In the 2022 New Year Honours, Don Martin was awarded an MBE for services to libraries and heritage in Scotland. This honour recognised his contributions during his working life as reference libarian in the William Patrick Library for East Dumbartonshire, and his roles as secretary of the Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries, editor of Scottish Local History, historian, author, photographer, and as the ‘go to’ person for any information on this locality. On Tuesday 22nd November 2022, I was delighted to be one of Don's guests at the investiture by the Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshir in Kilmardinny House, Milngavie.
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| Don Martin with Provost Gillian Renwick of East Dunbartonshire and Mrs Jill Young, Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire. (© I.S.Ruddock) |
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| Don Martin wearing his MBE medal. (© I.S.Ruddock) |
Don was secretary of the Society from 1980 until 2021, having previously been its vice-president. He was committed to an outward looking society that cooperated with other local and national bodies and, when necessary, played its part in issues such as conservation or library funding. As a nationally known figure at the centre of a network of historians, Don took responsibility for assembling the Society’s annual syllabus, with himself traditionally as the opening speaker of each winter session, occasionally singing and accompanying himself on guitar. From 1994 when they were first introduced, he led the Society’s historical walks around Kirkintilloch during East Dunbartonshire’s Local History Week and Doors Open Day, with the most recent being that around signifcant buildings in the town. One of his early innovations was Members’ Night as an opportunity for all members to contribute to that year’s theme. In 2011, he devised and coordinated the Antiquaries’ input to the year-long celebration of the eight hundredth anniversary of the Burgh of Kirkintilloch, the highlight being a one day symposium on the Burgh, as well as advising and assisting with much of the other official and unofficial activities.
During his professional career as a librarian and in retirement, Don has been a prolific researcher and author on mainly Scottish history and culture. As a result, he has published regularly on such topics as histories of the local communities – Kirkintilloch, Lenzie etc, and local transport – Forth and Clyde Canal, Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway (“Scotland’s Stockton and Darlington Railway”) etc. A consequence of his being known as a historian and author is that he has an extensive portfolio of talks at his disposal and there cannot be a local history society or Probus, Round Table or similar group in Central Scotland that has not benefitted from his willingness to travel and deliver a lecture, frequently on an annual basis.
As photographer, Don has recorded the changing street and transport scene around Kirkintilloch since the late 1950s. A small part of this large archive is the basis of East Dunbartonshire’s photographic collection in the William Patrick Library that is available as a public research and educational resource. He is also a noted railway photographer having systemically covered the transition from steam to diesel and electric traction and the contraction and rationalisation of the local railway network. With photographs of unusual locations and unique events published in the railway press, he is also a much sought after speaker by railway societies.
The Antiquaries extends its congratulations to Don on the award of this honour.
Ivan Ruddock, President of Kirkintilloch and District Society of Antiquaries
