Well, I found Ned sitting in a low chair in the kitchen with his new Springer spaniel bitch lying under it - the dog was named Cora, which in itself was interesting as I also had a Springer bitch with the same name.
We yarned away about things when life we were both younger and he told me how his time on Earth was now very limited (he was the same age as the late Queen Mother). Of course I denied that he'd meet his minder soon.
Eventually, Mr Braithwaite's name was mentioned, "had I been to see him?" and then this rather lovely story came out from Ned.

Years ago he'd been building a dyke when he came upon a pheasant, squatting just beside his hand. The temptation was too much, the bird was grabbed and it's neck rung. Then, to his horror, he spotted the head-keeper lower down the field, walking up towards him! What was he to do? He then noticed a large puddle beside him and put the bird in the puddle, placing a large flat stone over it.
Mr. Braithwaite's dog ran up and smelt the bird and Mr. Braithwaite said to Ned "there must have been a bird here." Ned duly confirmed that he'd seen the bird running away as he'd approached it and no more was said.
(But he, Ned said that he was in a cold sweat, fearing the head-keeper would find the bird.) Ned thought he'd tricked the head-keeper and was quietly pleased about this! A couple of days later I visited Mr. Braithwaite in the old folks' home and again we yarned of times long passed. Then, as was usual, he told me I had wasted my life as an engineer as I'd have been a grand-keeper. "It's in your blood - your like a finely bred gundog." (I think the man was correct"!)
Eventually Ned's name came up and had I been to see him. I confirmed that I had, mentioned his dog, etc. Then, to my surprise Mr. Braithwaite started to tell me his version of the "pheasant in the puddle" story. He'd seen Ned kill the bird and where he'd hidden it and he knew that Ned thought he'd fooled him. I asked "Why didn't you challenge him about it?" and he said that Ned was a good man, he had a young family, food after the war was scarce and he lived in a 'tied' cottage. It really was a superb story and I was honoured that two old men could confide this secret to me. The average gamekeeper wouldn't have acted in this kind manner at all but would have exposed the act. It was only later, after thinking about all this, that I realised what a superb man Mr. Braithwaite was. If this incident had ever come to light he and his family could well have been dismissed & ejected from their 'tied' cottage.

Both men died within a few days of my seeing them. As I was once again overseas, unfortunately, I missed both funerals. However I have it on record from both Bill Braithwaite (son and the then head keeper (Jim??) of Panmure Estate) that, as the coffin of Mr. Braithwaite was lowered into the grave, a cock pheasant launched itself from the corner of the graveyard and flew right over the grave cock-cocking all the way.
A very fitting tribute to a superb countryman.
I hope this is of interest to readers.
Ted J
p.s. I've cleared this recollection with Bill Braithwaite Tales.

Panmure Estate.

More information about the Panmure Estate and its history, together with information about some notable buildings on the Estate, photographs, etc. can be seen above and elsewhere on this site, Panmure 1, Panmure 2, Panmure 3, Panmure 4, Panmure 5 Panmure 6, Panmure 7, Panmure 8 and Panmure 9.

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