Information about Dr Salmond

[cjsalmond]

Hello everybody,

My name is Chris. I'm the grandson of Dr James Salmond, who was doctor in Appleby Magna for around 40 years up to 1965, the year he died. I had always been curious about him and the village, and this became stronger when my dad, Stewart, Dr Salmond's eldest child, died in 2005.

During a visit to the village in 2006 I stayed in Mr and Mrs Bird's B&B in Ferne Cottage on Black Horse Hill. I mentioned to them who I was and that I was interested in learning more about Dr Salmond. Some weeks after my stay, Mrs Bird sent me a letter to tell me that she had very kindly arranged for a message to be put on this forum asking whether anybody had information about or memories of Dr Salmond; the lady who posted the message was called Marilyn. If my memory serves correctly, I also left a message in this respect. Unfortunately, nothing came of these two attempts to learn more, and the posts from then appear to be lost in the mists of time and cyberspace. Eleven years later the urge to research Dr Salmond and his life is still with me, therefore I thought I'd try again.

Dr Salmond had three children, James (my dad, later known as Stewart), David, and Rosamund. His wife was called Gwen, who died when Stewart and David were only a few years old. He later remarried; his second wife was called Elsa and they had Rosamund. They lived in a good-sized house that had two columns outside the front door, just outside the village I think. I really know very little more.

I would be very interested and grateful to know if there is anybody in the village who remembers the Salmond family. What memories do you have of them? If you would be prepared to share these with me, I would be very happy.

Many thanks in advance and very best wishes,
Chris

[Admin]

Hi and welcome to the Information Portal.


Things have changed a bit over the last few years with the various Appleby Web sites.


The old site, where your original request would have been posted, is no longer maintained so any entries will have unfortunately been lost. The Marilyn you reference would be Marilyn Dunkelman, who created and maintained that old site. When Marilyn left the village the web site was handed over to new "management", but has not been maintained and has became an "archived" web site. This portal aims to preserve as much information as possible, as well as being a "one stop" site for information about Appleby.


I will put a link in the "Miscellaneous" section, to highlight your request.


You have probably seen this before, but just in case. A clipping from the Tamworth Herald from October 1930.

Tamworth Herald.


The article is dated by the publication date, rather than the date of the presentation.


Unfortunately the people who would be of an age to remember your family may not be the most active internet users.

[Admin]

Hi - I have been doing a little digging and managed to find the old request you made. There have been no responses.


But the Doctor's old house is still there. If you haven't managed to view use Google Earth and search for the Appleby Inn, Atherstone Road it will take you to the pub which is 3 houses away from the house. Go into Street View and head North West towards the motorway roundabout. The house is a short distance up the road on the left, but is more or less obscured by a largish laurel (?) hedge. It you go slightly past the house and look back you can see the 2 columns that you mentioned. We know the owners through some church contacts, they are quite friendly so may be willing to let you see the house if you are ever in the village (but obviously I can't promise that).


Not sure if you went into the church when you last visited, but there is a plaque in the church (image hopefully attached towards the bottom of this post), regarding Dr Salmond and the church clock.

The clock was made by Dent of London in 1850 (Dent also made Big Ben).

Just click on this link :-

drive.google.com/file/d/0B0yIZ2Igr5TfTE9sUjlld2x2Nk0/view?usp=sharing

[cjsalmond]

Hi, many thanks for your quick reply.

Last February I passed through the village briefly, my first visit since 2006. I put flowers on Dr Salmond's grave and visited the church, where I discovered the plaque you mention. I had never seen the newspaper clipping before, so I really appreciate you attaching it here; it really is very interesting, a glimpse into the past.

I remember visiting the house in 1991 when I was about 11 years old; the owners kindly gave us a tour. We were in Appleby for Elsa's funeral. Looking back I don't think at that age I appreciated seeing the house as much as I perhaps should have. The memory of it is very clear, however, and I think there are some photos of our visit somewhere.

Ideally I would love to research the family history in detail, so this will be my aim.

Keep up the good work with the discussion board and website!

[Admin]

Hi, not sure if you are still following the forums, but I have just added a transcription of the Appleby entries from the 1939 Civilian Register for England and Wales which has recently been released.

As there wasn't a census in 1941, and the 1931 census was destroyed during WW2 then this is the only document of its type between 1921 and 1951. Not a census but way better than nothing.

So if you want to know who was living in the doctor's house in September 1939 then the records are in The Information Portal, genealogy section.

[Mark Fretwell]

I heard one or two anecdotes about Dr Salmond from my late mother, Barbara Bancroft, who lived in Snarestone from 1929 until her marriage in 1948. She remembered him stitching her cut hand - the tiny faded scar was still visible in old age - and later, as a pretty teenager, she found him just a bit too attentive! She also told us he was first engaged by Dr Hart (senior) to cover the practice until Jack Hart qualified from medical school. It was then split between Appleby and Measham.