George Gordon Steven

In 1911, after completing his secondary education, George enrolled as a day student of Engineering at the Royal Technical College of Glasgow (now the University of Strathclyde). At that time, he was living at 9 Wilton Crescent. George studied at the College for three years. In session 1911-1912, he took preparatory classes in Mathematics, Engineering Drawing, Theoretical and Practical Physics, and Theoretical and Practical Chemistry. In session 1912-1913, he followed the standard first-year Engineering curriculum comprising Mathematics, Engineering Drawing, Natural Philosophy, Physical Laboratory, Inorganic Chemistry lectures and Inorganic Chemistry laboratory. In session 1913-1914, he took further classes in Mathematics, Inorganic Chemistry, Natural Philosophy and Engineering Drawing, plus Motive Power Engineering Laboratory. During his three years at the Royal Technical College, George helped to form its rugby football team, served as Secretary and Convener of the Athletic Committee for session 1913-1914, and also joined the Officer Training Corps based at the University of Glasgow.

George intended to become a marine engineer, and was apprenticed to David Rowan and Company. However, when war broke out he enlisted with Lochiel's Camerons and in October 1914 he received a commission with the Loyal North Lancashires. Two years later, George joined the Heavy Section of the Machine Gun Corps. In September 1916, he went with them to the Front, where he died, aged 23, on 24 October 1916. Lieutenant George Gordon Steven is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery at Authuille Wood. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour of the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, and on a memorial plaque to the former pupils of John Watson’s Institution in Dean Church, Edinburgh.