Below is a list of the history pages, personal accounts, extracts and photos that have been tagged with a reference to '1939'...
2. [ pow ]
Corp. Jack Kidd's experience from joining the Territorial Army in January 1938 to his capture at St. Valéry-en-caux in June 1940.
3. [ history ]
From the "call out" of the TA in late 1938 to embarkation at Southampton for Le Havre in January 1940.
4. [ pow ]
From Henry Owens' volunteering in 1939 to his capture at St. Valery in 1940
5. [ public ]
Thank you to James Gillies for sending us this photograph. The photograph is framed and retains its original caption along with a note of each Officer in the lineup. The caption reads: 51st Highland Division, R.A.S.C., Officers' Training Company. December 1939.
1. [ account ]
From the "call out" of the TA in late 1938 to embarkation at Southampton for Le Havre in January 1940. Extract from 'Return to St. Valéry' by Lieutenant General Sir Derek Lang. Lieutenant General Lang was Adjutant of 4th Camerons in 1939 when the decision was made to double the size of the TA.
2. [ account ]
An extract from the War Diary of Capt. J.P.P. Taylor who was the Intelligence Officer of the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlands. Covers the period from beginning of September to end October 1939.
3. [ account ]
An extract from the journal of the late George Clare, 525 Company, Royal Army Service Corps. This extract covers his enlistment and his service up to St. Valéry. The journal goes well beyond that, covering his time as a prisoner of war and subsequent escape and a further extract will follow.
1. [ photo ]
Corporal Jack Kidd, Prisoner of War after the 51HD were forced to surrender at St. Valery.
2. [ photo ]
The massed Pipes and Drums of the 51st Highland Division in Aldershot in 1939 - from the collection of Pipe Major A Duthie, formerly The Black Watch.
3. [ photo ]
Massed Pipes and Drums of the 51st Highland Division in Aldershot in 1939 - from the collection of Pipe Major A Duthie, formerly The Black Watch.
4. [ photo ]
Henry Owens was a Gunner Artificer, RA. He joined up in June 1939. He was captured at St. Valéry in 1940 and spent the next five years as a POW before being liberated in May 1945.
6. [ photo ]
Pte. Harry Knox, Gordon Highlanders.
The date of this portrait photograph is unknown but it is assumed to have been taken in late 1939 as Knox went to France as part of the B.E.F. and was later captured at St. Valery in June 1940.
7. [ photo ]
Photo of Mrs Helen Knox, Wife of Pte. Harry Knox.
The handwritten annotation reads "With love, from Helen". The photo is believed to have been in Harry's possession throughout his time in Stalag IX-C as a POW between 1940 and 1945.
8. [ photo ]
Men of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 51st Highland Division, during bayonet practice, November 1939.
9. [ photo ]
We were sent several photographs of George Watt Drummond by his Niece (Beth Marshall). This photograph appears to have been taken before George left for France in 1939 with 4th Black Watch, as part of the B.E.F.
10. [ photo ]
Men of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 51st Highland Division, trying on gas masks, November 1939.
11. [ photo ]
Thanks to James Gillies for sending us this photograph of the 51st Highland Division, R.A.S.C., Officers' Training Company taken in December 1939. The photo has been added to the Mobilisation section as it was possibly taken whilst the Division was at Aldershot, prior the eventual embarkation to Le Havre from Southampton in January 1940. A full list of those present in the lineup can be found here.