Black and white photograph of an RAF airman at Scarinish harbour.
RAF airman in front of Scarinish harbour with the hotel in the background, taken during World War II. (Photograph from Mike Hughes in Filing Cabinet 2 drawer 1)
Black and white photograph of a crofter with a horse and cart.
Unknown crofter with a horse and cart in a field, taken during World War II. (Photograph from Mike Hughes in Filing Cabinet 2 drawer 1)
The wreck of the ‘Ocean Tide’
Photograph of the wreck of the ‘Ocean Tide’ off Mannal in 1942.
Courtesy of Ms Linda Gowans
George Holleyman, an archaeologist in the RAF police posted to Tiree during World War II, photographed the wreck of the ‘Ocean Tide’ in January 1942. A trawler from Leith, the ‘Ocean Tide’ had run aground off Mannal in poor weather.
Repeated attempts were made by RAF personnel and three local volunteer coastguards to shoot a line to the stricken vessel without success. Buffeted by the wind and the incoming tide, the trawler was listing so badly it was in danger of turning over.
The crew made a last desperate attempt to save themselves and launched a small boat. Within minutes they lost control and were driven on to a rocky promontory. By luck, two of the lines had caught on the rocks and the six crew members, one of them injured, were able to struggle ashore.
Black and white photograph of SS Ocean Tide in 1942.
The SS Ocean Tide on the rocks at Mannal in January 1942 photographed by George Holleyman.
Black and white photograph of Donald MacKechnie, Kilmoluaig.
Donald MacKechnie, Kilmoluaig, (Maggie Campbell`s father) in his naval uniform.
Black and white photograph of SS Laristan in 1942.
The SS Laristan on the rocks at Craignish in 1942 photographed by George Holleyman.
Minesweepers off Tiree during World War I
Photograph of minesweepers off the coast of Tiree during World War I.
Courtesy of Mrs Jean Lindsay
World War I had a devastating impact on Tiree. The Roll of Honour lists two hundred and ninety men who served in the conflict and the Scarinish War Memorial records the names of sixty-six who died.
Apart from the occasional fighting ship seen on the skyline, and the attack by a U-boat on the ‘Plover’ north of Coll, the Great War was predominantly a distant conflict, fought in the trenches of Europe and the oceans of the world.
The war was foretold by Tiree’s most famous seer, John MacLean (Iain MacEachainn Bhàin), who said, ‘There is a great war coming soon… On sea and land the losses will be heavy and in a land which is unknown to me, the ground will be soaked in blood. Millions will go to their eternal rest in the soil of this land and beautiful red flowers will grow over them.’
Black and white photograph of minesweepers off the coast of Tiree during WW1.
Five minesweepers off the coast of Tiree during WW1.
Black and white photograph of a group at RAF Tiree.
Unknown group of three and one woman at RAF Tiree.
Black and white photograph taken outside the Post Office sorting hut in 1943.
RAF group outside the Post office sorting hut, 1943. L-R: Sid Grimes, Corporal Atkins, unknown.
1943 ENSA concert party
Photograph of an ENSA concert party in 1943.
Courtesy of Mr Angus MacLean
ENSA, the Entertainments National Service Association, was set up in 1939 to provide entertainment for the British armed forces during World War II. Operating as a part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute (NAAFI), it was affectionately known as ‘Every Night Something Awful’.
This photograph is of a travelling concert party which performed in front of the RAF base personnel in October 1943. Concerts consisted of a couple of hours of singing, comedy and sketches, some good and some not so good.
Their spirit and dedication was admired and appreciated, even on return visits of the same concert party when the show had been seen before.
Black and white photograph of a wartime revue.
Wartime revue at RAF Tiree on 15/10/1943. (Original in Filing Cabinet 2 drawer 1: 1997.178)
Copied letter from McCallum, Orme & Co. to Corsons dated 1940.
Letter from McCallum, Orme & Co (one of the forerunners of Caledonian MacBrayne) dated 14/3/1940 to auctioneers Messrs Thomas Corson & Co. arranging transportation for the Tiree cattle sales.
