Corporal Alan Watt Izatt
Biography of Corporal Alan Watt Izatt
Allan Watt Izat studied at the University of Glasgow from 1905 to 1909, gaining a BSc in 1909. He died in August 1916 in France.
Allan was born on 17th December 1887 in Glasgow, the youngest son of John and Elizabeth W Izat. His father John was a cashier. His older brother Andrew was a civil engineer.
Like his older brother Andrew, Allan trained for a career in civil engineering. In session 1904-1905, at the age of 16, he enrolled for the first year of an engineering course at the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, forerunner of the University of Strathclyde. There he earned first-class certificates of merit in Mathematics, Dynamics, Experimental Physics and Mechanics, plus second-class certificates of merit in Chemical Lectures, Engineering Drawing and Surveying. He then completed his studies at the University of Glasgow from 1905-1909, where he took classes including Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Engineering. He won prizes in Chemistry, Natural Philosophy and Physical Laboratory and graduated BSc in 1909.
After graduation, Allan worked as a civil engineer, residing first at Kenmure Street in Glasgow, then at Dolphin Road, the same address as fellow University of Glasgow student Gavin Boyd in 1913 and 1914.
Allan joined the 2nd Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, with service number 34242, and was part of the “Glasgow Pals” Battalion. He died on 1st August 1916, aged 28, from wounds received in action at the Somme, and is buried in Dive Copse British Cemetery, Sailly-le-Sec, north west of Amiens. He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal, and his effects were passed to his mother Elizabeth.
As well as being commemorated on the University of Glasgow memorial, he is also named on the memorial tablet erected by the Engineering Society of the University of Glasgow in the James Watt building, in memory of undergraduates and graduates who died fighting in the first and second world wars.
Images
University Connections
WWI Roll of Honour
Summary
Corporal Alan Watt Izatt
Rank: Corporal
Regiment: 16th Highland Light Infantry
Degree: BSc
Awards: N/A
Comments: Died of wounds 1 August 1916
Note/Press Clipping: Ch 4/4/2/3/725
Photo ID: Ch 4/4/2/2/107
Sources
University of Glasgow Archive References:
R4/5/3 Schedules of Graduates in Science (BSc) 1907 to 1910
R3/1/1 Register of Dates of Birth of Graduates Volume II 1881 – 1915
R8/5/26/4 Matriculation album 1905-1906 Men H - L
R8/5/27/4 Matriculation album 1906-1907 Men H - L
R8/5/28/4 Matriculation album 1907-1908 Men H - L
R8/5/29/4 Matriculation album 1908-1909 Men H - L
SEN10/48 Vol 43 University calendar 1906 - 1907
DC183/11/37 General Council Register of Members 1910
DC183/11/40 General Council Register of Members 1913
Commonwealth War Graves website, Allan Watt Izat entry http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/24640/IZAT,%20ALLAN%20WATT
Census. 1891. Scotland. Kinning Park, Glasgow, Lanark. 644/14 033/00 008 http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbc%2f1891%2f0033998806
Glasgow Pals 1914-1918 Transcription, Find My Past website http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fglas%2f531
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914 – 1920 http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/1262/30850_A000816-01684?pid=4091308&backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk%2f%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fti%3d5538%26indiv%3dtry%26db%3dmedalrolls%26h%3d4091308&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true
Register of Soldiers' Effects 1901 – 1929 http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/60506/42511_6129999_0057-00077?pid=377660&backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.co.uk%2f%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3findiv%3dtry%26db%3dUKArmyRegistersEffects%26h%3d377660&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true
The Scottish War Memorials Project website http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ftopic5594.html
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