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Preparations for War
Few people who, lived through the wartime years, are likely to
forget Sunday 3rd September 1939 when the news came of Britain's declaration of war on Germany.
Many young men and women left the area to go to war. The
older men, and the boys waiting for call-up, were formed into a Local Defence Volunteer Company (later the Home Guard) under the command
of Captain John Campbell-Blair, Dalchenna and Lieut. A M MacPherson, Manager of the local Union Bank (now the Bank of Scotland). An
Observer Corp was formed under the command of Captain Walter Thursby at Horse Park. The police force, under Sgt. Taylor, was augmented by
Special Constables mostly comprised of men from Inveraray Estate who had seen service in the previous conflict.
Photo Opposite;
[Photo of Capt John
Campbell-Blair outside Dalchenna
House
courtesy of his granddaughter Juliet
Peters (nee Campbell-Blair].
In preparation for the outbreak of hostilities plans had
been made for the evacuation of city children to the comparative safety of the countryside. These plans were now implemented.
In Inveraray, during a
thunderstorm, the Duchess of Hamilton
tied up at the pier and a troop of bewildered children was led down the gangway. They were marshalled at the Jubilee Hall in the Maltland
and where were given a hot meal cooked by a committee of local ladies.
Under the direction of Mr. James Carmichael, a local
contractor, every available car in the district was used to convey the children to their
respective destinations. These included the cars from Turnbull's garage The children were given a warm welcome.
The original number of evacuees, including women and
children, was 424. Many found the country way of life so different to that of the city that they soon returned home. They preferred to face
the dangers of the German bombers in familiar surroundings! In the school log of September 25 1919 the headmaster, Donald
MacKechnie, noted "Government evacuees began work today along with our own pupils - 22 boys, 43 girls. By Dec. 1943 four evacuees
still remained in the burgh." [Photo
- view of Inveraray from the watchtower. c 1942 Karl Work].
Combined Operations
In 1940, after the fall of France,
the Prime Minister began
planning the invasion of Europe. Admiral Keyes began a search for a suitable place to train Commandos and crews together. The choice
eventually fell on Inveraray and on the 15th October 1940 Vice Admiral Theodore Hallet R.N. assumed command of No.1 Combined Operations
Invasion Training Centre. Suddenly, this quiet little town on the west coast of Scotland, found itself playing an important part in the
war against Germany.
Royal Engineer and Pioneer Companies
duly arrived to set up camps. The local firms of Messrs James Carmichael and Messrs Cowieson of Glasgow being the principal contractors.
Town Camp and Avenue Camp were
erected behind the Newtown and the Duke's and Castle Camps sprang up in the castle grounds. Shira Camp was built at the entrance to
Glen Shira and, south of the town, land on Dalchenna Farm was requisitioned to build a Naval Camp known as "HMS Quebec" (now Argyll
Caravan Park). Further along the shore Kilbride and Chamois Camps were established. As the camps were completed they were
occupied. Many famous regiments were to receive specialised training in the hills and on the shores of Loch Fyne. (Photo: Inveraray Castle, Karl Work c 2000).
Commando troops, who were later to
take part in many raids on enemy territory, had their first training here. They arrived in the late autumn in troopships which anchored
off the Creags. Among the officers was Captain Randolph Churchill son of the Prime Minister.
Some of the larger houses and
buildings in the town were requisitioned by the Admiralty. These included Dalchenna House, Fern Point, Coffee House, Rudha-na-Craig and
Tigh-na-Ruadh (the present Loch Fyne Hotel) - the latter becoming Admiralty House. In the grounds of Fern Point a Nissan hut was
established for use as a decontamination centre. Other buildings were requisitioned during these war years included Cherry Park,
which became the Quartermaster's store. The old byre there was transformed into a cook house.
The town was often the scene of
attack and defence manoeuvres from doorway to doorway and close to close. Khaki clad men armed, with Tommy guns and revolvers, would overrun the
streets whilst townspeople carried on with their normal duties.
One young evacuee lived with his
grandparents in a house facing the pier. He spent hours watching the comings and goings of soldiers and ships in the harbour area. He
wrote a letter to his parents giving them a blow by blow account of everything he had observed from his vantage point. Owing to
censorship of letters at the time all his parents received was a heading "Dear Mum and Dad" and a tail piece "Love
Jim."
Provost A. J. MacIntyre, himself an
officer of the 1914-18 war with the rank of Major, presided over the Town Council. He also acted as Welfare Officer between Military
and Civilian Authorities. It was a busy and difficult time for civic dignitaries. They suddenly found they had to cope with
demands for extra water and provisions to meet the requirements of a large influx of workmen and HM Forces personnel. In a Minute of the Town Council, dated 20th September 1940, it was noted that baffle walls were to be erected
in front of the closes in the town. As a protection against enemy action it was also agreed to order a dozen stirrup pumps at £1. 0s 0p
each.
The off duty hours of troops were
made as comfortable as possible. A cinema was built within the castle grounds and a large N.A.F.F.I. canteen was built on the site of
the present day Youth Hostel. The local W.V.S., under the presidency of Mrs. Alex. J. MacIntyre, and supported by local ladies, opened a canteen in
the St Malieu Hall. The venue proved immensely popular with the soldiers and opening hours invariably found a long
queue waiting. A cup of tea or coffee and bun cost one penny (pre decimal) and the profits went towards parcels for the troops. Mrs. A.
M. MacPherson, a local banker's wife, looked after the financial side of the organisation, while Mrs. John MacCallum was Hon.
Secretary, later succeeded by Mrs. James Drummond. In addition to the voluntary running of the canteen W.V.S. dispatched parcels to the
local boys serving in the war zones.
HMS Queen Emma and HMS Princess Beatrix were the first warships to remain anchored off the town. The transport ship "Ettrick," with
troops for invasion training aboard, lay off shore, as did the hospital ships "St David" and "St Andrew." These
"lend lease" ships were used until the Jubilee Hall at the Maitland was converted to a Military Hospital. It had 50 beds
complete with a fully equipped operating theatre and X-ray room. The hospital was staffed by members of the Queen Alexander's Imperial Medical
Nursing Staff and by V.A.D.s who were house in the Maitland buildings. The Medical Orderlies and ambulance drivers shared hut
accommodation on the Greens. Some local people, as well as military personnel, owe their lives to the skill and dedication of hospital
staff based there.
By 1941 two more ships at the pier
were the "Quebec" and the "Beverly Brook." There were regular comings and goings of naval ships including
units of the Allied Fleets. Dutch oil-driven lighters were, for a long time, on duty mostly around Kilbride. Two Canadian
lake steamers, the "Eaglescliffe Hall" and the "A.A. Fields" were anchored off the pier - the latter was sunk during the D-Day
landings on the Normandy coast.
In Dalchenna Bay two Mississippi
river boats, the U.S. Northland and the U.S. Southland were stationed as a camp overflow. Several of their
sister ships were sunk crossing the Atlantic to Britain.
In the latter part of 1943 and early
1944 a number of Docker Companies underwent invasion training at Kilbride Camp. This consisted of loading and unloading ships under war
conditions including the use of live ammunition.
 VIP Visits
On the 27th June 1941, the Right
Honourable Winston Spencer Churchill , M.P., Prime Minister and War Leader, visited the Inveraray Training Area. The Premier, and those
accompanying him, came ashore, below the Manse, from landing craft after witnessing operations at Ardno near St Catherine's. As he entered
Admiralty House a number of householders from nearby Newtown greeted him. He replied "God bless you all." In the course of
his visit he told the Provost how much he appreciated the wonderful setting of the Royal Burgh. He declared that he, and all his War
Office, realised how much the people of Inveraray were doing under great difficulties. He wished his personal thanks to be conveyed to
the Council. His closing words were "Carry on Provost. By our united efforts victory is sure." (Town Council Minutes). Later
at Kilbride, from a sandbagged shelter, he watched demolition of barbed wire entanglements and a demonstration of beach assault and
landing techniques. Prior to his departure from Loch Fyne, the Prime minister marched behind a Military Band to the pier. He
responded to loud cheering by waving his cap on a walking stick above his head!
In the autumn of 1941 His Majesty
King George VI visited the Inveraray Training Area. On arrival he was received at the pier head by His Grace the Duke of Argyll, Lord
Lieutenant.
The Provost, Magistrates and members
of the Town Council, were presented to His Majesty - Provost Alex. J. MacIntyre, Baillie Arch. H. MacDonald, Baillie Donald MacLaren, Dean
of Guild Alexander Gillespie, Councillor James Devine, Councillor High B. Jenkins and Deputy Town Clerk George M. Sime. After lunch, at
Admiralty House, the King proceeded by sea to Frenchfarland where he too observed demolition exercises. After visiting Kilbride Camp
and "HMS Quebec" he returned to Inveraray and left by sea.
Norwegian troops undergoing training
were visited for two days by H.M. King Haakon of Norway and H.H. the Crown Price Olaf. His Majesty held a
review in the Stable Park and was the guest of his officers at the Petty Officer's Club (Coffee House). The royal visitors resided at
Admiralty House which was placed at their disposal by the Lords of the Admiralty. During their stay the Norwegian National flag was flown on the
flagstaff.
Lord Louis Mountbatten succeeded Lord
Keyes as Head of Combined Operations and in that capacity visited Inveraray to boost the morale of the men at a time when things were
looking grim.
A large contingent of W.R.N.S.
billeted at Dalchenna, was stationed at H.M.S.Quebec. Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent and Chief Commander visited there to
open a new sick bay.
American, Canadian, Free French,
Poles and Russians were also trained at Inveraray. On one occasion several landing craft, one of which was flying the Stars and Stripes,
were seen approaching the shore below the manse. The company, who walked up to Admiralty House, included General Eisenhower, Major
General Thorne, G.O.C. Scottish Command and Mr Winant U.S. Ambassador to Britain.
Odds & Ends
In 1940 the B.E.F. retreated to
Dunkirk amongst which was the 51st Highland Division. It included the 7th and 8th Battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland highlanders.
The Division was cut off at
St. Valery and the survivors were forced to surrender. Several local men were taken prisoner and spent the remainder of the war as
P.O.W.s. Among these was Captain Ian Campbell who was heir to the Duke of Argyll. During captivity, his wife Louise (later Duchess
Louise), was instrumental in forming a link with agencies whereby parcels and comforts were transported to the men in the P.O.W. camps. Many Argyll
men had cause to remember her with heartfelt gratitude.
One local lady will be remembered,
with affection, by the troops who passed through Inveraray. She was Miss Kirsty MacLachlan of the Temperance Hotel (corner of Main Street
East and Front Street). Kirsty turned her hotel into a home from home for all who cared to call and was affectionately known as
"The Mother of the Fleet."
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A casualty of war was the church
steeple which was regarded as being unsafe. It was removed in 1941. Each stone was carefully numbered and stored in the old quarry at Bealach an Fhuarain with the intention of rebuilding the spire at the end of hostilities.
The fate of these stones has long remained a mystery, but,
suffice to say that by the end of the war they had disappeared!
Today the cost of a new steeple has proved prohibitive and the
lovely old parish church of Inveraray stands denuded of
what
was the focal point of the town. Luckily the town clock and the
church bell, which were removed during the demolition of the
steeple and stored for safekeeping, have been returned to their
rightful place.
Please
contact us
if you have a story or any
information about wartime Inveraray.
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