Morland, William (1896 - 1917)

Second Lieutenant, 17th Bn. Highland Light Infantry

Buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Second Lieutenant William Morland was the eldest son of the late Mr. William Morland; and of Mrs. Morland, 10 Carlton Terrace, North Kelvinside. At School he was a pupil to rejoice a teacher's heart, steady, reliable, upright, always giving of his best. Fond of books and devoted to his home, he took but a small part in the outdoor life of the School. Yet he was held in the highest esteem by his schoolfellows, who are ever quick to appreciate those fine qualities of head and heart that William Morland had in abundance.

On leaving School he entered as an apprentice the office of Messrs. J. W. Stewart & Co., chartered accountants, of which Lord Provost Stewart is the senior partner. There he found the work thoroughly to his taste, and he applied himself in his usual thorough, methodical way to mastering his profession. The present Lord Provost, writing after he learned of his death in action, says, "I can assure you that everyone here feels his death as almost a personal bereavement, as since he joined the staff our association with him has left nothing but the pleasantest recollections."

Early in 1915 he enlisted as a private in the Glasgow Highlanders. In August, 1916, he proceeded to France, and shared in the strenuous fighting of the autumn campaign, but came through unscathed. In December, 1916, he was recommended for a commission, and came home for training.

On finishing his course he was posted to the 17th H.L.I., but on returning to France he was attached to the Trench Mortar Battery of the 7th Brigade. During an attack on the German lines, on the morning of the 2nd December, 1917, he was struck by a piece of shrapnel, and died almost immediately.

His commanding officer writes, "During the short time he was with the battery he made himself universally popular both with officers and men."

The heartfelt sympathy of the School is extended to his widowed mother and brothers