Sutherland, Alexander George
Rank: Private
Regiment: 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Biography: Son of George Sutherland, boot merchant ; born Buckie, 9 January 1886 ; educated Buckie Public School ; passed to Aberdeen University in 1903 as 10th Bursar; graduated M.A. (First Class Highest Distinction, Greek History), 1907 ; Simpson Greek Prize, Seafield Latin Prize, Liddel Prize, Ferguson and Fullerton Scholarships ; entered Trinity College, Cambridge, as Classical Sizar - becoming later Classical Scholar ; First Class, Part I, Classical Tripos ; Distinction in Ancient History, Part II. "Few men so able", wrote the Professor of Greek in Aberdeen, "have ever attended the University." He accepted the post of Examiner in the Exchequer Auditt at Warri, East Africa, a post ludicrously disproportionate to his abilities. Although in bad health when war broke out, Sutherland enlisted at the earliest possible moment and sailed for home in February 1915 After training he went to the Front with the 2/4th Gordon Highlanders. When ordered home on sick leave for the second time in 1917, he begged permission to stay for the big push. It was in it that he met his death, being reported missing after the attack on 23 April 1917. An utter absence of self-seeking characterized Sutherland—a modesty and humility which made him amazingly blind to his own brilliant powers. Of a fine and subtle intellect, with literary taste and knowledge far beyond the common, he could never see himself in the light by which others saw him ; and gave his life to his country with the same willingness of sacrifice that had marked all his actions.
Date of Death: 23 April 1917
Burial Details: Name recorded on the Arras Memorial, Panel 8, Column 30.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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