Rover Bulletin No. 45

NUMBER FORTY FIVE. 31st May 1945

Dear Lads,

Victory in Europe has at last arrived and for us here it came rather unexpectedly at the finish, this elusive date we have all had shots at guessing is now here and we think it’s been longer in coming than any of us guessed. Of course you’re all still away and for us in our wee circle no celebrations took place. When we all meet again that will be 4th V Day – the day. The blackout has gone and we had glorious floodlighting of the Castle etc., here and the bunting and flags were all very very welcome,- So also was the visit of the King and Queen. News of the demobilising now to come into force for the older lads, and the swift miraculous repatriation of prisoners, is grand. Those are really great!

V.E. day for us had another side to it for we have to report that on that day our dear friend Captain Band at Dunoon, passed away suddenly

Three of us attended at the Crematorium here. Jim says “At present I can’t realise he has gone for he was always so merry and bright and always alert. There was nothing he looked forward to more than a Victory re-union with the Bhoys of the Fighting Fourth and he always declared although he was Leader of the 1st it was St. Serfs who gave him the best support when he was Rover Leader of Leith”

Jimmy and Tommy too are home safe and sound – Jimmy considerably lighter and Tommy just himself. Think of it – It is astounding! and so quickly too.

Tommy arrived first after some weeks of travel and many experiences. The Russians liberated his camp on the Berlin front and among the chaos, for the Russians had no quick organisation ready to deal with prisoners, Tommy and several others managed to commandeer an abandoned German car and got it to go. They travelled for several days towards the West finding plenty food etc on the way and had some grand fun, including the full run of an abandoned Junkers aircraft factory filled with all sorts of expensive machinery and everything of the best. They then contacted British repatriation organisation and were across here in two air journeys in a short time.The reception here by the Authorities was really of the best and he is now home on a long leave. He has no serious complaints to make. They knocked a good deal of fun out of the Germans over things like smuggling wireless sets into camp, although at one time he was pretty far through. When he was taken prisoner he was wounded in the knee and thigh by shrapnel. His gun turret-top was blown off and the stuff that hit him came through the side. Because they at this time were using a new secret device which the Germans were anxious to know about they were put into solitary confinement. During this time his wounds received no attention and soon he was suffering from very bad poisoning. However, after the solitary confinement they gave him the best of medical attention and he recovered and is well again.

Jimmy came home a few days later and he is as brown as a berry – not so hefty – and as cheery as ever. We have only had a very short talk with him for he is away up North right away with Marion, his wife, and kiddie, for two weeks holiday. He is also on long leave and of course is wanting to make it longer – that is get out of it altogether and back to his job. Jimmy was assisting with the evacuation of our troops from Greece who were up against tremendous odds at that time and they were told as they were bringing our men down to the beaches that on one of their many journeys back and forward they might not get back – and that was so. The position and their feelings were utterly hopeless. Then started a long journey by train in cattle trucks packed to bursting point away North into Austria. In the short time we saw him he said “I wouldn’t like to remember the first six months.” Afterwards when Red Cross parcels started to come through they really had no major complaints. Jimmy was “man of confidence” and along with an interpreter was allowed out to the nearest town. They developed a marvellous ability for acquiring things, for example, a complete set of battens of stage lights annexed gradually from outside when they were working. They developed a marvellous spirit ant were full of schemes for keeping cheery. The 8th Army liberated them and like Tommy he found the repatriation system very swift. He was taken South to Naples and flow in one hop of six hours to England. It has been so quick at times he can hardly believe he is home.

We’ve just finished spring-cleaning the cottage and Robbie put up long strings of flags from tree to tree for our returned P. O.W.

Other home news is that Alastair (McKellar) is on leave again and is engaged to a very nice young lady who we understand comes from Ayr and is a nurse (Sister) in the W.A.A.F. He has done a few trips now and has always managed to hold on to his dinner so far.

Jas (Suttie) rolled round a week ago as full of beans as ever, He’s still stationed in England.

Bill (McKelvie) is also home and hopes to stay in this country. He had been moving forward in the great advance and got well into Germany.

John (Baird) now in Germany says its a beautiful country and far too good for Its people. “The R.A.F. certainly did their job. in style. Its extremely gratifying to see the shattered towns and factories. My one big wish is that I shall soon get my ticket.”

Dick (Spaven) is now on three months sick leave and feeling a lot better. “The only trouble is I am on a blasted diet, fish, milk and milk puddings and have to feed every two hours” He is at 23 Carlisle Terrace, Manningham, Bradford and says “If any of the lads should be around this spot I should be very pleased to so them.”

George (Simpson) has again moved and is waiting on a further posting. “If we get leave (improbable) I’ll try to get a flip home.”

Chorty (Turnbull) says he has been doing some roadside camping but doesn’t care for the noises encountered. He hopes to contact Bert Arthur some day. “I hear that I am to be off on another course any day now (the number I’ve done I must at least be up to the cheese and biscuit stage)

Gilbert (Williamson) seems to be about to go overseas.

Bruce (Bailie) is now on an old rocket gun site (a dump) but fatigues and work are negligible. He is still waiting to be drafted overseas.

Joey (Stewart)’s course at Quastina is finished and he has had ten days in Alexandria. Frightful travelling conditions existed. Bathing and seeing Soccer matches were the high spots. Much to his surprise he has been posted to Ferry Comm – and with home still further away. He sent a new photo of himself. you, Thank You Joey! You go on looking better and better!

David (Gosman) is in writing contact with Ian Moffat and Campbell McKellar and says Ian is in Bombay Presidency and Campbell in Ambala in the Punjab, while he himself is somewhere East of the Brahmaputra. He remarks on the large number of different nationalities he has met, Sikhs, West and East Africans, Burmese, Chinese, etc., etc., and even wild tribesmen who are even now head hunters, great stinking, hulking brutes from Bhutan. “A bunch of us set off into the back of beyond mounting an elephant a piece. I never realised an elephant had such a colossal backbone”

Jim (Frier) says “Victory has come at last and my first thoughts are for the safe return of Jimmy and Tommy. Murray should be one of the first out under the demob plan with Billy Mack, Geo Kay, Ian and Eck. I liked Bill’s account of how the lads treated the Huns in Germany. No doubt I’ll land there soon. I suggest that Chorty brings back “Sabu” with him. He could aye cut the grass at the cottage and wash up the chip plates. When the news that Gerry had downed tools came through very few of the lads here were enthusiastic. Their thoughts were on the Far East where a big percentage of them will land. I was in Eindhoven when word came that Holland had been liberated. The Dutch people went mad with delight. Next day we hitch-hiked to Brussels and had a real time there. On the way every little village in Holland and Belgium seemed to boast a scout troop. They were out in uniform and rallying round their flag. I thought if I stayed in one spot for a time the Fourth night forge connections with a Dutch or Belgian troop. The folk in Edinburgh can congratulate themselves on not knowing there was a war on. Judging by Eddie’s latest arrival there’s a lot to be said for new bread and spam after all! A great achievement, Edward! A speedy return to civvy street and home comforts!”

Cheerio.

P.S Mrs Reilly has just informed us that James has been shifted to Indochina. but she has now information direct from him and says that he has never received any of her letters.