Colonel Robert Howie, VD

Volunteer Decoration

The Volunteer Officers' Decoration was created by Royal Warrant under command of Queen Victoria on 25 July 1892 to reward 'efficient and capable' officers of the Volunteer Force who had served for twenty years...

, JP

Justice of the Peace

A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...

, MA

Master of Arts (Scotland)

A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...

(1846-1927) was a prominent Glasgow businessman, the son of Hugh Howie, a successful iron merchant in the city.

Educated at the High School of Glasgow

High School of Glasgow

The High School of Glasgow is an independent, co-educational day school in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded as the Choir School of Glasgow Cathedral in around 1124, it is the oldest school in Scotland, and the twelfth oldest in the United Kingdom. It remained part of the Church as the city's grammar...

 (Scotland's oldest school) and Glasgow University, Col. Howie spent all his commercial life at the iron merchants' firm of P. & R. Fleming & Co. on Argyle Street

Argyle Street

Argyle Street is the name of a street in many cities and towns. Notable among these are:Australia*Argyle Street, the Rocks, Sydney*Argyle Street, Hobart, Tasmania*Argyle Street, Fitzroy, MelbourneCanada*Argyll Road, Edmonton...

, of which he became senior partner.

Col. Howie took a deep interest in the Volunteers. He joined the 1st Lanark as a private in 1877, and four years later he transferred to the 3rd Lanark, receiving his commission as Lieutenant on 1 July, 1881. In this Battalion he served for the long period of 24 years, and was in command of the regiment from January 1901, till January 1905, when his term of service as Commanding Officer having expired, he retired from the Volunteers. He was awarded the Volunteer Decoration

Volunteer Decoration

The Volunteer Officers' Decoration was created by Royal Warrant under command of Queen Victoria on 25 July 1892 to reward 'efficient and capable' officers of the Volunteer Force who had served for twenty years...

 by Queen Victoria and was appointed a Justice of the Peace

Justice of the Peace

A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...

.

Col. Howie also took a considerable interest in the affairs of the Trades' House. He joined the Incorporation of Hammermen in 1886. In 1902 he was elected a member of the Master Court, and three years later was appointed Collector. During his Collectorship 94 new members were enrolled, and the funds of the Incorporation were increased by £1,364. In 1908 he was elected Deacon of the Incorporation of Hammermen - the senior Incorporation in connection with the Trades' House of Glasgow.

He was also a member of the Merchants' House, a Director and past President of the Glasgow Ayrshire Society, and served two terms as a Director of the Glasgow Agricultural Society. For several years he was also Chairman of the Glasgow Conservative Club.