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

IN ME MORI AM.
SMITH, WILLIAM GEORGE RAE: Lieu-
tenant, King's Own Yorkshire Light In-
fantry ; son of Charles
Smith, merchant, Aber-
deen ; born Aberdeen,
5 July 1889; educated at
the Grammar School ;
student in Agriculture,
1904-05, and 1908-09,
Between these years he
was for some time in
New Zealand sheep
farming, and while still
very young did some
exploring and trading in
New Guinea and the
South Sea Islands. Later he led a small ex-
pedition through Patagonia, his report on this
journey was published in the Magazine of the
Royal Scottish Geographical -Society. After his
second period as a student in Agriculture he
carried on stock farming in Rhodesia. He was
an enthusiastic member of the Legion of Fron-
tiersmen, of which he acted for a time as Com-
mandant for Scotland, and raised companies in
Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
On the outbreak of war he hurried home from
Rhodesia and was in rapid succession a member
of a New Zealand Corps, an ambulance driver
on the Belgian Front, and a horse artilleryman.
In February 19 15 he obtained a commission in
the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry with
which, and the 21st Divisonal Cyclists, he served
till his adventurous and crowded life was ended
on 26 January 19 16 while he was carrying back
a wounded comrade after a bombing raid. For
his conduct on this occasion he was mentioned
in dispatches. He might have been on leave at
the time he was killed but wrote home, "What's
the good of leave if you haven't done something
worth while ? " So he sought honour in another
gallant adventure and met death.
DEWAR GEORGE: Lieutenant, R. A.M. C.;
son of David Dewar, draper ; born Peterculter,
4 January 1893 ; educated at Gordon's College,
Aberdeen ; and at the University where he
graduated M.B. (with distinction), in 191 5,
distinguishing himself alike in his classes, and
on the playing fields. Throughout his Uni-
versity career he was conspicuous in the
rugby team and in the cricket eleven but
remained untouched
by his more than or-
dinary popularity and
was genuinely beloved
by a wide circle of
friends.
On the outbreak of
war he was mobilized
as a private in the
R.A.M.C, but in Oc-
tober 1 9 14 returned to
Aberdeen to complete
his medical studies.
After his graduation
he rejoined as a Lieutenant in the same corps
and proceeded in November 1915 to France,
where he was killed by a shell on 3 February
1 91 6. Short though his period of service in
France was, he had already won the affectionate
regard of the officers and men with whom he
was associated, while his friends at home and
abroad felt it hard that he, who had exulted so
openly in the joyousness of life and had ex-
emplified so attractively the vigour of youth,
should die so young.
BROWN, RICHARD GAVIN : Lieutenant,
R.A.M.C. ; son of Richard Gavin Brown, Deputy
Inspector General, R.N.
(retd.) ; born Stoke,
Devon, 8 April 1882.
He entered the Uni-
versity in 1898, gradu-
ated M.B. , 1903. After
holding appointments
at Lambeth and Tyne-
mouth, he settled in
private practice at
Portsmouth, where he
was appointed an Anaes-
thetist at the Royal
Hospital.
On the outbreak of war Brown volunteered
and, in August 19 14, was appointed a Civil Sur-
geon at the Alexandra Hospital, Cosham. In
March 191 5 he obtained a commission in the
R.A.M.C, and at the beginning of July was sent
to Gallipoli with the 14th CCS. attached to the
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