The Sport of Pigeon Racing

CHAPTER I

PIGEON RACING

DURING the recent World War, racing pigeons, in spite of the development of wireless communications, were more widely used than in the 1914-1918 war, and public interest was stimulated by reports of flights and rescues as a result of their use by the Air Force and the other Services.

Pigeons were used after the fall of France in 1940 to send information in both directions. There was less risk of leakage than by wireless. The birds were carried in special small parachutes and were dropped by planes at arranged locations over enemy occupied territory. They could then be used to carry messages and to return with messages from our agents abroad.

There was no novelty in this, because a similar service had been used during the Siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War and even before then at the Battle of Waterloo when the historic message of victory was conveyed to London in a similar fashion. For many centuries in the Far East the pigeon post was the most satisfactory, rapid and reliable method of overcoming the difficulties of desert travel, hostile tribes, treachery, etc.

One of the earliest records of the use of pigeons for message carrying is by Pliny, the Greek historian, who mentions their use at the Siege of Modena, 42 years before Christ. They are also mentioned by Virgil and were used in the Punic Wars. Later they were used at the Siege of Leyden in 1574, during the Dutch War of Independence.

On the Continent, especially in Belgium, the breeding of a type of pigeon for this purpose had a continuity which was not possible in this country—at least in Scotland. The climate of Scotland was always severe in winter, and in consequence there was usually a scarcity of certain foods for human consumption. One of the sources of food at such times was the pigeons kept in large flocks by the landowners in the country districts.

Many interesting and picturesque examples of dovecots still survive in Scotland—notably in the Lothians, which is the grain growing district. This monopoly, which was a perquisite of the landlords and a distinct burden on the tenant farmer, was relinquished during the 18th century, and in itself might be considered one of the causes of the comparatively late development of the cult of the racing pigeon in Scotland. These were the predominating pigeons in this country up to that time and they were not of a type in any way suitable for message carrying or for training to race. Their main features were size and, with that, as much weight as possible. They were lethargic, their range of flight very limited, and their endurance in no way noteworthy.

It followed that our racing pigeon strains had to be procured from England and the Continent and had to be acclimatised to the harder weather conditions prevailing in Scotland.

The pioneers came from all classes of society. Those enthusiasts who were blessed with means to buy good foundation stock, in many cases shared the birds unselfishly with their less fortunate brethren. As in most things, the most successful fanciers were not always those with the greatest means.

In those early days the Fancy was only carried on by a few stouthearted enthusiasts, dour (determined) Scots, and the present generation of Scottish fanciers owes to them everything that is good and clean in the sport today.

I am unable to give a correct historical record of all the great Scottish fanciers of those days (and I mean by great the genuine fancier, no matter in which walk of life) but I can recall meeting several of them and enjoying their reminiscences of the pioneer days.

Amongst them I would include Mr. J. B. Clark and Mr. Tennant of Bothwell; Mr. Clyde and Mr. Johnston of Uddingston; Messrs. Galloway Brothers of Strathaven; Mr. J. E. Taylor of Langside; Dr. Arthur and Messrs. Goldie Brothers of Airdrie; Mr. J. B. Taylor of Edinburgh; Mr. George Hamilton and Mr. Buchanan of Govan; Mr. Andrews of Monkton; Mr. Burns of Larkhall; Mr. Weinberg of Dundee; Mr. Wise of Uddingston; Mr. Alex. Forrest of Aberdeen; Mr. John Davidson of Govan; Mr. Dan Adam of Cambuslang; Mr. A. Beardsley of Springburn; Mr. Charles Taylor of Parkhead; Mr. Mason of Baillieston; Messrs. W. Gardiner and Jas. Don of Glasgow; Messrs. A. Nichol, Ed. McLean and W. Morrison of Larkhall; Messrs. Kane Brothers of Hamilton; Mr. W. McLean of Dennyloanhead; Messrs. Smart Brothers of Shieldhall; Mr. Andrew Christie of Leslie; Messrs. Swain Brothers of Markinch; Mr. Wm. Lindsay of Auchengray; Mr. A. Scott of Broxburn, etc.

Most of these fanciers were actively engaged in the sport at the end of last century or in the early years of this century. They are well-known to the present generation of fanciers and many of the old names keep turning up in the pedigrees of winners at the present time.

Modern economic conditions have made it possible for any man, whatever his position, to participate in this justly popular hobby. It is in every way the ideal sport for the working man. Every pigeon in a race is a genuine trier—this makes pigeon racing one of the few really clean sports in existence.

Nevertheless the man who is not prepared to sacrifice much of his convenience and leisure need not think of adopting this as his hobby, for the birds require constant and unremitting attention from the first to the last day of each year. During the summer months he will enjoy racing at the week-ends, and if he wishes he can also prepare birds for competition in the winter shows and attend the various reunions.

What would have been in the minds of the old Scottish pioneers if they had seen the recently published result of this year’s (1947) Scottish National Rennes Race (of approximately 550 miles) with over 2,700 birds sent by plane and competing for the King’s Cup, the Gold Cup, and almost £10,000 in prizes and pools?

I would like to quote from the archives of the old Scottish National Flying Club (founded in 1893) a record of their 2nd National Race:—

"1895 race was from Thurles (Ireland), approximately 264 miles, to Glasgow—53 competitors sent 116 pigeons and was won by Mr. Andrews of Monkton, vel. 1049 yards. The total income from race was £8 15s. 6d. and expenditure £8 13s. 2d., leaving a balance of 2s. 4d."

No mention is made of prize money, but £1 1s. 9d. was spent on diplomas and I take it this was all the prize-winners received. This, in the truest spirit of the Sport, requires no comment, but shows the gigantic strides the Fancy has made in Scotland during the past 50 years.

My own start with racing pigeons was in 1897 when I purchased my first pair from an old local fancier, the late John Roberts of Armadale. I was nine years of age, and I did not get any encouragement at home—my father was of opinion that hobbies interfered with school work! He must not have been too severe, or I must have been very insistent; at anyrate all my meagre savings went in that schoolboy deal, and I well remember the price paid—5s. each bird—and even the colours—a blue cock and a black hen.

In the following year I left home to attend Glasgow High School, and as I was now resident in Glasgow I was not able to give my pigeons the attention they required; but, like the enthusiast I was, I still persevered at the week-ends and in the holiday periods.

In my school class I was fortunate to have a son of Mr. J. B. Clark of Bothwell (although, like so many fanciers’ sons, he was not interested in pigeons) and in an upper class I used to meet Wm. Brownlie of Brownlie Brothers of Strathaven.

But by far the greatest enthusiast I encountered in my school days was James Haddow of Govan, a senior student, but one who took me under his wing and encouraged me in my quest for pigeon knowledge. He was already a member of the old Glasgow Clydesdale Club and competed with this club for several years before qualifying as a dental surgeon and seeking pastures new (as so many Scots do) in a dental practice near Leeds. (After 40 years I was able to renew this friendship at the Leeds G.Y.A. Show, 1946). With him, I occasionally visited the old Glasgow Bird Market in the Saltmarket, where all kinds of live stock were offered for sale. It was frequented by stray catchers and all manner of doubtful characters.

Through James Haddow I first met George Hamilton of Govan, one of the best of the older generation of Scottish long-distance fanciers. He was a small farmer and lived at that time at Langshot Farm, Ibrox (now obliterated by a Glasgow Corporation housing scheme) and he had a grand lot of birds which held their own in the club races.

I also met Dan O’Brien, secretary of the old Scottish National Flying Club, and other local fanciers, some of whom flew their small teams of birds to window boxes (or lofts) attached to the tenement walls. Later, I got to know William Whitelaw, another of the great pioneer fanciers and an excellent judge of a pigeon, and John Davidson, an Osman enthusiast, also James Wise of Uddingston; Neil Campbell (now of Dunbar); J. McKechnie of Pollokshaws; James Don of Govan; Wm. Gardiner (who had a splendid team of winners at his old house in Batson Street and who is still an enthusiast and a National winner); Dan Adam of Cambuslang who put up some long distance records into Scotland from Bordeaux and Mirande with a son of J. L. Baker’s Ironsides; Amos Beardsley of Springburn, and many more.

Since these early days great strides have been made; from some hundreds of fanciers in Scotland the figure has risen to almost six thousand (who are all members of a very flourishing Scottish Homing Union).

The Scottish National Flying Club was founded in 1893 with originally a mere handful of members. In 1894, forty-one competitors sent 92 pigeons to Dublin and the winner was George Hamilton of Govan.

The Club had reached a total of 1,700 members in 1939, and there were nearly 5,000 entries in the Rennes race, with almost £9,000 in prize money and pools.

Without a doubt the S.N.F.C. is today the strongest and best long distance club in the world; its continued progress has been phenomenal. In my opinion it has not yet reached its zenith, and I predict even a greater future for this old and deservedly popular club.

Until 1914 the Scottish Fancy formed a section of the National Homing Union, but with the growth of the Fancy in Scotland it became apparent that local government was urgently required. Consequently that year the Scottish Fancy launched out on its own and broke away from the parent body and formed a Scottish Homing Union.

At the first meeting to form the Union the following were present: Messrs. Davidson, Don, Paul, Gardiner, McLean and myself. I had the honour to be appointed the first president. I held that office for many years and helped the new body in its early days.

We have never regretted that break and the Scottish Fancy has continued to make great progress in everything connected with the sport of pigeon racing in all its branches.

I was appointed president of the Scottish National Flying Club in 1914 and have occupied that post for thirty-three years now without a break. For almost all that period the Club has had the help of Mr. Thomas Dickson of Edinburgh as secretary, and he has filled the position to perfection.

In conclusion I would like to make kindly reference to my own club—one of the strongest in Scotland—the Armadale and District Homing Society.

Founded almost 50 years ago, we have had the unique honour, in this village club, of winning the Rennes National on three occasions. I won the race in 1920, Watson Brothers in 1921 and Hugh Park in 1938. Kerr Brothers were second in 1920 and again in 1939.

Innumerable honours have also been won in the National races, by other members. Of the original founders, very few are still to the fore, but Abe Kerr (of Kerr Brothers), Joseph Wilson and John McAlpine are still with us and all are as enthusiastic as ever. It is evident that pigeon fever is a disease which is persistent or chronic and cannot be cured.

Among other good fanciers who were members of the Club and who helped to keep the flag flying were the late Robert Kerr, John Forsyth, John Roberts, Joseph McAlpine, Pat Hainey, John Sommerville (now in Fife) and Alex. Muir (now in U.S.A.).

CHAPTER II

THE ARMADALE LOFTS

THE Armadale Lofts were established in 1904 with birds bought from my old friend, the late George Hamilton of Govan, Glasgow, who won the last Scottish National race from Skibereen (Ireland) in 1902, and the first Scottish National race from Bath in 1903. The birds were of the Delmotte family, tracing back to Banner of Ainsdale’s 23 and 24 and the blood of J. B. Clark of Bothwell.

The following summary of the racing activities of the Armadale Lofts since that time may prove of interest.

1905. I started racing with young birds in the Armadale and District Homing Society and was 2nd in my first race from Dumfries. I took several good positions up to Millom and was first average of the new members in the young bird races that year.

1906. I won several good positions up to Shrewsbury in which race I was 7th club, and did well with a blue pied cock at Millom, in young bird racing. Later, I gave him to Joseph McAlpine for whom he flew the National several times.

1907. Being in this year a medical student, I was forced to abandon racing till I qualified in 1909 and returned to Armadale in 1910 to assist my father in medical practice here. In that year I purchased another pair from G. Hamilton and several pairs of Stanhopes from my present loftman, John McAlpine, who was racing very well at that time. Later, I purchased two grandchildren of J. L. Baker’s Little Wonder, and also a sister of this famous champion.

1911. I resumed racing, joined the Scottish National Flying Club and was 14th Rennes (545 miles). I also had many good positions in the inland races. (I bought my Rennes winner from Mr. Dan Adam of Cambuslang and broke him to my loft.)

1912. I had several good prizes and again timed in from Rennes with my 1911 winner, but was out of the prize list.

1913. I bred J. McAlpine’s 6th position winner in S.N.F.C. race from Rennes, which turned out to be a disaster. She was again 24th in 1914.

1914. I won 7th and 13th Rennes S.N.F.C. and 7th and 13th Open in the Bournemouth East of Scotland race. During the autumn of 1914 and at the commencement of 1914-18 World War, I purchased the entire stock of birds of John McAlpine who had had an excellent record in the Scottish National and other Federation and Open races. The birds were a family largely comprised of the old Stanhope blood from J. J. Barrett, Whitmore of Dudley, J. L. Baker of Sedgley, etc.

Since that date John McAlpine has been my loftman, and much of my success during the past thirty years has been due to his unfailing work and enthusiasm. In later years