On Sunday 17th December 1893, just a week before Christmas, the death took place of Dr Wardrop Moore of Greenhall, High Blantyre.
Passing away at his residence, Greenhall House that Sunday evening, he was 87 years old. He had been laid aside for some time beforehand and his passing was not unexpected.
He was the patriarch of a well known Lanarkshire family, who for many generations before had lived at Greenhall. In his younger days in early Victorian times, he had been a surgeon in the Royal Navy but had been retired for some time, becoming the country gentleman that many would remember him for. Those in Blantyre said he was a kindly, benevolent old man who always took a warm and active interest in the affairs of the Parish and trying to improve all aspects of Blantyre life. The poor, in particular found him a staunch friend.
After being pleased to see fresh water run by pipes into Blantyre for the first time in the early 1880s, he chose to commission an archway at Kirkton in 1885, at the location of the pump and well and placed a water trough in the archway for weary travellers to tend to their horses. The arch can still be seen at the Kirk Cemetery at High Blantyre Cross to this day, though it now has a bit of a lean forward on it, due to the size of the tree immediately behind.
Dr Wardrop Moore was survived by a widow and one son, Captain Wardrop Moore. The funeral took place on Wednesday 20th December 1893 at this cemetery within the old churchyard at High Blantyre. A service was held at Greenhall House before the cortege started and at the arrival at the grave, the ceremonies being conducted by Rev Turnbull and Rev Pryde. There was a large attendance of friends at the funeral. The pall bearers were Captain Wardrop Moore son of the deceased, Dr Lennox, Colonel J Cunninghame Kay, Mr Frank Hunter WS, Edinburgh, Mr John Jackson of Bardykes, Mr John McPherson of Blantyreferme, Mr James S Dixon of Bothwell and Dr McQueen of Edinburgh.
