Robert Montgomery Jnr.

Robert was employed at Craigends as Chauffeur-Handyman from 1944 to 1951.

He previously lived with his wife, Minnie, and two children: Robert and Shirley, in Loganlea, West Lothian. He worked there as a miner but his capacity for his job was ended through injury and he was forced to seek alternative employment. His father, Robert Montgomery Snr, was an estate worker at Craigends in Renfrewshire and Robert applied for the job of Chauffeur there. He was successful in his interview and, in 1945, he and his family relocated to Craigends, where they stayed at the Home Farm.

Chauffeur

Robert was offered the job of "chauffeur-gardener" at Craigends on the 16th of January 1945. His duties are described in his letter of acceptance: to "drive and look after the car"; "assist at the Mansion House in the mornings"; and "during the present restriction on the use of petrol... assist in the gardens". His wage was quoted as "£3 weekly, with free house at the Home Farm... and coal, light and potatoes."

The car Robert drove and maintained was a Rolls Royce 25HP, registered "AXY 3". The stately vehicle was well known throughout the local area and its even prominent in a 1940s postcard of Johnston High Street. For some time Mrs Cuninghame also owned a Standard Ten. A much smaller car it was used during the period of petrol rationing because of its fuel-efficiency. Soon after petrol rationing ended in May 1950 it was sold to a Houston local(?).

As Mrs Cuninghame's private chauffeur Robert's job was not a traditional 9-to-5. He was effectively a 24 hour servant and was expected to be flexible to Mrs Cuninghame's demands. When he was required he would typically receive a phone call from the butler (Mr Bowie) at the Mansion House: "Montgomery, bring down the car." The car was housed at a garage within a short walking distance of his house and he would drive it along the main avenue, which is still used as a footpath today, past the bridge, and wait by the main entrance of Craigends House.

He was most often required to drive Alison, and her sister Laura (who almost always accompanied her sister), on social and business engagements around Renfrewshire. They regularly visited Hagart Spiers at Houston House, Sir Robert MacLean at Woodend House, (both in neighbouring Houston) and the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Sir Walter Guy Shaw-Stewart, at Ardgowan House near Inverkip.

Business would most often be transacted at Johnstone, where Holmes & Mackillop the solicitors agency which oversaw the running of the estate, were based.

Trips outside of west/central Scotland, would usually be taken by train. Mrs Cuninghame often holidayed at Harrogate in North Yorkshire, England; and her second estate, Upper Foyers in Invernesshire: on these occasions Robert would drive the pair to and from Glasgow Central train station. He would also, on occasion, be required to pick up guests arriving at by train and also deliveries. Mrs Cuninghame often had venison and game sent down from her Invernesshire estate by train, and Robert would collect it at, the no longer existent, Houston & Crosslee station.

Handyman

Robert was also expected to assist in the house when needed. On one occasion in particular he was called to the Mansion House during the night when an enormous framed painting had fallen from the wall. This caused quite a commotion and it took many days to remount the painting. The incident was regarded by the servants as a bad omen and this premonition was realised shortly afterwards when Robert, assisting at the Mansion House one morning, discovered Alison's brother Fairlie Pearson, sitting dead in his chair.

Driving Mrs Cuninghame

Throughout the 8 years of his service Robert was very close to Mrs Cuninghame in her daily life and, despite the strict class segregation in their relationship, a closeness was formed between the pair. She would often joke with Robert about the ancient feud between the Cuninghame and Montgomery families. She also shared memories of her family's mining history, telling him of her late husband's pioneering of importing Eastern European workers in the 19th century.

Mrs Cuninghame also expressed some kindness to him, beyond his station: when Robert's wife took ill and was rushed to hospital Mrs Cuninghame gave Robert use of the Rolls Royce to visit his wife there.

Robert was always happy to see his Mistress knocked down a peg or two, though, and he enjoyed recounting to his family a story from when he accompanied Mrs Cuninghame on a visit to the Kilmacolm Fete by Knapps Loch. Dressed in all her finery Mrs Cuninghame caught her hat on a guy-rope, as she entered the marquee, and, in full view of the gathered crowd her wig was pulled straight off her head. Robert found it hard not to laugh as he rushed to the humiliated Lady's assistance.

Robert was also close to the other gentry and had a special connection with Fairlie Pearson, Alison's brother. This is evidenced by the mementos Fairlie gifted him: a small photo album dating from approximately 1910, and an antique biscuit tin with fine engraving. Fairlie died in Craigends House in 1947; Robert was the first to discover his body.

Leaving Craigends

In 1953, after eight years as Mrs Cuninghame's chaffeur, Robert resigned and left Craigends. A Council House had become available in neighbouring Houston, and against the advice of the estate factor - who told him that if he stayed would be likely to benefit from the aging Mrs Cuninghame's inheritance - he decided to take it.

On leaving the insular estate contact was effectively severed. Not entirely though, as a reference from Mrs Cuninghame written on the 1st of March 1957 remains in his family's possession. The handwritten reference on Craigends letter-headed paper describes Robert as being of a "very good character", "safe, honest and obliging".

Mrs Cuninghame died just over a year later and the factor's advice was proven true. It is believed the man who replaced Robert received £3,000 in her will, a very large sum in those days.

Robert remained in Houston until his death in 1986.