John Bryan Bigg
Returning to Scotland
| 1949 13th February | Bryan and Winnie returned to Scotland |
| 1950 April | Bryan was appointed head of Coften Hackett Depot, Birmingham. |
| 1950 10th June | Hazel married Ambrose Barcroft |
| 1952 21st February | First grandchild, John, born in Ceylon |
| 1952 22nd November | Hazel reached Southampton from Ceylon, with John, on board the Empire Windrush. (The boat sank in the Mediterranean about a year later). They were met by Bryan and Winnie, since Ambrose was at sea in HMS Kenya, and went to Scotland by night sleeper. |
This was a difficult time for Winnie, since her father - A.F.Lloyd of 10 Allinora Crescent, Worthing - died on 14th November. She and Bryan went to the funeral.
Bryan and Winnie kindly provided a home for Hazel and John at Kinniny House, Crombie, where they were living.
Upper Kinneddar House, Saline
Bryan bought Kinneddar for £2,800. He installed main water and electricity, and converted the building into two houses. In the East end house the laundry became the drawing room. A pantry and servants' hall became the dining room. The lamp room became the kitchen.
The conversion was carried out both efficiently and artistically, and showed the great planning capacity which Bryan and Winnie possessed. The result was a house with three good-sized public rooms, and six large bedrooms, plus kitchen and bathroom.
Bryan intended to sell the East end for £2,500. He, very generously, sold it to Hazel and Ambrose for £2,000 in 1953.
Hazel followed the Fleet for the first ten years of marriage.
1951-52 Ceylon
1953-56 Upper Kinneddar
1956-58 Weymouth
1958-60 Paisley
However, with 3 children, and later 4, moving was difficult. The family, therefore, lived at Upper Kinneddar from 1960 to 1970.
When Ambrose was away Hazel had the support and companionship of her parents. They were thoughtful, kind and sociable. They belonged to the Dunfermline and Dollar Bridge Clubs, and had many bridge-playing friends. Winnie did Red Cross work. They attended Holy Trinity Church, Dunfermline, and Bryan was a member of the Vestry.
Bryan cultivated a Market Garden in the walled-in garden at Upper Kinneddar. He had always grown all his own vegetables, and graciously supplied Hazel as well.
Pitlochry
After Winnie's death in 1969, Upper Kinneddar was considered too big for Bryan to occupy alone. In addition, vandals had become troublesome.
It was thought that if Ambrose were appointed to a Scottish Parish, perhaps Bryan would be able to purchase a house in the same area. Consequently, Ambrose applied to retire from the Navy, even though he could have served 10 more years. His wish was granted in May 1970, and he was inducted to the Parish of Holy Trinity, Pitlochry on 3rd September 1970.
Bryan came to live in Pitlochry, and then married Doris Wragg. They joined the Pitlochry Bridge Club, and Holy Trinity Church, where each played the organ on occasions.
Bryan's interest in gardening continued. He participated successfully in the Pitlochry Horticultural Shows with entries of flowers, fruit, vegetables, as well as home-made wine and food.
In February 1975 the Pitlochry Rotary Club founded a Probus Club in Pitlochry. Bryan was chosen to be the first Chairman. He was so popular, and performed the role so well that on relinquishing office on 5th February 1976, he was presented with an inscribed gavel.
Conclusion
When we think of Bryan being in the trenches seven times, wounded twice, bombed twice, surviving the most disastrous battle in the British Army's history and the heaviest bombing by aircraft in the Second World War, and then leading a most active life for 94 years until 22nd April 1989 - we are remembering a very exceptional man.
Winnie worked for Lloyd's Bank before marrying. After Hazel was born, she had hoped to have more children, but was not permitted on doctor's orders. Her house at Chatham was wrecked during the Blitz, and all the silver and furniture were destroyed.
Although Winnie and Bryan had many difficulties to face, they left such events behind them; and were always optimistic and cheerful, a really wonderful pair.
Bryan's second marriage was also excellent. He and Doris had fourteen very happy years together.