Forestry Memories

Women's Timber Corps staff in Moray circa 1942

Women's Timber Corps staff in Moray circa 1942

Date Added: 27 November 2007 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1942 Picture No: 286

Photograph courtesy of Mrs Beatrice Sutherland(nee Cumming), Huntly.

Most of names are unfortunately not remembered but the following are:

1.Nanny Archibald, Lossiemouth - See Comments
2. Mrs McHardy, Elgin - See comments
3. Beatrice Cumming - Rothes area,
4. Jane MacWilliam - Rothes area (I McWilliam - See comments)
5. J Campbell - See Comments
6. Jean Charles - Huntly area?
7. C Hedley - See Comments
8. Mary Simpson - Dunphail -See Comments
9. M Gordon - See Comments
10. Gertie Short - Alloa - See Comments
11. Jean Pow - Edinburgh - see Comments
12. ?
13. Chrissie Simpson - Dunphail - See Comments
14. Violet Hewson - Lossiemouth - See Comments
15. Nan Marshall - Cullen - See Comments
16. Betty Carmichael - See Comments


Beatrice remembers her first day's work cross cutting logs in Dundurcas wood in warm, brilliant sunshine wearing a short sleeved open neck blouse resulting in very painful sun burn that night. She was based at home initially working in local woods including Ardcanny but when the work moved elsewhere she was billeted with about 10 others in a nissen hut near Garmouth. The group travelled quite long distances in lorries to different locations leaving at 6.30am and back at 6.30pm. At some point Beatrice was allocated work near Dallas and was able to get digs in Forres, a change from barrack life. It was here that in adddition to her work felling, measuring, crosscutting and loading lorries in the wood that she had a spell in the sawmill helping again to measure, stack, roll logs to the saw bench and sometimes put them through the saw. Cigarettes were a strong feature in every day life then and after some strong persuasion she did start smoking but the habit wore off after demob in 1946.

If any one can add the above story and identify more of the group or supply other photographs please do add your comments in the spaces below. Check larger photograph for detail if required.

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Groups: Groups of people, Northeast Scotland , Tools, equipment and clothing, Women's Timber Corps - Timber Jills

5 Comments

Hello. In 1941 At the age of 14 I got a job with the Forestry at Green Hill, Deskford. Stayed in a camp at Oat hillock and then about 1944-1945 we moved to a camp near Dallas called Edenvale but worked at Loch Loy forest near Nairn so I knew most all of these girls and remember most of their names. Here is a list:
1 Nanny Archibald, Lossiemouth/ 2 Mrs McHardy, Elgin/ 3 Beatrice Cumming, Rothes/ 4 I Mcwilliam, Rothes/ 5 J Campbell, ?/ 6 Jean Charles, Huntly/ 7 C Hedley, ?/
8 Mary Simpson, Dunphail/9 M Gordon, ?/10 Gertie Short, Alloa/ 11 Jean Pow, Edinburgh/ 12 Uknown/ 13 Crissie Simpson, Dunphail/14 Violet Hewson, Lossiemouth/15 Nan Marshall Cullen/ 16 Betty Carmichael.

Hope this is of some intrest to you. I also have a few photoes which I could send if I had your E mail Address
Yours Jock Baillie
 Comment left on 15 November 2009 at 23:25 by John Baillie [Sunshine]
Such beautiful ladies, smartly dressed and looking proud.

I am in awe of the work that both the WLA and WTC did in such difficult times when they were needed the most. Comment left on 14 January 2019 at 14:36 by Nicky Reynolds
My mum was in the Timber Corps and stationed in Dallas but not sure what dates. She did get her photo in the paper. Not sure if anyone remembers that? Comment left on 07 June 2021 at 14:43 by Ann Yourston
Hi Ann - Great to hear that your mum was in the Timber Corps. We have some images and stories on this website but always welcome more images and stories about the ladies in their crucial wartime timber work roles. I curate the Forestry Memories website and if you wish I can add any information and photographs from your mother's time in the service. My email is nandh.davidson@btopenworld.com
Kind Regards - Norman Comment left on 08 June 2021 at 17:14 by Norman Davidson
Thanks. Will scan the photo and newspaper clipping and send them on. Comment left on 08 June 2021 at 18:15 by Ann Yourston
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