The deposit contains the diary of John Lancelot Quayle 1883-1890, the diary of Madge Quayle 1916 and the notebook of Gordon Quayle c.1915 containing Black Watch platoon lists, poetry and Bible verses; also assorted correspondence including letters and postcards home from Fred and George Quayle whilst on active service and letters of condolence after their death including an expression of the King’s sympathy signed by David Lloyd George. A copy of a 2004 letter from Gordon's regiment the Black Watch records his service history. Real photograph postcards show a small group of men dancing to bagpipes, probably at Gartshore hospital, near Glasgow, 1915, the memorial cross erected at High Wood in memory of the men of 1st Battalion of the Black Watch and Cameron Highlanders who fell in action near that place, September 1916 and Quayle family grave headstones in Patrick churchyard. The typescript words to a hymn include the refrain ‘Underneath the flag of Jesus we gather today / There is room for every soldier / Come enlist without delay.’ Also present are letters written to Emily from her Daugherty relatives in the Transvaal, 1915-1916, reflecting on the war.
Further material includes three volumes (belonging to John Lancelot Quayle) regarding business accounts of stock and supplies, family members' estates (the late John Quayle, Fred Quayle, Margaret Caroline Quayle and Helen Corrin), details of beekeeping and miscellaneous information, 1892-1950. Within these volumes are accounts of the annual distribution of Christmas money to persons in need in Glenmaye district provided by Mr and Mrs George H. Moore, 1931-1938, details of bird-sightings and flowers, shrubs and trees in bloom, copies of deeds and newspaper articles.
Among letters of condolence is one from Nurse Nellie Stewart of Gartshore Hospital, Balgownie, Bearsden near Glasgow where Gordon was sent to convalesce in November 1915. A searing, eight page black rimmed letter dated 22 September 1916 also survives written by Lancelot replying to his brother Walter’s condolences sent on 1 September 1916. Lancelot expresses his heartfelt sense of loss and grief at the deaths of his brother and only son.
A one page family tree showing connections between Quayle and Daugherty family members forms part of the deposit.