A photograph showing the Boys' Brigade King's Message at Stonehaven Market on 23rd April 1935. The town's 1827 Market Buildings can be seen in the background.

To mark the silver jubilee of King George V on 6th May 1935 the Boys' Brigade undertook a roughly 2300 mile relay run of a silver baton containing a message of homage and congratulation from John O' Groats to London.

The journey started in stormy weather at 7am on 16th April 1935. As the baton travelled south it was passed from runners from one Brigade company to another.

The leg from Culter to Maryculter was carried by Sgt. W. Duthie, Cpl. D. Birse and Pte. D. Angus. The baton was then transferred to Sgt. H. Douglas, Pte. W. Brooks and Pte. L. Gordon for the next leg to Netherley and the leg to Stonehaven was carried by Sgt. J. Brown, Pte. A. Brown and Pte. I. Hay.

This photo likely shows the latter three runners having handed on the baton for the next leg. An account of this part of the baton's journey can be found in the Press & Journal of 24th April 1935 on page 5. The article indicates the baton left Culter at 7.45am on 23rd April 1935 and reached Stonehaven at 11am the same day.

The next stage south, to Kinneff, was undertaken by Sergeant J. Thomson, escorted by Corporal Christie and Lance-Corporal G. Thomson, all of 21st Aberdeen company.

Location

Peterculter

Keyword

Special Occasions

Photographer