William M. Hart, Second Lieutenant, Roval Artillery, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Hart, 7 Inverleith Terrace, Edinburgh, was born on 25th November 1919 and received all his schooling at Watson's from 1924 to 1938. Entering the firm of Messrs. Steel Brothers & Co., Ltd., he was training at their London office prior to going out East, and in May 1939 had joined the Honourable Artillery Company. Being called up at the outbreak of war, he was soon commissioned Second Lieutenant, R.A. Shortly afterwards he transferred to his old regiment, the H.A.C., and going out to the Middle East in September 1941, was killed in action on 23rd January 1942. Billy Hart was a great lover of horses and was at home in the saddle from his early years. He was twenty-two years of age.
The elder son of Mr. J. H. Hartley, Edin., was born in 1898, and attended G.W.C. 1904-8. He then went into the counting-house of Messrs. T. Nelson and Sons, publishers. In Mar. 1917 he joined the Officers' Cadet Wing of the R.F.C., and was commissioned in the succeeding June. Posted to the 48th Squadron at Dunkirk as pilot of a' Bristol Fighter,' and subsequently moved to St. Quentin, he brought down many German machines, and was never beaten in the air. In Mar. 14, 1918, he was shot from the ground while flying low over the German lines, and, though mortally wounded, brought his machine and observer safely back to the British lines.
John E. Hastie, Ordinary Seaman, Royal Navy, was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Hastie, Chirnside, Berwickshire, and late of Penang. Born on 6th August 1920, he was a pupil at Watson's from 1928 to 1936. and was, prior to joining the Royal Navy, on the staff of the Caledonian Insurance Co., Edinburgh. He went down with H.M.S. Prince of Wales on 10th December 1941.
James Addison Hawkins, Flight Lieutenant, Royal Air Force, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Hawkins, 32 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, was born in London on 13th November 1921. He attended Watson's from 1926 to 1929 and from 1935 to 1939, when he was a School Prefect, Swimming Champion, and winner of the discus event at the annual Games. After a year at the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, he joined the R.A.F., gained his wings, was commissioned in 1941 and rose to the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He lost his life in a flying accident on 14th April 1944, when serving as a staff instructor at an operational training school.
The elder son of Mr. R. Wood Hawks, Edin., was born in 1896, and entered G.W.C. in 1901. He had a brilliant career as a student, and left in 1914 Dux of the School, and winner of a George Watson Higher Bursary, besides many other prizes. He was a prominent member of the Literary Club and its Secretary, 1913-14. Entering Edin. Univ. with a Heriot Bursary, he intended studying for the I.C.S. He joined the E.U.O.T.C. (Infy.), and left with the rank of .L/Cpl. in Oct. 1915, to take a commission in the 2/4th R.S. He was attached to the 1/6th Gloucesters, and then to an R.E. unit, and served in France, where he was attacked by trench fever. Rejoining his original Bn. in Egypt, he came back to France in the 52nd Div., and served in the campaign which stemmed the March Offensive. His health was impaired, and he was laid aside by illness again. Passed fit once more, he took part in several battles unscathed, till, on Sept. 27,1918, at the crossing of the Canal du Nord, he was instantaneously killed, and was buried in a small cemetery just outside Moeuvres.
The son of the late A. Hay, Edin., was born in 1882, and entered G.W.C. in 1894. Having a distinct bent for engineering, he entered the motor industry, and was a motor car demonstrator and salesman. An enthusiastic Volunteer, he was a member of the Q.E.R.V.B., latterly the 5th R.S. Mobilised with his Bn. in Aug. 1914, he went to the Dardanelles, and was shot by a sniper in June 1915.
The son of the late J. Hay, Calcutta, was born in 1876, and entered G.W.C. in 1884. He then proceeded to Merchiston, and, having served his time as an engineer, went to Canada and U.S.A. He returned at once on the outbreak of war, and enlisting in the A. and S. H., he served for two years, and fell in the advance on Arras, Apr. 23, 1917.
KIRKBY WHARFE (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) CHURCHYARD EXTENSION
David A. Heggie, Sergeant Pilot, Royal Air Force, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Heggie, 13 Napier Road, Edinburgh, was born on 7th December 1915. Entering Watson's from Cranley School, he played as a forward in the School XV and later in the Watsonian XV. In July 1940 he left the business of Messrs. Heggie & Aitchison, Ltd., to join the R.A.F., and was killed on active service in May 1941 at the age of twenty-four.
A son of Mr. W. Henderson, Edin., was born in 1885, and attended G.W.C. 1893-1902. Joining the A. and S. H. in June 1916, he was transferred to the 1/5th Gordon Hrs in France, and died of wounds in Belgium in Sept. 1917.
A son of Mr. J. Milne Henderson, C.A., J.P., was born in 1891, and educated at G.W.C. 1898-1908. He gave up a business career to join the 9th R.S. as a Pte. on the outbreak of war. Later he was commissioned to the 11th H.L.I., and promoted Lt. On service overseas he was wounded in action, and in June 1916 was mentioned in Despatches. He was killed on 31st July 1917.
