Major Finlay McDonald Urquhart, Highland Light Infantry, whose death, on active service, was recorded in the Ross-shire Journal of 10th November, 1943, was the elder son of the late Mr and Mrs Finlay Urquhart, Formosa, Alness, and a brother of Mrs J. M. Wilson, Avon Cottage, Briarhill Road, Prestwick, Ayrshire.

A former pupil of Glasgow High School, he took various distinctions, including the Wellpark Gold Medal for Modern Languages and the school championship in gymnastics.

Major Urquhart served throughout the Great War, chiefly in the East. He later served on the staff in India during the Afghan War, afterwards retiring to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers. On returning to civilian life he completed the degrees of MA and LL.B at Glasgow University. He distinguished himself in international law, being later appointed an assistant lecturer in that department.

In connection with his interests in international matters, Major Urquhart had travelled widely from the Far East to the prairies of America. Being of Ross-shire extraction, he took a keen interest in the betterment of the Highlands and was Glasgow secretary of the Highland Development League. His chief interest, however, was in the movement for University residential facilities, which culminated in the opening of Maclay Hall.

A memorial service, conducted by the Rev. T K Campbell, was held in the Glasgow University Chapel on Sunday, 21st November, and attended by the Principal, relations and friends, and members and former members of the Maclay Hall.

Sir Hector Hetherington writes: “The news of Major Finlay Urquhart’s death will be received with the greatest sorrow by hundreds of men who passed through Maclay Hall during the period of his wardenship. He was an original resident in the Hall. He became warden in 1927; and with him began the period of its development. He enlarged, replanned and refurnished it, made the rules of its life, or persuaded the members to make the rules he wanted, brought it almost from bankruptcy to a state of reasonable financial stability, and presided himself over every detail of its working. He had his own methods, which nobody but himself fully understood. But he had the confidence and affection of his men, and he had great success.

“The secret was simple – his complete devotion and unselfishness. He refused, absolutely, to accept remuneration for all the endless work he did. This was his contribution to the Hall, to the place he loved and cared for above everything else in life.

“He rejoined his regiment at the outbreak of war, and after a time went to the Middle East. Even from that distance he kept in weekly touch with the Hall. A generation of men has passed through the Hall who never even saw him. But he was, and is, a living personality to them; and none of those who were with him will ever forget his service.”