Aberdeen Universities Officer Training Corps - History

History

The first formed University Unit was a Battery of the 1st Aberdeen Volunteer Royal Artillery, raised in December 1885. The Battery was officered by members of the University Staff and commanded by Captain William Stirling, then Professor of Physiology. In March 1895 the University Battery was absorbed by the 1st Heavy Battery. In November 1897 an Aberdeen University detachment of the 1st Volunteer Battalion the Gordon Highlanders was recruited and in 1898 the detachment became University Company ("U" Coy).

The Officer Training Corps (OTC) was established at the University of Aberdeen in 1912 and administered by the newly formed Military Education Committee (MEC), under the chairmanship of the then Principal Sir George Adam Smith. The War Office authorised the formation of a Medical Unit and appointed as Commanding Officer Major G A Williamson, MA MD DPH.

"U" Coy had by this time become part of the 4th Battalion, the Gordon Highlanders and at the outbreak of the First World War was mobilised and sent to France; the only University contingent to go. The story of "U" Coy as a fighting unit is excellently told by Rule in his "Students Under Arms." Their record was magnificent but their casualties high. Their valour could not justify a policy which allowed so many highly educated young men to serve in the ranks of a combatant unit.

In February 1924 the War Office authorised the establishment of an Infantry Unit and the right to wear the Gordon Tartan. The Infantry Unit was commanded initially by Major J Boyd Orr, DSO MC; later Lord Boyd Orr, Nobel Prize Winner.

The Pipe Band was instituted in 1924 and became one of the most popular features of the unit. In 1929 the Scots Guards provided the Senior Warrant Officer of the Permanent Staff and established a Household Division link. However in 1995 the Scottish division took over this post, a link which continues to this day. In 1935 it was decided that the cap badge, which up to then had been the University Crest, should be replaced by the Boar's Head, the family crest of the Founder of the University with the motto "Non Confundar," translated: 'I shall not be troubled.'

During the Second World War the OTC expanded as all students of military age who had been granted deferment should join the OTC as part of a National Service obligation. At its peak AUOTC was some 491 strong with 4 Infantry Companies, 2 Medical Companies and a Signals Section. Throughout the war the OTC in conjunction with the University ran special technical courses for Royal Artillery cadets of which a total of 427 attended. In February 1943 the OTC provided the backbone of the 9th City of Aberdeen (University Home Guard) Battalion, in addition to its normal role.

In October 1948 a new establishment gave the OTC Medical, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Intelligence, Royal Engineer, Royal Signals and Infantry sub-units. As a result of various re-organisations over the years only the last 3 sub-units survive today. In 1955 women were allowed to join the OTC and a WRAC sub-unit was formed; this has now been absorbed into the existing 3 sub-units.

In 1985 the OTC became responsible for military Home Defence (MHD) planning for the Grampian Region and in 1986 it became responsible in all respects for Blackdog Range (five miles North of Aberdeen on the coastal plain). While the organisation and personnel have changed over the years the latest being TA Options for Change, the spirit of AUOTC nevertheless remains intact, receiving excellent support from the MEC.

In 1993 following Robert Gordon University being granted university status, AUOTC welcomed its first Robert Gordon members. In September 2008, AUOTC will accept its first members from Aberdeen College.