Napier, Robert Hillier (1885 - 1918)

Lieutenant, Nyasaland Field Force attd. 4th Bn. 1st King's African Rifles

Buried at Dar es Salaam British and Indian Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Robert Hillier Napier was born at Yoker in 1884. He entered Hillhead High School in 1898, going two years later to Morrison's Academy, Crieff, where he became Dux of the School in 1901. He always spoke with great affection of his life at Hillhead High School when his chief friend was Alexander Grant, afterwards a missionary in India, thus indicating in these early days the purity of his heart and
mind, like drawing to like.

At the University he fulfilled all the promise of his School days and proved himself to be a brilliant and distinguished student. Having graduated with 2nd Class Honours in classics in 1905 he entered the Divinity Hall of the Church of Scotland, gaining there many prizes and other distinctions. At the close of his Divinity course he gained the RD. degree, and the Black Fellowship as the first student of his year.

During his college career his energies were spread over a wide field; he was an enthusiastic volunteer and played a prominent part in the Union debates; he was President of the Christian Union, and his popularity with his fellows was evidenced by his election as President of the S.R.C. At the close of a short period of service with Dr. Menzies Fergusson, Logie, he was ordained in 1909 as a missionary of the Church of Scotland, and sailed for Nyassaland. In the mission field he found his true vocation, his fine gifts of scholarship, noble qualities of heart and unremitting energy being used without stint in the service of his Master. His industry was un-wearying and he had the gift of inspiring enthusiasm and cheerful service in those with whom he worked.

In addition to his regular work as missionary in Blantyre and Zomba, he shared in the translation of the Bible into the native language, and
had the privilege of training the first native missionaries. On the outbreak of war he took part in the defence of Nyassaland, doing valuable service in charge of the native transport lines; later he served with the native transport in German East Africa. His great linguistic attainments enabled him to take. the post of intelligence officer to the British Force, and it was while attached as lieutenant to the 4/1st King's African Rifles that he fell in Portuguese Africa on the 11th February, 1918. Fearless and zealous in the cause of others he had gone forward to reconnoitre the enemy's lines, when he fell mortally wounded.

Robert Napier was a man of winning personality, of lofty ideals, and sterling character-unselfish, of deep religious feeling, prodigal of service. He delighted in the bright side of social intercourse and loved all outdoor games and sports, especially Rugby, swimming, and mountaineering. Rectorial elections of the old days appealed strongly to him, and he was equally at home leading an attack through a mist of pease meal, presiding at the councils of his party, or writing clever electioneering pamphlets.

Robert Napier's loss can never be rightly estimated; his sun has gone down ere yet it was noonday; his memory lives and inspires. Here indeed was:

"One who never turned his back, but marched breast forward,
Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, sleep to wake."