PRIVATE ALEXANDER YOUNG FARQUHAR
HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY
23RD JULY 1917 AGE 38
BURIED: BRANDHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, FRANCE
One can still sense the pride with which Private Farquhar's father chose the words for his son's grave: 'Always upright and truthful', the words having a resonance beyond their dictionary definition. Psalm 15, known as the Gentleman's psalm, asks, 'Lord who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill?' And the answer is, 'He that walketh in righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart'. This was a theme taken up by Samuel Smiles in his immensely popular and influential book, 'Self Help', first published in 1859.
Chapter XIII.28 'Riches and rank have no necessary connection with genuine gentlemanly qualities. The poor man may be a true gentleman, - in spirit and in daily life. He may be honest, truthful, upright, polite, temperate, courageous, self-respecting, and self-helping, - that is, be a true gentleman'.