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.

Sunday School Prize Giving

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday July 10 1915 issue):

I've noticed since I started this blog that there are lots of name rich articles in the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser from 100 years ago.  If you are researching a family from Dunfermline you would be able to find out amazing details about their lives especially if their name is relatively unusual and you can work out the time period they would have been attending school, which area they lived in etc etc.

This week I am being slightly self-indulgent!  I'm a Sunday School teacher and last Sunday my church held the annual book presentations for the children who attend Sunday School.  I've found a Sunday School prize-giving list from 100 years ago for comparison:

Inverkeithing - Special Children's Service

A special service for the Sabbath School children was held in the UF church, Inverkeithing on Sunday evening when the children were presented with prizes for the session just ended.  The Rev Mr Bryce who conducted the service addressed the children and distributed the prizes as follows:

For regular attendance during the session: Colin Morris, Edward M'Queen, James Morris, Charles Barr, Alexander Taylor, Andrew Dalziel, John Ferguson, David Armit, Gavin Henderson, John Morris, James Horsburgh, Bertie Telford, Robert Robertson and James Cherrie; Mary Robertson, Mary Dalziel, Jan Ferguson, Lizzie Armit, Bethia Armit, Lizzie Robertson, Maggie M'Queen, Cathie Cousin, Missy (?) Mynard, Robina Armit, Maggie Marshall, Hannah Morris, Betty Horsburgh, May Telford, Lizzie M'Queen, Jessie Cousin, Cissie (?) Armit, Annie Blake, May M'Creary, Barbara McGregor.

Annie Blake and May M'Creary who had attended the Sabbath School for seven and six years respectively with perfect regularity were awarded special prizes.

The following scholars gained certificates at the Sabbath School examination: Senior section Ella Carr 1st; Dorothy Hay 1st.  Middle section Cisey Armitt 1st; Mary Donnelly 1st; Ella Horsburgh 1st; Chrissie Carr 1st; Betty Bryan 1st; Andrew Hay 1st; John Morris 1st; James Horsburgh 1st; Mary Stoddart 2nd.

This week's family history challenge is can you find anything out about any of these children?  My personal thought would be to choose perhaps a family with an unusual surname, find them in the 1911 census and then do a little digging backwards ..............

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.

School prizes and a DCM for a Dunfermline man

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday July 3 1915 issue):

School prizes

Crossford school:

A programme of part songs, solos and recitations were carried out with great spirit to the evident satisfaction of all.  Colonel Hunt, Logie and Mrs and Miss Drysdale, representing an old scholar, were the donors of the beautiful book prizes as well as special prizes for sewing and knitting.  There were present also Mrs Macdonald, member of the school board, and Mr Morgan, local manager - the latter of whom has taken an interest in the school for the past 70 years or so.  After the distribution of prizes by Colonel Hunt for regular attendance and by Miss Drysdale for Bible, writing and sewing, the gentlemen present addressed the children on their privileges and responsibilities.  The present war times gave a tone to all the remarks Mr MacDonald specially addressed the pupils who are leaving at this time and in closing proposed votes of thanks to the Colonel and Mrs Drysdale for their renewed kindness in giving the valuable prizes and for their presence with them that day.  The soloists were Magdalene Stephen, P Cumming, N More, Mabel Angus, Minnie Cumming, Dianah Duncan, Edith Gow and James Coutts.  The dux of the school was Lizzie Allan.  It should also be mentioned that our good friend, Mr Inverarity, again contributed to the prize fund.

[Logie House still exists on the edge of the village of Crossford and is a house built in 1870 iwth a twentieth century extension.  The house has a shield dated 1870 above the doorway with a monogram JAH, for James Alexander Hunt, below.  The gardens of Logie House are usually open to the public once a year through the Scotland's Gardens scheme and the house is still in the hands of the Hunt family.]
DCM for Dunfermline RFA man

Mr John Spence, Pittencrieff Street, Dunfermline has received intimation from his son, Bombardier Alexander Spence, 7th Division of the RFA, that he has been awarded the DCM.  Bombardier Spence is unable to say the incident which brought him the honour, but he is inclined to believe that it was for an act prior to the battle of Neuve Chapelle.  A fierce bombardment was in progress between the British and German lines.  Bombardier Spence was in a house undertaking signalling duty.  The signalling wires were cut by a shell no fewer than five times.  On four occasions Spence went out under heavy fire and executed the work of repair, on the fifth occasion his efforts were frustrated in consequence of the lack of material to restore the damage.

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 supposed cure all and the benefits of wearing an H Samuel watch at Ypres

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday June 26 1915 issue):

 

 

A supposed cure all

 

"For the blood is the life"

Do you suffer from any skin or blood disease such as eczema, scrofula, bad legs, abscesses, ulcers, glandular swellings, boils, pimples, sores of any kind, piles, blood poison, rheumatism, gout etc?  If so don't waste your time and money on lotions and ointments which cannot get below the surface of the skin.  What you want and what you must have is a medicine that will thoroughly free the blood of the poisonous matter which alone is the true cause of all your suffering.  Clarke's Blood Mixture is just such  a medicine.  It is composed of ingredients which quickly expel from the blood all impurities from whatever cause arising and by rendering it clean and pure can be relied on to inflict a lasting cure.

Over 50 years' success.  Pleasant to the taste.

Clarke's Blood Mixture.

Has cured thousand will cure you.

Sold by all chemists and stores, ?/? per bottle.

 

[This struck a personal note with me.  My great-grandmother died very prematurely in 1917 days after giving birth to my great-aunt due to my great-grandmother's exhaustion and general ill-health and many years later we found very similar ads cut out from newspapers in her personal effects.  It is sad to think that 100 years ago people who could not pay for doctors relied on such 'medicines'.]

 

The benefits of wearing an H Samuel watch at Ypres

 

Smashed by a German shell!

Miss K Stovell, 148 New Street, Hersham writes of an H Samuel watch worn by her brother Corporal Stovell, RFA:-

"When near Ypres it was struck by a German shell and battered in but even that did not stop it for it still goes though undoubtedly it saved him from a severe wound."

That is the kind of quality you find in all H Samuel's watches - remarkable strength.

H Samuel watchmaker to the admiralty, 40 North Bridge and 25 Princes Street, Edinburgh.

Luminous wrist watch and compass.  As illustrated.  Invaluable to the men at the front.  Shows true time and direction instantly by night or day.  15 jewels, lever movement, handsome night case, strong strap, 30/-, other luminous watches from ?/?.

 

 

 

 

Now, here's a challenge for my genealogist readers.  Is there any chance the testimonial is genuine, can you find any trace of Miss K Sovell and her corporal brother?

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.

Fatal Runaway Accident and Wedding Presentation

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday June 12 1915 issue):


Fatal Runaway Accident - Girl Killed by Cart

A fatal runaway accident occurred in Dunfermline last night resulting in the death of Sarah Farmer, the two years old daughter of Mr Andrew Farmer, a soldier, whose home is in Bruce Street and who is at present on service.  A light cart belonging to Mr McCormack, contractor, Dunfermline caused the accident.  The horse drawing the vehicle took fright in Beveridgewell and bolted along Castleblair and down Bruce Street, Kirkgate and Monastery Street - a distance of about a mile.  When in Bruce  Street on of the wheels of the cart caught the little girl who was hauled across the street.  She sustained a fracture of the skull and other injuries and was immediately taken in to the home of her parents nearby.  Dr Macgregor and Dr Cairncross were summoned but it was found that the case was beyond the reach of medical skill.  The horse and cart were not badly damaged.

[This caught my attention because the horse was frightened in Beveridgewell very close to where I live.  I also notice how quickly deaths were notified in the local paper!].

Marriage Presentation

The warehouse workers ad machine operators connected with Pilmuir Works have this week presented Mr Chas Hill and Miss Sarah Cribbes with an easy chair and a timepiece on the occasion of their forthcoming marriage.  the article were from the stock of Mr A Masterton, cabinetmaker, Chalmers Street.

[Dunfermline used to have many weaving factories.  The Pilmuir Works in 1913 had 700 looms.  Unfortunately the Pilmuir Works are now derelit.]

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.

Shops and comforts for the soldiers

In the Dunfermline Journal and Advertiser for West Fife 100 years ago this weekend (to be specific the Saturday June 5 1915 issue):

In the shops

Herbert T MacPherson
Will open shortly that central and commodious shop
41 Bridge Street, Dunfermline
(Reconstructed and newly fitted up) as a high-class
Stationery, bookselling and fancy goods emporium.
Please see further announcements.

[Many people in the Dunfermline area, including myself, will have fond memories of MacPhersons which only closed perhaps 20 years ago!]

Lochgelly comforts for the soldiers.

Mr Small, town clerk, desires to acknowledge with thank, further gifts of comforts for the soldiers.  There are 60 pairs of socks from Parish Church Work Party, 51 pairs socks, 10 belts, 5 shirts, 1 scarf, 7 pairs mitts and 2 helmets from the Co-Operative Women's Guild, 16 pair socks, 6 shirts and 5 pairs mitts from St Finnian's Church Work Party and 13 pairs socks from Glencraig School Children.  The whole of the above articles were dispatched last week to be forwarded to the 7th Royal Highlanders(the Fife County Territorials) who are now at the front.

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.