Each year as we approach the eleventh day of the eleventh month we pause to remember.

In 1914, when the Great War broke out, historian Richard Holt wrote, "They came tumbling out of the rugby clubs straight off to the trenches to be shot down."

The losses felt by our founder clubs Glasgow Accies, Glasgow H.S.F.P and Kelvinside Accies were enormous and the war memorials at the three Schools bear witness.

Just one example was Eric Young of Glasgow Accies. Eric played against England on the the 21st March 1914 at Inverleith where Scotland lost by a point 15-16.

Before the close of 1914 three of the players had gone and by 1918 six of the Scottish XV and five of the English XV had been killed in action.

Eric Young of the 52nd Lowland Division-8th Battalion-The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was killed on the 28th June 1915 at the Battle of Gully Ravine Gallipoli aged 23!


"They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

This article was originally posted on 6-Nov-2009, 16:09 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 6-Nov-2009, 16:13.