Saltcoats - On This Day In History

Published stories from each town's past.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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CASUALTY OF WAR
1 JULY 1916

Died on service, Private ANDREW BARCLAY ARMOUR, (21), Highland Light Infantry – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of the late Andrew Barclay Armour and Maggie Hamilton Armour, 58 Hamilton Street, Saltcoats.

The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald subsequently reported: -

"Private A. Barclay Armour, H.L.I., officially posted missing on 1 July, is the younger son of the late Mr Andrew Barclay Armour and of Mrs Armour, 58 Hamilton Street, Saltcoats. He joined the Colours in November, 1914, and had been at the front for seven and a half months. He was a despatch runner with the battalion.

Private Armour, who is 21 years of age, is a native of Saltcoats, and was educated in Ardrossan Academy. He was a keen football player, and played with the Academy Former Pupils’ Club.

Prior to joining the Army, he was employed as a clerk with Messrs A. & G. Anderson, coalmasters, Glasgow."
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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CASUALTY OF WAR
1 JULY 1916

Died on Service, Captain HARRY FREDERICK LIONEL SILLARS, (21), Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of H. J. Sillars, J.P., Garden Cottage, Grove Road, Richmond, Surrey, and formerly of Saltcoats.

The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald subsequently reported: -

“Our district was poignantly stirred on Friday last when it became known that Captain Lionel Sillars had been killed in action in the Battle of the Somme.

It is true he was one of the many to fall on that memorable day, but we regret at the passing of this young life, so full of promise, was especially keen.

He was an only son, and at the very outbreak of the war announced his intention to be “in it”.

He was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and during his period of active service in France, extending over a year, he was attached to the Seaforths. After being temporary Captain for four months he was gazetted temporary Captain in January last.

In the letter, which follows this notice, a warm tribute is paid by Major Carr, of the Seaforths, to Captain Sillars’ popularity as an officer and to his valour as a soldier. He died gallantly leading his men against the enemy, gallantly and fearlessly as everyone who knew him can well believe.

Captain Lionel Sillars was born in Saltcoats twenty one years ago. He was educated at Ardrossan Academy and the Technical College, Glasgow, and at the time he joined the army was on the electrical engineering staff of the Glengarnock Iron & Steel Company.

He was good at sports; was a bowler of whom the Academy cricket team could always depend, and was a worthy opponent at tennis. His last visit home on leave was but a month ago.

The sympathy of the community is with Mr and Mrs Sillars, and Miss Mabel Sillars in their great sorrow.”
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Penny Tray
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
2 JULY 1881

SHIPKA PASS - SALTCOATS

This week a notable improvement has been effected at the east shore by the bridging over a chasm close to the railway, locally known as SHIPKA PASS.

When a gale blows inshore the sea is driven in at this point with tremendous force, and in the course of time a portion of the strong sea-wall was knocked down, rents made at various points of it.

No attempt was made to repair the ravages of the sea, which gradually extended, till the road behind - a favourite resort - was disfigured by huge gaps, one of which was all but impassable.

Over the largest opening a stout wooden bridge has now been erected, and the other gaps have now been repaired, so that pedestrians may pass over with safety.

Another improvement at this point, which will be welcomed alike by visitors and residents, is the repairing of the old road to the shore, which has been done in such a way as to give easy access to the beach - a thing difficult of accomplishment for a long time.

[During the Russo-Turkish war in 1877 and 1878, SHIPKA PASS was the scene of a series of conflicts collectively named The Battle of Shipka Pass, fought between the Bulgarians, aided by Russian volunteers, and the Ottoman Empire - NEWS OF WHICH HAD CLEARLY REACHED SALTCOATS BY 1881.]
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
3 JULY 1874

BOY DROWNED AT SALTCOATS

A sad case of drowning occurred on Saltcoats beach yesterday afternoon about two o’clock.

Three boys named Ingram, Wyllie, and JAMES POE left the Free Church Academy for dinner. Before going home, however, they went to the Helensport Rock for the purpose of enjoying a bathe.

At this point a strong current runs clear of the rock, and as soon as they boy Poe had got beyond it he was observed fast receding from the shore.

A praiseworthy attempt was made by Ingram to save him, but he too was nearly carried away.

The accident was also observed from the shore, and a man attempted a rescue, but failed, they boy having disappeared ere he could be reached.

Poe, who is about 14 years of age, was the son of Captain Poe, Raise Street.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
3 JULY 1875

DEATH

Drowned at Trinidad, on the 13th April last, Alexander Gordon, second officer in the barque SAVANETTA, youngest son of the late Alexander Gordon, coal agent, Saltcoats.

GREENOCK

The master of the Glasgow ship SAVANETTA, arrived at Greenock, reports the death by drowning off Trinidad on 13th April of Alexander Gordon, mate on board that vessel. Gordon fell overboard from the gangway, and though the ship was at once hove back, a life buoy thrown out, and a boat lowered, no trace of the body could be found.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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CASUALTY OF WAR
3 JULY 1916

Died on service, Second Lieutenant THOMAS WILLIAM ROBERTSON NEILL, 9th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers – Theatre of war, France and Flanders – son of Mary Neill and the late John Neill, 60 Ardrossan Road, Saltcoats.

The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald subsequently reported: -

“Official intimation has been received by Mrs Neill, Ardrossan Road, Saltcoats, that her son, Second Lieutenant Thomas William Robertson Neill, Royal Scots Fusiliers, attached Dublin Fusiliers, was killed on 3rd July.

Second Lieutenant Neill, who was in his 22nd year, applied for a commission in November, 1914, and was gazetted on 4th January, 1915, to the Royal Scots Fusiliers. He had a wide and varied experience since joining, having served in Salonika, Gallipoli, Egypt and France.

He was educated in Ardrossan Academy, and was a member of the Academy Cadet Corps, while prior to being gazetted he was engaged in the Donaldson Line office in Glasgow.

Mr Neill took an active part in athletics, and was a prominent footballer, having played with distinction as an amateur for Greenock Morton and Kilmarnock.

He was popular among a wide circle of friends in the district.”
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
4 JULY 1874

BODY FOUND AT SALTCOATS

The body of JAMES POE, whose sad death by drowning was noticed in yesterday’s Herald, was recovered on Thursday night, about 50 yards from the spot from which he had first entered the water.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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CASUALTY OF WAR
4 JULY 1917

Died on service, Sergeant ROBERT BROWN DOW, (24), Tank Corps – Theatre of war, France and Flanders - born at Saltcoats; enlisted Glasgow; son of Mr and Mrs Dow, 84 North Hanover Street, Glasgow.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
5 JULY 1873

GRAND FLORAL FETE AT SALTCOATS

Yesterday the first exhibition of the season of fruits, flowers, and vegetables, in connection with the Bute Horticultural Society was, by the kind permission of the Marquis of Bute, held in the Old Castle.

The judges were: - G. M. Bucklet, nurseryman, Greenock; James Downs, gardener, Greenock; Elliot Airmet, Sandbank; and George Lister, gardener, Ardrossan.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
5 JULY 1876

THE UNION OF FREE AND REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES

At a meeting of the Free Presbytery of Irvine, held in Kilmarnock yesterday – Mr Scott, Saltcoats, officiating as moderator – the ministers and representative elders of the Reformed Presbyterian Churches of Kilmarnock, Darvel, and Kilbirnie, were formerly received into the Presbytery, in terms of the union recently effected between the denominations.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
5 JULY 1877

DEATH OF CAPTAIN DUNLOP

Yesterday the grave closed over Captain Dunlop, one of our most respected residents, whose remains were followed to their last resting place in Stevenston Cemetery by a large concourse of mourners. Captain Dunlop, who had attained the ripe old age of 77, was born at Saltcoats.

In early life he went to sea, and in common with many of his townsmen soon attained a high position in the mercantile marine service. He served his apprenticeship with his father, Captain James Dunlop, who sailed between Saltcoats and Dublin in the coal trade.

After serving his apprenticeship he made several voyages from the Clyde to foreign parts.

In 1827 he obtained command of the VENUS, trading to the West Indies, and remained in that trade till the opening of the Chinese ports in 1836 or 1837 when he entered upon that trade.

Captain Dunlop brought the first cargo of tea from China to Glasgow, the vessel carrying it being the JANE BROWN, owned by Mr Torrie and others.

In 1840 he obtained command of the SAPPHO, a new vessel owned by Mr Balderstone and others, and after one voyage from Greenock to Calcutta he sailed in her from the port of London to China until the year 1847.

In 1848, a new vessel, the INVESTIGATOR, having been built to the order of Mr Green, then one of the largest shipowners in London, Captain Dunlop was appointed to the command of her, and made several voyages to China in that vessel.

He finally left the sea in 1851.

On the recommendation of Mr Green, he was then appointed by the Board of Trade shipping master of the Sailors’ Home, Poplar, London, the duties of which office he faithfully performed till 1871, when failing health induced him to resign.

Since then he has resided in Saltcoats, and was ever ready to aid any good work. On the passing of the Education Act he was elected a member of the Stevenston School Board, but his health would not permit him to remain in office.

He died somewhat suddenly at Skelmorlie on Thursday night last week, whither he had gone as the guest of Mr James Allan, of Messrs J. & A. Allan, shippers.
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Re: Saltcoats - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
5 JULY 1878

DEATH

THOMSON: Suddenly, at Hamilton Street, Saltcoats, on the 3rd instant, aged 82 years, Jessie McGregor, widow of William Thomson, South Portland Street, Glasgow.
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