T H E C O V E N A N T E R
society. The position of Postmaster would show our appreciation, and respect for
have been a political appointment, and the loyalty, love and respect shown at my
being the first person to hold the job
darling mums funeral on last November,
Deacon must have been well connected
by the Cameronians, I did not write to you
with the provinces most powerful people.
earlier as I know the Covenanter won’t be
Indeed his son became the third person to
out again until next year. I do hope you
the hold the Postmasters position.
can fit it in.
St Paul’s Church was built on the
We miss her so much, life is not the
same, did you know, my dad met my
cemetery ground in 1845 by the Royal
mothers brother Tom McFarlane, at the
Engineers in memory of Reverend Robert
gates of Hamilton Barracks on the way in
Cartwright chaplain to the forces in the
to join up, that’s how he met my mum,
Kingston Garrison. In 1872 the parish hall
dad was orphaned at a young age, and he
was added and Thomas Deacons stone joined the Cameronians His young brother
implanted in the wall at the junction James Martin Spiers was 19, and killed in
with the main body of the church. Here it
Burma, he was nicknamed Eppie or Effie,
is sheltered from the elements, and is in
and I think he was a Bugler.
excellent condition. The last burial in the
Tom used to take my dad home with
cemetery took place in 1862.
him when they got any leave, to Ballyclare
St Paul’s Church still functions with
in N. Ireland, met my mum, and that was
regular services and is the Regimental
it. My 3 brothers John, Jim and Sandy
were born in Ballyclare, and Margaret,
Church for the Princess of Wales’ Own
Catherine and I born in Hamilton Barracks,
Regiment. The church and cemetery have
Rosemary was born in Nairobi, when my
been part of the fabric of Kingston for over
dad was then attached to the K.A.R. for a
two hundred years, and provides a link
short spell (1955). We had a wonderful life
with the British military past of Canada. with the regiment from Gibraltar, Trieste,
Submitted by
Winston Bks (twice) Hamilton Bks 3 times,
Dreghorn, Bahrain, Nairobi etc.,then of
Alexander Craig
course when I married George Winkley
Belleville, Ontario. in 1962 I was with the Cameronians until
he left, Dad was 28 years, and George was
attached for 12 years, not bad for one
Funeral of Mrs Mary Spiers
family?
George is doing fine, he was 75 in July,
Sir,
and is still a very lively man, involved with
the council, youth clubs, bird clubs, etc.,
On behalf of myself and that of my
and still very young looking too. We are
brothers and sisters I would like to thank
40 years married in March this year. How
the ‘Cameronians Association’ for the
times fly. I remember all the families and
representation at my mothers funeral and their children, and the baby sitting I did,
cremation on 1st December 2001. It was a for a lot of them, as if it was yesterday, how
very moving tribute to her and shall always
the Cameronians looked after us children
be remembered. My wife who comes from
on the beach in Gibraltar I could write a
Devon was overwhelmed at the loyalty
book, of it all, it is so sad when we hear of
shown by old Cameronians. These fine men
yet another old friend passing away, like
were very smartly dressed and carried her
Ben Page and Ian M Knight.
coffin from the hearse to the crematorium.
Well sir, I will close now, and so hope
you are well.
Once again I thank your association on
behalf of the Spiers family
Yours etc,
Anne Winkley
Sincerely Yours etc
John Spiers Reference:
Son of Capt. John Spiers (Jock)
A boy in the barracks
Page 35 The Covenanter 2001
Sir, Sir,
I am the daughter of Capt. John Spiers After reading this article, would it be
Q.M. you will remember him.
possible to let me have the address of this
I am writing to ask if you can put this
chap Cooper, as I’m sure we have a lot in
letter in the next Covenanter. It is from our
common to talk about. We were also in the
oldest brother John, and was sent to me to
Hamilton Barracks at the same time, and if
he wants to come up I have a place for him
to stay with George and I.
Anne
66
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