World War Two Service Roll – staff Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
We are indebted to Leonie Paterson for permission to use part of her image of the Roll of Honour. Leonie is the archivist responsible for managing the RBGE historical documents and initially placed the article onto their website.
Wilma Harper, Edinburgh, pointed out that this recently discovered World War Two Service Roll of all the personnel associated with the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh contained the names of some apprentice foresters who joined the RAF and Ministry of Supply, Home Grown Timber Production Department. The complete roll of all those who were called up to the services and the Timber Production Department including those killed during the conflict can be accessed on: https://stories.rbge.org.uk/archives/35876
Below are the names of personnel described as probationary foresters who served in the Home Grown Timber Production Department as well as the services. *Note that James McMillan Fernie, RAF, died in India.
Allan, Frank Probationer Forester, 12th December 1938. Joined Ministry of Supply, Home Grown Timber Production Department, 24th November 1939 until 29th February 1944.
Beach, John Edward Gordon Probationer Forester, 8th March 1937. Joined Ministry of Supply, Home Grown Timber Production Department, 19th October 1939 as Operations Foreman. Served in the West of Scotland, Woodhall, Arduaine, Glen Etive, until 20th June 1945.
Feaks, John H. Probationer Forester, 28th March 1938. Joined Ministry of Supply, Home Grown Timber Production Department, 19th October 1939. Served as Operations Foreman, West of Scotland, until 18th February 1941.
*Fernie, James McMillan Probationer Forester, 25th March, 1940. Enlisted Royal Air Force, 4th June, 1941, Rank – Air Craftman. Service in India. Died of malaria in India, 20th-24th August 1942. [18th August 1942]
Robertson, David Adamson Probationer Forester, 3rd April 1939. Joined Ministry of Supply, Home Grown Timber Production Department, as Operations Foreman. Service at Lochgilphead and Luss until 30th March 1946.
Watson, Alexander Probationer Forester, 20th September 1938. Joined Ministry of Supply, Home Grown Timber Production Department, 20th January 1940.
Any further information on any of the names would be very welcome.
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Groups: War time constructions and defence structures in woods and forests