Alex Grossert, Forester - Diary Notes of early forestry days
The images and notes are courtesy of Shona Marshall, Alex’s daughter, who typed out the notes from some papers found in her father’s documents.
Glentress and early Forestry days.
“The Government brought out ‘The Control of Engagement order’ to direct labour to more essential work. Game keeping was not regarded as essential so I began to look for other work.
Through Captain Stroyan ( Father’s employer), and a good contact in Killin, I made contact with the Forestry Commission’s Forester Training Scheme and after a successful interview I was detailed to Cairnbaan Camp, near Lochgilphead (Feb 1948- Oct 1848).
David MacTaggart, an Argyll man and Stroyan’s Agent, kindly drove me and a largish metal trunk to the Camp.
Trainees were mostly ex servicemen, so it was rather like old times.
Training went well and many a weekend was spent on anti-forest fire duties, and so on to Glentress Forester Camp near Peebles (Oct 1948 - July 1950).
Peebles was only about 2 miles away and so it was with that, one Saturday (?), I saw two girls cross the street towards the bus stop I was standing at.
It turned out it was the ‘Winkston’ (where they lived) twins - Ella and Nettie.
Pictures and dances followed. (Helen and Alex married at Eddlestone in 1951).
Being a Keeper’s son and a keen naturalist helped me a lot taking in the
whole environment, soils, birds, wild flowers and weather around the trees.
In the second year, I opted for a training exchange in the Forest of Dean near the beginning of Spring, in a training house at Parkend, between Coleford and Lydney.
It turned out to be most interesting; the ancient forest, the small mining areas, flora and fauna, Tintern Abbey, apple trees smothered in mistletoe.
We had some good trips out to different tree crops, soils and bog areas.
On the way our excellent instructor would draw our attention to the roadside trees, indicators of the type of soil at their roots etc.
One Saturday, a few of us went up as far as Ross-On-Wye to see ‘The Third Man’.
Others and myself and Ian Campbell used to cycle round the Forest.
Sadly back to Glentress, days of examinations, practical and written.
I managed to pass - just! I gained Junior and Senior Forestry Certificates and a Diploma after 3 years experience.
In posting options, I chose Forestry Research.
During one holiday, I went to Brigg, Lincolnshire, to give a hand on the land, harvesting crops - beans, peas, seeds etc. This was a voluntary scheme to help out after the War.
We were out on lorries about 7am each morning but I had a most enjoyable time.
Many of the crops were different, especially the seeds, and heavy land cultivations by steam engines and long wires pulling ploughs etc.
I joined Forestry Research at Fort Augustus (July 1950 - May 1951) working on all sorts of tree experiments, some near, some miles away near Spean Bridge, recording periodic measures then up-dating them in the office.
During the weekends, I worked in a hotel which was owned by a Rugby International - dishes, footwear, drinks- and used the money to take driving lessons and passed my test in Inverness.
I worked on larger trees, mixed species experiments on Loch Broom side, Ross-shire, on the way to Ullapool and in ‘digs’, good and amusing.
Back to Fort Augustus.
Having gained my driving licence and made a ‘good show’, I was asked to go to North Scotland (Thurso) and be in charge of forest tree experiments at three places, one in Sutherland. So I did.
Before going, I had to go to Crieff in Perthshire to pick up the van and had to drive it through snow all the way to Fort Augustus. I was more than grateful to arrive safely.
The tree experiments were planted according to the plans supplied.
I had to find the necessary labour; Two ex-salmon fishers in the quiet season and Colin, a Forester who came with me.
I had to work out the pays, do PAYE Tax returns and pay the men (the first time a foreman - me - was allowed to do so).
I kept a daily diary (work done and weather notes).
The Senior Forest Officer at HQ saw the diary and said he wanted others to copy the practice (in a circular sent round to other Research Units).
About then, a letter came from Tom Robbie, the Chief Instructor at Glentress, to say that there was an Assistant Head Forester vacancy at a large Estate in the Borders. He thought I would be interested and suitable.
Well, I liked the Research work and didn’t wish to leave.
I did like and respected all the Senior Officers. However, with thoughts of marriage and since the Forestry Commission would not, in any way, assist me to get a house, I decided to accept Tom Robbie’s offer, eventually applied and became Assistant Head Forester with the Duke of Buccleuch at Bowhill, Selkirk (May? 1951 - March 1956).
A very large Estate, woodlands, shelter belts, miles of dykes and fences which had to be erected to suit the important local hunt and sheep faulds.
As well as Bowhill, we had to look after Eildon Hall and Eckford Estates.
We, being Grigor J Cameron MBE, and me.
Poor soul, he was gassed in the ‘14-18 War and slept with a tube down into his stomach each night - his main diet - Beuchers food (?) - but oh! He was a tough guy and a clever craftsman. We had laughs!
Each Friday one of us would take the pays for the woodmen of the three Estates .
I got on well with the Duke. I did like him.
Grigor Cameron, with severe rheumatism curling up his fingers, had to retire.
The Agent, another war veteran, asked me to apply, but I said ‘if you don’t know me after 5 years - I won’t apply’.
Through the Royal Scottish Forestry Society (whose Forest Diploma I hold), I learned of a vacancy with Gerald Palmer (of Huntley and Palmer fame), on the Priors Court Estate in West Berkshire, England. A fine gentleman, who came to see us at Hutlerburn. So we upped and moved there on 9th March 1956.”
Shona adds:
After Dad’s time at Priors Court Estate, he had a stint in the Post Office!
He then was sought out by Jimmy Harold, another Scot, who was retiring from his position as Head Forester on the Broadlands Estate in Romsey, Hampshire, home of the late Lord Louis Mountbatten.
Dad took this post from May 1969 to 1986 when he retired.
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