Archie Irving, who died in hospital on February 20 at the age of 83, was a member of the Langholm rugby side that won the Border League and unofficial Scottish championship in the 1958/59 season.
Archie played in the forwards and on retiring as a player he was on the selection committee at Milntown for a number of years.
He was very disappointed last April when, due to ill-health, he was unable to attend the 50th celebrations for the champ
ionship side at the Langholm Rugby Club dinner and Rotary dinner.
Archie was the only son in a family of five and his wife, Winnie, died a number of years ago. He is survived by sons John and Douglas, who both played at Milntown, and a daughter, Esther, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His nephew, Gordon Dickson, played rugby for Gala and Scotland.
Archie was in the navy and then joined the 2nd battalion of The Royal Scots until 1947 when he joined No. 2 Commando where he served in Egypt, Holland and Germany.
He was a keen common riding enthusiast and a member of the Castle Craigs, and was the official Bearer of the Spade for a time before helping with the Thistle.
He was caretaker at the EWM sports centre before his retirement and was also greenkeeper at Langholm Golf Club for a number of years where he enjoyed a round of golf and the banter in the clubhouse, and the occasion refreshment.
There was a large attendance at the funeral service on Monday in St Francis Church in Langholm and later at Carlisle crematorium. – J. S.
