Mini bust of former Andrew Bonar Law to go on display in Helensburgh

Provost Maurice Corry donated the statuete of the PM who lived much of his life in the town and became leader in October 1922.

But he had to resign the next May after being diagnosed with terminal throat cancer. He died just five months later.

The provost was invited in October to a ceremony in Coleraine Town Hall in Northern Ireland - where a full-sized bust was unveiled - and he gave a short speech about Bonar Law's links to Helensburgh.

Provost Corry said: "Given my own family background in Northern Ireland, I found it particularly interesting to learn about Bonar Law’s connections with the area.

"It is sad that ill-health robbed him of the chance to make a greater impact on British political life, and so I am pleased to be able to give some publicity to him and his achievements once more.”

The bust in Coleraine joins the window in Helensburgh Parish Church and his portrait in Number 10 Downing Street as the only memorials to the once PM.

The replica of the bust is 8 inches high in bronze. One hundred of the mini busts were produced to sell and raise funds for the full-sized version. It was designed by Helen Runciman, an artist and sculptor from Denny, Stirlingshire.

READ MORE: Eye on Millig: Hold the front page for Helensburgh's Prime Minister 

Later this year, the bust will go on display in a cabinet in the main hall of Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre.

The heritage society said this was an appropriate location as Bonar Law once lived in a house called Seabank, which stood on what is now the car park to the west of the centre.

Bonar Law was born in 1858 in what was then the British colony and later province of New Brunswick, Canada.

His father, James Law, had emigrated from Coleraine to New Brunswick where he served as a Free Church of Scotland minister. James's wife, Eliza Kidston, was from Helensburgh, but died in 1861.

Andrew Bonar Law on the cover of The Sphere in February 1912 (Image: Newsquest)

Her sister, Janet, went to New Brunswick to help the family until 1870 when James remarried. Janet suggested 12-year-old Bonar return to Helensburgh with her as the Kidston family was wealthier and more connected.

He never returned to his birthplace. He then lived in Helensburgh for almost 40 years, getting involved in Helensburgh Golf Club, and was a founding member of Helensburgh Lawn Tennis Club. He was also a Sunday school teacher in what is now Helensburgh Parish Church.

Bonar Law had wanted to be buried in Helensburgh next to his late wife, but the family were pressed to have his ashes placed in Westminster Abbey. He is named on the family gravestone in the town, but is buried in London.

It’s hoped that the bust will be put on display at an event in Hermitage Academy this Saturday, March 4, promoting the activities of Helensburgh’s many clubs and societies – including the Trust.

Stewart Noble, on behalf of Helensburgh Heritage Trust, said: “It is good to have something else in the town by which we can remember the life and achievements of Bonar Law.

"We look forward to putting on display this mini-bust which Provost Corry has so kindly donated to the Heritage Trust.”