Sergeant James Norman Denis Dewar

Sergeant Dewar, The Royal Air Force (V.R.), was born on 3rd August 1923, and at Loretto from May 1937 to July 1940. On joining the R.A.F. he was attached to 179 Squadron, Coastal Command, and took part in operations in Light Wellingtons over Gibraltar, the Bay of Biscay, and the English Channel. On 12/13th June 1944, when engaged on an anti-submarine patrol over the Channel, he and all his crew failed to return, and were posted as missing, presumed killed.

"Denny had done over 100 hours operational flying with the Squadron and had proved himself to be a first-class wireless operator-air gunner. He was a most popular member of the Squadron."

Lieutenant James Kenneth Montague Drysdale

Lieutenant Drysdale, D.S.O.. 1st Battalion the Royal Scots, was born on 29th December 1909, and at Loretto from September 1918 to December 1927. He was a House Prefect, in the VI Form (Prizeman), XV and Hockey XI, and a Sergeant in the O.T.C. From School he went to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and on passing out was commissioned into the Royal Scots, with whom he served until 1936. He was then seconded for service with the R.A.F. In 1939-40 he was twice mentioned in Despatches while with the No.2 Army Co-operation Squadron in France, and when the Squadron had returned to England and was operating from Kent in Lysanders, he was awarded the D.S.O. for his work over France and the Channel. He was then transferred to Bombers, joined No.305 Polish Squadron, and became second in command at Linholm, near Doncaster, with the rank of Acting Wing Commander. He lost his life during a raid on Le Havre in a Wellington Bomber on the night of 15th September 1941.

"He would have gone far, I am sure, if he had survived this war. He was a first-class machine gunner, and had the happy knack of getting the best out of his men, who adored him."

Flying Officer John Valentine Stuart Duncan

Flying Officer Duncan, The Royal Air Force (V.R.), was born on 29th November 1922, and at Loretto Junior School from May 1931 to July 1932. After leaving the Nippers he was educated at George Watson`s College and Edinburgh University, where he studied civil engineering and was a member of the University Air Squadron. He joined the R.A.F.V.R. in 1940 and was sent for training to Riddle-McKay Aero College, Florida, U.S.A. Here he gained the College Diploma as a fighter pilot with honours. He became Pilot Officer in 1941 and was promoted Flying Officer in 1942. He served first with Army Co-operation Command and afterwards with Fighter Command. He was killed while flying a Mustang fighter, returning to base in the South of England, on 30th May 1943. An American, writing of the British University Air Squadrons trained in the U.S.A., said:

"Knowing your boys, and especially such boys as John, has made us feel a great deal closer to England than ever before."