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BROTHERS IN But one cannot help but be moved by the LETTERS Drinks Reception and the excellent Buffet
story of parents Mr and Mrs T J Potts who
Thank you also for the most welcomed
saw their seven sons sent to the Front. Six of the
Supper – most enjoyable.
young men had been Heriot’s pupils.
ARMS: Joseph, their 32-year-old third son, had played well noted.
Your comments re Foundation400 are
On a personal note good luck for your
rugby for the FP 1st XV and was a traffic
imminent, and we trust long and happy,
superintendent on the government railway
retirement!
A HERIOT’S FAMILY in Sierra Leone. He fell at Arras on 10th April A Poetic Incident me during my teenage years. He was also a Douglas Inch
1917. Less than three months later his younger
wise counsel to my mother, who was bringing
brother Henry, a mining engineer, died of
Dave Young (1942) sent us this poem
me up alone. As a Foundationer, whenever I
wounds received in action on on 31st July 1917.
Vice Captain Professor Gordon Turnbull
REMEMBERED At just 22, their youngest son Robert, an remembering a run in he had with was struggling, he would always be there to giving his speech
Headmaster William Gentle in the 1940s.
say the right things, offer a listening ear and
gently nudge me in the right direction during
apprentice architect, fought at Gallipoli and
then, in the shadow of his older brothers’ Coat Hanger difficult times - both before and after I left
deaths, survived the Battle of Passchendaele. School. Years later, when I was well into my
In his fourth reflection to mark the centenary of the First World War and But at Bapaume the following March, the Please remember, don’t forget thirties, long after we had lost contact, Hugh,
This true tale is for your pupils’ benefit
how it affected Heriot’s, School Archivist Fraser Simm looks in detail at former member of the Heriot’s rugby team, was Way back in nineteen forty-one quietly and unannounced, turned up at the
funeral of my mother. I have never forgotten
wounded by shrapnel and died the following
the devastating impact felt by one family in particular. day. He was remembered as being ‘of a quiet When there was a war to be won that - and how his handshake on that day
disposition and a most loveable character’. Some pupils of George Heriot’s School meant so much.
1917 was the year of The Battle of Arras the Bryce family had nine boys between Defied the code of conduct rule’ Gareth Hydes
and Passchendaele, and was the year them who had recently left Heriot’s; all of John, the oldest brother, and Arthur suffered Playing “catch-me-if-you-can’
that saw the highest number of Herioter them returned home. As did the six Duncan injuries, which meant that only Thomas, who I ran and ran and ran! Bursary Thanks
casualties – 145. Some families were boys whose medals were displayed in the served in the Royal Navy, came through the In the quadrangle cloak room,
comparatively lucky. The Purves family and 2015 WW1 and Heriot’s exhibition. war unscathed. Continued on page 21... A place of doom and gloom! Thank you so much for all of the
opportunities that my time at Heriot’s
I made a terrible clanger provided for me, my sister, and by extension,
I charged into an iron coat hanger, my mother. Over 10 years later I still
Blood squirted everywhere have many wonderful friends and happy
Grand days out or Grandchildren. On coats, floors, walls, here and there. memories from my time at Heriot’s, despite Many thanks for hosting the reunion of ‘The
WE’LL SHAPE EACH I was rushed to the infirmary next door, the difficult upheaval that my family was Class of 1967’ last week and providing a
Had stiches inserted, about twenty four!
experiencing. Without the bursaries my
wonderful opportunity for us – once again –
sister and I received, our futures may have to savour the atmosphere that is unique to
DAY AROUND Next day I was ordered to see the turned out quite differently! It is a very Heriot’s.
special community at Heriot’s and that
Gentle Head
I know that speaking to many of my
YOU Even though my skull felt as dead as dead, was immediately obvious – even from the former colleagues, that this was actually the
moment I met Jo Easton in the bursary office
To explain what happened; what were
first time some of them had strayed over the
the games? some 14 years ago! I hope that many more portals of the old school since the summer
He wanted to know my fellow Herioters’ youngsters will benefit in the way that I did. of ’67!
My goodness, our residents have very different stories to tell: it’s just one of the reasons
why individual care is at the heart of every Randolph Hill nursing home. names. Kelsey Watt The event was a huge success and a great
Take Jean, for example. Jean grew up by the coast, where the stormy seas and stunning But I stuck to the pupils’ code of silence, credit must go to your team who so ably
skies sparked her love of painting. Working by day as a florist she’d save up and treat And did not tell, although things were tense. Class of 1967 Reunion organised and managed the affair with such
herself to afternoon tea with her friends at one of Edinburgh’s grand hotels of the day. great flair and humour.
Knowing Jean as we do helps us shape daily activities and events around her. Whether The following day, at the Assembly Hall What a thoroughly enjoyable ‘Class of We now all look forward to the 60th
it’s painting with her grandchildren, enjoying a trip to the local tearoom for a tasty I was expecting a Humpty Dumpty fall 1967’ Reunion! Very many thanks to you reunion in 2027….!
teacake or simply taking it easy. Our minibus and supportive staff mean Jean can do Instead, the Gentle Head, praised my spirit, Cameron, and to your support team, for all
as much or as little as she feels comfortable with. But the whole school knew I was the culprit the work that you put into making our visit so Chris Jones
At Randolph Hill we have an in-depth knowledge of all our residents. It helps us form memorable, and for your very warm welcome
meaningful connections and enables us to provide exceptional levels of personal care. The moral of the story is, don’t play with fire
Rather learn your lesson to you heart’s desire on Friday evening.
With over 30 years experience and homes right across Scotland, we pride ourselves It was great to see something of the
on providing exemplary 24 hour nursing care with high quality accommodation and It has taken eighty years to tell this story All letters for publication in
facilities. Which doesn’t cover me in any glory!!!! recent developments within the School, hear Quadrangle should be directed to
So as well as a grand days out, Jean will always enjoy grand days in at Randolph Hill. Dave Young of some of the plans for the future, but at the Development Office at:
the same time to note that there are bits development@george-heriots.com
that have not changed, and hopefully never
Hugh MacLennan will. The visit to The Chapel was particularly or by post at the main School address.
Anyone wishing to respond to any of
Remembered evocative; may future generations of Heriot this edition’s correspondence can do
pupils continue to demonstrate for future so via the Development Office.
Hugh MacLennan was a kind, generous and generations of Fire Safety Officers that
Call us on: 0370 034 0924 Email: headoffice@randolphhill.com Visit: www.randolphhill.com inspirational man. His humour, his advice and they can evacuate within the prescribed
his wisdom, had such a positive influence on timescale!

Press
Client: Randolph Hill Doc: 1-00102497.006 RH QUAD Jean (132x182) AW
WC: 4th September Size: 132mm x 182mm A/C: Alice AW: AL
Publication: Quadrangle AD Date: 06.09.17 Version: 1