First World War postcards found in roof of train station
A TREASURE trove of postcards dating back to the First World War has been discovered during renovation work to the roof of a train station.
The postcards were found in the crawl space of the roof at Stirling station, with some dating back as far as 1912.
The Caledonian Railway postcards and papers are in a fragile condition and will be preserved before being put on display in the future.
Some, dated April 1916, had been sent to troops stationed in the Barracks at Cambusbarron, requesting they collect kit bags and parcels from the station.
Network Rail has launched an appeal to trace the soldiers’ families.
Helen Agnew, Network Rail project manager for
the Stirling Station roof works said: “Finding these items in the roof of the station has already offered a fantastic insight into the past but to be able to trace any family members of those who served would be incredible.”
Network Rail contacted the regimental museums for the Gordon Highlanders, the Cameron Highlanders and the Black Watch in a bid to trace the named soldiers.
Museum experts revealed the 8th Battalion
Seaforth Highlanders left for France in July 1915, landed at Boulogne and took over a sector in the line at Loos on August 6.
Details on the postcards allowed them to identify Captain and Quartermaster Arthur
James Macdonald of the 8th Battalion of the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders.
It is thought Captain Macdonald was wounded on October 28, 1918, at the Battle of Cambrai.
The Regimental Museum believes that it was likely he survived the war and possibly returned home.
They want to hear from anyone who has any information on Captain Macdonald.
Little is known about the other soldiers named on the postcards, including 2nd Lt. J M or H Campbell, 11th Gordon Highlanders; Private W Reddiford, B Company 11th Gordon Highlanders; Private George Rankine 6th Black Watch; and Officer Commanding A Company, 11th Gordon Highlanders.