David MacMyn represented Scotland from 1925 – 1928. He also captained the British and Irish Lions in 1927. After training to work in the medical profession and serving in the RAMC during the war he came back to the town and succeeded his father as a GP in the town. He appeared briefly at his front door in the Wickerman film.
Arthur Robert Smith 1933-1975
Arthur Smith represented Scotland and Captained both the Scots side and the British Lions from 1955 – 1962.Born in Castle Douglas he died early at 42 years of age.
Kenneth Stafford Iain McDowall
On taking to the field at Murrayfield on November 16 2024,Stafford McDowall became the third former pupil from the Academy to Captain the Scottish Team. Stafford McDowall plays for Glasgow Warriors and Scotland, Captaining it for the match against Portugal winning 59
On 13th of October 1775 the Continental Congress in Philadelphia passed a resolution creating the Continental Navy . Today that date is celebrated as the birth of the U.S. navy.
The Navy was to protect American trade from blockade by the ships of the British Empire and would also make it possible to intercept ships laden with supplies for the king’s forces in North America.
Born at Arbigland John Paul Jones is often referred to as the “Father of the American Navy”, Jones is regarded by several commentators as one of the greatest naval commanders in American military history.
In 2014 Sam Kelly interviewed Peter Mc Adam who used his local knowledge to describe people and places in Kirkcudbright over the years. In 2024, following the popularity of these being posted on Facebook , Sam posted the videos on Youtube. These can be accessed here.
This article was written following an appeal to trace the family of an officer killed in the WW1 being successfully researched. Further items relating to the story have been attached at the end. The Society is grateful to Mrs Aileen Gardiner and family for their help with the research, their donation of family items to the Stewartry Museum and their permission to us publishing the information. Montgomery Letter research
There are many Kirkcudbright locals who owe their success in life to George Davidson. Whether it be through volunteering on the lifeboat or George, through his being a founder member of the Sailing Club, passing on his skills in boatbuilding, navigation or seamanship. A well known figure in the town little is known of his life. He is therefore an obvious candidate for inclusion in our Characters section. We are grateful to his daughter Faith for collecting all the material and gaining the requisite permission for us to use it.
Another entry in our Local Characters section is the introduction to a series of articles about Jimmy Gordon by his brother Jack. An illustrated piece, it is an interesting read about a character well known to many. It is followed by several articles covering Jimmy’s life.
An amazing story came to light when KHS was asked for help by a researcher in Austria, who is currently conducting research on forced Labour during the War, in the Lungau, a region of the federal state of Salzburg. In one of the archival holdings, he had come across a historical source written by one John H. Gordon, 111 Hight Street, Kirkcudbright. In this letter, he refers to himself as “the British Man of Confidence and Camp Leader” of British POWs that might have been held in the Lungau, or passed through. Could we verify in any way the existence of this man. By chance I happened to know the Gordons from that address are related to Felicity Gelder and having contacted her an amazing story unfolded. John H Gordon it transpired was Haig Gordon the well known local Painter and Decorator also football fanatic.
Haig joined up in 1940 and after being at Dunkirk saw action in the desert.
Haig in middle row with moustache. Also in the photo are Jonny Duncan, back left, “Hogie” Carmichael. front 3rd from left and “Bing” McKie, front right.
After there he was sent to Greece where he was captured and spent the remainder of the conflict in various Nazi prisoner-of-war camps in Austria. In one of them the water supply was severely contaminated. Haig fell victim to dropsy and became extremely ill. A German doctor who attended him had no interest in trying to save his life and said to the guard: “This man is gone. Take him to the mortuary”. The guard pointed out that the patient was not dead. The doctor replied: “Well, it won’t be long before he is.” Haig then told the terrifying story of lying amongst the dead in the mortuary. He was eventually saved by a caring nun who brough the fact he was still alive to the Doctor’s attention. Once back on his feet, Haig resumed his role as the camp’s Man of Confidence, the name given to the prisoner who conducted all negotiations with the Nazi authorities.
On returning to Kirkcudbright at the end of the war he set up his business, but his main interest was Scottish Football. Haig sadly died in a traffic accident in 1964. Reporting his death, the Daily Record described him as Scotland’s ‘Mr Soccer’.
Haig’s son Haig Jnr has given us permission to include many interesting documents which enlarge upon this story and they can be found here including a poem written by Norman McMillan, a local shoemaker and sent to Haig while in POW Camp.
Following VE Day it was to be another 2 months before VJ Day and the Forgotten Army could come home to a heroes welcomes. Until then, many of our forces still remained in POW Camps including Lewis Pope who was to return and become a music teacher at the Academy.
His daughter Felicity has kindly allowed us to publish his story.
He was the first POW to return to Kirkcudbright in October. Prior to the issuing of guidelines advising them not to give interviews, he spoke to the Galloway News and described his harrowing time.
Captured in Singapore by the Japanese in 1942. Moved to Thailand by truck which took 8 days in which they were served 4 meals. They were given arduous tasks including building railway embankments and bridges.
Following VE Day it was to be another 2 months before VJ Day and the Forgotten Army could come home to a heroes welcomes. Until then, many of our forces still remained in POW Camps including Lewis Pope who was to return and become a music teacher at the Academy.