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

IN MEMORIAM.
ADAM, ALEXANDER THOMSON:
Pioneer, Special Company, R.E. ;
son of James Adam,
cattle dealer ; born
Alford, i August 1 88 1 ;
educated at Inverurie
and Gordon's College,
Aberdeen ; graduated
M.A. in 1903 ; took
honours in Mathe-
matics 1904 ; gradu-
ated B.Sc. in 1905.
After teaching Mathe-
matics and Science at
Glenurquhart, Stirling
and Nairn, he went to
America where he stayed for some years. On
his return he was appointed Science Master
at the Royal Academy, Inverness.
In July 191 6 Adam joined the Special Gas
Section of the R.E. and served from the fol-
lowing September with the Expeditionary Force
in France. He was gassed while on duty on
2 December 191 7 and died in hospital at Arras
the same day.
Adam was a valuable member of the teaching
profession and his ability, sound scholarship and
strength of character were recognized also by those
with whom Army life brought him in contact.
An officer wrote : " Life under Army conditions
he seemed to detest, but, being the man he
was, he rose superior to every difficulty and did
his duty ungrudgingly and manfully ".
BUCHAN,
1st Battal
CHARLES : 2nd Lieutenant,
ion Lancashire Fusiliers ; son
of William Buchan,
fisherman ; born Cairn-
bulg, Aberdeenshire,
24 September 1888 ;
educated Fraserburgh
Academy and Aber-
deen Grammar School ;
entered the University
in 1908. He distin-
guished himself not
only as a keen student,
but as a member of
different University
societies and an enthu-
siastic lover of games. In 191 2 he graduated
M.A. with first-class Honours in Economics, and
went on to the U.F.C. Divinity Hall, Glasgow.
Whilst studying there he worked in the Boatmen's
Mission, and spent one summer at a mission
station in Canada.
After the outbreak of war he worked for a
year with the Y.M.C.A. and in February 1916
enlisted in the 4th Gordons. Four months
training in England prepared him to go to France
with the 2nd Gordons, and with them he passed
eight months in the trenches. He obtained, a
commission in the Lancashire Fusiliers, and in
September 19 17 was back in France. He fell,
on 2nd December 191 7, near Cambrai. Charles
Buchan's great desire had always been to do
something for the world. He loved men and
found good in every one ; he knew how to be
widely tolerant and sympathetic without for a
moment lowering his own high standard or yield-
ing his principles ; and his perfect sincerity and
earnestness won him the love and respect of men
of all types and characters.
SUTHERLAND, JAMES DAVID : Pio-
neer, Gas Section, Royal Engineers ; son
of Hector Sutherland,
Caithness; born
Lybster, Caithness, 15
September 1894 ; edu-
cated at the Technical
School, Golspie ;
entered the University
in 19 1 1. After spend-
ing two sessions, 191 1-
13, in the Agricultural
Department he had,
for family reasons, to
discontinue his studies
for a time. Before he
was able to resume, war broke out.
In May 1915 he enlisted in the Argyll and
Sutherland Highlanders. After training at Ply-
mouth, Godalming and Aldershot, he proceeded
to France in February 191 6. Owing to his
knowledge of chemistry he was transferred to the
Gas section, Royal Engineers. Though re-
peatedly offered promotion he preferred to re-
main in the ranks. He died of wounds received
in action at Arras on 2 December 19 17.