John Murdoch

At the age of 18 he enrolled at the University of Glasgow in September 1909 in the faculty of science. During his first year at the university, John studied mathematics. He passed his mathematics exam with 55 per cent in October 1910 – which was the joint highest grade in his class. Over the next few years of his degree, John took a broad range of classes within the Faculty of Science, including organic and inorganic chemistry, metallurgy, and natural philosophy. By his fifth year in 1913, aged 22, John was back to studying mathematics, and passed both his mathematics and chemistry exams with high results. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of the First World War, he was never able to finish his degree and graduate from the University.

An active member of the Officer’s Training Corps throughout his University career, when the war broke out John joined the Lochiel’s Camerons, serving as a Second Lieutenant. He was later transferred to the Highland Light Infantry, of which he was sadly reported missing on the 1st July 1916, but his death was not officially reported until August, 1917. He was only 25. John Murdoch has been commemorated at the Lonsdale Cemetery in Authuille, France. His headstone bares a simple cross.