REMINISCENCES OF BERT DRAGE 



One day Major Macdonald Buchanan asked me 

 if I would go down to Lavington stud to see a 

 thoroughbred horse there, that he had taken out of 

 training and tell me whether I felt the horse would 

 be likely to win a premium at the show in London 

 as a hunter sire. When I got back I told him that I 

 felt certain he would win a premium, and probably a 

 super premium, so he asked me if I would have him 

 at Brampton and get him in form for the show, 

 which I agreed to do. He won, as I felt sure he 

 would — also a super premium and King's Cup. 

 Then he asked me if I would let the horse stand 

 at Brampton for the season. Now came the 

 tragedy. I can't really remember, but I think he 

 had a severe attack of colic. Anyhow, it ended fatally. 

 I was really very upset, and I think he realised this. 

 He came over and spent an hour with me — not to 

 complain, as he never did, but just simply to cheer 

 me up. I can never forget this kind action, one 

 of many that I received from him. 



When the second world war broke out Major 

 Macdonald Buchanan, who was then Joint Master 

 of the Pytchley, came over to see me and he 

 asked me if I would take charge of his farming 

 operations while he was at the war. Of course, I 

 said I would do anything I could for him. He had 

 always been so very kind to me. I advised him to 

 appoint a Bailiff and young Mr. Messinger got 

 the job. He is still in charge. 



To go back to my father's affairs. He had always 



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