Robert Cranston (Scottish politician)

Brigadier-General Sir Robert Cranston KCVO CB CBE VD DL (1843 – 22 October 1923) was a Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1903 to 1906. He had an illustrious military career largely affiliated to volunteer battalions.

In 1914 he set up the first Edinburgh Pals battalion; the 15th battalion Royal Scots (also known as the Manchester-Scottish owing to its high ratio of members from the Manchester area). This was quickly followed by two further volunteer battalions; the 16th and 17th. Sir Robert was honorary commander in chief of all three battalions.

He was awarded the freedom of the city of Edinburgh on 15 October 1923,[1] shortly before his death.

He died at home at 19 Merchiston Avenue, Edinburgh following a brief illness and was buried with full military honours in the Grange Cemetery following a service in St. Giles Cathedral.[2]

Life

Robert was born in Edinburgh, the son of Bailie Cranston, a pioneer of total abstinence in the early 19th century.

Educated at the Royal High School on Regent Road, then obtained an LLD at the University of Philadelphia. He then trained in business in London and Paris.[3]

Business career

Originally Cranston worked in the drapery department of Kennington & Jenner (a forerunner of Jenners department store. Thereafter he set up a joint private business, Cranston & Elliot on North Bridge, but this had to be relocated due to acquisition by the North British Railway Company to build the North British Hotel (now the Balmoral). His company then moved to Princes Street. He also was concurrently managing director of Cranston’s Hotels Ltd.

Political career

Cranston was a member of the Unionist party. Cranston entered Edinburgh Town Council in 1882 as councillor for the George Square ward in Edinburgh’s South Side. In 1900 he was appointed Treasurer of the Council leading in November 1903 to his being elected Lord Provost of the city, a role which he served for three years.

In November 1909 he was appointed as the Unionist candidate for Leith district but was unsuccessful in the 1910 election, losing to Viscount Novar (then Mr R.C.Munro-Ferguson).

Military career

Cranston had a long link to the Territorial Army and to Citizens and Volunteer Battalions, stretching over 40 years.

In 1860 he joined a Citizens’ Army in the form of the 11th West Middlesex Brigade under Lord Ranleigh. In 1861 he joined the Scots Guards when war with the United States seemed imminent due to the Trent Affair. In 1864 he joined the Midlothian Coast Artillery under Sir James Gardiner Baird. In 1870 he moved to the Queen’s Rifle Volunteer Brigade of the Royal Scots (QRVBRS) often simply called the Queen’s Rifles, a battalion specifically linked to Edinburgh volunteers. He was appointed ensign, and rose to commander level, being a Major and Adjutant to the 3rd Battalion. In 1880 he was appointed Brigade Major for the Forth Volunteer Infantry Brigade. At this time he came to the notice of the military authorities as he had no formal military training as an officer. He was consequently sent to Aldershot where he studied as part of Major General Carr Glyn’s Brigade, serving under Major Hammersley. On completion he received a complimentary certificate from the commanding General. In 1896 he served under the Duke of Connaught during "Volunteer Week". In 1904 he assembled a huge crowd of volunteers in Holyrood Park to create the 1st Lothian Brigade. In 1905/6 he was Honorary Colonel of the QRVBRS, whilst at the same time being Lord Provost, a unique combination. In 1908 he was appointed to represent all Scotland on the Advisory Committee to the Territorial Force. In August 1914 he established the first Edinburgh Pals battalion: the 15th Royal Scots. In 1915 he was on active service in France (whilst the 15th were still training).

Honours

A large portrait of Sir Robert hangs in Edinburgh City Chambers, painted by Alexander Ignatius Roche (one of the Glasgow Boys).

Other Achievements

References

  1. ↑ http://www.edinburgh.org.uk/hisc/freemen.html
  2. ↑ Glasgow Herald, 23.10.1923
  3. ↑ Extracted from his obituary, Glasgow Herald 23 October 1923
  4. ↑ Edinburgh University Role of Honour, 1914-1919, printed by Edin Univ press
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