Watson, James Robertson C.1889

Front of Silver Medal

ELOCUTION COMPETITIONS IN DUNDEE, SCOTLAND

The Willoughby District Historical Society in Sydney, Australia was recently presented with 8 books and associated loose papers relating to elocution competitions in Dundee, Scotland at the end of the 19th century. The books were found in a house at 10 Bourmac St, Northbridge, Sydney. Unfortunately, we do not have any further information on their provenance. Our assumption, based on written information in the books, is that a James R Watson may have migrated from Scotland to Australia at some stage (as the books appear to have belonged to him).

The two main identities featured in the books are James R Watson and Ross Campbell.

In February 2025 Michael Young contacted the Society. He is an antiques trader in Dundee, Scotland. Michael was in possession of a 60mm medal that had been presented to J. Robertson Watson in 1895. The medal is a silver medal presented to Watson by J.D Cameron Esq. for his achievement in an Elocution Competition.

Reverse of Medal

Michael Young made the following commet: “If Watson emegrated down under then he obviously didn’t value the medal enough to take it with him! or perhaps he pawned or sold it to pay for hids passage?” Mr. Young also commented that “quality of the thisle border is very good“.

The clippings tell the story of dramatic recitals and elocution competitions held in the Gilfillan Hall on 25 April 1889. It appears that an elocution teacher (Ross Campbell) recited at the competition but that also one of his pupils, J.R. Watson was awarded a gold medal for his recital. The silver medal was won by a Mr David Pae.

Perhaps the most interesting of the books is a hard-covered notebook of James Robetrson Watson, Dundee, dated 1889. There are a number of newspaper clippings in the book (unfortunately undated) but likely c. 25 April 1889. The clippings are from the Courier and Argus, Dundee Advertiser and the Evening Telegraph.

This book, owned by J.R Watson appears to contain various handinTritten story’s, poems and plays that were used for elocution practice and performance, For the majority of passages the original source is acknowledged. However, there are some passages that may, or may not be original pieces.

Details from medal, can anyone decipher the writing?