In Ever Proud and Grateful Memory
Of those old boys who gave their lives
in the Second World War 1939–1945
Altiora In Corde Disponamus
(We Aspire to Higher Things)
Thirty old boys of Craigflower Preparatory School gave their lives during World War II. Their names, service records, and sacrifice are recorded here in perpetuity. The memorial was originally housed at Craigflower House and was moved to Torryburn Parish Church following the school's closure and the subsequent renovation of Craigflower House into residential properties in 2000.
Roll of Honour
J. Rankine Andrew
Rank: Captain (2nd Lieutenant, 6/11/1939)
Service: 56 Battalion, Black Watch R.H.R.
Died: 11 June 1944, Age 26
Service Number: 88125
Killed by mortar bomb near Breville, Normandy. Buried in Hermanville War Cemetery, Plot 4, Row E, Grave 15.
Benjamin H. Blyth
Rank: Lieutenant
Service: 8th Battalion, The Royal Scots
Died: 6 April 1943, Age 24
Service Number: 113739
Died in the Middle East.
Alexander William Lorne Chalmers
Rank: A/A.B.
Service: Royal Navy, H.M. M.T.B. 732
Died: 28 May 1944
Service Number: C/JX370154
Lost at sea. Motor Torpedo Boat (Fairmile D type) sunk by accident.
John Roger Cowell
Rank: Sergeant (Air Gunner)
Service: R.A.F.V.R., 12 Squadron
Died: 1 July 1944, Age 19
Service Number: 1823215
Son of Percy and Mona Winifred Cowell, Pendrethan, Lundin Links, Fife. Buried in Vernou-en-Sologne Communal Cemetery, France. Squadron flew Lancasters in Bomber Command.
B.G. Dalziel
Rank: Captain
Service: Gordon Highlanders
Died: 25 June 1944
Service Number: 96709
Head of School, Autumn 1931. Died in North Africa.
Colin James Mungall Dick
Rank: Lieutenant (Acting Captain)
Service: Royal Armoured Corps / 2/5th The Queen's Royal Regiment
Died: 14 September 1944, Age 22
Service Number: 251341
Killed in action in Italy. Son of local councillor. Also commemorated on Dunfermline War Memorial.
James Norman Dennis Dewar
Rank: Sergeant
Service: R.A.F.V.R., Coastal Command
Died: 13 June 1944, Age 25
Service Number: 1560512
Left Craigflower about 1932.
Ronald W.J. Duff
Rank: A. Leading Airman
Service: Fleet Air Arm, H.M.S. Daedalus, Coventry
Died: 1 March 1943
Service Number: FAA/FX 91971
Head of School, Summer 1937. Shore station. Also on Limekilns and North Queensferry War Memorials.
Hugh Gordon Malcolm, V.C.
Rank: Wing Commander
Service: R.A.F., 18 Squadron
Died: 4 December 1942, Age 26
Service Number: 33322
Recipient of the Victoria Cross. Educated at Craigflower and Trinity College, Glenalmond. Led daylight bombing missions in North Africa with extraordinary courage and leadership. Shot down while giving close support to First Army. His Victoria Cross citation reads: "Throughout his service in command of a light bomber squadron in North Africa Wing-Comdr. Malcolm's leadership, skill and daring were of the highest order. His last exploit was the finest example of the valour and unswerving devotion to duty which he constantly displayed." The Malcolm clubs for rest and recreation are named after him.
Richard Tod Hunter
Rank: Captain
Service: 1st Battalion, Scots Guards
Died: 1 October 1944
Service Number: 182125
Wounded in North African campaign. Killed at Battle of Catarelto, between Florence and Bologna.
Nigel C. Irvine
Rank: Ty. Acting Lieutenant
Service: R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Nigeria
Died: 26 May 1944
Service Number: —
Head of School, Summer 1927. Served on cruiser Nigeria in Indian Ocean.
Alexander Norman Leigh McQueen
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Service: R.A.F.V.R., Tactical Air Force
Died: 9 February 1945, Age 30
Service Number: 129934
Went to Sedbergh School in 1928.
Joe Fleming Borland Messum
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Service: Royal Navy, H.M.S. Hambledon
Died: 8 October 1940, Age 19
Service Number: C/JX 201266
Left Craigflower in 1937. Lost his life at sea. Commemorated on Chatham Naval Memorial.
Ronald Ian Millar
Rank: Pilot Officer
Service: R.A.F.V.R., 613 Squadron (City of Manchester Squadron)
Died: 18 September 1941
Service Number: 88233
Left Craigflower about 1934/35. Buried in Doncaster (Rose Hill) Cemetery.
Michael K.S. Muirhead
Rank: Cadet
Service: Queen's Royal Regiment
Died: 11 September 1939, Age 19
Service Number: 6091783
One of the earliest casualties.
Kenneth Edward Corrie
Rank: Sergeant
Service: R.A.F.V.R., 53 Squadron
Died: 23 June 1941, Age 22
Service Number: 918536
Son of Thomas Edgar and Frances Campbell Corrie, Woking, Surrey. Commemorated on Runnymede Memorial, Panel 41.
John Laurence Gilchrist Cunningham
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Service: R.A.F., Fighter Command
Died: 28 August 1940
Service Number: 90194
Went to Edinburgh Academy in 1929.
William R. Andrew
Rank: Corporal
Service: The Royal Scots, 8th Battalion
Died: 28 September 1944
Service Number: 14662230
Went to Merchiston Castle School about 1927. Killed at Fratershoe, Belgium.
David John Duthie Strath
Rank: Sergeant
Service: R.A.F.V.R., Bomber Command
Died: 17 June 1943
Service Number: 1551143
Left Craigflower about 1937.
Brian A. P. Todd
Rank: Lieutenant
Service: The Royal Scots, 1st Battalion
Died: 3 April 1943
Service Number: 176792
Killed in action at Indin village, Arakan, Burma. Went to Marlborough College in 1931. Mentioned in "The First of Foot" by Augustus Muir, 1961, for acts of valor under enemy fire.
J. Patrick O. Russell
Rank: Captain
Service: Royal Artillery
Died: 7 September 1944
Service Number: 229005
Died in Italy.
Russell O. Stewart
Rank: Lieutenant
Service: 1st Battalion, Scots Guards
Died: 26 January 1944
Service Number: 233190
Left Craigflower about 1937. Served in same company (Left Flank) as R.T. Hunter. Killed by shell near Anzio Beachhead. Photographed in Regimental History of Scots Guards.
Richard Francis Wailes
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Service: 1st Battalion, Fife and Forfar Yeomanry R.A.C.
Died: June 1940
Service Number: 88795
Head of School, Autumn 1933. Son of founder F.G. Wailes. Went to St. Edwards School, Oxford in 1934. Killed in action at Vyfweg, south of Bergues, near Dunkirk. Commemorated on Column 5, Dunkirk Memorial.
Samuel P. Powell
Birth: 3 July 1909, Stoney Stratford
Died: 1939, Gufar, Sudan
Service: Colonial Service
Reported to have died of blackwater fever. Went to Glenalmond in 1924.
C.S. Rae
Rank: Lieutenant
Service: 4/1st King George V.O. Gurkha Rifles
Died: 17 May 1945
Service Number: EC/11528
Killed in Burma.
R.J. Burley
Rank: —
Service: —
Died: —
Went to Merchiston about 1927. Details incomplete—if you have additional information, please contact us.
Ian B. Galbraith
Rank: —
Service: —
Died: —
Details limited. If you have additional information, please contact us.
D.A. MacArthur
Rank: —
Service: —
Died: —
Went to Edinburgh Academy in 1926. Details incomplete—if you have additional information, please contact us.
A.W.D. Moore
Rank: —
Service: Royal Navy
Died: —
Limited information. If you can help complete this record, please contact us.
Angus B. Stewart
Rank: —
Service: —
Died: —
Left Craigflower about 1934/35. Details incomplete—if you have additional information, please contact us.
Memorial Inscription
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
It is sweet and fitting to die for the homeland