Short report by Peter G Rackliff (MAO 518 Squadron 1943-1945) of his private investigation into the fatal mid-air collision between two Halifax meteorolgical survey planes over Tiree during World War II, in which all 16 crew members died. Draws on evidence from the official `Report on a Flying Accident (Form 765c)` – August 1944, `Weather conditions and Air tests`, extracts from independent eyewitness accounts of crofter Hugh MacLean, Barrapol and shepherd David McClounnan, and extracts from the `Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry (Form 412)`.
In his covering note, the author writes, “This accident has always troubled me; a chance in a million or more. I have done my best with what was available… With P/O Organ having just broken out of cloud, he could still have been losing height, whereas we know that P/O Turner had been ‘climbing up’ beyond the runway. If Organ had not banked to starboard it’s possible that his aircraft would have just passed beneath S-Sugar. They were so close that his maneouvre ensured contact with his port wing, but it was a natrual reaction to turn away, in a vain effort to avoid a collision” . Includes ring-bound updated version donated 17 Aug 2014.
Email message from Derek Fox to John Holliday about photographs of the wrecked HMS Sturdy at Sandaig in 1940. Black and white photo of wrecked whaler (life boat) attached.
Collection of documents about HMS Sturdy donated by Lt. Cmdr. Mike Gibson in 2008
Collection of texts and photographs about the HMS Sturdy that ran aground off Sandaig in 1940. Includes text of personal reminiscences by Harry Springett, letter to Mr Springett from Donald MacLean (Tiree), letter from Dawn Springett (Harry`s daughter, Australia) 2007 regarding his memoirs. Photographs of HMS Sturdy, seamen, graves at Soroby Cemetry of those that perished, the shore where the wreck occurred, letter from Mike Gibson to C. MacKinnon (clerk of Sandaig Common Grazing) re erection of memorial, Navy News web page (2005) about HMS Sturdy by Mike Gibson, extract from “The Hebrides at War” by Mike Hughes, emails between Mike Gibson, John Holliday and Ian Gillies (2008) re erection of memorial. Earlier version of Harry Springett`s recollections added in 2011 (E01206).
Documents about “Boarded Out” children from Glasgow City Children`s Dept. Annual Report 1950
Photocopied pages from the first annual report of the Corporation of the City of Glasgow Children`s Department about “boarded out” children from Glasgow (included some to Tiree) issued on the instructions of the Children`s Committee and covering the period 1st June 1949 to 31st May 1950. By R. Brough, Children`s Officer.
Pair of spectacles worn by Elsie MacKinnon, Kirkapol, when she was 18 years old in 1930s. Round lenses of 4cm diameter in brown and yellow frames. Dark blue/black spectacle case bearing manufacturer`s name: “E. Parry or E. Pass, Jewellers, Glasgow.
Tiny calendar from 1947, with hand-written note on inside of front cover “With many best wishes to both of you, from Irene”. Colour picture of mallard duck taking flight on front cover. Contains additional information on postal & telegram rates, holidays, times of sunrise and sunset, and moon phases.
