The youngest son of the late J. M. Ferguson, I.S.O., Banchory, was born at Ashford, Kent, in 1894, and came to G.W.C. in 1907 from Madras College. On leaving in 1913, he went to Aberdeen Grammar School. He was engaged in banking in Canada when war broke out. Enlisting in the Canadian Mounted Rifles, he crossed to Britain in July 1915, and spent the winter in the trenches of Flanders. Gazetted to the Gordon Hrs., he went through a training course at Ripon with marked distinction, and fell on Nov. 13, 1916, before Beaumont Hamel.
The elder son of Mr. W. S. Fleming, Edin., was born in 1884, and attended G.W.C. 1895-1901. He was latterly a partner in the firm of Messrs. J. Fleming and Coy., sugar and spice merchants, Edin. On leaving School he enlisted in the Q.E.R.V.B., and proved a notable marksman both at the local and the Bisley meetings. On the creation of the Territorial Force he joined the 4th R.S., and was mobilised as Col. Sgt. of 'F' Coy. He had become C.S.M. when he received a commission in the 1st R.S.F. Crossing to France in July 1915, he was promoted Lt. in 1916, and was A/Capt. in command of his Coy. when he died of wounds received on July 14, 1916. He is interred at Abbeville. He was gazetted Capt. three months after his decease.
Was born in 1892, and attended G.W.C. 1903-9. He studied the technical side of the bakery business at Glasgow Technical College and in Germany, and joined his father's firm in 1912. Like his brother a keen Territorial, he attained distinction locally and at Bisley as a marksman. He was mobilised in 1914 as a L/Sgt. in the 4th R.S. Granted a commission in the 11th R.S., Mar. 1915, he crossed to France in Jan. 1916, and went through the Somme battle, being awarded the M.C. He was A/Capt. when he fell in action on Mar. 21, 1917, at Arras.
The son of Mr. J. Flint, Trinity, Leith, was born in 1880, and attended G.W.C. 1891-98. He went into business and became the E. of Scotland representative of his father's firm, Messrs. J. Fleming, Ltd. He was a noted golfer and an enthusiastic Volunteer, being for several years associated with the 3rd High. Coy. of the 1st Q.E.R.V.B. Rejoining on the outbreak of war, he went with the 15th R.S. to France in Jan. 1916, and was killed in action before La Boiselle on July 1 of the same year.
William E. Foot, Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force, younger son of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Foot, Graemesdyke, Bo'ness, left Watson's in 1935. He had already done his training with the R.A.F.V.R. prior to hostilities, and, proceeding to Gibraltar, joined a squadron of Catalina flying-boats operating over the Atlantic. Thereafter he was posted to Singapore and on its fall escaped via Sumatra to Java. Although the island was in Japanese hands, he managed to procure petrol and took on board a number of Dutch women and children whom he flew safely to Broome, N. Australia. Subsequently his flying-boat was destroyed at its moorings by the Japanese. Following a short recuperation Pilot Officer Foot returned to active service in India, and after completing several missions over Burma he was reported missing on 15th December 1942 and presumed killed at the end of the war. He was twenty-five years of age.
The third son of the late R. Forbes, Kreisfontein, Upper Tongaat, Natal, was born in Natal in 1893, and was educated at G.W.C. 1901-7, and at Stanley House, Bridge of Allan. Joining the 4th R.S. in Aug. 1914, he served with his Bn. in Gallipoli and Egypt. Granted a commission in the 2nd S.R. in Mar. 1917, he was killed in action on May 27 of the same year.
Born in 1880, and entered G.W.C. in 1891. After studying at King's College, London, he entered the Estates Duty Office, Edin., in 1900, and finally became a staff officer in the Comptroller's Office, Inland Revenue, Edin. Having been connected with the 4th R.S. for some years, he volunteered for imperial service on the outbreak of war. He went to the Dardanelles, and fell in the attack on Gully Ravine, June 28, 1915. He was keenly interested in athletics, being a prominent member of the Brunstane XV. and of Portobello Lawn Tennis Club.
Francis O. Ford, Captain, Royal Marines, was the third son of the late Rev. R. Anson Ford, St. John's Road, Corstorphine, formerly on the School Staff. Born on i 6th October 1920, he attended Watson's from 1930 to 1939, when he left to take up Insurance. Joining the Royal Marines in 1940, he rose to the rank of Captain, and was killed in action during the Sicily landings in July 1943, when serving with the Central Mediterranean Forces.
Born in 1878, and attended G.W.C. 1890-097, gaining many prizes. He then went to Edin. Univ., where he graduated M.A. with Hons. in Classics in 1902. He went as English and Classical master to the International College of La Chatelaine, near Geneva, whence he returned in 1909 with the degree of L. es L. to take up the position of French Master in Glasgow High School. When war broke out, he was preparing his Ph.D. (Geneva) thesis. He enlisted in the same regiment as his brother Charles, and fell in the same action and on the same day in an attempt to succour a comrade. He was a prominent athlete in his time, beating Downer in the Powderhall open 200 yds. handicap 1900, and winning in the mixed doubles in the Liberton Tournament 1914. In memory of his sons, Mr. Ford has founded the Ford Memorial Prize awarded at the School Games for the 220 yds. race.
Peter R. Anson Ford, D.F.C., Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force, brother of the above, was the eldest son of the late Rev. R. Anson Ford. Born on 8th May 1917, he attended Watson's from 1925 to 1931, when he left to enter Trinity College, Glenalmond. He was awarded a scholarship at Keble College, Oxford, but he left before graduating and joined the R.A.F. in 1938. Commissioned in 1939, he served in Malta, Cairo, Burma (where he was awarded the D.F.C.) and India. Returning to Britain in 1943, he was reported " missing believed killed" in an operational flight over Germany in June 1944
