Thursday, 26 July 2012

An Appreciation of Old Scottish Stately Homes & Castles (Part Three)


This is the third part of my gallery celebrating Scottish stately homes and castles. The images in this gallery were taken during the Edwardian period and are from my own family collection. I have attempted to provide a history of each home or castle however the fact that many such old homes are in ruinous, vacant or no longer exist is to be regretted. The loss of any historic building is indeed unfortunate so this gallery also serves as a celebration of this lost heritage and the various families over the centuries who built and owned these fascinating properties.


Balmoral Castle

Balmoral Castle is a privately owned residence of the Royal family located near Crathie in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire. Royal Deeside has had Royal connections since the time of King Robert II of Scotland (1316 - 1390) who owned a hunting lodge in the area. A house was first built at Balmoral ["Bouchmorale"] by Sir William Drummond in 1390, with a tower house being constructed at a later date. By the mid 18th century ownership was in the hands of the Farquharsons but being Jacobite sympathisers their lands were forfeited after the 1745 - 1746 rebellion, then passing to their Farquharson of Auchendryne kinsmen. In 1798 James Duff, the 2nd Earl of Fife acquired the Balmoral Estate whereupon it was then leased. As of 1830 the then lessee, Sir Robert Gordon, made major alterations to the house, adding baronial-styled extensions. After his death in 1847 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert acquired the remaining part of the lease in February 1848, Deeside having been suggested to them for its healthy climate.

Their first visit took place in September 1848. Queen Victoria wrote, "All seemed to breathe freedom and peace, and to make one forget the world and its sad turmoils" and the house "small but pretty". The Royal Family negotiated the purchase of the house and estate in November 1851. The Architect William Smith was commissioned to design a new larger Castle in the Scots Baronial Style with amendments requested by Prince Albert. The foundation stone was laid on the 28th September 1853 with the new Castle being completed in 1856. Constructed of granite quarried on the estate, Balmoral Castle consists of two main blocks, both enclosing courtyards. The old Castle, which stood about 330 feet in front of the new Castle, was then demolished. The Balmoral Estate now includes 49,000 acres of farmland, woods and moors.

The architecture of the new Castle is considered to be somewhat dated for its time, in contrast to the richer forms of Scots Baronial then being developed by William Burn and others during the 1850's. But the 'Scottishness' of Balmoral is undisputed and the residence of the Royal family in Deeside did much to not only give a truly British dimension to the Monarchy but also to revive and popularise Highland culture.


Kinmount House, Annan, pre 1910

Kinmount House, a category A listed building is located just under 4 miles from Annan in Dumfriesshire.

The Lands of Kinmount had been granted to the Carlyle family in the 13th century, being then acquired by William Douglas, 1st Earl of Queensberry, in 1633. The 4th Duke of Queensberry carried out extensive planting on the estate in the late 18th century. Upon his death in 1810 Kinmount passed to Charles Douglas, the 6th Marquess of Queensberry, who commissioned a new house from the English Architect Sir Robert Smirke. The Greek Revival style house was built between 1813 and 1820, with Smirke's assistant William Burn acting as Executant Architect. The stone came from Cove Quarry near the village of Kirkpatrick-Fleming, just 5 miles distant of Annan.

In 1896 John Douglas, 9th Marquess of Queensberry, sold Kinmount House to Edward Brook, a wealthy English industrialist who had bought the adjacent Hoddom Castle estate in the 1870's. Brook commissioned alterations and extensions to the house from the Dumfries Architects James Barbour and J. M. Bowie. These included the roof balustrades and urns, and the service court to the north-west. The house was used as a hospital during both the First and Second World Wars (which probably did a minimum of damage than if it had quartered troops as many large requisitioned homes did). Kinmount House is now owned by Kinmount Leisure Ltd, which rents out holiday accommodation with access to outdoor sports. Most original ornamental interiors survive in excellent condition.


Glengarry Castle, Loch Oich, pre 1905

Glengarry Castle haa been a seat of the Chiefs of Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry, a powerful Sept of Clan Donald. At least two earlier structures stood on this site prior to the current Castle. The Castle overlooks Loch Oich on Creagan an Fhithich ['The Raven's Rock'], being a strategic position in times of Clan war. After a raid by the Clan MacKenzie in 1602 the MacDonald's fortified 'The Raven's Rock'. According to Clan tradition, the castle was built with stones passed hand to hand by a chain of clansmen from the mountain of Ben Tee. The resulting Castle was an imposing L-plan tower house rising to five stories with a round tower at the north-east angle rising to six stories. The main building measured 55 by 32 ft with the first floor hall measuring 44 by 20 feet. The main entrance was in the north wall of the wing of the castle and includes defensive shot holes as well as shot holes under the stair cases and in the tower walls.

During the Civil War Oliver Cromwell's troops under General Monck burned the castle down in 1654. Repaired, it was held for the Catholic Stuart King James VII of Scotland from 1688 until its surrender to the Government forces of the Protestant King William and Queen Mary in 1692.

It was then held by the Jacobites during the 1715 uprising, but taken for the government in 1716. During the 1745 uprising it was again held by Jacobites and visited twice by Bonnie Prince Charlie, one allegedly in his flight after Battle of Culloden in 1746. In retribution it was sacked and partially blown up by troops under the Duke of Cumberland as part of the systematic suppression of the Highlands. However the stout walls refused to yield and survive today to serve as a reminder of the past. Passing to the National Trust in 1960, the Invergarry Castle Hotel is now located nearby with the added attraction of the old Castle in the grounds. 


Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, 1908

Kilchurn Castle sits on a rocky peninsula at the northeast end of Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute. At times of high water levels the peninsula become a temporary island but prior to the water level being altered in 1817 it was permanently an island, being connected by a causeway. The Castle was built about 1450 by Sir Colin Campbell the 1st Lord of Glenorchy, as a five storey tower house with a courtyard defended by an outer wall. By about 1500 an additional range and a Laich Hall had been added to the south side of the castle.

In the early 16th century Kilchurn Castle was extended by Sir Duncan Campbell with the addition of a single storey dining hall built along the inside of the south curtain. During the second half of the 16th century, Sir Colin Campbell, the 6th Laird, added some chambers to the north of the tower house and remodelling the parapet. This included the introduction of the circular corner turrets adorned by corbels, most of which have survived today.

Towards the end of the 16th century the Clan MacGregor of Glenstrae were appointed "Keepers of the Castle", being related by marriage to the Campbell's. This arrangement lasted until the very early part of the 17th century, when a violent feud between the two families brought it to an end and the Campbell's retook possession.

In 1681, Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, the 1st Earl of Breadalbane, took advantage of the then turbulent times and converted Kilchurn into a modern barracks, capable of housing 200 troops. His main addition was the three storey L-shaped block along the north side. Kilchurn was then used as a Government garrison during the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite risings. After moving to Taymouth Castle in Perthshire in 1740 the Campbells attempted, unsuccessfully, to sell Kilchurn to the Government. In 1760, the castle was badly damaged by lightning, being then completely abandoned. The remains of a tower turret, still resting upside-down in the centre of the courtyard, attest to the violence of the storm. The ruins are now in the care of Historic Scotland, being open to the public during the summer. Its picturesque setting and romantic state of decay make it one of the most photographed structures in Scotland.

Bibliography :


- Various Internet sources
- All images are from my own collection and may be freely copied provided a link is given back to this page.


Thursday, 19 July 2012

J. Armstrong Drexel - Aviator


A simulated image of Mr J. Armstrong Drexel Flying his Bleriot
Monoplane at Lanark Aviation Ground Scotland, 1910
[From my own collection]

My Great Aunt posted the above postcard with an image of "J.A. Drexel" to a friend in New Zealand on Wednesday the 10th August 1910 (a windless sunny day perfect for flying) writing that she had been "Here today seeing the aviation... [That] the weather is fine... [and] there is good flying".


Crowds watching the "Aviation" at the Scottish International Aviation
meeting at Lanark, Aug 1910

From the 6th to the13th August 1910 around 250,000 spectators  flocked to "The Scottish International Aviation Meeting" at Lanark Racecourse over the course of 8 days of flying competitions. From research I am now aware that my Great Aunt and her Sister were just two of a record 50,000 visitors who arrived on the 10th August alone.

This was in fact the first International Aviation Meeting to be held in Scotland and only the second in Great Britain, hence the popularity. Many spectators had not even seen an aeroplane flying. The idea of an Air Show had initially received a cool reception but with strong support from the Lord Provost of Glasgow an organising committee diligently set to work.


"The Daily News" souvenir of the Lanark Airshow, August 1910

The site, being Scotland's first airfield, was chosen for the Committee by Mr Charles Royce of Rolls Royce fame. The Caledonian Railway then extended their Lanark line and provided a double platform 'halt' at Lanark Racecourse to handle the fourteen special trains a day bringing visitors to view the "aviation". New grandstands and "garages" (as they were termed at this time) for the aeroplanes plus a Post and Telegraph Office housing 30 operators were especially constructed for the event. My Great Aunt's postcard thus carries the unique circular round "Lanark Grand Stand" postmark, being normally reserved for telegraphic use. This is now apparently very collectable, being one of the rarest British aviation postmarks.

The Lord Provost himself had the honour of opening the event. Judging by the number of visitors, it is surprising that the event made a financial loss. Still, it was generally considered to have been a huge success.


Crowds gathered round an aeroplane at the Scottish International
Aviation meeting at Lanark, Aug 1910

I am just sorry that my Great Aunt never kept a diary or spoke to me about her impressions of having attended this amazing event at a time when aviation was still in its infancy. That she was interested in aviation is proven by her ownership of my booklet about the early Aviator Captain Patrick Hamilton whom I have recently also written about. She would have personally observed Mr Drexel undertake an altitude attempt as well as three distance races during her visit.


A horse pulling along an aeroplane at the Scottish International
Aviation meeting at Lanark, Aug 1910

Even in 1910 aviation was truly still in its infancy. This was just seven years after the publicity shunning New Zealand Farmer Richard Pearse had single-handedly achieved a powered flight of 350 yards in a home built 15 h.p. aeroplane on the 31st March 1903 and the American Wright Brothers had completed their sustained and controlled powered flight at Kittyhawk on the 17th December 1903. And just the previous year, on the 25th July 1909, Louis Blériot had finally become the first aviator to successfully fly across the English Channel, winning the £1,000 prize offered by "The Daily Mail".


Crowds watching the "Aviation" at the Scottish International Aviation
meeting at Lanark, Aug 1910

But what of the Aviator J. Armstrong Drexel? Seventeen competitors from seven countries came to the Lanark airshow to compete for various flying prizes with a combined prize pool of £8060. Among those competing was an American born flyer, John Armstrong Drexel. Luckily his aeroplane was not one of two that were lost in a railway fire whilst being transported to Lanark. Land transport was still necessary for journeys of any length.


J. Armstrong Drexel in his Blériot monoplane.

Armstrong Drexel had been just the 10th aviator to receive his British Royal.Aero Club Aviators Certificate, being granted on the 21st June 1910. He also became only the 8th Aviator to receive an Aero Club of America pilot's licence, taking the test in his Gnôme engined Blériot monoplane. The Club's regulations published in 1910 stated : 

"All candidates shall satisfy the officials of the Aero Club of America of their ability to fly at least five hundred yards, and of their capability of making a gliding descent with the engine stopped, before their applications will be entertained."


(L to R) Aviators J. Armstrong Drexel and William D. McArdle

Also in May 1910, and along with William McArdle, Drexel had founded the New Forest Flying School at East Boldre in Hampshire England using Blériot aeroplanes, being only the second school for pilots in Great Britain and the fifth in the world. Early on the school proved busy with a good number of aspiring pilots. By late May 1910 the school had seven aircraft rising to ten by September.

Interestingly, Drexel's brother Anthony had also taken up aviation. As sons of millionaire banker, Anthony J. Drexel Snr, the family fortune may have initially funded their pioneering but no doubt expensive start in Aviation.


A crowd gathered round J. Armstrong Drexel's Blériot aeroplane
at Cobbinshaw after achieving his world altitude record of
6,750 feet on the 12th August 1910.

Armstrong Drexel's claim to fame came during "The Scottish International Aviation Meeting" at Lanark when on the 12th August 1910 (two days after my Great Aunt's visit), he set the then world altitude record of 6,750 feet flying a Blériot monoplane fitted with a 7 cylinder 50hp Gnome engine. This altitude was confirmed by the carefully tested barograph carried in Drexel's monoplane. As explained below, he was forced to land at Cobbinshaw some distance from Lanark.


J. Armstrong Drexel's Blériot aeroplane on a motorised
 truck being transported from Cobbinshaw back to
Lanark , Aug 1910

A Newspaper Report of the Altitude Attempt on the 12th August 1910  (worth the read!) : 

"At about 3,000 ft. the daring American was seen to enter a cloud bank. For a time no anxiety was felt, but as time went on it was obvious that something had happened. It was known that Drexel only had enough petrol to last him some 45 mins., so that the descent would have been made at no great distance. After two hours had elapsed without word being received, cars were despatched with search parties, but at 9.30 p.m., about two hours and a half after he had left the ground, a wire was received from Drexel himself, from Cobbinshaw station, 18 miles out of Edinburgh. It appeared that when he came out of the clouds on the descent he found himself away from the course, and in the fast-growing dusk was quite unable to locate it. He accordingly sought for level ground on which to alight, and finally selected a field near the farm steading of Wester Mossat, where he alighted in perfect safety without any injury to the Bleriot. The farm folk were naturally greatly surprised.

Drexel borrowed a bicycle and rode to the nearest station, where he wired to the course as already stated, asking for mechanics to be sent to bring in the machine, which stood in the long grass locking for all the world like a dead bird
.

His machine behaved splendidly, although the engine was tried considerably in finishing the last 50 ft., which were only made with difficulty owing to the rarity of the atmosphere. Drexel's greatest difficulty was to hold out against the intense cold which benumbed his hands, rendering one practically useless, and it was his physical condition which caused him to descend, in doing which he lost all knowledge of his position. He was in the air some 50 minutes, of which the descent occupied but 6. The sealed barograph was taken charge of by the officials... It was found to register no less than 6,750 ft., which constitutes a new world's record for altitude... There is no real doubt of the record, but the barograph is to be sent to Kew Observatory for a certificate as to its accuracy."


During World War I, Drexel flew with the French Lafayette Escadrille until 1917, being a Fighter Squadron formed as a volunteer American air unit fighting for France. He subsequently became a commissioned Major in the Aviation Section of the United States Signal Corps, serving until the end of the war in 1918 with the United States Army Air Service.


In Memory of

John Armstrong Drexel - Aviator

24 Oct 1891 - 1958


At a time when early aviation - and in war - definitely carried much more risk than glamour, I was relieved to discover that J. Armstrong Drexel survived to 1958, dying in his 67th year, most likely in the USA. But it is indeed a sobering thought that by 1912 a quarter of the flyers that took part in the Lanark Air Show had died in air accidents.



Bibliography :

- Wilkipedia
- Where stated images(s) are from my own personal collection and may not be used for any commercial purpose without my express permission. Such image(s) may however be freely copied for non-commercial use provided a link is given back to this page.
 

Friday, 13 July 2012

Late Victorian & Edwardian Era Scottish Passenger Steamers (Part One)


An unidentified but crowded paddle steamer leaving "The Broomielaw"
Quay in Glasgow for a sail down the Clyde, c. 1890 - 1900 [GWW Slide]

This gallery which is in four parts features a series of views of late Victorian to Edwardian era Scottish passenger paddle and screw steamers. Sadly few examples of this type of transport remain, let alone in operation. The most well known vessels still in active use are the PS Waverley, being the last ocean going paddle steamer in the world, and the SS Sir Walter Scott on Lake Katrine, being the last screw steamer in regular passenger service in Scotland.

The above unidentified paddle steamer aptly illustrates the great Scottish tradition of a Sunday sail "doon the watter" [down the Clyde River], "The Broomielaw" quay in Central Glasgow being the busy embarkation point. But with a main deck jam-packed with passengers (many with umbrellas) and only one small row boat to be seen - let alone any life belts - one would have hoped for a safe journey.

The Clyde remained for many years a busy and fascinating waterway for all types of shipping and of course included the great Scottish ship building yards, marine engineering industries, Prince's and Queen's docks (among many others), many goods cranes, the Stobcross ferry, provisioners, the pedestrian tunnel under the Clyde, and the Yoker coal fired power Station where my own Grandfather worked for some years as an Engineer. "The Broomielaw" quay pictured here, including the views of shipping and industry down the Clyde River itself, are unrecognisable today.


The wash created as the "PS Benmore" pulls away from the Broomielaw,
Taken circa pre 1892

The Paddle Steamer "Benmore", viewed here pulling away from "The Broomielaw" while a crowd of men watch from the quay, had been built by TB Seath at Rutherglen in 1876 for Robert Campbell and Hugh Keith of Glasgow. She initially sailed on the Glasgow to Kilmun run until being sold to Captain Campbell who maintained her on this run until being transferred to the Broomielaw to Rothesay run with occasional excursions to Ayr. Being reboilered in 1887 she briefly sported two funnels but this proved unsuccessful and she was again reboilered and reverted to one funnel the following year. In 1892 she became principally a cargo vessel under John Williamson's ownership. In 1915, no doubt due to a shortage of vessels at a time of wartime requisitioning of seaworthy vessels, she was chartered by the Caledonian Steam Packet Company but in 1920 came under the ownership of a new company, Williamson - Buchanan Steamers Ltd which had been formed in 1919.
Unfortunately, she was badly damaged by fire on the 11th November 1920 and then laid up in West Harbour Greenock. Not being repaired she was broken up at Dumbarton in October 1923.


Glasgow & South Western Railway Company Paddle Steamer "Juno"

The Glasgow and South Western Railway Company had the paddle steamer "Juno" built by the Clyde Engineering and Shipbuilding Company, being launched on Friday the 17th June 1898. The "P.S. Juno" is believed to have been based at Ayr (replacing the "P.S. Neptune") but may have regularly connected with the companies stations on the coast from Glasgow and the Clyde south. Requisitioned by the Admiralty from 1915 to 1919 and being temporarily renamed "HMS Junior" she then came under the ownership of the London, Midland and Scottish railway at the 'grouping' of 1923. "P.S. Juno" was finally broken up at Alloa in 1932. This postcard dates from 1909.


Steamers at Rothesay Pier

Our final postcard, which dates from 1909, illustrates the very busy scene at Rothesay Pier on the Isle of Bute. The paddle steamer in the foreground at right is the "P.S. Lord of the Isles" built in 1891 and not to be confused with the "Lord of the Isles" of the same name built in 1877 and featured above. By the late Victorian era Rothesay had became a popular tourist destination for trips "doon the watter" from Glasgow. Rothesay boasted a large hydropathic establishment and even an electric tramway which connected the town with a popular beach across the island.


Bibliography :

- Internet Sources 
- All images are from my own personal collections and may be freely copied for non-commercial use provided a link is given back to this page.

Thursday, 5 July 2012

In Memoriam - Further Victorian 'In Memoriam' Cards


Catherine Struthers, Died 7th Dec 1886

The interest shown in my previous blog of old In Memoriam cards has spurred me onto creating another further themed blog, this one is for cards up to 1899. I have also integrated any extant photographs of the deceased, being taken as close possible to their respective deaths. The verses are taken from the actual cards. There may be some overlap with my previous blog if I have now included photos of the deceased.


John Bell, Millburn Farm, Dalserf, Scotland :

"In Memory of John Bell, Who died at Millburn Farm,
Dalserf, on the 12th June, 1876, aged 79 years"  


William Letham, Eastmains Farm, Stonehouse, Scotland : 

In Memoriam -
William Letham, Eastmains


William Letham,
Died Dec 1877

Thomas Watson, Muirhead, Dalserf, Scotland :

In Memoriam - Thomas Watson Snr

In Memoriam - Thomas Watson Snr,
Died at Muirhead, Dalserf
16 Oct 1881, aged 70 years 

Daniel Hamilton Jnr., Crumhaugh, Stonehouse :

In Memoriam - Daniel Hamilton Jnr.
Crumhaugh

In Memoriam - Daniel Hamilton Jnr.

"Choice befits not my condition; acquiesence suits me best"


Daniel Hamilton Jnr,
Died 11 April 1882, aged 37 years


John Watson, Candermains (Late of Crossford), Scotland :

In Memoriam - John Watson, Crossford


In Memoriam - John Watson


John Watson,
Died 4 Aug 1883 in his 65th year

Elizabeth Lang Muter, Watstown Farm, Stonehouse, Scotland :


In Memoriam - Mrs Elizabeth Lang Muter


In Memoriam - Mrs Elizabeth Lang Muter

"Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep,
From which none ever wakes to weep,
A calm and undisturbed repose,
Unbroken by the last of foes."


Mrs Elizabeth L Muter,
Died 30 Jan 1886, Aged 75 years

Catherine Struthers, Broomfield, Dalserf, Scotland :


In Memoriam - Catherine Struthers

"Happy thou, so soon ascended,
With thy shining raiment on !
Happy thou, whose race is ended
With a crown so quickly won !"


Catherine Struthers,
Died 7th Dec 1886, aged 18 years 



Rev. Janes Dunn, Church of Scotland Minister, Stonehouse, Scotland : 


In Memoriam - Rev James Dunn,
Church of Scotland, Stonehouse


In Memoriam - Rev James Dunn

"Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh"


Rev James Dunn,
Died 24 Mar 1887, aged 66 years


James Letham, Canderwater, Scotland :


In Memoriam - James Letham

"Suffer little children to come unto me,
and forbid them not;
for of such is the Kingdom of God
Luke, xviii, 16


James Letham,
Died 4th Feb 1889, aged 1 year and 11 months.

Allan Struthers, Picton, New South Wales, Australia (late of Broomfield, Dalserf, Scotland) :


In Memoriam - Allan Struther

"Had I but seen thee still in life,
And watched thy dying bed,
Caught the last flickering of thy breath,
Pillowed thy drooping head,
My heart, methinks, would not have felt
This bitterness of grief;
But God has willed it otherwise,
And now you rest in peace."


Allan Struthers,
Died 21st May 1889, in his 23rd year.

John Paterson, Shawhead, Stonehouse, Scotland :


In Memoriam - John Paterson

"Thou art gone to the grave, but we will no deplore thee,
Through darkness and sorrow encircle the tomb,
The Saviour has passed through its portals before thee,
And the lamp of His Love be thy guide through the gloom.

Thou art gone to the grave - we no longer behold thee,
Whose God was thy ransom, thy guardian, and guide;
He gave thee, He took thee, and He will restore thee,
And death has no sting, for the Saviour has died." 


John Paterson,
Died 2nd July 1889, aged 3 years

William Struthers, Broomfield, Dalserf, Scotland :


In Memoriam - William Struthers

"Much we loved thee, much we mourn,
Our joys with thee on earth are o'er;
Oh! why should we in anguish weep?
Thou art not lost, but gone before."


William Struthers,
Died 21st October 1890, aged 19 years

James Frame, Woodside House, Hamilton, Scotland : 


In Memoriam - James Frame

"A light from our household gone,
A voice we loved is still;
A place is vacant at our hearth
The world can never fill."


James Frame,
Died 14th Feb 1891, aged 42 years


Allan Struthers, Broomfield, Dalserf, Scotland :


In Memoriam - Allan Struthers

"God forbade his longer stay,
God recalled the precious loan;
God hath taken him away
From my bosom to HIs own;
Surely what God wills is best,
Happy in his will I rest."


Allan Struthers,
Died 4th April 1893, aged 2 years & 6 months.


Christina Letham, Canderwater, Lesmahagow :


In Memoriam - Christina Letham

"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!"


Christina Letham,
Died 16th June 1893, aged 15 years.

Lillias Sandilands Pate, Draffan, Leshamahagow, Scotland : 


In Memoriam -
Lillias Sandilands Pate
Draffan, Lesmahagow


Lillias Sandilands Pate
"Died here on Sunday"
25 Dec 1893 

Mary Dyer (née Rodger), Sandyholm, Crossford, Scotland :


In Memoriam - Mary Dyer

"Thy voice is now silent, thy heart is now cold,
Where thy smile and thy welcome oft met us of old,
We miss thee and mourn thee in silence unseen.
And dwell on the memory of joys that have been.

O help us, our Father, no more to repine
O'er the loved one we now see no more;
But teach us to say : Take, O God, what is thine,
Till we meet her on Canaan's bright shore."


Mary Dyer,
Died 15th January 1895, aged 45 years.

William Baird, 12 Lylesland, Paisley, Scotland :


In Memoriam - William Baird
12 Lylesland, Paisley


In Memoriam - William Baird

"We miss thee and mourn thee
In silence unseen,
And dwell on the memory
Of joys that have been."


William Baird,
Died 18 Jan 1896, in his 33rd Year

William Thomson, Candermill, Stonehouse, Scotland :


In Memoriam - William Thomson

"A light is from our household gone,
A voice we loved is still;
A place is vacant at our hearth
The world can never fill."

William Thomson,
Died 17th March 1896, in his 39th year. 


Gavin Boyd, Croft, Larkhall, Scotland :


In Memoriam - Gavin Boyd

"Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest."  


Gavin Boyd,
Died 23 Oct 1896


James Lohoar, Lochhead, Dalserf, Scotland :


In Memoriam - James Lohoar

"Oh, call it not death! it is life begun;
The waters are past, the home is won;
The ransomed spirit hath reached the shore
Where they sin and suffer and weep no more."


James Lohoar,
Died 21st Oct 1898, in his 78th year. 


Thomas Watson, Muirhead, Dalserf, Scotland & Meadowbank, Heddon Bush, New Zealand  :


In Memoriam - Thomas Watson

In Memoriam - Thomas Watson

"Tis hard to break the tender cord
When love has bound the heart;
'Tis hard, so hard to speak the words;
We for a time must part.

Dearest love one, we have laid thee
In the peaceful grave's embrace,
But thy memory will be cherished,
Till we see thy heavenly face."

Thomas Watson,
Died 27 Feb 1899, Aged 47 years

Bibliography :

- All images are from my own collection and may be freely copied for personal use provided a link is given back to this page.