Memoirs of nurse Bessie Barr who attended sailors of the wrecked HMS Sturdy during WWII
Photocopied pages from a notebook of memoirs of Glasgow nurse Bessie Barr recollecting her nursing days and Tiree colleague Katie MacArthur, and their efforts to help the crew of the stricken destroyer HMS Sturdy that ran aground at Sandaig during a storm in 1940.
Click here to view 2012.94.7
Photograph of nurses who helped at the HMS Sturdy wrecking in 1940
Black & white photograph of a group of six nurses at Shieldhall Fever Hospital, Glasgow, in 1937-1940. Two of them, Elizabeth `Bessie` Barr, Lanarkshire (back row, right) and `Big` Katie MacArthur,Tiree (back row, centre) were on holiday on Tiree when HMS Sturdy ran onto rocks at Sandaig during a storm in October 1940, with the loss of five lives. The two nurses attended the survivors and were given salvaged souvenirs from the ship as thank-you gifts (see spoon and badge 2012.94.2 & 3). Bessie Barr was the donor`s mother.
Photograph of nurses Elizabeth `Bessie` Barr with the MacArthur family on Tiree in 1939
Black & white photograph of the MacArthur family of Tiree, including `Big` Katie MacArthur and Archie MacArthur, sitting on rocks with Bessie Barr, Lanarkshire, in 1939. Bessie and Katie were both nurses at Shieldhall Fever Hospital, Glasgow, and Bessie regularly spent her holidays on Tiree. It was on one of these holidays, when the two nurses helped the crew of HMS Sturdy when it was wrecked on rocks at Sandaig in 1940.
Photograph of the spoon and badge from HMS Sturdy
Colour photograph of a spoon and ship`s badge from the HMS Sturdy that was wrecked on rocks at Sandaig in 1940. The items were given to two nurses who were on holiday on Tiree at the time and who helped the crew. (see 2012.94.1-4)
Photograph of seaman Edward Birch, survivor of HMS Sturdy wreck
Black & white photograph of seaman Edward Lionel Francis Birch, M37092 – Engine Room Artificer First Class, who was aboard HMS Sturdy when it ran aground at Sandaig in 1940 with the loss of five lives. The boy in the photo is John Birch, his eldest son. Taken in about 1940. Printed email in filing cabinet 9 drawer 3.
Photograph of a war memorial to mariners who lost their lives in WWII
Colour photograph of a war memorial plaque listing the names of ships in which sailors lost their lives during the second world war. Includes HMS Sturdy which broke up on rocks at Sandaig in 1940 with the loss of five lives.
Wood cabinet containing a list of the crew of HMS Sturdy in 1940
Hand-made oak cabinet containing lists of the crew of the destroyer HMS Sturdy when is was wrecked on rocks at Sandaig in October 1940, and photographs of the grave stones of five members of the crew that were drowned. Brass plates on the lid are engraved with “HMS Sturdy” and “The Ships Company 1940”. Made by Lt. Cdr. Mike Gibson in 2011 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the disaster in Oct. 2010, and presented by Mrs Cooper and Mike Gibson to the people of Tiree in recognition of their assistance to the crew at the time.
Salvaged objects from the wreck of HMS Sturdy
Collection of 7 objects collected from the seabed at Sandaig, by divers Polly & Duncan “Ceabhar”, where the destroyer HMS Sturdy was wrecked on rocks on 30th October 1940. Objects include two brass taps, brass nut, two brass buckles, brass cap fitting, round brass and white ceramic object.
Letter & memorandum about naval service by Cmdr. Mike Gibson, 2011
Letter from Commander Michael Gibson to Dr John Holliday about survivors and relatives of HMS Sturdy that ran aground at Sandaig in October 1940, plus a personal account of his life of service in the Royal Navy. Cmdr Gibson organised the 70th anniversary memorial service and cairn on Tiree in Oct 2010.
Letter from AJ Gallier (survivor of HMS Sturdy) to An Iodlann, 2011.
Handwritten letter from Mr A.J. Gallier, Shropshire, to An Iodhlann dated 2/1/2011. A Gallier was one of the sailors who survived the wrecking of HMS Sturdy on rocks at Sandaig in 1940. His letter gives an account of the disaster and expresses his thanks to his rescuers and hosts on Tiree.
