There were two unionist organisations in Langholm: the Eskdale Unionist Association and the Eskdale Women’s Unionist and Tariff Reform Association.
Both supported the Conservative and Unionist Party, which had adopted the ‘unionist’ term upon the merger of the Conservative Party with the Liberal Unionist Party in 1912. The latter broke away from the Liberal Party in 1886 in opposition to Irish Home Rule.
In March 1914, the Eskdale association invited residents to sign the National Declaration against Home Rule (the ‘Ulster Covenant‘), formulated in 1912.
Its officers were:
- President: Arthur Bell, owner of Buccleuch mill.
- Vice-president: 7th Duke of Buccleuch.
- Secretary: Robert McGeorge, solicitor.
- Treasurer: Robert Hotson, tanner.
Other members included John Cairns, co-owner of Ford mill; Major Edward Bell, director of Buccleuch mill; John Goodfellow, painter; and Thomas Moses, tweed designer.
Membership was free for military volunteers during the war and the association’s club rooms in the High Street were made available to wounded soldiers recuperating in the Red Cross hospital.
In February 1916, the E&L quoted from the Association of Conservative Clubs’ publication Conservative Clubs Gazette:
Many of our club have magnificent records of enlistment, but that of the Eskdale Unionist Club, Langholm, will take some beating. Out of a total membership of 241 no fewer than 90 are either actually serving with the colours or have given their lives for King and country. This, mark you, is apart altogether from those members who come under Lord Derby’s group scheme. In addition, […] the Hon. Secy. acts as recruiting officer for the district.
E&L, […] Feb 1916
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