Felling Team circa 1920 – Some Huntly Connections
The post card photo image is courtesy of Bob Munro, Huntly and features a group of timber fellers with cross cut saws and axes possibly dated to around 1923. There is a list of names on the back which are a little difficult to decipher but may read as follows:
Back Row from left – Rob Smith, Bob ? , George Sutherland, Unknown
Front Row from left – G Morrison, Jimmy Robertson, Charlie Smith, Unknown
It does appear that there is a connection with two images on this website – Pictures No 709, 710 and 711 – as G Morrison’s (Sticky Morrison) and Charlie Smith’s names appear there. Charlie Smith’s father (William) ran a timber felling business before and after the WWI and this may be one of his teams. William was at one time a wood contractor who employed up to 9-10 men at most. Many of the men were his own sons Charlie, Sandy, Andy and Jimmy who work with him for a period of time. They worked all over the Northeast and as far as Loch Ness going where ever the work was taking place. One son, Henry, died age 13 in 1914 apparently in his bed at Kildrummy but little is known so far of this episode.
Of interest also are the loaded timber wagons behind the men where each heavily loaded wagon is pulled by one horse. A load of this size on a cart would be heavy going for a horse but it is possible that the wagons are running on downhill timber rails hence the inline formation.
Any information on the names, corrections and potential locations would be very welcome. Please see the large image link below for more picture detail.
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Groups: Groups of people, Mystery and unknown, Tools, equipment and clothing