Craigends of the 20th Century a Renfrewshire estate remembered

This article was written following a series of interviews with Shirley Rankin, the chauffeur's daughter, in 2006 and 2007.

Robert Montgomery was Chauffeur-Handyman at Craigends from 1945 to 1951. He lived at Home Farm cottages with his wife, Minnie, and children, Shirley and Robert.

Robert's duties are made clear in his job offer of 16th January 1945: to "drive and look after the car"; "assist at the Mansion House in the mornings"; and "during the present restriction on the use of petrol... assist in the gardens". His wage was quoted as "£3 weekly, with free house at the Home Farm... and coal, light and potatoes." He was also provided with his chauffeur's suit, jacket and hat, which had to be kept in pefect condition.

As Mrs Cuninghame's chauffeur Robert's job was not a traditional nine-to-five. He was effectively on-call 24 hours and had to be completely flexible to "Madam's" demands. If required in the evening he would receive a telephone call at his cottage (the only connection was a direct line to the Mansion House). It would be the butler, Mr Bowie: "Montgomery, bring down the car."

The car

The car in Robert's care was a Rolls Royce 25HP. The stately vehicle, registered "AXY 3", was well known at the time in the local area: it even features in a 1940s postcard of Johnstone High Street.

During the Second World War, and the period of petrol rationing, Mrs Cuninghame also owned a Standard Ten, which Robert also drove. A smaller car than the Rolls Royce, it was used due to its better fuel-efficiency. Once petrol rationing ended in May 1950, though, Mrs Cuninghame returned to her more luxurious ways, and the Standard Ten was sold to the minister at Houston and Killelan Kirk .

The cars were kept at the garage by Home Farm, within a short walking distance of his house. As chauffeur the car was Robert his domain. As well as performing running-repairs and maintaining the vehicle, it was his job to ensure the interior was always in perfect condition: keeping the drink trays stocked, glasses were spotless etc. Shirley, his daughter, remembers on a rare occasion being allowed by her father to sit in the back of the car. She remembers vividly the staggeringly oppulent interior, with an inch thick white carpet that "your feet sank in to".

When summoned Robert would drive the short distance from Home Farm, along the avenue - which is still used as a footpath today - past the bridge and on to "the Mansion House". He would pull up alongside the side door - at the east wing of the house - get out the car, ring the door bell, and wait for the butler to answer. He would then assist the butler and other staff in escorting the ladies into the car, holding the door for them, and even wrapping a rug over their knees in cold weather.

Duties

Robert drove Mrs Cuninghame and her sister, Laura Pearson, (who almost always accompanied her) around all of their day-to-day business, around Johnstone, and elsewhere. And when out-and-about he was their personal assistant. Much to his resentment, Robert was required to assist the ladies during their shopping in Glasgow, carrying their bags, and assisting in any way he could.

Robert's duties also included regularly driving the ladies to social engagements with other Renfrewshire gentry: particularly, Hagart Spiers of Houston House, Sir Robert MacLean of Woodend House, and the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Sir Walter Guy Shaw-Stewart, at Ardgowan House, near Inverkip. On these occasions, Robert would have to wait for his lady; he couldn't just drop-her-off and pick-her-up. These evenings would be spent, if lucky, in the company of the domestic servants of these households. No doubt a few stories were shared between the servants about their employers!

He also drove Mrs Cuninghame on her excurions, driving his employer as far as Harrogate Spa in North Yorshire, England, where she holidayed often. Her domestic servants would, meanwhile, travel by train.

Mrs Cuninghame also owned an estate in Invernesshire, which she visited every year. On these occasions the ladies would travel by train; Robert would escort them as far as their train at Glasgow Central Train Station.

Interestingly, Mrs Cuninghame also had venison and game sent down from her Invernesshire estate by train during season. Robert collected these deliveries in the car from Houston & Crosslee station (now demolished).

Robert also picked up (what you might guess would be) more lively cargo from the station: guests of Mrs Cuninghame arriving by train. These would have included many of her English relations, such as Fairlie Pearson, Noel Christian Livingstone-Learmonth, and possibly William Philip Cuninghame, who she nominated to inherit the Craigends estate on her death.

Inside the mansion house

As stated in his contract Robert was also required to assist in the mansion house when needed. This work involved everything and anything, from helping move furniture to fixing broken lamps. And when Mrs Cuninghame was at her Invernesshire estate, he was also charged with being the house caretaker. Every night he would tour the house alone, checking the windows, and making sure everything was in order.

On one occasion Robert was woken by a call from the Mansion House in the middle of the night. An enormous portrait painting, believed to be of the late John Charles Cuninghame, had fallen from a wall and caused quite a commotion. Robert had to round up some of the other estate workers, Jimmy Blairs, Jimmy Philips, his brother Samuel, etc, to help move it. It took over a week before the painting could be rightly remounted. The incident was regarded by some of the female workers as a bad omen, a premonition that was to become true. One morning shortly after the incident Robert was performing his duties at the Mansion House when he discovered Alison's brother, Fairlie Pearson, in the Morning Room sitting dead in his chair.

Mrs Cuninghame

Throughout the eight years of his service Robert was very close to Mrs Cuninghame in her daily life, and despite the strict class segregation in their relationship, a bond was formed between the pair. She would joke with Robert, a Montgomery, about the ancient feud between their families.¹ And we are assured that in these exchanges Robert gave as good as he got. As Robert was an ex-miner, she also shared memories of her late husband's mining history, telling him how their business - Merry & Cuninghame - pioneered immigrant labour from Eastern Europe in the 19th century.

Mrs Cuninghame, at times, also expressed generosity to Robert which may have been considered "above his station". One night Robert's wife took severely ill with peritonitis and was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Infirmary. The following day Mrs Cuninghame gave Robert use of the Rolls Royce to visit his wife there.

Over the years Robert would also have been witness to some of the old lady's more tender moments. He often recounted a story from a time they visited the Kilmacolm Fete at Knapps Loch. Dressed in all her finery Mrs Cuninghame stepped from the car, but as she entered a marquee she caught her hat on a guy-rope. In full view of the gathered crowd her hat (and wig!) were pulled straight from her head. He recalled how utterly humiliated Madam was at this episode. And, though, looking back he took some satisfaction from seeing his Mistress knocked down a peg or two, as they drove off immediately afterwards he couldn't help but feel heart sorry for her.

Leaving Craigends

In 1953, after eight years service, Robert resigned from his post as Mrs Cuninghame's chauffeur and left Craigends for nearby Houston. This was against the advice of Thomas Findlay, the estate factor at the time, who advised Robert that if he stayed he would be likely to receive a large inheritance on the death of the elderly Mrs Cuninghame. As it was, having left her service Robert's ties to the insular estate were effectively severed. Years later, however, Mrs Cuninghame wrote a character reference for Robert which remains in his family's possession. The handwritten letter describes Robert as being of a "very good character", "safe, honest and obliging".

Mrs Cuninghame died just over a year later, and the factor's advice was proven true. It is believed that Mr Walker, who replaced Robert as chauffeur, was left over £3,000 in her will. A large sum in those days!

Robert remained, with his wife, in Houston until his death in 1986.