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McTurk, James Keir Hardie Cumnock Chronicle Friday October 31 1975
Obituaries - Ex-Provost J. K. H. McTurk – a lifetime of service
The town of Cumnock suffered a deep sense of loss with the passing at Ballochmyle Hospital on Tuesday morning of ex-Provost James Keir Hardie McTurk, aged 56. A native of the town and a member of a family with a long history of civic service he was honoured in April 1972, by being given the Freedom of the Burgh as a mark of community respect. The granting of the Burgess Ticket at that time marked 25 years unbroken service to the Town Council and this continued to the present with Mr McTurk’s membership of Cumnock and Doon valley District Council, on which he was Vice-Convener.
A son of the late Mr and Mrs George McTurk, Keir was educated at the local Academy and he later took up employment in the Public Assistance Department of Ayr County Council where he served until 1948, with the exception of six years’ war service with the Royal Navy during which he sailed with many of the Russian convoys to Murmansk in the dark days of heavy naval losses. He was mentioned in dispatches and his Royal Navy connection was one which continued to be a source of quiet pride in post-war years and was evidenced by his subsequent membership of the Fo’c’sle Club in Cumnock.
After the war Keir entered the employment of the Department of Health and Social Security as a Civil Servant and he continued in this work until being admitted to Ballochmyle Hospital on October 8.
In 1947, at the age of 28, he was elected to Cumnock Town Council, topping the poll as he did on each occasion he stood for re-election. He filled the various offices of the council, ultimately serving as Provost from May 1963. In 1966 he was elected to represent Cumnock on Ayr County Council, thereby following in the footsteps of his father, Mr George McTurk, O.B.E. He was a member of many County Council committees, such as education, social work and finance.
He served as Chairman at various times on Cumnock Municipal Bank, the Joint Cemetery Committee, the Horticultural Society, the Working men’s Club and the Senior Citizens’ Club. Mr. McTurk was for many years a member of the River Purification Board in Ayrshire, ultimately becoming chairman. In this position he spared no effort in the board’s drive to safeguard the condition of Ayrshire’s rivers. He was also associated with the Cumnock Academy Parent-Teacher Association and served on the local Education Sub-Committee. He served on the local bench as a Justice of the Peace and he became a valued member of the Juvenile Court Panel in Cumnock. A lifelong member of Old Cumnock Parish Church, he was an Elder of that church for many years and served for a time as Treasurer before succeeding his late brother, Mr William McTurk, as Session Clerk.
On the occasion of being made a Freeman of Cumnock it was said of him “He has an intimate knowledge of the intricate machinery of most public bodies and has educated himself in the conduct of public affairs to a pitch and level few can aspire to. This has involved a great deal of determination and a singular strength of purpose. Some things in life are easily acquired – but this Burgess Ticket is not one of them. It has been well and truly earned. Many men have contributed much less and have been awarded a Knighthood for their efforts.”
Mr McTurk is survived by his wife, Betty Burgoyne, a New Cumnock lady, to whom the sympathy of the community is extended in her sad bereavement.
Death intimation McTurk – At Ballochmyle Hospital, Mauchline, on 28th October 1975, Ex-Provost Keir McTurk, J.P., dearly loved husband of Betty Burgoyne, “The Hillocks”, Cumnock. Service at Cumnock Old Church, on Friday, 31st October, at 2:15 pm, funeral thereafter to Cumnock Cemetery at 3 pm.
James Keir Hardie McTurk now has a memorial stone and bridge named after him. They are situated behind Tower Street between the two car parks that link New Bridge Street with Ayr Road.
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