Photograph of seaman Edward Birch, survivor of HMS Sturdy wreck
Black & white photograph of seaman Edward Lionel Francis Birch, M37092 – Engine Room Artificer First Class, who was aboard HMS Sturdy when it ran aground at Sandaig in 1940 with the loss of five lives. The boy in the photo is John Birch, his eldest son. Taken in about 1940. Printed email in filing cabinet 9 drawer 3.
Photograph of a war memorial to mariners who lost their lives in WWII
Colour photograph of a war memorial plaque listing the names of ships in which sailors lost their lives during the second world war. Includes HMS Sturdy which broke up on rocks at Sandaig in 1940 with the loss of five lives.
Wood cabinet containing a list of the crew of HMS Sturdy in 1940
Hand-made oak cabinet containing lists of the crew of the destroyer HMS Sturdy when is was wrecked on rocks at Sandaig in October 1940, and photographs of the grave stones of five members of the crew that were drowned. Brass plates on the lid are engraved with “HMS Sturdy” and “The Ships Company 1940”. Made by Lt. Cdr. Mike Gibson in 2011 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the disaster in Oct. 2010, and presented by Mrs Cooper and Mike Gibson to the people of Tiree in recognition of their assistance to the crew at the time.
Salvaged objects from the wreck of HMS Sturdy
Collection of 7 objects collected from the seabed at Sandaig, by divers Polly & Duncan “Ceabhar”, where the destroyer HMS Sturdy was wrecked on rocks on 30th October 1940. Objects include two brass taps, brass nut, two brass buckles, brass cap fitting, round brass and white ceramic object.
Letter from AJ Gallier (survivor of HMS Sturdy) to An Iodlann, 2011.
Handwritten letter from Mr A.J. Gallier, Shropshire, to An Iodhlann dated 2/1/2011. A Gallier was one of the sailors who survived the wrecking of HMS Sturdy on rocks at Sandaig in 1940. His letter gives an account of the disaster and expresses his thanks to his rescuers and hosts on Tiree.
News article and letter about the HMS Sturdy tribute on Tiree in October 2010.
Navy News (Jan. 2011) article about the `Sturdy cairn` built at Sandaig in 2010 to commemorate the sailors who died and survived, and their rescuers, when the destroyer HMS Sturdy ran aground there in Oct. 1940. Also a letter from Dawn Springett, Australia, a relative of one of those who drowned, who sent in the article.
Photograph of the Sturdy memorial cairn, 2010
Colour photograph of the HMS Sturdy memorial cairn built in 2010 to commemorate the wrecking of the destroyer at Sandaig on 30th Oct. 1940. The wreaths in the photo are dedicated to the five seamen who lost their lives, to Captain Sinclair and people of Tiree who helped in the rescue. Photo taken after the 70th anniversary memorial service on 30th Oct. 2010. Original stored in filing cabinet 9, drawer 3.
Photograph of relatives of HMS Sturdy personnel at An Iodhlann in 2010
Colour photograph of relatives of the crew of HMS Sturdy at An Iodhlann on 2 Nov. 2010. The Sturdy ran aground at Sandaig during WWII with the loss of 5 lives. A 70th anniversary memorial service was held on Tiree on 30th Oct. 2010. L-R standing: Josie Brown, Mike Hughes, Dawn Springett, Mairi Campbell, Mr Fox; L-R sitting: Mrs Fox, Mrs Eleanor Wise, Commander Mike Gibson, Mrs Barbara Gibson. Original stored in filing cabinet 9, drawer 3.
Magazine article about James and Archibald McDowall 1780-1894
Article published in Ancestor Vol. 29 No.3 2008, about the lives and deaths of James McDowall (1780-1821), who was the Excise Officer on Tiree from July 1891 until December 1821 when he died at sea off Coll on the way back from Mull, and his grandson Archibald McDowell (1850-1894), who died during service as a fireman in Melbourne, Australia. Written by Margaret Whitaker, wife of James McDowell`s g-g-g-grandson, in 2008. Includes a letter from Margaret Whitaker to An Iodhlann in January 2011.
Click here to view 2011.13.1
Scaled-down proof of HMS Sturdy exhibition panels
Printed, scaled-down proof of the HMS Sturdy exhibition panels from An Iodhlann 2010-11. Rolled. Made by Colin Woodcock, Balemartine.
