During the conflicts of the 20th Century former pupils of the George Watson's Boys' College answered their country's call in their hundreds and many made the ultimate sacrifice.
In World War I 605 died, 19.5% of those who served in the armed forces.
In World War II 202 died, 11.2% of those who served in the armed forces.
In addition, one former pupil of George Watson's Ladies' College was killed in World War I, another was killed during World War II and a pupil died in the Korean War. This Roll of Honour provides some of the facts and the faces behind the stark statistics. It also includes the six members of staff who died in World War I and another, who had taught at George Watson's Ladies' College, who died in World War II.
These biographies are not complete and there are also a number of photographs missing, together with a few records that have not yet been traced. If you have any further information we would welcome it, please contact us.
We continue to work hard to find out more about these Watsonians. Some of the photographs you will see here have been taken from newspapers and from the school magazine, The Watsonian, when they were still at school. Most of the information you will find here has been taken from A Memorial Record of Watsonians who served in the Great War (1920) and The Watsonian War Record 1939-1945 (1951). These two volumes were published to record and honour Watsonians who had served and who had died. Additionally, John Hamblin researched the Watsonians during the Second World War (1939-46) in more detail and we are pleased to share his research here too.
You can view the War Records by selecting one of the following links. Alternatively, you can search the Records using the form below, completing as much information as possible.
Your search for former pupils returned 804 record(s).
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| Name | Regiment | Buried | Biography |
|---|---|---|---|
Murdoch A. MacTaggart |
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders | ARRAS MEMORIAL | The eldest son of Col.Mactaggart, Bowmore, Islay, was born in 1895, and educated at Bowmore H.G. School and G.W.C. 1909-12. He was an articled solicitor, and in 1913 obtained a commission in the 8th A. and S. H. He was mobilised with his Bn., and crossed to France in May 1915. Promoted Capt. in June 1915, he was appointed Bombing Officer to his Bde. in 1916, and acted in that capacity for some time, afterwards returning to his company. In the severe fighting near the Chemical Works, Roeux, May 16, 1917, although he lost an eye that morning and was afterwards wounded in the arm, he refused to leave his men. He was mortally wounded, and buried on the battle-field. He was mentioned in Despatches for his superhuman bravery. |
Herbert Mais |
R.E. | FINS NEW BRITISH CEMETERY, SOREL-LE-GRAND | A son of the late C. L. Mais, Gordon Town, Jamaica, was born in 1890, and attended G.W.C. 1905-8. He then proceeded to Jamaica, and thence to McGill Univ., Montreal, where he graduated B.Sc. On the outbreak of war he enlisted in the R.E. in England. He gained his commission, and, going to France, was promoted and mentioned in Despatches. Shortly afterwards he was fatally wounded by a sniper. |
Patrick William Pugh Makepeace |
M.N. | TOWER HILL MEMORIAL | Pat W. P. Makepeace, Third Mate, Merchant Navy, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Makepeace, The Crofts, Papcastle, Cockermouth, Cumberland, and formerly of Belmont, South Morton Street, Joppa. Born on 30th November 1919, he was a pupil at Watson's from 1925 to 1936, when he commenced his apprenticeship as a cadet on the Ben Wyvis. After completing his training and finishing off at Leith Nautical College, he sailed as Third Mate in April 1941, and was torpedoed in the North Atlantic off the North African coast while outward bound on 13th May 1941. |
A. James Mann |
R.H. | AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION | Was born in 1896, and attended G.W.C. 1904-13. Owing to illness his education was completed under a tutor. He afterwards assisted at Craigleith Military Hospital, and became joint - editor of The Craigleith Chronicle, writing under the name of Lucas Cappe. In Aug. 1915 he was gazetted to the R.H., and took part in the Somme and Arras battles, falling in the latter, Apr. 9, 1917. He took great interest in the Field and Literary Clubs, and evinced remarkable powers as poet and journalist. |
Richard Rolland David Marsden |
R.A.F. | HARARE (PIONEER) CEMETERY | Richard R. D. Marsden, Sergeant Pilot, Royal Air Force, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Marsden, 123 Craigentinny Avenue, Edinburgh, was born on 14th February 1923. He attended Watson's from 1935 to 1940, when he proceeded to Edinburgh University to study medicine. In May 1942 he volunteered for the R.A.F. and gained his wings. He was killed in an air accident at Cranbourne, Rhodesia, on 13th July 1943, and is buried in Salisbury, S. Rhodesia. |
William Keay Falconer Marshall |
R.A.F. | TRONDHEIM (STAVNE) CEMETERY | W. Keay F. Marshall, Sergeant Wireless-operator, Royal Air Force, younger son of the late Mr. John A. Marshall, Solicitor, and Mrs. Marshall, 69 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, was born on 5th September 1915 and entered Watson's from John Watson's School, Edinburgh, in 1929. From his first summer term he was marked out as a cricketer and played in the 1st XI during seasons 1931 and 1932, being awarded his 1st XI Colours and the prize for the best bowling average. On leaving in 1933, he joined the staff of The Royal Bank, Kinross, and in 1936 was transferred to the London branch at Bishopsgate. Enlisting in the R.A.F. in 1940, he trained as a wireless operator and later became one of the crew of a Lancaster bomber, which crashed near Trondheim, Norway, on 27th April 1942 after a raid on the Tirpitz. |
John Martin |
Gordon Highlanders | CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ | The son of Mr. J. Martin, S.S.C., Edin., was born in 1888, and educated at G.W.C. and Malvern Public School. He gained a reputation in cricket, football, and golf, and played for the Watsonian XI. in 1908. After a course of law at Edin. Univ., he entered his father's business. When war broke out, he was the first of Watsonian sportsmen to receive a commission in the Army in the 8th Service Bn. Gordon Hrs. He was awarded the M.C. for a daring piece of work, and fell leading his men when held up by a storm of machine-gun and rifle fire - summer 1917. |
Ross Martin |
Tank Corps | DELSAUX FARM CEMETERY, BEUGNY | The youngest son of the late Rev. D. J. Martin, Oban, was born in 1898 and educated at Oban High School. Thereafter he was at G.W.C. for three years. While under military age, in June 1916, he left School and served in a Y.M.C.A. hut at Rouen. Returning to Edinburgh he joined the E.U.O.T.C., volunteered for the R.F.C., but was rejected for heart weakness. A commission was given to him in the Tank Corps, and he was sent to France in Aug. 1918. He was only a few days in action when he fell fatally wounded, and died on Oct. 25. |
Douglas Wardlaw Marwick |
R.A.F. | EDINBURGH (MORNINGSIDE) CEMETERY | Douglas W. Marwick, Corporal, Royal Air Force, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Marwick, 11 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, left Watson's in 1920, and thereafter managed his father's confectionery business in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, for some years. He was well known as one of the leading amateur golfers in the city, had won several scratch tournaments, was a member of the Lothians team against Angus and the Western District on a few occasions, and led the Shaftesbury quartette to victory in the Evening Dispatch Trophy Tournament in 1934. Joining the R.A.F. on the outbreak of war, he had been in action as an air-gunner many times, and died on active service on 23rd August 1940 at the age of thirty-six. |
George W. Marwick |
Royal Scots | CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ | The second son of Mr. J. P. Marwick, Edin., was born on 2 Sept 1893, and educated at G.W.C. 1899-1909. He was a keen member of the Cricket, Golf, Rugby, and Field Clubs. On leaving School he entered his father's business of Marwick Bros., Fountainbridge, Edin., and rose to be manager. His main interest was in the chemical side of the business, and he showed great organising powers. Enlisting in the R.S., he was sent to France, and went through the thick of the Somme and Arras fighting. He was killed in action on Apr. 9, 1917. |