Rodger was the first born of Mary and Dugald on January 16 1877 at 35 Hill Street, Glasgow. Photographs of Rodger in 1898 and 1899 show him as a very attractive young man. Rodger had many professions in his early years, ranging from Engineer’s Machineman and furniture packer to a steelworker, which he spent the most time at. It is believed he walked 9 miles to the steel works every day and 9 miles back. Rodger was known to have been very mild mannered with never a bad word to say about anyone.
Rodger married Mary Niblock, 4 years his senior on July 13 1899. Both were recorded as living at 393 South York Street, Glasgow prior to the wedding. Mary was the first born to Henry Niblock and Agnes Niblock (m.s. Jeffrey) on March 13 1873 in Glasgow. Mary had at least 8 brothers and sisters.
Rodger and Mary had seven children Agnes (1900-1921), Donald (1902-1988), Henry (aka Harry) (1903), Mary (1906-1999), Christine (Tina) (1908-1941), Elizabeth (Beth) (26/5/1911-2000) and Rodger (1914-1998)
Agnes, their eldest daughter died aged 21 from suspected meningitis. Tina died aged 30 from cancer whilst the rest of the family had full lives.
We know Rodger’s father Dugald was a Hammerman likely working on the shipyards including a stint in England and his parents before him were Gaelic speaking. Rodger’s grandfather John from Islay, Argyll worked as a steam crane driver. John was likely employed by Clyde Iron works who had a plant at Tollcross and one at Carmyle. Dugald’s mother Ann or Agnes Brown was the daughter of Slaters from Easdale, Argyll. Despite previously living in Rutherglen, the family was still likely seen as outsiders when they moved to a tenement at 71 Stonelaw Road, Rutherglen.
There was a family story that two Brown brothers had been eaten by sharks. Although whilst after research it was found this wasn’t the true story was there were three of Rodger’s siblings that died in 1913. As it has been remembered as a story we can guess this had a big impact on the family at the time.
Robert (Bob) was born to Beth in March 1936 and was mostly brought up by Rodger and Mary while Beth worked.
In 1949 Rodger and Mary’s Golden Jubilee was held and members of the family attended from all from all over Scotland and England. A brother and sister of Rodger were known to have attended.
Life in the tenement, even without all the children must have been hard. By 1950, Beth slept in the only bedroom, her son Bob slept in the sitting room and in the kitchen Rodger and Mary. The beds were located in recesses in the walls of the kitchen and sitting room. Bob remembered electricity being connected just after the war in around 1947. Bob promptly joined the Royal Air Force in 1952, aged 17.
After a long life Rodger died of a heart attack at home on June 28 1957, three years after Mary had died of cancer. Rodger was buried in Rutherglen cemetery.
Beth continued to live at 71 Stonelaw Road on her own until the early 1970’s and today the tenement still exists.
Updated November 2024. Thanks to Neil Brown for this contribution
