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- There have been some fine catches of herring this last week, one day 5000 crans. The Minch has been getting “swept” and the mail-boat is running regularly. Oatmeal scarce; we have had to fall back temporarily on Quaker oats… Stornoway 22nd Feb 1917
- This week’s letter highlights a difficult truth which is very pertinent, given that it is Black History Month. In the course of transcribing the letters we occasionally encounter racist language which is extremely offensive and considered abhorrent today. The fact that a highly educated woman like Mrs Gibson would use this particularly horrible word in such a context reflects the racist ideas prevalent in Britain at this time. We thought carefully about whether to publish this letter on the blog, but we feel it is important not to cover up the past and that we should bring it out into the open, as the attitudes of people in the past are an important part of the historical record. In another sentence of the letter there is a reference to insanity in a particular family. We have not revealed the family’s identity in case this causes distress to any descendants.
- I had letters this week from Wm. B. Macdonald, who is with a battery in France and has had one or two narrow escapes, from J. W. Matheson, in Salonika, and from Alick Thomson, in the training camp at Gailes. He is enjoying the change from the trench-mud. Did I mention that Simon Mackenzie, who has been on a minesweeper off the west coast of Ireland, is now home, discharged on account of his health?… Stornoway, 15th Feb. 1917
- He told us of a mule who had a spite against a man and waited patiently for an opportunity to pay him out [get revenge]. One day the man was grooming the third mule from his enemy. The watchful one saw his chance and laid the man out with a kick delivered below the bellies of the two intervening mules. What do you think of that? E. says they never forget anybody who has beaten them…Stornoway, 9th Feb. 1917
- Dr. Robertson is here just now and thinks more of the teachers will be called up soon. However we need not anticipate trouble and of course if necessary there can be nothing said. The successful prosecution of the war takes precedence of all else… Stornoway, 4th Feb. 1917
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Monthly Archives: August 2012
Friday Photo; 1953 Plane wreck
This photograph of a Sabre F4 crash is from the Lewis Museum Trust collection held in Stornoway Library. Unfortunately no details about this crash were found with the photographs, though I did manage to find the following details about the … Continue reading
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Tagged Friday Photo, Lewis Museum Trust, plane crash, Sabre F4, Stornoway
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Friday Photo; the Wydo Dance Band
These two fantastic photos are from the Lewis Museum Trust collection held at Stornoway Library. Unfortunately, we have no further information about this band apart from the fact the photos appear to have been taken in the Town Hall. Can … Continue reading
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Tagged Lewis Museum Trust, music, Stornoway Town Hall, The Wydo Dance Band
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Friday letter; So here’s to you Mrs Matheson
Today’s little bit of history is a letter sent to Lady Matheson from a Mr Hutchison of Soval Lodge 150 years ago almost to the day. The letter can be a little tricky to read in places, so a transcription … Continue reading
Friday Photo; Bunavoneader whaling station
The whaling station at Bunavoneader was first opened by Norwegian father and son Peter and Carl Herlofson, who founded the company A/S Harupunen (The Harpoon). The family had started the company in Iceland in 1896, but were searching for … Continue reading
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So, who is from Berneray?
The BBC news reported murky grim weather for Friday as I travelled down to Berneray to attend “Exploring over 200 years of emigration from Berneray”, a conference hosted by Berneray Historical Society. However, both weather and conference were glorious! The … Continue reading
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