Forest worker training at Cairnbaan Camp , Argyll
The images are courtesy of Shona Marshall daughter of Alex Grossert.
The photographs, located only lately in a small album, have very little detail other than location. Alex was based in Cairnbaan camp and probably worked in Knapdale forest for the period from Feb – Oct 1948 after which he was sent to Glentress.
Alex Grossert who may have taken the photograph reveals a little of the Cairnbaan camp and some fellow forestry workers. The former work camp was at the time used by the Forestry Commission as local forest worker housing, bothy accommodation and as forestry offices. It appears that applicants for the Forester Training Schools who had little or no forest worker experience were sent to such locations to gain a grounding in forestry work practices. They would most likely worked alongside other local forest workers. There was a strong demand for additional foresters after the war and young and not so young men were pushed through fairly quickly into the training system.
There are no names but the young lad on the left in the military style clothes may well be Ian Campbell who remained a close friend of Alex Grossert. The timber panel in the back ground look like sections of dismantled huts. Any thoughts?
Can any of the other men be named?
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Groups: Buildings in Forests, Forestry Areas, Groups of people