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

IN MEMO RI AM.
player, being a member of the Grammar School
F.P.'s Club. He fol-
lowed his course of
military training with
great enthusiasm and
thoroughness, and it is
matter for deep regret
that he died suddenly
just on its completion,
on the eve of his de-
parture for France.
His death took place
at Ripon, 25 June
19 16, at the age of
25-
BOWIE, JOHN : Corporal, Special Bri-
gade, R.E. ; son of John Bowie, labourer ;
born Aberdeen, 1 April
1895 ; educated Gor-
don's College ; student
in Arts, 191 3-1 5 ; in
Science, 19 14-15.
Bowie enlisted i n
the R.G.A. (T.F.),
Aberdeen, on 16
November 19 14, and
after doing garrison
duty in this country for
some months, was
transferred to the 1st
Battalion Special Bri-
gade, R.E., where his scientific training stood
him in good stead. He died of wounds re-
ceived in action near Albert on 27 June 1916.
At the University he is remembered as a keen
" soccer " player, while his unfailing good
humour gained him universal popularity.
DAWSON, GEORGE: Corporal, R.E. ;
son of Alexander Dawson, granite merchant ;
born Aberdeen, 20 February 1883 ; educated at
Aberdeen Grammar School ; graduated M.A.
with First Class Honours in Mathematics and
Natural Philosophy, 1905 ; B.Sc, 1906. He
taught in Kemnay Higher Grade School and
Elgin Academy, and from 191 1 -14 acted as
Assistant Science and Mathematical Master in
the Aberdeen Grammar School. He gave every
promise of being a successful teacher, and was
an enthusiastic student of Physical Science.
On 10 October 1914
Dawson joined the
15th Battalion, Royal
Scots, as a Private.
From the date of his
enlistment until 23
August 191 5 he trained
with the Royal Scots
i n Edinburgh and
Ripon. In response
to a request from
Headquarters for men
with a knowledge of
Chemistry, he sent in
his name and was at once transferred to the
Special Brigade, R.E., and left for France on
8 September 19 15. Nearly a year later he was
killed in action near Serre, 28 June 1916.
George Dawson relinquished peaceful work,
into which he was putting his whole heart, to
serve his country on the field of battle. He
w r as honoured and loved by pupils and col-
leagues, alike for his conscientiousness, energy
and quiet courage.
ABERNETHY, WILLIAM: Pioneer,
Special Gas Section, R.E. ; son of Andrew
Abemethy, Braehead, Hillswick, Shetland ; born
New York, 23 June 1893 ; educated at Anderson
Institute, Lerwick ; matriculated in Agriculture,
191 3. After spending a session in the Agricul-
tural Department he continued his studies at
Edinburgh University.
He enlisted as a Pioneer in the Special Gas
Section of the Royal Engineers, February 191 6,
and crossed to France. He was wounded at
Fricourt on the Somme and died the following
day, 30 June 19 16.
WATT, JAMES RODERICK : Pio-
neer, R.E. (Special Brigade);
son of James Watt, schoolmaster, Fearn ; born
there, 8 February 1895 ; educated Invergordon
Academy, where he was Dux in Mathematics in
191 3 ; matriculated in Medicine, 19 13.
He enlisted in " U " Company, 4th Gordon
Highlanders, in January 19 14, and went with
his Battalion into training at Bedford, but partly
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