Glasgow Accies' youth were cut down in their prime in 1914 Yet, for the majority of the side, who revelled in the oval-ball game, it would be the last winter they would ever see. The phrase "Lest We Forget" is sometimes downplayed these days, After all, there are no survivors from the terrible ravages of the First World War. But, as we prepare to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives, it is never irrelevant to examine how many innocents were cast to the wind. That Accies XV, for instance, were accustomed to suffering nothing more than a strained leg or a broken arm on their exertions. They willingly joined up for the conflict when Britain went to war with Germany, the majority of them convinced they would be back in Blighty in a matter of months. But, sadly, for the vast majority of those who headed off to France, to Australia, to Palestine....wherever there were battles to be fought, they never returned. Indeed, a roll-call of the First XV members reveals the true extent of the casualties which befell these men on foreign fields. Past president of Accies, Hugh Barrow, explained what happened to the side and the facts simply speak for themself. Thomas Burton - Wounded 1916, Awarded MC Arthur Russell - Killed on the Somme 1916 William Barras - Killed 1918, Awarded MM Charles Andrew - Wounded on the Somme , at Ypres and Arras, Awarded MC Arthur Laird - Killed on The Somme, 1916 John Warren - Wounded, Awarded MC Eric Young - Killed at Gallipoli in 1915 John Smith - Wounded at Gallipoli in 1915 John Sandeman - Wounded in Palestine Frank Sandeman - Wounded in Mesopotamia in 1918 Robert Arthur - Awarded MC and Belgian WC George Speirs - Awarded French WC. Killed in 1918. George Macewan - Killed at Gallipoli in 1915 Arc* hibald Templeton - Killed at Gallipoli in 1915 Thomas Stout - Killed at Gallipoli in 1915 George Warren - Survived the War There is really nothing else to add, beyond the wise words of Barrow, who declared: " From where we stand now it is impossible to appreciate how many of that generation died. Rugby borrows the language of war, but in war, injury time lasts much longer and not all the team make it off the pitch. We should always remember that!