Person:Alexander Marr (4)

From North Berwick.org website:

Alex Marr born 23rd July 1874, Prospect Cottage, Back Street, North Berwick, son of Robert Marr, fisherman and his wife Isabella Thomson. In the 1880s the family lived at 6 Russell Square. Alex was a joiner to trade and a licensed caddie and professional during the season. He was appointed pro at Wearside (1895-1901); then Frome G.C Sumerset (1901-1902);before moving to Pallion Golf Club, Sunderland in 1902. Marr played in the 1899 (Sandwich) and 1901 (St Andrews) Open Championships.

Marr returned to North Berwick in 1902 and was working as a joiner when he was drowned in a tragic accident. Alex and two friends Ralf Carse, a butler and James Ramsay, a coachman rowed out to a yacht anchored in the West Bay named 'Sweetheart' where they met up with Robert Thomson a member of the yacht's crew. They remained on board until midnight when Marr and Thomson rowed the small boat back to the harbour. It was then that one of the other men wanted to lend a hand at the oar and was changing seats with Marr when the boat capsized.

Thomson although exhausted, managed to swim back to the yacht but the others were drowned. The next day Captain Henderson, Lloyds Agent found the upturned boat near the Leithies. Three weeks later, their bodies were washed up on the broadsands east of the Eil Burn but were so unrecognisable they could only be identified by their clothing. The yacht, owned by Mr McWharrie from London who was on holiday in North Berwick and did not give his permission to use the boat.

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1. ↑ Scotland. Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. (FamilySearch Record Search).