Fifteen Scottish capped players lost their lives in the Boer and World Wars and today we remember the sacrifice they made.
William and Walter Greive were brothers. A third brother, John Greive, who also played for Scotland survived the War and became President of the SCU.
Lieutenant Willie Davidson was the oldest officer killed during WW1, at the age of 65. He played one game for Scotland against Australia in 1880 and had risen to the rank of Colonel by the time of his death. He was also a Gentleman Usher to King George V and had previously taken part in the Zulu, Afghan and Boer Wars.
Boer War
JJ Ferris (Gloucestershire, Australia & England) age 33
DH Forbes (West of Scotland) age 28
W Macfarlan (Loretto School) age 32
First World War
Capt. BA Cuninghame (West of Scotland) age 45
Lt. WL Davidson (62nd Brigade) age 65 Oldest officer to die in World War One
Walter Greive (Selkirk) age 26
William Greive (Selkirk) age 28
HD Keigwin (Perthshire, Essex) age 35
D Kennedy (Uddingston) age 25
JC Murray (Edinburgh Academicals) age 35
WGS Stuart (Watsonians) age 27
CF Younger (Clackmannan County age 31
Second World War
WAS Elder (West of Scotland) age 25
JB Jones (Stirling County) age 32
ASB McNeil (Watsonians) age 28
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Laurence Binyon
