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I was sent this photo 13 years ago by the late Harold Esson, who was trying to name those in it. I don't know if he ever managed to name them all, but I'll give the names he had plus some more information I've gathered recently. I found the photo was published in the Orcadian of 7 September 1939, four days after the outbreak of war, under the heading "Public Men on whom People Depend in Emergency", but the names weren't given. It shows Councillors and Officials of Orkney County Council but I believe it was taken the previous year, on 20 December 1938, the day of the statutory meeting after the Council Election. It was a day of snow and sub-zero temperatures, which may explain the Convener's rubber boots! At that time the County Council consisted of 20 members elected from parish or island wards and 7 and 4 members respectively appointed by Kirkwall and Stromness Town Councils. The names, left to right, are Back row: unknown, unknown, Hugh Marwick (Director of Education), Gordon D. Robertson (Inspector of Poor), Wm. Isbister (Assistant County Clerk); Second row: Duncan J. Macrae (Stronsay), Wm. Leslie (Stromness T.C.), Dean of Guild P. C. Flett (Kirkwall T.C.), Chas. Hourston (Birsay), John Craigie (Evie & Rendall), John Tomison (South Ronaldsay), unknown, Jas. M. H. Robertson (Sandwick); Third row: John White (Kirkwall & St Ola), Robert Scarth (North Ronaldsay), Jas. S. Sutherland (Stromness T.C.), unknown, Archibald G. Spence (Kirkwall T.C.), Malcolm Nicolson (Shapinsay), Walter Muir (Firth & Stenness); Front row: Wm. Corrigall (Harray), unknown, Provost Jas. G. Marwick (Stromness T.C.), Provost John M. Slater (Kirkwall T.C.), Alexander Calder (Deerness & St Andrews - Vice Convener), J. Storer Clouston (Orphir - Convener), Duncan J. Robertson (County Clerk), Treasurer Robert Slater (Kirkwall T.C.). Also present on 20 December were John R. Hewison (Westray), Hamilton H. Horne (Lady & Cross & Burness), Eric Sutherland (Burray & Hunda), Frederick T. Inkster (Rousay), T. M. Foubister and Bailie Peter McCullie (Kirkwall T.C.), Bailie Jas. M. Moar (Stromness T.C.), Chief Constable W. Colin Campbell, W. Dawson Scott (County Surveyor) and Dr. W. B. Bannerman (County Medical Officer). McCullie is not in the photo, but Campbell may possibly be second from left in the back row (compare picture #14210). Absent on the day were P. N. Sutherland Graeme (Holm), Isaac Moar (Hoy & Walls), John H. Miller (Eday) and George L. Thomson (Stromness).
Picture added on 18 May 2023 at 22:07
Kirkwall
