Organisations > University of Aberdeen roll of service in the Great War, 1914-1919

IN ME MORI AM.
In June 19 14 he received an appointment as
manager of a famous Shorthorn herd in the
Argentine, but returned home in November of
that year to join the Gordons. He went over-
seas in January and was killed at Hooge on 13
July 1915.
ALLARDYCE, ALEXANDER: Ser-
geant, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders ;
son of Rev. William Al-
lardyce ; born Rothie-
may, 2 2 November
1884; graduated M. A.,
1904"; B.L. (Dist.),
1907, being awarded
the Edmond and
Hunter prizes. He
was a solicitor with
Messrs. Hunter and
Gordon, advocates,
Aberdeen.
As an undergradu-
ate, he was a keen
member of "U" Company, 1st V.B. Gordon
Highlanders, and on mobilization at once rejoined
his old Battalion, with which he went to France
in February 1915. On 20 July he was killed
in action at Hooge when leading a party of
bombers. He was mentioned in dispatches,
30 November 191 5. Socially Allardyce's was a
most likeable personality ; his qualities as a
debater gave promise that he would make his
mark in his profession, and at the Front " his
name was known for deeds of bravery ".
CRUICKSHANK, JAMES: Corporal,
3rd Battalion Gordon Highlanders;
son of James Cruick-
shank, merchant ; born
Fyvie, 2 2 August 1896;
educated at Inverurie
Academy, where he
carried off many prizes;
entered the University
(3rd Bursar in Arts),
October 19 14.
In April 19 15 he
enlisted in the 3rd
Battalion Gordon
Highlanders, and pro-
ceeded with his Battalion to Belgium in June.
About a month later he died of wounds received
in action near Ypres, 22 July 19 15.
\
THOMSON, JOHN MACLEAN: Sergeant,
4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders;
son of James G. Thom-
s o n, cabinetmaker,
Fochabers; born
Fochabers, 2 Septem-
ber 1889; graduated
M.A. in 191 1. He
was an excellent speci-
men of what used to
be a common type of
Scottish student who,
faced by serious ob-
stacles, contrived to
make their way to a
University and pro-
fessional education. He studied at Aberdeen
U.F. College from 191 1 -14.
At the outbreak of war he was in charge of
a Mission in Canada. Thomson was one of
the earliest and the most eager of the band of
volunteers who abandoned their studies to take
up military service. As a sergeant, he displayed
qualities which would, had he been spared,
undoubtedly have led to a brilliant military
career. He fell a victim to a sniper's bullet in
the trenches near Ypres on 22 July 1915. A
student of no mean attainments, he was also
an athlete and in ever)' sense a " sportsman "
and a "good fellow". His enthusiasm found
vent equally in Mission work in the slums of
Aberdeen, on the football field, and in the
trenches.
KELLAS, ARTHUR: Major, R.A.M.C. ;
son of James F. Kellas ; born Aberdeen, 1
March 1883 ; educated Aberdeen Grammar
School ; graduated M.B., 1906 ; D.P.H., 1907.
He was doing valuable work as Senior Assistant
at the Royal Asylum, Aberdeen, when war broke
out.
In 1 90 1 Kellas joined the R.A.M.C. (T.F.),
and later the University Corps of the Scottish
Horse. In 1909 he was commissioned in the
R.A.M.C, and on the outbreak of war was mobi-