The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Forthill outfit’s WWI legacy
Craigie readers are being invited to share the stories of some of Panmure Rugby Club’s greatest heroes.
Dundee West End resident Hugh Macrae is researching the First World War casualties who played for the Broughty Ferry team as part of an ambitious project that is due to be completed next year.
Among them was Dundee-born aviation pioneer Preston Watson, who is remembered for coming up with an original method of controlling an aeroplane in flight.
Mr Macrae explains: “So far I have identified 27 men who died in the conflict, including five pre-war captains, two winners of the Military Cross – RC Cunningham and GB Gilroy – and the son of a Tahitian princess, George Darsie.
“Panmure was an open club so attracted many players who came to the city from other parts of the country, as well as local lads. I would be very keen to hear from any families or relatives about those players who were lost in the war.”
Providing further biographical information concerning some of the ex-Panmure players thought to have fallen in the First World War, Hugh points out that eight of the casualties are also listed on the war memorial for Forfarshire Cricket Club, which has also long been based at the Forthill sports grounds, while a number were enrolled in The 4th Black Watch battalion.
He adds: “George Darsie was the son of Princess Tituau of Tahiti, who married the manager of her husband’s business in Tahiti on his death and was subsequently brought to Anstruther.
“George fought in the Boer War and then, with his brother Monte, also a player of note for Panmure, emigrated to America. George came back to join up but Monte stayed in America.
“The two Military Cross recipients were also involved in the jute trade. Robert C Cunningham as part of Malcolm Ogilvie and Co – still going – and Bruce Gilroy as part of Gilroy and Co, amalgamated into Jute Industries; Cunningham won his at Mauquissart in September 1915 and Gilroy won his at Loos in June 1916.
“Samuel Anderson had been a teacher at Arbroath High School, John Steggall was the only son of Professor Steggall of Queen’s College, and James Tawse worked in the family business of Brown and Tawse, iron merchants – still going today.
“There is a significant number of officers, and many aged over 30.”
Ahead of a history of Panmure RFC appearing next year, the researcher is also in the process of sifting through a list of another 14 potential casualties to add to the club’s First World War roll of honour, but definitive confirmation of their fate is still required.
On Monday, Craigie will publish the names and regiments of the 27 ex-Panmure First World War servicemen who Hugh has traced. Meantime, anyone who can provide details about anyone linked to the club killed in the conflict is asked to either email hughmacrae111@btinternet.com or send a message to craigie@thecourier.co.uk
A love of music and pictures
Today’s main picture was kindly supplied by Ian Wallace, who says it brings back fond memories of a short stint spent in the ranks of the Perthshire paparazzi almost seven years ago.
The Carnoustie resident emails to explain: “I was lucky enough to be given permission to hone in on my photography skills by spending quite a time in 2017 photographing the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra rehearsing in the Perth Concert Hall.
“I have a good friend who plays so the committee approved my request, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and the music was awesome.”
He continues: “The orchestra are due to play in 2024 in Perth on February 24th, Aberdeen in April and in Forfar in June. It will be well worth attending and is sure to be a very enjoyable evening for everyone.”
Eric’s efforts aren’t unnoticed
Deserved words of praise come the way of Craigie’s most prolific photography enthusiast today – for by no means the first time – courtesy of a familiar name.
Regular column contributor Stanley Gordon writes: “What a wonderful picture of the Tay Railway Bridge, photographed by Eric Niven whilst on one of his bicycle trips, and featured in Craigie on January 9th.
“Mr Niven’s photographs are always a joy to peruse and I look forward to seeing them featured in the column. I am always amazed at the amount of ground he covers whilst cycling about the countryside and he is obviously very fit.”
The affable Newport-on-Tay resident adds: “I wish him good health in 2024 to enjoy his outings – and to keep up the good work of sending his delightful photographs to enhance the Craigie column.”