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AJWGWee Haggis5 Posts
Last here:
17 Sep 2008 |  Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 11:35:06 AM    
Hi Everyone,
I have been doing some family history and discovered I was related to the Hird family who ran two shops in the town.
I have been able to find an obituary for Alexander Hird who opened the shops and also for his son Walter Duncan Hird. However, I have not been able to find out when the shops closed or why. I know there was a son Alan Hird who was on the go in Arbroath in the 1950s but have no idea what happened to him either.
Does anyone have any information, memories or even photos of the shops? |
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SandstoneTheShoppie Forum Admin   Canada706 Posts
Last here:
Yesterday | Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 5:50:46 PM
Hmmm,
The Hirds that had the drapers shop were my next door neighbours when I was growing up.
The shop was right across from the Station Hotel, about second down from the railway bridge. The shop was closed when he retired. sooooooooooooo
What facts can I tell you.
1) The Hirds lived at 20 Hillend road certainly in the mid fifties.
2) They had a black Hillman Minx car that they kept in a lock up up by the towerie steps.
3) I am not convinced that they had any children.
I'll think some more and ask my mum, she's well into her eighties and might remember more.
Sandstone  See you on "TheShoppie" |
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AJWGWee Haggis5 Posts
Last here:
17 Sep 2008 | Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 6:21:06 PM
Sandstone,
Thanks very much for the information.
I believe two sons ran the shops and they were Walter (who was on the town council) and Alfred who I believe did live somewhere in Hillend Road. I know the shops were on the go in the 50s and maybe the 60s - Alan Hird I believe was the son of Walter and his wife.
I appreciate the help and any more information would be great! |
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flintstoneSenior Smokie  583 Posts
Last here:
3 days ago | Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 10:40:06 PM
I'm confused - the Station Hotel? Could you possibly mean the hotel next to the railway station, which would be the Imperial. I cant think of any shops across from the Station Hotel. |
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DerekSupreme Master Smokie Arbroath, Scotland1598 Posts
Last here:
Today | Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 11:15:02 PM
Hi AJWG,
I had a look at your genealogy website and thinks it's very good. I've always planned to put my research onto the web but it's at the back of a very long list of things to do!
Anyway I had a wee look for Hirds in the 1951 and 1955 Arbroath yearbook & directory.
In 1951.
Alfred K. Hird lived at 24 Hillend road and had a phone, number: 2174.
A. Hird at 28 Keptie Street, number: 3259.
Under Drapers in the directory section is "Hird, Alex, 28 Keptie Street"
In 1955
Alfred and Alex again with the same details.
Walter D. Hird, 78 Nolt Loan Road, phone number: 2161.
Under Drapers section, "Hird, Alex. 28 Keptie Street & 262 High Street.
That's all I could find.
You could have a trail through the microfiche of the arbroath herals in the library if you're nearby and find out more about the shops and when they closed?
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others.
-- Groucho Marx |
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DerekSupreme Master SmokieArbroath, Scotland1598 Posts
Last here:
Today | Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 11:26:47 PM
I saw you had a picture of an unknown soldier on your site. I think I've found who he is.
Could it be this man? He looks not dissimilar to the picture you have I reckon.
PRIVATE WILLIAM HERD, 2nd Scots
Guards, twenty-four years of age,
was the son of David Herd and of his
wife Margaret Ramsay, Easthaven.
Private Herd had been a porter at
Easthaven Station, and later was a
farm servant at Inverpeffer. He,
joined Kitchener's Army in January
1915, and at one time his battalion
had the honour of forming the King's
bodyguard at Buckingham Palace.
He had been at the front about six
months when he was reported as
wounded and missing on the 16th of
September 1916 at Givenchy. Later
it was notified that he had been buried
near Combles.
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others.
-- Groucho Marx |
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DerekSupreme Master SmokieArbroath, Scotland1598 Posts
Last here:
Today | Posted - 17 Sep 2008 : 11:43:52 PM
Data from CWGC
Name: HERD
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Scots Guards
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 16/09/1916
Service No: 13023
Additional information: Son of David and Maggie R. Herd, of East Haven,Carnoustie, Forfarshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: XII. I. 7.
Cemetery: GUARDS' CEMETERY, LESBOEUFS
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others.
-- Groucho Marx |
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AJWGWee Haggis5 Posts
Last here:
17 Sep 2008 | Posted - 18 Sep 2008 : 12:11:38 AM
Weet Pent - Thanks very much for your inupt and I appreciate all your efforts.
I do live locally and have been down to the library on a good few occasions going through the old papers. I hadn't thought about using the yearbooks but you are right and I may be able to narrow down the time of closure and then of course look at the old papers again with a much smaller period to look through.
Thanks for the kind words on the website - it took a good deal of planning and it was when I had a good deal of time on my hands but well worth doing and I hope you find the time to put your site up.
Private Willie Herd was one of my relatives from Easthaven and was my grandfather's cousin. I also have the WW1 and WW2 books - they are fascinating. However, the mystery photo is not of him but a guy who looks like a relative but is in the lancers - according to those who know capbadges anyway. I have heard other relatives saying they had photos of this guy too but nobody is sure who he was. But that is another mystery for another day.
Thanks again!
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DerekSupreme Master SmokieArbroath, Scotland1598 Posts
Last here:
Today | Posted - 18 Sep 2008 : 01:30:57 AM
Ach Well!
If you want any other 1890 - 1955 directory look-up's let me know.
Ceers,
Derek.
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others.
-- Groucho Marx |
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AJWGWee Haggis5 Posts
Last here:
17 Sep 2008 | Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 10:15:59 AM
Thanks again Weet Pent you have been very helpful indeed and really gone out of your way!
I have several resources including the use of Tay Valley Family History Centre so if you or any other member needs a look-up then just give me a shout and I will see what I can do. |
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SandstoneTheShoppie Forum AdminCanada706 Posts
Last here:
Yesterday | Posted - 19 Sep 2008 : 8:56:41 PM
Right! Imperial!
Thanks Flinty, I have clearly been away too long.
Appreciate your pointers in the right direction.
Sandstone See you on "TheShoppie" |
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DerekSupreme Master SmokieArbroath, Scotland1598 Posts
Last here:
Today | Posted - 22 Sep 2008 : 3:43:47 PM
From 1890, 1895 & 1900 directories.
SO the second shop opened between 1890 and 1895, I like how they say they've got a phone in 1900 but don't give you the number 
Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others.
-- Groucho Marx |
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exBraemarWee Smokie  USA346 Posts
Last here:
Today | Posted - 23 Sep 2008 : 01:09:28 AM
I can remember Hird the Draper in the early 50's, I can even remember being with my mother when she bought a cardigan she saw in the window and that was a major decision, since I believe clothing still was rationed or at least in short supply...I think most items were still labeled "Utility". Okay I admit it, could have been VERY late 40's !! I also think that there was probably no need for a phone number in 1900, in the rare event that someone wanted to call it was simply a case of asking the operator to connect you to Hird's I'd imagine,everything would have had to be done through the operator I'm sure! |
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AJWGWee Haggis5 Posts
Last here:
17 Sep 2008 | Posted - 23 Sep 2008 : 6:08:07 PM
Weet Pent - Thanks for posting those old adverts. Yes, I think they opened the High Street shop a good deal of time after the success of the original one.
exBraemar - Thanks as well. It seems a few people remember the shops but it is so long ago now that nobody can remember them closing.
I did talk to my mother and she reckokned it may have been the 60s but I will investigate at the library soon. |
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Hird Drapers in Arbroath
