Shanks, John William
Rank: Private
Regiment: 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Biography: Son of John Shanks, inspector of collectors ; born Aberdeen, 4 June 1893. He matriculated as a student in Arts in 1912, coming to the University with a reputation as an English scholar which he subsequently maintained. He made a name for himself among his fellow students by his contributions to "Alma Mater"—his clear vivid prose, and verse of much real merit, being always recognizable. Shanks joined "U" Company, 4th Gordon Highlanders in March 1914, was called up in August, and, after training in Bedford, crossed with the Battalion to France in February 1915. He was reported missing at Hooge and was afterwards presumed killed on 25 September 1915. Beauty in any form, in nature, in literature, in music, was to Shanks the thing that counted most in life, and it needed a character of much strength to turn from the study he loved to the life of the trenches, and to enter into the spirit of that life, the spirit of humour and true comradeship which alone made it liveable.
Date of Death: 25 September 1915
Burial Details: Name recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Panel 38, Column 9.
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.