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- #112
According to the Statutory Register of Deaths Index, a John Dunsire age 58 died in 1933 in Buckhaven. This was the husband b.1874 of Sarah Foster and father of Jim b.1904, who married a Canadian girl Florrie Stevens. While they were on a visit home in 1933 John died of a heart attack, and Jim and Florrie stayed on with Sarah at the house at 18 Alison Street, Buckhaven. John is buried in East Wemyss cemetery.
According to his greatgrandson Jim Rankin, John was Scottish lawn bowls champion in 1912. Supported by a studio photograph, Glasgow 10 August 1912.
Leven Advertiser, 15AUG1912, p.7. "THE WORLD OF SPORT. Bowling Triumph. Mr. John Dunsire wins Single-Handed Scottish Championship.
"On Saturday, Mr. John Dunsire won the Scottish Championship on Queen's Park Green, defeating Mr. Andrew Carmichael, Falkirk, in the final by 21 shots to 10. Along with the championship is a purse of £20, and the possession of the Rosebery Cup for one year.
"Mr Dunsire qualified as the county representative in defating Mr. H. G. Smith, Cowdenbeath, by 21 to 16, and journeyed on Friday to Glasgow to take part in the closing stages of the competition for this much coveted trophy.
"He had four ties to play, and in masterly fashion easily accounted for his opponents, except in the second round, when he had a tough tussle against Mr. John A. Macmillan, Dumbarton, winning the tie by the narrow margin of one shot.
"The spectators watched the play with feverish interest, and were convinced that it was one of the finest exhibitions of bowling ever witnessed on the green.
"Having made such a fight for the Cup that day, the Club and officials were confident that nothing else but the top of the tree would satisfy their favourite, and on Saturday Mr W.Nicol, the President, and Mr.Alex Birrell, the Secretary, left for Glasgow in the certain hope of bringing home the Cup, so sure were they that nothing could stem the tide of victory.
"It was a most popular win, as the thunderous applause from two thousand spectators testified when the trophy was handed to the champion.
"In replying on behalf of the winner, Mr Nicol said that after 18 years Fife had been fly enough to win the Cup at last, and meant to be fly enough to keep it. Judging from the cheering which permeated Mr.Nicol's remarks, Fife seemed to be strongly represented in the crowd.
At Buckhaven, things immediately began to take shape on the wire from the President announcing the victory, and asking the Town Band to turn out. ... ... "
A special tramcar was despatched to meet the Glasgow train at Kirkcaldy. The champion's party was there entertained in the Station Hotel by a prominent Kirkcaldy bowler, before making the journey to Buckhaven, where the tramcar was met by a horse-brake ('lit up by a powerful lamp'). Mr. Dunsire was shouldered to the brake, which was then pulled by 'the strong arms of stalwart fellows', the procession headed by the band, parading by Lawrence Street and Randolph Street to the Free Gardeners Hall.
The Hall, packed to the doors, was the scene of the final celebration of the night, with many speeches and much singing, until the Town Band brought the proceedings to a close with the National Anthem.
This account in the Leven Advertiser was followed, for enthusiasts,
by a longer one detailing every 'end' in the final match, with appraising commentary.
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1874 - 1933 (58 years)