大象传媒

Robert Borland鈥檚 Recollections of World War 2 (part 2)

Rothesay as a Military Base
Rothesay was a submarine base and had HMS Cyclops supply vessel moored in the harbour. The Cyclops was known to locals as 鈥榮eagull island鈥� as it never sailed anywhere. There was a dry dock at Port Bannatyne for repairing the submarines. The submarines were moored on either side of the ship and long booms ran above them.

There were many Italian families in Rothesay. They had been there since the 1920鈥檚. The best known were the Zavaroni family (through Lena鈥檚 fame). I believe that many of the elder Italians were interned. As Rothesay was a base of military importance and submarine movements were easily observed, and there was the possibility of sabotage, it was understandable that the powers that be were over cautious.

I believe that the Italians were not released till the war was almost over. I had great sympathy for them as they were only considered a risk because they had relatives in Italy and they could be coerced into helping the Fascists by threats to those relatives.

The submarines must have returned to port in badly damaged condition from time to time and sailors would have been killed or injured. Somehow this did not ever become apparent to me as a child.

Most of Rothesay鈥檚 piers were under Naval command, the Albert Pier in particular was screened and the main pier had portions blocked off for Royal Navy use only. The ferries were using only a small part of the main pier. But in the summer people still came 鈥淒oon the Watter鈥� for the Fair Fortnight, from Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock.

Rothesay became a centre for Commando training. The Isle of Bute was an ideal training ground for all types of terrain and its many beaches were right for practising amphibious landings and Arran, with its mountainous conditions, was also good for training.

Troops of all nationalities were sent there to practice marine landings and Rothesay could accommodate numerous troops by billeting on local people. Rothesay being a holiday resort had spare accommodation. My Granny鈥檚 friends, mainly elderly widows, all had soldiers billeted on them. There were many ribald comments among them about the soldiers!

The Canadians
The best were the Canadians. To us kids they were Americans because they had a Yankee accent. They were generous and when kids used to call to them, 鈥淕ot any gum, chum?鈥�, there was always a hand out.

They smoked Sweet Caporal cigarettes which had cards of sporting heroes inside the packets. All the kids had collections of Ice Hockey, Baseball and American football players. There were not any football or cricket stars.

They were also generous with chocolate bars and silk stockings!
End of part 2

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