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Biographies
of training in this country he proceeded to France, and fell in action on the
6th of August, 1916, in his twenty-ninth year. Major Rorke, who commands
the Reserve Battalion of the 9th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, writing
to Mrs. Stewart, says, " I specially liked your boy for his seriousness and his
anxiety to learn and understand every branch of the military profession, so
that he might do his duty well. He was killed while looking after the safety
of his men and died a most honourable death." In all the relations of life he
upheld the prestige of his School and the honour of his name.
ALEXANDER M. STIRLING
Private, 16th Batt. H.L.L
Private Stirling's career as a soldier was short but highly honourable. He
had no love for soldiering as such, but he saw clearly that personal considera-
tions should sink before national needs, and so after more than one rejection
he was enrolled in His Majesty's Forces. At School Private Stirling took a high
place in his classes, but specially excelled in Latin and Greek. He took a great
interest in all School games, and was an invaluable member of the Rugby team.
On leaving School he entered the University, gaining a United Free Church
Scholarship of £20 for three years. At the close of his first (and, alas, his last
session) he passed in Latin, Greek, and Mathematics for the degree of M.A.
Private Stirling had a very high sense of duty and an extreme conscientiousness,
and it seemed to his friends that he was predestined for the ministry. His own
inclinations led strongly that way also, but when war broke out he joined the
16th Battalion H.L.L, and went into training at Gailes. There he contracted
scarlet fever, to which he succumbed on 12th December, 1914, after one day in
hospital. His death was a great blow to his comrades in the camp, in the
Church, and in the University.
ARCH. C. TAYLOR
2nd Lieutenant, 23rd Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers
Second Lieutenant Archibald C. Taylor, fourth son of the late Mr. William M.
Taylor, and Mrs. Taylor, 43 Partickhill Road, was born in 1895. He was educated
at Hillhead High School, where his frank nature and sunny disposition won for him
hosts of friends. After a short period of study in the Royal Technical College he
entered the service of Alexander Stirling as a commercial traveller. He was an
enthusiastic Volunteer, and spent many years in the Glasgow Yeomanry, retiring in
1913 with the rank of sergeant. On the outbreak of war he rejoined his old
regiment, and went to France in August, 1915. In November of the following year
he was recommended for a commission, and in January, 1917, joined the 23rd
Northumberland Fusiliers as second lieutenant. On the night of the 28th April,
while holding the line near Arras, his battalion was ordered to capture certain enemy
trenches one hour before daybreak. Lieutenant Taylor led on his men in the face
of a hail of bullets, and escaped unhurt, till quite near the enemy's trenches when a
machine gun opened fire, and he fell mortally wounded. A keen and enthusiastic
soldier who had done admirable work at Ypres and Neuve Eglise, ignorant of fear,
equal to every demand of arms whether in the observation post or the attack, and
with a certain lovable tenderness about him, Lieutenant Taylor has left in the hearts
of all who knew him the glad and enriching memories of a good comrade.
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