A much loved man
TRIBUTES have been paid to the Scottish Traveller Charlie Douglas MBE who died at the age of 79.
Charlie fought tirelessly for the rights of travelling people across Scotland, passed away at his home last week after a long battle against cancer.
Charlie is survived by his wife Margaret, three sons, David, Charlie and Alex, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Having lived in Horsley View Stables on Burnhead Road since 1966, Charlie and Margaret moved to Overton Road in Netherburn two years ago.
Speaking from the family home Margaret (73) said: “Charlie was a man that if he started something he would finish it.
“He was determined. He fought all the way for travelling people and since he passed away we’ve received hundreds of messages of condolence from all over the country.
“It’s a testament to Charlie that so many people cared and liked him.”
Son Alex, owner of South Lanarkshire Builders in Larkhall’s Carlisle Road,
added: “He was extremely well-known and more than quite a character.
“He always took time to speak to people and people took time to speak to him.”
Charlie was born in Tuphall Road, Hamilton, on November 6, 1929.
He was the youngest child of David Douglas, known as big Jack Salts, and Margaret-Ann. Charlie was only six when his mother died.
He had three brothers Davie, Joe and Walter and two sisters Margaret-Ann and Janet.
He attended St John’s School in Hamilton before working with his father in their general horse and cart business.
The business later moved into lorries where Charlie was the driver and they bought and sold scrap.
Charlie took part in National Service and was based mainly in England. His brothers Joe and Walter were in the army and his father served in India.
In 1954, having fallen in love, he married Margaret at a registry office at the Town Hall in Hamilton.
Twenty years later, Charlie was awarded an MBE from the Queen for his work with travelling people in Scotland.
His campaign for the creation of travelling people’s sites (twenty one) across Scotland was backed by the Scottish Office of its day.
His dedication and hard work resulted in success. All 21 sites opened including one at Swinhill in Larkhall.
On a Human Rights visit to Strasbourg, Charlie’s boyhood dream came true when he met actor Yul Brynner, whose movies included the Magnificent Seven.
In his spare time, Charlie enjoyed boxing and harness racing.
He took part in trotting around Robert Smillie running track where he was often seen racing against his son David.
At the old Larkhall Gala Days, Charlie gave the children rides on his horses.
He was a member of the St Enoch Masonic Lodge in Viewpark.
He was secretary of Larkhall Boxing Club based in Larkhall Leisure Centre before moving to the Cameronian Hall and helped well-known Larkhall man Dave Barrie to successfully run the club.
His son David was the Scottish Welterweight champion and the first for about 50 years to successfully defend the title. David said: “He helped many young people in their boxing careers.
“He did a lot for people and I don’t think he realised what he was doing.
“He never once boasted about his achievements. He was the kind of man who said what other people thought and people respected him for that.”
Alex said that his dad travelled the world: “He once came home from Canada with horses he had imported. He would have kept lions and tigers in the house if mum would have allowed it.
“He almost bought an elephant at a market had it not been bought five minutes earlier.
“I said to him where would you keep it and he said the shed where we keep the hay.
“He was joyful and would help anyone and had a great sense of humour and we will all miss him so much.”