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John Wallace Lyall 1836 – 1913
John Lyall was born in Paisley in 1836 , the son of a weaver. His father was also a poet of some distinction and a passionate Scot – hence, John’s middle name, – and although he died when John was a baby, he seems to have passed on to his son a love of poetry and […]
Archibald McVicar 1796 – 1861
Archibald McVicar was born in Rothesay in 1796 to Dugald and Ann McVicar. His father was a blacksmith. At some point in his early life he moved to Greenock and in 1822 he had a carver and gilders business at 6 William Street, ref: Commercial Directory 1821 – 1822. By 1832 Archibald had his carver […]
General Sir Francis Reginald Wingate Bt. 1861-1953
Sir Reginald Wingate – the title he usually used, was a distinguished soldier, administrator and diplomat. He is perhaps most famous for his work and time in Egypt and Sudan. Much has been written about him – you only have to put his name in a search engine and you will find a great deal of […]
Charles William Miller 1874 – 1953
Who took football to Brazil? There are 2 contenders, both Scottish, Charles William Miller and Thomas Donohue. The one with a Greenock connection is probably the best know one. He was the son of a Scottish man John Miller who worked in Brazil. John Miller was born in Fairlie, Ayrshire in 1844 to Andrew and […]
Dunlop brothers – John
Born in Greenock on 2 August 1789 John was the eldest son of Alexander Dunlop of Keppoch. The Dunlop family is believed to be one of the most ancient in Scotland. His father was a banker and merchant. Dunlop’s mother Janet died when he was about seven years of age, his father remarried the following […]
Dunlop brothers – Robert Graham
Robert Dunlop was born in Greenock in 1790, he was the 2nd son of Alexander Dunlop and Janet Graham. He joined the Royal Navy in his early teens and by the age of twenty had reached the rank of Lieutenant and served in the Napoleonic Wars. He was later promoted to the rank of Captain. Robert retired from the Royal […]
Dunlop brothers – William “Tiger”
William Dunlop was born in Greenock in November 1792, he served as an army surgeon in the Anglo American war of 1812 – 1815 where he was known for his tireless professionalism. He served with the 89th Regiment of Foot and arrived in Upper Canada in 1813 and was involved in the Battle of Crysler’s Farm and Lundy’s […]
George Telfer Bear 1874 – 1973
Ebenezer and Jane Bear’s first son, George was born at 24 Wellington Street, Greenock on 30th October 1874 and duly announced in the Greenock Telegraph on 31st October. In the Post Office Directory for 1878/79 Ebenzer is shown as having a Hatter’s business at 7 Hamilton Street. However, by the 1881 census the family has moved […]
Ernest Archibald Taylor 1874 – 1951
Ernest Archibald Taylor was born on 5 September 1874 to William and Frances Taylor (nee Hawkins). He was 15th in a family of 17 children. In the 1881 census the family are at 32 Margaret Street and in the 1891 and 1901 at 8 Esplanade. His father was a full time officer in the army. Ernest trained […]