Page 31 - Quadrangle: 39th Edition

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Andrew Jamieson Baillie Rev Joseph Brown MA (1944)
– FP and Church of Scotland Minister
Archival reflections by George Robinson,
Volunteer at Greyfriars Kirk and Secretary A tribute by Alan Wrench (1964)
of the One O’Clock Gun Association
It was an absolute privilege to have known Joe Brown
for almost 53 years from our time as neighbours in
Musselburgh until his death at the age of 92 in Kelso
last year. Our paths seemed destined to cross repeatedly
from Musselburgh to Crieff and, finally, to Kelso when
I retired there some years ago. We exchanged so many
stories and reminiscences about the old school
whenever and wherever we met.
Joe was a very proud and loyal Herioter. He loved
everything about the school. He loved all the characters
who had shaped his early years. He loved all the
wonderful opportunities which the school provided for
him. Above all he loved what Heriot’s stood for
Andrew Jamieson Baillie was born
Andrew Jamieson Baillie was born
encapsulated in the inspiring school motto.
at 4 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh in 1855. His
father, John Baillie, owned a cabinetmaker and While at Heriot’s as teenager, Joe was a very keen member of the school pipe band and an
upholsterer’s business next door to their flat. enthusiastic cadet in the school CCF. I believe that, thanks to a gift of a ten shilling note from
John died in 1862 leaving his wife Helen to look his proud grandmother, he was able to receive some lessons from Pipe Major, Willie Ross – one
after Andrew and David, his younger brother. of the most accomplished pipers of his day. Joe was also a dynamic scrum-half for the school
2nd rugby XV. He could always recount numerous interesting and humorous stories about the
When he enrolled at George Heriot’s the
old school and his teachers. He was able to recall getting lessons in some of the masters’
following year, Andrew was issued with a
houses at the outbreak of the Second World War and even remembered being evacuated to
glengarry, short blue jacket, waistcoat, dark
a farm near Glenalmond in Perthshire when the school was closed 1939-40.
grey trousers and a pair of black, leather boots.
Joe was a highly respected Church of Scotland minister with charges ranging from Oban to
He was also issued with a number which was
Musselburgh and finally to Yetholm and Morebattle in the Borders. Prior to his Church of
marked on his belongings including the inside
Scotland ministries, he was an army chaplain and saw service in both Korea and Aden with
of his glengarry. Andrew joined the family
the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. Joe was very proud to have been invited back to
business as an apprentice cabinet maker when
school in 1975 as Preacher of the Day at the Founder’s Day celebrations and was given the
he left school in 1870. David also joined the
great honour of preaching in Crathie Church in the Queen’s Jubilee Year (1977) while Her
firm as an apprentice upholsterer when he too
Majesty was in residence at Balmoral.
left Heriot’s.
I will miss Joe as a great Herioter, a wonderful raconteur and a very good friend. Joe is survived
Dalry District Corporation Baths opened in
by his wife Debbie and our thoughts are with her and Joe’s family both in Scotland and Canada.
1893. As a highly qualified amateur swimmer,
Andrew (who had left the family business and
was now working as an auctioneer) applied for
the post of supervisor. He was much in demand
as a judge at swimming events and arbitrated
competitions at the school. The photograph
taken in 1905 shows the supervisor and his
staff standing on the entrance steps to the
public baths in Caledonian Crescent.
Andrew’s book, titled Walter Crighton featured
the life of a pupil at Heriot’s during the 1860s
and was published by E. & S. Livingstone in
1901. Andrew Jamieson Baillie was suffering
from myocardial exhaustion and died at
Caledonian Crescent at the age of 67 in
February 1923.
Biographical details: Abdu’Rashid Craig
Photograph details: source unknown