Monday 1st February
The Esk and Liddle Fisheries Association held its annual meeting, chaired by John Milne Home, the Duke of Buccleuch’s factor (property manager). (The spelling of Liddle has subsequently changed to Liddel). Salmon and trout catches last year were disappointing, due to unusually dry weather during the fishing season.
Tuesday 2nd February
The Eskdale Infectious Diseases Hospital held a board meeting, chaired by John Milne Home. The hiring of a general servant was approved to enable the matron Jane Hogg to devote more time to patients.
Wednesday 3rd February
The town’s three butchers issued a joint notice about an increase in prices.
[Butchers’ notice.]
Saturday 6th February
The delayed semi-final and final of the annual open carpet bowling tournament took place in the Douglas Hotel, watched by a large number of spectators.
Sunday 7th February
Prizes for good attendance at the Parish Church Sunday School were handed out by Mr Hamilton, rector of Langholm Academy.
Tuesday 9th February
David Anderson, a shepherd from the Ewes valley, gave a talk to the Townhead Literary Society on ‘William Knox, the Sacred Poet, and His Poetry’. Knox (1789-1825) wrote one of Abraham Lincoln’s most cherished poems, Mortality (O, Why Should the Spirit of Mortal be Proud?). He made an unsuccessful attempt at farming at Wrae, near Langholm, and was a frequent visitor to Archibald Scott, a banker who lived at Clinthead, later Major Edward Bell‘s home.
Wednesday 10th February
Numerous houses and rooms are being advertised for rent in the the E&L, partly due to the outflux of soldiers. Some are available immediately; others are from Whitsunday (15th May for Scottish property valuation purposes).
The Minitiature Rifle Club is advertising for new members:
[Rifle Club advert.]
Thursday 11th February
The Rifle Club held a the first of two target shooting competitions against Carlisle Ladies (20 rounds per person at 25 yards). The ladies were ahead at the half-way stage but lost with a score of 1327 to 1373.
Lord Francis Scott, youngest son of the late Duke of Buccleuch, married Lady Eileen Elliot, eldest daughter of the fourth Earl of Minto, at Wellington Barracks, London. He was on crutches, still recovering from a war wound received in October 1914. The bridge and groom received a brooch and cufflinks as wedding gifts from King George V, made of diamonds and enamel. Francis Scott’s full surname is Montagu Douglas Scott; Eileen’s is Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound.
Monday 15th February
Angling Association waters opened today but there was little success due to poor weather conditions.
Tuesday 16th February
David Beattie, sculptor and poet, gave a lecture to the Townfoot Literary Association on ‘Hymns Old and New’, accompanied by music and illuminated slides. Charles Paisley, tanner, presided, indicating that Mr Beattie had written over 60 hymns.
Friday 19th February
Draper Simon Hyslop is holding a clearing sale until Wednesday 3rd March:
[Hyslop’s advert.]
Saturday 20th February
In the return shooting match against Carlisle Ladies, held at Waterton Hall, Carlisle, the ladies won 1308-1297.
The annual return for the number of voters in the UK was published, giving a figure of 8,357,648 voters (less than 20 percent of the total population), of which 884,909 are in Scotland (around 18 percent of Scotland’s population).
Tuesday 23th February
Lawson Cairns, son of James Cairns, co-owner of Ford Mill, is with 1/9th Royal Scots in Edinburgh. He started a diary today, aware that he is probably heading for the front line. ‘We were wakened at 5 a.m. and told to be ready to move at a moment’s notice. … We fell in at 6.00 p.m. & marched to Princes Street Station where we entrained for Southampton.’
Wednesday 24th February
From Lawson Cairns’s (LC) diary: ‘The ship was called The Inventor & was used as a cattle boat, so you can imagine what comfort there would be for us! We went on board at 1.00 p.m.’
The Langholm Women’s Work Party has made nearly 600 items for soldiers so far, including socks, mufflers and mittens.
Friday 26th February
LC diary: ‘… we arrived outside Harvre [Le Havre] harbour at 4.00 a.m. … Left for the next camp about midday & had a very stiff march up hill all the way.’
Saturday 27th February
LC diary: ‘We were then issued with goats’ skin coats & entrained in cattle trucks, 36 men to each. Saw Mr McLean Watt at the station & had a word with him.’ Rev Lauchlan McLean Watt is minister of St Stephen’s, Edinburgh, and chaplain to the Gordon Highlanders. While in Le Havre, he used to go down to the quay and play his bagpipes to arriving Scottish regiments until he was banned by the authorities.
