Museum opens first exhibition
Collection of sketches show life in WWI trenches
The Military Museum Scotland in Wilkieston has launched its first temporary exhibition.
The exhibition is 40 sketches, of life in the trenches of WWI, by one of the official French war artists, Paul Jobert, and will run until November 11.
The artworks were kindly offered to Military Museum Scotland, by the granddaughter of the artist, Anne Demenge.
Moira Niven MBE, the Lord Lieutenant of West Lothian, launched the exhibition.
Among those who attended the launch was Sir Robert Clerk OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian; Peter Smaill, Lord Provost of Midlothian; Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick, leader of West Lothian Council and Rtd Wing Commander William Neish MBE.
This exhibition is another successful episode in the increasingly popular Military Museum Scotland.
Ian Inglis set up the museum in memory of his WWII War hero father, who was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in 1945, part of Operation Veritable, also known as the Battle of Reichswald.
Military Museum Scotland has now been open for over 18 months and continues to grow, both in size and popularity due to the hard work and dedication of Ian and the group of volunteers who continue to give up their spare time, to ensure Military Museum Scotland continues to succeed.
Ian Inglis said: “The continued success and growth of Military Museum Scotland, is largely down to the dedication and hard work of my family of volunteers. We are a family now, and without their help and support, the museum wouldn’t be what it is today. A year and a half ago, I had never met any of these fantastic people, they are all now close friends and an integral part of Military Museum Scotland.” Military Museum Scotland, a registered charity in Scotland is based in the Legion Hall in Wilkieston on the Scottish War Blinded Estate.”
He added: “Without the Scottish War Blinded charity offering temporary use of a building on their grounds, I wouldn’t be here today. I can’t thank them enough for their continued help and support, ensuring that Military Museum Scotland will succeed, and it is.”
The museum is open daily from 10am to 4pm from Tuesday to Sunday, with schools able to book private visits on Mondays.
Not only an education resource available for schools throughout Scotland, it has become a hub for veterans throughout Central Scotland.
The museum operates an Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club on the last Sunday of the month, and a Veterans “Drop-in” every day the museum is open.
The museum is also used by various other military charities for events and meetings.
To find out more about the museum, search for Military Museum Scotland on the internet, or on Facebook, or visit the museum.
Get in touch at milmussco@ aol. co. uk. The charity is also always looking for volunteers to join us, again get in touch at the above email address.
The success and growth is largely down to the dedication and hard work of volunteers