The second son of the late J. Ramsay, was born in Edin. in 1873, and attended G.W.C. 1879-89. He was trained as a C.A., but his health breaking down, he emigrated to S. Africa in 1896. He served during the Boer War, and on the outbreak of the late war joined the S.A.I., with which he campaigned in German S.W. Africa. At the time of his death from heart failure, Nov. 19, 1916, he was employed in the audit department of the Command Paymaster's office at Pretoria, and held the rank of Staff Sgt.
The fourth son of Mr. W. Ranken, Edin., was born in 1888, and entered G.W.C. in 1898, where he was a member of the original Cadet Corps, and famed for his prowess in cycling and football. He afterwards played in the forward line of the Watsonian XV. After serving an engineering apprenticeship with Messrs. Bertram, he gained further experience in the North British Locomotive Works, Glasgow, and at the outbreak of war was engaged on work for a Leeds firm. In Aug. 1914 he rejoined the 4th R.S., and was gazetted to the 7th K.O.S.B. in Apr. 1915. He joined them in France, where he was wounded, and died Mar. 5, 1916.
A brother of the above, was born in 1881; and attended G.W.C. 1886-98. He was a keen cricketer and a great runner, gaining Scottish Athletic International honours for four years, 1900-1-3-7. Apprenticed to civil engineering, he rose to be director and joint manager of the important steel firm of Messrs. Firth, Dunlop and Ranken, Leeds. In 1914 he joined the 4th R.S., in which he became a Cpl., and went with his Bn. to the East. He fell on June 29, 1915, in Gallipoli. He was mentioned in Despatches, having brilliantly led a bombing party in a successful raid against the Turkish trenches. In memory of his sons, John and Ernest, Mr. Ranken has presented to the School the Ranken Memorial Trophy awarded to the winner of 'the Mile' at the Games.
Born in 1897, was the only son of Dr. Reid, Shipley Glen, Preston. After attending G.W.C., he entered Edin. Univ., where he studied medicine for one year. Obtaining a commission in the H.L.I., he saw service overseas, and was killed in action, Aug. 17, 1917.
The son of Mr. F. F. Reid, Edin., was born in 1880, and attended G.W.C. 1888-97. After receiving a business training in Leith, he entered the service of the Straits Trading Coy. in 1903, and held several important posts in the Federated Malay States and Siam. Home on furlough when war broke out, he enlisted in the Sportsman's Bn., R.F., in 1914, was gazetted to the R.S., and fell in the battle of the Somme, July 1, 1916. He fell near La Boiselle, and is buried there. Interested in soldiering and shooting, he had been a N.C.O. in the 1st Merchants' Coy. of the old ' Queen's,' and in the Malay States Volunteer Rifles.
He was the youngest son of the Rev G. M. Reith and attended Watson's between 1923 and 1937. That year he entered the Faculty of Medicine at Edinburgh University and was called to the colours shortly before the outbreak of war in 1939. He was wounded at El Alamein and spent six months in hospital. After the war he decided to make the army his career and in 1949 was sent to Hong Kong, as tension rose in the East. In 1950 he was promoted to Brigade Major, 27th Infantry Brigade and in the August of that year was sent to Korea. He took part in a campaign of exceptional difficulty and hardship but death came tragically on 27th October when the road on which he was travelling, which had been mined, collapsed and his vehicle rolled over twice, killing him. In the words of his Commander in Korea "he was a delightful companion".
John Rennie
Royal Scots
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
A son of Mr. W. J. Rennie, was born in Falkirk in 1893. He attended G.W.C. 1904-8, after receiving his preliminary education at Falkirk High School. On leaving he was in the counting-house of the Falkirk Iron Coy., and on the outbreak of war joined the R.S. He took part in the fighting of July 1, 1916, was reported missing, and is presumed to have fallen then.
Andrew S. Renwick, Sergeant Observer, Royal Air Force, only son of the late Mr. W. M. Renwick, Nigeria, and of Mrs. Renwick, Prospect House, Bridge of Allan, was born on 14th June 1922 and attended Watson's from 1928 to 1938, when he became apprenticed to the estate agent for Drummuir Castle, Banffshire. Joining the R.A.F. in September 1941, he was killed near Halesworth, Suffolk, on 10th September 1942.
Donald R. Mackay Reside, Second Radio Officer, Merchant Navy, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Reside, Craig Ard, Polmont. Born on 25th August 1921, he attended Watson's from 1930 to 1939, when he entered Edinburgh University with a view to taking an Honours degree in History. In 1941 he enlisted in the Merchant Navy as a Radio Officer and was torpedoed on 11th November 1943.
William Richmond, Captain, Merchant Navy, was the son of the late Mr. John Richmond, formerly Chief Sub-Editor of The Scotsman. Born in 1880, he left Watson's in 1895 to become an apprentice on The Firth of Stronza, a sailing ship owned by the Firth Line of Glasgow. After his apprenticeship he sailed as master in steamships all over the world in the service of Messrs. Currie & Co., Leith, and Messrs. Hogarth & Sons, Glasgow, owners of the Baron Line. On 2nd July 1940 the s.s. Baron Ruthven was part of a convoy bombed by an enemy 'plane and Captain Richmond was killed on the bridge with his chief officer.
