What an April morning! Frost, everything white with Snow + brilliant Sunshine. However the snow all went away + by evening there was none to be seen, about the town I mean. It wasn’t so cold. Gave little Dav. Rutherford¹ Chlor[oform] + opened a mastoid abscess. Tapped a patellar bursitis for Ad. Scott², Heatherlie. Motored to Shawburn, Sprot Homes³, Lilliesleaf, Cotfield⁴ + Hermiston⁵ in the M. C.⁶ + so got over the ground quickly. Then down to Mavisbank, Hospital, Dunsdalehaugh + Riverside. Had a grand salmon steak for breakfast, purveyed by Mrs Mack⁷.

¹ Perhaps the David Rutherford who was born 1915 at Selkirk [births, 1915, 778/ 57, Selkirk]

² Assume Adam Scott, blacksmith, Tenant Occupier of a smithy at 24 Heatherlie Terrace, Selkirk but if Dr Muir is referring to the Heatherlie area then there is at least one other Adam Scott [1922 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/347, Selkirk Burgh, page 347 of 644]

³ A group of houses at Lilliesleaf known as Miss Frances Sprot Homes provided by the Miss Frances Sprot Trust

⁴ Cotfield, Lilliesleaf, grid reference NT532,226, is near Harelaw and just south of the Drove Road which heads in a generally ENE 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

⁵ Hermiston, Lilliesleaf, grid reference NGR NT512,230, Andrew Stewart, proprietor and James Lambert Elliot, farmer, tenant of Hermiston farm and houses, with William Laidlaw, farm steward and William Jackson, ploughman, inhabitant occupiers not rated at two of the Hermiston houses [1922 Valuation Rolls VR011600033-/884, Roxburgh County, page 884 of 993 and Ordance Survey 6” Roxburghshire Sheet n XII & n XIIa, published 1924]

⁶ M. C. is the Morris Cowley, purchased by the medical partnership in February 1922

⁷ 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]

Sunshine frost + snow! + infernally cold. What a Spring! Wallace¹ left at 10.29. Have enjoyed his visit. It seems he knows Sandie McClure² very well. Motored Raeburn Place, Forest Mill, Oakwoodmill + Peelburnfoot. Then walked to Backrow + Mavisbank + gave Mrs Waters³ her last dose of vaccine. Mrs Massie⁴ was confined at Viewfield. I was not in time for the birth but had to remove the placenta. Helen⁵ was at Viewfield for supper.

¹ Sir David Wallace (1862-1952), KBE, CBE, CMG., LL.D, FRCSEd. medical practitioner and British Red Cross Commissioner for the South East District of Scotland [source: https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/surgeon/3771473-david-wallace%5D

² Alexander Logan ‘Sandy’ McClure (1860-1932), Advocate and sometime Sheriff of Argyle, and Jessie Evelyn Ramsay ‘Eva’ McClure née Hotson; they lived at 16 Heriot Row, Edinburgh; his mother was a Logan, as was Dr Muir’s mother Marion Stewart Logan

³ If it is the correct reading then Mrs Waters is unidentified, though a John A Waters is recorded at a number of locations in Selkirk [1922 Valuation Roll]; it may be possible to identify her when the 1921 Census is published later this year

⁴ Olive Reece Massie, born 31 March 1922 at Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk, the daughter of Charles Alfred Massie, tweed manufacturer, domicile 29 Douglas Street, Galashiels, and Margaret Kilgour Massie née Scott; the parents had married 10 September 1918 at Selkirk

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

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

Extremely cold but dry up till late afternoon when some snow fell which was lying at night. Motored to Hospital, Sunderland Hall (where I gave Charlie¹ 600 antitoxin²), Nether Whitlaw³ [and] Sprot Homes⁴. Called for Charles Dunlop⁵ who is now confined to his bedroom. Was shocked to see his emaciation. Message to Howden⁶ which I did + after lunch saw some town cases walking. Met Sir D Wallace⁷ at 6.49. Presentation of war service medals in Victoria Hall. A lot of V.A.D.s in indoor uniforms⁸. Pat Smith⁹ + Mrs Mack¹⁰ dined with us after. The whole ceremony very interesting.

¹ Assume Charles Henry Scott Plummer (1859-1948), J.P., Lord-Lieutenant of Selkirkshire, of Middlestead and Sunderland Hall

² At this time it seems probable that this was diphtheria toxin-antitoxin mixture (T.A.T.) but the Editor would be pleased to be corrected

³ Nether Whitlaw, Galashiels (Lindean area), grid reference NGR NT513,296 and Canmore ID 100153

⁴ Sprot Homes refers to the homes provided at Lilliesleaf by the Miss Frances Sprot Trust

⁵ Charles Walter Dunlop (1846-1922), merchant (stuff dealer) of Whitmuirhall, Selkirk; married, Dec 1870, Edith Mary Sugden (c.1847-1926), York 9d 7; children Walter Dunlop (c.1872-1941), Marion Edith Dunlop (1873-1958), Katherine Mary Dunlop (1874-), Margaret Isabel Dunlop (1875-1965), Charles Bertram Dunlop (1877-1960) and Janet Jardine Dunlop (1880-1956) [children all born Bingley, Yorkshire]; died 1922, buried Ashkirk Parish Churchyard Charles Walter Dunlop (1846-1922), merchant, of Whitmuirhall, Selkirk

⁶ Dr Muir had been attending Michael Reddington, ploughman, at Howden a small cluster of properties south west of Selkirk

⁷ Sir David Wallace (1862-1952), KBE, CBE, CMG., LL.D, FRCSEd. medical practitioner and British Red Cross Commissioner for the South East District of Scotland, was in Selkirk to award medals at the Victoria Hall to members of the 2nd Selkirkshire Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) for their war service [sources: ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s Presentation of Medals’, The Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922; https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/surgeon/3771473-david-wallace%5D

⁸ The report of the event noted that Mrs Scott Plummer of Sunderland Hall presided and on stage with her were Sir David Wallace and Dr Muir himself as Commandant, the 2nd Selkirkshire V.A.D.; Sheriff Smith made some introductory remarks after which a presentation was made to a small number of recipients. Dr Muir then read the list of recipients each of whom was applauded by the small gathering of spectators as she came forward to have the medal pinned on. There were a large number of absentees, only about 20 being present to receive the decoration. The following is the complete list of recipients :-

List of officials eligible for B.R.C.S. War Service Medal :- President, the Duchess of Buccleuch, Bowhill; vice-presidents, Mrs Scott Plummer (Sunderland Hall), Mrs Steedman (Ravenshaugh), Miss Lang (Harewood Glen); Hon. Secretary, Mrs Roberts (Wellwood); county director, Sheriff Smith (The Firs); Hon. Treasurer, Mr A E S Thomson, solicitor, Galashiels; V.A.D. Commandant, Dr Muir, Thorncroft.

V.A.D.s with over 1,000 hours: Miss Gertude I Craig-Brown, Woodburn, Margaret I Dunlop, Whitmuir Hall, Miss Jemima Gow, Forest Road, Miss Marion Lindsay, Edinburgh, Miss Mary P Park, Thorniehall, Miss Agnes C Rodger, Bridgelands and Miss Carlotta Rodger, Bridgelands

V.A.D. Red or White Stripe: Miss Minnie Blacklaw, Killmount, Hawick, Miss Ella L Connachie, Braeside, Galashiels, Miss Margaret E Crerar, 30 Victoria Street, Galashiels, Miss Janet Dobie, Victoria Hall, Selkirk, Miss Agnes W Harper “now Mrs Durnford”, Elm Park, Selkirk, Miss Annie H Little, Hawkshaw, Kirkhope, Miss Margaret T Lunn, Ivybank, Selkirk, Elizabeth V O McCulloch, Peebles, Jean McRobie, Highfield, Galashiels, Mrs Maguire, High Street, Portobello, Mrs Mary Milne, Bridgeheugh, Miss Ethel Pollok, Heatherlie Hill, Miss Helen M Smith, Lauriston House, Miss Agnes McD Sutherland, 7 Paton Street, Galashiels, Miss Jean C Tyrrell, Wellwood, Galashiels and Miss Mary C Scott, Greenwells, Yarrowfeus.

Organisers of work parties: The Lady Napier and Ettrick, Thirlestane, Ettrick; Mrs Scott Anderson, M.B.E., Ettrickshaws; Mrs W R Mitchell, Fairholm, Ettrickbridge; Mrs Johnston, Chapelhope; Miss Johnstone, Chapelhope; Miss Carment, U.F. Manse, Yarrow; Miss Kirkpatrick, the Manse, Yarrow; Mrs Thomson, Craigview, Clovenfords and Miss H D Thomson, Fairnilee.

Special Workers at Work Parties: Mrs Margaret Kemp, Spion Kop, Selkirk; Mrs M Scott, 103 Forest Road, Selkirk; Mrs Susan Moyan, Edinburgh; Mrs Riddle, Schoolhouse, Ashkirk; Mrs Gray, Ashkirktown, Ashkirk; Mrs Scott, Burnfoot, Ashkirk; Mrs Fox, Synton Corses, Ashkirk; Mrs Buckham, Synton Cottage, Ashkirk; Miss Cook, Castleside, Ashkirk; Miss Laidlaw, the Guir [Gair], Tima, Ettrick; Mrs Scott, Midgehope, Ettrick; Mrs Stapley, the Schoolhouse, Ettrick; Mrs Fletcher Mitchell, Borthwickshiels, Hawick; Mrs Thomas, Ramsycleuch, Ettrick; Mrs Brydon, Annelshope, Ettrick; Mrs Smith, Tushielaw Hotel, Ettrick; Mrs Stewart, Tushielaw Farm, Ettrick; Mrs Nichol, Crosslee, Ettrick; Mrs Grieve, Buccleuch, Ettrick; Mrs Anderson, Hopehouse, Ettrick; Miss Helen Graham, Wardlaw, Ettrick; Miss E Brydon, Dundas Cottage, Ettrick.

[Source: ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s Presentation of Medals’, The Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922]

⁹ Patrick ‘Pat’ Smith (1858-1930), advocate and sheriff-substitute, of The Firs, Selkirk

¹⁰ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, whose home was known by Dr Muir as ‘the Magic Cave’

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

A cold dull day but dry. Some snow lying on roofs + plenty on hills. [illegible] N.E. Message to Miss Cormack¹ of Sprot Homes² who had a shock in … garden. Motored there. Called at Rockville³ + then motored Forest Road, Heather… + Ravenscleugh (Steedman⁴ was 87 on Feb. 6th) after lunch motored to Hospital, Bridgelands (Charlotte⁵), Peelburnfoot, Linglie Cottages + Ettrickhaugh Road. Made out list of V.A.D.s medalists for tomorrow’s ceremony⁶.

¹ Miss Cormack has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² Sprot Homes refers to the homes provided at Lilliesleaf by the Miss Frances Sprot Trust

³ Robert Currie ‘junior’ (about 1847-1923), hosiery manufacturer, of Rockville, Selkirk; the fourth of five generations at Selkirk with the given name Robert

⁴ John Steedman (about 1835-1922), retired solicitor and widower of Janet Hunter Swan, died 6 June 1922, aet 86, at Ravensheugh, Selkirk, death certified by D Charteris Graham M.B., Ch.B. [1922, 778/ 49, Selkirk]

⁵ Assume Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger (1884-), at Bridgelands, Selkirk, 1901 Census and wartime V.A.D. at Bowhill [SBA/657/20/48]; the Southern Reporter later noted that she was a Red Cross VAD “with over 1000 hours’ voluntary service” in an article ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s’, the Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922]

⁶ Sir David Wallace (1862-1952), KBE, CBE, CMG., LL.D, FRCSEd. medical practitioner and British Red Cross Commissioner for the South East District of Scotland was scheduled to award medals on 30th March at the Victoria Hall to members of the 2nd Selkirkshire Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) for their war service [sources: ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s Presentation of Medals’, The Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922; https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/surgeon/3771473-david-wallace%5D

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

A lot of snow lying + a fall when I was dressing: most of it melted. Still cold N.E. Glass rising. Motored to Goslaw Green: Backrow, Forest Road, Howden (Reddington¹), Oakwoodmill, Deuchar Mill, Yarrow Hall, Heatherlie, Hospital [and] Mavisbank. Wrote long letter to Wallace re the 2/Selkirk V.A.D.² Called to see Minnie Brown³ about the presentation on Thursday. Letter from David ⁴ + wrote him. Letters from Jean⁵ + Mary⁶.

¹ Michael Reddington, ploughman, Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house at Howden, Selkirk Parish [1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/378, Selkirk County, page 378 of 611]

² Sir David Wallace (1862-1952), KBE, CBE, CMG., LL.D, FRCSEd. medical practitioner and British Red Cross Commissioner for the South East District of Scotland was scheduled to award medals on 30th March at the Victoria Hall to members of the 2nd Selkirkshire Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) for their war service [sources: ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s Presentation of Medals’, The Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922; https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/surgeon/3771473-david-wallace%5D

³ Assume Minnie Mackay Brown (1874-1966), daughter of Andrew Brown, hosiery manufacturer, who had a Hiring Factory around the corner in Tait’s Hill, and Wilhelmina Alexa Brown née Mackay. Teacher and nurse: prior to the First World War she was a school teacher. She left for Egypt September 1915; was part of the Selkirk Voluntary Aid Detachment of the British Red Cross Society and served until 29 May 1919. She was stationed at the Citadel Hospital, Cairo, 11 September 1915-13 April 1916 before she was moved to France where she served at the 11th Stationary Hospital from 15 July 1916

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

⁵ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁶ Mary cannot be identified with confidence but may be Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s sister, married to James Wallace, living at Scotstoune, Haslemere, Surrey

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

Was knocked up at 6 to see Tommy Scott¹, Mavisbank with Haemoptysis². There had evidently been a little fine snow which had melted. At 6 p.m. there was a heavy fall which left terrible slush. N.E. [wind] And. Brown³ died at Viewfield + little Tibby Scott⁴ of Langhope of Diph. at the Hospital. Made 15 calls walking in forenoon + after lunch motored to Hospital, Bridgelands, Faldonside (Ralph Dees⁵ + Maycock⁶), Peelburnfoot, Linglie Cottages, Bannerfield Lodge⁷ + Philipburn. Letter from Norah⁸ to say D. has been ill since he arrived in London with Tonsillitis. Crowd at night from 6 till 8.10. Helen⁹ at Pictures with Wallace¹⁰.

¹ Tommy Scott, Mavisbank has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

² Haemoptysis is coughing up blood

³ Andrew Stirling Brown, draper, died 27 March 1922 at Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk, usual residence 26 Glebe Terrace, Selkirk, aged 59, of pulmonary tuberculosis 2 months certified by “John S Muir M.B. +c”

⁴ Isabella Laidlaw ‘Tibby’ Scott, aged 9, died 27 March 1922 at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Selkirk, usual residence Langhope, Kirkhope, of Diphtheria 8 days certified by “John S Muir M.B. +c”; she was the daughter of Thomas Scott, farmer, and Jessie Scott née Anderson [birth, 1912, 776/ 10, Kirkhope; death, 1922, 778/ 35, Selkirk]

⁵ Ralph Andrew Irwin Dees (1913-1988), son of Robert Irwin Dees and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson; the family had been occupiers at Faldonside since early 1920

⁶ Dr Muir had previously attended Catherine Maycock née Gow (1874-1959), wife of George James Maycock (1877-1957), butler, later poultry farmer, at this time living at Lower Faldonside, Galashiels – see diary entry for 14th October 1921 for more detail

⁷ Francis Smithson Roberts was Proprietor of Bannerfield Lodge and John Clark, chauffeur was the Inhabitant Occupier not rated [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/329, Selkirk County, page 329 of 611]

⁸ Norah Campion Graham née West (1887-1971), wife of David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), Dr Muir’s third and youngest daughters

¹⁰ Perhaps Miss Wallace who had been nurse to the Roberts children, Dr Muir’s grandchildren [see diary entries for 6 April 1915, 22 October 1916 and 7 April 1918] who may be Agnes Wallace but she has not (yet) been identified

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

Summer Time began today

Slates wet but there was no rain till night when there was a slight drizzle. Wind N.E. to N. Motored to Viewfield (And. Brown¹ dying + very noisy), Hospital (Tibby Scott² very tired: getting nutrient enemas), Faldonside, Peelburnfoot (where I had to quarry in poor Michael’s³ rectum + then gave an enema which took some time), Linglie Cottages, Yarrow Terrace + Ettrick Road. Wrote some V.A.D.s to send me a record of their service⁴. Went to evening service and after supper went down to Hospital + Viewfield + Rutherford⁵, Backrow. Winged a pigeon at the hay shed ventilator but it got away into the bowling green.

¹ Andrew Stirling Brown (about 1863-1922), draper, of Glebe Terrace, Selkirk

² Isabella Laidlaw ‘Tibby’ Scott, aged 9, the daughter of Thomas Scott, farmer, and Jessie Scott née Anderson of Langhope, Kirkhope

³ Dr Muir had been attending Michael Glendinning (about 1839-1922), retired farmer and tenant occupier of a house and garden at Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot parish

⁴ Presumably as part of the process to award medals to wartime members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment

⁵ There is a number of people named Rutherford in Back Row; the specific identity may become clearer in due course

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

Although the glass was very low there was only a little rain in the early morning. S.W. [wind] + sunny, rather pleasant. Cycled to Curror Street, Hospital, Tweed Mill, Mill Street, Linglie Cottages + Ettrickhaugh Road where Mrs Smith button-holed me about Jim¹. Motored in the Morris Cowley² to Lilliesleaf + Cotfield³. It is a very sweet going car + we came back from Cotfield via Midlem without hurrying in half an hour. Helen⁴ busy clearing out the lumber room. Baptie⁵ has taken down the ventilator from the stable roof which gives more room.

¹ The best match is Alice Smith née Paterson (1863-1943), Mrs Patrick Smith, but it is not clear in that case who Jim might be, her surviving (and adult) children being Ralph Colley Smith (1891-1957), Alice Barbara Stewart Smith (1892-1970), Edith Margaret Smith (1896-), Constance ‘Connie’ Harper Smith (1900-) and David Anderson Smith (1904-1976); it may be possible to clarify this when the 1921 Census is published later this year [source: 1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/381, Selkirk County, page 381 of 611]

² The co-partnership acquired its Morris Cowley on 24 February 1922 when Dr Muir described it as “a neat car but not a patch on the Hillman.” but he appears to be changing his mind

³ Cotfield, Lilliesleaf, grid reference NGR NT531,226, Andrew Stewart, proprietor and James Boyd, farmer, tenant of Cotfield farm and houses, with William Welsh, ploughman, inhabitant occupier not rated at one of the Cotfield houses [1922 Valuation Rolls VR011600033-/884, Roxburgh County, page 884 of 993]”

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁵ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

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

Change to S.W. + milder but by no means warm. Snow away from stable roof. Slight rain nearly all day. Motored Cycled to Riverside, Ettrick Mill, Hospital, Mavisbank + then motored to Dryden where there was a message to see Frank Cowan¹. After lunch cycled to Linglie Cottages² + Peelburnfoot³ + Allanlea⁴. Had to go to Hospital a second time to see Tibby Scott from Langhope⁵ with most septic Diph. Gave her a second dose of antitoxin 6000⁶. Nurse Clark came⁷. Waugh from Viewfield⁸ came to supper with Helen⁹ + went to Picture Ho. Helen was clearing out the lumber room.

¹ Francis Cowan (1882-), born Hobkirk according to the 1911 Census, though his birth was actually at Bowden, was the oldest child of Andrew Cowan, farmer at Dryden, Ashkirk and his first wife Helen Cowan nee Martin (died 1888 aet 33 at Kersknowe, Bowden), Andrew remarried in 1895 [1911 Census 773/B 1/ 1, page 1 of 6; Francis Cowan, 1882, 783/ 16, Bowden; Helen Cowan, 1888, statutory registers Deaths 783/ 7; Cowan, Andrew and Oliver, Bessie, 1895, 794/ 1, Kirkton (Roxburgh)]

² It is possible that Dr Muir was at Linglie Cottages to see a member of the Bell family

³ Dr Muir had been attending Michael Glendinning (d.1922), retired farmer, tenant occupier of a house and garden at Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot parish

⁴ Dr Muir had been attending Thomas Stenhouse (about 1865-1929), coachman, inhabitant occupier not rated at Allanlea Lodge, Caddonfoot

⁵ Isabella Laidlaw ‘Tibby’ Scott, aged 9, the daughter of Thomas Scott, farmer, and Jessie Scott née Anderson of Langhope, Kirkhope

⁶ Dr Muir is giving Antitoxin at a dosage of 6000 units, a subject of great uncertainty in the medical profession c.f. Ellison, J. B. “Dosage Of Diphtheria Antitoxin.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3697, BMJ, 1931, pp. 920–920, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25341309.; Grundy, Ernest. “The Rational Dosage Of Diphtheria Antitoxin.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 2, no. 3702, BMJ, 1931, pp. 1132–33, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25346616. or Joe, Alex. “Dosage Of Diphtheria Antitoxin.” The British Medical Journal, vol. 1, no. 4446, BMJ, 1946, pp. 445–445, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20365888.

⁷ Nurse Clark has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

⁸ Nurse, more correctly Matron Waugh was Marion Gentleman Waugh (1877-), born Craigbank, Slamannan, Stirlingshire, the daughter of Allan Waugh, seed merchant, and Christina – sometimes Christian – Turnbull Waugh née Dodds, married 1872 at Muiravonside. Matron Waugh and her mother were recorded at Viewfield Nursing Home, Selkirk in the 1921 Census.

⁹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

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

Less wind + more sun + consequently not quite as cold. Snow lying here + there in shade + hills very white. Motored to Cotfield + Hermiston¹ + then to Riverside, Linglie Cottages, Peelburnfoot, Faldonside + Hospital where a case of Diph.² had arrived from Raeburn Meadow + to my disgust another one came at night from Langhope³, + a pretty bad case too. I had to get a nurse as Matron is away. Went to performance of ‘Creation’ in Church⁴. Awfully good. The tenor (Brierly⁵) particularly good. Mrs Mack⁶ + Miss Campbell – the Viewfield night nurse⁷) came to high tea + went with us.

¹ Cotfield, Lilliesleaf, grid reference NGR NT532,226, Andrew Stewart, proprietor and James Boyd, farmer, tenant of Cotfield farm and houses, with William Welsh, ploughman, inhabitant occupier not rated at one of the Cotfield houses, and Hermiston, Lilliesleaf, NT512,230, Andrew Stewart, proprietor and James Lambert Elliot, farmer, tenant of Hermiston farm and houses, with William Laidlaw, farm steward and William Jackson, ploughman, inhabitant occupiers not rated at two of the Hermiston houses [1922 Valuation Rolls VR011600033-/884, Roxburgh County, page 884 of 993]

² The nasty and prolonged outbreak of Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever had been running since early 1921

³ Langhope, Kirkhope, above West Essenside, grid reference NGR NT422,201, where Thomas Scott, farmer, was tenant and living with his family [1921 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/322, Selkirk County, page 322 of 611]

⁴ The Lawson Memorial Church Musical Association put on a performance of Haydn’s ‘The Creation’ [‘Die Schöpfung’) is an oratorio written between 1797 and 1798 by Joseph Haydn (Hob. XXI:2), and considered by many to be one of his …] at which 1,000 people heard W Norman Mellalieu F.R.C.O. conduct 50 singers and Miss Margaret F Stewart, Edinburgh, soprano, Henry Brearley, Leeds, “a tenor of the robust type”, Robert W Dickson, Selkirk, bass and Robert Barrow, Galashiels, organ [source: ‘Haydn’s Creation At Selkirk’, The Southern Reporter, 23 March 1922]

⁵ This is probably T Henry Brearley, tenor, Principal, Leeds Parish Church Choir, sometime of the Leeds Festival and a busy man with numerous references to his performances in newspapers across the northern part of England and evidently into Scotland too [sources include: The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular Vol. 40, No. 672, Feb. 1, 1899 and ‘Haydn’s Creation At Selkirk’, The Southern Reporter, 23 March 1922]

⁶ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

⁷ Miss Campbell has not been identified though it may be possible to do so when the 1921 Census is published later this year

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