Agnes “Nessie” Shiels (1924-2004) & David French
Agnes “Nessie” Shiels was born on December 5, 1924, the first child of David Shiels and Jean Tennent. She grew up in Scotland with her younger siblings, Jean “Bunty,” Margaret and George. Margaret died when she was only two years old.
As a young woman, Nessie left home and lived in a boarding house in Hamilton, where she worked as a seamstress for a company manufacturing military uniforms. With the Second World War underway, she later joined the N.A.A.F.I. and remained in service until the end of the war.
War Years and Marriage
Nessie’s early adult years were shaped by the Second World War. After working as a seamstress making military uniforms, she joined the N.A.A.F.I. and remained in service until the end of the war.
Shortly after returning home in 1945, she married David French. David had also served during the war, working in engineering with the Army and serving in both Italy and Egypt. After returning to Scotland, he became an agricultural engineer in Lanark and eventually worked his way up to foreman of the workshop.
Building a Life Together
Following the war, Nessie and David settled into family life in the Lanark area. David worked as an agricultural engineer and, over the years, progressed to become foreman of the workshop.
Together they raised five children: David, born in 1947; James Robert in 1950; Gerrard Michael in 1953; Adam George in 1957; and Sheila Jane in 1960.
Their Children
Nessie and David’s five children grew up in Scotland and followed a variety of paths in their adult lives. Their family would continue the Shiels connection in the Lanark area and beyond.
David French Jr. — 1947
David, their eldest child, was born on September 15, 1947. He made his home in Carluke and established his own successful painting and decorating business in 1972. He also developed an unusual passion for raising purebred Siamese cats, earning numerous ribbons and awards, including several champions and Grand Champions.
David will carry our story further to finish this branch.
James Robert French — 1950
James Robert was born on September 26, 1950. He worked in a clerical position in Glasgow and never married.
Gerrard Michael French — 1953
Gerrard Michael was born on May 11, 1953. He worked as an oil tanker driver, delivering oil from the Carluke area.
Adam George French — 1957
Adam George was born on October 12, 1957. He worked for the local council as a recreational director in Hamilton and made his home in Lanark.
Sheila Jane French — 1960
Sheila Jane, the youngest of the five children, was born on August 28, 1960. She married David Crawford in 1986 in Newton Abbot, Devon, and they had two daughters, Claire Karen and Michelle Jane. Sheila worked part-time as a psychiatric nurse, while David worked as a heating engineer.
Later Years
Nessie and David spent their later years in the Lanark area, surrounded by the family they had raised together. David died in January 1990, bringing to a close a marriage that had begun shortly after the end of the Second World War.
Nessie lived for another fourteen years. She died on January 3, 2004, at the age of 79. She and David are buried in Lanark, Scotland.
The Story Continues
Through their five children, the family of Agnes “Nessie” Shiels and David French continued into another generation. Their descendants carried the family story forward while maintaining strong connections to their Scottish roots.