Commander Harold Fergusson Lawson

Commander Lawson, R.N., was born on 7th August 1901, and at Loretto from October 1915 to July 1919. He was a House Prefect, in the VI Form, XI, and Hockey Team, and a Corporal in the O.T.C. In 1919 he obtained a special entry cadetship in the Navy from School, and after a period of training was appointed a Midshipman in H.M.S. Revenge in April 1921. In his subsequent examinations for Sub-Lieutenant and Lieutenant he was awarded four "firsts", and in 1924 won at Portsmouth the "Goodenough" gold medal and prize for gunnery. Between 1929 and 1938 he served first as Gunnery Officer and then as Fleet Gunnery Officer in several ships on different stations. He was promoted Commander in June 1938, while on the staff of Excellent (Gunnery School). Following a year at the Admiralty, he was appointed Commander of the Prince of Wales, serving in her during the Atlantic Charter Meeting and the sinking of the Bismark, for his part in which action he was mentioned in Despatches. He was reported missing after the sinking of the Prince of Wales off Singapore on 10th December 1941, and later officially notified as killed in action.

"The bravery and courage shown by Commander Lawson during the brief action of 10th December will never be forgotten by any of the crew who were fortunate enough to survive the attack... He went below to the secondary steering position several decks down with the full knowledge that escape was impossible, relieved the ratings on watch and took control himself... He knew his line of duty and performed it nobly and without question."
" He went from place to place, sometimes in water up to his waist, giving orders to try and get the ship upright again. I only left him when he ordered me to go on deck about four or five minutes before the ship went. We in the Royal Navy have lost a most efficient officer, a real hero, and a friend."

Lieutenant David Maxwell Little

Lieutenant Little, 19th Battalion, King George`s Own Lancers, R.A.C., was born on 23rd October 1922, and at Loretto from May 1936 to April 1940. He was in the VI Form and obtained Certificate "A" in the O.T.C. After leaving School he worked on a large farm as a tractor driver, and his influence on his fellows, and especially on schoolboys helping in the holidays, was described by the proprietor of the estate as of the greatest value. This employment ranking as essential service, he found it difficult to get recruited, but finally succeeded in doing so and was soon picked out of the ranks and sent to Sandhurst. He trained for Tanks, obtained his commission and proceeded to India. He had been in Poona only a short time when he went down to Bombay to meet his brother, who was passing through to Burma. Here he developed acute infantile paralysis, and after a brief illness died in Poona hospital on 5th November 1944. A letter from the hospital praised "his cheerfulness and courage, which won the hearts of all the doctors and nurses."

Lieutenant Colin Scott McArthur

Lieutenant McArthur, 7th Battalion, The Black Watch, was born on 12th April 1918, and at Loretto from September 1931 to July 1936. He was in the VI Form and Boxing Team, and Pipe-Major, O.T.C. On the outbreak of war he joined the Army, and after a period of training was commissioned into the 7th Battalion of the Black Watch. Following further service at home, in June 1942 he went overseas to North Africa with the 51st Division, and on 24th October of the same year was killed in action at El Alamein.

"Colin was held in very high regard and respect by both the officers and men of his unit, and he met his death leading his men in the attack with great courage and determination."
"The night before El Alamein, on the seashore after supper, our thoughts were all on the coming battle. I could sense the restless, nervous excitement in every one of us. Then Colin borrowed the piper`s pipes and played all the old favourites: `My Home`, `Green Hills`, `Rowan Tree`, and a few more. He played really well that night, and we just sat around and listened, and for me at least that music wove a soothing spell. I think we all felt that way."