Click to Enlarge

JOHN MCGUIRE b. New Luce 1906

Jock Mc Guire was born in New Luce. The youngest of six children, he attended
the village school until he reached the age of 13years.

Schooldays over he got himself apprenticed to a firm of local builders named Clive, and was in at the start of building the village hall. (Stones from the derelict cottages in the village were incorporated in the foundations). His time as an apprentice was short as his mother wanted him to do farmwork.

On leaving the building trade he worked at Mains of Larg for Mr John Forster. That was the first of various farms he worked at in the area. During the depression he went to work on the construction of Clateringshaws dam near New Galloway, leaving home on a Sunday evening on his cycle and returning the following Saturday afternoon. This was a distance of 38miles each way.

In 1931 Jock married Peggy Johnstone from Glenluce by which time he was working for the County Council. His workmate was Alec Irvine. They were known as The Roadmen. Married life started in the end cottage in the Auld Clachan. They had one daughter (Peggy) before moving to Church Cottage in 1936.

1939-1945 Jock enlisted into the Royal Engineers serving in the UK, North Africa, and North West Europe. After demobilization Jock returned to work for the County Council but shortly afterwards his marriage ended in divorce. He continued to live in Church Cottage becoming Beadle in 1947 when Mrs Fraser retired. At this time he also changed his occupation and went to work for British Rail as a Plate Layer.

With the New Luce team Jock represented Scotland in an International bowling competition against England. This match was played in Bolton 8th March 1952. Always a keen bowler he was proud of his cup.

1963 saw an upturn in his life. He won just over £8,000 on the Treble Chance Pools. That was considered a small fortune then. In 1964 he married Nellie Johnstone from Castle Kennedy and they lived in Church Cottage for the next 4years. Two cottages 37&39 Main Street, which Jock bought in 1966, were demolished and a bungalow built on the site. (He was born in one of the cottages). Jock and Nellie moved into the bungalow in 1968 before Jock retired in 1971.They lived there together until Nellie died in 1986. He lived on in the bungalow for the rest of his life.

One daughter 2 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren survive him.