Flying Officer Ian Campbell Miles Sanderson

Flying Officer Sanderson, Coastal Command, The Royal Air Force (V.R.), was born on 20th October 1913, and at Loretto from May 1927 to July 1932. He was a House Prefect, in the VI Form, Captain of the Shooting VIII, and a Lance-Corporal in the O.T.C. After leaving School he made aviation his career and studied all its branches at Air Services Training at Hamble. Accordingly, when he entered the R.A.F. as a Sergeant Pilot on the outbreak of war, the authorities utilised his knowledge and experience by making him an Instructor. But he soon succeeded in getting transferred to operational duties, and having gained his commission at the end of 1939, was attached to Coastal Command, engaged in anti-submarine operations from the United Kingdom. He was promoted Flying Officer in 1941. On 11th July 1941, he was shot down and killed near the Scilly Isles while returning from patrol over the English Channel.

"I admired him more, I think, than any other of the many young pilots I know. His qualities were such that he stood out even among such a fine lot as those brother officers and men of his who were willing to sacrifice everything."

Wing Commander Grenville Hammerton Shaw

Wing Commander Shaw, The Royal Air Force, was born on 4th May 1907, and at Loretto from September 1920 to April 1924. He was in the VI Form, a Prizeman, and a member of the Fives Team. On leaving School he became an apprentice in a civil-engineering firm in London, but in 1926 gave up this work to take a temporary commission in the R.A.F. He was later appointed a Flying Instructor at Cranwell, and after a specialist engineering course obtained a permanent commission in 1930. He then served for six years on the North-West Frontier of India and took part in operations against hostile tribes, being promoted Squadron Leader in 1936. He spent much time in training his squadron in night flying, and, when war broke out, was looking forward to active service in the air; but in September 1939 he was appointed Chief Engineering Officer, Northern Group, U.K., and at Christmas, after being promoted Wing Commander, was posted to the Empire Air Training Scheme in Canada. Here he was particularly engaged in testing out aircraft engines under Arctic flying conditions. On 27th September 1940, while on a test flight near Ottawa, he lost his life when the machine failed to recover from a spin. He might have baled out, but remained aboard the aircraft endeavouring to assist a comrade who was flying with him.

"He was a first-class pilot, one of the ablest in the R.A.F."

Major William Macduff Simpson

Major Simpson, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), was born on 14th August 1914, and at Loretto from September 1926 to July 1935. He was in the VI Form and Fives Couples, and a Corporal in the O.T.C. After leaving School, he graduated with honours at New College, Oxford, where he was Secretary and Whip of the New College and Magdalen Beagles, and obtained a regular commission in the Cameronians in the summer of 1939, some time before the outbreak of war. When the 12th Battalion was formed he was appointed Adjutant, and served for two years in Scotland and on garrison duty in the Faroe Islands. On its return home in August 1943, the Battalion was broken up and its members were sent to reinforce other units, Captain Simpson taking a draft of Cameronians to the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers, then engaged in the Italian campaign. He remained with them till he was killed on 13th May 1944, on the Gari river, while leading his Company in the attack on the Gustav Line. He is buried at Cassino.

"His personality pervaded the Battalion, and his high-spirited enthusiasm, loyalty and cheerfulness were reflected in every officer and man in it."
"One meets many people in the Army, but very few leave a lasting impression. Mick Simpson was one of those few. No other person did more for the Battalion. He earned the men`s regard to a quite extraordinary degree."