Captain Donald Thomas David Murray

Captain Murray, 5th Battalion, The Black Watch, was born on 22nd February 1912, and at Loretto from September 1923 to April 1927. On leaving School he went to an insurance office in London. Here he joined the London Scottish Regiment, but in 1940 was attached, after training at Aberdeen, to the 1st Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders, then stationed at the Gordon Barracks there. In 1941 he was transferred, at his own request, to his father`s old Regiment, the 5th Battalion, Black Watch. In the following year the Battalion left with the 51st Highland Division for Egypt, and Murray took part in the campaign from El Alamein to the attack on the Mareth Line. In this engagement he was wounded and sent to Tripoli Hospital, but rejoined his Regiment before the invasion of Sicily in 1943. On 18th July of that year, while leading his Company to capture Vizzini, he was shot by a sniper, and died of his wound the next day.

"Donald Murray was a man of steadfast and sterling character, well loved by many people. He fought bravely, not because he liked fighting, but that others less worthy than himself might live."

Major George Darsie Murray

Major Murray, the 56th Reconnaissance Regiment, was born on 26th January 1916, and at Loretto Junior School from January 1927 to July 1932. He afterwards obtained a post in the Metropolitan Electric Company in London, where he did very well, and joined the London Scottish Regiment. In 1936 he won the 2nd (London) Infantry Brigade T.A. Boxing Championship in the Officers` Middleweight. When the Reconnaissance Regiment was formed he asked to be transferred to this, and was soon promoted Major. He was at the North Africa landing and was killed by a sniper`s bullet in Tunisia on 8th April 1943, while trying to find a gun-nest of the Afrika Corps which was causing trouble to some of our troops. At this time he was commanding "A" Squadron of the 56th Reconnaissance Regiment.

"I held a very high opinion of him both as a man and as a soldier. He was a really keen soldier and a most likeable character, and very popular in the unit."
"He had the best of the Scot in him - the gallantry and the gaiety."

Lieutenant William Walter Neilson

Lieutenant Neilson, 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was born on 29th October 1924, and at Loretto from September 1938 to December 1942. He was a House Prefect, in the VI Form, XV, Boxing Team and Shooting VIII, and a Corporal in the J.T.C. He embarked for service overseas in June 1944, and was wounded near Florence in September, while taking part in the Italian campaign. In the following year, on the night of the 9th April, he was again wounded while leading his platoon in attack across the Senio river, and died of his wounds three days later.

"He was a brave and fine office, and a good comrade."