Gus Neilson: Dr Ross Cameron - Hawick RFC players who fell in WW1

There were two Presidents at the Rotary Club meeting last week.  President Sandy Bannerman welcomed the President of Hawick Rugby Football Club Dr. Ross Cameron who gave an excellent and well prepared power-point presentation on the 39 players and officials of the rugby club who fell in the Great War of 1914-18.  There was a massive recruitment drive at the start of the war of young men to join the war effort and the rugby club enthusiastically supported it.  Many joined the local regiment of the 4th/5th KOSB.  About 100, including 5 players, succumbed in the disastrous Gallipoli campaign and Ross will join the local Callants Club party this July to visit the site of the battle to commemorate the 100th anniversary.  He gave a short potted-history of some of those who perished during the War including Lt Walter Sutherland, Scottish cap, Major Forrest MC, Daniel Shannon, Tom "Bottler" Wilson and Lt Ivan Laing MC.  The talk was very well received by the members and President Sandy thanked and congratulated Ross for an excellent evening on a sad chapter for Hawick rugby.  Also present was John Thorburn, Vice President of the rugby club who was the guest of his father Jock.