They shall grow not old....as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor do the years condemn

The affect of the First World War on a generation of young Scottish sportsmen was utterly devastating. One poignant example is detailed below and this was repeated throughout Scotland

The Glasgow Accie XV who beat West of Scotland by 27 points to 8 in the last game of the season, on 28th March 1914, to a man enlisted in the forces at the outbreak of war. Eight were killed, six wounded and only one returned unscathed. But for the war this side, which was full of talent and still improving, might well have brought in another great era for the Club–

“Arthur Russell scored a try. A Glasgow Highlander he died on 16th July 1916 of wounds received in battle, at 23 years old.” “William Barras scored the seventh try. By Christmas he had joined the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and for his bravery he was awarded the Military Medal: but on 21st March 1918, aged 23, he died of wounds.” “Eric Young played against England that season. He joined the Cameronians and fought at Gallipoli where on 28th June 1915 at the age of 23 he was killed.” “Thomas Stout was another Cameronian, a lieutenant in the Scottish Rifles. He, too, was killed at Gallipoli on 28th June 1915 trying to save another officer.” “Archibald Templeton, fighting at Gallipoli was wounded, and reported missing on 28th June 1915, and his body was never found: he was 26 years old.” Three members of the team were awarded the Military Cross – Charlie Andrew with bar, John Warren and Robert Arthur who was also awarded the Belgian War Cross and was mentioned in dispatches six times. George Speirs, who was awarded the French War Cross, was wounded in 1916 and on 1st October 1918, aged 25, he was killed.

The Cameronian connection with Anniesland pre dated the Great War as in 1904 Glasgow H.S.F.P adopted the Cameronian colours of green,white and blue as their club colours and wore these colours until chocolate and gold was introduced in 1912

GHK now maintain that tradition by wearing the Cameronian colours first adopted by Glasgow H.S.F.P. over a century ago


At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them

This article was posted on 10-Nov-2005, 23:28 by Hugh Barrow.