “They are able because they perceive
they are able” comes from Virgil’s
Aeneid. This was later changed to
“Omni nunc arte magistra – endowed
with all that makes for mastery”, also
from the Aeneid, which became the
College motto.
place of Gordon’s burial in the Aisle now
being unknown) on behalf of the former and
current pupils. A sports meeting was held
in the afternoon “despite somewhat wintry
conditions” (Founder’s Day is now thankfully
held in a usually milder September). but
the highlight was the play performed that
evening in the Hall generously donated by
Lady MacRobert of Douneside’s estate at
Tarland in Aberdeenshire. With “admirable
acting, beautiful scenery, and appropriate
music”, the highlight of the play was the
singing of Mary Symon’s School Song, an
interesting mixture of Scots and rather high
English.
When at Gordon’s (1951-6) I was told that
the play was to be repeated every 4 or 5 years
so that every pupil would have at least one
chance of seeing it. I recall a performance
the year before I attended Gordon’s – my
brother was then at the school – in 1950.
There were performances in 1938, 1946,
1950, and finally in 1957.
Times change, and we change with them.
Scots gradually became less the language
of the playground and not at all that of
the classroom. Significantly, perhaps, at
the Governors’ Meeting in June 1952, “It
was reported that Mr David E. Collier MC,
Headmaster, had recently been elected a
Member of the Headmasters’ Conference,
and that, with his election to this Body, the
College would be recognised throughout
Great Britain as one of the Public Schools.”
Indeed the form master who made us copy
the words of the song into the back of our
hymn books was quite sniffy about the words
“by some lady poet”, and felt it necessary to
translate the likes of “bield”. We thought the
song highly spirited, especially singing “OUT
from the vaulted gateway …”. But in the
early 1960s, Dr John “Doc” Forrest, head of
English, approached Tom Collins in religious
Education with a view to transforming the
Doric wording of the song – now perceived to
be embarrassing – into Standard English. Mr
Collins declined, and the Classics Department
was asked instead to provide a Latin version ,
“Gordonienses sumus …”. But the advent of
co-education in 1989 was to render reference
to only the ‘lads of the laughing legions”, in
any language, totally inappropriate.
Mary Symon is still read and quoted, and
her “The Glen’s Muster Roll” is, deservedly,
regularly anthologised. Her original song for
the College, with its rousing chorus, can still
be heard from – now very elderly – nostalgic
former pupils, but the College currently has
no School Song. Perhaps it is time for a new
Song, and another repeat performance of
the Play, to provide, hopefully, another
happy coincidence of some fine poet with
a dramatic celebration of that remarkable
generosity of Robert Gordon.
The Pelican Spring 2012
12
Rugby
The 2011/2012 season started out with a
very successful tour to Boston (USA). GRFC
have used 55 players for the 1st XV alone
this season, whilst this does show healthy
player numbers it does not assist in team
selection or good team understanding on
the park.
At present the 1st XV lie in 8th place in
the 10 team Caledonia Division 1, with
only two fixtures remaining to play. Despite
our position in the league we are still a
competitive force, as the number of losing
bonus points gained so far will attest. The
immediate goal is to remain in this league
and compete for honours next season. Following promotion last season the 2nd
XV are competing well in the top half of
their league.
We would like to take this opportunity
to thank our past and present sponsors,
patrons and players that contribute in
some way to the club on and off the pitch.
Strong ties with Robert Gordon’s College
and University continue to greatly assist
the club, through new talent and the great
facilities that are kindly available to us. GRFC is a rugby club steeped in tradition
with a proud past that we hope to emulate
again. We welcome all new comers and
cater for different level of players. We
train at Counteswells (courtesy of RGC) on
Mondays and Thursdays (1830) and field
two teams on a Saturday. As a club we aim
to tour every two or three years.
We welcome any support be it as a
player, patron, sponsor, corporate guest or
as a spectator.
GRFC plan to strengthen the club next
year with a new coach (any interested
parties please contact me). We also
intend to grow the player base and
would welcome any volunteers to assist in
committee duties.
Robert Fraser
Sports News
Hockey
We are now approaching the business
end of Season 2011/2012 and at the
time of writing, for the Men’s Section at
any rate, things could hardly have gone
better. The 1st team is well on track to
achieving its objective of regaining its
National League Division 1 status and is
presently well clear at the top of Division
2, having won 17 of its 18 games, scoring
121 goals in the process, an astonishing
average of almost 7 goals per game. The standard of fast, attacking hockey
which the team has produced at times
has been quite stunning, and although
Borja Meissner, our Spanish recruit, has
been our most potent weapon, it has
been the performance of the whole
1st team squad, which has few if any
weaknesses, which has been the most
impressive feature. It will be a major
shock if the team fails to win promotion
from the position in which it finds itself
but we are also well aware that we must
then do everything in our power to keep
the current squad together for the huge
challenge which playing in Division 1 will
bring.
Our 2nd and 3rd teams are both
performing well in the Scottish Regional
League North with the former looking
likely to romp away with the League title
once again and with both having reached
the quarter finals of the Scottish District
and Reserve Cups respectively. In recent
weeks the Club has been fielding a 5th
team for the first time for a number of
years to give our youngest schoolboy
members their first taste of adult hockey
whilst our U-18 team has reached the
semi-finals of the Scottish U-18 Cup
with high hopes of reaching the final for
the second year in a row, after a heroic
quarter final victory over Glenalmond
College.
Sadly however things are not
going quite so well for the Ladies’
Section. Although it is pleased that its
membership has increased to such an
extent that it has been able for the first
time to enter a 3rd team in the local
leagues, the 1st team has found life in
Division 2 of the National League a much
more difficult proposition than it did last
year. Victories have been few and far
between and although it has not given
up hope completely, the prospects of
avoiding relegation look to be slim.
Finally, the Club’s Youth Section has
flourished once again and we had a
record number of 115 children (60 girls
and 55 boys) attending our Tuesday
evening coaching sessions.
AJI
Cricket
Golf
The Gordonian Golf Club organises four
golf outings per annum for members
and guests .These are always popular
events and open to all Gordonians and
their guests.
The 2012 outings are as follows :
Sun 20th May – Forfar
Sun 24th June – Duff House Royal
Sun 12th Aug – Ballater
Sun 16th Sept – Braemar
In addition the Club enter teams in
National public school competions every
year.
We are always on the look-out for new
members, so if anyone fancies coming
along to any of our outings get in touch.
Allan Henderson (Captain)
I am pleased to report that Gordonians
cricket club continues to progress well on
and off the field. Our volunteer committee
and captains are busy preparing for the
new season and can reflect with pride on
a 2011 season that resulted in our 1st XI
being promoted back to the Strathmore &
Perthshire Union Premier Division after a
10 year absence and our 2nd XI winning
the prestigious Aberdeenshire Cup in an
excellent final at Mannofield. We will field
5 weekend sides, continue to work in
partnership with RGU cricket and can offer
evening 20/20 cricket and excellent practice
and playing facilities at Countesswells.
Our sponsors Arrowdawn Limited have
enabled us to recruit a young New Zealand
professional player/coach, James Cowell,
and we have also attracted a fellow Kiwi,
Coel Mahoney, as an amateur player /
coach. These guys will help us achieve our
stated objectives to improve senior player
quality and to help our exciting fledgling
junior section to keep growing. As he
moves on, this is an opportunity for me to
thank our outgoing captain, Blair Thomson,
for his leading role in rebuilding our club.
Our new young captain, Jason Stark, has
the challenge of making a positive return to
the Premier League.
Our other key objectives are to persuade
more young RGC cricketers to come along
and give us a try and, with Alan Adie’s (class
13
of ‘65) help, to continue to build stronger
social links with our former players,
especially Gordonians. We have already
encouraged a few young pupils along to
indoor coaching throughout the winter.
Senior and junior outdoor nets will start
on 5th April on Tuesdays and Thursdays at
6pm at Countesswells. We also have our
first former players reunion since moving
to Countesswells. It is on 28th September
2012.
Donny and his team con­tinue to excel;
our home ground remains the envy of
many cricketers in NE Scotland. The
positive support from Howard Smith and
the Gordonian Association continues to
be very important. At the College we keep
in touch with Richie Anderson, Colin Filer
and Matt Northcroft who are supportive.
It remains for me to thank my committee,
our sponsors, everyone who has made
a donation and all our players. We are a
progressive and inclusive club, enjoying our
sport and looking forward to the challenges
ahead. You can contact me at a.lowden@
tiscali.co.uk or on 07557 509370, the club
at gordos.sec@gmail.com and follow our
progress at www.gordonians-cricketclub.
webs.com
Andy Lowden, Club President
The traditional Leavers vs current 1st XV rugby match took place in March and for
the first time the Leavers were triumphant, winning 30 - 17
Chris Cusiter (class of ‘2000) returned to the College recently to talk to
pupils, and is pictured here with the current 1st XV.
The Pelican Spring 2012
The Pelican Spring 2012
14
Have you heard?
Obituaries
Former Pupil News
Fraser Atkins (’09) is going to MIT.
Sarah Beaton (’07) studied Design for
Stage at Central School of Speech & Drama,
graduating in 2011 with First Class Honours.
In 2011, Sarah became a winner of The
Linbury Prize for Stage Design.
Michael Braid (’00)
Aberdeen-based shipbroker the Stewart
Group has hired local man Michael Braid to
launch its specialist subsea and renewables
business.
A former pupil at Robert Gordon’s College
in Aberdeen, Michael, who has an MA in
marketing from Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt
University, has previous experience in
surveying, logistics, offshore operations and
shipbroking in the energy sector.
Gavin Clark (’01) and his wife Cherie had
another baby. Emerson John Clark was born
on 22nd January 2012, a little brother to
Caenan.
Two current RGC pupils, Olivia AttwoollKeith and Alix Wrighton (both S3)
recently had the opportunity to attend
the British Swimming Championships
at the Aquatics Centre for the BBC
News School Report project, where
three swimmers with RGC connections
were competing: David Carry (’99),
Andrew McGovern (‘11) and Jack Ness
(who is still only in S4). Their interviews
with them can be seen at http://www.
bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/17285763
Jamie Cook (’07) has been offered an
internship with Liberty Mutural in Boston,
Massachusetts. This was after months of
‘rigorous selections’. Jamie will be working on
online marketing and employment branding
projects.
Mark Dawson (’00) has been appointed as
a Professor of European Law at the Hertie
School of Governance, a public policy
University in Berlin.
Kate Everest (’04) is back at RGC, teaching
primary ones in the Junior School.
Lauren Robertson (’08) will be joining the
PE staff at RGC in August this year.
Patrick McKenzie Smith (‘84 ) helped raise
over £150,000 for children in the Transkie
(that’s the wild coast of South Africa between
Durban and Port Elizabeth) by spending 9
days almost non-stop for 2000km on off-road
bikes. Afterwards Patrick said he was ‘still
feeling a bit bashed around, but as they say,
it was a real once-in-a-lifetime experience!!’
Kris Lovie (’96) and Tim Hieghton-Jackson
(’96) owners of Deeside Brewery won the
‘Anderson’s Packaging (Aberdeen) Award’
for product with the best packaging at the
Grampian Food Forum Innovation Awards
2012.
Daniel MacFarlane (’11) passed his driving
test!
Michael Sawaryn (’10) will carry the Olympic
Torch on 12th June 2012
Ian Suttie (‘61) chairman of energy company
First Oil, was named Scotland’s entrepreneur
of the year at the Scottish Business Awards
in Edinburgh in February.
Garreth Wood (’96) will carry the Olympic
Torch through Dunfermline on 13th June 2012
Kirsty West (’04) got married in January to
Luke Blackman.
Suzanne Watson (’04) is currently working
in the Development Office at RGC, on top of
her role as Art Technician in the Senior School.
Jonathan McLellan, Henry May and Jamie
Gibson (’03) are taking part in the Mongol
Rally 2012 and are hoping to raise £30,000
for charity. They will drive 10,000 miles, over
5 mountain ranges, 3 deserts, through 19
countries and 8 time zones, from Aberdeen
to Mongolia. Good luck boys!
Dr Peter J Gordon (’64) received an MBE in the
New Year’s Honours List. This was for his service
of more than 30 years to emergency care.
Gary Grant (’96) has won the 2012
Mastermind semi-final. The final will be
broadcast on 4th May on BBC2 – Good luck!
Bilsland, Matthew (Matt) Morrison (‘41)
died on 21 January 2012. He was educated
at the College, being Head Boy and Rugby
Captain. After being in the RAF he graduated
from the University of Edinburgh and Moray
House College. He then took up a position
of Mathematics Teacher, becoming Deputy
Head at Preston Lodge High School, East
Lothian until he retired in 1988. He was
keen on sport and was an active member
of Preson Lodge Rugby Club- past player,
President and oldest member. He enjoyed
golf and was the pipe smoking goalie for
the Preston Lodge staff hockey team. He
was a Scout leader, then Assistant County
Commission for Scouts in East Lothian.
Charles, John (‘46) died on 6 November
2011. He was a Fish Merchant.
Edmonds, Professor Donald Thomas (‘51)
died on 6 February 2012. After Gordon’s he
gained a BSc from the University of Aberdeen
then was a Research Fellow at Oxford. He
was on the staff of the University of California
for a year. From 1962, apart from six years at
Yale University, he was a Wadham Colllege,
Oxford as Fellow, Lecturer, Senior Tutor and
Professor.
Fettes, Laurence Hayden (‘38) died on
17 March 2012. He joined the army as a
Corporal, went to Sandhurst then joined
the Cameron Highlanders and became a
Captain. After the army he went to RGU
to study Business. He was Manager of the
Kemnay Quarry. He is survived by his three
children and grandchildren.
Emily Gray (’10) was awarded captaincy
of the Scotland U21 Netball squad against
Wales.
Michelle Innes, nee Rogie (’03) and her
husband Chris had their first baby boy, Cole
in September 2011.
Forbes, Cameron DFC (‘38) died on 18
December 2010. After leaving Gordon’s at
the age of 17 he joined the Auxiliary Air Force
and was mobilised the following year. He
was a a pilot on Anti-Submarine patrols and
was cited for the DFC in 1944. He gained
an arts diploma after studying at Gray’s
School of art and went to Paris after winning
a painting scholarship. He then taught in
Aberdeenshire, Galashiels and Edinburgh.
He then took up a position as Lecturer in Art
and Media until 1981. He is survived by his
wife, two sons and grandchildren.
Alan Robb (’64), Emeritus Professor of Fine Art, University of Dundee and for 20 years,
Head of the School of Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone, has been elected as a member
of the Royal Scottish Academy. A graduate of Grays School of Art and the Royal College of
Art, Alan taught at the Crawford School of Art, Cork before returning to Scotland in 1982
to head up the newly formed School of Fine Art.
Under his leadership the school gained a reputation for excellence in teaching and research,
placing Fine Art in Dundee at the very top of national league tables along with the Slade
University of London and The Ruskin, Oxford University.
Alan is a well-known painter who has exhibited his work internationally. He was honoured by
Dundee in January with an exhibition at the McManus Gallery entitled “A Painted World”.
The Pelican Spring 2012
15
Gauld, Alexander George (Sandy) (‘61)
died on 26 December 2011. He was Dux
of Modern Languages at Gordon’s then
graduated with an MA from the University
of Aberdeen. He taught Modern Languages
(French & Spanish) first at Aberdeen College
of Commerce, then the Grammar School.
From 1974 he was Principal Teacher of
Modern Languages at Northfield Academy.
Hall, Alan Richard (‘58) died on 18
December 2011. He taught Economics in
The Pelican Spring 2012
16
Glasgow and Aberdeen and in 1974 he
was Head of Economics and Accounting at
Aberdeen Grammar School.
Horne, David A (Teacher of Biology and
Manager, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
1981-2009) died on 19 March 2012. David
Horne died on 19 March 2012 aged 63
years. David will be fondly remembered by
generations of pupils as a true Gordon’s
legend: he was outrageously funny, he had
a unique and inspirational teaching style
and his dedication to his pupils, and to the
Award, was unrivalled. In his time as Award
Manager, he personally supervised 296
hikes and was responsible for the safe and
successful completion of over 4,000 awards.
His contribution to the development of the
Award in Scotland was simply immense.
David will be greatly missed by all who knew
him. He was a devoted husband, father and
grand-father. Our thoughts remain with Trish,
Nick, Emma, James and Skye at this sad time.
Howie, Professor John Mackintosh CBE
(‘54) died on 26 December 2011. He was
born in Lanarkshire but his family moved
north and he was educated at Robert
Gordon’s College being Dux in 1954. He
then graduated with a 1st Class Honours
degree from the University of Aberdeen
winning the Simpson and Rennet Gold
Medal in Maths together with the Lyon Prize
for most distinguished Arts Graduate. He
completed his doctorate at Balliol College
Oxford. In 1976 he wrote “An introduction
to Semigroup Theory” which is still a classic
text. After Oxford he moved to Glasgow
spending two years there as an assistant
Lecturer. He went to New Orleans Tulane
University for a year. He returned to Glasgow
taking up the position of Maths Lecturer then
Senior Lecturer with the University of Stirling.
In 1970 he was Regius Professsor of Maths,
becoming Dean of the Faculty of Science in
1976 and remaining at the University of St
Andrews until his retirement in 1997. His
passion was for music, he was Choir Director
and Organist of Hope Parish Church and a
founder member and past president of the St
Andrews Chorus. In 1993 he was awarded
a CBE for his services to Education. He is
survived by his wife Dorothy daughter and
grand daughters
King, John Abercromby (‘45) died on
2 November 2011. He worked at John
Robertson Canisters Ltd. He was a Member
of the Scottish Amateur Fencing Union. He
is survived by his wife Prue and two sons.
Leiper, Keith (‘85) died on 21 October 2011.
He was educated at Gordon’s then graduated
with an MBChB with commendation from
the University of Aberdeen. He held House
Officer and Senior House Officer positions
in Aberdeen and North Wales. In 1994 he
The Pelican Spring 2012
took up the position of Gastroenterology
Registrar with the Royal University Hospital in
Liverpool, eight years on he was appointed
a Consultant. He was the Leslie Parrott
Research Fellow of Crohn’s & Colitis and
was awarded his MD. He was the first lead
for the UK Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Audit obtaining the first funding. He was
a member of the Howard League for Penal
Reform and Amnesty International. He
enjoyed football. He is survived by his wife
Libby and their three children Cameron,
Mirren and Ailish.
Leith, Alexander Park (‘39) died on 24
January 2012.
McBain, John (‘36) died on 1 May 2011.
He died aged 92 in Langley, British Colombia
Canada. He is survived by his wife Annie,
son and daughter and grandchildren.
McDonald, Ian Arthur (‘45) died on 21
January 2012. He won a Scholarship to
Gordon’s then graduated from the University
of Aberdeen in 1951, the same year he
married his wife Doreen. He joined the
Gordon Highlanders and met his wife at a
training camp in Carlisle. His first teaching
job was at Hilton Academy. He then took
up a position as Principal Science Teacher,
then Deputy Head at Summerhill Academy.
He was then Head of Linksfield Academy
steering three schools to amalgamate into
the Community Academy. After he retired in
1986 he went walking long distances across
Scotland and England. He was a member of
Howe Trinity Church in Alford and a lifelong
supporter of Aberdeen Football Club. He
was on the Board of Robert Gordon’s College
for many years taking part in the granting of
Bursaries.
Main, Eric Alexander Taylor (‘54) died on
17 November 2011.
Pennie, Gregor Bruce (‘69) Died on 20
April 2011.
Reid, Gordon Morrison (‘51) died on 23
November 2011. After Gordon’s he joined
the family printing and stationery business
Alex P Reid & Son until his early retirement
in 1997. His National Services was with the
RAF. He married his wife Sheila in 1963 and
they had two children a son and a daughter.
He was a founder member of the Rotary
Club of Aberdeen St Nicholas and held the
positions of President and Secretary. He was
President of the Aberdeen Association of
Master Printers 1976-77. His hobbies were
gardening, golf and his grandchildren.
Reid, Robert John Dootson OBE WKhM (G)
(‘63) died on 7 September 2011. After Gordon’s
he was educated at Welbeck and Sandhurst. He
was a fine sportsman playing rugby, cricket and
water polo as well as boxing for Old College at
Sandhurst. Robert, or Knobby as he was known,
served with the Royal Engineers from 19672000. He had a long and very distinguished
career including major contributions to the
successful outcome of the Dhofar War in Oman,
where British assistance was vital in helping the
Sultan to defeat a communist insurgency and
secure the country for peaceful and successful
development. Knobby personally led, showing
cool and sustained courage, clearing mines
in the hours of darkness in enemy territory,
calming and inspiring his recently trained
Omani sappers. The unit then were tasked to
construct a fence all the way from the scarp
to the sea. For this he was given the assault
pioneers of the three infantry battalions under
command. The fence was constructed under
constant mortar and artillery fire, with Knobby
always in the forefront of the action. He was
deservedly awarded the Sultan’s Distinguished
Service Medal for Gallantry.
Early promotion to Lt Col and selection as
Commanding Officer 7/10 Ulster Defence
Regiment (City of Belfast Battalion) followed.
He was awarded an operational OBE after his
tour and his citation included the following
comment “Lt Col Reid has brought his
Battalion through two difficult years with their
morale high and their efficiency improved. He
will long be remembered for his courage, fine
example, dedication and sheer hard work.”
He became a consultant in security and
worked on varied projects including St Martin’s
in the Field, the 02, Pushkin Museum and the
V&A. He also generously found time to join
a group of old friends working on RE Corps
History Volume X11, 1980 – 2000 and took
on the authorship of the Northern Ireland
chapter. His painstaking research, makes
this the most accurate and comprehensive
chapter in the whole volume. It is a fitting
memorial to him. Knobby with his usual
modesty and humility claimed no credit for
himself. His comrades, however, knew of his
achievements and bravery. It was no surprise
that they volunteered for the honour of
providing a bearer party for his funeral at the
Tower of London.
He was a true officer & gentleman of
enormous integrity with exceptionally high
and traditional standards of honour, and
behaviour, from which he would never deviate.
He was a man who gave so much to others
and he earned their undying respect. He is
survived by his wife, Rosie and his son, John
and daughter Kitty.
edited from obituary printed in The Times
Webster, Douglas G (‘81) died on 19
October 2011.
Young, Alexander (‘46) died on 15 April
2011.
Young, Thomas Ogilvie (‘52) Died on 27
December 2011.
Gordonian Association Contacts
Executive Committee Members
President:
Howard Smith Senior Vice-President: Bob Ruddiman Junior Vice-President: Mike Fraser Accountants: Bower & Smith
Magazine Liaison: Alan J Innes
Entertainment Secretary: Laura Pike
Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: George Bews
RGC Shop order form
ITEM
QUANTITY TOTAL
Golf towel
01224 868010 hossws291@tiscali.co.uk
07767 316970 bob.ruddiman@mcgrigors.com
01340 871002 Mikefraser1@btinternet.com
01224 317682
07540 553826
01224 630312 Gordonian tie
Cufflinks
Silk scarf
aji@peterkins.com
l.pike@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
bews@freeuk.com
Dolce letter opener
Umbrella
TOTAL COST
UK Branch Contacts
Aberdeen President: Howard Smith Glasgow
President: Derek Buchanan Edinburgh
President: Paul Tominey London
President: Lucy Mitchell UK Sports Contacts
Cricket: Golf: Men’s Hockey: Ladies Hockey: Rugby: Overseas Contacts
Australia (Brisbane) Australia (NS Wales)
Canada (Ontario)
Canada (Western)
Cayman Islands
Cyprus
France (Paris)
Indonesia
Middle East
Netherlands
New Zealand
Russia Singapore
Switzerland
Trinidad, Venezuela
& Suriname
USA (Florida)
USA (New York)
Andrew Lowden
Allan Henderson
Alan Innes
Janice Moir
Robert Fraser
POSTAGE & PACKING 01224 868010 hossws291@tiscali.co.uk
07786 511187
derek.buchanan1@btopenworld.com
07846 980353
paul.tominey@gmail.com
07736 649671
lucykathrynmitchell@gmail.com
07557 509370
07899 877618
07786 396217
01224 584079
07737 256301
a.lowden@tiscali.co.uk
allanh@theworkshop.uk.com
aji@peterkins.com
hursthazel@aol.com
rob.fraser@agr.com
Ian Frazer
Bob Cormack
John Ritchie
Ian Middler
David Bird
0034 5947 1903
Colonel D H Smith 003 572 593 5426
Graeme McKenzie
Kevin Smith
George Carr
00 968 2449 1324
Alan Scott
Robin MacLachlan
John K Milne
004 751 998 460
Hamish Dyer
0065 242 0277
Brian Gray
0041 793 258 345
i.frazer@uq.edu.au
bob.cormack@bigpond.com
buchan.loon@sympatico.ca
ian_middler@telus.net
bird@candw.ky
Marcus Knaggs
001 868 622 6231 Michael Dodds
Sandy Needham 001 212 580 9885
marcus@kdltt.com
ieagroup@gate.net
sandynee@ix.netcom.com
graeme.mckenzie@fr.atlascopco.com
ksmith@technip.com
gscarr@omantel.net.om
alscott@worldonline.nl
robin.maclachlan@xtra.co.nz
milne@online.no
scotgoat@pacific.net.sg
brian_gray@cocktailcc.com
£2.95
AMOUNT DUE
Name
Address
Email
Postcode
Payment by cheque
Please make your cheque payable to: Robert
Gordon’s College and return it to
The Development Office,
Robert Gordon’s College,
Schoolhill,
Aberdeen
AB10 1FE
Credit Card Payment
Name on card (IN BLOCK CAPITALS)
Card No:
Expiry Date:
Visa
Security No:
(Last 3 digits on signature strip). This information
Mastercard
will be destroyed after gift has been processed. Switch
Signature:
Issue No:
Start Date:
RGC Shop
Dates for your Diary
Please fill out the order form on the previous page.
Prices include VAT.
To place an order online go to www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk/shop
Surrey Lunch
Thursday 10th May
The Inn @ West End
London Gordonian Dinner
Friday 11th May
AAM Offices, The City
Gordonians Crickets Club – Former Player Reunion
28th September 2012
The palm Court Hotel, Aberdeen
Golf towel
Luxury velour
£12.50
Gordonian tie
Class of 1957 55 Year Reunion
Saturday 29th September
RGC
100% pure silk
£17.50
Edinburgh Gordonian Dinner
Friday 23rd November
The New Club, Princes Street
To register interest please email l.pike@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
Keep in touch
Cufflinks
The College crest in enamel
£30.00
Pink Pelican scarf
100% pure silk
£17.50
Has it really been 10 years…. If it has been that long since you left school
maybe it’s time for a Reunion! Feel free to get in touch with Laura Pike (Class of
‘03) in the Development Office who will be able to help Gordonians get in touch
with each other. Telephone 01224 611211 or email: l.pike@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
iGnite...this is the online community for former pupils. Keep in
touch with old school friends, share pictures and book tickets
for events all in one convenient website.
Find out more at: www.rgc-ignite.com
Webpage….The school website has recently had a makeover!
Logon www.rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk to see news and photos of life at Gordon’s
today, as well as school events such as Drama Productions and Musicals.
Dolce letter opener
Laser engraved logo
£20.00
Twitter...if you want to follow current school news go to our website and follow
us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/robertgordons
Facebook... we have found Facebook a great way of keeping in touch with
our former pupils all over the world, to view recent event photos from events
please ‘like’ us at www.facebook.com/RGCpage
Coming soon...We are currently working to produce an eNewsletter for
information and news between Pelican publications. To ensure you receive
yours please remember to update your email address!
Umbrella
Pro vented golf umbrella
£25.00
Remember to update your details!
Phone or email: developmentoffice@rgc.aberdeen.sch.uk
+44 (0) 1224 611211