Printed memoir of a childhood spent on Tiree during WWII by Barry Kerr, 2015. Barry’s father, George (Jock) Kerr, was posted on the island as an RAF Signals and Telegraph Officer. Barry recalls the ‘black house’ he lived in at Balephetrish, the coal puffers, Cornaig school and prisoners of war.
Click here to view 2015.64.1
Collection of 73 cigarette cards from the 1930s. Includes samples from four different series: Our King and Queen, RAF Badges, Household Hints, Dogs. Found in ‘Four Winds’, Kilmoluaig.
One of the ceramic red poppies from the display of 888,246 from the Tower of London in 2014 commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of the first world war. Each represented one British or colonial life lost. Bought and donated by Greta Travers who was posted to Tiree as a WAAF in 1945, during the second world war. The poppy was placed in the ground in front of the RAF Halifax memorial at Tiree’s airport for a while during 2015. See also 2017.12.2
Piece of parachute silk, 1940s
Piece of cream-coloured parachute silk of the sort used by the military during WWII. Bears stamped letters `AN` and numbers `11`. The original parachute probably came from the RAF Tiree and would have been divided amongst women who wanted it for making clothing – anything from underwear to wedding dresses.
Aviator goggles from WWII
Two pairs of flying goggles (damaged) made of sections of flat glass held in adjustable brass frames with leather padding and rubber straps. Probably worn by RAF pilots based on Tiree during World War 2. Found in the shed of the late John George MacLean at Scarinish.
Audio recording of talks at the Halifax memorial event, 2014
Talks by various participants, including Mike Hughes and Ken Organ, of the commemoration event at An Talla on 16th August 2014 on the 70th anniversary of the fatal collision of two RAF Halifax aircraft over Tiree.
Book `Gaelic without Groans`, 1940s
Small, softback book for learning the Gaelic language. Used by RAF engineer Frank Summers (see photo V110) while stationed on Tiree during WWII.
Photograph of RAF engineer Frank Summers and his crew, 1942
Black & white photograph of RAF engineer Frank Cecil Summers (b. 1915) and his crew standing in front of a Nissen hut (probably Tiree) around 1942. Frank was from Birmingham.
RAF bicycle form, WWII
Printed scan of both sides of a form issued by the RAF to RAF personnel using bicycles during WWII, dated 22 May 1940(?). Issued to Joan Faulkner who served with Coastal Command on Tiree (even though the form says Northwood).
Click here to view 2014.78.1
Photograph of WAAF tags used in WWII
Photograph of the WAAF tags of Joan Faulkner who served in Coastal Command on Tiree during WWII.
