James McIntosh

After studying Latin, History, Mathematics, and Logic in his first two years McIntosh began to follow in his father's footsteps by studying Law. He received his MA in 1905, and showed his great talent for legal studies by becoming First Prizeman in Civil Law.

McIntosh stayed at the University to pursue further legal studies, and continued to excel. In 1906 he won the Robert Ross Prize in Scots Law, and was also top of the class for Jurisprudence; in the following year surpassed his own high standards by winning four prizes. McIntosh received his LLB with distinction on the 19th of April 1907.

From graduation James moved to working his father's firm, Mackay & McIntosh. After a year as a legal apprentice he became a "Writer" (solicitor) in 1909. He also continued to contribute to the life of the university, acting as an Examiner for Degrees in Law for 3 years.

When war broke out James McIntosh had just completed his third degree. McIntosh had received a second LLB, this time from the University of London - qualifying him to practice English as well as Scottish law.

James enlisted in the Officer Training Corps, and received a commission in the 1st Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders in January 1916. At the beginning of June he was deployed to the front.

On the 12th and 13th of November 1916, the 1st Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders attacked the fortified village of Serre, where many soldiers had fallen during the earlier phases of the Battle of the Somme. Mist and muddy conditions meant the November attack was also unsuccessful; James McIntosh was one of the 141 casualties which the Battalion sustained.

James died on the 13th of November. At the time of his death four of his brothers were also serving as commissioned officers. Two had already been seriously wounded, including Harold McIntosh who also studied Law at the University.