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

IN MEM OR! AM.
In April before joining the Army he passed
the M.A. examination in Classics and Eng-
lish.
He ioined the 4th Gordon Highlanders in
April 1915, and after 5 months' training went
out to France on 1 September ; he was reported
missing and then killed in action at Hooge,
on 25 September 1915, after being only three
weeks at the Front.
SANGSTER, WILLIAM JOHN CAMP-
BELL: 2nd Lieutenant, 4th Battalion Gor-
don Highlanders ;
son of William Sang-
ster, draper ; born
Aberdeen, 1 January
1896; educated at
Aberdeen Grammar
School ; Christ's Col-
lege, Blackheath, and
Aberdeen University ;
graduated M.A., 19 14,
and was studying for a
medical career.
He had belonged to
the University O.T.C.
and when war broke out he immediately joined
the Army, receiving his commission as 2nd
Lieutenant in the 4th Gordon Highlanders,
3 October 19 14. After training at Aberdeen,
Bedford, etc., he crossed to France 24 June
19 1 5. In the' ensuing three months, he proved
himself the type of officer who is beloved and
trusted by his men. On the fateful 25 Septem-
ber 1915 Sangster fell. He was detailed with a
platoon to capture a portion of German trenches,
which he did successfully. With great courage
he and his men held on to the position, later
it was re-captured by the Germans, the fighting
was fierce, and the traditions of the Gordons
were upheld.
SAUNDERS, GEORGE KEMP : Private,
4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders ;
son of Rev. Alexander R. Saunders ; born
Shansi, North China, 19 November 1894;
student in Medicine, 19 13-14.
Having joined " U " Company, as a Private,
in the spring of 19 14, Saunders was called up
on the outbreak of war, receiving a bonus
for being the first of
his Company to report
after the issue of mobi-
lization orders. After
training at Bedford for
six months he crossed
to France with the Bat-
talion at the end of
February, and served
with them until 25
September 191 5. He
was reported first
" missing " and later
"killed" at Hooge on
that date.
SHANKS, JOHN WILLIAM: Private,
4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders ;
son of John Shanks,
inspector of collectors ;
born Aberdeen, 4 June
1893. He matricu-
lated as a student in
Arts in 191 2, coming
to the University with
a reputation as an Eng-
lish scholar which he
subsequently main-
tained. He made a
name for himself
among his fellow-
students by his contri-
butions to "Alma Mater" — his clear vivid prose,
and verse of much real merit, being always re-
cognizable.
Shanks joined " U " Company, 4th Gordon
Highlanders in March 1914, was called up in
August, and, after training in Bedford, crossed
with the Battalion to France in February 191 5.
He was reported missing at Hooge and was
afterwards presumed killed on 25 September
I 9 I 5-
Beauty in any form, in nature, in literature,
in music, was to Shanks the thing that counted
most in life, and it needed a character of much-
strength to turn from the study he loved to the
life of the trenches, and to enter into the spirit
of that life, the spirit of humour and true com-
radeship which alone made it livable.
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