PEACE DAY1 There was a heavy storm at 5 a.m. Like armistice day (Nov 11) this has been perfect as regards weather: unfortunately the festivities which were being organised to be held at the Cricket ground fell through. There was a holiday: the bells were rung at 12 at night, there was a bonfire + a pyrotechnic display. There was a big holiday crowd + squibs &c were exploding in the streets all day. Felt quite fit today. David [Graham, co-partner] came up in the forenoon + talked over the work. He has been busy but not pushed. Nelly Brunton, Raeburn Meadows, died on Thursday + Bella Henderson + Mrs Lawton are very ill3. I saw a list of 8 in the town. Sat a while in the garden, looked at my letters &c. Jack [Roberts] went to St Abbs yesterday, is bringing Helen [Muir] home on Monday. My mileage during my holiday amounts to 543.35 miles or an average of 38.7 per riding day. I walked up beyond Heathpark at 11 p.m. + saw the bonfire + firework.
1 As the National Army Museum states “Although hostilities ceased with the Armistice on 11 November 1918, the First World War did not end officially until the Treaty of Versailles was signed in June 1919. In Britain, peace was celebrated on 19 July that year, with a Victory Parade in London as the main event.” https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/peace-and-commemoration/
2 Helen ‘Nelly’ Brunton, woollen winder, unmarried, died 17 July 1919, aged 54, at 5 Raeburn Meadows, Selkirk
3 Isabella ‘Bella’ Henderson, unmarried woollen winder, died 13 August 1919, aged 57, at Forest Road, Selkirk, while Justina Lawton née Weir, widow of James Lawton, shoemaker, died 22 July 1919, aged 49, at 9 Elm Row, Selkirk, death certified by Dr J S Muir M.B.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]
