Church minister
Rev David Inglis (1875-1952) was the minister of Langholm’s United Free Church’s Chalmers congregation from 1905 to 1931.
He was was born in Edinburgh, the youngest of five brothers, and grew up in the grounds of Howick Hall, Northumberland, where his father was head gardener for the 3rd Earl Grey and 4th Earl Grey. His father was then head gardener at Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire, for the 6th Duke of Buccleuch.
David studied at Edinburgh University and New College, Edinburgh. He married Mary Bishop from Partick, Lanarkshire, daughter of an oil merchant, in 1905. He was a keen sportsman, playing cricket, golf and curling. Mary enjoyed playing golf.
In 1915, Mary’s brother William Bishop, a civil engineer, survived the torpedoing of SS Falaba (see 28th March in the Diary).
David was host in 1914-15 to a former pupil, James Guthrie, grandson of notable preacher and disruption leader Rev Thomas Guthrie. James died after a short illness at his father’s home in Edinburgh, where Robert Louis Stevenson used to stay every summer (see 10th July in the Diary).
In 1916, David was given leave by his church to be an army chaplain for a year, which was extended to two years. His congregation was looked after by the South UF minister James Macdonald. He returned temporarily in August 1917, conducting a marriage.
His brother Louis was in charge of the plant nursery at Drumlanrig but Louis’ appeal against call-up in 1916 on the basis that the nursery would have to be closed was denied. He was attached to the 3rd KOSB.
Mary died in Langholm in 1928, aged 52. By 1931, much of the United Free denomination had joined the Church of Scotland and David’s congregation moved to the Parish Church. David transferred to Trinity Gask parish near Auchterarder, Perthshire.
In 1934 at age 59, David married Elizabeth Forrest, a 34-year old doctor and surgeon, and had a daughter. He died in his Perthshire parish in 1952, aged 77.
| Born | Edinburgh, 1875 |
| Parents | David Inglis (1848-…), Janet (1849-…) |
| Siblings | Eldest of five brothers |
| Marriage | Mary Bishop (1876-1928), in Partick, Lanarkshire, 1905; Elizabeth Forrest (1900-1959), in Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire (1934) |
| Children | First marriage 2 daughters, 1 son; second marriage 1 daughter |
| Died | Trinity Gask, Auchterarder, Perthshire, 1952, aged 77 |