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Biographies
before his last fight. He was wounded at Tpres and Loos, and had but shortly
returned to the Front for the third time when he fell in a gallant attack on the
German trenches on the 16th August, 1916, his twenty-third birthday. One of
his brother officers writes, " He was wounded early, but bravely held on, and
was killed in the second advance." His commanding officer says, " I came to
look upon your son as a brave and capable soldier, and I promoted him to com-
mand a company only the other day. He possessed the courage and coolness
characteristic of his nationality."
COLIN C STEWART
Private, 17th Batt. H.L.L
Private Colin C. Stewart, son of ex-Bailie John Stewart and Mrs. Stewart,
Ardsheal, Scotstounhill, was educated at Hillhead High School and Morrison's
Academy, Crieff. At School, both here and in Crieff, he was an active member
of the O.T.C. (Junior Division), and when war began he quickly responded to
the call of King and country, and enlisted in the Chamber of Commerce Bat-
talion, where he had for comrades many of his old schoolfellows. In November,
1915, he went to France, where he was severely wounded. He was in hospital
for three months, and, after a short holiday at home, he again went to the
Front. On the 1st of July, 1916, he was killed while storming the German
trenches at La Boiselle. A comrade, writing home to Bailie Stewart, said, " We
had advanced on the German trenches, and between the first and the second lines
your son fell. He was a perfect soldier, cheery ever. We were both in the
same section, and it may help you a little to know that no one was more loved
for his kindness or more admired for his bravery than he." Could one ask for
a more beautiful and touching epitaph?
GEORGE STEWART, M.A.
Captain, 26th Batt. The Northumberland Fusiliers
By the death in action of Captain George Stewart, head of the English
Department, the School has suffered grievous loss. Though his term here has to
be reckoned in months rather than in years, he made a deep and abiding im-
pression on our School life. It is not easy to analyse the causes of this ex-
ceptional influence, but some at least lie on the surface. For one thing, he was
an incomparable teacher. He ruled his pupils as a magician, and seemed to
rivet their attention by some occult charm of his own. He was at home with
the great names in English literature, and had caught from them the breath and
finer essence of all knowledge. With sure step he led his pupils into
those realms of gold that stir, the heart and quicken imagination, and
seldom failed to inspire them with some of his own fine enthusiasm.
He was ever honest in his criticisms, and insisted that they should
be the same. If he did not like a thing he said so, no matter
what great or revered name was attached to it. He lived in and for his work,
and threw himself with ardour into all the School activities — games, literary
society, everything, indeed, that touched upon the corporate life and welfare of
the School. But the real secret of his power must be looked for neither in his
knowledge nor in his zeal, but in his character. He radiated sincerity, earnest-
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