大象传媒

My brother and I were evacuated on the 3rd./September/39 to Killin in Perthshire. There, we were billeted with a Mrs. MacNaughton, she lived in a house called 'Fingal Villa' situated in the Main St. We were looked after by her daughter, Miss MacNaughton and her brother (Robert)? He survived the 1st. World War, but I believe three brothers have their names on the local 'War Memorial'. If I remember correctly, he was a shepherd. I do remember him taking my brother Tom and I onto the hill behind the house with his sheep-dog. On one occasion, we came across Highland cattle which Tom and I had never seen before and we were scared! However, he assured us they were friendly beasts and soon we were patting them and agreed that they were lovely beasts. We remained there for about six months during the winter of what was called the 'Phoney War'! I believe we were amongst the last to leave for home, but we did go home with 'Happy Memories'. Dad was in France and was caught up in the retreat from there. His unit had to retreat from Rhiems and they had a difficult time making their way to the coast. After Dunkirk, Mum received a card to say that if she had not heard from him, she must assume that if he was not dead, he was a 'prisoner of war'. However, a few days later, we received a telegram to say that he was on his way home! He was evacuated from St. Nazaire, approaching the town they were told to get to the docks and board the 'Lancastria'. However, it had already sailed and there was no other ship available! They settled down on the pavement by the docks expecting to be taken 'prisoner of war', however, another ship came in and so were able to make their escape! Whilst waiting, local French people brought out bottles of wine for them, for which, they were grateful. But how fortunate he and his comrades, to have missed embarkation on the Lancastria, which was sunk, with enormous loss of life!!

We were evacuated again following the Blitz on Glasgow during March/1941. We lived in Burnhouse St., Maryhill, Glasgow NW. All those who lived above the ground floor came down to the close during a raid and moved into the three houses situated there. The close was protected by brick walls at the front and the back entrances to the close, the roof of the close was covered with corrugated iron sheets supported by steel scaffolding poles. I believe this arrangement save many lives down in Clydebank! We should all have stayed in the close, however, it was more comfortable in the houses and everyone contributed food and coal etc., to those who lived in the ground floor houses. Whenever we thought the bombs were getting near, we all piled into the close,but in our case, this didn't happen often. One night I was in the close and I heard a shout from the street outside, "come and see this", being young and 'immortal' I immediately hurried out, and there, floating over the building was a 'Large Mine', suspended by several parachutes and awesome in the glare of the search-lights. It slowly crossed over towards the nearby canal on the other side of which, tenement houses reached up a steep hill. Shortly, we were to hear the awful explosion and felt for those poor souls caught up in its intensity!

We were again bundled off to be evacuated this time to Kilninver, about nine miles south of Oban in Argyllshire. We were to spend over three years there on Baracharail farm, a mile south of the Parish church. Mr. & Mrs. MacDonald who ran the farm and their son Calum, made us very welcome. We were expected to give some help in the working of the farm, but never forced to work against our will! I was eleven when we arrived and my brother Tom was ten. We enjoyed the life and guided by Calum, we had a playground of about 500 acres stretching from a salmon river to an eagles' nest on the rockface at the top of the Ben. From this top we often saw the 'Flying Boats' of 'Coastal Command' landing and taking off from Oban Bay, an important element in the 'Battle of the Atlantic', though we did not realize this at the time. Tom became very proficient with the farm-work, latterly he was so good, that he was allowed to shear the sheep when Calum and I were only allowed to drag the sheep to the shearing benches and provide drinking water, laced with porridge oats, to the Shearers!! I have wonderful memories of our stay in Kilninver and I'm sure I also speak for Tom. We were indeed, very fortunate!!

I do hope these memories of the war years;--1939/44 will be considered a worth while contribution to your 'Historical Archives'. Jim Dougan.

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