A Librarian's Life - Anything but Dull: Sepia Saturday

This weeks Sepia Saturday prompt features a man in very formal wear ( c.1910's?) working in a library.  A century on, here are the ten stages of my life as a Librarian -

LIBRARIES  have played a large part in my life. From an early age, after school visits to the local library, I played at being a Librarian. I remember one Christmas being delighted at getting in my stocking a date stamp. I made up issue labels for my books, and dragooned my family into being customers, so I could enthusiastically stamp away. 

So what did I become? A Librarian - and yes I did conform a bit to the stereotyped image - the glasses did it!

Does anyone remember the Smirnoff vodka advert where the librarian (dowdy clothes, hair in a bun and of course wearing spectacles), whips off her glasses, loosens her hair shaking it into a tousled look, pulls up her skirt to shorten it,  undoes her top buttons - and gets a new look and new life?

 I can't say that was me, though I did have a spell at wearing contact lenses. Instead, I spent my time trying to counteract the image that all librarians did was a boring task of stamping books!   The following experiences come to mind.

1.  Stuck in a Snowstorm - As a student I had various Saturday and holiday jobs in Edinburgh City Libraries, most memorably getting stuck in a mobile library on a hill in a snowstorm!   Not that I was driving!

2.  An American Adventure - After graduating in history, I was lucky enough, to join of a year-long exchange scheme for trainee librarians with my placement at Radcliffe College, the sister college to Harvard in Cambridge, Mass. USA, in a lovely setting across the river from Boston

 

I loved New England, and took advantage, with another British girl I met, of taking the Greyhound bus offer of "99 dollars for 99 days of travel" around the States - a wonderful time, before it was back to Scotland.

 

3. Information Officer - My first professional job after a year at Library School was back in Edinburgh where my task was to set up an resource centre for a small organisation involved in youth and community work.   After two years, it was time to move on and widen my experience.

 

4. Reference Librarian at the Cutting Edge - My second professional job  was at  Moray House, Edinburgh's College of Education with a remit to set up a Modern Studies Information Resource. This was long before the Internet, and involved setting up project files of ephemera for use by students and staff - mainly press cuttings, and compiling source lists for students. I got to look through all the quality daily papers - a great job and nothing boring about it.    I had always fancied working as a newspaper librarian, or as a BBC researcher, though jobs were few and far between, so this was coming close to it. 

5.  Dumbo to Dinosaurs  - I was a stay-at-home Mum, living in the  rural Scottish Borders, when a newsletter from my daughter's primary school announced that a school auxiliary had been asked to set up a library in the school. My professional hackles arose - obviously a job that the head teacher felt anyone could do! So I got in touch, took on the role,  and I was back classifying the school collection, creating a catalogue and guides for use.  As it was a voluntary task, I could take my time and have a good look through all the books, with dinosaurs seeming to be the most popular topic - not one I could relate to. 
6.  Information Assistant at Hawick Tourist Information Centre - when I saw this part-time seasonal post advertised, I knew it was right up my street, though I I couldn't have done it, if my husband had not been a teacher to look after our daughter.

“Next to the Last” - Frank Danson: 52 Ancestors - Wk 48

My great Uncle Frank Danson  (1892-1977)  was the next to the last son born on 26th August 1892  to James Danson, a joiner journeyman and Maria Rawcliffe of Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire.  He was baptised on 16th October of the same year in St. Chad’s Church, Poulton.

Frank joined a large household that comprised his parents and brothers Harry 15, John 13, Robert 11, William (my grandfather 7), Albert 4 and Tom 2, living in a row of terrace houses  on Bull Street, Poulton.  It  must have been very crowded, especially when last son George was born in 1894 and only daughter Jennie in 1897.

In the  1911 census Frank was described as an Apprentice (Painter) aged 18.

Five of the Danson brothers served in the First World War, though Frank's  service record has not been traced, with many destroyed in bombing in World War Two.  He must have been 23 when conscription was introduced in March 1916.

In August 1916,  Frank received a letter from his young brother George.

It read
 "Dear Frank, Just a few lines to let you know that I am at present in France  where I expect to be some time, unless omething serious happens, such as the ending of this war  How would that do down, eh?  

The letter concluded  "Well,  Frank, don't forget to to let me have a few lines as soon as poss.  as I'm longing to hear how you are getting along.  Yours sincerely, brother George."

Three weeks later George (below) was killed on the Somme. 

 

Back home in Poulton,  Frank's sister Jennie (right) worked  in the local post office Post Office  and she recalled when a war telegram came through for her widowed mother, Maria Danson.   Fearing the worst, Jennie was allowed to run home with it.  Fortunately it was not the worst of news - but that Frank had been wounded and was in hospital in Malta.

 Photographs found in Jennie's collection  revealed more about Frank's time on the island.

 On the revere in Jenny's handwriting, she identified ank as on the back row right.

The reverse of the photograph with Jennie's writing identifying Frank

This  photograph seems to be some kind of celebration.  Frank is front row left,  dressed formally in his uniform and cap, but what about those two fellows on the  back row in what appears to be their pyjamas and beanie hats. 

  

This photograph was unfortunately unidentified, but I think Frank could be on the right of the front row.  In hospital, wounded soldiers, fit enough to go out, wore a distinctive uniform of blue flannel suits with white revers and a red tie.

Jennie inherited her mother's jewellery  which included this brooch and bracelet that Frank brought back from Malta.



Back home, Frank resumed his job as a painter/decorator.  Like many of his brothers, Frank married late in life at the age of 46  Grace Ann Bee, a nurse in Poulton.  Witnesses at the wedding in 1938  were Frank's brother and his wife Robert and Ann.  There were no children of the marriage. 

Interestingly the 1939 Register has Frank's date of birth as 29th July 1893- at odds with the date on his birth certificate of 26th August 1892.  

Frank and Grace  lived on Station Road, Poulton, and I have memories as a child  of being taken there with my mother and aunt, who kept in touch with all their uncles and aunt.

Frank died  in 1971 at the age of 79.

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How One Village in 1918 Marked the Armistice and its Aftermath.

Few communities and families could have escaped the impact of the First World War.  Here is how the village of Earlston in the Scottish Borders greeted the news of the Armistice in November 1918, and witnessed its aftermath  - replicated in events across the land.

normal;">THE ARMISTICE
The end of the First World War came at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – 11th November 1918.

“The Southern Reporter” of  November 14th  shared the good news: 

“The Berwickshire News" gave a much fuller report of the celebrations in Earlston:

“On Monday the news came though that the German delegation had signed the armistice. The first indication of the news was the sounding of the factory buzzer – a sign that something unusual had happened. Then closely followed by the bell of the Parish Church and the Corn Exchange, the raising of the flag at Rhymer’s Mill and the display of flags and bunting throughout. Factory workers were given a half holiday and the whole place was moved and stirred by the welcome news.

Between 12 and 1pm, a thanksgiving service was held in the Parish Church Hall conducted by the Rev. Walter Davidson in a manner highly acceptable to the large gathering of men and women. Groups of people gathered on the streets to discuss the joyful news.

In the evening there was an impromptu concert in the Corn Exchange with money raised going to the Earlston Comforts Fund".

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THE AFTERMATH OF WAR

1918 - The Spanish Flu Epidemic:   During the pandemic of 1918/19, over 50 million people died worldwide and a quarter of the British population were affected by this deadly virus, which was first reported from Spain. It hit people who had endured austerity and food shortages due to the war, and it was before the advent of antibiotics and anti-virus medicine.   The death toll was 228,000 in Britain alone.

"The Southern Reporter" of 28th November 1918 reported on the fourth week of closure of the school due to the influenza epidemic, with the church also closed for the previous two Sundays.  

1919- Peace Celebrations: These were held across Berwickshire  on 19th July 1919.  In Earlston  a grand picnic and sports day was held at Cowdenknowes, courtesy of Colonel Hope, followed in the evening by the lighting of a beacon on the Black Hill and a grand display of fireworks which excited the crowd.

                                           Berwickshire News:  15th July 1919

 1920 - Welcome Home Dinner: "Welcome home to the returned soldiers, sailors and women's auxiliary of Earlston parish and district". 

This was the greeting on  the 23rd of April 1920, when Earlston paid tribute to its serving men and women of the First World War, by hosting a dinner in their honour in the  Corn Exchange.  Chairman for the occasion was Colonel Hope of Cowdenknowes, and the dinner  was followed by the toasts and a programme of musical entertainment, with cigarettes provided by Mrs Mitchell of Carolside. 

 

This souvenir programme is in the collection of the Auld Earlston Group.   

 

This particular card bears the name of H. R.  Aikman, 2nd Lieut. K.O.S.B.  i.e. Henry Aikman who also gave a reply to the toast to "The Boys who Fought and Won", and was on the  Earlston War Memorial Committee. 

Henry had a very close' personal  connection with the occasion.  He, his twin brother William  and older brother James  all served  in  the First World War with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. William had worked at Rhymer's Mill, served in the Earlston Territorials as bugler, was a renowned shot and  an active member of Earlston Rugby Club, Golf Club and Bowling  Club.   But he  was presumed killed on 12th July 1915 in the Dardanelles Campaign.  He is remembered on  the Helles Memorial in Turkey and on Earlston War Memorial.  

Women were also included in the event, but unfortunately  we know nothing about the women from Earlston who served in the First World War, most likely as nurses.  

1921 -Unveiling of the War Memorial

 

In the 1911 census,  Earlston's  population stood at 1749,  with 801 male and 948 females. The First World War saw forty-nine men losing their lives in the conflict  - their names recorded  on the War Memorial, unveiled on Sunday 13th  November 1921.   In a service of dedication in the square, it was unveiled by Mrs Hope, wife of Colonel Hope of Cowdenknowes, who was chairman of the War Memorial Committee,  

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LEST WE FORGET 

 

Earlston War Memorial, November 2017




November 2018 - Earlston's Fall of Poppies

in commemoration of the end of the Great War one hundred years ago.
Created by members of Earlston Parish Church.  

 Primary 6 & 7 pupils gather for a short ceremony at the War Memorial
7th November 2018.

 

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Newspaper extracts sourced on Find My Past - British Newspapers

 

A post that first was published on the blog of the Auld Earlston Group 

 

 

Discovering a Third War Memorial to my Great Uncle George Danson

INTODUCTION

My great uncle George Danson (1894-1916) of Poulton-le-Fylde,Lancashire has featured in a number  of my blog posts.  He was a stretcher bearer in the First World War and was killed on the Somme, a week after his 22nd birthday. He was buried in the Guards Cemetery, Les Boeufs,  France and also remembered on the war memorial of his home town, below the name of his brother John. 

 

But  it is thanks to a reader of my blog, that I learned the existence of another War Memorial that lists George’s name - in Todmorden,  a cotton mill town in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, where George was working at the time of his enlistment.

THE TODMORDEN  CONNECTION

1916 saw Conscription introduced in Britain. George was working as a  W.H. Smith bookstall manager at Todmorden Station.   I was lucky enough to find  on Ancestry his service record, as many were destroyed in bombing in the Second World War. This 

At his enlistment, George's address was given as 17 Barker Street, Harley Bank, Todmorden.  His medical report stated he was 5'3" tall, weighed 109 lbs. (under 8 stone), with size 34 1/2 chest and he wore glasses - a slight figure to be a stretcher bearer in the Royal Army Medical Corps.  

I turned to the 1911 census online  and found the Dodd family at  17 Barker Street, Harley Bank,  Todmorden, with head of household Elizabeth Dodd (occupation choring) and three daughters Amy aged 15 (a cotton weaver), Edna 12 (a fustian sewer)  and Lavinia  aged 9.  The photograph below  was found amongst the collection of George's sister Jennie, who wrote the inscription on the back.

 

 GEORGE'S WAR 

Two letters that George wrote to his brothers Tom and Frank are among  the family's treasures.  

The second letter of 23rd August 1916 was to Frank, the nearest to him in age of his seven brothers.  It reads 

"At present we are about 8 miles behind the firing line. I had to assist the wounded at a dressing station and stuck to it for about 40 hours. It's blooming hard work being a stretcher bearer in the field. On Friday I was in a big bombardment and will say it was like a continual thunder and lightening going off. .  .... As I write there are blooming big guns going off about 50 yards away every few minutes.

Don't I wish that all of us could get home. Wouldn't that be great, lad, there's a good time coming and I hope we shall all be there".

Sadly  it was not to be.  George was killed on the 16th September 1916, according to the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  Below is a newspaper cutting from a local newspaper, sent to me by my Todmorden contact.

The article noted that George had worked at Todmorden for 12 months, lodging at Harley Street.  

 "He was well known and highly esteemed by his wide circle of friends in Todmorden and was a fairly regular attender at Todmorden Parish Church" 

 His corporal wrote:

"He was one of my stretcher bearers and gallantly doing his duty over open and dangerous ground, which became subject to severe enemy shellfire. He continued steadily bearing his burden, and was only stopped by a shell which took his life and that of his comrade beside him".

TODMORDEN GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE IN CENTRE VALE PARK
Approx. 670 names  are listed on the large war memorial. 

 

 

 

Unfortunately George's name has been  wrongly engraved as "Dawson", but there is no question that it is George Danson,  my great uncle.

 REMEMBERING  GEORGE

This photograph marks George's resting place and was sent to his widowed mother Martha Maria Danson.  It is a stark image and contrasts sharply with the sad beauty of the later gravestones at the Commonwealth War Graves sites across the world.

 

My cousin standing behind George's Grave at the Guards Cemetery, Les Boeufs, France.

The War Memorial in the Square at Poulton-le-Fylde, George's birthplace.  In the background is St. Chad's Church where George sang in the choir. 

 

George's name below that of his brother John 

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George remains one of my favourite ancestors in my family history story. I must admit it had never occurred to me to look  to Todmorden for any information on him  and I was delighted to receive this contribution from my Todmorden contact. 

You will find more posts  on George at:
A Stretcher Bearer in the Field
George Danson, a Man of Many Roles 

Famous Men Remembered in Stone: Sepia Saturday

Statues, monuments and plaques are a natural focus for my camera, so this prompt,  was right up my street.   In  this selection,  I take a tour of statues in  Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders, with a look at some  leaders of men and sporting heroes. There are no family connections, but it is a post filled with history.

 

This statue of the DUKE OF WELLINGTON, victor against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815,   show him on his favourite horse Copenhagen. The statue was erected in 1852,   outside the building that houses  the National Records of  Scotland, a "must visit" destination if you are researching  Scottish family history. 

This statue of ABRAHAM LINCOLN is  thought to be the only monument to the American Civil War outside the USA.  It   was erected in the Old Carlton Burial Ground. Edinburgh in 1898 in memory of the Scottish soldiers who fought  in the American Civil War on the side of the Union.   It features a freed slave and   one of Lincoln’s famous quotations "To preserve the jewel of liberty in the framework of freedom". A bronze shield bears the old US flag, and is wreathed in thistles to the left, and cotton to the right to signify the two countries. 

Calton Cemetery (below), just off Princes Street,   was opened in 1718 as a non-denominational burial ground and is the resting place of prominent merchants and other notable worthies of the city.    

If you think you may have ancestors buried in Old Calton Burial Ground, there is an excellent  website listing all the names - click HERE to find out more.  
 

  
SIR WALTER SCOTT (1771-1832) was born in Edinburgh, but grew up in the Borders and later made his home at Abbotsford on the banks of the River Tweed, near Melrose. He was internationally  renowned as a historical novelist, poet,  playwright and historian. The Scott Monument (below)  is a prominent feature in the centre of Edinburgh and believed to be the second largest monument to a writer in the world. 

 WILLIAM WALLACE was the Scottish Patriot during the Wars of Independence when he  defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge and became  Guardian of Scotland until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk  in 1298. He was captured  In 1305, handed over to Edward I of England  who had him summarily hanged, drawn and quartered for high treason.   

 
His statue near Dryburgh Abbey in the Scottish Borders,  commissioned by the Earl of Buchan, was the first monument to be raised to Wallace in Scotland.  In red sandstone and 21.5 feet high, it was placed on its pedestal  in 1814. 

WILLIAM CHAMBERS (1800-1883)  was born in Peebles in the Scottish Borders and moved to Edinburgh  in 1814 to work in the book-selling trade.  He soon branched out into publishing,  founding in 1832 with his brother Robert  the firm of W. & R. Chambers.   He was a keen advocate of popular education,  and the firm became known in particular for its dictionaries.

The business  prospered,   and William was made Lord Provost of the capital city. He was responsible for many city developments including the restoration of St. Giles Cathedral. His  statue is in in street that bears his name, by Edinburgh University and The National Museum of Scotland.  He also gifted to his native town of Peebles  the Chambers Museum and Library. 

From war, writers  and politics to three local and international sporting heroes commemorated in  Wilton Lodge Park,  Hawick, in the Scottish Borders.

 HIZZY - STEVE HISLOP (1962 -2003) was born near Hawick  and became  a Scottish motorsycle racer, winning the Isle of Man TT eleven times, the British 250cc Championship and British Superbike Championship.  He died in a  helicopter crash near Hawick in 2003.  Every year motor cyclists gather for an annual run through the Borders,  visiting places connected with the biking legend.  This statue was unveiled in 2005 in Wilton Lodge Park, near his own biking hero - Jimmy Guthrie (below) - both remembered in exhibitions at Hawick Museum.  

 

 

Motorcycle Racing Champion, JIMMY GUTHRIE (1897-1937( was called "Hawick's Racing Legend."  He was born in the town and achieved success after success, holding many world records and European championships.  His last race was at the German Grand Prix where he was killed on 8th August 1937.  The train carrying his body to the German frontier had a military escort and his funeral in Hawick was attended by thousands with a three mile  long cortege.  Public subscription resulted in a statue being erected in 1939 at Wilton Lodge Park, near to the Museum, where  an exhibition commemorates his life

Known as the "Voice of Rugby", Bill McLaren (1923-2010) was born and brought up in Hawick.  He became a PE teacher and journalist, whose own rugby playing career had been halted by serious illness.   But he achieved fame as a radio and TV commentator, known throughout the rugby world at home and abroad.  He was greatly respected for his distinctive tongue, his skill with words, his unbiased commentating,  his knowledge and meticulous preparation, compiling detailed anecdotes and notes on players, matches, and teams.   His archive is now housed at the Heritage Hub in Hawick.   Memorial busts to Bill McLaren have been unveiled in both Hawick and at Murrayfield, Scotland's international rugby ground in Edinburgh.

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