Glad cup wasn’t lost

I’VE HAD an email from Ian Irving who lives in Ontario, Canada. He was interested in the recent item about the cycling trophy, which his sister had passed to him.

He says, “The last named winner on the trophy, David A. Irving, is my great uncle David Alexander Irving who was born in 1872.

“He was the 12th of thirteen children born to David William Irving and Mary Dalling. David William Irving was a native of Annandale, who came to Dundee and opened a wholesale pork and bacon curing business in the Seagate. He was a supplier to the whale fishing fleets that sailed from Dundee.

“The Irving brothers ran a bicycle sale and repair business and an auto car garage business. The cup winner, David Irving, was a keen cyclist, participated in many races and all things pertaining thereto. He was involved in the boiler business as well. In his latter years he lived in Carnoustie, where he died.

“The cup was given to my father Alfred H.W. Irving. When I was clearing out the house after my mother’s death, one of the things that was turned into cash for estate purposes was that silver trophy.

“I inherited a fabulous, jewel-encrusted key-wound gold pocket watch on a heavy gold chain that David won in a cycling race.

“It’s a wonderful thing that the cup wasn’t melted down and lost. Obviously we made a mistake in disposing of such a valuable heirloom.”