Catherine MacAllister Women’s Timber Corps 17 April 1941 – 23 April 1945 and Agnes Smith
The image is courtesy of Forestry Commission Scotland and Bonny Macadam. The images were used by Forestry Commission Scotland when they set up and launched the Women’s Timber Corps statue at David Marshall Lodge in 2007. It is not known for certain but they must have made contact with former Women’s Timber Corps trainer, Bonny Macadam, and received some of her photograph archive.
The image features three WTC ladies posing for the photographer each with a heavy Scotch axe over their shoulders. Note the different dress detail, shorts, trousers and bib and brace overall. Two of the ladies have light weight gloves.
The lady in the middle is named as Kitty MacAllister and her details, as per her Index Card, indicates that she was born in Aug 1920 and enrolled in the WTC on 17 April 1941. Her address is given as Elizabeth Street, Ibrox, Glasgow SW1. It does not state where Kitty trained but the photograph informs us that she was at Shandford Lodge, Brechin, at some point. The Index Card notes that she was placed in employment at R/1381 (Lanark) on 5 May 1941 which would indicate a very short training period! Kitty also received a Good Service Badge on 23 Dec 1941. She was released from service 23 Jun 1945.
Very bare details but any more on Kitty would be very welcome indeed.
The lady on the right was recognised at the state unveiling event in 2007. Agnes Smith from Edinburgh a former WTC volunteer recognised herself in the large photographic display. Her name has not turned up in the Index cards and she may well have used her married name at the event.
Again any details on Agnes Smith would be very welcome.