Photograph and sample of gutta-percha from a bale found embedded in the machair shore at Sandaig (NL 936 436) by visitor Jennie Hynd in September 2022. The extent of the lichen and vegetation on the bale suggests that it had been there for some time.
Gutta-percha is a stretchy, rubbery material, derived from the latex of the Palaquium gutta tree in Malaysia. During the second half of the 19th century, gutta-percha was imported into Britain in vast quanities and used as insulation for underwater electrical cables, golf balls, chewing gum and root canal treatment. Synthetic materials have since largely replaced it.
Bales of gutta-percha have been washed up on the beaches of western Europe for over 100 years, with many likely to have come from ships wrecked during WWI such as the Japanese liner Miyazaki Maru, which was sunk by a German U-boat off the Scilly Isles in 1917.
Scanned record sheet issued by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for Private Hector McDonald, Balemartine (1894-1916), who died in battle during WWI, and is remembered in Cambrin Churchyard, France. Hector was the son of Hector and Chistina Campbell McDonald of Balemartine.
Original copy of a children’s comic book featuring the story ‘Dandy, the Detective Dispatch Rider’ by Mrs Alexander Gross, and colour sketches of a German Zeppelin and British tri-planes during WWI. Published by Geographia, London in 1920. Also includes a poem ‘The Flowers Postman’ about bees, and sketches of children. The name John ? Lamont is signed in pen at the top of the cover. Found in ‘Harbour’, Caoles.
Sepia portrait photograph of Sam Stevenson, Scarinish, in Highland Light Infantry uniform with two army friends in around 1915. On the reverse, is handwritten ‘Dear Jean, I am yours always, with love, Sam’. Jean (Jane) Campbell and Sam were married in 1914, just before he joined up.
Newspaper obituary for Charles McLean (1894-1923), youngest son of Lachlan McLean and Mary McDonald, Kenovay. Charles died in hospital at the age of 28 after being gassed at the Somme while serving in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders during WW1. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Royal Engineers shoulder patch belonging to Charles McLean (1894-1923), youngest son of Lachlan McLean and Mary McDonald, Kenovay. Charles served in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders at the Somme during WW1. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Four photographs of Charles McLean (1894-1923), youngest son of Lachlan McLean and Mary McDonald, Kenovay, taken in around 1914-1920. Charles died at the age of 28 after being gassed on the Somme during WW1. Top left: Charles in the uniform of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, with his brothers Hector McLean (left) and Donald Archibald McLean (right). Top right: Charles (seated left) and two fellow patients in their ‘hospital blues’ uniforms. Lower left: Charles (standing 3rd from right, wearing Glengarry hat) and other patients and staff at the Army Hosptial. Lower right: Charles (seated left) in around 1914(?). Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Black & white portrait photograph of Charles McLean (1894-1923), youngest son of Lachlan McLean and Mary McDonald, Kenovay, taken in around 1910. Charles was a Royal Engineer in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders during WW1. He was gassed at the Somme and, though treated in an army hospital at Glengarry, died at the age of 28. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Silver pin badge issued to servicemen who were given an honourable discharge from active duty during WWI. Worn by injured servicemen to prevent abuse from members of the public if their injuries were not obvious. Bears the Royal monogram and the words “For King and Empire, Services Rendered”.
Silver and blue enamel Admiralty lapel badge given to essential shipyard workers during WWI. Bears a silver crown and the words “On war service, 1914”. On the reverse are stamped the numbers 12485, suggesting that it was numbered after 1916.
