The Magazine and Annual Review of The Stewart's Melville FP Club
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MAY 2021
The Magazine and Annual Review of The Stewart’s Melville FP Club
SMC lit up on the National Day of Reflection
(thanks to ESMS Marketing for the photo)
2 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club Contents... 3 Editor’s Introduction 3 FP Club Update 4 New Club President - Kenneth Russell 5 Principal’s Report 6 Patrick Tobin 7 Colin Rigby 10 Class of 2020 11 Reasons to Remember 14 James Wight Rutherford 15 Iain Riley 16 ESMS Development Office and Community Update 17 Ross Thompson 19 Melville College Trust Update 20 A School History Lesson 25 Stewart’s Melville College Archives 27 Sports Clubs - Cricket 28 Sports Clubs - Rugby 31 Sports Clubs - Golf 32 Sports Clubs - Hockey 33 Melville Class of 1963 Annual Reunion 33 Tribute - Mike Geddes 34 Tribute - Douglas Wright 35 Obituaries
FP News 2021 3
Editor’s Introduction to be so, but I’m quietly hopeful that some interesting material and some great
normality will be returned to us sooner photos, and have a look at the piece
than we may dare to wish. about the Rutherford building as well.
The FP News this year has been a I am very thankful to all the people who
welcome distraction, and hopefully contributed as always. My job is really
there’s a good variety of content for you made easier by sports captains, features
to enjoy. There are the usual updates and updates writers, and everyone else
from Principal Moule, the club president who contributes in some way. Thank you
(welcome to the new president – Kenneth to everyone who contributed obituaries,
Russell), the Melville Trust, our sport
which I know cannot be an easy ask. I’d
clubs, and from the head of Sixth Form.
also thank Bryan Lewis for writing a kind
Beyond this, make sure to catch some
obituary for Patrick Tobin, who many
of the varied features included. I enjoyed
interviewing Iain Riley, a headmaster and FPs will remember. As always, a special
school director in China, and loved the thank you to Sandra Shedden, at MDPD,
contribution from Dave Clarke, part of the who designs and prints the magazine,
SMC History department, about FPs in Suzi Squires, of the Development Office,
the World Wars. Make sure to read it – and Laura McIntosh as well. Thanks also
and also see the piece by David McLeish, to Bob Young, Bert Barclay, Alan Veitch,
head archivist at SMC, on the archives Jack Davidson, and John Archer.
Hello again, First things first – projects and the work being done there. It’s been a nice project throughout
apologies for the lateness of I interviewed a friend from my year at a busy year for me personally – I
school, Ross Thompson, about the
the magazine this year! beginning of his professional rugby career
graduated from Oxford during lockdown,
and I’m almost finished a MSc at
A better editor might have rattled out at Glasgow Warriors, and also chatted
Edinburgh. Thanks to the club for letting
three of them with all this time at home, to Colin Rigby, now the VP at the SRU.
me do it again. I love receiving anything
but it proved a little difficult to assemble Both interviews give fascinating insights
that could end up as content for the
with so much disruption. Regardless, into Scottish Rugby from totally differing
I hope you enjoy what we’ve put perspectives. Bert Barclay and Alan magazine – please do reach out to me at
together. I know it’s been a really Veitch contributed a fascinating history of fraserjmaclean@gmail.com.
difficult year for so many, and continues the School playing grounds, uncovering Enjoy!
FP Club Update
resolution to transfer the operational
management of the clubhouse at
Inverleith from the FP Club to the
school. As part of the transfer
due consideration a special resolution agreement the school have undertaken
A summary of the significant that there will be a seamless experience
was put to an Extraordinary General
donation the club has made Meeting of the Club on 15th July for users of the clubhouse for the rugby
to the ESMS Hardship held by Zoom and the outcome was club, hockey club, cricket club and
unanimous agreement among those other patrons. Laura McIntosh, the
Fund, and the changes in present that the Club should donate a FP Club’s treasurer to this point and
clubhouse management. sum of up to £215,000 from reserves Denise Mitchell, long time bar manager,
to SMC’s hardship fund which at have transferred their employment
Donation to ESMS times was called upon to assist with to the school and will continue to be
Hardship Fund payment of school fees on an ad hoc principally responsible for the services
basis. The Hardship Fund is separate offered at the clubhouse along with
In July 2020 on receipt of a request and in addition to the Bursary Fund
from a senior member of the club the Joyce Waterston of the caterer AJ
operated by the school via “Access to
FP Club Council agreed to consider Catering. Unfortunately as all members
Excellence”. The donation has proved
what might be done to alleviate the most helpful to the school in resolving will be only too aware the clubhouse
financial consequences of Covid that some of the difficulties put before them. has remained closed since early March
some parents might experience in 2020 due the pandemic, so the new
relation to meeting school fees and Clubhouse Management arrangements have yet to be tested in
thereby allow for the continuance of The Extraordinary Meeting of the Club operation.
the education of sons at SMC. After on 15th July 2020 also approved a Bert Barclay
4 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club
New Club President -
Kenneth Russell emotional challenges we face as a
result of the Covid-19 pandemic have
Background
Ken is the third generation of an
provided us with an opportunity for the
entrepreneurial Edinburgh family with
FP Club to work closer with the school
interests in construction, property
in supporting each other – helping the
and the automotive sectors. After
Development Office and Access to
Excellence support current and future leaving school he travelled extensively
pupils and their families while working throughout the USA before spending a
together to make former pupils aware semester at Lincoln Way High School,
of the many social and networking New Lenox, Illinois. Ken then spent five
benefits of club membership beyond years as a management trainee with
the ones associated with the club’s a national construction group before
sporting activities. joining his family construction business
“I also feel the FP Club and its in Edinburgh.
members are well placed to use their Following his father’s unexpected
extensive social and business networks death Ken, then aged 25, assumed
to seek new donations from the wider responsibility for his family’s business
We welcome Ken, our new business community for Access to interests, which under his stewardship
Excellence in order to pass on to
club president, and thank continued to flourish for the next
current and future generations of pupils 40 years, including acquiring one
Charles Wilson for his service the benefits of a first-rate education
over the last two years. Below of Scotland’s most award-winning
they enjoyed while a pupil themselves.
motor dealerships and being a co-
is a press release for Ken, via I look forward to the support of club
founder of the internationally-renowned
ASM Media & PR. members in this goal.
Howtowdie Restaurant in Edinburgh’s
New FP Club President Ken Russell Thanks West End.
is particularly keen that the mutual “I’d like to thank Past Presidents A Fellow of the Institute of Directors,
support between the club and Charles S. Wilson MBE and Robert Ken has also been a member of The
the school increases during the Barclay for guiding the club through Society of Edinburgh High Constables,
challenging times we now face. Having a challenging period including Scottish Motor Trade Association,
already overseen the completion of successfully managing the Clubhouse
a substantial donation by the club Federation of Master Builders (Past
and latterly to Robert in steering the President), St Andrews Business Club
to the school’s Hardship Fund, Ken Club through the significant challenges
will use his presidency to fundraise (Past President), Edinburgh Chamber
created by Covid restrictions.”
further among FPs and the wider of Commerce and a founder member
business community for the fund and Ken’s links with the club and school go of the Scottish Borders Chamber of
the school’s Development Office. beyond his own attendance at Melville Commerce. Now resident in North-East
In return, he hopes to work with College and membership of the FP Fife, Ken is an award-winning business
the Development Office to increase clubs since leaving – his uncle, Alistair
mentor, board advisor and is currently
awareness of and engagement with the Birrell (DSC 1940) was a Past President
is non-executive chairman of two
club among former pupils, resulting in of Daniel Stewart’s FP Rugby Club and
companies.
higher membership. his cousin, broadcaster Mike Russell,
was also an FP of Daniel Stewart’s Ken and his wife Ann have a daughter,
Opportunity (1959). Ken has also been a member three sons and five grandchildren.
Speaking about his plans, Ken says: of The Royal Company of Merchants of His other interests include cycling,
“The economic, financial, social and The City of Edinburgh for 44 years. hillwalking and speechwriting.
FP News 2021 5
Principal’s Report where both teams gave it their all, it
was a truly memorable game. The
boys 1st X1 Football team won the
Independent Schools’ Cup with a 3-1
win over local rivals George Watson’s
College in an entertaining final played
at Falkirk Stadium. The 1st X1 Hockey
team were silver medallists at the
National Indoor Championships (a
school) first. A group of boys attended
the Scottish Schools Aquathlon
Championships at the Michael Woods
Leisure Centre where they all raced
well. In the final race of the day one
of our S6 boys retained his Scottish
Schools title by running into 1st place
with the fastest run of the day.
An update from the Principal They demonstrated commitment,
perseverance, and the ability to embrace The autumn term calendar was filled
of ESMS, Linda Moule.
every new challenge thrown at them. with special events and occasions,
I am delighted to write a report for the Over the course of the summer boys including Remembrance, The Pipe Band
FP News Magazine as the Principal had the opportunity to participate in and Dancers’ Ceilidh and excellent
of Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools. various sporting and curricular trips. performances of Alice in Wonderland,
This has been a year like none other, These included a cricket tour to The Last Witch and Othello. Musical
however, I have never felt so proud Liverpool with two thrilling fixtures, a events included the Award Holders’
of my pupils in their determination to very wet Gordonstoun tour and our Concerts held in The Dean, followed by
overcome the many obstacles triggered 1st XI hosted to compete for the David the Senior School Chamber Concerts.
by the Covid-19 pandemic. Gray Cup in the annual cricket festival. The Solo Piping and Drumming
In 2019/2020 boys were unfortunately South Africa Hocky Tour was truly Competition was keenly fought at all
not given the opportunity to sit their levels from Chanter through to the Senior
memorable on and off the pitch; 46
examinations as they were cancelled events. Keeping with tradition, our Carol
U18 rugby players travelled to Ontario,
due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Pupils Party followed by the Senior School
Canada for the SMC pre-season rugby
were genuinely very disappointed Carol Services in St Mary’s Cathedral
tour. CCF camps (Army) to North
not to be able to demonstrate their were the end to a special term.
Yorkshire and RAF in Hertfordshire;
industry and knowledge which they the annual trip to Malawi for S5 boys. We were all hugely disappointed when
had acquired throughout their studies. Canoeists enjoyed the river Spey for we had to severely curtail our calendar
Instead, pupils were graded on teacher a few days of canoeing and camping of events at the end of term 2 due to
estimates based on their demonstrated and our skiers a trip to Sestriere. Covid-19 restrictions. However, our pupils
and inferred attainment in each subject. During the October break, the Drama embraced this with many other ways to
The pass rate at National 5 was 97.4% department led a successful trip to keep busy and support others: creating
with an A rate of 75.9%. At Higher Hollywood, Geography trip to Iceland PPE at home, running a half marathon
level boys secured a pass rate of and the History department to Japan. round their garden, taking therapet to
98.3%, with an A rate of 67.4%. At Just before Christmas a group of 45 S2 local care homes, project Linus continued
Advanced Higher level the pass rate boys headed to London for a weekend by sewing patchwork quilts from home,
was 97.7% and the A rate was 63.3%. of history tours and sight-seeing, designing a child friendly hand sanitiser
station and many more.
Boys not only distinguished themselves On the sports field, the boys Rugby
on the academic front but have adapted team won the U18 Scottish Schools This session has marked an
and demonstrated great resilience to Cup, the final was played at BT extraordinary time for so many of us.
overcome the obstacles of working Murrayfield against George Watson’s Linda A Moule
from home and online learning. College. It was a fast-paced match Principal
6 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club
Patrick Tobin
The SMC Community was to ensure that the schools he left were
saddened to hear of the death much more demanding of themselves
than when he had arrived. The schools
of ex-Headmaster, Patrick owe him a great deal for all that was
Tobin. Bryan Lewis remembers achieved during his tenure as he strove
his former colleague below. to strengthen the schools’ reputation for
academic rigour, for cultural appreciation
I remember the
and for high behavioural expectations. part of our schools today including
day I first met
staff appraisal, the use of comparative
Patrick Tobin Patrick had joined the schools in
statistics, annual reviews with all senior
shortly after his August 1989 from the Prior Park
school Heads Of Department and Heads
appointment School in Bath where he had
of Guidance, the structure of the school
as Principal of transformed the school into a
timetable, an increase in the range and
Stewart’s Melville beacon of excellence. Always very
number of subjects taught and the
College and The courteous with a personally caring
introduction of a joint Sixth Year and
Mary Erskine and surprisingly shy side to him
shared guidance system. The schools
School (not yet ESMS!) in 1989. I had which did not always come across
without doubt became more academic
applied for the post of Headmaster in public meetings with colleagues in their approach and results improved
of the Junior School and realised that and parents, Patrick possessed the considerably during his decade in
Patrick, who had not yet assumed his steely single-mindedness which charge. The schools also became much
new responsibilities, was the person marks out leaders who are willing to closer to each other and during Patrick’s
I needed to convince that I should be face up to challenges, and in some tenure the foundations of the future
appointed, despite all my previous cases opposition, in order to fulfil their integration into today’s ESMS were laid.
experience being as a secondary vision. With an excellent degree from
Patrick was deeply involved in
school Stewart’s Melville teacher. His Oxford University and a broad teaching
independent schools’ education on
eyes were piercing, his questions were background which included a spell as
a UK wide basis where his views and
piercing and I quickly realised that both Head of History at Tonbridge School in
opinions were widely sought and
were reflective of his intellectual depth addition to his previous experience of
valued. His appointment as Chairman
and rigour which were also piercing. Headship at Prior Park, Patrick brought
of HMC in 1998 was a personal
Patrick decided to offer me the post with him wide experience, intellectual highlight. By the time he retired in
and for the next 10 years I worked curiosity and and an unmatched ability 2000 he had undoubtedly changed
closely with him, latterly as Vice to separate the wood from the trees. the schools and laid the foundations
Principal as well as Headmaster. Patrick was instrumental in developing on which David Gray and latterly Linda
The clarity of his vision, his single- many of the structures which remain Moule built the ESMS we know today.
mindedness and his ability to analyse
problems and come up with solutions
were extraordinary. My senior
colleagues and I enjoyed the intellectual
and mental challenges we faced as
we worked hard to keep up with the
pace of change as he his realised his
vision for the schools, a vision which
he had explained very clearly to the
Management Teams within weeks of
his appointment.
Patrick believed the schools lacked
intellectual rigour and in retrospect he
was correct. He demanded more of
the academic staff and he demanded
more of the pupils. He also demanded
more of himself and he worked tirelessly
FP News 2021 7
Colin Rigby
I spoke to Colin Rigby (whom MND in January raising over £1m – a their own rugby community are truly
quite remarkable achievement! outstanding. For example, buy a virtual
many will know from the FP
One of the major items I campaigned round; virtual dinners with delivered
Rugby Club), who was elected meals and wine with speakers; and
on was the level of transparency given
VP of the SRU last year. We to clubs to explain the context behind regional fitness competitions including
discussed the pandemic, the decisions. The VP Notes are now throwing the welly; and inter-club
club game, the national team, published after each Scottish Rugby football leagues to name but a few.
and head trauma amongst Council meeting and I am delighted With that in mind, are there new
they have been a resounding success. priorities for the leadership of the
other topics. Thanks to Colin
Going forward, since minutes of our SRU after the pandemic?
for being generous with his Council meetings are now also being
The pandemic, globally, has led to all
time and his answers. published on the Scottish Rugby
organisations reviewing their priorities
website, my aim is to weave this into
You were elected VP of the SRU and strategies for the coming years
one document combining the minutes
in summer last year. Has it been and Scottish Rugby is no different. The
of meetings and the VP notes.
difficult to make progress with the priority firstly has to be the wellbeing
domestic reform you talked about The Governance review is well of stakeholder, that is the clubs and
in the campaign in the difficult under way with already some five their communities and employees.
circumstances of your term so far? meetings. President Ian Barr and
We responded with a four-stage
Stewart’s Melville’s Gavin MacColl QC
It’s certainly been an interesting plan - Respond, Reset, Recover and
as chairman are driving the review
opening six months - effectively three Rebuild, and I believe Scottish Rugby
and we remain on track to report back
AGMs as a result of the coronavirus was proactive from the outset in its
to the clubs by early summer.
pandemic, the cancellation of the response to the pandemic.
As we progress through the pandemic,
competitive domestic season, the We are now in the reset phase and
we will start to focus on how domestic
start of a governance review, and new various strategies are being evaluated
clubs will emerge from the pandemic
autumn series – the Autumn Nations and refined, the difficulty on this
and reform going forward as the game
Cup and new ways of delivering the occasion is the majority of decisions
on and off the pitch as we knew it will
game to the wider audience, CVC are impacted by items outwith Scottish
need to adapt. One of the positives
money into Pro 14 now 16 and of Rugby’s control such as government
of the pandemic is that I have been
course, the win at Twickenham. able to speak to more clubs than I legislation and restrictions.
In addition, thanks to Doddie Weir and would normally as forum meetings are So, to answer your question, yes, there
Rob Wainwright, a lot of us have had via Zoom rather than in person. Some are new priorities, around survival and
the chance to do some exercise in the of the positive initiatives clubs are realigning the game for when we can
Doddie Aid inter-district challenge for coming up with to keep contact with eventually resume.
8 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club
We are grateful for the support we have at least weekly with stakeholders There are a good number of
received from the Scottish Government from throughout the game evaluating exciting prospects in Scotland at
in the recent weeks by underpinning our scenarios and opportunities so when the moment (including some from
plans by the provision of £15 million grant we are given the green light, we are Stew Mel). What is your opinion
aid and the option to take an additional £5 ready to re activate the game at mini , on the increasing tendency of
million loan as part of a rescue package, midi, schools , and club levels. We will clubs giving opportunities to
given the absence of spectators at almost all have to work hard together to retain southern hemisphere talent, instead
all matches since restrictions triggered by and ultimately increase the number of of young domestic prospects?
the coronavirus pandemic were imposed people playing and involved in other Great question and one that highlights
in March 2020. This will help finance roles in our game. the issue of where we stand as a game
the game at all levels. Scottish Rugby What are your thoughts, and the on and off the pitch. The reality is we
understands the parlous state many of thinking within the SRU, on how the need to evaluate why our domestic
our clubs find themselves in and I am Super6 league has operated so far? prospects are not in some cases the
sure in the upcoming Council meetings Are there any plans for it to evolve first port of call? And this comes back
and Board meetings we will look to build in the future? to where we need to look to invest in
on the template of last season’s Club the game at grassroots and create
It’s early days with Super6 as their
Hardship Fund. a pathway that the best players are
first season was truncated by Covid.
tested week in and week out for clubs
Live sport attendance is something My initial view was it was a positive
and schools so as they rise up through
a lot of people are looking forward step forward and from a Stewart’s
the ranks. These prospects need
to after lockdown - how do you see Melville perspective we have seen
to have the best coaching, strength
crowds being phased back in? many benefits from our partnership
and conditioning and understand
We all wish to see crowds back at with Heriot’s. I also appreciate that not
what is expected of them, but, most
sporting events within Scotland as all has been plain sailing and Super6
importantly, that they have been tested
soon as possible following guidance has much to do to gain the trust of the
in each environment. We as clubs and
from medical experts and Scottish clubs and build a working relationship schools have never, I believe answered
Government. As the virus continues to with Premiership clubs. that question to any great degree of
mutate more and more scenarios are That said, Super6 is here and we satisfaction. We are very fortunate at
being planned around how and when need to embrace its conception and Stewart’s Melville over the last few
crowds can return whether to Inverleith standing in the club game and perhaps years to have provided several players
or BT Murrayfield. Scottish Rugby has there will be consideration in the future to the professional ranks, Scott Riddell
a threat management group meeting to increase it to eight or ten teams. at Scotland 7’s; George Turner with
FP News 2021 9
Glasgow Warriors and Scotland; Ross We need to be open minded and think of how injuries occur, the game’s
Thompson also in Glasgow. And in outside the box, why can’t school laws have adapted and the emphasis
the Edinburgh ranks we have Jamie teams play against the best club on player safety must continue to be
Hodgkinson, Jack Blain and Connor teams? How do we retain players at paramount. All sports will need to
Boyle. Add in hooker Isaac Miller at all levels of the game, irrespective of come to terms and adapt as medical
Worcester Warriors, Callum Hunter Hill gender, how do we increase match research evolves around head trauma.
at Saracens - we are contributing to official recruitment? The list is long, This is not just a challenge for rugby.
the Scottish professional game. but we must all start to understand the
A lively debate within Scottish
This is great news for the school and issues before we can apply a solution.
Rugby surrounds the potential
the rugby club and a progression that Sometimes we forget that every player resurrection or creation of a third
we should celebrate. At the same time that plays for Scotland, Edinburgh or professional club. Is that something
however, it is in the domestic game Glasgow started either at a club or to realistically expect?
where 95% of players play, some for school, there were no bright lights and
Why not? However, the bigger question
competitive rugby, but most for fun sponsors it was Saturday mornings or
Sunday afternoons. is how it can be financed. It’s no secret
and the social aspect with their friends
that Glasgow and Edinburgh lack the
and that must be at the forefront of our We must get the girls and women’s
financial clout of some of the PRO
minds when laying out our strategy for game to dovetail into these deliverables.
14/16 teams and their English and
the future. The top 5% of our playing
Head safety and concussion is French counterparts. So, before we
population need a structure to be as
maybe the biggest debate in rugby can look towards a third Pro Team,
competitive as possible to drive sucess
(and a number of sports) right now. we need to ensure we can adequately
and funding which is then promoted The RFU and WRU have had former
and distributed to the 95% of the finance what we already have.
players raise lawsuits against Obviously, the CVC investment in the
playing population so we must all look them, and an increasing number
at the overall bigger picture as well as PRO14 will help Scottish Rugby as a
of parents have reservations about
within our own team or club. whole, however it will also aid the other
their kids taking up the game. What
countries, so we need to fight hard just
can be done to encourage more
to stand still.
people playing whilst ensuring their
safety? And have the regulations Then debate will be where does
at the professional level gone far this potential third team play? Borders?
enough in your opinion? North? Or even London via London
Scottish could be a consideration.
This is certainly an area that has
become very newsworthy of late. It will take a few years for all forms of
For those of us privileged to hear Dr rugby to settle down and get back
James Robson speak at the rugby to the levels of financial investment
club dinner a few years back, Scotland that were seen prior to the pandemic
through James and his medical so I believe our focus at the current
colleagues have been and remain time should be to ensure we have the
vigilant around all aspects of player strongest Edinburgh and Glasgow
welfare. In conjunction with their teams we can afford, with the correct
colleagues in coach education, they pathways and infrastructure to support
have been prominent in advancing this underneath. The club game is what
the importance of safety first around these foundations are built on.
concussion, through, for example, Lastly, Scotland are currently 40/1
the “Are you ready to play Rugby” to win the World Cup in 2023 – is
and “Rugby Right” initiatives. There that worth a tenner?
is undoubtedly much more awareness
Surely, you’re not asking me to break
of what to look for and how to treat
World Rugby regulation 6!
head trauma. You only need to look
at campaigns across Scottish sport, Professional rugby at International level
in which Scottish Rugby has taken is incredibly competitive, especially in the
an active lead, such as “If in doubt sit top 10 – most countries on a given day
them out” to know the importance we can beat each other so a lot will come
attach to this area of player welfare. down to who performs on the day.
As we have become more aware Thank you Colin!
10 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club
Class of 2020
An update from Jeff Marsh about the class of 2020 – who left SMC in unique circumstances.
Perhaps only FPs whose time at That final week saw a mass year group Some have already made their mark, with
Daniel Stewart’s or Melville College football match up at MES, a post-it school captain Joe Ewing performing
ended during the world wars can truly note memory wall, the traditional lads- well in televised middle-distance running
empathise with the newest recruits only final school lunch (see attached events prior to taking up his scholarship
to their ranks, the Class of 2020, pictures) and a cheerful determination to Harvard in 2021, and Kieran Ngwenya
whose final year of active schooling to make the most of the situation. As making his SPFL Premier League debut
was brought to an abrupt halt by the lockdown began, the red blazer team for Aberdeen FC before the year was
national lockdown initiated by the swung into action, entertaining the year out. Peter Molloy began his degree
COVID-19 global pandemic. One week, group with a series of amusing video in Modern and Mediaeval Languages
dissertations were being completed presentations, concerts (this being at the University of Cambridge, whilst
and the climax of the sporting season an exceptionally talented year group the ancient universities of Durham, St
being prepared for as normal with the from a musical as well as a sporting Andrews, Edinburgh and Glasgow, as
distant promise (after exams) of the perspective) and intellectual and well as the colleges of the University of
end-of-year traditional events – the physical challenges to keep spirits high. London all featured more prominently
Leavers’ Ceremony, the 24 hour dash Sixth Form Tutors guided the boys
than usual in the list of destinations of the
to Alton Towers theme park and back, through their final decision-making for
leavers of a notably academic cohort.
the Leavers’ Ball and of course the the future, and all too soon it was time
More boys than usual also opted to take
final school day and Prizegiving. The for the online Leavers’ Ceremony, an
an impromptu gap year, to protect their
next week, it was announced that opportunity to mark that final week of
schools were to close, exams were to official schooling with the school hymn, future university experience, whilst those
be cancelled, as would, ultimately, the the torch ceremony, and a welcome to who had hoped to serve our Australasian
inevitable cancellation of all those end- the FP community from Alasdair Seale, partner schools as Gap Tutors instead
of-SMC rites of passage. is spite of the continuing lockdown. found themselves patrolling more familiar
playgrounds here at ESMS.
Showing the same resilience which had Little did those going off to university
taken them to the Schools’ Rugby Cup realise at that stage what awaited them Already notable as the first group of
in a memorable Murrayfield final against in the autumn, campus lockdowns with students to enjoy Sixth Form under the
Watson’s, the national schools’ hockey freshers confined to their rooms under enthusiastic leadership of new Director
final and an unbeaten record at football, the watchful eye of security guards, but of Sixth Form Mrs Frances McCrudden,
the Class of 2020 shrugged off these with a solid education behind them and the Class of 2020’s final year was
disappointments and left at the end of the with the school motto and ESMS Nine memorable for many more reasons
year knowing that their contribution to the Values as their guiding principles, they than they could have imagined, but their
school was equally as great as those who again bore the additional challenges stoicism and collegiality will help them to
had enjoyed the good fortune of seeing with good humour and can look make a major contribution to both the
their final year through to the end. forward to a brighter future. FP Club and the wider community.FP News 2021 11
Reasons to Remember
As has become a tradition, and Crematorium here in Edinburgh- so shot down wholesale but, against all
let us uncover a few of their stories… the odds, swept into the Ottoman
Dave Clarke of the History lines and, caring nothing for artillery
Warriston is now a rather rambling
Department has provided a and neglected site but is slowly being and musketry, carried three lines of
deeply moving piece about reclaimed from nature by a dedicated trenches and put all those who resisted
band of volunteers. Buried there is to the bayonet. Casualties amongst our
some of the young Melville FPs were terrible- eight Stewartonians
Stewartonian William Ross, a rising star
College and DSC men who in RBS whose career was cut short and five men from the Institution
lost their lives whilst serving in by duty and war. At the outbreak of were killed that day, including James
the conflict, he enlisted as a private Henderson and Arthur Sanderson (both
the World Wars. of 7th Royal Scots Majors) and John
soldier in the 4th Royal Scots- he could
The 2020 Service of Remembrance easily have waited for a commission Peebles, B Company commander and
was, needs must, rather an odd one as an officer but divined (correctly) brother to the commanding officer
this year- not least for its dramatic that the fastest route to the front William Peebles, another EI FP. Badly
setting on an atmospherically foggy was in the drab serge of an enlisted wounded in the assault, William Ross
and floodlit Monday evening. Given man. Dispatched to Gallipoli as part was evacuated to Graylingwell Military
the hundreds of names on the of the 52nd Lowland Division in May Hospital in Chichester where he died
Stewart’s and Melville memorials, it 1915, the 4th were nearly lost to a on Boxing Day, 1915. His body was
is an automatic assumption that all man when their troopship accidentally returned to his native Edinburgh for
the men thereon lie in some ‘foreign rammed a hospital boat in the dark burial. Resting nearby is the Institution’s
field’- that all our FPs were killed in of a Mediterranean night- but their Robert Lamb- a Royal Naval Division
battle and were buried where they fell luck held, and the 4th landed on the officer who saw service on the Somme
in one of over a million Commonwealth fated peninsula on 8th June. They and also died of his wounds in 1919.
War Graves Commission plots in 2500 had been in the Dardanelles less than It is easy to imagine how a wounded
cemeteries worldwide. It may come three weeks when they were thrown serviceman like William Ross might end
as something of a surprise (as it did into a hastily arranged attack on the up under a Commonwealth Graves
to me) to discover that a significant Ottoman positions at Gully Ravine Commission stone, but the sad tale of
minority of our FPs are either buried or on the 28th of the month- an assault James MacNaughton (DSC) reminds
commemorated here in the UK- 29 of that was, paradoxically, disastrously us of how precarious life could be
them from the Great War, and 53 from successful. Launched at a series of before the NHS and the medical
WWII. Ten alone are either buried or enemy trenches with no preparatory advances we take for granted today.
commemorated in Warriston Cemetery bombardment, the Royal Scots were James was unusual in that he was12 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club
Alistair Eric Gus Robert Robert William Robert
Leslie Gibb Hogg Waterson McCallum Weir Lamb
one of our very few Regular soldiers, four months later. Accepted onto the before joining the RAF and qualifying as
enlisting straight from school on 23rd pilot training course in the final month of an observer. At this stage of the war, Air
January 1914 into 1st Northumberland the year, his progress to active service Observers were tasked with navigation,
Fusiliers. It is clear that he had his heart was derailed somewhat by his transfer photography and dropping the weapon
set on soldiering, having completed to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, load, and were, in some quarters tacitly
his training with the Black Watch as a presumably with a view to his eventual accepted as being more skilled than
schoolboy. A strapping lad of 5ft 10ins, acceptance into the Royal Naval Air pilots! Joining 35 (Madras) Squadron
he was nevertheless retained in the Service. It mattered not, as in April of on twin engine Wellingtons in June
depot at Portsmouth on the outbreak 1918, the two forces merged, and 1940, Gibb immediately embarked
of war where ill health intervened. He Robert found himself as a flight cadet in on a service career that would see
reported sick in January 1915 with the newly fledged RAF. By October of him rack up 225 hours of operational
a persistent cough, which worsened that year, and no doubt feeling dreadfully flying over an incredible 33 missions.
to such a degree that in May 1915, frustrated as the war was drawing to In November of that year, the elite 35
he was found to be suffering from a close, McCallum was posted to 37 Sqdn (which was staffed by Bomber
advanced tuberculosis- his left lung Training Depot Station in Yatesbury, Command legends such as Leonard
being almost completely destroyed Wiltshire. As a finishing school for pilots, Cheshire VC) was nominated to bring
by it. Though James was adjudged to it operated a rag-bag of training and into service the Handley Page Halifax,
having been suffering from TB before ex-service types- none with a worse a veritable leviathan and the second
enlistment, the Army took responsibility reputation than the RE8. An ungainly of the RAF’s four engine bombers to
for his condition on account that the two-seater used for reconnaissance, see action. Gibb continued to take the
illness should have been picked up in in the words of one pilot, it ‘flew like a fight to the Nazis, ranging out in broad
two medicals on his enlistment. On steamroller’ and had a nasty reputation daylight to bomb Scharnhorst at anchor
the 17th July 1915 he was honourably for irrecoverable stalls. With an upper in La Pallice- the sort of operation an
discharged to pension as permanently wing of much greater span than the insurance salesman wouldn’t look
unfit. His medical records make for lower, the long wing extensions were twice at. His mettle was tested on
sobering reading- when asked to structurally suspect if the aircraft was June 30th, 1941 in another dreadfully
assess James’ chances of recovery, pressed into a dive, so much so that a risky daylight operation to strike at
the colonel presiding over his medical squadronmate of McCallum’s, Richart harbour installations at Kiel. Gibb had
board simply wrote ‘None’. He died at St.J Hartley, confided in his diary of just released the bombload and was
home surrounded by his family on 7th the terror he faced going aloft in ‘those setting a course for home when an
March 1916, aged 19, having never deathtrap REs’. Though docile enough in anti-aircraft shell turned the fuselage of
fired a shot in anger. It is sad to relate level flight, RE8 pilots were also required, the Halifax where he was stationed into
that Melville College’s Alastair Leslie when needed, to intervene to help the a colander. Worse was to come- they
died from the same illness in 1947, infantry on the ground with divebombing were attacked by three Me.110 fighters
after contracting it in a POW camp. He and strafing attacks on enemy positions. which shredded the aircraft’s wings and
is also buried in Warriston. On the afternoon of the 8th October reduced the starboard outer engine to
To peruse the schools’ Rolls of Honour is 1918, McCallum took C2677 aloft to a flaming wreck. Still- Gibb got them
to be forcefully acquainted with the truly practice such an operation. Predictably home. It was only after landing that
eyewatering mortality rates suffered by for our Stewartonian, the inherent he revealed that he had been hit by
our flying services in both world wars- weakness of the RE8 wing struck and shrapnel but had carried on regardless.
especially so in training. On entering in a steep dive, the whole top plane This incredible work was immediately
Warriston Cemetery and walking directly collapsed, bearing the 19-year-old to his recognised by a commission to
south from the gateway, one is quickly death. His distraught family established Pilot Officer and the award of the
arrested by the imposing granite Celtic the R.P.F. McCallum Trophy for Cricket in Distinguished Flying Medal, his CO
cross of the McCallum family. Robert, a his honour. opining that he was ‘an observer of
very promising cricketer and a junior staff A few paces away from Robert’s outstanding ability, possessed of a high
member in the Leith office of the North of grave is the last resting place of a order of courage’. Rested after an over-
Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Steam bona-fide Melville College hero, Eric long operational tour, he was posted to
Navigation Company, he went up to Fawns Gibb- his valiant life marked by 28 Conversion Flight at Leconfield to
Edinburgh University OTC from Stewart’s a very unprepossessing recumbent pass on his skills. The events of 22nd
for basic training in May 1916, before stone. Strikingly handsome, he was December 1941 are still as murky as
transferring to the Royal Flying Corps apprenticed to Rosebank Ironworks the weather that day. Officially slatedFP News 2021 13 as a flight to deliver Halifax L9522 to Malta. Further success in the air came blank range and tore his opponent out Handley Page’s HQ at Radlett, possibly with the conversion onto the even of the sky for his first credited solo kill. for refurbishment, the aircraft took off more potent Hurricane. Posted back The next morning RAF Hornchurch with- unusually- a full crew and an extra to the Deck Landing School at HMS was the target of a devastating attack. passenger. Whether there was any Condor at Arbroath to train new pilots, Bubble amazed his pals by coolly intention to visit Radlett (due well south he, by pure chance, found himself a sitting in a slit trench as the bombs and on the outskirts of St Alban’s) is passenger on an Avro Anson on a fell all around, joking and generally unknown- and can never be known. short hop from Prestwick. The Anson, unfavourably comparing his chances L9522 collided with the high ground of never overburdened with power, lost on the ground with those in the air! He the Terrace Hills to the north of Melton a Cheetah engine on takeoff and flew three gruelling sorties that day- his Mowbray in thick fog, with the loss of all gravity rapidly reasserted itself. Staff at last in the late afternoon. Nobody is onboard. Rumours persisted to make Ballochmyle Hospital did all they could sure what occurred in the air above the loss doubly sad and poignant- for the 20-year old- which was nothing Woolwich that early evening of 31st though officially bound for Radlett, the more than to make him comfortable. August 1940, but a memorial today plan had been to visit RAF Grantham, He died the day after the accident marks the spot where Waterston’s to the east, to collect turkeys for the on the 18th March 1942. Thus, fate Spitfire came to earth. He was 23. station’s Christmas lunch, just 72 hours accomplished what the entirety of the There are over 2500 Commonwealth later. Christmas in the Gibb household Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica could War Graves burials in Edinburgh- that year does not bear thinking about. not- dared not- do. men and women claimed by illness, Nearby the cemetery is Warriston Also remembered on the memorial is accidents, or simply just broken by Crematorium, and a handsome war one of that immortal band ‘The Few’- their war service. Taken from the memorial with no less than five Melville an RAF fighter pilot who defended context of the battles they fought in, College FPs remembered on it, all of these isles during the Battle of Britain- the people they served with and dotted whom were in the flying services. Both Robin ‘Bubble’ Waterston. Like Gus around our civilian cemeteries miles William Weir and William Taylor were Hogg, he was another fine Melville lad from the seat of war, it can take some killed in training accidents before they and a pre-war Volunteer Reserve pilot digging and a lot of time to uncover ever reached operational squadrons- or in the socially exclusive 603 (City of their stories. This rather begs the their potential. Tom Ainslie’s death was Edinburgh) Squadron, based at RAF question- does a man need a story to particularly cruel- after completing four Turnhouse, the site of today’s airport. be remembered? Is it not what he was peril-fraught missions as the second pilot Initially a bomber squadron, in the willing to do when called, not what he of a 75 Squadron Wellington, he lost run up to war the unit’s Hinds were did, that really counts? Irrespective control of his motorbike near Cambridge swapped for Gladiators, and then, joy of what their service and sacrifice on the night of 26th February 1941. of joys, for brand new Spitfires. Posted had on the outcome of the war, it is Also remembered here is the to Dyce, on 20th June 1940, Bubble with great pride and real affection redoubtable Fleet Air Arm ace, Gus Waterston shared in the destruction that we remember each of our FPs. Hogg. Posted to 806 Naval Air of a Dornier 17 bomber, which his It goes without saying that their spirit Squadron at the tender age of 17, he patrol dismissed headlong into the of willingness to put service before could little know that his unit would sea off Aberdeen. Moved south into self runs in no less a vein right down become the Navy’s ‘top guns’ of WW2, the heat of the battle, he could little through the years to the incredible and he himself would go on to carve know he had just 72 hours to live. On young men of today who have the a swathe of destruction through the 30th August high above Canterbury he pleasure and privilege to call Stewart’s enemy above the Mediterranean with attacked a Messerschmitt 109 at point Melville College their home. twelve confirmed victories and the Distinguished Service Cross and Bar. His war started inauspiciously- defending the Orkneys with an outdated Gloster Gladiator biplane! Converting onto the Blackburn Skua divebomber, he took part in the legendary raid which saw the sinking of the Konigsberg in Bergen harbour, though Hogg commented with habitual modesty in his journal that his 500-pounder fell well wide of the mark! Posted south into the heat of the Battle of Britain, he had the misfortune of being shot down over the Channel by RAF Hurricanes- his gunner being killed. Shipping out to the Med on Illustrious and ditching the lumbering Skua for the sleek eight-gun Fulmar, Hogg and his squadronmates made short work of the Italian seaplanes, flying boats and bombers menacing
14 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club
James Wight Rutherford
David McLeish gives a short had been assumed he would leave a Government Bonds.
biography of James Wight small donation but when the letter from Once invested he left the money there
the lawyer arrived, the Bursar showed and never touched any of it, so that
Rutherford – one of the
the letter to the Principal (and Bryan by his death it had become the large
most generous benefactors Lewis) who miscounted the zeros and fortune that he donated to his old
in school history. The new read it as five thousand five hundred school.
Rutherford Building was pounds… the Bursar pointed out it
It is especially fitting that the first
finished in recent months. was actually five million five hundred
building on the Queensferry Road site
thousand pounds.
The new building at Stewart’s Melville to have a Melville College connection
College is named after James Wight How did he end up with this should be named after such a
Rutherford (1908-1978), who attended amount of money? generous benefactor. In keeping with
Edinburgh Institution (later Melville He lived in a very average bungalow his quiet and unassuming manner
College) from 1913-1925. in Craigleith and had never given any we can find no photograph of him
indication of his wealth. He was a wise despite his being a governor of the
He was a loyal supporter of the school
investor and did not spend money Melville College Trust for many years
during his lifetime and donated several
prizes for sport and the Boarding unnecessarily. Just prior to WW2 he and having been a supporter at literally
House. Following his death, the entire told his wife that war was imminent thousands of school and FP, rugby and
proceeds of his estate were left to the and therefore he would invest in 6 cricket matches at all levels.
Melville College Trust to be used for pairs of good brown brogues (these He always stood quietly on the
the benefit of the school. The story he wore until his death - never needing touchline, beautifully attired in his kilt
goes that the size of his estate came to buy any more pairs) and that all and, of course, never without one of his
as a great surprise to the school. It of their money should be placed in 6 pairs of brogues!FP News 2021 15
Iain Riley
I interviewed Iain Riley, a school number of years ago which changed
director and principal in China, the face of education. China looked at
the leading countries across the world
about the education sector in
using the PISA results and external
China, the Chinese response to organisations including the IBO to
the coronavirus, and mistaken create a hybrid curriculum that is
European assumptions about creating individuals for the rigour of the
Chinese society. 21st Century and the changes in the
job market. China also has an ageing
population so again something needed Do you think the China is politically
to be done quickly to create the ever and culturally misunderstood as a
changing workforce of the future. nation from a British perspective?
How would you explain Chinese Yes. China is one of the most diverse
success at managing the virus, countries that I have ever lived and
worked in. They are indeed run by a
beyond the simple Western answer
communist government that likes to
of ‘fewer liberties in general’?
standardise across the board, however
China was smart. They locked down in reality this is not possible. Shanghai
the whole country and had support for example has its own municipal
infrastructure in place in 48 hours. government and the city along with
Everyone followed the rules as the those of Shenzhen and Guangzhou are
Chinese government was clear on extremely internationalised. In terms
how serious this could be. The UK of culture, you can go 30 minutes in
would not be going through such a the car and see something completely
First of all, can you briefly explain hard time with the second wave if they different. The people from the north
your role in the education sector? had followed some of the rules from certainly live differently to people of the
China - for example hotel quarantine south. They even look different and
I am very fortunate of having multiple
is coming in a year after that of China. speak a different dialect.
roles across my company and also
The smartest move was closing their If you could pick one, what would
with the IB. I am currently the Head
borders to lower cases and stop the you say is the biggest challenge
of School for a very large IB school
spread. facing China as it moves past
and also the General Principal for 7
Kindergartens and the Director of A lot of Chinese parents continue the pandemic? Feel free to give
IB for the company. I also hold the to value UK universities - do you multiple answers!
post of workshop facilitator with the think this will still be the case Trust in the government. People are still
International Baccalaureate and Visiting a decade from now? Will China not convinced how the virus started
Team Member with the Middle States emerge as the global standard for and many of the people still believe that
Schools Association for the American higher education? the government did not tell them the
High School Diploma. Finally, I am also China is not really known for its truth.
a consultant for a famous UK boarding universities presently. However certain What are your thoughts on British
school that is owned by a Hong universities such as Fudan and East schools launching Chinese
Kongneese and is expanding into the China Normal University are changing operations? Will they stay viable?
Chinese market.
this. Parents are wanting a more In certain cities yes. Fettes and
In your experience (having taught internationalised education system so Merchiston both have representation
in Scotland and worked in China) in many respects the UK and the US in China. Harrow, St Bees and other
what can the UK primary education will never miss out. However with the English names have a clear presence
sector learn from China? rise of Chinese education system, we also. It is interesting to see these
Adaptability. The Second Educational will see in time that less students may schools adapt with the East meets
Reform Act in China was introduced a apply to the UK. West philosophy.16 Daniel Stewart’s & Melville College Former Pupils Club
ESMS Development Office
and Community Update
An update on ESMS • A weekly photography competition
community activity during the • We linked pupils with alumni to
exchange letters in a pen pal type
unique year, from Suzi Squires scheme
and the Development Office. • We shared jokes, baking, recipes
As with all parts of the school in the last and generally positive news from
12 months, the Development office has the ESMS Community, including
had to adapt and change its planned a lockdown wedding, several
activities for the year. The usual promotions and new roles for alumni
schedule of family ceilidhs, quizzes, • We facilitated a couple of special
reunions and career-based events were digital events, like the Peboryon
set to one side whilst we worked out bakealong!
the best ways to support the wider Life started to open up as we went
ESMS community through various into the summer, we paused the
lockdowns and restricted access. coffee mornings, singalong and weekly
We firstly launched a neighbour helping children’s quizzes. The community/
scheme, predominantly in Edinburgh but family quiz remained very popular and
November also saw the first ever digital
also looking to assist elderly or isolated in demand so we ran this monthly
Inspire Lecture. Attendance was up
alumni wherever they were in the world. during the summer and autumn to give
and we had alumni tune in from around
We had lots of young alumni, parents families an opportunity to spend some
time together on a regular basis and the world to hear leading female polar
and pupils volunteer their assistance explorer, Felicity Aston, talk about
in fetching groceries and essentials for have some fun. We also continued the
photo competition and introduced an some of her experiences exploring
those who were elderly or shielding. in extreme climates and leading
art competition for the summer break
We spent a week or so looking into how to help parents keep children occupied. expeditions too.
we could help to support our community
During the autumn term, a large amount
in various ways during the lockdowns,
of our time was spent preparing for our
tested various different technologies
Remembrance Day. This was supposed
which could help us to bring activities to have been an exhibition of school,
to the community and spoke to a wide alumni and family memorabilia in the
range of teachers and other school staff Dean on the weekend following the 11th
to see what they could help us to bring but due to the restrictions on gatherings,
to the community. we had to change our plans and launch
We then launched a blog (www. this digitally instead. We owe a great
esmscommunity.org) to be a hub for all debt of thanks to both School Captains,
our planned activity. This was initially a Lily Burgess and Conrad Derbyshire, and
temporary website but it’s been such their friends as they spent much of their
We also found time to start a new
a success and so popular that we’ve October break recording themselves
initiative in the autumn term – video
decided to maintain it all year round now. reading out transcripts of testimonials
interviews with alumni in a range of
from alumni and from our archives for
We launched several initiatives that ran careers. The first two videos were with
the montage. Thanks are also due to
throughout lockdown: alumni whose businesses had been
our amazing archivists and the MES
• Twice weekly digital coffee mornings Guild archivist who spent a lot of time significantly impacted by the lockdown
featuring a wide range of speakers researching some interesting stories from – a baking company and a magician!
from the ESMS parent and alumni the archives to bring to the community. Christine Jensen, MES 1992 leaver,
community. The end result was a stunning tribute to owns and runs Peboryon Cakes with
those who served in the war and those her husband Phil. They usually provide
• A weekly quiz for children during the
who served to support the war effort wedding and celebration cakes, not
daytime
at home. It gave context to their efforts just for people in their local area but
• A weekly community/family quiz for whilst paying tribute to their sacrifices. they also undertake large sculpture
everyone The video can still be viewed here: cakes which are sometimes featured
• A weekly singalong https://youtu.be/R5o7zaogIPI. on TV programmes, such as ExtremeYou can also read
