Tributes to Burns stalwart

HUNDREDS gathered in the Crichton Memorial Church, Dumfries, to celebrate the life of popular Dumfriesshire personality David Shankland, MBE.

Family, friends, former NHS colleagues, politicians and many from the Scottish cultural and entertainment world were among the congregation at his funeral service.

Davie, 87, was renowned as a public speaker, entertainer and Burnsian.

In World War Two he was one of only a handful of survivors from a disastrous blaze on a Royal Indian Navy ship in Bombay Harbour and as a civilian began his working life at the Annandale Observer, was a pioneering male nurse and respected college lecturer.

William Williamson, a friend and fellow entertainer and broadcaster, said: “The service was a celebration which reflected his life. We tried to make it uplifting -- a nice way to say goodbye.”

The cortege went ‘on tour’ before and after the service visiting some of his favourite places and in his home town of Lochmaben, friends and neighbours gathered at roadsides, some bowing heads or clapping while others raised glasses of whisky.

There was an enthusiastic round of applause as the convoy left the Crichton, following an after-service reception, for a Middlebie graveside ceremony.

During the church service the pipe tune ‘David Shankland, MBE,’ was played by the composer Gavin Maxwell.

William Williamson sang ‘Davie’ and Scottish airs were preformed by Scots musicians Ewan McGowan and Ian Kirkpatrick with organ music from David McCullough.

Tributes, both moving and at times humorous, were given by William Williamson, John Glover of NHS Dumfries and Galloway and well-known Hawick-based speaker Ian Landles.

The funeral directors, Jim and Andrea Hodgson of Annan, distributed almost all of the 700 orders of service they printed.

Dumfriesshire MSP Dr Elaine Murray said afterwards: “Davie was a much loved personality, as the numbers who packed the church at his funeral testified. His was a life well lived.”

She added: “He had a kind word and a cheerful smile for everyone he met, and all our lives are the poorer for his passing.”

And local MP David Mundell said: “He was one of Dumfriesshire’s great characters and a man who dedicated his life to helping and entertaining others.”

He added: “Davie could easily have been a character in a Burns poem, drawing the Bard’s praise for his kindness, sharp wit and his humanity.”



NEWSDESK: 01461-202417

Print this article | Email this article

Return to News page