Author: rumblingclint

I got to St Pancras in plenty time to secure a corner seat in a 1^st Class compartment but there was no crowd + I had only one fellow passenger as far as Kettering + after that was alone. I read + had a light meal hospitably supplied from Haslemere with a bottle of cider of which [illegible] I lost the half by the cork coming out + the cider leaking in my bag. I slept from Leeds to Carlisle + was unaware of the stops at Hellifield + Skipton.¹ Got to Galashiels at 6.02 where Baptie² met me + I got home comfortably. It was been raining + the hills were misty. This was Communion Sunday but I didn’t get to church. David³ gave me a list of people to be seen + I did them walking. There has been an outbreak of measles + D. has been very busy. Went to bed early. Wrote Mary.⁴ David came in + saw me before he started for Camp.⁵

¹ Hellifield Station, Yorkshire, grid reference NGR SD853,572, and Skipton SD989,518, are both on the climb from Leeds and Bradford towards Settle and eventually Carlisle. Dr Muir would have passed Skipton before Hellifield.

² Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

³ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁴ Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister, widow of James Wallace (d.1922), and living at Scotstoune, Haslemere, Surrey.

⁵ David Graham had gone off on military service previously.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Rained heavily most of the day. Rob Wallace¹ too [sic] Amy² + Helen³ to Farnham where they met a family from Portsmouth and were shown over the Castle. They came back to lunch. I wrote Dora.⁴ Did my packing : said goodbye to Logie⁵ next door. Had lunch with Mary⁶ then tea. Frank Muir⁷ arrived + drove Helen, Bob + me to the station where I [we⁸] got the 5.59 to Waterloo + the 9.15 from St Pancras to Galashiels.

¹ There was a reference to Wallace as a medic in Dr Muir’s diary entry for 25 July 1923 which points to his being Robert William Lessel (or Leslie) Wallace (1881-1930), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., M.D., medical practitioner, born Turriff, Aberdeenshire, studied George Watson’s College and Edinburgh University, in medical practice at Woking, Surrey in 1923 [sources include: UK Medical Register, 1923].

² Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960), James Wallace’s niece who lived at Scotstoun, Haslemere, Surrey [see for example the 1911 England Census for Scotstoun].

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and housekeeper.

⁴ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, was living and working in Egypt.

⁵ Logie Elizabeth Whiteway (about 1877-1956), wife of William Edward ‘Willie’ Muir (1872-1948), Dr Muir’s brother nephew. They lived at Rowallan, Haslemere, next door to Scotstoun where Dr Muir and Helen were staying.

⁶ Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister, widow of James Wallace (d.1922), and living at Scotstoune, Haslemere, Surrey.

⁷ Francis ‘Frank’ Muir (1877-1972), electrical engineer and managing director, the son of Gavin Struthers Muir (1846-1927), presbyterian minister, and Helen Drysdale Muir née Wilson, thus Dr Muir’s nephew.

⁸ It seems that Helen stayed on at Haslemere, see Dr Muir’s diary for 31 July 2023.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Fine weather continuing. Bob Wallace¹ went to Portsmouth² at 8.24 + Amy³ had to meet him on his return about illegible in the afternoon + send him on to Harley Street about an appointment he is standing for. I had a very delightful run to the Gibbet⁴ : along Portsmouth road to Milford⁵ : thence to Hurtmore Eashing (where there is a wool mill on the Wey⁶), Norney, Hurtmore, Puttenham, Elstead, Thursley + back to the Gibbet. It was really lovely. I got a thistle with a white centre I have never seen before. The views here + there were enchanting. Met any amount of cars on the main road. Mary⁷, Amy + Helen⁸ were at a Garden Party at Sir Arthur Dickinson’s.⁹ In the evening I entertained them all including Helen the cook, Daisy (housemaid) + a Mrs Skene¹⁰ to some recitations + Helen sang.

¹ There was a reference to Wallace as a medic in Dr Muir’s diary entry for 25 July 1923 which points to his being Robert William Lessel (or Leslie) Wallace (1881-1930), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., M.D., medical practitioner, born Turriff, Aberdeenshire, studied George Watson’s College and Edinburgh University, in medical practice at Woking, Surrey in 1923 [sources include: UK Medical Register, 1923]..

² Wallace was attending one of the sessions of the Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association held at Portsmouth 24-27 July 1923.

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and housekeeper.

⁴ Gibbet Hill grid reference NGR SU903,361 is the highest point on the escarpment of the Devils Punch Bownl near Hindhead.

⁵ Milford, SU944,424, Norney, SU943,449, Hurtmore, SU956,455, Eashing, SU947,438, Puttenham, SU930,478, Elstead, SU908,436, Thursley, SU901,397, and Gibbet Hill, near Hindhead, Surrey, SU900,358.

⁶ Eashing Mill on River Wey Navigation was a paper mill for most it its history but operated as a flock (residue wool) mill after imports of esparto grass and wood pulp made inland paper mills uneconomic. It was never a woollen mill as Dr Muir would have known them at home.

⁷ Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister, widow of James Wallace (d.1922), and living at Scotstoune, Haslemere, Surrey.

⁸ Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960), James Wallace’s niece who lived at Scotstoun, Haslemere, Surrey [see for example the 1911 England Census for Scotstoun].

⁹ Assume Sir Arthur Lowes Dickinson (1859-1935), F.C.A., M.A. Cantab., of Shottersley, Haslemere and Alding, Grayswood. He was recorded at Thursley, SU901,397, a little to the north of the Muir family, in the 1921 Census but in fact the Garden Party may have been closer to home, at Shottersley or Alding, both properties on the north side of Haslemere. He was a pioneering chartered accountant in the United Kingdom and in the United States of America. At the end of the decade he commissioned a “most remarkable” modernist house at Grayswood, designed by Amyas Connell of Connell, Ward & Lucas.

¹⁰ These three are as yet unidentified.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Beautiful day. Bob Wallace¹ went down to Portsmouth at 8.24 and Helen² + I followed at 11.27 reaching P. [Portsmouth] before 1. We got return tickets for single fare. We met Bob at the Reception room : + lunched at the Corner House where we were kept waiting a long time. Then we took [a] tram to Dockyard + were shown over it : the Victory : + Victoria + Albert.³ It was all very interesting but rather tiring. Then we went by tram to Southsea where Amy⁴ wanted to buy a hat + had dinner at the Royal Cafe. Walked back to Theatre Royal + saw a performance of Treasure Island with Bourchier as the Pirate Captain.⁵ We had to leave before the end to catch the 11.5 which landed [?] us at Haslemere at 12.17. We had a lovely + jocund [?] moonlight walk up Farnham Lane [?]. At the Royal Cafe I left my ring in the lavatory + it was brought to me by a man who turned out to be a friend of Joe Muir’s⁶ named Jobson.⁷ The day’s outing + entertainment cost me £3. 3. 6.

¹ The implication that Wallace is a medic (Dr Muir’s diary entry for 25 July 1923) points to his being Robert William Lessel (or Leslie) Wallace (1881-1930), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., M.D., medical practitioner, born Turriff, Aberdeenshire, studied George Watson’s College and Edinburgh University, in medical practice at Woking, Surrey in 1923 [sources include: UK Medical Register, 1923].

² Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and housekeeper.

³ H.M.Y. Victoria and Albert was Britannia’s predecessor as royal yacht. Constructed at Pembroke Dock, launched 1899 and in service from 1901. She was decommissioned as royal yacht in 1939 but saw war service thereafter. She was broken up in 1954. Victoria and Albert must have been alongside at Portsmouth Dockyard when Dr Muir and Helen visited as she is listed as one of the local ‘attractions’ on the British Medical Association’s syllabus for its 1923 conference.

⁴ Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960), James Wallace’s niece who lived at Scotstoun, Haslemere, Surrey [see for example the 1911 England Census for Scotstoun].

⁵ Arthur Bourchier (1863-1927), actor and theatre manager, appeared as Long John Silver in the 1923 touring production of Treasure Island.

⁶ Joseph Corbett ‘Joe’ Muir (1872-1949), M.D., medical practitioner, in 1923 recorded as working at West Ham Infirmary, Whipps Cross, London E11. The son of Dr Muir’s brother Alexander ‘Alec’ Muir (1831-1915), and Jessie Muir née Thomson. Brother of Jessie Geddes Hayes née Muir.

⁷ The two best possibilities (based on being in the Medical Directory 1923 and living in the relevant area) were James Stanley Jobson (1884-), M.B., B.C., medical practitioner, of Beechwood, Church Street, Epsom and Thomas Battersby Jobson (1872-1956), M.B., B.Ch., medical practitioner, of Netherwood, Epsom Road, Guildford.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Duller today but quite pleasant, some showers in afternoon. Lovely sunset. Rob. Wallace¹ went down by train to Portsmouth for the Scientific meetings.² I began a letter to Pat.³ Sent P.C. [postcard] David⁴ + Tom Alexander⁵ went down to Haslemere with Helen⁶ + chose a present for Barbara’s 21^st Birthday⁷ at the “Green Frog”.⁸ I cycled + went to Petworth⁹ via Lodsworth then went a mile or so towards Pulborough + turned north to Wisborough Green (a very typical English village), Flitchfield, Plaistow, Shillinglee Park + so back to Haslemere, about 35 miles, mostly in Sussex. Got a white specimen of the purple loosestrife.¹⁰ Got my lunch at Haslemere [illegible] of a banana, some sandwiches + 2 cakes which I ate by the roadside near Petworth. Got very wet after Plaistow. I thoroughly enjoyed the run. The wild flowers were lovely. In places the Little Convolvulus¹¹ covered the hedges + the [illegible] blossom profuse.

¹ The implication that Wallace is a medic points to him being Robert William Lessel (or Leslie) Wallace (1881-1930), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., M.D., medical practitioner, born Turriff, Aberdeenshire, studied George Watson’s College and Edinburgh University, and in medical practice at Woking, Surrey in 1923 and until his relatively early death. [sources include UK Medical Register, 1923]

² The British Medical Association published a full report of the Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association held at Portsmouth 24-27 July 1923 [Macewen, William, et al. “Annual Meeting At Portsmouth, July 24th To 27th, 1923.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3264, 1923, pp. 23–26. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20424140. Accessed 17 July 2023.]

³ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902.

⁴ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁵ Thomas Anderson ‘Tom’ Alexander (1858-1925), medical practitioner, son of David Carnegie Alexander and Margaret Scott Anderson, see Dr Muir’s diary for 19 July 1923 for more detail.

⁶ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

⁷ Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s eldest grandchild.

⁸ The Green Frog is unidentified.

⁹ Petworth, West Sussex, grid reference NGR SU977,219 and Lodsworth, West Sussex, SU926,229, Pulborough, TQ047,187, Wisborough Green, TQ047,260, assume Flitchfold farm, TQ041,303, Plaistow, TQ005,309, and Shillinglee Park, SU967,325.

¹⁰ Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria.

¹¹ Assume Shrubby Bindweed, Convolvulus cneorum. Probably too far north for Dwarf Convolvulus Convolvulus tricolor, though that part of England is one of its warmest.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Magnificent day + yet not oppressively hot. Still very hoarse + my deafness increased by the post nasal catarrh. Took the 8.24 to Portsmouth. As usual had a 1st compartment all to myself. The session did not begin till 10.15 as there had been the opening of the Exhibition. There was an interruption when the new President Mr Childe¹ was introduced + installed by [text deleted] McEwen. The President Elect Hall of Bradford² was also introduced. Several overseas representatives spoke. Several notifications were discussed. The Scottish report [was] received.³ Stevens⁴ + I lunched at the Corner House. I got tickets for the Royal Yacht⁵ tomorrow. Lyndon⁶ got 2 yesterday for the Dock Yard + gave them to someone whom he mistook for me! Stevens kindly undertook to get tickets for the theatre. We finished all the business before 3 + I got away by the 3.5. Rob. Wallace⁷ took H.⁸ + A.⁹ in his car to Winchester. The Murray Scotts¹⁰ + Miss Stark¹¹ called in the evening. Beautiful clear night with moon.

¹ The 91st A.G.M. of the British Medical Association was held on 24 July 1923 at which outgoing President Sir William McEwen (1848-1924), Scottish surgeon and pioneer in brain surgery, inducted new President Charles Plumley Childe (1858-1926), M.R.C.S., F.R.C.S., B.A., L.R.C.P., M.R.C.P. [“Ninety-First Annual Meeting Of The British Medical Association. Portsmouth, 1923. Annual Representative Meeting.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3265, 1923, pp. 33–73. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20424184. Accessed 23 July 2023].

² It was also announced that the President Elect was Mr John Basil Hall (1866-1926), M.A., M.Chir.Cantab., F.R.C.S.Eng. and Edin., Consulting Surgeon, Bradford Royal Infirmary [sources include W. N. W. W. “John Basil Hall, M.A., M.Chir.Cantab., F.R.C.S.Eng. And Edin., President Of The British Medical Association, 1924-25; Consulting Surgeon, Bradford Royal Infirmary.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 3395, 1926, pp. 169–70. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25447523. Accessed 23 July 2023].

³ It is not clear if this is the report reproduced in the same British Medical Journal as the conference reports, see “Scotland.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3265, 1923, pp. 159–159. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20424168. Accessed 24 July 2023.

⁴ John Stevens (1859-1930), M.A., M.D., F.J.C.P. Ed., medical practitioner, former Physician to the Edinburgh Western Dispensary and “indefatigable worker in the British Medical Association” [for further detail see 17 July 1923 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir].

⁵ The British Medical Association annual conference offered tours and visits to a wide range of sights and institutions.

⁶ Arnold Lyndon (1861-1946), O.B.E., M.D., M.B., M.R.C.S., medical practitioner, of Grayshott, Hindhead, Surrey and sometime medical consultant at the Haslemere & District Hospital.

⁷ The implication that Wallace is a medic (Dr Muir’s diary entry for 25 July 1923) points to his being Robert William Lessel (or Leslie) Wallace (1881-1930), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., M.D., medical practitioner, born Turriff, Aberdeenshire, studied George Watson’s College and Edinburgh University, in medical practice at Woking, Surrey in 1923 [sources include: UK Medical Register, 1923].

⁸ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and housekeeper.

⁹ Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960), James Wallace’s niece who lived at Scotstoun, Haslemere, Surrey [see for example the 1911 England Census for Scotstoun].

¹⁰ Dr Muir had met William Murray Scott, sugar refiner, and his wife Helen Gertrude Ramsay (about 1875-1963) formerly of Bowland House, Stow, at their garden party at Wakemills, Haslemere, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 18 July 1923.

¹¹ Miss Stark is so far unidentified.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Duller today + not so hot : some heavy rain after 3. Feeling rather less dyspepsia but seedy. Took the 8.34 to Portsmouth + came back by the 1.36 for tea. The most interesting thing at this meeting was the announcement of the new headquarter of the Association in London.¹ Rob. Wallace² went up to London by train + came back on a motor cycle. I rested all afternoon + enjoyed my dinner. Got the Weekly Scotsman. Although my dyspepsia was improving I developed a tickling laryngeal cough + was very hoarse.

¹ The British Medical Association moved from The Strand to B.M.A. House, Tavistock Square, London WC1 in 1925. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, it is at the heart of Bloomsbury and close to University College and the British Museum (and not far from the Editor’s birthplace). Proposals for a new premises were announced by Sir Robert Alfred Bolam (1871-1939), O.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.P., medical practitioner, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Chair of Council of the British Medical Association, 1920-1927 [“Ninety-First Annual Meeting Of The British Medical Association. Portsmouth, 1923. Annual Representative Meeting.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3265, 1923, pp. 63–64. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20424184. Accessed 23 July 2023.]

² The implication that Wallace is a medic (Dr Muir’s diary entry for 25 July 1923) points to his being Robert William Lessel (or Leslie) Wallace (1881-1930), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., M.D., medical practitioner, born Turriff, Aberdeenshire, studied George Watson’s College and Edinburgh University, in medical practice at Woking, Surrey in 1923 [sources include: UK Medical Register, 1923].

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Another fine warm day with slight S.W. wind. The freedom from dust of the well constructed roads here is most pleasant.¹ I felt my dyspepsia all day + couldn’t eat much. Wrote some P.C.s [postcards] in forenoon, one to Agnes Logan², + Helen³ + I lunched at Rowallan.⁴ Then Bob. Wallace⁵ took me + Amy⁶ in his Ford to Goodwood (where we had the fine view from the hill top⁷) + back to the Bailey’s at Bachelor’s Gate, Easebourne⁸, for tea. There I met the brother doctor.⁹ Walked round the garden in evening+ saw 2 Jays the gardener had shot.¹⁰

¹ It is interesting that the roads in Sussex were so much better than those in Selkirkshire as to be worth commenting on.

² Assume Agnes McIver Logan (about 1848-1928), daughter of Alexander Stuart Logan (1810-1862), advocate & Sheriff of Forfarshire and Agnes Logan née Greig (about 1813-1891), thus Dr Muir’s cousin. She died 16 November 1928 at Abbeyview, Causewayhead, Logie, Stirlingshire, aged 81 [1928, Statutory registers Deaths 485/B 53].

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and housekeeper.

⁴ Rowallan, Haslemere (next door to Scotstoun), home of William Edward ‘Willie’ Muir (1872-1948), Dr Muir’s brother nephew, and his wife Logie Elizabeth Whiteway (about 1877-1956). By the time of the 1939 England and Wales Register, Amy was living at Rowallan, Haslemere with William and Logie Muir.

⁵ The implication that Wallace is a medic (Dr Muir’s diary entry for 25 July 1923) points to his being Robert William Lessel (or Leslie) Wallace (1881-1930), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., M.D., medical practitioner, born Turriff, Aberdeenshire, studied George Watson’s College and Edinburgh University, in medical practice at Woking, Surrey in 1923 [sources include: UK Medical Register, 1923].

⁶ Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960), James Wallace’s niece who lived at Scotstoun, Haslemere, Surrey [see for example the 1911 England Census for Scotstoun].

⁷ The fine view is presumably the one at St Roche’s View, grid reference NGR SU877,110, close to Goodwood Racecourse, where Dr Muir had enjoyed a fine view during a cycle ride on 17 July 1923.

⁸ Bachelor’s Gate was on Easebourne Street, Easebourne, Midhurst, Sussex, and though the 1921 Census does not include property names – more likely the clowns at Find My Past have omitted it from the transcript (£2.50) the same way they have cropped it off the image (£3.50) – but there’s a very good chance Dr Muir’s Bailey family was that comprising Henrietta Bailey (about 1841-), born Oxford and widow of Granville Rowe Bailey (1843–1917), and daughters Blanche Bailey (1875-1949) and Marianne Bailey (about 1882-), both born Madeley, Staffordshire. Blanche therefore be the one Dr Muir mentioned in his diary of 17 July 1923. Henrietta is recorded as having died at Bachelor’s Gate 8 January 1928 [England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995].

⁹ The brother would in that case have been John Hewett Bailey (1879–1969), a Clerk in Holy Orders rather than a doctor (the Editor is not very sure that this is a correct reading anyway). Curiously he had a connection with Bucklow, Cheshire where some of Dr Muir’s extended family lived.

¹⁰ The Editor assumes that this is back at Scotstoun.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

I took a later train this morning at 8.34 + was a little late for the meeting which began at 9.30. The Hospital question : admission of a member of the Women’s Med. Fed. to the Council¹ + the Insurance Acts + our future policy we’re the chief topics + there was some good speaking.² Before lunch we adjourned to a public garden [?] + were again photographed. During the day I developed a Coryza + cough + earlier on had symptoms of dyspepsia, probably from the liquids I imbibed the last 2 days. I got away by the 6 train. Bob. Wallace³ was arriving today but he + Amy⁴ were dining at Rowallan⁵ + I went to bed before they came back. Helen⁶ was somewhere with Aunt Holly.⁷

¹ The Medical Women’s Federation was founded in 1917 and is “today the largest and most influential body of women doctors in the UK”. There is a reference to this and the other discussions mentioned by Dr Muir in The British Medical Journal of 28 July 1923 [“Annual Meeting Notes.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3265, 1923, pp. 151–54. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20424159. Accessed 21 July 2023].

² The implication that Wallace is a medic (Dr Muir’s diary entry for 25 July 1923) points to his being Robert William Lessel (or Leslie) Wallace (1881-1930), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., M.D., medical practitioner, born Turriff, Aberdeenshire, studied George Watson’s College and Edinburgh University, in medical practice at Woking, Surrey in 1923 [sources include: UK Medical Register, 1923].

³ Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960), James Wallace’s niece who lived at Scotstoun, Haslemere, Surrey [see for example the 1911 England Census for Scotstoun].

⁴ Rowallan, Haslemere (next door to Scotstoun), home of William Edward ‘Willie’ Muir (1872-1948), Dr Muir’s brother nephew, and his wife Logie Elizabeth Whiteway (about 1877-1956). By the time of the 1939 England and Wales Register, Amy was living at Rowallan, Haslemere with William and Logie Muir.

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and housekeeper.

⁶ The aunt is so far unidentified, but certainly isn’t Dr Muir’s and, if it is Helen’s, it must be on her maternal side (unless Mary is called Aunty Wally) because of Dr Muir’s siblings, by 1923 only Mary Jane Muir later Wallace (1836-1933), with whom he was staying, and Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1847-1927) were still alive.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

I felt rather tired after yesterday’s ride¹ but felt quite fit as I walked down to catch the 7.27 for Portsmouth, which I reached at 8.42. I found the meeting place – Municipal Buildings – quite close to the station + had a wait till 10 when the meeting began.² Stevens³ had got me a seat in the front row between Toye of Barnstaple⁴ + a man McTear⁵, so I heard very well. There was a good deal of routine work in the forenoon. We lunched at the Corner House quite near + had tea in the meeting place. There was some very interesting speaking.

Behind me were Stevens, Jardine⁶ + Craig.⁷ I saw also Douglas⁸ + Comrie.⁹ I went to the Representative dinner¹⁰ + did but had to leave to catch the 9.5 just after a Doctor Hawthorn¹¹, a capital speaker, had proposed Wallace Henry’s health.¹² It was a very hot day + a lovely moonlit night but I felt pretty well [illegible] out as I climbed the hill to Scotstoun¹³ We were photographed at the dinner.

¹ See Dr Muir’s diary for 19 July 1923 in which he cycled across Surrey from Haslemere to Epsom, a return trip of 63½ miles.

² The British Medical Association published a full report of the Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association held at Portsmouth 24-27 July 1923 [Macewen, William, et al. “Annual Meeting At Portsmouth, July 24th To 27th, 1923.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3264, 1923, pp. 23–26. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20424140. Accessed 17 July 2023.]

³ John Stevens (1859-1930), M.A., M.D., F.J.C.P. Ed., medical practitioner, former Physician to the Edinburgh Western Dispensary and “indefatigable worker in the British Medical Association” [for further detail see 17 July 1923 diary of Dr John Stewart Muir].

⁴ Edwin Josiah Toye (1234-1234), M.D., F.R.C.S., medical practitioner, general practitioner and ophthalmic surgeon, sometime President of The Devon and Exeter Medico-Chirurgical Society [“E. J. Toye, M.D., B.Sc., F.R.C.S.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 4022, 1938, pp. 313–14. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25368829. Accessed 20 July 2023. ].

⁵ McTear (if that is a correct reading) is so far unidentified.

⁶ Possibly James Jardine (about 1845-1926), M.B., C.M., educated Edinburgh University and the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, he had a varied working life [“Dr. James Jardine.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 3445, 1927, pp. 122–122. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25322254. Accessed 20 July 2023].

⁷ Craig is so far unidentified.

⁸ Douglas is so far unidentified.

⁹ John Dixon Comrie (1875-1939), M.D., medical practitioner, lecturer on the History of Medicine, Edinburgh University and Vice-President, The Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh. [“Births, Marriages, And Deaths.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 4109, 1939, pp. 200–200. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20314270. Accessed 20 July 2023.].

¹⁰ The Representatives occupied a lower level in the administration of the British Medical Association.

¹¹ Perhaps Frank Hawthorn (d.1931), M.D., D.S.O., medical practitioner, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne [“Births, Marriages, And Deaths.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3699, 1931, pp. 300–300. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25341476. Accessed 20 July 2023].

¹² Robert Wallace Henry (about 1867-1931), B.A., M.D., medical practitioner, heavily involved in the administration of the Insurance Act [“Presentation To Dr. Wallace Henry.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 2794, 1914, pp. 70–70. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25310745 and A. V. C. “R. Wallace Henry, B.A., M.D. Past-Chairman Of The Representative Body, British Medical Association; Consulting Ophthalmic Surgeon, Wycliffe Society, And The Leicester School For Myopes.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3693, 1931, pp. 727–29. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25341031. Accessed 20 July 2023. , Accessed 20 July 2023.]

¹³ Scotstoun, Haslemere, where Dr Muir was staying.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]