Flight Lieutenant Alastair Tennant Hope-Robertson

Flight Lieutenant Hope-Robertson, The Royal Air Force (V.R.), was born on 19th April 1923, and at Loretto from May 1933 to April 1941. He was in the VI Form and a Lance-Corporal in the A.T.C. After being an R.A.F. cadet at Aberdeen University for a short time, he underwent training at Falcon Field, Arizona, U.S.A., and was commissioned there in August 1942. In 1943 he served for three months in the Middle East, and afterwards took part in raids on Germany. While acting as Pilot and Captain of a Halifax bomber he was killed in action over Holland on the night of 20-21st July 1944, and is buried together with four of his crew in Heerde cemetery, near Apeldoorn.

"He was one of the most outstanding Captains of Aircraft known since the formation of the Squadron." (No. 578)

Captain Richard Tod Hunter

Captain Hunter, 1st Battalion, The Scots Guards, was born on 31st December 1920, and at Loretto from September 1934 to July 1939. He was a House Prefect, in the VI Form, a Prizeman, and a Corporal in the O.T.C. after being posted successively to a H.L.I. Battalion and the K.O.Y.L.I. and going to an O.C.T.U. in North Wales, he was commissioned into the Scots Guards and a short time later attached to the 1st Battalion. In March 1943, his training completed, he went overseas and took part in the North Africa campaign. He was severely wounded near Medjez, but after four months in hospital, while still far from fit, applied for fresh employment, and was given a staff captaincy in "A" Force, in which he did special secret and dangerous work. He was at the landing at Salerno on the second day and was stationed at H.Q. in Sicily and Italy for a year. In September 1944 he rejoined his Battalion on the Prato-Bologna road, and two days later led his company in a bayonet charge which captured a position on a mountain ridge. On 1st October he was killed while leading his men in a second successful charge. Captain Hunter is buried in the South African 6th Armoured Divisional cemetery at Castiglione del Popoli.

"His part in this fierce action was a very honourable one. All the time he kept calm and cheerful; in fact, he lived up to the very highest traditions of a British officer."

Major Robert Hutchison

Major Hutchison, 7th Battalion, The Black Watch, was born on 24th June 1914, and at Loretto from January 1928 to July 1933. He was a House Prefect, in the VI Form and XV, and Pipe-Major in the O.T.C. On the outbreak of war he was a Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, Black Watch, and served during 1939-40 in the campaign in France as Captain of an Anti-Tank Company attached to the 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. He 1942 he went to the Middle East as Major in the 51st Reconnaissance Regiment, and was wounded at El Alamein. When this regiment was disbanded in the following year, he rejoined the Black Watch and took part in the invasion of Sicily in command of a Company of the 7th Battalion. On 1st August 1943 he was mortally wounded at the battle of Sferro Hill.

"He was a first-class officer in every way, a splendid example of determination and keenness. His Company had a very difficult task during the Sferro battle, and it was entirely due to his leadership that after very heavy fighting indeed they captured their objective. He was with the leading platoon at the top of the hill when he was fatally wounded."