Frederick Buchanan, Hunter

This is 32 year old Frederick Buchanan – hunter par excellence – standing by Stevenston Burn on Stinston Mair (Stevenston Moor) in the fall of 1929. His game bag was an important source of protein for his growing family during the “Great Depression.” He bagged 13 ducks on the day before I was born. Note the shine on his boots. He loved to take the missionaries hunting. Elder William Tolman took this picture. Fred’s game included hares, rabbits, curlews, lapwings, snipe, golden plovers and one “Royal” swan – which he bagged for the Stevenston Socialist Party's Christmas dinner – around 1930. Shsh – it was technically a crime, but so was the “Great Depression.” Dad was out of work for 8 years!