Tain Museum Image Library

The late Reay D G Clarke of Edderton wrote generously of Allan G Davidson that "The farming industry in Easter Ross was completely dependent on him" In the `50`s and early `60`s farmers were still using binders to cut oats and barley. The straps on the binders and the canvas were prone to damage and so "There was always a queue of what seemed like all the binders from Easter Ross in his shop". Reay also mentioned how Allan was always available to repair saddles and bridles etc. And of course " I can well remember the pleasant smell of leather and harness oil in his shop."
A far cry from Changtu in China and Chittagong in India where he was based when in the RAF during WW2.It was in Chittagong that he was to meet unexpectedly his younger brother, Alistair on his way to Burma. Their first meeting in four years..
Pre-war Allan had worked as a traveller for one of the local groceries and at one point this involved riding on horseback down the east coast villages of South Harris to reach his customers! Allan was known to his contemporaries as "Biffo" so presumably had some prowess as a boxer.He was also involved in playing football in the late `40`s as well as playing drums in the Tain Pipe Band.
In the late 1960`s he renewed a friendship with someone he had met in India. Allan and Marjorie
married in Edinburgh in 1969. They emigrated to Zimbabwe for a number of years before returning to Tain and finally Alness.
Allan died in September 1996 and is buried in Saint Duthus New Cemetery.

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