Monthly Archives: February 2023

The jury enquiry into the loss of the “Iolaire”, which has been ordered, opens on Monday. The Crown is sending down a special law agent, and the Sheriff Principal is to preside… Stornoway 6th Feb. 1919

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson reminisces about Jean’s girlhood, whilst Barrie the cat has been out of sorts. Local servicemen are returning from the Balkans, whilst the enquiry into the Iolaire disaster is imminent. The next in our series of letters from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson letters | Comments Off on The jury enquiry into the loss of the “Iolaire”, which has been ordered, opens on Monday. The Crown is sending down a special law agent, and the Sheriff Principal is to preside… Stornoway 6th Feb. 1919

Some boats have been making great hauls, as much as £1000 has been realised for a single night’s shot. The men also fish for white fish during the time the nets are down, and the proceeds of these are divided entirely among them. One small boy to whom I was talking had £3 for his week’s share, over and above his wages; another had £5. So you see they can very well treat each other to tea and “buskits.” Stornoway 2nd Feb. 1919

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr and Mrs Gibson have been learning poetry, and Mrs Gibson has been hectic with catering duties. Mr Gibson describes the astounding scale and profits of hauls made by the local fishing fleets. The next in our series of letters … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson letters | Comments Off on Some boats have been making great hauls, as much as £1000 has been realised for a single night’s shot. The men also fish for white fish during the time the nets are down, and the proceeds of these are divided entirely among them. One small boy to whom I was talking had £3 for his week’s share, over and above his wages; another had £5. So you see they can very well treat each other to tea and “buskits.” Stornoway 2nd Feb. 1919

Teaching is as valuable a form of social service as one can give, but if you feel you wd. rather take some other line, your two years cd. be devoted to preparation for that. The choice we feel is one you shd. make yourself. … And as far as we are concerned we would like you to take the choice that will best satisfy your own judgement. Our pleasure in the matter will be to feel you are taking the line you like best… Stornoway 30th Jan. 1919

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson offers some serious careers advice to Jean. He has also been enjoying some photographs of the Middle East, whilst Barrie the cat is in a good mood.  The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson letters | Comments Off on Teaching is as valuable a form of social service as one can give, but if you feel you wd. rather take some other line, your two years cd. be devoted to preparation for that. The choice we feel is one you shd. make yourself. … And as far as we are concerned we would like you to take the choice that will best satisfy your own judgement. Our pleasure in the matter will be to feel you are taking the line you like best… Stornoway 30th Jan. 1919

Papa … had a long letter from your principal … saying … that seeing the boys come back is bringing back to him and his wife their own losses and making them fresh again. He says he told many audiences in America about the Lewis and its contribution of men and every where had it received with enthusiasm … Stornoway 23rd Jan. 1919

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson tells of Lord Leverhulme’s transport ambitions for Lewis, including both rail and motor vehicles. She also mentions a seminal recital of Hebridean music. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum … Continue reading →

Posted in Gibson letters | Comments Off on Papa … had a long letter from your principal … saying … that seeing the boys come back is bringing back to him and his wife their own losses and making them fresh again. He says he told many audiences in America about the Lewis and its contribution of men and every where had it received with enthusiasm … Stornoway 23rd Jan. 1919