Alexander Pirie

M, #16, b. 30 August 1884, d. 11 September 1940
Pedigree
Alexander Pirie (1884-1940)
     Alexander Pirie was born on 30 August 1884 at Longate Street, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.1 He was the son of John Pirie and Elizabeth Ritchie. His family was known by the tee-name of "Buxer". Alexander Pirie's father, John Pirie, was identified with the tee-name "Buxer" in the 1881 Scottish Census. His family then appeared to be known by the tee-name of "King". His father, John Pirie, was then identified with the tee-name "King" in the 1891 Census. "Buxer" was the tee-name of Alexander's grandfather's family and "King" was the tee-name of his grandmother's family. In the 1926 Directory of Portknockie, Alexander was identified with the tee-name "King".
He was listed as head of household's son in the 1891 census at 218 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: John Pirie “King”, (blank); Elizabeth Pirie, wife; Katrine Pirie, daughter; William Pirie, son; Alexander Pirie, son; Elizabeth Pirie, daughter.2
Alexander Pirie was sometimes known as "Sanners." He was the informant for, and present at, John Pirie "Buxer"'s death at 221 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 10 May 1900.3
He was listed as head of household's son in the 1901 census at 219½ Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: John Pirie, head; Mary Pirie, wife; Catherine Pirie, daughter; Wm Pirie, son; Alex Pirie, son; Elizabeth Pirie, daughter.4
Alexander Pirie was a fisherman and herring drift net fisherman. From 1903, John Pirie, William Pirie and Alexander Pirie owned the steam drifter 'Trident' BF 1049.5 He was a witness at William Pirie and Joan Duthie Buchan's wedding at Bon Accord Hotel, Market street, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on 17 December 1903.6 He married Margaret Mair at Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 3 January 1907.7 He was the informant for Rhoda Pirie's birth at 446 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 22 December 1907.8 He was the informant for, and present at, Rhoda Pirie's death at 446 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 3 January 1909.9
He was listed as head of household in the 1911 census at 446 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: Alexander Pirie, head; Maggie Pirie, wife.10
He was the informant for Margaret Pirie's birth at 435 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 15 May 1914.11
The Valuation Roll for the County of Banff for Year 1915-1916 shows that Alexander Pirie "King" was owner occupier of 435 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland.12 He was the informant for, and present at, Elizabeth Pirie's birth at 435 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 9 January 1916.13
He was listed as head of household in the 1921 census at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: Alexander Pirie, head; Margaret Pirie, wife; Margaret Pirie, daughter; Elizabeth Pirie, daughter.14
He was the informant for Isabella Wood Pirie's birth at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 7 February 1922.15 He was the informant for James Clarence Alexander Pirie's birth at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 7 February 1922.16 He married Margaret Helen Cheyne at 3 King Street, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on 13 September 1923.17
The Buckie and District Directory for 1926 shows that Alexander Pirie lived at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland.18
The Buckie and District Directory for 1926 shows that Alexander Pirie and brother William Pirie owned the steam drifter BF 1049 Trident.19
He was the informant for, and present at, Ian Alexander Pirie's birth at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 17 November 1928.20,21 He made a will at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland, on 15 May 1930.22 Alexander died on 11 September 1940 at sea, near Montrose Bay, Angus, Scotland, at age 56. He perished as a result of an attack on the Steam Trawler 'Beathwood', A 442. See the article ST Beathwood and the Fate of her Crew.23,24,25,26 His body was interred on 7 October 1940 at Portknockie, Moray, Scotland, at Lair No. 1572, Hillhead cemetery.27,28,29,30
Charts
Chart (box): Descendants of George Pirie "Buxer" (b. c1672)
Chart (indented): Descendants of George Pirie "Buxer" (b. c1672)
Chart (box): Our Direct Pirie Ancestors
Chart (box): Descendants of Alexander Cheyne (b. c1650)
Chart (indented): Descendants of Alexander Cheyne (b. c1650)
Chart (box): Descendants of James Mair "Bobbin" (b. 1755)
Chart (indented): Descendants of James Mair "Bobbin" (b. 1755)
Chart (box): Descendants of William Mair "Shavie" (b. c1765)
Chart (indented): Descendants of William Mair "Shavie" (b. c1765)
Chart (box): Descendants of George Sclater "Hasser" (b. c1770)
Chart (indented): Descendants of George Sclater "Hasser" (b. c1770)
Chart (box): Descendants of William Wood "Doo" (b. c1770)
Chart (indented): Descendants of William Wood "Doo" (b. c1770)
Chart (box): Descendants of William Wood "King" (b. c1695) (#1)
Chart (box): Descendants of William Wood "King" (b. c1695) (#2)
Chart (indented): Descendants of William Wood "King" (b. c1695) (#1)
Chart (indented): Descendants of William Wood "King" (b. c1695) (#2)

Children of Alexander Pirie and Margaret Mair

Children of Alexander Pirie and Margaret Helen Cheyne

Citations

  1. [S417] Alexander Pirie, 1884 Register of Births in the District of Peterhead in the County of Aberdeen, "Alexander Pirie, 1884, August Thirtieth 4h 0m A.M. at Longate Street, Peterhead, Male. Father: John Pirie, Fisherman (Domicil Port Knockie). Mother: Elizabeth Pirie M. S. Ritchie, married October 1874 in Port Knockie. Informant: John Pirie, father. Registered: 1884, August 30 at Peterhead, Alex Robertson, Registrar."
  2. [S14] 1891, Scottish Census, "Alexander Pirie, son, male, age 6, born in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, scholar, resident at 218 Portknockie."
  3. [S46] John Pirie "Buxer", Register of Deaths in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "John Pirie "Buxer", Fisherman (married to Helen Wood "King"), died 1900, May Tenth 12h 30m A.M. at 221 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Male, 81 years, Father: John Pirie Fisherman (deceased), Mother: Isabella Pirie M.S. Harper (deceased), Cause of death: Old Age, as Cert. by T. MacHardy M.B.C.M., Informant: Alex. Pirie, Grandson, 40 Portknockie (present), Registered: 1900, May 11th at Manse of Seafield, James McIntyre Registrar."
  4. [S13] 1901, Scottish Census, "Alex Pirie, son, male, age 16, born in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, fisherman, resident at 219½ Portknockie."
  5. [S431] David Mair, Joseph Reid, James Campbell Smith & David E Williamson Alexander S Buchan, Steam Drifters Recalled, Portgordon to Portsoy, "BF 1049 TRIDENT
    Built in 1902 of steel by Smith's Dock Shipbuilding Company of North Shields (Yard Number 685) for Smith’s Dock Trust as THIRTY FIVE and registered in Yarmouth (YH 725).
    Dimensions:- 80 GRT. Length 80.00 ft., Breadth 18.10 ft., Depth 8.30 ft.
    16 inch compound engine by Maccoll & Pollock of Sunderland. 22 hp.
    1903 Sold to J. Pirie (Buxer), W. Pirie & A. Pirie (Beel (sic)) Portknockie, Banffshire, renamed TRIDENT and re-registered in Banff (BF 1049).
    Requisitioned for war service 1915 to 1919, temporarily renamed TRIDENT II (Pennant Number 2040) as an anti submarine net vessel fitted with a 3 pdr. anti-aircraft gun.
    2 January 1936 sold for scrap."
    Davie Mair noted that Trident II would have served in the Dardanelles.
    Ian Alexander Pirie recalled that Trident was sold for scrap to Cameron's of Peterhead for £50.
  6. [S100] William Pirie to Joan Duthie Buchan, Statutory Register of Marriages, "1903 on the Seventeenth day of December at Bonaccord Hotel, Market Street, Aberdeen. After Banns according to the forms of the Established Church of Scotland. William Pirie, Fisherman (Bachelor), 23 years, resident at 428 Portknockie, Rathven, Father: John Pirie, Fisherman, Mother: Elizabeth Pirie M.S. Ritchie (deceased). Joan Buchan, Domestic Servant (spinster), 22 years, resident at 12 Almanythie Road, Peterhead, Aberdeen, Father: William Buchan, Fisherman, Mother: Elizabeth Buchan M.S Strachan (sic) (deceased). Minister: James McIntyre, Minister of Seafield. Alexander Pirie, witness. Alexander Duthie, witness. Registered: 1903 December 17th at Aberdeen, W A Ellis Assistant Registrar. CS."
  7. [S38] Alexander Pirie to Margaret Mair, Statutory Register of Marriages in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "1907, on the Third day of January at Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), after Banns according to the Forms of the Established Church of Scotland. Alexander Pirie, Fisherman (Bachelor), 22 years, resident at No 428 Portknockie, Father: John Pirie "King", Fisherman, Mother: Elizabeth Pirie M.S. Ritchie (Deceased). Margaret Mair, Fishergirl (Spinster), 23 years, resident at No 237 Portknockie, Father: John Mair "Bobbin", Fisherman, Mother: Margaret Mair M.S. Mair "Slater". James McIntyre, Minister of Seafield. John Mair Witness. James Mair Witness. Registered: 1907, January 4th at Manse of Seafield, James McIntyre Registrar."
  8. [S792] Rhoda Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Rhoda Pirie, 1907, December Twenty Second 3h 0m A.M. at 446 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Female. Father: Alexander Pirie, Fisherman. Mother: Margaret Pirie M.S. Mair, married 1907 January 3d in Seafield. Informant: Alexander Pirie, father. Registered: 1907, December 28th at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  9. [S43] Rhoda Pirie, Register of Deaths in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Rhoda Pirie (Single), died 1909, January Third 11h 30m P.M. at 446 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Female, 1 year. Father: Alexander Pirie Fisherman, Mother: Margaret Pirie M.S. Mair. Cause of death: Acute bronchitis, as cert. by T. MacHardy M.B.C.M. Informant: Alexander Pirie, Father (Present). Registered: 1909, January 4th at Manse of Seafield, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  10. [S3185] 1911, Scottish Census, "Alexander Pirie, head, male, age 26, married, fisherman in fishing industry, worker, born in Aberdeen, Peterhead, resident at 446 Portknockie, 1 room with one or more windows, 2 persons in house."
  11. [S4113] Margaret Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Margaret Pirie, 1914, May Fifteenth 12h 30m P.M. at 435 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Female. Father: Alexander Pirie, Fisherman. Mother: Margaret Pirie M. S. Mair, married 1907 January 3d in Seafield. Informant: Alexander Pirie, Father. Registered: 1914, May 18th at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  12. [S4582] National Records of Scotland, Valuation Roll, County of Banff, Year 1915-1916, Valuation Roll for the County of Banff for the Year 1915-1916 - Parish of Rathven, Page 385, "Police Burgh of Portknockie, No. 3780, Description: House, Situation: 435 Portknockie, Proprietor: Alex. Pirie, "King", fisherman, Occupier: Proprietor, Feu-Duty or Ground Annual: £1 2s 6d, Yearly Rent or Value: £8 0s 0d."
  13. [S5519] Elizabeth Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Elizabeth Pirie, 1916, January Ninth 5h A.M. at 435 Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Female. Father: Alexander Pirie, Fisherman. Mother: Margaret Pirie M.S. Mair, married 1907 January 3d in Seafield. Informant: Alexander Pirie, Father (Present). Registered: 1916, January 11th at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  14. [S9361] 1921, Scottish Census, "Alexander Pirie, head, age 36 years 10 months, male, married, born in Aberdeen, Peterhead, personal occupation: Herring Drift Net Fisherman, employment status: Employer, dependent children: 2, ages: 5, 7, houses: 4 rooms 4 persons, holdings: 4 rooms 4 persons, resident at 28 Seafield Street."
  15. [S9500] Isabella Wood Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Twin. Isabella Wood Pirie, 1922, February Seventh 12h 30m A.M. at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Female. Father: Alexander Pirie, Fisherman. Mother: Margaret Pirie M.S. Mair, married 1907 January 3rd in Seafield. Informant: Alex Pirie, Father. Registered: 1922, February 11th at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  16. [S9502] James Clarence Alexander Pirie, Register of Births in the District of Seafield in the County of Banff, "Twin. James Clarence Alexander Pirie, 1922, February Seventh 12h 35m A.M. at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Male. Father: Alexander Pirie, Fisherman. Mother: Margaret Pirie M.S. Mair, married 1907 January 3rd in Seafield. Informant: Alex Pirie, Father. Registered: 1922, February 11th at Seafield Manse, James McIntyre, Registrar."
  17. [S421] Alexander Pirie, Margaret Helen Cheyne, "1923 On the Thirteenth day of September at 3 King Street, Aberdeen. By declaration in the presence of William Pirie, 10 Seafield Street, Portknockie and William Cheyne, Knock Croft, Stuartfield, Old Deer. Alexander Pirie, Fisherman (widower), 39 years, resident at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Father: John Pirie, Fisherman (dec), Mother: Elizabeth Pirie M.S. Ritchie (dec). Margaret Helen Cheyne, Nurse (spinster), 35 years, resident at Knock Croft, Stuartfield, Father: William Cheyne, Draper (dec), Mother: Margaret Cheyne M.S. Watson. Warrant of Sheriff substitute of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Banff dated 13th September 1923. Registered 1923 September 17th at Aberdeen. T W Whitchell Assistant Registrar. Extracted from The Register Book of Marriages for the District of St. Nicolas in the Burgh of Aberdeen this 20th day of September 1923."
  18. [S727] Buckie and District Directory, 1926, page 77: PORTKNOCKIE, "Pirie, Alex., 28 Seafield Street", page 113: PORTKNOCKIE, SEAFIELD STREET, "28, Alex. Pirie, "King", fisherman."
  19. [S727] Buckie and District Directory, 1926, page 134: PORTKNOCKIE STEAMERS AND DRIFTERS, "BF 1049, 34 Tons, Boat's Name: Trident, Owner's Name and Address: W & A Pirie, 10 Seafield Street."
  20. [S420] Ian Alexander Pirie, Birth Certificate, "Ian Alexander Pirie. 1928 November Seventeenth, 6h 0m P.M. at 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Seafield (Rathven), Male. Father: Alexander Pirie, Fisherman. Mother: Margaret Helen Pirie M. S. Cheyne. Informant: Alexander Pirie, Father (Present). Registered: 1928 November 24th, At Manse of Seafield, John Taulds Registrar."
  21. [S9196] Ian Alexander Pirie, ScotlandsPeople search, Statutory Register of Births, Registration District of Seafield, Surname: Pirie. Forename: Ian Alexander. Gender: Male. Year: 1928. Ref: 164/3 41. Registration District Name: Seafield.
  22. [S435] Alexander Pirie, Dated 15th May 1930. Registered 23rd October, 1940.,.
  23. [S37] Alexander Pirie, Statutory Register of Deaths in the District of Craig in the County of Angus, "Alexander Pirie, Trawl Fisherman (Married to Margaret Helen Cheyne), 1940, Body found at The Gridle, Usan, Craig, Fifth October 12h 30m P.M. (Usual residence: 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, Banff), Male, 56 years. Father: John Pirie, Fisherman (Deceased), Mother: Elizabeth Pirie M.S. Ritchie (Deceased). Cause of death: War operations, Wounds in right knee, scalp, & drowning, not certified. Informant: Robert Findley, Police Sergeant, Police Office, Montrose. Registered: 1940, October 6th at Craig, David Burnett, Registrar."
  24. [S423] Scroll bearing the Royal crest of King George VI, commemorating the sacrifice of Alexander Pirie in WWII, , "This scroll commemorates Alexander Pirie, Deck Hand, Fishing Fleet, held in honour as one who served King and Country in the world war of 1939 - 1945 and gave his life to save mankind from tyranny. May his sacrifice help to bring the peace and freedom for which he died."
  25. [S422] Ian Alexander Pirie, Ramsgate, Kent, "Alexander Pirie died 11 September 1940 on board the 'ST Beathwood' in Montrose Bay as a result of a torpedo strike launched by a Dornier 17. His body was found later."
  26. [S642] "CULLEN MEN LOST ON ILL-FATED TRAWLER", "CULLEN MEN LOST ON ILL-FATED TRAWLER
    All but two of the crew of an Aberdeen trawler were lost when the ship was attacked by a Nazi plane off the east coast last week.
    The vessel was lying at anchor, completely blacked-out, when at about ten o’clock a German plane spotted it by the light of the moon. Engines switched off, the plane dived down and dropped one bomb which hit the trawler amid-ships and went clean through the bottom.
    Most of the crew were below, some were in bed, some at tea, and one man on deck was near the point of the explosion. The only survivors were the mate, Mr Alex. Mair (sen.), who formerly resided at Deskford Street, Cullen; and the engineer, an Aberdeen man.
    Among those lost were:- Skipper George Wood, formerly of 118 Seatown, Cullen, now residing at Aberdeen; second fisherman Alex. Mair (jun.) son of the mate, who is 25 years of age; cook Wm. George Findlay (37), 217 Seatown Cullen, only son of Mr and the late Mrs John Findlay; and Mr Alex. Pirie, 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie."
  27. [S644] , "On Monday there was a large attendance at the funeral of Mr Alex. Pirie, 28 Seafield Street, Portknockie, who was drowned recently when his ship was bombed."
  28. [S86] Alexander Pirie, Lair Record, "Lairs 1570 and 1572 purchased by Alexander Pirie, Fisherman of 446 Portknockie, on 04/01/1909 and 16/02/1910 respectively. Lair 1572, Name: Alexander Pirie, Profession: Fisherman, Relationship: Self, Age: 56, Interred: 07/10/1940."
  29. [S424] Debt of Honour Register and certificate, Casualty No 2459712, "In memory of Deck Hand Alexander Pirie, Steam Trawler Beathwood, Fishing Fleet, who died on 11 September 1940 age 56. Son of John and Elizabeth Pirie; husband of Margaret Pirie, of Portknockie. Remembered with honour. Portknockie (Hillhead) Cemetery, grave 1572. Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission."
  30. [S5886] Rhoda Pirie, John Pirie, Margaret Pirie née Mair, Margaret Helen Pirie née Cheyne, Margaret Pirie and James Clarence Alexander Pirie Alexander Pirie, Monumental inscription, "PIRIE
    In memory of ALEXANDER PIRIE 1884-1940, RHODA PIRIE 1907-1909, JOHN PIRIE 1910, MARGARET PIRIE (née MAIR) 1883-1922, MARGARET H. PIRIE (née CHEYNE) 1888-1943, MARGARET PIRIE 1914-1961, JAMES C.A. PIRIE 1922-1999
    Asleep in Jesus."