Witness to War – Arran and the Firth of Clyde in the Second World War, by Colin Turbett
The first book to tell the story of Arran’s contribution to the Second World War between 1939 and 1945 has been produced by author Colin Turbett.
Arran’s location in the Firth of Clyde placed it in a pivotal location to observe and participate in the dramatic events of the war.
The new book offers an insight into operations in the Clyde, on and around Arran, including losses.
It also describes how Arran’s people participated in the war effort and how the island took on new roles as a base for the Royal Navy and a Commando training ground.
The Shiskine author is quick to credit others for their help in compiling the fascinating book.
He told the Banner: “It’s really been a community effort, with dozens of contributions coming in from all over since I first requested memories and stories in the Banner in 2021.”
Some of these recovered accounts are being told in public for the first time, others have been told before and some were in danger of being lost as the generation with first hand memories pass on. The book is divided into chapters that cover the main aspects of the war on the island and, wherever possible, backed up by stories and photographs.
It gives the reader an account of Arran’s context in the Firth of Clyde and briefly looks at other operational bases and activities in the area including Ardrossan and Campbeltown.
It goes onto look at the commando training - probably one of the best known aspects of Arran’s war - before looking at island life during the war years, from dances to land girls, evacuees and the gathering of herbal medicines. “What I found fascinating was that many of today’s controversial issues, including housing, holiday accommodation, ferries and social care, were around then. There’s little that’s new,” said Colin.
“The influx of servicemen and women brought fun as well as sadness at a time of death and loss to Arran – cinema, culture and arts as well as social occasions were regular and widely supported.
“I was also struck, as no great lover of the aristocracy, at the important civic leadership role played by the Duke and Duchess of Montrose,” he added.
Arran felt loss at home as well as abroad – 40 service men and women lost their lives. The aircraft crashes on the island are well recorded and subjects of display in the Heritage Museum. Less well known is the carnage of aircraft offshore with dozens of aircraft lost around the shores on training exercises.
Several ships were sunk, including notably the aircraft carrier HMS Dasher 80 years ago. Around the same time, two submarines were lost in training: HMS Vandal, not found for 50 years, and HMS Untamed which was lost with all the crew recovered and named. All those offshore losses – more than 40 – are recorded and listed with their locations. No doubt there are more.
Not all the aircraft crashes on Arran involved fatalities. Colin tells the story of one “accident” when a pilot made a toilet stop at Imachar, the result of which was the fitment of crude “relief” apparatus into Swordfish aircraft. Other amusing tales concern the island’s Home Guard with Dad’s Army brought to life!
There are also remarkable stories of Arran men and women involved in acts of great bravery. These include Captain John Kerr of Lochranza. His merchant vessel was torpedoed and sunk, but he navigated an open lifeboat for 19 days from the Western Atlantic to Ireland where he and the survivors were rescued.
Another story concerns a real life SAS hero, Sergeant Malcolm Campbell of Kilpatrick, who was awarded the Military Medal for action in Italy.
Colin, who has lived on the island for 35 years, said: “Since I retired from full-time social work, I have written a number of social history books, but none have been as rewarding as this brief study of Arran’s contribution to the war between 1939 and 1945.
“I am indebted to Arran Heritage Museum for its assistance.
“We are privileged to have this resource on the island and it will prove of value to future generations of Arran social historians, as will the efforts of individuals including Alistair Gold of Brodick who dedicates time and effort to preserving images from the past.
“I am in no doubt there are more stories out there that I have missed so there may be a second edition in the future.”
Colin will be holding a book launch and signing, including a short slide presentation, on Monday May 12 from 2pm to 3pm in Arran Library, Brodick.
Tickets are strictly limited to 30.
Order online through EventBrite, www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/608458233957, or ask in the library if they will do this for you.
z Witness to War – Arran and the Firth of Clyde in the Second World War, 216 pages with illustrations. Published by Ayrshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, March 2023, priced £12.