A fine day: no rain + calm, slight N.W. [wind] Guy1 came at 11 looking very well. Cycled to Wellwood Stables2, Upper Faldonside, Bridgelands + Forest Mill. Sat a while in the garden. Guy had a walk on the Hill.
1 The Reverend Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother,
2 Dr Muir had been attending the son of Alexander Mitchell (fl.1920), chauffeur, “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Wellwood Stables, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, John Roberts junior, manufacturer, Proprietor [1920 Valuation Roll]
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Raining this morning but faired by 10 o’clock + was a nice day though coldish N.E. Walked to Backrow + Wellwood Stables and Hospital. Did not go to church. Wrote Helen, Dora + Jean1. At 3.30 met members of /2 V.A.D.2 in Market Place viz3 Weir4, Bartie5, Brown, M. + J. Addie6, Pollok7, Douglas, McGuire + Gow8 + marched in procession with Town Council, the Ex Service men, Territorials, Girl Guides + Boy Scouts to the Hall where a Memorial Service for Gallipoli 12th July was held9. Then we marched back to the War Memorial. Examined a Mr Turnbull for the University Life Assoc. [?]. Supped at Wellwood10 where the Birches11 are staying.
1 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978) and Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s third, youngest and eldest daughters respectively
2 Dr Muir was the Commandant of the 2nd Selkirkshire Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.)
3 The Editor assumes that the names are those of some of Dr Muir’s V.A.D. reported as being part of the 1922 Memorial Service; in his diary entry for 29 April 1915 Dr Muir notes, amongst others, Bartie and Mrs Weir as part of his V.A.D. [Southern Reporter 20 July 1922]
4 Mrs Weir was a nurse and is recorded numerous times throughout Dr Muir’s wartime diaries (but is otherwise unidentified) and other V.A.D.s were listed in Dr Muir’s diary entry for 30 March 1922 when there was a presentation of medals at the Victoria Hall to members of the 2nd V.A.D. for their war service
5 Miss Jane Bartie was a teacher and one of Dr Muir’s Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) [see Knowepark School log book, Scottish Borders Archives S/ED/2/24]
6 Presumably Jessie Love Addie (about 1895-1979), Tenant Occupier of a house in Buccleuch Road, Selkirk [1923 VR007900012- ; death 1979! 811/ 73, Selkirk
7 Assume one of the daughters of John Pollok (1858-1938), Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal, Selkirk
8 Douglas, McGuire and Gow are unidentified (though Jemima Gow was one of those present on 30 March)
9 There was an “Ex-Soldiers’ Memorial Service” on the Sunday following the anniversary of the action at Achi Baba Nullah on 12 July 1915, what the King’s Own Scottish Borderers’ website describes as “One Of The Darkest Days In The History Of The Scottish Borders” on the Gallipoli Peninsular where “one final attempt was made by the 52nd (Lowland) Division to breakthrough at Helles.” Four ‘waves’ charged simultaneously, the first two made up of the 1/4th KOSB and the third and fourth by the 1/5th K.O.S.B. The Borderers’ website records 1/4th KOSB casualties at 535 and 1/5th K.O.S.B. casualties at 270 [details courtesy of The King’s Own Scottish Borderers 12th of July 1915 – Gallipoli]
10 Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, home of the Roberts family John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948) and their children Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950), Louisa Jane Roberts, later Rutherford (1906-1982), Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005)
11 The Birches are unidentified but were referred to by Dr Muir in his diary entries of 22 June and 28 June 1919 respectively “Jack, Nancy + the Birches came to supper” and “Nancy, Jack, Mr + Mrs Birch + the boys left in the morn for St Abbs.”
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Another very nice day: calm + sunny N.E. Border Burghs Bowling Tournament going on, on both greens1. After seeing 3 cases I cycled by Forest Road to Beechwood + Newarkburn2. I went round by Upper Bowhill Lodge + took a stroll up the Duchess Drive3 I was very lovely but sad to see [illegible4] + Hangingshaw5 standing empty. After lunch got message to see Mitchell’s boy at Wellwood6. His temp. was 104.
1 The Bowling Green at Scott’s Place was adjacent to Dr Muir’s house Thorncroft
2 Beechwood is just along from Thirladean East Lodge, grid reference NGR NT451,279, and Newarkburn is at NT421,286 and opposite Harewoodglen
4 The Editor would be grateful is anyone can suggest the identity of this location
5 Hangingshaw, north of the Selkirk to Yarrow Road, grid reference NGR NT398,302
6 Alexander Mitchell (fl.1920), chauffeur, “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, John Roberts junior, manufacturer, Proprietor [1920 Valuation Roll]
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
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]
Very showery all day + about 3 there were two peals of thunder + very heavy rain. I saw some half dozen cases, Currie + son2, Forest Mill + Hospital. Mrs Ballard3 was buried privately today. There was a service at 12.30 to which Dav.4 went. I found that the little Baxter de’ils5 had taken most of the cherries.
1 John Pollok (1858-1938), Town Clerk, Procurator Fiscal and sometime Clerk to the Property & Income Tax Commissioners, wrote a letter of resignation published in Southern Reporter in which Pollok noted that he had taken over the role after Peter Rodger’s death in June 1888 (having shared the role of Town Clerk with Rodger since January 1887) but that poor health and a growing workload made it impossible for him to continue; John Pollok was the tenant of a house and garden ‘Heatherlie Hill’ which is visible with extensive gardens off Heatherlie Terrace and sits next door to Woodburn (which by this time was the home of T Craig Brown’s widow Jane) [1922 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/346, Selkirk Burgh, page 346 of 644; Ordnance Survey 25 inch Selkirkshire Sheet XII.5, published 1899].
2 By this date (Robert Currie senior had died June 1922) presumably Robert Currie junior (about 1857-1923), woollen hosiery manufacturer and his son Robert Currie (1874-1934), hosiery manufacturer, collectively the third, fourth and fifth generations of Curries at Selkirk with the given name Robert.
3 Julia Mary Ballard née Anderson (about 1838-1922), died 11 July 1922, at Philipburn, Selkirk, aged 84, death certified by D Charteris Graham M.B., Ch.B., and she was interred at Caddonfoot; Julia was the daughter of David Murray Anderson, gentleman, and Eleanor Anderson née Naysmyth, and the widow of George Alexander Ballard formerly of the Madras Civil Service.
4 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
5 The ‘little devils’ were Cyril Ross Baxter (1915-1997) and Erik Sandeman Baxter (1919–1999), sons of Lily Birgitta Baxter formerly Lindback and Harold Ross Baxter, manager, of 47 Södra Vägen 50, 412 54 Göteborg, Sweden [Consular Returns 1915, 164/CL 161 and 1919, 164/CL 407]; they are the brothers of Enid Gordon Baxter, later Thorn (1917-2013) who appears in Dr Muir’s diary on a number of occasions in May 1922.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
There hasn’t been a great deal doing Dav.1 says. He had 2 operations this morning viz. T. & A.2 + cervical glands both kids of a man Menzies3 at Bengerburn. It was a lovely morning but raining after 2 + I had to motor to Yair to see Ormiston boy4 with a suppurating knee. Saw a few town cases walking. Came home from Yair by Ettrick Mills + Hospital where another case of D. + one of S.5 have been admitted. Mrs Mack6 as usual has been most lavishly kind.
Wrote Jean + Dora7
1 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner
2 Tonsils and adenoids
3 Alexander Menzies was a game watcher and Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Bengerburn [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/390, Selkirk County, page 390 of 611]
4 Samuel Ormiston junior (1881-), farmer at Hen Row, Yair, Caddonfoot, but his children are so far unidentified
5 There had been a prolonged outbreak of Diphtheria and Scarlet fever in Selkirk and evidently it was continuing
6 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, whose generosity was so memorable that her home was known by Dr Muir as ‘the Magic Cave’
7 Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941) and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), Dr Muir’s eldest and youngest daughters
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Left Haslemere at 9.32. Drove down in Mary’s Victoria 1. Maggie McLure 2 came with me. She is a very dear sweet soul + so full of humour. Mary 3 pressed me very hard to come back soon. I had a capital journey home. At Haslemere Station I thought I had lost my ticket to Waterloo + brought another + then found the former in my trouser pocket. But I got back my money. I was 17m [minutes] crossing to St Pancras as we had waits at The Strand + Holborn. I was in plenty time to get a corner seat + wired Baptie 4 to meet me at Gala. There were 2 other men in the compartment. + at Sheffield 2 others got in but they left at Leeds. Barbara5 was at Gala. + came across with me. It was lovely all the way down.
1 A Victoria is a smart (but very old-fashioned by 1922) open carriage, drawn very often by one, but no more than two, horses and with a coachman’s seat above the front axle
2 Maggie McClure is so far unidentified but Dr Muir’s aunt Marion Stewart Logan (1822-1916) had married a McClure and – though she was rather young to be travelling independently – her granddaughter was Evelyn Margaret McClure (1906–1983)
3 Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-?1933), James Wallace’s widow and Dr Muir’s sister
4 Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir
5 Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s eldest granddaughter
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
A lovely day sunny clear + calm. Amy + I carrying our lunch had a charming walk. Maggie + she drove Mary3, Maggie4 + Amy5 drove down to the Churchyard + I walked down by a sheep path + met them. I saw Frank’s grave6. Then Amy + I drove to the village + the trap went back for the others while Amy + I walked up to the Black Down7 from which we had a magnificent view over the Weald + to the S. Downs. The Bell heather was splendid. We lunched where there used to be a shelter called the ‘Temple of the Winds’8 + came down the other side by Cotchet Farm9 + home. Willie10 came in + showed me the plans of the new Hospital to cost £30,000. I gave a lot of my recitations at night + Ellen11 the cook + Daisy12 [illegible] came in. It was marvellous to see dear Mary’s cheerfulness.
1 John Harrison (about 1848-1922), retired clothier, died 10 July 1922, aged 74, at 3 Napier Road, Morningside, Edinburgh, the son of Sir George Harrison, clothier and woollen merchant, deceased, and Jane Harrison née Archibald (died 1878), and the widower of Helen Georgina Roberts (died 1949), daughter of George Roberts, woollen manufacturer, and Agnes Roberts nee Fowler; John and Helen had married 4 June 1879 at Wellwood Park, Selkirk
2 Julia Mary Ballard née Anderson (about 1838-1922), died 11 July 1922, at Philipburn, Selkirk, aged 84, death certified by D Charteris Graham M.B., Ch.B., she was the daughter of David Murray Anderson, gentleman, and Eleanor Anderson née Naysmyth, and the widow of George Alexander Ballard formerly of the Madras Civil Service
3 Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-?1933), James Wallace’s widow
4 This appears to be Maggie McClure – see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 11 July 1922
5 Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960), Bothwell, Lanarks., Scotland [1911 Census]. daughter of James Francis Waldie, colliery manager, and Ann or Annie Maria, later Massie, Waldie née Cowan, married 1884, Dundalk, Co. Louth [1884, Jul-Aug-Sep, Dundalk, Ireland, Volume 2, Page number 671, FHL Film Number 101254]; Amy was at Scotstoun(e), Haslemere in 1911, recorded as James’s niece
6 Frank’s grave refers to that of Francis ‘Frank’ Muir (1839-1912), cotton merchant and Dr Muir’s brother, born 2 October 1839, North Leith, Midlothian, and baptised 1 December 1839, North Leith, he had died, aged 73, in July 1912, at Hambledon Registration District, England (Surrey / Sussex), and was buried 3 August 1912 at Haslemere, St Bartholomew, Church of England burial ground, Surrey; son of Francis Muir (1797-1871), presbyterian minister, and Jane Muir née Logan, Frank Muir had married, 19 July 1866, at West Molesey, St Peter, Surrey, Ellen Margaret Hall (1848-1944)
7 Black Down, highest point 280m at grid reference NGR SU919,296
8 At the south end of Black Down the Temple of the Winds, grid reference SU920,292, is named after a Bronze Age circular bank and offers fine views of the South Downs National Park
10 William Edward ‘Willie’ Muir (1872-1948), son of Francis ‘Frank’ Muir, in 1922 he is noted as of Rowallan, Haslemere and married to Logie Elizabeth Muir née Whiteway
11 This almost certainly refers to Ellen Hudson (about 1887-), nurse attendant, recorded with James and Mary Wallace, Amy Waldie and Daisy Bartlett at Milford on Sea, Lymington, Hampshire [1921 Census]
12 This almost certainly refers to Daisy Annie Bartlett (1886-1975), domestic servant, recorded with James and Mary Wallace, Amy Waldie and Ellen Hudson at Milford on Sea, Lymington, Hampshire [1921 Census]; born 31 October 1886, Daisy was a laundress at Shottermill, Haslemere in the 1911 Census so it is probable that she changed employer (though only locally) sometime between 1911 and 1921, her death is recorded in September Quarter 1975 at S.W. Surrey [sources: Births Dec 1886, Bartlett, Daisy Annie, Newbury 2c 237; death Surrey S.W. Volume: 17 Page: 1170]
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
A dullish day with a shower of rain in the forenoon. I walked with Amy1 to a little Congregational Church at or near Grayshott2. We walked across the Common. I had a walk round the grounds of Scotstoun3. I had no idea they were so extensive, about 5 acres, part of it wood. Willie with his wife + mother4 motored away to somewhere on the Coast to see their girl5 who is at school there. I wrote Nancy6.
1 Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960) who lived at Rowallan, Haslemere with Willie and Logie Muir
2 The Editor has not been able to identify a likely church near Grayshott, East Hampshire (Hampshire Surrey border) approximate grid reference NGR SU873,353
3 Scotstoun, Farnham Lane, Haslemere, home of Dr Muir’s sister Mary Jane Muir
4 William Edward ‘Willie’ Muir (1872-1948), son of Francis ‘Frank’ Muir (1839-1912), Dr Muir’s brother, his wife Logie Elizabeth Muir Whiteway (about 1877-1956) and mother Ellen Margaret Muir nee Hall (1848-1944)
5 Elizabeth Helen Muir, later Roberts, later Parsons (1907-1999)
6 Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
It was a fine morning, calm + sunny + it continued so till the afternoon when it rained heavily. This place (Scotstoun1) has improved very much since I was last here. The trees have grown + the newness has worn off. There are far more houses on the surrounding hillsides + their red roofs among the woods are beautiful. The funeral2 was at 12 + I motored down in a large car of Willie’s3 (he has 2) with Mary4, Amy5 + Maggie6 for William’s body was cremated at Woking on Thursday and the ashes in [a] little white casket were [three words deleted] laid on a table in the church + Mary whom I took into church laid some roses on it. After the service Willie carried the casket. Mary + I followed + we walked to the conveyance (all this was down at Haslemere Parish Church) + the casket was laid in a tiny grave lined with [illegible]. I shook hands with Joe Muir7 but I missed Hugh McClure8. Frank from [illegible]9 was there + came back to Scotstoun. So did Mrs Aitken + Mrs Stroyan, two nieces of James’s with their husbands10. Also the Reverend Mr Mathieson11 who was over at Bridgehope12 + a former curate here named Watson, a cousin of Mrs Mack’s13. After lunch I went with Rowatt14 + saw Nelly + Logie15.
1 Scotstoun(e), Haslemere, Surrey
2 James Wallace (about 1841-1922), sometime wool buyer for John Paton, Son & Co., Alloa, died 5 July 1922, was married to Mary Jane Muir (1836-?1933), Dr Muir’s sister
3 William Edward ‘Willie’ Muir (1872-1948), Dr Muir’s nephew, lived at Rowallan, Haslemere so the Wallace’s neighbour, married to Logie Elizabeth Muir née Whiteway
4 Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-), James’s widow
5 Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960) lived with Willie and Logic Muir at Rowallan
6 Maggie appears to be Maggie McClure – see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 11 July 1922
7 Assume Joseph Corbett ‘Joe’ Muir (1872-1949), M.D., son of Alexander ‘Alec’ Muir (1831-1915), and Jessie Muir née Thomson, so Dr Muir’s nephew
8 Hugh McClure is probably Hugh Hannay McClure (1864-1940), civil engineer, son of Dr Muir’s aunt Marion Stewart McClure née Logan (1822-1916), and William McClure, Writer to the Signet
9 Frank is unidentified
10 The two nieces married to Aitken and Stroyan are unidentified
11 The Reverend Mr Mathieson is unidentified
12 Bridgehope is unidentified
13 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk but the cousin is unidentified
14 Rowatt is unidentified but presumably a driver for one of the families
15 Assume Logie Elizabeth Muir née Whiteway (about 1877-1956), Willie Muir’s wife, but Nelly is unidentified unless she is Willie and Logie’s daughter Elizabeth Helen Muir (1907-)
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/25, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1922]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 