Projects
- Introduction
- The Museum of The Black Watch, Perth
- Clackmannanshire Council
- Aberdeenshire Council
- Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum, Stirling
- The Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen
- Museum nan Eilean, Lewis
- Museum of the Isles, Skye
- West Lothian Council
- Kildonan Museum
- Highland Council
- Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery
- McLean Museum & Art Gallery, Inverclyde Council
- Orkney Islands Council
- West Dunbartonshire Council
- Argyll & Bute Council
- Dysart Primary School
- Erskine Hospital
Project Title: Kintyre Remembers
Exhibition: Kintyre's darkest days
On 3rd September 1939, Britain declared war on Hitler's Germany It wasn't entirely unexpected in Kintyre, as preparations for the eventuality of war had been made from the beginning of the year. Still, it was with a great sense of foreboding that people listened to the radio message of the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. This message was printed in full in the Campbeltown Courier, in its first wartime issue on the 9th September. 'Kintyre Remembers' commemorates the 60th anniversary of the ending of World War II through personal accounts and articles from The Cambeltown Courier.
Assets in this exhibition:
France, June 1940: Kintyre's Darkest Days
As early as 1939, the Territorial Army was actively recruiting throughout the region. By Easter, the 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had doubled in strength. By May, over 180 young men had enrolled in the Infantry and Artillery. Over the summer, men from Kintyre joined the Battalion for intensive training.
The day after the Declaration of War, the 8th Battalion assembled at Dunoon, men from Kintyre forming the 'B' Company. As most men and many officers had little army experience of routine, their training was started immediately.
West of Scotland Convalescent Home, Dunoon
Description
Postcard of the West of Scotland Convalescent Home, Dunoon, temporary home for the 1,000 men strong 8th Battalion
Source
Location: Dunoon
Original Source: Argyll & Bute Council
Sergeant-Major Hugh Campbell
Description
Sergeant-Major Hugh Campbell, Quartermaster to the Battalion
Officers of the 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Dunoon
Description
Officers of the 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Dunoon
Source
Contributor: M Paterson
Location: Dunoon
Original Source: Argyll & Bute Council
To Aldershot
On 30 September, the men moved to Aldershot where the 51st (Highland) Division was being assembled.
Aldershot is known for its connection with the British Army which established a permanent camp in the area for instruction in military manoeuvres in 1854. This led to rapid growth from a small village to a Victorian town. Today, Aldershot is known as the "Home of the British Army".
Trying on gas masks
Description
Men of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 51st Highland Division, trying on gas masks, November 1939
Source
Date: November 1939
Location: Aldershot
Original Source: H85, Imperial War Museum
Bayonet practice
Description
Men of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 51st Highland Division, during bayonet practice, November 1939.
Source
Date: November 1939
Location: Aldershot
Original Source: H93, Imperial War Museum
To war
In January 1940, the Kintyre men of the 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders moved to France where the 51st (Highland) Division was to support the British Expeditionary Force already there. Even so, the British and French troops were no match for the German invaders and by the end of May, the evacuation by sea of the troops was set in motion. In the meantime, the 51st Division was making a last stand near Valery-en-Caux and, tragically, could not be evacuated. Despite heroic resistance, it was practically wiped out as a fighting force, with most men being taken prisoner.
Major General V M Fortune and General Major Erwin Rommel
Description
Major General V M Fortune, General Commanding Officer 51st Highland Division (right), with General Major Erwin Rommel at St Valery after the surrender of the 51st Division to Rommel's 7th Panzer Division.
Source
Date: 12 June 1940
Location: St Valery-en-Caux, France
Original Source: RML 342, Imperial War Museum
Sergeant-Major John MacDougall
Sergeant-Major John MacDougall from Campbeltown was called up to join the 201st (Argyll) Anti-Tank Battery. His daughter recalls being told:
"My father found himself with other local men at St Valery in France when his Division had to surrender. However, he and two others were determined to avoid capture at all cost. They saw a small boat drawn up beside the river and, paddling with their hands down river, they managed to reach the Channel where they were picked up, the story goes, by a British destroyer, possibly the Stronghold."
Sergeant-Major John MacDougall
Description
Sergeant-Major John MacDougall
Calling Out Notice
Description
Calling Out Notice
Transcript
Reserve And Auxiliary Forces Act, 1939.
Territorial Army.
Calling Out Notice.
To: John McDougall
Rank: W.O.II BSM
Army Number: 1663127
Regt. or Corps: 201st (Argyll) Anti-Tank Battery, R.A. (T.A.)
In pursuance of directions given by the Secretary of State for War in accordance with an Order in Council made under Section 1 of the above-mentioned Act, you are hereby notified that you are called out for military service commencing from 19 , and for this purpose you are required to join the 201st (Argyll) Anti-Tank Battery, R.A. (T.A.) at Drill Hall at 1.00am on that day.
Should you not present yourself on that day you will be liable to be proceeded against.
Place: Campbeltown
You should bring your Health and Pensions Insurance Card and Unemployment Insurance Book. If, however, you cannot obtain these before joining you should write to your employer asking him to forward these to you at your unit headquarters. If you are in possession of a receipt (U.I. 40) from the Employment Exchange for your Employment Book bring that receipt with you.
You will also bring your Army Book 3, but you must not fill in any particulars on page 13 or the "Statement of family" in that book, and the postcards therein must not be used.
Mrs J S Brown letter
Description
Mrs J S Brown letter
Transcript
Dear Madam
Re: 1443935 - Gnr. BROWN Wm.
I deeply regret to have to inform you that I have now received a report through the War Office, which states your husband's name appears on a German official list as having died, date unknown, in hospital at St. Valery en Caux.
This is all the information that is known, but should any further news be received, you will of course be immediately notified.
Please accept my deepest sympathy.
I am, Dear Sir, Your obedient Servant
Source
Date: 13 May 1941
Location: London
Original Source: Argyll & Bute Council
Envelope
Description
Envelope
Transcript
On His Majesty's Service
Urgent Mobilization
If undelivered return to Drill Hall Campbeltown
