Sub-Lieutenant James Jermyn Gordon Mack

Sub-Lieutenant Mack, R.N.V.R., was born on 25th May 1919, and at Loretto from September 1928 to December 1936. He was in the VI Form and the Shooting VIII and a Lance-Corporal in the O.T.C. after joining the Navy in 1940 he served in H.M.S. Verity during the battle of the Atlantic and in patrol work off the coast of Portugal, and then in H.M.S. Hornet at Gosport, servicing M.T.B. At the end of 1943 he was attached to a British Training Unit at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Squantum, Massachusetts, for a familiarisation course in torpedo work, and on 25th January 1944 accompanied, as observer, a British pilot and another observer in a British torpedo-bomber engaged in wind-finding exercises over Massachusetts Bay. When the aircraft was at an altitude of 1.700 feet, his fellow observer, owing to the failure of the intercommunication system, misunderstood a message from the pilot as an instruction to bale out. Both observers jumped. One was rescued from the sea, but no trace of Mack could be found. At the time of the accident he was about to take up an appointment as Torpedo Officer in a new escort carrier.

"He was admired here for his efficiency as an officer, and well liked personally for his pleasant disposition and quiet humour."
"The world needs desperately young men like him - of high principle and fine character and good brains."

Flying Officer Alastair Mowat Maclay

Flying Officer Maclay, The Royal Air Force (V.R.), was born on 2nd December 1914, and at Loretto from May 1924 to March 1932. After leaving School he went to the West of Scotland Agricultural College, and joined the Renfrew Flying Club, obtaining a pilot`s licence. In 1937 he started farming at Castle Douglas, where he did much to improve the social conditions of the district and opened and ran a boys` club in Kirkcudbright. In August 1939 he was refused for enlistment in the R.A.F. on the ground that his work as a farmer was essential. He then helped to organise the local L.D.V. and was active as president of the Stewartry Young Farmers` Club. Finally, after three further applications, he was accepted by the R.A.F. in December 1940, and in 1941 was attached as Pilot Officer to No. 16 Army Co-operation Squadron, stationed in Somerset. As a specialist in photographic reconnaissance he did much valuable work. On 29th November 1942, he was sent out over the French coast on reconnaissance for enemy shipping, but failed to return and was subsequently reported: Missing on operations, presumed killed.

"He was one of our most reliable pilots; I had the greatest respect for his judgement. He was enthusiastic to do his job properly and well, and nobody could ask to be served better than that."

Lieutenant Andrew Macgavin Maclean

Lieutenant Maclean, R.N.V.R., was born on 13th August 1908, and at Loretto from September 1922 to July 1927. He was a Prefect, a Prizeman of the VI Form and editor of the Lorettonian; in the XV, Hockey and Fives Teams; and a Sergeant in the O.T.C. On leaving school he went to Glasgow University. He played for ten seasons for Kelvinside Academicals XV, part of the time as captain, and also in the International Trial game at Murrayfield in 1926. In December 1939 he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the R.N.V.R. and was given charge of a mine-sweeper in the Firth of Forth. On 18th February 1940 he died of wounds received on this service.

"Andrew Maclean realised that there are certain principles and traditions by which a man must live, and which, if need be, he must rise up to defend; and when war came he was ready for the emergency."