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Allenvale Cemetery from Kincorth
60 An early photograph of Allenvale Cemetery, taking shape in the middle distance, as seen from Kincorth, with Abbotswell Farm in the foreground.
A limited company called the Aberdeen Cemetery Company was established for the purpose of creating this new graveyard. A prospectus inviting public investment was published in the Aberdeen Journal of 29th January 1873. It reads as follows:
"It is well known that in Aberdeen cemetery accommodation is limited and insufficient, and it is generally admitted that its extension is necessary, and cannot much longer be delayed. It is therefore desirable to acquire additional space for that purpose, and to treat it in accordance with modern ideas and practice.
"This company has been formed for the purpose of providing an extensive Cemetery, in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, suitable in all respects for the purposes of internment, and of easy access - but sufficiently removed from town to preserve its suburban character."
The new cemetery opened in late 1874 and, as we know, was a big hit. It was officially known as the Aberdeen Cemetery but quickly became known as Allenvale Cemetery, after the property on which it was built.
Allenvale saw major extensions in 1912 and 1932. A London syndicate purchased control of the graveyard from the Aberdeen Cemetery Company in 1958. Aberdeen Town Council subsequently took control of the cemetery in 1965 following the then owners going into liquidation and worries about Allenvale's future. Allenvale remains a fine example of a planned Victorian cemetery to this day.
Notable residents of Allenvale include John James Rickard MacLeod (1876-1935), co-discoverer of insulin, James Scott Skinner (1843-1927), fiddler and composer, and Mary Esslemont (1891-1984), the influential doctor. Though, of course, many interned at Allenvale would have their own interesting stories to tell.
In this photograph, Duthie Park, later created on the right, has yet to be landscaped. St. Machar Poorhouse, Fonthill House and Devanha House can all be seen in the distance. Union Bridge
77 Union Bridge, on Union Street was built around 1800 and straddled the Denburn. The large building is the Palace Hotel, built in 1874, which burnt to the ground on the 31st October 1941 and was subsequently demolished after the end of the Second World War. Deeside Hydropathic
209 Deeside Hydropathic at Murtle, five miles to the west of Aberdeen City Centre, was built for the Rev Dr Alexander Stewart in 1899. He had founded a similar establishment in 1874 at Heathcot, Kincardinshire, and the growth of business there led to the selection of this new site close to Murtle Station on the Deeside Railway. It was also seen as a convenient centre for visiting the Deeside area. The extensive grounds included a croquet lawn, bowling green and tennis courts, while the Deeside Golf Club was only a mile away. The building itself had 92 bedrooms, there were Turkish, Russian, vapour, electric and spray baths. Since hydropathy was a medical treatment consisting of the external and internal application of water, the proximity of an artesian well supplying abundant pure water was also a feature. After the first World War, the building was sold and converted into Tor-Na-Dee Sanatorium in August 1918, specialising in the treatment of tuberculosis. More recently it has been used as a convalescent hospital, but it is now being re-developed for housing. Dr Stewart was born in 1835 in Coupar, Angus and studied at Glasgow University and did the medical course at Aberdeen University. At his death in 1909, he was Minister of John Street Congregational Church in Aberdeen, having been ordained there in 1864. Spring Garden
275 This photo shows the premises of William McKinnon & Co, ironfounders and engineers in Spring Garden, at its junction with Loch Street. The company was founded by William McKinnon in 1798, when they did work for local factories. In the 1860s, they became involved in the production of equipment for coffee, cocoa, rice and sugar plantations. By the 1890s, they employed 170 men, making steam engines, boilers, sugar machinery, as well as machines for polishing granite. Eventually, 90% of their manufacturing was exported; they had agencies in 60 countries worldwide and they produced catalogues in English, French and Spanish. During World War 2, production switched to munitions work, producing shells, mortars and parts for Hercules Aero engines. They appear to have ceased trading around 1992-93. George Pegler & Co.
444 Queueing for bananas after the end of World War Two, when fruit was still rationed. The shop in question belongs to George Pegler & Co. Torry Battery
611 The Torry Battery was built in 1860 to withstand a French invasion that never materialised. It was also part of the World War 2 defences to repel the Nazi invasion that never came, although guns there did fire at enemy planes.For a short time in the 1950's it was used for housing. It became an unofficial dumping ground and eyesore until it was given a facelift in 1971. It is now listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Torry Battery
612 The Torry Battery was built in 1860 to withstand a French invasion that never materialised. It was also part of the World War 2 defences to repel the Nazi invasion that never came, although guns there did fire at enemy planes.For a short time in the 1950's it was used for housing. It became an unofficial dumping ground and eyesore until it was given a facelift in 1971. It is now listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument Torry Battery
618 The Torry Battery was built in 1860 to withstand a French invasion that never materialised. It was also part of the World War 2 defences to repel the Nazi invasion that never came, although guns there did fire at enemy planes.For a short time in the 1950's it was used for housing. It became an unofficial dumping ground and eyesore until it was given a facelift in 1971. It is now listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Torry Battery
620 The Torry Battery was built in 1860 to withstand a French invasion that never materialised. It was also part of the World War 2 defences to repel the Nazi invasion that never came, although guns there did fire at enemy planes. For a short time in the 1950's it was used for housing. It became an unofficial dumping ground and eyesore until it was given a facelift in 1971. It is now listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument Torry Battery
624 The Torry Battery was built in 1860 to withstand a French invasion that never materialised. It was also part of the World War 2 defences to repel the Nazi invasion that never came, although guns there did fire at enemy planes. For a short time in the 1950's it was used for housing. It became an unofficial dumping ground and eyesore until it was given a facelift in 1971. It is now listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument Rob Roy statue number 2, Culter
960 The statue of Rob Roy at Culter - number 2, 1850-1926. A Rob Roy figure has stood on this rocky ledge high above the Leuchar Burn just before it reached Culter Paper Mills for around 150 years. It has become a tourist attraction for those travelling on the North Deeside Road at Peterculter, about 8 miles from Aberdeen. However, there is no historical evidence to support the legend that Rob Roy MacGregor left the gorge to escape his pursuers. The original figure is supposed to have been a figurehead from a Peterhead whaling ship and it was replaced in about 1865 with the carved wooden stature seen here. It apparently suffered damage before the First World War when local Territorial soldiers practised their firing skills on it. However, by 1925, the figure was in a poor state due to the effects of time and weather. A committee was appointed to secure a new stature and an Aberdeen woodcutter, David Graham, created a figure from a nine foot high block of Quebec yellow pine. It was unveiled on 3 July 1926. This figure lasted until 1991, when it had to be replaced again after being damaged by vandals. Indian soldiers at Culter
995 This picture from 22nd April 1943 shows two Indian soldiers driving a cartload of straw through the village of Culter (seven miles west of Aberdeen). The cart is being drawn by 2 mules. During the Second World War, soldiers from other countries were posted to assist in the war effort. Many Canadians worked as lumberjacks cutting down forests in the North East. Culter Boys' Brigade
999 A photograph showing Culter Boys' Brigade collecting waste paper and scrap metal during World War 2.
In World War 2, major campaigns were set up to encourage people to collect as much waste material as possible for recycling. Here we see members of Culter Boys' Brigade loading a lorry with waster paper and scrap metal, including part of an iron bedstead.
The lorry had been lent by William Gavin of Kennerty Meal Mills. All sorts of metal, including railings, were collected to be converted into munitions.
Country children were urged to collect tufts of sheep wool stuck on barbed wire fences or hedges so that it could be sent away to be spun into knitting wool to make gloves or socks for soldiers. Waste paper, including books, could be reprocessed and used in the manufacture of Stirling bombers.
Local historian Brian Coutts has been in touch to identify some of the boys on the lorry: At the front of the trio on the left is James "Jeeker" Brown; in the middle, behind the bins, is Derek Thom; and stood up on the far right of the image is Derek Stephen. Culter Boys' Brigade
1002 Culter Boys Brigade collecting wastepaper and scrap metal during World War 2.
As indicated on its side, the lorry belonged to William L. Gavin of Kennerty Mills. Gavin ran Kennerty Mills, in the south west of Culter, for nearly 50 years and was a past president of the Scottish Oatmeal Millers' Association. He was also an Aberdeen county councillor and a Justice of the Peace. Gavin died aged 90 on 14th July 1987. A brief obituary for him can be found in the Press & Journal of 16th July 1987 on page 3.
Correspondent Brian Coutts has been in touch to identify some of the boys on the lorry: "Bill Moncur (hiding behind a newspaper), Dennis Booth, "Jeeker" Broon, Bill Dey, Derek Thom, Derek Stephen and Adrian Semmence." Bydand Motor Transport Co. Ltd
1051 Bydand Motor Transport Co. Ltd. were one of a number of small bus companies which sprang up in the 1920's, and were based at the Western Garage on Great Western Road, Aberdeen. Many service men had learned to drive in the army during the First World War, and vehicle manufacturers were keen to supply new markets. Bydand announced in the 'Aberdeen Press and Journal' on 23rd May 1925 that they were to introduce a 'Deeside Motor Bus Service'. They offered a regular weekday half hourly service of buses between Aberdeen (Wallace Statue) and Bieldside with less frequent late buses and a Sunday service between Mannofield and Bieldside only. Buses were also to run between Aberdeen, Culter and Banchory. The fare from Aberdeen to Bieldside was 4p; Aberdeen to Culter was 8p; Aberdeen to Banchory was 1 shilling and sixpence. Within a few weeks, Bydand were extoling the virtues of their service in an advert headed 'Safety First'. The company made much of the fact that their buses started from His Majesty's Theatre and passed other theatres enroute. It was even possible to reserve a seat on the Banchory Bus when booking seats at His Majesty's Theatre. During the summer months Sunday Mystery Tours were advertised - a 60-70 mile trip for 5 shillings return. The 1930 Road Traffic Act introduced various restrictions and many small companies were taken over by the expanding company of W. Alexander and Sons Ltd. The 13 Bydand buses were transferred on 3rd October 1932. Loch Street
1200 The photo shows No's 18-20 and 22-28 Loch Street in a rather delapidated state. Clydesdale, electrical goods, Target Discount and Bruce Millers had all closed in preparation for demolition for the Bon Accord Centre. Charles Bruce Miller first opened his music shop in 1900, and he was succeeded by his sons and grandsons as the company prospered. They moved from 51 George Street to these purpose designed premises in Loch Street in May 1977 where they had four floors catering for the growing trade in TV's, music centres as well as musical instruments. In 1983, they moved to a new location at the west end of Union Street, so that by the time this image was taken in 1987, the shop had been bricked up and was covered in advertising posters. Aberdeen Central Library, neon sign proposal
1412 This drawing shows proposals for an illuminated neon sign on the Central Library. The installation never went ahead (presumably as World War 2 intervened) but it certainly would have been visible for some distance. Family portrait
1622 A studio set photographic portrait of what is likely a family.
The uniforms suggest some may be members of the Royal Army Medical Corps. The photograph was likely taken around the time of the World War I. Grandholm Mills
1715 The dinner hour, workers crossing the bridge over the River Don.
The history of the mills in Woodside has gone through prosperous and bad times with several being closed in the mid-1800s and subsequently reopened towards the end of the century. The success especially of the paper and cloth mills of the area has provided work for many generations of Woodsiders.
A linen and cloth factory moved to the Grandholme mills site in mid-18th century from Gordon Mills and was taken over by James and John Crombie in 1859. J&J Crombie went on to produce the famous worldwide Crombie cloth at the Grandholme Mill, leading to the long association between Woodside and the fabric. The mill at one point employed up to 3000 people.
J&J Crombie were included on a list of government suppliers and one tenth of all coats worn by British officers of the First World War were made with the Crombie cloth. By World War II 467 miles of the cloth was being produced at the Grandholme mill per year.
By 1960 Grandholm was the largest supplier of tweed in the UK and also produced silk, wool, cashmere and yarns. Sadly the business has now been moved away from the Woodside area to the Borders.
Oldmill Military Hospital. A pipe band parades in front of the main buildings. c.1918.
1737 Oldmill Military Hospital was opened on 15th May 1907. The total cost of the structure, including the purchase of the Old Mill, was £130,000. During the First World War, the Old Mill was used as a military hospital and was re-opened as Woodend Hospital in October 1927. A pipe band parades in front of the main buildings. c.1918 King's College Chapel and Manse
1743 Aberdeen University, King's College Chapel and Manse. c.1900.
King's College was founded by Bishop William Elphinstone in 1495, Marischal College was founded as an independent university in 1593. The two formed the University of Aberdeen in the fusion of 1860.
This image shows part of the King's College Campus. King's College Chapel in the background was completed in 1506. Its distinctive crown tower is a well loved site among the university community. The original crown was blown down in a storm in 1633 but was quickly replaced.
On the lawn in the foreground can be seen a large manse. Until the mid-20th century, a house that went with the job was still a substantial attraction for some professors. The manse stood here until just before the First World War. The lawn is now a popular venue for students relaxing in fine weather. Wounded Belgian Soldiers, Morningfield Hospital
1747 Morningfield was originally a hospital for those with incurable diseases. Founded in 1857, it was located in Belleview House in the Denburn. In 1882 the Town Council bought the property as part of the development of Rosemount Viaduct. Consequently the hospital authorities bought land and erected new hospital buildings to the west of the city centre. The hospital retained the name Morningfield, also given to the road running past it, and was opened in September, 1884.
The Aberdeen Journal reports that soon after the outbreak of the First World War the Committee of Management of Morningfield Hospital offered, in case of need, to accommodate 30 of the sick or wounded. At the urgent request of military authorities 40 British and Belgian wounded soldiers were admitted to the hospital. This photograph is a group portrait of some of the wounded Belgian soldiers during the war. The image was kindly lent to the library by Arlene Grant whose grandfather was a Belgian soldier treated at Morningfield.
Supplying the hospital during wartime was a challenge and appeals were made to the generosity of the locals: "The Belgian soldiers are very dependent on vegetables and fruit," reported the Aberdeen Journal, "and as the hospital garden is already depleted the matron would be grateful for further supplies. Other articles urgently required are fouls, rabbits, eggs, coffee, cakes and jam". Abbey Place
1815 This 1900 image shows a rundown block of flats known as Abbey Place, situated on the Shiprow just up and east from the building known today as the Maritime Museum and next door, to the west, of Provost Ross's House.
The name is a bit of a mystery since there is no evidence that there ever was an abbey on the site. In the 13th century there was a chapel on St Katherine's Hill behind this area, but it is not thought that there is a connection.
Abbey Place was strictly speaking the name of the court that was to the rear of Provost Ross's House and was accessible through the pend visible on the right of this image.
The court was demolished in the late 1930's to make way for a cinema. However, because of delays caused by the Second World War, the Regal, later the ABC Cinema, was not opened until 1954. It was subsequently demolished in 1999 for further redevelopment.
The tenement in this image was refurbished and still stands between the Maritime Museum and Provost Ross's House.
Thanks to correspondent Ed Fowler for additional information on this image. |