How Dunning helped during WW1

The fascinating story of a how a community helped pay for a First World War fighting machine has been retold in Perthshire.

Nearly 100 years ago residents in Dunning responded to an appeal by the British government to fund replacement equipment for the war effort. Running short of funds, UK ministers hoped people would put their hands in their pockets to provide the vital machinery, by snapping up War Bonds and Savings Certificates.

During War Weapons Week of April 8 to 13, 1918, the village was among those to back the war effort.

Dunning residents clubbed together and an amazing sum of £7145 - worth about £57000 in 2017 was raised, and the spirited response was honoured by a Sopwith Camel fighter plane being named after the Strathearn community.

The amazing tale of the Dunning plane was uncovered by Maarten Versteeg, a member of the Dunning historical society who has retold their findings in the village’s Dunningite publication.

The story is supported by a photograph of the now iconic fighter biplane which was sent to the village.

Dunning E4374 was shipped to France and piloted by Donald Woodhouse, who was based at Amiens. It arrived in June 1918 with 203 squadron and flew low-flying missions and patrols throughout August as the end of the war neared. But, on August 31 the plane was shot down near to the River Somme and written off. Pilot Woodhouse survived with only a minor injury.

Copies of Dunningite are available in Dunning outlets.