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

IN MEMORIAM.
CAMERON, GEORGE ALEXANDER :
Private, Cameron Highlanders; son of
George A. Cameron,
schoolmaster ; born
K i r k h i 1 1, Inverness-
shire, 2 April 1889;
educated Royal Aca-
demy and Central
School, Inverness ;
graduated M.A., 191 2 ;
teacher at Cromarty,
Pitlochry and Govan.
Cameron joined the
3/4th Cameron High-
landers in February
1 91 6 and was later
posted to the 1st Camerons. After some months'
training at Ripon, he went abroad in July 1916
and served in France and Belgium, taking part
in several severe engagements. He was wounded
on 16 November 191 7 while advancing in an
attack on the ridge of Passchendaele and died
the same day. Though of a quiet and retiring
temperament, he was a frank and generous com-
panion and would assuredly have made a name
for himself in his profession.
SKAKLE, REV. HUGH PHILIP: Captain,
4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders ;
son of George Skakle,
jeweller ; born Aber-
deen, 25 July 1889 ;
educated Gordon's
College and Aberdeen
University; M.A.,
1911 ; B.D., 1 9 1 4.
He was a distinguished
student, gaining
numerous class prizes ;
an accomplished
musician, possessed of
a fine tenor voice ; and
an enthusiastic athlete,
as was proved by his prowess in swimming, gym-
nastics, and rowing. After licence in May 19 14,
he was Assistant at St. Michael's, Dumfries,
whose minister testifies to his " strong character,
high purpose, and decidedly spiritual cast ".
In January 191 5 Skakle enlisted in the 4th
Gordon Highlanders, and within a month
received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant. He
served for two years in France with the highest
credit ; was wounded at High Wood, Tuly 1916 ;
after recovery was promoted Captain, July 191 7 ;
was honourably mentioned in dispatches by Sir
Douglas Haig, and fell in battle at Containg, 21
November 19 1 7. His Colonel wrote: "lean-
not speak too highly of his work as an officer ; he
did magnificently ". A Chaplain describes him as
" adored by his men, friend and counsellor of all ".
CLARKE, AUSTIN BASIL : Captain,
R.A.M.C. ; M,C. ; son of Dr. A. B. Clarke ;
born Shebbear, North
Devon, 9 July 1892 ;
graduated M. B.,
I9IS-
A foremost member
of the O.T.C., Clarke,
on graduation, at once
obtained a commission
in the R. A. M. C.
After a few months in
training he proceeded
to France as Medical
Officer to the Queen
Victoria's Rifles, a
Battalion of the London Territorial Division.
For three years he remained with this Battalion,
was in all their hard-fought engagements, and by
his zeal and devotion to duty endeared himself
to every officer and man, gaining the Military
Cross for his valour. He refused an offered
Staff appointment, stating that his duty was to
remain with his Battalion. And so serving his
country he met his death on the Bapaume-
Cambrai Road on 23 November 19 17. The
letter written by his Colonel is one of the finest
appreciations of service it is possible for a man to
have had : " He deserved a decoration every
time he went into action. Only the day before
he was killed he went out into ' No Man's Land '
and carried back a wounded airman into our
lines — but I could fill pages with his bravery."
His Divisional Colonel wrote : " You know how
your son loved his men and how he would dare
all for them, and they just worshipped him — no
Doctor was like their Doctor. . . . Professionally
he was the beau ideal of a brave regimental
Medical Officer."
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