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

IN ME MORI AM.
social work, especially in the athletic side of the
Y.M.C.A. and Boys' Brigade.
In April 191 5 Wilson joined the 5 th Gordons,
and was commissioned in November 191 5.
After taking a special course in bayonet and
musketry work he embarked for France ; six
months later whilst serving as Intelligence Officer,
he was killed in action, 13 November 191 6, at
Beaumont-Hamel, during an advance on the
Somme. His comrades bear testimony to his
leadership, courage and keen sense of duty in
the field.
BEGG, HENRY : Captain, R.A.M.C. ;
son of George Begg,
farmer ; born Glen-
kindie, 10 October
1 88 1 ; educated Glen-
kindie Public School ;
matriculated, 1900;
graduated M. B. ,
1906. Later he took
up practice in Kentish
Town, London, acting
also as Clinical As-
sistant at the Great
Northern Central
Hospital and the
Mount Vernon Chest Hospital. Commissioned
in the R.A.M.C. in 19 15 he was posted to
the 2/ist Highland Field Ambulance, with
which he served continuously in France until
his death at Beaumont-Hamel on 14 November
19 1 6.
Henry Begg was not a man who laid himself
out to gain popularity ; but no one was more
deservedly popular owing to sterling merit, fngh
courage and cheerfulness of disposition in
difficulties. He never lost either heart or head ;
he believed that difficulties existed for the
purpose of being overcome ; and in consequence
he gained the affection and trust of his men to a
high degree. He was an ideal stretcher-bearer
officer ; for those under him knew he would
never send them where he was not prepared to
take them. The sense of loss felt by his unit on
his death was great ; his brother officers wrote :
" We remember his bright and cheerful dis-
position at all times and under any circum-
stances. He was always in the forefront of what
was going on, helpful to everyone else and
always unselfish."
LYALL, JAMES : 2nd Lieutenant, 1st
Battalion Gordon Highlanders;
son of James Lyall,
fisherman ; born Mac-
duff, 12 August 1888 ;
educated Banff Aca-
demy ; graduated M..A,
1 9 10. He taught for
some years in Turriff
Higher Grade School,
and in 19 13 went to
South Africa to take
up an appointment in
the Boys' High School,
Grahamstown.
Lyall was one of
those sons of Alma who " came from the ends of
the earth " to take his share in the great ad-
venture of the European war. He enlisted in
the 1 ith Battalion Gordon Highlanders in
November 1915, and was commissioned to the
1 st Battalion in the following December. After
training in Aberdeen and Bridge of Allan he went
to France in September 19 16, but his term of
foreign service was very brief. He was wounded
at Beaumont-Hamel on 13 November, and died
14 November 19 16 of the wounds he had received
in action the previous day. Lyall's was a very
alive, attractive personality, radiating life and
cheerfulness whether at sport or study. He
threw himself with unflagging zeal into the
matter in hand, alike in the classroom with his
pupils or in the strenuous days of military
service.
CRICHTON, REV. NORMAN: 2nd Lieu-
tenant, 4th Battalion Seaforth High-
landers ; son of William Crichton, mason,
Stornoway ; born Stornoway, 3 February 1888;
graduated M.A., 1911; student for three years
at Aberdeen U.F. College.
In October 19 14 he enlisted as a Private
in the 4th Gordon Highlanders, and was after-
wards commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the
4th Seaforths. Before proceeding abroad he
was licensed as a probationer by the U.F.
Presbytery of Lewis. He rendered distinguished
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