A FORMER police officer fascinated by history has completed a labour of love by writing a book about a local group of part-time soldiers.

Robert Knox, 72, spent five years penning The Peeblesshire Rifle Volunteers 1860-1908 - A Short History.

The retired Sergeant, from Peebles, said: “I have always had a general interest in the past and became interested in the Rifle Volunteers when I was working in the museum in Peebles.

“I came across references to them nationally but could not find anything about the local volunteers so I thought it would be a good idea to write a book about them.

“It has taken me five year but I’ve done it all myself with my two-finger typing. There was a fair bit of research involved. The National Archives in Edinburgh had nothing and I got most of my information from museums and from local newspapers that people have kept.” Robert’s book relates that the Rifle Volunteers were formed as a Home Guard throughout the United Kingdom in 1859 as a result of the threat of invasion by the French.

But there was a slow response from Peeblesshire and it was not until 1860 that companies were formed at Broughton, Innerleithen/Walkerburn, Peebles and West Linton. The West Linton company failed to take off and the Broughton branch amalgamated with Peebles to form two companies at Peebles after 12 years.

After slow beginnings and then followed by amalgamations with Midlothian companies the Peeblesshire Rifle Volunteers developed into one of the foremost voluntary organisations of its day with hundreds of part time soldiers.

One of the main pastimes was rifle shooting and remains of their ranges can be seen at Peebles, Broughton, Innerleithen and Walkerburn. The Volunteers came to an end in 1908 with the formation of the Territorial Army with many Volunteers making the transition to Territorials.

Robert’s book is available in local bookshops for £10 or available from the author at 9 Glen Road, Peebles, telephone 01721 722203, email knox-robert@sky.com, by post plus £2.50 pp.