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

IN MEMORIAM.
young Findlater was stirred, and he promptly en-
listed in "U " Company,
4th Gordon Highland-
ers. After 7 months'
training at Bedford he
went with his Battalion
to Flanders, and is un-
derstood to have met
his death in one of
those "breathless epi-
sodes " near Hooge,
25 September 1915,
thus carrying on the
family tradition, for he
was a nephew of Piper
Findlater, V.C., of Dargai fame.
FORBES, JOHN KEITH: Sniper-
Sergeant, 4th Battalion Gordon High-
landers; son of Alex-
ander Forbes, teacher,
Aberdeen ; born Aber-
deen, 12 April 1883 ;
graduated M. A., 1905 ;
taught for seven years
in Rathven Public
School ; in 1 91 2 en-
tered Aberdeen U.F.
College, taking the
highest place in the
examinations open to
all the U.F. Colleges ;
gained Foote Scholar-
ship in Hebrew and Eadie Prize in New Testa-
ment Greek.
He enlisted in October 19 14 as a Private in
the 4th Gordon Highlanders ; and was sent to
Belgium in February 1915. Although he could
readily have obtained a commission, he con-
tented himself with the rank of Sergeant, be-
lieving that as a N.C.O. he would be able to
exercise a greater moral influence on his men.
The invaluable services he rendered by organiz-
ing a corps of snipers, as well as by the accurate
information he was able to gain regarding the
German positions, were recognized in a letter
addressed to him by the General commanding
the Division. He fell at Hooge on 25 Septem-
ber 1915.
A more versatile genius than Forbes never
passed through Aberdeen U.F. College. A
tireless walker, an intrepid mountaineer, a
keen sportsman, a humorist, a skilled musician,
a linguist, a scholar — no achievement seemed
beyond his capacity. Even in the trenches he
pursued his studies, and left behind him singu-
larly able notes on the Book of Job, which to
the last he studied in the Hebrew original, with
the aid of the latest German commentary.
Those who had the privilege of knowing him
will never forget this distinguished student and
Sniper-Sergeant, who was as modest and lovable
as he was gifted.
HAIG, WILLIAM STEPHEN : Corporal,
4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders ; son
of W i 1 1 i a m H a i g ,
permanent way in-
spector ; born Lonmay,
6 November 1892 ;
educated at Gordon's
College, Aberdeen ;
matriculated in Arts in
191 1 ; graduated M.A.
in 1 9 14.
He was a member
of the original Robert
Gordon's College sec-
tion of the 4th
Gordons, enlisting in
1 9 10, and on entering the University he trans-
ferred to " U " Company. After being trained
from August 19 14 to February 191 5 at Bed-
ford, he went abroad with his unit. He served
with his Battalion till 25 September 191 5 when
he was reported missing, and later was presumed
killed on that date at Hooge, where the 4th
Gordons covered themselves with glory.
HENDERSON, ALEXANDER RENNIE :
Lieutenant, 4th Battalion Gordon
Highlanders ; son of Alexander R. Henderson,
teacher; born Aberdeen, 8 November 1888;
educated Robert Gordon's College ; graduated
M. A., 1 9 1 1 . After graduation he was appointed
a teacher at Aboyne Higher Grade School.
Henderson was a well-known Association foot-
ball and cricket player and, having joined " U "
Company in 1907, became Colour-Sergeant in
1910. He resigned in 191 2 but volunteered on
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