I was rung up at 6 this morning about Willie Laidlaw, Haining + from the description Johnny¹ gave I think he must have an attack of shingles. I got all my preparations completed + motored to the station, thinking the train left at 9.45 but found it was 10.13! Nancy + Barbara² saw me off, Nancy kindly taking [?] a return ticket for me. I got a corner seat at Galashiels + had a very comfortable journey. From Hawick I had the compartment with one other passenger with whom I talked all the way to Carlisle. He was a Lancashire factor [illegible] who had cycled to Dunfermline + was on the way home. He got out at Carlisle + [word deleted] another man came who left at Leeds. The country up the Eden + down the Aire was looking its best but oh the dismal Black Country!³ I had tea + dinner on board the train. Got a taxi from St Pancras to [illegible] + reached Hopetoun⁴ at 9.40. Willie’s⁵ car met me + brought me up to Scotstoun⁶ where I was welcomed by Cissy Waldie⁷ + found dear Mary⁸ marvellously well + bearing up under her heavy load most [illegible]. I got a very pleasant surprise when we found Maggie McClure⁹ also.

¹ William Braid Laidlaw (1902-1985), whom Dr Muir had been attending for what may have been Diphtheria; the son of John (presumably Johnny) Laidlaw, saw miller, and Agnes Laidlaw née Taylor, brother of John Laidlaw (1904-) and Robert Braid Laidlaw (1906-), all living at Henhouse, The Haining, Selkirk at the 1911 Census

² Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir, Dr Muir’s daughter, and his eldest granddaughter Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg

³ It is not obvious what Dr Muir is referring to here because it seems that he has crossed the Pennines to Leeds and travelled south down the East Coast mainline (or a similar route) to St Pancras which would mean he missed the West Midlands, the traditional Black Country

⁴ Hopetoun is not identified but is presumably near or part of Haslemere, Surrey

⁵ William Edward ‘Willie’ Muir (1872-1948), son of Francis Muir (1839-1912), Dr Muir’s brother; in 1922 he is noted as of Rowallan, Haslemere, Surrey

⁶ Scotstoune, Haslemere, home of James and Mary Jane Wallace née Muir

⁷ Cissy Waldie is unidentified but is presumably a relative of Amy Kathleen Waldie (1889-1960), born Bothwell, Lanarkshire [1911 Census], the daughter of James Francis Waldie, colliery manager, and Annie Massey Waldie MS Cowan, married 1884, Dundalk, Co. Louth; Amy was at Scotstoun(e), Haslemere in 1911 Census, recorded as James’s niece

⁸ Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-), Dr Muir’s sister, daughter of The Reverend Francis Muir and Mary Jane Logan; married 25 September 1866 at 15 North Fort Street, North Leith [her home], James Wallace, at which time he was a wool salesman, of Charlotte Place, Edinburgh; at the time of his death they were at Scotstoune, Haslemere (also there in 1901 Census)

⁹ Conceivably Evelyn Margaret McClure (1906-1983), daughter of Alexander Logan ‘Sandy’ McClure, advocate, and Jessie Evelyn Ramsay ‘Eva’ McClure née Hotson

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

Rose at 5.30 to find a raging N.E. gale + heavy rain. The ivy covered stump of the birch tree at East Gate was blown down. Of course I went back to bed. There was no work for me but I got a note to see Mrs Mitchell, Rosemount¹ and a ‘Phone from Miss Ford [?] who is living at Byethorn². She is one of three sisters one of whom is delicate + was afraid of something infectious on her sister but it was only Roseola. Got my Income Tax return sent away. Stamped the Insur[ance] + unemployment cards. Wrote Helen + Jean³ + Guy⁴. Got wire that Wallace’s funeral is on Saturday⁵.

¹ The Editor cannot identify a Mrs Mitchell at Rosemount

² The Ford sisters (if that is the correct reading) are unidentified

³ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter and Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁴ The Reverend Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother

⁵ James Wallace (about 1841-1922), Dr Muir’s brother-in-law, had died 5 July 1922 and was buried 8 July at Haslemere, Surrey

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

Wire from Willie Muir¹ that Jas. Wallace² died this morning. Wrote Mary³ + asked her to wire me about the funeral. Cycled to Hospital, Spion Kop⁴, Ettrick + Tweed Mills + at 2.30 got message to Weatherstone⁵, Jessie Boyd’s⁶ gardener. Tried to catch Dav.⁷ at Oakendean but he had left, so cycled down. It was a nice day + dry. Made all preparations for an early start with Nancy⁸ to Kirknewton for Cheviot. Made sandwiches +c for Baptie⁹ + self : but the glass was falling + the wind went round to E. Set my alarm for 5.30. David agreed to my conditions viz that my share doesn’t fall below [blank] : that I get whatever I save by cycling & £ for his bicycle¹⁰.

¹ William Edward ‘Willie’ Muir (1872-1948), son of Francis Muir (1839-1912), Dr Muir’s brother; in 1922 he is noted as of Rowallan, Haslemere, Surrey

² James Wallace (about 1841-1922), Dr Muir’s brother-in-law, married Mary Jane Muir, 25 September 1866, at 15 North Fort Street, North Leith [her home], at which time he was a wool salesman, of Charlotte Place, Edinburgh; at the time of his death they were at Scotstoun(e), Haslemere, died 5 July 1922 [Probate] Sep Quarter 1922 [July] Wallace, James, aged 81, Hambledon (Surrey) 2a 162 and buried 8 July at Haslemere

³ Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), daughter of Francis Muir, presbyterian minister, and Jane Muir née Logan, sister of John Stewart Muir and wife of James Wallace

⁴ Spion Kop, Selkirk, where Dr Muir had been attending Mrs Margaret Kemp née Gibson (about 1858-1935), recorded as a “Special worker at work parties” when awards were made at the Victoria Hall of war service medals, see diary entry for 30 March 1922. Allegedly born Thornilee, Roxburgh, she lived at Spion Kop with four grown-up children Janet, Robert, James and John, all of whom worked in the textile industry, Janet for Edward Gardiner and the men for Gibson & Lumgair [1921 Census].

⁵ Weatherstone is unidentified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

⁶ Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

⁷ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁸ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁹ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

¹⁰ Dr Muir’s terms suggest that he was negotiating from a position of some weakness and if the Editor has read the last section correctly as meaning that David has been borrowing a bicycle off Dr Muir than by asking for a contribution Dr Muir is indeed clutching at straws

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

Heavy showers + sunny intervals. David¹ came up + we arranged last year’s income + expenditure which are respectively £3019 + £663 = net income £2356. Dav. states that he has made from new private patients whom I would never have got £664 + claims that he should have a bigger share of the profits than a half, + suggests two thirds. I am to think it over. It means that I shall have for 1921-22 £785 instead of £1178 a difference of £393. If I consent it will be on certain conditions.

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

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

A fairly good day with heavy showers in afternoon + lovely bright evening, warmer. Dav.¹ did a circum[cision] on Willie Welsh² under local anaesthesia. The prepuce were adherent all round. I cycled down to Hospital, Spionkop³ before + then with Nancy⁴ walked to Henhouse + Kirklea⁵ going over by Brown and Headshaw Moor⁶. The Ogilvies were out + we came back by Greenhill⁷ + had high tea together here.

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

² Willie Welsh is unidentified

³ Spion Kop, Selkirk, where Dr Muir had been attending Mrs Margaret Kemp née Gibson (about 1858-1935), recorded as a “Special worker at work parties” when awards were made at the Victoria Hall of war service medals, see diary entry for 30 March 1922. Allegedly born Thornilee, Roxburgh, she lived at Spion Kop with four grown-up children Janet, Robert, James and John, all of whom worked in the textile industry, Janet for Edward Gardiner and the men for Gibson & Lumgair [1921 Census].

⁴ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

⁵ Kirklea, Ashkirk, home of William Henry ‘W H’ or ‘Will’ Ogilvie (1869-1963), author, journalist and one of Australia’s great Bush poets, and Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Scott Anderson, and their children Margaret Deloraine Ogilvie (1909-2003) and George Thomas Anderson ‘Geordo’ Ogilvie (1912-1995)

⁶ Brownmoor, near Hartwoodburn, grid reference NGR NT462,266 and Headshaw Moor, centred on approximate grid reference NT462,237

⁷ The pair travelled anti-clockwise going out on the west of the main road and returned, at least initially, to the east of it via Greenhill and probably the Braw Yett

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

A good deal of rain today but not as continuously yesterday + perhaps because there was less rain it did not feel so cold. I motored to Hosp., Bridgelands, Spionkop + Mill Street + went to morning service. Wrote Lizzie G. Smith¹, Mrs Dubs² + Helen³. Sent away accounts for 2 temp. Resid. + a subscription of 10/- [shillings] from M + G⁴ for the Russian Doctors Relief Fund of the B.M.A.⁵. Saw Mrs Kemp, Spionkop⁶ a 2^nd time + supped at Wellwood⁷.

¹ Elizabeth Orr ‘Lizzie’ Guthrie Smith née Rennie (1858-1926), daughter of the Reverend James Rennie (1826-1924), Church of Scotland minister and Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir, thus Dr Muir’s niece

² Margaret Forsyth Dubs, formerly Smith, née Arthur (1853-1935), born 1853, Barony, who had married, 2ndly, 1909 at Blythswood, Frank Albert Dubs, this being around the time that he moved from Glasgow to Yair Mansion, Caddonfoot, Selkirkshire; he died in 1920 and Margaret relocated to a house called Woodbourne at Wemyss Bay, Inverkip, Renfrewshire, flitting from Selkirk sometime after 12 March 1921 (c.f. Dr Muir’s diary entry for 12 March 1921)

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

⁴ The Muir & Graham medical co-partnership

⁵ The Council of the British Medical Association had received a request from the Pirogoff Medical Society for “help for starving medical men and their families in Russia” and resolved to launch an appeal for five shillings from every member. The appeal raised £1,605 for food parcels which were dispatched via the American Relief Administration. [source: ‘The Fund for Russian Doctors’, report and letter of thanks in The British Medical Journal, 14 October 1922 “Current Notes.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3224, BMJ, 1922, pp. 141–42, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20421377.%5D

⁶ Spion Kop, Selkirk, home of Mrs Margaret Kemp, recorded as a “Special worker at work parties” when awards were made at the Victoria Hall of war service medals, see diary entry for 30 March 1922, but otherwise unidentified

⁷ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, home of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir and their children Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg, John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts, Louisa Jane Roberts, later Rutherford, Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts

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

A day of incessant wet, first drizzle + then rain. I was late at breakfast. Mrs Jas. Wilson¹, Fauldshope called with a friend who [sic] girl had hurt her elbow. I saw a few cases walking + at 1.30 assisted Dav.² while he operated on Mrs Baxter³ from Murrayfield. There was some doubt as to the condition but it turned out to be an enormous gall stone which pretty much filled the [illegible] bladder. It was nearly 4 before I got my lunch. Dora⁴ + the Baxter boys⁵ were away at 2.30 + so I am left all alone once more.

¹ Mrs James Wilson is unidentified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

³ Perhaps Catherine Hellen Baxter née Wright (1869-), wife of John Baxter, foreman tuner and Proprietor of a house and garden at Murrayfield Cottages, Selkirk; they had married in 1896 at Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/207, Selkirk Burgh, page 207 of 644]

⁴ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁵ The boys are almost certainly 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 were 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]

At the dinner I spoke to Fordyce¹, Douglas (Cupar)², Ronaldson³, Stevens⁴, Turner⁵, McBride⁶, Kerr⁷. I recited ‘Heather’ but I don’t think it took very well⁸.

A pretty good day with some showers which were heavier up the waters. Cool S.W. Walked to Hospital, Spion Kop⁹, Backrow, Kirkwynd + Castle Street. Gave “Gladys”¹⁰ chlor[oform] at the Home¹¹ for T. & A. Motored to Deloraine to see Mrs Tweddle¹² but had to go on to Newburgh where she had gone for the day. Picked up Mrs Douglas Brown¹³ (Dora’s¹⁴ friend, Donald) + her little girl¹⁵ at Ettrickbridge + brought them down to spend the afternoon. Had to go to Bridgelands to see to see old Hardie¹⁶ + met David¹⁷ at Yair Bridge when we went to the Residents Club dinner¹⁸ which was very successful. McBride was in the Chair. I sat between James¹⁹ + Bramwell²⁰, the latter very old looking + bent + smoking 5½ oz [ounces] a week. We didn’t leave Ed. till after 12 + got home a little after 2 having killed a hare on the road!

¹ William Fordyce (1863-1941), M.D., F.R.C.P.Ed., F.R.C.O.G., consulting gynaecologist, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

² Charles Edward Douglas (1855-1943), M.D., F.R.C.S.E., medical practitioner and B.M.A. activist, of Winthank House, Kirk Wynd, Cupar

³ Assume Thomas Rutherford Ronaldson (1852-1943), M.B., C.M., medical practitioner, of 14 Merchiston Mews, Edinburgh,

⁴ Perhaps Dr John Stevens (1859-1930), M.D., medical practitioner, lived at Polwarth Terrace, Morningside, Edinburgh

⁵ Dr Turner is unidentified

⁶ Dr McBride is may be Peter McBride (1854–1946), M.D., F.R.C.P.E., Scottish physician and expert on the larynx.

⁷ Dr Kerr is unidentified

⁸ Dr Muir often gave recitals but this piece is unidentified

⁹ Spion Kop, Selkirk, where Dr Muir had been attending Mrs Margaret Kemp née Gibson (about 1858-1935), recorded as a “Special worker at work parties” when awards were made at the Victoria Hall of war service medals, see diary entry for 30 March 1922. Allegedly born Thornilee, Roxburgh, she lived at Spion Kop with four grown-up children Janet, Robert, James and John, all of whom worked in the textile industry, Janet for Edward Gardiner and the men for Gibson & Lumgair [1921 Census].

¹⁰ The Editor cannot see why Gladys’ name is in quotation marks but in any case she is unidentified

¹¹ Home refers to Viewfield Nursing Home

¹² Mrs Tweddle is Jeanie Tweddle née Mitchell (1893-1970) who married Robert Kyle Tweddle, farmer, 2 April 1919 at Newburgh, Kirkhope at which time he lived at West Deloraine, Kirkhope; she died April 1970 at Hartwoodmyres, Selkirk

¹³ Mrs Douglas Brown was Margaret Meikle ‘Peggy’ Donald (about 1886-1960) who, as a nurse of 2 Melville Street, Edinburgh, had married on 17 September 1918 at Ashwood, Galashiels, James Douglas Brown, Lieutenant K.O.S.B., attached R.A.F. and at that time “currently with the British Expeditionary Force” (Statutory registers Marriages 775/ 50)

¹⁴ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

¹⁵ The daughter of Mrs Peggy Douglas Brown née Donald is unidentified

¹⁶ Assume James Hardie (about 1841-1922), retired ploughman, husband of Margaret Nicholson, who was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Bridgelands Lodge, Galashiels, 1920 Valuation Roll

¹⁷ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

¹⁸ The Residents’ Club is The Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Old Residents’ Club, see also Dr Muir’s diary entry for 24 June 1921 (Dr Muir was a trainee doctor at the Royal Infirmary many years before)

¹⁹ Dr James is almost certainly Alexander James (1850-1932), M.D., F.R.C.P.Ed., medical practitioner, sometime Consulting Physician at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary [obituary in the British Medical Journal 1932; 1 doi: Alexander James, M.D., F.R.C.P.Ed. (Published 16 April 1932)]

²⁰ Assume Edwin ‘Ed’ Bramwell (1873-1952), Professor, M.B., F.R.S.E, F.R.C.P.E., L.L.D., 20th century Scottish neurologist, a First World War specialist in brain injuries and shell-shock and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 1933-1935; of Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, 1920 Valuation Roll; born N Shields, married Elizabeth Cumming Cunningham, 1908. [birth Mar Quarter 1873, Bramwell, Edwin, Tynemouth 10b 196]

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

On the whole a good day. There was a strong coldish N.W. wind + a heavy shower between 1 + 2 of which I got the tail near Prieston. I cycled in the town + then down to Prieston farm house to see Isa. Turnbull¹ servant with Pringle² the new proprietor + farmer³. Dora⁴ + the boys⁵ motored to visit the Littles⁶ at Gala + returned by train.

¹ Isa Turnbull has not been identified (it is a frequently occurring name combination) though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² Joshua Pringle (1878-1234), shepherd, born 15 March 1878 at Parkfoot, Channelkirk, he married Roberta Herkes in August 1910 at Morningside, Edinburgh, at which time he was of Crosslee, Stow, the son of James Pringle, farmer and Agnes Pringle née Pringle, he died 15 July 1969 at Knowepark Hospital, usual residence Overdale, Craig Brown Avenue, Selkirk

³ Joshua Pringle was not a new proprietor of Prieston, Bowden, Roxburghshire but instead had taken over the farming tenancy (from Thomas William Rutherford and James Rutherford) though the proprietor had indeed changed (from Robert Smith to Agnes Pringle, Alison Sudden Pringle and Helen Lothian Pringle all of Crosslee, Stow) which is evidently not a coincidence [Valuation Rolls: 1921, VR011600033-/540, Roxburgh County, page 540 of 993 and 1922, VR011600033-/872, Roxburgh County, page 872 of 993]

⁴ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁵ The boys are almost certainly 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 were 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

⁶ There are several households recorded for Little in the 1921 Valuation Roll for Galashiels

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

Fine day with a lot of sunshine. Strong N. to W. wind: clear. Saw Dora Thomson¹ + Annie Inglis, Forest Road² + cycled to Newarkburn, Tinnis, Deuchar Mill, Cutkerwood, Bengerburn and Mt Benger School. Miss Taylor³ is apparently mad + a nurse whom I got from Miss Graham⁴ last night refuses to stay. She tells me the state of the house is appalling + there wasn’t a bite when she arrived: I came back with the wind 12.1 miles in 49 minutes. + coming by Bridge Street to Old Bridge Road was just 63 m. David⁵ operated at night on William Welsh⁶ from Cotfield⁷ for appendicitis.

¹ Dora Thomson is presumably Dorothy ‘Dora’ Thomson (1860-1928) who lived at Back Row, Selkirk in 1911 with her sister Margaret Thomson (1865-1943), weaver [1911 Census 778/ 4/ 5, page 5 of 17]

² Annie Inglis is unidentified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

³ Miss Jessie Taylor, teacher, Mountbenger School and tenant at the schoolhouse, Mountbenger had been seen by Dr Muir on 21 June 1922 [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/340, Selkirk County, page 340 of 611]

⁴ Miss Elizabeth Graham was the Matron of the Scottish Association of Trained Nurses at 15/17 Alva Street, Edinburgh, sometimes described as “Miss Graham’s Home for Trained Nurses (Co-operative System)” [1925 Valuation Roll, VR010000495-/81, Edinburgh Burgh, page 81 of 249]

⁵ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁶ William Welsh, ploughman, was Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house at Cotfield, Lilliesleaf [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011600033-/884, Roxburgh County, page 884 of 993]

⁷ Cotfield, Lilliesleaf, grid reference NT532,226, near Harelaw and just south of the Drove Road which heads in a generally WNW direction from the intersection at Harden Cottage just south of Esdalelaw, crosses the A7 at Grundistone Heights and eventually leads to St Boswells, see Ordnance Survey 6 inch Roxburghshire Sheet XIX, published 1863

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