Orkney Image Library

what a surprise to see Mum and Dad (Elaine Crowther and Stanley Kirkness) I guess they had no idea at the time that they would end up husband and wife

Re-Alan Bicknell, in the front row, I can remember a Dennis Bicknell, who lived in the camp at Rockworks, He had a younger sister Lorna, and I think his fathers name was Jeff. Could this be the same guy?.

A motley bunch. Who would have thought we turned out so well!!Frightening to learn of so many who are no longer here.

Jean Kirkness should be Jim Kirkness.typo error?

Dennis Bicknell attended 1947 to 1954

Change Nancy Allan to Nancy Aitken from New Holland in 4th from left back row. Mary Garriock remembers Jeff, Megan, Dennis and Lorna Bicknell at Rockworks.

In reality, I think this should be Holm West Primary School. I don't know how long there was 2 schools in the parish, but there was also a Holm East Primary School near to Hurtiso. The 2 schools merged into the Holm West Primary School premesis at start of September term in 1963 whilst I was at the Holm West Primary School. The teacher George Brown retired at the end of the school year in 1964. (When I left.) I think he died before the end of that year.

Your quite right there was the Holm West school and the Holm East school. Holm village pupils attended the West school. East Parish pupils attended East school. Both schools are now closed (late1960s?) and all the pupils now attend the St Andrews school which was built to serve all the East Mainland pupils not going onto Kirkwall Grammar school.

Just wondered if the Kirknesses mentioned above are related to the Kirknesses from North Dawn, Holm. My great Gran Rosabella Kirkness was born there as was my gran Mary Ellen Yorston. Rosabella was married in Holm School to John Yorston.

Yes they are related.

Just wondering how the Kirkness's are related? I am one of the daughters of Stanley Kirkness and Elaine Crowther.

Your grandfather Tommy Kirkness and JOCK kirkness were brothers. I knew Stanley and Elaine well. Grew up with them. Sad to remember they are no longer with us. Gone to a much better place. Elaine's sister Marjory married Charlie Bruce from Netherton. Which daughter are you? Susan, Angela or Jacqueline?

I am Jacqueline sorry forgot to fill in my name. I know that Jock and my grandfather were brothers and I also spent a lot of time at Netherton whenever we were home. Mom has been gone almost 12 years now and Dad 11 years. How is Rosabella related?

Rosabella was a sister to Tommy and John

Out of interest I searched the Internet for Archie Nicolson, Orkney and came across your Holm School photograph. I was in the Army (Nation Service) with an Archie Nicolson from Orkney, he was the Commanding Officer's driver when in Germany with the 42nd Field Regiment R A, 1951-53 ... I wondered it is the same Archie, it looks like him - I have photos somewhere. I wonder what happened to him.
Regards - Geoffrey (Roy) Morgan

There was also another brother called Jimmy Kirkness who came to Canada at I believe was 15 years of age.

Tommy and John had another brother named Jimmy he came to Canada at the young age of 13 or 14 and lived in Saskatchewan. Do you remember him at all Jack Harcus?

James Park Kirkness1860 –
Mary Ann Kirkness1863 – 1939
John Kirkness1864 –
Peter Kirkness1866 –
Jane Elizabeth Kirkness1868 –
Rosabella Foubister Kirkness1870 –
Thomas Kirkness1872 –
Margaret Sinclair Kirkness1874 –
Maggie Kirkness1875 –
Margaret Kirkness1875 –
David Kirkness1876 –
Archibald Petrie Kirkness1877 –

Source Information

@1841 Scotland Census1 citation provides evidence for Name, Birth, Residence
@1861 Scotland Census1 citation provides evidence for Name, Birth, Residence
@1871 Scotland Census1 citation provides evidence for Name, Birth, Residence
@1881 Scotland Census1 citation provides evidence for Name, Birth, Residence
@1891 Scotland Census1 citation provides evidence for Name, Birth, Residence
@1901 Scotland Census1 citation provides evidence for Name, Birth, Residence
@Ancestry Family Trees2 citations provide evidence for (John Kirkness)
@Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-19501 citation provides evidence for Name

William Kirkness, James Park Kirkness, Mary Ann Kirkness, John Kirkness, Peter Kirkness, Jane Elizabeth Kirkness, Rosabella Foubister Kirkness, Thomas kirkness, Margaret Sinclair Kirkness, David Kirkness and Archibald Petrie Kirkness. Their Parents were John Kirkness and Mary Velzian.

In response to Geoffery (Roy) morgan, Yes this is the same Archie Nicolson, he was a driver in Germany during his national service.

Was wondering how to find photos of Kirkness from North Dawn, Holm?

I posted some in the gallary of Rosabella Kirkness

Hi.Can anyone tell me about the Holm West DUX Medal
Thank you in advance.