William Pollok Black

William Pollok Black (“Bill”) joined Miss Wylie’s Class F at the High School of Glasgow in 1936 and achieved three Mowat scholarships and his rugby colours before leaving school in 1945. He wore his formal pupil’s tie with pride. He studied medicine at Glasgow University, qualifying MB ChB in 1950. After resident posts at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and two years’ national service in the Royal Armey Medical Corps, he specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology, becoming senior resident at the Royal and thereafter resident registrar in his chosen subjects.

He continued to play rugby until 1955, embracing membership of the FP 1st XV during Angus Cameron’s famous captaincy and sharing second row in the scrum with Bob Gemmill. Willie, as …