John Clark Forrest’s Funeral, 1893

In 1893, the death occurred of John Clark Forrest, prominent landowner of much of Blantyre and well known official.

This was man who gave his name and that of his family to form John Street, Clark Street, Forrest Street and Logan Street. Although not born in Blantyre, he was elected to the newly formed Blantyre School Board in 1873 at the age of 41. As Provost of Hamilton from 1875-1881, he welcomed the Prince of Wales to Hamilton Palace in 1878 and later Prime Minister Mr. Gladstone in 1880. He was also the honorary Sheriff substitute in Blantyre from 1879, in which position he read “the riot act” in Blantyre during 1887. In 1888 he became Lieutenant Colonel of the 5th Volunteer Battalion Scottish Rifles in Airdrie.

He was a man for the community and sold his land to accommodate Stonefield Parish School, the Police Station, the Livingstone Memorial Church, the Blantyre Miners Welfare just to name a few!

On 28th August 1893, at the age of 61 John passed away at his Udston Home after a short illness. After a service in Auchingramont Church and small service at his home, this public figure then had a funeral service the likes of what Blantyre had never seen before.

The schools were closed to allow people a chance to mourn!

It was by no doubt the largest funeral procession the town had seen. His coffin was oak clad and lined inside with lead. Placed on a gun carriage with his military helmet and sword on top, the carriage was pulled by six magnificent black, plumed horses. His favourite Charger followed with his solitary boots, attached, and reversed in the stirrups.

Next, followed the Burgh Council and magistrates followed by over 1,500 local Blantyre mourners. The Burgh Police had to unusually attend the funeral if only for crowd control.  The procession is reported to have tailed back a mile and was ceremoniously handed over to the Lanarkshire Constabulary at the border of Hamilton and into High Blantyre.

Along Main Street the procession arrived at the Blantyre kirkyard. The stone, perimeter walls of the kirk graveyard were lined by volunteers standing two deep in their bright red uniforms. His regiment carried the coffin down from the carriage, draped in a Union Jack, up the cemetery steps and to the prepared lair. (Which was near the back left of the kirkyard). The nearby Church bells constantly chimed a slow, funeral dirge.

People congregated in Douglas Street and Main Street and there was reputedly not a place to stand, the crowds in thousands. Then, having been laid to final rest amongst a mountain of flowers, a firing party 300 men strong (5th Volunteer Battalion) discharged a volley of shots to the air. Mrs Jane Wilson Forrest was appointed trustee of John’s large estate, which included large portion of land throughout Blantyre. 

My photo of High Blantyre kirkyard attached, taken in 2015, is close to his final resting place.