Leading figures

“I read the recent items about Churchill with considerable interest, having recently involved myself in researching Mr James Duncan, a member of my wife’s family,” emails Robert Brown.

“The photograph shows Sir Winston Churchill, alongside another gentleman, whom I believe was Mr James Duncan, a Socialist propagandist and ardent worker for the Dundee Labour Circle and its chairman from 1882 until 1919.

“As well as Sir Winston, James Duncan was acquainted with Keir Hardie, whom he had met, along with Peter Kraupotkin, a Russian revolutionary. He also knew Robert Bontine Cunninghame Grahame and Tom Mann, who, along with Ben Tillet, both prominent propagandists, were also leading figures in the London dock strike.

“I have a picture of a painting of James Duncan painted by George Wilkie Gahan, 1871-1956, who studied at Dundee College of Art. A note on the back sets out the aforementioned names. His collection is currently held by Dundee University, and the original painting may well be found there.

“Interestingly, there is familial evidence that James Duncan was the illegitimate progeny of the house of Camperdown (hence my interest in researching his background). He was apparently advised in his earlier life to claim his inherited title, and declined to do so.

“I have visited the burial plot of the Duncan family at Lundie and believe that the parish records are in the care of the Birkhill church minister, alternatively by Dundee Registrar – a work in progress.”

“This young robin was just starting to look the part at Morton lochs,” says Eric Niven, who took the photograph.