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Biographies
Gem Collins' Dictionary. His precise, methodical habits were maintained even amid
the dangers of the battlefield and the discomforts of the trenches. Part of the
comfort which remains to those left to mourn is the thought that every such life laid
down in generous sacrifice not only makes for a purer and better world, but inherits
the promise of fuller and more abundant life. To his widowed mother, his sister and
brother, the whole-hearted sympathy of the School is extended.
GORDON RITCHIE HAY
Private, 9th (Glasgow Highland) Batt. The Highland Light Infantry
Private Gordon Ritchie Hay was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. James M.
Hay, Torwood, Kelvinside Gardens, Glasgow, and Haslemere, Troon. On leaving
School he entered his father's business, and sought to prepare himself for his life-
work by hard work and regular attendance at evening classes. For several years
until he went on service, he was actively associated with Band of Hope mission work,
in the fostering of which he displayed an extraordinary interest and untiring zeal.
On the outbreak of war he joined the Former Pupils' Training Corps, of which he was
an enthusiastic member, and early in 1915 he enlisted in the Glasgow Highlanders as
a private.
After a long period of training at home he proceeded to France in March, 1916,
and fell in action at High Wood on the 15th July of that year. A comrade, writing
home, says that in advancing to the attack on the night of the Hth they came across
a party of Germans who were holding a strong position in a wood, and who shouted
something to them. Private Hay, as the only one who could speak German, was
asked to tell them to come out and give themselves up. Shortly afterwards he was
struck by a bullet in the head, and died on the instant. Under his quiet and gentle
disposition lay hidden much strength and purpose of character, and he became a
soldier from no love of fighting, but a simple sense of duty. He was a lad of great
charm of manner and great capacity for friendship, and in a letter from the front
reporting the circumstances of his death, the writer says, " Your son was one of the
finest young men I ever had the pleasure of meeting, of a cheery disposition and
generous to a fault." In the hard school of war he proved himself a true soldier,
and was greatly beloved by all his comrades. He was twenty years of age.
JOHN HENRY
Lieutenant, Army Cyclist Corps (Attached 9th Corps)
ROBERT WILLIAMSON HENRY
Company Quartermaster-Sergeant, 16th Batt. Canadian Infantry
(Canadian Scottish)
These two brothers were sons of Mrs. Henry, Duncraggan, Bishopton. Lieu-
tenant John Henry, the elder, was deeply interested in religious and social work, and
was an attached member, first of Elgin Place Congregational Church, and later of
Erskine Parish Church. For many years he was captain of the Boys' Brigade con-
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