14 July 1922 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir (1845-1938) of Selkirk

First dish of strawberries
Still raining this morning but soon cleared up to a fine clear sunny day. Got Walked first thing to Guthrie Thomson’s¹ + got in an advertisement about the Memorial Service on Sunday². Then up to Castle Street to get back from Mungo Smith³ an account which I had already paid. It turned out to be his wife’s fault⁴. Then down to station + paid Mitchell⁵ for coal : then to Hospital. Next I cycled to Henhouse + coming back drew £230 from M. & G.⁵ besides £6.4.3 for outlays. Got my bills arranged + sent Bella⁷ out to pay some book. Got letters from H. + D.⁸ Sent off salmon (Mrs Mack⁹).

¹ Robert Guthrie Thomson (1879-1962), master printer and publisher

² There was to be an “Ex-Soldiers’ Memorial Service” on the Sunday following the anniversary of the action at Achi Baba Nullah on 12 July 1915 – see diary entry for 16 July 1922

³ Mungo Kennedy Smith (1855-1942), master slater, Tenant Occupier of a house at Castle Terrace, Selkirk [1922 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/291, Selkirk Burgh, page 291 of 644]

⁴ Catherine Smith née Stark (?1863-1933)

⁵ Assume William Mitchell (about 1847-), coal agent, lived with his wife Annie Agnes Leslie Anderson at Heath Park, Selkirk

⁶ Muir & Graham medical co-partnership

⁷ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), the Muir family housekeeper ; born Ladykirk, the best match for Isabella’s death is Mar 1952, Paulin, Isabella, aged 82, Nthmbld N. 1b 338

⁸ Helen and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), Dr Muir’s eldest and youngest daughters

⁹ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]