Brass Tilley lamp from Ruaig, used in around 1925-1950. Similar to 2002.73.1 but complete with wick, mantle and glass globe. Tilley lamps were named after John Tilley, inventor of the hydro-pneumatic blowpipe in the early 1800s. Domestic Tilley lamps were fuelled with paraffin, which was pressurised by use of a pump on the base.
Porthole from the WWII warship, HMS Sturdy, which was wrecked on rocks off Sandaig during a storm in 1940. The porthole has been re-painted by Donald Brown, Vaul, and decorated with a sketch of the ship. The stainless steel bolts and backing (made from an old fish box) were added by Donald.
Iron hand-hook used for grabbing and lifting bags of grain when transferring them from the ship’s hold to the winching cradle in Scarinish Harbour.
Dainty, brass, lady’s cigarette lighter from WWII.
Glass and metal glue dispenser from around 1930-1960. Possibly used at one of the island’s Post Offices for sticking down envelopes and stamps. The glue would have been dispensed by rolling the wheel along the surface.
Small, round, hand-held voltmeter for testing batteries. Probably used at the airfield during WWII.
Collection of around 20 personal letters written to Charles McLean (1917-1941), from his family and friends during WWII. Charles was the son of Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay and Linlithgow. An RAF Pilot Officer with 3 and 217 Squadrons, he went missing in action over the English Channel in November 1941. The letters provide an insight into the life and emotions of family and friends of personnel in active service at that time, and include letters to Charles from a friend of the parents of Jim Hunter, a fellow airman missing in action, and from the same friend to Charles’ parents after Charles goes missing in action. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Click here to view a selection of letters from:
Collection of around 35 personal letters written by Charles McLean (1917-1941), to his family and friends during WWII. Charles was the son of Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay and Linlithgow. An RAF Pilot Officer with 3 and 217 Squadrons, he went missing in action over the English Channel in November 1941. The letters provide an insight into the life, experiences and emotions of a young RAF recruit from Scotland at that time. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Click here to view letters from Charles while stationed at:
2020.1.86 Hastings Dec 1939 – Mar 1940
2020.1.86 Hastings Apr-May 1940
2020.1.86 Carlisle May-Jun 1940
2020.1.86 Babbacombe Jul-Aug 1940
2020.1.86 Prestwick Autumn 1940
2020.1.86 Barnstable Jan-Mar 1941
Around 100 black and white photographs from a large red album titled ‘The Life and Times of Charles McLean’, collected and perserved by his family. Charles (1917-1941) was the son of Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay and Linlithgow. An RAF Pilot Officer, he went missing in action over the English Channel during WWII. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Click here to view 2020.1.85. The photographs are arranged as closely as possible to the layout of the original album.
Official note that accompanied post-humous war medals awarded to Charles McLean (1917-1941), sent to his father Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay & Linlithgow. Charles went missing in action over the English Channel during WWII, while serving as a Pilot Officer with the RAF. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Click here to view 2020.1.81
