THE HALLOWES GENEALOGY
THE 11TH. EARL OF NORTHESK
TRIBUTES FROM "THE TIMES"
November 12th, 1963:
EARL OF NORTHESK
PEDIGREE DOGS
Air Commodore J.A.C. Cecil-Wright writes:
David Northesk had many interests in his life but it was to the Kennel Club and the world of pedigree dogs that he devoted most of his abundant energy. He became a member of the club nearly 30 years ago and from that day he served it with great ability and the tremendous enthusiasm which he applied to every task he undertook.
He was elected to the Committee in 1939 and became a trustee in 1952. In addition he served on many sub-committees. He was elected chairman of Cruft's Show committee in 1958 and he applied himself to his duties in a way which was an inspiration to those who work to make one of the best known and most successful exhibitions in the world.
His interest was not by any means confined to dog shows as he was also a member of the committee for gundog field trials in which he was well known both as a competitor and as a judge. He was one of the few who divided his interest between the working dog and the show dog and he was equally happy at shows, field trials, police dog trials or obedience tests. He judged many different breeds in this country and abroad and his services were in constant demand. The Kennel Club and, indeed, everyone who has bred pedigree dogs owes a deep gratitude to David Northesk.
November 13th, 1963:
EARL OF NORTHESK
L.T.C.R. writes:
Your obituary made no mention of David Northesk's many and diverse interests, to each of which he brought a most infectious zest and great expertise. He was one of the finest shots in England, an expert judge of dogs, a motoring and a railway enthusiast. It is only of this last activity that I am qualified to speak.
In 1951 he became President of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and he was also chairman of the Talyllyn Railway Company. This was the first venture of its kind and its continuing success has been very largely due to the quality of his leadership. He communicated his enthusiasm to everyone who worked on the railway because of the way he joined with them. He was never happier than when he was wielding a coal shovel on the footplate of a Talyllyn locomotive, clad in blue overalls and fireman's shiny-peaked cap. It is in this guise that he will always be remembered on the Talyllyn. Nor shall we ever forget the broad grin of delight with which he acknowledged the occasional tip he received from a satisfied and unsuspecting passenger after a good run; for like everything else he undertook, David Northesk did his fireman's job well. To the end he remained young in heart, and what better could be said of any man? The railway world has lost a great personality.
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