Alex MacLeman at Morangie Fire
Photograph courtesy of Don Macleman who goes on to say ‘T D Cotter-Craig was District Officer for Ardross and Morangie Forests among others. Circa 1957 there was a major forest fire at Morangie Forest and Squads from all over the north were drafted in to fight the fire for many weeks. Father (Alex MacLeman) was in overall fire control charge even though George Small was the Forester at Morangie – why I have no idea (Rank maybe!!). It was a peat fire and very difficult to control – fires would be extinguished on the surface but actually continue burning underground for days then flare up again as there was a continuous strong wind blowing.
Anyway Mr Cotter-Craig paid regular visits to check on status and in the attached photo taken at the fire scene you will see: Father, me, my sister Eileen and Mrs Cotter-Craig. You can see the smoke from the fire in the background.
Father had a lot of time for Mr Cotter-Craig and very nearly went to join him when Mr Cotter-Craig left the FC to join an independent forestry group and offered him a job in the south of England. After a great deal of deliberation father decided to stay where he was. Not sure if he ever regretted that decision!'
Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Groups of people