The University of Glasgow Story

Pioneer Norman Somerled MacDonald

Biography of Pioneer Norman Somerled MacDonald

Norman Somerled MacDonald was born 1895 in Ruthwell, Drumfriesshire. He first matriculated at the University in 1913 to study Engineering. He was the son of George and Sarah MacDonald. His father worked as the Station Master of Moniaive Railway Station in Glencairn, Dumfriesshire.

Norman matriculated at the University in session 1913-1914 to study engineering. Under a scheme of affiliation between the University and the Royal Technical College of Glasgow, forerunner of the University of Strathclyde, students aiming for a degree in engineering or pure sciences could take some of their subjects at the College. Norman took full advantage of this provision, enrolling at the College for classes in Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Physical Laboratory, Inorganic Chemistry, Chemical Laboratory and Engineering Drawing. He also attended summer classes in Surveying and Civil Engineering Drawing, earning first-class certificates of merit for both.

In session 1914-1915, Norman returned to the Royal Technical College, where he followed the second-year curriculum for Civil Engineering. He achieved second-class certificates of merit for the classes in Motive Power Engineering, Motive Power Engineering Laboratory, Mechanics Laboratory, Geology, and Drawing, and first-class certificates of merit for Civil Engineering and Geological Laboratory.

However, as the First World War intensified, Norman did not enrol for a third year of study. He served with the 1st Special Company of the Royal Engineers, and was reported missing in action on 24 March 1918, aged 23. Pioneer Norman Somerled MacDonald is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial in France, as well as on the Glencairn War Memorial, the Dumfries Academy Memorial, and the Roll of Honour of the Royal Technical College of Glasgow.

Summary

Pioneer Norman Somerled MacDonald
Rank: Pioneer
Regiment: Special Company - Royal Engineers
Degree: Student
Awards: N/A
Comments: Killed in action
Note/Press Clipping: N/A
Photo ID: N/A

Sources

R8/5/35/5

Ken Morrison, Scottish War Memorials Project, external source, project webpage

With thanks to Anne Cameron for providing further details from the University of Strathclyde records.

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