Sport
Introduction
By the spring of 1915 not only was the press lamenting the loss of lives within Scottish regiments but the fact that some of Scotland most talented sportsmen and women had died on active service was given prominence.
All sports suffered losses during the war and there were debates about the possibility of cancelling all sporting activities until the war was over. However, many sporting events were seen as morale raising for a war weary public. Additionally many sporting events raised money for the Red Cross.
Curling on a frozen canal with ice blocks
© National Library of Scotland
Captain Hugh Taylor, of the Scots Guards, died on 18 December, 1914, age 33. He was one of Scotland's best curlers and his last important match was the international curling event in Edinburgh.
In Rugby, Captain Lewis Robertson of the Cameronians, and an Old Fettesian, fell at Ypres on 3 November, 1914, age 31.
Of 19 Old Fettesian Scottish Rugby Internationals to serve, seven were killed.
In golf, a professional of great promise, Private David Kirkaldy, of the Black Watch, and nephew of the veteran professional golfer, “Andra" Kirkaldy, died on 26 March, 1918. Another golfer, buried in Serbia, Madge Neill Fraser, of The Scottish Women’s Hospital, died on 8 March, 1915. She was a member at Murrayfield, and captain of the Scottish Ladies golf team, and an equally skillful hockey player.
In athletics Captain Wyndham Halswell, of the Highland Light Infantry, died on 31 March, 1915, age 31. He was the holder of a British quarter-mile record and the 440, 300, and 220 yard Scottish records.
Sergeant George Mair, of the Highland Light Infantry, a swimmer and Carnegie Trust hero, died on 12 July, 1915, age 22. He had given many fine performances, but none better than the saving of several lives from drowning.