BB 209th Bridgeton

Mar.2008 Extract from messageboard, 'GlescaPal Ronnie', London, England
Webmaister Did I previously get this one to you? My wife, Jessie, being a Blackburn, is almost certain that she is related to this gentleman, who like her grandfather was born in the same vicinity of Dalmarnock.

April 2010 Extract from messageboard, 'GlescaPal, Jador' , 67yrs old, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
The 209th BB was out of Rockcliffe Church, in Bridgeton, but, we met in Strathclyde School.
In my time the Captain was Alec. Johnson and the officers were Jimmy McConchie, Donald Ellis, Hughie MacIntosh, Rab McConnell, Jim Cree and Tommy Martin at various times.
We had the only bugle band in Glasgow that the first row in the band played Irish or Trumpet bugles. One time we had a battalion gathering at Hampden Park. Played all the way there, all the way back and when H.Q. saw our trumpet/bugles they put us at the front of the massed band. Jaws were aching for days.
Camps we went to were Bridlington [2], Ilfracombe, Port Rush, St. Ives. Always stayed in church halls, no tents for us.
The 209th always had good football teams and even had an ex - 209 Old Boys play in one of the Glasgow amateur leagues.
The length of names I can remember is too long for here,but will mention a few. Tom Hillcoat, Billy Fox, Jim McAvoy, Ronnie McDade, the McNishes (John & Jim) Hugh Dougan, Andy Dorman, Sammy McTaggart.
Lots of great memories. Ministers at the kirk were the Rev. McLennan (with his fag ash always on the point of falling off) and the rev. Blair (aka Yogi)