Roll of Honour

Roll of Honour

Sangster, William John Campbell

Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

Regiment: 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders

Biography: Son of William Sangster, draper ; born Aberdeen, 1 January 1896; educated at Aberdeen Grammar School ; Christ's College, Blackheath, and Aberdeen University ; graduated M.A., 1914, and was studying for a medical career. He had belonged to the University O.T.C. and when war broke out he immediately joined the Army, receiving his commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 4th Gordon Highlanders, 3 October 1914. After training at Aberdeen, Bedford, etc., he crossed to France 24 June 1915. In the ensuing three months, he proved himself the type of officer who is beloved and trusted by his men. On the fateful 25 September 1915 Sangster fell. He was detailed with a platoon to capture a portion of German trenches, which he did successfully. With great courage he and his men held on to the position, later it was re-captured by the Germans, the fighting was fierce, and the traditions of the Gordons were upheld.

Date of Death: 25 September 1915

Burial Details: Name recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Panel 38, Column 3.

Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.


If you have photographs of anyone listed in the Roll of Honour (preferably in service uniform) or have any questions about this resource, please email memoriam@abdn.ac.uk.