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.
Hardback book `The Fighting Tramps` by Bernard Edwards.
The story of the Merchant Navy`s largely unsung courageous role in the Second World War.
Copied newspaper article about five generations of Archie Hendersons who all joined the armed forces.
Five generations of one family, all called Archie Henderson, who joined the armed forces, the first being born in Tiree in 1854 and who joined the Black Watch.
Audio cassette recording of Donald MacDonald of Heanish and Australia interviewed by Maggie Campbell in Scarinish on 19/6/2002.
Donald MacDonald of Heanish and Australia talks to Maggie Campbell in June 2002 about leaving Tiree at the age of 16 to join the Merchant Navy, his early memories of Tiree looking for birds’ eggs, fishing and collecting whelks; Donald and his sisters Janet and Isabel talk about the RAF on Tiree, teachers at Scarinish School, the shops, changes in farming and the village of Heanish over the years.
Book `Beyond the Bamboo Screen – Scottish Prisoners of War under the Japanese` by Tom McGowran.
Experiences of Prisoners of War in the Far East – including the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Tiree Aerodrome in 1944
Photograph of Tiree Aerodrome in 1944.
Courtesy of Sergeant Neil Owen
The origins of the Tiree airfield go back to 1934 when Midland and Scottish Airways selected a grass landing site on the Reef. A rental dispute delayed until 1937 the start of air services which continued to operate spasmodically during World War II.
The Reef was requisitioned by the Ministry of War in 1940 to provide air cover for the convoys routed from the North Sea to the Irish Channel. Contractors Melville, Dundas & Whitson and Tawse of Aberdeen were among those involved in building the airstrip, roads and living quarters for the RAF base.
Labourers were brought in from Ireland and the mainland, including prisoners from several Scottish jails. Quarries at Baugh and Balephetrish were blasted out and the ruins of the Glassary seaweed factory in Sandaig and the storehouse on Scarinish jetty were demolished and used as hardcore.
Aerial photograph of Tiree Aerodrome, 1944.
Aerial view of Tiree Aerodrome taken in 1944 showing erosion.
Black and white photograph of Iain Cameron, `Lochiel`, Cornaigmore.
Iain Cameron of `Lochiel`, Cornaigmore in RAF uniform in 1944.
Black and white photograph of Gilleasbuig Cameron, `Lochiel`, Cornaigmore.
Gilleasbuig Cameron of `Locheil`, Cornaigmore, naval cadet at Glasgow Nautical College.
Keyring from Scarinish Guard Room during World War II.
Oval brass keyring 45 mm by 30 mm, stamped on one side with `SCARINISH GAURD ROOM` around the edge and `38` in the centre, and on the other side `W`, an upward-pointing arrow, `D`. In use during World War II. Found on Hough beach by Fiona MacRae.
Faxed letter from Donald Campbell, Aberdeen, with list of merchant seamen decorated in World War II.
List of Merchant seamen decorated during World War II, giving name, rank, vessel and award.
