Ardrossan - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
11 MARCH 1889

REUNION OF RAILWAY EMPLOYEES

On Friday night the employees of the Glasgow & South-Western Railway Company at Ardrossan held their annual reunion in the Railway Hotel under the presidency of Mr. William McNicol.

About 70 supped together, and a very sociable and pleasant evening was spent.

An assembly followed the supper, at which Mr. Wilson acted as M.C.

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GLASGOW HERALD
12 MARCH 1906

NEW TURBINE FOR BURNS LINE

The Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company Limited, Govan, launched on Saturday the steamer VIPER, the first turbine vessel built for the Royal Mail service of Messrs G. & J. Burns Limited between Scotland and Ireland.

The VIPER will take the place of the paddle steamer ADDER in the daylight service between Ardrossan and Belfast.

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GLASGOW HERALD
12 MARCH 1907

MUNICIPAL STOCKTAKING AT ARDROSSAN

At a meeting of Ardrossan Town Council last night Provost Harvey suggested that, in order to effect some economy, a proper system of stocktaking should be inaugurated in connection with the various municipal departments, and the suggestion was adopted.

Bailie Chrystie reported that it had been decided by the Public Health Committee to recommend that a number of improvements be carried out at the slaughter-house on the lines laid down by the Local Government Board inspector.

The recommendations were approved.

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CASUALTY OF WAR
12 MARCH 1915

Killed in action, Lieutenant ARCHIBALD CHARLES EDWARD ALEXANDER, 2nd/3rd Battalions Royal Scots Fusiliers – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of W. R. E. Alexander, J.P., Constitutional Club, Charing Cross, London, and Boydston, Ardrossan.

The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald subsequently reported: -

Lieutenant Archibald Charles Edward Alexander, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was killed in action on 12 March was the elder son of Mr. W. R. E. Alexander, J.P., Boydston. He was wounded in the charge of the Prussian Guards at Ypres on November 12, and after treatment in hospital he obtained a month’s sick leave, returning to the front on January 10.

The news of Lieutenant Alexander’s death was received in Ardrossan with much regret. He was remembered as a bright lad of good address and attractive qualities.


The Alexanders of Boydston have been associated with our district for many years and the present laird is held in high esteem.

Lieutenant Alexander received part of his education at Ardrossan Academy.

Mr. Alexander’s younger son is serving in the Australian Imperial Field Force.

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GLASGOW HERALD
13 MARCH 1900

MARRIAGE

CAMPBELL – HUNTER: At Rosemount, Langside, on the 12 instant, by the Rev. Donald McCorquodale, Queen’s Park Church, Captain Duncan Campbell, of S.S. CRAIGLEE, second son of Captain Campbell, Ardrossan, to Isobel, eldest daughter of William Hunter.

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GLASGOW HERALD
13 MARCH 1906

MUNICIPAL MEETING – ARDROSSAN

Provost Harvey presiding.

It was agreed to renew the greater part of the equipment of the Fire Brigade, and notice of motion was given that the Council reconsider and remodel the system under which the brigade is remunerated.

After a good deal of discussion the Council agreed to extend it patronage to the local model yacht club, Bailie Crawford having eloquently descanted on the beneficent influence exercised by such institutions in Glasgow.

An analysis of water drawn from a pump-well at Parkhouse steading was submitted, the clerk stating that the analyst’s general comment to be that the well was neither in a fit position nor in a fit condition to supply water for domestic purposes.

The Medical Officer had ordered the well to be closed.

The Sanitary Inspector reported that there had been twelve cases of scarlet fever and one of erysipelas within the burgh during the past month.

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GLASGOW HERALD
13 MARCH 1909

ARRAN STEAMBOAT SERVICE CURTAILED

Amongst the changes making for economy in the working of the Clyde steamboat traffic, that to affect Arran will be of leading importance.

The arrangement between Caledonian and Glasgow & South-Western Companies is to be a compromise satisfactory to both.

The former will probably withdraw from the Ardrossan route and on the other hand the South-Western will cease their connection to Arran from Prince’s Pier, Greenock, this service to be left exclusively to the Caledonian steamer, which will start from Prince’s Pier and afterwards proceed from Gourock as before.

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GLASGOW HERALD
13 MARCH 1950

DEATH

McSPARRAN: At South Crescent, Ardrossan, on the 10th March 1950, the Right Rev. Monsignor Archibald McSparran, fortified by the rites of the Church; R.I.P. Solemn Requiem Mass in the Church of St. Peter-in-Chains, Ardrossan, at 11.30 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday); funeral thereafter to Ardrossan Cemetery.

OBITUARY

The Right Rev. Monsignor Archibald McSparran, St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Ardrossan, whose death has occurred, was appointed to his first charge at Dumbarton more than 40 years ago. He was later for many years priest of St. John’s, Portugal Street, Glasgow.

He took an active interest in educational affairs and while in Glasgow was secretary to the Diocesan Education Board.

He was a native of Ardrossan.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 MARCH 1895

MUNICIPAL MEETING – ARDROSSAN

Provost Young presiding.

On the suggestion of Provost Young, it was agreed to invest the Gas Committee with power to examine and test all meters in the burgh which have been in use for a certain number of years – the number of years to be decided by the committee.

The Clerk intimated receipt of £28 14s 8d from the Secretary for Scotland, this being the amount payable to the burgh under Section 3 of the Local Taxation Customs and Excise Act towards the salaries of Medical Officer and Sanitary Inspector.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 MARCH 1895

ALLEGED BURGLARY BY BOYS

Yesterday morning the shop of Mr. John Duncan, fruiterer, Princes Street, Ardrossan, was discovered to have been broken into and a sum of money abstracted from the till.

A pane of glass in a back window was broken. The window is protected by iron stanchions some seven inches apart, and this fact pointed to the burglars being boys.

In the course of the day two boys were apprehended, money being found on the persons of each. One boy had no fewer than 40 farthings in his possession. The sum missing amounted to about three or four shillings

MATTHEW BARR and NEIL FOX, the boys apprehended in connection with the occurrence are only about ten years of age.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 MARCH 1898

COURT OF SESSION – FRASER v. FRASER – DIVORCE

Lord Kincairney gave decree in an action of divorce by MARY MEARNS or FRASER, residing at 10 Stuart Place, Ardrossan, against her husband JOHN FRASER, marine engineer, sometime residing in Ardrossan, but whose place of residence was unknown to the pursuer.

The Pursuer, (32), said she was married to the defender on 27 November, 1885. Two children had been born of the marriage.

In April, 1893, the defender left, and she has not seen or heard of him since. Further evidence was led.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 MARCH 1904

DEATH

LAIRD: At Torthorwald, Ardrossan, on the 12th instant, Catherine Cowan, wife of Alexander Laird, 152 Hyndland Road, Glasgow.