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The four Motion sisters were Mary, Ann, Nell and Kate. The eldest sister Mary Motion (1876-1958) was the only one to experience any further education - the other three remained at home until they married and I've often wondered how they managed to pass the time. Mary took a course in Glasgow and gained some qualification but she did not follow it up into a career. Mary married James Miller Rankin who was a partner in a Glasgow firm dealing in typewriters; as such he went out to New Zealand where they lived for some years. They had no children and Uncle Miller was somewhat severe with his nephews and nieces but in fact he and Aunt Mary were extremely kind to us all. Mary was very much the leader of the four sisters and she was capable and wise - an admirable characteristic. The next sister was Ann Motion (1880-1962) and, as she had three children, my sister and I saw her more than Mary and Nell. Ann married Willie Wilson who was Company Secretary to a laundry firm in Greenock. She was the quietest of the four but I always felt that under a quiet exterior there dwelt a really strong character and a powerful force for good. My three Wilson cousins were all considerably older than Catherine and me but we spent a lot of time with them especially Nancy and Dandy [Andrew Wilson's Dad - Andrew is married to Vanessa and they live in Kent] who was best man at my wedding. All three died comparably young. Nell Motion (1889-1973), the youngest sister , was very unfortunate as she was married for just a few months when her husband Harry Porteous (a bank clerk) was killed at the Battle of Loos in 1915. She became very deaf and was a widow for 68 years but in spite of all that she had the gayest temperament of all the sisters. |
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© 2000 William Motion Goodall & Ian William Goodall |
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