Gwyn Findlay

“My son, Owen, was at primary school with Christopher in London until, when Christopher was about seven years old, the Land family moved to Scotland.

Owen and Christopher attended St Michael’s C of E school, in Southfields. I remember Christopher as the most delightful, smiling, sweet-natured little boy. Between the ages of four and seven, contrasting with the confident rugby player he was to become, Christopher was shy, quiet and smaller than his friends.

Even then, he was enormously popular. He was firmly on the list for everyone’s party. Even now, my son remembers the fond tributes paid to Christopher when the family left to go up north.

Owen and Christopher looked a bit alike in their early years. Moira and I would cast our eyes around the playground, trying to tell them apart as they ran together in the blue shirts and grey shorts of their uniform. Those were happy days – and the Land family made them all the happier.”