Kelty - Moray Church and Concert for soldiers

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the 2 October 1915 issue)

Kelty

The Call to Moray Church

At the meeting of Dunfermline and Kinross Presbytery held at Dunfermline on Tuesday, a call by the congregation of Kelty Moray church to Mr William Craig BD a probationer was sustained.  Two candidates besides Mr Craig were nominated but he was adopted by a clear majority.  Rev George Lake Crossgates said the call was signed by 237 members and 22 adherents.  That might seem rather small out of a congregation of 483 but he wished the Presbytery to remember that 60 young members were at present serving with the army.  Once the new minister was placed the work would go on prosperously and he did not think the Presbytery should hesitate about sustaining the call.  Mr Shorthouse Kelty said he was certain that the new minister would receive a hearty welcome from the congregation.  The call was a most unanimous one.  Mr Duff Kelty said Mr Craig was a young man and there would be great scope for his abilities.  He had no doubt that the future would be very bright. 

This is what was formerly known as Moray church:

Moray Church became a community centre in 1974 and is now known as the Moray Institute.


Concert to wounded soldiers

A highly sucessful concert was given to the wounded soldiers in hospital at Tillryie by the Kelty Junior Orchestra on Wednesday last under the conductorship of Mr Alex R Penman.  The other players who took part were:- 1st violins James Watson, Alex Downie and Alex Mill, 2nd violins Henry Wells and Andrew Galloway, Cello Andrew Forrester, Clarinet David Lawson, Cornet Robert Sneddon while Archibald Penman provided the accompaniments.  Mr A R Penman the conductor, who went through a long course of training in Edinburgh, contributed 2 solos which were much appreciated.  The whole proceedings were a great success and everyone present spent a very enjoyable evening.  Mr John Armstrong and Mr A Inglis, Kelty conveyed the artistes from Kelty to Tillyrie and back in their motor cars free of charge.

Tillyrie House is near Milnathort and was used as an auxiliary hospital during WW1.  The house was built around 1841 and is still standing.
 

Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........

Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.

 

Kelty Roll of Honour and News 160 Years Ago

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the 11 September 1915 issue)

This week I have chosen 2 articles, 1 name-rich article and 1 article highlighting news from 160 years ago. (The current Dunfermline newspaper, the Dunfermline Press, has a column every week highlighting news from 100 years ago, 50 years ago and 25 years ago and I both enjoy reading the column and seeing if the journalists choose the same news from 100 years ago as I do in my blog!).

Kelty - Roll of Honour

The secretary of the British Order of Ancient Free Gardeners (Kelty branch) has a compiled a list of the members who have joined His Majesty's Forces since the war began.

The following is a list of the names and regiment to which each one is attached:

A and S Highlanders - John Hynd, George Martin, William Cook, George Turner, Alexander Cuthbert, Henry Hynd, William Fisher, James Shields, Sam Drummond, Robert Beveridge, James Beveridge, Archibald Duncan, Sam Robertson, Thomas Wood, William Hall, John Bruce, James Bruce, Willliam Boyd, Andrew Fotheringham, John Wallace, John Redmond.
Black Watch - David Peter, James Campbell, Thomas Duncan, R S Wood, John Hutton, John Croll, William Weir, James Ewing, Alexander Drummond, John Sharp, David Wallace, Robert Millar.
Scots Guards - Alex Dalrymple, Alexander Black, Thomas Smith, James Scott, John Campbell, James T Wood.
RAMC - Thos Hailstones, Wm Miller, Robert Dickson, Thos Lochin, Robert Buchan, Alex Moull, John Ford.
Gordon Highlanders - John Miller.
Cameron Highlanders - Robert Fotheringham, J A Allan.
HLI - William Pate
Scottish Horse - William McKillop
Fife and Forfar Yeomanry - John Newton, Thomas Boyd, David Dalrymple.
Royal Garrison Artillery - Alexander Rankine, David Dewar, John Bruce.
Army Service Corps - William Nicol, Walter Dalrymple.
Royal Scots - Arthur McCurley
Seaforth Highlanders - T F Crowe
Scottish Rifles - Thomas Jamieson, John McCurley
KOSB - George McFarlane
RFA - Joseph Johnstone, John Birrell, William Leach, James Drummond
MTASC - Alexander Clark, John Russell

Tis Sixty Years Since - from Dunfermline Journal September 1855

Military Barracks - We understand arrangements are  progress by which Government intend acquiring those extensive premises known as Baldridge Works for the purpose of having them converted into permanent barracks.  When this object is completed it will raise considerable animation in this locality and besides benefit the town by sending large sums of money into circulation.

Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........

Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.

Children's Gala and the Police Court

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday July 17 1915 issue):

This week I've highlighted another name-rich resource I've found (see afterwards for an expanation if you're not familar with the concept of a 'gala') and also, for those who like to read about criminals ( otherwise known as the after-effects of the weekend's revelry), a police court report.

Children's Gala, Kelty

The annual gala was held on Saturday in the public park where all the children of school age met numbering over 1000.  They were formed into sections with with the co-operation of the teaching staff and a large committee they were provided with a substantial refreshment and a gift of 3d each after which a large number of races and other entertainments were entered into.  The football competitions were all keenly contested for which handsome prizes were offered there being an entry of 35 teams for the three sections.  There were also a number of special races for boys and girls over 12 years of age.  The following are the principal prize-winners:- 100 yards race - 1 T Henderson, 2 Hy Henderson, 3 John Cuthbert 220 yards race - 1 Henderson, 2 Hutchison, 3 J A Morrison.  Half mile race 1 Henderson, 2 Hutchison, 3 Wm Brown.  High jump - 1 A Cowan 3 ft 10 in, 2 Henderson 3ft 9 in, 3 J Anderson 3 ft 8 in.  Broad jump - 1 Henderson 12 ft 5 in, 2 Hutchison 12ft 3 in, 3 Anderson 12 ft.  Hop, step and leap - 1 Henderson 30ft 4 in, 2 Cowan 29 ft 2 in, 3 Hutchison 29 ft 1 1/2 in.  100 yards girls' race - 1 Mary Patrick, 2 Lizzie Adams, 3 Marie Hailstones.  50 yards girls' race - 1 A Cameron, 2 G Wilson, 3 A Pane.  100 yards boys' race (under 12 years) - 1 Bertie Galloway, 2 A Anderson, 3 T Adams.  All the winners were presented with suitable prizes while in addition to this T Henderson was presented with a gold medal for having gained most points in each of the events while H Hutchison received a silver medal as runner up.  The Kelty and Blairadam Brass Band were present during the afternoon and discoursed a programme of music while Mr Jospeh King's Troupe of  dancers gave an exhibition of Highland dancing.  A squad of the St Andrews Red Cross Ambulance were present in order to render assistance if called upon.  The weather was fine but general regret was expressed that the procession was not held as in former years.  Thanks are due to Mr Rattray the chairman and others for the way in which the whole arrangements were carried through.

[A gala is a week long celebration still very popular in West Fife which tends to be hald in June or July in both towns and villages.  It tends to consist, nowdays, of various events each evening during the week such as barbecues, pet shows and dances, then on the Saturday children are chosen as the Royal party for the day, there will be a parade of floats ie decorated lorries and also people on foot and then an afternoon of races and displays.  I recently watched a video from 1932 of the Dunfermline Children's Gala and it was very similar to what happens nowadays: http://ssa.nls.uk/film/1360 ]

Inverkeithing Police Court

On Monday the following cases were disposed of before Baillie Wylie - Bernard Burns and Patrick O'Donnell were both charged with being drunk and disorderly and in each case a fine of 15s was imposed with the option of 10 days imprisonment.  Thomas Callum for being drunk and incapable was fined 5s or 5 days.  Robert Bryce was fined 2s 6d or 5 days for committing an obstruction.  For cimmitting a breach of the peace Patrick Ferry was fined 10s or ten days.  On Tuesday Peter McGovern was sentenced a to a fine of 10s or 10 days for breach of the peace.

Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........

Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.

A letter from the front

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday June 19 1915 issue):


A letter from the front: a Lochore Highlander's letter

Private William Stark, Kelty, who with 40 Lochore men are members of G company 7th A & S Highlanders, writing on 26th May, gives a graphic account of his own experience and those who [are] his comrades.  He was with Stewart Miller, Kinneswood when he was shot in the stomach and helped to bury him about 300 yards behind the firing line.  He says his comrade never recovered consciousness and mentions that a cross will be put up over his grave if ever the company get back to the neighbourhood.  He helped to carry Captain Tullis to the ambulance where he was wounded in the head.  The Colonel of the Regiment, the Major and several officers were wounded in the struggle in which the Germans made use of poisonous gas.  "It was the hottest day I ever put in all my life" says the writer "as the shells were flying as thick as rain, the Germans shelling us and our artillery shelling them."  Private Stark tells of meeting George Struth, J Reid, P Bryan all Lochore men.  He continues: "Watson was in the trenches with me all day but went away at night.  One fellow told me he met him that night four or five miles from the firing line and I think he will be in hospital now as he was bad with the gas and absolutely done up with the work he had done that day in the trenches.  George Davidson is also in the hospital.  The night before we went in to the trenches he was not feeling well so the doctor sent him away.  A Redpath is in hospital too with the gas.  He left with a lot more men.  When the gas came over, the Germans came over their trenches and started to advance but they did not half get [far] for they were mowed down by our men in the trench and the artillery so that they were forced to go back to their own trenches".  Private Stark mentioned that at the time of writing there were only 100 men of the battalion and 2 officers (brothers Scott) who went with it to France but was hopeful a good many would turn up in hospital and recover from their wounds or the gassing.  He writes with warm admiration of Mr Kirk the chaplain who is the uncle of Mr Charles Barclay, chemist, Glencraig.

Now this is where I would welcome your opinions either on a comment on this blog or to my e-mail address below or on twitter (my twitter account is @ancresbyjacq).  Would some of the above explicit detail have been much good for morale at home or for the families of some of the soldiers named in the above letter?  Please do let know your opinion.


Tune in next week to see what happened in Dunfermline next week 100 years ago ..........

Blog written by Jacqueline Hunter of Ancestral Research by Jacqueline, Dunfermline, Scotland. Please email me at jacquelinehunter895@gmail.com if I can help you with your family history research.