Formation of the Club

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In October 1902, the War Office purchased Stobs Estate, near Hawick, for use as a military camp. The military moved in early 1903 adapting the area for troop training and within a few months, up to 20,000 troops were under canvas at Stobs. There was much concern in the town that this influx of military personnel living in and around the town could dilute the old established traditions and customs of the town and perhaps impair what made Hawick so enjoyable for its own inhabitants.

On 30th November 1903, ten prominent townsmen issued the following letter to about a hundred other townsmen:

Dear Sir

A MEETING to formally inaugurate a HAWICK "CALLANTS" Club will be held in The TOWER HOTEL, on the evening of TUESDAY 8th December at eight o'clock, which you are respectfully invited to attend.

In view of the probable large influx of population in the near future the time is thought to be opportune to form this Club, the objects of which are fully explained on this Draft Copy of Rules, annexed.

As the Membership of the Club will be strictly limited, we shall be glad, in the event of you being unable to attend the meeting, if you will communicate at once with the Interim Secretary, Mr James Edgar,5 High Street, as to whether you desire to become a Member or not.

Yours faithfully,

MARTIN DECHAN, T. D. DARLING, THOMAS KER, WALTER SCOTT, ADAM LAING, WM. N. GRAHAM, 

A. H. DRUMMOND, HUGH ANDERSON, J. E. D. MURRAY, JAMES EDGAR