Blairmore House

Blairmore House is at Glass, Huntly in Aberdeenshire and was used as the Aberdeenshire Headquarters between 17th January 1943 and 8th November 1943. The house was designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie and was built in 1884 as a residence for Alexander Geddes, businessman and great-great grandfather of former Prime Minister David Cameron. His father, Ian Donald Cameron, was born in the house in 1932, though the family sold it shortly after.

Burgie House

It is thought that circa 1800 the middle part of the current house was built as a “cubical block” using the

stone from the then ruined castle. In 1912 Alexander Thomson entirely recast the building, extending the wings and covering the whole structure with a new roof. The old porch was removed and re-erected near the castle where it still remains today as a folly. In 1934 the house was modernised and enlarged once more with its appearance remaining the same to this day.

Moulton Manor

The Monor House was rebuilt Abt 1570 with some alterations and there's an addition from 1938 for

Leonard Smithson. The Manor was owned by John Cuthbert Vaux my 6th cousin once removed. The home is currently still in the family and is available as a Bed & Breakfast with two retreats available for booking.

There is a tradition that James I spent a night in the house, either on his way south to assume the English throne, or on his way to the races at Gatherley in the same parish.

Family connection

This family connection is from my paternal Gordon side of the family through the Geddes, Mitchel and Ord family lines.

Tony Stark's Cabin

This place may look familiar, especially if you've seen the Avengers: Endgame (2019) movie. This cabin

is located in Campbellton, Georgia and was used for the Marvel movie as Tony Starks cabin. It was also used By Mark Russell In Godzilla: King Of The Monsters (2019). This is mostly listed here for fun, but it turns out there is a family connection. A relative, a 7th cousin is the property manager for this cabin which can be booked on Airbnb for $1000 a night.

Family connection
The connection is through my paternal Gordon family, the Geddes, Mitchel and Ord family lines.

The Murder of Captain Longmuir

 Captain James Riach Longmuir was the husband of Helen Ord and master of the clipper Rifleman sometime before 1867 until his death in 1872.  On the 28th of December 1872 the Rifleman left London for Australia.  Captain Longmuir had expected the steward of the previous voyage to return with him, but was disappointed, and almost at the last moment reluctantly, we believe, engaged a German, of whose antecedents he had no means of obtaining information.  The new Steward of the vessel signed his name as William Krauss, he was also known as William Cross.

The sworn detailed account, as set forth in the ship's log, is substantially as follows: - On March 16, in lat.31.35 south, long. 34 west., the chief officer, Mr Morgan, had the middle watch, and about 4:30 am the steward brought him a cup of coffee, which he drank, and then walking aft to the compass was told by the helmsman that the crew thought something had been wrong with their grog, as all hands had been vomitting the day before.

Mr Morgan had been thinking over the matter, when the steward came on deck and said that Captain Longmuir wanted him.  He, of course, went below, the steward following.

Peter McLagan Crawford

British Vickers machine gun crew during the Battle of Menin Road Ridge, World War I, Ypres Salient, West Flanders, Belgium.
Credit: 

Imperial War Museums/Wikipedia Commons

Peter was born in 1885, Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. His parents were Robert Crawford and Jessie McLagan. Peter joined the Q.O. Cameroon Highlanders at age 17 and died on the Isle of Wight 31 March 1965 at 80 years of age.

Military Service
Lt. (T./Capt.) Peter M. Crawford, R. Scots, and M.G.C. On 22nd June, 1919, at Fedotava, he was put in charge of all Russian machine guns previous to attack, and led them forward. He dealt successfully with an enemy counterattack, and continued to advance for three miles, capturing 24 prisoners -and one machine gun. His gallant leadership was of great service.

John Banks, Canadian Campaign

John Banks the son of cabinet maker Thomas Banks and Jane Casdey was born in St Johns Parish, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England. His aunt Ann Banks Crawford was my 3rd great grandmother from the Gordon side of the family. John enlisted in Aldershot on 6th of September 1858. After 21 years and 15 days of service John had attained the rank of Sergeant.

Eight years and nine months of his service was spent in Canada, Quebec and Montreal. He was awarded the General Service Medal with two clasps, Fenian Raid 1866 and Fenian Raid 1870. More information to come as I decipher his records.

General Service Medal w/ clasps