Search is on for Heirloom owner
The keeper of a priceless heirloom is hoping that Crieff residents can help reunite it with its rightful owner.
Penny Peden has been researching her family tree and while going through a collection of family memorabilia she came across a photo album of around 200 postcards written during the Great War.
The postcards tell the story of a young couple who met, got married and had a child while the country was in conflict.
Jimmy McBride came from Pollockshaws but his young bride Helen Arnott, known as Nelly, was from Crieff.
Penny, from Ayrshire, told the Herald: “It’s a story of endurance. This collection dates right through the war, starting off as newlyweds.
“James left for the war when Helen was heavily pregnant. They abandoned their home in Ayr and Helen went back to Crieff, where her family was.
“She raised her daughter Janet there and it was six months before James saw her. He was in France and would send things back as well as the cards.”
James McBride is Penny’s great, great- uncle but she believes there may be more direct descendants and that the heirloom should go to them.
“I’d like to get these albums back to the direct family line,” she said. “The cards tell the couple’s story and should be reunited with the family.”
Penny is hoping that Crieff residents might remember the McBrides of King Street.
She continued: “Sadly, at age 19 Janet died through complications in childbirth.
“There is also mention of someone called Faith. I don’t know if that was Janet’s sister or daughter. She also had a brother called Walter. He emigrated to America.
“I would very much like to return to the family this treasure of a story.”
Helen was born in King Street in 1890, the daughter of William and Jessie Arnott. James McBride was born in 1887 and came to Crieff to be with Helen after they married. Helen died in Perth in 1968, aged 78, and Jimmy died in Crieff in 1976.
The postcards are an insight into daily life for Helen in Crieff and for James on the battlefield.
On one card James wrote from France: “Dear Baby – Your father is longing and counting the days until he sees mother and you. Jim.”
On another he wrote: “My darling wife, just a pc to let you know that I am in the best of health, hoping this finds yous all the same.
“Yesterday we had a dreadful day. Thunder and lightning followed by very heavy showers of 2cm, the heaviest I’ve seen for some time. I have just been thinking and as I write, time and date it was just this time a year ago I joined his majesty’s service and a year tomorrow night 10.40 I left central with my bag just fancying myself only for a few months however we feel happy so I want you to cheer up. Good Night Jim.”
Penny also has pieces of linen believed to have been brought back from France by Jimmy.
If anyone remembers the McBrides they can contact Penny via Crieff Remembers organiser Jean-Ann Scott Miller on 01764 653270.