Major-General Thomas Gordon Rennie
Companion of the Bath, Distinguished Service Order, Member of the Order of the British Empire

Major-General Rennie, The Black Watch, commanding the 51st (Highland ) Division, was born on 3rd January 1900, and at Loretto from April 1911 to December 1917. He was a Prefect, in the VI Form, a Prizeman, in the XV, XI, Hockey Team and Fives Couples, and a Sergeant in the O.T.C. From School he went to the R.M. College, Sandhurst, and on passing out was gazetted to the 2nd Battalion, The Black Watch. At this period he played Rugby for the London Scottish, the Army and in the Scottish trials. After passing out of the Staff College, Camberley, in 1934, he became Brigade Major in the Shanghai Area, 1936-38, and in the latter year gained the M.B.E. In 1940, while with the 51st (Highland) Division, he was taken prisoner at St Valery, but escaped nine days later while being taken to Germany, and made his way on foot and by bicycle through France into Spain and back from Portugal to England. In 1942-43 he served in Egypt, Libya and Sicily, commanding first the 5th Battalion of the Black Watch and then the 154th Brigade in the 51st Division, and was awarded the D.S.O in 1942. He was wounded in Tripolitania in January 1943. In December of that year he returned to England and was given command of the 3rd British Infantry Division, with which he went to Normandy in the following June. On the 16th of the same month he was again wounded. He was then created C.B. and appointed to command the 51st (Highland) Division. On 24th March 1945, after crossing the Rhine, Major-General Rennie met his death in action from mortar fire. He was mentioned in Despatches in 1940, 1943 and 1945.

From the Times

"When Major-General T.G. Rennie, C.B., D.S.O., M.B.E., was killed in action in Germany, the 51st Highland Division lost an outstanding commander and the British Army lost a great soldier. All who served under him will never forget his tremendous determination and unshakeable tenacity of purpose, together with the ability never to allow himself to become harassed or weighed down by difficulties. He knew at once what was essential, and refused utterly to bother himself at all with what was not. He had great personal courage, and was blessed with an optimistic outlook with which he was able to infect all who served under him. The least pretentious and unassuming of Generals, he was so approachable that everyone, however junior, felt completely at ease with him. The knowledge and experience which he had gained, coupled with his own exceptional ability and strength of character, enabled him to enjoy the complete confidence and implicit trust of everyone who served under him."

Captain William Norman Renwick

Captain Renwick, 1st Regiment, The Royal Horse Artillery, was born on 29th November 1914, and at Loretto from September 1923 to April 1934. He was Head of School, in the VI Form (Prizeman), the XV (Captain), the XI, the Hockey (Captain), Boxing, Fives (Captain), Athletics and Swimming Teams, and Company Sergeant-Major in the O.T.C. On leaving School he went to University College, Oxford and took his degree. He was in the Oxford Rugby XV for two years, and obtained the "A" certificate in the University Air Squadron. He played Rugby for the London Scottish and Edinburgh Wanderers, and was in the Scottish XV in 1938 and 1939. In 1940 he was commissioned into the R.H.A. and went to Egypt in December 1941. As a Lieutenant in the Chestnut Troop, 1st Regiment, R.H.A., he fought through the battle of Alamein and the subsequent pursuit of Rommel`s army. After being promoted Captain, he accompanied the Regiment to Italy in the spring of 1944. He was killed on 15th June 1944, while acting as Commander of No. 1 Battery.

"On the 15th of June he was observing from his O.P. tank supporting an armoured attack about three miles south of Ficulle. He was, as usual, right up with the leading tanks and doing splendid work. He was shot by a machine gun at close range and killed instantly. Bill, besides being one of the most efficient, was one of the most highly regarded officers, who held the affection and confidence of his brother officers to a quite remarkable degree; and he was such a modest and unassuming person that no one would have guessed on first meeting him what distinction he had gained both on the rugger ground and on the battle-field."

Captain Robert Kay Roberton

Captain Roberton, The Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C., was born on 26th February 1909, and at Loretto from January 1923 to July 1927. He was in the VI Form and a Lance-Corporal in the O.T.C. As O.C. Reconnaissance Troop, 46th R.T.R., he took part in the campaigns in the Western Desert and North Africa, the assault landing and campaign in Sicily, the assault landing at Tarranto, and operations in Western Italy to the river Sangro. All this service was with the Eighth Army. He was then with the Fifth Army on the Garagliano and during the assault landing at Anzio and subsequent operations. On 4th February 1944, Captain Roberton`s reconnaissance troop was leading the advance of the 46th R.T.R. in an attack in the Anzio bridgehead, and he was standing up in his scout car marshalling prisoners for sending back to the rear, when he was hit by a burst of machine-gun fire. He was at once driven to the nearest first-aid post, but died on arrival there.

"I can never hope to come under a better officer. He was always so cheerful, with a bright word for everyone, no matter how bad things were. He just had a way with him that so few have, and as a leader he had no equal. The men would follow him anywhere, for he was absolutely fearless in battle."