Above: Hugh Frederick Dunbar with his daughter Rosa Petter and granddaughter Rosemary, later known as Mary Baylem. Taken at Capstone in Urmston. 
HUGH FREDERICK DUNBAR



Hugh Frederick Dunbar was born in 1874 in Manchester, the oldest child of Hugh M. and Rosa Ann Dunbar.  Family stories recall that he worked as a Manager or Owner of a movie theatre in Manchester,although I have not been able to authenticate this. He certainly worked as an Engineers Representative Agent in 1901 and lived at  that time at 40 Winifred Rd, Urmston. Hugh married Mary Hargreaves Falconer, daughter of James Falconer  and  Elizabeth Mothersill.(more about the Falconers and Mothersills below.)  Mary was born 28th Dec 1878 in 12 Tipping Street, Ardwick nr Chorlton. Hugh and Mary. who was also knownas May or Mae,  had 3 children:
 
Geoffrey F  born 1900 who died as an infant.
Rosa Lee who married Ernest Petter 
George Falconer born on 30 May 1905 in Capstone, Church Road, Urmston. George married Vera Alexandra Ferguson – his cousin.(see below) 



​Vera their niece (and daughter in law!) wrote in her autobiography ‘My mother’s oldest brother Hugh and his family lived in a big house called “Capstone” in Urmston and the whole clan came there for our last Christmas day in England. We were there a day or two beforehand and while my mother helped Auntie May to make the mince pies and other goodies my sister & I helped Rosa & George to make a snowman on the back lawn”

​In 1950 he was mentioned in a letter writer by Wyn Weidenhofer to her parents when she wrote   “ we are going to see Uncle Hugh tomorrow- am looking forward to meeting him. I think he’s  quite a trial to Auntie Rosa (Petter nee Dunbar- his daughter) likes everything his own way, can’t stand noise etc.”  Unfortunately there was no subsequent report on how the visit went!
​

Hugh was the only sibling not present in the family photograph above. Two stories about the absence have survived – one is that the family had a contagious disease – diphtheria perhaps - and so were quarantined and the other is that Hugh had fallen out with one or some of his siblings and refused to join the photo session
Beatrice Vernon his niece recalls that Rosa his daughter had told of his mistreatment of her however  Beatrice also maintained that he was very good to her mother, his sister Eleanor, when her husband left them. Hugh helped support them financially and took and interest in Beatrice’s well being.
Beatrice also recalls that in the latter years May and Hugh split up due to his ill treatment of her. Rosa their daughter wanted her mother, Mary or Mae, to move in with her and her family.
In 1911 Hugh was a Representative in the employment of Empire Engineering Co.
Mae taught piano in Urmston and was good friend with her sister in law Mima Falconer.
Hugh died on 18th February 1959 in Morecombe and May in 1954 in Barton on Irwell.

Left: This postcard of Capstone was sent to George, Hugh and Mary's son, by Grace Ferguson,(nee Dunbar) during one of her trips back to England from Australia.  It is the house George grew up in. Hugh Dunbar still resided there at the time. 

Hugh Dunbar died on 18th February 1959 in Morecombe. Mary his wife died in 1954 in Barton on Irwell. It is quite interesting that although they were my father's grandparent's very little was known of them by him.  Their son George Falconer married his cousin Vera Ferguson. They separated in 1946 but Rosa maintained regular contact with Vera through letters until they finally met again in 1964. It is no doubt due to this relationship that we have the photos of Mary and Hugh.
Above: George with his mother Mary Hargreaves Dunbar (nee Falconer) 1945


Right: Rosa Dunbar

​
Above centre: Rosa Dunbar at Convent in Belgium. First from left second row. 

​Above right: Mary Hargreaves Dunbar (nee Falconer).