Description
Military Cross, GV, O.B.E., Officer of the Order of the British Empire, silver gilt, 2nd Type, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medal, 1935 Jubilee Medal, 1937 Coronation Medal, Lieut Dr William Allan Forsyth Hepburn, O.B.E. M.C. M.A. B.Ed. L.L.C. Gallant Lieutenant with the 3rd Gordons and Director of Education for Ayrshire
Military Cross announced in London Gazette 15th February 1919, with citation in London Gazette 30th July 1919:
2nd Lieut W.A.F. Hepburn, 3rd Batt, Gordon Highlanders, attd. 14th Batt Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
For most conspicuous gallantry in the attack on St Eloi craters on September 28, 1918. His platoon was held up by wire in front of the large crater, and 15 of them became casualties. He led the way through the wire, and ties. He led the way through the wire, and kept a machine gun which was holding his men up from firing by means of bombs which he got passed to him. He eventually rushed the position with two men, and disposed of the gun team. He did splendid work.
Awarded the O.B.E. for his role as Director of Education in Ayrshire in London Gazette 2nd January 1939.
In addition to his various honours during 1940 he was made a member of the Advisory Council of the Children’s Overseas Reception Scheme, being one of only 3 who also at on the Scottish Advisory Council as well as the London one, they were the ones who, during a critical time of the Battle of Britain and potential German invasion evacuated British Children from England out of harms way. They managed to evacuate 2,664 British Children from England.
Following the war in 1947 the BBC Scottish Advisory Council was formed, which he was also a member of, they advised the “BBC on matters affecting the regional programme policy.”
1914-15 Star impressed: “1085 L. SJT. W.A.F. HEPBURN. R. SCOTS”
WW1 Pair impressed: “2. LIEUT W.A.F. HEPBURN”
Military Service:
As a young student he was a Private since January 1910 with the 4th Royal Scots (Territorial Force), becoming Corporal in 3rd Gordon Highlanders as the war began and rose up the ranks through sergeant before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant during January 1918.
Before the war he graduated from Kirkudbright Academy with an M.A. with Honours for English during 1913.
OBE noted in the Scotsman, 3rd January 1939:
“Another recipient of the O.B.E. is Mr William Allan Forsyth Hepburn, M.C., M.A., Director of Education for Ayrshire.
A native of Kirkcudbrightshire, he is a former Director of Education for that county. During the war he served with the Royal Scots and the Gordon Highlanders. Last year he visited Canada as Chairman of an educational commission. He is local chairman of the Scottish Community Drama Association and Chairman of the South-West Division of the Youth Hostels Association.”
His death in the Kilmarnock Herald 11th August 1950:
“EDUCATIONALIST DIES ON HOLIDAY DR W.A.F. HEPBURN
Mr W.A.F. Hpeburn, L.L.D. Director of Education for Lanarkshire, died suddenly on Monday while on holiday at Beattock.
Dr Hepburn who was 59, was appointed Director of Education for Lanarkshire in October 1944.
A Native of Bridge of Dee, Castle-Douglas, he was educated at Kirkcudbright Academy and Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.A., with Second Class Honours in English and Literature. He was a Bachelor of Education of the same university with First Class Honours and special distinction in Education and Psychology.
Dr Hepburn had a distinguished career as a teacher, being head master of important schools in the North of England. From 1924 to 1927 he was director of education for the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, and he was then appointed to the post of director of education from Ayrshire.
In 1946 Dr Hepburn was appointed a member of the B.B.C.’s first Scottish Regional Advisory Council, and in the following year was appointed by the then Minister of Education, Mr George Tomlinson, to the United Kingdom Committee for Unesco. He was also a former member of the Franco-Scottish Relations Committee, from which he resigned in 1947. Dr Hepburn was unmmarried.”
