We were originally of Scottish Blood

My life in Pictures

Last Update 27 May 2009

William Beattie Senior.
My Grandfather, Professional Photographer, Ice Skater, Opera Buff and many other things beside.

I remember quite a bit about my Grandfather at least after i was born of course, before then i have grabbed snippets of stories from relatives etc. and will be eternally grateful to my old friend Stewart McClean for digging out some old pics and postcards my Grandfather had created.  It was during conversations with my Father and my Uncles Wilbur and Jim that stories of Grandfathers abilities etc. came out,. he had one of the 1st. televisions in Newtownards and invited friends from William St. to view Queen Elizabeth 2nds Coronation live. He loved music and played a mean fiddle, he was an accomplished ice skater and had his own box at Belfasts Opera House.  Below are some examples of his work...

As mentioned before i owe my old friend Stewart McClean a debt of gratitude for this pic taken by my Grandfather in 1912.
Its of the 36th. Division Ulster Volunteer Force parading on the Crawfordsburn Road.   Note that the field in the top right was called "Peggies Field" and was great for toboggans,. Top Left is the Old Webbs factory and behind that Shorts.  Very bottom right was the entrance to the long driveway leading to "Stewarts House" a mansion before its demise and replacement by Londonderry Primary School.

Another pic from Stewart, this time the Division is marching along Talbot Street in 1912 on their way to Camp at Clandeboye.

Another pic from Stewart, this time the Division is arriving at Camp at Clandeboye.

More soon