Monthly Archives: June 2020

To-night I had my usual drill, and visited the police office to get a pass as I am “going out” to a meeting of the County Committee at Dingwall… I did my best, with Superintendent Alexander’s help, to determine the nature of my hair (what is of it) the colour of my eyes, and whether I have any special peculiarities… I suggested the beard, but I observe he has put down “nil” – and it is long just now! … Stornoway, 14 Dec. 1916

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson’s news this week includes a description of the school Literary evening, a number of deaths which had occurred in Stornoway, and an account of conditions in Salonika, as reported by a minister who had gone to serve there. … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on To-night I had my usual drill, and visited the police office to get a pass as I am “going out” to a meeting of the County Committee at Dingwall… I did my best, with Superintendent Alexander’s help, to determine the nature of my hair (what is of it) the colour of my eyes, and whether I have any special peculiarities… I suggested the beard, but I observe he has put down “nil” – and it is long just now! … Stornoway, 14 Dec. 1916

There was a tea in school on Friday in Miss Harper’s depart. for Mr Rod. Macrae. He goes off this week on service. He is taking his father and mother who are both invalids down to his aunt at Back… Doldina is leaving Tolsta and is going to Sandwick… Isobel Ross has resigned but I don’t know whether it is for her mother’s sake or with the prospect of getting married. Miss Lena Harrold has been appointed to Miss Mair’s place … Stornoway 15th Dec. 1916

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson’s letter is this week full of detail about staff changes at the school and house moves in various parts of Lewis, as well as a reference to a lucky escape for a mother and baby from a torpedoed … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on There was a tea in school on Friday in Miss Harper’s depart. for Mr Rod. Macrae. He goes off this week on service. He is taking his father and mother who are both invalids down to his aunt at Back… Doldina is leaving Tolsta and is going to Sandwick… Isobel Ross has resigned but I don’t know whether it is for her mother’s sake or with the prospect of getting married. Miss Lena Harrold has been appointed to Miss Mair’s place … Stornoway 15th Dec. 1916

Wednesday’s meeting of the Literary was a Scientific Evening… and the boys of the Sixth “did” some electrical and chemical experiments. It was just the worst kind of night for frictional electricity – damp, sodden and steaming – and not all of the experiments came off… Stornoway, 7 Dec. 1916

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Archivist (Editor)

This week, in the next in our selection of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection, Mr Gibson reports on science experiments which didn’t quite go to plan, more staff changes at the Nicolson Institute and a route march by moonlight … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on Wednesday’s meeting of the Literary was a Scientific Evening… and the boys of the Sixth “did” some electrical and chemical experiments. It was just the worst kind of night for frictional electricity – damp, sodden and steaming – and not all of the experiments came off… Stornoway, 7 Dec. 1916

Papa just now is writing to Alick Thomson who is in the thick of it. He is applying for a commission so as to get home for training for a little time. He says then he could go back fresh in the spring. Poor lads! What a life! … Stornoway 3rd Dec. 1916

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Archivist (Editor)

This week’s letter from Mrs Gibson includes some more news of young men serving in the War. Jean is given £1 Christmas spending money, and Mrs Gibson apologises about her letter being so short (at 6 pages), as she has … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson collection | Comments Off on Papa just now is writing to Alick Thomson who is in the thick of it. He is applying for a commission so as to get home for training for a little time. He says then he could go back fresh in the spring. Poor lads! What a life! … Stornoway 3rd Dec. 1916